The SIUC men’s volleyball club will conduct open tryouts for all part-time or full-time students at 6 tonight at Davies Gymnasium.

The team competes in both intercollegiate and regional play. Experience is preferred by not necessary. For more information, contact Bill Burnside at 457-7259.

Villanova strengthens No. 1 hold in Division I-AA poll

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The University of Villanova Wildcats knocked off the University of Rhode Island Rams 37-15 Saturday to keep the top spot in the Sports Network Division I-AA poll for the third straight week. Villanova improved to 8-0 and picked up 83 first-place votes for a total of 2,402 points.

The top seven teams stayed the same in this week’s poll, selected by the TSN selection panel and Division I-AA sports information directors. Western Illinois University grabbed six first-place votes and 2,272 points after holding off SIUC 31-26. The University of Delaware blanked William & Mary College 14-0, while Youngstown State University and Western Kentucky University round out the top five.

Southern University, Stephen F. Austin University, Eastern Washington University, Eastern Illinois University and McNeese State University round out the top 10.

Georgia Southern University, Hampton University, the University of Montana, Jackson State University and Florida A&M University make up the rest of the top 15.

The University of Northern Arizona, Appalachian State University, the University of Dayton, South Carolina State University and East Tennessee State University round out the top 20. Hofstra University, Liberty University, the University of Cal Poly-SLO, Eastern Kentucky University and Northeastern University round out the top 25.

Phillips pleads guilty to cocaine possession

Free agent utility man Tony Phillips entered a guilty plea to misdemeanor cocaine possession Monday. He was ordered into a drug diversion program that could clear his record.

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Phillips, who recently was released by the Anaheim Angels, was arrested shortly after midnight Aug. 10 at an Anaheim motel for purchasing $30 worth of rock cocaine.

The 38-year-old Phillips entered the plea before Municipal Court Judge Michael Hayes. Phillips has a year to successfully complete the drug diversion program and must then report to the court. Phillips’ record could be cleared if the judge believes he has satisfied the drug-counseling requirement. However, if Phillips slides and uses drugs again, he could be sentenced for felony possession.

Phillips, who was acquired by the Angels in a trade with the White Sox, hit .264 with six homers, 48 RBI and 73 runs scored in 105 games this past season.

Oakland’s George injured in loss

The Oakland Raiders finished out Sunday’s 38-14 rout at the hands of Carolina without quarterback Jeff George. He suffered bruised left ribs when he was sacked by the Panthers’ Renaldo Turnbull with just over five minutes left in the game. Turnbull was penalized for being off-sides on the play.

George had completed 24 of 38 passes for 304 yards and two touchdowns with one interception. He went into the game as the top-ranked quarterback in the AFC and second in the NFL. His season numbers include 165 of 287 for 2,403 yards and 20 touchdowns, with just five interceptions.

David Klingler finished out the game for Oakland and was 4-for-7 for 27 yards with an interception.