“The key to my success was a lot of hard work and dedication, along with a great support system. I approached this year with a new work ethic and passion, knowing that it was my last year of intercollegiate athletics. I didn’t want to go out knowing that I didn’t try my hardest. Also, my coaches, teammates, friends, and family have encouraged me during the rough times and celebrated with me during the good times, so I couldn’t ask for a better cheering section.”

“The right coach is very important to a team’s success, particularly in encouraging the team to do its best. Knowing the technicalities of everything, like the proper form in the pole vault, is obviously important, but so is the coach’s ability to spark a fire in his/her team and push people to do their best. And by doing their best, I don’t mean just in athletics. The right coach pushes people to be the best all-around person they can be, whether it be in sports, academics, or their everyday interactions with people. The right coach cares about his/her athletes and lets them know that, no matter the level of success the team reaches during the season.”

By ANTHONY SHINGLER
Assistant Sports Editor

The Bat Govs battled the elements this weekend but prevailed with victories. The Govs played at home against future conference foe SIU Edwardsville in a doubleheader Sunday, April 25. The final game of the series was canceled due to heavy rain.

The Govs (21-18) opened the first game of the doubleheader with a 5-2 win. Starting senior pitcher Ricky Marshall held SIU Edwardsville to six scoreless innings and allowed only two runs in the seventh to get the complete game. Marshall allowed six hits and struck out three batters.

The Govs got on the board in the second inning when freshman outfielder Cody Hudson singled up the middle bringing home senior catcher Trey Lucas to take the early 1-0 lead. The Govs added another score on senior Matt Kole’s home run.

In the final inning the Govs would pad their 2-0 lead by adding three runs. The first run came from a Hudson bunt that scored senior outfielder Adam Browett. Senior infielder Chris Lewellyn brought home a run on a bases-loaded walk. Freshmen Reed Harper hit a sacrifice fly that scored Lucas for the last run.

In the second game, the Govs came out the gates early. They scored four runs in the second inning. Lucas singled up the middle for an RBI, Lewellyn smashed a two-run home run and senior Daniel Baggett followed suit with a solo shot.

Rather than lay down, the Cougars rallied. They scored two runs in the top of the third inning and added one run in the fourth to pull within one of the Govs lead, 4-3.

However, the Cougars rally fell short. Harper blasted a two RBI double to right center in the fourth inning.

The Cougars scored one run in both the sixth and seventh innings and lost 6-5. Senior pitcher Stephen Huff earned the win. On the mound five innings, Huff allowed three runs (earned) on four hits and struck out five cougar batters.

Beginning Saturday, May 1, the Govs will play a three-game series at home against Morehead State. It is one of four remaining conference series they have left to play this season.

By MARLON SCOTT
Senior Staff Writer

Another Lady Govs sports team has taken the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament Championship and earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. This time, however, these Lady Govs are carrying rackets.

After failing to make the cut to play in the OVC Tournament last season, the Lady Govs tennis team defeated Eastern Kentucky 4-2, Sunday, April 18, to capture the school’s fourth OVC tennis championship in its history. It is the first since 1989.

In addition to blazing a trail straight to the NCAA Tournament with red hot rackets, the Lady Govs earned several conference awards.

Leading the team to this season’s dramatic turnaround, first year Head Coach Malik Tabet was named OVC Co-Coach of the Year with Jacksonville State Head Coach Steve Bailey. According to APSU Sports Information, Tabet expected no less from his team.

“I always tell my players that when you get to college, your goal should be to leave a print into your program. To be able to make the conference tournament and be leaders on the team, they have done that,” Tabet said.

Sophomore Vanja Tomic was named OVC Player of the Year. She is the seventh woman to earn the honor for APSU.

Against Eastern Kentucky, Tomic dominated like she has done all year. She defeated her opponent in singles in straight sets to give the team one point. The win was her 17th in a row. Her overall record improved to 18-2 and she is still undefeated, 9-0, in conference play.

In addition to singles play, Tomic played with senior Mariana Pagan in doubles. Together they have won 12 straight matches. They have lost only one conference match, 8-1. Their team along with the team of Caroline Weikard and senior Michelle Liew, earned the doubles points for the team against EKU.

Liew and Pagan were selected to the All-OVC Second-Team. Tomic and Weikard were selected to the first-team. Weikard was also named Freshman of the Year. Weikard has been impressive this season and has won 12 straight before playing in singles against EKU. After her senior teammate Yuki Nakamura added another point to the teams total with her singles win, the Lady Govs needed only one more point to defeat EKU and win the championship.

Weikard lost her opening set in singles but recovered well to take the second. She was leading in the third set when she developed cramps. Her opponent, Jessica Albuquerque, took advantage and quickly made it a 6-5 score. However, Weikard made a stand and earned the championship point by defeating Albuquerque. The win also kept Weikard undefeated in the conference, 9-0.

“[The match] was full of ups and downs. I was exhausted and really tired,” Weikard said. “All the [Govs tennis team] supporting me helped me a lot. I had to fight and that’s what I did.”

The result of Weikard’s fight was the team holding the trophy that declares the Lady Govs the best in the OVC.

“I told our players to be careful and stick to what you do well. This is what you play for all year. When you carry that trophy, it makes it all worth while,” Tabet said. “I’m very excited that we have been able to put a print in this conference, and we’re going to build on it.”

The 2010 NCAA Division I Women’s Tennis Championships begin Friday, May 14.

EDITOR’S NOTE: The selection announcement will be made Tuesday, May 4.