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Show MONDAY, THE SUN AUGUST 21, 2000 Sports New coach hopes for same results By Stephen EditOr-in-Chi- Rebel volleyball looks to rebuild By Stephen Vincent stvmcent77(v EditOr-in-Chi- holmail.com A new coach. But he has the same last name as the old one, and he hopes he can bring the same results. Rob Dahl replaces his Heather Dahl, as the Dixie State women's soccer coach. Under Heather Dahl, the Rebels finished third in the nation the past two years. Now under the new Coach Dahl, Dixie hopes to equal that success and even sister-in-la- improve upon it. The Rebels, however, lost many key players from last years squad. Five stars of !999's squad are playing at Division I selections schools, including Shay Hansen and Tracy Heywood. Dixie returns just five players from last years squad, so they will rely heavily upon their freshmen class. Sophomore Angela Profancik will anchor the Rebels new diamond defense. Freshmen Shaylee Hogge and Krista Davis will join Trofancik in the defense, and they are expected to make life difficult for opposing attackers. And should those attackers miraculously reach the goalkeeper, their lives could quickly become nightmarish because of Tiffany Ellis, a freshman goal keeper that Coach Dahl expects to be of potential. Coach Dahl is also hoping that returning sophomore Alisha Provstgaard will be able to help out in the midiield. Provstgaard is trying to overcome a leg injury that she suffered last year. The new members of the Rebel attack will be the fastest forwards that Dixie has ever had. Tennille Bennett will be our offensive force, said Dahl. Bennett is perhaps Dahls prize recruit from his freshman class. Bennett was heavily recruited, and she even turned down a scholarship from Portland State to come to Dixie State. Dahl expects the 16 freshmen players on his team to come in and contribute right away. I think well be comparable (to last year's team). Well have more team speed and more depth," said Dahl. And (last years team) was an awfully good team. The Rebels open up with an extremely tough road trip against four Division 1 programs: UNLV, Utah, Utah State, and Weber State. Dahl says he expects his team to be able to compete in three of the four games, and he isnt ruling out the possibility of getting a split on the road trip. Two other road trips will show Dixie how good they are. They will play at Simon Frazier University in the middle of their schedule. Simon Frazier won a national championship in Canada last year, and one of their players played in the World Cup for Canada. The other road trip will feature teams that are actually members of the NJCAA. Dixie takes a road trip to Glendale, Scottsdale, and Phoenix that could show where the Rebels stand in their region. Head Coach: Rob Dahl Career Record: First year coach 1999 Record: as head coach 1999 record: 1 Conference Finish: 13-2- 1 Conference: Region IV Conference Finish: Champions National Finish: 3rd 2000 Ranking: Unavailable Games Against Ranked Teams: NA Site of the Action: Hansen Stadium Key Returners: Angela Profancik, Lindsay Mulliner, Lindsay Johnson Key Newcomers: Tennille Bennett, Tiffany Ellis Big Head Coach: Ilona Robison Career Record: First year as head 5 th, South Division National Finish: Did not place 2000 Ranking: Unranked Games Against Ranked Teams: 4 Site of the Action: Old Gymnasium Key Returners: Natalie Kidman, Stacie Smith, Angela Shields Key Newcomers: Melissa Butler, Charlene Stewart, Brittany Bates. names, souvenirs highlight fundraiser The Dixie State College Athletic Department will hold a fundraiser this weekend to earn the necessary funds that they need to run their highly successful program. The fundraiser starts on Thursday, August 24 at 6 p.m. in the Gardner Center, where at a dinner, the athletic department will auction off some valuable merchandise. Among the items on sell at the auction are a fighters robe worn by Muhammad Ali, a basketball autographed by the members of the Utah Jazz, and Dixie jersey autographed by former Rebel turned NBA player Keon Clark. In addition to these items, the athletic department will also be selling a car DVD player, a pizza party once a month for the next year, etc. Most of all, the athletic department will be selling celebrities. While the buyer doesnt get to actually keep the celebrities (Honey, do you think Jeff Homacek looks good here on the mantle, or next to the fireplace?), they will have the celebrity in their group for a round of golf. The golf tournament will be held at Entrada Golf Course on August 25. Each group will include a celebrity that the group has purchased through the auction. Tentatively scheduled celebrities include retired NFL quarterback Steve Young, retired Jazzman Jeff Homacek, Oklahoma State coach Eddie Sutton, and BYU coach Steve Cleveland. THIS WEEKS GAMES Socce'r Women's Utah Wednesday: Saturday: Football Soccer Womens Weber Thursday: Saturday: Womens Soccer Utah St. v. Utah All-Star- s, 7pm Experience Must be: Skydiving! --- 18 or older Under 225 lbs. Expect to have a great experience! Tandem and Solo Free Fall Training (435) 986-846- 1 or reddyinfowest.com Vincent stvincent77hotmail.com The Dixie College volleyball program has been, well, average the last few seasons. And average in the Scenic West Athletic Conference will usually place you in the bottom half of the league. But new coach Illona Robison is about to turn that all around. Robison, an assistant on last years squad, is the third head coach in three years for the volleyball program. But she knows her team is knocking or the door of some great accomplishments. We were close (to competing with the top teams last year), said Robison. All that was needed she says is a winning attitude. And the Rebels have that this year. They return Natalie Kidman, a stand out player a year ago, and Stacie Smith. Kidman will definitely be a leader on the court. When she gets up to play, then she definitely helps our team out, said Robisor. The focus on this years team will be strengthening the middle. Smith will play a key role in that, as will freshman Melissa Butler, and UVSC transfer Jan Ditze. Were going to try to establish more o: a middle attack, which will help us a lot, said Robison. The keys to establishing a strong middle attack for the Rebels, according to Robison, include running a quicker attack, being more active offensive and moving to and from the net quickly. The first step to turning the program around, however, will be done in the mind of the volleyball players. I think our biggest challenge is going to be getting that winning mentality, said Robison. Weve just been average for the last few years. We need to change that to ) desire to win." Last year, the Rebels had a winning record going into the SWAC season. But they managed just one conference win. That might be the Rebels biggest prol lem: playing in the SWAC, a league whicl includes NJCAA volleyball powers such a1 the College of Southern Idaho, Ricks College, Salt Lake Community College, at Utah Valley State College, four of the nations top 15 teams play in the SWAC. Still, Robison says there is no reason believe that Dixie cant be right there wit! hem. ; f I i -t; In fact, Robison says Dixie was very ; , close to both Salt Lake and UVSC, the tv ; ? Southern Division powers last year. Attitude is going to be the biggest dt I. ference, said Robison, who notes that she , has seen a better attitude with this years (: , squad than last years squad. They have a really good energy goia and theyre really positive, said Robison. C if Dixies volleyball program is ready to ' step it up, and play with the big boys, ... e ) ? big girls of the SWAC conference. This could be their breakthrough yea J r Stay tuned. :Si |