12 minute read
The softball team swept the doublehead respectively
By Chelsie Derman Reviews Editor
Delving into the romantic lives of thirty men and women, Netflix’s new reality series “Love Is Blind” explores an intriguing question— can you fall in love with someone you’ve never laid eyes on?
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The series, which was released on Feb. 13 and ran for three weeks, is comparable to shows like “The Bachelor,” but cast members must build intimate relationships in the span of only 10 days. The catch? Contestants can’t see each other — they can only talk.
From the start, I expected it to be another superficial dating reality show, but “Love is Blind” kept me invested in the lives of the cast members and eager to watch their relationships grow.
The show makes for an interesting social experiment. Men and women are divided into two separate living spaces, and the only way they can interact is through what is referred to as the “pods.”
One male and one female sits in their own pod — a small, enclosed room — which are connected by a thin wall. In this space, personal conversations emerge and emotional connections develop. It’s also where some end up getting down on one knee.
Although some bonds felt superficial, others were heartfelt
The contestants go on blind dates in individual pods.
Netflix
and genuine, and I am confident that they will remain strong long after the show.
“Love Is Blind” really hits viewers with a strong dose of reality. The show examines relationships through an extrinsic standpoint and follows cast members as they travel out of their pod bubble and into the real world.
When the couples begin to live with one another, they recognize factors they were not exposed to in the pods — age, race, looks and social class. Discussing expectations and confronting differences brought unease
to some contestants, which made me question the effect of societal norms on relationships.
The show posed an interesting question: Is love blind? At first, I would have said no. Now, I’m not so sure.
Although the whole idea of the show — forming a relationship with someone in 10 days and then jumping into marriage six weeks later — sounds absolutely ridiculous, it undoubtedly kept me interested and engaged. The show has an addicting quality to it.
It’s fascinating to watch two people form bonds when they have no idea what the other
person looks like. Leading up to the proposal, race, appearance and social status did not matter — conversation did.
Although I was captivated by the drama, it became evident that cast members should not have been rushed into engagement when they quickly struggled to make their relaionship in the real world.
“Love Is Blind” offers a new take on reality tv. The show draws viewers into a fascinating experiment that forces them to question societal expectations, widen their perspectives and question what exactly defines love.
This week, WTSR Music Director Dylan Lembo highlights some of the best new music that the College’s own radio station, 91.3 FM WTSR, puts into its weekly rotation.
Artist Name: King Krule Album Title: “Man Alive” Release Number: 4th Hailing From: London, England Genre: Indie Rock, Jazz Fusion Label: XL/True Panther Sounds
If I could describe how King Krule’s music makes me feel, it would be the type of overwhelming sensation you get when you’re in a crowded place but feel dreadfully alone. The one thing about King Krule, otherwise known as Archie Marshall, is that he never fails to convey this sense of uneasiness. Listening to this record is like walking through an English alleyway at dusk, with nothing but the noise of the city and the thoughts in your own internal monologue to keep you company. It’s an atmospheric album without a doubt. I recommend listening through in a single sitting.
Muscian Name: Black Lips Album Title: “Sing In A World That’s Falling Apart Release Number: 9th Hailing From: Atlanta, Georgia Genre: Garage rock, indie rock Label: Fire Records/Vice Records
The band is back and better than ever! Following the instrumentally lush release of 2017’s “Satan’s Graffiti or God’s Art,” The Black Lips return with “Sing In A World That’s Falling Apart” is surprisingly a much twangier take on garage rock — so twangy, that’s it’s not even garage rock anymore. This is a straight up country LP. “Rumbler” makes me want to hoot and holler at the saloon. “Angola Rodeo” made me audibly Yeehaw during my first listen. From someone who has an aversion to country, this record is genuinely enjoyable and puts a smile on my cowboy face.
Women’s streak continues Tennis
Photo courtesy of the Sports information Desk
Michibata returns in singles.
By Kevin Hornibrook Staff Writer
The College’s tennis teams both faced off against Franklin & Marshall College on Saturday, March 7, with the men facing their second loss and the women earning another victory.
For the women, an 8-1 win saw the Lions lose only two sets in the entire match. The match began with a sweep of the Diplomats doubles units as teams of sophomores Katrine Luddy and Liya Davidov and freshmen Charlotte Roarty and Jenny Landells both won their sets 8-1. Freshmen Alexa Vasile and Anusha Rangu followed with an 8-3 win.
Although not a sweep, the singles play was just as unbalanced. Davidov took down her opponent 6-0, 6-3. Roarty’s 6-0,
6-0 win gave the College the win. Franklin & Marshall’s lone point came from a 3-6, 6-4, 3-10 loss for Vasile. Pro set wins for sophomores Sarah Phung and Navya Yemula finalized the score at 8-1.
The win moves the Lions to a very impressive 10-0, with eight of their 10 victories being a result of 8-1 or 9-0 scores.
As for the men’s team, they struggled early and lost two of three doubles matches. Sophomores Matthew Michibata and Justin Wain earned an 8-3 victory, but the senior team of Thomas Wright and Gokul Murugesan fell, 6-8. A 5-8 loss by freshmen Nick Matkiwsky and Akul Telluri gave their opponents the upper hand.
Meanwhile, Michibata’s 6-0, 6-1 win along with sophomore Nikola Kilibarda’s 6-0, 6-3 performance got the College to three points. Matkiwsky fell in a hard fought 7-5, 3-6, 5-7 match to close out the 3-6 loss.
While still ranked at no. 40, the loss to Franklin & Marshall puts the Lions at 3-2 on the season.
For the upcoming week, the women’s team will try to protect their perfect record against Wilmington University on Sunday, New York University on Friday and Moravian College on Saturday. The men will face off against Boucher College on Sunday, New York University on Friday and Stevens next Sunday.
Softball
Softball wins two, drops four
By Ann Brunn Staff Writer
The softball team swept the doubleheader against DeSales University on March 4 before losing doubleheaders to the University of Lynchburg and Salisbury University on Saturday, March 7, and Sunday, March 8, respectively.
Junior pitcher Eliza Sweet and freshman pitcher Ally Schlee threw a combined nohitter in the first game of the doubleheader against DeSales. The Lions scored early when junior catcher Marissa Devincenzo hit a RBI double to drive in senior outfielder Annalise Suitovsky to give the College a 2-0 lead.
The Lions broke open the game in the top of the fourth to take a 7-0 lead due in part to offensive contributions from Devincenzo, junior outfielders Katie Winchock and Katlin Kocinski and junior infielders Lauren Conroy and Elyse Nardozza.
Sweet picked up her first victory of the season, walking one batter and striking out three, while Schlee pitched a clean fifth inning to keep the no-hitter.
Junior pitcher Alanna Namit nearly had a no-hitter in the second game of the doubleheader, allowing one single in the bottom of the seventh inning.
On the offensive, Namit had a two-run home run to center field, the first home run of her career, to get the Lions on the board.
Sophomore outfielder Lindsay Zengel padded the Lions lead, driving in four runs while Conroy scored the last run to give the Lions the 8-0 victory.
Over the weekend, the Lions dropped both doubleheaders losing Saturday’s games to the University of Lynchburg, 8-7 and 3-1, and Sunday’s games to Salisbury University, 11-5 and 2-0.
The Lions will head into the 2020 Spring Games in Florida with a 3-4 record looking to flip the script as they play 12 games over the span of six days.
Photo courtesy of the Sports information Desk
Namit delivers to the plate.
Men’s basketball loses in second round of NCAA Division III Tournament
By Ann Brunn Staff Writer
The men’s basketball team saw their remarkable season come to an end on Saturday, March 7, when they fell to third ranked Randolph-Macon College, 85-71, in the second round of the NCAA Division III Tournament.
The Lions ended their season with a 20-9 overall record despite having once been 4-6 to start the month of January and going on to win their first NJAC Championship in 22 years. They also captured their first NCAA Tournament victory since 1989 when they beat Marietta College, 89-73, in the first round of the tournament on Friday, March 6.
As a team, the Lions shot 51 percent from the field and an efficient 12 of 26 from behind the arc to propel themselves past Marietta and into the second round.
Senior guard Randy Walko led the charge with 32 points which marked his sixth game this season where he scored 30 points or more. Walko also nabbed nine rebounds. Following suit and shooting an electric 75 percent from the floor, including 80 percent from three point range, junior forward Travis Jocelyn collected 22 points. Rounding out the box score with a double-double was senior forward Ryan Jensen as he tallied 15 points, 11 rebounds and added seven assists.
In what was a back-and-forth match for the majority of the 40 minutes of play, Randolph-Macon ultimately pulled past the Lions to advance to the Sweet Sixteen. Walko ended his last game as a Lion with 23 points and seven rebounds. He finished his career with 1,537 points which has him in fifth place all-time in the College’s history in points scored. Walko also finds himself in third place in program history with 193 made three pointers and eighth place all-time in rebounding with 537 boards. He ended the season 11 points shy of the College’s single season record of made free throws with 181 made foul shots.
Jensen surpassed the 600 rebound mark during this game which put his collegiate total at 605 rebounds which is good for seventh all-time.
Junior guard PJ Ringel totaled 155 assists on the season, which is second-most in a season in the College’s history. He now has 240 assists entering the 2020-2021 season and is currently in eighth place on the all-time assists list. The Lions will graduate five seniors,
Walko, Jensen, Mike Walley, Mike Chapman and Tommy Egan, who had been an integral part of the program during their four year tenure at the College. Their leadership helped shape the team and spark an unforgettable season.
Walko drives to the hoop.
Photo courtesy of the Sports Information Desk
Baseball Lions pummel Plattsburgh State in home opener
Simon awaits an incoming pitch.
By Jacob Malik Staff Writer
Despite being 0-4 to start the season, the baseball team won their home opener against Plattsburgh State on Saturday, March 7.
The Lions would get off to a strong start in the first inning. With two outs, senior David Cardona III on second and junior Avery Epstein on third, senior Garry Otten scored both runners with a single up the middle.
In the second inning, Plattsburgh looked to score with runners on second and third with only one out.
Photo courtesy of Sports Information Desk
The team managed to come out unscathed, as sophomore Matt Volpe struck out and earned a pop-out against the next two batters to preserve the 2-0 lead. The team further added to their existing lead in the bottom of the 2nd to 3-0, with sophomore Grant Sible scoring from third on a single to left center from sophomore Nick Francisco. Volpe continued to pitch well, as he made quick work of Plattsburgh in the top of the 3rd with a 1-2-3 inning. Despite having bases loaded and just one out in the bottom of the 3rd, the Lions were unable to further add to their lead.
Plattsburgh put a run up on the board on the fourth. With the bases loaded and two outs, Santino Ycaza hit by a pitch that forced in a run to make the score 3-1 Lions. However, this was all the action in the 4th, as the Lions went down in order with three consecutive groundouts. Volpe continued his strong outing in the fifth, as he pitched another 1-2-3 inning, which turned out to be crucial. The Lions offense broke the game wide open, as they scored three more runs in the bottomofthe fifth. Cardona III lined a double into left center and picked up RBIs, as both Epstein and senior Thomas Persichetti scored. Cardona III advanced to third on a fielder’s choice and then scored on a passed ball to make it 6-1. The sixth and top of the seventh were quiet, as Volpe continued to find success. His final line ended up as follows: seven innings pitched, four hits, one run, zero earned and four strikeouts.
In the seventh, the Lions loaded the bases and managed to score two more runs. Sophomore Joe Oczkowski was hit by a pitch, which forced in the first run. In the next at bat, Sible hit a sacrifice fly to centerfield that allowed senior Jacob Simon to tag up and score the eighth and final run for the Lions.
To start the eighth inning, Lions pitcher Junior David Stec took over for Volpe. Stec allowed one run in the eighth on a fielder’s choice and produced a 1-2-3 inning in the ninth to seal the 8-2 victory for the Lions.
The Lions will look to build on this success as they take on Gwynedd Mercy on Monday, March 9 at home and Alvernia University on the road on Tuesday, March 10.
Lions Lineup
I n s i d e
