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Author: Dave Riggert

Missouri Western volleyball falls in four sets at No. 9 Washburn

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TOPEKA, Kan. – Griffon Volleyball (12-11, 4-6) rebounded from a shaky start to give No. 9 Washburn (22-0, 10-0) a run for its money in a four-set loss to the Ichabods.

NOTABLES

  • After scoring just nine points in the first set, Missouri Western scored 22 in the second, won the third and scored 20 points in the fourth set
  • After leading the third 23-18, Washburn came back and extended the set before three-straight errors gave Missouri Western a 30-28 win in the set
  • The Griffons held one of the MIAA’s top hitting teams under .200 in the second and third sets and out-hit the Ichabods .255 to .194 in the third set
  • Missouri Western out-blocked Washburn 12-9
  • The Griffons matched the Ichabods’ four aces with four of their own

LEADERS

  • Stephanie Doak had 17 kills
  • Rachel Losch led the team with seven total blocks and added nine kills on a .308 hitting percentage
  • Audrey Keim had a team-high 29 digs
  • Lauren Murphy led the team with 42 assists

UP NEXT

  • The Griffons travel to Emporia State (10-13, 4-6), Saturday, for a 7 p.m. match
  • Emporia State fell in three sets to Northwest Missouri Friday night

    — MWSU Athletics —

Northwest Missouri State volleyball sweeps Emporia State

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EMPORIA, Kansas – The Northwest Missouri State University volleyball team posted a 3-0 win at Emporia State on Friday. The Bearcats won by set scores of 25-17, 25-17, 25-11.

Northwest (16-5 overall, 8-2 MIAA) hit .369 as a team and recorded a sideout percentage of 78 percent in the three-set victory. Emporia State (10-13 overall, 4-6 MIAA) was limited to a .140 hitting percentage.

Bearcat sophomore Hallie Sidney continued her torrid play by posting a match-high 15 kills (.406 hitting percentage). Northwest senior Maddy Bruder registered her fourth straight double-double with 22 digs and 10 kills against the Hornets. Sophomore Maddy Ahrens notched her ninth double-double on the season with 40 assists and 10 digs.

Northwest hit .382 in the opening set and was led by Bruder’s five kills.

Northwest hit .364 in the second set with 15 kills and three errors. Sidney had five kills in the second stanza.

The Bearcats closed it out in the third by earning sideouts in all 12 opportunities. Sidney had six kills and no errors, while Bruder added 11 digs in the final set.

The Bearcats will be in action at 6 p.m Saturday at Washburn (22-0 overall, 10-0 MIAA).

NOTES: Maddy Bruder has a team-best 12 double-doubles this season … Northwest is 15-0 in three-set matches … the Bearcats have won seven of their eight MIAA matches in three sets.

— Northwest Athletics —

Griffon soccer earns 3-1 win at Southwest Baptist

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BOLIVAR, Mo. – Missouri Western soccer improved to 9-4 (4-2 MIAA) with Friday’s road win over Southwest Baptist (0-11-2, 0-5-1 MIAA). The Griffons won 3-1 to start off their weekend road trip.

NOTABLES

  • Madison Utley scored the first goal of the game in the 28th minute off of a Cassidy Menke assist.
  • Cassidy Menke scored her ninth goal of the season to put the Griffons up 2-0.
  • Lillian Davis scored on a header from a corner kick from Madeline Cowell in the 82nd minute to seal the 3-1 victory for the Griffons.
  • Missouri Western never trailed throughout the entire game. The Griffons jumped out to a two-score lead before allowing the Bearcats’ lone goal of the game.
  • Missouri Western moves up to third in the MIAA with their fourth conference win, and could tie for second with an Emporia State loss.

STATS AND LEADERS

  • Menke has now scored in four of the last five games.
  • Friday’s win was the fourth time this season that three players have scored in the same game for the Griffons.
  • Cowell’s assist on Friday was her first of the season. Cowell had seven assists last season while playing midfielder for the Griffons, but has moved to the defender position this season.
  • Anna Mayer had nine saves in the win, with six of those coming in the second half.
  • Menke’s nine goals and four assists this season gives her 22 total points, which is third in the MIAA.
  • Southwest Baptist had 10 shots on goal compared to eight for Missouri Western.

UP NEXT

  • Missouri Western will travel to Joplin to take on Missouri Southern (6-4-2) on Sunday.
  • The Griffons have not lost to Missouri Southern since 2013.

    — MWSU Athletics —

Bearcat soccer gets beat at Missouri Southern 2-0

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The Missouri Southern University Lions defeated the Bearcats 2-0 in Joplin, Missouri Friday. The Bearcats were tied at 0 at halftime, before allowing the Lions’ two goals in the second half.

Both goals for the Lions were scored by Bailey Belcher. The first was scored in the 65th minute and was unassisted. The second was scored in the 84th minute and was assisted by Alex McCord and Julia Liberty.

The Lions moved to 8-4-2 on the year and the Bearcats fell to 1-12. The Bearcats play again Sunday against Southwest Baptist at 2 p.m. in Bolivar.

— Northwest Athletics —

MWSU tennis wraps up fall season with sweep of Grand View

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ST. JOSEPH – Missouri Western Tennis wrapped up the 2018 fall season in dominating fashion, sweeping Grand View 9-0 on Friday.

It was a complete team effort for the Griffons, as each individual posted an impressive performance. Mireia Birosta and Ciarra Gilmore started off doubles play with an 8-1 victory. The victory completes the undefeated season for the doubles pair. Joanna Abreu Roman and Karolina Ström won their doubles match 8-2.

The singles matches were highlighted by Federica Salmaso and Erica Dunn. Salmaso set the tone in singles by shutting out her opponent 6-0, 6-0 in the first match.

Following Salmaso was Erica Dunn, who took the 6-1, 6-0 victory to close out her fall season. Her win on Friday gives Dunn her first career collegiate win in singles.

Mireia Birosta and Ciarra Gilmore both won by default in singles.

Again, Friday’s match against Grand View was the final match of the fall season for the Griffons, as their scheduled match against William Jewell on October 19 was cancelled. Missouri Western Tennis will open their spring season at home against Newman University on February 1.

RESULTS

SINGLES
Karolina Ström (MWSU) def. Kristina Khmelevskaid (GV) 6-1, 6-3
Joanna Abreu Roman (MWSU) def. Eisha Nathwani (GV) 6-2, 6-2
Federica Salmaso (MWSU) def. Tina Kajtazovic (GV) 6-0, 6-0
Erica Dunn (MWSU) def. Molly Harvey (GV) 6-1, 6-0

DOUBLES
Abreu Roman/Ström (MWSU) def.Khmelevskaid/Nathwani (GV) 8-2
Birosta/Gilmore (MWSU) def. Kajtazovic/Harvey (GV) 8-1

— MWSU Athletics —

Chiefs sign free agent LB Nate Orchard

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Nate Orchard has gone from a highly drafted pick of the Cleveland Browns to a featured star on HBO’s documentary series “Hard Knocks” to the couch as an unemployed linebacker in the NFL.

Now, he’s suiting up for a team with Super Bowl aspirations.

Maybe even the Super Bowl favorites.

Orchard signed with the Kansas City Chiefs on Wednesday to shore up their pass rush besieged by injuries. Justin Houston could miss several weeks after hurting his hamstring in last Sunday’s win over Jacksonville while Dee Ford and Tanoh Kpassagnon have been dealing with nagging injuries.

“It was a nice time to be with my family,” Orchard said while standing in a mostly empty Chiefs locker room Wednesday, “but I’m very fortunate to be here with the record they have.”

The Chiefs (5-0) have become the trendy pick to win the AFC after routing the Jaguars last week, and they can validate those hopes with a win Sunday in New England. But winning on the road against Tom Brady and Co. became a lot tougher after the Chiefs’ defense sustained a surfeit of injuries last week.

Along with their ailing linebackers, the Chiefs had to put right guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif on the disabled list with a broken bone in his leg and Armani Watts on the IR with a core muscle injury.

The Chiefs signed Frank Zombo, who had spent the past five seasons with Kansas City, when they made those roster moves on Tuesday. They added Orchard to further bolster their depth.

“Nate had a real good college career. He played for a good friend of mine at Utah,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said of Utes coach Kyle Whittingham. “(Orchard) knows the system, he’s familiar with it, then he’s a good player. A very hard worker. And he’s smart.”

The secondary is in a similar state of shambles.

Strong safety Eric Berry remains sidelined with a heel injury that was supposed to keep him out a short period, but has instead sidelined him since early in camp. Daniel Sorensen remains on IR with his broken leg, though he could return in the next few weeks, and Watts has joined him on the list.

Their backup, Eric Murray, was held out of practice Wednesday with a lower-leg injury.

The Chiefs thought Watts had merely sustained a groin injury against the Jaguars, but trainer Rick Burkholder said an MRI revealed more damage. Watts was headed to Philadelphia for core muscle surgery on Thursday, though he should be ready for the start of practices next season.

The fact that Chiefs general manager Brett Veach chose to add pass rushers in Orchard and Zombo and not an extra safety means they likely believe Berry and Sorensen will be able to help soon.

Jordan Lucas, who arrived in a trade with Miami just before the season, picked off his first career pass after entering the game against Jacksonville. He’s in line to get more snaps alongside Ron Parker, and journeyman safety Josh Shaw could factor into the mix.

“It’s a collective. This defense is no single guy out there being dominant,” Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones said. “It’s a collective whole. Everyone making plays, that’s what we focus on.”

That goes for all levels of the defense, including outside linebacker, where Houston’s injury and the uncertain status of Kpassagnon could mean a crucial opportunity for Breeland Speaks.

The Chiefs’ second-round pick has been active for all five games, but he has mostly been used on special teams and to give the starters a breather. Now, the former Ole Miss star could be counted upon to put some pressure on Brady and cover the Patriots’ pass-catching running backs.

“I look for Breeland to keep progressing all around,” Jones said. “He’s got a veteran in Justin Houston in the room. Dee’s in the room. Those guys he can learn from.”

As battered as the Chiefs defense is right now, he’d better learn in a hurry.

Notes: Burkholder said Duvernay-Tardif’s injury was also more severe than first believed in that the offensive lineman tore ligaments in the ankle along with breaking his fibula. Duvernay-Tardif is scheduled to have surgery Monday in Green Bay, Wisconsin. “We’ll know more after the surgery how much he’ll miss,” Burkholder said. … Reid confirmed that Jordan Devey is likely to start in Duvernay-Tardif’s place. “He has experience,” Reid said. “Everybody is confident in him that he can step up and go.”

— Associated Press —

Kansas fires offensive coordinator Doug Meacham

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LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas football head coach David Beaty announced Wednesday that he has dismissed offensive coordinator Doug Meacham. Beaty said the coordination of the offense will be a team effort, but that he will have final say regarding in-game play calling. In addition, Beaty will work directly with the quarterbacks.

“I appreciate Doug and all the work he put in during his time at Kansas,” said Beaty. “None of us are satisfied with the progress we are making on the offensive side of the ball. We hope that with this change we are better able to put our players in the best position to be successful.”

— KU Athletics —

Big 12 releases preseason women’s basketball honors

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The Big 12 Conference has announced its Preseason All-Big 12 Team as well as honors for preseason player, freshman and newcomer of the year for the 2018-19 women’s basketball season. The awards are chosen by head coaches, who are not allowed to vote for their own student-athletes.

Kalani Brown (Baylor) was selected as the Preseason Player of the Year for a second consecutive season. Graduate student Danni Williams (Texas) was named Preseason Newcomer of the Year. NaLyssa Smith (Baylor) and Charli Collier (Texas) shared Preseason Co-Freshmen of the Year honors.

Brown was a unanimous All-Big 12 First Team honoree last season and the 2018 Big 12 Player of the Year. As a junior, the Slidell, Louisiana, native averaged 20.1 points and 10.2 rebounds per game, while connecting on 65.0 percent (278-of-428) from the field.

Williams, a graduate student transfer, averaged 14.7 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.4 assists last season. In 2016-17, she ranked sixth in the SEC with 16.6 points per game.

Collier amassed 3,539 points and 1,400 rebounds in her high school career at Barbers Hill. The Mont Belvieu, Texas native, was a finalist for the Naismith Trophy High School Player of the Year Award and was a McDonald’s All-American and Jordan Brand Classic All-American.

Smith averaged 23.4 points, 13.7 rebounds and 3.4 blocks as a senior at East Central High. The Converse, Texas, native also earned McDonald’s All-American and Jordan Brand Classic All-American honors. Additionally, she was a 2018 Naismith Trophy High School All-American First Team selection.

Joining Brown on the Preseason All-Big 12 Team are Lauren Cox (Baylor), Bridget Carleton (Iowa State), Kayla Goth (K-State), Shaina Pellington (Oklahoma), Braxtin Miller (Oklahoma State), Amy Okonkwo (TCU), Joyner Holmes (Texas), Lashann Higgs (Texas) and Tynice Martin (West Virginia). The preseason team was expanded this year to match the postseason honors.

The 2018-19 season gets underway on Tuesday, November 6 with three non-conference games. League action begins on Wednesday, January 2. The Big 12 Tipoff event is set for Tuesday, Oct. 16, in Dallas, Texas, at St. Philip’s School and Community Center.

2018-19 Big 12 Conference Women’s Basketball Preseason awards
(coaches not allowed to vote for own players) 

Preseason Player of the Year
Kalani Brown, Baylor, C, 6-5, Sr, Slidell, La.

Preseason Newcomer of the Year
Danni Williams, Texas, G, 5-10, Gr, Clovis, N.M.

Preseason Co-Freshmen of the Year
NaLyssa Smith, Baylor, F, 6-2, Converse, Texas
Charli Collier, Texas, F/C, 6-5, Mont Belvieu, Texas

Name School Pos Ht Cl-Exp PPG RPG Hometown
Kalani Brown Baylor C 6-5 Sr-3L 20.1 10.2 Slidell, La.
Lauren Cox Baylor F 6-4 Jr-2L 15.3 9.7 Flower Mound, Texas
Bridget Carleton Iowa State G 6-1 Sr-3L 19.2 6.5 Chatham, Ontario, Canada
Kayla Goth K-State G 6-0 Sr-3L 17.5 3.8 DeForest, Wis.
Shaina Pellington Oklahoma G 5-7 So-1L 13.1 2.7 Pickering, Ontario, Canada
Braxtin Miller Oklahoma State G 5-10 So-1L 11.7 3.4 Centerville, Ohio
Amy Okonkwo TCU F 6-2 Sr-2L 14.4 5.8 Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.
Lashann Higgs Texas G 5-9 Sr-3L 12.8 3.3 Round Rock, Texas
Joyner Holmes Texas G/F 6-3 Jr-2L 6.8 6.0 Cedar Hill, Texas
Tynice Martin West Virginia G 5-11 Jr-2L 18.6* 4.3* Atlanta, Ga.


* Did not play in 2017-18 due to injury, stats are from 2016-17 season.  

Honorable Mention (listed alphabetically by school): Christalah Lyons (Kansas), Jessica Washington (Kansas), Peyton Williams (K-State), Adeola Akomolafe (TCU), Jordan Moore (TCU), Jatarie White (Texas), Danni Williams (Texas), Naomi Davenport (West Virginia) and Katrina Pardee (West Virginia).

— Big 12 Press Release —

World of Outlaws coming to Lakeside Speedway on October 19

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KANSAS CITY, Kan. — October 10, 2018 — The World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series will visit Lakeside Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas for the ninth consecutive year on Friday, October 19 for the running of the FVP Platinum Battery Shootout. The event will again coincide with the NASCAR weekend at Kansas Speedway, which is less than 10 miles from Lakeside Speedway.

Last year, Brian Brown picked up a very popular win at his home track. Brown, who hails from nearby Grain Valley, Mo., held off Sheldon Haudenschild and nine-time series champion Donny Schatz for the victory. Brown led early, before Kerry Madsen took control of the race, only to have a flat tire, while holding nearly a nine-second lead. Brown inherited the lead at this point and went on to pick up the win.

Brad Sweet, who scored the biggest victory of his career earlier this year, claiming the Knoxville Nationals, won at Lakeside for the first time in 2016. Schatz was victorious for the first time at Lakeside Speedway in 2015. Madsen won at Lakeside Speedway in 2014, while Daryn Pittman, the 2013 World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series champion, won at Lakeside in 2003.

Leading the way for the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series again this season is Schatz, who is chasing his 10th series title. The North Dakota native has 19 wins to go along with a series-leading 46 top-five finishes and a series-best 59 top-10 runs in 64 starts.

Sweet sits second in the series standings, on the strength of eight wins. David Gravel, who has five wins is third, followed by Pittman, who has eight victories, in fourth and Shane Stewart, who has one win, rounding out the top-five.

Logan Schuchart, who just picked up his second victory of the season, is sixth in points. Sheldon Haudenschild, who is having a breakout season with five wins, is seventh in the standings, followed by rookie Ian Madsen in eighth. Brent Marks, who has racked up three wins in his sophomore season on the road, is ninth in the standings, with Kraig Kinser rounding out the top-10.

Jacob Allen, who has a number of runner-up finishes this season is just outside of the top-10 in points as he chases his first-career World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series win. Veteran drivers Jason Sides and Greg Wilson are also on the tour again in 2018.

A strong contingent of “invaders” are expected for the FVP Platinum Battery Shootout, including Brown, who won seven races at the famed Knoxville Raceway this year in weekly competition. Joey Saldana will be piloting the Jason Johnson Racing No. 41 at Lakeside Speedway. Kerry Madsen, who won with the Outlaws earlier this season and led 13 laps last year at Lakeside, will be in competition.

Brock Zearfoss from Pennsylvania will be in attendance, aboard the No. 4 machine for Destiny Motorsports. Also expected, is California teenager Mason Daniel, who is being mentored by 2001 World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series champion Danny Lasoski.

Tickets for the FVP Outlaws Shootout, featuring the World of Outlaws Craftsman Sprint Car Series at Lakeside Speedway in Kansas City on Friday, October 19 can be purchased in advance online at https://slspromotions.ticketforce.com or by calling 815-344-2023. Tickets can also be purchased at the track on race day.

— World of Outlaws Release —

Missouri Western volleyball sweeps William Jewell

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ST. JOSEPH – Griffon Volleyball (12-10) dominated William Jewell (5-17) in a three-set victory that also saw Stephanie Doak become the most recent member of Missouri Western’s 1,000-kill club.  MWSU won 25-13, 25-17, 25-14.

Needing 12 kills to get to 1,000 before the match, Doak entered the third set needing one more and got it quick in the third set, prompting a timeout by Marian Carbin so her junior outside hitter could be recognized.

NOTABLES

  • Doak ended the night with 17 kills and a .440 hitting percentage and became the first Griffon to 1,000 kills since Jessie Thorup (1,176, 2012-15)
  • Shellby Taylor is in position to be the next Griff to 1,000 kills with 971 in her career
  • The Griffons hit .319 as a team and held William Jewell to an .061 hitting percentage
  • Missouri Western had an 82 percent sideout percentage, including 92 percent in the first set
  • The Griffs hit .531 in the first, winning 25-13
  • William Jewell didn’t score more than 17 (second set)

LEADERS

  • Doak’s 17 kills were the most by any player
  • Ali Tauchen had seven kills while Sam Duncan, Shellby Taylor and Rachel Losch each had five
  • Liv Winker led the team with 22 assists while Lauren Murphy added 13
  • Tiana Butler and Lindsey Hartline each had two aces
  • Audrey Keim led the team with 16 digs
  • Tauchen also led the team with three blocks

UP NEXT

  • A weekend road trip to No. 9 Washburn (21-0) on Friday and Emporia State (10-12) Saturday.

    — MWSU Athletics —

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