The Missouri Western volleyball team had four players named to the All-MIAA teams which were announced Wednesday (Nov. 20) morning. Junior outside hitter Erica Rottinghaus was named first team while junior middle hitter Amanda Boender, junior libero Sarah Faubel and freshman right side hitter Kelsey Olion all garnered honorable mention honors.

Erica Rottinghaus (OH, Jr., 5-10, Seneca, Kan.) earns first team honors for the first time in her career. It marks the first time since 2002 that the Griffons had a player on the first team. In 2002 Lindsey Palaia was MIAA MVP and a first team selection. Rottinghaus played in all 31 matches with 30 starts. She led the Griffons in kills with 387 averaging 3.22 per set. She had double digit kills in 24 of the 31 matches with a career best 22 at Central Oklahoma on October 19. She had 377 digs with double digit digs in 22 matches. She had a career high 18 three times. She also had 38 blocks on the season with a career best five against Emporia State on October 8. She is outstanding server finishing with 47 services aces and 455 (3.79 points per set) points.

Amanda Boender (MH, Jr., 5-10, Lincoln, Neb.) earned honorable mention honors for the first time in her career. She played in all 31 matches with 29 starts. She led the team with a .295 attack percentage with 247 kills and just 75 errors. She also led the team in blocks with 130 which is the 4th most in the MIAA. She finished second on the team with 341 points averaging 2.84 points per set.

Sarah Faubel (Libero, Jr., 5-9, Lincoln, Neb.) earned honorable mention honors for the first time in her career. She has had her best season in a Griffon uniform with 527 digs which is just the second time since 1983 that a Griffon has had over 500 digs. She finished just four behind Shelly Lowery who had 531 in 1996. She currently has 1,372 career digs which is is second all time. She sits being Sarah Ekdahl who had 1,565 through 1997-2000. She averaged 4.39 digs per set which is ninth in the MIAA. Her 527 digs is fifth most in the MIAA this season. She had a season best 30 against SD School of Mines on October 11.

Kelsey Olion (RS, Fr., 5-9, Champaign, Ill.) earned honorable mention honors for the first time in her carer. She had 276 kills while hitting .181 and averaging 2.73 kills per set. Olion played in 28 matches with 16 starts. She had 154 digs to go along with 63 total blocks and 319 points (3.16 per set). She had double digit kills in 16 matches with a career best 22 at Central Oklahoma on October 19. She also had double digit digs seven times with a high of 14 vs. South Dakota School of Mines on October 11.

The Griffons finished the season 16-15 overall and 9-7 in MIAA play. This marks the first time since 2006 that the Griffons will finish with an over .500 record and best record in MIAA play since 2000.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Missouri Western head baseball coach Charles “Buzz” Verduzco announces the signing of two junior college student-athletes for the 2014-15 season. Zachary Taylor a infielder from Greenwood Village, Colo. played his high school baseball at Cherry Creek High School and transfers to MWSU from Fort Scott Community College while Brett Valentine a pitcher is from Blue Springs, Mo. and played his high school football at Blue Spring South High School. He transfers to Missouri Western from Longview Community College.

Zachary Taylor a 6-1, 175 infielder from Greenwood Village, Colo. where he played at Cherry Creek High School. He transfers to MWSU from Fort Scott Community College. His best sports moment was winning the state championship as a senior in high school. He is the son of Chris and Kim Taylor and plans on majoring in criminal justice at MWSU.

“We are very excited to add Zach Taylor to our team,” commented Coach Verduzco.”He is an exceptional infielder, who will bring some depth to our lineup. Zach has the high quality character and work ethic we look for in Griffon Baseball.”

Brett Valentine a 6-0, 190 pitcher from Blue Springs, Mo. played his high school baseball at Blue Springs South High School. He transfers to MWSU from Longview Community College. His greatest sports moment was hitting a grand slam against his high school rival. He is the son of Jason and Shelli and is undecided on a major at MWSU.

“Brett is a power arm that will look make an immediate impact,” stated Coach Verduzco. “Brett’s skill and demeanor on the mound will make him a valuable addition to the pitching staff. We are thrilled to sign him.”

— MWSU Sports Information —

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 —