The No. 2 volleyball team ran its 2008 record to 8-0 with four wins at the WU/Asics National Invitational last weekend at the WU Field House.
The Bears defeated three teams ranked in the America Volleyball Coaches Association top 25 poll, No. 11 Ohio Northern University, No. 22 Central College (Iowa) and No. 24 California Lutheran University.
Three WUSTL student-athletes were named to the all-tournament team: senior rightside attacker Nikki Morrison, junior middle hitter Erin Albers and senior setter Audra Janak. Morrison and Albers tied for the team lead in kills over the weekend, totaling 35 each, while Janak ran the offense, racking up 133 assists to go along with 27 digs and 22 kills.
Up next is the Fifth Annual Teri Clemens Invitational Friday and Saturday, Sept. 12-13, in the WU Field House. The event is the premier Division III regular-season tournament in the country and features three teams ranked in the top 25 poll — the same three schools that have combined to win each of the past six Division III titles: WUSTL, Juniata College and the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
The Bears play 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12, in a most anticipated early-season match against No. 1 Juniata College.
Football opens at home with a win
The Bears (1-0) limited Greenville College to 155 yards of total offense in a 22-0 season-opening victory Sept. 6. The shutout was WUSTL’s first since a 61-0 win at Westminster College Sept. 9, 2006. The victory also was a milestone for coach Larry Kindbom, who notched the 150th win of his career in 26 seasons as a head coach.
Greenville was held in the check the entire game by the defense. The Panthers punted nine times in the loss and were limited to eight first downs.
Sophomore Jim O’Brien set the tone early as he returned the opening kickoff 81 yards for a touchdown, and the Bears never looked back. Senior quarterback Buck Smith finished 13-of-32 for 154 yards with two touchdowns. Junior Matt Glenn led the ground attack with 13 carries for 60 yards, while senior Brent Sensenich led the Bears’ defense attack with seven tackles, including one sack and a tackle for loss.
WUSTL’s next game is Saturday, Sept. 13, at 7 p.m. at home against Westminster College.
Men’s soccer still looking for offense
The men’s soccer team will continue to try to get its offense on track after losing to Westminster College, 2-1, in Fulton, Mo., Sept. 6 and falling to 1-2 on the season.
WUSTL has scored four goals through three games this year; a year ago, the team was averaging four goals per game through its first three contests.
The Bears will try to find some offense this weekend in the WU/Fontbonne Classic. They play Southwestern University at 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12, then Denison University at 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13.
Women’s soccer has 1-1-1 road trip
The No. 9 women’s soccer team concluded a three-game road trip with a 4-2 come-from-behind victory at Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges Sept. 7 in Claremont, Calif., to salvage a 1-1-1 road trip. Senior Lauren Mehner scored two goals, including the game-winner.
Washington University (3-1-1) hosts Wartburg College at 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14, at Francis Field. Head coach Jim Conlon will be shooting for career win No. 100 as a college women’s coach against Wartburg. Conlon spent eight seasons at Wartburg compiling a 96-57-5 overall record.