Converse Athletes Begin Preparations for Upcoming Season
Spartanburg, SC — The Converse College cross country, soccer, and volleyball teams reported to campus on Monday. Each team began their pre-season preparations Tuesday. The cross country and volleyball will both serve as the host for their respective CVAC Tournament.
The cross country team is hoping to surpass last season’s successes of a fourth place finish. The cross country team returns 3 All-CVAC runners. Mary Cloonan, who is returning for her senior campaign, finished 5th individually. She earned on a spot on the CVAC 1st Team for her efforts. Betsy Ruppert and Sarah Powell both had impressive freshman seasons finishing 6th and 12th respectively in the CVAC Conference Championship. Ruppert earned CVAC 2nd Team honors while Powell received an Honorable Mention. The team hopes the home-course advantage will be enough to lift the trophy on October 21st. The runners will open up their 2006 season at the same course they will run for the CVAC Championship. The will participate in the Eye-Opener Invitational on September 9th at the Milliken Corporate Park.
The All-Stars volleyball will also try to out do last year’s fourth place finish. Coach Bill Rude’s inaugural season proved to be a successful one as he was named CVAC Coach of the Year. However, he is looking forward to this season’s possibilities.
“I am encouraged by the level of talent and work rate of this year’s team”, says Coach Rude. “We have a good core returning players who I feel will help to lead us in the right direction.”
One of those returners is Lauren Mueller, who earned All-CVAC Honorable Mention last season. Mueller ranked in the top ten in the CVAC in both hitting percentage (8th) and blocks per game (5th). The All-Stars also return senior Brittnay Ogez who ranked 7th in assist per game. As a team, Converse led the nation in digs per game (24.13). Monica Wallace, who is a junior, ranked 7th in the CVAC in digs per game. The volleyball team will also play host for the CVAC Tournament. The volleyball team will open its season on August 25th against North Carolina Central in the Converse Volleyball Invitational. The Invitational tournament will feature nine teams and take place August 25th and 26th.
The Converse College soccer team will compete in its first season under the direction of new head coach Brian Diaz. This young team, which only features two seniors, is hoping to take the team to new heights. Almost half the team will be sporting a Converse jersey for the first time this year.
“We have a lot of good young athletes and some key veterans who can lead this team”, states Coach Diaz. “I am excited about the potential these players posses.”
The soccer team will open their season against Spartanburg Methodist College at the Hayden Abney Fulp Field on the Converse campus.
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