Last week was full of Tiger athletic accomplishments, as two athletes were given NCAC Player of the Week awards. Junior Jacob Pezzuto, starting goalkeeper of the undefeated men's soccer team, earned the honor after recording three shutout victories against Franklin College, Earlham College and Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.
On the volleyball courts, sophomore Keely McGrath was given the Player of the Week award as the Tigers won the Mt. St. Joseph Charlie Wrublewski Tournament. McGrath had 73 digs, two set assists and five service aces over the three-game tournament stretch.
"It's fantastic. DePauw's an academically challenging school, yet there's 600 student athletes," Pezzuto said. "Two players [winning NCAC awards] in one week is a really good thing for the University... I think that's awesome."
The personal achievements of Pezzuto and McGrath are a sign of their respective teams success thus far this year. After a 3-0 victory against Principia College this weekend, the men's soccer team is now 7-0 to start the season. The seven-game win streak is the best start in DePauw history.
As for volleyball, the team is 9-1 for the season after this weekend's DePauw Invitational. The Tigers won four games at the Neal Fieldhouse on Friday and Saturday. They opened up the tournament beating Marietta College in four sets. McGrath led the team with 25 defensive digs in the contest.
The team is off to their best start since 2009, when they won 12 of their first 13 games. That team made it to the SCAC Semifinals at Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, where they suffered a defeat to Colorado College in five sets.
Pezzuto said that there can be negative effects of such a hot start for a team though, specifically the men's soccer program.
"The negative is to focus on the streak... They're talking about the best start in DePauw history," Pezzuto said. "It's only a third of the season, we can't get off our goal. You take it for what its worth. We can reflect at the end of the season."
Pezzuto reiterated his initial sentiments regarding last weeks awards, saying he wished it was a team award. Pezzuto referenced the low amount of shots opponents get against the Tigers' stern defense as a team effort.
In the Sept. 4 victory against Franklin College, the Tigers allowed three shots for the entire period, compared to their 21. The uneven ratio between their offensive opportunities and that of their opponents is one of the more important reasons for their historic start.
"We play a very disciplined and accountable defense," Pezzuto said. "You're in charge of a responsibility. It forces you to do your job to not give your teammates the burden...That comes from the entire teams ability to be disciplined."
Pezzuto said the Player of the Week award is the first of that kind in his athletic career.
"I've been on honor roll," Pezzuto said. "As far as athletics, that was my first award."
As for McGrath, her most recent award was one of many during her two seasons with the Tigers. In 2012, McGrath earned All-NCAC volleyball honors for the season. She was joined by three teammates, including fellow sophomore Faith Rolwes.
With the team's strong play last year and a solid first-year class, the 9-1 start is not a surprise by any means.
The Tigers' next matchup is tomorrow against Anderson. The game contest will be held at DePauw, and starts at 7 p.m.