Sports – Page 644 – North Platte Post Archive

NCAA Women’s Tournament Back to Neutral Sites, Nebraska Hosts

Posted on December 11, 2013December 12, 2013

NEW YORK (AP) — The NCAA women’s basketball regionals are going back to neutral sites.

The championship committee announced Wednesday that Oklahoma City, Sacramento, Greensboro and Albany will host the 2015 regionals. The committee received criticism this Fall from some coaches about the move to have regionals on campus for this season’s tournament.

“The committee heard the concerns from the coaching community in protecting neutrality at the regional rounds and acted accordingly,” said Anucha Browne, NCAA vice president, women’s basketball championships. “In looking for ways to improve the student-athlete experience, the committee felt a move to neutral regional sites was in the best interest of the championship.”

Stanford, Notre Dame, Louisville and Nebraska will host games in March with the chance to go to the Final Four on the line.

“I’m so pleased to see the committee recognize the importance of neutral sites in order to preserve the integrity of the tournament,” Notre Dame coach Muffet McGraw said. “I believe they are as happy as the coaches are that we will be able to play on neutral courts for the regionals moving forward.”

The first two rounds in 2015 again will be played on campus sites with the top 16 seeded teams in the tournament hosting the sub-regionals.

The Final Four will be in Tampa. There was talk of trying to move it up two days to a Friday-Sunday format, but while still possible it is unlikely that it will occur in 2015.

Sites for the Division II and Division III Final Fours were also unveiled. The possibility remains that all three levels may play their championship games in Indianapolis in 2016 over the same weekend.

Thirty Husker Football Players Named Academic All-Big Ten

Posted on December 11, 2013

The Big Ten Conference announced its fall Academic All-Big Ten honorees on Wednesday morning, including 30 members of the Nebraska football program.

The 30 football student-athletes named to the Academic All-Big Ten team, include six three-time academic all-conference selections and 10 players earning the honor for the second time in their Nebraska careers.

To be eligible for Academic All-Big Ten selection, student-athletes must be letterwinners who are in at least their second academic year at their institution and carry a cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 or higher.

The 30 football Academic All-Big Ten honorees for Nebraska were the third-most in the conference, trailing only Minnesota and Northwestern, which each had 35 players honored.

Leading the way among three-time Academic All-Big Ten selections were seniors Spencer and Jake Long and C.J. Zimmerer. The three Nebraska natives were named CoSIDA Academic All-Americans last week. Other three-time honorees included junior receiver Tyler Evans, senior tackle Brent Qvale and senior safety Wil Richards.

The two-time honorees for Coach Bo Pelini’s program include receiver Taariq Allen, receiver Sam Burtch, offensive guard Jake Cotton, cornerback Josh Mitchell, offensive guard Mike Moudy, center Mark Pelini, offensive guard Givens Price, offensive guard Ryne Reeves, offensive tackle Jeremiah Sirles and offensive tackle Zach Sterup.

Fourteen additional Huskers earned Academic All-Big Ten honors for the first time, including redshirt freshman receiver Lane Hovey, who was one of 20 student-athletes across all sports who was recognized for maintaining a perfect 4.0 cumulative GPA. Nebraska sophomore soccer student-athlete Katie Kraeutner was also among the group with a perfect 4.0 grade-point average.

The 30 football student-athletes were among a group of 58 Nebraska student-athletes earning Academic All-Big Ten honors in their respective sports. The group includes 14 members of John Walker’s soccer program, five volleyball student-athletes, six members of the men’s cross country team and three women’s cross country student-athletes.

Football Academic All-Big Ten Selections (Year listed reflects academic standing)

Ameer Abdullah, Jr., History, Homewood, Ala.

Taariq Allen, Jr., Child, Youth and Family Studies, Weston, Mass.

Sam Burtch, Jr., Communication Studies, Murdock, Neb.

Brandon Chapek, Sr., Biological Sciences, Wahoo, Neb.

Jake Cotton, Sr., Communication Studies/History, Lincoln, Neb.

Sam Cotton, So., Business Administration, Lincoln, Neb.

Scott Criss, Sr., Construction Management, Omaha, Neb.

Imani Cross, So., Communication Studies, Gainesville, Ga.

Tyler Evans, Sr., Biological Sciences/Psychology, Waverly, Neb.

Andrew Green, Sr., Ethnic Studies, San Antonio, Texas

Lane Hovey, Jr. Business Administration, Adel, Iowa, 4.0 GPA

Charles Jackson, So., Undeclared Spring, Texas

Jake Long, Sr., Biological Sciences, Elkhorn, Neb.

Spencer Long, Sr., Biological Sciences, Elkhorn, Neb.

Greg McMullen, So., Criminology and Criminal Justice, Akron, Ohio

Josh Mitchell, Sr., Communication Studies, Corona, Calif.

Mike Moudy, Sr., English, Castle Rock, Colo.

Mark Pelini, Sr., Mathematics/History, Youngstown, Ohio

Cole Pensick, Gr., Agribusiness, Lincoln, Neb.

Givens Price, Jr., Accounting/Management, Houston, Texas

Brent Qvale, Gr., Nutrition, Exercise and Health Science/Applied Science, Williston, N.D.

Ryne Reeves, Jr., Economics, Crete, Neb.

Brandon Reilly, So., Business Administration, Lincoln, Neb.

Wil Richards, Sr., Business Administration, Lee’s Summit, Mo.

Michael Rose, So., Undeclared, Kansas City, Mo.

Jeremiah Sirles, Gr., Management, Lakewood, Colo.

Zach Sterup, Jr., Economics/Finance, Hastings, Neb.

David Sutton, Jr., Marketing/Management, Lincoln, Neb.

Jordan Westerkamp, So., Business Administration, Lombard, Ill.

CJ Zimmerer, Gr., Criminology and Criminal Justice, Omaha, Neb.

Second Husker Hoops Happy Hour is Friday

Posted on December 10, 2013

Lincoln — Join the Husker basketball staff and Rebounders Club at the second Husker Hoops Happy Hour of the season Friday, Dec. 13. The event takes place at Gate 25 in the Railyard (300 Canopy Street) across the street from Pinnacle Bank Arena, and runs from 5-7 p.m.

The event will feature door prizes, trivia, special guests, and the chance to mingle with the Husker basketball coaches during the second hour. There is no cost to attend, and no RSVP is required. For more information, contact the Husker Athletic Fund office at(402) 472-2367.

Huskers Tangle with Toreros in Sweet Sixteen

Posted on December 10, 2013

Following sweeps of Fairfield and No. 25 Oregon in the first two rounds of the NCAA tournament, the eighth-seeded Nebraska volleyball team returns to the Bob Devaney Sports Center for regional play. The Huskers will meet the ninth-seeded San Diego Toreros on Friday, Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. (CT) at the Devaney Center. The winner between Nebraska and San Diego will advance to Saturday’s 8 p.m. (CT) regional final against Texas or American.

The Huskers have been playing some of their best volleyball of late as they have posted four sweeps in the last five matches. In the first two NCAA tournament matches of the year, the Huskers were active at the net as Nebraska tallied 13 blocks against Oregon and 11 against Fairfield. Nebraska is making its 29th appearance in the regional round.

San Diego is making its 17th NCAA tournament appearance and its fourth consecutive trip. The Toreros have produced sweeps in both matches of the NCAA Tournament, topping UC Santa Barbara in the first round and Arizona in the second round.

Friday night’s match will be the fifth meeting between Nebraska and San Diego. Nebraska leads the all-time series at 4-0. The last time the two teams met was on Dec. 8, 2006 in the NCAA Regional Semifinals in Gainesville, Fla. The Huskers topped USD in three sets.

Nebraska’s match with San Diego will be streamed on ESPN3.com. Fans can also listen to all the action on B107.3 in Lincoln, 93.3 in Omaha, select Husker Sports Network affiliates and on Huskers.com.

The Devaney Center will open at 5:30 p.m., on Saturday, Dec. 14 as fans are encouraged to come early and watch the Regional Final from Champaign, Ill., on the big screens in the arena. Fans will be able to buy concessions, get priority general admission parking and watch one of the teams advance to the National Semifinal match.

SAN DIEGO at NEBRASKA
Date: Friday, Dec. 13
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Lincoln, Neb.
Arena: Devaney Center
Live Stats: Huskers.com
Live Radio: B107.3 (Lincoln), 93.3 (Omaha), Husker Sports Network, Huskers.com
Web Stream: ESPN3.com

Shannon Liewer Named NJCAA Division II Honorable Mention All-American

Posted on December 10, 2013

North Platte – The North Platte Community College Lady Knights’ Shannon Liewer was named to the 2013 Volleyball NJCAA Division II Honorable Mention All-American team. The complete list of All-Americans can be found here.

“It is a great honor,” said Liewer “and I wasn’t expecting it at all. I couldn’t have done it without Coach (Thalken) and my teammates.”

Liewer was a captain in 2013 for the 22-15 Region IX Division II Runner-Up Lady Knights and etched her name in the Lady Knights Record Book in two season categories and three career categories. Liewer was also named to the All-Region IX Division II team earlier this year.

“I am very happy for Shannon,” said head coach Sally Thalken. “She embodies everything that I think an All-American should be, on and off the floor. She has been a great representation of our program the last two years and we will miss her around here. The best thing I can say about Shannon is that she would do anything to help her team win. Shannon is in some elite company of past All-Americans here.”

Liewer 2013 season goes down as the 8^th best all-time for total digs as she finished with 831. Liewer played in 141 sets, good for a 5.9 digs per set average that places 10^th all-time in season digs per set.

As a Lady Knight, Liewer ranks 6^th all-time in career digs with 1,342. She has played in 274 sets in her career to place 5^th all-time in career digs per set with a 4.90 average. Liewer also checks in at 17^th all-time in career aces as she finished with 96. As a sophomore in 2013 she had 49 aces to go along with 47 as a freshman.

In looking back over here career Liewer said, “It has been great to play for Coach Thalken the past two years, she wants you to be successful not just on the court but in your life as well. I have so many great memories from my time here and it is a great environment to go to school in. I couldn’t have asked for a better community and surrounding people than North Platte.”

The last Lady Knight named to an All-American team was Brandi Dye in 2010 when she was named to the Second-Team. The last Honorable Mention selection for the Lady Knights was Karla Slingsby in 1987. Click here for a list of all of the Lady Knights All-Americans.

Ahman Green to be Inducted into Packers Hall of Fame

Posted on December 10, 2013

One of the greatest running backs in Nebraska history, Ahman Green will be inducted into the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame, the Packers announced on Tuesday. The 44th Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place July 19, 2014, in the Lambeau Field Atrium.

An Omaha native, Green was a cornerstone of a powerful Nebraska offense that won two national titles in his three seasons. Green, who was a member of NU’s 1995 and 1997 national championship teams, closed his three-year Husker career ranked No. 2 on Nebraska’s career rushing list with 3,880 yards on 574 carries.

Green entered the NFL Draft following his junior season and was a third-round pick of the Seattle Seahawks, where he spent the 1998 and 1999 seasons before joining the Green Bay Packers in 2000. Green enjoyed success in Green Bay from 2000 through 2006 and again in 2009 en route to becoming the club’s all-time leading rusher with 8,322 yards. He also holds franchise records for most yards from scrimmage (11,048), 1,000-yard seasons (six), 100-yard games (33) and rushing attempts (1,851).

The Class of 2014 will also include Packer great Ken Ruettgers, who was a fixture at left tackle for more than a decade in Green Bay.

Rolfzen Named Freshman of the Year, Huskers Earn All-Region Honors

Posted on December 10, 2013

Kadie Rolfzen was named the North Region Freshman of the Year as one of five Nebraska volleyball players who earned all-region honors on Tuesday from the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA). Senior Kelsey Robinson, junior Mary Pollmiller, sophomore Meghan Haggerty and Rolfzen were named to the 14-member North Region first team, while sophomore Cecilia Hall was an honorable-mention selection.

Haggerty, Pollmiller, Robinson and Rolfzen will be on the national ballot for All-America honors. Hannah Werth was the last Husker to be honored with Regional Freshman of the Year accolades, as she earned the selection in 2009.

Rolfzen has put together a stellar freshman campaign for the Huskers. She has 356 kills on the season and is averaging 3.46 kills per set, in addition to 262 digs and an average of 2.54 digs per set. She was named to the All-Big Ten team last week as well as earning a unanimous spot on the All-Freshman team. Rolfzen has 12 double-doubles on the season and posted a career-high 20 kills against Michigan on Nov. 16. Her 15 kills against Oregon last weekend helped her pass Werth (343) for the third-most kills by a freshman in school history.

Haggerty claimed All-Region honors after a successful sophomore year with NU. She has 166 kills on the season and is averaging 1.69 kills per set. Haggerty has hit at a clip of .300 or better 18 times this season and has 105 blocks on the year, averaging 1.07 blocks per set. She notched a career-high 11 blocks against Michigan on Nov. 16 and was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week once in 2013.

Pollmiller garnered All-Region honors as she has recorded 1,209 assists on the year and an average of 10.70 assists per set. She was named honorable-mention All-Big Ten last week and has helped Nebraska hit .300 or better in 10 matches in 2013, including a season-high .418 hitting percentage against Indiana on Nov. 23. Pollmiller has totaled 50 or more assists six times as a junior and has notched four double-doubles on the season. She tallied a season-high 62 assists against Texas on Sept. 22.

Robinson continues to lead the Huskers after earning Big Ten Player-of-the-Year accolades last week. She has totaled 495 kills on the season and an average of 4.38 kills per set. Robinson is hitting at a clip of .321 for the year and has a total of 375 digs for an average of 3.32 digs per set. She has 18 double-doubles on the season and was name the Big Ten Player of the Week four times in 2013. She was also honored as the AVCA/Sports Imports Player of the Week once as a senior. Robinson has tallied 10 or more kills 26 times in 2013 and hit .300 or better 20 times. She notched a career-high-tying 29 kills against Wisconsin on Oct. 5 and a season-high 23 digs against Texas on Sept. 22.

Hall earned All-Region accolades as she has led the Huskers’ blocking contingent in her sophomore season. She has a total of 136 blocks on the season and is averaging 1.35 blocks per set. She also has 138 kills on the year and is averaging 1.37 kills per set, while hitting at a clip of .328. Hall recorded a career-high 11 blocks against Illinois on Oct. 30 and was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week.

Huskers Clash with Creighton Saturday at 11 a.m.

Posted on December 10, 2013

The Nebraska women’s basketball team returns to action Saturday morning at Pinnacle Bank Arena to renew its annual series with Creighton.

Tip-off between the No. 19 Huskers (7-2) and the Jays (4-4) is set for 11 a.m. (CT), with live premium video coverage provided to subscribers of BTN.com All-Access.

The game can be heard live on the Husker Sports Network, including B107.3 FM in Lincoln and The Wolf 93.3 FM in Omaha. Free live audio is available on Huskers.com.

Nebraska opened a five-game home stand with a 95-75 win over Utah State on Sunday, Dec. 8. All-American Jordan Hooper erupted for 33 points and 14 rebounds to produce her fifth double-double of the season. It was the seventh 30-point scoring performance of Hooper’s career.

Along the way, Hooper joined first-team All-Americans Karen Jennings (1990-93) and Kelsey Griffin (2006-10) as the only players in school history to reach career milestones of 1,800 points and 900 rebounds. Hooper, a 6-2 senior forward from Alliance, Neb., enters the Creighton game ranked No. 6 all-time at Nebraska with 1,879 points and No. 4 with 908 rebounds. Hooper ranks second in the Big Ten in both scoring (21.6 ppg) and rebounding (10.8 rpg) through nine games this season.

Junior Emily Cady added her fourth double-double of the young season with 16 points and 10 rebounds while tying her career high with seven assists. The 6-2 forward from Seward, Neb., ranks 16th in the Big Ten in scoring (13.6 ppg) and third in rebounding (9.4 rpg). She also ranks second in field goal percentage (.614) and ninth in free throw percentage (.857).

Creighton comes to Lincoln with a 4-4 record with losses to Oklahoma, Kansas, Drake and most recently, a one-point loss to unbeaten BYU. The Jays, who advanced to the second round of the 2013 NCAA Tournament, are led by sophomore guard Marissa Janning (17.4 ppg, 5.3 rpg) and senior forward Sarah Nelson (11.9 ppg, 5.8 rpg).

Storm Trade For Springfield’s Curry

Posted on December 10, 2013

KEARNEY, Neb. – The Tri-City Storm have announced a trade with the Springfield Jr. Blues of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) for forward Patrick Curry on Tuesday afternoon. A native of Schaumburg, Ill., Curry will join the team and will be eligible to play in Wednesday night’s game against the Omaha Lancers.

Curry was the leading scorer for Springfield at the time of the trade with 12 goals and 14 assists for 26 points in 25 games. Three of his goals were game-winners and he had a plus-nine rating.

The forward was selected by the Chicago Steel last spring in the ninth round in Phase II of the 2013 USHL draft with overall pick No. 122. In 2012-13, Curry played with the Chicago Young Americans, scoring nine goals and 12 assists in 21 games.

The 17-year-old will wear No. 26 and is expected to attend Kearney High School for the remainder of the school year.

In return, the Storm have given up the rights to forward Ross Olsson.

Olsson, who spent time previously with both Lincoln and Cedar Rapids, was picked up in a trade with the RoughRiders during the preseason. In 13 games this season, the forward had a goal and three assists.

It will be a second three-game week in a row for Tri-City as they head to Omaha to face the Lancers on Wednesday at 7:05 before returning home for a weekend series with the Youngstown Phantoms on Dec. 13 and 14. All three games can be heard live on the Storm Radio Network, The Breeze, 94.5 FM.

“Cheer 4 your Team!” Sportsmanship Banner Contest

Posted on December 10, 2013

Good sportsmanship is the attitude and behavior that exemplifies positive support for the interscholastic activities in Nebraska High Schools. Positive experiences do not occur by chance, rather they are a result of educational structure, the right perspective, the right leadership, and the true understanding of sportsmanship. The focus of activities and competition is too often mistaken with winning. It is essential that participants, coaches, parents and fans are constantly reminded to “Cheer 4 Your Team”!

To further enhance efforts for sportsmanship promotion, we invite all member schools to participate in the 2013-2014 “Cheer 4 Your Team!” Sportsmanship Banner Contest. Each school is encouraged to submit one banner design based on good sportsmanship theme.

The selected banner will receive state-wide visibility in:

NSAA State Championships, inclusion in NSAA Publications, and Nebraska Coaches Association (NCA) and Nebraska School Activities Association (NSAA) websites.

The winning school will also receive a $1,000 donation to their Activities Department.

Please review the following criteria, details and deadlines for this contest:

JUDGING CRITERIA:

“CHEER 4 YOUR TEAM!” theme incorporation
Creativity
Diverse use of colors, school activities, participants, gender, etc.
The end product must embrace Sportsmanship and Nebraska Activities

BANNER REQUIREMENTS:

Design: finished design must fit well in a landscape 5″ x 7″ space
Content: any photos, phrases and additional material used must be original in nature
Finished product will be submitted electronically in a higher resolution Jpeg or PDF file

WINNER ANNOUNCED:

The winning design will be announced on APRIL 11TH, 2014 at Rep Assembly.

*The NSAA and NCA reserve the right to edit the final winning banner

DEADLINE:

All design entries must be submitted by MARCH 18TH, 2014 by school Activity Director. Please include the names of the banner design team with design entry.

Send to:

[email protected]

Megan Huber, NSAA Business Manager

(402)489-0386