The Alestle: Volume 67, No. 15

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Inside the issue: gift-giving guide for students on a budget: homemade, low-cost ideas make for happier holidays

Men’s soccer puts up fight against season challenges, finds 2014 a major success for team

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News

On the cover: Senior criminal justice major Ryan Wilkerson, of Rock Island.

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Lovejoy Library of SIUE is facing a budget situation, that has caused shorter library hours, and could even impact the types and amount of resources the library has to offer the university.

Kathlyn Behm, acting associate dean in library and information services, said the library is looking at a budget cut this year that could impact many parts of the university.

“We might have to lose databases.

With the 3.2 percent cut, it has been necessary to cut the materials budget,” Behm said. “Up to now, we’ve been able to reduce the overall budget without hurting the materials budget. The materials budget covers books, journals, some individual databases and some media or videos.”

“In some disciplines, such as science, because journals are so important to those areas or those disciplines, journals will take up a much larger portion of their materials budget. In some of the humanities, the databases and journals tend to be less expensive, but they have a greater need for books. So the various allocations of the budget depend on the discipline.”

Until recently, the library has been able to comply with its budget by shortening the library hours.

“We reduced hours the library is open, which I know was unpopular. At one time we were open Monday through Thursday until 1 a.m. We’ve cut back to 11 p.m. We looked at the gate count showing library usage between 11 and one,” Behm said. “It was a way of saving some money. I know it’s been unpopular because students would like to have the library open 24/7, which would be terrific, but you have to look at the usage of the library and the cost for keeping the library open.”

According to junior social work major Lyndsay Shaver, of Bloomington, reducing the library hours was the best option with regards to budget reductions, but a lack of optimum financial resources has impacted students.

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' With the holidays around the corner, students are preparing for their trips home to spend time with family and friends. One thing that might not be on top of their checklists is locking doors before leaving for breaks, but the SIUE Police Department advises students to think otherwise.

Police Chief Kevin Schmoll sent out a crime bulletin on Wednesday, Nov. 19, to remind students to properly secure their residence hall rooms or apartments during breaks.

“The SIUE [Police Department] had two residential burglaries reported in Cougar Village in the span of one week,” Schmoll said.

The bulletin listed some helpful tips

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“I think that since we’re here as students, it’s definitely an inconvenience because we are here to learn and study and we’re here for a higher education. So when the cuts are being made within the library and within our academics, it’s kind of frustrating because we’re paying to go here and our resources are being cut off, so we have to leave the library earlier; we’re not allowed to use the books or computers past a certain time unless we check them out. So it is a little bit of an inconvenience to leave earlier than we used to have to,” Shaver said.

Junior biology major Alexa Kinney, of Effingham, said an inability to study at the library has been problematic.

“It’s not like I use the library all the time, but when I do, I like to go study there. And now I have to go study at the Student Success Center and they don’t have as many rooms or as much space, so it’s always a little bit more crowded,” Kinney said.

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$ rate of inflation.”

With price increases, librarians of Lovejoy Library are looking for the best ways to minimize costs and maintain the library’s resources.

“The decreases in the print journals have been primarily due to the availability of online access. Library faculty are always wanting to get the best usage for the money. They discuss collection decisions with their departmental or school representatives and with the other library faculty responsible for managing the other disciplines. It's a joint decision,” Behm said.

However, not too many hard journals have been cut due to budget reasons.

“We haven’t really cut many print journals. We don’t want duplication of print and online because of space concerns with print journals. In addition, most library users prefer online, remote access, which diminishes the use of print resources,” Behm said.

I think some people are really disappointed that we don’t have as many hard sources, whereas other people are OK with conforming more to technology these days. !

Shortened library hours are not the only thing students notice. Another change they will see is the lack of availability of some of the research journals in the Lovejoy database. Behm said this is because the price of databases increases every year.

“And when it comes to budget issues, technically we’ve had budget cuts almost every year because, even if we get the same amount of money, there are significant [price] increases in our journal packages,” Behm said. “They’re not cheap databases. If we’re lucky, they go up three percent every year. If we’re not, they go up considerably more than the

Shaver said she agreed that online journals are the most easily accessible.

“Recently, I’ve been using the online journals quite a bit. They do make things a lot more convenient since we can’t be in the library all the time and we don’t want to check twenty books,” Shaver said. “It’s nice that we can access those journals from home.”

Kinney said not having a hard copy of a journal was not an issue for her.

“Personally, I would use online journals, and if I needed a hard copy of one, I would just print it off myself,” Kinney said.

Behm said the library will be turning

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its focus to electronic journals because of the convenience.

Shaver said she sees this as an opportunity for the school to advance its use for technology.

“I think some people are really disappointed that we don’t have as many hard sources, whereas other people are OK with conforming more to technology these days,” Shaver said. “And I think that’s what the school is trying to do, keep up with the times and make things easier to access.”

While reductions in the library’s finances has a great deal of impact on SIUE, those who can help it are working hard to make changes that will lessen the impact on students.

“We have looked for other areas in the library to cut back so that we can protect [the materials] budget because everybody in the university uses library resources, whether they come in to the library or work from home,” Behm said.

Shaver said the library is trying to make the best decisions for students.

“It does makes sense to cut library hours when we have access to journals, rather than cutting our journal access,” Shaver said. “As far as using their resources to the best of their abilities, they’re doing fine. I’m okay with the amount of book versus journal sources that we have. I know that when I do need a book, they’re able to help me at the resource desk.”

In many ways, Behm said our library is fortunate due to the fact that it is in Illinois.

“We’re lucky in the sense that we’re in the state of Illinois because of the library consortia. Illinois was groundbreaking with its university libraries joining together to negotiate with publishers and vendors for reduced costs.

That has helped a lot, and we are far ahead of [other states],” Behm said.

“We’ve been lucky that we have had administrators here in the library who protect the materials budget because of its impact on library users.”

' ! describing ways students can protect their possessions from being stolen. According to Schmoll, the most important tip he could give is to make sure students check and lock all doors and windows before leaving on break.

The police department’s main goal is to protect crime from rising over the holidays.

“Approximately three years ago we had a few residential burglaries in Cougar Village over Thanksgiving break,” Schmoll said. “We do not want this to occur again.”

The most common items stolen every year consist of electronics: TVs, gaming consoles, tablets and cellphones.

Criminal justice studies professor Ann Dirks-Linhorst said most burglaries occur simply because of the opportunity. The

criminological theory called the Routine Activity Theory explains crime by looking at whether or not there is a suitable target.

The theory states for increased theft to occur, there would need to be lack of a suitable guardian.

“If possible, ask a neighbor to watch your house and make sure to keep valuables out of sight with the doors and windows locked,” Dirks-Linhorst said.

The theory explained by Dirks-Linhorst tells why college dorms and apartments are targets during the holidays. If no one is around to pay attention to the residence, this increases the risk of burglaries.

“Criminals most often go for things that are easy to carry off,” Dirks-Linhorst said.

According to the Routine Activity

Theory, most criminals scope out their target residences before breaking and entering. Dirks-Linhorst urged that it is important to be cautious of surroundings and to report any suspicious activity.

Although the police department finds it important to educate people on how to keep residents on campus safe, some students tend to not be cautious of theft because it has not been a problem for them before.

Sophomore Danica Klein, who lives at Enclave West, has never experienced a burglary.

“I try to lock my doors at my apartment and in my car every day, but sometimes it slips my mind,” Klein said.

Klein has her own theory as to why | pg. 3

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Thursday, December 4, 2014

| from pg. 2

who was looking for his friend.

The subject was a resident.

11-18-14 Keegan T. McHugh came to the SIUE Police Department to pick up his towed vehicle.

McHugh was arrested for possession of unlawfully altered disability parking decal. He was processed and released with a notice to appear.

11-19-14 Alec J. McCarty was arrested for unlawful consumption of alcohol by a minor. He was transported from Woodland Hall to the SIUE Police Department where he was processed and released with a notice to appear.

An officer checked on a vehicle in Cougar Village Lot 4A. Two occupants were taken into custody and transported to the SIUE Police Department. Jacob A. Boevingloh was arrested for unlawful possession of cannabis. He was processed and released with a notice to appear.

The second occupant was interviewed, processed and released pending further investigation and warrant application.

11-20-14 During a routine traffic stop, Kimberly A. M. Pope was arrested for driving while suspended. She was transported to the SIUE Police Department to be processed. She was released with a notice to appear. Pope was issued a citation for no insurance and a warning for one headlight. The offense occurred on Cougar Lake Drive.

11-21-14 An officer responded to North University Drive regarding a driver hitting a deer. No injuries and no road blockages were reported. The deer was euthanized.

11-25-14 An officer responded to 410 Cougar Village regarding an active fire alarm. The officer said the alarm was activated due to a resident trying to boil a toothbrush. No fire, smoke and damage were reported, and the area was secured.

11-29-14 A 911 caller stated a male was destroying a car in Cougar Village Lot 4C. The caller hung up after giving the location and would not answer the phone on callback. Officers located a female that had just had a verbal argument with her boyfriend.

He got in his car and left. The officers did not locate any damaged vehicles.

11-30-15 Officers responded to 411 Cougar Village in reference to a 911 call from female stating she believed someone came in through her roommate’s window. Officers checked the area and said it was secure.

12-1-14 A caller reported a strong odor of cannabis in his apartment in 409 Cougar Village when he came home. An officer investigated and arrested Mitchell H. Knight for possession of drug paraphernalia. Knight was transported to the SIUE Police Department where he was processed and released with a notice to appear.

Ryan T. Cort was issued a state citation for speeding 61 mph in a 45 mph speed zone on South University at Stadium Drive.

11-22-14

12-2-14

An officer checked Evergreen Hall parking lot for a report of a suspicious male walking around the lot. The officer made contact with the subject

Mitchell W. Keeper Jr. was issued a state citation for speeding 42 mph in a 25 mph speed zone on University at North Circle.

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crime spikes around the holidays.

“People go out and buy more expensive things, which they then have to carry into their home, and others can be watching them,” Klein said.

Klein sees crime happen mostly in her classes or in the Morris University Center because people usually lay their belongings down, making their items easy to take.

Senior Jackie Mundy, who resides in a house off campus, takes little safety precautions protecting herself from theft.

“Edwardsville is a very safe town,” Mundy said.

Mundy says students are most likely going to be robbed while walking to the parking lots.

“The lots are poorly lit, and you would have to run a few hundred feet before you reach a blue light,” Mundy said.

Mundy believes the only reason crime in Edwardsville may be increasing is due to the fact that the college is growing.

“It’s obvious that people steal to pay for their holiday needs,” Mundy said.

Freshman Jack Dobbin, who lives in Prairie Hall, has dealt with burglary before.

“Someone broke into my car off campus and stole my iPod and

The Alestle // 3 cellphone. And yes, I left my car unlocked,” Dobbin said.

Dobbin said he does see reason for people to worry about theft during the holidays because of the added stress of the season.

“People are desperate and get depressed at the end of the year, and they become irrational,” Dobbin said.

“

In December 2013, there were only three reports of theft.

These two holiday months saw combined 11 reports of missing items. That is two crimes fewer than in October 2013, where 13 thefts were reported.

This past November, five counts of theft have been reported, including missing elec-

The SIUE [Police Department] had two residential burglaries reported in Cougar Village in the span of one week.

Taking a look back to 2012, there were eight reports of theft in November. These crimes consisted of missing cellphones, computers and money. In December 2012, there were seven reports of missing items from residence halls, classrooms and cars, whereas in October 2012, there were 32 reports of stolen items.

Jumping forward a year to November 2013, there were also eight reports of theft total that occurred on campus. These crimes consisted of theft of parking passes, cellphones and other mislaid items.

tronics and a stolen Cougar Card.

October of this year has again surpassed November having 11 reported theft crimes.

Although no evidence points to an increase in crime on campus during school breaks, police still advise students to take precautions.

Students can report campus burglary or any other suspicious activity by contacting the SIUE Police Department at 911 or 618650-3324. "

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Ferguson debates perpetuate prejudice, ridicule

Yelling, shaming trumps pursuit of facts once again The events that have befallen Ferguson are a tragedy — there is absolutely no denying that. However, another issue people seem to be sidestepping is the bipartisan hatred that’s infecting the country due to these conflicts.

Instead of agreeing on facts surrounding Ferguson, there’s a constant debate about the interpretation of the facts. Skepticism is a good, healthy trait to have — we should always be questioning the data that’s presented to us.

Nathan Sierra Alestle Copy Editor However, there’s a large amount of vitriol spewed from both sides attacking and dehumanizing the other. A large practice of “othering” has occurred; I’m sure you’ve been witness to this on Facebook, where a group of people shoot down the thoughts and concerns of a smaller group, a practice

both sides have been guilty of doing, but this is an epidemic not localized to just that site.

Entire social media sites such as Tumblr, Reddit and Funnyjunk have taken hard stances on the subject and ridicule those who wish to have an intellectual discussion from the opposing side. Entire posts on those sites fight and defend one side of the debate, while being entirely unwelcoming to the opposing side, even if it’s well-argued, while the entire Ferguson topic is attempting to address the over-arching conflict of prejudice that’s deeply entrenched in our culture and nation. The irony is enough to make me sick.

The us-against-them mentality is what has perpetuated this mindless, judgmental culture in the first place. The very same prejudice we have toward the people taking a different stance from ours on the Ferguson debate is the same kind of prejudice that has fueled hate-driven riots, segregation, and pseudoscientific practices such as phrenology in the past.

Yes, back when we were tribal it was important to be able to distinguish between

an enemy and a foe as quickly as possible when resources were scarce, leading us to claim it’s in our blood as humans to stereotype, but even biology doesn’t justify the atrocities we do nothing to stop, nor does it do anything to prevent this immense amount of hypocrisy. On the off chance this hate is entirely a social construct conditioned into us since we were little, then there’s even more of a reason to stand up and say, “this is wrong.”

If nothing else, treat each other like humans who go to bed with fears and motivations similar to yours. Direct your anger and feelings of injustice at the culture norms that have been put in place, not at the person that is behind a keyboard, you will not win anything by doing that. Let us go beyond our instincts and take our emotions to do something socially productive, like giving voice and humanity to those of us who are powerless.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Illinois voters disappoint in 2014 election Election Day Registration would give citizens a louder voice For how much we talk about the importance of voting, this state could do so much better.

Despite the work of many organizations to increase participation in the election, just 36.4 percent of registered voters in Chicago turned out to vote and only about 4.2 percent of those voters were between the ages of 18-24. This means that the issues we care about the most as students may not be on the agenda for the newest governor or elected officials.

Scarlett Winters Loyola University Chicago student We know that one of the biggest barriers to young people voting is a lack of knowledge about how and when to register.

As a student at Loyola University Chicago, I have experienced this firsthand. I registered in central Illinois before college.

Without same-day registration, I would not have been able to vote on Election Day. Fortunately, Election Day Registration is a simple solution to increasing young voter turnout. Thousands of Illinois voters were able to vote thanks to the EDR pilot this November. Many voters were already registered and simply needed to update their address. Some who took advantage of this option were the students I met who registered at their parent’s home in the suburbs but actually lived at an apartment in the city. By making the Election Day Registration pilot permanent and available at all polling places, more young voters will be able to update their registration and vote on Election Day. In addition to young voters, EDR

benefits underrepresented communities, including geographically mobile lowincome voters as well as persons of color. By being offered an opportunity to update their registration and vote, their rights are treated with equal value.

Election Day Registration works, too.

Twelve states have passed EDR laws, and most states already have EDR in every polling place, not just a select few. Illinois needs to catch up. As a state, we currently have the second lowest voter turnout rate in the Midwest. Allowing EDR permanently would remove barriers for those who deserve a voice in our democracy.

We ask the Illinois legislature to make Election Day Registration permanent and available at all polling locations now so that EDR is available for the spring municipal elections and our voices are rightfully heard.

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Lifestyles

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Ho-ho-hold your holiday spending " The holidays are a time for family, fun and financial freakouts. The holiday season is stressful enough with finals and impending family commitments, and adding the pressure of gift giving can raise even more worries.

When tackling holiday gift giving, especially on a college budget, it is important to be knowledgeable so you can not only enjoy the season, but also go easy on your wallet. ! $ Around the holidays it becomes essential to plan out expected gifts and an allotted budgets. Determine how many people you will need to give gifts to and the amount you’re willing to spend on these gifts. For example, you may not choose to give the same size gift to your significant other as you would your mother. Regardless, there are a few ways to set up this budget; you can have a set price limit for each individual on your list or have an overall budget. To be as sufficient as possible with finances, it may be wise to establish an overall budget because that way you have a more definite total limit.

Another helpful way to stay on budget would be to take your allotted money out in cash. This way, you will not be tempted to go over budget as easily as if you used debit or credit cards. $ $ " A fun idea if you are buying gifts for everyone in your friend group, roomates or office is to suggest a Secret Santa or white elephant exchange. This is a way to cover a lot of bases; instead of buying gifts for each individual in the group, you are required to only buy for one person, yet everyone walks away satisfied.

Traditionally in Secret Santa, you are given the name of one person participating in the swap, and the object is to buy a present he or she would actually enjoy.” A white elephant exchange, however, involves finding the most random, hilarious gift possible. Both are exciting, rewarding and easy on your wallet. !$

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Once you have made a list of every-

one requiring presents, it is now time to decide what you would like to buy for each person. You already have your price limit, so look and see what you can afford.

However, overbuying can become very easy when you keep finding one more of the right gift. Just because you can fit six presents inside your $20 budget does not mean you should; once you overbuy for one, you are more inclined to fall prey to overbuying for all. "

# Pinterest has helped make do-ityourself ideas readily available and, even more, complete with simple instructions.

Think of skills you have. Do you love baking? You should use your talent to make homemade desserts to share in a holiday-themed baskets. Do you like to knit, crochet orsew? You should try to make a scarf or hat for your friends; it is something they will not only love simply because it is practical, but also because it was handmade just for them.

Another popular idea is to take a blank coffee mug, decorate it and bake it in the oven to make the decorations permanent. With this idea, you can personalize the mug with any desired design or quotes specific to the individual receiving the gift. This typically works better when decorated with a paint pen, which can be found at any craft store, as opposed to Sharpie. The Sharpie does not always stay on well once baked and washed in a dishwasher. The final step involves placing the mug in the oven at a temperature of around 230 degrees for around two hours.

Another idea for a DIY gift includes a spa in a jar, where you place spa-like products in a simple little jar. It will look neat and will be appreciated by any alwaysstressed college student. % If you’re a fan of getting deals online, this form of shopping may be the way to go for the holiday season. However, if you choose to shop this way, it is important to be wise about it. Just because you are getting it online for $10 does not mean it is a better deal than the store if you end up paying extra for shipping and handling. Know how to search around; look at different sites to make sure you are getting the best deal and the lowest cost on shipping.

It can be very easy to become sucked into the holiday season, with all of the festive things the stores have to offer. From themed towels to holiday scented soaps, there are many things you do not need to spend money on.

During this season, everywhere you look has festivities to offer. Whether it is festivals or light shows, make sure you choose wisely. There is always a multitude of holiday events that are free, so focus on those more, as opposed to the costly ones. Even if they only cost $7 per person, it can add up in the grand scheme of things.

You can also easily save money on things you many not even think of. For wrapping paper, you could use newspapers or make your own. Utilizing dollar stores can help save money on gift bags, allowing you to buy two for $1 as opposed to buying one for $3. It can also be helpful to make your own Christmas cards and decorations. This not only saves money, but also allows you to put a more personal touch on your gift giving. $ $ $ !

It is important to remember that spending money is not saving money. Just because the $150 dress is on sale for $50, does not mean you need to buy it for your friend. Every time you buy something, you are spending and not saving. Therefore, if it does not fit your budget, you do not need it — no matter how great the sale.

You should always be on the lookout for deals, but do not get carried away. Just because that one thing is the hottest deal of the year, does not mean you need it now; there will always be deals. Stay on track with your plan of action, and be careful not to get distracted with the so-called “best sales of the year.”

Always value quality over quantity.

While it is important to try to find the best price, it is also important to give a gift that has value. Buying one thing of meaning and quality as opposed to 10 small things can make a difference.

Sports

Questions or comments regarding this section? Contact the Sports Editor at 650-3524 or sports@alestlelive.com

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Thursday, December 4, 2014

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With a loss in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, the men’s soccer team ended the 2014 season with an 8-9-4 record in a historic season for the program.

This season, the Cougars won the Missouri Valley Conference championship for the first time and made the NCAA Tournament for the first time since all sports programs transitioned to Division I athletics.

While the season ended on a high note, the beginning of the season was sketchy at times, starting 6-0-2 in nonconference play with newly appointed CoHead Coaches David Korn and Brian Jones.

Korn, who along with Jones was promoted to his position a week before the start of the season, said the Cougars were proud of how far the team was able to go.

“I think we were pleased to reach our goals, with a MVC Championship and making the NCAA Tournament,” Korn said.

“Overall this season, we showed a lot of growth; we showed a lot of development as a team. I think we put ourselves in a position amongst the top 20, top 30 teams in the country, which is from a talent perspective where we belong.”

From winning the tournament to having a goal shown on SportsCenter’s Top 10 plays, 2014 was an eventful year for the team. Korn said he could not name just one moment as his favorite.

“I don’t know if I could describe a top highlight,” Korn

said. “Obviously it was great to win the Missouri Valley for the first time. The guys did a great job against Northwestern. Even just the start of conference play. I think those are all big moments. I don’t know if I could pick just one.”

With the close of the season, the team will lose five seniors to graduation, including defender Matt Polster and forward Christian Volesky.

Volesky led the Cougars’ attack with the most goals, assists and points on the team and was rewarded for his efforts with the MVC Player of the Year award.

Polster played and started in every game during the season and for his success was given the MVC Defensive Player of the Year award.

Korn said replacing every senior will be a tough task, as there are positions all across the field that need to be filled.

“I think from a team standpoint, it’s never easy to replace guys that play a big key role in the culture of the team and the play of the field, and all five seniors did,” Korn said. “[Polster] and [Volesky] get a number of accolades.

Kobernus was tremendous for us late in the year.

[Ellis] and [Baumann] played really key roles for us all season.

They’re a big reason for our success.”

Korn said there are multiple players who will be fighting for the chance to start in the upcoming season, and they will be able to step into those roles nicely.

“What we saw at the end of the season, [freshman goalkeeper Kyle Dal Santo] stepped up and did a great job in goal,” Korn said.

“We had a couple of our center midfielders out because of injury

that we know are good players, and I think a lot of our younger players were taking opportunities in some of the games this year and showed they can do a lot. I would say they have shown me positives to take the opportunity and run with it.”

With Kobernus gone, the Cougars will have to find a starting goalkeeper for the 2015 season. With two NCAA Tournament games under his belt, Dal Santo may have the edge in the competition.

Korn said the experience Dal Santo gained in the tournament will help him as his role in the team expands.

“I think it’ll help him a lot,” Korn said. “He earned the chance to start this season. If not for [Kobernus’s] play this season, he trained well enough to get in a game. It’s not an easy position because you don’t make a sub there, but he did the right things to keep himself ready so that if he did get an opportunity, he was the guy we could rely on. He showed that to the coaching staff; he showed that to his teammates. I’m excited. He’s got a bright future.”

Including Dal Santo, Korn said the games played in the NCAA Tournament will not only help current players, but will also tell incoming players what the team’s goals are.

“I think it’s a good step forward,” Korn said. “The program has a great history. We have a fantastic alumni base. We know the expectations are to be in the NCAA Tournament. For our current group of players to see that and be a part of it and know how close they were to advancing to another round and potentially going deeper in the tournament, I

think that’s motivating as we get to work again over the next few months in the offseason and for spring preparation. I think it’s going to be helpful as we talk to players and explain to them the expectations of the program and what, as a recruit, we would expect of them if they join the program.”

Korn said he already has an idea of players who could be next year’s leaders. “[Redshirt junior defender] Brett Lane is a guy who, during his time here, has been a good leader through his work on the field and how he communicates,” Korn said. “[Junior midfielder] Jake Wieser was one of our leaders this year as a junior. He’s a guy that I think has been extremely reliable and has been a good example for the team. I thought [sophomore defender] Austin Ledbetter really matured this year.

I thought he was one of our most reliable leaders over the season.

We expect a lot from him. He has a good chance to be a really good player.”

Korn said while the team is still looking back at the 2014 season, the preparation to return as MVC champions has started.

“We had a few days for Thanksgiving, and then the day after Thanksgiving was the recruiting event,” Korn said. “It happened pretty quick. We’re still evaluating the previous year and examining the things we did well and areas that we have to get better at. Essentially, our preparation with the coaches now is on next fall.”

Thursday, December 4, 2014

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The Alestle // 7

After tough 2014, volleyball has hopes for next season The volleyball team faced both ups and downs this season, concluding merely one win short of a conference bid.

Finishing with a record of 14-17 overall and 6-10 in the Ohio Valley Conference, Head Coach Leah Johnson said the season was a success. “[Senior libero] Chelsea Colclasure broke the digs record for SIUE; [freshman outside hitter] Ashley Witt broke the season kills record for a freshman. We had the most wins in a row and most wins in a preseason,” Johnson said. “We had four very key statistical achievements. Those things warranted a post season opportunity, but we didn’t achieve that final goal.”

Johnson said the team broke the season into three different parts, the first part being the preseason.

“This was exceptional — the best preseason we’ve ever had,” Johnson said.

“We beat teams with higher [rating percent index’s]. We did not have one poor loss; we won games we were supposed to win and we upset teams that was from opening weekend with a young squad.

Our preseason set us up to be a contender in conference.”

Johnson said the second and third parts of the season consisted of conference play.

“The second part would be our first half [of conference]; obviously that was disappointing. That’s where our wheels fell

off for awhile,” Johnson said. “Then we went into the second half, which we call our new season. I am very pleased we went 5-3 in our last half of the season, after going though the turmoil that we did. The team knew deep down, based on what we did in preseason, that we had all of the tools to be good and win.”

Johnson said a few of the team’s strengths this season included improved production from outside hitters, overall hitting percentage consistently over .200 in games won and a continual improvement in the team’s blocking game.

“If you look at our numbers, they are very distorted because we played six or seven five-set matches,” Johnson said.

“Anytime you play a five-set match, you don’t play to 25 in the last set, so your numbers are always diluted. And even still, we were able to achieve those benchmarks.”

Johnson said many players contributed to the team’s success, including junior middle blocker Kristen Torre.

“I thought [Torre] was a highlight of the year,” Johnson said. “In the past she would always have great matches and be steady for us, but she put together some very exceptional matches back-to-back.

Even in some of our tough losses, [Torre] still had 15 or 16 kills, and then in our wins, 19 or 20. She was nearly unstoppable; I think that was a huge key for us to move back into contention in that later part of the season.”

Johnson said going into this season

Cougar Briefs: What you missed !

On Tuesday, Nov. 25, the SIUE women’s basketball team lost to Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis 87-76 after 13-0 and 14-3 runs in the first half by the opposition.

The Cougars cut the deficit to five points midway through the first half, but it ended 39-23 in favor of IUPUI. Four players ended the game in double-digit scoring, including redshirt junior guard Shronda Butts, who led the team with 19 points. Butts went 6-15 from the

field and 5-6 from the free throw line.

Two other starters — senior guard Tierny Austin and freshman forward Gwen Adams — finished the game with 11 and 10 points, respectively. Austin went 3-7 with a 4-5 effort from the line. Adams was perfect on her free throws, going 44 and went 3-8 from the field.

Junior guard CoCo Moore led the team in rebounds with 10 and capped her double-double with 13 points off the bench, going 4-8 and 5-7 on free throws.

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with such a young team, she did not know what to expect.

“All of the freshmen played key roles in our season and it really paints a picture of our future, which I think should be pretty successful,” Johnson said. “I was really excited to see how well [Witt] did to start the season; she was absolutely a goto for us. [Freshman middle blocker] Carley Ramich was our top blocker; she really set the standard for our blocking game. [Freshman outside hitter] Emily Harrison found a good passing rhythm and became very consistent, hitting over .200 every match. [Freshman defensive setter] Katie Shashack, early on, was a huge passing role for us. [Freshman outside hitter] Taylor Joens, there was a point when she was in the middle, and then we moved her to the right side and then she had time on the outside. That versatility is another reason we were able to play with our lineup and be successful.”

Johnson said she is excited about this offseason, having the most returning players the team has had to date.

“We have 12 returning; obviously we lose about 50 percent of our digs and about 30 percent of our first ball contacts and serve receive,” Johnson said. “But outside of that, we return every second and third contact and part of our first. Our whole offense is back and we can really start to iron things out this season.”

The Cougars say goodbye to two seniors — Colclasure and defensive setter Haley Norris. Johnson said despite only losing two players, the team will need to

work to rebuild this loss. “[Colclasure] has started for four years and has been on the court every single match; that doesn’t just get replaced,” Johnson said. “We will have to have other strengths while we try to balance those contacts — our defense and our passing game. We will play into being a good first ball kill team, being a better blocking team and developing some more serving strengths so we can help counter potentially what might be a lesser contact early on next year.”

Colclasure said she had a successful season and is thankful for her time in the program.

“I think we could have started conference off a little better, but we redeemed ourselves and played really hard,” Colclasure said. “Playing with my family every day in the gym makes it a good year. I wouldn’t take any of these years back; they’ve taught me a lot. I have a family that I’ll never forget, and they’ll always be there for me.”

Johnson said regardless of this loss, the team looks promising for next season.

“We have a setter, a middle and a libero coming in, so we are going to add depth in all three of those positions, which is really exciting,” Johnson said. “To have three incoming in different positions, we will continue to diversify our gym and when you are diverse, you’re deep and you’re competitive.”

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8 // The Alestle

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