Senior Maja Jechorek makes a kill against two Elon volleyball players last Saturday. Photo by Jordan Paris

by RANDI KITTS
Intern Sports Reporter

The Appalachian State women’s volleyball team finished second in its division and secured a spot in the Southern Conference tournament after defeating Elon 3-2 in an avid battle at the Holmes Convocation Center Saturday night.

“I think coming from last year when we really struggled to moving up to being second in our division and going on to the conference tournament is just huge for this program,” outside hitter Maggie Seeds said. “This was a huge win. We had to do it, and we did.”

The Mountaineers improved to 14-16 on the season and 10-6 in conference play, while Elon fell to 23-7 overall and 9-6 in the league.

Saturday’s match also signified the senior players’ last home game at Appalachian.

“Winning [on senior night] is probably the best feeling I could ever ask for,” middle blocker Becca Norris said. “There are no words to describe it.”

Norris, Maja Jechorek and Cassie Engelgau were the three seniors to revel in their final victory at the Holmes Center.

“They are such a special group, and we’re going to miss them,” head coach Matt Ginipro said. “[The seniors] are the ones that completely bought into what we wanted to do as a coaching staff, and they are pretty much a huge reason why we made it to the tournament.”

by ROB JENKINS
Sports Editor

If you are going to Vegas and you plan on betting on some sporting events (or if you have a bookie or use those marginally legal online betting sites), I’m probably not the guy you want to give you advice on who to pick in a moneyline bet.

I’m usually pretty good when it comes to breaking down what it will take for a team to win, but when it comes to picking a score…um…not so much.

Never was this more evident than my prediction last Thursday that Elon would beat Appalachian State 31-30.

Freshmen football players celebrate their first SoCon title Saturday after the victory over Elon. Photo by Tommy Penick

by LINDSEY HUNTSINGER
Sports Reporter

The Southern Conference title game boiled down to one thing: defense.

Going into Saturday’s game, the Elon defense was ranked in the top spot in the majority of defensive categories in the SoCon. But, it was the defense on the other side of the field that clinched the SoCon crown, and the NCAA Division I FCS playoff berth.

“In a way I sort of thought we were the underdog,” head coach Jerry Moore said. “Elon was the No. 1 team; they led the nation in defense. But, if you’ve got anything to you at all that challenge is going to make you rear your ugly head.”

Common household items that could contain BPA. Photo Illustration by Holt Menzies

by NASH DUNN
News Reporter

A recent study on bisphenol-A (BPA), the chemical used in some plastic water bottles and canned food liners, found evidence suggesting the substance may increase the risk of reproductive issues in humans, according to a study conducted in China.

The study, conducted by Kaiser Permanente epidemiologist Dr. De-Kun Li, observed reproductive effects of factory workers exposed to large quantities of BPA, and is one of the first to be performed on humans.

BPA’s effectiveness has been debated over the last decade, with some research connecting the chemical to early puberty, erectile dysfunction and brain damage, while other studies suggest limited effects on adults.