North Platte High School senior Olivia Nicholson has been recognized by prepvolleyball.com on their 2015 preseason high school all-american watch list. Nicholson, a verbal commit to Colorado State, is one of 350 players across the country tabbed to the watch list and one of seven from Nebraska.

Full Watch List of 2015 Preseason All-Americans

(1 of 2) Seven Nebraska players were named to the PrepVolleyball National High School All-America Watch List for the 2015 season. They are:

— Neb Prep Volleyball (@nebhsvolleyball) July 22, 2015

(2 of 2) @raeggyy, @HalieMcArdle, @TaliyahFlores1, @Sarah_Allick3, @olivianix10, @b__witt & @wantsomeL_otion #nebpreps

— Neb Prep Volleyball (@nebhsvolleyball) July 22, 2015

In the midst of what has been a successful summer for the North Platte High School volleyball program, head coach Laura Miller stopped by The Blitz to discuss the summer progress and upcoming season for the Lady Bulldogs.

North Platte will open the season September 3 at a triangular in Sidney. Tune in to ESPN Radio 1410 and northplattepost.com for NPHS volleyball coverage all season long.

The 2015 recipient of the Binnie & Dutch award for significant contributions to the sport of track & field in Nebraska was awarded to former North Platte High School coach Dennis Fornander.

Fornander spent 21 years coaching at NPHS, where he coached track & field as well as cross country teams. Fornander is the second North Platte High School coach to win the award, joining Doug Martin in 2000.  Joe DiNatale was also honored with the award in 1982 for his contributions to North Platte High School track as the public address announcer.

North Platte High School Activities Director, Marc Mroczek, has named John Lehmer as the new head girls/boys tennis coach for the 2015-2016 school year. Prior to coming to North Platte High School this year, John has coached tennis at the professional level in Kansas City, MO, and coached tennis at North Platte High School from 2010-2012. In addition, John played and coached high school and Division I college tennis, and he was the 2007 Nebraska Tennis Professional of the Year.

Marc Mroczek, North Platte High School Activities Director comments: “John is an extremely qualified individual that will bring valuable experience and expertise to our coaching staff at NPHS. He will be a big asset to the tennis program with his knowledge and passion for the sport. I am excited for the future of North Platte High School Tennis with Coach Lehmer leading the program.”

Lehmer takes over for Dale Hall, who will now be the assistant girls/boys tennis coach.

North Platte High School senior-to-be Allison Kuenle joined The Blitz, live at Wild Bills to talk about winning the AAU Volleyball National Championship and the upcoming season for the Lady Dawgs. Here’s the original story on the team’s national championship.

The North Platte Bulldogs competed in the first nebraskahsfootball.com 7-on-7 state championships at Bellevue West high school on Thursday.  The Dawgs won their quarterfinal matchup over Omaha South 19-6 before falling to Omaha North in the semi-finals, 20-14.  The semi-final loss came on a last second touchdown pass by Omaha North with the score tied at 14. North Platte opens the 2015 season August 28 at home vs. Columbus. Omaha Westside won the Class-A state title as well as the All-Class state 7-on-7 title.

DAWGS 19 – 6 over Omaha South! #important #GODAWGS pic.twitter.com/PCVnrHjm3G

— Bernie Madison (@bmadison54) June 25, 2015

Lost to Omaha North 20-14. 4th & 4 at the goal line w/ 11 seconds and they scored on a rub. #important #GODAWGS pic.twitter.com/etInqfBoiK

— Bernie Madison (@bmadison54) June 25, 2015

MVP 18 Rick is based out of Sioux City, Iowa but the 18-under AAU volleyball team has leaned on a trio of Nebraskans, including a pair of North Platte Lady Bulldogs, on their way to an AAU National Championship.

MVP 18 Rick won the 2015 AAU National Championship in Orlando, Florida by defeating Sports Performance 18 Wave – 17-25, 25-14, 15-11 – in the championship match on Monday.

Allison Kuenle of North Platte and incoming North Platte transfer, Josie Cox along with Kearney Catholic’s Morgan Stute are a part of the national champion squad for MVP 18 Rick. Kuenle and Stute were both named to the National All-Tournament team as well.

Here are the 18 Classic champions from MVP: pic.twitter.com/jhBTHpOWAH

— Neb Prep Volleyball (@nebhsvolleyball) June 22, 2015

Final Results

North Platte Sophomore Kort Steele finished the 2015 Class A State Golf Tournament at +6 (150) to tie for 15th place. It’s the second consecutive year that Steele has placed at Class A State Golf.

Kort Steele Final Scorecard

First Round Scores

The opening round of the Class A State Golf Tournament is complete from Highlands Golf Course in Lincoln. Jack Minnick (Lincoln Southwest) is the leader following round one at 5-under par, 67. There are five golfers under par through the first round.

North Platte Sophomore Kort Steele opened with a 4-over par 76. Steele is currently tied for 18th place.

Day two of the 36-hole championship will begin at 8:30 a.m. Thursday morning.

Kort’s Opening Round Scorecard