Well, it?s that time of year again. The semester is winding down, finals are glaring at you in the face and team report cards are due. Each student pays $45 a semester toward the athletic program, so read up.

Men?s Soccer: The 2001 season was a real break-out year for the squad, which was led by Division I All-Far West second team selection Sean Luigs. The senior forward helped lead the team to its first postseason appearance since joining Division I in 1991, and its first regular-season conference title. The Hornets finished the season 5-9-4, their best mark since joining the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation in 1992.

Luigs was not alone in receiving postseason accolades. Teammates Joel Rodriguez and Hjalti Kristjansson were named second-team all conference, while David Fraser, Jason Gantt and freshman defender Marcos Mercado were named honorable mention. All except senior defender Gantt and Luigs are scheduled to return next year.

In addition, head coach Michael Linenberger was named MPSF Coach of the Year after leading the Hornets to a school-best 4-1-2 conference mark. And with the return of most of the key contributors, the Hornets should be in good shape to defend the crown this time and do some damage in next year?s postseason tournament. GRADE: B +

Volleyball: Coach Debby Colberg collected Coach of the Year honors for the fourth time in five years and put together another solid season, adding another regular-season Big Sky Championship trophy on the mantle. The team has now won five regular-season crowns in a row. Led by Big Sky MVP Tasman Dwyer, the Hornets finished 20-9 overall and 12-2 in conference play. Their sweet season ended on a bitter note after losing to Eastern Washington University at home in the Big Sky Tournament. Then they were snubbed by the NCAA Tournament selection committee.

Joining Dwyer on the All-Conference first team was Lisa Beauchene, with second-team selection Jayme Wright, and honorable mentions Alison Gahr and Kazmiera Imrie joining the fold. Olivia Thomas was also recognized as the conference?s best defensive specialist.

The Hornets will need to fill the gaping holes left by graduating seniors Dwyer, Gahr and Kelly Voeltz. GRADE: B +

Women?s Soccer: Lisa Wrightsman, a junior from Elk Grove, led the Hornets in scoring with nine goals and 21 points overall. The forward helped her team to its second consecutive post-season bid and was awarded unanimous first-team all conference honors for the second time in her career.

The Hornets posted a 5-11-2 record overall and received a No. 4 seed in the post-season tournament. Sophomore goalkeeper Amy Seely showcased her skills between the posts by stopping numerous shots and keeping her team close. The core is set with Wrightsman and Seely for next season, and the steady improvement should continue. GRADE: B-

Cross Country: The men?s team finished sixth while the ladies hobbled their way to eighth place in the Big Sky Championships in Cheney, Wash. Those marks could and probably should have been better, but both teams were missing several of their top harriers for most of the season. GRADE: Incomplete

Football: Ouch! Finishing the season with eight-straight losses including a 43-0 mugging by rival University of California, Davis, and a 49-36 loss to a now defunct California State University, Northridge, program. The Hornets need some work. The team was hit with injuries and is relatively young, but a disappointment nonetheless.

Yet, a few positives to note are that many contributing players are young and will only get better. The emergence of freshman quarterback Ryan Leadingham and sophomore safety Camron Mbewa has set the bar for the future of Sac State?s program. “Lead” played in meaningful games and gained valuable experience.

Mbewa, a physical safety that was selected first-team All Conference, led his team with 88 tackles and had two interceptions. Senior center Terrence Wagner finished his great Hornet career by receiving second-team honors, starting all 44 games in his career. Juniors Park McAllister and Brandon Coleman also received second team honors.

Though 2-9 overall and 1-6 in conference play is definitely a step backward, with the Hornets? corps of young receivers and the aforementioned players, the future is not as dim as one might think. A running game and defensive-line depth are a must. GRADE: D+