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Coach's Corner: Volleyball Head Coach Wade Benson

By Devin Rutland/ Staff Writer | September 10

Coach Wade Benson began his volleyball career in his early teen years while living in Marina del Rey, Calif."My background developed in junior high, and I grew to love it," Benson said.

Good Start, Still Need More Time

By Patrick Dever / Assistant Sports Editor | September 10

Starting off a season with a win is always a good thing. Starting off your first season as a coaching staff with a win is even better.This first game put the new staff in a strange position however; call it a "football limbo."Auburn won by 24 points, but it was against Louisiana Tech.La.

Roller Derby Women Out to Prove Toughness

By Brian Desarro/Staff Writer | September 10

Racing around a rink at breakneck speeds, smashing into an opponent's shoulder in an attempt to send her flying to the ground, the women of Burn City Rollers are tough.Auburn's newest flat track roller derby league, the Burn City Rollers, was started a year ago and has been building its team and reputation ever since.Roller derby is an all women's sport for people "from all walks of life, of all ages, sizes and ethnicities, who enjoy the challenge of a full-contact, organized, competitive sport that is run by and for its skaters," according to the Web site burncityrollers.com.Carrie Holzmeister goes by the derby name "Cho Cold."Every skater in the league must also have a derby name, which is a nickname completely unique to the person.Holzmeister read an article in USAToday about the rise of roller derby and decided to start a league in Auburn."Pretty much every derby team out there is amateur, and it's just grass roots where people build it up from nothing," Holzmeister said.The team currently has about 10 members, but Holzmeister said she is always looking for new talent. In order to attract more women, the age limit was recently lowered from 21 to 19."This has been our very first season," Holzmeister said.

AUHC Kicks Off First Meeting of the Year

By Nick Van Der Linden / ASSOCIATE SPORTS EDITOR | September 10

The Auburn University Horseman's Club kicked things off last Thursday with the Round Up Kick Off CookOut.The cookout featured Auburn equestrian Head Coach Greg Williams and was meant to encourage students to come out and get to know the club better.About 50 students showed up for the club's first meeting and were excited about the upcoming schedule that was announced.There were T-shirts, flyers, membership forms and great barbeque provided by Williams.The members played games and watched slideshows of past memories and had fun getting to know each other and Williams."We had a blast with our new prospective members," said Hayley Dickinson, president of AUHC.

Volleyball Succumbs to 2 Teams at Classic

By Nick Van Der Linden / ASSOCIATE SPORTS EDITOR | September 10

The Auburn volleyball team lost both Friday and Saturday, falling to No. 13 Minnesota, 3-0, and No.

Women's Soccer to Battle No. 25 Missouri

By Patrick Dever / Assistant Sports Editor | September 10

The No. 21 Auburn women's soccer team (2-0-2, 0-0-0) continues its home stand tomorrow against No.

Sailing Club Prepares for Regatta, Season

By Helen Northcutt/Intrigue Editor | September 10

Mark Twain once said, "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do.

Katherine Culwell Spikes Past the Rest of the SEC

By Daniel Chesser/ Staff Writer | September 10

Katherine Culwell, outside hitter for Auburn University's women volleyball team, is the Southeastern Conference's Freshman of the Week."It is a great honor," Culwell said.

Chizik Proud of Auburn Team Saturday, Ready for More

By Abby Albright / Sports Editor | September 8

Before Saturday, Auburn first-year head football coaches had a record of 16-8-1 for first game play, Head Coach Gene Chizik has brought that record to 17-8-1.The Tigers beat Louisiana Tech 37-13, bringing their record to 1-0, 0-0 SEC."It's great to win your opening game," Chizik said.

La. Tech falls to Auburn 37-13

By Abby Albright / Sports Editor | September 7

Until Saturday, Auburn first-year head football coaches have a record of 16-8-1 for first-game play, Head Coach Gene Chizik has brought that record to 17-8-1.The Tigers beat Louisiana Tech 37-13, bringing their record to 1-0, 0-0 SEC.

Women's Soccer Team Beats Kennesaw State Owls

By Patrick Dever / Assistant Sports Editor | September 5

The No. 21 Auburn women's soccer team (2-0-2, 0-0-0) beat the Kennesaw State University Owls Friday night, 3-1.The first half belonged to the Tigers.Senior midfielder Jenni Prescott opened up the scoring at the 29:10 mark of the first half with the assist going to sophomore midfielder Katy Frierson."It felt great to get the goal, I've been working hard this season to get the ball in the back of the net," Prescott said.Auburn took a 1-0 lead into the half.KSU came out in the second half and tied the score at one on a Jade Dempster goal at the 56:45 mark.Head Coach Karen Hoppa said the team played well and was pleased with the result.

Carroll Named to Cross Country Coaching Staff

By Emily Clever/Staff Writer | September 3

Auburn track and field Head Coach Ralph Spry announced the addition of Mark Carroll as cross country head coach Aug.

Hostess Spotlight: Tigerettes and Tiger Hosts

By Simpson Fletcher/ Staff Writer | September 3

The Tigerettes and Tiger Hosts have served as the public relation representatives for the Auburn University Athletic Department since the fall of 1978, and they continue each year as an honored legacy and tradition of Auburn."As the official hosts of the athletic department I would say that having the opportunity to meet many different people and being able to form lasting relationships is one of the many things I cherish about being a part of this organization," said Dominique Neville, president of Tigerettes and Tiger Hosts.The group of 87 members works with the athletic department by assisting the Athletic Director, Tigers Unlimited, the Alumni Association and at community functions.They also work with the Office of University Recruitment, serving as a part of the athletic division of Students of Auburn Recruitment recruiting prospective student-athletes alongside Student Recruiters, operating in the academic division."We need as many people in the recruiting process as possible," said Doug Taylor, a sophomore in business.

Wrestling Prepares for New Season

By Emily Clever/Staff Writer | September 3

The Auburn University Club Wrestling Team is getting ready for the 2009-2010 season with practice just around the corner.The club is part of the National Collegiate Wrestling Association with the season beginning in November and carrying through until spring. The team was a Division I sport at Auburn before it was cut by Title IX, which states that no one shall be denied to partake in any activity receiving Federal financial assistance based purely on sex.Audra Creech, a senior in psychology who joined the team last year, said there aren't many female wrestlers in her weight class."It's uncommon but not unheard of," Creech said.

SEC Freshman of the Week: Amy Howard

By Charley Gaines/Staff Writer | September 3

The goalkeeper for the Auburn Women's Soccer team gave the team a confidence boost the first week of the season by nabbing the honor of SEC Freshman of the Week.Amy Howard received the honor after posting a shutout in the first game of her collegiate career.The two saves against Samford got recognition from more than just the fans."It was kind of a surprise, I played one game and I got the honor," Howard said.

Soccer Shuts Out South Alabama, 3-0

By Molly Wickstrom / Staff Writer | September 3

The Auburn Women's Soccer team defeated the University of South Alabama on Sunday for its first win of the season.The teams battled it out in the pouring rain at Auburn's soccer complex.The Tigers were determined to win after a tie Friday night against Dayton."Friday night's game was frustrating, but a tie is always better than a loss," said senior midfielder Jenni Prescott.

Welcome to the Show

By Patrick Dever / Assistant Sports Editor | September 3

"Ladies and gentlemen, please, would you bring your attention to me."Everyone on The Plains for the past two years knows that the opening line to the Saliva's "Ladies and Gentlemen" means football is here.By the time you pick this paper up, the RVs will have already started to file into their usual positions out at the beaches and the west parking lot.The regular season officially starts tonight with games like South Carolina at North Carolina State and Boise State vs.

Auburn Wins War Eagle Invitational

By Jenna Moran/ Staff Writer | September 3

Auburn's Head Coach Wade Benson and the Tigers' Volleyball Team began the 2009 season with a successful performance in the War Eagle Invitational.The Lady Tigers started off their season with high intensity and a win against Alabama A&M Friday.The team then went on to defeat the University of Alabama at Birmingham and Alabama A&M again Saturday."I thought it was a great start for this team," Benson said.