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In starting a cross country program, Wright State University-Lake Campus found a solid nucleus in Kaylie Dameron.
A three-time Western Buckeye League champion at Celina, Dameron, a sophomore, is one of four runners wearing the green and white of the Lakers. Already, she has made an impact, earning the United States Collegiate Athletic Association's Women's Cross Country Runner of the Week for her performance at the Mike Baumer Classic at the main Wright State campus in Fairborn.
Running against mainly NCAA Division I and II runners, Dameron finished 15th overall with a time of 19:02.1.
Also running for the Lakers this season is fellow Celina graduate Alecia Eischen, Tatianna Poelking of Springboro and Parkway graduate Tyler Rowen.
The Lakers will next run at the All-Ohio Intercollegiate Classic at Cedarville University.
St. Thomas University in Miami Gardens, Florida, is off to a strong start again this season. The Bobcats are 14-0 after hanging on to beat Keiser University in five sets after winning the first two sets on Wednesday. The Panthers are ranked 11th in this week's AVCA NAIA Poll.
Sophomore Payton Bertke continues to be a presence at the Bobcats' setter. The Celina grad was last year's Sun Conference Setter of the Year, the Most Valuable Player of the conference tournament and an honorable mention All-American. Last week she was named the NAIA Setter of the Week.
Bertke was averaging 10.98 assists per set coming into Wednesday's game to go with 1.59 digs per set and eight aces. Bertke had 49 assists, three blocks and seven digs against the Seahawks on Wednesday.
St. Thomas is back in action on Saturday at Warner University in West Palm Beach in a Sun Conference matchup.
Tiffin University is 3-1 heading into a Friday doubleheader at Grand Valley State in Allendale, Michigan, where the Dragons face the host school and Saginaw Valley State. then play two on Saturday against Glenville State and Missouri Western State in Grand Rapids before opening Great Midwest Athletic Conference play Tuesday at Lake Erie.
Two New Bremen graduates have been key contributors to the Dragons' success. Kaylee Freund leads the team with 25 blocks and is averaging 1.39 kills per set. Diana Heitkamp leads the team with 4.33 digs per set and has served up 14 aces. Another Cardinal alum, senior Josie Reinhart, has not played a set this season.
Just to the west of Tiffin, fellow G-MAC member Findlay has opened the season at 3-0 after winning the Tony Banner Memorial at Clairon University las weekend. The Oilers will also be in Michigan this weekend, playing in Marquette against Northern Michigan today before going to Houghton for two matches Friday and one on Saturday.
Marion Local graduate Alana Pohlman is third on the team with 2.80 kills per set. Coldwater alum Jenna Leugers has two kills in two sets of action this season. Freshman Lilly Barhorst (Minster) has not appeared in a game this season.
The Ohio Community College Athletic Conference named Owens Community College sophomore Lindsey Koenig as its Player of the Week after averaging 2.3 kills per set in wins over Lorain County, Hocking and Edison State.
Koenig, a first team NJCAA All-American last season, leads the team with 2.87 kills per set.
The Express is 11-4 on the season and 3-0 in OCCAC play heading to Friday's match at Lakeland Community College.
Down in Piqua, Edison State is bouncing back from an 0-4 start and have lost three of their last four matches in starting 3-7 and 1-1 in the OCCAC.
Celina graduate Brooklyn Bourne leads the Chargers with 2.17 kills per set to go with 14 aces. Fort Recovery graduate Cali Wendel leads the team with 5.30 digs per set to go with 10 aces.
The Chargers go to Glen Oaks Community College on Saturday for matches with Glen Oaks and Lake Michigan College.
Toledo has opened the season at 3-3 heading into hosting the Rocket Invitational starting Friday with Marshall, Northern Kentucky and Eastern Washington taking part.
Rockets freshman Olivia Heitkamp (New Bremen) has found a spot in the UT rotation, playing in all 22 sets this season. Heitkamp is averaging 1.09 kills per set, with a season-best seven kills last Saturday against Wake Forest, to go with 0.64 blocks per set.
Tennessee-Martin has started the season 2-5 heading into a Friday matchup with Missouri at the Mizzou Invitational.
Skyhawk senior Addy Vaughn (St. Henry) has played in all 26 sets this season, averaging 1.12 kills with five aces and 14 blocks.
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The Daily Standard will run periodic Alumni Notes through the year. If you know of an area graduate playing collegiate athletics, please send the name of the athlete, the school and which sport to sports@dailystandard.com.
