Sports – Page 247 – North Platte Post Archive

AP All-State Girls Basketball Teams

Posted on March 31, 2015March 31, 2015

The 2015 Nebraska Associated Press All-State girls basketball teams as voted on by sports writers and sportscasters across the state.

CLASS A

Name, School, Height, Grade

First team

Chloe Akin-Otiko, Bellevue West, 5-10, Jr.

Jaycee Bradley, Norfolk, 5-10, Sr.

Jay Bridgeman, Omaha Westside, 6-1, Sr.

Tantashea Giger, Lincoln Northeast, 5-8, Sr.

Kianna Ibis, Omaha Benson, 6-1, Sr.

Second team

Rylie Casico Jensen, Fremont, 5-10, Jr.

Marisa Lowe, Millard West, 6-0, Sr.

Abby Meader, Lincoln Southwest, 5-8, Sr.

Jessica Shepard, Fremont, 6-4, Sr.

Skyler Snider, Kearney, 5-10, Jr.

Honorable mention: Viki Cox, Bellevue East; Mia Felici, Katie Imig, Bellevue West; Caitlin Edzards, Elli McMeekin, Lindsey Nickolite, Columbus; Gessica Gdowski, Ashley Nelson, Fremont; Sydney Armstrong, Allie Richardson, Grand Island; Brianna Miller, Kelsey Stitheim, Kearney; Grace Barry, Regan Sankey, Lincoln East; Angelique Archie, Justine Griess, Lincoln North Star; Tierra Beard, Jamie Holscher, Nigeria Jones, Shaneequah Watkins, Lincoln Northeast; Reanne May, Lincoln Southeast; Maddie Kelle, Sami Warrior, Lincoln Southwest; Gabby Grasso, Millard North; Kaci German, Philomena Lammers, Millard West; Kaitlynn Harvey, Jessy Hunt, North Platte; TaLeah Williams, Norfolk; Arbrieal Benson, Simone Goods, Deleyah Harris, Omaha Benson; Jada Warner, Omaha Burke; Jackie Beaugard, Megan Gamble, Tiani White, Omaha Central; Tehillah Alphonso, Cassie Jones, Omaha Marian; Dariauna Lewis, Omaha North; Jaden Wrightsell, Omaha Northwest; Regan Johnson, Quinn Weidemann, Omaha Westside; Brooke Hubert, Priscilla O’Dowd, Papillion-La Vista; Raegan LeGrand, Raechel Meissinger, Ciara Morehouse, Papillion-La Vista South; Carissa Powell, Augusta Thramer, South Sioux City.

CLASS B

Name, School, Height, Grade

First team

Kylie Hohlen, Norris, 5-11, Sr.

Kenzie Kulm, Platteview, 5-7, Sr.

Lynsey Matulka, Omaha Gross Catholic, 5-9, Sr.

Kennedy Sander, Lincoln Pius X, 6-0, Sr.

Maddie Simon, Lincoln Pius X, 6-2, Sr.

Second team

Shalena Brown, Norris, 5-11, Sr.

Emma Grenfell, York, 5-6, Jr.

Kayla Johnk, Omaha Gross Catholic, 5-4, Sr.

Alicia Mountain, Elkhorn, 5-7, Sr.

Hannah Ostrom, Lexington, 5-10, Jr.

Honorable mention: Jackie Fowler, Brittani Wiseman, Adams Central: Adyson Narber, Aurora; Kim Higgins, Michaela Jones, Bailey Zarybnicky, Beatrice; Kelsey Gansebom, Bennington; Bailie Wakefield, Blair; Tayler Doremus, Kaitlin Paulsen, Kalie Uher, Crete; Anna Edet, Elkhorn; Lauren Maciejewski, Paige Piatkowski, Arianna Veland, Elkhorn South; Kaylee Spreier, Gering; Maddie Meadows, Destany Ross, Gretna; Sophia Pankratz, Libby Knapple, Hastings; Jenna Gillespie, Kim Jurado, Holdrege; Becky Brokaw, MacKenzie Helman, Briahtia Sebek, Lincoln Pius X; Andrea Freiling, Nebraska City; Emma Areman, Makenna Sullivan, Norris; Kaitlyn Schmit, Omaha Duchesne; Alex Homan, Omaha Gross Catholic; Sidnea Brown, Omaha Mercy; Anna Bellinghiere, Tara Cannon, Omaha Skutt Catholic; Payton Brotzki, Colby Duvel, Platteview: April Graham, Plattsmouth; Maddie Wolfe, Schuyler; Ali Camacho, Zoe Holscher, Chesney Walker, Scottsbluff; Carley Hartman, Anna Schulz, Seward; Savanna Rosenbaum, Sidney; Brianna Boender, Mikenzie Delgado, Waverly; Tayte Hansen, Jordyn Stearns, York.

CLASS C1

Name, School, Height, Grade

First team

Chloe Dworak, Lincoln Christian, 5-5, Fr.

Amanda Hansen, West Point-Beemer, 5-7, Jr.

Taylor Kissinger, Minden, 6-0, So.

Haley Thiele, Bishop Neumann, 5-8, Sr.

Rachelle Tucker, Pierce, 6-2, Sr.

Second team

Ellie Carr, Ainsworth, 5-7, Sr.

Emily Petersen, Omaha Concordia, 5-7, So.

Cheyenne Pearce, Wahoo, 6-1, Sr.

Shelby Pollman, Fairbury, 6-0, Sr.

Kylie Thiele, Kearney Catholic, 5-9, So.

Honorable mention: Lydia Allen, Laura Peters, Ainsworth; Natalie Schmidt, Olivia Schneider, Arlington; Elise Burke, Ashland-Greenwood; Taylor Petersen, Auburn; Caitlin Makovicka, Mady Maly, Bishop Neumann; Sadie Wallin, Boone Central/Newman Grove; Amber Tonniges, Centennial; Val Fousek, Abby Maresh, Central City: Chandler Hageman, Chadron; Taylin McNair, Chase County; Kayla Schrunk, Columbus Lakeview; Allie Johnson, Kelsey Kessler, Columbus Scotus; Megan Fiala, Hope Rerucha, David City; Sidney Pollman, Fairbury; Baylee Vrtiska, Falls City; Jordan Coulter, Fort Calhoun; Josie Perez, Gordon-Rushville; Whitney Colling, Allie Prososki, Anna Squiers, Maddie Squiers, Kearney Catholic; Taytem Coleman, Emie Hollenbeck, Ashlyn Power, Lincoln Christian; Maria Deeter, Lincoln Lutheran; Kalli Mackling, Jamie Winkler, Louisville; Mikayla Brady, Hayley Densberger, Malcolm; Emily Malcom, Rebecca Stewart, Minden; Kady Lower, Aspen Riefschneider, McKenna Zulkoski, Mitchell; Bailey Ehlers, Maddie Love, Geena Piper, Norfolk Catholic; Jensen Geisert, Ogallala; Sara Struble, Omaha Concordia; Morgan Alexander, Ord; Shelby Bretschneider, Sydney Silhacek, Pierce; Sarah Wehland, Raymond Central; MacKenzie Brandl, Rachel Brandl, Hillary Huss, Stanton; Sydney Lintner, Syracuse; Jessica Fleischman, Allie Snow, Tekamah-Herman; Bailey Brigham, Katie Reeves, Gabby Shannon, Wahoo; Kylie Hammer, Abbie Hix, Rachel Rauner, Wayne; Cassy Gade, West Point-Beemer; Tori Homolka, Cortney Krauter, Wilber-Clatonia; Teisha Snyder, Winnebago; Bailey Batenhorst, Wisner-Pilger.

CLASS C2

Name, School, Height, Grade

First team

Allison Arens, Crofton, 5-9, Sr.

Maddie Egr, Yutan, 6-0, Sr.

Shandra Farmer, Hastings St. Cecilia, 5-3 Jr.

Clare Hamburger, Hastings St. Cecilia, 5-9, Sr.

Quinn Wragge, Crofton, 6-0, Sr.

Second team

Monica Arens, Crofton, 5-10, So.

Jenny Knobbe, Guardian Angels Central Catholic, 6-2, Sr.

Kianna Kramper, Ponca, 5-7, Sr.

Casey Krolikowski, Centura, 5-7, Sr.

Marylyn Mozena, Weeping Water, 5-11, Sr.

Honorable mention: Julia Daro, Kinsey Kozisek, Aquinas Catholic; Sheridan Holcomb, Arcadia/Loup City; Katie Sleister, Archbishop Bergan; Chellani Parriot, Bayard; Megan Dudden, Bridgeport; McKenna McClintic, Burwell; Alea Shaner, Cambridge; Annika Gleason, Centura; Alyssa Novotny, Clarkson/Leigh; Breanna Allen, Kelsey Sanger, Maria Wortmann, Crofton; Jenni Pallas, Cross County; Emma Groshans, Doniphan-Trumbull; Jade Prochaska, East Butler; Jenna Parks, Baylee Wemhoff, Elgin Public/Pope John; Hanna Justesen, Abby Meyer, Danielle Neels, Elmwood-Murdock; Ashton O’Brien, Fillmore Central; Cassidy Mason, Katie Meyer, Carley Remmers, Freeman; Krista Fischer, Lexis Haase, Breanne Kreikemeier, Guardian Angels Central Catholic; Lil Sheehy, Hastings St. Cecilia; Natalie Gasseling, Brooke Turek, Hemingford; Hannah Johnson, Taylor Mustin, Hershey; Jessica Nogelmeier, Cheyenne Overgaard, Homer; Tarrin Beller, Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family; Madison Biesecker, Kimball; Jenae Mallette, Logan View; Ari Rathke, Lutheran High Northeast; Whitney Heuermann, Cassidy Ostrand, Clare Ostrand, Nebraska Christian; Antoinette Caudillo, Anna O’Malley, North Platte St. Patrick’s; Brynn Charling, Emma Reinert, Oakland-Craig; Nicole White, Plainview; Sydney Kucera, Ravenna; Addison Kuta, Sandy Creek; Macy Stewart, Shelby-Rising City; Abby Buss, Southern; Savana Quinn, Southern Valley; Riley Butler, Jaysa Hoins, Leah Meyer, Superior; McKenna Griess, Delaney Lemkau, Savannah Schurman, Sutton; Jessica Wieck, Twin River; Bailey Kraus, West Holt; Brooke Kelly, Karly Zaugg, Yutan.

CLASS D1

Name, School, Height, Grade

First team

Sam Brester, Howells-Dodge, 5-9, So.

Aubrey Frederick, Dundy County-Stratton, 5-10, So.

Sydney Hupp, St. Mary’s, 6-0, Jr.

Jacey Olmer, Humphrey St. Francis, 5-7, Sr.

Mackenzie Willicott, Blue Hill, 5-9, Sr.

Second team

Abby Drieling, Emerson-Hubbard, 5-7, Jr.

Nicole Kent, Dundy County-Stratton, 5-8, Jr.

Raeleigh Menke, Friend, 5-8, Fr.

Riley Sibbel, St. Mary’s, 5-8, Jr.

Kaylea Watson, Arapahoe, 5-7, Sr.

Honorable mention: Gabby Sullivan, Lindsey Sullivan, Allen; Courtney Martensen, Sydney Taubenheim, Amherst; Shawna Pait, Lindsy Siegel, Ansley-Litchfield; Danielle Eichenberger, Arapahoe; Hannah Kring, Season Mellema, Axtell; Jaycie Hoins, Catherine Mick, BDS; Sara Castaneda, Bloomfield; Lenae Kohmetscher, Blue Hill; Amber Bendig, Rebecca Hiatt, Boyd County; Tara Callahan, Josie Palmer, Brady; Shelby Lineberry, Cedar Bluffs; Jayden Erickson, Central Valley; Whitney Dittscher, Clearwater-Orchard; Rebecca Eggerling, Emily Sorensen, Creighton; Marissa Koenig, Jacie Laetsch, CWC; Lauren Schmidt, Deshler; Madison Hajek, Madison Jurgens, Josie Vitosh, Diller-Odell; Emily Jones, Dundy County-Stratton; Payton Blanke, Madison Martin, Emerson-Hubbard; Jenny Lawver, Shelby Roth, Friend; Ashley Frenzen, Macy Peregrine, Halle Plumbtree, Fullerton; Rachel Beck, High Plains; Faith Molacek, Howells-Dodge; Morgan Bender, Kaitlynn Sjuts, Humphrey St. Francis; Brielle Schneider, Kenesaw; Ellie Arduser, Audra Corbit, Laurel-Concord-Coleridge; Laura Box, Sam Heng, Lourdes Central Catholic; Kaitlynn Hunt, Lauren Taylor, Mead; Grayce Jorgensen, Medicine Valley; Jessica Harvey, Morrill; Ona Parker, Shailece Porter, Omaha Nation; Jenna Habegger, Pawnee City; Audrey Juelfs, Potter-Dix; Katelyn Backhaus, Elle Bermel, Randolph; Bailey Lewis, Brealynn Lockhart, Red Cloud; Shaya Dockweiler, Jordan Rush, Racheal Smith, South Loup; Taylor Cockerill, Erika Goracke, Bailey Kahler, Sterling; Bridget Schneider, St. Mary’s; Kaley Stokey, Sutherland.

CLASS D2

Name, School, Height, Grade

First team

Maggie Goltz, Falls City Sacred Heart, 6-0, Jr.

Jenna Heine, Wynot, 5-6, Sr.

Blair Hoffstetter, Meridian, 5-11, Sr.

Abby Magdanz, Falls City Sacred Heart, 5-9, Sr.

Tristin Mason, Hampton, 5-6, So.

Second team

Christina Daniels, Wallace, 5-10, Sr.

Elizabeth Magdanz, Falls City Sacred Heart, 5-10, Sr.

Jaden Schafer, Stuart, 5-6, Jr.

Jessie Valasek, Palmer, 5-8, Sr.

Abby Werkmeister, Maywood, 6-1, Sr.

Honorable mention: Haley Hays, Alma; Kelsey Thompson, Anselmo-Merna; Taylor Vasa, Arthur County; Vicki Gatzemeyer, Jerrica Tietz, Bancroft-Rosalie; Haley Dannehl, Jadyn High, Bertrand; Haley Hanks, Kaitlynn Rudloff, Crawford; Alyssa Rood, Elkhorn Valley; Anna Eggers, Elwood; Kelsey Bigelow, Sydney Hall, Marissa Howard, Amber Pribyl, Exeter-Milligan; Katie Koenig, Ewing; Baily Craig, Shelby Hinrichs, Kelbie Lyon, Giltner; Brittany Dose, Cami Roehrs, Hampton; Whitney Heiting, Kate Roberts, Hay Springs; Colby Cox, Hayes Center; Brooke Hoyt, Hitchcock County; Brandy Schaack, Hyannis; Cherokee Frahm-Thayer, Kelsey Menke, Lawrence-Nelson; Brianne Haskell, Lyons-Decatur Northeast; Erin Johnson Meridian; Madi Daly, Ally Ginkins, Jessica Lovitt, Bethany Vinton, Mullen; Lauren White, Parkview Christian; Emma Holz, Paxton; Rebecca Higgins, Kyra Miles, Madison Taylor, Avery Taylor, Sandhills/Thedford; Joslyn Grabill, Sydney Parr, Sydney Skupa, Silver Lake; Harlee Fischer, Hailey Paxton, Monique Schafer, Stuart; Brieanna James, Alicia Pierce, Sumner-Eddyville-Miller; Brianna Einspahr, Sydnee Harchelroad, Nicole Strand, Wauneta-Palisade; Reilly Jenkins, Ashley Nichols, Wilcox-Hildreth; Cortney Arkfeld, Danielle Wieseler, Wynot.

Schultz, Bachman help Oilers to 4-1 Win over Avs

Posted on March 30, 2015

DENVER (AP) — Defenseman Justin Schultz broke a second-period tie and Richard Bachman stopped 29 shots, helping the Edmonton Oilers snap a five-game road losing streak by beating the Colorado Avalanche 4-1 on Monday night.

Brandon Davidson scored his first NHL goal, while Nikita Nikitin and Taylor Hall scored empty-net goals 32 seconds apart to help Edmonton capture its first game away from home since Feb. 24 at Minnesota. Andrew Miller added three assists.

Ryan O’Reilly scored for the Avalanche, who failed to gain ground as their postseason chances grew slimmer. They trail Winnipeg by eight points for the last wild-card spot in the Western Conference with six games remaining.

Pitchford to Forego Senior Season at Nebraska

Posted on March 30, 2015

Lincoln – University of Nebraska forward Walter Pitchford announced Monday that he is giving up his final season of eligibility with the Husker basketball program. Pitchford will remain at the University of Nebraska and finish his undergraduate degree in ethnic studies.

“I thank Coach Miles for giving me the opportunity when I transferred from Florida,” Pitchford said. “I have learned a lot about myself in the three years I’ve been at Nebraska and it is not an easy decision to give up playing basketball. I believe it is in the best interest of both the team and myself that I devote my time to completing my degree at Nebraska and eventually go into a career in business.

“I appreciate all the support I have received from the coaching staff, my teammates and the fans during my time at Nebraska and it has become home for me,” Pitchford said. “I know my teammates support me on this difficult decision, and I will be there to support them.”

“I completely support Walter in his decision,” Nebraska basketball coach Tim Miles said. “It shows a great deal of courage for a young man to see his career path and pursue it. I know leaving behind basketball is not easy for Walter or his family, but I also believe this is the best thing for Walt because it targets what he wants to do.”

As a junior, he played in 30 games, including 26 starts, and averaged 7.2 points and 4.7 rebounds per game to rank third on the team in both scoring and rebounding. Pitchford reached double figures nine times in 2014-15, including a career-high 19 points against Tennessee-Martin and at No. 16 Maryland.

He averaged 9.3 points and 4.7 rebounds as a sophomore in 2013-14, helping the Huskers to their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1998. That season, he ranked among the Big Ten leaders in both field goal percentage (.473, 10th) and 3-point percentage (.410, seventh).

Pitchford began his career at the University of Florida in 2011-12, helping the Gators to an appearance in the Elite Eight.

In the classroom, Pitchford is a two-time Nebraska Scholar-Athlete Honor Roll member.

Huskers Return from Spring Break

Posted on March 30, 2015

Lincoln, Neb.- The Nebraska football team completed its ninth practice of the 2015 spring football season on Monday afternoon. The Huskers practices for just over two hours outside on the Ed and Joyanne Gass practice fields in helmets and shorts.

Nebraska Head Coach Mike Riley met with media members following the conclusion of Monday’s practice, as Riley mentioned that in his 14 seasons as a collegiate football head coach, this was the first spring practice season where the team took a week off for spring break.

“This is the first time I have been involved in breaking up spring practice with a week (off), so I wondered what all that would be like,” Riley said. “I thought for the most part it was pretty good, not perfect, but I don’t know if it would be perfect anyways.”

Riley added that having the time off was a good thing for some of the players who were dealing with some bumps and bruises before break.

“I liked the fact that we probably had four, maybe five guys that would have not practiced on practice No. 9, if we would have had it right after the last practice we had (before spring break).”

Despite getting back to the grind of a regular routine, Riley said there was plenty of enthusiasm on the practice fields on Monday.

“I thought the enthusiasm for practice today was really good. Kind of my favorite thing. The football was off and on a little bit today—the execution on plays, in general that part was not as sharp,” he said.

Even the quarterbacks have been practicing well, despite transitioning from a spread offense to more of a pro-style offense.

“There was some good execution, some crisp throws, I am not sure as crisp today as we were on that last practice Friday (before Spring Break),” Riley said. “AJ got a lot of turns and I thought he made some nice plays, I thought Zack Darlington made some nice plays—I was impressed with him. The rest of the guys all had their moments too.”

Nebraska returns to the practice field on Wednesday for its 10th workout of the spring. Check back at Huskers.com for updates.

North Platte Finishes 2nd at Own Golf Invite

Posted on March 30, 2015March 30, 2015

	TEAM SCORES
1	McCook	323
2	North Platte	333
3	Sidney	356
4	Cozad	357
5	Hastings	378
6	North Platte JV	378
7	Gothenburg	379
8	Lexington	403
9	Ogallala	409

	TOP TEN INDIVIDUALS	SCHOOL	SCORE
1	Noah Hofman	McCook	74
2	Kort Steele	N. Platte	76
3	Masen Sis	McCook	80
4	Kade Wroot	N. Platte	81
5	Sam Cole	Cozad	82
6	Zack Presall	McCook	82
7	Patrick Messersmith	Goth.	85
8	Kyle Zimbelman	N. Platte	86
9	Ryan Birner	Sidney	86
10	Riley Loop	McCook	87

NPCC Knights to Host Hastings College JV

Posted on March 30, 2015

The North Platte Community College Knights softball team will host the Hastings College Junior Varsity Lady Broncos on March 31 at the Wayne Dowhower Memorial Complex.

The Knights are 11 – 19 on the season

The games will be broadcast on ESPN Radio 1410 and at www.northplattepost.com.

Game times are at 4 p..m. and 6 p.m. CDT

No. 18 Huskers Wrap Up Homestand with Creighton, Visit Mavericks

Posted on March 30, 2015

Lincoln – The No. 18 Nebraska baseball team (21-7, 3-0 Big Ten) is set to finish its 16-game homestand on Tuesday night at 6:35 p.m. when the Creighton Bluejays (15-7, 0-0 Big East) visit Hawks Field for the first of three meetings between the two programs in 2015. The Huskers are 15-1 on the homestand, with the only loss coming last Wednesday to Cal State Fullerton, 4-3. The Huskers then head east on I-80 to Werner Park, home of the Omaha Storm Chasers, on Wednesday for a 6:35 p.m. showdown with the Omaha Mavericks (13-11, 6-3 Summit).

The Huskers come into the game fresh off a three-game sweep of then No. 16 Texas and NU is 9-1 in its last 10 games. The Jays have been playing great baseball as well, as they are also 9-1 over their last 10 games, and ride a seven-game winning streak into Tuesday. The Jays have played well on the road this season, posting a 7-4 record, with two of the losses coming in New Orleans to Tulane.

On Wednesday, the Huskers will play their first game away from Hawks Field since March 8 and will take on a Maverick squad that is 8-1 this season in Omaha. Wednesday will be the first game this season the Mavericks play at Werner Park, as they have played three games at Millard North High School and six games at the Ballpark at Boys Town. The Mavs are set to play 18 of their 23 games at the Ballpark at Boys Town in 2015, while their games against Nebraska and Kansas State will be played at Werner Park.

Freshman Garett King is scheduled to start against the Jays on Tuesday night. The Anaheim Hills, Calif., native has gone at least 5.0 innings in each of his past two starts, including a season-long 5.1 innings last week in a win over Cal State Fullerton. King also struck out a season-high five Titans last week, while walking none.

The Jays are scheduled to start sophomore Jeff Albrecht, who is 1-1 on the year with a 1.80 ERA in six appearances, including three starts. The Creighton Prep product was worked 20.0 innings, with 13 strikeouts and eight walks. Albrecht started against the Huskers last season on April 8 at TD Ameritrade Park and went 5.1 innings in a no decision. The lefty limited the Huskers to one run on five hits and three walks, while striking out five, in a game the Huskers came back to win 4-2.

Freshman Zack Engelken is set to start for the Huskers on Wednesday at Werner Park and will be looking to rebound off a season-low 1.1 inning start against Cal State Fullerton last Wednesday. Engelken struggled with command early, giving up two hits and three walks. In his previous start against Indiana State on March 18, Engelken struck out five and didn’t issue a walk over 4.1 innings.

The Mavs have yet to announce a starter for Wednesday.

Tuesday, March 31 (6:35 p.m.)

Probable Starters: RHP King (2-0) vs. LHP Albrecht (1-1)

TV: NET World (previously NET-2)

Audio Stream: Huskers.com | Video Stream: BTN Plus

Radio: Husker Sports Network

Wednesday, April 1 (6:35 p.m.)

Probable Starters: RHP Engelken (1-0) vs. TBA

TV: None

Audio Stream: Huskers.com | Video Stream: None

Radio: Husker Sports Network

Demaryius Thomas Says He’ll Skip Offseason Workouts

Posted on March 30, 2015

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Demaryius Thomas says he’ll skip the Denver Broncos’ offseason workouts until the sides agree on a long-term contract.

The star receiver also said he’ll bypass Peyton Manning’s annual passing camp next week at Duke, where the five-time MVP QB works on his timing with his wide receivers.

Speaking by phone Monday from an XBox “Call of Duty” event in Los Angeles to benefit military veterans, Thomas said if a long-term deal isn’t reached, he’d sign the Broncos’ $12.823 million franchise tender by the July 15 deadline.

Because he’s played three years with Manning, Thomas said missing offseason workouts won’t complicate his adjustment to the Broncos’ new offense under coach Gary Kubiak.

Kaminsky, Okafor lead 2014-15 AP All-America Team

Posted on March 30, 2015

Wisconsin senior Frank Kaminsky is a unanimous selection for the 2014-15 AP All-America team while Duke freshman Jahlil Okafor received all but one first-team vote.

Notre Dame senior Jerian Grant, Kentucky junior Willie Cauley-Stein and Ohio State freshman D’Angelo Russell rounded out the team that was announced Monday.

The 7-foot Kaminsky led the Badgers to their second straight Final Four berth, averaging 18.2 points and 8.0 rebounds while shooting 55.3 percent.

Okafor powered the Blue Devils to the Final Four. He averaged 17.7 points and 9.0 rebounds while shooting 66.9 percent, second in the nation.

Grant led the Fighting Irish with a 16.8 scoring average. Cauley-Stein, the 7-footer in the middle of the Wildcats’ run at an unbeaten season, averaged 9.3 points. He is the first first-team selection to average less than 10 points a game.

Russell averaged 19.3 points, 5.6 rebounds and 5.1 assists.

The voting was done by the same 65-member media panel that selects the weekly Top 25.

Huskers Announce 2015 Volleyball Schedule

Posted on March 30, 2015

Lincoln, Neb. – The Nebraska volleyball program has announced its 2015 season schedule. After leading the nation in attendance for the second straight season with 8,083 fans per match last season, the Huskers will play 15 regular-season matches at the Bob Devaney Sports Center in 2015. NU finished 23-10 overall and reached an NCAA regional final for the third straight season last year.

Click here to view a PDF of the schedule.

The Huskers will host a season-opening round-robin tournament on Aug. 28-29 at the Devaney Center. NU’s season opener will be against Tulsa on Friday, Aug. 28. The Big Red will play Grand Canyon and Pittsburgh on Saturday, Aug. 29.

For the second straight season, the Huskers will meet the Texas Longhorns, as Nebraska travels to Austin, Texas the weekend of Sept. 4-5 for a pair of high-profile matches. NU will square off against the Longhorns on Sept. 4 and will face the Oregon Ducks in a neutral-site match on Sept. 5. Texas advanced to the NCAA Semifinals last season and finished the year ranked fifth at 27-3. Meanwhile, Oregon was ranked 14th in the final AVCA rankings with a 23-10 record.

NU returns to the Devaney Center the following weekend for the Ameritas Players Challenge on Sept. 11-12. A schedule is yet to be determined, but the field includes UC Davis, Georgia Tech and South Florida.

The Huskers face in-state foe Creighton on Tuesday, Sept. 15 at the CenturyLink Center. Non-conference play concludes with the Huskers renewing their series with Iowa State on Saturday, Sept. 19 in Ames, Iowa.

The Big Ten schedule is in identical order to last season, with only home and away dates reversed. For example, the Huskers will begin Big Ten play with back-to-back matches against Iowa again, except the first one on Sept. 23 will be at Iowa, and the Sept. 26th match is at the Devaney Center.

Just like last season, the Huskers will again play home-and-home matches with Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Michigan State and Penn State. The Huskers will see Northwestern, Ohio State, Minnesota, Rutgers, Purdue and Wisconsin only once. Minnesota, Rutgers and Wisconsin will visit Lincoln, while the Huskers will play on the road at Northwestern, Ohio State and Purdue.

The 2015 season marks the return of the NCAA Championship to the CenturyLink Center in Omaha. It’s the third time the Huskers have hosted the NCAA semifinals and final in Omaha. The other years – 2006 and 2008 – still account for the top two all-session attendance records in NCAA volleyball history. A record-breaking 34,223 fans attended the 2006 semifinals and final, while 31,729 showed up in 2008.

The Huskers have had noteworthy seasons each time the final four has been in Omaha, and they hope 2015 will be no different. In 2006, the Huskers won the title over Stanford in front of a packed house of 17,209 fans. In 2008, NU fell just short against eventual national champion Penn State in the NCAA semifinals in front of an NCAA-record 17,430 fans.

Nebraska will hold its annual Red/White Scrimmage on Saturday, Aug. 22 at the Devaney Center. Ticket and TV information, including start times for select matches will be announced at a later date.