INDIANAPOLIS, Ind.- The University of Southern Indiana Women’s Swimming and Diving team returned to the IU Natatorium for the second straight year opening the season against the host Indiana University Indianapolis and Northern Kentucky University in a double dual. The Screaming Eagles dominated the Norse 193-5 but fell to the Jaguars 137-97.
The Eagles earn their first victory over Northern Kentucky and continue to inch closer to the IU Indy Jaguars. USI fell to the Jaguars last year 149-93.
Sophomore Preseason Summit League Swimmer to Watch Hayden Shurtz was the lone Eagle to win an event as she took the 100 breaststroke. The sophomore finished 2.11 seconds faster than the second-place finisher at 1:06.67.
Junior Elizabeth Busby, junior Makana Goss, sophomore Caiya Cooper, and Shurtz kick started the season with a second place 400 medley time (4:01.91). Junior Mattilynn Smith also finished second in her 1000 freestyle season debut (10:58.92).
Freshman sprinter Simone Green made her USI debut with a respectable 50 freestyle third place finish (25.37). Freshman Emma Gabhart becomes the second fastest 200 individual medley swimmer in the USI history books with a second-place finish (2:12.95). The current 200 IM record holder is Shurtz (2:09.64).
The two new freshman divers lead the Eagles in the one-meter dive event. Freshman Gabbie Meier finished in second place (202.95 pts), while freshman Anna Bunnell was right behind in third place (200.40 pts). Bunnell led the Eagles in the three-meter dive (205.20 pts).
Junior Sarah-Catherine Dawson started her season strong with a tight second place finish (1:00.51) in the 100 Butterfly. Another freshman made a strong debut as Elizabeth Ketcham placed second in the 100 Backstroke (1:00.09). Green, Ketcham, Smith, and Cooper delivered a quick 400 freestyle relay (3:38.78).
Men’s S&D uses strong freshman debuts to split double dual
EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT
FOOTNOTE: EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT information was provided by the EPD and posted by the City-County-County Observer without opinion, bias, or editing.
Attempted Murder Warrant Issued from Shooting on Hartmetz Avenue
A warrant for attempted murder has been issued for 21-year-old Jovocse A. Washington in reference to the shooting that occurred on September 30th in the 3100 block of Hartmetz Avenue. A 17-year-old was shot during the altercation, sustained serious injuries, and is being treated at a hospital outside of Evansville.
If you have any information on the location of Jovocse Washington please contact the Evansville Police Adult Investigations Unit at (812) 436-7979 or the EPD Tip Line at (812) 435-6
Trailblazers take two match split to open 2024 Showdown on the Wabash
VINCENNES, Ind. – The Vincennes University volleyball team opened another tough weekend of competition with the first day of the 2024 Showdown on the Wabash tournament at VU.
The Blazers began the weekend slate with a split of their Friday matches, winning a Region 24 clash over Southwestern Illinois College 25-22, 21-25, 25-20, 25-15 and falling to Wallace State C.C. 23-25, 18-25, 25-19, 25-8, 14-16.
Vincennes began the day with a Region 24 contest against Southwestern Illinois College from Belleville.
The Blazers broke away in the opening set to take an early 9-6 lead before the Blue Storm battled back to regain the lead at 17-16.
Vincennes would answer back late in the first set and close the set by outscoring SWIC 7-2 to take set one 25-22.
Set two was another back-and-forth battle, with neither team able to get a solid lead until the Blue Storm used four unanswered points to close out the set and even the match with a 25-21 victory.
Vincennes looked determined to take the pivotal third set but again had an early lead erased.
VU would again look to gain firm control of the match at 22-16 before the Blue Storm rallied back with four straight points.
This would be as close as SWIC would get however as Vincennes picked up three straight points to close out the third set 25-20 and take a 2-1 match lead.
Wanting to avoid a fifth set, Vincennes again got off to a quick start in set four, building an early 7-2 lead, which SWIC again erased to tie the set at 7-7.
Vincennes would get the lead back with three straight points and continue to build on this lead with a 5-0 run later in the set as VU pulled away late to take set four and the match 25-15.
“SWIC was the hottest team in the Region coming into today,” VUVB Head Coach Gary Sien said. “They were on a 10 game winning streak before today and a couple of those wins were against some of the other top teams in the Region. We knew we were going to have a tough game, plus they had two players back that didn’t play the first time we played them.”
“Having those two back for them will add fire power and blocking to any team,” Sien added. “We had a hard time stopping No. 13 early in the match. We had to really adjust our blocking, getting in front of her hitting arm and were able to get more touches from that which helped us get some more digs that we didn’t get early in the match.”
“There were a couple of SWIC hitters that we were able to help control with our blocking and defense, which was the difference in the match,” Sien said. “Looking at our kill numbers, we were able to transition pretty well too.”
The VU offense was again led by the sophomore tandem of Laura Tavares (Merida, Venezuela) and Isadora Dias (Rio Grande de Norte, Brazil), who each finished with 14 kills.
Tavares would add a pair of blocks, one dig and one set assist and Dias would also record three blocks and one dig.
Sophomore Elisa Dalla Pozza (Vincenza, Italy) also had a big game, finishing with 11 kills, two blocks, two digs and one ace.
Freshman Martyna Sadowska (Pila, Poland) was the fourth VU hitter to reach double-digit kills, coming away with 10 kills, three blocks and a pair of set assists.
Freshman Paulina Fister (Tuszyn, Poland) had a good all-around game with four kills, 12 digs, two blocks and two set assists, while sophomore Allison Czyzewski (Louisville, Ill.) came away with a monster game at the net with two kills, a team-high seven blocks and one set assist.
The VU offense was run by sophomore setter Libby Mehringer (Jasper, Ind.) who finished with a team-high 26 set assists, two digs, one kill and one ace.
Freshman setter Rylee Edwards (Fairfield, Ill.) also helped spread the ball around, picking up a double-double with 21 set assists, 11 digs and two aces.
Sophomore libero Grace Flexter (Oblong, Ill.) and freshman Julianna Rettig (Antioch, Ill.) helped control the back row defense for the Trailblazers, with Flexter finishing the match with 13 digs, one set assist and one ace, while Rettig picked up a team-high 16 digs and one ace.
The Trailblazers then looked to close out the first day strong with another tough test, this time against Wallace State Community College.
The Lions came out of the gates strong in set one, building an early 8-3 lead and later held a 13-7 advantage over the Blazers.
The Wallace State lead would grow to eight before Vincennes began to chip away with a 7-2 scoring run to cut the deficit to 23-21.
Facing set point, Vincennes would continue to battle, getting within a single point of the Lion lead before Wallace State closed out the opening set 25-23 to gain the early 1-0 match lead.
Set two was more of the same from Wallace State, using an early 6-0 run to build a quick lead, which would grow to 18-11 before the Blazers rallied off three straight points.
This time however the Lions were determined to put the set away as the two teams traded points with Wallace State grabbing set two 25-18 to take a 2-0 match lead.
Looking to avoid the sweep, the Trailblazers showed some determination of their own in set three, gaining a lead midway through the set and later using a 7-1 scoring run to build a 24-15 advantage.
Wallace State found themselves trying to climb back and were able to put four straight points together but were unable to overcome the deficit as VU took set three 25-19, with Wallace State now leading the match 2-1.
VU used this late momentum from set three into set four, riding a massive 9-0 scoring run by Libby Mehringer to grab the early advantage.
BRIAN HOLTZ SPEAKS ABOUT PROPOSED 24 MILLION DOLLAR BOND
Former Parks Director Speaks Out AboutThe Proposed $24 Million Bond for Parks
OCTOBER 5, 2024
You will be asked to approve a $24 million dollar Parks bond resolution in the coming weeks. Before moving forward, I urge you to consider holding an open and transparent discussion on the council floor, a discussion that not only serves the best interests of our community but also addresses the future needs of the City of Evansville Department of Parks and Recreation.
Here are some key points to consider during your deliberations:
1. Financial Sustainability: How much additional financial burden can the Parks Department and its budget realistically sustain? In 2022, the department issued a bond of up to $10,000,000 for various new and ongoing maintenance projects. Approving the new proposal would increase the total bonded amount of the department to $34 million dollars. Any future bond should include a restricted fund dedicated solely to maintenance, not new projects, to ensure fiscal responsibility.
2. Current Bond Payments: As of now, without a new bond of $24,000,000, the annual payment on existing bonds is approaching $5,000,000. Regardless of the source of these funds, this represents a significant financial commitment that can heavily impact any budget. Adding to this burden without careful consideration could jeopardize the department’s ability to meet other essential needs.
3. Strategic Planning: Before approving another bond, it would be wise to establish a process to identify the current and future needs of the Parks Department. This should not be another study or plan conducted by an outside consultant but rather a community-driven initiative leveraging local expertise. The goal should be to develop a sustainable plan that preserves our community’s green spaces while enhancing the quality of life for all residents.
4. Maintenance Priorities: According to the National Parks and Recreation Association (May2024), a city the size of Evansville, with its number of parks (46), should allocate 38% of its yearly budget to maintenance and operating expenses. Over each of the past five years, however, less than 10% has been allocated for these purposes. This discrepancy must be addressed to ensure that our parks are properly maintained and continue to be a source of pride for our community.
As a community, our primary focus should be on developing a clear and actionable vision for the future of our parks, one that prioritizes sustainability over accumulating more debt. I hope you will consider these considerations and advocate for a thoughtful, strategic approach that benefits the entire community.
by Brian Holtz, Evansville
Brian Holtz is the former executive director of the Evansville Parks and Recreation Department.
FOOTNOTE: The City-County Observer posted this article without bias, opinion or editing.
UE cross country travels to Louisville for Live in Lou
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The University of Evansville cross country teams head to one of the largest meets in the nation over the weekend.
The Purple Aces return to Live in Lou hosted by the Louisville Sports Commission at E.P. “Tom” Sawyer State Park on Saturday morning for the fourth straight season. UE will compete in the blue men’s and the silver women’s races at 9:45 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. respectively. Evansville will race against 38 other teams while racing with 13 other Division I schools including fellow MVC member Murray State in the men’s race.
The last time the Aces raced was up in Terre Haute at the John McNichols Invitational hosted by Indiana State. Sophomore runners Samuel Lea (Worchester, England) and Rafael Rodriguez (Segovia, Spain) set two Top 15 program times in the men’s 8K with personal bests. Lea led all UE runners with a time of 25:02.5 for sixth overall among Division I runners in Terre Haute. While Rodriguez finished eighth among Division I runners with a time of 25:07.1. The two times were good for 12th and 14th in program history in the men’s 8K.
Live in Lou is one of the largest meets in the United States as according to a Louisville Sports Commission press release, approximately 2,100 athletes are expected to compete over the six separate races (two Gold, two Blue, two Silver). The tristate area will be well represented at the meet along with Evansville as 15 other schools from Indiana, Illinois, and Kentucky will compete across the six races. The course of E.P. “Tom” Sawyer State Park has played host to six NCAA Southeast Regionals along with hosting three NCAA DI National Championships in 2012, 2015, and 2017.
Following the Live in Lou meet on Saturday the Aces will host their final regular season meet of the year. UE will welcome several schools to the Angel Mounds Cross Country course for the Angel Mounds Meet on Friday, October 18th.
UE women head to Coyote Creek Classic
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Next up for the University of Evansville women’s golf team is a trip to Bartonville, Ill. for the Coyote Creek Classic.
Coyote Creek Golf Club is the host fort the event, which will be hosted by Bradley. Aside from the Braves, the playing field includes Green Bay, Lindenwood, Oakland, Northern Iowa, Southern Indiana, and Western Illinois. Par is 72 and the yardage is 6,019. Teams will play two rounds on Sunday with the final 18 set for Monday.
Last time out, the Purple Aces earned a 10th place finish at The Velvet Championship in Paducah, Ky. Evansville was led by Louise Standtke who tied for 17th in the finishing order. She posted a 6-over 78 in the final round.
Second on the UE squad was Mallory Russell. Her 3-round tally of 236 tied her for 21st. She was followed by Elizabeth Mercer. The freshman registered a 245 and tied for 47th.
Eagles sweep Panthers leaving Charleston with an OVC winning record
EVANSVILLE, Ind.- University of Southern Indiana Volleyball (8-9, 3-2 OVC) brought the energy on Friday afternoon completing the two-game sweep of Eastern Illinois University (4-10, 0-4 OVC) in three sets (25-23, 25-20, 25-16). USI finished with a season high .310 attacking percentage with 12 service aces as ten different Eagles contributed points on only 14 errors.
Set 1: USI 25, EIU 23
Graduate senior Jasmine Green, senior Carly Sobieralski, junior Bianca Anderson, and sophomore Leah Coleman all tallied kills giving the Eagles an early 7-5 lead. More Eagles got involved as senior Abby Weber, junior Keira Moore, sophomore Ashby Willis, freshman Kerigan Fehr manufactured five service aces as USI led 20-18. Coleman finished her third kill to extend the lead to 23-20 and Willis finished the job with an emphatic cross court kill to clinch the set. USI used their depth once again to tame the Panthers in set one as eight different Eagles earned points.
Set 2: USI 25, EIU 20
The Eagles forced EIU into calling two early timeouts leading 10-5. Green added another kill giving the Eagles a six-point lead after Moore recorded a highlight reel dig. Willis fired home her sixth kill hitting .500 along with another service ace to make it 21-16. Willis helped clinch the set as she continued her outstanding weekend leaving the Panthers with no answer leading the Eagles with nine kills.
Set 3: USI 25, EIU 16
USI’s energy was electric on Friday as Anderson fired a kill through the middle as the Eagles continued to beat the Panthers to the net at 5-2. Willis converted her ninth kill from only 19 attempts expanding the Eagles lead to 12-8. Coleman was also extremely efficient swatting a cross court kill for her ninth kill and a three-point USI lead. Anderson was determined to finish this match in three sets with two straight kills making it 22-16. USI was relentless finishing the Panthers on a five-point run to clinch the weekend sweep.
The win marks the fifth Ohio Valley Conference sweep for the Eagles in the past two years and the first against the Panthers. The Eagles are now back in the thick of things in the OVC regular season race at 3-2.
Willis finished with a signature weekend as a Screaming Eagle leading both nights as she finished with 11 kills on Saturday. Sobieralski set up 34 Eagles finishing the three-game week with 134 assists. Moore led in digs all week as well with 15 on Friday afternoon. Weber finished a season high four service aces, while Green and Anderson both swatted three blocks.
As a team, USI finished with 45 kills, 41 assists, 35 digs, 12 aces, five blocks, and a .310 attacking percentage. The Panthers earned 35 kills, 31 assists, 34 digs, three aces, seven blocks, and a .261 hitting percentage.
Next up for the Eagles
USI is back on the road next weekend at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
Volleyball falls in weekend opener
Cardona had 23 kills in three sets
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Senior Giulia Cardona recorded 23 kills in just three sets as the University of Evansville volleyball team fell in the weekend opener at Belmont.
Cardona hit .300 and had nine digs and an ace to go along with her 23 kills. Three Purple Aces finished the night with four kills. Making her first appearance since the first weekend of the season, Kora Ruff picked up 28 assists and five digs. Ainoah Cruz led all players with 18 digs. Lucy Kay led the Bruins with 12 kills.
Game 1 – Belmont 25, UE 18
Kora Ruff opened the match with an ace before setting up Giulia Cardona for the kill. Belmont responded with four in a row to take their first lead.
With the Bruins up 9-8, they went on a run to push the lead to 14-10. UE rallied once again, cutting the deficit in half as a kill by Angelica Gonzalez helped her team make it a 19-17 game. Belmont had the response, completing the set on a 6-1 run to take a 1-0 lead.
Game 2 – Belmont 25, UE 21
Both teams had the lead in the early moments of the second frame, but with the score tied at 7-7, Belmont scored three in a row to take the lead for good. The 3-0 spurt was the start of a 10-3 run that put them in front by a 17-10 score.
Despite the deficit, the Aces kept fighting. Trailing 22-14, UE outscored the Bruins by a 6-1 margin to cut the deficit to 23-20. Madisyn Steele had a kill during the stretch before the Bruins regrouped to take a 2-0 match lead.
Game 3 – Belmont 25, UE 14
Another close game ensued as the squads dueled to a 6-6 score. Four in a row by the Bruins set them up with another lead they would not relinquish. They clinched the match with a 25-14 decision.
UE will look for the weekend split on Saturday with a 6 p.m. match at Murray State.