Story and Photo by Daniel Stinman -&nbsp;Area Director of Marketing and Public Information

Creston, Iowa – North Platte Community College women's basketball team rounded out the holiday weekend with a trip to Creston, Iowa to take on the Spartans of Southwestern Community College. The battle played out for all forty minutes, but it would be the Knights that prevailed on Saturday afternoon, 69-66.

"We battled through a lot of adversity, but we found a way to win," said head coach Jeff Thurman. "This group has a chance to do something special."

Knights opened the final quarter trailing by one, but Kayla Pope quickly drove the lane and kicked the ball out to an open Janay Brauer to put the Knights back on top, 52-50. Southwestern followed up with a layup and a trip to the free throw line to retake the lead moments later.

On the Knights next offensive possession, Avery Johnson grabbed the loose offensive rebound and laid it off the glass to temporarily give the Knights back the lead, 54-53. The nets went cold for the next ninety seconds for both teams, before Johnson connected on back-to-back free throw attempts to extend the North Platte lead out to three, 56-53.

Southwestern went on a short 6-0 run to retake the lead with six minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. Knights responded as a straightway three by Pope knotted the game up again as the momentum started to sway in the Knights favor, 59-59.

North Platte retook the lead and pushed it to five as a cross court pass by Jordyn Moon found teammate Brauer open on the right wing for three, 64-59. Spartans narrowed the deficit down to one inside the final minute, but as the seconds rolled off the clock Pope was sent to the free throw line.

Kayla connected on both free throw opportunities to give the Knights a three-point advantage inside the final twenty seconds. The Spartans had a couple of opportunities from the perimeter on back-to-back offensive possessions in the closing seconds, but neither attempt was able to fall.

Offenses were rolling as the Spartans and Knights traded baskets over the opening minutes of the first quarter. Diamond Moore-Heath gave North Platte their first lead of the game as she received the inbound and got her floater to fall with 8:02 to play in the opening quarter.

Knights lead grew to four as Moore-Heath connected on a stop and pop free throw line jumper, 8-4. A 7-2 run by the Spartans gave Southwestern the lead back as the clock moved inside the final three minutes of the first quarter. Moore-Heath sparked the North Platte offense with another free throw line jumper, as the Knights closed the quarter on a short 5-0 run to take a four-point lead after the opening ten minutes.

Knights extended their lead to eight when Moore-Heath got her contested baseline jumper to fall just forty-five seconds into the second quarter, 19-11. Southwestern trimmed the deficit to four inside eight minutes to play, before an 8-0 run sparked by a Pope layup pushed the Knights lead to twelve, 27-15.

Southwestern cut the deficit to five inside the final minute of the second quarter, but the Knights were able to extend their lead to seven by the halftime break. Spartans brought the ball into the frontcourt and was faced immediately with heavy pressure from the Knights defense as Jada Ballard stole the ball and took it coast-to-coast for the buzzer beating layup, 31-24.

Out of the halftime break, the North Platte lead grew to eleven as full court pressure forced the Spartans into a turnover in the backcourt and the Knights capitalized on the open layup in transition, 35-24. The North Platte lead extended to twelve, before an 11-2 run by Southwestern cut the deficit down to three inside five minutes to play in the third quarter.

Knights and Spartans traded baskets over the next sixty seconds, before Southwestern mounted a 9-3 run to close out the third quarter with the 49-50 lead.

Pope and Moore-Heath led the Knights in scoring with 18 and 12 points, respectively.

North Platte (7-2) will travel to Norfolk, Nebraska on Tuesday, November 30 to take on the Hawks of Northeast Community College. Tip is set 5pm inside the Cox Activities Center.

Story and Photo by Daniel Stinman -&nbsp;Area Director of Marketing and Public InformationCreston, Iowa – North Platte Community College women's basketball team rounded out the holiday weekend with a trip to Creston, Iowa to take on the Spartans of Southwestern Community College. The battle played out for all forty minutes, but it would be the Knights that prevailed on Saturday afternoon, 69-66."We battled through a lot of adversity, but we found a way to win," said head coach Jeff Thurman. "This group has a chance to do something special."Knights opened the final quarter trailing by one, but Kayla Pope quickly drove the lane and kicked the ball out to an open Janay Brauer to put the Knights back on top, 52-50. Southwestern followed up with a layup and a trip to the free throw line to retake the lead moments later.On the Knights next offensive possession, Avery Johnson grabbed the loose offensive rebound and laid it off the glass to temporarily give the Knights back the lead, 54-53. The nets went cold for the next ninety seconds for both teams, before Johnson connected on back-to-back free throw attempts to extend the North Platte lead out to three, 56-53.Southwestern went on a short 6-0 run to retake the lead with six minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. Knights responded as a straightway three by Pope knotted the game up again as the momentum started to sway in the Knights favor, 59-59.North Platte retook the lead and pushed it to five as a cross court pass by Jordyn Moon found teammate Brauer open on the right wing for three, 64-59. Spartans narrowed the deficit down to one inside the final minute, but as the seconds rolled off the clock Pope was sent to the free throw line.Kayla connected on both free throw opportunities to give the Knights a three-point advantage inside the final twenty seconds. The Spartans had a couple of opportunities from the perimeter on back-to-back offensive possessions in the closing seconds, but neither attempt was able to fall.Offenses were rolling as the Spartans and Knights traded baskets over the opening minutes of the first quarter. Diamond Moore-Heath gave North Platte their first lead of the game as she received the inbound and got her floater to fall with 8:02 to play in the opening quarter.Knights lead grew to four as Moore-Heath connected on a stop and pop free throw line jumper, 8-4. A 7-2 run by the Spartans gave Southwestern the lead back as the clock moved inside the final three minutes of the first quarter. Moore-Heath sparked the North Platte offense with another free throw line jumper, as the Knights closed the quarter on a short 5-0 run to take a four-point lead after the opening ten minutes.Knights extended their lead to eight when Moore-Heath got her contested baseline jumper to fall just forty-five seconds into the second quarter, 19-11. Southwestern trimmed the deficit to four inside eight minutes to play, before an 8-0 run sparked by a Pope layup pushed the Knights lead to twelve, 27-15.Southwestern cut the deficit to five inside the final minute of the second quarter, but the Knights were able to extend their lead to seven by the halftime break. Spartans brought the ball into the frontcourt and was faced immediately with heavy pressure from the Knights defense as Jada Ballard stole the ball and took it coast-to-coast for the buzzer beating layup, 31-24.Out of the halftime break, the North Platte lead grew to eleven as full court pressure forced the Spartans into a turnover in the backcourt and the Knights capitalized on the open layup in transition, 35-24. The North Platte lead extended to twelve, before an 11-2 run by Southwestern cut the deficit down to three inside five minutes to play in the third quarter.Knights and Spartans traded baskets over the next sixty seconds, before Southwestern mounted a 9-3 run to close out the third quarter with the 49-50 lead.Pope and Moore-Heath led the Knights in scoring with 18 and 12 points, respectively.North Platte (7-2) will travel to Norfolk, Nebraska on Tuesday, November 30 to take on the Hawks of Northeast Community College. Tip is set 5pm inside the Cox Activities Center.

Knights hold off Spartans to earn seventh win of season

The Nebraska football team led No. 17 Iowa by 12 in the fourth quarter Friday at Memorial Stadium, but the Hawkeyes scored 19 unanswered points in the final quarter to rally for a 28-21 win in the annual Heroes Game between the border rivals.

The game turned when Iowa, trailing 21-9, blocked a Husker punt and returned it 14 yards for a touchdown just 44 seconds into the final quarter. A Hawkeye safety four minutes later made it a three-point game and on the ensuing drive, Iowa tied the score at 21-21 on Caleb Shudak's fourth field goal of the game. Iowa then took its first lead of the game when Spencer Petras capped a six-play, 76-yard with a two-yard touchdown run with 2:58 remaining. Nebraska, led by freshman Logan Smothers in his first career start, drove inside the Hawkeye 30-yard before Jermari Harris denied the Huskers' comeback attempt a diving interception at the 2-yard line  with 43 seconds to play.

With the loss, Nebraska ended its season with a 3-9 record, with eight of the nine losses by a touchdown or less. Iowa improved to 10-2 with the win. The Hawkeyes rally came after Nebraska led by as many as 15 and never trailed until the final three minutes. Smothers completed 16-of-22 passes for 198 yards, and he also led the Huskers on the ground with 24 carries for 64 yards. Smothers ran for a pair of touchdowns while running back Jaquez Yant - also making his first career start - had 44 yards on 13 carries, including a 1-yard touchdown.

Samori Toure led the Husker receiving corps with six catches for 67 yards to finish sixth on Nebraska's single-season receiving yards list. Austin Allen had two catches for 55 yards, ending his final season in the Scarlet and Cream with Nebraska tight end records for most catches (38) and receiving yards (202) in a season. Omar Manning added a career-long 40-yard catch to set up a Husker touchdown.

Defensively, Nick Henrich led the way with eight tackles, while Luke Reimer totaled seven tackles, 1.0 tackle for loss and forced two fumbles.

Things started well for Nebraska, which controlled the game for the first three quarters. The Huskers took the opening kickoff and marched right down the field, going 75 yards on 12 plays, as Smothers scored from two yards out just 5:42 into the contest.  The freshman accounted for 67 of the Huskers' 75 yards, completing a pair of passes to Toure, while also carrying five times for 20 yards.

Iowa came right back on its opening drive, but the Blackshirts got the defensive play they needed to prevent the Hawkeyes from getting on the scoreboard. Iowa drove down the field and had 1st-and-goal at the Nebraska nine after a 10-yard pass from Alex Padilla to Charlie Jones. After a penalty pushed it back to the Iowa 13, Tyler Goodson's 12-yard run made it fourth and goal at the Husker 1-yard line. On 4th-and-goal, Padilla found LaPorta in the endzone, but Reimer knocked the ball away before he completed the catch. The call was originally ruled a touchdown, but the call was overturned and the Huskers took possession.

Iowa got on the scoreboard early in the second quarter on Shudak's career-long 51-yard field goal to cut the Husker advantage to 7-3 with 10:39 left in the first half.

The Huskers answered the Iowa field goal with a 13-play, 75-yard scoring drive, capped by Yant's 1-yard touchdown leap into the endzone. NU kept the drive moving early, as Smothers found Travis Vokolek for a 6-yard pass on 4th-and-1 from its own territory. Five plays later, Smothers went 24 yards on a quarterback keeper to get the ball to the Iowa 5-yard line to set up the score.

The Hawkeyes pulled to within 14-6 with 39 seconds left in the half on a 48-yard field goal from Shudak after going 45 yards in eight plays. A costly personal foul on Nebraska put the Hawkeyes in Husker field but the Blackshirts held, as Casey Rogers and Ben Stille combined on a sack on third down to thwart the drive.

Iowa was threatening on its first drive of the second half and drove deep into Husker territory before the Blackshirts came up with a huge defensive stop. Reimer forced a Tyler Goodson fumble and Deontre Thomas recovered at the Nebraska 6-yard line.

The Huskers capitalized on the Hawkeye turnover, going on a season-long drive that covered 94 yards on nine plays to extend the lead to 21-6 with 5:54 left in the third quarter. Smothers drove NU through the air, hitting Allen with a 27-yard pass to get the ball close to midfield before finding Manning on a 40-yard catch and run to the Iowa 2-yard line. Smothers would call his own number two plays late for his second score of the day.

Iowa threatened again on its next drive, getting into the Husker Red Zone, but once again were forced settle for another Shudak field goal, this time from 36 yards, to get within 21-9 with 27 seconds remaining in the third quarter.

The Hawkeyes got the break they needed early in the fourth quarter, as Henry Marchese blocked William Przystup's punt, and Kyler Fisher recovered and went 14 yards for a touchdown, cutting Nebraska's lead to 21-16 with 14:16.

After the block punt, Nebraska lost a fumble on its next possession and although Iowa could not capitalize with points off the turnover, the Hawkeyes pinned the Huskers at the 7-yard line with a punt. Two plays later, Smothers was called for intentional grounding in the end zone resulting in a safety. After the ensuing kickoff, Nebraska allowed Iowa to go only 36 yards but that was enough to get in position for a 44-yard field goal from Shudak.

Following a Nebraska 3-and-out, Iowa went 76 yards in six plays for the game-winning touchdown. Tyler Goodson had the key play of the drive with a 55-yard run that took the ball all the way down the Nebraska 14-yard line. Five plays later, Petras took it in from two yards out for the go-ahead touchdown.

Nebraska picked up three first downs on its final drive and marched to the Iowa 29 before Smothers' pass was picked off to secure the Hawkeye win.

By NU Athletic CommunicationsThe Nebraska football team led No. 17 Iowa by 12 in the fourth quarter Friday at Memorial Stadium, but the Hawkeyes scored 19 unanswered points in the final quarter to rally for a 28-21 win in the annual Heroes Game between the border rivals.The game turned when Iowa, trailing 21-9, blocked a Husker punt and returned it 14 yards for a touchdown just 44 seconds into the final quarter. A Hawkeye safety four minutes later made it a three-point game and on the ensuing drive, Iowa tied the score at 21-21 on Caleb Shudak's fourth field goal of the game. Iowa then took its first lead of the game when Spencer Petras capped a six-play, 76-yard with a two-yard touchdown run with 2:58 remaining. Nebraska, led by freshman Logan Smothers in his first career start, drove inside the Hawkeye 30-yard before Jermari Harris denied the Huskers' comeback attempt a diving interception at the 2-yard line with 43 seconds to play.With the loss, Nebraska ended its season with a 3-9 record, with eight of the nine losses by a touchdown or less. Iowa improved to 10-2 with the win. The Hawkeyes rally came after Nebraska led by as many as 15 and never trailed until the final three minutes. Smothers completed 16-of-22 passes for 198 yards, and he also led the Huskers on the ground with 24 carries for 64 yards. Smothers ran for a pair of touchdowns while running back Jaquez Yant - also making his first career start - had 44 yards on 13 carries, including a 1-yard touchdown.Samori Toure led the Husker receiving corps with six catches for 67 yards to finish sixth on Nebraska's single-season receiving yards list. Austin Allen had two catches for 55 yards, ending his final season in the Scarlet and Cream with Nebraska tight end records for most catches (38) and receiving yards (202) in a season. Omar Manning added a career-long 40-yard catch to set up a Husker touchdown.Defensively, Nick Henrich led the way with eight tackles, while Luke Reimer totaled seven tackles, 1.0 tackle for loss and forced two fumbles.Things started well for Nebraska, which controlled the game for the first three quarters. The Huskers took the opening kickoff and marched right down the field, going 75 yards on 12 plays, as Smothers scored from two yards out just 5:42 into the contest. The freshman accounted for 67 of the Huskers' 75 yards, completing a pair of passes to Toure, while also carrying five times for 20 yards.Iowa came right back on its opening drive, but the Blackshirts got the defensive play they needed to prevent the Hawkeyes from getting on the scoreboard. Iowa drove down the field and had 1st-and-goal at the Nebraska nine after a 10-yard pass from Alex Padilla to Charlie Jones. After a penalty pushed it back to the Iowa 13, Tyler Goodson's 12-yard run made it fourth and goal at the Husker 1-yard line. On 4th-and-goal, Padilla found LaPorta in the endzone, but Reimer knocked the ball away before he completed the catch. The call was originally ruled a touchdown, but the call was overturned and the Huskers took possession.Iowa got on the scoreboard early in the second quarter on Shudak's career-long 51-yard field goal to cut the Husker advantage to 7-3 with 10:39 left in the first half.The Huskers answered the Iowa field goal with a 13-play, 75-yard scoring drive, capped by Yant's 1-yard touchdown leap into the endzone. NU kept the drive moving early, as Smothers found Travis Vokolek for a 6-yard pass on 4th-and-1 from its own territory. Five plays later, Smothers went 24 yards on a quarterback keeper to get the ball to the Iowa 5-yard line to set up the score.The Hawkeyes pulled to within 14-6 with 39 seconds left in the half on a 48-yard field goal from Shudak after going 45 yards in eight plays. A costly personal foul on Nebraska put the Hawkeyes in Husker field but the Blackshirts held, as Casey Rogers and Ben Stille combined on a sack on third down to thwart the drive.Iowa was threatening on its first drive of the second half and drove deep into Husker territory before the Blackshirts came up with a huge defensive stop. Reimer forced a Tyler Goodson fumble and Deontre Thomas recovered at the Nebraska 6-yard line.The Huskers capitalized on the Hawkeye turnover, going on a season-long drive that covered 94 yards on nine plays to extend the lead to 21-6 with 5:54 left in the third quarter. Smothers drove NU through the air, hitting Allen with a 27-yard pass to get the ball close to midfield before finding Manning on a 40-yard catch and run to the Iowa 2-yard line. Smothers would call his own number two plays late for his second score of the day.Iowa threatened again on its next drive, getting into the Husker Red Zone, but once again were forced settle for another Shudak field goal, this time from 36 yards, to get within 21-9 with 27 seconds remaining in the third quarter.The Hawkeyes got the break they needed early in the fourth quarter, as Henry Marchese blocked William Przystup's punt, and Kyler Fisher recovered and went 14 yards for a touchdown, cutting Nebraska's lead to 21-16 with 14:16.After the block punt, Nebraska lost a fumble on its next possession and although Iowa could not capitalize with points off the turnover, the Hawkeyes pinned the Huskers at the 7-yard line with a punt. Two plays later, Smothers was called for intentional grounding in the end zone resulting in a safety. After the ensuing kickoff, Nebraska allowed Iowa to go only 36 yards but that was enough to get in position for a 44-yard field goal from Shudak.Following a Nebraska 3-and-out, Iowa went 76 yards in six plays for the game-winning touchdown. Tyler Goodson had the key play of the drive with a 55-yard run that took the ball all the way down the Nebraska 14-yard line. Five plays later, Petras took it in from two yards out for the go-ahead touchdown.Nebraska picked up three first downs on its final drive and marched to the Iowa 29 before Smothers' pass was picked off to secure the Hawkeye win.

Hawkeyes Rally Past Huskers

With a conference title on the line, the No. 11 Nebraska volleyball team gave No. 5 Wisconsin a fight Friday afternoon but fell 3-1 (25-14, 23-25, 24-26, 18-25) at UW Field House. The Badgers (24-3, 16-3 Big Ten) claimed at least a share of this year's Big Ten championship, while the Huskers drop to 20-7 (15-4) on the season.

Nebraska remains in contention for a share of the conference title. With a win over No. 6 Purdue and a Badger loss to Indiana on Saturday, the Huskers would be co-champions with Wisconsin.

Madi Kubik paced NU with a team-leading 15 kills alongside eight digs, two blocks and an ace.

Lauren Stivrins added nine kills on .421 hitting with four blocks. Kayla Caffey finished with seven kills and six blocks, and Lexi Sun matched her with seven kills and four more blocks. Whitney Lauenstein, who made her first start since Sept. 8, was credited with six kills and three stops at the net.

Nicklin Hames totaled 36 assists with eight digs, a block and an ace for the night.

Keonilei Akana led the way at the service line, tying her career high with five aces alongside seven digs. Lexi Rodriguez had a team-high 13 digs with five assists, and Kenzie Knuckles chipped in nine digs with four kills and two aces.

As a team, NU hit .168 to Wisconsin's .225. The Huskers had a 10-4 advantage in aces, but the Badgers had the upper hand in kills (55-50), assists (53-43), digs (63-55) and blocks (14-10).

Three UW players had double-digit kill performances, topped by 18 by Dana Rettke on .484 hitting, and she added seven blocks. Grace Loberg also had 14 kills, and Devyn Robinson finished with 10 kills and seven blocks. Sydney Hilley had a double-double on 48 assists and 11 digs, and Lauren Barnes led the match with 22 digs.

A dominant Nebraska led nearly the entire set, working out to a quick 10-5 advantage on a 5-0 run bookended by two Lauenstein kills. It increased to 15-10 before by the media timeout.

Three Badger errors, kills by Sun and Stivrins and an Akana ace extended the lead to 21-14 before UW took a timeout. NU ended the set on a 6-0 run with Akana at the service line, and her three aces propelled the Huskers to the 25-14 win.

Nebraska hit .462 with just two attack errors in the opening set, powered by five kills apiece from Lauenstein and Kubik. Lauenstein's kills came on nine swings with no errors (.556). Wisconsin hit at a .308 clip with four kills from Loberg.

The Huskers' defense and three short runs aided them early in set two. The first gave NU the lead at 8-7, capped by an Anni Evans ace. Caffey singlehandedly powered the next, with a kill and back-to-back blocks with Sun pushing it to 11-8. Another 3-0 run -- boosted by a Lauenstein kill and a Lauenstein/Stivrins block -- made it 15-12 by the media timeout.

Akana's fourth ace of the night extended the lead to 17-14 before UW began to chip away. With NU up 19-17 after a Stivrins kill, the Badgers knotted it at 19-19 on consecutive kills of their own before an NU timeout.

Caffey followed with a kill, but UW used a Rettke kill and two Husker attack errors to regain the lead at 22-20 before NU took its final break. A Badger service error and a Knuckles kill out of the back row brought the set to a 22-22 lock, but UW got it to set point on a Husker serving error and a kill by Jade Demps. NU fought off set point with a Kubik kill on the next rally, but Robinson terminated for UW to cap it, 25-23.

Kubik had four kills in the set, while Sun and Caffey each had a pair of blocks. The Badgers outblocked NU, 5-3.

The Badgers came out swinging at .615 (8-0-13) out of the gate. They built an 8-3 advantage to start, but a 4-1 run on kills from Hames, Caffey and Kubik trimmed it to 9-7.

Trailing 12-8, the Huskers rallied with a 7-2 spurt powered by Akana's fifth ace and two blocks and two kills from Stivrins to take back the lead at 15-14. The set then locked four times, the last at 18-all on a Rettke kill down the line, before UW surged ahead 20-18. Caffey and Demps traded kills on either side, and NU took a timeout down 21-19.

NU again called for a timeout trailing 23-20, and Kubik and Stivrins answered the call with a block out of the break to halt UW's momentum. Knuckles added a kill from the back row to cut it to one before a Badger timeout.

Facing set point at 24-22, the Huskers buckled down with a Knuckles kill and a huge ace by Kubik to tie it at 24-24. But the Badgers came out of a timeout with kills from Rettke and Loberg to seal it, 26-24.

Wisconsin worked to an early 5-1 advantage and increased it to 9-4 before an NU timeout. The Huskers eventually pulled within two when Stivrins terminated at 16-14, but UW responded with kills from Loberg and Rettke as well as two blocks to make it 20-14.

The Badgers used a 4-0 run with back-to-back aces from Giorgia Civita to reach match point at 24-15, but NU kept pushing to win the next three. A Caffey/Lauenstein block and a Knuckles ace -- the Huskers' 10th of the night -- prompted a Wisconsin timeout, but Rettke capped the night with a kill.

-Nebraska still leads the all-time series with Wisconsin 19-10-1. It is tied 9-9 in the John Cook era and 8-8 as Big Ten peers. NU trails 4-6-1 on the road in the series.

-Tonight was the Huskers' 10th match with 10 or more kills as a team.

-NU achieved its season high of 10 aces for the third time this year.

Nebraska concludes the regular season with a trip to No. 6 Purdue on Saturday, Nov. 27 at Holloway Gymnasium in West Lafayette, Ind. First serve is set for 8 p.m. on Big Ten Network, and John Baylor and Lauren Cook West will have the radio call on Huskers Radio Network.

BY NU Athletic CommunicationsWith a conference title on the line, the No. 11 Nebraska volleyball team gave No. 5 Wisconsin a fight Friday afternoon but fell 3-1 (25-14, 23-25, 24-26, 18-25) at UW Field House. The Badgers (24-3, 16-3 Big Ten) claimed at least a share of this year's Big Ten championship, while the Huskers drop to 20-7 (15-4) on the season.Nebraska remains in contention for a share of the conference title. With a win over No. 6 Purdue and a Badger loss to Indiana on Saturday, the Huskers would be co-champions with Wisconsin.Madi Kubik paced NU with a team-leading 15 kills alongside eight digs, two blocks and an ace.Lauren Stivrins added nine kills on .421 hitting with four blocks. Kayla Caffey finished with seven kills and six blocks, and Lexi Sun matched her with seven kills and four more blocks. Whitney Lauenstein, who made her first start since Sept. 8, was credited with six kills and three stops at the net.Nicklin Hames totaled 36 assists with eight digs, a block and an ace for the night.Keonilei Akana led the way at the service line, tying her career high with five aces alongside seven digs. Lexi Rodriguez had a team-high 13 digs with five assists, and Kenzie Knuckles chipped in nine digs with four kills and two aces.As a team, NU hit .168 to Wisconsin's .225. The Huskers had a 10-4 advantage in aces, but the Badgers had the upper hand in kills (55-50), assists (53-43), digs (63-55) and blocks (14-10).Three UW players had double-digit kill performances, topped by 18 by Dana Rettke on .484 hitting, and she added seven blocks. Grace Loberg also had 14 kills, and Devyn Robinson finished with 10 kills and seven blocks. Sydney Hilley had a double-double on 48 assists and 11 digs, and Lauren Barnes led the match with 22 digs.Set 1A dominant Nebraska led nearly the entire set, working out to a quick 10-5 advantage on a 5-0 run bookended by two Lauenstein kills. It increased to 15-10 before by the media timeout.Three Badger errors, kills by Sun and Stivrins and an Akana ace extended the lead to 21-14 before UW took a timeout. NU ended the set on a 6-0 run with Akana at the service line, and her three aces propelled the Huskers to the 25-14 win.Nebraska hit .462 with just two attack errors in the opening set, powered by five kills apiece from Lauenstein and Kubik. Lauenstein's kills came on nine swings with no errors (.556). Wisconsin hit at a .308 clip with four kills from Loberg.Set 2The Huskers' defense and three short runs aided them early in set two. The first gave NU the lead at 8-7, capped by an Anni Evans ace. Caffey singlehandedly powered the next, with a kill and back-to-back blocks with Sun pushing it to 11-8. Another 3-0 run -- boosted by a Lauenstein kill and a Lauenstein/Stivrins block -- made it 15-12 by the media timeout.Akana's fourth ace of the night extended the lead to 17-14 before UW began to chip away. With NU up 19-17 after a Stivrins kill, the Badgers knotted it at 19-19 on consecutive kills of their own before an NU timeout.Caffey followed with a kill, but UW used a Rettke kill and two Husker attack errors to regain the lead at 22-20 before NU took its final break. A Badger service error and a Knuckles kill out of the back row brought the set to a 22-22 lock, but UW got it to set point on a Husker serving error and a kill by Jade Demps. NU fought off set point with a Kubik kill on the next rally, but Robinson terminated for UW to cap it, 25-23.Kubik had four kills in the set, while Sun and Caffey each had a pair of blocks. The Badgers outblocked NU, 5-3.Set 3The Badgers came out swinging at .615 (8-0-13) out of the gate. They built an 8-3 advantage to start, but a 4-1 run on kills from Hames, Caffey and Kubik trimmed it to 9-7.Trailing 12-8, the Huskers rallied with a 7-2 spurt powered by Akana's fifth ace and two blocks and two kills from Stivrins to take back the lead at 15-14. The set then locked four times, the last at 18-all on a Rettke kill down the line, before UW surged ahead 20-18. Caffey and Demps traded kills on either side, and NU took a timeout down 21-19.NU again called for a timeout trailing 23-20, and Kubik and Stivrins answered the call with a block out of the break to halt UW's momentum. Knuckles added a kill from the back row to cut it to one before a Badger timeout.Facing set point at 24-22, the Huskers buckled down with a Knuckles kill and a huge ace by Kubik to tie it at 24-24. But the Badgers came out of a timeout with kills from Rettke and Loberg to seal it, 26-24.Set 4Wisconsin worked to an early 5-1 advantage and increased it to 9-4 before an NU timeout. The Huskers eventually pulled within two when Stivrins terminated at 16-14, but UW responded with kills from Loberg and Rettke as well as two blocks to make it 20-14.The Badgers used a 4-0 run with back-to-back aces from Giorgia Civita to reach match point at 24-15, but NU kept pushing to win the next three. A Caffey/Lauenstein block and a Knuckles ace -- the Huskers' 10th of the night -- prompted a Wisconsin timeout, but Rettke capped the night with a kill.Noting Tonight's Match-Nebraska still leads the all-time series with Wisconsin 19-10-1. It is tied 9-9 in the John Cook era and 8-8 as Big Ten peers. NU trails 4-6-1 on the road in the series.-Tonight was the Huskers' 10th match with 10 or more kills as a team.-NU achieved its season high of 10 aces for the third time this year.Up NextNebraska concludes the regular season with a trip to No. 6 Purdue on Saturday, Nov. 27 at Holloway Gymnasium in West Lafayette, Ind. First serve is set for 8 p.m. on Big Ten Network, and John Baylor and Lauren Cook West will have the radio call on Huskers Radio Network.

Huskers Come Up Short at Wisconsin, 3-1

Nebraska Cornhuskers (6-0, 0-0 Big Ten) at San Diego Toreros (4-1, 0-0 West Coast)

The Dana on Mission Bay Holiday Tournament

Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, 6 p.m. (CT) Jenny Craig Pavilion - San Diego, California Live Radio: Huskers Radio Network (5:45 p.m.) Matt Coatney (PBP), Jeff Griesch (Analyst), Lincoln (1400 AM), Omaha (105.9 FM) Huskers.com, Huskers App

Huskers Take on Toreros for Tournament Title

The Nebraska women's basketball team shoots for a title on Saturday when the Huskers battle the hosts from San Diego for The Dana on Mission Bay Holiday Tournament championship at Jenny Craig Pavilion.

Tip-off between the Huskers (6-0) and the host Toreros (4-1) is set for 6 p.m. (CT), with the Huskers Radio Network call of Matt Coatney and Jeff Griesch on Huskers.com. Saturday's game can be heard in Lincoln on KLIN 1400 AM, and in Omaha on CD 105.9 FM. Free audio is also available on Huskers.com and on the Huskers App. 

Nebraska advanced to the championship game with a 65-53 victory over 2021 Colonial Athletic Association champion and NCAA Tournament qualifier Drexel on Friday. Sophomore Jaz Shelley (Moe, Australia) erupted for 30 points on just nine field goal attempts. She went 8-for-9 from the floor, including 6-of-7 from three-point range, while sinking 8-of-9 free throws. The 5-9 guard added seven rebounds and two assists.

While Shelley did the damage for the Huskers outside, Bella Cravens, Alexis Markowski and Isabelle Bourne powered the Big Red inside. The trio combined for 17 points and 29 rebounds, as the Huskers produced a 51-33 advantage on the glass against the Dragons.

San Diego, which is coached by former Nebraska assistant Cindy Fisher, moved to the title game with a 68-64 win over Mountain West Conference preseason favorite Fresno State. Australian Steph Gorman led USD with 17 points on 4-of-7 three-point shooting, while Ayanna Khalfani contributed 10 points off the bench in her most significant action of the season. The Toreros used a massive 18-0 run to turn a 10-point third-quarter deficit into a 10-point fourth-quarter lead before holding on for the victory.

San Diego improved to 3-0 on its home court this season, including wins over Hawaii and Air Force. It's lone loss this season came at Washington (57-51, Nov. 12).

Nebraska will take aim at its first 7-0 start under sixth-year head coach Amy Williams and its first 7-0 start overall 2014-15. The Huskers continue to rank among national leaders by averaging 90.5 points per game while surrendering just 50.5 points per contest.

In addition to Shelley, who leads Nebraska in scoring (14.3 ppg), rebounding (8.3 rpg), assists (4.8 apg), three-pointers (18-29, .621) and blocked shots, the Huskers also feature All-Big Ten Sam Haiby (7.8 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 4.4 apg) and All-Big Ten forward Isabelle Bourne (13.0 ppg 5.2 rpg), along with returning starters Ashley Scoggin (9.8 ppg) and Bella Cravens (7.8 ppg, 7.3 rpg).

Nebraska Cornhuskers (6-0, 0-0 Big Ten)

14 - Bella Cravens - 6-3 - Jr. - F - 7.8 ppg, 7.3 rpg 34 - Isabelle Bourne - 6-2 - So. - F - 13.0 ppg, 5.2 rpg 0 - Ashley Scoggin - 5-7 - RSo. - G - 9.8 ppg, 1.3 rpg 1 - Jaz Shelley - 5-9 - So. - G - 14.3 ppg, 8.3 rpg 4 - Sam Haiby - 5-9 - Jr. - G - 7.8 ppg, 4.2 rpg

40 - Alexis Markowski - 6-3 - Fr. - F/C - 8.8 ppg, 6.2 rpg 21 - Annika Stewart - 6-3 - Fr. - F - 7.0 ppg, 2.5 rpg 3 - Allison Weidner - 5-10 - Fr. - G - 6.2 ppg, 4.7 rpg 32 - Kendall Coley - 6-2 - Fr. - F/G - 5.5 ppg, 4.0 rpg 11 - Ruby Porter - 5-10 - Fr. - G - 4.0 ppg, 1.2 rpg 10 - Whitney Brown - 5-8 - Fr. - G - 3.4 ppg, 1.2 rpg 15 - Kendall Moriarty - 6-1 - Fr. - G - 3.3 ppg, 0.7 rpg 5 - MiCole Cayton - 5-9 - Gr. - G - 2.0 ppg, 1.8 rpg

Head Coach: Amy Williams (Nebraska, 1998) Sixth Season at Nebraska (78-75); 15th Season Overall (271-184)

San Diego Toreros (4-1, 0-0 West Coast Conference)

30 - Kendall Bird - 6-2 - RSr. - F - 8.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg 32 - Sydney Hunter - 6-0 - Gr. - G - 6.8 ppg, 4.3 rpg 0 - Kiera Oakry - 5-10 - RJr. - G - 8.5 ppg, 2.5 rpg 4 - Steph Gorman - 6-0 - Jr. - G - 9.5 ppg, 1.8 rpg 23 - Jordyn Edwards - 5-8 - Gr. - G - 10.3 ppg, 2.3 rpg

10 - Myah Pace - 5-11 - Gr. - G - 8.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg 20 - Erica Martinsen - 5-9 - RSr. - G - 7.8 ppg, 2.3 rpg 24 - Kylie Horstmeyer - 6-0 - So. - G - 5.6 ppg, 3.2 rpg 22 - Kasey Neubert - 6-1 - Jr. - F - 5.4 ppg, 5.4 rpg 5 - Ayanna Khalfani - 5-11 - Jr. - G - 5.0 ppg, 2.0 rpg 11 - Laura Erikstrup - 6-2 - So. - C - 1.8 ppg, 0.8 rpg 34 - Gabby Giuffre - 5-11 - Fr. - G - 1.2 ppg, 0.8 rpg 42 - Harsimran Kaur - 6-4 - Fr. - F - 1.0 ppg, 0.5 rpg 33 - Amanda Olinger - 6-3 - Jr. - F - 1.0 ppg, 0.3 rpg 25 - Nicole Blakes - 6-2 - RJr. - F - 0.4 ppg, 1.8 rpg 1 - Courtney Wristen - 6-2 - Fr. - F - 0.0 ppg, 1.0 rpg

Head Coach: Cindy Fisher (Arizona State, 1988) 17th Season at San Diego (298-196); 22nd Season Overall (357-277)

Cindy Fisher leads her 17th Torero team into the 2021-22 season after a pandemic-shortened season when they finished 12-7. Fisher has strong family and professional ties to Nebraska, where she was an assistant coach under Connie Yori during the 2003-04 and 2004-05 seasons. Her current San Diego roster includes Kasey Neubert, a 6-1 junior forward who is the daughter of former Nebraska tight end (1987) and basketball letterman (1984-86-87) Keith Neubert, who played in the NFL for the New York Jets and Philadelphia Eagles. Her mother Paula was also a member of the Husker softball team.

San Diego's roster in recent years also included former Nebraska all-state guard Jamie Kissinger (Minden, Neb.) who was the older sister of 2020-21 Husker senior guard Taylor Kissinger. Fisher, who was an assistant at Old Dominion for Nebraska Coach Amy Williams' final collegiate game in the second round of the 1998 NCAA Tournament, spent six seasons as the head coach at Wyoming (1998-99 to 2002-03) before spending two years on the Husker staff, took over the USD program in 2005-06. From 2011-12 through 2015-16, the Toreros posted five consecutive seasons with 22 or more wins.

The 2021-22 Toreros are off to a strong start with a 4-1 record, including a 68-64 win over Fresno State on Friday in the opening game of The Dana on Mission Bay Holiday Tournament. Steph Gorman, a 6-0 junior guard from Wodonga, Victoria, Australia, led USD with 17 points in the win over the Bulldogs. The Utah State transfer is averaging 9.5 points per game after making her first start of the season.

Jordyn Edwards, a 5-8 guard, is the only Torero averaging in double figures through five contests. Edwards is averaging 10.3 points, while fellow graduate student Sydney Hunter (6.8 ppg, 4.3 rpg) and redshirt senior Kendall Bird (8.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg).

Redshirt junior Kiera Oakry (8.5 ppg, 2.5 rpg) rounds out an experienced starting five for San Diego. 

The Toreros also have one of the deepest benches the Huskers will face this season, with 16 players contributing so far this season, including Erica Martinsen. The 5-9 redshirt senior has started three games and averaged 7.8 points and 2.3 rebounds. Kylie Horstmeyer (5.6 ppg, 3.2 rpg), Kasey Neubert (5.4 ppg, 5.4 rpg), Myah Pace and Ayanna Khalfani are just a handful of reserves who provided significant contributions. 

Nebraska leads the all-time series with San Diego, 2-0, including a 62-61 win at the Surf &amp; Slam Hoop Classic at the Jenny Craig Pavilion on Dec. 28, 2002. Husker Margaret Richards hit a game-winning baseline jumper to cap a huge comeback against the Toreros. 

Nebraska's first meeting with San Diego came in the first round of the 1993 NCAA Tournament, when the Huskers rolled to an 81-58 win on St. Patrick's Day at the Devaney Center. The victory was NU's first-NCAA Tournament in school history. Nafeesah Brown led the Big Red with 26 points, 13 rebounds and six steals, while 1993 Wade Trophy winner Karen Jennings added 14 points and eight boards. 

By NU Athletic CommunicationsNebraska Cornhuskers (6-0, 0-0 Big Ten) at San Diego Toreros (4-1, 0-0 West Coast)The Dana on Mission Bay Holiday TournamentSaturday, Nov. 27, 2021, 6 p.m. (CT) Jenny Craig Pavilion - San Diego, California Live Radio: Huskers Radio Network (5:45 p.m.) Matt Coatney (PBP), Jeff Griesch (Analyst), Lincoln (1400 AM), Omaha (105.9 FM) Huskers.com, Huskers AppHuskers Take on Toreros for Tournament TitleThe Nebraska women's basketball team shoots for a title on Saturday when the Huskers battle the hosts from San Diego for The Dana on Mission Bay Holiday Tournament championship at Jenny Craig Pavilion.Tip-off between the Huskers (6-0) and the host Toreros (4-1) is set for 6 p.m. (CT), with the Huskers Radio Network call of Matt Coatney and Jeff Griesch on Huskers.com. Saturday's game can be heard in Lincoln on KLIN 1400 AM, and in Omaha on CD 105.9 FM. Free audio is also available on Huskers.com and on the Huskers App. Nebraska advanced to the championship game with a 65-53 victory over 2021 Colonial Athletic Association champion and NCAA Tournament qualifier Drexel on Friday. Sophomore Jaz Shelley (Moe, Australia) erupted for 30 points on just nine field goal attempts. She went 8-for-9 from the floor, including 6-of-7 from three-point range, while sinking 8-of-9 free throws. The 5-9 guard added seven rebounds and two assists.While Shelley did the damage for the Huskers outside, Bella Cravens, Alexis Markowski and Isabelle Bourne powered the Big Red inside. The trio combined for 17 points and 29 rebounds, as the Huskers produced a 51-33 advantage on the glass against the Dragons.San Diego, which is coached by former Nebraska assistant Cindy Fisher, moved to the title game with a 68-64 win over Mountain West Conference preseason favorite Fresno State. Australian Steph Gorman led USD with 17 points on 4-of-7 three-point shooting, while Ayanna Khalfani contributed 10 points off the bench in her most significant action of the season. The Toreros used a massive 18-0 run to turn a 10-point third-quarter deficit into a 10-point fourth-quarter lead before holding on for the victory.San Diego improved to 3-0 on its home court this season, including wins over Hawaii and Air Force. It's lone loss this season came at Washington (57-51, Nov. 12).Nebraska will take aim at its first 7-0 start under sixth-year head coach Amy Williams and its first 7-0 start overall 2014-15. The Huskers continue to rank among national leaders by averaging 90.5 points per game while surrendering just 50.5 points per contest.In addition to Shelley, who leads Nebraska in scoring (14.3 ppg), rebounding (8.3 rpg), assists (4.8 apg), three-pointers (18-29, .621) and blocked shots, the Huskers also feature All-Big Ten Sam Haiby (7.8 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 4.4 apg) and All-Big Ten forward Isabelle Bourne (13.0 ppg 5.2 rpg), along with returning starters Ashley Scoggin (9.8 ppg) and Bella Cravens (7.8 ppg, 7.3 rpg).Nebraska Cornhuskers (6-0, 0-0 Big Ten)14 - Bella Cravens - 6-3 - Jr. - F - 7.8 ppg, 7.3 rpg 34 - Isabelle Bourne - 6-2 - So. - F - 13.0 ppg, 5.2 rpg 0 - Ashley Scoggin - 5-7 - RSo. - G - 9.8 ppg, 1.3 rpg 1 - Jaz Shelley - 5-9 - So. - G - 14.3 ppg, 8.3 rpg 4 - Sam Haiby - 5-9 - Jr. - G - 7.8 ppg, 4.2 rpgOff the Bench40 - Alexis Markowski - 6-3 - Fr. - F/C - 8.8 ppg, 6.2 rpg 21 - Annika Stewart - 6-3 - Fr. - F - 7.0 ppg, 2.5 rpg 3 - Allison Weidner - 5-10 - Fr. - G - 6.2 ppg, 4.7 rpg 32 - Kendall Coley - 6-2 - Fr. - F/G - 5.5 ppg, 4.0 rpg 11 - Ruby Porter - 5-10 - Fr. - G - 4.0 ppg, 1.2 rpg 10 - Whitney Brown - 5-8 - Fr. - G - 3.4 ppg, 1.2 rpg 15 - Kendall Moriarty - 6-1 - Fr. - G - 3.3 ppg, 0.7 rpg 5 - MiCole Cayton - 5-9 - Gr. - G - 2.0 ppg, 1.8 rpgHead Coach: Amy Williams (Nebraska, 1998) Sixth Season at Nebraska (78-75); 15th Season Overall (271-184)San Diego Toreros (4-1, 0-0 West Coast Conference)30 - Kendall Bird - 6-2 - RSr. - F - 8.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg 32 - Sydney Hunter - 6-0 - Gr. - G - 6.8 ppg, 4.3 rpg 0 - Kiera Oakry - 5-10 - RJr. - G - 8.5 ppg, 2.5 rpg 4 - Steph Gorman - 6-0 - Jr. - G - 9.5 ppg, 1.8 rpg 23 - Jordyn Edwards - 5-8 - Gr. - G - 10.3 ppg, 2.3 rpgOff the Bench10 - Myah Pace - 5-11 - Gr. - G - 8.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg 20 - Erica Martinsen - 5-9 - RSr. - G - 7.8 ppg, 2.3 rpg 24 - Kylie Horstmeyer - 6-0 - So. - G - 5.6 ppg, 3.2 rpg 22 - Kasey Neubert - 6-1 - Jr. - F - 5.4 ppg, 5.4 rpg 5 - Ayanna Khalfani - 5-11 - Jr. - G - 5.0 ppg, 2.0 rpg 11 - Laura Erikstrup - 6-2 - So. - C - 1.8 ppg, 0.8 rpg 34 - Gabby Giuffre - 5-11 - Fr. - G - 1.2 ppg, 0.8 rpg 42 - Harsimran Kaur - 6-4 - Fr. - F - 1.0 ppg, 0.5 rpg 33 - Amanda Olinger - 6-3 - Jr. - F - 1.0 ppg, 0.3 rpg 25 - Nicole Blakes - 6-2 - RJr. - F - 0.4 ppg, 1.8 rpg 1 - Courtney Wristen - 6-2 - Fr. - F - 0.0 ppg, 1.0 rpgHead Coach: Cindy Fisher (Arizona State, 1988) 17th Season at San Diego (298-196); 22nd Season Overall (357-277) Scouting the San Diego TorerosCindy Fisher leads her 17th Torero team into the 2021-22 season after a pandemic-shortened season when they finished 12-7. Fisher has strong family and professional ties to Nebraska, where she was an assistant coach under Connie Yori during the 2003-04 and 2004-05 seasons. Her current San Diego roster includes Kasey Neubert, a 6-1 junior forward who is the daughter of former Nebraska tight end (1987) and basketball letterman (1984-86-87) Keith Neubert, who played in the NFL for the New York Jets and Philadelphia Eagles. Her mother Paula was also a member of the Husker softball team.San Diego's roster in recent years also included former Nebraska all-state guard Jamie Kissinger (Minden, Neb.) who was the older sister of 2020-21 Husker senior guard Taylor Kissinger. Fisher, who was an assistant at Old Dominion for Nebraska Coach Amy Williams' final collegiate game in the second round of the 1998 NCAA Tournament, spent six seasons as the head coach at Wyoming (1998-99 to 2002-03) before spending two years on the Husker staff, took over the USD program in 2005-06. From 2011-12 through 2015-16, the Toreros posted five consecutive seasons with 22 or more wins.The 2021-22 Toreros are off to a strong start with a 4-1 record, including a 68-64 win over Fresno State on Friday in the opening game of The Dana on Mission Bay Holiday Tournament. Steph Gorman, a 6-0 junior guard from Wodonga, Victoria, Australia, led USD with 17 points in the win over the Bulldogs. The Utah State transfer is averaging 9.5 points per game after making her first start of the season.Jordyn Edwards, a 5-8 guard, is the only Torero averaging in double figures through five contests. Edwards is averaging 10.3 points, while fellow graduate student Sydney Hunter (6.8 ppg, 4.3 rpg) and redshirt senior Kendall Bird (8.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg).Redshirt junior Kiera Oakry (8.5 ppg, 2.5 rpg) rounds out an experienced starting five for San Diego. The Toreros also have one of the deepest benches the Huskers will face this season, with 16 players contributing so far this season, including Erica Martinsen. The 5-9 redshirt senior has started three games and averaged 7.8 points and 2.3 rebounds. Kylie Horstmeyer (5.6 ppg, 3.2 rpg), Kasey Neubert (5.4 ppg, 5.4 rpg), Myah Pace and Ayanna Khalfani are just a handful of reserves who provided significant contributions. Nebraska vs. San Diego Series HistoryNebraska leads the all-time series with San Diego, 2-0, including a 62-61 win at the Surf &amp; Slam Hoop Classic at the Jenny Craig Pavilion on Dec. 28, 2002. Husker Margaret Richards hit a game-winning baseline jumper to cap a huge comeback against the Toreros. Nebraska's first meeting with San Diego came in the first round of the 1993 NCAA Tournament, when the Huskers rolled to an 81-58 win on St. Patrick's Day at the Devaney Center. The victory was NU's first-NCAA Tournament in school history. Nafeesah Brown led the Big Red with 26 points, 13 rebounds and six steals, while 1993 Wade Trophy winner Karen Jennings added 14 points and eight boards.

Huskers Take on Toreros for Tournament Title

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Milton Andrew Munson’s obituary recalled his life as an Air Force veteran, a pharmacist, husband and father, and as a Nebraska football fan. 

That was evident in one line in the obit, which reads: “In lieu of flowers, please place an irresponsibly large wager on Nebraska beating Iowa.” 

The Lincoln Journal Star reports that the obit, written by Munson’s sons, ran Nov. 18 in the Hastings Tribune. 

It caught fire on social media and captured the attention of two radio hosts. Soon, more than $5,000 had been contributed for the big bet. Some of the money will go to Big Brothers/Big Sisters. 

The Huskers are a point-and-a-half underdog in Friday night's game.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Milton Andrew Munson’s obituary recalled his life as an Air Force veteran, a pharmacist, husband and father, and as a Nebraska football fan. That was evident in one line in the obit, which reads: “In lieu of flowers, please place an irresponsibly large wager on Nebraska beating Iowa.” The Lincoln Journal Star reports that the obit, written by Munson’s sons, ran Nov. 18 in the Hastings Tribune. It caught fire on social media and captured the attention of two radio hosts. Soon, more than $5,000 had been contributed for the big bet. Some of the money will go to Big Brothers/Big Sisters. The Huskers are a point-and-a-half underdog in Friday night's game.

Man's obit urges betting a bunch on the Huskers

There’s a Nebraska cowboy among the 119 contestants at this year’s Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.

Garrett Shadbolt, Merriman, Neb., has qualified to compete at the PRCA’s world championship in the bareback riding. He’s ranked tenth among the top fifteen cowboys in that event who will vie for a world title Dec. 2-11 at the Thomas and Mack Arena in Las Vegas.

Shadbolt, a fifth-generation rancher on the family ranch south of Merriman, grew up ranching and riding. But he didn’t begin rodeo till his senior year of high school, and a broken cheekbone and eye socket ended his high school rodeo as soon as it started.

He wrestled in his youth, then took some time off before wrestling his junior and senior years of high school.

Doane College in Crete offered him academic and wrestling scholarships, so he wrestled collegiately and spent his summers cutting his teeth in the regional rodeo associations, hitting 35-40 rodeos a summer.

He graduated from Doane College in 2019 with a chemistry degree.

Shadbolt became a PRCA member three years ago, and this year has been the best of his career.

“Honestly, I drew a lot of really good horses early in the year, in the winter time and spring,” he said. “I was winning rodeos left and right.” His strong start enabled him to endure through some dry spells this summer, when he wasn’t winning.

Bareback riders, like saddle bronc and bull riders, are required to ride for eight seconds to get a score.

But Shadbolt says it’s so much more than that. “That’s only fifty percent of it,” he said. “There’s a lot more to it than just riding bucking horses. You have to do the driving, the scheduling, and keep yourself healthy.”

His parents, Quentin and Angela, as well as his wife, Katie, are his support system. Quentin, a former bareback rider, didn’t have a lot of opportunity to rodeo when he was younger.

“Dad’s always been supportive of me rodeoing,” Shadbolt said. “He’ll push me out the door, him and mom both. Mom’s also my rodeo secretary, so she’s my help for entering and travel plans, scheduling rental cars and airline tickets. It’s a huge job and having help in that corner has really made a big difference in my success.”

Shadbolt loves the challenge of getting on better bareback horses, and as a Wrangler NFR competitor, he’ll have the chance to ride ten of the best horses at the National Finals. “For me, the pinnacle of bareback riding is getting on a horse that really tests a guy, puts him to the edge of his ability and you come out on top.”

The best livestock across the nation is selected for the Wrangler NFR.

“I’m guaranteed to get on some horses that will test me,” he said. “You never know what you’re capable of till you try it.”

Shadbolt enters the Wrangler NFR in tenth place in the world with over $96,000 in winnings.

When he’s not rodeoing, he’s at home, helping on the ranch alongside his parents and his sister, Jordan Sanders.

He also volunteers at Gordon-Rushville High School with the wrestling team.&nbsp;

“I’ve been going two or three times a week,” to practice, he said. “I’m the old guy in the room but I have some tricks up my sleeve that they haven’t seen yet.”

And here’s hoping he has some bareback riding tricks up his sleeve, to bring home the world championship bareback riding title.

The Wrangler NFR runs Dec. 2-11 and will be aired nightly at 7:45 pm CST on The Cowboy Channel and RFD-TV. World champions are crowned in each event after the final performance on Dec. 11.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637600260245.png" alt="Merriman, Neb. cowboy Garrett Shadbolt rides at the Oregon Trail Rodeo in Hastings. The tenth-ranked bareback rider in the world has qualified to compete at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, the PRCA’s world championship running Dec. 2-11. Photo by Anita Burcham." />
 <figcaption>Merriman, Neb. cowboy Garrett Shadbolt rides at the Oregon Trail Rodeo in Hastings. The tenth-ranked bareback rider in the world has qualified to compete at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, the PRCA’s world championship running Dec. 2-11. Photo by Anita Burcham.</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;Ruth NicolausThere’s a Nebraska cowboy among the 119 contestants at this year’s Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.Garrett Shadbolt, Merriman, Neb., has qualified to compete at the PRCA’s world championship in the bareback riding. He’s ranked tenth among the top fifteen cowboys in that event who will vie for a world title Dec. 2-11 at the Thomas and Mack Arena in Las Vegas.Shadbolt, a fifth-generation rancher on the family ranch south of Merriman, grew up ranching and riding. But he didn’t begin rodeo till his senior year of high school, and a broken cheekbone and eye socket ended his high school rodeo as soon as it started.He wrestled in his youth, then took some time off before wrestling his junior and senior years of high school.Doane College in Crete offered him academic and wrestling scholarships, so he wrestled collegiately and spent his summers cutting his teeth in the regional rodeo associations, hitting 35-40 rodeos a summer.He graduated from Doane College in 2019 with a chemistry degree.Shadbolt became a PRCA member three years ago, and this year has been the best of his career.“Honestly, I drew a lot of really good horses early in the year, in the winter time and spring,” he said. “I was winning rodeos left and right.” His strong start enabled him to endure through some dry spells this summer, when he wasn’t winning.Bareback riders, like saddle bronc and bull riders, are required to ride for eight seconds to get a score.But Shadbolt says it’s so much more than that. “That’s only fifty percent of it,” he said. “There’s a lot more to it than just riding bucking horses. You have to do the driving, the scheduling, and keep yourself healthy.”His parents, Quentin and Angela, as well as his wife, Katie, are his support system. Quentin, a former bareback rider, didn’t have a lot of opportunity to rodeo when he was younger.“Dad’s always been supportive of me rodeoing,” Shadbolt said. “He’ll push me out the door, him and mom both. Mom’s also my rodeo secretary, so she’s my help for entering and travel plans, scheduling rental cars and airline tickets. It’s a huge job and having help in that corner has really made a big difference in my success.”Shadbolt loves the challenge of getting on better bareback horses, and as a Wrangler NFR competitor, he’ll have the chance to ride ten of the best horses at the National Finals. “For me, the pinnacle of bareback riding is getting on a horse that really tests a guy, puts him to the edge of his ability and you come out on top.”The best livestock across the nation is selected for the Wrangler NFR.“I’m guaranteed to get on some horses that will test me,” he said. “You never know what you’re capable of till you try it.”Shadbolt enters the Wrangler NFR in tenth place in the world with over $96,000 in winnings.When he’s not rodeoing, he’s at home, helping on the ranch alongside his parents and his sister, Jordan Sanders.He also volunteers at Gordon-Rushville High School with the wrestling team.&nbsp;“I’ve been going two or three times a week,” to practice, he said. “I’m the old guy in the room but I have some tricks up my sleeve that they haven’t seen yet.”And here’s hoping he has some bareback riding tricks up his sleeve, to bring home the world championship bareback riding title.The Wrangler NFR runs Dec. 2-11 and will be aired nightly at 7:45 pm CST on The Cowboy Channel and RFD-TV. World champions are crowned in each event after the final performance on Dec. 11.

Nebraska cowboy to compete in National Finals Rodeo

<div><style type="text/css">
.tg {border-collapse:collapse;border-spacing:0;}
.tg td{border-color:black;border-style:solid;border-width:1px;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:14px;
 overflow:hidden;padding:10px 5px;word-break:normal;}
.tg th{border-color:black;border-style:solid;border-width:1px;font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:14px;
 font-weight:normal;overflow:hidden;padding:10px 5px;word-break:normal;}
.tg .tg-7btt{border-color:inherit;font-weight:bold;text-align:center;vertical-align:top}
.tg .tg-0thz{border-color:inherit;font-weight:bold;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom}
.tg .tg-za14{border-color:inherit;text-align:left;vertical-align:bottom}
</style>
<table class="tg">
<thead>
 <tr>
 <th class="tg-7btt" colspan="3">2020 C2-6 All District Football Team</th>
 </tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
 <tr>
 <td class="tg-7btt" colspan="3">Offense</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td class="tg-0thz">Name</td>
 <td class="tg-0thz">Grade</td>
 <td class="tg-0thz">School</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td class="tg-za14">Braxten Swires</td>
 <td class="tg-za14">12</td>
 <td class="tg-za14">Bridgeport</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td class="tg-za14">Rafi Cantu</td>
 <td class="tg-za14">12</td>
 <td class="tg-za14">Bridgeport</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td class="tg-za14">Jaret Peterson</td>
 <td class="tg-za14">10</td>
 <td class="tg-za14">Chase County</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td class="tg-za14">Zach Herbert</td>
 <td class="tg-za14">10</td>
 <td class="tg-za14">Chase County</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td class="tg-za14">Jace Nelson</td>
 <td class="tg-za14">11</td>
 <td class="tg-za14">Gordon-Rushville</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td class="tg-za14">Jace Freeseman</td>
 <td class="tg-za14">11</td>
 <td class="tg-za14">Gordon-Rushville</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td class="tg-za14">Carter Anderson</td>
 <td class="tg-za14">11</td>
 <td class="tg-za14">Gordon-Rushville</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td class="tg-za14">Cooper Hill</td>
 <td class="tg-za14">10</td>
 <td class="tg-za14">Hershey</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td class="tg-za14">Seth Engler</td>
 <td class="tg-za14">11</td>
 <td class="tg-za14">NPSP</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td class="tg-za14">Jackson Roberts</td>
 <td class="tg-za14">10</td>
 <td class="tg-za14">NPSP</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td class="tg-za14">Will Moats</td>
 <td class="tg-za14">11</td>
 <td class="tg-za14">NPSP</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td class="tg-za14">Brecken Erickson</td>
 <td class="tg-za14">10</td>
 <td class="tg-za14">NPSP</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td class="tg-za14">Justin Schroll</td>
 <td class="tg-za14">12</td>
 <td class="tg-za14">NPSP</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td class="tg-za14">Ashton Lurz</td>
 <td class="tg-za14">11</td>
 <td class="tg-za14">Valentine</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td class="tg-7btt" colspan="3">Special Team</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td class="tg-za14">Michael Perez</td>
 <td class="tg-za14">11</td>
 <td class="tg-za14">Gordon-Rushville</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td class="tg-7btt" colspan="3">Defense</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td class="tg-za14">Kason Loomis</td>
 <td class="tg-za14">11</td>
 <td class="tg-za14">Bridgeport</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td class="tg-za14">Kade Anderson</td>
 <td class="tg-za14">11</td>
 <td class="tg-za14">Chase County</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td class="tg-za14">Dawson Mollendor</td>
 <td class="tg-za14">11</td>
 <td class="tg-za14">Chase County</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td class="tg-za14">Ryan Bernhardt</td>
 <td class="tg-za14">12</td>
 <td class="tg-za14">Chase County</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td class="tg-za14">Donovan Filmore</td>
 <td class="tg-za14">11</td>
 <td class="tg-za14">Gordon-Rushville</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td class="tg-za14">Logan Darringer</td>
 <td class="tg-za14">12</td>
 <td class="tg-za14">Gordon-Rushville</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td class="tg-za14">Drake Brewer</td>
 <td class="tg-za14">12</td>
 <td class="tg-za14">Gordon-Rushville</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td class="tg-za14">Kaden Thompson</td>
 <td class="tg-za14">10</td>
 <td class="tg-za14">Hershey</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td class="tg-za14">Sam Scholz</td>
 <td class="tg-za14">11</td>
 <td class="tg-za14">NPSP</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td class="tg-za14">Jack Heiss</td>
 <td class="tg-za14">12</td>
 <td class="tg-za14">NPSP</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td class="tg-za14">Connor Hasenauer</td>
 <td class="tg-za14">12</td>
 <td class="tg-za14">NPSP</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td class="tg-za14">Gaven Nutter</td>
 <td class="tg-za14">12</td>
 <td class="tg-za14">NPSP</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td class="tg-za14">Gunnar Battershaw</td>
 <td class="tg-za14">12</td>
 <td class="tg-za14">Valentine</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td class="tg-7btt" colspan="3">Honorable Mention</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td class="tg-za14">Curtis Jackson</td>
 <td class="tg-za14">11</td>
 <td class="tg-za14">Bridgeport</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td class="tg-za14">Mason Nichols</td>
 <td class="tg-za14">12</td>
 <td class="tg-za14">Bridgeport</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td class="tg-za14">Morel Torres</td>
 <td class="tg-za14">12</td>
 <td class="tg-za14">Chase County</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td class="tg-za14">Colby Nickless</td>
 <td class="tg-za14">12</td>
 <td class="tg-za14">Chase County</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td class="tg-za14">Beau Child</td>
 <td class="tg-za14">12</td>
 <td class="tg-za14">Gordon-Rushville</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td class="tg-za14">Dalton Clark</td>
 <td class="tg-za14">12</td>
 <td class="tg-za14">Hershey</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td class="tg-za14">Brecken Glos</td>
 <td class="tg-za14">12</td>
 <td class="tg-za14">Hershey</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td class="tg-za14">Josh Davies</td>
 <td class="tg-za14">11</td>
 <td class="tg-za14">NPSP</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td class="tg-za14">Matthew Phelps</td>
 <td class="tg-za14">11</td>
 <td class="tg-za14">NPSP</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td class="tg-za14">Brian Keller</td>
 <td class="tg-za14">11</td>
 <td class="tg-za14">Valentine</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td class="tg-za14">Logan Harp</td>
 <td class="tg-za14">11</td>
 <td class="tg-za14">Valentine</td>
 </tr>
</tbody>
</table></div>

Area Football: C2-6 All District football team

The No. 11 Nebraska volleyball team's regular-season home finale with Rutgers scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 20 has been canceled due to non-COVID related illnesses within the Scarlet Knights' program, it was announced Thursday.

The decision was reached based on guidance from RU's medical staff out of an abundance of caution surrounding the health and safety of participants from both programs. In alignment with Big Ten forfeiture policies, the match will be recorded as a loss for Rutgers, and Nebraska will be credited with a conference win.

Ticket holders will be refunded for tickets and parking purchased for the canceled match. Refunds will be issued by the Nebraska Athletic Ticket Office at the conclusion of the season.

The Huskers' match with No. 15 Penn State on Friday, Nov. 19 remains on as scheduled. The Red Cross will collect monetary donations at the entrances to the Devaney Center, and NU will honor its five seniors with Senior Night festivities following Friday's 8 p.m. contest.

By NU Athletic CommunicationsThe No. 11 Nebraska volleyball team's regular-season home finale with Rutgers scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 20 has been canceled due to non-COVID related illnesses within the Scarlet Knights' program, it was announced Thursday.The decision was reached based on guidance from RU's medical staff out of an abundance of caution surrounding the health and safety of participants from both programs. In alignment with Big Ten forfeiture policies, the match will be recorded as a loss for Rutgers, and Nebraska will be credited with a conference win.Ticket holders will be refunded for tickets and parking purchased for the canceled match. Refunds will be issued by the Nebraska Athletic Ticket Office at the conclusion of the season.The Huskers' match with No. 15 Penn State on Friday, Nov. 19 remains on as scheduled. The Red Cross will collect monetary donations at the entrances to the Devaney Center, and NU will honor its five seniors with Senior Night festivities following Friday's 8 p.m. contest.

Huskers’ Saturday Match With Rutgers Canceled

&nbsp; By RONALD BLUM - Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — Shohei Ohtani’s two-way season was so incredible, MVP voters filled out the top of their ballots only one way.

Ohtani was a unanimous winner of the American League MVP award Thursday for a hitting and pitching display not seen since Babe Ruth, and Bryce Harper earned the National League honor for the second time.

Ohtani received all 30 first-place votes and 420 points in balloting by members of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America.

“American fans, the U.S.A. baseball, is more accepting and welcoming to the whole two-way idea compared to when I first started in Japan, so it made the transition a lot easier for me,” Ohtani said through translator Ippei Mizuhara. “I’m very thankful for that.”

Ohtani batted .257 with 46 homers, 100 RBIs and a .965 OPS as the Los Angeles Angels’ full-time designated hitter, and went 9-2 with a 3.18 ERA in 23 pitching starts with 156 strikeouts and 44 walks in 130 1/3 innings. It was the first full season on the mound for the 27-year-old right-hander since Tommy John surgery in 2019.

He averaged 95.6 mph with his fastball, 28th in the major leagues among qualified pitchers, and had a 93.6 mph exit velocity at the plate, which ranked sixth among qualified batters, according to MLB Statcast.

“MVP is something I was shooting for,” Ohtani said. “I think every player is, as long as they’re playing baseball professionally.”

Ohtani won AL Rookie of the Year in 2018 after leaving the Pacific League’s Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters to sign with the Angels. This year he became the first two-way starter in the history of the All-Star Game, which began in 1933.

He called that the highlight of his season.

“It was my first one and I got to play with a lot of players that I’ve always watched on TV,” Ohtani said. “That was a great experience.”

Ruth had just two seasons in which he thrived at the plate while pitching regularly. He batted .300 with 11 homers and 61 RBIs in 1918 while going 13-7 with a 2.22 ERA for Boston, then hit .322 with 29 homers and 113 RBIs in 1919 while going 9-5 with a 2.97 ERA. Ruth was sold to the Yankees that December and made just five mound appearances in his final 16 seasons.

Ohtani became the second Japanese MVP winner after Seattle outfielder Ichiro Suzuki in 2001.

“I’ve dealt with a lot of doubters, especially from my days in Japan, but tried not to let that get to me, let the pressure get to me,” Ohtani said. “I just wanted to have fun and see what kinds of numbers I could put up and what type of performance I could put up.”

Harper received 17 of 30 first-place votes and 348 points from a separate panel. Washington outfielder Juan Soto was second with six firsts and 274 points, and San Diego shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. was third with two firsts and 244 points.

Harper overcame getting hit on the left cheek with a 96.9 mph pitch from Génesis Cabrera of the St. Louis Cardinals on April 28, a ball that ricocheted off Harper’s left wrist. Tears came to his eyes when he learned he had won, and he talked about what he had overcome.

“I was, `Oh, I’m great. I’m fine.′ I’m pressing my face, `I’m good and I’m OK to get back,′ not knowing that maybe it was a little bit too soon for myself,” Harper said.

He hit .211 with three RBIs in May, then went on the injured list between May 22 and June 5.

“I had to take a break and understand that my wrist was still hurt, my face and my mental state probably wasn’t the greatest,” Harper said.

He finished with a .309 average and 35 homers for Philadelphia. The 29-year-old slugger led the majors with a .465 slugging percentage and 1.044 OPS, tied for the lead with 42 doubles and had 84 RBIs.

Harper was a unanimous MVP winner with Washington in 2015 and became the fifth player to win MVPs for different teams after Jimmie Foxx, Frank Robinson, Barry Bonds and Alex Rodriguez.

“This one just felt a little bit different,” Harper said. “I think being a little bit older, a little bit more mature, being able to have the teammates I do, have the family now that I do with my kids.”

Harper earned a $500,000 bonus for winning MVP in his third season of a $330 million, 13-year contract.

“Knowing I wasn’t going to have an empty stomach any night,” Harper said. “Having family dinner each night is big for us. So after a game, no matter if I’m 0 for 4 or 4 for 4, no matter if we lost or if we won, and everybody’s happy, everybody’s sad, I was getting home and we were going to have dinner together each night. And being able to sit down with your family and have dinner kind of puts things in perspective.”

Soto, a first-time All-Star at age 23, hit .313 with 29 homers and 95 RBIs. He led the majors with 145 walks and a .465 on-base percentage.

Tatis, 22, led the NL with 42 home runs, hitting .282 with 97 RBIs.

Toronto first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was second in the AL vote with 29 seconds and 269 points, and Blue Jays second baseman Marcus Semien was third with 232 points. Kansas City catcher Salvador Perez got the other second-place vote.

Guerrero, 22, tied for the major league lead with 48 homers, batting .311 with 111 RBIs. His father, Vladimir, won the 2004 AL MVP award with the Anaheim Angels.

Semien batted .265 with 42 homers and 102 RBIs. The 31-year-old is among the top free agents this offseason.

This marked the first time since the Chicago Cubs’ Andre Dawson and Toronto’s George Bell in 1987 that neither MVP’s team made the playoffs.

&nbsp; By RONALD BLUM - Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — Shohei Ohtani’s two-way season was so incredible, MVP voters filled out the top of their ballots only one way.Ohtani was a unanimous winner of the American League MVP award Thursday for a hitting and pitching display not seen since Babe Ruth, and Bryce Harper earned the National League honor for the second time.Ohtani received all 30 first-place votes and 420 points in balloting by members of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America.“American fans, the U.S.A. baseball, is more accepting and welcoming to the whole two-way idea compared to when I first started in Japan, so it made the transition a lot easier for me,” Ohtani said through translator Ippei Mizuhara. “I’m very thankful for that.”Ohtani batted .257 with 46 homers, 100 RBIs and a .965 OPS as the Los Angeles Angels’ full-time designated hitter, and went 9-2 with a 3.18 ERA in 23 pitching starts with 156 strikeouts and 44 walks in 130 1/3 innings. It was the first full season on the mound for the 27-year-old right-hander since Tommy John surgery in 2019.He averaged 95.6 mph with his fastball, 28th in the major leagues among qualified pitchers, and had a 93.6 mph exit velocity at the plate, which ranked sixth among qualified batters, according to MLB Statcast.“MVP is something I was shooting for,” Ohtani said. “I think every player is, as long as they’re playing baseball professionally.”Ohtani won AL Rookie of the Year in 2018 after leaving the Pacific League’s Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters to sign with the Angels. This year he became the first two-way starter in the history of the All-Star Game, which began in 1933.He called that the highlight of his season.“It was my first one and I got to play with a lot of players that I’ve always watched on TV,” Ohtani said. “That was a great experience.”Ruth had just two seasons in which he thrived at the plate while pitching regularly. He batted .300 with 11 homers and 61 RBIs in 1918 while going 13-7 with a 2.22 ERA for Boston, then hit .322 with 29 homers and 113 RBIs in 1919 while going 9-5 with a 2.97 ERA. Ruth was sold to the Yankees that December and made just five mound appearances in his final 16 seasons.Ohtani became the second Japanese MVP winner after Seattle outfielder Ichiro Suzuki in 2001.“I’ve dealt with a lot of doubters, especially from my days in Japan, but tried not to let that get to me, let the pressure get to me,” Ohtani said. “I just wanted to have fun and see what kinds of numbers I could put up and what type of performance I could put up.”Harper received 17 of 30 first-place votes and 348 points from a separate panel. Washington outfielder Juan Soto was second with six firsts and 274 points, and San Diego shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. was third with two firsts and 244 points.Harper overcame getting hit on the left cheek with a 96.9 mph pitch from Génesis Cabrera of the St. Louis Cardinals on April 28, a ball that ricocheted off Harper’s left wrist. Tears came to his eyes when he learned he had won, and he talked about what he had overcome.“I was, `Oh, I’m great. I’m fine.′ I’m pressing my face, `I’m good and I’m OK to get back,′ not knowing that maybe it was a little bit too soon for myself,” Harper said.He hit .211 with three RBIs in May, then went on the injured list between May 22 and June 5.“I had to take a break and understand that my wrist was still hurt, my face and my mental state probably wasn’t the greatest,” Harper said.He finished with a .309 average and 35 homers for Philadelphia. The 29-year-old slugger led the majors with a .465 slugging percentage and 1.044 OPS, tied for the lead with 42 doubles and had 84 RBIs.Harper was a unanimous MVP winner with Washington in 2015 and became the fifth player to win MVPs for different teams after Jimmie Foxx, Frank Robinson, Barry Bonds and Alex Rodriguez.“This one just felt a little bit different,” Harper said. “I think being a little bit older, a little bit more mature, being able to have the teammates I do, have the family now that I do with my kids.”Harper earned a $500,000 bonus for winning MVP in his third season of a $330 million, 13-year contract.He thanked his personal chef, Dan.“Knowing I wasn’t going to have an empty stomach any night,” Harper said. “Having family dinner each night is big for us. So after a game, no matter if I’m 0 for 4 or 4 for 4, no matter if we lost or if we won, and everybody’s happy, everybody’s sad, I was getting home and we were going to have dinner together each night. And being able to sit down with your family and have dinner kind of puts things in perspective.”Soto, a first-time All-Star at age 23, hit .313 with 29 homers and 95 RBIs. He led the majors with 145 walks and a .465 on-base percentage.Tatis, 22, led the NL with 42 home runs, hitting .282 with 97 RBIs.Toronto first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was second in the AL vote with 29 seconds and 269 points, and Blue Jays second baseman Marcus Semien was third with 232 points. Kansas City catcher Salvador Perez got the other second-place vote.Guerrero, 22, tied for the major league lead with 48 homers, batting .311 with 111 RBIs. His father, Vladimir, won the 2004 AL MVP award with the Anaheim Angels.Semien batted .265 with 42 homers and 102 RBIs. The 31-year-old is among the top free agents this offseason.This marked the first time since the Chicago Cubs’ Andre Dawson and Toronto’s George Bell in 1987 that neither MVP’s team made the playoffs.

Ohtani voted AL MVP for 2-way season, Harper wins NL honor

Nebraska head coach Scott Frost met with members of the media following Thursday's practice. Frost discussed the challenge of going against Wisconsin's aggressive defense.

"Coach (Jim) Leonhard does a great job," Frost said. "(Wisconsin) plays with an aggressive attitude. They are big. They are physical. They have a good player at every position. They are tough to sustain drives against. They mix it up a lot more than they have before, so they are hard to dial in. They know what they are doing. You have to go earn what you can get from them."

Frost spoke highly of defensive coordinator, Erik Chinander, and the culture he has built.

"Chinander has done a great job," he said. "That whole staff has done a great job. I think they are getting everything out the guys that they can right now. We have been really solid on that side of the ball. The best thing about that side of the ball is there is a culture of toughness and togetherness. He has done a good job establishing that and creating that and maintaining that. I am so glad those guys are here and they are going to keep working to keep getting even better."

He also talked about the team's resiliency.

"There is not a lot of quit in these guys," Frost said. "I think that comes from relationships within the team. These guys are going to keep battling and they know how close they have been. They are excited about this game. It just speaks to the character of the players that we have and that has just continued to improve and get better. These guys will keep playing hard."

The Huskers are set to play Wisconsin on Saturday, Nov. 20 at 2:30 p.m. in Madison, Wis. at Camp Randall Stadium. Radio coverage will be provided by Huskers Radio Network.

By NU Athletic CommunicationsNebraska head coach Scott Frost met with members of the media following Thursday's practice. Frost discussed the challenge of going against Wisconsin's aggressive defense."Coach (Jim) Leonhard does a great job," Frost said. "(Wisconsin) plays with an aggressive attitude. They are big. They are physical. They have a good player at every position. They are tough to sustain drives against. They mix it up a lot more than they have before, so they are hard to dial in. They know what they are doing. You have to go earn what you can get from them."Frost spoke highly of defensive coordinator, Erik Chinander, and the culture he has built."Chinander has done a great job," he said. "That whole staff has done a great job. I think they are getting everything out the guys that they can right now. We have been really solid on that side of the ball. The best thing about that side of the ball is there is a culture of toughness and togetherness. He has done a good job establishing that and creating that and maintaining that. I am so glad those guys are here and they are going to keep working to keep getting even better."He also talked about the team's resiliency."There is not a lot of quit in these guys," Frost said. "I think that comes from relationships within the team. These guys are going to keep battling and they know how close they have been. They are excited about this game. It just speaks to the character of the players that we have and that has just continued to improve and get better. These guys will keep playing hard."The Huskers are set to play Wisconsin on Saturday, Nov. 20 at 2:30 p.m. in Madison, Wis. at Camp Randall Stadium. Radio coverage will be provided by Huskers Radio Network.

Frost Talks on Culture and Resiliency Ahead of Wisconsin

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637163592406.png" alt="2021 D6-5 All-District Voting - Media.png" />
 <figcaption>2021 D6-5 All-District Voting - Media.png</figcaption>
 </figure>

Area sports: D6-5 All district football team announced

Kobe Webster had a team-high 20 points off the bench to lead three Huskers in doubles figures, but Nebraska's slow start proved costly in a 77-69 loss to Creighton Tuesday evening at Pinnacle Bank Arena.

Webster, who missed NU's first two games because of injury, provided a spark, as the senior keyed a 21-4 first-half run that saw the Huskers erase a 19-point deficit to one late in the first half.

Nebraska (1-2) stayed within striking distance the rest of the evening and was within 62-62 with 3:40 left, but Ryan Hawkins hit two straight 3-pointers to extend the Bluejay lead to 74-62 with 1:29 remaining.

Hawkins finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds, while Ryan Nembhard had a game-high 22 points and five assists to lead four CU players in double figures. The Bluejays shot 46 percent, including 10-of-23 from 3-point range.

CJ Wilcher had a career-high 15 points for the Huskers off the bench while Alonzo Verge Jr. also finished in double figures with 10 points.

Nebraska thrilled the sellout crowd of 15,939 by scoring five of the first six points, but missed 16 of their next 17 shots, as Creighton took advantage. The Bluejays used a pair of 13-0 spurts taking a 29-10 lead just 10 minutes into the contest.

The Huskers finally got going behind the play of Webster, Bryce McGowens and Wilcher.  Trailing by 18, McGowens had six straight points before a Wilcher 3-pointer capped a 9-0 spurt to pull within 33-24.  Webster then keyed a 12-2 spurt, as the senior hit a trio of 3-pointers to get NU within 37-36 with 1:04 left in the half.

Off four-straight points from Verge and a 3-pointer from Mayen, the Huskers were within 44-43 with 16:25 remaining. The lead stayed between threee and eight points until Hawkins' consecutive 3-pointers in the final four minutes.

The Huskers return to action Friday night when they take on Idaho State at home. Tipoff from Pinnacle Bank Arena is set for 6 p.m. (CT) and will be streamed on B1G+ and the Huskers Radio Network. Tickets are available by calling 800-8-BIGRED or visiting Huskers.com/tickets.

By NU Athletic CommunicationKobe Webster had a team-high 20 points off the bench to lead three Huskers in doubles figures, but Nebraska's slow start proved costly in a 77-69 loss to Creighton Tuesday evening at Pinnacle Bank Arena.Webster, who missed NU's first two games because of injury, provided a spark, as the senior keyed a 21-4 first-half run that saw the Huskers erase a 19-point deficit to one late in the first half.Nebraska (1-2) stayed within striking distance the rest of the evening and was within 62-62 with 3:40 left, but Ryan Hawkins hit two straight 3-pointers to extend the Bluejay lead to 74-62 with 1:29 remaining.Hawkins finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds, while Ryan Nembhard had a game-high 22 points and five assists to lead four CU players in double figures. The Bluejays shot 46 percent, including 10-of-23 from 3-point range.CJ Wilcher had a career-high 15 points for the Huskers off the bench while Alonzo Verge Jr. also finished in double figures with 10 points.Nebraska thrilled the sellout crowd of 15,939 by scoring five of the first six points, but missed 16 of their next 17 shots, as Creighton took advantage. The Bluejays used a pair of 13-0 spurts taking a 29-10 lead just 10 minutes into the contest.The Huskers finally got going behind the play of Webster, Bryce McGowens and Wilcher. Trailing by 18, McGowens had six straight points before a Wilcher 3-pointer capped a 9-0 spurt to pull within 33-24. Webster then keyed a 12-2 spurt, as the senior hit a trio of 3-pointers to get NU within 37-36 with 1:04 left in the half.Off four-straight points from Verge and a 3-pointer from Mayen, the Huskers were within 44-43 with 16:25 remaining. The lead stayed between threee and eight points until Hawkins' consecutive 3-pointers in the final four minutes.The Huskers return to action Friday night when they take on Idaho State at home. Tipoff from Pinnacle Bank Arena is set for 6 p.m. (CT) and will be streamed on B1G+ and the Huskers Radio Network. Tickets are available by calling 800-8-BIGRED or visiting Huskers.com/tickets.

Huskers Slow Start Proves Costly

Story and photo By Daniel Stinman -&nbsp;Area Director of Marketing and Public Information

North Platte, Neb. – The North Platte Community College women’s basketball team returned home to take on York College on Monday evening. North Platte surged from the start easily capitalizing on early offensive possessions to cruise to a 96-42 victory.

“It was a great team win tonight,” said head coach Jeff Thurman. “We had every one of our student-athletes step up and contribute, but now we must get prepared for two tough games on the road this weekend.”

The Knights offensive surged out of the gate opening a 6-0 lead as a steal by Janay Brauer turned into a quick layup in transition. The Panthers connected on a long range three on their next possession to cut the deficit to three with 7:18 remaining in the opening quarter.

North Platte extended their lead to eight on a stop and pop jumper by Madison Heinzen shortly before the first media timeout to push their lead to eight, 12-4. Out of the break, York managed to cut the deficit to five, before the Knights responded with a transition three by Isa Valenzuela, 17-9. Knights continued their offensive attack and extended their lead back to eight at the end of the first quarter on a three by Brauer, 22-14.    

York trimmed the deficit down to six in the early minutes of the second quarter, before North Platte responded by pushing their lead to thirteen as Kayla Pope got her contested layup to fall in the lane, 29-16. The Knights continued their lockdown defensive in the second quarter, limiting the Panthers to just five more points on the offensive end, while extending their lead to twenty at the halftime break, 41-21.

Into the third quarter, the Knights lead grew to eighteen as a steal by Jordyn Moon turned into a transition layup for Tahmeya King with 8:21 remaining in the quarter. North Platte extended their lead to twenty-one as Oakley Butler found Avery Johnson in transition for the open layup, 55-24.

Panthers went on a short 6-0 run over the next two minutes, before the Valenzuela halted the momentum on a three from the left wing, 58-30. York outscored the Knights over the remaining minutes, but North Platte ended the quarter with a twenty-seven-point advantage, 60-33.

The Knights offense boomed in the fourth quarter outscoring the Panthers 36-9 over the final ten minutes. A quick 12-0 run to open the quarter lifted the lead to thirty-nine with 7:20 to play in regulation, 72-33. Panthers and Knights traded baskets over the next few minutes before another 10-0 run by the Knights, capped off by Johnson going one-of-two at the free throw line pushed the lead to forty-nine with 3:01 to play.

North Platte went to the bench often in the game but in the closing minutes the Knights deep bench shined, limiting the Panthers to just five points as the Knights earned their fourth win of the season.   

Diamond Moore-Heath led all scorers with 21 points and seven rebounds in just seventeen minutes of action. Fumnaya Ijeh (14), Pope (13), and Johnson (10) rounded out the Knights double-digit scorers on the evening.

North Platte (4-1) now hits the true road portion of their 2021-2022 schedule travelling to Marshalltown, Iowa for the Emerson Classic. Knights will open the tournament with host Marshalltown Community College on Friday, November 19 at 5pm.

Story and photo By Daniel Stinman -&nbsp;Area Director of Marketing and Public InformationNorth Platte, Neb. – The North Platte Community College women’s basketball team returned home to take on York College on Monday evening. North Platte surged from the start easily capitalizing on early offensive possessions to cruise to a 96-42 victory.“It was a great team win tonight,” said head coach Jeff Thurman. “We had every one of our student-athletes step up and contribute, but now we must get prepared for two tough games on the road this weekend.”The Knights offensive surged out of the gate opening a 6-0 lead as a steal by Janay Brauer turned into a quick layup in transition. The Panthers connected on a long range three on their next possession to cut the deficit to three with 7:18 remaining in the opening quarter.North Platte extended their lead to eight on a stop and pop jumper by Madison Heinzen shortly before the first media timeout to push their lead to eight, 12-4. Out of the break, York managed to cut the deficit to five, before the Knights responded with a transition three by Isa Valenzuela, 17-9. Knights continued their offensive attack and extended their lead back to eight at the end of the first quarter on a three by Brauer, 22-14. York trimmed the deficit down to six in the early minutes of the second quarter, before North Platte responded by pushing their lead to thirteen as Kayla Pope got her contested layup to fall in the lane, 29-16. The Knights continued their lockdown defensive in the second quarter, limiting the Panthers to just five more points on the offensive end, while extending their lead to twenty at the halftime break, 41-21.Into the third quarter, the Knights lead grew to eighteen as a steal by Jordyn Moon turned into a transition layup for Tahmeya King with 8:21 remaining in the quarter. North Platte extended their lead to twenty-one as Oakley Butler found Avery Johnson in transition for the open layup, 55-24.Panthers went on a short 6-0 run over the next two minutes, before the Valenzuela halted the momentum on a three from the left wing, 58-30. York outscored the Knights over the remaining minutes, but North Platte ended the quarter with a twenty-seven-point advantage, 60-33.The Knights offense boomed in the fourth quarter outscoring the Panthers 36-9 over the final ten minutes. A quick 12-0 run to open the quarter lifted the lead to thirty-nine with 7:20 to play in regulation, 72-33. Panthers and Knights traded baskets over the next few minutes before another 10-0 run by the Knights, capped off by Johnson going one-of-two at the free throw line pushed the lead to forty-nine with 3:01 to play.North Platte went to the bench often in the game but in the closing minutes the Knights deep bench shined, limiting the Panthers to just five points as the Knights earned their fourth win of the season. Diamond Moore-Heath led all scorers with 21 points and seven rebounds in just seventeen minutes of action. Fumnaya Ijeh (14), Pope (13), and Johnson (10) rounded out the Knights double-digit scorers on the evening.North Platte (4-1) now hits the true road portion of their 2021-2022 schedule travelling to Marshalltown, Iowa for the Emerson Classic. Knights will open the tournament with host Marshalltown Community College on Friday, November 19 at 5pm.

Knights charge by Panthers

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636934813933.png" alt="'21-22 RPAC All Conference Volleyball Teams-1.png" />
 <figcaption>'21-22 RPAC All Conference Volleyball Teams-1.png</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1637074964250.png" alt="news release west 2021.png" />
 <figcaption>news release west 2021.png</figcaption>
 </figure>

Sports