Loper spikers run winning streak to three matches

The NCAA Division II 14th-ranked Nebraska-Kearney volleyball team bounced back from a season-opening loss to BYU-Hawaii by winning three straight matches in Hawaii this weekend.

On Friday, UNK held on to edge Cal Poly Pomona, 3-2, and then swept Hawaii Pacific, 3-0. The Lopers ended the Hawaii Invitational by sweeping Chaminade Saturday night in Honolulu.

For the four matches, Grand Island natives Jeri Walkowiak (3.33 kpg) and Kelsey Werner (3.00 kpg) led the Lopers in kills. Walkowiak also hit a solid .281 and recorded a team-best 15 blocks (0.80 bg).

Against Cal Poly Pomona early Friday night, Walkowiak recorded a team-best 15 kills as the Lopers won the first two sets (25-18, 25-23) but dropped the next two (25-22, 25-17). UNK managed eight service aces in the win, three coming from junior Kelli Wemhoff. She also recorded 20 digs with freshman Shelby Workman recording her first collegiate double-double (13 digs, 12 kills).

Finally, Werner and Loper junior Shannon Clausen each had 10 kills and combined for five blocks.

Things were easier against the Hawaii Pacific Sea Warriors (25-21, 25-18, 25-22) and Chaminade Silverswords (25-14, 25-21, 25-18). HPU received votes in the AVCA preseason 25 poll but hit just .082 and had only 25 kills in the loss to the Lopers. UNK got another all-around effort from Workman (11 kills, nine digs, three aces) and Werner had 10 kills and hit .282. Off the bench, redshirt freshman setter Jordan Squiers had a team-high 24 assists.

Junior middle Nikki Scott (Broken Bow) had her best match of the tournament (team-best 13 kills) with Walkowiak having 12 kills and hitting .400. On the outside, Werner supplied 12 kills and a .409 attack percentage.



Hastings College spikers improve to 8-0 on the season

ORANGE CITY, Iowa -- The Hastings College volleyball team won a pair of matches Saturday afternoon at the Red Raider Classic.

The Broncos (8-0) took on Dana College in the morning winning 21-25, 25-18, 25-12, 25-21. Alyssa Montgomery and Kelsey Hansen led the charge offensively for Hastings as they each had 12 kills. Joey Amerine had 25 assists while Grand Island native Lyndi Rouzee chipped in with 22.

Melynne Kessler collected 25 digs for the Broncos, while Hansen and Montgomery had five and four blocks, respectively.

In Hastings final game of the day, Hastings defeated Valley City State (N.D.) 25-17, 25-13, 25-18. Jill Whalen had eight kills in the match, while Megan White added seven. Joey Amerine had a match-high 35 assists while Alyssa Montgomery had six of the Broncos' 13 blocks.

The Broncos will be back in action Tuesday when they plays their Great Plains Athletic Conference opener against Concordia at Lynn Farrell Arena in Hastings. Match time set for 7:30 p.m.



SOCCER

Huskers fall short against No. 22-ranked Gators

GAINSVILLE, Fla. -- Playing its first ranked opponent of the season, the Nebraska women's soccer team suffered a 6-1 loss to No. 22 Florida on Sunday.

The Huskers, who made the quick trip after hosting UC Riverside last Friday, fell to 0-3 while the Gators moved to 2-1-1.

Florida came out energized, getting on the board in the 17th minute, courtesy of Angela Napolitano. The Huskers responded with a goal of their own in the 24th minute, though. Freshman forward Molly Thomas, making her second career start, collected a blocked Michaella Fulmer shot and found the back of the net to tie the game at 1-1.

The assist gave Fulmer five points on the season, as she leads the Huskers in that category. Thomas earned her first career goal for the Huskers and now has three points in three appearances.



Hastings College women start with victory

ALVA, Okla. -- The Hastings College women's soccer team started the season off on the right foot with a 1-0 win over Northwestern Oklahoma State on Saturday.

Junior Jesse Herse scored the lone goal for the Broncos in the 68th minute of the match off a penalty kick.

Hastings outshot the Rangers by a 26-12 margin. Sophomore Megan Kreifels was credited with six saves in goal for the Broncos.

Hastings will be back in action on Monday when it travels to Baldwin City, Kan., to take on Baker University at 2 p.m.



Bronco men dominated by No. 10 Rio Grande

RIO GRANDE, Ohio -- The Hastings College men's soccer team fell 5-1 to the hands of NAIA No. 10-ranked Rio Grande Saturday night.

The Red Storm were able to get three goals in the opening 17 minutes to break open up the game.  Junior Joel Pedroza would score the lone goal for the Broncos in the second half.

Both teams had 16 shots on the evening while Rio Grande had a 10-6 margin on goal. Freshman Cody Poteat was credited with five saves.

The Broncos will be back in action this Saturday when they take on No. 2-ranked Concordia (Calif.) at home.



BASKETBALL

Nuggets youth basketball program meeting set

All Grand Island area boys in grades 5-8 interested in participating in Northwest Public Schools youth basketball program called "Nuggets" are invited to attend a meeting  at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Northwest cafeteria.

The meeting is for parents and players. Northwest boys basketball head coach Ryan Rathke will outline the Nugget Program and all boys will be allowed to register for the upcoming season.

For more information, contact Rathke via e-mail at rrathke@esu10.org or call the Northwest activities office at 385-6387, ext. 120.



VOLLEYBALL

NSAA: Punishment choice for ejected coaches

LINCOLN (OWH) — High school coaches who receive ejections will have 10 days to pass an online course at their expense or be suspended for the rest of the season by the Nebraska School Activities Association.

The NSAA board instituted the rule Friday at its first meeting of the school year. Coaches will be charged $60 to take the course in coaching fundamentals. Athletes who are ejected more than once during a season now will draw two-game suspensions for each such infraction.

Also, the NSAA also dedicated its new $4.2 million office building at Haymarket Park Friday.



CORRECTION

Harris omitted from Grand Island rushing total

Brent Harris of Grand Island Senior High rushed four times for 15 yards Friday night in the Islanders' 24-21 double-overtime loss at Kearney.

Harris was misidentified in Saturday's edition.