Like a championship boxer, OSW only retires for a couple months at a time. With the school year back in full swing its time for us to make our triumphant return, somebody get Don King on the line.

Similar to those tents on campus helping freshman find the Manuel E. Pacheco Learning Center, aka the Library, OSW is here to guide you through the world of our less than publicized athletes. Class is in session, so grab your notebooks. Class availability is limited, therefore unless you need this class to graduate please come back next week.

The Arizona Women’s Volleyball team started their season last Saturday as hosts of the Four Points Sheraton University Plaza Wildcat Classic and finished 2-1 beating Utah State and Eastern Washington before falling to St. Mary’s in a hard fought 5 game loss. Though they lost the match, there were some records broken as Senior Katie Jackels posted a school record 37 digs shattering Anita Moss’ old record of 33 set in 1983. The ‘Cats set another record for a tournament with the longest name possible, shirts for the event are only available in long sleeve so that they could capture the namesake in its entirety. The team will travel to Malibu this weekend to face off in the Asics Classic against Lipscomb, Nevada, and Pepperdine. After reviewing tape of the loss, head coach Dave Rubio had this to say:

"At the end of the game, there were some opportunities for us to be a lot more aggressive than we were. In general, there's really no quick fix. This time of year, it's more drilling and opportunities. The improvements come in baby steps."

Well Dave, while baby steps are at least steps in the right direction these are tall women with even taller expectations so expect them to come out Friday with the “fight of a wildcat,” Raur Rau Raur

As I’m sure many of you have noticed the Football team received 1 point in the preseason USA today poll. What you might not know is that the Men’s golf team received 138 points placing them 25th in the debut Golf World/Nike Golf Coaches’ Poll. The ‘Cats open their 2007-08 season next weekend when they’ll participate in the Boilermaker Invitational in West Lafayette, Ind. The ‘Cats lost 4 of 5 from their regular lineup so coach Rick LaRose will have his hands full sifting through the teams endless talent in search of the next Jim Furyk. Nathan Tyler, a senior who recently won the Arizona Amateur Championship is my early favorite to join the ranks of famous U of A golfers. So if you’re reading this Nathan (it breaks a little left to right) help us add to our streak of 21 straight NCAA Championship appearances.

Lastly you know I couldn’t have a back to school kick off edition without mentioning football. Football in the European sense that is, as our Women’s soccer team is set to kick things off against another Utah squad the University of Utah Utes this afternoon. A team loaded with underclassmen last year (19 of 23 freshman or sophomores) the ‘Cats come into this season battle-tested and ready to take on all challengers. Four of the top five point leaders are back in the Old Pueblo so for the visiting Utes this could be a long evening. The ‘Cats are led by seniors Kaity Heath and Clair Bodiya, who aren’t unfamiliar with success. They helped guide the team to a Pac-10 Championship in ’04 and a Sweet 16 appearance, so in the words of Tribe Called Quest, “Can I kick it? Yes, you can!”

Be sure to check back for scores and results in next weeks’ edition and with many seasons just getting under way we’ll begin handing out the hardware, OSW Athlete of the Week, shortly. Also, its come to my attention that with only a readership of I think my colleague Dan Scheinberg counted 4, there should be no problem adding anyone so please hand your add/drop forms to him.

Bear Down

Soren