All In with Allison – Champ Szn

Written By Allison Schubert, Sports Columnist

While the basketball seasons are undoubtedly my favorite, I do have a close second: championship season.

You know, that time of year when playoffs are happening and championships are being won? Yeah, that one.

For the entire semester, the sports section has been bringing you coverage of the men’s and women’s soccer teams, the volleyball team and the cross country teams.

I am proud to say that all of these teams have advanced to the postseason (with the exception of men’s soccer, but they would have if the ban were lifted).

The men’s soccer team finished the year 15-3, and although they are ineligible for River States Conference (RSC) playoffs, there is still a chance for them to grab an at-large bid to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) tournament. We find out about that at the end of the RSC championship, so hopefully within the next week or so.

On the women’s side of things, the Pioneers just solidified their spot in the RSC Semifinals after defeating No. 4 WVU Tech on Saturday 2-0. Point Park grasped the No. 5 spot after late victories and the sudden closure of Cincinnati Christian two weeks ago.

The women’s soccer team will head to No.1 Asbury on Wednesday for a chance at the RSC Championship, a title the team clinched in both 2015 and 2017 most recently.

The volleyball team has been suffering from the quarterfinal curse recently – that is, they have not been able to make it past the RSC Quarterfinals for the past few seasons.

Hoping to change that this year, the Pioneers clinched the No. 1 seed in the RSC East division, which means they get to host the tournament this year.

The volleyball team will be hosting the No. 4 seed out of the West, Asbury, on Friday (so go and support them to help break the quarterfinal curse!!!!).

Finally, the cross country teams.

The men’s cross country team finished their season as the RSC runners-up, getting second in the RSC championship race behind the defending champ, WVU Tech.

Senior Xavier Stephens and sophomore Brody Carlin both ran away with All-RSC First Team honors, and three other Pioneers were honored with All-RSC Second Team placements. Senior Carlos Polanco was recognized as Point Park’s Champion of Character.

Last, but certainly not least, the women’s cross country team. The women completed the hattrick of RSC Championships, clinching their third-straight RSC win in a row.

Sophomore Alyssa Campbell placed first overall, earning the title of RSC Women’s Cross Country Runner of the Year. Campbell, along with junior Reba Bartram and sophomore Alyssa Frausto were the three Pioneers chosen for the All-RSC First Team.

Even coach Jim Spisak walked away with honors, taking home the RSC Women’s Cross Country Coach of the Year award for himself.