Welcome back to all of our followers and readers for the first weekly recap of the 2009-10 school year. The fall sports are already in full swing, with the much-anticipated football opener against the Florida Gators now less than a week away. We’ve been talking about it for so long but it is still hard to believe that it is here already. Hope you are all making the trip down to Gainesville to support CSU.
One week down and already CSU has had a Big South honor, with Jen Vroman earning Big South Player of the Week honors after scoring a pair of goals in the season-opener against Georgia Southern. Vroman, who made her living off feeding others and notching assists last year, had just three career goals for CSU, nearly doubling that in the first game of the season.
Volleyball hit the road to start their season, finishing 2-2 in the N.C. State Tournament, with wins over Morgan State and Davidson, proving they are ready to pick up where they left off last year. Amanda Hill earned all-tournament team honors for her performances in the four games as well.
Hill has also been named the CSU Athlete of the Week with double-digit kills in all four matches, including two double-doubles (N.C. State and Campbell).
August 22 – Soccer vs. Georgia Southern – W 2-1
As mentioned, senior Jen Vroman stole the show for CSU in the season opener. Originally scheduled to be a scrimmage, the Lady Bucs are glad they moved it to a regular season game, earning a solid victory over Georgia Southern 2-1. Both CSU goals came in the first half, and within three minutes of each other. A goal in the 54th minute and a late charge by GSU put a scare into the Lady Bucs, who dominated the stat sheets, out shooting GSU 23-8, forcing keeper Alyssa Budros to make just two saves all game.
Full Game Recap
Box Score
August 28 – Soccer vs. Alabama State – W 14-0
Thunderstorms blew up just about the time CSU and Alabama State were heading to the field, forcing what ended up being more than an hour-long delay. Once they took the field, they were able to get in just 71 minutes before the contest was called due to inclement weather.
During those 71 minutes of action, though, it was all CSU as they took a school-record 71 shots, almost breaking the previous record (44 vs. S.C. State, 9-26-00) in the first half with 42 shots. ASU was not able to get a shot off, but did have one corner kick in the contest. Freshman Morgann Wood and junior Marky Boyce each notched hat tricks, while seniors Sarah Catenacci and Jen Vroman each scored a pair of goals. Juniors Michelle Dennis and Caitlin Wesnesky, sophomore Olivia Urig and freshman Rebecca Hollstegge also found the back of the net once.
Full Game Recap
Box Score
August 28 – 29 – Volleyball @ N.C. State Hilton RTP Classic (2-2 record)
Junior Amanda Hill led the way with 53 kills over the four-match tournament, while senior Sam Sasan already tallied 142 assists. Defensively, junior Tricia Rodl averaged 4.40 digs per set for a total of 66. In their first game of the tournament, CSU took a decisive 3-1 victory over Davidson (25-21, 24-26, 26-20, 25-23). From there, they had to face the hosts of the tournament. Despite falling by a 3-0 count, the match was much closer, as CSU fell by two points in each set, including a 26-24 loss in set number two. Back to work early the next morning (10 a.m. start) CSU had no problem with Morgan State, beating them 3-0 and tried to carry the momentum into a big match with Campbell to close the tournament. The eventual tournament champions with a perfect 4-0 record, CSU provided one of the stiffest challenges, taking them to five sets before eventually falling 3-2, giving the Lady Bucs a 2-2 record and third-place finish for the tournament.
Game One Recap
Box Score
Game Two Recap
Box Score
Game Three Recap
Box Score
Game Four Recap
Box Score
What’s Coming Up:
Sept. 1 – Soccer vs. USC Upstate – 4 p.m. (Live Stats Available)
Sept. 1 – VB vs. Savannah State – 6 p.m. (Live Stats Available)
Sept. 4 – 5 – VB @ Arizona State Tournament
Sept. 4 – Soccer @ Richmond (LU Tournament) – 5 p.m.
Sept. 5 – Cross Country @ Eye Opener Invitational, Spartanburg, S.C.
Sept. 5 – Football @ Florida – 7 p.m. (Televised on FSN)
Sept. 6 – Soccer @ Longwood (LU Tournament) – 2:30 p.m.
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Weekly Recap - Aug. 22 - Aug. 30
Notes From Nichole
Friday - August 28th, 2009
Unlike other sports, fall sports have an "unknown" aspect to their season. The months prior to the season's start, many players go home and conditioning is to be done independently. Whereas winter and spring sports have months together before season's start, fall sports have a few weeks. The success of the team usually depends on the level of preparedness individually attained preceding camp. Last spring our team worked hard on and off the court, and significant improvements were made. But when final exams ended, the team dispersed and accountability became a personal choice.
When August 5th arrived, we were on the track before sunrise for our fitness test. Regardless of your condition prior to pre-season camp, there is a permanent nervousness embedded with the pressures that camp brings. The 6 AM track workouts and mid-day weights in addition to 2-a-days, wears on you physically and mentally. All of this coupled with the fact that it is unknown the condition of your teammates and how the incoming freshmen will respond creates tension of unknowing and uneasiness knowing that within the next few days you will be able to predict your season's success, all gauged from this simple fitness test. An hour later my excitement for my team was drastically increased. For the first time in the four years that I have been here, every single player passed the fitness test.
As a senior looking back on previous pre-seasons, it was then that I realized the sense of ownership and commitment our team possesses. Everyone held themselves and everyone else accountable. We have taken pride in our team, and I'm confident and excited for the team to show off all the hard work we have put in. In previous seasons, our team was disregarded for being young. Now, we have matured and encompassed a new attitude about the game and our team. This season will be long and challenging. But the Lord has blessed this team and I'm confident in the success to come.
Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.
GO BUCS!
-Nichole Diller
Jen Vroman - CSU Athlete of the Week
Jen Vroman has been named the CSU Athlete of the Week for her two-goal performance in the first game of the 2009-10 school year.
Leading her team to a 2-1 victory in the season opener against Georgia Southern, Vroman almost doubled her career goal total (3) as she notched both scores for CSU. One of the assist leaders last season, Vroman took a team-high five shots, putting three on goal and two in the back of the net.
Both goals came early in the first half (19:31 and 22:43) with Marky Boyce and Caitlin Wesnesky each earning their first assists of the 2009 season.
Football Practice Pictures - Full Pads
Coach Brunner getting ready for the two-minute drill
Look at Coach Frost showing he's still got the speed!
First FB Practice of 2009
CHARLESTON, S.C. – Even the heat couldn’t squelch the team’s excitement at the first football practice of the 2009 season. With a heat index of close to three digits, the team took to the field for the first time at 3:30 p.m., Thursday in preparation for the Sept. 5 date with Florida.
“We are just excited to get on the field,” said Head Coach Jay Mills. “The amount of paper work that is required just to get a team on the field would shock some people. Our emphasis early is not on our opponent, it is on us and how we can strive for excellence. After every drill, every practice and every day we are going to ask if that was the best we’ve got.”
With nine offensive starters, early questions revolve around the defensive side of the ball.
“With the amount of new faces, we are really going to have to have a mini spring-ball situation where we spend some time getting to know the new players,” said Mills. “I feel good about the team; we have a great nucleus coming back. We are really young but obviously have to grow up fast.
The season will start on Sept. 5 as CSU takes on the defending BCS National Champion Florida Gators. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m. and will be broadcast on FSN.
