Jonathan Sharpe
    Staff Writer

With classes kicking into full swing this week, everyone will be looking for study breaks throughout the semester in an attempt to stay sane through it all. And one of the best outlets to relieve stress is athletic competition, either playing or watching, but in this case, viewing. With 11 sports kicking off this semester, here’s a look at what’s to come from UNCG’s sports this fall that you should be on the lookout for.

The Women’s Volleyball team will look to keep their momentum going after reaching the conference tournament semifinals last year. The Lady Spartans boasted a three seed going into the tournament last year in part thanks to a 10-4 record on their home court during the regular season under first year head coach, Corey Carlin. The team returns nine players from last year, and will begin their hopes of a greater run this season on August 28 versus Liberty.

The Men’s Cross Country team will compete in seven events prior to their conference tournament on Halloween. With four freshmen joining a veteran-heavy roster, UNCG will look to build on their performance from last season as they face some of the best teams in the state as they begin their year on Sept. 4 at Elon.

With almost half of its roster comprised of freshmen, the Women’s Cross Country team will look build a foundation that will not only improve from year, but for years to come. With seven events prior to their conference tournament as well, the Lady Spartans will look to gain experience throughout the season prior to their October conference tournament in Louisville, Kentucky.

After a solid season last year that saw them take second place in the conference tournament, Men’s Golf will look to avenge a tough playoff loss against East Tennessee State (ETSU) and take the title this year. The Spartans return five players from last season’s squad and welcome a few new faces in hopes of hoisting the trophy at Pinehurst #9 in April.

The Women’s Golf team will return five players this year and add two new faces as they look to use the experience of last year’s seventh place finish to build upon their program. The Lady Spartans’ schedule includes a home match at the area course, Forest Oaks, beginning October 2.

The Men’s Soccer team returns two of its three leading goal scorers this year after a 5-4-1 conference record led them to the conference semifinals last season. UNCG will look to improve their non-conference record this season, after a year where they only won one non-conference match, as they hope to continue the momentum that earned them a hard fought victory over ETSU in last year’s Southern Conference Tournament.

After a solid season in conference play last year, the Women’s Soccer team will look to rebound from a disappointing loss in the conference quarterfinals last season. The Lady Spartans return two of their three leading goal scorers this season as they look to advance further in the conference tournament this year and will look to continue the type of play which earned them a 7-1 win over Pfeiffer last weekend.

The Men’s Tennis team returns eight of their players from a squad last season that boasted an 8-3 home record. The Spartans will surely miss All-Conference member Randy Phillips who graduated, but have the talent to improve their 3-4 conference record from last year following a loss in the quarterfinals of the conference tournament.

Despite a disappointing road record last season, the Women’s Tennis team went 7-1 at home last year en route to a quarterfinal loss in the conference tournament. With seven returning players, the Lady Spartans will look to capitalize on experience to better their away record which was a dreadful 1-10.

Following a season that saw the Men’s Basketball team ousted by the number one seed Wofford in the conference tournament, UNCG return four of their top five scorers this season as they look to improve in conference play after a 2014-15 campaign which saw a 11-22 conference record.

The Women’s Basketball team will look to improve on a disappointing season in conference play last year that culminated in a quarterfinal loss to nationally ranked Chattanooga in the conference tournament. The Lady Spartans return three of their four top scorers from last season as they look to rebound this season.