The Valley Vanguard Vol 54 No 6

Inside A2

Inside A3

Inside A6

News: OUTober

A&E: Smash Bros tournament

Sports: Volleyball beats Grand Valley State University

Monday, Oct. 11, 2021

Vol. 54 No. 6

thevalleyvanguard.com

Saginaw Valley State University’s student newspaper

POLICE BRIEFS Police briefs are written based on reports from University Police. They indicate preliminary descriptions of events and not necessarily actual incidents.

Fire Alarm On Sept. 20 at 6:31 A.M. a fire alarm in Doan Center was set off. No fire was to be found, the alarm was reset, and the scene was cleared.

Property Damage On Oct. 2 at 11:04 A.M. to reference a two-car accident on Bay Rd and College Dr. A non-student was stopped at the light when they were rearended by a student. There were no injuries.

On Oct 2 at 7:40 P.M. a deer hit an employee’s car. The employee was traveling southbound on Davis Rd. The accident caused minor damage to the vehicle.

On Oct. 4 at 2:55 P.M. a commuter student was heading eastbound in the front row of G-3 and was struck in the driver side rear door from another vehicle backing out of a parking space. There were no injuries.

Vehicles had minor damage.

Suspicious Situation

Students run for homecoming court Alyssa McMillan Vanguard News Editor

O

n Oct. 6, SVSU held voting for homecoming court. Students were provided with a link to vote for any two candidates.

The link provided originally was wrong but was fixed in an email the day of voting.

Each candidate had their own motivations for running. Special education senior Anna Plotkowski was inspired by her past RA’s.

“Two of my mentors, Raegan Schultz and Jarod Morse, were crowned in 2019,” Plotkowski said.

“I remember being inspired by their message of running for a reason and their care for others.”

She was inspired by their dedica-

tion to the school’s community.

“This year I decided to run because I hope to be a role model for other students,” she said. “I consider myself a servant leader on campus,

See HOMECOMING A2

Cardinals For Future Wellness Month Sadie Shepherd Vanguard Reporter

A new RSO on campus is hoping to impact SVSU’s sustainability and environmental relations in a major way.

Cardinals For Future is a student organization focused on encouraging student activism for environmental issues.

Biology sophomore Emily Titus runs the organization, but it originated from another student’s idea based on a similar group.

“She got inspiration for the idea from a youth-led global climate change group called ‘Fridays for Future’,” Titus said.

“They are an inspiring group that we hope to somewhat resemble with our club on campus.”

According to its website, Fridays for Future began in 2018 when teenager Greta Thunberg protested outside of the Swedish Parliament to encourage lawmakers to take action against climate change.

Since then, the movement has gone worldwide with young people from across the globe taking part in climate change activism.

Cardinals For Future plans to

hold petition drives this semester to encourage change on a collegiate level.

“Our petition will be to get SVSU to divest their endowment money from the fossil fuel industry,” Titus said.

She explained where the money is currently going, which she believes needs to be changed.

“As of now endowment money at SVSU is going towards supporting the fossil fuel industry which is one major cause of climate change. Our goal is to convince SVSU to invest their endowment money in something like green energy,” she said.

The group decided on this initiative to tackle after seeing student groups on other campuses similar to SVSU have success doing the same.

“Recently we have seen other (students) putting the pressure on their universities to divest from fossil fuels and it worked,” she said. “An example of it happening local to us is U of M.” According to The University Record of U of M, student advocacy helped push the Board of Regents to implement a plan ensuring the university’s investments have a “net-zero” carbon

Send news tips and press releases to: Email: vanguard@svsu.edu Call: 989-964-4482

See FUTURE A2

Sadie Shepherd Vanguard Reporter

Campus Recreation is encouraging students to reinforce positive habits with the opportunity to win prizes.

Wellness month, taking place through October, challenges students to complete small but significant tasks everyday and submit proof of completion via email. These tasks are meant to help students with their mental health.

Each submission earns a point and the three students with the most points at the end of the month could receive a Fitbit, wireless earbuds or a $75 Meijer gift card.

Junior exercise science major Morgan Losey is a health and wellness coordinator for Campus Recreation. She helped organize this year ’s wellness month.

Losey said the range of challenges included will be quite diverse.

“Within this month-long challenge, participants will be completing small tasks every day to promote physical, mental, and nutritional health,” Losey said.

“These daily challenges can be trying a new workout, making a new healthy recipe, practicing meditation, etc.”

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While the challenge is only through this month, the goal is for students to solidify the daily tasks to become long-term habits.

“Our goal for this challenge is to help encourage and promote healthy living,” she said. “We hope that this challenge can help show individuals how beneficial it can be to live a healthy lifestyle. Completing the daily tasks can help create healthy habits that individuals can integrate into their everyday lives.”

Junior exercise science major Hannah Homan is another health and wellness coordinator for Campus Recreation. Homan said that the variety of tasks included will leave something for everyone.

“Wellness month as a whole addresses a lot of different aspects of wellness,” Homan said. “For instance, there are challenges relating to financial mindfulness, fitness and exercise, healthy eating choices, and mental health tasks. It is our aim to provide such a variety of challenges so that at least a few of the challenges will stick with those who participate and help them to see the benefits, big or

On Oct. 3 at 1:21 P.M. an unknown subject called Saginaw County Central Dispatch from unknown number. The subject stated that there was an emergency at SVSU and hung up. Officers were dispatched to MJB and the Student Center. The subject was located and spoken to, as well as other witnesses.

Officers determined there was no emergency.

Larceny On Oct. 3 at 10:21 P.M. a female resident student had noticed her clothes were missing from the First Year Suite B laundry room. The student had left their clothing in a washer and another student had moved it to a dryer at one point. When the student went back to get it, all her clothing was gone. The laundry basket was found, but the clothes remain missing.

OUTober Sadie Shepherd Vanguard Reporter

The SVSU Pride Center is turning this October into OUTtober. Campus events throughout the month are designed to raise awareness about LGBTQ+ issues.

The month kicked off on Oct. 4 with an OUTtober table–sit featuring pride flag trivia. The fun continued Oct. 6 with a spin-towin event where students could spin a wheel to win prizes while playing LGBTQ+ trivia.

Both events allowed students the opportunity to meet and speak with Pride Center staff members.

See WELLNESS A2 News.............A1-A2 A&E.....................A3

Opinion...............A4 Sports............A5-A6

See OUTOBER A2

News

Page A2 | Monday, Oct. 11, 2021 | thevalleyvanguard.com | The Valley Vanguard OUTOBER, continued from A1

Vanest’s role models, Raegan Schultz and Jarod Morse. Vanguard Photo Editor | Brooke Elward

HOMECOMING, continued from A1 connecting with other through my experiences.

I hope to show others how much I care about our campus community and the people here.”

Occupational therapy senior Courtney Vanest had similar motivations for running.

“The experiences I have had at SVSU have been extremely pivotal in my growth as a student,” Vanest said. “SVSU demonstrated to me the impact one student can have on making a difference in entire communities, the value of hard work and dedication when achieving goals, and what it means to be loved by an entire student body.”

Dual literature and communication senior Lizzy Simon touched on her experience running for court.

“Running for court has been incredible thus far,” Simon said. “All of the candidates I’ve met are extremely deserving of being elected to royalty and I can’t wait to see what the outcomes of the elections are. It’s inspiring to be surrounded by such amazing students who show Red Pride in different ways.”

Plotkowski took away the love she felt during the process.

“This experience has been so exciting,” she said. “Running for the court was a great choice.

I have felt so much love running for court from people who have told me they’re supporting me.” This year’s theme, Y2K, is a hit with students, many of whom grew up in the early 2000’s.

“This year’s theme is so fun, especially with the 2000’s making a comeback in current trends,” Simon said. “I think it’s a great reflection of what we all grew up with.”

Vanest is also excited for this year’s theme.

“This year’s theme really makes me smile,” she said. “The retro based theme allows us to reflect on our roots and that has occurred throughout the past years, while allowing for creativity and open-mindedness. When I think of homecoming, I think of unity among current students, alumni, and faculty. It is a way or bringing all the Cardinals home.”

Simon, Vanest and Plotkowski were all a part of the finalists. The winners will be crowned at the game on Oct. 16.

FUTURE, continued from A1

WELLNESS, continued from A1

footprint by 2050.

Titus hopes to make a similar plan to create a net zero footprint at SVSU While Titus hopes to accomplish similar results with Cardinals For Future, in the meantime the group is planning for the upcoming semester and looking at other ways to make campus more environmentally friendly, including different fundraising events.

“As of now our petition is our big project for this semester,” she said. “We also plan on doing some club fundraising events like a can drive to earn money and encourage recycling. We also plan on doing some campus clean ups. Our goal for this semester is to get our club grounded and slowly start growing and making more of a (difference) in our campus community every day.”

small, of engaging in them.”

Campus Recreation has further plans for events to engage with the campus community and promote a focus on overall wellness.

“We are planning on bringing back ‘Fitness Fridays’, which will be a good branch off of what wellness month has established,” Homan said.

She described what these events will look like.

“It will include some sort of brief fitness task [like] plank[s], push ups, etc. and will result in prizes for those who come and interact with the challenge,” she said.

If you are interested in being added to the wellness month email list or want more information, email Morgan Losey at mnlosey@ svsu.edu or Hannah Homan at hmhoman@ svsu.edu.

One such staff member is Master of Social Work Abbey Sura who organized the OUTtober itinerary. Sura said she is excited by the student participation so far.

“The turnout has been great,” she said.

“We have had the opportunity to interact with over 70 students and educate them on the Pride Center’s services and upcoming events.”

While these events are meant to be fun, the main purpose of them is to teach students about LGBTQ+ matters, culture and the resources available on campus.

“Through understanding LGBTQ+ terminology and awareness of the challenges the LGBTQ+ community has worked hard to overcome presented in our various programs during OUTtober,” Sura said. “It is our hope that students will gain a sense of awareness and kindness for the LGBTQ+ community by attending these events.”

There are more events to come this month, all covering various issues of importance to the LGBTQ+ community. “[The] … two events I am most excited for are Pins and Pride with Program Board and Guess Who with F.E.M.E,” Sura said.

“At Pins and Pride students will be able to make mini pride flag keychains, buttons, and pins that represent their identities.

Guess Who is being hosted by F.E.M.E. and will be a virtual twist on the classic game celebrating LGBTQ+ icons and wrapping up OUTtober.”

Also on the schedule for this month is an ally and advocate event on Oct. 18. Students outside of the LGBTQ+ community will learn how to properly support their LGBTQ+ counterparts.

The next event taking place is LGBTQ+ terminology 101 on Oct. 13. Students will learn about sexuality and gender identity to better understand the terminology associated with both.

Even after this month, there will still be plenty of opportunities for students to get involved with the Pride Center.

“Beyond OUTtober, students can be involved with the Pride Center by attending OUT Group every Monday from 6-7pm in SC111, inside the new Office of Multicultural Student Affairs (OMSA),” Sura said.

For more information on OUTtober and related events, visit the Pride Center office located in SC111G on Mondays and Wednesdays from 11 AM-6PM.

(Top) Undecided freshman Rylee Donovan (left) and general business freshman Tracy Payne (right) add their banners to the collection. (Bottom) Marketing junior Andrew Richard (left) and health science senior Vivian Messerschmidt (right) create their pride flags. Vanguard Photographer | Sarah Brege

The Valley Vanguard

News Editor Alyssa McMillan | E-mail anmcmill@svsu.edu | Office 989-964-4482 | Instagram @TheValleyVanguard 110A Curtiss Hall

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A&E

The Valley Vanguard | thevalleyvanguard.com | Monday, Oct. 11, 2021 | Page A3

Wind ensemble hosts first concert of the semester Connor Rousseau

T

Vanguard Reporter

he Rhea Miller Recital Hall hosted a wind ensemble concert Thursday evening.

Director of Bands Norman Wika was the conductor of the night’s concert, which began at 7:30 PM, Oct. 7.

The program consisted of six pieces of music, including A Little Tango Music

by Adam Gorb, This Cruel Moon by John Mackey, Fantasy for Various & Sundries

by Luigi Zaninelli, Arith-Metric No. 1 by Brian Balmages, Song of Hope by Peter Meechan and Deus ex Machina by Randall Standridge.

Music education junior Madison Richardson performed in the concert on the saxophone.

She said her favorite piece was Deus ex Machina because it involved performing while a pre-recorded track of music played on the speakers in the recital hall.

She said it took a lot of time and effort to rehearse that piece.

Overall, Richardson said rehearsing for the concert covered a span of around six weeks.

Music education freshman Connor Woolf said he attended the performance to support his colleagues and hear music one does not typically hear in a wind ensemble setting.

One of Woolf’s favorite pieces of the evening was A Little Tango Music.

“I’m a big fan of Latin music … I joined the Caribbean steelpan band we have on campus, the Valley Steel, it just reminded me so much of that,” he said. “Latin music has so many non-Western elements that were developed on their own. It’s so interesting to hear them playing.”

Woolf said that the tango music, which originated in Buenos Aires, Argentina,

Norman Wika, director of bands, conducts the SVSU Wind Ensemble in the Rhea Miller Recital Hall. Vanguard Photographer | Audrey Bergey really brings the culture of Latin America to life and is timely for Hispanic Heritage Month.

Music junior Erik Gillette said he was interested in the concert because of its modernity.

“I am very much a modern-minded musician, and hearing stuff from 2000 and onward is really cool,” he said.

One of Gillette’s favorite pieces was Arith-Metric No. 1.

“That played into the part of me that’s still a kid,” he said. “[I enjoyed] very much the fantastical nature of it along with how random everything came in.”

Another piece he enjoyed was This Cruel Moon, which follows the story of the

nymph Kalypso who heals and sleeps with Odysseus for many years before he leaves her to be with his family.

Gillette said that this piece in particular lulled him into a sense of safety.

He said that it would inspire a feeling of exploration and wonder but would keep him in a general sense of comfort and contentment.

Gillette and Woolf both shared a love for Song of Hope.

Song of Hope is a piece arranged by Peter Meechan that is dedicated to his friend Ryan Anthony.

Anthony suffered from Multiple Myeloma and passed away in June 2020.

“In these challenging times of COVID-19,

of seeing the destruction and hatred on our streets, and where love and empathy feel devastatingly lacking, the core idea of arranging this piece for flex ensemble comes directly from the message Ryan carried with him every day of his incredible battle with cancer: hope,” Meecham said in the event program.

As the world continues to live through the pandemic that has been with us since March 2020, Gillette and Woolf said that this piece struck deep.

“I can relate to that on a personal level with losing friends and family and having friends losing family members,” Woolf said. “It’s such a heartfelt piece, there’re no words to describe it.”

Super Smash Brothers tournament brings together gamers Connor Rousseau Vanguard Reporter

A Super Smash Bros tournament takes place in the TSAR. Courtesy Photo from Valley Nights

A brand new Super Smash Brothers tournament brought competitive gamers together Thursday evening.

The event was held in the Thompson Student Activities Room. Refreshments were offered and a raffle was held for a gift basket which included a headset, gaming mug, Xbox gift card, gamer putty and candy.

Competitors went head to head in Super Smash Brothers Ultimate, a video game which sends popular video game characters together in a competitive stage. Characters ranged from Donkey Kong, Mario, Yoshi, Bowser, Link and dozens more, each with their own super powers and special abilities.

One-on-one competitions were held on various Nintendo Switch consoles broadcast to larger screens set up around the room. A bracket system was used to record winners and determine who qualified for the next round.

Krista Lopez is a marketing junior who helped organize the event, which was the first of its kind.

“I am very excited to see students at all

different skill levels come together and compete fairly,” she said. “I am hoping that we can have students make new connections with one another and take a break from academics.”

Lopez said that there is a community out there for interested gamers to come together online.

“If people are interested in gaming, we also have a discord that connects students to one another, a Minecraft server that is constantly updated, and many other gaming events coming into the future.”

Micah Shelton is a business management freshman who attended and competed in the event.

“Smash has always been one of those games I like to play with my family growing up,” he said.

Shelton said it had been a while since playing and wanted to see how other people played.

He met new people at the event with a passion for gaming. He said that if another tournament were held, he would like to attend.

“Having a nice, fun match was the reason I came here,” he said.

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A&E Editor Madeline Bruessow | E-mail mpbruess@svsu.edu | Office 989-964-4482 | Instagram @TheValleyVanguard 110A Curtiss Hall

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Opinion

Page A4 | Monday, Oct. 11, 2021 | thevalleyvanguard.com | The Valley Vanguard

Campus needs gluten-free food options Brooke Elward Photo Editor Marketing baelward@svsu.edu

The world is not ready for glutenintolerant people. This includes food on campus.

The food on campus has many options for regular eaters, but the options are not dietary-friendly.

I have celiac disease which means I cannot eat gluten, including wheat, rye and barley.

There are options for food on campus for me, but not to the extent of someone without dietary restrictions.

Marketplace at Doan has some availability for me.

Here is a list of stuff I can eat: salad, unseasoned french fries, ice cream without a cone and white rice with plain chicken.

That is everything I can eat, or at least everything that has enough allergen information for me to eat.

There may be more food available that I can eat, but with the dining employees not being knowledgeable or confident enough of a product being gluten-free, then I cannot risk eating it.

One time I asked if the mashed

potatoes were made in-house or just warmed up.

The employee responded that they were made in-house.

When I asked how and with what ingredients, she couldn’t tell me if they thickened them with flour or not.

I understand that these questions can be a lot and not everyone may know an answer, but they should be able to direct me over to someone who does know.

Another example is the several times I went to the hibachi station.

I asked if they had the gluten-free soy sauce or tortillas that they claim to offer, but they were out of stock.

Out of stock for the fourth week in a row.

If we move into the Cardinal Café, then I can eat the salads from Subway and smoothies from Freshens.

One would think I would be able to eat white rice from Panda Express, but a sign states that there is so much crosscontamination that it cannot be labeled gluten-free.

Luckily, with options from the Cardinal Café, I can look up the restaurant’s website and allergen information.

Einstein’s Bagels and Starbucks both have great drink options for me, but food wise I am stuck to cream cheese, eggs, and risking cross-contamination for

dissected sandwiches.

The Grubhub app also has some information about descriptors of food products, but the campus does not have it fully updated all the time.

Papa Johns does offer a gluten-free crust at a higher cost, which is my go-to food on campus.

Since pizza or salad seem like my only options on-campus, I lost weight my freshman year of college.

The school requires a meal plan your freshman year, so I tried to get my money’s worth.

However, it just made me an unhealthier person overall.

I have some solutions for the school regarding how to become more celiacfriendly.

For starters, a training lesson should be provided on not just allergies and their importance, but on the actual food that is served, what is included, and how it’s made.

The student managers should be extra knowledgeable about what allergens are and how to help a student get food that works with them.

Certain locations already have nutrition information and labels for food.

So adding a simple vegan, vegetarian, or gluten–free symbols on the signs could warn many.

If they cannot guarantee something is

vegan, vegetarian, or gluten-free then an ingredients list could work.

The Marketplace at Doan could have many features that can help with simple cross-contamination.

At the grill station they have the burgers assembled onto a bun already.

Simply serve that burger without the bun so that I can make an un-wich or eat it with a fork and knife.

Another option is to make grilled chicken patties instead of fried or breaded chicken.

Employees could make more pudding or Jell–O cups without any fancy decoration with cookies, Oreos or crust crumble.

The sandwich and panini station should be offering gluten-free bread or tortillas.

That simple change can make or break another meal for me.

The hibachi station could just use a restock of gluten-free food, as they claim that they already provide it.

The pizza could offer a personal size with a cauliflower or gluten-free crust.

Putting labeling on all the sauces, condiments and toppings is simple, yet effective.

I understand that the school cannot put regulations on other food on campus.

The least they can do is make the Marketplace a more celiac–friendly area.

We need to slow down and appreciate autumn Connor Rousseau Reporter Elementary Education csrousse@svsu.edu

Autumn is here, but has anyone really noticed?

The weather is cool enough for pants but still warm enough for shorts.

The blue skies and the shining sun.

The silver moon and the cool wind.

Fall is in full swing.

The vibrant yellows, oranges and reds paint Michigan like a piece of art by Monet or Vincent van Gogh.

The colors, the breeze, the sun, the white clouds, they all coalesce into a perfect season: autumn.

It’s easy for us in today’s fast-paced world to find ourselves so worried about the next appointment or class we must attend as we speed down the road.

We don’t appreciate the simplicity of the blue sky or the purity of the sun’s rays.

We ensconce ourselves in our bedrooms as we sit on our phones all evening.

The shadows shift and the sun disappears and the day ends.

When walking around outdoors oncampus, I find myself staring down at my phone when I could be enjoying the autumn weather in its prime.

When I force myself to turn off

the phone and look around at the world around me, I achieve a deeper appreciation for God’s marvelous creation.

I find myself incredibly grateful to have my five senses.

I appreciate the sights of autumn and the colors it shares.

I hear the birds and the running fountains.

I feel the cool breeze. I smell the flowers and leaves.

I taste the apple cider. I look up mesmerized at the stars and the silvery moon.

I count my blessings because I know there are those out there without sight, without hearing, without smell: things most of us take for granted.

But it all comes and goes so quickly.

The leaves seem to change colors and fall on the same day.

A month ago, summer was boasting its heat and green leaves.

A month from now, the trees will be bare and snow will be falling from the sky.

We have but a few good weeks of autumn’s glory, and by the time Halloween rolls around it will be cold and rainy as it is every year.

So let’s take a breath. Let’s take a step back.

Let’s look at the world around us and focus on things we never seem to focus on.

Admire the red tree.

Admire the white clouds and the night sky.

The moon, the stars, the rainbow that arches over the horizon after an evening rain.

Let’s admire the farm fields and the invisible sensation of the wind as it blows in the evening.

As human beings we find ourselves so focused on our habits and lifestyles.

We take the same roads to work every day and the same routine path back home.

We eat the same packed lunch.

We wake up and go to sleep at the same time.

Everything is so precisely timed and planned out already.

Our routines keep us sane, but stepping out of our box for a moment or two will expose us to a beauty that has always existed but never been understood or appreciated.

Like the houses on a busy road, we know they’re there as we drive by but we never really stopped to look at them on our morning commute.

We think we’ve seen everything, that autumn is nothing special.

The same thing happens every year.

We’re sad summer has come and gone so fast.

The leaves are a great annoyance anyway.

They create more work for us and get stuck under our windshield wipers.

But each season offers its own beauty

and nuance.

Autumn is the most colorful, the most calming, the most serene and heavenly.

The best part is that appreciating it doesn’t cost a dime.

It is indeed true that the best things in life are free.

The moon, the stars, the trees, the flowers, the birds, even the grass is a sight for all to admire, all to enjoy.

So let’s step outside of our routine, outside of our carefully planned lives.

It doesn’t take long to pause and enjoy the natural world we often let slip by.

Let’s embrace the psychogeography of our structured environments and wander off that stone path.

What’s preventing us from stepping off the guided cement path and onto the cool grass?

Let’s view the world from a new lens.

It is a beauty a camera cannot capture.

It is a sensation a video game fails to replace.

It is something so many of us are blind to when we have perfect vision.

This article will only remain relevant for a few weeks, for soon the trees will be bare and the weather bitter cold.

So keep this in mind as October marches on.

Come November, the winter weather will be upon us, and then it will be too late.

In a fleeting moment, autumn will be gone and the world will become cold, gray and white.

People who ghost their dates are selfish Emily Burke Reporter Psychology erburke1@svsu.edu

We live in a world where it is very easy to seemingly drop off the face of the Earth if you don’t want to talk to someone, whether it’s unadding, blocking, or simply ignoring messages.

Regardless of the method, the majority of us have done it.

Ghosting has become very common and even somewhat acceptable.

However, a lot of people don’t realize that being upfront instead of disappearing without a trace is actually

a more respectable method to parting ways.

“But I don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings by telling them I don’t like them like that.”

Okay, but ghosting will make the person wonder what they did wrong.

Why you decided to just stop talking to them.

Why you didn’t respect them enough to give an explanation.

You’re doing more harm than not trying to preserve someone’s feelings.

“But it’s awkward...”

You know what else is awkward?

Waiting for someone you thought you hit it off with to reply to you.

Then seeing that you’re now no longer

able to message this person until they add you back.

Ouch.

Whether it’s a misperceived idea of someone else’s fragility or the avoidance of a non-desirable situation, people deserve respect.

I’ve been on both sides.

However, from personally feeling the hurt of being ghosted, I no longer just vanish into the darkness when I am no longer interested in someone.

All ghosting does is create more issues.

The ghostee is left with uncertainty and lack of closure.

The ghoster is now seen as a jerk. And guess what?

If you ever see the person you ghosted again, you just created an even more

awkward situation than if you were just honest.

Sometimes those silly little phrases they taught us in elementary school actually reign true.

“Honesty is the best policy.”

People tend to underestimate the resiliency of others.

Being given all the information and knowing that you did all you could do, allows one to move on from a situation.

It allows them to move on quicker than if they are only left with scenarios and reasons made up in their minds in an effort to rationalize the actions of the other person.

We need to give each other more credit, as well as check ourselves for being selfish.

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Sports

The Valley Vanguard | thevalleyvanguard.com | Monday, Oct. 11, 2021 | Page A5

Volleyball defeats Grand Valley State 3-1 Denver Milam

O

Vanguard Sports Editor

n Oct. 8 the Cardinals continued its season with a Great Lakes Intercollegiate Conference (GLIAC) matchup with GLIAC South Division leader Ferris State.

During the first set of the match SVSU was able to record 15 kills compared to the 14 kills from Ferris State.

Ferris State only committed one error on attack in the set compared to the 6 SVSU had, allowing them to take the first set 25-23.

In the second set Saginaw Valley was able to take a 9-5 lead, but two runs of five-plus points for the Bulldogs allowed them to take the lead and finish the set up 25-18.

After a back and forth start to the third set Ferris State was able to pull away late with a five-point run.

SVSU was unable to come back and fell by a score of 25-21, being swept in the three sets.

Senior outside hitter Maria Vukaj and sophomore hitter Rylee Zimmer led the Cardinals with nine kills during the three matches, followed by freshman outside hitter Sarah Veale who had eight.

Saginaw Valley also combined for 62 digs in the match led again by Vukaj

who had 17 along with sophomore hitter Peyton Gerstacker and freshman defensive specialist Kelsey Vittitow who both ended up in double digits.

On Oct. 9 SVSU faced another GLIAC opponent at home as Grand Valley State traveled to University Center.

Grand Valley got off to a good start by taking the first set from SVSU by a score of 25-18. After being down 16-14 the Lakers were able to take a 20-16 lead before finishing off the set with a win.

In the second set both teams went back and forth scoring points until they were tied at 20. After Grand Valley took a 22-20 lead, SVSU was able to tie the set again.

Following a GV point, SVSU went on a three-point run to win the set 25-23.

During the third set both teams again were tied late.

SVSU was able to score five of the final seven points to defeat the Lakers 25-21.

In the final set the Cardinals used an early four-point run to put the Lakers down and never looked back as they held off a late comeback 25-19, defeating the Lakers in four sets.

Veale and Vukaj reached double digit kills for the Cardinals while Vittitow, Vukaj, Gerstacker and freshman defensive specialist Caitlinn Pistro were able to record double digit digs.

SVSU currently sits at fourth place in

Junior rightside hitter Peyton Gerstacker (right) and senior outside hitter Haley Clum (left) defend against Grand Valley State this last Saturday. Vanguard Photographer | Vincent Ford

the GLIAC North Division with a record of 10-4 this season.

Saginaw Valley will play two regional

crossover games over the course of the next week, with both opponents and locations to be announced.

Women’s golf prevails Men’s golf places seventh Rebekah Williams Vanguard Reporter

SVSU Women’s golf placed 12th at the threeround William Beall Fall Classic on Oct. 4 and Oct. 5 in Findlay, Ohio.

Findlay University hosted the Classic where Barry University, located in Miami-Dade County, beat out its competitors.

SVSU took 12th finishing just behind Northwood University by 11 points.

The team of five, freshman Rachael Krieger, freshman Brook Herbstreit, freshman Megan Thiravong, sophomore Mandy Ehrlich, and Senior Emily O’Brien, competed for SVSU at the meet.

This was a change in line up for the cardinals from their previous meet with Krieger, Herbstreit, Thiravong, freshman Amanda Enrlich and freshman Megan Kozlowski.

The leader for the Cardinals was Thiravong who tied for 15th, scoring 77 in rounds one and two and 73 in the final round, totaling 227.

Herbstreit finished in 45th place, scoring 79 in round one, 78 in round two and 76 in round three. Giving a final score of 236, only nine above Thiravong.

Close behind, O’Brien finished with a score of 237 landing in 47th place overall. She scored 79 in the first round, 78 in the second round, and 80 in the third round.

Ehrlich scored 81 in the first round, 78 in the second round, and 80 in the third round, totaling 237.

Krieger only competed in the first round of the Classic where she scored 82.

The Women’s Golf team continues its season at the Tiffin University in Tiffin Ohio for their Fall Invitational at the Mohawk Country Club on Oct. 11.

Rebekah Williams Vanguard Reporter

SVSU Men’s golf placed seventh at the three-round Kyle Ryman Memorial hosted on Oct. 4 and 5.

SVSU finished in seventh with 877 behind Malone University who scored 874.

Tiffin University hosted the meet where Wayne State University won with a score of 855.

SVSU competed with five golfers, senior Nicklaus Bailey, freshman Joey Per, junior Connor Jakacki, sophomore Jiseung Choi, and Junior Brendon Gouin.

Leading the Cardinals was Bailey and Per who tied for 13th place with 216 points each.

Bailey scored 72 in the first round, 70 in the second round and 74 in the third round.

Per scored 78 in the first round, 67 in the second round and 71 in the third round.

Jakacki tied for 36th place, scoring 71 in the first round, 75 in the second and 79 in the third totaling 221.

Choi and Gouin placed close together, Choi taking 60th and Gouin tying for 61st.

They scored 74 in the first round and 79 in the third round, but in the second round, Choi scored 75 and Gouin scored 76.

The team will continue their season at the Motor City Invite at TPC Michigan in Dearborn MI. This event is the second to last the tea will play in this season.

It will be hosted by Wayne State University take place on Oct. 10 and 11.

Cardinals win with overtime touchdown Denver Milam Vanguard Sports Editor

A week after losing to Grand Valley in the annual Battle of the Valleys football game, the Saginaw Valley football team headed to Texas to face the Texas A&M Commerce Lions.

Halfway through the first quarter SVSU was able to get on the board after a oneyard touchdown run by redshirt freshman quarterback Colby Newburg. Junior kicker Connor Luksic was successful on the point after attempt giving the Cardinals a 7-0 lead.

Texas A&M Commerce had the only

other score of the first half as they converted a field goal with 7:03 left in the second quarter.

SVSU carried the 7-3 lead into halftime looking to improve their record to 3-3 on the season.

Junior defensive lineman Nathan Talakai got pressure on the Texas A&M quarterback and forced his pass to be intercepted by junior defensive back Nick Whiteside.

Whiteside returned the interception 74 yards to a touchdown giving the Cardinals a 14-3 lead following a successful extra point kick by Connor Luksic.

At the start of the fourth quarter the Lions were able to score a touchdown and

complete the two-point conversion attempt successfully to close the gap by a score of 14-11.

Saginaw Valley’s defense shut down the Lions goal line attempt inside of six minutes when sophomore defensive back Michael Woolridge was able to recover a fumble.

After the Cardinal offense was unable to score, the Lions got the ball back and were able to score a field goal with no time left on the clock forcing overtime with both teams at 14 points.

In college football both teams get an opportunity to score regardless of the first team’s possession outcome.

Saginaw Valley won the coin toss and

elected to play defense forcing Texas A&M to play offense first.

Texas A&M started their drive at the 25yard line and the Cardinals were able to hold the Lions to a field goal taking a 17-14 lead.

On the subsequent Cardinals possession senior running back Tommy Scott rushed twice for 14 yards and scoring the winning touchdown.

Following this 20-17 win the Cardinals will play their homecoming game on Oct. 16 against Northwood University still looking for their first win in Great Lakes Intercollegiate Conference (GLIAC) play this season.

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Sports Editor Denver Milam | E-mail dtmilam@svsu.edu | Office 989-964-4482 | Instagram @TheValleyVanguard 110A Curtiss Hall

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Sports

Page A6 | Monday, Oct. 11, 2021 | thevalleyvanguard.com | The Valley Vanguard

(Left) Junior Nicole Johnson lines up for a forehand hit in a doubles match. (Right) Johnson (left) and junior Sara Neves (right) talk strategy. Vanguard Photographer | Vincent Ford

Tennis closes the season with losses acknowledged.

“I thought our freshmen did very well this past weekend – with Elizabeth Stuart, Andrea Teofilovic, and Alexis Anthes sweeping their singles matches on Saturday, and then Stuart teaming with junior Chelsea Dzenga at 2 Doubles for a nice win on Saturday,” he said Saturday’s home contest against Cornerstone ended in a 4-3 loss, while the next day’s matchup at Hillsdale brought a 6-1 loss. Beyond the loss, Sunday also brought several small victories for SVSU. “… Anthes teamed with Emma Charlton at 3 doubles for a nice win on Sunday,” he said. “Freshman Irene Latorre Barreiro also battled in her singles match on Sunday taking a very good Hillsdale player to a third set tiebreaker. We definitely see a bright future for this team.”

Going into the final weekend of the fall season, Ruzziconi said that both Walsh and

Sadie Shepherd

A

Vanguard Reporter

fter suffering losses against Cornerstone and Hillsdale on Oct. 3 and 4, the SVSU women’s tennis team had just two matchups left before ending the fall season.

Coach Ryan Ruzziconi said that the weekend’s defeats were simply part of the process on the road to success.

“Overall, I thought it could have been better, but those are the growing pains of a team,” he said. “Where we fell short was in our doubles play in both matches this weekend, as not winning the crucial doubles point means there is more pressure on our singles play. So that will continue to be a point of emphasis the rest of the Fall season.”

While finding room for growth, Ruzziconi also found many strengths to be

SVSU Military Student Affairs invites you to help celebrate Veterans Day by joining us in participating in the

Findlay would be worthy competition.

“They are both quality tennis programs,” he said. “Walsh was one of the top teams in the GMAC last season so they will be tough.”

SVSU ended up losing 6-1 to Walsh in the home matchup on Oct. 8.

The Cardinals managed to take the No. 3 singles matchup, with junior Sara Neves winning in a third-set tiebreaker. Walsh swept the five remaining singles matches and all three doubles matches.

Based on experience, Ruzziconi knew that Saturday’s faceoff against Findlay would prove similarly difficult.

“We played Findlay this past spring in Ohio, and we were very competitive with them, so I expect a close match,” he said.

SVSU ended up on the losing end of a 6-1 match once again dropping to Findlay at home on Oct. 9.

Senior Nicole Johnson took the No. 4

Weather cancels women’s soccer Denver Milam Vanguard Sports Editor

SVSU’s women’s soccer team was not able to finish either of its matches this week due to weather conditions.

On Oct. 3 Saginaw Valley headed to Illinois to face Purdue Northwest for their first matchup this season in a Great Lakes Intercollegiate Conference (GLIAC) battle.

In the first half the Cardinals were able to shut out Purdue Northwest while carrying a lead into halftime.

20 minutes into the second half the weather became too much of a factor for the game to continue.

SVSU was holding onto a 5-0 lead when lightning struck near the field.

Officials decided to call the game at that time.

Saginaw Valley’s second game of the week

Topic: 200-words or less essay

about “What Veterans Day means to me”.

singles match point, winning in a tiebreaker like Neves the day before.

As the team begins a several months hiatus from collegiate competition, Ruzziconi says his hopes are still high for the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) season.

“My goals and expectations for this team when the GLIAC season begins in March have not changed,” he said. “Our team is almost exactly where I thought they would be from a win/loss perspective and team development perspective in the fall. While we clearly have work to do over the next couple of months to prepare for the GLIAC schedule, I am very happy with the steps we are taking as a team and a program. It’s a process, it’s not always fast, but we are on the path to building a contender here.”

Matches will resume on Mar. 18, 2022, when SVSU hosts Northwood beginning the GLIAC conference season.

came on Oct. 8 at Northwood University in Midland.

SVSU was able to score one goal in the first half while shutting out the Timberwolves to that point.

Due to rain and other weather factors during the week the field was deemed to be in too bad of condition to continue the game.

Officials made the decision to call the game during the halftime break with Saginaw Valley holding its 1-0 lead.

SVSU has started its season at 6-1-1 so far this season.

With both of the last two games being postponed, neither has currently been factored into the season record.

As of now neither game has a date to be completed.

SVSU continued its season on Oct. 10 at GLIAC foe Ferris State and will face Grand Valley State University on Oct. 15.

First Prize: $100 Second Prize: $75 Third Prize: $50

All essays MUST be submitted by 12:00pm on October 31, 2021

The essay contest is sponsored by Military Student Affairs in collaboration with the SVSU Writing Center. The contest winner will be presented their award at the Veterans Day Celebration on November 11, 2021 at 2:00pm.

Veterans day is a federal holiday observed each year in the US on November 11th. The holiday was created to honor all those who have served in the United States Armed Forces.

Scan to submit Essay: Or go to:

https://bit.ly/2YbP6PT

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