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WJU Spikers Cast In Role Of Defending National Champs

WHEELING — Looking down from the pinnacle.

So it is with the Wheeling Jesuit University volleyball team. Coach Christy Benner guided her Lady Cardinals to the top of the mountain last season — the NCAA Division II national championship.

They did so by downing Palm Beach Atlantic in Tampa, Fla., in straight sets. It was the exclamation point on a remarkable 39-4 record — a new  school single-season victory standard.

The national crown is the culmination of an amazing 14-year run Benner has authored at WJU. The John Marshall High grad, with her husband Matt as her top aide, has scripted a sparkling 459-114 record. That is a winning percentage of 80 percent.

Her Cards have won 14 regular-season conference crowns and 12 conference tourney titles.

So what does a national crown mean for Benner and her Lady Cardinals?

“It is always nice to win your final match of the year. When it is for a national championship it makes for a great experience,” Benner said. “The title brings national attention to our school and hopefully does wonders for everyone on campus. Volleyball-wise it enables me to get my foot into the door with recruits. Then we back the volleyball success up with the great academics at WJU.

“We return a solid nucleus and added five quality freshman recruits (4 from Ohio and 1 from Michigan). They fill in some gaps and really help our depth.  We started practice Aug. 15 and everyone is upbeat,” she added. “But we are starting new. Everyone is 0-0 right now. We probably put together our most challenging schedule ever.”

The national champions launch their demanding campaign Friday in the University of West Florida Invitational in Pensacola. It is an event loaded with some of the best D-II teams in the nation.

“It is a big tournament with all the teams ranked in the final top 25 taking part. Our final game in the tourney will be against West Florida which is a national power.

“The game will be aired on ESPN 3 which is exciting,” Benner said. “After that we go to the Colorado Premier Tournament which also has a loaded field. We have raised the bar with this schedule.”

Benner believes that the challenging schedule will pay dividends down the road. She also knows, however, another factor will play into her team’s level of success.

“Chemistry means a lot to a team. Last year we had great chemistry. It played a big role in our success,” Benner said. “Our goal is always to win a national title. We want to take steps every week to attain that goal.

“But we know our conference will be tough as will our regional,” she added. “We also want to be the best team all-around, including academics and personality.”

A DOZEN BROTHERS

Tom Gongola — one of the 12 Gongola brothers who starred at Benwood Union — died Aug. 15. He was 77. His brothers were Emil, Joe, Anthony, Victor, John, Pete, Eddie, Freddie, Stanley, Frankie and Herman.

All 12 were three-sport standouts at Union. Tom’s best sport was reportedly baseball. After high school, Tom entered the service where he continued to play baseball.

Final services were held Aug. 25.

BUBBA’S BITS

∫ John Marshall is losing a superb athletic director but gaining an excellent assistant principal. Casey Storm accepted his new assignment Tuesday. He was one of the most efficient and accommodating athletic directors in the OVAC. We wish him well.

∫ Jim and Linda Bordas were honored as recipients of the Dr. Lee Jones Patron of Youth award during the annual Chambers YMCA Light of the Valley event Wednesday. The Wheeling attorneys were deservedly honored for their impressive community service. Former Steelers’ QB Charlie Batch was the featured speaker. I have repeatedly said Batch was the ultimate backup quarterback — always ready, always delivered when called up and never rocked the boat. He is also one superb inspirational speaker and a remarkable community crusader.

∫ Former Martins Ferry standout Emilio Appolloni saw his first collegiate grid action last Saturday in Purdue University’s fall camp-ending intra-squad scrimmage. The freshman offensive tackle saw extensive action with the winning Black squad. The 6-8, 290-pounder is expected to be red-shirted this season.

∫ John Horvath of Wellsburg recorded an ace on the No. 5 hole at Brooke Hills Park on Aug. 22.

∫ William Michael Traubert has become a certified inspector and judge by the Association of Boxing Commissions. The Wellsburg resident has been involved in boxing for nearly 50 years.

∫ Westerville Central opened its season Friday night at Gahanna Lincoln. Coach John Magistro’s Warhawks dropped a 39-10 decision to Gahanna. The former Bellaire High coaching great led Central to a 10-2 mark in 2015, losing to Euclid in the second round of the Division I playoffs.

∫ No team makes worse use of No. 1 draft picks than the Cleveland Browns. The Brownies shipped Barkevious Mingo to the Patriots Thursday for a fifth-round pick. Mingo was the sixth selection in the 2013 draft. The former LSU linebacker star will flourish in New England. Mingo joins Tim Couch, Courtney Brown, Brady Quinn and Johnny Manziel as first-round Browns’ busts.

∫ Former Martins Ferry and Ohio University quarterbacking standout Fred Ray  is in his third year as head coach of Fairview High School in Ashland, Ky. His Eagles are currently 1-1. The school is located across the Ohio River from Ironton and competes in the Eastern Kentucky Conference.

NEWSLETTER

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