TU athletes bring home honors

It's been a busy week of sports in the neighborhood of 11th and Harvard. The University of Tulsa sports schedule is in full swing with soccer, cross country, volleyball, tennis and football in progress to name a few. This week we look at some of the honors the members of those teams have brought home.

Hurricane soccer team members earn honors

The honors are rolling in for both the TU men's and women's soccer teams. Four women's players were named award winners, while three from the men's program received recognition according to reports this week.

Maddie Jones, a junior defender, was named to the Conference USA All-Academic First team. Sophomore midfielder Lexis Learmonth was named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District team. Jordan O'Brien, a midfielder, was named as the C-USA Freshman of the year. O'Brien was also named to the All-C-USA first team and All-Freshman team. Claire Nicholson, a freshman forward, was named to the All-C-USA team and C-USA All-Freshman team.  

Senior Ashley McInnes of the Hurricane men's team was named to the Top Drawer Soccer Team of the Week. McInnes kept TU in the race for the C-USA tournament with two goals, including the game-winner against FIU. Seniors Zach Nulisch and Chris Taylor joined McInnes on the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District team, making them eligible for selection to the Academic All-America team.

Tulsa volleyball receives first national ranking in school history

Things are going well for TU's women's volleyball team. The Golden Hurricane owns the nation's longest winning streak at 22 straight matches, which also ties the C-USA record for consecutive wins set by Louisville in 2004. Now, the Hurricane has broken into the rankings. The team debuted in the AVCA Division I Coaches Top 25 poll this week at number 25. 

"This was one of the main goals we had when we took over four years ago," said Head Coach Ed Allen. "I am thrilled for Tulsa and thrilled for Conference USA. We're excited to see what other goals we can achieve this year." 

Sophmores Jessica Adams and Jordan Clampitt were honored by C-USA, being named the Defensive Player of the Week and Setter of the Week respectively. The Golden Hurricane (23-2, 13-0 C-USA) will look to extend their winning streak this weekend as they play host to East Carolina and Marshall at the Reynolds Center. Friday's game with the Pirates is set for a 7 p.m. start while the Hurricane will take on the Herd at 1 p.m. on Sunday.

Cross country teams sweep C-USA championship

The TU cross country team's played host to the conference championship on Monday at Indian Springs Country Club in Broken Arrow, but they were not gracious enough hosts to allow the competition to win. The milestone marks just the third time in conference history that one university has captured both titles.

The women placed four runners in the top seven, with Paula Whiting leading the way in second. Jacqueline Fairchild and Katie Wright followed in third and fourth places respectively, while Melanie Cleland finished seventh. The title is their first conference championship. Wright was named outstanding senior.

The men brought home their second title in three years while placing three in the top seven. Justin Duncan finished fourth while Chris O'Hare grabbed sixth place and Carl Stones came in seventh. Coach Steve Gulley was named both men's and women's C-USA coach of the year.

In other University of Tulsa sports news, Sophomore Marcelo Arvelo of the men's tennis squad was named one of three C-USA athletes of the month for his efforts in October. Arvelo is the reinging conference freshman of the year and was named player of the week three times during his first season. 

Football standouts Damaris Johnson nabbed the C-USA special teams award while freshman Shawn Jackson earned defensive honors for their play during Tulsa's 28-27 win over Notre Dame last Saturday. Jackson has six tackles, one sack and one interception while Johnson gained 208 all-purpose yards including a punt return touchdown.