Wilkes swept all nine brackets in the women’s tennis individual tournament. The #1 Elizabethtown doubles team of Alena Marani and Madison Pipkin made things tough on Wilkes’ Victoria Bybel and Melanie Nolt before succumbing 9-7. It also looked as though the Blue Jay’s #3 Kristi Noecker would prevail over Allison Kristofco, a Wilkes first year, as she took the first set 6-2. From there it was a battle as Wilkes fought back 6-4, 10-5. First year #1 Victoria Foanio of Albright made her mark on the conference by winning the first set over Melanie Nolt of Wilkes 6-4. Nolt rebounded to win the match 6-4, 10-6. Lebanon Valley’s Danielle Bordner, another first year, expended so much in the longest semi-final of the day at #4, she didn’t have enough left for Alexis Donner (Wilkes). The men will be at Wilkes and King’s this weekend for their tournament – hopefully, the weather, competition, and fan support rivals that of the women’s event.

With Delaware Valley, Wilkes, Lycoming, and Widener winning in football this past weekend, they all move to 2-0 in conference play. Two significant milestones occurred: Lycomings Josh Kleinfelter established a new school career rushing record with 3,309 yards in the blowout over Albright; Wilkes head coach Frank Sheptock won his 91st game to garnish the most wins of any football coach in their history. His Colonels came from nowhere in the 4th quarter to tie and then win the game in overtime against LVC. This weekend something has to give as the four 2-0 teams play each other (Wilkes and #12 Delaware Valley, Widener and Lycoming); the four winless teams also compete (Albright and King’s, Lebanon Valley and FDU).

In a field of 198 runners, Delaware Valley’s Caitlin Dorgan won her fifth cross country race in a row sneaking by Lebanon Valley’s Jenn Cronin by a couple of seconds at the DeSales Invitational. The DeSales women were the top MAC team, finishing seventh out of 21 teams. The DeSales men were the best MAC team, completing the 8 K in third place out of 24 teams. The Bulldogs Mike Curry led MAC runners finishing 8th out of 277 competitors.

In a repeat of last year’s men’s soccer championship matches, Messiah again prevailed over Arcadia 1-0, but the Manhattanville-Misericordia result was overturned, as the Valiant’s won this time 2-0. Nothing gets easier for Manhattanville as they take on 2-0 Eastern tomorrow. Misericordia (0-2) takes on local rival King’s for a shot to slow down the 2-0 Monarchs and get back into the tournament picture themselves. After two straight ties, DeSales must win against Wilkes (1-1) to stay within the tournament picture. While cross town rivals Alvernia and Albright attempt to establish a tournament footing, Elizabethtown and Lebanon Valley take their 1-0 records and try to pull into sole ownership of 1st place.

Wednesday volleyball has matches for control of first place, tournament sports, and bragging rights. For first place, #5 Eastern (19-1, 4-0) should be the favorite over the much improved Misericordia Cougars (3-1), and the 4-0 Lebanon Valley team must fend off Messiah (3-1). Elizabethtown (3-1) wants to keep pace with the Falcons and Dutchmen as the play winless Lycoming. Arcadia (0-4) and Alvernia (1-3) are much improved over last year, and want to maintain an edge in the standings when they battle this week. Perennial tournament participants, DeSales and FDU, are both 2-2 and need the win to keep pace with Wilkes (3-1) and Delaware Valley (2-2) who face off in Wilkes-Barre. King’s and Manhattanville, both 0-4, want to avoid the cellar.

With three top ten teams, MAC field hockey has some major action this week. #8 Eastern had their ten game winning streak stopped by Haverford 2-1, and look to a Freedom showdown on Saturday with King’s. To get to Saturday, King’s (1-0) has a big week as they take on Delaware Valley (1-1) and Misericordia (2-0). FDU (2-1) got off to a slow start with a tough schedule, but are in the conference mix as they prepare for the Cougars on Tuesday. #4 LVC (12-0, 2-0) travels to Haverford in hopes of avenging Eastern’s loss. After knocking off #11 NCNJ, #3 Messiah plays Gettysburg before returning to conference play.

After a 0-10 start, Manhattanville has started conference play 1-0-1 and travels to Eastern on Wednesday for a repeat of last year’s championship game (won by Eastern). In another title game rematch, Arcadia lost to #1 Messiah, 3-1, but that is only the second goal the Falcons have allowed all year, and the winning margin was as close as any other Messiah win. The Knights will now face #24 Widener for a claim to the upper echelon of the conference. FDU (9-4-1, 2-0) needs to keep pace with Eastern as they take on Delaware Valley (1-1).