By Zack Ciboth, Sports Editor
Swim Dominates Salem in Season Opener
The UNC Pembroke women’s swim team opened up their season taking on the Salem Spirts on Saturday afternoon at the Sue Walsh Swimming Pool. The event had 14 different events in which the Braves finished first in every event in a dominant 216-17 win to open up the season 1-0.
Pepe Pugliese finished first in three events posting a time of (1:58.46) in the 200-yard Freestyle, (2:09.70) in the 200-yard Medley, and (2:22.53) in the 200-yard Breaststroke which broke a Sue Walsh Swimming Pool Facility Record previously held by fellow teammate Ketlyn Rodriguez Matos’ in the 200-yard Breaststroke. Britta Schwengle dominated and took first in the 200-yard Backstroke along with the 500 and 1000-yard Freestyle posting times of (2:11.95), (5:11.49), and (10:35.61).
Rodriguez Matos’ took home first in the 100-yard Breaststroke and the 100-yard Freestyle with times of (1:05.98) and (54.00). Katie Raleigh rounded out the top performances taking first in the 100 yard and 200 yard- Butterfly with times of (58.86) and (2:09.49).
The Braves next event will be a two-day event when they compete this Saturday in the King Invitational held at the Kingsport Aquatics Center In Bristol, Tennessee.
Braves Roll Past West Liberty
The UNC Pembroke Football team picked up a road win against the West Liberty Hilltoppers in Mountain East Conference action. The Braves used momentum from start to finish to come away with the 37-19 win Saturday afternoon in West Liberty, W.Va.
Colin Johnson finished with 11-for-24 passing attempts for a total of 180 passing yards and 60 yards rushing on 14 attempts. Diaz Alexander finished with 74 yards receiving, EJ Gatling followed with 59 yards rushing and Sincere Baines rushed on the ground for 96 yards on five carries and coming away with a touchdown. On the defensive side Justin Foreman and LaTrell Jewsome with eight tackles total each and Sean Hill had five tackles and interception returned for a touchdown in the win.
The Braves (2-2, 1-2 MEC) will return to action Saturday when they welcome Wheeling (3-1, 2-1 MEC) for a Noon kickoff.
Volleyball Sweeps Southern Wesleyan
The UNC Pembroke volleyball team got back on the winning track when they took on the Southern Wesleyan Warriors in a Conference Carolina’s road matchup. The Braves snapped a two-game skid picking up a 3-0 win Saturday afternoon (25-18,26-24,25-20).
Vanja Przulj led the way in kills finishing with 15 kills, one ace, and one block at the net. Emma Fraidenburg finished with eight kills, and two blocks at the net. Ruby Countryman had five kills , and one block on the afternoon and Abby Peduzzi had five kills and a block as well in the win
The Braves dropped to the North Greenville Crusaders 3-0 this past Friday (16-25,12-25,20-25).
The Braves (7-7, 2-2 CC) will continue their Conference Carolinas road slate when they travel to Wilson, NC for a match with the Barton Bulldogs (4-7, 0-3 CC). First serve is set for 7 p.m.