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Author: Dave Riggert

Missouri Western volleyball upsets No. 11 Central Missouri in five sets

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MWSUST. JOSEPH, Mo. – The Missouri Western Volleyball team upset #11 Central Missouri in five sets (14-25, 25-19, 20-25, 25-23, 15-12) at the MWSU Fieldhouse Friday night.

After dropping the first set, the Griffons started with fire in the second set. Leading 5-3, Ashley Mainord would drop a kill that ignited a 5-0 run to push the lead to 10-3 and MWSU would never look back.

The third set saw UCM take an early 12-7 advantage before a Rachel Losch kill and two aces from Kayla Ruff allowed Missouri Western to tie the set at 12-12.  Both teams would swap the lead before the Jennies rallied to take the set.

Stephanie Doak would start a 5-0 fourth set rally with a kill to give Missouri Western a 7-5 edge.  After that point neither team would take a lead greater than two points as they battled towards the end.  Rachel Friedrichs would get the set clinching kill to force the decisive fifth set.

The Griffons used a 3-0 start to set the tone of the fifth set and would never give up that lead up. Ashley Mainord would knock home the game winning kill for Missouri Western to complete the upset.

MWSU rallied behind Ashely Mainord, who finished with 10 kills, 6 blocks and an ace.  The Griffons also used a balance attack from Stephanie Doak’s 13 kills and Blair Russell’s 10 kills.  Tiana Butler continued to be a force at the service line as she aced the Jennies four times as Kayla Ruff served up two of her own aces.  Kelsey Olion tallied 20 digs and Ruff recorded 19 digs.  Kortney Blaufuss would end the night with 37 assist.

Missouri Western will look to build on their upset as it travels to Lindenwood Saturday for a 6 p.m. match.

— MWSU Athletics —

No. 18 Northwest volleyball survives at Lindenwood in five sets

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Northwest2013riggertThe Northwest Missouri State University volleyball team picked up a five-set victory over Lindenwood, 3-2, on Friday in St. Charles, Mo.

– The No. 18 ranked Bearcats move to 17-1 overall and 5-1 in MIAA play with the victory. Lindenwood falls to 5-11 and 1-5 in conference action with the loss.
– Maddy Bruder had 21 kills, 14 digs, three blocks and one assist. It marked the fifth time in her career she has tallied 20 or more kills in a single match.
– The Bearcats dropped the first set, 25-21, but came back to win the next two, 25-17 and 25-23. Northwest fell in the fourth set, 26-24, but took the deciding fifth set, 15-10.

Key Northwest Statistics
– Miranda Foster had 14 kills, 16 digs and three blocks in the win.
– Sarah Dannettell had 61 assists with 15 digs, four kills, three blocks and one service ace.
– Olivia Nowakowski had 21 digs and a pair of assists.
– Jackie Becker had 12 kills and a pair of blocks.
– Darcy Sunderman had 11 total kills.
– Alexis Williams tallied eight kills, five blocks and five digs.
– Megan Stilmock had 12 digs defensively.

Key Northwest Sequences
– With a two-point lead in the second, 18-16, Northwest closed out the set with a 7-1 run. Bruder had back-to-back kills to force a Lindenwood timeout. Out of the break, Bruder tallied another kill to make it 21-16. A Lion attack error and a block by Dannettell and Williams widened the margin to 23-16. Lindenwood scored to make it 23-17 but Bruder and Dannettell combined for a block to give the Bearcats set point. Williams put away a kill off an assist from Dannettell to give Northwest the second set, tying the match, 1-1.

– Down 22-17 in the third set, Northwest rallied to score eight of the next nine points to win the set and take a 2-1 lead. After a Lion service errors, Foster and Bruder combined for three-straight kills to force a Lindenwood timeout trailing by just one, 22-21. Out of the timeout, Williams and Bruder combined for a block to force a 22-22 tie. A bad Lion set gave the Bearcats a 23-22 lead. After a second Lindenwood timeout, Bruder marked up another kill to make it 24-22. On set point, the Lions got a killl but Lindenwood errored on the ensuing service to give Northwest the 25-23 set win.

– Northwest scored nine of the last 11 points in the fifth set to win the match. With Lindenwood leading 8-6, Northwest used a 5-0 run to take an 11-8 lead after kills from Sunderman, Becker and Bruder. Holding a 13-10 lead, Bruder closed out the set with back-to-back kills to give the Bearcats the win.

Up Next
– The Bearcats will head to Warrensburg on Saturday to take on No. 11 Central Missouri at 7 p.m. in the Multipurpose Building.

— Northwest Athletics —

Menke’s goal lifts MWSU soccer to OT win at Nebraska-Kearney

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riggertMissouriWesternKEARNEY, Neb. – Cassidy Menke is making a habit of coming through in the clutch for the Missouri Western soccer team. The junior scored her fourth game-winning goal of the season Friday night at Nebraska-Kearney in the 95th minute to give her team its fourth overtime win of the season and eighth win overall.

Menke’s fifth goal of the season came from the left corner off an assist from Paige Phipps and broke a 1-all tie. Bridget Blessie put the Griffons on the board first, with a penalty kick in the 33rd minute. UNK tied it up in the 48th on a goal by Molly Willis. The Griffons had their chances to win it late in regulation as the Lopers were forced to play with 10 after a red card on Kadie Walaszcyk in the 86th minute. Cassidy Chappell had a shot from the right wing go wide with 15 seconds left in regulation.

In goal, Lexie Martin had four saves and improved to 5-1 on the season. Menke moved within two goals of tying the MWSU single season record of seven. Missouri Western moved two wins away from setting a program record for wins in a season with seven games remaining in the regular season.

The Griffons will look for win number nine this Sunday at Fort Hays State. The Tigers entered Friday night’s game against Northwest Missouri State 6-3-1 overall.

— MWSU Athletics —

Mizzou’s Frericks suffers season-ending knee injury

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riggertMissouriUniversity of Missouri women’s basketball senior Jordan Frericks will miss the 2016-2017 season because of a torn anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee.

Frericks, a 6-foot-1 forward from Quincy, Ill., has been the Tigers’ leading rebounder for three consecutive years.

“Jordan is an incredible leader and a fierce competitor and as she begins her rehab and recovery, our program will persevere together as a family and support her along the way,” Pingeton said in a statement. “We know she will bounce back in the face of adversity and that she’ll return from the injury stronger, on and off the court. I have no doubt she will continue to be an important leader for our team this season and beyond.”

Frericks suffered the injury during a preseason workout and she plans to return for her redshirt senior season in 2017-18.

She helps Mizzou finish 22-10 last season as they qualified for the NCAA Tournament and defeated BYU in the opening round.

Frericks has been chosen All-SEC second team by the conference’s coaches each of the past two seasons.  She averaged 12.1 points and a team-high 7.7 rebounds last season.

Griffons get swept by No. 18 Northwest Missouri State

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MWSUST. JOSEPH, Mo. – The Missouri Western volleyball team fell to No. 18 Northwest Missouri State 3-0 (25-22, 25-20, 25-19) on Tuesday inside the MWSU Fieldhouse.

After trading jabs early, the Griffons fell behind midway through the first set. Trailing 17-10, Kelsey Olion would get a kill to start a 7-0 run and allow MWSU to tie the set at 17-17. However, Northwest had one more run left in them to take the first set.

Unable to overcome a slow second set, Missouri Western found itself in another early hole in the third set. The Griffons would fight back into the set with a 3-0 run to get the score to 18-14. Northwest would again have another run in them to win the set and match.

Kelsey Olion would lead the Griffons with nine kills with Rachel Friedrichs adding seven kills. Olion also provided Missouri Western with three aces. Kortney Blaufuss recorded 23 assist as Tiana Butler finished with 12 digs.

The loss snaps a six-match winning streak for MWSU over Northwest Missouri. Missouri Western hosts #11 Central Missouri on Friday at 6 p.m. in the MWSU Fieldhouse.

— MWSU Athletics —

Western golf teams wrap up play Tuesday in Minnesota & Oklahoma

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riggertMissouriWesternLAKE CITY, Minn. – The Missouri Western men’s golf team used a strong second round to move up two spots and finish with its highest ranking of the fall, fourth, at the JR Watkins Invite in Lake City, Minnesota on Tuesday.

The Griffons shot 302 in Tuesday’s final round for a 605 two-round total, finishing 29-over par for the event. Freshman Patrick McCarthy was 3-over for the event, improving by seven strokes in his second round with a 70 on Tuesday. The freshman was the Griffons’ highest finisher, ending seventh.

Jakob Rudosky shot a 6-over 150 and finished tied for 17th. Kevin Kim finished tied for 24th with a 7-over 151. Lucas Horesman finished with a 158 and Jakob Majeske shot a 159 in his first collegiate event.

EDMOND, Okla. – The Missouri Western Women’s Golf team finished tied for eleventh place with a score of 653 at the RCB/Central Oklahoma Classic at the Fairfax Golf Club in Edmond, Oklahoma.

Shi Qing Ong led MWSU, shooting a 152 and finishing tied for tenth place.  Jenna Kosmatka finished the tournament with a 162, as Madison Romjue carded a final score of 163.  Both Griffons would finish inside the top 40 of the field.  Tiffanie Yabut shot a 176 as Brittany Kennedy concluded her tournament with a 216.

Johany Rivera of St. Edward’s won the tournament with a score of 143, as St. Edward’s also took the team title shooting a 603. Missouri Western will finish the fall season out, Oct. 10 and Oct. 11 at the Midwest Classic in Maryville, Missouri.

— MWSU Athletics —

Former Tiger DE Justin Smith named SEC Legend

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riggertMissouriCOLUMBIA, Mo. – Former Missouri defensive end Justin Smith has been honored as Mizzou’s member of the 2016 SEC Legends Class, announced Tuesday by the Southeastern Conference. The SEC Legends are a collection of former football standouts who will be honored at events surrounding the SEC Football Championship Game in Atlanta in December.

Smith was one of the top pass rushing defensive ends in Tiger history. He was a first-team All-American as a junior in 2000 before bypassing his final year of eligibility for the NFL.  In his final season as a Tiger, he recorded 97 total tackles and 11 quarterback sacks, both Mizzou season records at the time. In just three years, he established the MU career sacks record with 22.5.

Smith went on to become the highest-ever draft pick by a Mizzou Tiger when he was selected with the No. 4 overall pick of the 2000 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals. He turned in a stellar 14-year NFL career, becoming one of the league’s most feared defenders in seven seasons with the Bengals and the San Francisco 49ers.  He was selected for five consecutive Pro Bowls (2009-2013), and was named to the AP All-Pro Team in both 2011 and 2012. Sports Illustrated named him the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2011 and he helped lead the 49ers to Super Bowl XLVII.

The class will be honored at the 2016 SEC Football “Weekend of Champions” Dec. 2-3 in Atlanta, Ga.  The annual SEC Legends Dinner presented by AT&T will be held Dec. 2 at the Hyatt Regency in Atlanta and the group will also be recognized prior to the SEC Football Championship Game, which will be held at the Georgia Dome on Sat., Dec. 3.

— Mizzou Athletics —

Latest Missouri Media High School Football Rankings announced

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riggertFootballMissouri Media football rankings

Statewide high school football rankings, as compiled by a 14-member panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. First-place votes in parenthesis. Panel is made up of Dion Clisso, PrepsKC; Sam McDowell, The Kansas City Star; Chris Geinosky, The Liberty Tribune; Dave Kvidahl, STLHighschoolsports.com; Jim Powers, High School Sports Caravan; Larry Thornton, KSDK radio; Cameron Teague-Robinson, The Columbia Tribune; Tom Rackers, Jefferson City News-Tribune; Mike Scott, Ozone Sports; Rance Burger, The Springfield News-Leader; Cody Thorn, The St. Joseph News-Press; J.B. Connoley, KRES radio; Chris Pobst, Sikeston Standard-Democrat; Matt King, The Daily Journal.

First-place votes in parenthesis.

CLASS 6
Rank, team, Rec., Pts., LW
1. CBC (11), 6-1, 133, 1
2. Blue Springs (3), 6-1, 130, 2
3. Kirkwood, 5-1, 108, 3
4. Rockhurst, 5-1, 92, 4
5. Hazelwood Central, 7-0, 71, 6
6. Lee’s Summit, 6-1, 69, 7
7. Jefferson City, 5-2, 68, 5
8. Springfield Kickapoo, 6-1, 37, 8
9. Eureka, 6-1, 29, 10
10. Lee’s Summit West, 5-2, 20, NR
Dropped out: No. 8 Blue Springs South
Also receiving votes:  Blue Springs South (4-3), 4; Raymore-Peculiar (4-3), 4; Ritenour (6-1), 3; Park Hill (4-3), 2

CLASS 5
Rank, team, Rec., Pts., LW
1. Chaminade (13), 5-1, 139, 1
2. Battle (1), 7-0, 124, 2
3. Glendale, 7-0, 110, 3
4. Fort Zumwalt North, 6-1, 102, 4
5. William Chrisman, 7-0, 81, 5
6. Park Hill South, 6-1, 68, 6
7. Staley, 5-2, 54, 8
8. Carthage, 6-1, 41, 9
9. Jackson, 6-1, 25, 10
10. Liberty, 5-2, 21, 7
Also receiving votes:  Vianney (3-4), 3; Nixa (5-2), 2

CLASS 4
Rank, team, Rec., Pts., LW
1. Kearney (14), 7-0, 140, 1
2. Hannibal, 6-1, 120, 2
3. Platte County, 5-2, 107, 3
4. Carl Junction, 5-2, 89, 5
5. Parkway North, 5-2, 85, 6
6. St. Dominic, 7-0, 72, 7
7. Ladue, 6-1, 55, 8
8. Webb City, 4-3, 41, 4
9. Hillsboro, 7-0, 37, 9
10. MICDS, 5-2, 14, NR
Dropped out: No. 10 Smithville
Also receiving votes:  Smithville (6-1), 10

CLASS 3
Rank, team, Rec., Pts., LW
1. Maryville (13), 7-0, 139, 1
2. Blair Oaks (1), 7-0, 127, 2
3. Center, 7-0, 106, 3
4. Monett, 6-1, 93, 4
5. McCluer South-Berkley, 6-0, 79, 5
6. Richmond, 7-0, 70, 7
7. Park Hills Central, 7-0, 63, 7
8. Mexico, 5-2, 48, 8
9. Osage, 6-1, 14, 9
10. Reeds Spring, 6-1, 13, NR
Dropped out: No. 10 John Burroughs
Also receiving votes: Miller Career (6-1), 7; Lutheran South (5-2), 6; Chillicothe (6-1), 4; Owensville (7-0), 1

CLASS 2
Rank, team, Rec., Pts., LW
1. Lamar (14), 6-0, 140, 1
2. Mtn. View-Liberty, 7-0, 126, 2
3. Trinity, 6-0, 106, 3
4. Lutheran North, 6-1, 91, T4
5. Mountain Grove, 6-1, 88, 6
6. Malden, 7-0, 75, 7
7. Fair Grove, 7-0, 45, 8
8. Macon, 7-0, 40, 10
9. Centralia, 5-2, 19, T4
10. Lexington, 7-0, 16, NR
Dropped out: No. 9 Lawson
Also receiving votes:  South Callaway (7-0), 12; Lawson (5-2), 11; Palmyra (5-2), 1

CLASS 1
Rank, team, Rec., Pts., LW
1. Valle Catholic (9), 6-1, 134, 1
2. Marceline (5), 7-0, 129, 2
3. Hamilton-Penney, 7-0, 114, 3
4. Lincoln, 7-0, 98, 4
5. Hayti, 6-1, 80, 5
6. Maysville, 6-1, 68, 6
7. Cass-Midway, 6-1, 50, 7
8. Wellington-Napoleon, 6-1, 37, 8
9. East Buchanan, 5-2, 25, 9
10. Skyline, 4-3, 14, NR
Dropped out: No. 10 Thayer
Also receiving votes:  Lockwood (6-1), 10; Monroe City (5-2), 7; Westran (5-2), 2; Ash Grove (6-1), 1; Thayer (4-3), 1

Griffon women’s golf team in 12th at RCB/Central Oklahoma Classic

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riggertMissouriWesternEDMOND, Okla. – The Missouri Western women’s golf team is tied for twelfth place after the first day of the RCB/Central Oklahoma Classic at the Fairfax Golf Club in Edmond, Oklahoma.

Last week’s MIAA Fall Preview runner-up, Shi Qing Ong currently is tied for tenth after shooting a 76. Jenna Kosmatka opened up with a first round 78 and is tied for twentieth.

Madison Romjue shot an 85 for the Griffons. Tiffianie Yabut finished with a 94 and Brittany Kennedy completed her opening round with a 99 for MWSU.

Missouri Western will conclude the tournament with Tuesday’s second round beginning at 9 a.m.

— MWSU Athletics —

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