Keeley Vaughan has been named as the new timed events rodeo coach for the Mid-Plains Community College Rodeo Team.

She began serving as interim timed events rodeo coach in September and moved into the more permanent role Jan. 2. Although the team is area-wide, Vaughan will be based out of McCook.

“I’m looking forward to helping the athletes progress in their roping abilities,” Vaughan said. “I really enjoy the horsemanship part of rodeo and always enjoyed helping kids figure out what works for them. I really like being around those who want to win and watching their skills bloom and flourish.”

Vaughan is originally from Klamath Falls, Ore. She won her first leadline class in a horse show at age 2.

“I grew up horseback,” Vaughan said. “My mom ran barrels, and my dad was a cowboy for a local ranch, so I went to work with him a lot. In eighth grade, I wanted to learn how to rope, and my dad taught me the basics. As I got older, I did junior rodeos, junior high rodeos and high school rodeos. I got in with Dean Walker, and he ended up teaching me everything I know and supplied me with a horse. That’s who I owe for all that.”

Because her family’s farm is on the Oregon and California border, Vaughan high school rodeoed in California. She qualified for state all four years in barrel racing, goat tying and girls cutting and competed at the Silver State International Rodeo, which is open to National High School Rodeo Association members who place fifth through 25th at their state finals.

Following her graduation from Henley High School, in Klamath Falls, in 2015, Vaughan continued her rodeo career at Treasure Valley Community College in Ontario, Ore.

“When I went to community college, I was taken care of on a personal level,” Vaughan said. “It didn’t seem overwhelming. I wasn’t just another kid passing through the halls as a number. That meant a lot to me, and that personal feel is something I want to carry on at MPCC.”

She started out studying sports medicine at Treasure Valley, but because of low enrollment, the program was canceled. Vaughan was already on the rodeo team, so she stayed but changed her major to equine production.

She qualified for the College National Finals Rodeo in barrel racing in 2016 and earned an associate degree a year later.

Vaughan subsequently returned home and took a job training rope horses for Bill Hill Quarter Horses. She also stepped up her game in the rodeo arena, buying a Women’s Professional Rodeo Association card and qualifying in breakaway roping for the WPRA World Finals in Waco, Texas in 2018.

Vaughan made her way to the Midwest four years ago where she continues to compete at amateur rodeos and local jackpots. She has spent the past couple of years working for H. J. Farms and Ranches at McCook.

She was asked to mentor the MPCC Rodeo Team’s breakaway contestants prior to her selection as interim and is looking forward to building on the momentum that has already been established.

“Moving forward, I really want our top breakaway roper to win the region,” Vaughan said. “Our men’s team has been doing great things all season, and I want to continue that, but I also want to get the ball rolling on the women’s team. I would love to see them start making more short gos and placing at more rodeos, so I plan to focus on getting a little stronger in that area.”

The MPCC Rodeo Team has had a break in competitions since October. The season will resume in April.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704742439614.jpeg" alt="Keeley Vaughan" />
 <figcaption>Keeley Vaughan</figcaption>
 </figure>Heather Johnson MPCCKeeley Vaughan has been named as the new timed events rodeo coach for the Mid-Plains Community College Rodeo Team.She began serving as interim timed events rodeo coach in September and moved into the more permanent role Jan. 2. Although the team is area-wide, Vaughan will be based out of McCook.“I’m looking forward to helping the athletes progress in their roping abilities,” Vaughan said. “I really enjoy the horsemanship part of rodeo and always enjoyed helping kids figure out what works for them. I really like being around those who want to win and watching their skills bloom and flourish.”Vaughan is originally from Klamath Falls, Ore. She won her first leadline class in a horse show at age 2.“I grew up horseback,” Vaughan said. “My mom ran barrels, and my dad was a cowboy for a local ranch, so I went to work with him a lot. In eighth grade, I wanted to learn how to rope, and my dad taught me the basics. As I got older, I did junior rodeos, junior high rodeos and high school rodeos. I got in with Dean Walker, and he ended up teaching me everything I know and supplied me with a horse. That’s who I owe for all that.”Because her family’s farm is on the Oregon and California border, Vaughan high school rodeoed in California. She qualified for state all four years in barrel racing, goat tying and girls cutting and competed at the Silver State International Rodeo, which is open to National High School Rodeo Association members who place fifth through 25th at their state finals.Following her graduation from Henley High School, in Klamath Falls, in 2015, Vaughan continued her rodeo career at Treasure Valley Community College in Ontario, Ore.“When I went to community college, I was taken care of on a personal level,” Vaughan said. “It didn’t seem overwhelming. I wasn’t just another kid passing through the halls as a number. That meant a lot to me, and that personal feel is something I want to carry on at MPCC.”She started out studying sports medicine at Treasure Valley, but because of low enrollment, the program was canceled. Vaughan was already on the rodeo team, so she stayed but changed her major to equine production.She qualified for the College National Finals Rodeo in barrel racing in 2016 and earned an associate degree a year later.Vaughan subsequently returned home and took a job training rope horses for Bill Hill Quarter Horses. She also stepped up her game in the rodeo arena, buying a Women’s Professional Rodeo Association card and qualifying in breakaway roping for the WPRA World Finals in Waco, Texas in 2018.Vaughan made her way to the Midwest four years ago where she continues to compete at amateur rodeos and local jackpots. She has spent the past couple of years working for H. J. Farms and Ranches at McCook.She was asked to mentor the MPCC Rodeo Team’s breakaway contestants prior to her selection as interim and is looking forward to building on the momentum that has already been established.“Moving forward, I really want our top breakaway roper to win the region,” Vaughan said. “Our men’s team has been doing great things all season, and I want to continue that, but I also want to get the ball rolling on the women’s team. I would love to see them start making more short gos and placing at more rodeos, so I plan to focus on getting a little stronger in that area.”The MPCC Rodeo Team has had a break in competitions since October. The season will resume in April.

MPCC Rodeo Team names new timed events rodeo coach

Story by NU Athletic Communications

The Nebraska men's basketball team hosts its biggest challenge of the season Tuesday evening, as the Huskers host No. 1 Purdue at Pinnacle Bank Arena.&nbsp;

Tipoff between the Huskers and Boilermakers is set for 8:02 p.m. and a limited number of 300 Level tickets are available by Huskers.com/Tickets, calling 800-8-BIGRED during business hours (Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.-5 p.m.) or at PBA beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday. The game will be carried on the Huskers Radio Network and broadcast online on Peacock with Jac Collinsworth and Robbie Hummel.&nbsp;

It is the first time that the Nebraska men has hosted a No. 1 team since 2002, and just the sixth time in program history that NU has welcomed the nation's top-ranked team to town.&nbsp;

Nebraska (12-3, 2-2 Big Ten) looks to bounce back following an 88-72 loss at No. 21 Wisconsin on Saturday. The Huskers ran into a hot-shooting Badger team who shot 55 percent from the floor and hit a season-high 13 3-pointers to snap Nebraska's five-game win streak. Nebraska performed well offensively, shooting nearly 50 percent from the field and tied a season high with 12 3-pointers in a losing effort.&nbsp;

Senior guard Keisei Tominaga led three Huskers in double figures with 17 points, as he continued a strong week. Tominaga averaged 22.5 points per game on 64 percent shooting, including 44 percent from 3-point range, in Nebraska's two games this week.

Purdue (14-1, 3-1 Big Ten) comes off an 83-78 win over No. 9 Illinois on Friday night. While Zach Edey posted a double-double with 10 points and 15 rebounds, it was Trey Kaufman-Renn who shined with a team-high 23 points to lead four Boilermakers in double figures. Purdue built a 21-point lead with just over 12 minutes remaining and withstood a furious Illinois comeback in the final minutes.

Huskers vs. No. 1&nbsp;Tuesday's game against Purdue will mark Nebraska's 17th game against the nation's No. 1 team in program history and first since Feb. 13, 2013. &nbsp;It is also the first time that the Huskers have hosted a No. 1 team since Feb. 24, 2002, when Keith Langford’s 3-pointer with 33 seconds left lifted Kansas to an 88-87 win over the Huskers. NU is 3-13 all-time against No. 1 teams and short recaps of the three wins are below.&nbsp;

vs. Kansas State (3/3/58): Wilson Fitzpatrick's 19 points and 10 rebounds led the Huskers to a 55-48 win over a Kansas State team coached by Tex Winter and led by All-American Bob Boozer. &nbsp;It was Nebraska's second top five win in as many games, as Nebraska had topped No. 4 Kansas and Wilt Chamberlain, 43-41 in the previous contest. NU's head coach was Jerry Bush - the grandfather of current Husker coach Fred Hoiberg.

vs. Michigan (12/12/64): Fred Hare tipped in a rebound in the last second to lead Nebraska back from a 14-point deficit and a 74-73 win. With eight seconds remaining, Hare missed a 15-footer but got his own rebound and put it back in the final second to give Nebraska a win.&nbsp;

at Missouri (2/6/1982): Jack Moore and Greg Downing combined for 26 points leading Nebraska to a 67-51 win in Columbia. Missouri entered the game with a 19-0 mark and a 29-game home winning streak, but Nebraska's defense held Big Eight Player of the Year Ricky Frazier to just six points. NU went 25 of 31 from the line in earning its first win in Columbia since 1974.

Worth Noting&nbsp;• Nebraska enters Tuesday's game with a 12-3 record, the program's best start in the Big Ten era (2011-12 to present) and best since the 2010-11 team won 13 of its first 15 contests.

• The Huskers have snapped several streaks over the last month. The Dec. 10 win over Michigan State snapped an 11-game losing streak to the Spartans dating back to 2016. The Dec. 17 win over Kansas State broke a seven-game losing streak to the Wildcats dating back to 2009, while last Wednesday’s win over Indiana was its first since 2019, as Indiana had won seven straight meetings entering the contest.

• Nebraska will look to break another streak on Tuesday, as NU has lost its last five games to ranked teams dating back to a 63-53 win at No. 7 Creighton on Dec. 4, 2022. &nbsp;The Huskers are 3-5 in their last seven games against ranked opponents dating back to March 1, 2002.

• &nbsp;The Huskers are 18-6 over the last 23 games dating back to Feb. 1, 2023, which is second only to Purdue in terms of winning percentage. &nbsp;A big reason for that is NU's offense, as NU has averaged 76.5 ppg on 46 percent shooting in that stretch.

• Nebraska enters the Purdue game averaging 77.8 points per game. It is NU's highest points per game average since averaging 80.2 points per game in the 1995-96 season and on pace to finish in the top 10 in single-season scoring average. &nbsp;It is also more than 10 points per game higher than NU's average at the 15-game mark in 2002-23. NU has climbed from 149th to 44th nationally in offensive efficiency in KenPom as of Jan. 7.

• The Huskers are now 23-4 under Fred Hoiberg when scoring at least 80 points, including 18-1 over the last three seasons. The only loss was a 104-100 quadruple overtime game at North Carolina State on Dec. 1, 2021. NU has won its last 16 games when reaching the 80-point plateau.

• Nebraska held Kansas State to 46 points on Dec. 17 in holding the Wildcats to their fewest points since the 2020-21 season and third-fewest total at home since Bramlage Coliseum opened in 1988. &nbsp;It marked the fewest points NU allowed on the road since joining the Big Ten and was only the second time NU had held an opponent under 50 points on the road since the 2011-12 season. Nebraska allowed just 0.68 points per possession, its lowest total in the Big Ten era.

• The Huskers held South Carolina State to 11 first-half points on Dec. 29. The 11 points allowed broke a Pinnacle Bank Arena record for fewest points allowed in a half, breaking the mark of 13 set two times. It was also the fewest points NU allowed in a half since allowing nine to Jackson State in 2009.

• One strength of the Huskers has been getting to the free throw line. NU has shot more free throws in 12 of 15 games in 2023-24 and its +89 differential ranks fourth in the Big Ten as of Jan. 8. Nebraska has had more free throws made (236) than opponents have attempted (228). NU allows just 15.2 free throw attempts per game to rank fourth in the Big Ten as of Jan. 8.

• Nebraska enters Tuesday's game ranked fourth in the Big Ten in free throw shooting at 74.4 percent. &nbsp;While it is still early in the season, it is on pace to be one of NU's highest season percentages. NU has not shot over 74 percent from the foul line since the 2011-12 season when NU shot a school-record 76.6 percent.&nbsp;

• Nebraska's bench has provided a spark, averaging 23.4 points per game. The Huskers' leading scorer has come from the bench five times (Hoiberg-Lindenwood; Wilcher-Rider, North Dakota and South Carolina State; Gary-Stony Brook) and NU has had 13 double-figure efforts from its bench in 2023-24, including three straight from C.J. Wilcher.&nbsp;

• Nebraska won its first seven games by 10 or more points. It was just the second time in over 100 years - the other was from Dec. 3-30, 1990 - that the Huskers won seven straight games by double figures.

• The Huskers finished non-conference action with a 10-1 mark, matching itheir best non-conference record since joining the Big Ten (also 2018-19).

Numbers to Know1 - Rienk Mast is one of six players nationally and the only power conference player as of Jan. 4 averaging&nbsp;at least 10 points, 9 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game this season.&nbsp;

1.42 -Nebraska's assist-to-turnover ratio this season, which is sixth in the Big Ten as of Jan. 8. NU's best assist-to-turnover ratio in the last decade is 1.32, set in the 2018-19 season. That season, NU had 9.96 turnovers per game, the lowest average since assists were tracked in 1978-79.

2 - Wisconsin became just the second Husker opponent in the last 22 games to shoot 50 percent against Nebraska. The previous season high for a Husker opponent was .472 at Minnesota on Dec. 6. NU ranks fourth in the Big Ten in field goal percentage defense (.390) as of Jan. 8.

4 - The 14-point deficit against North Dakota on Dec. 20 was NU's largest comeback of the season and fourth time under Fred Hoiberg that Nebraska has overcome a double-digit deficit. It was also NU's largest comeback vs. a non-conference foe since the 2014-15 season.&nbsp;

9.3 - NU ranks second in the Big Ten with 9.3 3-pointers per game as of Jan. 8. &nbsp;NU has averaged more than 8.0 3-pointers/game just twice in program history (2001-02 and 2020-21). The Huskers are 7-1 this season when hitting at least 10 3-pointers.

18.5 - Keisei Tominaga is averaging 18.5 points per game on 58 percent shooting in Nebraska's games against ranked opponents this season. In his last six games againt ranked foes dating back to last year, Tominaga is shooting 52 percent, including 50 percent from 3-point range.

79.7 - Nebraska is shooting 79.7 percent from the foul line (149-187) over the last 10 contests dating back to Nov. 22. Keisei Tominaga is shooting a team-best 91.7 percent (33-of-36) in that span.

1,004 - Career points for Nebraska guard Brice Williams, who went over the 1,000-point mark in Saturday's loss at No. 21 Wisconsin. Williams had 10 points and dished out a career-high six assists against the Badgers.

About PurduePurdue comes to Lincoln with a 14-1 record following an 83-78 win over No. 9 Illinois last Friday. The Boilermakers have been battle tested with wins over Gonzaga, Tennessee, Marquette, Alabama and Arizona during non-conference action. Purdue's only loss is a three-point OT loss at Northwestern on Dec. 1.&nbsp;

Purdue returned all five starters from a team that swept the Big Ten regular-season and tournament titles and won 29 games last season for Matt Painter, who is in his 19th season at Purdue.&nbsp;

Purdue's attack starts with Zach Edey, as the 7-foot-4 center looks to become a two-time national player of the year.&nbsp; Edey leads the Big Ten in scoring (22.3 ppg), rebounding (10.6 rpg) and field goal percentage (.634) and has nine double doubles in Purdue’s 15 contests. Edey is one of four Boilermakers averaging double figures, as guards Braden Smith (13.0 ppg, 6.7 apg), Fletcher Loyer (10.9 ppg) and Lance Jones (11.2 ppg) provide perimeter scoring. Purdue averages over 85 points per game and leads the Big Ten in 3-point percentage (.394).&nbsp;

Series History: Tuesday's game between the Huskers and Purdue will be the 27th all-time meeting between the two programs in a series that dates back to 1947. Purdue holds a 20-6 lead in the all-time series, including a 13-4 mark (13-3 in regular season; 1-1 in Big Ten Tournament) since Nebraska joined the Big Ten in 2011-12. Nebraska’s last win over Purdue in 2019 featured the first triple-double in school history by Cam Mack. Last year in Lincoln, Nebraska rallied back from a 14-point deficit to send the game into overtime after Keisei Tominaga's 3-pointer with nine seconds left. In overtime, Fletcher Loyer's basket with 1:30 remaining in OT gave Purdue the lead for good, as he scored a game-high 22 points. Purdue also posted an 73-55 win in West Lafayette.&nbsp;

Story by NU Athletic CommunicationsThe Nebraska men's basketball team hosts its biggest challenge of the season Tuesday evening, as the Huskers host No. 1 Purdue at Pinnacle Bank Arena.&nbsp;Tipoff between the Huskers and Boilermakers is set for 8:02 p.m. and a limited number of 300 Level tickets are available by Huskers.com/Tickets, calling 800-8-BIGRED during business hours (Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.-5 p.m.) or at PBA beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday. The game will be carried on the Huskers Radio Network and broadcast online on Peacock with Jac Collinsworth and Robbie Hummel.&nbsp;It is the first time that the Nebraska men has hosted a No. 1 team since 2002, and just the sixth time in program history that NU has welcomed the nation's top-ranked team to town.&nbsp;Nebraska (12-3, 2-2 Big Ten) looks to bounce back following an 88-72 loss at No. 21 Wisconsin on Saturday. The Huskers ran into a hot-shooting Badger team who shot 55 percent from the floor and hit a season-high 13 3-pointers to snap Nebraska's five-game win streak. Nebraska performed well offensively, shooting nearly 50 percent from the field and tied a season high with 12 3-pointers in a losing effort.&nbsp;Senior guard Keisei Tominaga led three Huskers in double figures with 17 points, as he continued a strong week. Tominaga averaged 22.5 points per game on 64 percent shooting, including 44 percent from 3-point range, in Nebraska's two games this week.Purdue (14-1, 3-1 Big Ten) comes off an 83-78 win over No. 9 Illinois on Friday night. While Zach Edey posted a double-double with 10 points and 15 rebounds, it was Trey Kaufman-Renn who shined with a team-high 23 points to lead four Boilermakers in double figures. Purdue built a 21-point lead with just over 12 minutes remaining and withstood a furious Illinois comeback in the final minutes.Huskers vs. No. 1&nbsp;Tuesday's game against Purdue will mark Nebraska's 17th game against the nation's No. 1 team in program history and first since Feb. 13, 2013. &nbsp;It is also the first time that the Huskers have hosted a No. 1 team since Feb. 24, 2002, when Keith Langford’s 3-pointer with 33 seconds left lifted Kansas to an 88-87 win over the Huskers. NU is 3-13 all-time against No. 1 teams and short recaps of the three wins are below.&nbsp;vs. Kansas State (3/3/58): Wilson Fitzpatrick's 19 points and 10 rebounds led the Huskers to a 55-48 win over a Kansas State team coached by Tex Winter and led by All-American Bob Boozer. &nbsp;It was Nebraska's second top five win in as many games, as Nebraska had topped No. 4 Kansas and Wilt Chamberlain, 43-41 in the previous contest. NU's head coach was Jerry Bush - the grandfather of current Husker coach Fred Hoiberg.vs. Michigan (12/12/64): Fred Hare tipped in a rebound in the last second to lead Nebraska back from a 14-point deficit and a 74-73 win. With eight seconds remaining, Hare missed a 15-footer but got his own rebound and put it back in the final second to give Nebraska a win.&nbsp;at Missouri (2/6/1982): Jack Moore and Greg Downing combined for 26 points leading Nebraska to a 67-51 win in Columbia. Missouri entered the game with a 19-0 mark and a 29-game home winning streak, but Nebraska's defense held Big Eight Player of the Year Ricky Frazier to just six points. NU went 25 of 31 from the line in earning its first win in Columbia since 1974.Worth Noting&nbsp;• Nebraska enters Tuesday's game with a 12-3 record, the program's best start in the Big Ten era (2011-12 to present) and best since the 2010-11 team won 13 of its first 15 contests.• The Huskers have snapped several streaks over the last month. The Dec. 10 win over Michigan State snapped an 11-game losing streak to the Spartans dating back to 2016. The Dec. 17 win over Kansas State broke a seven-game losing streak to the Wildcats dating back to 2009, while last Wednesday’s win over Indiana was its first since 2019, as Indiana had won seven straight meetings entering the contest.• Nebraska will look to break another streak on Tuesday, as NU has lost its last five games to ranked teams dating back to a 63-53 win at No. 7 Creighton on Dec. 4, 2022. &nbsp;The Huskers are 3-5 in their last seven games against ranked opponents dating back to March 1, 2002.• &nbsp;The Huskers are 18-6 over the last 23 games dating back to Feb. 1, 2023, which is second only to Purdue in terms of winning percentage. &nbsp;A big reason for that is NU's offense, as NU has averaged 76.5 ppg on 46 percent shooting in that stretch.• Nebraska enters the Purdue game averaging 77.8 points per game. It is NU's highest points per game average since averaging 80.2 points per game in the 1995-96 season and on pace to finish in the top 10 in single-season scoring average. &nbsp;It is also more than 10 points per game higher than NU's average at the 15-game mark in 2002-23. NU has climbed from 149th to 44th nationally in offensive efficiency in KenPom as of Jan. 7.• The Huskers are now 23-4 under Fred Hoiberg when scoring at least 80 points, including 18-1 over the last three seasons. The only loss was a 104-100 quadruple overtime game at North Carolina State on Dec. 1, 2021. NU has won its last 16 games when reaching the 80-point plateau.• Nebraska held Kansas State to 46 points on Dec. 17 in holding the Wildcats to their fewest points since the 2020-21 season and third-fewest total at home since Bramlage Coliseum opened in 1988. &nbsp;It marked the fewest points NU allowed on the road since joining the Big Ten and was only the second time NU had held an opponent under 50 points on the road since the 2011-12 season. Nebraska allowed just 0.68 points per possession, its lowest total in the Big Ten era.• The Huskers held South Carolina State to 11 first-half points on Dec. 29. The 11 points allowed broke a Pinnacle Bank Arena record for fewest points allowed in a half, breaking the mark of 13 set two times. It was also the fewest points NU allowed in a half since allowing nine to Jackson State in 2009.• One strength of the Huskers has been getting to the free throw line. NU has shot more free throws in 12 of 15 games in 2023-24 and its +89 differential ranks fourth in the Big Ten as of Jan. 8. Nebraska has had more free throws made (236) than opponents have attempted (228). NU allows just 15.2 free throw attempts per game to rank fourth in the Big Ten as of Jan. 8.• Nebraska enters Tuesday's game ranked fourth in the Big Ten in free throw shooting at 74.4 percent. &nbsp;While it is still early in the season, it is on pace to be one of NU's highest season percentages. NU has not shot over 74 percent from the foul line since the 2011-12 season when NU shot a school-record 76.6 percent.&nbsp;• Nebraska's bench has provided a spark, averaging 23.4 points per game. The Huskers' leading scorer has come from the bench five times (Hoiberg-Lindenwood; Wilcher-Rider, North Dakota and South Carolina State; Gary-Stony Brook) and NU has had 13 double-figure efforts from its bench in 2023-24, including three straight from C.J. Wilcher.&nbsp;• Nebraska won its first seven games by 10 or more points. It was just the second time in over 100 years - the other was from Dec. 3-30, 1990 - that the Huskers won seven straight games by double figures.• The Huskers finished non-conference action with a 10-1 mark, matching itheir best non-conference record since joining the Big Ten (also 2018-19).Numbers to Know1 - Rienk Mast is one of six players nationally and the only power conference player as of Jan. 4 averaging&nbsp;at least 10 points, 9 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game this season.&nbsp;1.42 -Nebraska's assist-to-turnover ratio this season, which is sixth in the Big Ten as of Jan. 8. NU's best assist-to-turnover ratio in the last decade is 1.32, set in the 2018-19 season. That season, NU had 9.96 turnovers per game, the lowest average since assists were tracked in 1978-79.2 - Wisconsin became just the second Husker opponent in the last 22 games to shoot 50 percent against Nebraska. The previous season high for a Husker opponent was .472 at Minnesota on Dec. 6. NU ranks fourth in the Big Ten in field goal percentage defense (.390) as of Jan. 8.4 - The 14-point deficit against North Dakota on Dec. 20 was NU's largest comeback of the season and fourth time under Fred Hoiberg that Nebraska has overcome a double-digit deficit. It was also NU's largest comeback vs. a non-conference foe since the 2014-15 season.&nbsp;9.3 - NU ranks second in the Big Ten with 9.3 3-pointers per game as of Jan. 8. &nbsp;NU has averaged more than 8.0 3-pointers/game just twice in program history (2001-02 and 2020-21). The Huskers are 7-1 this season when hitting at least 10 3-pointers.18.5 - Keisei Tominaga is averaging 18.5 points per game on 58 percent shooting in Nebraska's games against ranked opponents this season. In his last six games againt ranked foes dating back to last year, Tominaga is shooting 52 percent, including 50 percent from 3-point range.79.7 - Nebraska is shooting 79.7 percent from the foul line (149-187) over the last 10 contests dating back to Nov. 22. Keisei Tominaga is shooting a team-best 91.7 percent (33-of-36) in that span.1,004 - Career points for Nebraska guard Brice Williams, who went over the 1,000-point mark in Saturday's loss at No. 21 Wisconsin. Williams had 10 points and dished out a career-high six assists against the Badgers.About PurduePurdue comes to Lincoln with a 14-1 record following an 83-78 win over No. 9 Illinois last Friday. The Boilermakers have been battle tested with wins over Gonzaga, Tennessee, Marquette, Alabama and Arizona during non-conference action. Purdue's only loss is a three-point OT loss at Northwestern on Dec. 1.&nbsp;Purdue returned all five starters from a team that swept the Big Ten regular-season and tournament titles and won 29 games last season for Matt Painter, who is in his 19th season at Purdue.&nbsp;Purdue's attack starts with Zach Edey, as the 7-foot-4 center looks to become a two-time national player of the year.&nbsp; Edey leads the Big Ten in scoring (22.3 ppg), rebounding (10.6 rpg) and field goal percentage (.634) and has nine double doubles in Purdue’s 15 contests. Edey is one of four Boilermakers averaging double figures, as guards Braden Smith (13.0 ppg, 6.7 apg), Fletcher Loyer (10.9 ppg) and Lance Jones (11.2 ppg) provide perimeter scoring. Purdue averages over 85 points per game and leads the Big Ten in 3-point percentage (.394).&nbsp;Series History: Tuesday's game between the Huskers and Purdue will be the 27th all-time meeting between the two programs in a series that dates back to 1947. Purdue holds a 20-6 lead in the all-time series, including a 13-4 mark (13-3 in regular season; 1-1 in Big Ten Tournament) since Nebraska joined the Big Ten in 2011-12. Nebraska’s last win over Purdue in 2019 featured the first triple-double in school history by Cam Mack. Last year in Lincoln, Nebraska rallied back from a 14-point deficit to send the game into overtime after Keisei Tominaga's 3-pointer with nine seconds left. In overtime, Fletcher Loyer's basket with 1:30 remaining in OT gave Purdue the lead for good, as he scored a game-high 22 points. Purdue also posted an 73-55 win in West Lafayette.&nbsp;

Huskers battle No. 1 Purdue Tuesday night

High School Basketball - Lincoln Pius X @ North Platte High School starting at 5

The No. 4 Nebraska wrestling team (3-0, 0-0 Big Ten) returns home to host Wyoming (3-3, 1-2 Big 12) and No. 25 Northern Iowa (1-3), 0-0 Big 12) in a triangular on Saturday, Jan. 6. Action is slated to begin with Wyoming and Northern Iowa facing off at 12 p.m. (CT), before the Huskers meet the Cowboys at 1:30 p.m. (CT) and wrestle the Panthers at 3 p.m. (CT). Both Husker duals will be streamed on Big Ten Plus.&nbsp;&nbsp;

When the Huskers face the Cowboys, four of 10 bouts will potentially feature matchups between ranked wrestlers. Against Northern Iowa, the Big Red could face ranked opponents in seven matches. Nine Huskers enter the weekend ranked, including returning All-Americans No. 1 Ridge Lovett (149), No. 3 Peyton Robb (157) and No. 6 Brock Hardy (141). The All-American trio boasts an overall record of 34-3, as Lovett and Robb are both undefeated on the season.&nbsp;

Nebraska and Wyoming meet for the 54th time in series history on Saturday. The Huskers lead the all-time series, 39-14-0, and have won the last nine matchups. Against Northern Iowa, NU has won the last 12 duals between the two teams, but UNI leads the overall series, 18-30-1. &nbsp;

Last Time Out:&nbsp;The Huskers used a pin and five wins by decision to defeat No. 14 South Dakota State, 21-17, at the Devaney Center in front of 2,401 fans on Saturday night.&nbsp;

Up Next:&nbsp;The Huskers are back in action against No. 3 Iowa on Jan. 12 at the Bob Devaney Sports Center. The dual is set to start at 6 p.m. (CT) and will air nationally on the Big Ten Network with Shane Sparks and Tim Johnson on the call.&nbsp;

Nebraska’s Projected Lineup:125 - #3 Caleb Smith (13-1)133 – Kyle Burwick (3-2) or #32 Jacob Van Dee (10-4)141 - #6 Brock Hardy (9-3) or Blake Cushing (11-3)149 - #1 Ridge Lovett (12-0) or Scott Robertson (1-5)157 - #3 Peyton Robb (13-0)165 - #21 Antrell Taylor (9-2)174 - #33 Bubba Wilson (7-4) or Elise Brown Ton (16-5)184 - #4 Lenny Pinto197 - #11 Silas Allred (11-3)HWT – Harley Andrews (8-8) or Nash Hutmacher (0-0)&nbsp;

Wyoming’s Projected Lineup:125 - #8 Jore Volk (14-4) or Dylan Catlin (1-2)133 – Cooper Birdwell (8-9) or Garrett Ricks (6-5)141 – #31 Cole Brooks (7-2) or Stockton O’Brien (10-6)149 – #23 Gabe Willochell (11-5)157 – Cooper Voorhees (6-10) or Sloan Swan (7-4)165 – Brett McIntosh (6-10)174 – Kevin Anderson (0-0)184 – Quayin Short (6-9) or Tyce Raddon (8-7)197 – #21 Joey Novak (15-7)HWT – Mason Ding (2-3) or Lane Catlin (0-2)&nbsp;

Northern Iowa’s Projected Lineup:125 – #26 Trever Anderson (6-5) or Garret Rinken (8-5)133 – #22 Julian Farber (9-5)141 – #8 Cael Happel (9-4)149 – Adam Allard (4-4) or Cael Rahnavardi (6-7)157 - #13 Ryder Downey (7-4)165 – RJ Weston (18-3) or Jack Thomsen (7-4)174 – #30 Jared Simma (7-4)184 – #1 Parker Keckeisen (13-0)197 – Kalob Runyon (5-5) or #19 Wyatt Voelker (7-2)HWT – #17 Tyrell Gordon (2-1)&nbsp;

Story by NU Athletic CommunicationsThe No. 4 Nebraska wrestling team (3-0, 0-0 Big Ten) returns home to host Wyoming (3-3, 1-2 Big 12) and No. 25 Northern Iowa (1-3), 0-0 Big 12) in a triangular on Saturday, Jan. 6. Action is slated to begin with Wyoming and Northern Iowa facing off at 12 p.m. (CT), before the Huskers meet the Cowboys at 1:30 p.m. (CT) and wrestle the Panthers at 3 p.m. (CT). Both Husker duals will be streamed on Big Ten Plus.&nbsp;&nbsp;When the Huskers face the Cowboys, four of 10 bouts will potentially feature matchups between ranked wrestlers. Against Northern Iowa, the Big Red could face ranked opponents in seven matches. Nine Huskers enter the weekend ranked, including returning All-Americans No. 1 Ridge Lovett (149), No. 3 Peyton Robb (157) and No. 6 Brock Hardy (141). The All-American trio boasts an overall record of 34-3, as Lovett and Robb are both undefeated on the season.&nbsp;Nebraska and Wyoming meet for the 54th time in series history on Saturday. The Huskers lead the all-time series, 39-14-0, and have won the last nine matchups. Against Northern Iowa, NU has won the last 12 duals between the two teams, but UNI leads the overall series, 18-30-1. &nbsp;Last Time Out:&nbsp;The Huskers used a pin and five wins by decision to defeat No. 14 South Dakota State, 21-17, at the Devaney Center in front of 2,401 fans on Saturday night.&nbsp;Up Next:&nbsp;The Huskers are back in action against No. 3 Iowa on Jan. 12 at the Bob Devaney Sports Center. The dual is set to start at 6 p.m. (CT) and will air nationally on the Big Ten Network with Shane Sparks and Tim Johnson on the call.&nbsp;Nebraska’s Projected Lineup:125 - #3 Caleb Smith (13-1)133 – Kyle Burwick (3-2) or #32 Jacob Van Dee (10-4)141 - #6 Brock Hardy (9-3) or Blake Cushing (11-3)149 - #1 Ridge Lovett (12-0) or Scott Robertson (1-5)157 - #3 Peyton Robb (13-0)165 - #21 Antrell Taylor (9-2)174 - #33 Bubba Wilson (7-4) or Elise Brown Ton (16-5)184 - #4 Lenny Pinto197 - #11 Silas Allred (11-3)HWT – Harley Andrews (8-8) or Nash Hutmacher (0-0)&nbsp;Wyoming’s Projected Lineup:125 - #8 Jore Volk (14-4) or Dylan Catlin (1-2)133 – Cooper Birdwell (8-9) or Garrett Ricks (6-5)141 – #31 Cole Brooks (7-2) or Stockton O’Brien (10-6)149 – #23 Gabe Willochell (11-5)157 – Cooper Voorhees (6-10) or Sloan Swan (7-4)165 – Brett McIntosh (6-10)174 – Kevin Anderson (0-0)184 – Quayin Short (6-9) or Tyce Raddon (8-7)197 – #21 Joey Novak (15-7)HWT – Mason Ding (2-3) or Lane Catlin (0-2)&nbsp;Northern Iowa’s Projected Lineup:125 – #26 Trever Anderson (6-5) or Garret Rinken (8-5)133 – #22 Julian Farber (9-5)141 – #8 Cael Happel (9-4)149 – Adam Allard (4-4) or Cael Rahnavardi (6-7)157 - #13 Ryder Downey (7-4)165 – RJ Weston (18-3) or Jack Thomsen (7-4)174 – #30 Jared Simma (7-4)184 – #1 Parker Keckeisen (13-0)197 – Kalob Runyon (5-5) or #19 Wyatt Voelker (7-2)HWT – #17 Tyrell Gordon (2-1)&nbsp;

Huskers welcome Cowboys, Panthers on Saturday 

Story by UNK Athletic Communications

Kearney, Neb. –&nbsp;Redshirt senior forward&nbsp;Shiloh McCool&nbsp;recorded her 24th career double double and redshirt sophomore point guard&nbsp;Jillian Aschoff&nbsp;had another big effort as Nebraska Kearney got out fast to beat Lincoln,&nbsp;<a href="https://lopers.com/sports/womens-basketball/stats/2023-24/lincoln/boxscore/7578" target="_blank">77-57</a>, Thursday evening at the Health &amp; Sports Center. The Lopers (11-2, 5-2) beat the Blue Tigers (5-7, 1-5) for the 13th consecutive time with the two meeting again Feb. 17 in Jefferson City. UNK never trailed and led by as many as 27 points. Hitting their first six shots, the Lopers zoomed out to a 27-11 first quarter lead and were up 41-19 at the break. Lincoln came back a bit in the second half, shooting 48% from the field and using a full-course press. However, they didn't get closer than 13 points. "You always worry what that first game back from break is going to look like. We tried to make our post-Christmas practices really hard, and I thought we did a great job of answering that toughness call, especially in the first half," said UNK head coach&nbsp;Drew Johnson. Aschoff (Lincoln Pius) started 5 of 5 from the field which included two threes in the first three minutes. Among the league leaders in rebounds and assists, she finished with a team-high 16 points, a game-high seven assists, five rebounds, and two steals."Three weeks ago, someone sagged off on Jill and they opened a can of worms and that's not going to go back in the can now," said Johnson. "She's shooting the three well and when people let her get going early in the game, it helps us get going. Her performances of late have been unbelievable."In the paint, McCool (Pleasant Hill, Ia.) had 10 points and 10 rebounds (four offense) as well as three assists. Her 24th double double ranks her second all-time, trailing only All-American Ginger (Keller) Marx. She had 45 double doubles between 1991-94.The Lopers shot 54% from the floor, their second-best effort of the year, while also being plus 14 on the glass. UNK came into the week leading the MIAA in rebounding margin at 13.2. Finally, the Blue &amp; Gold limited LU to a 5 of 19 effort from behind the arc. "We weren't great defensively in the second half, but I thought we were really stingy in the first half," said Johnson. Posts&nbsp;Kia Wilson&nbsp;(St. George, Kan.) and&nbsp;Bailee Sobczak&nbsp;(Rapid City, S.D.) and wing&nbsp;Meg Burns&nbsp;(Ankeny, Ia.) were the other players in double figures. Wilson had 12 on 6 of 10 shooting, Sobczak made 5 of 8 attempts to score 10 with Burns at 15 points thanks to seven buckets. Lincoln was led by guard Steph Torres (17 points, three triples) and forwards Ashlyn Alloway (13 points, seven rebounds, three assists) and Imani Jones (12 points, six rebounds).UNK hosts No. 11 Central Missouri (10-2, 4-2) on Saturday afternoon. The MIAA preseason favorites won tonight at No. 10 Fort Hays State, 72-65.

Story by UNK Athletic CommunicationsKearney, Neb. –&nbsp;Redshirt senior forward&nbsp;Shiloh McCool&nbsp;recorded her 24th career double double and redshirt sophomore point guard&nbsp;Jillian Aschoff&nbsp;had another big effort as Nebraska Kearney got out fast to beat Lincoln,&nbsp;<a href="https://lopers.com/sports/womens-basketball/stats/2023-24/lincoln/boxscore/7578" target="_blank">77-57</a>, Thursday evening at the Health &amp; Sports Center. The Lopers (11-2, 5-2) beat the Blue Tigers (5-7, 1-5) for the 13th consecutive time with the two meeting again Feb. 17 in Jefferson City. UNK never trailed and led by as many as 27 points. Hitting their first six shots, the Lopers zoomed out to a 27-11 first quarter lead and were up 41-19 at the break. Lincoln came back a bit in the second half, shooting 48% from the field and using a full-course press. However, they didn't get closer than 13 points. "You always worry what that first game back from break is going to look like. We tried to make our post-Christmas practices really hard, and I thought we did a great job of answering that toughness call, especially in the first half," said UNK head coach&nbsp;Drew Johnson. Aschoff (Lincoln Pius) started 5 of 5 from the field which included two threes in the first three minutes. Among the league leaders in rebounds and assists, she finished with a team-high 16 points, a game-high seven assists, five rebounds, and two steals."Three weeks ago, someone sagged off on Jill and they opened a can of worms and that's not going to go back in the can now," said Johnson. "She's shooting the three well and when people let her get going early in the game, it helps us get going. Her performances of late have been unbelievable."In the paint, McCool (Pleasant Hill, Ia.) had 10 points and 10 rebounds (four offense) as well as three assists. Her 24th double double ranks her second all-time, trailing only All-American Ginger (Keller) Marx. She had 45 double doubles between 1991-94.The Lopers shot 54% from the floor, their second-best effort of the year, while also being plus 14 on the glass. UNK came into the week leading the MIAA in rebounding margin at 13.2. Finally, the Blue &amp; Gold limited LU to a 5 of 19 effort from behind the arc. "We weren't great defensively in the second half, but I thought we were really stingy in the first half," said Johnson. Posts&nbsp;Kia Wilson&nbsp;(St. George, Kan.) and&nbsp;Bailee Sobczak&nbsp;(Rapid City, S.D.) and wing&nbsp;Meg Burns&nbsp;(Ankeny, Ia.) were the other players in double figures. Wilson had 12 on 6 of 10 shooting, Sobczak made 5 of 8 attempts to score 10 with Burns at 15 points thanks to seven buckets. Lincoln was led by guard Steph Torres (17 points, three triples) and forwards Ashlyn Alloway (13 points, seven rebounds, three assists) and Imani Jones (12 points, six rebounds).UNK hosts No. 11 Central Missouri (10-2, 4-2) on Saturday afternoon. The MIAA preseason favorites won tonight at No. 10 Fort Hays State, 72-65.

UNK easily get past Lincoln; MIAA favorites up next

Madison, Wis.&nbsp;- Natalie Potts scored all of her game-high 16 points in the second half, while Alexis Markowski produced her 30th career double-double to power Nebraska to a 69-57 Big Ten women's basketball road win at the Kohl Center on Thursday night.

With the victory, Nebraska improved to 3-0 in the Big Ten for the first time since NU's first season in the conference (2011-12), while moving to 11-3 overall. Wisconsin slipped to 7-6 and 0-3 in the league.

Markowski, a 6-3 center from Lincoln, Neb., finished with 13 points and a game-high 11 rebounds for her Big Ten-leading ninth double-double of the season. She put up 11 points and eight rebounds in the first half to help Nebraska a 14-point lead before taking a 38-27 edge to the locker room at halftime.

In the second half, Potts scored Nebraska's first eight points but Wisconsin cut NU's lead to just 49-47 at the end of three quarters. Potts kept pushing in the fourth quarter, scoring eight more points. Her third field goal of the quarter pushed NU's lead to 61-53 with 1:35 left. She then scored her final points of the night at the free throw line to cap the scoring with about 20 seconds left to seal NU's eighth consecutive win in the series with the Badgers.

Leading 56-53, Potts pushed the margin to five points before Callin Hake scored to extend the lead to 59-53 with 5:07 left. Hake continued her strong play off the bench by finishing with eight points.

Darian White also made winning plays at both ends in the fourth quarter, scoring four of her six points, while Kendall Coley added six big first-half points to help the Huskers build their double-digit lead in the first 20 minutes. All 11 Huskers scored in the game, including five points, four rebounds and six assists from Jaz Shelley.

As a team, Nebraska hit 43.9 percent (25-57) of its shots from the field, including 9-of-27 (.333) three-pointers. The Huskers also won the turnover battle, 14-11. NU held Wisconsin to 36.1 percent (22-61) shooting for the game, including 7-of-33 threes (.212). UW won the war on the boards 38-36, including nine rebounds to go with 16 points from Serah Williams.

Ronnie Porter added 10 points, nine rebounds and seven assists for the Badgers, while Brooke Schramek contributed 12 points.

The Huskers will be back in action at home on Sunday to take on Big Ten unbeaten and No. 14 Indiana. Tip-off between Nebraska and the Hoosiers is set for 1 p.m., with a special pregame ceremony honoring All-American Jordan Hooper with the retirement of her No. 35 jersey beginning at approximately 12:40 p.m. (CT). Tickets are available now at Huskers.com.

Story by NU Athletic CommunicationsMadison, Wis.&nbsp;- Natalie Potts scored all of her game-high 16 points in the second half, while Alexis Markowski produced her 30th career double-double to power Nebraska to a 69-57 Big Ten women's basketball road win at the Kohl Center on Thursday night.With the victory, Nebraska improved to 3-0 in the Big Ten for the first time since NU's first season in the conference (2011-12), while moving to 11-3 overall. Wisconsin slipped to 7-6 and 0-3 in the league.Markowski, a 6-3 center from Lincoln, Neb., finished with 13 points and a game-high 11 rebounds for her Big Ten-leading ninth double-double of the season. She put up 11 points and eight rebounds in the first half to help Nebraska a 14-point lead before taking a 38-27 edge to the locker room at halftime.In the second half, Potts scored Nebraska's first eight points but Wisconsin cut NU's lead to just 49-47 at the end of three quarters. Potts kept pushing in the fourth quarter, scoring eight more points. Her third field goal of the quarter pushed NU's lead to 61-53 with 1:35 left. She then scored her final points of the night at the free throw line to cap the scoring with about 20 seconds left to seal NU's eighth consecutive win in the series with the Badgers.Leading 56-53, Potts pushed the margin to five points before Callin Hake scored to extend the lead to 59-53 with 5:07 left. Hake continued her strong play off the bench by finishing with eight points.Darian White also made winning plays at both ends in the fourth quarter, scoring four of her six points, while Kendall Coley added six big first-half points to help the Huskers build their double-digit lead in the first 20 minutes. All 11 Huskers scored in the game, including five points, four rebounds and six assists from Jaz Shelley.As a team, Nebraska hit 43.9 percent (25-57) of its shots from the field, including 9-of-27 (.333) three-pointers. The Huskers also won the turnover battle, 14-11. NU held Wisconsin to 36.1 percent (22-61) shooting for the game, including 7-of-33 threes (.212). UW won the war on the boards 38-36, including nine rebounds to go with 16 points from Serah Williams.Ronnie Porter added 10 points, nine rebounds and seven assists for the Badgers, while Brooke Schramek contributed 12 points.The Huskers will be back in action at home on Sunday to take on Big Ten unbeaten and No. 14 Indiana. Tip-off between Nebraska and the Hoosiers is set for 1 p.m., with a special pregame ceremony honoring All-American Jordan Hooper with the retirement of her No. 35 jersey beginning at approximately 12:40 p.m. (CT). Tickets are available now at Huskers.com.

Huskers beat Badgers for 3-0 Big Ten start

KEARNEY, NE.&nbsp;–&nbsp;The Tri-City Storm is set to open play in the 2024 calendar year tonight with the first of two home games this weekend against the Under-17 team from the United States National Team Development Program (USNTDP/Team USA). Tonight’s game will mark the first time the Storm has hosted Team USA at the Viaero Center since November 23rd, 2019. Tickets for tonight’s battle may be purchased online at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.stormhockey.com/" target="_blank">www.StormHockey.com</a>, or by calling the Viaero Center Box Office during Box Office Hours at 308-338-8144. Puck drop for tonight’s matchup is set for 7:05pm CT. &nbsp;

Tri-City (13-11-1-2) dropped a shootout decision to the Lincoln Stars last Sunday at the Viaero Center to fall to 3-5-0-2 in the team’s last ten games played. Ryan Smith netted the Storm’s lone goal of the matchup on the powerplay during Sunday’s opening period. The Storm enters this weekend’s set of home games against Team USA as the 5th&nbsp;place team in the USHL’s Western Conference standings. Tri-City is 10-6-0-2 when scoring the first goal of the game through the opening twenty-seven games of the season. The Storm seeks to defeat Team USA for the first time in 1,140 days in tonight’s showdown at the Viaero Center. Scoring leaders for Tri-City heading into the 2024 portion of the 2023-2024 regular season schedule include Ryan Smith (12), August Falloon (11), Trevor Connelly (9), Cam Briere (9), Artemi Nizameyev (8), and Owen Beckner (7). The Storm will also play host to the Lincoln Stars on Thursday, January 11th, 2024, following this weekend’s home series against Team USA at the Viaero Center. &nbsp;

Team USA (11-13-1-1) enters tonight’s road game at the Viaero Center in 7th&nbsp;place in the USHL’s Eastern Conference standings. The Under-17s of the United States National Team Development Program have posted a 2-9-1-1 record in league play this season, while the Under-18 team has produced a record of 9-4-0-0 in USHL games this year. The Under-17 team, the Storm’s opponent for both games this weekend, is currently 13-10-3-2 overall on the 2023-2024 schedule. The overall team record for the Under-17’s includes games played against USHL, NAHL, and International competition. The Under-17 team is winless in four previous games against USHL Western Conference competition entering this weekend’s series (0-3-0-1). Scoring leaders for the Under-17’s team this season include Will Moore (14), LJ Mooney (12), Charlies Fondrk (10), Cole McKinney (10), Charlie Trethewey (9), and Jack Murtagh (9). The Under-17 team will return to action after this weekend’s road series against the Storm next weekend with back-to-back home games against the Dubuque Fighting Saints at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth, Michigan.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Tonight’s game is set to begin at&nbsp;7:05pm&nbsp;CT and will be streamed on&nbsp;<a href="https://flosports.link/3pkG3Ge" target="_blank">FloHockey</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://mixlr.com/tri-city-storm/" target="_blank">Storm Radio</a>. Tickets to home games at the Viaero Center may be purchased online by skating to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.stormhockey.com/" target="_blank">www.StormHockey.com</a>, or by calling the Viaero Center Box Office during Box Office hours at 308-338-8144.&nbsp;The Tri-City Storm is presented by Viaero Wireless.

Story by Tri-City CommunicationsKEARNEY, NE.&nbsp;–&nbsp;The Tri-City Storm is set to open play in the 2024 calendar year tonight with the first of two home games this weekend against the Under-17 team from the United States National Team Development Program (USNTDP/Team USA). Tonight’s game will mark the first time the Storm has hosted Team USA at the Viaero Center since November 23rd, 2019. Tickets for tonight’s battle may be purchased online at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.stormhockey.com/" target="_blank">www.StormHockey.com</a>, or by calling the Viaero Center Box Office during Box Office Hours at 308-338-8144. Puck drop for tonight’s matchup is set for 7:05pm CT. &nbsp;Tri-City (13-11-1-2) dropped a shootout decision to the Lincoln Stars last Sunday at the Viaero Center to fall to 3-5-0-2 in the team’s last ten games played. Ryan Smith netted the Storm’s lone goal of the matchup on the powerplay during Sunday’s opening period. The Storm enters this weekend’s set of home games against Team USA as the 5th&nbsp;place team in the USHL’s Western Conference standings. Tri-City is 10-6-0-2 when scoring the first goal of the game through the opening twenty-seven games of the season. The Storm seeks to defeat Team USA for the first time in 1,140 days in tonight’s showdown at the Viaero Center. Scoring leaders for Tri-City heading into the 2024 portion of the 2023-2024 regular season schedule include Ryan Smith (12), August Falloon (11), Trevor Connelly (9), Cam Briere (9), Artemi Nizameyev (8), and Owen Beckner (7). The Storm will also play host to the Lincoln Stars on Thursday, January 11th, 2024, following this weekend’s home series against Team USA at the Viaero Center. &nbsp;Team USA (11-13-1-1) enters tonight’s road game at the Viaero Center in 7th&nbsp;place in the USHL’s Eastern Conference standings. The Under-17s of the United States National Team Development Program have posted a 2-9-1-1 record in league play this season, while the Under-18 team has produced a record of 9-4-0-0 in USHL games this year. The Under-17 team, the Storm’s opponent for both games this weekend, is currently 13-10-3-2 overall on the 2023-2024 schedule. The overall team record for the Under-17’s includes games played against USHL, NAHL, and International competition. The Under-17 team is winless in four previous games against USHL Western Conference competition entering this weekend’s series (0-3-0-1). Scoring leaders for the Under-17’s team this season include Will Moore (14), LJ Mooney (12), Charlies Fondrk (10), Cole McKinney (10), Charlie Trethewey (9), and Jack Murtagh (9). The Under-17 team will return to action after this weekend’s road series against the Storm next weekend with back-to-back home games against the Dubuque Fighting Saints at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth, Michigan.&nbsp;&nbsp;Tonight’s game is set to begin at&nbsp;7:05pm&nbsp;CT and will be streamed on&nbsp;<a href="https://flosports.link/3pkG3Ge" target="_blank">FloHockey</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://mixlr.com/tri-city-storm/" target="_blank">Storm Radio</a>. Tickets to home games at the Viaero Center may be purchased online by skating to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.stormhockey.com/" target="_blank">www.StormHockey.com</a>, or by calling the Viaero Center Box Office during Box Office hours at 308-338-8144.&nbsp;The Tri-City Storm is presented by Viaero Wireless.

Storm set to open 2024 with Home Series against Team USA 

Kearney, Neb. –&nbsp;The Lincoln Blue Tigers used a couple of big runs and feasted on turnovers to down Nebraska Kearney,&nbsp;<a href="https://lopers.com/boxscore.aspx?path=mbball&amp;id=7556" target="_blank">90-67</a>, Thursday night at the Health &amp; Sports Center.LU (9-3, 4-2) stops a two-game skid and beats UNK (5-7, 2-5) for the sixth time in the last eight meetings. The two will meet again Feb. 17 in Jefferson City, Mo. A jumper from junior lefty&nbsp;Damiri Lindo&nbsp;(Oakland) and a wing three from junior lefty&nbsp;Taden&nbsp;King&nbsp;(Rexburg, Idaho) made it a 61-53 game with 11:40 to play. The back-to-back shots, as well as a defensive stop, forced Lincoln to call timeout. The break worked as the Blue Tigers closed on a 29-14 run. In the first half, LU not only erased a 24-21 deficit but went into the locker after a 13-3 spurt. A buzzer beating triple by junior reserve guard Tyson Robinson capped that key stretch. “The biggest problem was the turnovers. When you give a team 28 points off your turnovers, it’s tough to win a game,” said UNK interim head coach&nbsp;Antoine Young. “Up until halftime I thought we controlled the boards and that allowed us to get out and run. We were kind of in the game at that point.” Having four players score in double digits, Lincoln tallied 28 points off 16&nbsp;Loper&nbsp;miscues. Many of the turnovers were of the live ball variety with five coming over the last 11:40. Lincoln capitalized on each, scoring 11 points. They also finished plus 12 on the glass. “While they are a good a team and have some athleticism, I don’t think it was their defense. We had some lackadaisical turnovers that you just can’t have in this league,” said Young. “I’m trying to find that happy medium (playing the young guys). They are good players, and you must give them a chance to get out there. But they must understand when you go out there, we can’t allow a 13-3 run.” Six-eight, 270-pound senior forward Elijah Farr, who previously was at Division I Murray (Ky.) State and Western Illinois, scored a game-high 20 thanks to 8 of 13 shooting. A load to handle around the rim, he also hit a three, had five caroms and dished out three assists. Next, junior reserve guard Trey Boston went for 15 points on 6 of 11 shooting with French junior Franck&nbsp;Yetna&nbsp;(14) and veteran guard DJ Richardson (13) combining for 27 more points. As a team, LU shot 55% from the field and went 11 of 12 at the line. “We’re averaging close to 70 points per game so we can score with anybody. But we’re putting so much pressure on our offense to score 90 every night because we’re giving up close to that,” said Young. “We have to clean that up.” UNK also had a balanced attack as four starters reached double digits with four others scoring as well. King and New Zealand junior forward&nbsp;Sean Murphy&nbsp;had 13 apiece with Lindo at 11 and junior guard&nbsp;Sean Evans&nbsp;(Parker, Colo.) finishing with 12. Finally, Lindo had a team-best five rebounds with junior point guard&nbsp;Miguel Robles&nbsp;(East L.A.) at a team-best seven assists. UNK hosts Central Missouri on Saturday afternoon. The Mules (5-6, 0-5) lost tonight at Fort Hays State, 61-51.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Story by UNK Athletic CommunicationsKearney, Neb. –&nbsp;The Lincoln Blue Tigers used a couple of big runs and feasted on turnovers to down Nebraska Kearney,&nbsp;<a href="https://lopers.com/boxscore.aspx?path=mbball&amp;id=7556" target="_blank">90-67</a>, Thursday night at the Health &amp; Sports Center.LU (9-3, 4-2) stops a two-game skid and beats UNK (5-7, 2-5) for the sixth time in the last eight meetings. The two will meet again Feb. 17 in Jefferson City, Mo. A jumper from junior lefty&nbsp;Damiri Lindo&nbsp;(Oakland) and a wing three from junior lefty&nbsp;Taden&nbsp;King&nbsp;(Rexburg, Idaho) made it a 61-53 game with 11:40 to play. The back-to-back shots, as well as a defensive stop, forced Lincoln to call timeout. The break worked as the Blue Tigers closed on a 29-14 run. In the first half, LU not only erased a 24-21 deficit but went into the locker after a 13-3 spurt. A buzzer beating triple by junior reserve guard Tyson Robinson capped that key stretch. “The biggest problem was the turnovers. When you give a team 28 points off your turnovers, it’s tough to win a game,” said UNK interim head coach&nbsp;Antoine Young. “Up until halftime I thought we controlled the boards and that allowed us to get out and run. We were kind of in the game at that point.” Having four players score in double digits, Lincoln tallied 28 points off 16&nbsp;Loper&nbsp;miscues. Many of the turnovers were of the live ball variety with five coming over the last 11:40. Lincoln capitalized on each, scoring 11 points. They also finished plus 12 on the glass. “While they are a good a team and have some athleticism, I don’t think it was their defense. We had some lackadaisical turnovers that you just can’t have in this league,” said Young. “I’m trying to find that happy medium (playing the young guys). They are good players, and you must give them a chance to get out there. But they must understand when you go out there, we can’t allow a 13-3 run.” Six-eight, 270-pound senior forward Elijah Farr, who previously was at Division I Murray (Ky.) State and Western Illinois, scored a game-high 20 thanks to 8 of 13 shooting. A load to handle around the rim, he also hit a three, had five caroms and dished out three assists. Next, junior reserve guard Trey Boston went for 15 points on 6 of 11 shooting with French junior Franck&nbsp;Yetna&nbsp;(14) and veteran guard DJ Richardson (13) combining for 27 more points. As a team, LU shot 55% from the field and went 11 of 12 at the line. “We’re averaging close to 70 points per game so we can score with anybody. But we’re putting so much pressure on our offense to score 90 every night because we’re giving up close to that,” said Young. “We have to clean that up.” UNK also had a balanced attack as four starters reached double digits with four others scoring as well. King and New Zealand junior forward&nbsp;Sean Murphy&nbsp;had 13 apiece with Lindo at 11 and junior guard&nbsp;Sean Evans&nbsp;(Parker, Colo.) finishing with 12. Finally, Lindo had a team-best five rebounds with junior point guard&nbsp;Miguel Robles&nbsp;(East L.A.) at a team-best seven assists. UNK hosts Central Missouri on Saturday afternoon. The Mules (5-6, 0-5) lost tonight at Fort Hays State, 61-51.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Double digit turnovers leads Lopers to loss against Blue Tigers

Sandhills/Thedford 67, South Loup (Callaway/Arnold) 30

South Loup (Callaway/Arnold) 56, Sandhills/Thedford 43

<h2>Girls Basketball</h2>Garden County 32, Hemingford 31Leyton 52, Paxton 39Sandhills/Thedford 67, South Loup (Callaway/Arnold) 30<h2>Boys Basketball</h2>Hemingford 66, Garden County 46Paxton 67, Leyton 44South Loup (Callaway/Arnold) 56, Sandhills/Thedford 43

Area Sports scores 1-4-2024

Story by UNK Athletic Communication

Kearney, Neb. –&nbsp;The&nbsp;<a href="https://nwcaonline.com/news/2023/12/22/ncaa-division-2-men-central-oklahoma-west-liberty-tied-for-top-spot-in-division-ii-coaches-rankings.aspx?utm_source=Social+Media/eBlast&amp;utm_medium=Facebook,+Instagram,+Twitter,+MailChimp&amp;utm_campaign=d2_mens_rankings" target="_blank">now seventh-ranked</a>&nbsp;Nebraska&nbsp;Kearney&nbsp;wrestling team is the sixth seed in this weekend's National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA)/U.S. Marine Corps Multi-Division National Duals. The event runs Friday-Saturday (Jan. 5-6) at Northern Iowa's UNI-Dome and is hosted by NUWAY. Fans not in attendance can watch the action via&nbsp;<a href="https://flosports.link/3GoFKCT" target="_blank">FloWrestling</a>&nbsp;or following along with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.trackwrestling.com/tw/teamtournaments/VerifyPassword.jsp?tournamentId=772827132" target="_blank">live results</a>. There are&nbsp;brackets for six divisions: NAIA men and women, NCAA Division II and III men, NCAA women and&nbsp;NCWA&nbsp;men. UNK (5-2), now with two-time All-Americans&nbsp;Nick James&nbsp;(141 lbs.) and&nbsp;Billy Higgins&nbsp;(184 lbs.) ready to go, will face&nbsp;Glenville&nbsp;(W.V.) State Friday at 2 p.m. in the opening round. The Pioneers are ranked 25th nationally and feature fifth-ranked Gavin Quiocho (133 lbs.) and 10th-ranked Guy Deleonardis (157 lbs.).With a win or a loss, the&nbsp;Lopers&nbsp;wrestle again at 4 p.m. against either third-ranked Lander (S.C.) or 20th-ranked&nbsp;Tiffin&nbsp;(Ohio). Lander has been ranked number one for most of this year and is defending national runners up. The TU Dragons, meanwhile, are led by top-ranked Zach Donathan (141 lbs.).The semifinals are set for Saturday at 10 a.m. with finals and the third-place match set for 3 p.m. Fourth-ranked&nbsp;Wisconsin-Parkside&nbsp;is not taking part this year, thus the reason for UNK being the sixth&nbsp;seed&nbsp;instead of seventh.&nbsp;In the national rankings, besides James (seventh), are&nbsp;Crew Howard&nbsp;(2nd/285 lbs.),&nbsp;Jackson Kinsella&nbsp;(5th/197 lbs.),&nbsp;Zach Ourada&nbsp;(6th/125 lbs.) and&nbsp;Jacobi Deal&nbsp;(9th/174 lbs.). Higgins would be ranked but didn't compete in the first semester due to injury. Those&nbsp;Lopers&nbsp;not in Iowa will wrestle Saturday at the annual&nbsp;<a href="https://www.trackwrestling.com/tw/opentournaments/VerifyPassword.jsp?tournamentId=784522132" target="_blank">Hastings Open</a>.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Story by UNK Athletic CommunicationKearney, Neb. –&nbsp;The&nbsp;<a href="https://nwcaonline.com/news/2023/12/22/ncaa-division-2-men-central-oklahoma-west-liberty-tied-for-top-spot-in-division-ii-coaches-rankings.aspx?utm_source=Social+Media/eBlast&amp;utm_medium=Facebook,+Instagram,+Twitter,+MailChimp&amp;utm_campaign=d2_mens_rankings" target="_blank">now seventh-ranked</a>&nbsp;Nebraska&nbsp;Kearney&nbsp;wrestling team is the sixth seed in this weekend's National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA)/U.S. Marine Corps Multi-Division National Duals. The event runs Friday-Saturday (Jan. 5-6) at Northern Iowa's UNI-Dome and is hosted by NUWAY. Fans not in attendance can watch the action via&nbsp;<a href="https://flosports.link/3GoFKCT" target="_blank">FloWrestling</a>&nbsp;or following along with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.trackwrestling.com/tw/teamtournaments/VerifyPassword.jsp?tournamentId=772827132" target="_blank">live results</a>. There are&nbsp;brackets for six divisions: NAIA men and women, NCAA Division II and III men, NCAA women and&nbsp;NCWA&nbsp;men. UNK (5-2), now with two-time All-Americans&nbsp;Nick James&nbsp;(141 lbs.) and&nbsp;Billy Higgins&nbsp;(184 lbs.) ready to go, will face&nbsp;Glenville&nbsp;(W.V.) State Friday at 2 p.m. in the opening round. The Pioneers are ranked 25th nationally and feature fifth-ranked Gavin Quiocho (133 lbs.) and 10th-ranked Guy Deleonardis (157 lbs.).With a win or a loss, the&nbsp;Lopers&nbsp;wrestle again at 4 p.m. against either third-ranked Lander (S.C.) or 20th-ranked&nbsp;Tiffin&nbsp;(Ohio). Lander has been ranked number one for most of this year and is defending national runners up. The TU Dragons, meanwhile, are led by top-ranked Zach Donathan (141 lbs.).The semifinals are set for Saturday at 10 a.m. with finals and the third-place match set for 3 p.m. Fourth-ranked&nbsp;Wisconsin-Parkside&nbsp;is not taking part this year, thus the reason for UNK being the sixth&nbsp;seed&nbsp;instead of seventh.&nbsp;In the national rankings, besides James (seventh), are&nbsp;Crew Howard&nbsp;(2nd/285 lbs.),&nbsp;Jackson Kinsella&nbsp;(5th/197 lbs.),&nbsp;Zach Ourada&nbsp;(6th/125 lbs.) and&nbsp;Jacobi Deal&nbsp;(9th/174 lbs.). Higgins would be ranked but didn't compete in the first semester due to injury. Those&nbsp;Lopers&nbsp;not in Iowa will wrestle Saturday at the annual&nbsp;<a href="https://www.trackwrestling.com/tw/opentournaments/VerifyPassword.jsp?tournamentId=784522132" target="_blank">Hastings Open</a>.&nbsp; &nbsp;

UNK Wrestling secure top-10 ranking

Behind a season-high 28 points from Keisei Tominaga, Nebraska improved to 12-2 on the season with an 86-70 win over Indiana Wednesday night at Pinnacle Bank Arena.&nbsp;

Tominaga had 18 of his 28 in the second half, as Nebraska matched a season high with 12 3-pointers en route to its first win over Indiana since 2019. &nbsp;

He hit a season-high four 3-pointers, including three in the second half, as he fell two points shy of his career high in helping Nebraska build a 22-point lead before cruising to a 16-point win. The 12-2 start matches NU’s best 14-game start since 1990-91.&nbsp;

Tominaga was one of four Huskers in double figures, as Brice Williams added 15 points, six boards and four steals, while Jamarques Lawrence and C.J. Wilcher added 12 and 11 markers, respectively. &nbsp;Lawrence also set a career high with four steals.&nbsp;

The Huskers had 15 steals and forced Indiana (10-4, 2-1) into 19 turnovers, leading to 27 Husker points.&nbsp;

The Huskers trailed 9-4 in the opening minutes before running off seven straight points, including four from Brice Williams, who played just five minutes in the first half because of foul trouble.&nbsp;

The Huskers continued to build a lead behind the shooting of C.J Wilcher, who had eight straight Husker points as his third 3-pointer of the night gave NU a 30-21 lead with 7:22 left in the half. Wilcher had all 11 of his points in the first 20 minutes.&nbsp;

Nebraska eventually stretched to lead to 10 on a pair of occasions, the last being on a Keisei Tominaga free throw with 1:11 left in the half, as the senior guard had 10 first-half points.

Nebraska got off to a quick start as a Wiilliams 3-pointer and a Tominanga jumper stretched the lead to 13 and forced an Indiana timeout less than two minutes into the second half. &nbsp;

Indiana whittled to Husker lead to 55-47 after a 3-pointer from Makik Reneau with 13:12 left, but a 3-pointer from Williams and three free throws from Sam Hoiberg extended the margin back to 61-47 with 11:41 left.&nbsp;

The Hoosiers, who saw their three-game win streak snapped, was within 64-53 before Tominaga keyed a 9-0 run with six straight points before a Williams 3-pointer made it 73-54 with just under seven minutes remaining.

Kel’el Ware led Indiana with 20 points and 10 rebounds while Reneau added 14 points in the loss.&nbsp;

The Huskers return to action and continue Big Ten play when they travel to No. 21 Wisconsin on Saturday, Jan. 6. Tipoff is set for 1:15 p.m. (CT) and the game will be carried on the Huskers Radio Network and BTN.&nbsp;

Nebraska’s next home game is Tuesday, Jan. 9, when No. 1 Purdue comes to town. Tickets are still available for the matchup by visiting Huskers.com/Tickets

Story by NU Athletic CommunicationsBehind a season-high 28 points from Keisei Tominaga, Nebraska improved to 12-2 on the season with an 86-70 win over Indiana Wednesday night at Pinnacle Bank Arena.&nbsp;Tominaga had 18 of his 28 in the second half, as Nebraska matched a season high with 12 3-pointers en route to its first win over Indiana since 2019. &nbsp;He hit a season-high four 3-pointers, including three in the second half, as he fell two points shy of his career high in helping Nebraska build a 22-point lead before cruising to a 16-point win. The 12-2 start matches NU’s best 14-game start since 1990-91.&nbsp;Tominaga was one of four Huskers in double figures, as Brice Williams added 15 points, six boards and four steals, while Jamarques Lawrence and C.J. Wilcher added 12 and 11 markers, respectively. &nbsp;Lawrence also set a career high with four steals.&nbsp;The Huskers had 15 steals and forced Indiana (10-4, 2-1) into 19 turnovers, leading to 27 Husker points.&nbsp;The Huskers trailed 9-4 in the opening minutes before running off seven straight points, including four from Brice Williams, who played just five minutes in the first half because of foul trouble.&nbsp;The Huskers continued to build a lead behind the shooting of C.J Wilcher, who had eight straight Husker points as his third 3-pointer of the night gave NU a 30-21 lead with 7:22 left in the half. Wilcher had all 11 of his points in the first 20 minutes.&nbsp;Nebraska eventually stretched to lead to 10 on a pair of occasions, the last being on a Keisei Tominaga free throw with 1:11 left in the half, as the senior guard had 10 first-half points.Nebraska got off to a quick start as a Wiilliams 3-pointer and a Tominanga jumper stretched the lead to 13 and forced an Indiana timeout less than two minutes into the second half. &nbsp;Indiana whittled to Husker lead to 55-47 after a 3-pointer from Makik Reneau with 13:12 left, but a 3-pointer from Williams and three free throws from Sam Hoiberg extended the margin back to 61-47 with 11:41 left.&nbsp;The Hoosiers, who saw their three-game win streak snapped, was within 64-53 before Tominaga keyed a 9-0 run with six straight points before a Williams 3-pointer made it 73-54 with just under seven minutes remaining.Kel’el Ware led Indiana with 20 points and 10 rebounds while Reneau added 14 points in the loss.&nbsp;The Huskers return to action and continue Big Ten play when they travel to No. 21 Wisconsin on Saturday, Jan. 6. Tipoff is set for 1:15 p.m. (CT) and the game will be carried on the Huskers Radio Network and BTN.&nbsp;Nebraska’s next home game is Tuesday, Jan. 9, when No. 1 Purdue comes to town. Tickets are still available for the matchup by visiting Huskers.com/Tickets<h2>RELATED STORI</h2>

Huskers secure big victory over Indiana

McCook Community College Athletics

McCook Community College sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://mccindians.com/sports/wvball/2023-24/bios/caskey_gabby_q2uh">Gabby Caskey</a>&nbsp;has signed a letter of intent to continue her volleyball career at the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota.

The Marauders compete at the NCAA D2 level in the Northern Sun Conference.

"I am happy Gabby has found her next volleyball home, as I know she is going to do great things there," said MCC Coach Hayley Kobza.

Caskey, a middle blocker from Ogallala, said University of Mary gives her the best opportunity to pursue both her academics and athletics.

"The coach there is similar to Kobza in the way that she is keen on recruiting players that will come in and make a big impact on her team," said Caskey. "And the way that she believed that I would be able to do that really got to me."

After her visit, she also felt a connection with the girls on the team.

"They all made very personal efforts to make me feel welcomed and generally at home," said Caskey. "The school is also very pretty, and their biology department professors have high accolades that make it a very respectable program."

She plans to continue her pursuit of a bachelor's degree in biology with the goal of getting into medical school in the field of family medicine or orthopedics.

This season Caskey played in 35 matches and averaged 1.81 kills and 1.24 blocks per set. She had 219 kills, 75 digs, 24 service aces, 10 solo blocks and 140 block assists. That block total was fourth best among players from 88 Division 1 NJCAA schools and her 140 block assists led the nation.

She recorded a season-best 15 kills in the Aug. 25 match against Cloud County. That was one of four double-digit kill games. Her best blocking match came Sept. 23 against Northeast Community College when she recorded 10 assist blocks to go along with 12 kills.

"Gabby was a solid player for us these last two seasons. She always came in and just got to work," said Kobza. "Not only was she a valuable player for us, but she also was a great academic student as well."

In her two years at MCC, Caskey recorded 411 kills, 225 total blocks, 292 digs and 76 service aces. Academically she was named to the National Junior College Athletic Association all-academic first team for student athletes maintaining a 4.0 grade point average. She was named to the President's List in both of her freshman semesters.Caskey said beating Western Nebraska on their court in Scottsbluff on Oct. 14 was a highlight of her career. It was only the second time in the last 29 years, MCC was able to pick up a win over the Cougars, who had won seven straight matches between the two schools and 64 of the past 66 meetings dating back to 1994.

"Coming back to the locker room after that game was so exciting and us girls were beyond excited," Caskey said.

She said her favorite of her time at MCC includes attending baseball games with teammates and "being chatty" towards the opposing team during their times at bat.

Her new team in Bismarck is graduating seven players and Caskey said her role will be to come in and make a big change to the intensity of the program

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704302618046.jpeg" alt="Gabby Caskey/MCC Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Gabby Caskey/MCC Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>McCook Community College AthleticsMcCook Community College sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://mccindians.com/sports/wvball/2023-24/bios/caskey_gabby_q2uh">Gabby Caskey</a>&nbsp;has signed a letter of intent to continue her volleyball career at the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota.The Marauders compete at the NCAA D2 level in the Northern Sun Conference."I am happy Gabby has found her next volleyball home, as I know she is going to do great things there," said MCC Coach Hayley Kobza.Caskey, a middle blocker from Ogallala, said University of Mary gives her the best opportunity to pursue both her academics and athletics."The coach there is similar to Kobza in the way that she is keen on recruiting players that will come in and make a big impact on her team," said Caskey. "And the way that she believed that I would be able to do that really got to me."After her visit, she also felt a connection with the girls on the team."They all made very personal efforts to make me feel welcomed and generally at home," said Caskey. "The school is also very pretty, and their biology department professors have high accolades that make it a very respectable program."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704302654609.jpeg" alt="Gabby Caskey/MCC Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Gabby Caskey/MCC Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>She plans to continue her pursuit of a bachelor's degree in biology with the goal of getting into medical school in the field of family medicine or orthopedics.This season Caskey played in 35 matches and averaged 1.81 kills and 1.24 blocks per set. She had 219 kills, 75 digs, 24 service aces, 10 solo blocks and 140 block assists. That block total was fourth best among players from 88 Division 1 NJCAA schools and her 140 block assists led the nation.She recorded a season-best 15 kills in the Aug. 25 match against Cloud County. That was one of four double-digit kill games. Her best blocking match came Sept. 23 against Northeast Community College when she recorded 10 assist blocks to go along with 12 kills."Gabby was a solid player for us these last two seasons. She always came in and just got to work," said Kobza. "Not only was she a valuable player for us, but she also was a great academic student as well."In her two years at MCC, Caskey recorded 411 kills, 225 total blocks, 292 digs and 76 service aces. Academically she was named to the National Junior College Athletic Association all-academic first team for student athletes maintaining a 4.0 grade point average. She was named to the President's List in both of her freshman semesters.Caskey said beating Western Nebraska on their court in Scottsbluff on Oct. 14 was a highlight of her career. It was only the second time in the last 29 years, MCC was able to pick up a win over the Cougars, who had won seven straight matches between the two schools and 64 of the past 66 meetings dating back to 1994."Coming back to the locker room after that game was so exciting and us girls were beyond excited," Caskey said.She said her favorite of her time at MCC includes attending baseball games with teammates and "being chatty" towards the opposing team during their times at bat.Her new team in Bismarck is graduating seven players and Caskey said her role will be to come in and make a big change to the intensity of the program

Ogallala native Gabby Caskey commits to University of Mary for volleyball

Chase County 35, Dundy County Stratton 26

Hershey 43, South Loup (Callaway/Arnold) 29

Dundy County Stratton 51, Chase County 35

South Loup (Callaway/Arnold) 62, Hershey 42

<h2>Girls Basketball</h2>Bridgeport 63, Ogallala 60Broken Bow 64, McCook 23Chase County 35, Dundy County Stratton 26Hershey 43, South Loup (Callaway/Arnold) 29Kearney 56, North Platte 44Maxwell 33, Arapahoe 30Maywood-Hayes Center 61, Hi-Line 10Ord 56, Cozad 52Southwest 43, Hitchcock County 35<h2>Boys Basketball</h2>Cozad 50, Ord 49Arapahoe 62, Maxwell 46Dundy County Stratton 51, Chase County 35Hitchcock County 65, Southwest 60Kearney 91, North Platte 53Maywood-Hayes Center 53, Hi-Line 44Ogallala 82, Bridgeport 56South Loup (Callaway/Arnold) 62, Hershey 42&nbsp;McCook 54, Broken Bow 30

Area Sports scores from January 2nd

Story by Omaha Supernovas Communication

OMAHA, Neb.&nbsp;– The&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001n0Sno_Jmzj1a5Y7xHW1nrNeY90avMj-SEPDyNldKkr5sqTVFpsRKtNkScJ0ON3TiQGBJd9lJxwnlDCgzYk6YfDiQ2jprW8fftiT2c9SJGOA39rHsOaKD8nJHHSCTphRVkkXzfXSu4E0pX5BbNLhMLw==&amp;c=fTvKRUfUR1rs3SV8uSNNS1u6Hv1li_2FaDhNxRuHhlAEd6dt2T7RaA==&amp;ch=CerLd37JlKB5FnlbZhVWoDHBmjCYYbZ1-VbC-3QoDO0r-9th3Yco9Q==" target="_blank">Omaha Supernovas,</a>&nbsp;Nebraska’s professional volleyball team in the newly-established&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001n0Sno_Jmzj1a5Y7xHW1nrNeY90avMj-SEPDyNldKkr5sqTVFpsRKtNkScJ0ON3TiCarDNE6LKTVvjsP0GiLta8oUuJWdm2Tyf9hTGLIFFbLF0ayNFzzBk4eaeg9iTUuit4RV4XlAtWiH32OI1NDfeA==&amp;c=fTvKRUfUR1rs3SV8uSNNS1u6Hv1li_2FaDhNxRuHhlAEd6dt2T7RaA==&amp;ch=CerLd37JlKB5FnlbZhVWoDHBmjCYYbZ1-VbC-3QoDO0r-9th3Yco9Q==" target="_blank">Professional Volleyball Federation</a>, are excited to announce the official roster for Omaha’s first-ever Training Camp from January 3 through January 22.&nbsp;

Training Camp will help determine the Supernovas’ 14-person roster for the first season of the Pro Volleyball Federation which starts on January 24 with Omaha hosting the Atlanta Vibe at 7 p.m. at the CHI Health Center. Both single match and season tickets are now available on&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001n0Sno_Jmzj1a5Y7xHW1nrNeY90avMj-SEPDyNldKkr5sqTVFpsRKtNkScJ0ON3Ti5lqRy2RK4VtUf-thDlc7_Jp9obUdwAbFnBdEfK_zIrve7WhawljpdZONGoewgbob-4e6TzXjPSpLr9_e968wIQ==&amp;c=fTvKRUfUR1rs3SV8uSNNS1u6Hv1li_2FaDhNxRuHhlAEd6dt2T7RaA==&amp;ch=CerLd37JlKB5FnlbZhVWoDHBmjCYYbZ1-VbC-3QoDO0r-9th3Yco9Q==" target="_blank">Supernovas.com</a>. &nbsp;

The Supernovas will invite 22 dynamic players from around the country to compete for one of 14 active roster spots for the inaugural season of the Pro Volleyball Federation. There will also be two more additional roster spots for college draftees to become practice players.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Omaha’s roster features talent from around the globe with multiple All-Americans, NCAA National Champions and Olympians. The roster invites include Bethania De La Cruz, Tori Dixon, Danielle Hart, Sydney Hilley, Gina Mancuso-Prososki, Allison Mayfield, Brooke Nuneviller, Yossiana Pressley, Nia Reed, Jess Schaben-Lansman, Jazz Schmidt, Natalia Valentin-Anderson, Lindsey Vander Weide and Kendall White.&nbsp;

Due to overseas obligations, Hristina Vuchkova will join the team in February. &nbsp;

The Supernovas have also signed its first group of college draftees including Western Kentucky outside hitter Paige Briggs, Arkansas opposite Maggie Cartwright, James Madison middle blocker Sophie Davis and Nebraska native and Auburn middle Kyla Swanson.&nbsp;

"It’s an exciting time for our Supernovas franchise, staff and all of our players,”&nbsp;Head Coach Shelton Collier&nbsp;said. “We open training camp with a mix of experienced veterans and talented young players. We are really looking forward to having a high-level training camp. Our support staff and admin team have been tremendous which has allowed us as coaches to really zone in on what we need to do in the gym. Our players are fired up and ready, which is exciting for all of us."&nbsp;&nbsp;

Amber Igiede, who was selected No. 7 overall, will be playing overseas. &nbsp;

Omaha has also invited former Western Michigan outside hitter Maggie King to Training Camp. The Cincinnati, Ohio native left the Broncos as one of the most prolific players in program history. King was a four-time All-MAC selection across her five seasons.&nbsp;

King finished her career with 1,849 kills, 913 digs, 143 blocks and 120 aces in 146 matches. Her kill total stands at No. 2 overall in the career record book for the Broncos with her 3.50 kills per set career average sixth. She’s also the program’s all-time leader in career attempts (5,223) and second in career points (2,052).&nbsp;

Emma Willis rounds out the Supernovas roster as another invitee. The former Denver University middle blocker spent all four seasons with the Pioneers. Willis was a premier blocker during her college career that spanned from 2015-2018 as she recorded 381 total blocks. Following her career at Denver, Willis spent a pair of seasons playing for the Zesar VFM Franches-Montagnes professional team in Switzerland.&nbsp;

Supernovas Training Camp will be hosted at the state-of-the-art Lied Fitness Center at the College of Saint Mary.&nbsp;

REAL PRO VOLLEYBALL&nbsp;competition will officially begin in the United States with the Omaha Supernovas hosting the Atlanta Vibe in the first match in league history at the CHI Health Center in downtown Omaha on January 24, at 7:00 p.m. CT. Nebraska supports volleyball better than anyone, as evidenced by the more than 92,000 fans that turned out this season for a collegiate match at the Nebraska’s Memorial Stadium in August, setting a new world record for the highest attended women’s sporting event.&nbsp;

The Supernovas are one of seven U.S. teams for the 2024 inaugural season: Omaha Supernovas,&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001n0Sno_Jmzj1a5Y7xHW1nrNeY90avMj-SEPDyNldKkr5sqTVFpsRKtNkScJ0ON3Tik2QI3OfoE95WAVtUrodOiSKfUPdc5kQeSusx6n4nhPh13pUl-6s0yaWS-dVbNZFWLb6ePwU9hsRzhRnuIxltAhrkp4G6GnA2t0WxG7tZQ0kr6zDek1yTpajbgnB7cetA&amp;c=fTvKRUfUR1rs3SV8uSNNS1u6Hv1li_2FaDhNxRuHhlAEd6dt2T7RaA==&amp;ch=CerLd37JlKB5FnlbZhVWoDHBmjCYYbZ1-VbC-3QoDO0r-9th3Yco9Q==" target="_blank">Atlanta Vibe</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001n0Sno_Jmzj1a5Y7xHW1nrNeY90avMj-SEPDyNldKkr5sqTVFpsRKtNkScJ0ON3TiqEtcfXfd8UqP5-w7Wj5RYSaJE5lc5vyMlq_vHU_sOeHrBnbB0mKCyimGAzjgE5QbV-BbNqfYuBXaRDSvJ6BBDg==&amp;c=fTvKRUfUR1rs3SV8uSNNS1u6Hv1li_2FaDhNxRuHhlAEd6dt2T7RaA==&amp;ch=CerLd37JlKB5FnlbZhVWoDHBmjCYYbZ1-VbC-3QoDO0r-9th3Yco9Q==" target="_blank">Orlando Valkyries</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001n0Sno_Jmzj1a5Y7xHW1nrNeY90avMj-SEPDyNldKkr5sqTVFpsRKtNkScJ0ON3TiTPAC9ZxeqM3QIeoz5R6HfLMuBTfXBddv-TKyRJJecL18fakTDJWLplAn7EthcDL5tV0Hz3EjGZj3GQoAhVcTXw==&amp;c=fTvKRUfUR1rs3SV8uSNNS1u6Hv1li_2FaDhNxRuHhlAEd6dt2T7RaA==&amp;ch=CerLd37JlKB5FnlbZhVWoDHBmjCYYbZ1-VbC-3QoDO0r-9th3Yco9Q==" target="_blank">Columbus Fury</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001n0Sno_Jmzj1a5Y7xHW1nrNeY90avMj-SEPDyNldKkr5sqTVFpsRKtNkScJ0ON3Tit6HtIWxwFOsHpQnDjgxc-FyaaxY6mTKiy0W9RgmMeuyiJo2BSSsvoL90-y5Py4wr3Ip92N90o3zvM3Knc8AYMA==&amp;c=fTvKRUfUR1rs3SV8uSNNS1u6Hv1li_2FaDhNxRuHhlAEd6dt2T7RaA==&amp;ch=CerLd37JlKB5FnlbZhVWoDHBmjCYYbZ1-VbC-3QoDO0r-9th3Yco9Q==" target="_blank">Grand Rapids Rise</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001n0Sno_Jmzj1a5Y7xHW1nrNeY90avMj-SEPDyNldKkr5sqTVFpsRKtNkScJ0ON3TiD7OonXGfPJfhBho5UTLRePJCr2Otq-ira1lZOo0RiRpzl8w86LTLpDFclPK002CedQU760wnbIbRtcdviTcX7Q==&amp;c=fTvKRUfUR1rs3SV8uSNNS1u6Hv1li_2FaDhNxRuHhlAEd6dt2T7RaA==&amp;ch=CerLd37JlKB5FnlbZhVWoDHBmjCYYbZ1-VbC-3QoDO0r-9th3Yco9Q==" target="_blank">San Diego Mojo</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001n0Sno_Jmzj1a5Y7xHW1nrNeY90avMj-SEPDyNldKkr5sqTVFpsRKtNkScJ0ON3TihAJwi-sklt5IcytXH3WsA0GLByqYBELfyNYT7FyK6O6aXQqdaUgSWYvAQo2svtuav0-uPOBjlF7hhAAR_9UEBw==&amp;c=fTvKRUfUR1rs3SV8uSNNS1u6Hv1li_2FaDhNxRuHhlAEd6dt2T7RaA==&amp;ch=CerLd37JlKB5FnlbZhVWoDHBmjCYYbZ1-VbC-3QoDO0r-9th3Yco9Q==" target="_blank">Vegas Thrill</a>. Three expansion teams,&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001n0Sno_Jmzj1a5Y7xHW1nrNeY90avMj-SEPDyNldKkr5sqTVFpsRKtNkScJ0ON3Tipww-JdZhQvNPAhOH048BlXl6Xx_8ks6Vgu2vqDZlwU5HXi4RKfwkUeab1m8URRMPkUwRxI7YwnD2s3AhFBK5RXrBrGjx_t-n&amp;c=fTvKRUfUR1rs3SV8uSNNS1u6Hv1li_2FaDhNxRuHhlAEd6dt2T7RaA==&amp;ch=CerLd37JlKB5FnlbZhVWoDHBmjCYYbZ1-VbC-3QoDO0r-9th3Yco9Q==" target="_blank">Dallas Pro Volleyball</a>, Kansas City Pro Volleyball and Indianapolis Pro Volleyball have been announced for 2025. The Supernovas will have 12 home and 12 away matches as part of a 24-match schedule across a 16-week regular season. &nbsp;

The Omaha Supernovas aims to be the premier home of professional volleyball throughout the world. The team is owned by global music sensation Jason Derulo and entrepreneurs Danny White and Chris Erickson, Co-Founders of City+Ventures, an investment and business acceleration organization headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska.&nbsp;

Pro Volleyball Federation is&nbsp;REAL PRO VOLLEYBALL&nbsp;and the premier women’s professional volleyball league in North America. Pro Volleyball Federation will begin play in January 2024 with world class players and coaches, including some of America’s greatest volleyball players and elite players from around the world. Our entire focus is on ensuring that our level and quality of play, our treatment of players, the quality of our event presentations, and our day-to-day fan experience is world class and the very best offered in North America. For more information, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001n0Sno_Jmzj1a5Y7xHW1nrNeY90avMj-SEPDyNldKkr5sqTVFpsRKtNkScJ0ON3TiCarDNE6LKTVvjsP0GiLta8oUuJWdm2Tyf9hTGLIFFbLF0ayNFzzBk4eaeg9iTUuit4RV4XlAtWiH32OI1NDfeA==&amp;c=fTvKRUfUR1rs3SV8uSNNS1u6Hv1li_2FaDhNxRuHhlAEd6dt2T7RaA==&amp;ch=CerLd37JlKB5FnlbZhVWoDHBmjCYYbZ1-VbC-3QoDO0r-9th3Yco9Q==" target="_blank">ProVolleyball.com</a>.&nbsp;

Story by Omaha Supernovas CommunicationOMAHA, Neb.&nbsp;– The&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001n0Sno_Jmzj1a5Y7xHW1nrNeY90avMj-SEPDyNldKkr5sqTVFpsRKtNkScJ0ON3TiQGBJd9lJxwnlDCgzYk6YfDiQ2jprW8fftiT2c9SJGOA39rHsOaKD8nJHHSCTphRVkkXzfXSu4E0pX5BbNLhMLw==&amp;c=fTvKRUfUR1rs3SV8uSNNS1u6Hv1li_2FaDhNxRuHhlAEd6dt2T7RaA==&amp;ch=CerLd37JlKB5FnlbZhVWoDHBmjCYYbZ1-VbC-3QoDO0r-9th3Yco9Q==" target="_blank">Omaha Supernovas,</a>&nbsp;Nebraska’s professional volleyball team in the newly-established&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001n0Sno_Jmzj1a5Y7xHW1nrNeY90avMj-SEPDyNldKkr5sqTVFpsRKtNkScJ0ON3TiCarDNE6LKTVvjsP0GiLta8oUuJWdm2Tyf9hTGLIFFbLF0ayNFzzBk4eaeg9iTUuit4RV4XlAtWiH32OI1NDfeA==&amp;c=fTvKRUfUR1rs3SV8uSNNS1u6Hv1li_2FaDhNxRuHhlAEd6dt2T7RaA==&amp;ch=CerLd37JlKB5FnlbZhVWoDHBmjCYYbZ1-VbC-3QoDO0r-9th3Yco9Q==" target="_blank">Professional Volleyball Federation</a>, are excited to announce the official roster for Omaha’s first-ever Training Camp from January 3 through January 22.&nbsp;Training Camp will help determine the Supernovas’ 14-person roster for the first season of the Pro Volleyball Federation which starts on January 24 with Omaha hosting the Atlanta Vibe at 7 p.m. at the CHI Health Center. Both single match and season tickets are now available on&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001n0Sno_Jmzj1a5Y7xHW1nrNeY90avMj-SEPDyNldKkr5sqTVFpsRKtNkScJ0ON3Ti5lqRy2RK4VtUf-thDlc7_Jp9obUdwAbFnBdEfK_zIrve7WhawljpdZONGoewgbob-4e6TzXjPSpLr9_e968wIQ==&amp;c=fTvKRUfUR1rs3SV8uSNNS1u6Hv1li_2FaDhNxRuHhlAEd6dt2T7RaA==&amp;ch=CerLd37JlKB5FnlbZhVWoDHBmjCYYbZ1-VbC-3QoDO0r-9th3Yco9Q==" target="_blank">Supernovas.com</a>. &nbsp;The Supernovas will invite 22 dynamic players from around the country to compete for one of 14 active roster spots for the inaugural season of the Pro Volleyball Federation. There will also be two more additional roster spots for college draftees to become practice players.&nbsp;&nbsp;Omaha’s roster features talent from around the globe with multiple All-Americans, NCAA National Champions and Olympians. The roster invites include Bethania De La Cruz, Tori Dixon, Danielle Hart, Sydney Hilley, Gina Mancuso-Prososki, Allison Mayfield, Brooke Nuneviller, Yossiana Pressley, Nia Reed, Jess Schaben-Lansman, Jazz Schmidt, Natalia Valentin-Anderson, Lindsey Vander Weide and Kendall White.&nbsp;Due to overseas obligations, Hristina Vuchkova will join the team in February. &nbsp;The Supernovas have also signed its first group of college draftees including Western Kentucky outside hitter Paige Briggs, Arkansas opposite Maggie Cartwright, James Madison middle blocker Sophie Davis and Nebraska native and Auburn middle Kyla Swanson.&nbsp;"It’s an exciting time for our Supernovas franchise, staff and all of our players,”&nbsp;Head Coach Shelton Collier&nbsp;said. “We open training camp with a mix of experienced veterans and talented young players. We are really looking forward to having a high-level training camp. Our support staff and admin team have been tremendous which has allowed us as coaches to really zone in on what we need to do in the gym. Our players are fired up and ready, which is exciting for all of us."&nbsp;&nbsp;Amber Igiede, who was selected No. 7 overall, will be playing overseas. &nbsp;Omaha has also invited former Western Michigan outside hitter Maggie King to Training Camp. The Cincinnati, Ohio native left the Broncos as one of the most prolific players in program history. King was a four-time All-MAC selection across her five seasons.&nbsp;King finished her career with 1,849 kills, 913 digs, 143 blocks and 120 aces in 146 matches. Her kill total stands at No. 2 overall in the career record book for the Broncos with her 3.50 kills per set career average sixth. She’s also the program’s all-time leader in career attempts (5,223) and second in career points (2,052).&nbsp;Emma Willis rounds out the Supernovas roster as another invitee. The former Denver University middle blocker spent all four seasons with the Pioneers. Willis was a premier blocker during her college career that spanned from 2015-2018 as she recorded 381 total blocks. Following her career at Denver, Willis spent a pair of seasons playing for the Zesar VFM Franches-Montagnes professional team in Switzerland.&nbsp;Supernovas Training Camp will be hosted at the state-of-the-art Lied Fitness Center at the College of Saint Mary.&nbsp;REAL PRO VOLLEYBALL&nbsp;competition will officially begin in the United States with the Omaha Supernovas hosting the Atlanta Vibe in the first match in league history at the CHI Health Center in downtown Omaha on January 24, at 7:00 p.m. CT. Nebraska supports volleyball better than anyone, as evidenced by the more than 92,000 fans that turned out this season for a collegiate match at the Nebraska’s Memorial Stadium in August, setting a new world record for the highest attended women’s sporting event.&nbsp;The Supernovas are one of seven U.S. teams for the 2024 inaugural season: Omaha Supernovas,&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001n0Sno_Jmzj1a5Y7xHW1nrNeY90avMj-SEPDyNldKkr5sqTVFpsRKtNkScJ0ON3Tik2QI3OfoE95WAVtUrodOiSKfUPdc5kQeSusx6n4nhPh13pUl-6s0yaWS-dVbNZFWLb6ePwU9hsRzhRnuIxltAhrkp4G6GnA2t0WxG7tZQ0kr6zDek1yTpajbgnB7cetA&amp;c=fTvKRUfUR1rs3SV8uSNNS1u6Hv1li_2FaDhNxRuHhlAEd6dt2T7RaA==&amp;ch=CerLd37JlKB5FnlbZhVWoDHBmjCYYbZ1-VbC-3QoDO0r-9th3Yco9Q==" target="_blank">Atlanta Vibe</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001n0Sno_Jmzj1a5Y7xHW1nrNeY90avMj-SEPDyNldKkr5sqTVFpsRKtNkScJ0ON3TiqEtcfXfd8UqP5-w7Wj5RYSaJE5lc5vyMlq_vHU_sOeHrBnbB0mKCyimGAzjgE5QbV-BbNqfYuBXaRDSvJ6BBDg==&amp;c=fTvKRUfUR1rs3SV8uSNNS1u6Hv1li_2FaDhNxRuHhlAEd6dt2T7RaA==&amp;ch=CerLd37JlKB5FnlbZhVWoDHBmjCYYbZ1-VbC-3QoDO0r-9th3Yco9Q==" target="_blank">Orlando Valkyries</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001n0Sno_Jmzj1a5Y7xHW1nrNeY90avMj-SEPDyNldKkr5sqTVFpsRKtNkScJ0ON3TiTPAC9ZxeqM3QIeoz5R6HfLMuBTfXBddv-TKyRJJecL18fakTDJWLplAn7EthcDL5tV0Hz3EjGZj3GQoAhVcTXw==&amp;c=fTvKRUfUR1rs3SV8uSNNS1u6Hv1li_2FaDhNxRuHhlAEd6dt2T7RaA==&amp;ch=CerLd37JlKB5FnlbZhVWoDHBmjCYYbZ1-VbC-3QoDO0r-9th3Yco9Q==" target="_blank">Columbus Fury</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001n0Sno_Jmzj1a5Y7xHW1nrNeY90avMj-SEPDyNldKkr5sqTVFpsRKtNkScJ0ON3Tit6HtIWxwFOsHpQnDjgxc-FyaaxY6mTKiy0W9RgmMeuyiJo2BSSsvoL90-y5Py4wr3Ip92N90o3zvM3Knc8AYMA==&amp;c=fTvKRUfUR1rs3SV8uSNNS1u6Hv1li_2FaDhNxRuHhlAEd6dt2T7RaA==&amp;ch=CerLd37JlKB5FnlbZhVWoDHBmjCYYbZ1-VbC-3QoDO0r-9th3Yco9Q==" target="_blank">Grand Rapids Rise</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001n0Sno_Jmzj1a5Y7xHW1nrNeY90avMj-SEPDyNldKkr5sqTVFpsRKtNkScJ0ON3TiD7OonXGfPJfhBho5UTLRePJCr2Otq-ira1lZOo0RiRpzl8w86LTLpDFclPK002CedQU760wnbIbRtcdviTcX7Q==&amp;c=fTvKRUfUR1rs3SV8uSNNS1u6Hv1li_2FaDhNxRuHhlAEd6dt2T7RaA==&amp;ch=CerLd37JlKB5FnlbZhVWoDHBmjCYYbZ1-VbC-3QoDO0r-9th3Yco9Q==" target="_blank">San Diego Mojo</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001n0Sno_Jmzj1a5Y7xHW1nrNeY90avMj-SEPDyNldKkr5sqTVFpsRKtNkScJ0ON3TihAJwi-sklt5IcytXH3WsA0GLByqYBELfyNYT7FyK6O6aXQqdaUgSWYvAQo2svtuav0-uPOBjlF7hhAAR_9UEBw==&amp;c=fTvKRUfUR1rs3SV8uSNNS1u6Hv1li_2FaDhNxRuHhlAEd6dt2T7RaA==&amp;ch=CerLd37JlKB5FnlbZhVWoDHBmjCYYbZ1-VbC-3QoDO0r-9th3Yco9Q==" target="_blank">Vegas Thrill</a>. Three expansion teams,&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001n0Sno_Jmzj1a5Y7xHW1nrNeY90avMj-SEPDyNldKkr5sqTVFpsRKtNkScJ0ON3Tipww-JdZhQvNPAhOH048BlXl6Xx_8ks6Vgu2vqDZlwU5HXi4RKfwkUeab1m8URRMPkUwRxI7YwnD2s3AhFBK5RXrBrGjx_t-n&amp;c=fTvKRUfUR1rs3SV8uSNNS1u6Hv1li_2FaDhNxRuHhlAEd6dt2T7RaA==&amp;ch=CerLd37JlKB5FnlbZhVWoDHBmjCYYbZ1-VbC-3QoDO0r-9th3Yco9Q==" target="_blank">Dallas Pro Volleyball</a>, Kansas City Pro Volleyball and Indianapolis Pro Volleyball have been announced for 2025. The Supernovas will have 12 home and 12 away matches as part of a 24-match schedule across a 16-week regular season. &nbsp;ABOUT OMAHA SUPERNOVAS&nbsp;The Omaha Supernovas aims to be the premier home of professional volleyball throughout the world. The team is owned by global music sensation Jason Derulo and entrepreneurs Danny White and Chris Erickson, Co-Founders of City+Ventures, an investment and business acceleration organization headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska.&nbsp;ABOUT PRO VOLLEYBALL FEDERATION&nbsp;Pro Volleyball Federation is&nbsp;REAL PRO VOLLEYBALL&nbsp;and the premier women’s professional volleyball league in North America. Pro Volleyball Federation will begin play in January 2024 with world class players and coaches, including some of America’s greatest volleyball players and elite players from around the world. Our entire focus is on ensuring that our level and quality of play, our treatment of players, the quality of our event presentations, and our day-to-day fan experience is world class and the very best offered in North America. For more information, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001n0Sno_Jmzj1a5Y7xHW1nrNeY90avMj-SEPDyNldKkr5sqTVFpsRKtNkScJ0ON3TiCarDNE6LKTVvjsP0GiLta8oUuJWdm2Tyf9hTGLIFFbLF0ayNFzzBk4eaeg9iTUuit4RV4XlAtWiH32OI1NDfeA==&amp;c=fTvKRUfUR1rs3SV8uSNNS1u6Hv1li_2FaDhNxRuHhlAEd6dt2T7RaA==&amp;ch=CerLd37JlKB5FnlbZhVWoDHBmjCYYbZ1-VbC-3QoDO0r-9th3Yco9Q==" target="_blank">ProVolleyball.com</a>.&nbsp;

Supernovas finalize roster ahead of inaugural Training Camp

High School Basketball - Kearney @ North Platte High School

Story by North Platte 80's Communication



The North Platte 80s will play in the Mountain Division of the Pecos LeagueIn 2024 the Mountain Division will consist of these teams.

These ten teams will play their entire season within the division.Six teams from the Mountain Division will qualify for the playoffs.The winner of the Pacific Division Playoffs will meet the winner of the Mountain Division Playoffs for a three game Pecos League Championship Series.The 80s will play their inaugural game at home against the Tucson Saguaros on May 28, 2024.The Pecos League Mountain Division All Star Game will be July 14th at Santa Fe.Below is a breakdown of the North Platte 80s Schedule.

Story by North Platte 80's Communication<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704213387476.png" alt="" />
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The North Platte 80s will play in the Mountain Division of the Pecos LeagueIn 2024 the Mountain Division will consist of these teams.<ul>
 <li><a href="https://alpine.pecosleague.com/">Alpine Cowboys</a></li><li><a href="https://www.weirdosbaseball.com/">Austin Weirdos</a></li><li><a href="https://www.blackwellflycatchers.com/">Blackwell Flycatchers</a></li><li><a href="https://www.gardencitywind.com/">Garden City Wind</a></li><li><a href="https://www.northplatte80s.com/">North Platte 80s</a></li><li><a href="https://www.pecosbills.com/">Pecos Bills</a></li><li><a href="https://www.roswellinvaders.com/">Roswell Invaders</a></li><li><a href="https://www.santafefuego.com/">Santa Fe Fuego</a></li><li><a href="https://www.trinidadtriggers.com/">Trinidad Triggers</a></li><li><a href="https://www.saguarosbaseball.com/">Tucson Saguaros</a></li>
 </ul>These ten teams will play their entire season within the division.Six teams from the Mountain Division will qualify for the playoffs.The winner of the Pacific Division Playoffs will meet the winner of the Mountain Division Playoffs for a three game Pecos League Championship Series.The 80s will play their inaugural game at home against the Tucson Saguaros on May 28, 2024.The Pecos League Mountain Division All Star Game will be July 14th at Santa Fe.Below is a breakdown of the North Platte 80s Schedule.<ul>
 <li>Total Games: 54</li><li>Total Home Games: 25</li><li>Total Away Games: 29</li><li>Roswell Invaders away Games: 3</li><li>Austin Weirdos home Games: 6</li><li>Tucson Saguaros home Games: 2</li><li>Blackwell Flycatchers home Games: 5</li><li>Blackwell Flycatchers away Games: 8</li><li>Santa Fe Fuego home Games: 2</li><li>Santa Fe Fuego away Games: 2</li><li>Trinidad Triggers home Games: 3</li><li>Trinidad Triggers Away Games: 8</li><li>Garden City Wind home Games: 7</li><li>Garden City Wind Away Games: 8</li>
 </ul>

North Platte 80s release their inaugural 2024 schedule

The Nebraska men’s tennis team released its 2024 spring schedule, as the Huskers will host a double header on January 13 in Lincoln, Neb., to begin the season.

NU’s spring opener against North Dakota and Creighton, and all home matches, will be held at the Dillon Tennis Center. This spring season, the Huskers will compete in 25 dual matches, including nine matches against Big Ten conference opponents to close out the season.

In the fall, NU went 37-33 in singles play and 16-15 in doubles. Most notably from the fall, junior Calvin Mueller posted a 10-3 record en route to the Big Ten Individual Championship. Doubles duo Anton Shepp and Nic Wiedenhorn went 4-3 on the season, after making it to the semifinals match in the ITA Regionals Tournament. The pair was invited to ITA Nationals in California to close out fall play. Also finding success on the doubles court was duo Mueller and Leo Linquet, reaching a 3-1 record and placing second at the Milwaukee Tennis Classic.

From the 2022-23 season, Nebraska has seven returning letterwinners, including Rudi Christiansen, Roni Hietaranta, Lars Johann, Leo Linquet, Shunya Maruyama, Calvin Mueller and Nic Wiedenhorn. In the fall, NU welcomed four newcomers, transfers Anton Shepp, Nikolay Sysoev and Henry Bilicic, and freshman Colson Wells, for the 2023-24 season.

Stay tuned to the Husker Men’s Tennis social media channels to keep up with spring play updates and content.

<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/mens-tennis/schedule">2024 Nebraska Men’s Tennis Spring Schedule</a>

Jan. 13 vs North Dakota 11 AM, Creighton 4 PM

Jan. 26 ITA Kick-Off vs Alabama (time TBD)Jan. 27 Kentucky or Notre Dame (time TBD)

Feb. 17 at Oregon (time TBD)Feb. 23 vs Texas Tech 6 PM

Mar. 9 at UCSD (time TBD)Mar. 13 vs Yale at UCSB (time TBD)Mar. 15 at UCSB 1 PM

Mar. 30 vs Wisconsin 12 PM*, Illinois State 6 PM

Story by NU Athletic CommunicationsThe Nebraska men’s tennis team released its 2024 spring schedule, as the Huskers will host a double header on January 13 in Lincoln, Neb., to begin the season.NU’s spring opener against North Dakota and Creighton, and all home matches, will be held at the Dillon Tennis Center. This spring season, the Huskers will compete in 25 dual matches, including nine matches against Big Ten conference opponents to close out the season.In the fall, NU went 37-33 in singles play and 16-15 in doubles. Most notably from the fall, junior Calvin Mueller posted a 10-3 record en route to the Big Ten Individual Championship. Doubles duo Anton Shepp and Nic Wiedenhorn went 4-3 on the season, after making it to the semifinals match in the ITA Regionals Tournament. The pair was invited to ITA Nationals in California to close out fall play. Also finding success on the doubles court was duo Mueller and Leo Linquet, reaching a 3-1 record and placing second at the Milwaukee Tennis Classic.From the 2022-23 season, Nebraska has seven returning letterwinners, including Rudi Christiansen, Roni Hietaranta, Lars Johann, Leo Linquet, Shunya Maruyama, Calvin Mueller and Nic Wiedenhorn. In the fall, NU welcomed four newcomers, transfers Anton Shepp, Nikolay Sysoev and Henry Bilicic, and freshman Colson Wells, for the 2023-24 season.Stay tuned to the Husker Men’s Tennis social media channels to keep up with spring play updates and content.<a href="https://huskers.com/sports/mens-tennis/schedule">2024 Nebraska Men’s Tennis Spring Schedule</a>Jan. 13 vs North Dakota 11 AM, Creighton 4 PMJan. 21 vs Omaha 11 AM, Creighton 5 PMJan. 26 ITA Kick-Off vs Alabama (time TBD)Jan. 27 Kentucky or Notre Dame (time TBD)Feb. 3 at Baylor 6 PMFeb. 10 vs Arkansas 1 PMFeb. 11 vs Gonzaga 11 AMFeb. 17 at Oregon (time TBD)Feb. 23 vs Texas Tech 6 PMFeb. 25 vs Tulsa 12 PMMar. 9 at UCSD (time TBD)Mar. 13 vs Yale at UCSB (time TBD)Mar. 15 at UCSB 1 PMMar. 22 at Michigan State 6 PM*Mar. 24 at Michigan 12 PM*Mar. 30 vs Wisconsin 12 PM*, Illinois State 6 PMApr. 5 vs Illinois 6 PM*Apr. 7 vs Northwestern 12 PM*Apr. 12 at Indiana 4 PM*Apr. 14 at Purdue 12 PM*Apr. 19 vs Ohio State 5 PM*Apr. 21 vs Penn State 12 PM**Big Ten Matches&nbsp;

Huskers set 2024 spring schedule

Lincoln&nbsp;- Alexis Markowski, Jaz Shelley and Natalie Potts all produced double-doubles to power the Nebraska women's basketball to its first-ever home victory over Maryland in front of nearly 8,800 fans at Pinnacle Bank Arena on New Year's Eve.

With the with, Nebraska improved to 2-0 in the Big Ten Conference and 10-3 overall, while Maryland slipped to 9-4 overall and 1-1 in the conference. It was NU's second win in the last three meetings with the Terrapins.

Markowski did the most consistent damage from start to finish, recording her eighth double-double of the season with 20 points and 10 rebounds. It also marked the fourth 20-point performance of the season for the Lisa Leslie Award candidate from Lincoln, after getting 10 points in each of the first and second halves on Sunday for the Big Red.

Potts, a three-time Big Ten Freshman of the Week, added the second double-double of her young career with 17 points and a career-high 13 rebounds. The 6-2 forward from O'Fallon, Mo., scored 13 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in the final 20 minutes alone to play a huge role in the Huskers outscoring the Terrapins 48-43 in the second half.

Potts, who had seven offensive rebounds in the second half, and Markowski combined for 23 of Nebraska's 48 rebounds in the game, as the Huskers dominated the Big Ten's top team in total rebounds, 48-30, on the glass. Potts also went 7-for-7 from the free throw line in the game, including 4-for-4 in the final 45 seconds to help the Huskers seal the win.

Shelley contributed 13 points and a game-high 11 assists for her second double-double of the year and 12th of her career. Shelley's production came despite battling early foul trouble.

In addition to the impressive contributions from Shelley, Potts and Markowski, Nebraska got a career-high-tying 16 points from Callin Hake off the bench. The sophomore guard from Victoria, Minn., not only knocked down 4-of-7 threes to spark the Huskers, she added five big rebounds and several key defensive plays.

Graduate guard Darian White pitched in eight points, including 5-of-6 free throw shooting in the final 1:30, to help the Huskers hold off the Terps. As a team, Nebraska connected on 23-of-26 free throws (.885) on the day.

Graduate guard Maddie Krull contributed five points, four rebounds, four assists, two steals and a block to help slow down Maryland's high-powered offense.&nbsp;

The Huskers held Terrapin star Shyanne Sellers to just four points while committing seven turnovers on the day. Maryland's starters totaled just 37 points in 130 minutes, but the Terps hung with the Huskers to the buzzer by getting 44 points in just 70 minutes from their bench.

Lavender Briggs, who missed Maryland's past five games, led the Terps with a game-high 25 points on 11-of-17 shooting, including 3-of-6 threes. Riley Nelson added 11 points in less than 10 minutes on 3-of-4 shooting from the field and a 4-of-5 effort from the line.

As a team, Maryland hit 50 percent (32-64) of its shots, including 7-of-23 threes (.304), while hitting 10-of-16 free throws (.625). Maryland committed 26 fouls, as Sellers, Jakia Brown-Turner and Bri McDaniel all fouled out in the fourth quarter while trying to extend the game after the Big Red built a 10-point fourth-quarter advantage. The Terps committed 17 of their 26 fouls in the final 20 minutes.

Nebraska hit just 39.1 percent (27-69) of its shots, but the Huskers outworked the Terps 20-8 on the offensive glass. The Big Red also hit 10-of-32 three-pointers (.313), marking the seventh time this season NU has hit double-digit threes in a game.&nbsp;

In a tight and well-played game from start-to-finish, the two teams were tied at 20 at the end of one quarter, before Nebraska took a 39-38 lead to the locker room at halftime. The Huskers took control by outscoring the Terrapins 24-16 in the third quarter to push the margin to 63-54 after 30 minutes. Nebraska took its biggest lead at 66-56 on a Shelley three-pointer with 8:30 left, before securing the 87-81 win.&nbsp;

Story by NU Athletic CommunicationsLincoln&nbsp;- Alexis Markowski, Jaz Shelley and Natalie Potts all produced double-doubles to power the Nebraska women's basketball to its first-ever home victory over Maryland in front of nearly 8,800 fans at Pinnacle Bank Arena on New Year's Eve.With the with, Nebraska improved to 2-0 in the Big Ten Conference and 10-3 overall, while Maryland slipped to 9-4 overall and 1-1 in the conference. It was NU's second win in the last three meetings with the Terrapins.Markowski did the most consistent damage from start to finish, recording her eighth double-double of the season with 20 points and 10 rebounds. It also marked the fourth 20-point performance of the season for the Lisa Leslie Award candidate from Lincoln, after getting 10 points in each of the first and second halves on Sunday for the Big Red.Potts, a three-time Big Ten Freshman of the Week, added the second double-double of her young career with 17 points and a career-high 13 rebounds. The 6-2 forward from O'Fallon, Mo., scored 13 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in the final 20 minutes alone to play a huge role in the Huskers outscoring the Terrapins 48-43 in the second half.Potts, who had seven offensive rebounds in the second half, and Markowski combined for 23 of Nebraska's 48 rebounds in the game, as the Huskers dominated the Big Ten's top team in total rebounds, 48-30, on the glass. Potts also went 7-for-7 from the free throw line in the game, including 4-for-4 in the final 45 seconds to help the Huskers seal the win.Shelley contributed 13 points and a game-high 11 assists for her second double-double of the year and 12th of her career. Shelley's production came despite battling early foul trouble.In addition to the impressive contributions from Shelley, Potts and Markowski, Nebraska got a career-high-tying 16 points from Callin Hake off the bench. The sophomore guard from Victoria, Minn., not only knocked down 4-of-7 threes to spark the Huskers, she added five big rebounds and several key defensive plays.Graduate guard Darian White pitched in eight points, including 5-of-6 free throw shooting in the final 1:30, to help the Huskers hold off the Terps. As a team, Nebraska connected on 23-of-26 free throws (.885) on the day.Graduate guard Maddie Krull contributed five points, four rebounds, four assists, two steals and a block to help slow down Maryland's high-powered offense.&nbsp;The Huskers held Terrapin star Shyanne Sellers to just four points while committing seven turnovers on the day. Maryland's starters totaled just 37 points in 130 minutes, but the Terps hung with the Huskers to the buzzer by getting 44 points in just 70 minutes from their bench.Lavender Briggs, who missed Maryland's past five games, led the Terps with a game-high 25 points on 11-of-17 shooting, including 3-of-6 threes. Riley Nelson added 11 points in less than 10 minutes on 3-of-4 shooting from the field and a 4-of-5 effort from the line.As a team, Maryland hit 50 percent (32-64) of its shots, including 7-of-23 threes (.304), while hitting 10-of-16 free throws (.625). Maryland committed 26 fouls, as Sellers, Jakia Brown-Turner and Bri McDaniel all fouled out in the fourth quarter while trying to extend the game after the Big Red built a 10-point fourth-quarter advantage. The Terps committed 17 of their 26 fouls in the final 20 minutes.Nebraska hit just 39.1 percent (27-69) of its shots, but the Huskers outworked the Terps 20-8 on the offensive glass. The Big Red also hit 10-of-32 three-pointers (.313), marking the seventh time this season NU has hit double-digit threes in a game.&nbsp;In a tight and well-played game from start-to-finish, the two teams were tied at 20 at the end of one quarter, before Nebraska took a 39-38 lead to the locker room at halftime. The Huskers took control by outscoring the Terrapins 24-16 in the third quarter to push the margin to 63-54 after 30 minutes. Nebraska took its biggest lead at 66-56 on a Shelley three-pointer with 8:30 left, before securing the 87-81 win.&nbsp;

Three Huskers post double-double in win over Maryland

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) — Suspended Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco failed to show up Thursday for a meeting with a prosecutor who is investigating him for an alleged relationship with a minor.

Prosecutor Olga Diná Llaverías said the investigation will continue regardless of Franco's no-show. She waited for the All-Star player and his lawyers at her office, but they didn't appear.

Dominican prosecutors and police showed up on Tuesday at a Franco property in Baní, his hometown about 60 kilometers (37 miles) southwest of Santo Domingo. They did not find the 22-year-old player to request he appear for testimony.

The Dominican Republic's prosecutors' office said on Aug. 14 that Franco was under investigation because of postings on his social media channels suggesting he had a relationship with a minor. The Associated Press has not been able to verify the reported posts.

Franco's no-show could be because his current lawyers may not have been summoned for the meeting. The AP had access to a document in which lawyers Luz Díaz Rodríguez, Rosalina Trueba, Cristian Cabrera and Manuel Rodríguez were dismissed by Franco.

Franco was suspended by Major League Baseball in August as the investigation started in his country. He will be paid and receive service time while on administrative leave under an agreement with the players’ association. There is no set timetable for a decision on whether he will be disciplined by MLB.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687745699564.jpeg" alt="Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., left, looks on as Tampa Bay Rays' Wander Franco, bottom right, beats a tag by Royals second baseman Samad Taylor for a stolen base during the fourth inning of a baseball game Sunday, June 25, 2023, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Steve Nesius)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., left, looks on as Tampa Bay Rays' Wander Franco, bottom right, beats a tag by Royals second baseman Samad Taylor for a stolen base during the fourth inning of a baseball game Sunday, June 25, 2023, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Steve Nesius)</figcaption>
 </figure>SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) — Suspended Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco failed to show up Thursday for a meeting with a prosecutor who is investigating him for an alleged relationship with a minor.Prosecutor Olga Diná Llaverías said the investigation will continue regardless of Franco's no-show. She waited for the All-Star player and his lawyers at her office, but they didn't appear.Dominican prosecutors and police showed up on Tuesday at a Franco property in Baní, his hometown about 60 kilometers (37 miles) southwest of Santo Domingo. They did not find the 22-year-old player to request he appear for testimony.The Dominican Republic's prosecutors' office said on Aug. 14 that Franco was under investigation because of postings on his social media channels suggesting he had a relationship with a minor. The Associated Press has not been able to verify the reported posts.Franco's no-show could be because his current lawyers may not have been summoned for the meeting. The AP had access to a document in which lawyers Luz Díaz Rodríguez, Rosalina Trueba, Cristian Cabrera and Manuel Rodríguez were dismissed by Franco.Franco was suspended by Major League Baseball in August as the investigation started in his country. He will be paid and receive service time while on administrative leave under an agreement with the players’ association. There is no set timetable for a decision on whether he will be disciplined by MLB.