Lynchburg Fall Athletes’ and their Fall Favorites

Written By: Victoria Williamson ~ Sports Editor

Aurora Balsamo celebrating on Shellenberger. Photographed by Caroline Gerke.

Amid the buzz of  homecoming week at the University of Lynchburg, as the leaves change and the air grows crisp and with the colorful view of the Blue Ridge Mountains fall sport athletes have embraced the seasonal change.

Junior midfielder on the Lynchburg Field Hockey team, Aurora Balsamo has fully embraced the fall atmosphere from the shows she watches and the music she listens to during the season.

“One of my favorite fall shows to watch is Gilmore Girls. The music and scenery in the show really emanates what fall is like. Some artists that I love listening to that also remind me of the fall season are Caamp, Jack Johnson, and The Lumineers,” she said.

Ava Meinhardt preparing to serve the ball. Photographed by Caroline Gerke.

Fall is not only a change of temperature but also signals the continuation of in-season matches for student-athletes at the University of Lynchburg. Sophomore middle blocker Ava Meinhardt on Lynchburg Women’s Volleyball sees autumn as an annual indicator for the sport she loves playing most.

“I enjoy being a fall sport athlete because we are almost always the first code red game of the year and sports teams have packed Turner for volleyball the last two years. This really sets the expectation for the following sports. And it really shows the support the teams have for each other and the excitement of going to the games,” said Meinhardt.

Audie Shaver passing the ball. Photographed by Laney Burns.

Already having a campus that is home to much of the local wildlife of Lynchburg, junior defensive player for Lynchburg Men’s Soccer, Audie Shaver, enjoys seeing the abundance of animals that grace campus for the season.

“Seeing the leaves start to change and the wildlife around campus run around. I love seeing the squirrels and deer run around on campus in the mornings,” he said.

With this nostalgic time of year beginning for these fall-sport athletes, they are reminded of the many years spent playing the exact sport at the same time, but in a different place. When the air chills and november approaches, fall sport student athletes at the University of Lynchburg are finding a renewed purpose as the end of their season approaches, along with the ODAC tournament.
For more information on upcoming matches and events, visit: Lynchburg Sports Calender.