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Show uvu Top 5: Your Guide to UVU sports Aug. 25-30 MATTBEAUDIN Sports editor Whether you're an incoming freshman, a transfer student or a long-time Wolverine sports fan, there is no substitute for knowledge. Here's a breakdown of the top 5 things to love and expect from the various athletic programs as we enter the 2009-10 seasons. (5) One-of-a-kind With UVU's recent transition from junior college to NCAA division I athletics, there are no schools quite like UVU. As the first school to make such a dramatic transition, the ex- pectations were low for the Wolverines when it came to competing against other division I schools on a regular basis. UVU's seven-year provisional period began with an exploratory year in 2002-03. The next season teams began competing with partial Division I schedules and by 2005 were fully immersed in competing against Division I talent. This season-2009-10-will be the first year UVU competes as a full-fledged member of the NCAA and • as a member of the Great West Conference. (4) Growth One of the most exciting reasons to be a UVU fan comes with the opportunity to see the athletic department grow. As UVSC became UVU and then became NCAAsanctioned, the growth of the school has been prolific. There is no telling how much growth is yet to come and there's never been a better time to cheer on the Wolverines. (3) Accessibility Because UVU is still under the radar in a lot of ways, the teams and athletes are more accessible than at other division I schools. There are always plenty of open seats at games and because the athletes don't receive as much attention from the media, they are a lot more level headed and are surprised when they are recognized outside the gym or off the field. (2) Winning Tradition Although the Wolverines are inexperienced as far as the NCAA goes they are not new to winning. UVU has posted wins against several big-name schools including a men's basketball win over Arizona State of the PacTen Conference, a baseball win over Oklahoma State, who was ranked in the top 10 nationally and wins over BYU and Utah on the baseball field. UVU also brings home the hardware as the women's soccer team, volleyball team and basketball team regularly win their conference tournaments. (1) Star Power The number-one thing about Utah Valley sports has been its ability to produce star athletes on a regular basis. Most fans know about Ronnie Price, who now comes off the bench for the Utah Jazz in the NBA. Price starred at UVU before signing a free agent contract with the Sacramento Kings and then the Jazz as he made his return to the state of Utah. The recently graduated Ryan Toolson took over for Ronnie Price as the universities favorite son, becom- ing UVU's all-time leading scorer on the basketball court. Toolson tipped the scales with a 63-point win over Chicago State in four overtime periods last season and has continued to solidify Utah Valley's spot on the basketball map. He has appeared in ESPN the Magazine and was featured in the program at the Final Four during the NCAA Tournament last year. UVU has also seen Kam Mickolio become the first UVU baseball player to play in the Major Leagues when he made his debut with the Baltimore Orioles in August 2008. Also former track and field athlete Noelle Pikus-Pace became the first American women to win the overall World Cup title in the sport of Skeleton. Tues.-Thurs. Aug. 25-27 Orem Owlz at Casper Ghosts 7:05 p.m. I Friday Aug. 28 Wolverines get a head start on new season &KIRA TERRY Sports writer With two exhibition games won and behind them, the UVU women's soccer team is ready to take on the 2009 season. UVU lost a few seniors last season, but coach Brent Anderson says, "We have a great core of players returning this season and we've added some great recruits." The 2009 season marks the first season that UVU women's soccer is officially in the Great West Conference. Being in the new conference gives UVU a challenge with some new teams. "The schedule is good and strong in general," says Anderson. "We're playing some great teams and the girls are very excited for the possibilities that the new conference holds." The Wolverines kicked off their pre-season on August 12 against Westminster College where they shut them out 2-0 taking their first win. A few days later on August 17 UVU played their second exhibition game against Weber State, also taking a win of 5-1. With these games behind them Anderson says, "They have come in physically and mentally prepared to compete. They took the off-season seriously and prepared themselves." Anderson promises this season to be a little different and encourages fans to come see what's new. "We've made a couple of modifications to our system of play. It's more attacking style, quicker pace style of soccer and more exciting to watch," says Anderson. Anderson also promises "If they come out we'll put on a good performance for them. Were very excited about the crowd we do get and hope that continues." The lady Wolverines' first home game of the regular season is Sep. 4 against Wyoming. [Women's Soccer | vs. Seattle University Moscow, Idaho 15:00 p.m. Women's Volleyball vs. Gonzaga Ogden, Utah 5:00 p.m. Orem Owlz at Idaho Falls Chukars 17:05 p.m. RSL I vs. Chivas USA 17:00 p.m. Saturday |Aug. 29 UVU ATHLETICS Senior Brooke Salcido will be an integral part of the lady Wolverines run for a conference championship in women's soccer this season. UVU Women's Volleyball at Weber State I Ogden, Utah 1:00 p.m. Owlz streaking to the finish MATTBEAUDIN Sports editor JAYARCANSALJN/UVU Review The Orem Owlz swept the Missoula Osprey to add to their win streak and Increase their lead En the Pioneer League South. It all started with a win over the Idaho Falls Chukars on Aug. 5 and has continued for over two weeks. After finishing third behind Ogden and Idaho Falls in the Pioneer League South Division's firsthalf standings, the Owlz have ripped off a season-long winning streak to put them in command of the division race. Orem had won 12 games in a row as of Aug. 19 and propelled themselves into first place in the division with about three weeks to go in the season. With a playoff spot up for grabs, the Ogden Raptors having locked up a spot already, Orem has done its job to make itself a frontrunner to secure the second half of the season and another playoff appearance for the franchise. The Owlz have perennially advanced to the playoffs and won the Pioneer League Championship two seasons ago. Orem has outscored their opponents 96-39 throughout the 12 gamewinning streak including an 18-3 thrashing of the Ghosts on Aug. 6 and a 13-4 win over the Missoula Osprey on Aug. 11. In their 18-run spook over the Ghosts, the Owlz turned in a record 23 hits to pace them to the victory. "When the whole team is hitting like that it really feels good," said catcher Carlos Ramirez of the hitting barrage. "The team's happy and running great." That win has been indicative of the team as a whole as they have made their run through the Pioneer League. The momentum of the blowout wins have helped them eke out the close games as well. A 1-0 win over the Ghosts on Aug. 7 came on a ninth inning rally. As the season winds to an end, the Owlz will look to make a run in the playoff as the hottest team in the league. Orem hopes to ride this hot streak all the way to the Pioneer League Championship. 'V f: ; -i;;j :£ :& f>-; .^ - • *i Women's Volleyball vs. Utah State Ogden, Utah 5:00 p.m. Orem Owlz at Idaho Fails Chu- kars 7:05 p.m. Sunday Aug. 30 Orem Owlz I at Idaho Falls rchukars I 7:05 p.m. |