Vikings looking to improve on early season struggles

Andy York

The Lawrence Vikings sports teams are struggling early this season. All the teams have gotten off to slow starts, and are looking to improve as the season continues. Every team has some impact players who are key in leading the Vikings to victories. We will take a look at them here.

The Viking football team has struggled out of the gate, but they look to improve on last season’s 1-7 conference record.

The Vikings lost their first game to non-conference opponent Wisconsin Lutheran College, 45-23. The Vikings were hurt by turnovers in the first game, with quarterback R.J. Rosenthal throwing two interceptions, and Jake VanDerStad throwing another.

One bright spot for LU was Justin Berrens’ rushing. He rushed for an amazing 222 yards on thirty-five carries for the Vikings. Berrens had another great day last week against Illinois College. He rushed for 169 yards on twenty-nine carries as the Vikings narrowly lost their conference opener, 21-17.

Illinois College scored the winning touchdown with twenty seconds remaining in the game to foil the Vikings’ victory.

This week the Vikings have their home opener against Knox College. The Vikings lost to Knox 44-23 last season on the road. The Vikings will have to stop Knox’s passing attack, something they have not done well in their previous two games. The game will be at 1:00 Saturday in the Banta Bowl.

The Viking cross-country team has also struggled early this season, but their opponents can be blamed for that. The Vikings have run against several nationally ranked teams.

The women’s team looked like they were regaining their form, taking fifth in the St. Norbert College Invitational. Val Curtis has been the women’s best runner so far, taking fourth at St. Norbert.

Paul Schonfeld has led the men, finishing near the top in both meets so far this season. Saturday both the men and the women will compete in the UW-Parkside Invitational.

The Vikings women’s tennis team has struggled early as well. The Vikings are off to a 1-4 start. Their only win came against MSOE by a score of 9-0. Liz Bullock has played well lately for the Vikings, winning her last two matches. The Vikings take on Ripon in their next match September 27.

The LU Volleyball team has gotten off the blocks slowly. They are 2-10 this season with wins over Manchester College and UW-Stevens Point. Lis Pollock, who is averaging 3.46 kills per game, has led the Vikings.

Brianna Feivor has been a force on the defensive end, averaging 3.83 digs per game. The Vikings’ next matches will be at the MWC Crossover Tournament next weekend.