Missouri Western volleyball Coach Marian Carbin has announced the signing of three student athletes for the 2015-2016 school year.

Shellby Taylor led Blue Valley West High School in Stillwell, Kansas, in kills, hitting percentage and kills per set, hitting .475 as a senior. She is a two-year starter and was named honorable mention Eastern Kansas League in 2014. She has also been a part of two national qualifying teams.

“Shellby is a very gifted athlete. She is capable of playing multiple positions at the collegiate level, but we will look for her to play as an outside hitter,” Carbin said. “In addition to being an excellent blocker, Shellby will add height to our roster at the outside hitter position. In recruiting Shellby we love the attitude that she will bring to our team. She is a great teammate and a great competitor.”

The daughter of Joe and Melissa Taylor intends to major in nursing at MWSU. Taylor chose MWSU because she felt a personal connection with the staff and team members.

Audrey Keim played volleyball at Millard South in Omaha, Nebraska. The daughter of John and Faith Keim, she is undecided on a major at Missouri Western. Keim was an Academic All-State selection and a member of the National Honor Society and Leo Club. She says she chose MWSU because the team members are very inviting and says she loves the campus.

“Audrey has great volleyball instincts and a high court IQ, which we know will serve her well in transitioning from being an outside hitter in high school to being a libero/defensive specialist at the collegiate level,” Carbin said. “She has great passing ability in serve receive, and we think she will adapt well to the style of defense that we run. ”

Rachel Friedrichs was a four-year letter winner in volleyball at Andale High School in Andale, Kansas. She was named to the All-State Tournament team and first team All-League. The 6-2 Friedrichs has also lettered twice in basketball at Andale.

“Rachel will be a great addition to our middle blocker position,” Carbin said. “She is tall and has a long reach, and she also has good footwork all of which contribute to her strong blocking abilities. Rachel is also a multi-sport high school athlete, which speaks to her athleticism and desire to compete at everything she does.”

Friedrichs is the daughter of Robin and Paula Friedrichs and plans on majoring in Biology at MWSU. She said the biology department and coaching staff were big factors in her decision to choose Missouri Western.

The three will join a squad coming off its best season in more than 15 years. The Griffons won more MIAA matches (16) than any team in school history and won more overall (22) than any team since 1998. Six Griffons were named All-MIAA, including three first team selections. Seniors Erica Rottinghaus and Sarah Faubel were also named fist team CoSIDA Academic All-District.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Nine members of the 2014 Missouri Western soccer team have been named to the MIAA Academic Honor Roll with two receiving the MIAA Scholar Athlete Award.

To achieve honor roll status, a student-athlete must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 and have at least two terms of attendance at the certifying member institution, excluding summer terms. The MIAA Scholar Athlete Award is given to those who have a cumulative grade point average of 3.50, have at least two terms of attendance at the certifying member institution, excluding summer terms, and, if competing in a championship sport of the MIAA, earn All-MIAA honors.

Newcomers and MIAA Academic Excellence Awards will be given out following the end of the 2014-15 school year.

MIAA Scholar Athlete Award
Sydney Andrews, Jr., Health & Exercise Science
Tara Russell, Sr., Finance

MIAA Academic Honor Roll Recipients
Sydney Andrews, Jr., Health & Exercise Science
Bailey Dervin, So., Nursing
Taylor Gant, So., Biology-Health Science
Katie Kempf, Jr., Health & Exercise Science
Sarah Lyle, So., Biology-Health Science
A.J. Powers, Sr., Biology-Health Science
K.C. Ramsell, Sr., Nursing
Tara Russell, Sr., Finance
Teddi Serna, Sr., Management

— MWSU Sports Information —

After winning more MIAA games than any team in school history and winning the most overall matches since 1998, the Missouri Western volleyball team has landed six student-athletes on the All-MIAA team.

Outside hitters Erica Rottinghaus and Jessie Thorup join setter Jordan Chohon as first team selections. It’s the second straight year, Rottinghaus has been named first team. It was the first ever selection for Thorup and Chohon.

Missouri Western’s all-time digs leader, Sarah Faubel was named second team. The senior libero was an honorable mention pick a season ago.

Outside hitter Kelsey Olion and middle blocker Amanda Boender were both named honorable mention All-MIAA. Both were named honorable mention in 2013 as well.

Erica Rottinghaus: It’s the second postseason award for the senior after also being named CoSIDA Academic All-District. Rottinghaus led the Griffons with 396 kills for a 3.6 average per set and ranked fifth in the MIAA in kills per set average. The Seneca, Kansas native was second on the team with 438.5 points and third with 59 total blocks. She was also second on the team with 279 digs.

Jessie Thorup: The junior finished just behind Rottinghaus with 394 kills for a 3.58 per set average which ranked her sixth in the MIAA. Her 443.5 points were most on the team and her .286 hitting percentage ranked second. The Olathe, Kansas native also helped the team on serves, finishing second on the squad with 26 service aces.

Jordan Chohon: The junior setter’s 1,296 assists and 11.78 assist per set average were tops in the MIAA. The Columbus, Nebraska native ranked second on the team with 26 service aces and led the squad with a .968 serve percentage. Chohon played in all 110 sets for the team and finished fourth with 235 digs.

Sarah Faubel: The senior finished her career as the Griffons all-time digs leader, finishing with 427 this season and 1,799 for her career. The Lincoln, Nebraska native averaged nearly four digs per set and committed just 24 reception errors for an average of .22 per set. Faubel joined Rottinghaus on the CoSIDA Academic All-District first team.

Kelsey Olion: The junior’s 258 kills were third most on the team. She led the Griffons with 27 service aces and was third on the squad with 314 points on the season. Olion was also third on the team with 248 digs for a 2.36 per set average.

Amanda Boender: In her final season with the Griffons, Boender led the team with a .292 hitting percentage and ranked seventh in the conference in that statistic. Her 230 kills were fourth most on the team. Boender committed just 65 attack errors in 566 total attacks. She also led the team with 112 total blocks, averaging just over one per set, which ranked her sixth in the MIAA.

The six selections for volleyball make it 26 total between Griffon Football, Soccer and Volleyball on All-MIAA teams. The three teams combined to go 38-21 overall, all finishing with winning records for the first time in program history.

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Fourteen Missouri Western football players have been named to the 2014 All-MIAA team.

Earning first team distinction for Missouri Western were running back Raphael Spencer, offensive lineman Travis Anderson, defensive back Michael Jordan and punter Scott Groner. Both Jordan and Groner repeat as first team selections. Spencer made the second team last year and it’s the first All-MIAA selection for Anderson.

Kicker John Schmiemeier, defensive lineman Arbanas Elliot and linebacker Stephen Juergens were named to the second team. It’s the first All-MIAA selection for Schmiemeier. Juergens was an honorable mention pick a season ago with Elliot being named to the third team last season.

Defensive back Meshack Kennedy was named to the third team. It was his first All-MIAA honor. Tight end Alek Ferbet, offensive linemen Leonard Wester and Christian Orduno, linebackers Yomi Alli and Cody Lindsay along with defensive back Marc Harrison were all named honorable mention.

Raphael Spencer: Spencer received first team honors after rushing for 1,126 yards on 243 carries. The junior was second in the MIAA in rushing. He also moved into third on the all-time rushing list at MWSU after his 145-yard rushing performance at Missouri Southern. The junior rushed for seven touchdowns and averaged 4.6 yards per carry and just over 102 yards per game.

Travis Anderson: The redshirt sophomore started all 11 games for the Griffons at left guard. He helped Spencer to another 1,000-yard season and also was a key part of an offensive line that allowed just 1.6 sacks per contest.

Michael Jordan: The junior’s 16 passes defended were tops in the MIAA. He also tied for the MIAA lead with four interceptions this season. He took one of those interceptions back 39 yards for a touchdown at Washburn. It’s the second straight first team nod for Jordan. He was the MIAA Freshman of the year and an honorable mention pick in 2011.

Scott Groner: The Australian native joins Jordan on the first team for the second year in a row. Groner led the MIAA with a 42.2 yard per punt average. He boomed 15 kicks over 50 yards, including a long of 70 yards in the season opener against Central Missouri. The senior also forced 15 fair catches and induced just four touchbacks on 60 punts.

John Schmiemeier: The senior was named second team despite leading the MIAA in field goal percentage (72%) and tying for the league lead in made field goals (18). Schmiemeier was also perfect on point after attempts and was named MIAA Special Teams Athlete of the Week twice.

Arbanas Elliot: The junior started all 11 games on the defensive line, playing primarily at the nose guard position. He racked up 28 total tackles including three for loss and 2.5 sacks. Elliot also recorded one interception that set up the Griffons winning touchdown against Central Missouri.

Stephen Juergens: After leading the Griffons in tackles for the third straight year and earning MIAA Defensive Athlete of the Week once, Juergens landed a second team nod. The senior tallied 108 total tackles, including 59 solo stops. He also led the team with 12 tackles for loss and added 3.5 sacks and an interception.  Juergens was also a key part of a Griffon defense that finished third in the MIAA in total defense and allowed the second fewest points in school history (179).

Meshack Kennedy: In his first year as a full-time starter, the senior finished second on the team with 81 total tackles. Kennedy also had 4.5 tackles for loss, one sack, an interception, a forced fumble and a blocked kick.

Alek Ferbet: The junior tight end had big shoes to fill, replacing the NFL-bound Reggie Jordan. Ferbet didn’t disappoint, hauling in 15 catches for 196 yards, including a long reception of 63 yards against Nebraska-Kearney.

Leonard Wester: The junior started all 11 games for the Griffons at left tackle and helped pave the way for Spencer’s All-MIAA campaign. Wester and the rest of the offensive line also allowed the fifth fewest sacks in the MIAA.

Christian Orduno: The senior started all 22 games he played in at right tackle for the Griffons. He was part of a unit that has helped Raphael Spencer post back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons and move into third on the all-time rushing list at MWSU. Orduno and the rest of the offensive line also allowed the fifth fewest sacks in the MIAA.

Yomi Alli: A key part of a promising junior class, Alli finished third on the team in tackles with 71 total. His 11.5 tackles for loss were second most on the team and he added two sacks and four quarterback hurries. Last year, Alli was a second team selection.

Cody Lindsay: A stellar freshman campaign from Cody Lindsay saw the Ozark, Missouri native finish second in the MIAA with seven sacks. He appeared in all 11 games with five starts on a defense that came just shy of setting new program marks for fewest points allowed. Lindsay finished with 37 total tackles, 10 for loss.

Marc Harrison: The senior finished his final season with the Griffons tied for the MIAA lead with four interceptions. His 100-yard interception return for a touchdown against Northeastern State tied a school record and earned him MIAA Defensive Athlete of the Week honors. Harrison had 53 total tackles, broke up one pass and defended five more. He also forced two fumbles and recovered another.

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Missouri Western softball coach Jen Bagley Trotter has announced the signing of two student athletes for the 2016 team. Taylor Hamilton and Shelby Uhl have each signed national letters of intent to play softball for the Griffons.

Hamilton is a catcher from Cameron, Missouri. She is a four-year letter winner in softball and basketball, being named first team All-MEC, All-District and All-Region all four years in softball. Hamilton hit .548 in her four years for the Dragons and hit a, state record, 41 home runs.

“We are fired up to add Taylor Hamilton to our roster,” Trotter said. “She had an outstanding high school career.  She is the current career home run record keeper for the state of Missouri.  We will look for her to push our records here at Western.”

She is the daughter of Rick and Linda Hamilton and plans on majoring in sports management at MWSU.

Uhl played at Southeast Polk High School in Pleasant Hill, Iowa. The outfielder batted .321 and posted a 100 percent stolen base percentage. She lettered four years in softball and was named All-Conference and All-Eastern Division. She was also named second team All-State and a team captain. Uhl also was an All-State selection in track, lettering four years and was a captain on her school’s state championship basketball team.

“Coming off of an Iowa State Championship team, Shelby knows how to win,” Trotter said. “Her speed is different and we are excited to watch her utilize it in our outfield and base paths.”

She is the daughter of Jesse and Connie Uhl and plans on majoring in elementary education. Uhl is also a member of the National Honor Society, Honor Roll and National Council on Youth Leadership.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Missouri Western senior linebacker Stephen Juergens has been named the MIAA Defensive Athlete of the Week. It’s the first time Juergens has received the honor.

The Kearney, Missouri native came up big for the Griffon defense in his final game. Juergens tallied 13 total tackles, three for loss and a sack. His third tackle for loss stopped Missouri Southern on a fourth down play that sealed the 22-21 victory for Missouri Western.

For the third straight season, Juergens led Missouri Western in tackles with 108 total stops. His 59 solo tackles were best on the team by 15 and his 12 tackles for loss were the most of any Griffon defender. He also had 3.5 sacks, two quarterback hurries a fumble recovery and an interception.

Juergens joins fellow Missouri Western linebacker Kirk Resseguie and safety Marc Harrison as the three Griffons to receive the award this year. Kicker John Schmiemeier was also named the MIAA Special Teams Athlete of the Week twice this year.

Western finished the 2014 season 7-4.

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The Missouri Western football team put an exclamation point on the 2014 season with a 22-21 come from behind win at Missouri Southern on Saturday.

Trailing 16-7 in the fourth quarter, Missouri Southern scored two touchdowns in two minutes to take their first lead since the first quarter, 21-16.

Missouri Western took the lead back on a 10-play, 91-yard drive capped off by a 14-yard touchdown reception by Daylon Harper. With 1:49 left, the Griffon defense stopped the Lions short on a fourth and four from the Missouri Western 42 when senior linebacker Stephen Juergens drug the Southern ball carrier down at the line of scrimmage.

It was the first time Missouri Western overcame a fourth quarter deficit since the opening game of the season at home against Central Missouri.

Missouri Western gave the Lions a dose of their own medicine, controlling time of possession, by 13 minutes. Aiding the team in that statistic were two second half scoring drives over 90 yards.

Missouri Western outgained Missouri Southern 390 yards to 277 and held the MIAA’s top rushing team to just 160 yards on the ground.

Skyler Windmiller finished 15-29 for 222 yards passing with two touchdowns and no interceptions. Raphael Spencer rushed 31 times for 145 yards and one TD to move into third on the all-time rushing list at Missouri Western.

Juergens led the defense once again with 13 tackles, three tackles for loss and one sack. Yomi Alli added 11 tackles.

The win capped off Griffon Football’s 12th straight winning season in the MIAA as Missouri Western finished the 2014 season 7-4.

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LaQuinta Jefferson and the rest of the Missouri Western women’s basketball team made the last two minutes interesting Saturday night at Quincy, but the Griffons came up short against the Hawks, 77-70, in the QU Subway Tip-Off Classic.

With 2:39 left in the game, Quincy led by 11, but a 7-0 run by the Griffons brought them within four. Jefferson scored eight straight points, including two straight three pointers to keep the Quincy lead at four with :43 seconds left.

Jefferson’s fifth foul sent the Lady Hawks to the line as they made both free throws, stretched the lead back to six and never looked back. The Griffons held their largest lead of the game — eight points — with 14:37 left in the game but Quincy used a 13-3 run to go back on top with 9:26 left and never trailed again.

Jefferson finished with 24 points and was 7-11 from the field. Missouri Western shot 40 percent from the field, 39 percent from behind the arch and 71 percent from the charity stripe. They pulled down 41 rebounds to Quincy’s 43. The Lady Hawks scored 18 second chance points to the Griffons eight. Sarafina Handy was the only other Griffon in double figures, scoring 15 points.

The Griffons bring their 1-1 record back to St. Joseph next week when the open at home against Rockhurst on Thursday.

— MWSU Sports Information —

The 2014-15 version of the Missouri Western women’s basketball team showed something Friday night, rarely shown a season ago – scoring. Missouri Western downed Robert Morris-Springfield, 110-49, in their season opener at the Quincy University Subway Tip-off Classic.

The Griffons led 24-23 with 10 minutes remaining in the first half, then went on to outscore the Eagles 37-13 through the rest of the half.

Missouri Western came out of the halftime locker room hot as well, opening the second frame on a 13-0 run. They went on to outscore the Eagles 49-13 in the second half and fall five points short of tying the school scoring record.

It’s the Griffons first time scoring 104 against Avila last year. It’s the team’s first 50-point win since that same game against Avila.

Missouri Western shot 53.5 percent from the field and 30 percent from behind the arch. They were 66.7 percent from the free throw line and dominated the boards, 57-25. The Griffons pressure defense also gave Robert Morris trouble. Missouri Western claimed 11 steals and 23 Eagle turnovers.

Five Griffons scored in double figures, led by LaQuinta Jefferson’s 17 points. Freshman Oliva Hanson added 14 points and seven rebounds. Tiara Hall and Mili Koyamainavure each scored 13 and Alex Saxen had 10.

Missouri Western continue sthe QU Subway Tip-Off Classic Saturday at 4 p.m. when they take on host, Quincy University.

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The Missouri Western volleyball team wrapped up a memorable season on Friday night in a 3-0 loss to #17 Central Missouri. The Griffons battled throughout the match with scores of 25-19, 25-21, and 25-21 but couldn’t pull off the upset to keep their slim postseason hopes alive.

Missouri Western was led again by senior Erica Rottinghaus as she tallied 18 kills on the night while hitting a .275. Jessie Thorup and Amanda Boender added seven and eight kills respectively for the Griffons. The offense was set up by Jordan Chohon who posted 33 assist on the night and contributed nine digs.

Defensively, Sarah Faubel had 18 digs to add to her all-time career digs record which she broke earlier this season.

The Griffons finished the season with the most wins since 1997 and finished with a program best 16 MIAA victories. Missouri Western season record was 22-8 overall and 16-6 in league play.

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