Missouri Western head softball coach Jen Bagley announces the signing of four high school student-athletes and a junior college transfer for the 2014-15 season. Riley Wilson a infielder from Columbia, Mo., Rebekah Mueller a catcher/1B from Peculiar, Mo., Shelbie Atwell a shortstop from Columbia, Mo. and Paige Shifflett an infielder of Pleasant Hill, Mo. are the freshman signee’s while Emilie Laliberte is a junior college shortstop from Boucherville, Quebec (Candada) and played at Garden City Community College.

Riley Wilson is a 5-7 infielder from Columbia, Mo. where she played her high school softball at Hickman High School. She is a four year letter winner while earning first team All-District and Academic All-State as a senior. She was also a two time second team All-District and two time All-America Scholar Athlete. As a senior she hit .424 with 42 hits and a new school record 37 runs scored. She also led her team in triples, Walks and stolen bases. She finished the season with a .616 slugging percentage at the leadoff spot and also assisted her team to back-to-back 4A district and sectional championships. She is also in the record books for career hits with 102 and career runs scored. She is a solid student being named to the National Honor Society. She is the daughter of Jon and Elizabeth and plans on majoring in forensic science at MWSU.

“Wilson has been a part of a lot of winning teams and understands what it takes,” said Coach Bagley. “She is a crafty player that will learn our second base position.”

Rebekah Mueller is a 5-10 catcher/fist baseman from Peculiar, Mo. and played her high school softball at Raymore-Peculiar High School. She is a four year letterman who earned first team All-District three times and first team All-Region twice. She was a second team All-Conference and All-State selection twice. Durring high school she had a .398 batting average, .566 slugging percentage and 79 RBI. She is a solid student being named to the Academic All-State team all four years. She is the daugher of Deborah and Douglas and plans on majoring in elementary education at MWSU.

“Mueller will bring a lefty to our batting line-up and add depth to our catching and first base positions,” commented Coach Bagley.

Shelbie Atwell is a 5-4 shortstop from Columbia, Mo. and played her high school softball at Rock Bridge High School. She was a four time All-District performer as well as being named to the All-Region and All-State team twice. She was voted her teams Most Valuable Player as a junior. She helped her team to a 90-18 overall record which is the winningest class in Rock Bridge history. She is a solid student being a member of the National Honor Society and a member of the honor roll every semester in high school. She is the daughter of Charles and Jenny and plans on majoring in nursing at Missouri Western.

“Shelby is an experienced, smart defensive player who will bring some power to our line-up,” stated Coach Bagley.

Paige Shifflett is a 5-0 infielder from Pleasant Hill, Mo. and played her high school softball at Pleasant Hill High School. While in high school she earned numerous awards. She was a two time fist team All-Conference, All-District and All-Region performer. She was also a first team All-State selection and first team All-Metro selection. She was captain of her team her senior season as well as her teams defensive and offensive Player of the Year. In her career she had a .430 batting average. She is also a solid student being named to the Academic All-Conference team four times. She is the daughter of Steve and Jodie and plans on majoring in physical education at MWSU.

Shifflet has raw strength and power,” stated Coach Bagley. “She Has an infectious personality that will be great to have in our program.”

Emilie Laliberte is a 5-3 shortstop from Boucherville, Quebec – Candada. She transfers to Missouri Western from Garden City Community College and played her high school softball at DeMortagne. She grew up playing baseball and became the first women’s position player to play in the men’s baseball Midgett AAA league. While playing baseball she earned the Guillaume Leduc award which is given to the program’s best prospect and was also given her teams most improved player award while playing college baseball in Canada. When playing women’s baseball 2009 she was voted the Best Catcher in Canada for the age group between 14-16 years old. She is the daughter of Sylvain Laliberte and Lucie Fontaine and plans on majoring in biology at Missouri Western.

“Laliberte is an awesome defender that will look to help out our middle infield and catching position,” stated Coach Bagley.

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western volleyball team fell in three straight (25-22, 25-22, 25-21) against the 11th ranked Nebraska-Kearney Lopers in the opening round of the MIAA Tournament. The Griffons were led by Erica Rottinghaus with 10 kills hitting .172 in the match. The Griffons finish the season 16-15 overall.

The Griffons battled in the first set to a 22-22 tie but three straight Loper points gave UNK the 25-22 set one victory. In set two the Griffons never trailed by more than four points but after cutting the score to 24-22 a blocker in the net by MWSU gave the Lopers the set two victory 25-22.

The Griffons had seven services errors in the first two sets and 14 attack errors leading their struggles. Erica Rottinghaus had eight kills for the Griffons while Sarah Faubel had 18 digs.

In set three the Griffons got down 6-1 before going on a 6-1 run of their own tying the score at seven after a kill by Amanda Boender. The Griffons continued the good play going up 17-12 after a kill by Erin Backhuus. Unfortunately the Lopers took control the rest of the way closing on a 13-4 run taking the 25-21 victory.

Sarah Faubel finished with 25 digs helping her finish the season with 527 digs just four off the single season record of 531. Jordan Chohon had 17 set assists while Rottinghaus had 12. The Griffons struggled serving with 11 service errors.

The Lopers improve to 27-5 on the season with Katie Sokolowski finishing with 14 kills. Erin Seele had 37 set assists and 19 digs.

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western football team had 13 players named to the All-MIAA teams which was announced Tuesday (Nov. 19) morning by the league office. The Griffons had two first team players in sophomore defensive back Mike Jordan and junior punter Scott Groner. Sophomore running back Raphael Spencer, senior tight end Reggie Jordan, senior defensive tackle Austin Baska, sophomore linebacker Yomi Alli and senior offensive lineman Jeremy Jacobsen were named second team while sophomore defensive tackle Arbanas Elliott was named to the third team.

Michael Jordan (DB, 6-0, 200, So., Hazelwood, Mo.) was named to the first team for the first time in his career after being named MIAA Freshman of the Year and honorable mention in 2012. This season Jordan finished with 48 total tackles with 36 being solo. He had two tackles for a loss to go along with three interceptions and eight pass break-ups. Jordan had seven tackles twice this season against Fort Hays State and Emporia State.

Scott Groner (P, 6-4, 200, Jr., Tecoma, Victoria (Australia)) had an outstanding season averaging an MIAA best 42.6 yards per kick. He ranked 11th in the nation with that average. Groner punted 50 times for 2,132 with a long of 61 yards on September 21, 2013 at Nebraska-Kearney. He had nine kicks of 50 or more yards to go along with 13 kicks inside the 20. This marks the first time in his career that he has been named to the first team. He was an honorable mention selection in 2011.

Raphael Spencer (RB, 5-9, 190, So., Kansas City, Mo.) was named second team All-MIAA for the first time in his career. He finished the season rushing for 1,312 yards on 198 carries and 12 touchdowns. He averaged 119.3 yards per game which is first in the MIAA and 19th in the nation. He ran for over 100 yards six times this season and over 200 yards once which was at Central Oklahoma when he went for 221 yards on 24 carries. This season he also caught 21 passes for 150 yards. Spencer was named MIAA Player of the Week on November 11, 2013 for his 193 yards two touchdown performance at Washburn in a 34-31 victory. He is currently 9th all-time in rushing with 1,920 yards in his career.

Reggie Jordan (TE, 6-3, 240, Sr., Hazelwood, Mo.) was named second team All-MIAA for the first time in his career. This past season he had 23 catches for 366 yards and four touchdowns which included a two touchdown performance against Pittsburg State. He had two catches for 81 yards in that game. He also had three rushes for 22 yards on the season. Last sason he was an honorable mention All-MIAA selection as well as an honorable mention D2Football.com All-American.

Austin Baska (DL, 6-4, 283, Sr., Parkville, Mo.) was named second team All-MIAA for the first time in his career. Baska finished with 52 tackles from his defensive tackle position. He had 15 solo tackles and 37 assisted. He finished with seven tackles for a loss and 1.5 sacks. He got his first career interception on October 5 against Central Oklahoma. Baska was an honorable mention selection in 2011. Baska had a season high eight tackles against Pittsburg State on October 26.

Jeremy Jacobsen (OL, 6-3, 315, Sr., Bettendorf, Iowa) was named to the second team for the first time in his career. Jacobsen started all 11 games at the center position for the Griffons. He anchored a very young offensive line that helped the Griffons average 40.2 points per game and 438.4 yards per game. He also helped the Griffon running backs rush for 231.2 yards per game averaging 5.3 yards per rush with 31 touchdowns.

Arbanas Elliot (DL, 6-4, 290, So., Kansas City, Mo.) was named to the third team for the first time in his career. Elliot started all 11 games for the Griffons finishing with 27 tackles with eight being solo. He had three tackles for a loss and one sack. He also had one forced fumble, two quarterback hurries and two pass break-ups. He had a season high five tackles against Nebraska-Kearney.

Senior quarterback Travis Partridge, sophomore wide receiver Stephon Weaver, senior wide receiver Derek Libby, junior defensive end John Oglesby, junior linebacker Stephen Juergens and senior linebacker Nick Williams were named to the honorable mention squad.

The Griffons finished the season with an 8-3 overall record and 7-3 MIAA record. It was the eighth time in the past nine seasons and 11th time in Head Coach Jerry Partridge’s tenure that the Griffons have won eight or more games.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Missouri Western men’s basketball coach Brett Weiberg announced the signing of three student-athletes that will join the program for the 2014-15 season. Currie Byrd a forward from Montgomery, Texas, Seth Bonifas a forward from Dubuque, Iowa and Cole Clearman a guard from Bettendorf, Iowa will all be freshman at MWSU next fall.

Currie Byrd – 6-7, 210, Freshman, Forward, Montgomery HS, Montgomery, Texas
Byrd is a two year letter winner who was first team All-District and All-County a season ago. He averages 14 points per game and 13 rebounds. His greatest spots moment came last season when Montgomery won their first ever District Championship. He is the son of Martha and Currie and plans on majoring in business.

“Currie is a very tough kid that plays with a little bit of a chip on his shoulder,” commented coach Weiberg. “He will play small forward and power forward for us.  Currie can really rebound the ball and also has the ability to shoot the ball from the perimeter. He also runs the floor well. I believe he brings a certain level of toughness that we need in the 2014 class.  Currie also plays for a good high school coach in Don Johnson at Montgomery High School. I am pleased that we have added Currie and look forward to coaching him.”

Seth Bonifas – 6-9, 215, Freshman, Forward, Dubuque Senior High, Dubuque, Iowa
Is a three year letter winner at Dubuque Senior High. He was named second team All-Conference last season while being an honorable mention selection as a sophomore. His freshman season he was named his schools most improved player. He averages 8.6 points per game and six rebounds. He shoots 51.4-percent from the field. Last season he had 33 blocks to go with 12 steals and nine assists. His greatest sports moment was helping his team make it to state. He is the son of Mark and Lois and plans on majoring in biology.

“We are very pleased to announce the signing of Seth Bonifas,” stated Coach Weiberg. “Seth is a good player that plays both forward positions. He brings much needed size and length to the 2014 recruiting class. He plays hard and is unselfish. Coach Eimers, Seth’s high school coach is a very good coach that has won a lot of games.  Seth is used to winning and understands the importance of hard work.  He is a good player, good person, and good student.”

Cole Clearman – 6-0, 182, Freshman, Guard, Bettendorf HS, Bettendorf, Iowa
Clearman is a three year letterman at Bettendorf HS. Last season he was named to the first team All-conference and All-Metro was well as being named first team All-State by Sports Spotlight & Iowa Preps and second team by INA. His high scoring game in high school was 33 points where he hig nine three pointers. He has been his teams leading scorer two years in a row while scoring 18 points a game as a sophomore and 13 last season. He also shot over 80-percent from the free throw line two years in a row. He is the son of Todd and Lisa and is undecided on a major.

“Cole Clearman is a wonderful addition to our 2014 recruiting class,” said Coach Weiberg. “Cole is a 6’0 combo guard that can really shoot the basketball. He plays hard and is a competitor. Coach Clark does an excellent job at Bettendorf and it is always nice to sign players that have been coached in high school the way Cole has. With the addition of Cole, we are getting a player that can play either the point or off guard and he can also spread the floor because of the ability to shoot the basketball. Cole is a winner and I am looking forward to coaching him.”

— MWSU Sports Information —

The Missouri Western men’s basketball team lost its second game of the year on the final day of the Hillyard Classic as the Griffons lost to No. 13 Midwestern State 82-64.  Western is now 3-2 while the Mustangs are 4-0.

The Mustangs jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead after one minute of play. The Griffons responded just as quickly.

Cortrez Colbert nailed a 3 followed by a three-point play to tie the game at six. Adarius Fulton added a 3-pointer to make it 9-6, and a back-and-forth game began.

Midwestern State began to increase its lead after the 10-minute mark of the opening half.

After a 25-24 ball game, the Mustangs went on a 15-7 run to lead by 10, 41-31, with with less than one minute to play.
Ryan Devers hit two free throws to cut the lead to eight, but DeJuan Plummers’ trey marked it 44-33 at halftime.

At the break, Colbert led the Griffons with 10 points. Plummer led the Mustangs with 14.

The Mustangs continued to increase their lead and made it 72-51 with 6:32 left in the game. Derek Kastner received an alley oop from Cam Adderley late in the game as Midwestern State took an 80-61 lead with one minute remaining.

Colbert led the game with 18 points. Behind him was Cedric Clinkscales who had 17. Two Mustangs players had 16 – Plummer and Monzaigo Williams. Eddie D’Haiti and Kastner had eight rebounds for Midwestern State. Devers led Missouri Western with six.

The Griffons return to the court next week against Illinois-Springfield on Nov. 23. The game is on the road with time set for 5 p.m.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Missouri Western opened up the Hillyard Classic Friday night with a big victory over William Jewell, winning 78-55.

The Griffons dominated in the first half as they were led by guard Ryan Devers.  The junior helped Western go on a 17-0 run to take an 18-4 lead.

Their double-digit lead fell to five after Kyle Smith put in a trey, but Missouri Western then used a 20-1 run and used to a 42-19 lead at halftime.

William Jewell cut the lead to 12 after a big second-half run early. After Cortrez Colbert knocked down a 3, the Cardinals went on an 18-8 lead to make it 56-44 with 8:50 left. The Griffons went back up minutes later.

A 12-0 run in the next three minutes put Missouri Western back up 68-44 lead with 5:39 left on the clock. The run kept the Cardinals at bay for good.

Colbert had a game-high 22 points going 9 of 16 from the field. He was 4 of 5 from the 3-point line.

Devers finished with 18 points with seven field goals on the night. William Jewell was led by D’Vante Mosby, who had 13 points. Jordan Lewis had 12 for the Cardinals.

Missouri Western is now 3-1 and they play No. 13 Midwestern State at 8:30 p.m. Saturday.  The game will air on 680 AM KFEQ.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Ariana Novak and Sharniece Lewis each made three 3-pointers as the Griffons increased their record to 3-0 Friday night with their win over Illinois-Springfield 78-41.

Missouri Western jumped out to a 3-0 lead at MWSU Fieldhouse after Novak hit her first of three triples. Countered with 29 personal foul calls through the night on Illinois Springfield, it made for an easy one for the Griffons.

The Griffons led 21-14 with 8:31 remaining in the first half. The lead increased to double-digits shortly after when Novak sank a 3 to go up 25-14. Novak’s layup with 4:07 put Western up 34-16, its largest lead of the night until Lewis knocked down a triple one minute later to mark the score 37-18.

Quenisha Lockett and Alexis Gray have given coach Rob Edmisson two solid post players so far this year. Lockett’s 10 and Gray’s 11 helpted the Griffons increase their lead in the second half. Tiara Hall extended the lead past 30 as time began to wind down in the game.

Hall’s two free throws came right before Jallisa Lewis dropped in a final trey to mark the final score.

Lockett was 4 of 5 from the field, while Novak finished 5 of 11 for a game-high 15 points. The Prairie Stars were led by Alyssa Palmer, who had 10 points in their first game of the year. Missouri Western outrebounded Illinois-Springfield 45-31.

— MWSU Sports Information —

For the first time since 2006 the Missouri Western volleyball team secured a winning season by defeating Southwest Baptist 3-0 (25-22, 25-17, 25-21) in their final MIAA match of the season. The Griffons improve to 16-14 overall and 9-7 in MIAA play. It was also the first time since 2000 that the Griffons had a winning record in MIAA play. The Griffons will play next Tuesday night in the first round of the MIAA tournament. They will be on the road against Central Oklahoma or Nebraska-Kearney.

In a close first set that featured five ties the Griffons were able get a 25-22 victory. the Griffons never trailed in the set a they had 19 kils with Kelsey Olion getting six.

In set two the Griffons dominated taking the 25-17 victory and taking a 2-0 lead in the match. Both teams hit negative in the set but four serving errors by the Bearcats helped the Griffons to the victory.

After two sets the Griffons were led by Olion with eight kils while Kelly Scannell had 23 set assits and 14 digs. Sarah Faubel had 18 digs after two sets. The Bearcats had 22 kills with Jordan Nedbalek leading the way with six.

In the final set with the Griffons down 21-18 they went on a 7-0 run picking up the set three victory 25-21. the Griffons had 15 kills in th set with Amanda Boender getting six kills and three blocks.

In the match the Griffons had 42 kills with Olion and Boender leading the way with 10. Scannell finished with 33 while Faubel had 25 digs. Scannell had 19 had 19 digs while Rottinghaus finished with nine kills.

The Bearcats fall to 17-13 and 6-9 in the MIAA. The had 32 kills with Nedbalek getting seven and Fankhauser getting 25 set assists. Hannah Blount had 17 digs.

— MWSU Sports Information —