Balcomb

        A victory today at Akron would be the 100th at Xavier for coach Melanie Balcomb. Not that she's counting.

        “I had no idea,” she said.

        What's worth counting is the number of seasons it has taken: barely more than five. Laurie Massa, whom Balcomb will tie for second-most XU coaching victories, took 10 seasons to reach 100. The leader, Mark Ehlen, took nine seasons to get 122.

        “She turned the program around when she got here,” senior Nicole Levandusky said. “To get 100 that quick when you're just building a program is impressive.”

        For Levandusky and fellow seniors Taru Tuukkanen, Jennifer Phillips and Jennifer Parr, a win today would be their 75th. Bal comb is quick to suggest the players are responsible for much of the success.

        “It's never been about me,” Balcomb said.

        Counting her 28-26 mark in two seasons at Ashland (Ohio) University, Balcomb is 127-83. Her first two teams at XU went 25-30.

        Since then, XU has received national recognition. When it lost last week to Cincinnati, it fell from 19th to 21st in the Associated Press poll.

        XU (7-1) ranks seventh in the nation in field goal per centage (.503), sixth in 3-point shooting (.435) and fourth in made 3-pointers a game (8.0).

        Sophomore guard Reetta Piipari leads the nation with 10.4 assists a game.

        “Other than the Cincinnati game, we have executed well,” Balcomb said. “Our shot selection has been very good.”

        Akron (2-8) is the first of three games in the next two weeks for XU; Butler and Fordham are next. A big test comes Jan.6 at George Washington, in a game televised by ESPN2.

Xavier Stories

Muskies set to give Balcomb 100th XU win

McNabb says let Smith play
Undrafted Spearman year's pleasant surprise
Eagles vulnerable to run
UC 88, Clemson 80
UC first test for 9-0 Alabama
LB Evans a big hit for UC
Miami will have hands full at George Mason
UK has a lot riding on Indiana game
Promoters sue NCAA over basketball games
Cincinnati volleyball all-star team
Cincinnati boys cross country all-star team
Cincinnati girls cross country all-star team
Cincinnati's top wrestlers vie in coaches classic
Duo boosts Boone County
Mason names new football coach
Withrow's Jackson gets 300th win
Cincinnati boys basketball games
Cincinnati girls basketball games
N.Ky. boys basketball games
N.Ky. girls basketball games
Boys basketball schedule
Girls basketball schedule
Our Fearless Predictions for Cincinnati games
Our Fearless Predictions for N.Ky. games
Indiana boys basketball scores
Indiana girls basketball scores
Kentucky boys basketball scores
Kentucky girls basketball scores
Ohio boys basketball scores
Ohio girls basketball scores
Cincinnati high school results
N.Ky. high school results

• Return to Xavier front page...