Sports – Page 353 – North Platte Post Archive

Fien, K. Rolfzen Named All-Big Ten; Pollmiller Honorable Mention

Posted on December 2, 2014

LINCOLN – Kelsey Fien and Kadie Rolfzen were named to the All-Big Ten team, while Mary Pollmiller earned honorable mention and a sportsmanship award, the Big Ten Conference announced on Tuesday.

Rolfzen, a sophomore outside hitter from Papillion, Neb., earns her second career spot on the All-Big Ten team. The 2013 AVCA All-American led Nebraska in kills in the regular season with 353 (3.57 per set). She upped her average to 3.62 in conference play. Rolfzen also added 2.62 digs per set to rank second on the team and establish herself as one of the top all-around players in the conference for the second straight season.

Fien, a junior outside hitter from Bakersfield, Calif., is a first-time honoree after a breakout season. Fien was second on the team in kills with 240 (3.24 per set) and was particularly strong in conference play, posting 3.39 kills per set while hitting .303, the best mark by an NU player and third among all B1G outside hitters.

Pollmiller, a senior setter and captain from Littleton, Colo., earned All-Big Ten honorable mention for the second straight season in her two-year stint at Nebraska. Pollmiller ranked fourth in the conference in assists with 10.17 per set and ranks fourth among active NCAA Division I players in career assists with 5,067. An honorable mention AVCA All-American last season, Pollmiller also added 73 blocks (0.71 per set) in the regular season to rank fourth on the team.

The Husker volleyball team has had at least two first-team all-conference honorees every year since 1982.

ALL-BIG TEN
JOCELYNN BIRKS, Jr., OH, ILL
ABBY COLE, So., MB, MICH
Chloe Reinig, So., OH, MSU
Paige Tapp, So., MB, MINN
Kelsey Fien, Jr., OH, NEB
Kadie Rolfzen, So., OH, NEB
MICHA HANCOCK, Sr., S, PSU
NIA GRANT, Sr., MH, PSU
Haleigh Washington, Fr., MB, PSU
Annie Drews, Jr., OH, PUR
Val Nichol, Sr., S/OH, PUR
LAUREN CARLINI, So., S., WIS
Taylor Morey, Jr., L, WIS
Courtney Thomas, Sr., OH, WIS

Honorable Mention
Elizabeth McMahon, Sr., OPP, ILL
Lexi Dannemiller, Sr., S, MICH
Kori Moster, Sr., L, MSU
Daly Santana, Jr., OH, MINN
Mary Pollmiller, Sr., S, NEB
Caroline Niedospial, Jr., DS/L, NU
Taylor Sandbothe, So., MB, OSU
Taylor Sherwin, Sr., S, OSU
Ali Frantti, Fr., OH, PSU
Aiyana Whitney, Jr., OH, PSU
Haleigh Nelson, So., MB, WIS
Dominique Thompson, Sr., MB, WIS

ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM
Brandi Donnelly, L, ILL
Caroline Knop, OH/DS, MICH
Rachel Minarick, S, MSU
ALI FRANTTI, OH, PSU
HALEIGH WASHINGTON, MB, PSU
Danielle Cuttino, MB, PUR
Kelli Bates, OH, WIS

Unanimous selections in CAPS

PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Lauren Carlini, WIS

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Taylor Morey, WIS

SETTER OF THE YEAR
Lauren Carlini, WIS

FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
Haleigh Washington, PSU

COACH OF THE YEAR (COACHES AND MEDIA)
Kelly Sheffield, WIS

SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD HONOREES
Kathryn Polkoff, ILL
Kyndall Merritt, IND
Alex Lovell, IOWA
Emily Fraik, MD
Lindsey Lerg, MICH
Jazmine White, MSU
Daly Santana, MINN
Mary Pollmiller, NEB
Caleigh Ryan, NU
Andrea Kacsits, OSU
Lacey Fuller, PSU
KiKi Jones, PUR
Ali Schroeter, RU
Deme Morales, WIS

Big Ten Announces 2014 Postseason Volleyball Honors

Posted on December 2, 2014

ROSEMONT, Ill. – The Big Ten announced its postseason volleyball awards on Tuesday, with standouts from Penn State and Wisconsin earning recognition following the conclusion of the 2014 regular season. The Badgers’ Lauren Carlini was named the Big Ten Player and Setter of the Year by a vote of the conference’s coaches, while teammate Taylor Morey was tabbed the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. Penn State’s Haleigh Washington earned Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors, while Wisconsin head coach Kelly Sheffield was named Big Ten Coach of the Year by the conference’s coaches and media contingent.

Carlini ranked second in the Big Ten in assists (11.14) and service aces (.47) per set during conference matches, guiding Wisconsin to its fifth Big Ten Championship. She also added 2.84 digs per set in Big Ten play and tallied a team-high 14 double-doubles on the season. Carlini becomes the fourth Wisconsin player to win Player of the Year honors and the first since Lizzy Fitzgerald in 2001. She reels in Wisconsin’s first Setter of the Year honor.

Morey led the conference in digs during Big Ten play, averaging 4.97 digs per set, and becomes the first Wisconsin player to earn Defensive Player of the Year accolades. Morey collected Defensive Player of the Week honors on four occasions during the 2014 season.

Washington posted the highest hitting percentage among Big Ten players in conference play, hitting at a .462 clip. She also averaged 1.33 blocks per set and garnered three Big Ten weekly awards. Washington becomes the 12^th Nittany Lion to be named Freshman of the Year and the first since Megan Courtney in 2012.

Sheffield earned the top billing among the conference’s coaches and media for the first time after guiding Wisconsin to a 28-2 overall record and 19-1 mark in Big Ten play. In only his second year with the program, the Badgers also earned the No. 4 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament. Sheffield’s award marks Wisconsin’s fifth Coach of the Year honor from both the coaches and media.

Fourteen Big Ten players were tabbed All-Big Ten by the conference’s coaches, with five unanimous selections. Joining Carlini as unanimous All-Big Ten selections were Illinois’ Jocelynn Birks, Michigan’s Abby Cole and Penn State’s Micha Hancock and Nia Grant. Washington and Morey are joined on the all-conference team by Michigan State’s Chloe Reinig, Minnesota’s Paige Tapp, Nebraska’s Kelsey Fien and Kadie Rolfzen, Purdue’s Annie Drews and Val Nichol and Wisconsin’s Courtney Thomas.

Washington and teammate Ali Frantti were unanimous selections to the All-Freshman Team. Illinois’ Brandi Donnelly, Michigan’s Caroline Knop, Michigan State’s Rachel Minarick, Purdue’s Danielle Cuttino and Wisconsin’s Kelli Bates also appeared on the seven-player team.

The Big Ten also recognized 14 Sportsmanship Award honorees. The student-athletes chosen are individuals who have distinguished themselves through sportsmanship and ethical behavior. These student-athletes must also be in good academic standing and have demonstrated good citizenship outside of the sports-competition setting.

The complete list of All-Big Ten honorees, individual award winners and Sportsmanship Award Honorees can be found below.

ALL-BIG TEN

JOCELYNN BIRKS, Jr., OH, ILL

ABBY COLE, So., MB, MICH

Chloe Reinig, So., OH, MSU

Paige Tapp, So., MB, MINN

Kelsey Fien, Jr., OH, NEB

Kadie Rolfzen, So., OH, NEB

MICHA HANCOCK, Sr., S, PSU

NIA GRANT, Sr., MH, PSU

Haleigh Washington, Fr., MB, PSU

Annie Drews, Jr., OH, PUR

Val Nichol, Sr., S/OH, PUR

LAUREN CARLINI, So., S., WIS

Taylor Morey, Jr., L, WIS

Courtney Thomas, Sr., OH, WIS

Honorable Mention

Elizabeth McMahon, Sr., OPP, ILL

Lexi Dannemiller, Sr., S, MICH

Kori Moster, Sr., L, MSU

Daly Santana, Jr., OH, MINN

Mary Pollmiller, Sr., S, NEB

Caroline Niedospial, Jr., DS/L, NU

Taylor Sandbothe, So., MB, OSU

Taylor Sherwin, Sr., S, OSU

Ali Frantti, Fr., OH, PSU

Aiyana Whitney, Jr., OH, PSU

Haleigh Nelson, So., MB, WIS

Dominique Thompson, Sr., MB, WIS

ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM

Brandi Donnelly, L, ILL

Caroline Knop, OH/DS, MICH

Rachel Minarick, S, MSU

ALI FRANTTI, OH, PSU

HALEIGH WASHINGTON, MB, PSU

Danielle Cuttino, MB, PUR

Kelli Bates, OH, WIS

Unanimous selections in CAPS

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Lauren Carlini, WIS

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Taylor Morey, WIS

SETTER OF THE YEAR

Lauren Carlini, WIS

FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR

Haleigh Washington, PSU

COACH OF THE YEAR (COACHES AND MEDIA)

Kelly Sheffield, WIS

SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD HONOREES

Kathryn Polkoff, ILL

Kyndall Merritt, IND

Alex Lovell, IOWA

Emily Fraik, MD

Lindsey Lerg, MICH

Jazmine White, MSU

Daly Santana, MINN

Mary Pollmiller, NEB

Caleigh Ryan, NU

Andrea Kacsits, OSU

Lacey Fuller, PSU

KiKi Jones, PUR

Ali Schroeter, RU

Deme Morales, WIS

Pacioretty lifts Canadiens over Avalanche, 4-3

Posted on December 2, 2014

DENVER (AP) — Max Pacioretty scored the tiebreaking goal late in the third period and the Montreal Canadiens beat the Colorado Avalanche 4-3 on Monday night.

P.K. Subban and Andrei Markov each had a goal and an assist, and Jiri Sekac also scored for Montreal, which ended a three-game losing streak. Carey Price made 26 saves for the Canadiens.

Pacioretty had a breakaway chance in the first period that was saved by Calvin Pickard but made the most of his second opportunity. Pacioretty skated in on the left side and beat the rookie goalie with a snap shot with 6:06 left in the third.

It was his team-leading 12th goal of the season.

Ryan O’Reilly, Daniel Briere and Tyson Barrie scored goals, and Pickard had 26 saves for Colorado.

Lawson Late Jumper lifts Nuggets over Jazz 103-101

Posted on December 2, 2014

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Ty Lawson had 15 points and made a double-pump jumper to beat the shot clock with 29.6 seconds left that boosted the Denver Nuggets over the Utah Jazz 103-101 in a charged atmosphere Monday night.

The game heated up after Arron Afflalo was ejected and the Jazz stormed back from a 22-point deficit to tie the game in the final minutes.

Lawson, who also had 12 assists, made the game-winner from the left wing between two Jazz defenders.

Gordon Hayward was blocked and Trey Burke missed a potential go-ahead 3-pointer on the other end before Darrell Arthur clinched the game with two free throws with 4.2 seconds remaining. Alec Burks dunk at the buzzer completing the scoring.

Wilson Chandler scored 10, Afflalo had 14 and Arthur added 12 for the Nuggets, who have won eight of their last 10 games.

Hayward scored 25 points, Burks had 22 and Burke chipped in 18, but Utah’s losing streak hit six games — the longest skid since March 10-19 last season.

Petteway, Shields lead Nebraska past Florida St

Posted on December 1, 2014

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Terran Petteway scored 25 points and Shavon Shields had 21 and eight rebounds as Nebraska held off a furious rally to defeat Florida State 70-65 on Monday night in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge.

Nebraska led 37-21 at the half, but the Seminoles closed within one, 62-61, with 2:18 left after a pair of Aaron Thomas free throws. But a David Rivers layup and a Tarin Smith 3-pointer helped Nebraska (5-1) put Florida State away.

Xavier Rathan-Mayes scored 17 points, but made just 2-of-11 3-pointers for Florida State (3-4). Boris Bojanovsky had 10 points and added a season-high 10 rebounds.

FSU couldn’t overcome its first-half struggles, shooting just 28 percent (7-of-25) overall and going 0 for 10 from 3-point range in the first half.

The Seminoles finished the game 22 of 54 (40.7 percent), but they made just 19 of 32 free throws.

Big Ten Announces Football All-Conference Teams and Select Individual Awards

Posted on December 1, 2014

Rosemont, Ill. – The Big Ten on Monday announced the 2014 All-Big Ten teams as well as 10 postseason individual award winners. Michigan State, Minnesota and Ohio State each claimed two individual trophies, while one standout each from Iowa, Maryland, Penn State and Wisconsin earned an award.

Michigan State’s Kurtis Drummond was named the Tatum-Woodson Defensive Back of the Year, one year after former Spartan Darqueze Dennard accomplished the feat. Tony Lippett became the first Michigan State player to earn Richter-Howard Receiver of the Year honors. Minnesota’s Peter Mortell was named the Eddleman-Fields Punter of the Year, while teammate Maxx Williams earned Kwalick-Clark Tight End of the Year plaudits. It marks the first such honors for a Golden Gopher player. Ohio State’s J.T. Barrett earned the Griese-Brees Quarterback of the Year honor, marking the third straight season that a Buckeye signal caller has won the award, after Braxton Miller claimed the honor in both 2012 and 2013. The Buckeyes’ Joey Bosa was named the Smith-Brown Defensive Lineman of the Year, becoming the seventh Ohio State player to claim the award, and the first since John Simon was honored in 2012.

Iowa’s Brandon Scherff was named the Rimington-Pace Offensive Lineman of the Year, becoming the seventh Hawkeye to capture the honor and the first since Bryan Bulaga in 2009. Maryland’s Brad Craddock earned Bakken-Andersen Kicker of the Year honors in the Terrapins’ first season in the conference. Penn State’s Mike Hull was tabbed the Butkus-Fitzgerald Linebacker of the Year, marking the second time in the past three seasons that a Nittany Lion linebacker has claimed the plaudit after Michael Mauti was honored in 2012. Wisconsin’s Melvin Gordon collected the Ameche-Dayne Running Back of the Year award, the third time in the past four years that a Badger running back has captured the honor, after Montee Ball won the award in 2011 and 2012.

Four Big Ten players were named repeat selections to the All-Big Ten first-team, including Iowa’s Scherff, Michigan State defensive lineman Shilique Calhoun and defensive back Kurtis Drummond and Nebraska defensive lineman Randy Gregory. Maryland’s Craddock and defensive back William Likely were first-team selections by both the coaches and media in the Terrapins’ first season in the Big Ten. Rutgers wide receiver Leonte Carroo also earned first-team plaudits from the media in the Scarlet Knights’ inaugural year as a member of the conference.

The Big Ten postseason awards process is voted on by conference coaches and a select media panel and honors teams, coaches and student-athletes with individual honors that each bear the names of one or two former standouts. The Dungy-Thompson Humanitarian and Ford-Kinnick Leadership awards were announced last week, 10 individual trophies were announced Monday, and the remaining five trophy winners will be unveiled on Tuesday.

A complete list of the 2014 All-Big Ten teams and select individual award winners, along with this year’s Sportsmanship Award honorees, can be found on the attached PDF. The individual award winners announced tonight and last week also appear below.

2014 Big Ten Individual Award Winners

Griese-Brees Quarterback of the Year: J.T. Barrett, Ohio State

Named for Purdue’s Bob Griese and Drew Brees

Richter-Howard Receiver of the Year: Tony Lippett, Michigan State

Named for Wisconsin’s Pat Richter and Michigan’s Desmond Howard

Ameche-Dayne Running Back of the Year: Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin

Named for Wisconsin’s Alan Ameche and Ron Dayne

Kwalick-Clark Tight End of the Year: Maxx Williams, Minnesota

Named for Penn State’s Ted Kwalick and Iowa’s Dallas Clark

Rimington-Pace Offensive Lineman of the Year: Brandon Scherff, Iowa

Named for Nebraska’s Dave Rimington and Ohio State’s Orlando Pace

Smith-Brown Defensive Lineman of the Year: Joey Bosa, Ohio State

Named for Michigan State’s Bubba Smith and Penn State’s Courtney Brown

Butkus-Fitzgerald Linebacker of the Year: Mike Hull, Penn State

Named for Illinois’ Dick Butkus and Northwestern’s Pat Fitzgerald

Tatum-Woodson Defensive Back of the Year: Kurtis Drummond, Michigan State

Named for Ohio State’s Jack Tatum and Purdue’s Rod Woodson

Bakken-Andersen Kicker of the Year: Brad Craddock, Maryland

Named for Wisconsin’s Jim Bakken and Michigan State’s Morten Andersen

Eddleman-Fields Punter of the Year: Peter Mortell, Minnesota

Named for Illinois’ Dike Eddleman and Michigan State’s Brandon Fields

Dungy-Thompson Humanitarian Award: Brian Griese, Michigan*

Named for Minnesota’s Tony Dungy and Indiana’s Anthony Thompson

Ford-Kinnick Leadership Award: Mike Hopkins, Illinois*

Named for Michigan’s Gerald Ford and Iowa’s Nile Kinnick

* Announced Nov. 25

Eleven Huskers Earn All-Big Ten Honors

Posted on December 1, 2014

Eleven Nebraska players were honored by the Big Ten Conference on Monday, being named to 2014 All-Big Ten Conference football teams.

Two Huskers earned first-team All-Big Ten accolades, with three others being chosen as second-team honorees, while six players were honorable-mention all-conference choices.

Junior defensive end Randy Gregory was a first-team All-Big Ten choice by both the conference coaches and the conference media. Gregory is among the Big Ten leaders with seven sacks despite missing the majority of four games this season.

The 6-6, 245-pound Gregory had 50 total tackles, including 10 tackles for loss, while adding a team-high 16 quarterback hurries. He also blocked two field goals, broke up three passes and had an interception. This marks the second straight season Gregory has been a first-team All-Big Ten pick, making him Nebraska’s first two-time all-conference honoree on the defensive line since Ndamukong Suh in 2008 and 2009.

Gregory is joined on the coaches’ first-team squad by senior wide receiver Kenny Bell. The 6-1, 185-pound Bell led Nebraska with 717 yards on 40 receptions and his 17.9 yards per catch ranked among the conference leaders. Bell also had a team-high five touchdowns receptions, including two touchdown catches in Nebraska’s overtime victory at Iowa in the regular-season finale.

Bell became Nebraska’s all-time leader in receptions and receiving yardage earlier this season. Bell was an honorable-mention selection by the conference media. This is the third straight year Bell has been honored by the Big Ten. He was a second-team pick as a sophomore in 2012 and earned honorable-mention accolades in 2013.

Senior I-back Ameer Abdullah was a second-team All-Big Ten choice by both the coaches and the media. Abdullah ranks among the top 10 nationally in rushing yards, scoring and all-purpose yards. He finished the regular season with 1,523 rushing yards and 18 total touchdowns. He also became Nebraska’s career leader in all-purpose yards, while ranking second in Big Ten history in that category.

The Doak Walker Award finalist was joined on the second team by Minnesota running back David Cobb, while fellow Doak Walker finalists Melvin Gordon and Tevin Coleman occupied the two first-team spots.

Like Bell, Abdullah was honored for the third straight year. Abdullah was a first-team choice on both teams in 2013, after being a second-team All-Big Ten pick by the coaches in 2012.

Abdullah was also honored as Nebraska’s Sportsmanship Award Honoree.

Joining Abdullah in earning second-team honors were a pair of sophomore defenders. Defensive tackle Maliek Collins was named to the second team on the coaches’ listing, while safety Nate Gerry was a second-team choice by the media.

Collins is tied for the team lead with 12 tackles for loss, including 3.5 sacks. The Kansas City native also ranks second on the team with 14 quarterback hurries and made 40 total tackles. Gerry led the Big Ten in interceptions in conference games with five picks in eight league games. He ranked second overall on the team with 85 tackles, including 47 solo stops and seven tackles for loss. Gerry also forced a pair of fumbles, had a fumble recovery and returned a blocked field goal for a touchdown.

Six additional Huskers earned honorable-mention all-conference accolades. Players named to the coaches’ honorable-mention list include Gerry, senior linebacker Zaire Anderson, senior guard Jake Cotton, sophomore punter Sam Foltz, junior tackle Alex Lewis and senior cornerback Josh Mitchell.

The media honorable-mention list includes Anderson, Bell, Collins, Cotton, Lewis, Mitchell and senior safety Corey Cooper. Cooper was a repeat honorable-mention choice.

All-Big Ten Selections

First Team

Randy Gregory, Jr., DE (Media, Coaches)

Kenny Bell, Sr., WR (Coaches)

Second Team

Ameer Abdullah, Sr., IB (Media, Coaches)

Maliek Collins, Soph., DT (Coaches)

Nate Gerry, Soph., S (Media)

Honorable Mention

Bell (Media)

Collins (Media)

Gerry (Coaches)

Zaire Anderson, Sr., LB (Media, Coaches)

Corey Cooper, Sr., S (Media)

Jake Cotton, Sr., G (Media, Coaches)

Sam Foltz, Soph., P (Coaches)

Alex Lewis, Jr., OT (Media, Coaches)

Josh Mitchell, Sr., CB (Media, Coaches)

NFLPA Setting Up Commission on Domestic Violence

Posted on December 1, 2014

WASHINGTON (AP) — The head of the NFL Players Association says the union is establishing an eight-member commission to advise it about domestic violence prevention and discipline.

In a letter sent Monday to Sen. Jay Rockefeller, the West Virginia Democrat who chairs the Senate Commerce Committee, NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith writes that “when these matters are left solely to the NFL, the process is mismanaged and often the end result has not been able to withstand outside review.”

Rockefeller’s committee is holding a hearing Tuesday about domestic violence in professional sports, with representatives of the NFL, NBA, NHL and Major League Baseball scheduled to testify. Officials from the basketball, hockey and baseball unions are also scheduled to appear.

Smith says “long-scheduled overseas travel prevented” the NFLPA from participating Tuesday.

Adderall Caused Most MLB Positive Drug Tests

Posted on December 1, 2014

NEW YORK (AP) — While 113 big leaguers had exemptions in the past year to use otherwise banned substances to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Adderall caused eight of the 10 positive tests for stimulants under Major League Baseball’s drug program.

A report released Monday by MLB’s independent program administrator detailed the findings. Dr. Jeffrey M. Anderson’s report showed that theraputic use exemptions given to 40-man roster players to treat ADHD were down from the 119 in the year ending with the 2013 World Series.

Among the TUEs for ADHD, there were 11 for new players, down from 21 the previous year and the lowest total since 2008, a person familiar with the data told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because those figures were not in the report.

NPCC Seeking Former Volleyball Players

Posted on December 1, 2014

North Platte Community College is encouraging all former players and assistant coaches to come to an evening of celebration for Coach Sally Thalken, who retired from coaching the North Platte Community College women’s volleyball team after 34 years on the sideline.

The schedule of events for the Sally Thalken Recognition Night at McDonald – Belton Gymnasium on December 9 are as follows:

5:30 p.m. NPCC Women’s Basketball game vs Northeastern Jr. College

6-8 p.m. Former team members private reception upstairs in the VIP room

7:30 p.m. NPCC Men’s Basketball game vs. Northeastern Jr. College

Formal Recognition ceremonies at Halftime of Men’s game. (approx. 8:15)

Public reception after the men’s game in the fireplace area.

Those who are unable to attend but would still like to wish Sally well on her retirement, may send comments to her at the facebook page https://www.facebook.com/events/596085957163618/.

Also, video greetings are encouraged. They can be sent to media@mpcc.edu.

Any questions may be directed to: Michael Douty at doutym@mpcc.edu.