AXTELL, NE. – Missouri Western Women’s Golf earned its first ever spot in NCAA Division II Women’s Golf Championship, finishing third in the Central Regional with a team score of 899 in three rounds of golf. It’s just the fourth time in Missouri Western history a team has advanced to the NCAA national finals. The event was played at Awarii Dunes Golf Course which is a par 72, 6,200 yard course.

Tiffanie Yabut was able to sink a 10-foot putt on the 18th green to force a team playoff against Arkansas Tech to determine the final spot in the NCAA Division II Women’s Golf Championships. It took three playoff holes to eventually declare a winner with the Griffons coming out on top. Madison Romjue hit a four-foot putt to seal the deal for the Griffons.

The Griffons finished with three top-10 golfers in the event. Tiffanie Yabut finished tied for sixth individually, recording a 221 in her three rounds of golf. Freshman Shi Qing Ong scored a 222 and finished ninth overall in the tournament. Celine Lim tied for 10th at the Central Regional with a 223.  Madison Romjue scored a 234, finishing tied for 39th. Callie Wilson reported a 240 in the three rounds of golf, tying her for 53rd place in the standings.

The tournament featured a record breaking round of 295 in round two for the Griffons and two individual posting career-low rounds. Lim tallied a 71 in round one and Yabut finished with a 71 in round two.

Augustana University finished the tournament with a team score of 881 through the three rounds while Northeastern State completed the tournament with an 882 score.

Individually, Kali Trautman of Augustana and Kayla Schroeder of Northeastern State tied for the title with a 217 in the tournament. The top three individuals advancing to the NCAA Championships Daniela Martinez of Central Oklahoma, Caroline Fredensborg of Arkansas Tech and Rachel Gray of Concordia-St. Paul.

The NCAA Division II Women’s Golf Championship will be held May 18-21 at the Common Ground Golf Course in Aurora, Colo. as a part of the 2016 NCAA Division II Championships Festival. The top three teams and top three individuals not with a team from each super regional will make up championship field.

— MWSU Athletics —

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Missouri Western Women’s Tennis continues to see improvement and recognition as Yasmine El Ghazi, Sarah Giraldo, and Joanna Abreu Roman all earned All-MIAA Honorable Mention in 2016.

Junior Yasmine El Ghazi earned No. 1 singles All-MIAA Honorable Mention. El Ghazi finished the year with a 14-8 overall record and a 7-4 record in the No. 1 singles positon. She also recorded a 3-0 record in the No. 3 spot.

Senior Sarah Giraldo earned No. 2 singles All-MIAA Honorable Mention. Giraldo accumulated a 9-11 overall record this year and went 5-6 in the No. 2 singles spot.

Freshman Joanna Abreu Roman was a strong point for the Griffons all season, earning No. 4 singles All-MIAA Honorable Mention. She went 14-4 overall, going 9-2 in the No. 4 spot. In her last 10 matches, she finished 8-2.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Patricia Husakova, Northeastern State

FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
Alli Hodges, Central Oklahoma

COACH OF THE YEAR
Amanda Stone, Northeastern State

SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD
Tawni Griffey, Emporia State

FIRST TEAM
1S: Patricia Husakova, Northeastern State
2S: Maria Josie Zehnder, Southwest Baptist
3S: Lara Soares, Northeastern State
4S: Molly Worden, Northeastern State
5S: Lani Tuemmers, Southwest Baptist
6S: Jenny Bond, Central Oklahoma
1D: Patricia Husakova/Molly Worden, Northeastern State
2D: Maria Josie Zehnder/Lani Tuemmers, Southwest Baptist
3D: Paula Jiminez/Emma Neil, Nebraska-Kearney

SECOND TEAM
1S: Alli Hodges, Central Oklahoma
2S: Daria Panfernova, Northeastern State
3S: Valeriia Efimenko, Northeastern State
4S: Klara Vickov, Southwest Baptist
5S: Emilie Semo, Central Oklahoma
6S: Karla Tomaic, Northeastern State
1D: Christina Zentai/Lara Soares, Southwest Baptist
2D: Sthefani Rodriguez/Sherry Sun, Nebraska-Kearney
3D: Kaja Emersic/Andrea Gallardo, Northwest Missouri

Honorable Mention
#1S: Tawni Griffey, ESU; Yasmine El Ghazi, MWSU; Christina Zentai, SBU
#2S: Kirtana Bhat, UCO; Sarah Giraldo, MWSU; Kaja Emersic, NWMSU
#3S: Alex Williams, UCO; Paula Jiminez, UNK
#4S: Joanna Abreu Roman, MWSU; Emma Neil, UNK
#5S: Easton Parker, NSU
#6S: Lori Ahuja, ESU; Sarah Durham, ESU; Rebeca Aguilar, LWU; Leigha Limbach, UNK; Vilune Sestokaite, NWMSU; Zorana Jovanovic, SBU; Gwen Shepler, WU
#1D: Kirtana Bhat/Alli Hodges, UCO; Lorena Rivas/Vilune Sestokaite, SBU
#2D: Anna Minakova/Shali Shoepflin, UCO ; Valeriia Efimenko/Daria Panfernova, NSU
#3D: Emilie Semo/Jenny Bond, UCO; Easton Parker/Karla Tomaic, NSU; Klara Vickov/Zorana Jovanovic, SBU

— MWSU Atheltics —

AXTELL, Neb. – Missouri Western Women’s Golf fired the best round in MWSU history for the second straight day, shooting a 295 on day two and sit tied for second in the standings. The event is being played at Awarii Dunes Golf Course which is a par 72, 6,248 yard course.

The Griffons have been propelled by Tiffanie Yabut and Celine Lim in the first two rounds of the tournament. Yabut currently sits tied for second in the individual standings with a 145, shooting a 74 and 71 respectively in her rounds of play. Lim is at 146 through two rounds, tying her for sixth in the standings. Shi Qing Ong is tied for 10th, tallying a 75 and 73, respectively in the first two rounds. Madison Romjue and Callie Wilson finished the two rounds with a 154 and 158.

Missouri Western dropped one spot and sit tied for second in the overall standings with Northeastern State. Augustana dominated the second round of action, moving up four spots in the standings and taking an eight stroke advantage into the final day. Central Oklahoma moved down four spots in the second round of action.

Daniela Martinez of Central Oklahoma leads the pack individually, recording a 144 in the first two rounds. Four individuals are tied for second at 145.

The top three teams and top three individuals not with a team from each super regional will make up the championship field. The final round of the Central Regional will be played on Wednesday morning.

— MWSU Athletics —

ST. JOSEPH. – Missouri Western Women’s Basketball head coach Rob Edmisson has announced the signings of two additional student-athletes for the 2016-17 season.

Savannah Lentz and Trudy Peterson will both come to Missouri Western from North Iowa Area Community College, where they became the school’s top two three point shooters of all time. The two most recent signees join Erin Anderson, who signed earlier this spring.

Savannah Lentz | 5-6 | G | Cresco, Iowa | Northern Iowa Area Community College
Lentz is NIACC’s all-time three point leader with 171 made. Lentz ranks 15th at NIACC in all-time scoring and was a first team All-NJCAA Region XI selection and third team NJCAA Division II All-American last season. She scored more than 300 points both seasons at NIACC.

“Savannah’s hard-nose style of play will bring toughness to our team,” Edmisson said. “Her ability to shoot the three will help us on the perimeter.”

Trudy Peterson | 5-10 | G | Clear Lake, Iowa | Northern Iowa Area Community College
Peterson ranks second at NIACC with 145 three-point field goals made in her career. She was also a first team All-NJCAA Region XI selecion and scored 635 points in two years, including a school record 51-point game against Kennedy King College last season.

“Trudy also adds an immediate perimeter threat to our team,” Edmisson said. “Her size and shooting abilities will allow her to contribute to our future success.”

Erin Anderson | 5-7 | G | St. Louis, Mo. | Kansas City Kansas Community College
Anderson is fresh off an NJCAA Division II National Championship at Kansas City Kansas Community College. The 5-7 guard led the Blue Devils, averaging 15.5 points per game. She also averaged 5.7 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game. She also shot 39.2 percent from three-point range and was a first team All-Jayhawk and All-Region VI selection. Anderson was also named to the NJCAA All-Tournament team.

“We are excited to add a player like Erin to our Missouri Western family,” Edmisson said. “Her competitive spirit and skill set will make an instant impact. Playing on a national championship team sets her apart from a lot of players.”

— MWSU Athletics —

AXTELL, Neb. – Missouri Western Women’s Golf shot a season-low 297 in the first round of the NCAA Central Regional. They currently sit tied for first in the team standings with UCO. The event is being played at Awarii Dunes Golf Course which is a par 72, 6248 yard course.

The Griffons received career best rounds from Celine Lim and Tiffanie Yabut. Lim is tied for first individually as she scored a 71 in the first round of the tournament. Yabut fired a 74 in the first round and currently sits tied for ninth. Freshman Shi Qing Ong finished day one with a 75, tying her for 15th place in the standings. Junior Madison Romjue finished with a 77 and tied for 32nd after round one.

Missouri Western is currently tied with Central Oklahoma at 297 for first place. Northeastern State is in third place, scoring a 298 in round one. Concordia St. Paul is in fourth place with a 300 team score.

Lim is joined by two others at the top of the leaderboard. Daniela Martinez of Central Oklahoma and Sierra Langlie of Augustana finished the day with a one-under par, 71.

The second round of action will continue on Tuesday morning in Axtell, Nebraska.

— MWSU Athletics —

ST. JOSEPH – The Missouri Western softball team will make its ninth NCAA Division II Regional appearance since 2005 later this week in Magnolia, Arkansas.

Missouri Western earned the No. 3 seed in the regional and will open with Minnesota-Duluth on Thursday afternoon at No. 2 seed Southern Arkansas. Also in the Southern Arkansas regional is seventh seeded Central Oklahoma. UCO is the only school in the Southern Arkansas regional that Missouri Western has played this season.

On the other half of the regional bracket is No. 1 seed Arkansas Tech, No. 4 Minnesota State, No. 5 Northwest Missouri State and No. 8 Upper Iowa. The winners of each regional will meet May 11 and 12.

— MWSU Athletics —

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – Of course it would end this way. It had to end this way. A two-out single by the eight-hole hitter and a bases loaded double play started by the relief pitcher gave the Missouri Western softball team an MIAA Tournament Championship. The Griffons defeated Central Oklahoma 4-3 Saturday to win the regular season and tournament championships for the first time in program history.

With two down in the top of the seventh, Megan Korgie ripped an 0-2 pitch up the middle for a single that scored Shelby Uhl from second to put the Griffons up 4-3 over Central Oklahoma. It didn’t look like it would wind up being the game winner in the bottom of the seventh. Shyanne Saladino, who relieved Janie Smith in the fourth, got the leadoff hitter out in the seventh. She then gave up two straight singles and a walk to load the bases with one out. All Saladino did then was force the MIAA Freshman of the Year, Carli Jones to ground a 1-0 pitch right to her, throw home to get one out then Rebekah Mueller threw Jones out at first for the clincher. It was the 18th straight time Saladino had won a decision after starting the season 3-3.

The Griffons jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the second on an RBI single up the middle by Sydney Washington. Katie Klosterman drew a bases loaded hit by pitch in the third to give the Griffons a 2-0 lead. Central Oklahoma took a 3-2 lead in the fourth on a home run by Jones off Smith. The Griffons tied it in the sixth on a squeeze. Riley Wilson laid down the bunt in a pinch hit at bat that scored Washington from third.

Saladino moved to 21-3, giving up five hits and no runs in three and two-thirds. Smith pitched three and a third, allowing two runs on six hits. Washington finished 2-3 with an RBI and a run scored. Morgan Rathmann and Shelbie Atwell both went 2-4.

Missouri Western is now 43-11 and will learn its next destination, Monday at 9 a.m. Griffon Athletics will host a selection show watch party for the NCAA Regional, Monday morning. Doors to the KCP&L Theater in the Griffon Indoor Sports Complex will open at 8:30 a.m.

NOTABLES
– Program’s first time winning both regular season and tournament championships

– Second all-time MIAA Tournament Championship for MWSU (2014)

– Saladino won her 18th straight decision after beginning the season 3-3

– Defense turned seven double plays in four MIAA Tournament games

– Defense was charged with just two errors in MIAA Tournament (.985 fielding percentage)

– Smith and Saladino allowed four total runs all weekend and had a combined 0.91 ERA in the MIAA Tournament

— MWSU Athletics —

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – Janie Smith kept the nation’s fifth highest scoring offense to no runs to help Missouri Western softball to the MIAA Tournament Championship game with a 2-0 win over Central Oklahoma.

It was just the second time Central Oklahoma had been shutout all season. The senior pitcher struck out Jobi Heath on a 2-2 pitch with the tying run at second base to end the game. The Griffons took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the sixth off back-to-back doubles by Katie Klosterman and Sydney Washington. Smith battled through the first six with a 1-0 lead. In the seventh she gave up a leadoff double to MIAA Player of the Year Morgan Heard then walked the potential tying run. The Bronchos used a sacrifice bunt to get runners on third and second. Smith then coaxed a groundout to herself before the big strikeout to end the game.

The Griffons will await the winner of a game between Central Oklahoma and Pittsburg State on Saturday. The final elimination game was scheduled for Friday, but the threat of severe weather forced the MIAA to push the game to Saturday morning. Missouri Western is now one win away from claiming both the regular season and tournament championships for the first time in program history.

Klosterman and Washington’s doubles were two of just four hits the Griffons were able to get off Central Oklahoma’s Jessi Walker. Smith held UCO to seven hits, while striking out five and walking four to pick up her 22nd win of the season and giving the No. 13 Griffons their 42nd win of the year.

— MWSU Athletics —

WARRENSBURG, Mo. – Missouri Western Baseball dropped both games of the a doubleheader at Central Missouri on Friday afternoon. The Mules won 6-4 in the first game and took the second game 6-2 against the Griffons.

Game 1

The MWSU offense was held in check for the last six innings of the game, collecting only four hits in that time period. Missouri Western scored all four runs in the first three innings of the game.

Landon Mason and Orencio Fisher scored in the opening inning for the Griffons but the Mules were quick to respond with three runs themselves in the bottom half of the first inning. UCM used a two-run home run and scored on a throwing error in the inning.

The Mules recorded another two-run home run in the bottom of the second inning, giving them a 5-2 lead heading into the third inning.

The Griffons managed to score two runs in the top of the third but couldn’t even the score or take the lead against the Mules pitching.  UCM scored one more run in the bottom of the third inning on a bulk, giving Central Missouri a 6-4 lead.

The Griffons used four different pitchers in the game. Kellan Richards pitched 4.2 innings and allowed just one hit. He also managed to strikeout three batters.

Fisher and Kody Matthews were the only Griffons with multiple hits in the game. Fisher finished the game, going 4-for-4 and adding two runs and one RBI in the game.

On the mound for UCM, Ethan Westphal went all nine innings and struck out 10 batters.

Game 2

In game two, Central Missouri scored the first two runs of the game in the bottom of the second inning and never looked back. They were able to build their lead by adding one more run in the third inning, giving UCM a 3-0 advantage.

The Griffons scored one-run in the top of the fourth inning and another in the ninth inning. Brandon Downs singled to right field in the fifth to bring home Kody Matthews. The other run for the Griffons came when Alex Heuring doubled down the left field line, bringing home Brandon Downs in the ninth.

Nick Gawley, David Glaude, Alex Heuring and Brandon Downs all tallied two hits in the game.

Pitcher Weston Caindec went 4.1 innings and allowed five runs on the day. He also struck out three batters while facing 21 total.

The Griffons will face Lincoln at home next weekend, starting on Friday, May 6th at 6 p.m. The second game of the series on May 7th has been pushed back to a 7 p.m. first pitch.

— MWSU Athletics —

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The Missouri Western women’s tennis team fell 5-2 against Nebraska-Kearney on Friday afternoon in the first round of the MIAA tournament.

Missouri Western was unable to claim a doubles match victory in the opening round of the tournament but fought hard in all three matches. In the No. 1 doubles competition, Yasmine El Ghazi and Sofia Aguilera lost 8-5 to Jadyn Trible and Camryn Parnell. Senior’s Denise Chiao and Lindsay Beger dropped the No. 3 doubles match 8-6.

The Griffons were able to earn two victories in singles matches. El Ghazi came out with a 6-2, 6-2 victory over Sun Yuxiu in the No. 1 singles match. Freshman Joanna Abreu Roman earned a hard fought victory in the No. 4 spot, winning 7-6, 6-4 in her match. The No. 5 and No. 6 singles matches were not completed during the match.

UNK will move on to face Southwest Baptist the #2 seed in the MIAA tournament.

Singles competition
1. El Ghazi, Yasmine (MWSU) def. Sun,Yuxiu (UNKWOMEN) 6-2, 6-2
2. Rodriguez,Sthefani (UNKWOMEN) def. Giraldo, Sarah (MWSU) 6-4, 6-4
3. Jimenez,Paula (UNKWOMEN) def. Aguilera, Sofia (MWSU) 3-6, 6-3, 6-2
4. Abreu Roman, Joanna (MWSU) def. Neil,Emma (UNKWOMEN) 7-6, 6-4
5. Parnell,Camryn (UNKWOMEN) vs. Smith, Meara (MWSU) 6-1, unfinished
6. Chiao, Denise (MWSU) vs. Trimble,Jadyn (UNKWOMEN) no result

Doubles competition
1. Parnell,Camryn/Trimble,Jadyn (UNKWOMEN) def. El Ghazi, Yasmine/Aguilera, Sofia (MWSU) 8-5
2. Rodriguez,Sthefani/Sun,Yuxiu (UNKWOMEN) def. Abreu Roman, Joanna/Giraldo, Sarah (MWSU) 8-3
3. Neil,Emma/Jimenez,Paula (UNKWOMEN) def. Beger, Lindsay/Chiao, Denise (MWSU) 8-6

The Griffons finished the season with a 10-6 overall record and a 5-5 MIAA record.

— MWSU Athletics —