Spring Welcome 2016

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The Standard

Spring welcome 2016 | 3

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Contents

Snow days? You want snow days? University president reminisces about his favorite bad weather tweets from students.

4 Clif Smart welcomes students back to campus 5 Spring Cleaning your computer 6 Student employment opportunities 7 The stage is set, enjoy the show 8-9 Apartment application is just around the corner 10 New Year’s Resolutions 11 What is coming up in theaters and on television sets near you 12 Lady Bears individual grades 13 Tennis season is here 14 Grading the men’s basketball team through the midway point

A fresh start for a new semester.

Mark your calendars for movies you can’t miss.

Both men’s and women’s teams 2-2 in the Missouri Valley Conference.

Standard staff Editorial staff Eli Wohlenhaus Editor-in-Chief Emily McTavish Photo Editor Nicole Roberts News Editor Rebecca Biundo Design Editor Bart Anders Sports Editor Taylor Balleau Copy Editor Courtney Smith Copy Editor

Reporters/Photographers Courtney Cramer Reporter Maddy Cushman Photographer Ryan Day Reporter Danisha Hogue Reporter Jenna deJong Reporter Emily Joshu Reporter Eric Knifong Reporter Spencer Martin Columnist Trevor Martin Reporter Nathan Momper Movie Reviewer Sydni Moore Reporter Parker Padgett Reporter Miranda Roller Photographer Jessica Sheley Reporter

Cortlynn Stark Reporter Hanna Sumpter Reporter Sarah Teague Reporter Mike Ursery Reporter Ryan Welch Photographer Wyatt Wheeler Reporter Brian Wright Reporter Han Zhao Reporter Professional staff Jack Dimond faculty adviser Sandy King ad manager

Spring Welcome 2016 Cover design by Zach LaMarre Cover photos by MSU Photo Services

Advertising staff Lindsay Daggett sales Tyler Krtek sales Mark Phillips sales Zach LaMarre design Christina Harper office assistant

is published by The Standard, Missouri State University’s student-produced newspaper. The university has not approved and is not responsible for its content, which is produced and edited by The Standard staff.

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The Standard

It’s spring semester, which means the snow is coming From your tweets to ‘Frozen’ quotes, Smart addresses your concerns

By Clif Smart University president @ClifSmart

Spring semester brings many of my favorite things about serving as your president at Missouri State. We welcome some new students, welcome back returning students after the winter break and cheer on our winter sports teams.

But the key word here is winter, which presents challenges every year. In Springfield, we’re prone to receive any and all types of winter weather, with snow, sleet and freezing rain among them. And when that happens, students are on top of the situation with a central message for me on Twitter:

@ClifSmart, please cancel classes. (If you aren’t already following me, I’m @ClifSmart.)

This message represents one of the reasons why I love my job: the chance to interact with students. The creativity you have shown during past years’ snows is stunning. One of my favorites was the student who digitally placed me in a picture behind the wheel of a snow plow, after I tweeted that I had no trouble driving home down National Avenue during a snow last February.

The decision to close campus or remain open is a team effort, and I rely on advice from our hard-working staff with facilities management and safety and transportation on days when we get winter weather. That process, by the way, starts at about 4 a.m. when we check parking lots and sidewalks to decide whether we can get them cleared by the time students will arrive on campus that morning.

But I know our students are working well ahead of that time to alert us to the situation, and we appreciate your advice and good-natured humor. Here are some other highlights from last winter that students tweeted to me:

Guess the BearLines are all going to be replaced with snow plows tomorrow so we can get to class. (@Alex_Watson2469) Bears are supposed to hibernate in this weather. As @Coach_Stec would say, #BearUp and call off classes. (@STLmayor) I’m sure this is getting annoying, just say the word and the swarm of tweets will stop. (@HAYES_4dayz) I’ll give you a comfort colors sorority shirt if you call off classes. (@lanielovin) The crowdsourcing effort even included a hashtag on most of those tweets: #ComeOnClif. When I took this job, never in my wildest dreams did I think students would organize a hashtag on Twitter to tell me they’d rather not have classes on a particular day. But you did, and I commend you for it.

So, you have set the bar, and it is a high one. Winter is coming. And while a decision to cancel classes is not made by me alone (or by students), I love my job, and it is because of you.

Keep the tweets coming, and let’s have a great spring semester.

To quote “Frozen,” the cold never bothered me anyway.

Opening up the new year The moment you’ve all really been wating for... is great, but let’s not quite forget 2015 yet

By Nicole Roberts News Editor @NReneeRoberts

While most people are excited about 2016 and what it will bring, let’s not forget about what all happened in 2015. Last year was definitely a year to remember as far as movies, celebrities, weather, news, you name it.

In 2015, the Supreme Court made gay marriage legal in all 50 states. Donald Trump began his presidential candidacy (so many “you’re fired” jokes). Syrian refugees sought shelter in surrounding countries and flooding in the midwest United States broke records.

Last year was a year of many tears. Paris was the site of several horrifying acts, with the Charlie Hebdo shooting in January and the Islamic State group terrorist attacks in November. The United States witnessed several mass shootings, and thousands of people died after the Nepal earthquakes last spring. This isn’t even counting all of the horrors that went on in the Middle East.

In the Hollywood celebrity world, Caitlyn Jenner made big news after her transition from

Bruce premiered on Vanity Fair, as well as when she accepted the Arthur Ashe Courage Award. Fifty women accused Bill Cosby of drugging them, and some said he sexually assaulted them. He was convicted of sexual assault in one of these cases. Kanye West and Kim Kardashian-West also welcomed their second child, Saint West.

“Jurassic World” was a big hit in the summer but it was nothing compared to the force of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” which went on to become the highest grossing movie in America, according to Forbes. That’s right, it beat “Avatar” and “Titanic.”

2015 also proved to be the year MSU’s Plaster Student Union bear got a big blue “KC” tattoo after the Kansas City Royals won the World Series.

And seriously, was that dress blue and black or white and gold?

In one year, all of this happened. Imagine what 2016 has in store for us.

By Eli Wohlenhaus Editor-in-Chief @eliwohlenhaus

Winter break was OK, but I know that if you are honest with yourself you are looking more forward to your next big break, maybe even more than summertime.

So you have already decided where to go and you will be shopping through February to make sure you have all you need before you set your sights and sails.

Before I turn this into a poem with no meaning, I will step away and look into what Spring Break is and how it became so iconic to college students.

Not all my peers can be like me. For my freshman year, I think I went home for part of Spring Break, although I remember almost nothing about it. I may have gone to the Springfield Zoo. My sophomore year went differently, although the only part I remember about it was that before it started, I went to Arch Madness to cover the men’s basketball team. I can honestly not recall a single activity I did that next week, although I do think I was at home.

My junior year faired much better. After again writing about the basketball I watched for four straight days in St. Louis, I flew to our nation’s capital for a week of R-&-R with

some special relatives.

Not all Spring Breaks have looked like mine, I know. Now that we got that obvious statement out there, I thought I would do some digging on Spring Break.

According to my research (a.k.a. ‘Googling’), the beginning of Spring Break does not have true roots like that of the invention of a frisbee.

Time magazine had an article in 2009 that blames the “debauchery” on the ancient Romans and Greeks, who celebrated the season of fertility in tandem with the gods of wine, Bacchus and Dionysus.

Being the notable magazine that it is, however, it did not just attribute it to the Greeks and Romans.

It sort of began in the 1930’s with a collegiate swimming and diving tournament in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, that steadily became more. In 1959, Time first released an article titled, ‘Beer and the Beach.’

By 1961 there was a film released titled “Where the Boys Are” illustrating the goingson of the fun and that is when the herds really started to pour in year after year.

And now here we are. 2016. Following in the steps of our ancestors, hedonistically or otherwise, Spring Break could be one of the most temporary best times of your life.

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Start spring cleaning with your computer

By Emily McTavish Photo Editor @EmMcT

Is the desktop of your computer a giant mess of folders, images, PDFs and other random files? Clean it up by organizing things into folders. Use the folders you’ve already made but got too lazy to remember to stick things in, or make new folders.

Clean up your desktop

folder and color label it so it’s easy to find.

Let’s say you’re applying for summer internships and you need to find your resume and references, try to color code them so you can always see them.

Back-up your files! I may be really anal about this, but it’s important for everyone. As I said before, I keep most of my photo files and I can take up to 400 photos per soccer game.

So then, I also have copies on an external hard drive. How would you feel if you lost your vaphotos? Or some baby photos your parCurrent semester vs. previous terms cation ents sent you? Even document files can be Speaking of folders, an easy way to organ- really important, so try hard to backup your ize your desktop or documents is by creating files onto something physical, not one specifically for the classes you’re curjust the cloud. rently enrolled in. Make individual folders for each class such as BIO 101 or JRN Clear your cookies 478. Keep your folders from previous Whichever Internet terms separate. This way you’re focused on browser you use, data is this term, but you’re also able to go back if saved about you. For examyou want to see something from a class in ple, when you’re making spring your first year. break plans and looking for inex-

Use an external hard drive

pensive hotels and flights, travel sites store data about your browsing history. That’s how you get annoying ads too. Every once in awhile, it’s a good idea to clear your cookies and start fresh. It helps ensure your privacy on the Internet too. No one likes stale cookies anyway. Those Christmas cookies are looking a little sad now.

In case you hadn’t realized, I’m the photo editor. Therefore, my desktop and folders are mostly photos. I have been keeping all my unedited files, and it can get overwhelming if I’m trying to find a photograph I took circa 2012. I keep my photos in labeled folders by whether they were for personal or work use.

This way I can easily find my vacation photos Physical cleaning and dusting from New Orleans or my photos for The StanIf you’re feeling especially ambitious, you dard. can physically clean your computer. Wipe off that screen and also stop touching it in the first Color coding place, unless you actually have a touchscreen On Apple products, which I confess to or work on a tablet. You can wipe off your being most familiar with, you can color code keyboard, which is a great place for germs to your files. Guess what? We actually do that hide. Also dust it off with a dry cloth. Heck, here at The Standard! We have loads of files even go as far as to buy those cool compressed ,so it’s easy to get lost. Each week when we air dusters. Keeping up the physical appearput together the paper, we move to a new dated ance of your computer will help it last longer.

Organizing photos

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All about that MONEY The Standard

By Sarah Teague Staff Reporter @SarahTeague96

To stress about financial means is a norm for many college students, especially during the start of a new year, when classes resume and holiday debt is piled high.

Not all hope is lost for those looking for a job after the holiday rush. Opportunities are available through the Student Employment Services office, where those strugFile photo/THE STANDARD gling can find guidance and For both on- and off-campus jobs, students can go to jump into an on- or off-cam- www.missouristate.edu/studentemp/. pus position.

Cheryl Combs, Financial first day of school.

Aid Coordinator at the Student Employment “Work study jobs are like every other job Services office, said MSU has about 2,500 (in that) you get paid and it doesn’t go (distudents that work on campus in 2015. rectly) to your tuition,” Combs said. “If you Combs explained the differences between want to pay your tuition with it, that’s fine, or the two types of jobs offered on campus: work you can buy pizza or put gas in your car, that’s studies and budget jobs. fine too.”

To qualify for a work study, a student must On the other side, budget jobs are more be awarded financial aid and qualify as in “fi- common. Combs explained about 2,200 — alnancial need” through FAFSA results. Ac- most 90 percent — of students working on cording to Combs, MSU receives limited campus are in a budget position. Departments funds from the federal government, and those hire and pay students from an operational funds flow to students involved in a work budget, to complete tasks around the office, study. Typically, students who receive a Pell lab, recreation center, library and the like.

Grant qualify for a work study. This limited “I work as an office assistant at the funding from the government means not Physics, Astronomy and Materials Science many students can successfully enter a work Department,” Madison Bonebrake, a junior, study. The rest are put on a waiting list the said. “I found a listing for the job on the Missouri State website under student employment. I submitted my resume and application on the website, then about a week later… the administrative assistant called me and we set up an interview.”

For off-campus jobs, MSU’s website allows local businesses to post “help wanted” signage and links to applications for positions in town.

“I highly encourage students to work while going to school as it builds character, encourages responsibility and maturity, and (helps to) make connections with the professors and supervisors you work with,” said Emily Smith, graduate student and student employee in the Chemistry department. “Having an on-campus job (ensures) you are easily able to go in between classes and work, and it is quite flexible as your boss knows you are a student.”

File photo/THE STANDARD

Student workers can either apply for two types of jobs: work studies and budget jobs.

Students can find both on and off campus jobs at: www.missouristate.edu/studentemp/.

TIME TO “BREAK A LEG”

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By Sydni Moore Staff Reporter @sydnimmoore

Springfield Little Theatre Schedule

“A Few Good Men”

Jan. 22-31 Written by award-winning Aaron Sorkin, “A Few Good Men” is a legal drama following a military lawyer as he defends two Marines charged with killing a fellow Marine at Guantanamo Bay. Although he is known for seeking plea bargains, another lawyer encourages him to put in an effort to defend the Marines.

“Disney’s Aladdin Jr.”

own beau, she is placed into a convent for her protection. To wreaks havoc on the work of the farm, especially when the prokeep her from disturbing the lives of the nuns, the convent en- fessor announces his intentions to sell the farm. courages her to join the choir, which, with her help, soon gains “HAIR” widespread attention.

7:30 PM – April 7-9 “Junie B. Jones, The Musical” 2:30 PM – April 10 April 14-24 Claude, very different Revisit your childhood with the adaption of four of Bar- than his conservative parbara Park’s Junie B. Jones books. Watch Junie B. Jones come ents, arrives in 1960s to life in a comedy that follows the first-grader’s adventures. New York exploring the era of free love and other“Little Shop of Horrors” worldly drugs, although May 20-June 5 originally summoned by A flower shop owner yearns after his coworker. After dis- the draft of the Vietnam covering a mysterious plant that lives off of human blood War. In the end, Claude and flesh, it begins to grow and his suffering business be- must make a choice. He gins to boom. When his coworker’s boyfriend dies of an ac- must burn his draft card cident, the owner feeds the body to the plant, but must find or commit to the expecta- Photo courtesy of the Missouri State Unimore and more bodies as the plant becomes increasingly tions of society. versity Theatre and Dance Department bloodthirsty.

Feb. 18-28 When a street urchin frees a genie from a lamp, he uses the magic MSU Theatre and Dance Schedule granted to him to make himself off as a prince in order to capture the attention of a princess and marry her. Based on the “Uncle Vanya” classic Disney film, Aladdin.

7:30 PM – Feb. 18-19, 22-26 & 29 2:30 PM – Feb. 21 & 28 “Sister Act” This play portrays the happenings that follow after an old March 18-April 3 professor and his much younger second wife visit the rural When a singer witnesses a murder committed by her very farm that supports their uppity, urban lifestyle. Their arrival Photo courtesy of the Springfield Little Theatre

“Images in Motion: Spring Dance Concert”

7:30 PM – April 28-30 2:30 PM – May 1 According to the website for Missouri State University’s Theatre and Dance Productions, “This year’s ‘Spring Dance Concert: Images In Motion’ features a collection of new faculty-choreographed works that explore the fleeting nature of human activities in space and time. … Come and be moved by the kinetic beauty of dance!”

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Looking around before you lease Bear Village $715 per bedroom 0.5 miles Your Opinions “If you're willing to pay a little extra I say go for The Abbey. I have two roomates and we pay about $300 each.

The safety is great and they even have a patrol officer, a gym, pool, hot tub, movie theater and the landlords know you by name. It's only about a 15 minute drive to campus, so for all the great things they offer, the price is totally worth it.” Catrin Ramsey

When it comes to apartment hunting, the sooner the better.

3.5 miles

The Abbey $775 for two bedrooms

Coryell Crossing $759 for two bedrooms

4.1 miles

“I lived at Bear Village previously and management and staff there were great!

Always willing to help and work with you and quick with maintenance issues.

Beautiful apartments as well.” Miranda Prusik

The Standard

Compiled by Courtney Cramer Staff Reporter @CourtneyRCramer

Southwinds Apartments $580 for two bedrooms 1 mile

“Any of the TLC properties are the best, in my opinion! I live at Coryell Crossing and there are so many nice amenities.” Alex Roettger

Oakwood Townhomes $595 for two bedrooms 2.1 miles “Aaron Properties isn't too bad. Just live your life by the lease and you shouldn't have problems. From what I hear from others in my building I've talked to and personal experience, they do threaten with lawsuits quite a bit.

They manage very closely by the lease.” Donghee Han I lived on campus until the day I graduated. It's a different lifestyle, but it's still fun. Brittany Pringle

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Tips from landlords around Scenic Station $670 for two months 3.4 miles

“I live at Scenic Station Apartments and have had nothing but a pleasant experience. The best part is that they accept all sizes of dogs and accept cats as well. There is a small deposit fee that is non-refundable, but this was one of the only nicer apartments I could find where I was able to bring my black lab with me.” Heather Schreiman

Battlefield Park $720 for two bedrooms

4.1 miles “I highly recommend TLC properties. I met with a lot of the staff after I had a break-in at an old apartment and was able to lease at Battlefield Park. Apartments are awesome quality, the upkeep and maintenance is great, never had to wait more than a day for anything to be fixed. The staff is what seals the deal for me, though. Just the fact that they respect you, treat you like a responsible human and are always willing to help is a far contrast from other experiences I've had with landlords.” Lexi Mason

Choose your roomates wisely.

Visit the properties as soon as possible, preleasing has already started.

Apartments are typically first come first serve.

If you want to move in around August, come in no later than May.

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A chance for a 6 1 2 0 better semester

By Emily Joshu Staff Reporter @EmilyJoshu

As the spring semester and the new year overlap, students are making changes.

Whether it be wellness, academics or longterm goals, it is the season of New Year’s resolutions. It is the season of overcrowded gyms and short-lived bursts of motivation. For some, resolutions mark a turning point. For others, they are overrated.

According to Livescience, New Year’s resolutions are not a modern fad, but an ancient practice that dates back 4,000 years. Ancient Babylonian resolutions were more external since their purpose was to affirm loyalty to the king. Also, Romans took oaths and performed public sacrifices. Resolutions in the 18th century were religiously based, but evolved into more secular traditions, especially in the United States.

American New Year’s resolutions are often based on self-improvement and goal-oriented initiatives. We focus on how to lose weight or how to obtain a better GPA for the new semester, but we also work toward larger goals. For some, that goal is to write the next great novel, or start a new business endeavor. “(New Year’s resolutions are) a chance to start working on a goal from scratch. It’s the best feeling to know that you spent a year accomplishing something that matters to you,” Khira Auerbach, senior musical theater major

said.

January is a time for reflecting upon the past year, whether it be the positives or the negatives. It is a time for fresh starts and new beginnings. Transfer students are coming to this university to find where they belong, while seniors view the new year as a jumpstart to opportunities beyond the college sphere.

For others, it is a matter of self-discovery.

“New Year’s Resolutions are a great way to start off the new year. This year, though, I plan on just being true to me,” Brad Rischbieter said.

However, not all students view resolutions the same way. While January is the prime month for students to better themselves and begin working toward a new goal, it is not the only month for motivation.

“I think New Year’s resolutions can be a good for goal setting, but some people get into the trapping that if they can't accomplish their intended regiment by the end of January, then, they just give up,” Daniel Harrington, junior English major said.

The new semester is a time for change, and its timing in the midst of New Year’s resolutions is all about change. Regardless of how students fulfill their resolutions, or if they choose not to make any, Spring semester is in full swing and January will not last forever.

“I think it would be important to recognize that the date is arbitrary and today's failure can prompt you for tomorrow’s change,” Harrington said.

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What to watch this spring

By Nathan Momper Movie Reviewer

“Deadpool” – February 6. I understand comic book movies aren’t for everyone. I’m even getting tired of Marvel’s annual big-budget PG13 action epics. But that’s exactly why “Deadpool” should be on your radar. It marks a change in the usual currents for Marvel. For starters, the movie is rated R with a smart-mouthed Ryan Reynolds flamboyantly playing the titular character. I have faith that “Deadpool” will be a zany and ferocious joyride that will pay accurate homage to its source material.

“Zoolander 2” – February 12. As a huge fan of the first installment, I was ecstatic when I heard the sequel was finally making its way to the big screen. The first trailer was a perfect encapsulation of the unique brand of humor Derek and company brought to cinema the first time around. While the more detailed second trailer revealed plot points that didn’t enthrall me as much I had hoped, the idea of having a ”Zoolander 2” brings a smile to my face.

“Midnight Special” – March 18. While this movie will probably slip under public perception due to the Divergent series premiering their latest the same weekend, “Midnight Special” will likely be the superior sci-fi action flick between the two. Written and directed by Jeff Nichols (“Take Shelter”, “Mud”), “Midnight Special” tells the story of a father protecting his son, who processes a special power, from religious extremists and top echelon government agents. Not only does the film boast an outstanding cast (Michael Shannon, Joel Edgerton, Adam Driver, Kirsten Dunst), but Nichols has stated that his movie is an homage to 1980s science fiction chase films. Considering Nichols may very well be the most underrated filmmaker of our time, I am bound to watch “Midnight Special.

“Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” – March 25. This is probably the most anticipated movie of 2016, and for good reason. Two of the biggest comic book characters sharing, nay, fighting for the big screen is a proposition even non-comic book enthusiasts salivate over.

While I was skeptical of some of the creative choices employed here (Affleck as Batman and Eisenberg as Luther), I can’t deny that “Batman v Superman” will probably drop my jaw in spectacular fashion.

“Captain America: Civil War” – May 6. I know, I know. Another comic book movie. This spring will truly be one for the comic books. I swear my reasoning is sound. Even though I lamented earlier about Marvel movies becoming tedious, Captain America has consistently brought me entertainment without having to check my brain at the door. Plus, the idea of two of the biggest comic book character sharing, nay, fighting… Wait a minute. Marvel is definitely trying to compete with DC Comics. But if that means bringing a new, and hopefully improved, Spiderman to the big screen, I’m totally game.

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Ranking the Lady Bear’s individual performances past the midway point Eric Knifong Sports Reporter @e_knifong

The Missouri State Lady Bears are three games into conference play as students get settled back in on campus for the start of spring classes. The Lady Bears are 2-1 in those games and 9-6 overall.

The Lady Bears are led by their three seniors, but have had their younger players step up through the early part of the season. Here is a breakdown of each player’s season thus far. *Note: Players selected have played in at least 10 or more games this season.

•Senior Guard Tyonna Snow If you have watched just one Lady Bears game this season then you know when Snow wants the ball, she takes the ball. Snow is averaging 2.9 steals and 1.1 blocks per game through 15 games this season, and brings high energy every time she is on the court. The Lady Bears will need her defensive prowess throughout conference play. Snow also leads the team in scoring at 14.9 points per game.

•Senior Guard Kenzie Williams Williams struggled with injuries throughout the first half of her college career, but since last year she has become a force on the offensive end. Williams is one of the best shooters on the team, and is their second leading scorer

with 13.7 points per game. She also shoots the ball at a very high rate from beyond the arc.

Williams is actually shooting better the further she gets away from the basket. She is shooting 44 percent from three and 38 percent from two. Williams will need to be aggressive on the offensive end if the Lady Bears want to play in a post-season tournament.

•Sophomore Guard Liza Fruendt It really is hard to believe that Fruendt is just a sophomore. She does not shy away from big moments, and loves to shoot the ball. Fruendt is the third leading scorer on the team with 10.9 points per game. She has only started six out of 15 games this season and is fifth on the team in minutes per game. She is a good shooter, but has seen her three point percentage drop eight percent from last year.

Anyone who knows basketball knows that cold streaks happen. However, the Lady Bears rely on her scoring ability from the bench more than anyone else on the team. The good thing is, she does not lack confidence and will continue to shoot the ball.

•Senior Forward Hillary Chvatal This season has been surprising for Chvatal from beyond the arc. Chvatal through her first three seasons had a combined seven threepoint field goal attempts, all of which came in her junior season. She only hit one. However, this season she has taken her game to another

level and is shooting 43 percent on 21 attempts from downtown. She continues to work down low too, leading the Lady Bears with 7.5 rebounds per game. Chvatal’s work from the three has made opposing defenses respect her shot and is opening up the floor for her teammates.

•Junior Guard Lexi Hughes Hughes has been solid for the Lady Bears so far this season. She mainly comes off the bench, but has received three starts since the departure of freshman guard Riley Rose. She is fifth on the team in field goals attempted, and shoots the ball at a respectable 36 percent from three. Hughes has become a spot-up shooter for the Lady Bears, as more than half of her 102 shots have been from beyond the arc. When her teammates get in trouble driving the lane they know they can rely on Hughes to not only hit open shots, but to take those shots when they are given to her.

•Sophomore Forward Aubrey Buckley Over Christmas break, news came out that Buckley would likely miss the remainder of the season due to a stress fracture in her right hip. The news was announced on New Year’s Day, after she scored a career high 12 points at Little Rock on Dec. 20. It is a big loss for the Lady Bears, as she started all 11 games to begin the season. Buckley was averaging 5.6 points and 3.9 rebounds per game.

•Freshman Guard #1 Danielle Gitzen Gitzen has played in all 15 games for the Lady Bears this season averaging 11.3 minutes per game. She has not started a game, but is likely the point guard of the future for the team. She is shooting a respectable 39 percent from the field in her freshman season, and has an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.67. That is good enough for second on the team. Gitzen is also third on the team in assists per game with 1.3 while being 9th on the team in minutes per game. She has the natural ability of a point guard and finds her teammates in good spots.

If she keeps improving, we could see a jump in her minutes during conference play.

•Freshman Guard Grace Vander Weide Vander Weide has struggled some in her freshman season. She is continuing to learn the college game and brings some height and length to the guard position for the Lady Bears. She has not shot the ball well this season at 32 percent, but then again she has not shot the ball much. She has only taken 22 shots this season and nine have been from three. She is 1-9 from three which has dropped her shooting percentage to the 32 percent. The three point shot is not a part of her game, yet. She has shown the capability of shooting the ball with her 93 percent shooting from the charity

u See LADY BEARS, page 14

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Rally for spring tennis at home

By Brian Wright Staff Reporter

Coach Weber and the Missouri State Tennis team are about to begin the spring semester of their schedule. After a solid spring, the Bears are looking to add more wins and improve the young roster.

The Bears will compete at home 10 times, twice as many played in 2014-2015. The home schedule should help the young team. Conference rival and last year’s conference champions Wichita State will come to Springfield on January 15 followed by Kansas State on January 23.

Coach Weber’s team will then have to navigate their way through the month of February, when they will be on the road. Notably, they will play the Missouri Tigers in Columbia on February 6, Central Arkansas on February 12 and Arkansas-Pine Bluff on February 21. in Little Rock. Coach Weber is excited to see how the team will compete and show the progress that has been made.

The strength of the team is in doubles competition, seniors Miranda Poile and Ema Turudija nearly upset the 20th ranked doubles team in the country at the ITA Central Regional Championships in Stillwater, OK. Freshman Phoebe Boeschen and Sophomore Anelisse

Torrico ended last semester with a 4-2 overall doubles record.

Single competition for the Bears will need to improve; the Bears only won 15 matches collectively last fall, and no Bear won more than three matches on her own.

Sophomore Abbey Belote will enter 2016 having won her last two matches.

Conference competition dominates the latter portion of the Bears schedule, beginning April 9, when the Bulldogs of Drake University come to town. The Bulldogs won the women’s conference championship in 2014.

Five of the Bears final seven conference meets will take place in Springfield, and the Bears will need all the home field advantage they can get for the Bear students.

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Lady Bears Continued from page 12

stripe. Vander Weide is also shooting 6-13 for 46 percent from inside the arc. She can hit the open mid-range jumpers, and she should use that to her advantage until she is more comfortable from 20 feet 9 inches and further.

•Junior Forward Onye Osemenam Osemenam is one of the tallest players on the team, and uses that height to her advantage on the defensive side. In 13.7 minutes a game Osemenam is averaging almost one block.

She also grabs 2.7 rebounds per game with 0.8 of those rebounds coming on the offensive end. She is able to give her team second chances on the offensive end when she is in

the game. Her offense is not quite there, but she does the dirty work in the low-post that many players do not like to do.

•Junior Forward Rachel Swartz Swartz does not play many minutes, 7.5 to be exact, but when she does she is able to score in the low post. She is shooting 47 percent from the field and has even hit a three pointer this season. Swartz is 1-3 from downtown for 33 percent and shooting 50 percent from everywhere else. Swartz brings a nice offensive presence to the low-post and grabs a respectable 1.7 rebounds in those 7.5 minutes.

However, it is likely that her defense is preventing her from finding more playing time and will need to continue to improve there.

Bears having hot and cold season

By Eli Wohlenhaus Editor-In-Chief @eliwohlenhaus

Missouri Valley Conference play has begun, which means we are more than halfway through the season for the Missouri State Bears (6-10, 2-2).

I have watched all but one of these games and would like to take this opportunity through the midway point to give the players a grade on their performance.

•Redshirt Freshman Forward Robin Thompson Thompson started a few games in 2014 before hurting his ankle and missing most of last season. Whatever confidence coaches had in him or whatever promise he showed last year must have disappeared because he has not logged much time in 2015-16.

•Junior Guard Austin Ruder Ruder has been working to get over sports hernia surgery and has also not played a whole lot. In the little time that he did play at the beginning of the season, his shot looked good, but not much else was going on for him.

•Senior Forward Loomis Gerring Gerring has been better than last season, but he still is ineffective offensively. My expectations for him when he transferred in last season were high and I was disappointed. Now that my expectations have leveled out I like the way he defends and hustles. I do wish his shot would fall more often, but he does work hard and has earned the moderate playing time he gets.

•Junior Guard Dequon Miller I picked Miller to be the Bear’s breakout star this season. So far, I would say he is the breakout star, but because I like to nitpick, there is something I wish he would do more off: be selective. There is no doubt that Miller can score the basketball well, but he takes a lot of shots that he shouldn’t, too. Always one of

the better scoring threats, if he took better looks, he could be even more lethal.

•Freshman Forward Obediah Church I like Church. He has started almost every game at the center position for MSU and he has done a nice job. The best part of his game is his leaping ability. Church doesn’t do a lot of scoring or lock-down defense but he always makes the highlight reel with either an alleyoop or a shot block. My hope for him moving forward is that he can get a little meaner. I’ve hardly ever seen any expression on his face and I would love to see him flash a big grin or an intimidating stare.

•Freshman Guard Jarred Dixon Dixon is a tough one to understand. He is a young baller and I think that he is a lot like Chris Kendrix when he was a freshman. Great ability to score, yet not sure where to fit in on the offense just yet. At times he has shown confidence, especially lately. With Williams sidelined with a hamstring injury, his playing time has gone up and his confidence on the offensive side of the court has followed suit.

•Freshman Guard Ryan Kreklow Despite almost becoming a redshirt, Kreklow burst on the scene when injuries struck the Bears. He became a fan favorite with his 3-point stroke and hustle despite a cool-down during the winter break, each basket he makes continues to bolster the squad and the fans. His effort and passion for the game are my personal favorite parts to what this rookie offers.

•Senior Guard Dorrian Williams Williams does a nice job of setting up teammates and leads the team in assists because of his court vision and team-first mentality. He can score pretty well, too, when he wants to. The past two seasons his struggle has been turnovers and three-point shooting, but right before he went down with his injury, he went three straight games without a single turnover. u See full ratings online

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