Sports - The Spectrum

SPORTS

Setting the tone

By Tom Dinki | July 1, 2013

When the six senior volleyball players were deciding where to attend college three years ago, there was one trait about Buffalo that influenced their decision: Buffalo was an underdog. The desire to turn around a failing program and leave their own legacy is what attracted this class to Buffalo, and now with their final season looming, they have just one more year to take the Bulls to the top. The class - which consists of libero Kelly Svoboda, middle blocker Carissa McKenna, setter Dani Reinert and outside hitters Christine Fritsche, Dana Musil and Kaja Schirmer - has had their ups and downs through their first three seasons.

SPORTS

What can Quinn do for you?

By JON GAGNON | July 1, 2013

When Jeff Quinn was brought in to be the head coach of UB's football team in 2009, he was expected to do better than 9-27 through his first three seasons. Despite Quinn's below-average start with his new program, first-year Athletic Director Danny White saw fit to give Quinn a five-year contract extension through 2017 - a highly debated decision on campus and in the Buffalo area. "You look at the record and that's certainly not what we expected," Quinn said.

SPORTS

Baseball sets tone for UB Athletics

By BEN TARHAN | July 1, 2013

As a writer who covers UB sports, I've gotten used to writing about teams that lose. There is always a point in the semester when I think I have run out of creative ways to make a losing team interesting. The baseball team gave us all a nice change of pace this spring. For a school that doesn't have much history of winning, the perennially basement-dwelling baseball team was not the first place to look. A year after making their first ever Mid-American Conference Tournament, the Bulls were chosen to finish in the bottom of the conference in 2013. Even when the Bulls started conference play with a winning record, it was chalked up to a weak non-conference schedule. Then something amazing happened.

SPORTS

Three to get ready

By JON GAGNON | July 1, 2013

A handful of players on the football team are approaching unprecedented territory in their final season at Buffalo.

SPORTS

2012-13 Athletics Year in Review: A coaching carousel

By OWEN O'BRIEN | July 1, 2013

Describing Buffalo's 2012-13 athletic season in one word is a daunting task. It's much simpler to reflect on a key position throughout the Bulls' major sports - head coaches. The year included a questionable head coach extension and a firing three others, a successful rookie campaign and a Mid-American Conference Coach of the Year. A new contract for head football coach Jeff Quinn was a decision some in the community questioned.

SPORTS

Changing a culture

By OWEN O'BRIEN | July 1, 2013

As a sixth grader, Michael Thomas found himself as the last line of defense between a former professional soccer player and the net while goalkeeping in his 18-year-old brother's men's league game. A shot was fired directly at him.

SPORTS

Most successful UB baseball season of all-time ends

By BEN TARHAN | May 29, 2013

The baseball team did what no one expected this season - winning 19 conference games and clinching the second seed in the Mid-American Conference - but could not fulfill its own expectations of winning a MAC championship. The Bulls (33-24, 19-7 MAC) took a surprising early exit last weekend at the MAC Tournament, taking their second loss of the tournament Friday to Toledo (25-33, 13-14 MAC), 4-1. After Buffalo lost its first game and won its second in the double-elimination tournament, the offense fell silent on day three. "The one thing I told them was: 'When we walk out of the park, we are going to walk out with our heads up high and be proud of what we accomplished this year,'" said head coach Ron Torgalski.

SPORTS

"Rain delays MAC Tournament, gives pitching staff needed rest"

By BEN TARHAN | May 24, 2013

Going into the Mid-American Conference tournament, head coach Ron Torgalski stressed the importance of the baseball team staying in the winners' bracket to avoid playing more games than necessary. The Bulls' (33-23, 19-7 MAC) pitching staff is not as deep as that of some other teams in the MAC, and Buffalo has relied heavily on five pitchers this season. The Bulls lost their opening game on Wednesday afternoon 12-10 to Toledo (23-31, 14-14 MAC) and, thus, fell out of the winners' bracket. Sophomore pitcher Anthony Magovney was roughed up, allowing four runs in four innings on seven hits and a walk. Freshman Ben Hartz and senior River McWilliams did not fare well, either, allowing eight runs combined, seven earned, in their five combined innings of work. UB's offense did its best to steal the game.

SPORTS

"Baseball narrowly misses 1 seed; Kanzler, Torgalski win awards"

By BEN TARHAN | May 21, 2013

The baseball team sat two outs from clinching its first-ever Mid-American Conference regular season title and the No.

SPORTS

"Baseball takes series from Miami Ohio, remains No. 1 in MAC"

By BEN TARHAN | May 14, 2013

The baseball team sits just three games away from history. After winning their eighth series in a row - upping their win total to 29, three shy of the overall school record - the Bulls (29-20, 17-6 Mid-American Conference) are just three games from clinching their first-ever MAC East title and the No.

SPORTS

Baseball falls one rally short of sweep

By BEN TARHAN | May 5, 2013

After two easy wins to start the weekend and with its ace on the mound Sunday, the baseball team appeared to be in a good position to sweep its third straight conference series. But uncharacteristic poor defense and wild pitching gave underdog Ohio (12-33, 7-14 Mid-American Conference) two leads late in the game, and although the Bulls (26-18, 15-5 MAC) rallied from behind twice earlier in the game, they could not overcome the final deficit.

SPORTS

The Specty's

Apr. 28, 2013

As voted on by the fans Athlete of the year: Khalil Mack and Mike Burke (tie) The polling for athlete of the year ended in a tie between junior linebacker Khalil Mack and junior pitcher/shortstop Mike Burke.

SPORTS

Two Bulls headed to Tampa Bay following NFL Draft

By JOE KONZE JR | Apr. 28, 2013

On the third and final day of the 2013 NFL Draft, graduating Bulls defensive end Steven Means was outside, enjoying the gorgeous, 68-degree Buffalo day. For weeks, he had been waiting for his name to scroll across the screen, anxious to see if he would have a future in professional football. And then his phone rang. "It was a crazy feeling," Means said.

SPORTS

Baseball sweeps Zips in rain-shortened series

By BEN TARHAN | Apr. 28, 2013

When sophomore pitcher Mike McGee was pulled in the bottom of the second inning in the series opener against Akron (9-31, 6-11 Mid-American Conference) on Friday night, the Bulls' streak of conference series-opening wins seemed to be very much in jeopardy. McGee allowed five runs in just an inning and two thirds and the Bulls (23-18, 13-4 MAC) trailed 5-1. But then Buffalo did what it has done all season.

SPORTS

Miles from home

By Tom Dinki | Apr. 25, 2013

Junior track star Miles Lewis might not have ever become UB's "top dog" if he hadn't accepted a challenge in middle school. A member of the track team challenged him to a race behind the school building.

SPORTS

Women's club rugby team on its way to Final Four

By JOE KONZE JR | Apr. 25, 2013

There is a row of 10 players holding rucking pads - blocking shields - ready to absorb a hit. Coach shouts "Fire" and 10 other players rush toward the bags. Thud, grunt.

SPORTS

On the road again

By BEN TARHAN | Apr. 25, 2013

A little more than halfway through its conference schedule, the baseball team has already matched the school record for conference wins. The Bulls (21-17, 11-4 Mid-American Conference) have catapulted into first place in the MAC East division after a sweep of defending MAC champion Kent State (20-20, 9-6 MAC) last weekend. This season has been full of firsts for head coach Ron Torgalski's squad.

SPORTS

Carving her future

By JOE KONZE JR | Apr. 23, 2013

Alexis White could not comprehend what the doctor had just told her. Her eyes were wide but her stare was blank.

SPORTS

Quarterback meets NFL

By Tom Dinki | Apr. 23, 2013

With graduation fast approaching - this issue of The Spectrum being its commencement issue - some seniors might be lamenting the end of their college lives and the uncertainty of what waits beyond it. One of the hardest aspects of leaving college, for some, might be losing a professor who has guided you every step of the way.

SPORTS

Breaking point

By BEN TARHAN | Apr. 23, 2013

The men's tennis team's season ended last season in the Mid-American Conference Tournament championship game to Western Michigan. This season, the Bulls have an opportunity to end the Broncos' run in the first round of the tournament. The Bulls (9-9, 3-2 MAC) have earned the No.