Pence, Smith Named Blackburn Athletes of the Week

CARLINVILLE, IL -- Senior Cara Pence and freshman Brayden Smith were named the Blackburn Athletes of the Week after their performances opening weekend. 

Pence helped pace the volleyball team with 23 kills and added 19 digs in the team's matches against Illinois College and Dominican University. The senior posted 18 kills and 15 digs in a match that went to five sets with Dominican. 

Smith scored the men's soccer team's first goal of the season Friday at Anderson University. Off a corner kick, Smith tracked down the ball and was able to jump over the defense and head the ball down into the back of the net for his first career goal at Blackburn. He tallied a total of five shots in two games, including four shots and one on goal in Saturday's tie at Earlham. The squad finished the weekend 0-0-2 overall as they tied Anderson and Earlham College 1-1 in both games. 

This coming week sees the volleyball team head to Concordia University Chicago for two matches while men's soccer will host Cornell College Thursday and Knox College Friday. Women's soccer host University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy Friday and the cross country teams will open their season at Principia Friday evening after last week's scheduled opener was postponed due to weather.