September 5, 2007

This marks the final full week on non-Conference competition before the start of Conference play in volleyball and soccer.

The volleyball season is off to a strong start as all nine teams in action won at least won match led by Eureka (3-2) which won three matches during the opening week of competition and Greenville (1-0), Maryville (1-0), Webster (1-0) and Principia (2-1) who finished with winning records.

The weekend holds some tough competition for SLIAC schools as Blackburn, Greenville, Principia and Webster will all face teams ranked, or receiving votes in the AVCA preseason poll.  At the Illinois Wesleyan Tournament, Blackburn meets three such opponents including #3-ranked Wisconsin-Whitewater, Wisconsin-Stevens Point and the host Titans.  Principia takes on #17-Redlands while Webster faces Colorado College and Greenville meets Millikin, both of which received votes.  Webster and Westminster also meet regionally-ranked NAIA foes in McKendree and Central Methodist, respectively.

On the pitch, the Webster (2-0) and Greenville (2-1) women, and Principia men (2-0) and women (2-1) came away with two wins each during the opening weekend of play.  The Webster men posted the first SLIAC win of the year with a 9-0 win over Lincoln Christian in an early season Conference match.

The Westminster men and Maryville women each face ranked foes during the upcoming week as Westminster faces #24-Washington (Mo.) and Maryville faces #12-Augustana (Ill.).

In cross country, Greenville and Principia will face tough competition at the Bradley Open on Friday running alongside at least three Division I programs including the defending Missouri Valley Conference men’s Champion, Indiana State.  Maryville is the only other SLIAC school scheduled for cross country competition, as the Saints will run at the Miner Invitational, hosted by Division II Missouri-Rolla.