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Category: College

Northwest volleyball splits at SBU Tournament

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The Northwest Missouri State volleyball team split a pair of matches on Friday at the SBU Purple Bash falling to Arkansas-Fort Smith, 3-0, but rebounding to knock off Central Oklahoma, 3-1 in the night cap.

The Bearcats kept their record even at 3-3 on Friday as they finish up the SBU Tournament on Saturday.

Northwest fell to Arkansas-Fort Smith, 3-0, but finished the day with arguably their best performance of the young season in a win over Central Oklahoma. Future MIAA foe, UCO had little answer to the Bearcats after they pulled out a narrow 26-24 win in the first set.

Northwest however would roll in the final three sets, 25-17, 25-15, 25-17 for the victory. Senior Laira Akin finished with her third highest career assist total at 49. Not only did Akin pace the Northwest offense, would finish with a double-double adding 13 digs on the defensive end.

A pair Bearcats finished with a hitting percentage over .300. Whitney Mason hit an incredible .526 with 12 kills, while Amy Majors and Brooke Bartosh led Northwest with 14 kills each. Majors hit at a .357 clip while Alex Hanna added 10 kills to her credit.

Tori Beckman also added 24 digs in the Bearcat win.

Complete stats for the Bearcats loss to the Lions were not available at day’s end.

Northwest opens the final day of the SBU Purple Bash with Minnesota State at 1 p.m. and will close out the tournament at 5 p.m. against another future MIAA opponent, Lindenwood.

— NWMSU Sports Information —

Missouri Western volleyball team defeats Chadron State

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Missouri Western opened up the UNK Fall Classic presented by Runza and Best Western with a 3-0 (25-17, 25-23 and 25-23) victory over the Chadron State Eagles. Western hit .231 in the match with freshman Shelby Corkill leading the charge with 13 kills. Western improves to 3-2 on the season. Western plays their second match of the classic at 8:00 pm against host school #5 Nebraska-Kearney.

The Griffons dominated set one jumping out to an 11-4 lead. They kept up the pressure scoring 11 of the next 20 points extending their lead to 22-13. The Eagles won six of the next nine points but a kill by Alex Behnke gave Western the set one victory 25-17.

Western started strong in set two scoring the first six points off Stephanie Hattey serves which included one ace. The Eagles came back nicely claiming their first lead of the match at 11-10 after and attack error by Tahler Johnston. Western took control once again regaining the lead at 13-12 on a kill by Meredith McCormick smash. Western pushed their lead to 21-16 and held on to take a two set advantage winning the set 25-23.

Set three would be a back and forth battle as neither team got ahead by more than three points. With the score tied at 20 Western took control winning five of the final eight points with Johnston getting the final two kills giving Western the 3-0 match victory and a 25-23 victory in the set.

Johnston was the only other Griffon in double digit kills getting 11 in the match. Hattey had 41 set assists and 14 digs while Johnston and Faubel each recorded 12 digs.

The Eagles fall to 3-2 on the season as Mallory Irvine led the charge with 11 kills. Michaela Schmitt had 28 set assists while Mollie Jones had 12 digs.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Bearcat golfers win William Jewell Invitational

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The Northwest Missouri State women’s golf team got their season off to a successful start on friday taking home first place at the William Jewell Invitational at the Cardinal Hill Golf Club in Liberty.

Northwest golfers opened on Thursday in Liberty shooting the team’s 2010-11 average at 343. That would put the Bearcats in a tie for third and just three shots back of Rockhurst on Friday. As well as sitting in third as a team, the Bearcats grouped three golfers individually with a first round 84 (+12) and tied for third as well.

Staying within striking distance on Friday the Bearcats came out hungry and were led by freshman Ashley Powers. Powers finished with a team low, 78 good for third in her first collegiate tournament. Her 78 on Friday also tied an program record for individual low score, set by Cassie Lowell last season.

Lowell would also steady her ship as shooting 80 in her final round for a two day total of 164 and a fifth place finish.

Giving the Bearcats a 3-4-5 finish would be another freshman, Steph Charteris who carded a final day 77. The Ontario, Canada, native finished at 168 for the tournament as her Friday round helped Northwest seal their first tournament win of the fall season.

Tess Edwards, who sat in third place after Thursday’s round, would drop five places after a final round 85.

The Bearcat golfers recorded their lowest team score on a par 72 course and the second lowest total in the program’s young history.

Northwest will be back in action on Sept. 17 for a one day tournament in Lamoni, Iowa, for the Graceland Yellowjacket Fall Invitational.

— NWMSU Sports Information —

United Way Day set for Saturday at Spratt Stadium as Griffons host Central

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Spratt Stadium is the place to be in St. Joseph this Saturday night as Griffon Football takes on Central Missouri at 6:00 PM in front of a live television audience to over 1 million homes throughout MIAA country.

In addition to a great football match-up, Saturday night is also the annual United Way Day at Spratt Stadium.

Beginning at 5 PM when stadium gates open members of MWSU’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee will be selling 50/50 raffle tickets for just $1.00 apiece with the winner taking home half the pot and the other half  being donated to United Way.  The ticket drawing will be done at the end of the third quarter.  Fans will also have the opportunity buy limited edition Griffon Gold “Live United” t-shirts in support of the United Way cause.  The shirts will be sold inside the main Spratt Stadium concourse.

Tickets for the game are $10 for adults, $5 for youth (ages 7 thru high school) and senior citizens while children 6 and under are FREE.  All area youth 13 and under may pick up a free ticket to this game or any Griffon home game this season from the customer service counter at the St. Joseph Hy-Vee via the Hy-Vee Youth Ticket Program  Tickets may be purchased in advance from the Griffon Ticket Office located in Looney Complex Room 229 or by calling 816-271-4481.  Tickets will go on sale beginning at 4 PM at the stadium box offices on game day.

Wear your gold Saturday night, support the Griffs and help out a great cause in the United Way.

In addition, Griffon Athletics welcomes all families of Western students who are in attendance as part of Family Day Activities and we are also pleased to host all St. Joseph & surrounding area elementary school students free of charge on Elementary School Night with the Griffs.

— MWSU News Release —

KU freshman McLemore & Traylor attend class; await word from NCAA

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Men’s basketball freshmen Ben McLemore and Jamari Traylor are enrolled at the University of Kansas and have begun going to class, head coach Bill Self announced Thursday.

“The NCAA and the Big 12 have cleared both Ben and Jamari to enroll and attend class,” Self said. “They (the NCAA) are still reviewing information to determine their final status concerning participation. Both are on scholarship and have been cleared to be here. Now we are just waiting to hear the final status.”

“(It’s) not like Josh’s (Selby) situation last year but there are a few similarities that do take time in responding to academic materials,” Self said.

On KU freshman Braeden Anderson, Self said “We hope to have an answer by the end of the working day tomorrow (Friday).”

— KU Sports Information —

Missouri State finalizes 2011-2012 men’s basketball schedule

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The Missouri Valley Conference has finalized its 2011-12 men’s basketball schedule, the league announced Thursday (Sept. 8), completing Missouri State University’s slate for the upcoming campaign.

The defending MVC regular-season champions and first-year head coach Paul Lusk will open league play on Wednesday, Dec. 28 at Creighton before their conference home opener on New Year’s Eve against Drake.

Including a pair of October exhibition games, the Bears will host 17 opponents at JQH this winter. Season ticket information is available now by calling (417) 836-7678 or (888) 476-7849.

In league play, Missouri State will have five home dates in January and three in February before concluding the regular season at Evansville on Feb. 25.

Coach Lusk said the upcoming season will provide ample challenges for his squad, and the MVC portion of the schedule will bring the intensity fans have come to expect.

“As always, the conference schedule is very competitive,” Lusk said. “There are no easy nights in The Valley, and our guys will have to be prepared for that intensity every time they hit the floor.”

The pairings for the iBN Sports Las Vegas Classic have also been finalized since the non-conference schedule was released earlier this summer. The Bears will host Kennesaw State (Dec. 17) and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (Dec. 19) before advancing to the event finals in Las Vegas against West Virginia (Dec. 22) and St. Mary’s (Dec. 23).

MSU’s home opener will be Nov. 19 against Emporia State on a night the team will raise its 2010-11 MVC Championship banner and present rings to the squad. Including the Sears BracketBusters game (Feb. 17, 18 or 19), the Bears will play six non-conference opponents at JQH Arena this season. Tulsa (Nov. 26) and Oklahoma State (Dec. 7) come to town during the early portion of the season before the two games in the preliminary round of the Las Vegas Classic.

The Bears also have non-conference road games at Nevada (Nov. 11), Arkansas State (Nov. 15), Oral Roberts (Nov. 30), New Mexico (Dec. 3) and UALR (Dec. 10).

“We are very pleased with the balance of our non-conference schedule,” Lusk said. “Our fans will get a chance to see a Big 12 opponent come to JQH Arena, we’ll see some impressive teams in Las Vegas, and we will be tested with some quality opponents on the road. From a coach’s standpoint, you want a schedule that gets your team ready for conference play, and this will certainly do that.”

National, regional and institutional television information will be finalized by early October.

Missouri State returns six lettermen from a 26-9 team that finished 15-3 in the MVC to claim the program’s first-ever Valley regular-season crown. The Bears finished as runners-up in the MVC Tournament a year ago and advanced to the second round of the National Invitation Tournament.

— MSU Sports Information —

Western men’s golf team finishes 8th at Missouri Intercollegiate

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Led by a 16-over-par 232 from junior Tyler Gast that tied him for 13th place, the Missouri Western State University Griffons finished in 7th place as a team after 54 holes of the Missouri Intercollegiate, played Tuesday and Wednesday at the Porto Cima Golf Club.

Western shot rounds of 326 -312-321 for a total 959 finishing in 7th place, four strokes back of sixth place Rockhurst. The winner of the event William Woods fired rounds of 303-296-309 for a total of 908 eight stokes better then second place finisher Central Missouri. Lindenwood finished third with a 923, Drury fourth with a 941 and Missouri-St. Louis fifth with a 948.

Gast jumped 16 spots from 29th to 13th in the final round firing a one over 73 finishing the three rounds with a 232. Justin Taylor of William Woods won the event firing a 1-under-par 215 (70-69-76) finishing four strokes ahead of Shawn Vanderwal of Drury who fired a 219 (72-76-71) including the low round of the tournament 71.

Freshman, James O’Brien finished in a tie for 32nd firing a 240 (85-73-82) while junior college transfer Kenny Stone tied for 48th firing a 247 (78-90-79). Senior, Logan Gilliland tied for 52nd with a 249 (84-78-87) while freshman Scott Sheldon finished in a tie for 67th with a 256 (84-82-90).

Western returns to action on Monday, September 12 and Tuesday, September 13 when they take part in the Pittsburg State University Invitational. The event will be played a Crestwood Country Club in Pittsburg, Kan.

— MWSU Sports Information —

Commemorative Mel Tjeerdsma bobblehead on sale this weekend

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The Northwest Missouri State University Department of Athletics announces the sale of commemorative Mel Tjeerdsma bobbleheads which will be available for purchase at a Friday night dinner and reception in Tjeerdsma’s honor and at Saturday’s football home opener.

“We are excited about all the activities going on this weekend to honor Mel and Carol,” athletic director Wren Baker said. “The Coach T bobblehead is sure to be a collector’s item for all Bearcat fans.”

Fans will have the opportunity to purchase the bobbleheads Saturday at Bearcat Zone in College Park prior to the game as well as during the game against Sioux Falls. Bobblehead sales inside the stadium will be on the lower concourse under the west stands. Cost is $15 and for expedited service cash or check is preferred.

Saturday’s activities at the Bearcat Zone are 4 to 6 p.m. at College Park. In addition to bobblehead sales, the celebration will include free mini posters to be autographed by Tjeerdsma, tailgate food for purchase, and performances by the Bearcat Marching Band, Bearcat Steppers and cheerleaders. The Bearcats will kick off against Sioux Falls at 6 p.m. at Bearcat Stadium.

Fans may purchase game tickets online by visiting www.northwestbearcats.com and finding ticket information in the drop-down menu under “game day” or by contacting the Student Services Center at 660.562.1212.

Tjeerdsma, who retired in December after coaching the Bearcats for 17 seasons, tallied 242 victories over his Division II coaching career and won more postseason games than any other coach in Division II history. Tjeerdsma was the Liberty Mutual Division II National Coach of the Year in 2009 and was among the first three coaches inducted into the NCAA Division II College Football Hall of Fame in 2010. He is a 12-time MIAA Coach of the Year honoree and was inducted into the MIAA Hall of Fame in June.

— NWMSU Sports Information —

Mizzou tickets for Oklahoma State and Texas games now available

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The Mizzou Department of Athletics has announced that field level bleacher tickets in the North endzone to two Mizzou Big 12 Conference games are now available for purchase.  Field level seats can be purchased for $60 for the Oct. 22 game against Oklahoma State and $65 for the Nov. 12 game against Texas.

Field level tickets are general admission seats within the reserved field level bleacher section and can be ordered by calling 1-800-CAT PAWS (884-PAWS in mid-Missouri), going online to mutigers.com or ticketmaster.com or by visiting the Mizzou Arena Ticket Office. A very limited number of reserved seats remain available for each game.

No. 19 Missouri returns home next Saturday, Sept. 17 against Western Illinois at 6 p.m. General admission hill tickets for the Family Weekend game remain available for just $23.

— MU Sports Information —

Griffons golfers in 8th after day one at Missouri Intercollegiate

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Led by a 14-over-par 158 from freshman James O’Brien that has him in a tie for 25th place, the Missouri Western State University Griffons sit in eighth place as a team after the first 36 holes of the Missouri Intercollegiate, played Tuesday at the Porto Cima Golf Club.

Western shot rounds of 326 -312 for a 638 total that trails leader William Woods (303-296) by 39 strokes. Central Missouri is 10 back and in second place, while Lindenwood is third at 611, Missouri-St. Louis fourth with a 627, Drury fifth with 628 and Rockhurst and Hannibal-LaGrange tied for 6th in the 18 team field with 634.

O’Brien struggled in his opening round of his collegiate career firing an 85 but settled down nicely in round two with a one over 73. Justin Taylor of William Woods leads the event firing a 5-under-par 139 (70-69) opening up a seven-stroke lead over Clarke Fry of Rockhurst and Sean Elliot of Central Missouri, each with 146s.

Junior, Tyler Gast sits in a tie for 29th firing a 159 (80-79) while senior Logan Gilliland is in a tie for 42nd with a 162 (84-78). Freshman Scott Sheldon sits in a tie for 51st with a 166 (84-82) while junior college transfer Kenny Stone sits in a tie for 63rd with a 168 (78-90).

The tournament concludes with 18 holes on Wednesday.

— MWSU Sports Information —

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