Sports Briefs

Author: Geoff Homer

Bob Ritter to talk on ESPN 1490

Followers of Middlebury football will be pleased to learn that WFAD, a division of ESPN radio, channel 1490, has expanded it's coverage of the football team, and will include a new segment titled, "The Coaches Show with Bob Ritter." The first scheduled airing will take place on September 21 at 7 p.m. The show will continue throughout the Panther season.

ESPN 1490 Sports Director Chris Fells, who is also the play-by-play voice of the Panthers, will host the show. Fells hopes that the program will bring more exposure to Middlebury football, both within Addison County and across the country.

Tune into ESPN 1490 or visit the website at www.wfad1490.com to listen to the games.


IM sports kicks off its fall season

"I'm excited for IM sports."

The semester doesn't officially start until you get an e-mail from reigning NESCAC baseball coach of the year Bob Smith explaining which sports are on the intramural tap. On Friday, Sept. 15 at 9:09 a.m. all students received it.

This fall, touch football, soccer, volleyball, badminton and tennis will be played on the fields behind the athletic center and on various courts all over campus. Former high school captains and other exceptional athletes will compete for the most desired gray shirts at Middlebury. Wear the tee that proclaims you are a Middlebury Intramural Champion and people will know you are something special.

September showers may muddy up the fields or turn the Proctor Tennis courts into a slip n' slide, but most of the time, the games will go on.


Men's tennis travels to Cornell

Over the weekend the men's tennis team competed in the Cornell Invitational, which was the season opener for the Panther squad. The annual fall tournament was stacked with Division I teams, but Middlebury held its own. In each of the singles brackets, a Panther individual advanced to the semi-finals. Each player lost to a Division I opponent, but the team's strong showing spoke volumes about its strength. Captain Kevin Bergesen '07, pictured right, lost in the semis but had to be proud of his team's success.

In doubles, Conrad Olson '09 and Fil Marinkovic '08 won the B flight bracket, while Alex Scott '07 and George Mayer '07 lost in the finals of the A bracket.


Volleyball drops two of three

Following its impressive start to the season at the Potsdam Invitational Tournament, the women's volleyball team went 1-2 this past weekend in its first NESCAC quad at Bowdoin College.

The Panthers began the weekend against host Bowdoin on Friday night, with a contest in which they lost 3-1. Middlebury jumped out to a 1-0 lead, but the home team won the final three and the match. Lexie Fisher '08 led the way with 14 kills and 3 blocks. On the defensive front, Olivia Minkhorst '09 had 17 digs, while Lacee Patterson '06.5 added 16 digs and 30 assists and newcomer Reisa Bloch '10 chipped in with 15 digs.

The following day the Panthers squared off against Colby, last year's NESCAC champion, and Bates. In Saturday's first match versus Colby, the Panthers were again defeated 3-1. All of the game scores were close, but Colby was too much down the stretch. Fisher was once again impressive, adding 19 kills and 4 blocks to her 29 digs. Lacee Patterson continued her solid performance with 9 kills, 19 digs and a noteworthy 40 assists, while her sister Lindsay Patterson '08.5 contributed 13 kills and 27 digs. Minkhorst had 27 digs in the losing effort.

The Panthers finished the weekend on a positive note, with a 3-0 drubbing of Bates, where they outscored the Bobcats 90-52. Lacee Patterson lead the team with 31 assists, while Fisher added 11 kills and Minkhorst came up with 10 digs.

Currently the Panthers are 4-3 overall, with a 1-2 record in the NESCAC. The team will look to build upon the momentum from its victory against Bates when they head south this upcoming weekend for the Amherst Classic.

- Seth Miran, Staff Writer