South Harrison volleyball coach Bernie Hurst is back where he belongs -- on the sidelines.

Hurst left minutes before the team's first scrimmage on Sept. 3 after a bout of dizziness. After spending time at United Health Center in Clarksburg, including a four-day stay in the intensive care unit, Hurst learned he had circulation problems from a blood-related illness. He was put on a blood thinner to help treat the problem.

After a 20-day absence from the team, Hurst returned on Tuesday, as the Hawks defeated Robert C. Byrd.

"I had no idea what my kids looked like," Hurst joked.

South Harrison is 5-2 this year. Assistant coach Stanley Coleman, with no prior volleyball coaching experience, ran the team in Hurst's absence and compiled a 3-1 record, including the first two victories against Paden City.

"He was pretty much winging it," Hurst said. "Our kids were just trying to get used to each other, but Stanley held the kids together. He learned a lot about volleyball real fast."

n FIRST WIN: The South Harrison girls soccer team earned its first-ever victory in three years by beating North Marion on Tuesday, 5-3. Kayla Wright's hat trick and Kim Higginbottom's 28 saves were the main sparks for the Hawks.

n GENDER WAR: On Wednesday, Harrison County's two co-ed soccer teams, Notre Dame and Liberty, met and battled to a scoreless tie. While the Mountaineers are in their second season of existence, the Irish have been around for five years, with boys and girls mixed the entire time.

"They get along well," Irish coach George Seyfert said. "They clown around. It's just like the atmosphere at Notre Dame -- very jovial. We have a great relationship, and I'm so used to it right now, I probably wouldn't have it any other way."

Notre Dame is in its third season as a member of the West Virginia Secondary Schools Activities Commission. Last year, the Irish won their division in the regular season but fell to Bridgeport in regional play.

In soccer, all three of the classes play together in the postseason. WVSSAC rules won't allow the classes to separate in a sport until 50 percent of its members are involved. After beating St. Marys on Saturday, the Irish are 3-2-2 this season.

n USUAL SUSPECTS?: Robert C. Byrd and Bridgeport likely will be the favorites when the Big 10 golf match starts today at the Palmer Course at Stonewall Jackson Resort in Roanoke. But don't forget Lewis County on the list.

Although the Eagles are the defending Big 10 champs and the Indians won in 2001, the Minutemen beat both in a match earlier this year at Clarksburg Country Club. Matt Gissy and Kelsey Boyle shot a pair of 1-under 34's in that match. Bridgeport returns Justin Caroli, last year's low medalist at the state tournament.