Around the NCAC

** Ohio Wesleyan senior Xander Jones is building an usual sporting career during his tenure with the Battling Bishops. This year, Jones has pitched shutouts for both the baseball team (a no-hitter against Wittenberg on March 25) and the men’s soccer team (six saves against Alma last Sunday). Last weekend, Jones was there as the men’s soccer team blanked Medaille on Friday night, kicked off for the football team against Catholic on Saturday, and went the distance in goal for the men’s soccer team against Alma on Sunday.

** Wittenberg volleyball has rolled to an 8-0 mark after two season-opening tournaments. The Tigers efforts have been rewarded with the #1 ranking in the first American Volleyball Coaches Association poll of the season and junior outside hitter Jackie Williams earned Sports Imports/Division III National Player of the Week. She was named to the all-tournament team at the Washington National Invitational after she pounded out 56 kills on a .475 attack percentage, to go with 14 digs and 11 total blocks as the Tigers won the tournament with a perfect 4-0 record. Three of the victories came over nationally ranked foes: #4 Washington (MO), #12 Concordia Moorhead and #15 Ohio Northern. The Tigers also defeated Central (IA). The Tigers are the defending NCAC champions and opened their title defense with a pair of straight set victories over Kenyon last night.

Hiram, the 2006 NCAC Tournament winner, has also gotten off to a quick start so far this season with an 8-1 record. The Terriers posted a perfect 4-0 record at the annual Hiram Invitational last week topped Wooster 3-1 in their conference-opener last night. Hiram is ranked 23rd in the national AVCA poll.

** Denison juniors David Curtis and John Geissinger are featured in Swimming World Magazine's "On Campus" features. Head coach Gregg Parini is also the focus of a Q&A on training methods. Click here for a .pdf of the article.

** Wabash linebackers got a taste of the business world this past summer as part of Wabash’s business immersion program.

** Ohio Wesleyan men's soccer coach Jay Martin also serves as the editor of the Soccer Journal, the magazine of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America. In the September-October issue, Martin mounts a defense of college soccer and its value. Click here for a .pdf of the editorial (posted with permission).

** Saturday's Oberlin at John Carroll women's soccer game will be televised by SportsTime Ohio in a delayed broadcast on Sunday at 12:00 p.m.