Editor’s note: This story was written by a staff member of The Independent, Clark College’s campus newspaper, as part of a collaboration with The Columbian called Voices From Clark College. It was published Wednesday in The Independent.
Like a parent reviewing his child’s report card, Clark College head volleyball coach Mark Dunn posted the results of the Sept. 17 Northwest Athletic Conference coaches’ poll in the O’Connell Sports Center locker room for all the players to see.
On it he wrote, “Are you satisfied with this?”
Dunn’s note was both a nudge to do better and a pat on the back.
Last year, only one of Clark’s fall sports teams was ranked in the NWAC coaches’ poll — the men’s soccer squad was third out of more than 20 teams.
This year, NWAC coaches ranked three Clark teams, meaning all three are considered among the top eight in the conference in their respective sports.
The poll ranked Clark’s volleyball team eighth out of 29 teams, the men’s soccer squad seventh out of 22 teams and the women’s soccer team fifth out of 27 teams.
The women’s soccer team has started with seven wins and three ties in its first 10 matches. The men’s followed two early losses with five straight wins followed by a tie and then another victory.
Athletic Director Ann Walker complimented all three teams.
She attributed the men’s struggles to injuries and the team adjusting to a new coach. Brett Jacobs was hired in April, replacing Biniam Afenegus who led the Penguins for eight years and is now at Southern Oregon University.
Not only is Jacobs new to Clark, but he is also new to the NWAC. He has coached international, MLS, collegiate, and youth soccer, returning to Portland as technical director of the Washington Timbers as well.
“It’s a two-year program, so you never know what’s coming in or out,” he said. “I don’t take a whole lot of stock in the polls, but it’s nice to be noticed.”
Dunn said his volleyball team’s positive record starts at home. “We’ve had close to 200 fans,” he said. “The support has been great.”
Although the stands have been fuller than years past, he hopes to see even more seats filled now that school has started.
Dunn said he thinks the talent of his mostly freshmen team deserves its top-eight ranking, but it will take some work on the fundamentals before they make it into the top five.
“Until we beat someone we’re not supposed to, we’re a top-eight team,” he said.
Women’s soccer coach Sean Janson agreed the polls don’t tell the whole story. He thinks the other divisions are more competitive than the one the Penguins are playing in now and that they don’t deserve to be ranked as high as they are.
Still, Janson said he and his team hope to stay undefeated when they face their toughest competition, Lane Community College, on Oct. 14 and 31.
“I don’t think Lane gets enough recognition,” Janson said.
Although Clark is in the South Division, the coaches’ poll is based on input from all NWAC teams. As of this week, the men’s soccer team is in first place in the South Division, the women’s team is in second place and the volleyball team is in fifth.
This is the first coaches’ poll of the fall sports season with two more coming later this month. Cross-country does not have a coaches’ poll.
