Morehead State University - Raconteur Yearbook (Morehead, KY)

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At first base, junior David Blevins, an environ- mental science major from Romelus, Mich., awaits the ball to get Georgetown player out. The team lost the game on April 29. PHOTO BY: JeffColqu- houn Baseball continued. . . . . . . . . Spaniol said, in addition to Staley and Smallwood, both Brian Capnerhurst, a senior first baseman, and Andy Morri- son, a senior pitcher, had excellent sea- sons. The teams overall batting average was .305. Individually, the players OVC batting averages were: Jeff Ast .250; Brian Benzinger .345; David Ble- vins .330; Bryan Capnerhurst .363; Kyle Crager .257; Trent Demoss .276; Chopper Gambill .080; Rod Hubbard .288; Michael Hunt .256; Gary Jones .350; Kenny Meadows .293; Shane Mears .500; Brian Staley .351; Hank Westerfield .214; and David Wheeler .188. An individual highlight came for play- ers Brian Benzinger, an outfielder, Da- vid Blevins, a first baseman, and catcher Brian Staley when they were named to the All-OVC baseball team. Next year the OVC which has 7 teams and is divided into two divisions North and East, will unite making the competi- tion more fierce for playoff berths. But Spaniol expects the team to show great improvement next year record- wise, competitive-wise and perfor- mance-wise. Seven players, including Staley their Most Valuable Player, will graduate at the end of the season. The team is losing four pitchers, a first baseman, a short- stop and a catcher. But Spaniol said heavy scouting has been done this year. Two players have already been signed, and another ten recruits are still being considered. Spaniol said, 31f we can get all the aspects of the team tpitching, hitting, defensel going at once and improve the bullpen, realistically we can shoot for the OVC title next season? iiWe are a very competitive team so we are very happy that we are back in the OVC tournament. Right now we are moving in the right direction but we still need a lot of work. All we can do is keep looking forward, Spaniol added. - By: Christie Sheppard BASEBALL Baseball 139

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Head Coach Steve Hamilton discusses an interfer- ence call on the University's team with the umpire during the Kentucky State game. The team won one out of the two games played. PHOTO BY.- Jeff Colquoun A quick reaction to someone elsets mistake can get you to the next base. Senior Bryan Capnerhurst tfirst basemam, from Canton, Mich., trys to steal second base in the April 9 game against Kentucky State University. PHOTO BY: jeff Colquhoun

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Killing the competition Louisville sophomore Missy Blanford had much to be proud of during the 1987 volleyball season. In addition to the 3.9 grade point average she maintained within the Universityis nursing program, Blanford performed impressively on the court as a member of the OVC champion Lady Eagle volley- ball team. Blanford led the nations collegiate volleyball players with her high percentage of kills L436l, which are spike or dink attempts the other team cannot return. Even so, Blanford claimed her proudest distinction of the season was the opportunity to set for the team. This was an outstanding accomplishment for Blanford, since she is only 53 . Just being able to set was a real highlight ofthe season for me? said Blanford. iiCoach McClellan recruited me to be a defensive player. I never thought I would get the opportunity to set in college? As a setter at Holy Cross High School, Blanford was an all-state and all-conference player for three years. She was named to the Notre Dame all-tournament team, and also lettered in basketball. iiCollege volleyball is nothing like volleyball on the high school level. It is extremely competitive, and demands a lot of hard workfi said Blanford. iiHowever, the rewards make all the work worthwhile? Some of Blanfordis rewards included being named to the All-OVC tournament team, and being the mid-season tourna- ment teamis most valuable player. iiMissy is an excellent student and an outstanding volleyball player? commented Coach Jim McClellan. iiShe overcomes a tremendous obstacle since she is only 5'3 . One of the Tennes- see players she came up against was a foot taller than she? Blanfordis teammates seem to agree that she is a gifted player. uMissy is a real team leader, and one of the most dedicated athletes I have ever met,n com- mented outside hitter Missy Papai. iIShe always gives 11070, and has a positive attitude in every aspect of life. Missy refuses to settle for any- thing less than ab- solute perfection t h r o u g h h a r d work, on and off the court? While not on the volleyball court, Blanford enjoys student nursing. I like the clini- cals, during which we go to the hospi- tal and actually work with the pa- tients? Blanford explained. IiIt is Sgorts Feature 140 great to be able to put what Iive learned to practical use. Clinicals have shown me that I chose the right profession. I really enjoy helping people. After she graduates, Blanford intends to put her degree to good use, helping others who are less fortunate by working with the Peace Corps. iiJoining the Peace Corps is a strong possibility; I have to check it out from a professional perspective before I commit myself, howeverj, she said. iiIfI donit choose that path, I will get ajob, or maybe work toward my masters degree? Blanford also plans to get married after she graduates to her longtime boyfriend, who is also a student at the University. de like to get married as soon as I am financially stable. If we decide to go into the Peace Corps, we will get married right after we graduate so we can be stationed together? she said. The main influence on Blanford,s life is her father, who she said always encouraged her to excel. iiIt isnit like he made me do anything, thoughf, she said. iiBoth of my parents have given me so much; the only way I can think of to pay them back is to be successful. My top priority is to make them proud? The Blanfords must be proud of their daughter, who is a strong, consistent player, in the words of Coach McClellan. Out of the 108 matches played by the Lady Eagles in the fall season, Blanford participated in 107. We work hard; certainly as hard as any of the more recog- nized sports on campusf, Blanford said ofthe volleyball team. A lot oftimes, athletes in the so-called minor sports donit get the pat on the back they deserve? Blanford noted that crowd support was a little better for the volleyball team this year, although the team has never had a large crowd showing. So many people think of volleyball as a igirlish, sport, but if they were to watch it they would see that it was as intense as any other sport? she said. Of all of the players on the court, passers and setters get the least recognition, Blanford said. iiSpectators see the bitter, and donit really notice the passer or the setter as much. Once again, I think everyone should get credit, because all ofus work hard, and it takes all ofus to make up the team, said Blanford. The hard work includes year-round practice and weight- lifting, which is especially important to Blanford. TI try to take care of my body. I donit drink or smoke, andI try to exercise as much as my studying will allowf, she said. iiBut I have to confess; I usually eat as bad as I possibly canlii she added jolkingly. The rest of the volleyball team shares Blanfordis dedication to the sport, as was evidenced by their OVC championship. The season started offreally badly? said Blanford. TI think it all finally pulled together when we started working as a team, rather than as individuals; Volleyball is probably the most team-oriented sport. It takes all ofus pushing to the limit. In a match situation we all have to hold our own. There are no stars once the action begins? - Story By: Karen Craigo Photos By: Jeff Colquhoun Blanford, setter for the team, was named to the All OVC tournament team and the mid-season tournament teamis most valuable player.