College – Page 270 – St. Joseph Post Archive

Two MIAA women’s basketball teams ranked in preseason Top 25; MWSU receiving votes

Posted on November 1, 2016

Kansas City, Mo. – Two MIAA women’s basketball teams will begin the season ranked in the top 25 as the preseason poll was released today by the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association.

Emporia State is fourth in the poll after being picked a top the MIAA preseason poll released earlier this season. Pittsburg State who was picked second in that poll was picked 12th in the national poll. Missouri Western and Washburn are also receiving votes in the inaugural poll.

Exhibition play for the women’s basketball teams started on Oct. 30 with teams taking to the court for real starting on Friday, Nov. 11. League play is slated to get underway on Nov. 30 with team pushing towards the MIAA Championship which will run Feb. 28, March 3-5 of 2017 for the women from campus sites and Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo.

— MIAA Press Release —

Missouri ranked No. 24 in preseason AP women’s basketball poll

Posted on November 1, 2016

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou women’s basketball was tabbed No. 24 in The Associated Press preseason poll. It’s the first time Mizzou has cracked the preseason rankings since 1984 and the fourth time in program history.

Mizzou returns four Tigers from a season ago who started at least 24 games in redshirt senior Lindsey Cunningham, SEC Freshman of the Year Sophie Cunningham, senior Sierra Michaelis and sophomore Cierra Porter. Mizzou spent eight consecutive weeks in the AP Top 25 poll during the 2015-16 campaign, the longest run for the program in more than 30 years.

The Tigers are coming off an NCAA Tournament appearance and their first NCAA Tournament victory since 2001 after taking down 7-seeded BYU in the opening round as a No. 10 seed.

Mizzou opens exhibition play Tuesday against Central Missouri. The regular season officially tips off Nov. 11 when the Tigers take on Abilene Christian in the Preseason WNIT. Tip off for both contests is slated for 7 p.m. at Mizzou Arena.

— Mizzou Athletics —

Jayhawks ranked No. 3 in preseason AP Top 25 men’s basketball poll

Posted on November 1, 2016

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas men’s basketball team is ranked No. 3 in the Associated Press (AP) Preseason Poll, the AP released Monday. The AP ranking marks the highest preseason rank for the Jayhawks since entering the 2009-10 season No. 1.

This is the fourth-straight season KU has been ranked No. 5 or higher by the AP. KU was No. 4 last season in the AP preseason poll and No. 5 in 2014-15 and 2013-14. It is also the seventh time in the last eight seasons that the Jayhawks have entered the season No. 7 or higher by the AP.

Under 14th-year head coach Bill Self, this is the 11th time that Kansas enters the season ranked seventh or higher in the Associated Press preseason poll and historically, the No. 3 ranking marks the 19th time since the 1992-93 season that Kansas will enter the season seventh or higher.

Last season, KU entered the year No. 4 nationally in the Associated Press poll and ended at No. 1. The AP’s final poll is released prior to the NCAA Tournament. The Jayhawks were ranked in the top 10 every week during the 2015-16 season.

Kansas has been ranked in each of the last 141 polls dating back to the 2008-09 season which is the longest active streak in NCAA Division I.

Kansas will play nine regular-season games against teams ranked in the AP preseason poll: No. 1 Duke, No. 2 Kentucky, No. 11 Indiana, No. 20 West Virginia (twice), No. 21. Texas (twice) and No. 24 Iowa State (twice).

Kansas enters the 2016-17 season No. 2 in the preseason USA Today Coaches’ poll which was released Oct. 20.

Kansas opens its exhibition play when it hosts Washburn Tuesday, Nov. 1 at 7 p.m. (Central) in Allen Fieldhouse. The game can be seen on the Jayhawk Television Network or ESPN3 outside the state of Kansas.

2016-17 Associated Press Preseason Poll (Oct. 31, 2016)

Rank – School (first place votes) – points
1 – Duke (58) – 1,612
2 – Kentucky (2) – 1,479
3 – KANSAS – 1,476
4 – Villanova (4) – 1,465
5 – Oregon (1) – 1,343
6 – North Carolina – 1,314
7 – Xavier – 1,167
8 – Virginia – 1,149
9 – Wisconsin – 1,135
10 – Arizona – 1,004
11 – Indiana – 917
12 – Michigan State – 903
13 – Louisville – 755
14 – Gonzaga – 699
15 – Purdue – 672
16 – UCLA – 540
17 – Saint Mary’s – 512
18 – Connecticut – 504
19 – Syracuse – 464
20 – West Virginia – 360
21 – Texas – 250
22 – Creighton – 231
23 – Rhode Island – 199
24 – Iowa State – 168
25 – Maryland – 144

Others receiving votes: Cincinnati 110, Dayton 98, Florida State 88, California 74, San Diego State 48, Miami 35, NC State 29, Butler 21, Wichita St 21, Ohio State 18, Virginia Tech 18, Florida 18, Texas A&M 14, Mississippi State 14, Oklahoma 11, Colorado 10, Michigan 8, Monmouth 7, Notre Dame 6, Washington 5, Seton Hall 5, Princeton 2, Ohio 1, Vanderbilt 1, Harvard 1

— KU Athletics —

Missouri’s Fatony named a candidate for Ray Guy Award

Posted on November 1, 2016

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou Football sophomore punter Corey Fatony (Franklin, Tenn.) has been named a candidate for the Ray Guy Award, announced Monday (Oct. 31) by the Augusta Sports Council. The Ray Guy Award honors the nation’s top punter each year. Fatony was one of 66 punters in the nation selected to the 2016 list and the honor comes one year removed from earning the same distinction as a true freshman in 2015.

Fatony is enjoying a standout season as Mizzou’s primary punter as he is 20th nationally and fourth in the SEC in punting, averaging 44.3 yards per kick. Mizzou ranks 22nd nationally and fifth in the SEC in net punting at 40.69 yards. Of his 49 punts, Fatony has booted 13 of them for 50+ yards and has 18 kicks that have been downed inside the opponent’s 20. He had just one touchback through Mizzou’s first seven games this season (40 punts).

The list will be narrowed down to ten semifinalists to be announced on Friday, November 11. Following the announcement, a national body of Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) Sports Information Directors, coaches, media representatives and previous Ray Guy Award winners will vote for the three finalists who will be identified on Tuesday, November 22. The voting body will then cast ballots to select the winner. The 2016 Ray Guy Award winner will be announced live on ESPN during The Home Depot College Football Awards on Thursday, December 8.

— Mizzou Athletics —

NU’s Gerry named semifinalist for Bednarik Award

Posted on October 31, 2016

Nebraska safety Nathan Gerry has been recognized for his outstanding play in 2016, being named a semifinalist for the Chuck Bednarik Award.

The 6-2, 220-pound Gerry is one of 18 players named to the semifinal list on Monday. The Bednarik Award is presented annually to the Outstanding Defensive Player of the Year.

Gerry is one of three Big Ten players on the list, joining Michigan linebacker Jabrill Peppers and Iowa cornerback Desmond King. Gerry is one of five defensive backs on the watch list and joins Washington’s Bubba Baker as the only safeties on the watch list.

The Sioux Falls, S.D., native is having an outstanding senior year, highlighted by a team-leading four interceptions. Gerry picked off two passes in the fourth quarter at Wisconsin, helping the Huskers rally to force overtime. Gerry has 13 career interceptions, leaving him one shy of the Nebraska career record.

Gerry also ranks second on the team with 50 tackles, including 31 solo stops and seven tackles for loss. His 19 career tackles for loss are a Nebraska record for defensive backs. Overall, Gerry has 249 career tackles, the second-most for a Husker defensive back.

Three finalists for the Bednarik Award will be announced on Nov. 22.

— NU Athletics —

MIAA hands out weekly football awards

Posted on October 31, 2016

Kansas City, Mo. – Emporia State’s DeAndre Glover has been named the MIAA Football Defensive Athlete of the Week while Washburn’s Perry Schmiedeler was named the Special Teams Athlete of the Week. Northwest Missouri’s Kyle Zimmerman has been named the Offensive Athlete of the Week.

MIAA Offensive Athlete of the Week
Kyle Zimmerman, QB, Northwest Missouri

Zimmerman set Northwest single game records with six passing touchdowns and seven total touchdowns in Saturdays 69-10 win over Pittsburg State. Zimmerman completed 19-of-21 passes for a career-best 385 yards, with no interceptions. He also ran the ball six times for 33 yards and a touchdown. The 6-1 senior quarterback is a native of Overland Park, Kan. where he competed at Blue Valley High School.

MIAA Defensive Athlete of the Week
DeAndre Glover, DL, Emporia State

Glover had a career high three sacks and four tackles for loss in #10 Emporia States 24-16 win over Ft. Hays State. He anchored a defensive line that held the Tigers to just 99 yards on the ground, the second straight game they have held an opponent to under 100 yards rushing. His three sacks are the most in the MIAA this year and the most by a Hornet since Danny Webb had 3.0 against Central Missouri in 2010. The four TFL are tied for the most in the MIAA this season and are the most by a Hornet since Bryan Tarkington had four against Augustana (SD) in 2008. He now leads the MIAA in solo TFL and is second in total TFL this season. The 6-2 senior defensive lineman is a native of Hempstead, Texas where he competed at Hempstead High School.

MIAA Special Teams Athlete of the Week
Perry Schmiedeler, K, Washburn

Schmiedeler Hit 3 field goals in the 16-13 win over Missouri Western including a 50-yard field goal putting Washburn up 3 with 6:46 to play in the third quarter in the homecoming win. His first field goal of 27 yards tied the score at three and then with 9:31 left in the third quarter he hit one from 43-yards which tied the score at 13. Schmiedeler also averaged 61.4 yards per kickoff with two touchbacks in five attempts while connecting on his only point after attempt. The 5-11 sophomore kicker is a native of Topeka, Kan. where he competed at Washburn Rural.

— MIAA Press Release —

Missouri Western soccer falls at No. 4 UCM, gets No. 7 seed in MIAA Tournament

Posted on October 30, 2016

ST. JOSEPH – A wild final two weekends of the MIAA regular season left the Missouri Western soccer team with the No. 7 seed in the upcoming MIAA Tournament.

Missouri Western will make its third-straight MIAA Tournament appearance on Wednesday, Nov. 2 at second seeded Fort Hays State at 6 p.m. Fort Hays State shared the regular season championship with Central Missouri, but drew the second seed in the postseason tournament. The Griffons lost 3-0 at Fort Hays State in the regular season.

A 6-1 loss at No. 4-ranked Central Missouri Sunday, combined with an Emporia State loss at Nebraska-Kearney and a Lindenwood win over Northwest Missouri State left the Griffons in a three-way tie for fifth place in the MIAA standing with Emporia and Lindenwood. The Griffons drew the seven seed after losses to both earlier this season.

The Griffons end the regular season 11-7 overall and 6-5 in the MIAA. The 11 wins overall are a program record and the six MIAA wins equal the most in program history.

— MWSU Athletics —

Northwest soccer loses to Lindenwood in season finale

Posted on October 30, 2016

The Northwest Missouri State soccer team drops match to Lindenwood Sunday afternoon, 3-1.

– Northwest falls to 4-12-1 overall and 2-9 in MIAA play. The Lady Lions improve to 9-7-1 and 6-5 in conference action.

– Izzy Romano scored her fourth goal of the season in the 80th minute to tie the game.

– This concludes the 2016 regular season for the Bearcats.

Key Northwest Statistics
– Ashley Malloy with four saves on the afternoon.

– Lindenwood had seven shots on goal to the Bearcats’ four.

– Northwest earned three corners on the afternoon to the Lady Lions two.

– Lindenwood was called for five offsides. The Bearcats with just four offsides call.

– The Lady Lions were whistled for 17 fouls with Northwest being called 16 times.

– Izzy Romano had a team high three shots on the afternoon.

– Danielle Wolfe, Ashley Cole, Jessica Breyfoggle and Cassie Phillips all added shots for the Bearcats.

Key Northwest Sequence
– In the 80th minute, Izzy Romano dibbled past a defender before firing a low shot towards the left post. Her shot found the back of the net to equalize
the score.

— Northwest Athletics —

MWSU volleyball falls in five sets at Emporia State

Posted on October 30, 2016October 30, 2016

EMPORIA, Kan. – The Missouri Western volleyball team fell 3-2 (25-22, 25-12, 27-29, 23-25, 9-15) at Emporia State Sunday afternoon.

The Griffons overcame a slow first set start by using a 12-3 run to win the set. The second set was all Missouri Western as they raced out to a 12-3 start and close out on a 9-1 run to put Emporia State on the ropes.

After leading most of the third set, MWSU had three set points fought off by the Hornets to force a fourth set. Ashley Mainord’s kill in the fourth set would tie it at 23 but ESU would find a way to escape, forcing a decisive fifth set. Missouri Western would go on a 4-1 rally in the fifth set; however it was not enough to win the match.

Shellby Taylor tied her career high of 15 kills in a match for the Griffons. Rachel Friedrichs finished with 14 kills on a .538 hitting percentage while Ashley Mainord ended with 13 kills. Lauren Murphy paced the MWSU offense with 50 assist.

The Griffons return home on Friday, Nov. 4 as they host Fort Hays State at 7 p.m. in the MWSU Fieldhouse.

— MWSU Athletics —

Missouri State’s Lambert named Valley Offensive Player of the Week

Posted on October 30, 2016

ST. LOUIS – After turning in a career day to help Missouri State rally for a key conference win over Southern Illinois Saturday, senior quarterback Brodie Lambert has been named Missouri Valley Football Conference Offensive Player of the Week, the league office announced Sunday.

Lambert completed 25-of-39 passes and posted career highs for total offense (390), passing yards (339) and rushing yards (51), while tossing four touchdown passes to lead MSU to a 38-35 comeback win over the Salukis. Lambert threw for three TDs in the second half and guided an offense that racked up 516 yards of total offense in helping the Bears rally from a 14-point deficit.

The Arlington, Texas native ignited the MSU comeback by ripping off a career-long 46-yard rush to set up the first of his three second-half TDs, then tied the game with a 36-yard scoring strike to Zac Hoover with just over three minutes remaining in regulation. Lambert’s 390 yards of offense represent the sixth-best single-game total in school history, and his 76-yard first-quarter TD pass to Hoover is the Bears’ longest under head coach Dave Steckel.

With the first Valley player of the week honor of his career, Lambert joins fellow Bears Sam Ellifrits (Offensive Lineman of the Week—Oct. 2), Dylan Cole (Defensive Player of the Week—Oct. 2) and Deion Holliman (Special Teams Player of the Week—Sept. 4) as MVFC weekly award winners this season.

Up next, the Bears (4-4, 2-3 MVFC) travel to Brookings, S.D., next Saturday (Nov. 5) for a 2 p.m. match-up with South Dakota State at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium.

— MSU Athletics —