Senior Meagan DiCave of the Lady Marlin Lacrosse team is currently the leading scorer in all divisions. With 64 goals and 53 assists scored throughout 16 games, DiCave has tallied 117 points to lead the nation with an average of 7.3 points per game. DiCave was a third-team All-American in 2000 and for the past two years she has been honored as a first-team regional All-American. She has also been awarded ODAC Athlete of the Week three times this season.

"Everything I have achieved this year I owe to these girls…I am really proud of my girls and I admire their heart and hard work," said DiCave. "I would never have been able to do anything without them." In addition to DiCave's accomplishments, the Marlins, as a whole, have set school records for consecutive wins (5) and for victories (9), breaking the old mark of eight set in 2000. "We have all really come together as one whole unit, both on and off the field," said DiCave. "The older girls are helping the younger girls and the younger girls are getting better day by day…it is truly amazing. I mean you can see it from the sidelines, we are really gelling as a team."

Earlier this season, DiCave also set the ODAC record for career assists. She has 169, surpassing the former mark of 109 set by Bridgewater's Amy Rafalski in 1998. She has also recorded 364 points in her career so far, topping Randolph Macon College's Alison Smith who totaled 360 from 1993-96. DiCave is merely three assists shy of topping her own ODAC single-season record of 56, set in 2000. "It has been an incredible year for me…it was an honor to be on this team," said DiCave. "These girls have become my family and I love what we have become and what we have accomplished!"

The Marlins ended their golf season at Fincastle Country Club in Bluefield, Va, with an eighth place finish in the ODAC tournament on April 23. They were in fifth place after the first day of competition with an overall team score of 313. The second day resulted in score of 324, making the combined total of 637an all-time low in ODAC competition for the Marlins. Sophomore Larry Antinozzi had the lowest score with a 76 on the first day of play, followed by freshman Justin Beavers who carded a season best of 77. Antinozzi, Beavers, freshmen Mike Hessler and Cole Herrington were among the top 30 of 52 participants.

Marks expected the team would finish eighth at the tournament. “The guys are more confident in tournaments," said Marks. He believed his team has something to prove. "I hoped our guys would go into the tournament with a sense of urgency and prove something," he said. "Golf is competitive in the ODAC," said Marks. Guilford College and Washington & Lee University were expected to be among the tough opponents that the Marlins had to face. Guilford finished first with W&L right behind at second.

Overall, Marks believes that the team has come a long way in the past year, and that such changes can be seen in comparison with last year. "It's more enjoyable and more competitive," he said. "We went into every match thinking we can win." With a lot of returners from such a young team, Marks is looking for the trend of improvement to carry into next year, resulting in lower scores and, after their showing at the ODAC tournament, a higher ranking. "With that type of growth, it's only going to get better each year."

The men's baseball season is slowly coming to a close, however, if you ask any of the players they believe it has only just begun. "We are a completely different team from when we first played them in the beginning of the season," said transfer catcher Mike Supa. The last game played before ODAC's was a make up game against Hampden-Sydney on April 17. The Marlins crushed the Tigers 15-3 and scored eleven runs in the first two innings and never looked back from there. The last five games have been very uplifting for the Marlins. They have gone 4-1. They had a huge win over the eighth place team in the nation, Salisbury State University, 11-6.

"All season is really just practice for ODAC's," said freshman Colin Roberson. "The big games are now coming into the picture and I think we are both mentally and physically prepared." The Marlin's record is currently 22-16 overall and 11-5 in the ODAC. They are currently ranked third in the ODAC going into the tournament this weekend in Salem, Va. "The team feels very confident right now," stated senior Casey Ireland. "We are playing well right now and feel even better about our position going into the tournament."

The men will be opening up with a game against second place seed ODAC rival Guilford College who is 12-4. Previously this season the Marlins split with the Quakers winning 9-8 and then losing 7-2. The first place seed is Bridgewater College. The Marlins also split with the Eagles winning 8-6 and then losing a tough one 6-5. The fourth place seed is Eastern Mennonite University. The Marlins also split with the Royals winning 6-3 and losing 0-3. "Obviously we have proved that rankings aren't all they are cracked up to be," said Adams. "We can beat anybody." All four of the top teams will be ready to battle in the ODAC playoffs this weekend.

Men’s tennis places last in tournament

Tomasheski ties with Hampden-Syndney for third at No. 1 singles

By CARLOS MARTILLO

The Marlins finished tenth in the ODAC tournament in Lynchburg on April 20 and 21. Tomasheski lost his first match of the season to Lynchburg the day before the conference tournament resulting in a fourth seed. However, he tied for third overall. "The day before I lost a close match but he (Lynchburg's James Garvin) played really well" said junior Tomasheski. "It hurt me going into the tournament, giving me a higher seed." Tomasheski finished the season 17-3 raising his career record to 46-13.

First year player Orrin Oles finished ninth at the No. 2 spot. "I ended up losing to this kid I played earlier in the year, working hard pays off at the end," said Oles. At No. 3, sophomore Jason Wood finished tenth, unable to win any of his matches. " I just wasn't playing good tennis," said Wood. Also finishing ninth was No. 5 senior Mike Touhill.

In double play, No. 1 Tomasheski/Oles and No. 3 Huy Hoang/Jae Park placed ninth. "We had a great group of guys and always had a good atmosphere," said Tomasheski.