MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Third-ranked West Virginia defeated Great American Rifle Conference (GARC) foe No. 11 Memphis 4,690-4,655 on Saturday.
The Mountaineers (8-0, 6-0 GARC) won both guns, outshooting the Tigers (5-7, 2-3 GARC) 2,321-2,317 in smallbore and 2,369-2,338 in air rifle, their second-highest score in the gun this season.
“Today was a solid day,” coach Jon Hammond said. “We didn’t match the scores from yesterday, but we were on the road for back-to-back matches, and that’s hard. I’m really pleased with today.”
Junior Ziva Dvorsak won both guns on Saturday in her third match as a Mountaineer. Pacing the team in smallbore for the second time this season, she shot a 588 mark against the Tigers.
Dvorsak tied with junior Maren Prediger in air rifle (596) for the win, one shot short of the newcomer’s career high.
“We concentrated on improving in both guns,” Hammond said. “Ziva has had an impact in both and has definitely helped in air rifle.”
Senior Daniel Sojka came in third in smallbore, shooting a season-high 584. Sophomores Patrick Sunderman (581) and Garrett Spurgeon (580) placed fourth and fifth, respectively. Junior Meelis Kiisk placed seventh with 578, while classmate Thomas Kyanko scored 575.
Memphis’ Dan Hermsmeier took second in smallbore with a 586 shot, while Amy Fister placed sixth (579).
In air rifle, Spurgeon placed third, shooting 594 for the second consecutive match, and matching his season and career highs.
“For Garrett to shoot 594 back to back and set a new career high, that’s always big,” Hammond said. “I’m really proud of him for that.”
Sunderman shot a season- and career-high 591 in the discipline, good enough for fifth place. Kiisk finished with a 583 mark, while Kyanko shot 580.
Beth Lee paced the Tigers in air rifle with a fourth-place 593 score.
Dvorsak, Spurgeon, Kiisk, Kyanko and Prediger comprised the Mountaineers’ counting squad.
Saturday’s win improves the Mountaineers to 8-2 all-time against the Tigers.
“It was a challenge two days in a row, but I am satisfied overall,” Hammond said. “Now we have some good momentum. Every match is a big match from here on out, and we need to keep the intensity up for every one of them.”
