The baseball players started play Saturday at 10 a.m. with a 17-5 loss to Georgia Tech, but finished the day more than 15 hours later focused on an ACC Championship showdown with Florida State.

“It’s 1:30 in the morning right now, but we’re glad to get that win after how we played this morning,” senior outfielder Kyle Wilson said after the win over the Hokies. “It definitely feels good to come out and play baseball again tomorrow, that’s for sure.”

The Pack’s loss to the Yellow Jackets ended after seven innings in a game called short because of the tournament’s 10-run mercy rule. That game was postponed to Saturday morning by Friday night rain that allowed the teams to play just half an inning. After starting the day off on the wrong foot, the Pack spent the afternoon pulling for Clemson to give it a chance to redeem itself in Saturday’s late game against Virginia Tech..

“There really wasn’t much time to think because we went back to the hotel and fell asleep,” Wilson said. “What you’ve got to do is put it behind you. Obviously we didn’t play the baseball we’re capable of playing this morning.”

The Tigers did exactly what State needed them to, defeating Georgia Tech 9-3 to keep State’s hopes for a tournament title alive.

State capitalized with a 10-9 triumph of its own in an extra innings roller coaster that lasted ten innings and ended shortly after 1 a.m. Sunday morning. Early on against the Hokies, it looked as though the mercy rule might very well come into play once more. The hot bats that played such a large role in the team’s 13-5 victory over Clemson Wednesday night were at it again, giving State a 7-1 lead after three and a half innings. The Pack fell behind 1-0 in the first inning, but answered and built a six-run cushion on one run in the second, four in the third and two more in the top of the fourth.

But the Hokies battled back in what quickly became a seesaw fight for the right to take on the Seminoles in Sunday’s tournament finale.

A seven-run outburst in the bottom of the fourth put Virginia Tech ahead 8-7 and chased sophomore pitcher Cory Mazzoni. Junior Jake Buchanan came in and stopped the bleeding, recording the final out of the fourth to keep his team within one run of the Hokies. Buchanan stayed on to record all but one out the rest of the way, giving up one unearned run on six hits in six innings of work.

Sophomore first baseman Harold Riggins knotted the game at 8 apiece with a solo homerun that flew as far as any ball throughout the tournament. That blast was one of many impressive swings by Riggins, who put on a weekend-long hitting clinic for the fans in Greensboro, one that earned him tournament MVP honors.

A double, an error and a single by the Hokies in the bottom of the seventh gave them a 9-8 lead.

State looked as though it might have tied the game in the eighth, but Kyle Wilson was ruled out at home on a dramatic throw from right field and ensuing play at the plate. Senior Dallas Poulk hit the ball in front of the Virginia Tech right fielder, who quickly threw home. The Hokie catcher dove to his left and was able to catch the ball and tag Wilson in one motion to end the inning and preserve his team’s lead.

“I felt when I slid in I hit the catcher’s shin guards and he had caught the ball but he didn’t touch me which is why I was pretty heated,” Wilson said. “That’s what I felt, but the umpire made the call.”

Wolfpack coach Elliott Avent was thrown out of the game for expressing his displeasure with the umpire’s call.

“That’s the worst feeling in the world,” Avent said. “I hadn’t been ejected all year. And it wasn’t a goal not to get ejected, but being out of a ballgame is almost like leaving your team.”

But after neither team scored in the eighth, the Pack got the rally it needed to tie the game in the ninth. Senior outfielder Drew Poulk reached on a single before an error on the first base line moved him to third and allowed sophomore Andrew Ciencin to advance to second. The error occurred when Tech first baseman Ronnie Shaban lost the ball while attempting to tag Ciencin. Riggins was subsequently walked to load the bases with one out, and freshman catcher Danny Canela reached base and forced in Poulk to tie the game after an errant pitch hit him.

In the tenth, sophomore catcher Pratt Maynard singled to right with runners on first and second to put his team ahead 10-9. Buchanan recorded the final two outs of his evening in the bottom half of the inning, and with runners on first and second, junior reliever Grant Sasser got the game’s final out on a harmless fly ball to right field.

This weekend’s ACC Tournament in Greensboro, N.C. may not have gone according to plan for the Wolfpack, but its results surpassed expectations.

As the No. 7 seed in the tournament, State found itself matched up against three nationally ranked teams in pool play: No. 16 Clemson, No. 6 Georgia Tech and No. 18 Virginia Tech.

The Pack opened play against Clemson Wednesday. The two teams battled back and forth until State was able to take a lead it wouldn’t give up with a five-run sixth inning.
State went on to win 13-8 as redshirt senior Alex Sogard picked up his second win of the season.

But the real test for the Pack began with its matchup with Georgia Tech Friday night. The game, scheduled for 8 p.m., pitted junior Wolfpack ace Jake Buchanan against Georgia Tech’s Brandon Crumpton.

The game started on time with storm clouds looming and the Jackets were able to knock in two runs in the top of the first inning.

But during the change, officials suspended the game due to the imminent threat of severe weather. Following a rain delay of nearly two hours, the game was postponed until 10 a.m. Saturday.

Georgia Tech brought back Crumpton, but Buchanan did not return following his appearance the previous night.

“When you lose your ace, that means a lot,” Coach Elliot Avent said. “But [that’s] out of our control.”

Crumpton went six strong innings for Tech while State threw seven pitchers.
The game was called after seven innings because Georgia Tech had a 17-5 lead. NCAA rules state that any game shall be declared final if a team has a 10 run lead after seven innings.

But the team could not linger on the loss because it had its game against Virginia Tech scheduled for 8 p.m. that night. Clemson defeated Georgia Tech that afternoon to make Saturday’s fourth and final game featuring N.C. State and Virginia Tech responsible for determining Florida State’s opposition in the championship game.

The Pack earned the right to take on FSU with a 10-9 victory over Virginia Tech in extra innings. Despite the 1:23 a.m. conclusion of the Virginia Tech game and the 1 p.m. scheduled start time of the championship game, the team kept high spirits.

“Hopefully everybody’s got the mind set to come in here and get the job done, so I don’t think the timing of the night will have any effect on us,” sophomore catcher Pratt Maynard said. “But I think we’ll be ready to play [Sunday] and hopefully we’ll be able to come away with the victory.”

And the Wolfpack came out firing on all cylinders despite a lack of sleep. The Pack held a 3-2 edge heading into the seventh inning of the championship game. In the seventh, Florida State was able to get to junior pitcher Grant Sasser for two runs to get a lead it wouldn’t surrender.

“I left a few pitches up,” Sasser said. “One time you can get away with it and then another time it can get crushed. It didn’t really roll our way. It’s a mistake that we paid for.”

But a moment in the eighth inning served as a reminder to all in attendance that the championship game was just that—a game. On a sacrifice fly by the Seminoles’ Devon Travis, Florida State right fielder James Ramsey collided with Wolfpack redshirt junior catcher Chris Schaeffer along the third baseline, knocking Schaeffer unconscious.

“He had great strength in his hands, he had great strength in his feet and his eyes were moving around, he just didn’t know where he was,” Avent said of Schaeffer’s on-field condition. “He had no idea where he was. And he was knocked unconscious.”

The collision occurred 15 feet up the baseline from home plate as Schaeffer was moving to catch the ball thrown by senior right fielder Drew Poulk. Despite what he called a good job during the course of the game, Avent said he disagreed with the ruling on the play.

“I tell you we had a good umpiring crew here and the crew today was outstanding,” Avent said. “They made what they thought was the best decision and we respect that, but we totally disagree with it. I’m not going to change my mind that it was 15 feet up the line, inside the line and the guy could’ve run around him,” Avent said. “I’m not going to change my mind that my guy was knocked out and to say that he didn’t lower his shoulder, maybe he didn’t, but it was a hell of a collision. It could’ve been avoided, should’ve been avoided, he should’ve been out and thrown out in my opinion.”

Schaeffer was called for obstruction and Ramsey was ruled safe on the play. The umpiring crew did not believe that the collision warranted an ejection of Ramsey.

“We did not have [the Florida State runner] lowering his shoulder, throwing his forearms out or doing anything that we thought would be ejectable,” home plate umpire David Savage said.

Schaeffer was taken off the field by an ambulance and was released from the hospital Sunday night. Doctors diagnosed him with a Grade 3 concussion. The team finished out the contest without incident, falling 8-3.

“They finished the game with class and that’s what they should’ve done it.” Avent said. “And I continue to be proud of them. They played so doggone hard.”

Four Pack players were named to the All-Tournament team—sophomore first baseman Harold Riggins, senior second baseman Dallas Poulk, senior centerfielder Kyle Wilson and junior pitcher Jake Buchanan. Riggins was named tournament MVP.

“Coming into every game I really try not to analyze each day,” Riggins said. “Maybe I’ll think about it after the game is over, but my approach to every game is to focus on every at bat and focus on playing defense and helping my team win games.”

Summer is here— the time of fun, relaxation and a break from worrying.

Since when was that true?

The summer I know is the time for catching up on classes, getting a job and living back home with the parents.

Yes, the trips to the beach are fun, and everyone loves catching up with all of the long-lost family members.

It is during this time, though, that we really get to think about the past year and the upcoming one.

I know you are probably thinking, “Who does this random writer think she is to try to get inside my head?”

The truth is, I’m not. I am trying to get inside my own.

High school is over, as is childhood.

College is stuck in this weird place between being a child and an adult.

We try to cope with this confusion with wonderful summer employment, whatever it may be: internship, coffeehouse, department store, family business.

The main perk about summer jobs is the extra cash to spend on the frivolous vacations your parents won’t pay for anymore.

The bad thing about it is the personal revelation that this is not what you want your life to look like—or that it is exactly what you want your life to look like a few years down the road.

So far, I have spent my summer working a local internship.

It is on the same road of what I’m working toward, but a little far from the intersection I’m looking for.

While I value what I am learning and am grateful for the experience and opportunity, I miss doing what I love; I miss my life in Oxford during the year filled with classes, friends and my job.

One thing that I have learned so far is that in the “adult world” that comes after graduation really is not much more organized or different than what we already know.

I look into my boss’ office and see her on Facebook; I glance over at my co-worker, and he is playing a game on his phone.

Times like these makes me wonder who does the work when the intern is gone.

It is nice to go home after a long, sometimes frustrating day at work.

It is especially nice to go home to a mom-cooked meal.

Wait, what?

The home cooking has been in short supply and the rules and curfews are hard to get used to.

Ever want to blurt out, “I have been living on my own quite successfully for the past year”?

It’s ok. I have kept my composure and have avoided the lecture that would immediately follow that statement.

But at least you get to catch up with your old friends, right?

Negative.

The amount of people who take summer classes is significantly larger than what you would expect.

And the fact that you are not makes you think you probably should—-there goes next summer.

The fact is, we are all working towards our futures.

So whether it be internships, jobs or summer classes, the summer that we always looked forward to in grade school is not the same one we see now.

I laugh as my 12-year-old little brother tries his hardest to stay up all night just because he can, while I am trying to get to bed early enough to be awake for work the next day.

I remember being like him—-never being completely satisfied with my day and vowing to top it tomorrow.

When you’re not where you want to be, find your alley and enjoy the walk there.

The bad part-time jobs will teach you something in the end, and knowing that you can do your work just as well as the people who actually work there full-time is quite a good feeling.

The summer we knew when we were kids isn’t gone, it has just changed.

So relax, enjoy the ride and get ready for next year.

1. South Carolina

The Gamecocks boasted the No. 2 pass defense in the Southeastern Conference last year, but the unit should be tops in the SEC in 2010. Former blue-chip recruit Stephon Gilmore lived up to the hype his true-freshman season, and will soon be a household name for college football fans.

2. Florida:

Former Gator Joe Haden was the first corner taken in April’s NFL draft, but the loss of Haden to the pros is partially offset by coach Urban Meyer’s penchant for stockpiling SEC-ready talent. Ahmad Black and Will Hill are the top safeties on the team, but don’t be surprised if true freshman safety Matt Elam earns some playing time.

3. Vanderbilt:

The secondary was one of the lone bright spots for last year’s 2-10 Commodores. Vandy has a pair of veterans in senior corner Casey Hayward and senior strong safety Sean Richardson.

The loss of cornerback Myron Lewis to the NFL hurts, but there shouldn’t be much regression with a secondary full of Bobby Johnson’s signature assignment football players.

4. Alabama:

Strong safety Mark Barron is the only member of the secondary returning for the reigning national champions. The Crimson Tide had three corners drafted to the NFL, but super recruit Dre Kirkpatrick should fill in admirably at one of the cornerback spots.

5. Tennessee:

Eric Berry rocked the worlds of SEC offenses during his three seasons in Knoxville, and his early departure to the NFL means less big plays on defense.

Strong safety Janzen Jackson earned a starting position as a true freshman, but must learn to keep out of trouble – i.e. not getting arrested for attempted armed robbery.

6. Kentucky:

The Wildcats had a decent pass defense thanks to cornerback Trevard Lindley, one of Kentucky’s all-time greats at the position. Corner Randall Burden will be counted on to help alleviate Lindley’s departure.

7. Ole Miss:

The Rebels should be concerned about losing threefourths of a secondary that finished a mediocre sixth in the SEC against the pass in 2009.

The corners have little experience and junior college transfer free safety Damien Jackson has yet to take a snap in the SEC.

Secondary coach Chris Vaughn has to hope the front seven can pick up the slack.

8. Auburn:

Three starters return to an Auburn secondary that ranked in the lower fourth of SEC pass defenses in 2009. Cornerback Neiko Thorpe and safety Daren Bates were two of Auburn’s top tacklers last year.

9. LSU:

The Tigers had an underachieving pass defense last year despite stars Patrick Peterson and Chad Jones. Peterson is the best corner in the league now that Haden is gone from Florida, but Jones’ departure to the NFL doesn’t help last season’s No. 8 ranked SEC pass defense.

10. Georgia:

New defensive coordinator Todd Grantham is charged at revitalizing a once proud Georgia defense. Corner Brandon Boykin may be the key to improving last year’s No. 9 pass defense in the league.

11. Mississippi State:

The Bulldogs have a young star in cornerback Corey Broomfield, who had six interceptions in 2009. Broomfield and safety Charles Mitchell are the keys to Mississippi State improving last year’s No. 11 pass defense in the SEC.

12. Arkansas:

The Razorbacks finished last in the SEC in pass defense in 2009. Although former starting cornerback Isaac Mason returns from an ACL injury, this should still be the Achilles heel for a team with high expectations.

When Richard Gershon was young, he wanted to be like Atticus Finch, lawyer from Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird.”

Like Finch, he said, he wanted to be a lawyer for the capability what they can do for their society.

Gershon gets a little closer to a modern-day Finch on July 1, when he will be named the new dean of the Ole Miss School of Law.

Gershon graduated from the University of Georgia with a B.A. in political science. He continued his studies at the University of Tennessee, from which he graduated with a Juris Doctorate, or first degree of law.

He then continued at the University of Florida, where he received a master of law in taxation.

Gershon worked as a professor of law at Stetson University School of Law from 1984 to 1998 and the Academic Associate Dean at Stetson University from 1988 to 1992.

This is not Gershon’s first appointment as dean, though. He first served as the Dean of Law at Texas Wesleyan Law School and later as the founding dean of Charleston School of Law in South Carolina from December 2003 until December 2007.

As the dean of Charleston School of Law, Gershon lead the school to provisional approval by the American Bar Association.

Until the school opened, South Carolina only had one law school for a state with 4 million residents.

“There was a definite need for a second law school in the state,” Gershon said. “Charleston is a beautiful and historic city, so we knew we could attract a strong faculty and outstanding students. I was lucky to be a part of building that law school, and I was fortunate to work with some amazing people.”

Constructing the law was no easy task for Gershon though, because the entire school was created from scratch.

“Every time we did something for the first time, I would say, ‘it will never be this hard again’,” Gershon said.

Gershon said that he will miss Charleston and his friends and family there. He said he is surprised, humbled and excited, though, to be selected as the next dean of the Ole Miss School of Law.

“I would have only considered leaving Charleston for a compelling opportunity in a beautiful place,” Gershon said. “Being dean at the University of Mississippi School of Law is a compelling opportunity, and Oxford is a beautiful place.”

He has many plans for his new position, such as integrating more alumni involvement into the school. He said he believes that the Ole Miss School of Law is a wellkept secret in the world of legal studies and education.

With that in mind, Gershon said he hopes to bring the school to the attention of law professors, judges and lawyers not only across the nation, but worldwide.

“The law school has outstanding alumni, faculty, students, and programs,” Gershon said. “It prides itself on producing great lawyers, and I do not want to change that. But I do think that there are opportunities to involve the alumni to a greater level, and I look forward to working with them.”

Gershon said he considers the university to be one of America’s best universities, and is excited that his family, with whom he will move, will have access to the university. His wife, who is an editor of Garden and Gun magazine, also looks forward to Oxford from articles the magazine has written, according to Gershon.

“She is also a poet, so she is excited to work with the literary community at Ole Miss and in Oxford,” Gershon said.

In additon to the job, Gershon said he is also looking forward to Southeastern Conference football since he has studied at three SEC schools in the past.

I’ve seen my fair share of buzzer-beaters and walk-offs — stunning victories and gut-wrenching defeats.

But none like this.

It was the top of the seventh with two outs and the bases loaded, and the Wolverines were down one. If they could complete the comeback from what was once a 4-0 deficit, they would force a game three in the NCAA Super Regional against Tennessee.

Into the box stepped Senior catcher Roya St. Clair — Michigan’s last hope to keep a Women’s College World Series berth alive.

It was easily one of the most nerve-racking sporting events I’ve ever witnessed.

But it was more about what was on the line, more than just that situation — this was supposed to be Michigan’s year to win it all.

The 2010 roster offered coach Carol Hutchins possibly the most balanced lineup in her 26-year tenure at Michigan, rivaling that of the 2005 national champions. The squad seemed like a lock for the eight-team field at the WCWS.

The team was always on base.

There was no break for opposing pitchers. Even senior Nikki Nemitz, who hit seventh in the lineup, finished up the season with a .331 batting average and 44 RBIs. Hutchins said all year that the production from the bottom of her lineup was a sign of a championship-caliber group of girls.

The team had speed.

Sophomore Bree Evans and senior Molly Bausher were nightmares for the left side of opposing infields. I can’t count how many times I saw the frustration on a shortstop’s face when she would come up with the ball ready to throw, only to see them already crossing first base.

The team had power.

Senior Maggie Viefhaus and junior Dorian Shaw decided at the beginning of the season that they would combine for 50 home runs this year. Had they made a trip to the WCWS, they could’ve come close — Shaw finished with a share of the program’s single-season record with 21, while Viefhaus had just one fewer.

The team was lights-out on the mound.

Junior righthander Jordan Taylor, who was on the mound for most of the postseason, was nothing short of phenomenal all season long. She finished with 26 wins and a 1.44 ERA. Oh, and she tossed a pair of perfect games. No biggie.

The team had postseason experience.

Hutchins’s crew went to the WCWS last season with only one senior. This year’s lineup was nearly identical, but it showcased five seniors. As Shaw mentioned in an emotional press conference, it hasn’t quite hit them that they won’t be packing their bags for Oklahoma City this time around.

The funny part is that I consistently doubted Michigan along the way, even with all the above indicators of success.

At the beginning of the season, I predicted that Illinois would capture the Big Ten title this year.

Oops.

And I was sure to caution fans that playoff teams would be able to challenge Michigan in a way Big Ten teams couldn’t. Then postseason play started, and the Wolverines went 3-0 in the NCAA Regional, winning every game by eight runs or more.

By the time the Super Regional rolled around, the Wolverines seemed utterly invincible, and they made me a believer.

And when St. Clair struck a line drive directly into the mitt of Tennessee’s shortstop, I sunk into my chair.

I fumbled to find the right words to best describe what had happened.

I wasn’t stunned because Tennessee was the underdog — I knew the Lady Vols would come to Ann Arbor and compete. They’d been beating quality opponents all season long.

And it wasn’t because Michigan fell just short of battling from behind — I had a feeling the Wolverine bats came alive just a little too late.

It was because this was Michigan’s year to win it all.

And falling short of that expectation will be very tough for the Wolverines to swallow.

When students heard of plans to construct an internal road through the Coral Gables campus, many rejected the proposal that would cut through five exhibits housed in the John C. Gifford arboretum, and even held a recent student protest. Now, University of Miami administrators are rethinking ways in which to best accommodate those on the Coral Gables campus.

The Coral Gables Zoning and Building department has approved UM’s request for an extension of the deadline for completion of Phase I of the internal road. Phase I includes the redesign of the Miller Road intersection and connection of the parking lots from the School of Law to the south end of the arboretum. Now, UM has until August 31, 2011, to complete Phase I.

In an e-mail sent to the UM community, Senior Vice President for Business and Finance and Chief Financial Officer Joe Natoli attributed the extension to the reevaluation of options for improving campus circulation, protecting green space and enhancing the campus.

“Those issues and others will be discussed with Coral Gables officials in an effort to find solutions that best serve our constituencies, including the students, faculty, staff and neighbors of the university,” said Natoli.

The construction will be conducted in two phases as part of the 2006 University of Miami Campus Area Development (UMCAD) Master Plan. In the e-mail, Natoli invited suggestions concerning the development of the internal road to be sent to jnatoli@miami.edu.

Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little has ordered a review of allegations that U. Kansas Athletic Director Lew Perkins inappropriately traded basketball tickets for athletic equipment.

Area media reported the claim that Perkins accepted exercise equipment for personal use from former Athletics employee William Dent in exchange for free men’s basketball tickets. Perkins reported being blackmailed to the Lawrence Police Department in April.

Gray-Little released the following statement Wednesday in response to the allegations:

Although originating from a questionable source, several allegations were raised in the media this weekend about Kansas Athletics. I urge that there not be a rush to judgment in the absence of facts that support the allegations.

Prior to the media stories, the university was aware of the report to the Lawrence Police Department of an attempt to blackmail Lew Perkins.

With regard to the exercise equipment in question, Perkins has reported the fact that he returned the equipment more than a year ago and has paid the fair rental value to the company that actually owned the equipment. I also understand that he has referred this matter to the Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission.

I have appointed senior members of the university staff to work with Kansas Athletics to fully review and bring closure to the allegations that have been made. I have requested that the review be completed within 10 working days.

Kansas Attorney General Steve Six has announced his plan to run for reelection with a round of campaigning across the state today and Friday.

Six is the only democratic candidate who has filed for the office. Republicans Ralph DeZago, Junction City prosecutor and former assistant attorney general, and state Senate Majority Leader Derek Schmidt, of Independence, are also running.

Gov. Kathleen Sebelius appointed Six attorney general in 2008 after Democrat Paul Morrison resigned amidst a sex scandal.

In his announcement, Six said he has “turned the Attorney General’s office around” since taking the reigns.

“We cannot go back to the days when politics guided the Attorney General’s office. The Attorney General must set the standard for fairness, good judgment and — above all — independence,” he said in his statement.

Six identified child pornography, identity theft, consumer protection and cracking down on government fraud and waste as key issues he hopes to address in his next term.

Months after making a return trip to the Sweet 16, the Cyclones are prepping for the upcoming season, returning 12 players from last year’s team.

The news got better for the ISU volleyball team Tuesday when it was announced the team’s recruiting class was ranked 16th in the country.

This gives the Cyclones their third straight season with a top 25 recruiting class.

“We are really excited to once again have a recruiting class that ranks among the top 25 in the nation,” said coach Christy Johnson-Lynch in a news release. “I think it’s a sign that our program is here to stay, and that we are committed to sustaining a great program over many years. All three of our incoming recruits are elite athletes who still have a ton of potential, so it’s exciting to think about what this group will be capable of in a few years.”

All three recruits will come to Iowa State playing at some of the deepest positions the Cyclones have. This may make it difficult for the trio to find much playing time but will just add to the depth the Cyclones will have heading into the season.

The Cyclones’ only top 40 ranked recruit was outside hitter Hannah Willms. With the Cyclones returning fellow outside hitters Rachel Hockaday, junior in marketing, and Victoria Henson, senior in communication studies, Willms adds more firepower to an already talented duo of outside hitters.

Middle blocker Tenisha Matlock, freshman in preparation for human medicine, will enter her inaugural season at Iowa State playing behind middle blocker Debbie Stadick, sophomore in English, and middle blocker Jamie Straube, sophomore in kinesiology and health.

Like Willms, Matlock may not start right away, but may be given the opportunity to contribute early and often.

Rounding out the recruiting class is defensive specialist/libero Kristen Hahn. With defensive specialist/libero Ashley Mass, junior in communication studies, entering the season as the starter, Hahn will join defensive specialist Caitlin Mahoney, junior in marketing, as Mass’ backup.

With the season getting closer, it remains to be seen how big of an impact the three recruits will have on the Cyclones next season.

But with Johnson-Lynch still coaching the Cyclones, the team has a reason to be optimistic. Under Johnson-Lynch, the Cyclones have seen players like former setter Kaylee Manns, senior in advertising, as well as current players such as Straube, Henson and Hockaday come in and make an immediate impact their freshman years.

Possibly the biggest news for the new recruits came this past March when Johnson-Lynch recently signed an extension.

This gives the trio of recruits the opportunity to learn under the 2009 AVCA Central Region Coach of the Year for the next four seasons.