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Category: College

K-State volleyball ranked No. 22 in preseason Top 25

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After last season’s run to the NCAA Regional Semifinals, the Kansas State volleyball team is poised for another successful year and the Wildcats are ranked heading into the campaign. The AVCA Preseason Coaches Poll was released Monday afternoon and the Wildcats come in at No. 22.

The No. 22 ranking is where the Wildcats finished in the 2011 AVCA Final Poll after a 22-11 season. This marks the first time since 2009 the Wildcats are ranked in the preseason poll when K-State was No. 23.

K-State returns every starter from last year’s team and lost only one player from the roster as backup setter Ashley Kelican graduated a year early to enroll in Kansas State’s veterinary school. The tandem of juniors Kaitlynn Pelger and Lilla Porubek and senior Caitlyn Donahue were selected as Preseason All-Big 12 by the league’s coaches and make up half the starting rotation for the Wildcats.

Seniors Kathleen Ludwig, Alex Muff and Kuulei Kabalis also are back and ready for their final season for the Wildcats. Ludwig could crack the 1,000 kill list for her career this season, and Muff already ranks among the best blockers in K-State history. Kabalis had one of the best seasons in school history for a libero as well.

Junior outside hitter Courtney Traxson came on strong and played a big role in K-State’s late-season success. Junior defensive specialist Tristan McCarty was one of the team’s top servers and played a key defensive role on the back row. McCarty has significant starting experience as well, starting often in place of Muff depending on K-State’s opening rotation.

K-State’s schedule is challenging this year as most every year with three opponents ranked in the preseason poll. Four others are receiving votes from the coaches. Defending Big 12 champion Texas comes in at No. 2 in the poll and received one first place vote. Iowa State is the other Big 12 team ranked along with the Longhorns and Wildcats as the Cyclones enter the year ranked No. 10. Also for the Big 12, Oklahoma received four points in the poll.

The Wildcats have one nonconference opponent ranked as well as three receiving votes. Minnesota is No. 16 in the preseason poll and has a new head coach this year in Hugh McCutcheon, who recently finished his stint as head coach of the USA Women’s National Team. K-State will face the Golden Gophers on September 14 at a tournament hosted by Tulsa. All three opponents at the Tulsa tournament are among the top teams with the hosting Golden Hurricane and Dayton Fliers both receiving votes in the poll. Saint Mary’s also is receiving votes in the poll and will travel to Manhattan to play the Wildcats on September 6.

K-State opens its season at home against UC Irvine at 7:30 p.m. on August 24. Season tickets and single game tickets remain on sale through the K-State Ticket Office. Tickets can be purchased online at kstatesports.com or by calling 888-221-CATS. Fans can also visit the ticket office in Bramlage Coliseum Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Fans can get a look at the 2012 Wildcats at the annual Purple/White Scrimmage at 7 p.m. Saturday at Ahearn Field House.

— KSU Sports Information —

Three Griffons earn more preseason football honors

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The Missouri Western State University football team had three players named to the 2012 USA Football News Division II Pre-Season All-Americans which was released Monday morning.

The three Griffons consist of one defensive player, one offensive player and a special teamer. Senior defensive end David Bass (St. Louis, Mo./University City HS) and junior punter Scott Groner (Tecoma, Victoria (Australia)/Blackburn HS)) were named to the first team while senior offensive lineman Macon Allan (King City, Mo./King City HS) was named to the third team.

This marks the third preseason All-America honor for Bass who was named first team All-America by Lindy’s Magazine back on June 14 and first team All-American by Beyond Sports Network on June 26. This is Allan’s third All-America honor as he was named first team All-America by Lindy’s Magazine and and second team by Beyond Sports Network. This marks Groner’s second honor as he was named first team by Beyond Sports Netwrok.

Last season Bass was named to numerous all-america teams which included first team honors from D2Football.com, Don Hansen Football Gazette, AP “Little” All-American and Beyond Sports College Network. His 20 tackles for a loss set a school record for most in a season while his 14.5 sacks led the MIAA and left him one-half sack short of the Griffons single season record. He has 28.5 sacks in his career which is 1.5 short of the school record. He tied a single game high with four sacks in a game twice and was fourth in the nation in sacks per game at 1.21. He earned MIAA Defensive Player of the Week honors twice and was the D2Football.com Player of the Week once.

He finished the season with 55 tackles with 35 being solo. He had eight quarterback hurries, four pass break-ups and one forced fumble. He was named first team all-MIAA for the first time in his career last season.

In his first season of college football Groner had an outstanding season. He played in all 12 games punting the ball 50 times for 2,193 yards. His 43.9 yards per punt average set a single season record. Thirteen of his punts went for 50 or more yards while he dropped 17 inside the 20. He was an honorable mention all-MIAA selection as well as a Don Hansen second team all-American. He was also named Beyond Sports College Network’s Punter of the Week on November 23, 2011 as well an honorable mention all-America selection by Beyond Sports College Network.

Allan has been a rock on the offensive line since he got to Western. He has started all 36 games in his three years of playing. Last season he was first team all-MIAA for the first time in his career. He was also named to the Don Hansen Honorable Metion all-America team as well as the Don Hansen second team all-Region. He helped the Griffons rush for 240 yards per game and almost six yards per carry in 2011.

The Griffons finished 9-3 last season, which tied them for the most wins in a season. They have won nine games in six of the last nine seasons. They have also had a winning record in 11 of 15 seasons under head coach Jerry Partridge. The Griffons return a total of 17 starters on offense and defense next season, including 10 of 11 on offense and seven of 11 on defense.

Western opens up their 2012 season on Thursday, August 30 against MIAA opponent University of Central Missouri at 6:00 pm in St. Joseph, Mo.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Jayhawks conclude European Tour with loss in France

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With Kansas playing without four regulars, including three returning starters, the AMW France Pro Team defeated Kansas 79-60 here Sunday evening.

An estimated crowd of 2,000 at Stade Pierre de Coubertin saw AMW explode in the fourth quarter behind former Washington Wizard forward Kevin Seraphin’s nine points outscoring KU 24-10. Seraphin, who was back in Paris after participating for the French National Team at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, scored 16 points for the game.

As head coach Bill Self mentioned following Saturday’s 74-73 loss to the AMW team, he was not going to play senior starters Elijah Johnson, Travis Releford and Jeff Withey to give the younger players extra time on the floor. The trio and redshirt freshman Ben McLemore sat on the KU bench in street clothes. McLemore is still recovering from injury.

The young Jayhawks, 14 suited up with 10 freshmen, one senior, one junior and two sophomores, fought hard for three quarters but could not keep with the French pros in the final stanza. KU trailed by two after the first quarter, 20-18. But the Jayhawks battled back and took a 34-31 lead into intermission. AMW then went to work making three of their nine three pointers in the third quarter to take a 55-50 lead heading into the final period.

Kansas cut the lead to 55-52 on a Landen Lucas basket but then AMW turned to Seraphin who scored seven of the next 10 points for the home team on its 10-2 run, making the score 65-54.

Kansas was led by freshman Perry Ellis who recorded a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds. Freshman Andrew White had 15 points for the Jayhawks, including three three-pointers. KU outrebounded AMW 54-36 for the game yet was plagued once again by turnovers with 26.

KU will have one more day in Paris and return to Lawrence on Aug. 14.

— Associated Press —

Haith get ejected, pulls team off the floor against Dutch team

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Overseas exhibition games have been known to get chippy and after seeing a couple of elbows fly, words exchanged and a surprising ejection, Mizzou Head Coach Frank Haith had seen enough.

The second year head coach at Missouri had just been ejected from the game for questioning a non-call on an elbow to the head of freshman forward Stefan Jankovic and pulled his team from the floor midway through the third quarter.

“In my mind I was just fearful for the safety of our players, but in retrospect I wish I had let our team play it out and learn from the adversity,” Haith said. “I take complete responsibility. This is a learning experience for us all.”

Despite the decision Haith had nothing but praise for the Netherlands National program.

“This in no way reflects how the Dutch team played tonight,” Haith said. “They are a great team and for us to be up 25 at the half, we were obviously playing well. I had a split second to make a decision and I chose to err on the side of caution.”

Even junior forward Earnest Ross understood the difficult decision.

“We are competitors, we want to play, but when we saw the look in Coach Haith’s eyes we knew he had our backs,” Ross said. “We are a family and it feels great knowing your head coach will step out there for you like this.”

Event organizer and Dutch National Team Manager Matthijs Groot understood Haith’s position.

“It was strange what happened because it (ejection) so suddenly came out of the blue,” Groot said. “There were inconsistent calls on both sides including a technical foul on the Dutch, so our staff could understand that the game was stopped. It was just a pity it got to that point.”

Missouri has three games remaining on the exhibition tour, including two games in Belgium starting on Monday against Waragem.

— MU Sports Information —

KU men’s basketball loses to AMW France Pro Team, 74-73

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Despite overcoming a 10-point second-half deficit, Kansas men’s basketball could not hold on to a late one-point lead, falling to the AMW France Pro Team, 74-73, in the first game of the EUROJAM 2012 here Saturday night.

The loss ended KU’s 41-game exhibition win streak that dated back to 1995, also a loss in France. It was also the first exhibition game loss for KU under head coach Bill Self, who will enter his 10th season on the sidelines in 2012-13.

An estimated crowd of 2,000 at Stade Pierre De Coubertin saw KU sophomore guard Naadir Tharpe’s three-point attempt as time was running out hit the back side of the rim in the Jayhawks’ run at the victory. AMW’s Antoine Diot made two free throws with 6.1 seconds remaining to retake the lead at 74-73. KU senior Elijah Johnson then drove the length of the floor and dished off to Tharpe, who had an open look from deep on the left wing.

Kansas trailed by as many as 10 points in the third quarter, 52-42, and slowly cut into the deficit, trailing 60-54 heading into the final period. Down 69-64 with just over four minutes remaining, KU went on a 6-0 run to take a 70-69 lead on a free throw by freshman Zach Peters. Following a free throw from senior Travis Releford, Kevin Young threw down a slam dunk from a Johnson feed to give KU a 73-72 lead with 22 seconds remaining. AMW’s final five points came from the free throw line –  the final four by Diot.

The home team shot 60 percent (12-for-20) from three-point range,  while KU was 6-for-22 from beyond the arc for 27 percent. The AMW squad also shot more than twice as many free throws than the Jayhawks, making 14-of-26 to KU’s 7-of-12.

KU senior Travis Releford led KU with 10 points, while freshman Perry Ellis, senior Jeff Withey and Tharpe each had eight points. Peters started the contest and led the KU rebounders with seven to go along with six points. Souarata Cisse led ANW France, a mixed team of French Pro A and Pro B players, with 17 points, while Diot had 15.

Kansas will conclude its European exhibition trip Sunday against the same ANW France squad. Game time is set for 8 p.m. in Paris (1 p.m. Central time).

— KU Sports Information —

Mizzou basketball opens European Tour with win over Rotterdam

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Missouri Basketball used a dominating rebounding advantage (51-31) and 46 points in the paint to dispatch of Rotterdam, 87-64, in the opening game of the club’s 2012 European Tour on Friday.

The Tigers led 53-36 at the half and by as many as 26 in the contest to earn the victory. Newcomers Earnest Ross and Keion Bell led the team with 17 points apiece and five Tigers were in double figures overall, including four newcomers.

“I thought the guys played well considering all but two haven’t been in a college game situation for a year,” Head Coach Frank Haith said. “I thought we were active and kept them from getting into much of a rhythm. We put some guys in new spots, like running Keion Bell at the point and he looked good. This is exhibition for us, so we are going to look at some different combinations and we did that most of the second half. We are a deeper team and having a chance to get these young guys some playing time is a big positive.”

As Haith alluded to, several newcomers got extended playing time, including Tony Criswell. The Oklahoma City native scored 15 points and grabbed eight rebounds. The 6-foot-9 forward hit 7-of-9 shots overall and was active during his 22 minutes of play, jumping in passing lanes and running out during fast-break opportunities.

“I thought Tony did the things tonight that he has been doing in practice,” Haith said. “He was active, aggressive and shot the ball with confidence. He did the same things we are going to need from him during the regular season.”

Criswell and Ross each finished just two boards shy of a double-double and Michael Dixon nearly added a double-double as well scoring 10 points and dishing nine assists.

Another newcomer, Alex Oriakhi, made an impact in a number of areas including blocked shots. The senior swatted four shots and added six points with seven boards in just 18 minutes. He was one of several MU players hampered by foul trouble, including freshman Stefan Jankovic. Jankovic played just 10 minutes due to fouls, but entered the game and knocked down his first shot, a trey from the top of the key. He also added four boards.

St. Louis-area native Ryan Rosburg was also impressive chipping in five points, five boards and two steals.

“I thought those two young guys did some good things out there,” senior forward Laurence Bowers said. “Stefan is active and can really shoot the ball. Ryan will muscle up and battle in the post. Those guys are going to get better and better with each game over here.”

Mizzou returns to action on Saturday night at 8 p.m. local (1 p.m. CT) against the Netherlands National B Team (U24 National Squad).

— MU Sports Information —

Griffon soccer picked to finish last in preseason MIAA poll

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The Missouri Western women’s soccer team has been picked to finish 13th in the 2012 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll the league announced today.

The Griffons, under second-year coach Chad Edwards, finished ninth a season ago in the MIAA and return six starters and 14 letter winners from a season ago.

Last years, MIAA champion Central Missouri tops the poll taking 12 of the possible 13 first place votes with 144 points. Newcomer, Central Oklahoma did not receive a first place vote, but came in #2 in the poll with 133 points.

Truman State earned the other first place vote coming in 3rd in the poll with 125 points. Northwest Missouri State came in 4th with 96 points just two points ahead of 5th place Missouri Southern (94). Northeastern State and Fort Hays State round out the top seven with 77 and 74 points respectively.

The Bearcats from Southwest Baptist came in 8th with 58 points just one point ahead of 9th place Nebraska-Kearney. Lindendwood, Emporia State and Washburn finished 10th, 11th and 12th with 50, 46 and 37 points respectively.

The soccer team reports to camp on Sunday, August 12 and will have their first practice at 6:10 am in Spratt Stadium on Monday, August 13. The Griffons will play an Alumnae Game on August 25 at 6:00 pm and will open up play hosting the GAC/MIAA Challenge on August 31-September 2. Western will take on Southwestern Oklahoma State University to open up the season on Friday, August 31 at 7:30 pm and will take on East Central University on Sunday, September 2 at 2:30 pm.

2012 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Central Missouri (12) 144
2. Central Oklahoma 130
3. Truman (1) 125
4. Northwest Missouri 96
5. Missouri Southern 94
6. Northeastern State 77
7. Fort Hays State 74
8. Southwest Baptist 58
9. Nebraska-Kearney 57
10. Lindenwood 50
11. Emporia State 46
12. Washburn 37
13. Missouri Western 26

— MWSU Sports Information —

Missouri Western picked third in preseason MIAA football polls

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 The Missouri Western football team was tabbed third in both the MIAA preseason Coaches and Media Poll which were announced Monday at the annual football luncheon at the Kansas City Marriot Hotel.

Missouri Western received 165 points and one first place vote in the coaches poll trailing defending national champion Pittsburg State with 192 and 12 first place votes and Northwest Missouri with 184 and two first place votes.

In the media poll, the Griffons were also third receiving 456 points and one first place vote. Pittsburg State received 538 points and 24 first place votes while Northwest Missouri State received 11 first place votes and 524 points from the media members and league SID’s.

The fourth thru eight spots were the same in both polls with Washburn being fourth, Central Missouri fifth, newcomer Nebraska-Kearney sixth, Emporia State seventh and MIAA rookie Lindenwood eighth.

The #9 slot is where the polls show their first discrepancy as conference rookie Northeastern State, earned the spot in the coaches minds while Fort Hays State got the nod from the media. The #10 spot features Missouri Southern in the coaches’ poll while the RiverHawks of Northeastern State take the tenth spot in the media version.

In the media poll Missouri Southern is #11, Truman #12, Southwest Baptist #13, Central Oklahoma is #14 while Lincoln comes in at #15. In the coaches poll Fort Hays State comes in at #11, Central Oklahoma #12, Southwest Baptist #13, Truman State #14 and Lincoln rounding out the poll at #15.

The Griffons will report to camp on Wednesday, August 8 with their first outside workout on Thursday, August 9 at 8:00 pm. Western opens up the 2012 season at home against the University of Central Missouri on Thursday, August 30th at 6:00 pm in Spratt Stadium.

2012 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Pittsburg State (12) 192
2. Northwest Missouri (2) 184
3. Missouri Western (1) 165
4. Washburn 154
5. Central Missouri 153
6. Nebraska-Kearney 122
7. Emporia State 103
8. Lindenwood 95
9. Northeastern State 85
10. Missouri Southern 82
11. Fort Hays State 74
12. Central Oklahoma 54
13. Southwest Baptist 49
14. Truman State 43
15. Lincoln 18

2012 MIAA Preseason Media Poll
1. Pittsburg State (24) 538
2. Northwest Missouri (11) 524
3. Missouri Western (1) 456
4. Washburn 447
5. Central Missouri 393
6. Nebraska-Kearney 390
7. Emporia State 286
8. Lindenwood 268
9. Fort Hays State 241
10. Northeastern State 233
11. Missouri Southern 194
12. Truman State 155
13. Southwest Baptist 150
14. Central Oklahoma 121
15. Lincoln 42

— MWSU Sports Information —

Chiefs, Missouri Western to host Junior Training Camp this Monday

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The Kansas City Chiefs and Missouri Western State University will again host the Gatorade Junior Training Camp on Monday, Aug. 6 from 1:15 – 3 p.m. at Spratt Stadium on the campus of Missouri Western in St. Joseph during 2012 Chiefs Training Camp presented by Heartland Health.

The event, for boys and girls in grades three through eight, is designed to allow children an opportunity to learn and practice football skills through multiple drills and teach them about the importance of hydration.

Youth will have the opportunity to participate in a number of drills, including bag, cone and ladder drills, quarterback drills, running back agility drills, running back ball drills, wide receiver and tight end drills, linebacker and defensive line drills as well as defensive back drills. A hydration station will also be on site for camp participants to utilize.

Players and coaches from the Missouri Western State Griffons football team will be on-hand leading camp participants in all the drills throughout the day.

Each camp participant will receive two complimentary tickets to the Friday, Aug. 10 preseason game when the Chiefs take on the Arizona Cardinals in a 7 p.m. kickoff at Arrowhead Stadium. Immediately following the Gatorade Junior Training Camp, participants and their families will be able to watch the Chiefs take the practice field for a training camp practice at 3:20 p.m. All camp participants will also be able to enter their name to participate in the helmet walk after practice, allowing the chance to walk with a Chiefs player and carry their helmet. Each camp participant will also be able to enter for the chance to take home a case of limited edition Chiefs-branded Gatorade.

— Chiefs Media Relations —

Missouri Western football season tickets on sale now

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Tickets for the 2012 Missouri Western State University Football season are on sale now.  Ticket prices for the upcoming year will remain the same as previous seasons.  General admission prices are $10 for adults, $5 for youth and senior citizens with children 6 and under being admitted free.  A limited number of chairback seats may be available per game for $15.

For a limited time, fans may purchase 4 general admission football season tickets for just $99 ($240 value).  A limited number of packages are available.

For the ninth consecutive season, Griffon Athletics is proud to provide two complimentary GA tickets to all active military with ID via our Stars & Stripes Programs

Also once again this season, all area youth may pick up a free ticket to any MWSU home football or basketball game at the St. Joseph Hy-Vee.

Griffon tickets are now available on-line at gogriffons.com or by calling 816-271-4481.

The 2012 season begins on Thursday, August 30th as the Griffons host Central Missouri at 6 PM.

— MWSU Sports Information —

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