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Tam Sets Program Kill Mark In 3-2 Win Over Tennessee Tech
Aces Win Fifth Consecutive Match
 In another exciting night of action inside Meeks Family Fieldhouse, Rachel Tam reset the University of Evansville program kills mark as the Purple Aces earned a 3-2 win over Tennessee Tech. The win was the fifth in a row for the Aces, who are off to a 6-2 start in 2019.
Just three days after teammate Melanie Feliciano set the program kill record at 36, Tam tallied 39 kills in 75 attempts. Her tally puts her second all-time in Missouri Valley Conference, just one off of the record of 40.
“We knew that Rachel did not have her best games at the beginning but we knew what she could do,†Aces coach Fernando Morales said. “This is a fun group to coach, we have weapons everywhere. If it is not one girls night, another will step up.â€
Tam was extremely humble after breaking the record and was happier about the team win and improving her play.
“I did not come in trying to break the record tonight. I did not play well in the tournament and wanted to come out and have a better performance tonight,†she said. “All I wanted was to have the team win, that is the most important thing.â€
Feliciano finished the night with 19 kills while Alondra Vazquez finished with seven. Allana McInnis had another strong offensive effort. After setting her career mark with 65 assists on Saturday against Eastern Illinois, the junior posted 64 in the win over TTU. She also tied her career mark with 19 digs. Gabriela Macedo added 16 digs while Vazquez had 12 and Feliciano finished with 10. Freshman Hannah Watkins added five more block assists to her conference-leading average.
Tennessee Tech had a nice start to game one, jumping out to a 5-1 lead. Melanie Feliciano ended the stretch with a kill and the Aces started to battle back, taking their first lead at 12-11. Rachel Tam added a kill to extend the lead.  The Golden Eagles were able to end the threat to jump back in front at 15-14 before opening up their largest lead at 18-14. Cecilia Thon posted an ace to help Evansville tie it up before consecutive Tam kills put UE on top, 23-21. TTU fought back with two in a row but it was Tam coming through once again with the two clinching kills in a 26-24 win. She had nine in the game.
It was the Golden Eagles with another quick start out of the gate in the second game. After taking a 9-6 lead on an ace, TTU extended their advantage to five at 13-8. A pair of Hannah Watkins kills cut into the deficit before Tam’s 12th kill of the evening made it just a 1-point deficit (14-13). A double block from Watkins and Tam knotted the score at 15-15, but Tennessee Tech had another rally, pushing the lead back to 21-18 before knotting the match with a 25-21 decision.
A kill by Alondra Vazquez gave Evansville a 6-5 lead in game three before TTU rallied for an 11-7 advantage. The Aces came right back to tie it at 11-all on a block assist from Tam and Patricia Joseph. A Tam kill gave UE the lead, but the Golden Eagles came back with an 18-16 edge. Evansville came right back once again, tying it on a double block from Joseph and Vazquez. On the next play, Tam gave UE the lead with another kill. In a set that featured mini rallies by each team, TTU reeled off three straight to go back up by a pair and went on to win by a score of 25-23.
Service aces from Laura Ruiz and Cecilia Thon helped the Aces take a 4-2 lead. Tennessee Tech made it a 7-6 contest, but Evansville took control midway through the stanza when a Macedo ace extended the UE lead to 19-13. Ruiz added another service ace and the Aces forced the decisive 5th set with a 25-19 win.
Evansville kept the momentum rolling in the fifth and used a little bit of luck to take a 6-3 advantage. Melanie Feliciano dove to the ground to dig a ball from TTU and ended up landing it across the net in the perfect spot for her 16th kill as UE padded its lead. Tennessee Tech got within a pair at 9-7, but it was Tam providing the finishing touches, recording five more kills on her way to breaking the UE mark and leading the Aces to a 15-10 win in the fifth set.
This weekend, the Aces play their final non-conference tournament as they head to Martin, Tenn. for the Skyhawk Invitational. Evansville is slated to face UT Martin (12:30 p.m.) and Arkansas Little Rock (4:30 p.m.) on Friday before finishing with an 11 a.m. match on Saturday against Mercer.
Record Growth Continues In USI Graduate School Enrollment
For the seventh consecutive semester, the University of Southern Indiana has seen record-setting growth in its graduate enrollment. At 1,537, graduate student numbers are up 6.1% from last year, much of which can be attributed to the continued success of The Romain College of Business’ online MBA program. USI currently offers a total of 13 master’s programs and two doctoral programs.
“Our graduate programs, including our highly-successful MBA program, are prime examples of how we are innovating to meet the needs of our community, the region and beyond,†said Dr. Ronald S. Rochon, USI president. “A dual AACSB accreditation in business and accounting places our business college in an elite category shared by less than 2% of business schools worldwide. That’s a distinction that highlights the quality of the academic offerings we provide.â€
USI also welcomes the most academically well-prepared freshman class in its history. These 1,585 first-time-in-college students boast an average 3.44 GPA on a 4.0 high school scale. “USI has become a campus of choice for students who have high academic standards and goals,†said Rochon. “We focus on providing a high-quality education in an environment that is nurturing and prepares our students for all aspects of their lives.†The University has seen sustained growth in four-, five- and six-year graduation rates, another indicator of student quality and success.
In a highly competitive marketplace, overall USI enrollment for the 2019 fall semester, at 10,734, is down by 2.6% from 2018. This includes students in undergraduate and graduate degree programs and 2,044 students enrolled in dual credit including USI’s College Achievement Program (CAP) in 27 high schools across Indiana. CAP continues to be an important tool in enabling many students to graduate college in four years or less. Transfer enrollment stands at 509 students in 2019, compared to 519 in 2018.
Students at USI represent 91 Indiana counties, 42 states and 69 countries. In-state students make up 80% of the student body, while out-of-state enrollment, including international students make up 20%. Minority and international students are at a record high at 15.4%.
AG Curtis Hill Files Motion Supporting Trump Administration’s Clean Energy Rule
Attorney General Curtis Hill has filed a multistate motion supporting the Trump administration’s pro-coal Affordable Clean Energy Rule as it faces a court challenge. As part of a 20-state coalition, Attorney General Hill seeks to intervene in defense of the rule’s repeal of the so-called Clean Power Plan, an Obama-era regulation.
“We must keep energy clean and affordable while at the same time respecting each state’s individual authority to represent their own interests,†Attorney General Hill said. “We are capable of protecting both the environment and state sovereignty.â€
The Affordable Clean Energy Rule respects the important role of states in regulating energy and air quality. It is a step forward in embracing Congress’ intent for cooperation between the state and federal governments, correcting the previous one-size-fits-all model that threatened to devastate coal communities across the nation.
By promoting such cooperation, the Affordable Clean Energy Rule restores each state’s authority to consider factors specific to the energy needs and facilities in their borders, including costs, practical achievability and the useful life of any particular power plant.
Tickets On Sale For USI’s Historic New Harmony Atheneum 40th Anniversary
The University of Southern Indiana’s Historic New Harmony invites you to help celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the construction of the Atheneum Visitors Center in New Harmony, Indiana from Thursday, October 10 through Saturday, October 12.
Completed in 1979, the Atheneum is an internationally celebrated and award-winning example of modern architecture. Notable for its light and clean spaces, the Atheneum is a three-story building with a long ramp and overlaying grids that provide beautiful views of the town, Wabash River and surrounding countryside from just about anywhere inside and on the spacious viewing deck on the roof. It was designed so that visitors can take a specific path through the building and then emerge into New Harmony itself.
Charitable gifts and funds raised from these events will be used for renovations and upgrades to the Atheneum to ensure it remains a vibrant part of New Harmony’s landscape for many more years to come.
Tickets are currently on sale for a black and white themed reception, gala dinner, auction and after-party at USI.edu/atheneum40tickets. The dinner will be catered by Kyle Kellogg, chef at the Evansville Country Club. Additional information about the celebration, including panel discussion and speaker series events, can be found at USI.edu/atheneum40.
EPA Releases Draft Policy To Reduce Pesticide Testing On Birds
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a draft science policy intended to reduce testing of pesticides on birds when registering conventional outdoor pesticides. The draft policy is open for public comment. This draft policy is in line with  EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler’s recent commitment to reduce animal testing at EPA.
“Today, EPA is issuing a new proposal to reduce pesticide testing on birds,†said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “This is EPA’s first action after my recent directive to aggressively reduce animal testing throughout the Agency.â€
The draft policy represents another step toward the agency’s commitment to reduce animal testing while also ensuring that the agency receives enough information to support pesticide registration decisions that are protective of public health and the environment.
Waiving requirements for toxicity studies when they offer little additional scientific information or public health protection is an important component of the draft policy, which emphasizes avoiding unnecessary resource use, data generation costs, and animal testing.
The foundation of this policy is EPA’s collaboration with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). EPA and PETA are working on a retrospective analysis of avian acute oral and subacute dietary studies. This analysis will address whether EPA can confidently assess acute risk for birds using only the single oral dose protocol.
Happenings At The Vanderburgh County GOP
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Peters Margedant House At The University of Evansville Awarded The 2019 Servaas Memorial Award
On September 14, 2019 the Friends of the Peters-Margedant House received Indiana Landmarks’ 2019 Servaas Memorial Award in the youth-serving category for its work to engage the next generation in preservation and history, recruiting students in its efforts to promote Evansville’s Peters-Margedant House.
According to the Indiana Landmarks website, the Servaas Award recognizes outstanding achievements in historic preservation, and is awarded to programs that engage young people in preservation or elevate their appreciation of landmarks, especially programs that have ongoing impact.
In 2014, the Peters-Margedant House was listed on Indiana Landmarks’ 10 Most Endangered list, which led to the formation of the Friends and a plan to move the tiny home for use as a learning lab at the University of Evansville. Now restored, the house hosts regular guided tours. This year, a semester-long course will challenge college students to figure out how to equip the house with self-guiding tour technology.
“It’s really the type of architecture that appeals to children of all ages,” noted Dr. Heidi Strobel, curator at the house. “For the elementary students, it’s on their scale. For students heading to college who are environmentally engaged and like the idea of leaving a small footprint, it resonates with them as well.”
The 552-square-foot Peters-Margedant House was designed and built in 1934 by William Wesley Peters, a one-time student at Evansville College and MIT. Peters went on to be the first apprentice of Frank Lloyd Wright and became the great architect’s right hand man, working on such structures as Fallingwater and the Guggenheim Museum in New York City.
Wes Peters and the Peters-Margedant House are the subjects of an exhibit called “William Wesley Peters: Evansville’s Connection to the World of Frank Lloyd Wright,” which is running at the Evansville Museum of Arts, History, and Science through October 27, 2019. Images, drawings, and models will illustrate Peters’ career while he was in Evansville, as well as his work with Wright and post-Wright.
Those interested in the Peters-Margedant House are welcome to visit campus for a tour. Upcoming open house dates include September 21 and 28, and October 19 from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Otters make trades with Atlantic League teams
The Evansville Otters have made multiple trades to send pitcher Taylor Wright and infielder Ryan Long to the Somerset Patriots and send starting pitchers Austin Nicely and Jake Welch to the York Revolution of the Atlantic League.
The Otters will receive future considerations or players to be named later from the respective trades in return.
Featuring a 140-game regular season schedule, the Atlantic League’s regular season will conclude on Sunday, Sept. 22 with the postseason running into early October.
“The trades give these players who had great 2019 seasons for Evansville to go get more experience at a higher level and get more repetition at the plate or on the mound while they’re still in game shape,†Otters manager Andy McCauley said.
“Plus, the trades are to the Atlantic League which only has one-year contracts, so the hope is to bring these guys back in 2020 with that extra experience.â€
Otters third baseman Ryan Long and closer Taylor Wright were traded to the Somerset Patriots.
In 2019 for the Otters, Long earned the Frontier League’s Morgan Burkhart MVP award, the third Otters player to earn the award in the last six seasons, as he hit .285 to be top-10 in the Frontier League. He also had a league-leading 78 RBIs, the second-most in the franchise’s single-season history.
“Long made great strides to try not to do too much himself last season,†McCauley said. “His best weeks were when he took his walks and let others behind him drive in. It’s a maturity factor that comes with experience.â€
Long posted a team-best 14 home runs, recorded 54 runs, and had 51 walks to go along with a second straight Frontier League All-Star selection in July. The Otters third baseman also was fourth in the league with 26 doubles, tied for fourth with four triples, had the third-best slugging percentage at .504, and had the fifth-best on-base percentage at .386.
“Long will face a higher level of pitching in the Atlantic League and will have to make quicker adjustments,†McCauley said. “Plus, I think it will help him recognize what he will need to work on for next season with the Otters or elsewhere.â€
Wright went 3-0 with a 0.92 ERA, accumulated 56 strikeouts, and earned 18 saves in 48.2 innings pitched and 38 appearances in 2019 for the Otters. Wright’s 18 saves finished top-10 in the Otters’ record books.
Before his signing at the beginning of the season, Wright was recommended to McCauley and the Otters by a scout from the Atlantic League.
“Wright only needed opportunities, experience and confidence, which he probably wouldn’t have gotten in the Atlantic League to begin the season,†McCauley said. “Developing all three of those attributes in the Frontier League is what our league is all about.â€
Wright earned his first Frontier League All-Star selection in 2019 and was the recipient of the Jason Simontacchi Rookie of the Year Award, the second Otter to win the award in the last three seasons.
Otters starting pitchers Austin Nicely and Jake Welch were traded to the York Revolution.
For the 2019 season, Nicely was 6-7 with a 4.32 ERA, striking out 66 batters in 91.2 innings pitched, 17 appearances and 16 starts.
“Nicely commanded the zone much better after his first few starts this season, especially the inside part of the plate,†McCauley said. “Once he started to pound the inside, all of his offspeed pitches became more dominant.â€
After a slow start to the season, Nicely was solid on the mound from June to the end of the season. During that span, Nicely was one of the top pitchers in the Frontier League with a 2.23 ERA. He even pitched a nine-inning shutout on July 31 at Lake Erie, leading to a 6-0 Otters win.
“He is a true professional, working through his rough patch tirelessly and without excuses,†McCauley said. “He deserves to test his abilities in the Atlantic League.â€
“Nicely and Tyler Vail both can be considered comeback players of the year because when we moved Patrick McGuff and Randy Wynne to affiliated baseball, they both responded. We don’t make the playoffs if not for those two rebounding their seasons.â€
Welch also had a huge role in the starting rotation for the Otters in 2019. He found his niche in the rotation after being acquired in a trade with the Windy City Thunderbolts before the season. Welch went 8-5 with a 2.93 ERA and 127 strikeouts in 129 innings pitched and 20 starts in 2019.
“Welch was very comfortable quickly in Evansville which helps to concentrate on tasks at hand,†McCauley said. “He is good friends with Wynne and Hunter Wood, who was here in Spring Training, which made it easy to assimilate.â€
“Welch should learn at a higher level you need to commit to every pitch because there is less margin for error against higher-level hitters.â€
Welch also made his way into the top-10 in Otters’ single-season history in games started (20), innings pitched (129.0), and second in strikeouts with 127, which was 11 shy of Andre Simpson’s 2005 mark of 138 strikeouts.
The Evansville Otters want to thank all fans, corporate partners, and staff for their support and help in making the Otters’ 25th anniversary season a success.