Three Bobcats Teams in Action

Sunday is a busy day on the Bobcats Sports Network presented by WQAQ.  First, at noon, tune in to the field hockey stream to hear Andrew Gau and Ross Montolio call Quinnipiac vs. St. Francis (PA).  Then, at 1 p.m., Corey Hersch and John Muzzy will have Women’s Soccer against St. Francis (PA) on the soccer stream.  Finally, at 2 p.m., the Bobcats Volleyball team will take on Farleigh Dickinson.  Mike Radomski and Glenn Taylor will have that game on the volleyball stream.

Under legal pressure, Quinnipiac reinstates volleyball

By Jeremy Schilling

Back on March 4, Quinnipiac University announced that due to the current economic downturn, they would have to cut the men’s golf team, men’s outdoor track, and the women’s volleyball team. As a result, on April 17, the volleyball team sued the school, claiming Title IX.

This was brought up later that month at an interview school President John Lahey had with The Quinnipiac Chronicle. He denied the accusations in the suit, but said he does understand what Title IX says. He went on to say that if the courts did in fact find that Quinnipiac was in violation, they would have to act further and cut more men’s sports.

Well, in a victory for the volleyball team, that is exactly what happened. It was announced today that volleyball is being reinstated, with men’s indoor track now being cut. The following was the news release put out by John Morgan, associate vice president for public relations:

“In light of recent judicial action, Quinnipiac University will eliminate men’s indoor track in addition to the previously announced elimination of men’s golf and men’s outdoor track. The University’s women’s volleyball program will be reinstated.

“The University’s Senior Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs will immediately begin a comprehensive review of Quinnipiac’s offices of athletic compliance and the athletic director and where necessary, will make appropriate changes in the athletics department to ensure that Title IX reported participation numbers for all men’s and women’s athletic teams are accurate and adhered to by all coaches.

“During the 2009-10 year, the University will also be able to determine actual, as opposed to projected, participation numbers for its newly added women’s sport of competitive cheer.”

WQAQ Sports will continue to cover this story as it develops.

Three sports to be discontinued

By Jeremy Schilling

The recession has officially hit Quinnipiac Athletics.  Men’s golf, men’s outdoor track and women’s volleyball will be cut by the end of the spring semester. The following is the posting on MyQ from Vice President for Public Affairs Lynn Bushnell:

“As part of the University’s budget deliberations for next year and beyond, three of its NCAA Division I intercollegiate athletic programs – men’s golf, men’s outdoor track and women’s volleyball – will be discontinued effective at the end of the 2008-09 academic year.  At the same time the cheerleading program will be elevated to a competitive, varsity status.

All athletics programs were reviewed within the context of conference, NCAA and federal guidelines. The review considered projected cost savings, facility and scheduling issues, gender equity and programs’ competitive aspirations.

“It was an extremely difficult decision. A variety of scenarios were explored to continue to provide gender-equitable and competitive opportunities for the greatest number of male and female student-athletes in these fiscally challenging times,” said Jack McDonald, director of athletics and recreation. “The student-athletes, coaches and staff associated with all of the affected programs have continually represented Quinnipiac in the highest manner possible, both on and off the field of competition. We will, of course, honor existing scholarship agreements with those student-athletes affected by the changes and who choose to remain at Quinnipiac.”

These athletics budget reductions are in addition to previously announced decisions to freeze senior management salaries, freeze, and in some cases, eliminate a number of planned faculty and administrative searches, and to reduce virtually all operating budgets by 5%.  A broader salary freeze for all administrators and faculty also is under consideration.”

Stay with WQAQ Sports for more on this developing story.

Bobcats lose close match in five

By: Jason Slater

(HAMDEN, Conn.) – The women’s volleyball team took their match against La Salle to a decisive fifth set, but wound up losing 25-17, 22-25, 14-25, 26-24, 8-15 on Wednesday night at Burt Kahn Court.

Quinnipiac came out with tons of energy, and recorded a team attack percentage of .083 in the first set – 83 points better than that of their opponents – propelling the Bobcats to take the set 25-17. Kelby Carey and Jenna Benigno helped the offense with 11 kills a piece, while Kayla Lawler had an all-around day with 34 sets and 14 digs. Quinnipiac’s defense was solid as a whole, tallying 72 digs and nine total team blocks on the day.

For La Salle (6-22 overall), defense played a crucial role as well. Led by Tammi Jones (24 digs), Jackie Kushman (23 digs) and Danielle Dimarco (20 digs), La Salle blocked many Quinnipiac offensive attacks, totalling 12 team blocks overall. Their offense was sharp as well, as Kushman (19 kills) and Christa Dominick (16 kills) helped the team to a .128 team attack percentage in the match.

After the match, Bobcat head coach Robin Lamott Sparks was still enthusiastic and proud of her team’s performance.

“Actually, I told the team, I wish we had more energy, and we did have some drop offs, but to go that far without Steph (Biediger) here today….we really had a lot to overcome and I think we did a pretty good job,” she said.

The loss drops the Bobcats to 4-27 on the season. Next up for Quinnipiac is a road game against Providence on Saturday, Nov. 8, at 1 p.m.

For the box score from the game visit quinnipiacbobcats.com

WQAQ Athlete of the Week: Stephanie Biediger

By: Steven Ceruti

This week’s pick for WQAQ Athlete of the Week is Volleyball player Stephanie Biediger after her stong performance in the win against Wagner on Sunday, Nov. 2. Biediger recorded nine kills and two digs in Quinnipiac’s straight sets victory over the Seahawks, their first Northeast Conference victory this season. QU won in deciding fashion 28-26, 25-16, and 26-24, moving the Bobcats to 4-26 overall and 1-4 in the conference on the year. The freshman Biediger has been an integral member of the team this season after lettering all four years in high school at Houston Baptist in her hometown of Houston, Texas.

On the season, Biediger has recorded 214 kills which is the most on the team along with 216 digs, good for third on the team. Going forward, Biediger will need to continue her strong play for the Bobcats to have the type of success they want to achieve. But one thing is for sure: They have a magnificent player going into the future.

Bobcats have productive week

By: Jason Slater           

(HAMDEN, Conn.) – The Quinnipiac University women’s volleyball team split their road matches this weekend, as they overcame a tough five-set loss on Saturday to up-end Wagner in straight sets on Sunday. The win was their first during Northeast Conference play this season.

Traveling to Dover to take on Delaware State early on Saturday, the played tough throughout the match, keeping each set relatively close while eventually losing by two points in the fifth and final set. Stephanie Biediger and Jenna Benigno each had double digit kills, recording 14 and 11 respectively, while Kayla Lawler assisted them all day, tallying 41 sets. With the win, Delaware State (20-25, 13-25, 25-13, 25-21, 15-13) improves to 13-10 on the season.

Bouncing back at Wagner the next day, the Bobcats stepped up their defense and grinded out a straight sets victory, 28-26, 25-16, 26-24. As a whole, the defense recorded five total team blocks and 47 digs, with Christa Valentino (13 digs), Benigno (11 digs) and Kelby Carey (10 digs) all reaching double digits. Quinnipiac also recorded a .172 team attack percentage, 34 points better than their opponents’. The loss moves Wagner’s conference record to 1-5, and their overall record now stands at 3-18.

With the victory, Quinnipiac improves to 4-26 on the season, and 1-4 in conference play. They continue their schedule with a home game against La Salle on Wednesday, Nov. 5.

Bobcats lose twice over the weekend

 

By Jay Slater 

(HAMDEN, Conn.) – Quinnipiac volleyball took another step back as they lost both of their matches over the weekend, first losing in four sets to Central Connecticut 3-1 on Friday Night, and then losing in straight sets to Sacred Heart on Saturday. The losses keep Quinnipiac winless in the Northeast Conference this year, as their record now stands at 0-4 in conference play.

In Friday’s “Dig Pink” event, which raised awareness and money for breast cancer, the Bobcats were out-attacked by Central Connecticut all night. Led by Jaime Baumert (11 kills, .346 attack percentage), they handled Quinnipiac with an overall team attack percentage of .269, 40 points higher than that of the Bobcats. The win (25-11, 19-25, 25-22, 25-15) moves Central to 7-11 on the year, and 2-1 in conference play.

The Bobcats then were outplayed by Sacred Heart the next day, losing in straight sets, 25-21, 25-19, 26-24. While recording a total of eight team blocks on the day, Quinnipiac was plagued by low team attack totals, as they tallied a .078 team attack percentage for the entire match. Sacred Heart (15-7, 2-0 NEC) received big games from Brittany Best (12 kills, 11 digs) and Courney Kidd-Kadlubek (33 sets) in the winning effort.

The weekend losses drop Quinnipiac’s overall season record to 3-24. They return to the court Wednesday, Oct. 29^th to take on Siena.

Long Island beats QU in straight sets

By: Jay Slater

 

(HAMDEN, Conn)- The Quinnipiac Bobcats women’s volleyball team gave a good effort, but fell in straight sets to Long Island University at home on Sunday. Each set was close and the Bobcats put up a fight in the late sets, as Long Island would go on to take the match 25-16, 25-22, 25-21.

Many Bobcats contributed in the loss. Senior Jenna Benigno had 12 kills and a .258 total attack percentage, while Freshman Kayla Lawlor set her up all day with 25 assists. On defense, Christa Valentino, Kelby Carey and Stephanie Biediger all had double digit digs, with 11, 10, and 10, respectively.

Long Island used dominant force on offense, with three players recording double digit kills. Quinn Williams (15 kills), Svetlana Simic (12 kills), and Martina Racic (11 kills) all played a vital role in the team’s offensive success. The win puts Long Island at 11-9 on the year, and 2-0 in Northeast Conference play.

With the loss, the Bobcats fall to 0-2 in NEC play, and 3-22 overall on the year. Next up for Quinnipiac will be Central Connecticut at home Friday night as the Bobcats kick off the “Dig Pink” event, which helps to raise funds and awareness for breast cancer.

Quinnipiac falls to Bryant in 4 sets

 

By: Jason Slater

(HAMDEN, Conn)-  Coming off a productive road trip at the Chicago State Invitational, the Quinnipiac Bobcats women’s volleyball team could not carry that momentum into their first game back home against Bryant losing in four sets Wednesday night.

 After playing hard and keeping the first two sets close, never losing by more than 2 points, the Bobcats took the third set from Bulldogs, before losing focus and collapsing in the fourth. “I thought we did a good job in the third game of pushing there at the end, staying relaxed and letting it flow, and then we just lost focus in the 4^th game…the team that handles their mistakes better wins, and we didn’t handle them very well tonight” said Coach Sparks after the loss.

The Bulldogs beat the Bobcats (26-24, 28-26, 22-25, 25-15) on the strength of double digit kills by Adrienne Boss, Maria Scocca, and Hilary Andrews, who had 16, 14, and 10 kills, respectively. They also recorded a team attack percentage of .275, over 100 points higher than Quinnipiac’s. Their defense was stingy as well, tallying 75 digs and 5 total team blocks. Bryant raised their record to 13-8 on the year.

Quinnipiac was helped by great all-around play from freshmen Stephanie Biediger and Kelby Carey. Each recorded a double-double, Biediger helping with 15 kills and 15 digs, while Carey tallied 11 kills and 13 digs. The loss drops the Bobcats record to 3-20 on the year, as they return to action October 18^th, when they face Fairleigh Dickinson to open Northeast Conference play.

Bobcats lose in heartbreaking fashion

 

By: Jason Slater

(HAMDEN, Conn)- The Quinnipiac Bobcat Invitational came to an emphatic close on Sunday, with the Quinnipiac Bobcats taking the Hartford Hawks to a riveting five sets, eventually losing the final match of the weekend 20-25, 27-25, 20-25, 26-24, and 12-15.

After splitting their first two matches of the invitational on Saturday, losing against NJIT in straight sets before beating Coppin State in straight sets, the Bobcats came out with fire and passion and played their hearts out, losing a closely played matched before an enthusiastic crowd.  Freshman Kelby Carey and Stephanie Biediger both compiled double-doubles in a losing effort, while Erin Macro collected 19 kills five digs and three blocks for Hartford (5-11).

After the game, everyone was stunned yet pleasantly surprised at the effort on the part of both teams. “What we’ve really been working on is just staying up and staying intense…and I think we really showed that we were able to do that” said senior Crista Valentino. Coach Sparks was also somber after the loss, yet content with her team’s effort. “I think we played well last night, but there was much more competition today, so that was pretty good….I think we just have to learn how to stay calm and calm ourselves. We did much better than we have. It’s a bummer that hit the net, that serve at the end, but I think the kids played well.

The loss drops Quinnipiac’s record to 2-16 on the year. Next up for the Bobcats is the Chicago State Invitational beginning on Friday and continuing throughout the weekend.