Volleyball – Page 16 – North Platte Post Archive

Nebraska Selected to Host 2015 NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Championships

Posted on December 11, 2013

The NCAA announced on Wednesday that the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the Metropolitan Entertainment & Convention Authority (MECA) will co-host the 2015 NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Championships at the CenturyLink Center in Omaha.

The CenturyLink Center will hold the event for the third time as the 2015 Championships are slated for Dec. 17-19. Omaha hosted the championship in 2006 and 2008 and the NCAA Division I Volleyball Regionals in 2005 and 2012.

Bidding for 82 of 89 NCAA championships began in July and 1,984 bid applications were ultimately submitted. Each sport committee, per division, selected the host sites it believed would provide the ultimate experience for the respective student-athletes, resulting in 523 total championship event sites awarded.

Nebraska is hosting one of four NCAA Division I Volleyball Regionals this weekend at the Bob Devaney Sports Center in Lincoln.

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.

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 Stuff Ducks to Advance to NCAA Regional

Posted on December 7, 2013

Lincoln – An outstanding night from Kadie Rolfzen and the Husker block powered the eighth-seeded Nebraska volleyball team to a 3-0 sweep over 25th-ranked Oregon in a second-round NCAA Tournament match Saturday night in front of 8,012 fans at the Devaney Center.

With the 25-22, 25-19, 25-22 win, Nebraska (25-6) advances to next Friday’s NCAA Regional Semifinal at the Devaney Center against either No. 9 seed San Diego or Arizona.

The Huskers, who swept a ranked opponent for the fifth time this season, stuffed the Ducks 13 times on Saturday, holding the fast-paced Oregon offense to a .144 attack percentage. Nebraska hit .291 as four players hit .333 or better and six Huskers had at least five kills.

Kadie Rolfzen, essentially making her postseason debut after playing only the back row in Friday’s win over Fairfield, produced match-high totals of 15 kills and 17 digs. Rolfzen hit .333 on the match while recording her 12th double-double of the year. Her twin sister Amber produced five kills and Kelsey Robinson totaled eight kills. Middle blockers Meghan Haggerty and Cecilia Hall combined for 11 kills on only 20 swings, highlighted by five kills on eight error-free swings from Hall, who hit .625. Haggerty and Hall also contributed six blocks apiece. Setter Mary Pollmiller recorded five kills and dished out 36 kills, just missing a double-double with nine digs.

Liz Brenner led Oregon (20-12) with 14 kills. Canace Finley added seven kills, while Lauren Plum totaled 35 assists and Amanda Benson recorded 11 digs.

In set one, Oregon used an early 5-1 run to build a three-point lead. The teams then traded sideouts for the next 11 rallies before Nebraska closed to within one at 11-10, pulled even at 12-12 and regained the lead at 13-12, forcing a Duck timeout. Nebraska extended its run to 6-1 after the timeout, and the Huskers stretched their lead to three at 21-18 following their fifth block of the set. Nebraska pushed its advantage to four before the Ducks won consecutive points to trim the lead to 23-21 and force a Husker timeout. A Brenner kill following the timeout pulled Oregon within one before a Pollmiller kill and a block gave the Huskers a 25-22 opening set win. NU recorded six blocks in the set and received five kills from Kadie Rolfzen.

Set two featured nine ties in the first 18 rallies, as neither team led by more than one until the 20th rally of the set. Nebraska trailed eight times early, but took the lead with five consecutive points as part of a larger 13-3 run gave the Huskers a 21-12 lead. The Ducks committed five hitting errors during the run, while Robinson had three kills in the spurt. Oregon cut into the nine-point lead with a 7-2 run that trimmed the lead to four, but Nebraska won the final two rallies of the set to earn a 25-19 victory. NU had five more blocks in the second set and produced 16 kills on a .317 hitting percentage.

Oregon won four of the first five rallies of set three, and the Ducks still led by three at 11-8. Nebraska then won four of the next five rallies to tie the set at 12-12. The Huskers took their first lead of the set three rallies later and led 18-14 following an 8-2 run that was capped by back-to-back Kadie Rolfzen kills. Three straight Oregon points quickly trimmed the lead to one before the Huskers answered with five straight points to take a 23-17 lead. The Ducks continued to fight, winning four straight rallies to pull within two. Nebraska ended the run with another Kadie Rolfzen kill, then closed out the 25-22 win on the Huskers’ second match point.

Huskers Sweep Stags in NCAA First Round

Posted on December 7, 2013

Lincoln – A balanced, team effort powered the eighth-seeded Nebraska volleyball team to a 3-0 sweep over Fairfield on Fridaynight in a first-round NCAA Tournament match front of 7,920 fans at the Devaney Center.

The NU offense hit .392 in the match and was not blocked once. Eight Huskers had at least one kill, including five players with five-or-more kills. Kelsey Fien earned the start and led Nebraska with eight kills while hitting .467. Amber Rolfzen and Cecilia Hall combined for 14 kills and just one error in 27 swings in the duo’s postseason debut. Rolfzen had seven kills on 14 error-free attacks, while Hall put down seven kills on 13 swings. Melanie Keil added five kills in the first NCAA Tournament action of her career, while Kelsey Robinson totaled six kills in her first postseason match as a Husker. Mary Pollmiller recorded 31 assists while leading Nebraska to its third-highest hitting percentage of the season.

Defensively, Nebraska totaled 11.0 blocks while holding Fairfield to a season-low .000 attack percentage. Fairfield managed a season-low 25 kills and committed 25 attack errors. The Huskers also out-dug the Stags, 36-31, as both Robinson (12) and freshman Justine Wong-Orantes (11) produced double-digit digs for Nebraska. The all-around defensive effort resulted in Nebraska producing its second-lowest opponent attack percentage of the year.

With the win, Nebraska (24-6) advanced to Saturday’s second-round match against Oregon at 7 p.m. The match is a rematch of last year’s NCAA Regional Final in Omaha, won by the Ducks, 3-1. Saturday’s match will be televised live in the state of Nebraska on NET-1 and a free video stream will also be available online on the Big Ten Digital Network.

Fairfield ended its season with a 19-13 record. Marily Peizer produced a match-high 10 kills, and she was one of only two Stags to hit above .000 in the match. Carsen Mata led Fairfield with nine digs, while Camille Coffey recorded the Stags’ lone ace.

In set one, Nebraska won the first three rallies but Fairfield rallied to take an 8-6 lead following four straight Husker errors. Nebraska spent a timeout to compose itself, and the Huskers responded with a 6-1 run following the timeout to build a 12-9 advantage. Fairfield stayed within three until a 9-1 run gave Nebraska a 22-12 lead. The Huskers cruised from there, closing out a 25-15 first-set victory on a Robinson kill. NU hit .423 in the first set, needing only 26 swings to register 14 kills, including five kills on seven error-free attacks from Fien. The Huskers also recorded four blocks in the set while holding Fairfield to a -.071 hitting percentage.

Set two was all Nebraska, as the Huskers rolled to a 25-9 victory. Fairfield won the first rally of the set, before NU won eight of the next 10 rallies to build an 8-3 lead. The Huskers added a 7-2 run to take a 10-point advantage at 17-7, before closing the set on an 8-1 run. Keil and Rolfzen teamed up to stuff Peizer on set point, but it was the Husker offense that shined in set two. Nebraska hit .593 in the second set, putting down 16 kills on 27 error-free swings. Rolfzen had five kills in the set, while Hall had four kills on six attacks.

Nebraska never trailed in set three, winning six of the first eight rallies to jump out to a 6-2 lead. The Stags quickly pulled within two, before the Huskers used another 6-2 spurt to build a 12-6 advantage. After using a timeout, Fairfield trimmed the lead to three at 13-10 but the Huskers quickly pushed the lead back to six. NU led by at least four the rest of the way.

Former Lady Swede Max Named NAIA Scholar-Athlete

Posted on December 6, 2013December 6, 2013

Six members of the Doane volleyball team were recognized today to the NAIA Scholar-Athlete team. Seniors Ashley Axmann,Ali Jansen and Emily Max were joined by juniors Karissa Blank, Cassandra Choquette and Julie Els on the list that included 391 student-athletes around the NAIA.

Axmann (Pleasanton, Neb.) was a Second Team All-GPAC performer after leading the conference in kills this season. She posted 466 kills on the season for a 3.85 average per set. Axmann added 2.72 digs per set and 83 total blocks. She was named to the Capital One Academic All-District 3 First Team in November.

Jansen (Omaha, Neb.) posted 1.10 kills per set for the Tigers this season. She added 35 total blocks and was also named to the Capital One Academic All-District 3 Second Team. Jansen unfortunately missed time down the stretch due to an injury.

Max (Gothenburg, Neb.) led the team with 118 total blocks this season. She added 1.88 kills per set and received honorable mention All-GPAC.

Blank (Madison, Neb.) led the Tigers in digs this season with 501 for an average of 4.14 per set. She added 48 ace serves and was named honorable mention All-GPAC.

Choquette (Minden, Neb.) posted 48 kills this season and 17 total blocks in 82 sets after returning from injury.

Els (Athens, Ohio) led the Tigers with 53 ace serves. She added 26 back row kills and 187 digs.

Doane finished the season with a 16-18 overall record and went 6-10 in the GPAC.

Huskers Open NCAA Tournament with Fairfield

Posted on December 5, 2013

The No. 9 Nebraska volleyball team (23-6, 16-4 Big Ten) will open the NCAA Tournament at home for the 10th straight season on Fridaynight when it hosts the Fairfield Stags (14-4) at the Bob Devaney Sports Center. The match is set to start at 7 p.m., or 30 minutes after the first match of the day ends between Miami (Fla.) and Oregon.

Nebraska, which recently finished second in the Big Ten Conference, will be making its 32nd appearance in the NCAA Tournament. The Huskers earned a No. 8 national seed in the NCAA Tournament.

Fairfield will be making its second consecutive appearance in the national tournament after repeating as Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championship in 2013. The Stags went earned the conference title after defeating Marist College in three sets on Nov. 24.

Friday night’s match will be the first-ever meeting between Nebraska and Fairfield. It will be the second time the Huskers have ever played a team from the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.

Nebraska’s match with Fairfield will air state-wide on NET-1/HD with Larry Punteney and Kathi Wieskamp on the call. The match will also be streamed for free on Huskers.com. The match between Miami and Oregon will also be streamed on Huskers.com for free.

FAIRFIELD at NEBRASKA

Date: Dec. 6

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

TV: NET

Web Stream: Huskers.com

Other match in Lincoln on Friday

MIAMI (FLA.) vs. OREGON

Date: Dec. 6

Time: 4:30 p.m.

Location: Lincoln, Neb.

Arena: Devaney Center

Live Stats: Huskers.com

Web Stream: Huskers.com

NET to Broadcast NCAA Tournament Matches

Posted on December 4, 2013

Fans who are unable to make it to Lincoln on Friday night to watch the Huskers open the 2013 NCAA Tournament will be able to watch the match live. NET Television and the Nebraska Athletic Department announced Wednesday that the Huskers’ Fridaynight match will air statewide on NET-1 and NET-HD. If the Huskers advance to Saturday night’s 7 p.m. second-round match against Miami or Oregon, that match will also be broadcast live on NET-1 and NET-HD. Fans can also watch every match this weekend for free on Huskers.com.

Larry Punteney and Kathi Wieskamp will call the action for NET from the Bob Devaney Sports Center, as Nebraska will open NCAA Tournament play against the Fairfield Stags on Friday at 7 p.m.

Friday’s 4:30 p.m. match between Miami and Oregon will be available via a free web stream on Huskers.com.

All of Nebraska’s matches will also be available on selected Husker Sports Network stations, including B107.3 FM in Lincoln and 93.3 FM in Omaha, and on Huskers.com.

Robinson Heads All-Big Ten Team

Posted on December 3, 2013December 3, 2013

Nebraska senior Kelsey Robinson leads three Husker volleyball players who earned All-Big Ten honors from the league’s coaches on Tuesday. A native of Bartlett, Ill., Robinson became the first Husker to earn Big Ten Player-of-the-Year accolades.

Robinson paces a Husker contingent that also includes freshman Kadie Rolfzen and junior Mary Pollmiller. Nebraska saw Robinson and Rolfzen earn All-Big Ten honors, while Pollmiller earned honorable-mention accolades. Kadie Rolfzen was also named to the All-Freshman Team as a unanimous pick. In addition, senior Morgan Broekhuis was selected as Nebraska’s Sportsmanship Award honoree.

Robinson earned player-of-the-year accolades and a unanimous All-Big Ten award after totaling 481 kills on the season and 4.50 kills per set for the Huskers. She is hitting at a clip of .323 for the year and has a total of 356 digs for an average of 3.33 digs per set. In conference play, Robinson tallied 352 kills and a hitting percentage of .349. She led the Big Ten in kills (4.69) and points (5.41) per set during the conference season. She has 19 double-doubles on the season and was named 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. She has tallied 10 or more kills 26 times in 2013 and hit .300 or better 19 times. Robinson notched a career-high-tying 29 kills against Wisconsin on Oct. 5 and a season-high 23 digs against Texas on Sept. 22.

Rolfzen put together a stellar freshman campaign for the Huskers in 2013. She has made an immediate impact for NU, totaling 341 kills on the year and 240 digs. During conference play she had 267 kills for an average of 3.56 kills per set and hit at a clip of .292. She was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Week once in 2013. Rolfzen has posted 10 or more kills 21 times in 2013 and hit at a clip of .300 12 times as a freshman. She has also notched 11 double-doubles for the Huskers and recorded a career-high 20 kills and 17 digs twice.

Pollmiller garnered honorable-mention accolades as she has recorded 1,142 assists on the year, for an average of 10.67 assists per set. During Big Ten play, she posted 832 assists and averaged 11.09 assists per set. Pollmiller has helped Nebraska hit .300 or better in nine matches in 2013, including a season-high .418 hitting percentage against Indiana on Nov. 23. She has totaled 50 or more assists six times as a junior and notched four double-doubles on the season. Pollmiller tallied a season-high 62 assists against Texas on Sept. 22 and was named the Big Ten Setter of the Week four times in 2013.

The Big Ten also recognized 12 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. Broekhuis received the honor for her contributions this season.

The Huskers open the NCAA Tournament on Friday, Dec. 6, when they face Fairfield at the Bob Devaney Sports Center. The match is set to start at 7 p.m., or 30 minutes after the 4:30 p.m. match between Miami (Fla.) and Oregon. The first-round winners will then meet on Saturday, Dec. 7 at 7 p.m.

ALL-BIG TEN

JOCELYNN BIRKS, So., OH, ILL

Jennifer Cross, Sr., MB, MICH

LAUREN WICINSKI, Sr., OH, MSU

TORI DIXON, Sr., MH, MINN

ASHLEY WITTMAN, Sr., OH, MINN

KELSEY ROBINSON, Sr., OH, NEB

Kadie Rolfzen, Fr., OH, NEB

Stephanie Holthus, Sr., OH, NU

DEJA McCLENDON, Sr., OH, PSU

Micha Hancock, Jr., S, PSU

KATIE SLAY, Sr., MB, PSU

ARIEL SCOTT, Sr., OH, PSU

Val Nichol, Jr., OH/S, PUR

Lauren Carlini, Fr., S., WIS

Honorable Mention

Liz McMahon, Jr., OPP, ILL

Alexis Mathews, Sr., MB, MSU

Kori Moster, Jr., LIB, MSU

Mary Pollmiller, Jr., S, NEB

Kaitlyn Leary, Sr., OH, OSU

Carly Cramer, Sr., LIB, PUR

ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM

Abby Cole, RS, MICH

Chloe Reinig, OH, MSU

Hannah Tapp, MB, MINN

KADIE ROLFZEN, OH, NEB

Taylor Sandbothe, MB, OSU

LAUREN CARLINI, S, WIS

Haleigh Nelson, MB, WIS

Unanimous selections in CAPS

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Kelsey Robinson, NEB

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Kori Moster, MSU

SETTER OF THE YEAR

Micha Hancock, PSU

FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR

Lauren Carlini, WIS

COACH OF THE YEAR (COACHES AND MEDIA)

Russ Rose, PSU

SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD HONOREES

Courtney Abrahamovich, ILL

Jade Henderson, IND

Alli O’Deen, IOWA

Brittany Lee, MICH

Kristen Kelsay, MSU

Daly Santana, MINN

Morgan Broekhuis, NEB

Katie Dutchman, NU

Andrea Kacsits, OSU

Maggie Harding, PSU

Katie Griffin, PUR

Annemarie Hickey, WIS