Sports

THE ORACLE: It's a new year and a new season. Whether you are a freshman, a transfer or even a returning student, you might be picking up this newspaper for the first time. Many of us complain about the lack of excitement and things to do on this campus and in this city. Well, here I am. And here I am to make the case for UC Irvine Athletics.

THE HYPOTHESIS: The sports program at UC Irvine is nuts.

SOCCER: Kate Berrini's hat-trick propells the Anteaters past Weber State 3-2 on Friday at Anteater Stadium.

ATHLETICS: Men's soccer, women's volleyball and men's water polo all record wins in the past week.

OLYMPICS: UCI men's volleyball coach John Speraw wins gold as an assistant coach amid tragedy and triumph.

Kate Berrini; Tanya Taylor; Matt Murphy; Spencer Thompson.

Volleyball: Women's team is tabbed to finish third in Big West, but is confident it can surpass past success.

THE ORACLE: This may be the year both the men's and women's soccer teams break out. There, I said it. This season should be when Scott Juniper's women's squad takes it to the next level, and George Kuntz's squad bounces back.

THE HYPOTHESIS: Ladies and gentlemen, our Saturdays have officially become better. Saturdays play host to college football throughout the country and we get to watch players and students put everything on the line in the name of their school colors.

Olympics: 10 Anteaters make their mark in Beijing, with one gold and five silver medals in their respective sports.

OLYMPICS: As fierce competition approaches, all eyes turn to China on the big issues.

THE ORACLE: "Everybody, come on! Stand up!"