This Week in Cross Country

The Mountaineers are idle until Saturday, Aug. 30, when they will open the 2008 season at the Preston Relays in Kingwood, W.Va.

Last Week in Cross Country

Last season the Mountaineers finished in the top three in six out of seven meets.

Notes & Quotes

The Mountaineers’ quest to defend their BIG EAST title begins with the season opener at the Preston Relays on Aug. 30 … highlighting the team’s schedule are the annual trips to Lehigh (Oct. 3) and Penn State (Oct. 17), before the BIG EAST Championship in the Bronx, N.Y., on Oct. 31 … the Mid-Atlantic Regional Championship is in Princeton, N.J., on Nov. 15, and the 2008 NCAA Championship is in Terre Haute, Ind., on Nov. 24 ... the All-American pair of Marie-Louise Asselin and Keri Bland both return to this year’s squad … Asselin emerged as one of the league’s top runners as she won the Penn State National Open, took second at BIG EAST and was third at the regional … as good as Asselin was, Bland was on her heals all season … Asselin fi nished in 14th at the national championships, while teammate Bland was 23rd in the country’s fi nal race last season … junior Clara Grandt is the fi nal blow in the Mountaineers’ powerful onetwo- three punch … she showed elite-level improvements from her freshman year to earn All-BIG EAST and All-Mid-Atlantic region honors as a sophomore last season.

This Week in Men’s Soccer

The West Virginia University men’s soccer team travels to Lexington, Ky., on Saturday, Aug. 23, for a preseason match against Kentucky ... kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Last Week in Men’s Soccer

The Mountaineers fell in their first preseason match on Saturday, Aug. 16, to Virginia, 2-1 … sophomore Dan Hagey scored WVU’s lone goal of the game … Hagey, who took a through pass from sophomore Paul Paradise, took a shot and as it slipped out of the goalkeeper’s grasp and blasted it into the net.

Notes

Senior goalkeeper Ryan Chance earned the starting nod in the second half for the Mountaineers… Chance made three saves in the latter period … junior Jason Bristol showed great leadership in the first half, anchoring a very young defense … WVU did not allow any goals in the first … seven freshmen saw the field in the first half for the Mountaineers.

This Week in Women’s Soccer

The Mountaineers open the 2008 campaign at home against Towson on Friday, Aug. 22 … Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium will play host to 10 home matches this fall, with the conference home opener scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 18, against Pitt … the Mountaineers return seven starters this season and welcome six newcomers.

Last Week in Women’s Soccer

Freshman Morgan Betscher scored two goals in powering the Mountaineers past Maryland, 3-0, Saturday, Aug. 16, in an exhibition match at Ludwig Field in College Park, Md. … leading 1-0 at the half, Betscher found the back of the net in the 59th minute on a free kick from 25 yards out … Betscher scored her second goal of the match a minute later on a cross from senior Deana Everrett … Betscher served a corner kick into the box where Everrett took a volley for the 1-0 lead … sophomore goalkeeper Kerri Butler recorded two fi rst half saves in the shutout … the Mountaineers registered nine shots on the night, including a 6-2 second half advantage.

Notes & Quotes

For the second straight season, the West Virginia University women’s soccer team has been chosen to win the league division title, BIG EAST conference officials announced last week … West Virginia looks to extend its postseason run with a ninth straight NCAA tournament appearance in 2008.

“It’s a nice compliment to be chosen first and earn the respect of our BIG EAST peers. However, we know there is a lot of work to do for us to end the season atop the standings. It is important to stay focused and work hard in our pursuit of ending the season in fi rst place.” – Head Coach Nikki Izzo-Brown on being picked to win the conference division title.

WVU also made a late addition to its roster in the form of defender Sarah Bizanovich.

A Wheeling, W.Va., native, Bizanovich was a four-year letterwinner at Wheeling Park High under coach Mark Hladek. A team captain in 2007, Bizanovich was a three-time First Team All-State selection. She was an All-Ohio Valley captain’s pick in 2006 and 2007. Bizanovich was named All-Valley for three seasons and was the state’s Defender of the Year in 2006. She participated in the West Virginia state All-Star game and was named the Most Valuable Defensive Player for her efforts.

The 5-10 Bizanovich played five seasons (2003-07) with Beadling Soccer Club and was a two-year captain. She most recently played one club season with West Virginia United and spent the summer with the West Virginia Illusion Under-20 team.

Bizanovich also played basketball and ice hockey in Wheeling. She is an honor roll member and has been accepted in the Honors College at WVU.

This Week in Volleyball

The Mountaineers are idle until Friday, Aug. 29, when they travel to Hamilton, N.Y., to compete in the Colgate Classic.

Last Week in Volleyball

Last season the Mountaineers fi nished 16-14, 5-9 in BIG EAST play.

Notes & Quotes

The Mountaineers return two seniors, Lisa Hough and Tammy Wolf, who will serve as captains ... last season Hough and Wolf tied for second on the team in kills with 218 ... also returning is sophomore libero Bonnie West, who gathered 534 digs last season placing her second on the list for most digs in a single season at WVU ... in the setter position will be redshirt sophomore Nicole Jones, who played in 25 sets and captured 41 digs ... in the Colgate Classic the Mountaineers will meet up with tournament host Colgate, Boston College and Kent State ... the Mountaineers’ fi rst home match will be on Friday, Sept. 12, against in-state rival Marshall.

“We are excited to play and look forward to some good competition at the Colgate Classic.” –Head Coach Veronica Hammersmith.

This Week In Women's Basketball

Coach Mike Carey today announced that freshman Jessica Capers will miss the 2008-09 season after tearing her left knee’s ACL in a recent North Carolina All-Star game.

“This is very unfortunate for Jessica,” Carey said. “We know she’ll come back stronger and she’ll have four years of eligibility remaining. We are looking forward to her four successful years here at WVU.”