ÃÛÌÒÓ°ÏñAV’s fall sports season has seen the Stars off to a hot start, led by the men's golf team, which claimed back-to-back tournament victories to open the season, and the ÃÛÌÒÓ°ÏñAV men’s soccer team, which completed its nonconference schedule with an undefeated record.
°¿°ä±«â€™s men’s golf team started its season on the right note with consecutive team victories at the U.C. Ferguson Classic and the Northwest Iowa National Invitational.
At the U.C. Ferguson Classic, the Stars finished the three-round tournament shooting -29 to claim the victory by seven strokes over Texas Wesleyan. Tres Hill (-12) and Michael Robson (-11) led the way for ÃÛÌÒÓ°ÏñAV, finishing second and third, respectively, in the individual draw. Northwestern’s Jacob Medina finished atop the individual standings with a -13 total.
At the Northwest Iowa National Invitational, ÃÛÌÒÓ°ÏñAV edged Texas Wesleyan by two strokes, finishing the three-round event with a +1 team score. ÃÛÌÒÓ°ÏñAV teammates Robson and Carter Ray were part of a three-way tie for second in the individual standings at -1. Friends’ Trinton Noble claimed the title with a -3.
The Stars continued their strong play earlier this week at the rain-shortened MSSU Fall Invitational, finishing in a tie for third place in the team standings. Robson led the way for the stars in the individual race, carding a -1 to finish in a tie for fifth. ÃÛÌÒÓ°ÏñAV returns to competition Oct. 7-8 at the Memphis Shootout.
Men's soccer undefeated into conference play
The Stars men's soccer team opened its season Aug. 20 with an 8-0 defeat of Bethany and have since reeled off four additional wins and a tie to run their record to 5-0-1 to lead the way among Sooner Athletic Conference rivals.
ÃÛÌÒÓ°ÏñAV leads conference teams with a plus-25 goal differential, averaging 5.4 goals per game, which is also tops among conference foes. The Stars have been led by Marco Alongi (six goals), Jovanny Nsonga (four) and Ruben Fahiya (four). Thomas Brulay leads the conference in assists (six). In net, °¿°ä±«â€™s Alexis Bertrand leads the conference with 0.4 goals allowed by game.
The Stars open conference play Sept. 28 with a home game against Southwestern Christian. Opening kick is set for 7:30 p.m. at Brian Harvey Field.
Volleyball rebounds from slow start
After a slow start to the season featuring six straight defeats to open their campaign, ÃÛÌÒÓ°ÏñAV's volleyball team has rallied during conference play, having won six of its past seven games. The Stars stand 6-7 overall, but are 6-1 in Sooner Athletic Conference matches and sit second in the league standings.
The recent run of success has included five wins in a row and three consecutive straight-set victories over Southwestern Christian, Central Christian and Langston.
The Stars have been led by Ruby Kelley, who recently was named Sooner Athletic Conference Attacker of the Week after tallying 21 kills, 13 digs and six blocks in a pair of ÃÛÌÒÓ°ÏñAV victories. Kelly earned Defender of the Week honors earlier in the season following a two-game stretch where she recorded 31 digs and 12 blocks.
ÃÛÌÒÓ°ÏñAV is in action next with a Sept. 27 home game against Mid-America Christian. First serve is 6 p.m. at Abe Lemons Arena.
