D2SS NEWS AND NOTES--WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 11, 2005

NOTE: D-II South Sports debuts a new feature, "D2SS News & Notes", which features important tidbits about the action in the Gulf South Conference, Peach Belt Conference, and the SIAC.

UWF & IVAN, ONE YEAR LATER: The faithful at the University of West Florida can certainly relate to what people along the Gulf Coast of Louisiana and Mississippi are going through due to Hurricane Katrina. Around this time a year ago, the UWF campus, as well as the rest of the Pensacola area, suffered tremendous damage because of Hurricane Ivan. And the volleyball team was definitely not immune, as the Argonauts had a 5-7 record when the season was prematurely cut short due to Ivan. Additionally, the men's and women's soccer teams also had their seasons stopped cold a year ago due to Ivan after playing just a handful of games.

This season, however, the UWF volleyball team has a better record through 12 games, as the Argonauts are 9-3 through matches of Sept. 10, with one of their three losses coming against nationally 14th ranked Florida Southern. Hopefully, playing such a difficult non-conference schedule will come in handy for UWF, as the team opens Gulf South Conference East Division play with home matches against North Alabama and Alabama-Huntsville Sept. 16 and 17, respectively.

Meanwhile, on the soccer field, the men's and women's teams are going in opposite directions. While the women are off to a 4-0-1 start, the lone blemish coming in a scoreless tie against Tampa, the men's team has struggled to a 1-2-1 beginning, with the lone win coming against NAIA Thomas University (Ga.) 2-1 Sept. 4. The UWF men have two more matches, against Spring Hill Sept. 16, and Eckerd College Sept. 18, before opening GSC play at Ouachita Baptist Sept. 23. On the other hand, the UWF women will host Spring Hill and Alabama State on those same dates listed above before opening conference play at OBU, also on Sept. 23.

NOT SO PEACHY PBC: Year One of the post-University of North Florida era for Peach Belt Conference volleyball hasn't exactly been smooth sailing, for the most part. Pre-season favorite Armstrong Atlantic State has a modest 8-5 record through Sept. 10, with losses to teams such as Ashland (Ohio), St. Mary's (Tex.), and Winona State (Minn.). Those struggles caused AASU to fall out of the AVCA/CSTV NCAA Division II coaches poll, with the Lady Pirates beginning ranked 21st in the nation.

Through matches of Sept. 10, only two other PBC squads have at least eight or more wins, with Francis Marion and USC Upstate both sporting 9-4 and 9-5 records, respectively. The other four programs, are either at below .500 at this time. It'll be interesting to see how develop when PBC play starts Sept. 23. By the way, in case you've been wondering, North Florida is now competing at the NCAA Division I level as a member of the Atlantic Sun Conference.

NEW PROGRAMS UPDATE: As some probably know by now, there are three new programs competing this season, two in women's soccer, and one in volleyball. Of the three newcomers, only the West Georgia soccer program has compiled a winning record so far. The Braves are 4-2 after defeating Eckerd College 4-2 Sept. 11. UWG opens Gulf South Conference play Sept. 23 at Christian Brothers.

While West Georgia has gotten off to a good start, the same can't be said for the women's soccer program at Armstrong Atlantic State, as the Pirates have struggled to 2-4 start. The lone wins for AASU thus far have come against Christian Brothers and cross-town rival Savannah College of Art & Design. The Pirates will play their first-ever Peach Belt Conference game Sept. 17 at home against Lander.

Finally, the Arkansas-Monticello volleyball team has also struggled in its first season, as the Cotton Blossoms are just 3-7 through matches of Sept. 10. But UAM did manage to win its most recent match, sweeping NCAA Division I Arkansas-Pine Bluff 3-0.