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Show SPORTS VOLUMELII. ISSUE 10 OCTOBER 10, 2011 WWW.UVUREVIEW.COM IN THE ZiL,NE with Matt Petersen Time for soccer to get its due Golf becoming the powerhouse UVU needs When I spoke to athletic director Mike Jacobsen a few months ago, he called men's basketball "the sport we hang our hat on." In terms of fan interest and financial returns, Jacobsen has a point. Still, there's one question that needs to be asked. How about that men's golf team? Before you blink and disregard this as a suicidal jump off the mainstream bridge, consider following: • • Men's golf team finishes this season: first, second and second. The victims: Washington State, Boise State, Idaho and Weber State. The accolades: Mason Casper wins individual title at Battle in the Tetons, named American Men's Golf Conference Player of the Week and was among the top-10 in the nation in scoring average. It's a shame so much success is going unnoticed, largely because all the invitationals have, to this point, taken place out of state. The Wolverines wrap up their only in-state showcase today at the Wildcat Invitation in Layton before heading to Hawaii at the end of the month. Am I jealous? Yes, and not just because of the location. UVU golf represents, perhaps better than any other sport, where Wolverine athletics stand and what they're trying to do. Without a big-time conference's backing, wins of the most frequent and bigtime nature are needed to help the program take the next big step. The step itself, however, will happen without much fanfare. That's exactly what's happening on the fairway, even as most of us wait and hope for it to happen on the hardwood or the diamond. This is no knock on volleyball, baseball or basketball, sports that over the past two years have more than held their own. Golf's string of top-two finishes, however, has been the most consistent and impressive stat of success to date, and there should be no shame in admitting that. UCLA, widely recognized for its image in football and basketball, only truly dominates golf, where they currently rank first in the nation. UVU isn't ranked yet, nor did they receive votes from the coaches poll. It will probably take another handful of finishes to get that kind of notice. With that brand of success already achieved, however, national attention goes from improbable to possible. That in itself is a huge step. One none of us expected golf to be responsible for. CONTACT: of the program, felt things would not work out. After talking with friends that played at UVU, Young chose to come closer to home and find a better atmosphere. "I was immediately welcomed in," Young said. "I couldn't believe the camaraderie and how well the team gelled immediately." Young shares an apartment with forward Haley Curtis, keeper Jedeshia Colebrook and defender Nicole Slater. Young found twitterpation in the brother of Haley Curtis. "I assist her goals and I get to date her brother," Young laughed. "That's our arrangement." Another connection they share is that all but one teammate is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Hank Williams Jr. caused a firestorm with his reference to Hitler and President Obama last week and his iconic opening song to Monday Night Football was dopped. This caused a great stir among political pundits but my controversy does not involve Williams, Hitler, or even the network that held him accountable. My beef comes with FOX sports. The Lions and Cowboys game that was aired in the early time slot had all the drama, big plays, and edge of the seat action that any NFL game could ask for. In the midst of the drama a promo aired for the following event as a continuance of their Sunday lineup of football. Not an uncommon practice. What was not made immediately clear was that it was international futbol that would follow, Tottenham vs. Arsenal to be exact. I am a budding soccer enthusiast but this promo put a sour taste in my mouth, almost like Fox was trying to slip a fast one past me. We are in America and in America futbol is soccer and football is football. Real football has by far outgrown baseball as our national pastime whether it's college or NFL. International elitism when it comes to soccer is causing more harm than good for the sport in America. I grew up thinking soccer was all about running around trying to get a chance to just kick the ball whether it was close to the goal or a teammate YOUNG B2 BOLDT B2 Photo cartesy of UVU Athletics Wolverines forward Natalie Young, once recruited by Duke and Princeton, brought her fiery brand of play to Utah Valley after things didn't work out at the University of Utah. Young scored four goals in one game against Idaho State. Young and confident Former Duke, Princeton recruit brings needed brashness to Wolverines rip By JONATHAN BOLDT Asst. Sports Editor Only the strong shall survive. Adaptation. These are just two traits Utah Valley redshirt sophomore Natalie Young has utilized in order to advance her collegiate athletic career and put her in a position of leadership on this year's Wolverines soccer team. Growing up, Young found herself amid a slew of 10 children. She fell in at position number eight, scrunched in between two sisters and a brother. Many of her eight sisters were gifted athletes and, ironically, her brother had no interest in sports. It made for a unique family makeup that only helped Young as she entered the world of female college athletics. "Growing up with eight sisters really helped me to get ready for this," Young said. "It made for an easy transition into everything that goes into being close with a big group of girls." Early on at Springville High, Young played basketball to go along with her mainstays of track and soccer. She also flirted with music and the flute. A broken ankle from basketball gave her the perspective she needed to focus on her true loves: soccer and track. For Young, the two sports became inseparable and stood strong even as tempting offers started pouring in from prestigious schools such as Duke, Brown and Princeton. What stood in the way? They recruited her specifically solely for track. When the offer from the You have to get cocky. You get the mindset you will score and she cannot and will not be able to stop the ball. -Natalie Young University of Utah came along and offered both, she jumped at the chance. Young, however, immediately felt she did not fit in and, because of philosophies at the top Heaps doubles up, others step up in conference play ByMATT PETERSEN LI7:111111 ri Sports Editor Head coach Sam Atoa didn't want his teamto take a step back against conference competition. Instead, the Wolverines have taken a leap forward, easily winning their first two Great West Conference matches behind a rejuvenated Chelsey Heaps. The senior outside hitter combined for 22 kills and 27 digs in wins over North Dakota and Chicago State. The Wolverines lost just one set in the two games combined. Heaps, who until last week had struggled in converting her scoring attempts, found herself challenged by Atoa after the first set against CSU last Thursday. "He was pretty blunt with me," Heaps admitted. "He said, 'You're only hitting err Photo by Nathan Grill/UVU Review Erica Nish and Chelsey Heaps go up for the block against Chicago State. The Wolverines went on to win 3-0, giving them a 2-0 record in Great West Conference play. SPORTS EDITOR ASST. SPORTS EDITOR SPORTS DESIGNER petersensports@gmail.com jonboldt@gmail.com gonzamatic@gmail.com MATT PETERSEN JONATHAN BOLDT ERIC GONZALEZ .150 right now. You should be hitting .500.' I just went out and did what he told me to." Heaps finished with 11 kills and a .308 percentage, re-emerging as the dangerously accurate scorer UVU missed the first month of the season. After the game Heaps said she may be back to form after her rough start. "I kind of got in a good groove and I felt I had to work toward that groove," Heaps said. "At first I was a little frustrated." Where Heaps has regained her swagger, Kalani Norris is establishing hers. The true freshman scored eight kills and four aces against CSU, second behind Heaps, just days after notching seven against defending GWC champion North Dakota. Atoa credited Norris for stepping up as yet another threat for UVU's multi- VOLLEYBALL B3 FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! @UVU_SPORTSDESK |