Toccoa Outlasts Pioneers

The Wesleyan College basketball team was unable to hold on to its halftime lead at Toccoa Falls College, losing the game by a score of 65-53.

The Pioneers were led in scoring by Nivia Lewis's 17 points, while Ciara Walker extended her double-double streak to five games.

Wesleyan has a month-long layoff before returning to action on January 7 against Covenant College.

Walker Extends Double Figure Scoring Streak to Four

Sophomore Ciara Walker scored a team-best 13 points to extend her double figure scoring streak to four games in Wesleyan College's 99-34 loss at Maryville College.

The Pioneers dropped their third straight Great South Athletic Conference game after opening the season with consecutive victories for the first time in nearly a decade.

Playing without starting point guard Erinn Williams, Wesleyan (2-3, 0-3 GSAC) fell victim to Maryville's tough defense. The Lady Scots (5-2, 2-0 GSAC) forced 38 turnovers.

Wesleyan gets a chance to claw back to .500 on Tuesday night when they go for the season sweep of in-state rival Toccoa Falls College. The Pioneers knocked off the Eagles 68-61 in the team's season opener.

Wesleyan Basketball Drops Conference Match-up with Spelman

The Wesleyan College basketball team dropped its conference match-up with Spelman College by a score of 62-43 on Saturday afternoon.

Playing without the services of injured point guard Erinn Williams, the Pioneers struggled to find an offensive rhythm throughout the game.  Accumulating 26 turnovers (19 in the first half) and shooting only 23% from the floor, Wesleyan was left searching for someone to replace the leadership of Williams.  Despite the poor shooting percentage, the Pioneers were able to outscore Spelman in the second half by two points thanks in part to 15-19 shooting from the charity stripe.

The Pioneers were led by Bridney Green's double-double (13 points and 10 rebounds), while Ciara Walker pitched in 11 points and grabbed 7 rebounds.  The Jaguars were paced by Tiana Welch and Amanda Alexander, who scored 18 and 14 points respectively.

Wesleyan has a quick turnaround as they return to action tomorrow afternoon at Maryville College.  Tip-off is at 2:00pm.

Equestrian Team Update

The Wesleyan College equestrian team has performed in several shows this fall.  Below are the details and results of each show from the fall semester.

Georgia Southern University - Oct. 23-24 - Hunt Seat
Sophomore Stephanie Jamison competed in Advanced Walk/Trot/Canter earning a sixth place ribbon. Junior Lorikim Morris earned reserve place in Beginner Walk/Trot/Canter and freshmen Aaron South and Beth Hurst earned reserve in Advanced Walk/Trot/Canter.

Savannah College of Art and Design - October 30 - Hunt Seat
Freshman Beth Hurst earned a third place ribbon in Advanced Walk/Trot/Canter, while sophomore Stephanie Jamison placed fifth and freshman Aaron South placed sixth in the same discipline. Senior Lorikim Morris earned reserved place in Beginner Walk/Trot/Canter.

Wesleyan College - November 6 - Western
The Wesleyan College Equestrian Team hosted two western shows at the Nancy Ellis Knox Equestrian Center on November 6th. In the first show of the day, junior Anna Plue earned a second place ribbon in Intermediate I Western Horsemanship and sophomore Catherine Jordan earned a fifth place ribbon in Beginner Western Horsemanship. In Intermediate II Horsemanship, junior Kaitlyn Rentz earned a sixth place ribbon.

In the second show, Kaitlyn Rentz (Intermediate II Horsemanship) earned a first place ribbon, giving her enough points to advance into Novice Horsemanship. Anna Plue (Intermediate I Horsemanship) earned a second place ribbon and Sophomore Catherine Jordan (Beginner Western Horsemanship) earned a fifth place ribbon.

College of Charleston - Nov. 20 - Hunt Seat
Freshman Beth Hurst earned a fifth place ribbon in Advanced Walk/Trot/Canter. The Wesleyan College Equestrian Team will have their next Hunt Seat competition next semester at the University of Florida on January 22, 2011.

The equestrian team heads to Gainesville, Fla., this weekend to compete in three Western shows.  These shows will wrap up the team's competitions for the fall semester, but they will return to the ring at the University of Florida on Jan. 22.

University of Florida - Dec. 4 - Western
The equestrian team competed in Gainesville, Fla., for two western shows. In the first show, junior Kaitlyn Rentz earned fourth place in Novice Horsemanship, while junior Anna Plue brought home a respectable sixth place ribbon in Intermediate I Horsemanship. In the second show of the day, Anna Plue earned a fourth place ribbon in Intermediate I Horsemanship and Kaitlyn Rentz brought home a fifth place ribbon for Novice Horsemanship.

Pioneer Win Streak Snapped by Unbeaten LaGrange

Weselyan College saw its two-game winning streak come to an end in a 100-55 home loss to Great South Athletic Conference rival LaGrange College.

In a match-up of unbeaten rivals, who was not on the floor became as important as who was on the floor. The Pioneers lost starters Brie May and Erinn Williams to injury in the first half with the Panthers putting together a 21-0 run while Wesleyan re-grouped. Stefanie Schuck and Alex Wilson each hit three first half three-pointers to seperate the two teams.

Ciara Walker stayed in excellent form for Wesleyan (2-1, 0-1 GSAC), finishing with 15 points on 6-of-10 shooting while Bre' Solmone packed the stat sheet with nine points, nine boards, five assists and five blocks. Six Panthers (5-0, 2-0) reached double figures led by Heather Miller's 18 points.

Wesleyan returns to action on Saturday when they host Spelman College in a second straight GSAC game. Tip is scheduled for 2:00pm.

Defense Stifles Pensacola Christian for 2nd Straight Win

MACON, GA - A stifling defense led Wesleyan College to its second consecutive win in a 61-51 victory against Pensacola Christian College at Porter Gymnasium.

Ciara Walker scored a game-high 22 points to go with 13 rebounds to give the Pioneers (2-0) almost all the offense they needed. Wesleyan limited the Lady Eagles to just 24% shooting from the floor including a paltry 2-of-18 from the three-point line. Add in 18 turnovers and the defensive effort definitely turned the tide of a close game.

"We played as a unit for the first time out there tonight," stated head coach Jason Henry. "We showed a lot of hustle and created a lot of deflections. Our second half rebounding was a key as well (Wesleyan outrebounded PCC by 12 in the second half). Once our shooting comes around, the defense will keep us in a lot of games."

Brie May added 15 points for the Pioneers while Bridney Green (13 rebounds) and Bre' Solmone (10) ripped down double-digit boards. Elisabeth Marina finished with 19 points and nine rebounds to pace the Lady Eagles (0-10).

The Pioneers open the season with consecutive wins for the first time since 2001-02 and look to make it three straight when they host Great South Athletic Conference rival LaGrange College on Dec. 2. Tipoff is scheduled for 6:00pm at Porter Gymnasium.

Solmone's Double Double Paces Wesleyan Basketball in Season Opening Win

The Wesleyan College basketball team opened its 2010-11 campaign on a positive note with a 68-61 win over Toccoa Falls College.  After winning only two games a season ago, the Pioneers relied on the performance of two returners and two newcomers to set the tone for their first win of the season.

Junior returners Erinn Williams and Bre Solmone led the way for the Pioneers, scoring 17 and 16 points respectively.  In addition to her 16 points, Solmone added 17 rebounds, five assists, four blocks and three steals to her stat line, while Williams was a perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line.  Newcomers Brie May and Bridney Green pitched in 11 and 10 points respectively in their collegiate debut.

Tied at 32 at the intermission, the second half proved to be a back and forth struggle between the teams that never saw a lead of more than six points until the last five minutes.  After being whistled for 14 first half fouls, the Pioneers calmed down in the second half and tightened up their defense, forcing the Eagles into 23 turnovers for the game.

The Pioneers return to action following the Thanksgiving break on November 27 against Pensacola Christian College. Tipoff is at 6:00pm at Porter Gymnasium on the campus of Wesleyan College.

Pioneers Finish 4th in GSAC Cross Country Championship

The Wesleyan College cross country team finished fourth at the 2010 Great South Athletic Conference Championship race on October 30.  The Pioneers were paced by senior Belle Thomas, whose third place finish with a time of 27:19 was good enough to earn her All-Conference honors.

The Pioneers finished behind GSAC champions Huntingdon College, who placed six runners in the race's top ten.  The Hawks ended the day with 22 points with Spelman College finishing a distant second with 75 points.  Wesleyan was edged out of third place by Salem College by a mere six points.

Miriam Oakes (16th/31:00), Kaitlyn Rentz (20th/31:40), Amanda Holliday (29th/33:07), Emily Epperson (38th/35:43), Talor Lyle (41st/36:30) and Aditi Dey (45th/37:50) round out the Pioneers results.

In addition to Thomas's All Conference nod, Aditi Dey, Emily Epperson, Azea Mustafa and Miriam Oakes earned Academic All Conference honors.  And in a new award category, Aditi Dey won Wesleyan's Sportsmanship Award.

Basketball Season Preview

Wesleyan College Basketball Season Preview:

Head Coach: Jason Henry (4th year, 7-58 overall)
Last season: 2-18, 0-14 Great South Athletic Conference


Returners:

Ciara Walker: 5’9” Forward
• Sophomore from Columbus HS in Columbus GA
• Finished 2009-10 season averaging a double-double with 12.0 ppg and 10.2 rpg
• Led the conference in rebounds as a freshman

BreAna Solmone: 6’ Guard/Forward
• Junior from Camden County, GA
• Finished 2009-10 season averaging 9.2 ppg and 10.0 rpg
• Led the conference in blocked shots and finished second in the GSAC in rebounding and third in steals

Erinn Williams: 5’6” Point Guard
• Junior from Milford, OH
• Led the conference in minutes played (37.2/gm) and finished 5th in the GSAC in assists and assist to turnover ratio


Newcomers:
Evgenia Korun: 5’6” Point guard
• First year from Bitola, Macedonia
• Will be looked upon to control tempo and score from the point guard position

Bridney Green: 5’11” Forward/Center
• Transfer from ABAC who attended high school at Westside High School in Macon
• Started her freshman year at ABAC before suffering an injury that held her out her entire sophomore season.
• Will be looked upon as a scoring threat in the post and as a leader

Brie May: 5’8” Point guard
• First year from Columbus, Ga.
• Will be looked upon to set the tempo on defense and contribute at the point guard position

Claire Mugisha: 6’4” Forward/Center
• First year from
• Will provide a big presence in the paint

Team strengths:

This year should mark a huge step forward for Wesleyan College basketball program if all of the newcomers stay healthy. There are a good number of dedicated players with a lot of playing experience, and the athletes who have transferred in should step up and lead a team with a lot of talent. The out of conference schedule should be favorable for the Pioneers as well who open the season with five consecutive home games.

Team Weaknesses:

Although there are a lot of transfers with talent on the roster, they have not played together for any length of time so cohesion on the court will take time.

Wesleyan Athletes Earn Academic All-Conference Honors

The Great South Athletic Conference awarded its post-season honors this week and 11 Wesleyan student-athletes were named to the Academic All-Conference team for their respective sports.  In order to earn this honor, the student-athlete must be at least a sophomore and have an overall grade point average of 3.25.

Amber Campbell, Emily Epperson, Azea Mustafa and She-Marie Steadman earned the award for soccer, while Alaina Avera, Candace Malone, Katie McIntosh, Anna Plue and Noelle Webster were named to the Academic All Conference team for volleyball.

Aditi Dey, Emily Epperson, Azea Mustafa, and Miriam Oakes each received the honor for the cross country team, while senior Belle Thomas earned All Conference honors after finishing third overall in the GSAC Championship race.

Pioneers Wrap Up 2010 Season With Loss to JBC

Playing its third match in three days, the Wesleyan College soccer team did not have enough left in the tank to overcome Johnson Bible College, dropping the match by a score of 2-0.

Senior Emily Epperson added nine saves to her record-setting career total, wrapping up her four years at Wesleyan with 1, 127 saves.  Midfielder Amber Campbell also played her final collegiate match for the Pioneers.

The match concluded the Pioneers 2010 campaign.

Equestrian Team Competes in First Show of Season

The Wesleyan College Equestrian Team competed this past weekend (Oct. 23-24) at Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, GA. Sophomore Stephanie Jamison competed in Advanced Walk/Trot/Canter earning a sixth place ribbon. Junior Lorikim Morris earned reserve place in Beginner Walk/Trot/Canter and freshmen Aaron South and Beth Hurst earned reserve in Advanced Walk/Trot/Canter.


The team competes again this weekend at Savannah College of Art and Design.

Epperson Sets NCAA Career Saves Record

Wesleyan College goalkeeper Emily Epperson broke the NCAA all divisions career saves record on Sunday evening. Tallying 23 saves in her final home game against Great South Athletic Conference power Salem College, her career total currently stands at 1,118 saves. The previous record of 1,114 saves was set by Amanda Cobb of New Jersey City College in 2000.

“I didn’t think that I would make it before the season ended, so it was a surprise to say the least,” remarked Epperson. “It’s a bittersweet record, but it’s a personal accomplishment so it’s something that I’ll always have with me. It’s unfortunate that we couldn’t back it up with a couple of winning seasons, but I can’t be anything but ecstatic about it and I’m happy with how I’ve performed over the past four years.”

The record breaking save occurred in the 85th minute of play when Epperson blocked a shot in the box by Salem’s Alana Carroll.

“She’s a great goalie,” stated Amber Campbell, the only other senior on Wesleyan’s roster. “I’ve never seen a better player or someone who puts so much into it and she really deserves this recognition. From the moment we came in as freshman, she was a go getter. She wanted the team to do as well as it could and she knew what she had to do to contribute. She’s made to lead a team.”

President Ruth Knox presented the senior with a ball signed by the team at the first dead ball following the save. It gave her teammates and the campus community an opportunity to celebrate alongside her.

“We’re excited for her,” stated Wesleyan head coach Michael Spivey. “Her work ethic represents everything you want to see in a student-athlete as far as her balance between her studies and soccer. To me, the leadership she shows off the field is just as important as how she leads on the field. She’s been voted as a captain for two years now, and I think people look to her for her strength in leadership. She has a lot of strong character traits, including a personality that’s open and hard working, and she has a lot of goals and she strives to work hard to accomplish them, which she did tonight.”

The leader now finds herself atop the NCAA record books, separating herself from great players all the way from Division I powerhouse North Carolina to Wesleyan’s rivals in the Great South Athletic Conference.

“It’s kind of surreal - I never even thought it was possible or that there was record for it or that it was that important, so it’s kind of cool that it’s mine now.”

Mark another goal off the list for this driven student-athlete after tonight.

Volleyball Drops Two in Final GSAC Weekend

The trip to LaGrange College for the team's final Great South Athletic Conference tri-match did not treat Wesleyan volleyball well as the host Panthers and Agnes Scott College swept the Pioneers.

Brittany Sheely racked up five kills in each match to pace Wesleyan. With the losses, the Pioneers will miss the GSAC Championship this year.

Wesleyan hosts Southern Wesleyan University in their season finale on Oct. 30. First serve is set for 1:00pm at Porter Gymnasium.

Epperson on Pace to Break NCAA Record

In a match against league leader Maryville College, the Wesleyan soccer team could not generate an offensive rhythm against a dominant Scots team, dropping the match by a score of 12-0.

Senior goalkeeper Emily Epperson closed to within 20 saves of the NCAA all divisions career record, tallying 25 saves against the Scots.  She currently stands at 1095 saves, second only to Amanda Cobb's 1114.  Epperson will have a chance to break the record tomorrow evening when the Pioneers host Salem College at the Mathews Athletic Complex at 6:00pm.
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NCAA Division III Career Saves Leaders (Name / School / Years / Games / Saves)

1. Amanda Cobb, New Jersey City 1997-00 66 1,114
2. Emily Epperson, Wesleyan 2007- 64 1095
3. Sara Jesuit, Marian (WI) 1999-02 72 973
4. Tracy Dolence, Lake Erie 1998-01 78 954
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Volleyball Packs Porter in Pink against Brewton-Parker

Wesleyan College participated in Breast Cancer Awareness Month by "Packing Porter in Pink" for the volleyball team's match with Brewton-Parker College. The Department of Athletics honored during the match and collected donations to the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.

The Pioneers fell to the Barons 3-1 (25-13, 24-26, 25-16, 25-8). Brittany Sheely led Wesleyan (1-14) with 10 kills and a .240 hitting percentage while Alaina Avera finished with a season-best 18 digs. Emily Wood pounded out 21 kills for Brewton-Parker (15-7) in the win.

Wesleyan heads to LaGrange College on Saturday to compete in the team's final Great South Athletic Conference tri-match of the year, joining the host Panthers and Agnes Scott College.

Pioneers Soccer Falls to Agnes Scott, 4-0

Facing a barrage of shots, Wesleyan goalkeeper Emily Epperson inched closer to taking over the top spot in NCAA career saves in a 4-0 loss to GSAC rival Agnes Scott College.  She finished the match with 23 saves on 45 shots taken by the Scotties and is now only 45 saves from owning the record.

The Pioneers wrap up their season with three games in three days, beginning with a conference match on Saturday at Maryville College.  Wesleyan will return home for their final match at the Mathews Athletic Complex on Sunday against Salem College before taking on Johnson Bible College on Monday.

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NCAA Division III Career Saves Leaders (Name / School / Years / Games / Saves)

1. Amanda Cobb, New Jersey City 1997-00 66 1,114
2. Emily Epperson, Wesleyan 2007- 63 1070
3. Sara Jesuit, Marian (WI) 1999-02 72 973
4. Tracy Dolence, Lake Erie 1998-01 78 954
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Thomas Leads Cross Country in Final Tune-Up

In the team's final tune-up before the Great South Athletic Conference Championship, Belle Thomas led a steadily improving Wesleyan squad at the Oglethorpe Classic.

The two-time GSAC Runner of the Week continued her consistent season with an 11th place showing. She completed the course in 21:42.67 against a field stacked with Division I and II competitors.

Wesleyan finished seventh in the nine-team field, but seemed to close the gap on one of the top GSAC contenders, Spelman College.

Miriam Oakes (42nd), Kaitlyn Rentz (44th), Amanda Holliday (58th), Taylor Lyle (69th) and Aditi Dey (73rd) rounded out the Wesleyan side.

Volleyball Hosts Four-Team Festival

Wesleyan College welcomed GSAC rivals Spelman College and Covenant College along with non-conference foe St. Thomas University in a five-match volleyball festival at Porter Gymnasium.

Records:
Covenant College - 12-11
Spelman College - 4-17, 1-4 GSAC
St. Thomas University - 18-4
Wesleyan College - 1-12, 0-5 GSAC

Spelman College d. Wesleyan College, 3-2 (25-27, 26-24, 25-14, 21-25, 15-6)
In the first five-set match since Wesleyan re-introduced the program, Spelman outlasted the Pioneers. A rally in the fourth set kept the Pioneers alive. Alaina Avera racked up 11 kills and six digs to pace Wesleyan while Loni Young piled up 13 kills including five in the decisive fifth set.

Covenant College d. Spelman College, 3-0 (25-17, 25-4, 25-12)
Covenant limited Spelman to a negative hitting percentage in all three sets to cruise to a 3-0 sweep. Erica Adams finiished 10 kills to pace the Scots.

Covenant College d. Wesleyan College, 3-0 (25-8, 25-11, 25-4)

Covenant's defense dominated again, limiting Wesleyan to just seven kills in a 3-0 sweep. Estes Carlson garnered 10 kills in 13 swings while setter Lisa Solis racked up a double-double (19 assists/10 aces). Alania Avera had three kills and three digs to pace the Pioneers.

St. Thomas University d. Spelman College, 3-0 (25-13, 25-8, 25-21)
NAIA foe St. Thomas used an efficiently executed offense to sweep Spelman 3-0. The Bobcats hit .233 for the match including an impressive 11 kills on 17 swings in set two. Slavica Stefanovic finished with 10 kills. Loni Young added another five kills for the Jaguars.

St. Thomas University d. Wesleyan College, 3-0 (25-12, 25-7, 25-10) 
Slavica Stefanovic dominated the match with 17 kills in 24 attempts while the Bobcats hit a whopping .478 in a 3-0 sweep of the host Pioneers. Alaina Avera led Wesleyan with four kills while Adrianne Woodward added five digs.

Wesleyan returns to action on Thursday when they go for the season sweep of Atlanta Christian College on the road.

Wesleyan College Athletics Photography

Johnny Mullis of JOMIII Photography took photos of the volleyball and soccer teams that can be viewed on his website and are available for purchase.

In order to view the photos, go to http://www.jomiii.com/ and click on "Proofing."
For volleyball photos, the user code is WCV0922 and the password is 5850-096.
For soccer photos, the user code is WCS0930 and the password is 5850-97.

Follow the prompts on the website if you are interested in purchasing photos.
Thank you to Johnny Mullis for his wonderful photography!

Wesleyan Soccer Drops Match to LaGrange

On Senior Night, Wesleyan College goalkeeper Emily Epperson added another 21 saves to her career total (1034) in an 8-0 loss to LaGrange College, putting her 80 saves away from tying the NCAA all division record.  Midfielder Amber Campbell was also honored at half time.

The Pioneers failed to take a single shot in the match. 

The Panthers were paced by a four goal performance by Shelby Stanfield with Chelsea Totaro, Mary Robertson, Brittany Gray and Rachael Stevenson each adding one.

The Pioneers return to action on Saturday, October 16 at Huntingdon College.
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NCAA Division III Career Saves Leaders (Name / School / Years / Games / Saves)
1. Amanda Cobb, New Jersey City 1997-00 66 1,114
2. Emily Epperson, Wesleyan 2007- 61 1034
3. Sara Jesuit, Marian (WI) 1999-02 72 973
4. Tracy Dolence, Lake Erie 1998-01 78 954
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Epperson Moves to 2nd on Career Saves List in Wesleyan Soccer Loss

The Wesleyan College soccer team battled a full 90 minutes against Toccoa Falls College this evening, dropping the match 1-0 on a goal scored by the Eagles in the last five minutes of the game.

Due to injuries, the Pioneers were forced to start and play the entire match a man down.  "We only played with 10 players and they played great the entire match," stated Wesleyan's head coach Michael Spivey.  "They left it all on the field and I think we played much better tonight than we have in recent matches.  I'm really pleased with our effort."

Senior goalkeeper Emily Epperson added 30 saves to her career total, bringing it up to 1013.  She currently stands second in Division III in career saves and needs just nine more to pass Heather Ross (UMass-Lowell, 1995-98 - 1022) to move into second place in all NCAA divisions.

The Pioneers will host LaGrange College on Saturday, October 9 at 7:00pm and will recognize seniors Emily Epperson and Amber Campbell at half time.

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NCAA Division III Career Saves Leaders (Name / School / Years / Games / Saves)

1. Amanda Cobb, New Jersey City 1997-00 66 1,114
2. *Emily Epperson, Wesleyan 2007- 60 1013
3. Sara Jesuit, Marian (WI) 1999-02 72 973
4. Tracy Dolence, Lake Erie 1998-01 78 954

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Volleyball Drops Match with Reinhardt

Brittany Reid nearly posted a double-double while directing the Wesleyan offense in the team's 3-0 (25-9, 25-14, 25-11) loss to Reinhardt at Porter Gym.

The Eagles (10-7) swept the season series from the Pioneers (1-9) in front of a rowdy crowd. Four different Reinhardt players posted seven or more kills with Jasmine Leigh coming off the bench to finish with eight. Alaina Avera and Brittanie Steele each finished with four kills for Wesleyan.

The Pioneers will take nearly two weeks off before hosting a full day of volleyball on October 16. Wesleyan welcomes Covenant College, Spelman College and St. Thomas University to Porter Gym for a round-robin regular season match starting at 10:00am.

Volleyball Hosts GSAC Tri-Match with Huntingdon & Salem

Wesleyan College hosted its first Great South Athletic Conference tri-match of the season with Huntingdon College and Salem College.

Salem d. Wesleyan, 3-0 (25-14, 25-11, 25-16)
Huntingdon d. Salem, 3-1 (25-15, 22-25, 25-20, 25-16)
Huntingdon d. Wesleyan, 3-0 (25-16, 25-8, 25-9)

Records:
Huntingdon College: 9-11, 3-0 GSAC
Salem College: 6-9, 3-1 GSAC
Wesleyan College: 1-8, 0-4 GSAC

Salem College 3, Wesleyan College 0
Christine Tillman collected 10 kills on 12 swing to help Salem extend its GSAC winning streak to three matches to open the 2010 season. The Spirits racked up 15 aces and five blocks to fly past the host Pioneers. Four different Wesleyan players recorded kills while Rebecca Navarre and Ceclia Cortez each finished with seven digs.

Huntingdon College 3, Salem College 1
After splitting the first two sets, Huntingdon hit .207 in both the third and fourth sets to claim a 3-1 victory over Salem in the day's second match. Setter Alyssa Eason finished with a double-double (31 assists / 13 digs) while Clare Shannon and Abby Carter each had 12 kills for the Hawks. Randi Roppolo led the Spirits with 11 kills while Tillman posted nine kills, nine digs and five blocks.

Huntingdon College 3, Wesleyan College 0
A dominant service game carried Huntingdon to a 3-0 win over host Wesleyan in the day's final match. Seventeen Hawks saw action as they improved to 3-0 in GSAC play. Alaina Avera and Adrianne Woodward finished with three kills each while Rebecca Navarre added a team-leading eight digs. Settter Alyssa Eason racked up 19 assists and seven aces to pace the Hawks.

The Pioneers host in-state rival Reinhardt University in Porter Gym on Monday night. First serve is set for 7:00pm.

Epperson Climbs to 3rd on D-III Career Saves Record List

The Wesleyan College soccer team had difficulty finding an offensive rhythm against a dominant Piedmont College team, dropping their first Great South Athletic Conference match by a score of 12-0.

Senior goalkeeper Emily Epperson hauled in 15 saves in the loss, moving her career total to 960.  With those saves, she moved into third place in NCAA Division III history in the career saves category.  She is now only 14 saves away from second place but will need 154 more over the next eight games to earn the top spot.
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NCAA Division III Career Saves Leaders (Name / School / Years / Games / Saves)

1. Amanda Cobb, New Jersey City 1997-00 66 1,114

2. Sara Jesuit, Marian (WI) 1999-02 72 973

3. *Emily Epperson, Wesleyan 2007- 58 960

4. Tracy Dolence, Lake Erie 1998-01 78 954


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Freshman Laura Goodwin led the way for the Lions with four goals, while freshman Cydney Goodwin added a hat trick.

The Pioneers return to action on Saturday, October 2 for a Great South Athletic Conference match-up against Spelman College.  Kick-off is at 2:00pm.

Belle Thomas Picks Up Second GSAC Runner of the Week Honor

Wesleyan senior Belle Thomas earned her second Great South Athletic Conference Runner of the Week honor for her performance in the LaGrange College Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 25.

Thomas finished second overall with a personal best time of 21:27 over the 5K course.  She improved her time from her last race by 1:20 and helped the Pioneers to a second place finish, which is the highest finish in program history.

The Pioneers run again on Saturday, Oct. 9 at the Southern Challenge hosted by Chattahoochee Tech.

Mustafa Named GSAC Cross Country Runner of the Week

Junior Azea Mustafa of Wesleyan College was named the Great South Athletic Conference Runner of the Week for the week of September 20.

Mustafa placed 52nd in the Mercer University RunFit Sports Invitational with a time of 23:51, improving upon her first race time by two minutes and 16 seconds.  She is a dual-sport athlete, spliting her time between cross country and soccer in the fall.  Mustafa is Wesleyan's leading goal-scorer and captain of the soccer team.

The Wesleyan College cross country team will compete again on October 9 in the Southern Challenge hosted by Chattahoocee Tech in Marietta, Ga.

Thomas & Oakes Lead Wesleyan to School Record Finish

A pair of Wesleyan runners posted top-10 finishes to lead the Pioneers to an impressive second place showing at the LaGrange Invitational [FULL RESULTS].

The runner-up honor marks the best finish in school history. Senior captain Belle Thomas ran a personal-best 21:27.86 to finish second in the individual competition as well. Miriam Oakes put on her best performance of the season with an eighth place finish in a time of 24:33.81.

Wesleyan finished behind Great South Athletic Conference rival Spelman College in the team standings. Kaitlyn Rentz (17th // 27:13.08), Taylor Lyle (25th // 29:20.85), Amanda Holliday (26th // 30:18.92) and Aditi Dey (30th // 32:42.89) round out the Pioneer competitors.

Wesleyan returns to action at the Southern Challenge hosted by Chattahoochee Tech on October 9.

Soccer Falls to Judson College

The Wesleyan College soccer team had difficulty finding a rhythm on offense on Saturday afternoon, losing their match against Judson College 2-0.

Currently ranked fourth in the USCAA, Judson (4-3-2) fired 28 shots against the Pioneer defense.  Christina Carter scored a goal in each half to spark the Eagles offense.  Wesleyan's Emily Epperson added 14 more saves to her career total.

Wesleyan (0-4-1) was only able to manage three shots on offense in a game where the Pioneers seemed out of sync according to Wesleyan coach Michael Spivey.  "I think we beat ourselves today because we played very poorly.  We were able to string together 5-10 minutes of good play, but we could not sustain our positive play for any length of time."

The Pioneers return to the pitch on Thursday, September 30 when they open Great South Athletic Conference play against Piedmont College.  Kickoff is at 7:00pm at the Mathews Athletic Complex on the campus of Wesleyan College.

Volleyball Swept in First GSAC Weekend

Wesleyan volleyball ran into a buzz-saw on Saturday afternoon, dropping matches to host Maryville College and Piedmont College in the team's first weekend of Great South Athletic Conference play.

The Pioneers (1-6, 0-2 GSAC) were swept 3-0 in both matches. Adrianne Woodward led the way offensively, totaling seven kills in the two matches. Cecilia Cortez finished with a career-best 10 digs in the match against the Scots.

Wesleyan hosts West Georgia Technical College in an exhibition match on Friday night before welcoming Salem College and Huntingdon College to Porter Gym for the second GSAC weekend of the season on Saturday.

Sheely Double-Double Paces Volleyball Against Brewton-Parker

Brittanie Sheely's double-double helped Wesleyan College volleyball take another step forward despite falling to Brewton-Parker College 3-1 (17-25, 25-23, 12-25, 22-25) at Porter Gymnasium.

Just a week ago, the Pioneers (1-4) struggled against the Barons (11-4) in a straight set loss, but building on last night's win, this contest was much closer contested.

Sheely notched 10 kills to go with 10 digs, becoming the first Wesleyan player to post a double-double since the program was re-instituted last year.

In the second set, the Pioneers limited the Barons to a -.125 hitting percentage. Alaina Avera added 13 digs, one of four Wesleyan players to record double-digit digs.

Wesleyan opens conference play this weekend when the team travels to Maryville College on Saturday to take on league-leading Piedmont College and host Maryville College.

Wesleyan Volleyball Earns First Win of Season

The Wesleyan College volleyball team picked up its first win of the season, defeating Atlanta Christian College by a score of 3-1 (25-21, 25-16, 18-25, 25-16).

The Pioneers (1-3) were paced by junior Alaina Avera's eight kills, seven digs, four service aces and one block. Freshman Adrianne Woodward also contributed seven kills and eight aces for the match.

"Being a freshman, I didn't think (the win) would mean so much, but it has shown me how special it is to play on a college team," said Adrianne Woodard.

The win snaps a 36-match losing streak and marks the first for the volleyball program since Sept. 24, 2005 when the Pioneers defeated Fisk University. Wesleyan did not sponsor volleyball from 2006-2008 and went winless in its first season after being reinstated.

"Our ladies played together. They played well and with enthusiasm," commented second-year coach J.D. McAlister. "They showed they know how to play (the game). The team did what we were asking of them and they played with both passion and focus."

The Pioneers will try to make it two in a row tomorrow evening when they take on Brewton-Parker College at Porter Gymnasium on the campus of Wesleyan College. The match begins at 6:00pm.

Wesleyan Soccer Earns Tie vs. Tennessee Temple

The Wesleyan College soccer team picked up a 0-0 tie Friday afternoon against Tennessee Temple University, who defeated the Pioneers by a score of 6-2 in their season opener.

The game marked the first time in 25 matches that the team has had a shutout, which came in a 1-0 victory over Johnson Bible College on October 10, 2008.

"We came together as a team, fought through some injuries and worked hard, so I'm really proud of the team," stated Pioneers head coach Michael Spivey.  "The girls are on cloud nine since they lost to Tennessee Temple earlier this season, and they are starting to see their hard work pay off."

The Pioneers return to the pitch on Saturday, September 25 when they travel to Judson College.

Epperson Wins GSAC Player of the Week Honors

Wesleyan senior Emily Epperson was named the Great South Athletic Conference Women's Soccer Player of the Week for the week ending Sept.12.

Epperson pulled in 28 saves over two matches with 19 coming in Saturday's match-up with Covenant College.  With those saves, she passed the 900-career save mark and moved to within 34 saves of taking over third place in DIII history in that category.

She will add to her total once again when the Pioneers return to action against Tennessee Temple University in Chattanooga, Tenn on Friday, Sept. 17.

Wesleyan Volleyball Swept in Mid-Week Double Header

The Wesleyan College volleyball team was swept in a mid-week double header, losing to host Oglethorpe University and Brewton-Parker College.

The Pioneers fell to Brewton-Parker by a score of 12-25, 8-25, 10-25 in the first match of the day and later to Oglethorpe University by a score of 8-25, 7-25, 12-25.

The Pioneers return to the court on Tuesday, September 21 when they host Atlanta Christian College at Porter Gymnasium.  The match begins at 6:00pm.

Entire Team Improves Times at GSW Remberance Run

All six runners improved their time over the season opener as Wesleyan cross country competed at the GSW Remembrance Run on Saturday [FULL RESULTS].

Belle Thomas paced the Pioneers again, nearly breaking the 23-minute mark on the 5K course to finish 32nd overall.

As a team, the Pioneers placed eighth in a meet loaded with NCAA Division II competition and JUCO power Darton College.

Wesleyan Soccer Falls to Covenant

Wesleyan College goalkeeper Emily Epperson recorded 19 saves in the Pioneers 7-0 loss to Covenant College on Saturday afternoon.  Covenant sent a barage of shots her way, piling up 47 total against the Pioneer defense.

Covenant, who will join the Great South Athletic Conference next season, held Wesleyan without a shot in the match.

"We are still trying to learn how to be consistent.  We play really good defense for stretches and then give up an easy goal, so we still have some things to work on.  But Covenant was a really talented team with a lot of depth and that's the direction we are trying to take our program."

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NCAA Division III Career Saves Leaders  (Name / School / Years / Games / Saves)
1.  Amanda Cobb, New Jersey City           1997-00         66            1,114
2.  Sara Jesuit, Marian (WI)                        1999-02         72               973
3.  Tracy Dolence, Lake Erie                       1998-01         78               954
4. *Emily Epperson, Wesleyan                  2007-             55               921
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The Pioneers return to the pitch on Friday, September 17 when they travel to Tennessee Temple. The Crusaders defeated Wesleyan 6-2 in the season opener, so the Pioneers will be looking to even the score. Kick-off is set for 4:00pm.

Thomas Tabbed GSAC Runner of the Week

The Great South Athletic Conference named Wesleyan senior Belle Thomas the first Runner of the Week of 2010.

Thomas finished fifth overall in a time of 23:25 at the Darton Invitational. The Pioneers placed third in the meet, the team's best finish in program history.

Thomas and her teammates return to action on Saturday at the Remembrance Run hosted by Georgia Southwestern University.

Epperson Eclipes 900-Save Mark in Wesleyan Soccer Loss

Local rival Atlanta Christian College used an impressive offensive attack in the first half on their way to handing Wesleyan College soccer a 6-0 loss [BOX SCORE] at the Mathews Athletic Complex.

Senior goalkeeper Emily Epperson continued her march through the NCAA Division III record book, turning away nine more shots in the loss. Epperson ran her career total to 902 saves, becoming just the sixth player in NCAA history and fourth in Division III history to surpass the 900-save plateau. She currently stands 53 saves behind third place in D-III history.
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NCAA Division III Career Saves Leaders (Name / School / Years / Games / Saves)

1. Amanda Cobb, New Jersey City      1997-00      66       1,114
2. Sara Jesuit, Marian (WI)                  1999-02      72        973
3. Tracy Dolence, Lake Erie                 1998-01     78         954
4. *Emily Epperson, Wesleyan            2007-         55        902

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Two goals in the opening four minutes of the match stunned the Pioneers (0-2-0). Kara Banister scored three first half goals to help lift the Chargers (5-1-1) to a 5-0 lead at the intermission.

Wesleyan managed to regroup at halftime and produced the type of defensive effort anticipated from the team. ACC managed just one goal in the second half, collecting that score in the 88th minute.

"I was pleased with our increased level of fitness in the second half and our competitiveness on 50-50 balls," said head coach Michael Spivey. "We have to learn to come out of the gates faster and not surrender those early goals."

Forward Azea Mustafa again provided the offensive spark for the Pioneers. The team's leading returning scorer launched a team-best five shots.

Wesleyan returns to the field on Saturday when they face future GSAC rival Covenant College on Lookout Mountain.

Epperson Closing in on NCAA Mark

Senior goalkeeper Emily Epperson was featured in an article written by The Macon Telegraph.  Currently ranked fourth all-time, she is rapidly closing in on the NCAA career saves record.  To read the full story, click the link below:
Epperson Closing in on NCAA Mark

Eight Newcomers Debut in Soccer Season-Opening Loss

The Wesleyan College soccer team opened the 2010 season with a 6-2 loss [BOX SCORE] to Tennessee Temple University (2-3) on Saturday night.

See a photo gallery from tonight's game.

The Pioneers started eight newcomers in the season debut.  Last year's leading scorer Azea Mustafa picked up right where she left off, scoring a goal in the 33rd minute off a free kick, while sophomore Chanyka Palmer scored her first collegiate goal in the 81st minute.

"We are still working on our continuity, trying to get our newcomers and returners working as a cohesive unit," stated second-year head coach Michael Spivey.  "We had a few other opportunities to score tonight, so we will take several positives away from this game to prepare for our game on Wednesday."

Senior goalkeeper Emily Epperson tallied nine saves, bumping her career total to 893 saves, just 61 away from taking over third place in D-III history. For the Crusaders, freshman Diana Martinez accounted for four of the team's six goals.

The Pioneers return to the pitch on Wednesday, Sept. 8 to face off with Atlanta Christian College at the Mathews Athletic Complex.  Kick-off is at 7:00pm.

Follow the Pioneers on Twitter at Twitter.com/GoWesleyan.

Soccer Eyes Return to GSAC Tournament in 2010

Under second-year head coach Michael Spivey, the Wesleyan soccer team will be looking to establish an identity early in the year that will carry the team to a post-season appearance. The road to the GSAC Tournament starts on Saturday when the Pioneers host Tennessee Temple at the Mathews Athletic Complex.

Follow Wesleyan athletics at Twitter.com/GoWesleyan

Key Returners

Emily Epperson, Senior, Goalkeeper
Epperson ranks fourth in NCAA Division III history in career saves and is the Great South Athletic Conference career record holder.

Azea Mustafa, Junior, Forward
Mustafa led the team in goals (3) last season and will be the focal point of the offense again this year.

Team Strengths

• A solid defense
• Never-say-stop attitude across the team

Areas for Improvement

• Getting the inexperienced group up to speed
• Team continuity

GSAC Outlook

Wesleyan expects to compete in every match this year to the final minute and qualify for the conference playoffs at the end of the season. Maryville College has won nine straight regular season titles and has not lost a conference match in three years.

Worth Quoting

"Youth, experience and attitude will drive this team to meet its season goals in 2010. "

-- Wesleyan head coach Michael Spivey on the upcoming season.

Volleyball Debuts at Reinhardt College

Waleska, Ga. - Twelve Wesleyan volleyball student-athletes made their collegiate debut in the Pioneers' 3-0 loss to Reinhardt University.

Follow Wesleyan athletics at Twitter.com/GoWesleyan

A dominant service game made the difference as the NAIA-affiliated Eagles hammered home 31 aces, accounting for over 40% of the team's total points.

Captain Alaina Avera led the Pioneers (0-1) with two kills and three digs.

Wesleyan returns to Porter Gymnasium for the team's home opener on September 11. First serve versus Trinity Baptist College is set for 1:00pm.

Cross Country Sprints Out of the Gates Fast

Albany, Ga. - A season defined by high expectations got off to a terrific start as the Wesleyan Cross Country team placed third at the season opening Darton Invitational.

The finish marks the best result in the program's brief five-year history. The meet was won by the host Darton College Cavaliers who won last year's NJCAA Region XVIII title.

Senior Belle Thomas picked up right where she left things last season, running to a fifth-place showing individually. She completed the 5K course in 23:25.

"Today was a milestone moment for our program with this great finish," said head coach Melissa Bush. "The entire team has worked really hard in the preseason to get to this point. I am really proud of our whole team and can't wait to see what the rest of the season has in store for us."

All of Wesleyan's scoring runners placed in the top-20 with four newcomers joining Thomas. Multi-sport athlete Azea Mustafa finished 13th with Miriam Oaks checking in at the 15th position. Kaitlyn Rentz (16th) and Emily Epperson (18th) rounded out the scoring five for the Pioneers.

Wesleyan returns to action in two weeks at the Georgia Southwestern Remembrance Run.

Cross Country Aims for Program Best Campaign

Wesleyan Cross Country is poised for a breakout season in its fifth year as a varsity program. Second-year head coach Melissa Bush added some key newcomers to provide depth that the Pioneers lacked last season. The Darton Invitational will provide the squad its first test on August 28.

Key Returner

Belle Thomas, Senior - Consistently the team's top runner in 2009, Thomas finished second at last year's GSAC Championship.

Team Strengths

• They all have great attitudes
• They are excited about the start of our 2010 season
• They have been working hard over the summer to be ready for the fall
• They all have expressed that they want to do whatever it takes to do their best this season

Areas of Improvement

• Dropping times
• Staying focused on the fact that this is a team sport so your time does not just affect you but it also affects the teams scoring

Worth Quoting
 
"I expect to have a very strong team. I anticipate that all of the teams will be strong which will make for some stiff competition. I think that this years scores will be very close so I am excited to be able to compete with such great teams. I expect a season like no other in Wesleyan's cross country history. We will be working hard and we will show up to every meet ready to compete."
 
-- Wesleyan head coach Melissa Bush on the upcoming season.

Wesleyan College Officially Opens Arboretum and Cross Country Trail

Macon, Ga. - Wesleyan College held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open the institution's Arboretum and Cross Country trail.

A crowd of over 30 individuals gathered for the ceremony which capped several months of collaborative work by various constituents on campus and Tatnall Square Academy. The three-quarters of a mile trail will serve as a center for recreation, teaching and research for the community.

The project was brought to life by the work of the Wesleyan department of athletics and the Biology Department.

"It is a real treasure to have this space on our campus," stated Dr. Jim Ferrari, chair of the Biology Department and Arboretum Director. "This will serve as a center for not only recreation by teaching and research by our students."

President Ruth Knox, Dr. Jim Ferrari, Melissa Bush

 and the Cross Country team prepare for the ribbon cutting

A grant from the Community Fund provided enhancements to help make the trail viable.

"When I arrived on campus, I wanted to create a place for our cross country team to train and eventually host meets," said Head Coach Melissa Bush. "This all happened very quickly thanks to the help of folks across our campus and in our community. We are really proud to call the Arboretum and trail our own."

The Wesleyan Cross Country team opens its season on Saturday at the Darton Invitational.

Wesleyan Athletics Establishes Social Media Sites

Wesleyan College athletics introduced a Pioneers presence on both Facebook and Twitter at the start of the new academic year.

Follow the Pioneers on Twitter at Twitter.com/GoWesleyan for the latest news in small tidbits. Become a fan of the Pioneers at Facebook.com by searching GoWesleyan.

Wesleyan's season opens on Saturday as the Cross Country team heads to the Darton Invitational.

Wesleyan Arboretum Trail Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Set for Thursday

Macon, Ga. - The Wesleyan College cross country team will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the opening of its Arboretum Trail on Thursday morning at 11:15. The ceremony will be followed by a tour of the trail that the college worked to develop over the course of the summer.

GSAC Releases New Identity Including Logo & Website

LaGrange, GA – The Great South Athletic Conference is proud to announce its new branding identity spearheaded with a new logo and updated conference website. The new conference website features a new sleek design and features as the conference continues its partnership with SIDEARM Sports of Syracuse. The league’s new logo was created by JL Designs in Holly Springs, NC.

The new logo and color scheme will replace the outdated GSAC oval used for identity purposes since the league’s inception in 2000. The 2010-11 season will celebrate completion of the first decade of the GSAC with the old logo and color scheme serving the conference for the past 10 seasons (2000-2010).

Click here for the full release at GreatSouth.org.