<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=44021">Kelli Ann Strand</a>&nbsp;charged 16 spots up the individual leader board in the final round to take a top-five finish and help the Nebraska women's golf team claim the championship at the Badger Invitational in Wisconsin on Tuesday. The Huskers, who entered the final round four strokes behind the leaders from Notre Dame, dominated the field in a stormy day on the 6,248-yard layout of the University Ridge Golf Course in Verona. Nebraska put up the best team round for the second straight day, closing the final eight holes with an even-par 288 to end the tournament at 863 (-1) over three rounds. The Big Red defeated both Notre Dame (874) and Old Dominion (874) by 11 strokes in the final team standings. ODU closed the tournament with a final-round 293 (+5), while the Fighting Irish struggled down the stretch with a 303 (+15). Strand, a true freshman from Challis, Idaho, carded a final-round 67 (-5) to jump from a tie for 20th into a tie for fourth in the final standings. Strand's final round included an eagle on No. 16 and three birdies to go along with 14 pars. Strand closed the tournament with a 54-hole score of 213 (-3). She battled her way into the final top five after ending the opening day in a tie for 50th with a 77. Her final-round 67 was the low round of the day and one of just 10 rounds better than par on the final day of the tournament in the 75-player field. <a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=44016">Miu Takahashi</a>&nbsp;added a top-10 individual finish of her own, closing an impressive tournament with an even-par 72. The sophomore from Nasu-machi, Japan, capped the best tournament of her career in eighth place at 215 (-1). Takahashi's final round included birdies on No. 5, No. 9 and No. 16 to overcome a trio of bogeys, while adding 12 pars. Her three-round total of 215 was three strokes better than her previous career-best 218 (+2), which she set last week at the Green Wave Classic in New Orleans. While Strand and Takahashi continued to climb the leader board on the final day, Husker&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=44020">Megan Whittaker</a>&nbsp;struggled with a final-round 80 after leading Nebraska through the first 36 holes (71-69-140). Whittaker finished with a solid 54-hole score of 220 (+4) to tie for 19th individually, but her final round did not count toward Nebraska's team score in the five-count-four format. <a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=44018">Michaela Vavrova</a>&nbsp;stepped up with her best round of the tournament, posting a 74 (+2) to close in a tie for 34th at 224 (+8). Following a one-hour and 20-minute mid-afternoon lightning delay, Vavrova carded birdies on No. 18 and No. 1, before ending her round with a bogey on No. 2. The junior from Bojnice, Slovakia put up four birdies in the round to help offset six bogeys while managing just eight pars. Fellow junior&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=44017">Lindsey Thiele</a>&nbsp;(Wahoo, Neb.) notched Nebraska's final counting score with a 75 (+3) to tie for 31st individually at 223 (+7) for the tournament. Thiele produced four birdies while taking seven bogeys and just seven pars in a challenging day. "We learned a lot last week in New Orleans by playing side by side with LSU in the final pairing," Nebraska Head Coach&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/coaches.aspx?rc=8367">Jeanne Sutherland</a>&nbsp;said. "We faltered down the stretch last week, and then we came back and talked about it as a group. I think that was really important for us to discuss it openly and honestly. Our goal today was to finish strong, and we did that. It was an incredible team effort. Obviously, Kelli Ann was clutch today with a bogey-free round, but Megan was great for us the first two days, and Miu was solid all three days. Lindsey and Michaela gave us solid scores all three rounds. It was truly a great team win. We've still got a long way to go as a team to get where we want to be, but we are headed in the right direction." The last time Nebraska opened a season with a pair of top-two team finishes came in 2008-09, when the Huskers won their own Chip-N Club Invitational before tying for first and dropping a playoff at the Marilynn Smith/Sunflower Invitational. The Big Red has never opened a season with three straight top-two finishes. The Huskers will be back in action at the Big O Classic at Oak Hills Country Club in Omaha (Oct. 3-4), before traveling to the Dale McNamara Invitational in Broken Arrow, Okla. (Oct. 10-11).

<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=44021">Kelli Ann Strand</a>&nbsp;charged 16 spots up the individual leader board in the final round to take a top-five finish and help the Nebraska women's golf team claim the championship at the Badger Invitational in Wisconsin on Tuesday. The Huskers, who entered the final round four strokes behind the leaders from Notre Dame, dominated the field in a stormy day on the 6,248-yard layout of the University Ridge Golf Course in Verona. Nebraska put up the best team round for the second straight day, closing the final eight holes with an even-par 288 to end the tournament at 863 (-1) over three rounds. The Big Red defeated both Notre Dame (874) and Old Dominion (874) by 11 strokes in the final team standings. ODU closed the tournament with a final-round 293 (+5), while the Fighting Irish struggled down the stretch with a 303 (+15). Strand, a true freshman from Challis, Idaho, carded a final-round 67 (-5) to jump from a tie for 20th into a tie for fourth in the final standings. Strand's final round included an eagle on No. 16 and three birdies to go along with 14 pars. Strand closed the tournament with a 54-hole score of 213 (-3). She battled her way into the final top five after ending the opening day in a tie for 50th with a 77. Her final-round 67 was the low round of the day and one of just 10 rounds better than par on the final day of the tournament in the 75-player field. <a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=44016">Miu Takahashi</a>&nbsp;added a top-10 individual finish of her own, closing an impressive tournament with an even-par 72. The sophomore from Nasu-machi, Japan, capped the best tournament of her career in eighth place at 215 (-1). Takahashi's final round included birdies on No. 5, No. 9 and No. 16 to overcome a trio of bogeys, while adding 12 pars. Her three-round total of 215 was three strokes better than her previous career-best 218 (+2), which she set last week at the Green Wave Classic in New Orleans. While Strand and Takahashi continued to climb the leader board on the final day, Husker&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=44020">Megan Whittaker</a>&nbsp;struggled with a final-round 80 after leading Nebraska through the first 36 holes (71-69-140). Whittaker finished with a solid 54-hole score of 220 (+4) to tie for 19th individually, but her final round did not count toward Nebraska's team score in the five-count-four format. <a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=44018">Michaela Vavrova</a>&nbsp;stepped up with her best round of the tournament, posting a 74 (+2) to close in a tie for 34th at 224 (+8). Following a one-hour and 20-minute mid-afternoon lightning delay, Vavrova carded birdies on No. 18 and No. 1, before ending her round with a bogey on No. 2. The junior from Bojnice, Slovakia put up four birdies in the round to help offset six bogeys while managing just eight pars. Fellow junior&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=44017">Lindsey Thiele</a>&nbsp;(Wahoo, Neb.) notched Nebraska's final counting score with a 75 (+3) to tie for 31st individually at 223 (+7) for the tournament. Thiele produced four birdies while taking seven bogeys and just seven pars in a challenging day. "We learned a lot last week in New Orleans by playing side by side with LSU in the final pairing," Nebraska Head Coach&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/coaches.aspx?rc=8367">Jeanne Sutherland</a>&nbsp;said. "We faltered down the stretch last week, and then we came back and talked about it as a group. I think that was really important for us to discuss it openly and honestly. Our goal today was to finish strong, and we did that. It was an incredible team effort. Obviously, Kelli Ann was clutch today with a bogey-free round, but Megan was great for us the first two days, and Miu was solid all three days. Lindsey and Michaela gave us solid scores all three rounds. It was truly a great team win. We've still got a long way to go as a team to get where we want to be, but we are headed in the right direction." The last time Nebraska opened a season with a pair of top-two team finishes came in 2008-09, when the Huskers won their own Chip-N Club Invitational before tying for first and dropping a playoff at the Marilynn Smith/Sunflower Invitational. The Big Red has never opened a season with three straight top-two finishes. The Huskers will be back in action at the Big O Classic at Oak Hills Country Club in Omaha (Oct. 3-4), before traveling to the Dale McNamara Invitational in Broken Arrow, Okla. (Oct. 10-11).

Huskers storm to Badger invite title

Gothenburg def. Crete, 25-16, 25-21 (2-0)

Gothenburg def. Hastings, 25-23, 25-20 (2-0)

Hershey def. Kimball, 25-12, 25-21, 25-15 (3-0)

Paxton def. Wauneta-Palisade, 21-25, 25-20, 25-17 (2-1)

Potter-Dix def. Paxton, 25-20, 25-17 (2-0)

Wallace def. Potter-Dix, 25-22, 25-15 (2-0)

Wallace def. Wauneta-Palisade, 25-19, 25-17 (2-0) (paxton tournament)

VolleyballGothenburg def. Crete, 25-16, 25-21 (2-0)Gothenburg def. Hastings, 25-23, 25-20 (2-0)Hershey def. Kimball, 25-12, 25-21, 25-15 (3-0)Ogallala def. Cozad, 25-12, 25-15 (2-0)Paxton def. Wauneta-Palisade, 21-25, 25-20, 25-17 (2-1)Potter-Dix def. Paxton, 25-20, 25-17 (2-0)Wallace def. Potter-Dix, 25-22, 25-15 (2-0)Wallace def. Wauneta-Palisade, 25-19, 25-17 (2-0) (paxton tournament)Softball&nbsp;Cozad 14, Chase County 0Gothenburg 13, Minden 3North Platte 4, McCook 2

Area high school scores from Tuesday

The North Platte Community College volleyball team lost in five sets against rival McCook Community College. &nbsp;

The final score for the first set saw McCook with the lead at 25-18.&nbsp;

The Knights tied the game in a back-and-forth second set with a final score of 25-23.&nbsp;

In set three the Knights overcame McCook with a final score of 25-21.&nbsp;

McCook took the game score back to a tie in a hard-fought set four with a score of 29-27.&nbsp;

Set five was won by McCook with a final score of 15-8. &nbsp;

Sophomore Morgan Ramsey lead the game with 22 kills, 3 aces and 13 digs. Freshmen Tyrah Woods and Emily Johnson both contributed 8 kills. Karley Spillane (So.) followed with seven kills. Freshman Whitney Chintala had 21 digs and 2 aces, while Freshman Avah Stegall achieved 40 assists and 13 digs. Amauri Browning (Fr.) had 14 digs while Tessa Metschke (So.) had 13 digs. &nbsp;

“There’s no denying that we’re in a tough spot and going into a tough weekend,” said head coach Alexa McCall. “We have to continue to work together as a team and not fall apart because that’s the easy option.”&nbsp;

“We took a step in the right direction tonight” McCall says of the Knights win in sets two and three. “[We] just have to continue to build and trust the process. I thought we served really well tonight and were able to make them work in serve receive.”&nbsp;

This puts the team at 5-11 on the season. McCook is up to 12-6 on the season. &nbsp;

Up Next: The Knights will travel to McPherson, Kan. to play McPherson College JV team at 5 p.m. on Friday Sept. 23. &nbsp;

Saturday Sept. 24 NPCC volleyball will play in Overland Park, Kan. at 10 a.m. against Kansas City Kansas Community College, and at 12 p.m. against Johnson County Community College.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The North Platte Community College volleyball team lost in five sets against rival McCook Community College. &nbsp;The final score for the first set saw McCook with the lead at 25-18.&nbsp;The Knights tied the game in a back-and-forth second set with a final score of 25-23.&nbsp;In set three the Knights overcame McCook with a final score of 25-21.&nbsp;McCook took the game score back to a tie in a hard-fought set four with a score of 29-27.&nbsp;Set five was won by McCook with a final score of 15-8. &nbsp;Sophomore Morgan Ramsey lead the game with 22 kills, 3 aces and 13 digs. Freshmen Tyrah Woods and Emily Johnson both contributed 8 kills. Karley Spillane (So.) followed with seven kills. Freshman Whitney Chintala had 21 digs and 2 aces, while Freshman Avah Stegall achieved 40 assists and 13 digs. Amauri Browning (Fr.) had 14 digs while Tessa Metschke (So.) had 13 digs. &nbsp;“There’s no denying that we’re in a tough spot and going into a tough weekend,” said head coach Alexa McCall. “We have to continue to work together as a team and not fall apart because that’s the easy option.”&nbsp;“We took a step in the right direction tonight” McCall says of the Knights win in sets two and three. “[We] just have to continue to build and trust the process. I thought we served really well tonight and were able to make them work in serve receive.”&nbsp;This puts the team at 5-11 on the season. McCook is up to 12-6 on the season. &nbsp;Up Next: The Knights will travel to McPherson, Kan. to play McPherson College JV team at 5 p.m. on Friday Sept. 23. &nbsp;Saturday Sept. 24 NPCC volleyball will play in Overland Park, Kan. at 10 a.m. against Kansas City Kansas Community College, and at 12 p.m. against Johnson County Community College.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Knights fall short in five sets against McCook 

The North Platte Community College men's basketball team will host a camp for boys and girls in grades one through six from 1-3:30 p.m. Oct. 23. in the McDonald-Belton Gymnasium, 601 W. State Farm Rd. in North Platte.&nbsp;

Campers will learn the fundamentals of basketball and will receive encouragement about academics and goal setting. &nbsp;

After the clinic, participants will attend a pizza party and take a photo with NPCC Knights Basketball players. &nbsp;

Registration is $40. This includes a Haunted Hoops t-shirt, and free admission to Knights Basketball home games while wearing the shirt. &nbsp;

Enrollment in the camp is limited and registration must be submitted by Oct. 7 to ensure a spot. &nbsp;

More information is available by contacting Kade Erickson, assistant coach, at (308) 530-7243 or ericksonkm@mpcc.edu.

Registration forms can be found at <a href="https://npccknights.com/sports/mbkb/2022-23/files/Haunted_Hoops_2022_Brochure.pdf" target="_blank">https://npccknights.com/sports/mbkb/2022-23/files/Haunted_Hoops_2022_Brochure.pdf.</a>

The North Platte Community College men's basketball team will host a camp for boys and girls in grades one through six from 1-3:30 p.m. Oct. 23. in the McDonald-Belton Gymnasium, 601 W. State Farm Rd. in North Platte.&nbsp;Campers will learn the fundamentals of basketball and will receive encouragement about academics and goal setting. &nbsp;After the clinic, participants will attend a pizza party and take a photo with NPCC Knights Basketball players. &nbsp;Registration is $40. This includes a Haunted Hoops t-shirt, and free admission to Knights Basketball home games while wearing the shirt. &nbsp;Enrollment in the camp is limited and registration must be submitted by Oct. 7 to ensure a spot. &nbsp;More information is available by contacting Kade Erickson, assistant coach, at (308) 530-7243 or ericksonkm@mpcc.edu.Registration forms can be found at <a href="https://npccknights.com/sports/mbkb/2022-23/files/Haunted_Hoops_2022_Brochure.pdf" target="_blank">https://npccknights.com/sports/mbkb/2022-23/files/Haunted_Hoops_2022_Brochure.pdf.</a>

Knights to host Haunted Hoops basketball camp Oct. 23 at NPCC 

<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=44020">Megan Whittaker</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=44021">Kelli Ann Strand</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=44016">Miu Takahashi</a>&nbsp;all fired rounds better than par to help the Nebraska women's golf team put&nbsp;up the best team round of the tournament (283) and close the gap on Notre Dame heading into the Tuesday's round at the Badger Invitational in Wisconsin. Notre Dame maintained&nbsp;the top spot in the team standings with a two-round total of 571 (-5), but the Huskers cut the Fighting Irish advantage in half on Monday. The Huskers posted the best score of the day and the tournament thus far with&nbsp;a 283 (-5) to end the second round at 575 (-1), just four strokes behind Notre Dame (284-287-575). Nebraska (292) entered the second round eight strokes back of the Irish (284). The Huskers were also able to add five shots to their cushion in front of third-place Old Dominion (293-288-591), which entered Monday's round just one stroke back of the Big Red. The Huskers own a&nbsp;six-shot edge over the Monarchs heading to the final round. "We had another good day," Nebraska Head Coach&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/coaches.aspx?rc=8367">Jeanne Sutherland</a>&nbsp;said. "They are competing well right now and staying in their rounds. We need to clean up some wedges and make some putts, and if we do that it will be within reach." Whittaker, a fifth-year Husker from Elkhorn, Neb., carded an impressive 69 (-3) on the 6,248-yard layout at the University Ridge Golf Course in Verona. Whittaker&nbsp;moved from a tie for fourth&nbsp;after the opening round into a tie for second at 140 (-4) heading into the final 18 holes. She caught fire in the middle of Monday's round, covering a six-hole span from No. 8 through No. 13 at four-under-par, before closing the round with five consecutive pars.&nbsp; Whittaker caught first-round leader Lauren Beaudreau, who opened with a 67 before adding a 73 on Monday. However, Beaudreau's&nbsp;Notre Dame teammate Montgomery Ferreira erupted for the best individual round on Monday with a 66 (-6) to storm from a tie for ninth into sole possession of the lead at 138 (-6).&nbsp; Ferreira owns a two-shot edge over Whittaker, Beaudreau&nbsp;and Old Dominion's Federica Torre, who carded a sizzling 67 (-5) on Monday. Husker&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=44021">Kelli Ann Strand</a>&nbsp;(Challis, Idaho) helped the Huskers climb the team leader board by rebounding from an opening-round 77 to match Whittaker's&nbsp;69 (-3). Strand&nbsp;vaulted from a tie for 50th into a tie for 20th heading to the final round. For the freshman from Challis, Idaho, it was her fourth round better than par in the first five rounds of her career. Strand heated up late in Monday's round, playing the final 10 holes at three-under par. Over the final 11 holes on Monday, Whittaker and Strand combined to go seven-under for the Big Red while playing bogey-free golf. Sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=44016">Miu Takahashi</a>&nbsp;(Japan) added a second straight outstanding round for the Big Red, carding a 70 (-2) to climb into the top 10 individually. Takahashi sits in a tie for eighth at 143&nbsp;(-1) after an opening round of 73 on Sunday. Takahashi's second round included four birdies, 12 pars and a pair of bogeys.&nbsp; Junior&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=44017">Lindsey Thiele</a>&nbsp;(Wahoo, Neb.) rounded out Nebraska's count-four lineup with a 75 on Monday. After an opening-round 73 on Sunday, Thiele struggled with five bogeys in her first 10 holes of the second round. However, she recovered with three birdies and four pars while overcoming one more bogey in the final eight holes.&nbsp;She heads to the final round tied for 27th in position to challenge for a top-25 finish along with the other four players in the Husker lineup. Thiele&nbsp;sits at 148 (+4) through two rounds. Junior&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=44018">Michaela Vavrova</a>&nbsp;(Slovakia) matched Thiele with a 75 on Monday after opening the tournament with a 75 Sunday. Vavrova sits in 39th individually at 150 (+6) through 36 holes. She played Monday's back nine even with two birdies and two bogeys after going three-over on the front to begin the round. Nebraska closes&nbsp;the Badger Invitational on Tuesday with a shotgun start at 9 a.m. Live scoring will be available from GolfStat.com.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=44020">Megan Whittaker</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=44021">Kelli Ann Strand</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=44016">Miu Takahashi</a>&nbsp;all fired rounds better than par to help the Nebraska women's golf team put&nbsp;up the best team round of the tournament (283) and close the gap on Notre Dame heading into the Tuesday's round at the Badger Invitational in Wisconsin. Notre Dame maintained&nbsp;the top spot in the team standings with a two-round total of 571 (-5), but the Huskers cut the Fighting Irish advantage in half on Monday. The Huskers posted the best score of the day and the tournament thus far with&nbsp;a 283 (-5) to end the second round at 575 (-1), just four strokes behind Notre Dame (284-287-575). Nebraska (292) entered the second round eight strokes back of the Irish (284). The Huskers were also able to add five shots to their cushion in front of third-place Old Dominion (293-288-591), which entered Monday's round just one stroke back of the Big Red. The Huskers own a&nbsp;six-shot edge over the Monarchs heading to the final round. "We had another good day," Nebraska Head Coach&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/coaches.aspx?rc=8367">Jeanne Sutherland</a>&nbsp;said. "They are competing well right now and staying in their rounds. We need to clean up some wedges and make some putts, and if we do that it will be within reach." Whittaker, a fifth-year Husker from Elkhorn, Neb., carded an impressive 69 (-3) on the 6,248-yard layout at the University Ridge Golf Course in Verona. Whittaker&nbsp;moved from a tie for fourth&nbsp;after the opening round into a tie for second at 140 (-4) heading into the final 18 holes. She caught fire in the middle of Monday's round, covering a six-hole span from No. 8 through No. 13 at four-under-par, before closing the round with five consecutive pars.&nbsp; Whittaker caught first-round leader Lauren Beaudreau, who opened with a 67 before adding a 73 on Monday. However, Beaudreau's&nbsp;Notre Dame teammate Montgomery Ferreira erupted for the best individual round on Monday with a 66 (-6) to storm from a tie for ninth into sole possession of the lead at 138 (-6).&nbsp; Ferreira owns a two-shot edge over Whittaker, Beaudreau&nbsp;and Old Dominion's Federica Torre, who carded a sizzling 67 (-5) on Monday. Husker&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=44021">Kelli Ann Strand</a>&nbsp;(Challis, Idaho) helped the Huskers climb the team leader board by rebounding from an opening-round 77 to match Whittaker's&nbsp;69 (-3). Strand&nbsp;vaulted from a tie for 50th into a tie for 20th heading to the final round. For the freshman from Challis, Idaho, it was her fourth round better than par in the first five rounds of her career. Strand heated up late in Monday's round, playing the final 10 holes at three-under par. Over the final 11 holes on Monday, Whittaker and Strand combined to go seven-under for the Big Red while playing bogey-free golf. Sophomore&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=44016">Miu Takahashi</a>&nbsp;(Japan) added a second straight outstanding round for the Big Red, carding a 70 (-2) to climb into the top 10 individually. Takahashi sits in a tie for eighth at 143&nbsp;(-1) after an opening round of 73 on Sunday. Takahashi's second round included four birdies, 12 pars and a pair of bogeys.&nbsp; Junior&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=44017">Lindsey Thiele</a>&nbsp;(Wahoo, Neb.) rounded out Nebraska's count-four lineup with a 75 on Monday. After an opening-round 73 on Sunday, Thiele struggled with five bogeys in her first 10 holes of the second round. However, she recovered with three birdies and four pars while overcoming one more bogey in the final eight holes.&nbsp;She heads to the final round tied for 27th in position to challenge for a top-25 finish along with the other four players in the Husker lineup. Thiele&nbsp;sits at 148 (+4) through two rounds. Junior&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=44018">Michaela Vavrova</a>&nbsp;(Slovakia) matched Thiele with a 75 on Monday after opening the tournament with a 75 Sunday. Vavrova sits in 39th individually at 150 (+6) through 36 holes. She played Monday's back nine even with two birdies and two bogeys after going three-over on the front to begin the round. Nebraska closes&nbsp;the Badger Invitational on Tuesday with a shotgun start at 9 a.m. Live scoring will be available from GolfStat.com.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Huskers Close Gap on Irish in Wisconsin

By TERRY PETTIT <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/09/19/how-the-setter-position-in-volleyball-imitates-the-best-leadership-on-your-team/">Courtesy Nebraska Examiner</a>

I do not think I can overstate the importance of the setter position 
in volleyball. I also do not think we can overstate the importance of 
the relationship between the setter and the head coach in volleyball.

Some of you may know that for the majority of my career I never 
substituted for the setter position. This was not a goal, and it would 
likely be impossible today. Most talented setters do not want to wait 
two years before they are on the court. I was blessed with outstanding 
setters, many of whom played other positions until their junior year.

I was intentional in this respect. I never wanted my setter to 
believe that I didn’t have confidence in her ability. The relationship 
was built on the time we spent together in training and in the 
conversations that we had about decision-making and game plans. She had 
enough on her plate rather than worrying about whether or not she was 
going to be subbed out.

The setter position is much more complex than other positions. She 
has to have emotional intelligence. She has to have the ability to set 
aside her own emotional needs and respond to what is best for the team. 
She can’t do that unless she is receiving support from the head coach. 
That doesn’t mean the coach has to provide verbal compliments in 
practice, but it likely means he/she has to build confidence in the 
interactions outside practice when discussing her role.

Early in my career, a player complained about the location of the set
 she received. I stopped the drill and had the outside hitter assume the
 setter position. Of course, everyone knew what I was doing. Chaos 
happened that eventually led to laughter. I was making two points. The 
first was that setting a hittable ball is much harder than you know. The
 second was that regardless of where the ball is set it is your job to 
find a way to attack it over the net.

How does this apply to other teams? I don’t think you can build trust
 in a team until you intentionally build trust and confidence in the 
people in leadership positions.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663613283145.png" alt="Nebraska setter Kelly Hunter, No. 3, during the championship match against Texas in the NCAA Women’s Volleyball Championship in Omaha in 2015. (Scott Bruhn/NU Communications)" />
 <figcaption>Nebraska setter Kelly Hunter, No. 3, during the championship match against Texas in the NCAA Women’s Volleyball Championship in Omaha in 2015. (Scott Bruhn/NU Communications)</figcaption>
 </figure>By TERRY PETTIT <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2022/09/19/how-the-setter-position-in-volleyball-imitates-the-best-leadership-on-your-team/">Courtesy Nebraska Examiner</a>I do not think I can overstate the importance of the setter position 
in volleyball. I also do not think we can overstate the importance of 
the relationship between the setter and the head coach in volleyball.Some of you may know that for the majority of my career I never 
substituted for the setter position. This was not a goal, and it would 
likely be impossible today. Most talented setters do not want to wait 
two years before they are on the court. I was blessed with outstanding 
setters, many of whom played other positions until their junior year.I was intentional in this respect. I never wanted my setter to 
believe that I didn’t have confidence in her ability. The relationship 
was built on the time we spent together in training and in the 
conversations that we had about decision-making and game plans. She had 
enough on her plate rather than worrying about whether or not she was 
going to be subbed out.The setter position is much more complex than other positions. She 
has to have emotional intelligence. She has to have the ability to set 
aside her own emotional needs and respond to what is best for the team. 
She can’t do that unless she is receiving support from the head coach. 
That doesn’t mean the coach has to provide verbal compliments in 
practice, but it likely means he/she has to build confidence in the 
interactions outside practice when discussing her role.Early in my career, a player complained about the location of the set
 she received. I stopped the drill and had the outside hitter assume the
 setter position. Of course, everyone knew what I was doing. Chaos 
happened that eventually led to laughter. I was making two points. The 
first was that setting a hittable ball is much harder than you know. The
 second was that regardless of where the ball is set it is your job to 
find a way to attack it over the net.How does this apply to other teams? I don’t think you can build trust
 in a team until you intentionally build trust and confidence in the 
people in leadership positions.

OPINION: Leadership lessons from the setter position in volleyball 

News Release North Platte Community College

Two Mid-Plains Community College Rodeo Team members have been honored with $900 educational scholarships from NEBRASKAland Days. They are Andrea Meyer, of Stapleton, and Maggie Underhill, of Hill City, Kan.

The women were recognized Saturday night at the Wild West Arena in North Platte during the final performance of the 2022 MPCC Stampede.

“These girls have worked extremely hard in and out of the arena, and it’s been showing with the results lately,” said Aukai Kaai, MPCC Rodeo Team roughstock coach. “They jump in and help when needed and are more than deserving of these awards.”

The scholarships were awarded based on the students’ performance in the arena and classroom as well as their leadership skills, volunteerism and promotion of the team.

Funding for the scholarships came from entry fees to the annual NLD Cowboy Kickball Competition in June.

“We are very proud of the efforts of both these athletes in and out of the arena,” said Wyatt Clark, MPCC Rodeo Team timed event coach. “And we’re thankful for the support from NLD and the community for this scholarship opportunity.”

<a href="https://northplattepost.com/posts/2ddcec21-000f-4ace-b19e-4250120d6629">&nbsp;&nbsp;Download The Post app for iOs or Android</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663595993260.jpeg" alt="Mid-Plains Community College Rodeo Team members Andrea Meyer and Maggie Underhill were presented with $900 scholarships from NEBRASKAland Days Saturday night during the MPCC Stampede. Pictured to left to right are: Aukai Kaai, MPCC Rodeo Team roughstock coach; Meyer; David Fudge, NLD executive director; Underhill and Wyatt Clark, MPCC Rodeo Team timed event coach." />
 <figcaption>Mid-Plains Community College Rodeo Team members Andrea Meyer and Maggie Underhill were presented with $900 scholarships from NEBRASKAland Days Saturday night during the MPCC Stampede. Pictured to left to right are: Aukai Kaai, MPCC Rodeo Team roughstock coach; Meyer; David Fudge, NLD executive director; Underhill and Wyatt Clark, MPCC Rodeo Team timed event coach.</figcaption>
 </figure>News Release North Platte Community CollegeTwo Mid-Plains Community College Rodeo Team members have been honored with $900 educational scholarships from NEBRASKAland Days. They are Andrea Meyer, of Stapleton, and Maggie Underhill, of Hill City, Kan.The women were recognized Saturday night at the Wild West Arena in North Platte during the final performance of the 2022 MPCC Stampede.“These girls have worked extremely hard in and out of the arena, and it’s been showing with the results lately,” said Aukai Kaai, MPCC Rodeo Team roughstock coach. “They jump in and help when needed and are more than deserving of these awards.”The scholarships were awarded based on the students’ performance in the arena and classroom as well as their leadership skills, volunteerism and promotion of the team.Funding for the scholarships came from entry fees to the annual NLD Cowboy Kickball Competition in June.“We are very proud of the efforts of both these athletes in and out of the arena,” said Wyatt Clark, MPCC Rodeo Team timed event coach. “And we’re thankful for the support from NLD and the community for this scholarship opportunity.”<a href="https://northplattepost.com/posts/2ddcec21-000f-4ace-b19e-4250120d6629">&nbsp;&nbsp;Download The Post app for iOs or Android</a><figure>
 <img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/TUC7USL2s_yMjZXb77YjfkcCgNQB6T0r3yAcJEte6yWzK0iAQafg01ui5aV9GFF6x26CEguqFkRmmWkkM_r8nPhj3JxKSv6Bwq9xqKU-9hFRufJjZMyfHO2WGnHwGXpVRpvpZ7JTVE9LFaq1U6s5NtR6e9UNQfpwTka_DJupz_MTVVXVYq08Pafd" alt="" />
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NEBRASKAland Days presents scholarships to MPCC Rodeo Team members

DENVER (AP) — Russell Wilson overcame a slow start and a cascade of boos in his Denver debut Sunday to lead the bungling Broncos past the Houston Texans 16-9.

The Broncos (1-1) were flagged 13 times for 100 yards, marking the first time in four years they've had back-to-back games with double-digit penalties.

But they pulled it out on defense, holding Houston (0-1-1) to a trio of field goals by Ka'imi Fairbairn.

After completing just six of his first 20 throws, Wilson went 4-for-4 on the Broncos' go-ahead scoring drive that featured a 35-yard strike to a wide-open Courtland Sutton and a 22-yard payoff to tight end Eric Saubert that put Denver ahead 13-9 early in the fourth quarter.

Wilson, who finished 14 of 31 for 219 yards with one TD and an interception, followed that up by directing a clock-chewing drive that ended with Brandon McManus' 50-yard field goal for a seven-point lead with 3:41 remaining.

Davis Mills had the Texans on the move when Randy Gregory registered his first sack for the Broncos just before the two-minute mark to help stall Houston's bid to tie it.

The Texans came in as 10-point underdogs but made the Broncos and their crowd sweat out the possibility of an 0-2 start under rookie head coach Nathaniel Hackett, who had a number of problematic play calls a week after drawing widespread ridicule for taking the ball out of Wilson's hands and attempting a 64-yard field goal in the final minute of a 17-16 loss at Seattle.

Six days after getting mercilessly booed in his return to Lumen Field, Wilson heard the boo-birds at home when he completed just 6 of 19 passes in the first half that ended in a 6-6 tie and again when he threw an&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/HoustonTexans/status/1571623794837430276">interception</a>&nbsp;on the opening drive of the second half.

Wilson got a&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/Broncos/status/1571598375262490624?s=20&amp;t=IMkGzmTvRP39eFcBfv8WbQ">huge ovation</a>&nbsp;when he ran out of the tunnel and through the smoke, but the love didn't last long as a series of dropped passes and misfires stoked the crowd that didn't like the undisciplined play and sputtering offense after an offseason of change gave them hope for a turnaround.

On one of his incompletions, Wilson lost wide receiver Jerry Jeudy to an injured right shoulder. It's the second straight September that Jeudy has gotten hurt; he missed two months last season after spraining an ankle in the opener.

And after going 0-for-4 in the red zone at Seattle on Monday night, the Broncos twice drove inside their opponents 5-yard line in the first half only to come away with field goals.

In the first quarter, Wilson had three incompletions from the Texans 2, including one where Sutton failed to get his left foot down inbounds.

Just before halftime, Wilson threw incomplete to Javonte Williams at the goal line from the 5 when it appeared he could have run it into the end zone himself. Then, after Williams bullied his way to the 1, Wilson lined up in shotgun and had to throw the ball away, bringing McManus on again for a 24-yarder that tied it with 20 seconds left.

The Broncos also lost star cornerback Patrick Surtain II to a shoulder injury.

Fairbairn's 24-yarder put the Texans up 9-6 after linebacker Christian Kirksey wrested the ball from Sutton at the Denver 45-yard line on the second play of the second half.

The Broncos responded by driving into field-goal range, but they ran fullback Andrew Beck wide right on third-and-1 from the Houston 35, then McManus' 54-yarder was nullified by a delay of game flag, Denver's third so far this season, one more than all of last season.

Houston LB Kevin Pierre-Lewis (groin) left in the third quarter with an unspecified injury and DB Derek Stingley Jr. left with an unspecified injury. Jeudy's injury came on a day the Broncos were already without third receiver KJ Hamler, who is easing his way back from knee and hip surgeries. And Surtain's injury came on the same day star S Justin Simmons had his 66-game starting streak end because of a thigh injury. Also out were starters ILB Josey Jewell (calf) and RG Quinn Meinerz (hamstring).

The Broncos host the 49ers on Sunday night.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663553283551.jpeg" alt="" />
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 </figure>DENVER (AP) — Russell Wilson overcame a slow start and a cascade of boos in his Denver debut Sunday to lead the bungling Broncos past the Houston Texans 16-9.The Broncos (1-1) were flagged 13 times for 100 yards, marking the first time in four years they've had back-to-back games with double-digit penalties.But they pulled it out on defense, holding Houston (0-1-1) to a trio of field goals by Ka'imi Fairbairn.After completing just six of his first 20 throws, Wilson went 4-for-4 on the Broncos' go-ahead scoring drive that featured a 35-yard strike to a wide-open Courtland Sutton and a 22-yard payoff to tight end Eric Saubert that put Denver ahead 13-9 early in the fourth quarter.Wilson, who finished 14 of 31 for 219 yards with one TD and an interception, followed that up by directing a clock-chewing drive that ended with Brandon McManus' 50-yard field goal for a seven-point lead with 3:41 remaining.Davis Mills had the Texans on the move when Randy Gregory registered his first sack for the Broncos just before the two-minute mark to help stall Houston's bid to tie it.The Texans came in as 10-point underdogs but made the Broncos and their crowd sweat out the possibility of an 0-2 start under rookie head coach Nathaniel Hackett, who had a number of problematic play calls a week after drawing widespread ridicule for taking the ball out of Wilson's hands and attempting a 64-yard field goal in the final minute of a 17-16 loss at Seattle.Six days after getting mercilessly booed in his return to Lumen Field, Wilson heard the boo-birds at home when he completed just 6 of 19 passes in the first half that ended in a 6-6 tie and again when he threw an&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/HoustonTexans/status/1571623794837430276">interception</a>&nbsp;on the opening drive of the second half.Wilson got a&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/Broncos/status/1571598375262490624?s=20&amp;t=IMkGzmTvRP39eFcBfv8WbQ">huge ovation</a>&nbsp;when he ran out of the tunnel and through the smoke, but the love didn't last long as a series of dropped passes and misfires stoked the crowd that didn't like the undisciplined play and sputtering offense after an offseason of change gave them hope for a turnaround.On one of his incompletions, Wilson lost wide receiver Jerry Jeudy to an injured right shoulder. It's the second straight September that Jeudy has gotten hurt; he missed two months last season after spraining an ankle in the opener.And after going 0-for-4 in the red zone at Seattle on Monday night, the Broncos twice drove inside their opponents 5-yard line in the first half only to come away with field goals.In the first quarter, Wilson had three incompletions from the Texans 2, including one where Sutton failed to get his left foot down inbounds.Just before halftime, Wilson threw incomplete to Javonte Williams at the goal line from the 5 when it appeared he could have run it into the end zone himself. Then, after Williams bullied his way to the 1, Wilson lined up in shotgun and had to throw the ball away, bringing McManus on again for a 24-yarder that tied it with 20 seconds left.The Broncos also lost star cornerback Patrick Surtain II to a shoulder injury.Fairbairn's 24-yarder put the Texans up 9-6 after linebacker Christian Kirksey wrested the ball from Sutton at the Denver 45-yard line on the second play of the second half.The Broncos responded by driving into field-goal range, but they ran fullback Andrew Beck wide right on third-and-1 from the Houston 35, then McManus' 54-yarder was nullified by a delay of game flag, Denver's third so far this season, one more than all of last season.INJURIESHouston LB Kevin Pierre-Lewis (groin) left in the third quarter with an unspecified injury and DB Derek Stingley Jr. left with an unspecified injury. Jeudy's injury came on a day the Broncos were already without third receiver KJ Hamler, who is easing his way back from knee and hip surgeries. And Surtain's injury came on the same day star S Justin Simmons had his 66-game starting streak end because of a thigh injury. Also out were starters ILB Josey Jewell (calf) and RG Quinn Meinerz (hamstring).UP NEXTThe Texans visit Chicago on Sunday.The Broncos host the 49ers on Sunday night.

Broncos overcome disasterous performance to top Texans 16-9

Area Football scores from Friday

Softball - Bulldog Invitational

<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Unfortunately the JV tournament has been canceled in Lincoln for today. Varsity will still be playing in the home tournament today starting at noon! There will be 3 games! 12, 2, and 4! Please come and support! See y’all there! <a href="https://t.co/eIev6jZiMl">pic.twitter.com/eIev6jZiMl</a>&mdash; NPHS Softball (@NPHSDawgsSB) <a href="https://twitter.com/NPHSDawgsSB/status/1571109704226734081?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 17, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

Softball - Bulldog Invitational schedule

Football - Columbus Vs. NPHS Bulldogs

Story by NPCC Athletic Communications

NPCC Knights Volleyball lost in four sets to Central Community College - Columbus Thursday night at the McDonald-Belton Gymnasium. The final scores were&nbsp;20-25, 25-19, 25-15, 25-21. &nbsp;

Freshman Vanessa Wood injured her left ankle in the fourth set. She was unable to continue playing and sat out for the rest of the match while her injury was monitored by NPCC coaching staff. &nbsp;

“This was a frustrating match because we played well in the first set and then after set two we couldn’t find the momentum again,” said head coach Alexa McCall. “We’re in a tough position right now and going into a tough week next week. We have to show a little resilience and not let defeat set in.”&nbsp;

This puts the Knights at 5-10 on the season. &nbsp;

Up Next:&nbsp;The Knights will be on the road up against McCook Community College on Tuesday at 7 p.m. &nbsp;

Story by NPCC Athletic CommunicationsNPCC Knights Volleyball lost in four sets to Central Community College - Columbus Thursday night at the McDonald-Belton Gymnasium. The final scores were&nbsp;20-25, 25-19, 25-15, 25-21. &nbsp;Freshman Vanessa Wood injured her left ankle in the fourth set. She was unable to continue playing and sat out for the rest of the match while her injury was monitored by NPCC coaching staff. &nbsp;“This was a frustrating match because we played well in the first set and then after set two we couldn’t find the momentum again,” said head coach Alexa McCall. “We’re in a tough position right now and going into a tough week next week. We have to show a little resilience and not let defeat set in.”&nbsp;This puts the Knights at 5-10 on the season. &nbsp;Up Next:&nbsp;The Knights will be on the road up against McCook Community College on Tuesday at 7 p.m. &nbsp;

Volleyball fall at home against Central CC

Story by NSAA Communications&nbsp;

After more than 40 years in education, Nebraska School Activities Association (NSAA) Executive Director, Jay Bellar, will be retiring in July 2023. Bellar became the 9th&nbsp;Executive Director in the Association’s history when he joined the NSAA Staff in 2018.

Prior to his time at the NSAA, Bellar was a high school teacher, coach, activities director, and principal before becoming superintendent for Battle Creek Public Schools – a position he held for 20 years. Bellar also served as a member of the NSAA Board of Directors for 11 years from 2007–2018.

“I am beyond grateful for my time as the Executive Director of the NSAA,” said Bellar. “I will miss all the great people involved in high school activities and the fantastic work this association does. Making this decision now allows our board to be deliberate in identifying the next executive director.”

“The Board of Directors is thankful for Jay’s leadership and his service-minded approach toward NSAA member schools during his tenure,” said NSAA Board of Directors Chairperson Bob Drews, Superintendent of Arapahoe Public Schools. “Jay will be missed and the NSAA Board wishes him nothing but the best in a well-deserved retirement.”

The NSAA Board of Directors will announce the timeline for hiring the next NSAA Executive Director in early October.

Story by NSAA Communications&nbsp;After more than 40 years in education, Nebraska School Activities Association (NSAA) Executive Director, Jay Bellar, will be retiring in July 2023. Bellar became the 9th&nbsp;Executive Director in the Association’s history when he joined the NSAA Staff in 2018.Prior to his time at the NSAA, Bellar was a high school teacher, coach, activities director, and principal before becoming superintendent for Battle Creek Public Schools – a position he held for 20 years. Bellar also served as a member of the NSAA Board of Directors for 11 years from 2007–2018.“I am beyond grateful for my time as the Executive Director of the NSAA,” said Bellar. “I will miss all the great people involved in high school activities and the fantastic work this association does. Making this decision now allows our board to be deliberate in identifying the next executive director.”“The Board of Directors is thankful for Jay’s leadership and his service-minded approach toward NSAA member schools during his tenure,” said NSAA Board of Directors Chairperson Bob Drews, Superintendent of Arapahoe Public Schools. “Jay will be missed and the NSAA Board wishes him nothing but the best in a well-deserved retirement.”The NSAA Board of Directors will announce the timeline for hiring the next NSAA Executive Director in early October.

NSAA Executive Director Jay Bellar to retire

The No. 2 Nebraska volleyball team dropped its first match of the season to No. 9 Stanford Tuesday night, 3-1 (25-27, 22-25, 25-19, 25-27) in front of 8,385 at the Bob Devaney Sports Center. The Huskers fell to 7-1, while&nbsp;Stanford&nbsp;improved to 5-2 on the season.&nbsp; <a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=44234">Madi Kubik</a>&nbsp;headlined Nebraska's efforts, producing team highs in both kills with 13 (.231) and digs, tallying 15.&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=44235">Whitney Lauenstein</a>&nbsp;added 11 kills of her own with seven digs and three blocks and two aces, and&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=44237">Lindsay Krause</a>&nbsp;chipped in nine kills with two blocks.&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=44229">Nicklin Hames</a>&nbsp;had a team-high 19 assists, while&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=44231">Anni Evans</a>&nbsp;put up 12. On the defensive end,&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=44232">Lexi Rodriguez</a>&nbsp;and Evans joined Kubik&nbsp;in double figures for digs, with 13 and 12, respectively.&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43951">Bekka Allick</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43957">Kaitlyn Hord</a>&nbsp;powered the block game, with five apiece. Both players also had five kills.&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43962">Maggie Mendelson</a>&nbsp;had four blocks to go with a career-high six kills.&nbsp; The Cardinals hit .211 as a team, while the Huskers&nbsp;hit .166.&nbsp;Stanford committed 23 service errors, the most by a Husker opponent in the rally-scoring era. The Huskers committed 14 service&nbsp;errors themselves for a total of 37 service errors in the match, the most combined service errors in a Husker match in the rally-scoring era.&nbsp; The teams remained in step&nbsp;in both&nbsp;digs and blocks. Nebraska recorded 68 digs to Stanford's 64, while the Huskers had 10.5 blocks to the Cardinal's 10.&nbsp; Kendall Kipp led the Cardinal with 15 kills on .244 hitting. Elia Rubin had 13 kills, and Caitie Baird had 10 kills. Sami Francis added eight kills and five blocks.&nbsp; Set 1:&nbsp;Nebraska separated from a 6-6 tie with a 5-1 run to go up 11-7. Hord had three kills in that stretch, and Knuckles served an ace. The Huskers continued to lead by four at the media timeout, 15-11, with Kubik pounding two more kills and Knuckles adding one. Mendelson posted a kill to make it 16-11, and a triple block by Hord, Mendelson and Kubik put the Huskers up 18-12. After a timeout, the Cardinal scored three in a row to slice the deficit in half, 18-15. Mendelson added a kill that made it 19-15, but Stanford scored the next three to get within 19-18. Lauenstein put down back-to-back kills for a 21-18 lead, and Lauenstein kept NU on top with her fifth kill that made it 22-20. Clinging to a one-point lead at 22-21, the Huskers benefited from Stanford's sixth service error of the set that made it 23-21. but Stanford got kills from Francis and Baird to tie the set at 23-23, and Nebraska took a timeout. A Stanford ace out of the timeout gave them set point at 24-23, but a block by Allick kept the Huskers alive at 24-24. Stanford earned another set point but served long. The Huskers followed by serving long as well for Stanford's third set point, and a Husker hitting error gave the Cardinal the 27-25 win. Stanford hit .283 in the first set to .214 for the Huskers.&nbsp; Set 2:&nbsp;Stanford scored the first three points and maintained an early advantage. Two kills and a block by Mendelson kept the Huskers within two, 9-7, and a block by Hord and Lauenstein cut it to one, 10-9. The Big Red drew even at 11-11 after Lauenstein smashed an overpass of a Rodriguez serve. But Stanford regained a 15-13 lead at the media timeout. Allick and Hord produced kills to get within one, 16-15, but the next three points went to the Cardinal as they led 19-15. The Huskers fought back with kills by Krause and Kubik around a Stanford hitting error to cut it to 19-18. Francis sided out for Stanford, but two Cardinal hitting errors tied the score at 20-20. But Stanford scored four of the next five rallies to earn set point at 24-21. Lauenstein sided out, but Stanford won 25-22 after another Husker error. Stanford hit .139 in set two, while the Huskers hit -.025.&nbsp; Set 3:&nbsp;Stanford jumped in front and led 13-10 after a service ace. The Huskers answered in a big way with kills by Mendelson, Krause and Allick&nbsp;as part of a 5-0 run that made it 15-13 Huskers. With the score tied at 18-18, Kubik earned a sideout for NU and Stanford committed a hitting error for a 20-18 Husker advantage.&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=44233">Kennedi Orr</a>&nbsp;subbed in to the match and set Lauenstein for a kill that made it 21-18. Kipp sided out for Stanford, and Kubik tipped a kill that made it 22-19. Allick and Hord stuffed a Cardinal attack for a 23-19 lead, and Lauenstein served back-to-back aces for a 25-19 win. NU hit .235 and held Stanford to .111.&nbsp; Set 4:&nbsp;Nebraska held a 7-5 lead after three kills by Kubik, but Stanford came back with a 4-1 run to go up 9-8. Stanford held a 13-11 lead when Allick recorded back-to-back kills to tie the score, but the Cardinal went into the media timeout with a 15-13 advantage. The Huskers rallied to tie the set at 17-17, and NU took a 21-20 lead on a block by Orr and Allick. The Cardinal answered with back-to-back points to go up 22-21 before a kill by Kubik tied it. Kipp and Krause traded kills before Baird gave Stanford match point, 24-23. After a timeout, Krause posted back-to-back kills for a Nebraska set point at 25-24, and Stanford called timeout. Kipp tipped a kill for a sideout, and Rubin followed with another for another Stanford match point, 26-25. Kipp posted the final kill for a 27-25 win. Up Next:&nbsp;The Huskers will leave the state for the first time this season when they head to Lexington, Ky., to face No. 13 Kentucky on Sunday at 2 p.m. (CT).&nbsp; &nbsp;

The No. 2 Nebraska volleyball team dropped its first match of the season to No. 9 Stanford Tuesday night, 3-1 (25-27, 22-25, 25-19, 25-27) in front of 8,385 at the Bob Devaney Sports Center. The Huskers fell to 7-1, while&nbsp;Stanford&nbsp;improved to 5-2 on the season.&nbsp; <a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=44234">Madi Kubik</a>&nbsp;headlined Nebraska's efforts, producing team highs in both kills with 13 (.231) and digs, tallying 15.&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=44235">Whitney Lauenstein</a>&nbsp;added 11 kills of her own with seven digs and three blocks and two aces, and&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=44237">Lindsay Krause</a>&nbsp;chipped in nine kills with two blocks.&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=44229">Nicklin Hames</a>&nbsp;had a team-high 19 assists, while&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=44231">Anni Evans</a>&nbsp;put up 12. On the defensive end,&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=44232">Lexi Rodriguez</a>&nbsp;and Evans joined Kubik&nbsp;in double figures for digs, with 13 and 12, respectively.&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43951">Bekka Allick</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43957">Kaitlyn Hord</a>&nbsp;powered the block game, with five apiece. Both players also had five kills.&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=43962">Maggie Mendelson</a>&nbsp;had four blocks to go with a career-high six kills.&nbsp; The Cardinals hit .211 as a team, while the Huskers&nbsp;hit .166.&nbsp;Stanford committed 23 service errors, the most by a Husker opponent in the rally-scoring era. The Huskers committed 14 service&nbsp;errors themselves for a total of 37 service errors in the match, the most combined service errors in a Husker match in the rally-scoring era.&nbsp; The teams remained in step&nbsp;in both&nbsp;digs and blocks. Nebraska recorded 68 digs to Stanford's 64, while the Huskers had 10.5 blocks to the Cardinal's 10.&nbsp; Kendall Kipp led the Cardinal with 15 kills on .244 hitting. Elia Rubin had 13 kills, and Caitie Baird had 10 kills. Sami Francis added eight kills and five blocks.&nbsp; Set 1:&nbsp;Nebraska separated from a 6-6 tie with a 5-1 run to go up 11-7. Hord had three kills in that stretch, and Knuckles served an ace. The Huskers continued to lead by four at the media timeout, 15-11, with Kubik pounding two more kills and Knuckles adding one. Mendelson posted a kill to make it 16-11, and a triple block by Hord, Mendelson and Kubik put the Huskers up 18-12. After a timeout, the Cardinal scored three in a row to slice the deficit in half, 18-15. Mendelson added a kill that made it 19-15, but Stanford scored the next three to get within 19-18. Lauenstein put down back-to-back kills for a 21-18 lead, and Lauenstein kept NU on top with her fifth kill that made it 22-20. Clinging to a one-point lead at 22-21, the Huskers benefited from Stanford's sixth service error of the set that made it 23-21. but Stanford got kills from Francis and Baird to tie the set at 23-23, and Nebraska took a timeout. A Stanford ace out of the timeout gave them set point at 24-23, but a block by Allick kept the Huskers alive at 24-24. Stanford earned another set point but served long. The Huskers followed by serving long as well for Stanford's third set point, and a Husker hitting error gave the Cardinal the 27-25 win. Stanford hit .283 in the first set to .214 for the Huskers.&nbsp; Set 2:&nbsp;Stanford scored the first three points and maintained an early advantage. Two kills and a block by Mendelson kept the Huskers within two, 9-7, and a block by Hord and Lauenstein cut it to one, 10-9. The Big Red drew even at 11-11 after Lauenstein smashed an overpass of a Rodriguez serve. But Stanford regained a 15-13 lead at the media timeout. Allick and Hord produced kills to get within one, 16-15, but the next three points went to the Cardinal as they led 19-15. The Huskers fought back with kills by Krause and Kubik around a Stanford hitting error to cut it to 19-18. Francis sided out for Stanford, but two Cardinal hitting errors tied the score at 20-20. But Stanford scored four of the next five rallies to earn set point at 24-21. Lauenstein sided out, but Stanford won 25-22 after another Husker error. Stanford hit .139 in set two, while the Huskers hit -.025.&nbsp; Set 3:&nbsp;Stanford jumped in front and led 13-10 after a service ace. The Huskers answered in a big way with kills by Mendelson, Krause and Allick&nbsp;as part of a 5-0 run that made it 15-13 Huskers. With the score tied at 18-18, Kubik earned a sideout for NU and Stanford committed a hitting error for a 20-18 Husker advantage.&nbsp;<a href="https://huskers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=44233">Kennedi Orr</a>&nbsp;subbed in to the match and set Lauenstein for a kill that made it 21-18. Kipp sided out for Stanford, and Kubik tipped a kill that made it 22-19. Allick and Hord stuffed a Cardinal attack for a 23-19 lead, and Lauenstein served back-to-back aces for a 25-19 win. NU hit .235 and held Stanford to .111.&nbsp; Set 4:&nbsp;Nebraska held a 7-5 lead after three kills by Kubik, but Stanford came back with a 4-1 run to go up 9-8. Stanford held a 13-11 lead when Allick recorded back-to-back kills to tie the score, but the Cardinal went into the media timeout with a 15-13 advantage. The Huskers rallied to tie the set at 17-17, and NU took a 21-20 lead on a block by Orr and Allick. The Cardinal answered with back-to-back points to go up 22-21 before a kill by Kubik tied it. Kipp and Krause traded kills before Baird gave Stanford match point, 24-23. After a timeout, Krause posted back-to-back kills for a Nebraska set point at 25-24, and Stanford called timeout. Kipp tipped a kill for a sideout, and Rubin followed with another for another Stanford match point, 26-25. Kipp posted the final kill for a 27-25 win. Up Next:&nbsp;The Huskers will leave the state for the first time this season when they head to Lexington, Ky., to face No. 13 Kentucky on Sunday at 2 p.m. (CT).&nbsp; &nbsp;

Huskers fall to No. 9 Stanford

North Platte Community College athletic department will look to expand its intercollegiate athletic programs with the addition of men’s and women’s golf in the coming years.&nbsp;

The approval by the Board of Governors on Wednesday night will grow the athletic department from four varsity sports to six by the fall of 2024.&nbsp;

“As we gathered input for our next strategic enrollment plan, one of the most frequently noted items was the expansion of collegiate athletics,” said President Ryan Purdy. “Men’s and women’s golf was an obvious decision as we have several area schools that compete, and we have available housing capacity to accommodate those students.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

In the late 1940s, the National Junior College Athletic Association hosted the first men’s golf championship in Kansas City, Mo. The championship was then reclassified in 1968 as a national championship and moved to Roswell, N.M. Currently, the NJCAA has 73 teams competing in the NJCAA DII classification.

The NJCAA added women’s golf to the books in June 1976 as the first official championship took place in Temple, Texas.&nbsp;

The new Knights women’s golf team could compete in the DI or DIII classification, but enough interest from other NJCAA institutions could possibly create the DII classification prior to the addition of the athletic program in 2024. This DII classification would align the women’s golf program with the other women’s programs within the athletic department.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“Adding men's and women's golf programs will enhance our athletic department,” said Kevin O’Connor, the college’s athletic director. “We have seen a significant increase in the popularity of golf at the high school level, and we want to continue to provide opportunities for students to pursue their passions.”

The men’s program intends to tee off in the fall of 2023, with the women’s program to follow in 2024 once approval is granted by the NJCAA.

North Platte Community College athletic department will look to expand its intercollegiate athletic programs with the addition of men’s and women’s golf in the coming years.&nbsp;The approval by the Board of Governors on Wednesday night will grow the athletic department from four varsity sports to six by the fall of 2024.&nbsp;“As we gathered input for our next strategic enrollment plan, one of the most frequently noted items was the expansion of collegiate athletics,” said President Ryan Purdy. “Men’s and women’s golf was an obvious decision as we have several area schools that compete, and we have available housing capacity to accommodate those students.”&nbsp;&nbsp;In the late 1940s, the National Junior College Athletic Association hosted the first men’s golf championship in Kansas City, Mo. The championship was then reclassified in 1968 as a national championship and moved to Roswell, N.M. Currently, the NJCAA has 73 teams competing in the NJCAA DII classification.The NJCAA added women’s golf to the books in June 1976 as the first official championship took place in Temple, Texas.&nbsp;The new Knights women’s golf team could compete in the DI or DIII classification, but enough interest from other NJCAA institutions could possibly create the DII classification prior to the addition of the athletic program in 2024. This DII classification would align the women’s golf program with the other women’s programs within the athletic department.&nbsp;&nbsp;“Adding men's and women's golf programs will enhance our athletic department,” said Kevin O’Connor, the college’s athletic director. “We have seen a significant increase in the popularity of golf at the high school level, and we want to continue to provide opportunities for students to pursue their passions.”The men’s program intends to tee off in the fall of 2023, with the women’s program to follow in 2024 once approval is granted by the NJCAA.

North Platte Community College will look to add two athletic programs by fall of 2024

Twenty teams competed in the fourth annual Knights Cage Club Golf Scramble Sept. 9 at Rivers Edge Golf Club in North Platte. This year’s winning four-man scramble team was Robyn and Shane O’Connor and Darrel and Frances Smith with a score of 59. &nbsp;

A silent auction after the scramble included tickets to a Nebraska basketball game and tickets to the Nebraska vs. Oklahoma game. &nbsp;

More than $10,00 was raised this year, with a total of about $70,000 raised from the scramble over the past four years. Proceeds from the tournament will be used by the Knights Cage Club to provide scholarship assistance for the NPCC men’s basketball program.&nbsp;

Twenty teams competed in the fourth annual Knights Cage Club Golf Scramble Sept. 9 at Rivers Edge Golf Club in North Platte. This year’s winning four-man scramble team was Robyn and Shane O’Connor and Darrel and Frances Smith with a score of 59. &nbsp;A silent auction after the scramble included tickets to a Nebraska basketball game and tickets to the Nebraska vs. Oklahoma game. &nbsp;More than $10,00 was raised this year, with a total of about $70,000 raised from the scramble over the past four years. Proceeds from the tournament will be used by the Knights Cage Club to provide scholarship assistance for the NPCC men’s basketball program.&nbsp;

Golf scramble raises more than $10,000 for NPCC men’s basketball 

NPCC Knights Volleyball lost in three sets to Northeastern Junior College Tuesday night. The final scores were 20-25, 20-25, 13-25.&nbsp;

Ramsey achieved 10 kills and 14 digs, while Chintala contributed 17 digs, and Stegall 17 assists. &nbsp;

“We have some work to do,” says head coach Alexa McCall. “Thursday is a big game for us, and we have to be able to execute better than what we did tonight.&nbsp;

That brings the Knights to 5-9 on the season. &nbsp;

Up Next:&nbsp;The Knights will be at home Thursday at 6 p.m. against Central Community College – Columbus. It will be Gold Out Night – the first 200 attendees will receive a free gold t-shirt.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

NPCC Knights Volleyball lost in three sets to Northeastern Junior College Tuesday night. The final scores were 20-25, 20-25, 13-25.&nbsp;Ramsey achieved 10 kills and 14 digs, while Chintala contributed 17 digs, and Stegall 17 assists. &nbsp;“We have some work to do,” says head coach Alexa McCall. “Thursday is a big game for us, and we have to be able to execute better than what we did tonight.&nbsp;That brings the Knights to 5-9 on the season. &nbsp;Up Next:&nbsp;The Knights will be at home Thursday at 6 p.m. against Central Community College – Columbus. It will be Gold Out Night – the first 200 attendees will receive a free gold t-shirt.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Volleyball swept on the road at Northeastern 

Brady def. Dundy County Stratton, 25-12, 25-13 (2-0)

Gothenburg def. North Platte St. Patrick's, 25-19, 25-17, 25-15 (3-0)

Maywood-Hayes Center def. Hitchcock County, 25-19, 25-9, 25-19 (3-0)

North Platte def. Lexington, 25-15, 25-16, 25-15 (3-0)

Overton def. Maxwell, 25-11, 25-11, 25-9 (3-0)

Scottsbluff def. Gering, 25-19, 25-21, 23-25, 25-15 (3-1)

Southwest def. Wauneta-Palisade, 25-15, 25-21, 25-16 (3-0)

Wallace def. Sutherland, 25-11, 25-16 (2-0)

SoftballCozad 13, Lexington 12Gering 12, Chase County 0Gering 13, Bayard 1Gothenburg 13, Polk County 1Gothenburg 6, Kearney Catholic 2Hastings 13, McCook 5North Platte 12, Scottsbluff 6North Platte 4, Scottsbluff 1VolleyballAlma def. Cozad, 25-21, 25-15 (2-0)Arapahoe def. Cozad, 25-21, 25-15 (2-0)Brady def. Dundy County Stratton, 25-12, 25-13 (2-0)Gothenburg def. North Platte St. Patrick's, 25-19, 25-17, 25-15 (3-0)Maywood-Hayes Center def. Hitchcock County, 25-19, 25-9, 25-19 (3-0)North Platte def. Lexington, 25-15, 25-16, 25-15 (3-0)Overton def. Maxwell, 25-11, 25-11, 25-9 (3-0)Scottsbluff def. Gering, 25-19, 25-21, 23-25, 25-15 (3-1)Southwest def. Wauneta-Palisade, 25-15, 25-21, 25-16 (3-0)Wallace def. Mullen, 25-5, 25-7 (2-0)Wallace def. Sutherland, 25-11, 25-16 (2-0)

Area scores from Tuesday

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Mickey Joseph said Tuesday that he wants to be Nebraska's next head football coach and not just the interim guy for the next nine games.

Joseph met with the media for the first time since athletic director Trev Alberts asked him to lead the program the rest of the season following the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/college-football-sports-nebraska-cornhuskers-scott-frost-c044d129471db5294f90ce038d05905b">firing of Scott Frost</a>&nbsp;on Sunday.

“I think when you accept the job as interim head coach, that's the opportunity you're working for, to become the head coach,” Joseph said. “But we understand what goes along with this profession. It’s wins and losses, and that’s what it’s going to depend on.”

Joseph, 54, opens his stint as interim head coach with a home game against former conference rival and sixth-ranked Oklahoma (2-0) on Saturday. The Huskers (1-2) have lost 18 straight against Top 25 opponents.

Joseph played quarterback at Nebraska under Tom Osborne from 1988-91, has worked at all levels of college football and was receivers coach and assistant head coach at LSU before joining the Cornhuskers' staff this year. He's best known for his abilities to recruit and develop NFL talent.

Alberts said he told Joseph he planned to do an exhaustive coach search. The expectation is that money will be no object because of the huge increase in cash coming to Big Ten schools when the $1 billion-per-year conference television contract begins in 2023.

“We will see how the season unfolds, but I think we have an opportunity to hire an outstanding coach to lead our program,” Alberts said. "I would love to see Mickey grow into that, and we will just see where it goes. We will do a national search and if at that point, if Mickey is an obvious candidate, he will be part of that conversation as well.”

Joseph is the first Black head coach at Nebraska, interim or permanent, in any sport.

“I haven’t really thought about that because I’ve been a football coach, I’ve been a Black football coach, all my life,” he said. “I’m more concerned about the boys and getting the boys ready to play on Saturday. It’s bigger than me.”

Richard Lapchick, director of the Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport at Central Florida, told The Associated Press he expects Nebraska to take Joseph's candidacy seriously.

“Nebraska should give him a hard look with the understanding that turning the program around that quickly is a difficult situation,” Lapchick said. “Measuring his success can’t only be measured on the wins and losses he has but the relationships with the players, how hard they play, how the team congeals under his leadership.”

Turner Gill, also a Black former Nebraska assistant and quarterback under Osborne, was a finalist for the Cornhuskers’ job that went to Bo Pelini in 2007. Gill went on to become head coach at Buffalo, Kansas and Liberty.

Lapchick said the Nebraska athletic department has done diversity and inclusion training since the 1990s. Most other schools, he said, didn’t provide such training until after the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/death-of-george-floyd">death of George Floyd in 2019.</a>

“I know the fact (Joseph) is the first doesn’t mean they weren’t trying to do that before,” he said. “I am very personally pleased — both wanting the best for Nebraska football but also changing what’s going on around America in general in light of the racial reckoning of the past several years and just the history of sport in America.”

Lapchick, who in 1984 helped found the pioneering Center for the Study of Sport in Society at Northeastern University, publishes an annual report card on racial and gender hiring practices and is a leading voice on diversity and inclusion in athletics.

Not including Joseph, there are eight Black head football coaches this season among the 65 Power Five schools, including Notre Dame. There are three in the Big Ten.

The fact Joseph has not been a head coach or coordinator at the Football Bowl Subdivision level doesn't work in his favor, Lapchick said.

“If that disqualifies him, that would tell me his candidacy was not genuine from the beginning,” Lapchick said, noting that Joseph will have at least nine games of experience at the end of the season.

This week's NCAA strength-of-schedule report shows Nebraska has the 20th-toughest remaining schedule based on its opponents' combined record of 15-4.

“We’ve got nine games left, right?” Joseph said. “As a coach, you've got to stand up and say we’re trying to win nine games. But we're not worried about nine games right now. We're worried about this game this week.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/5/1559312290420.gif" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Mickey Joseph said Tuesday that he wants to be Nebraska's next head football coach and not just the interim guy for the next nine games.Joseph met with the media for the first time since athletic director Trev Alberts asked him to lead the program the rest of the season following the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/college-football-sports-nebraska-cornhuskers-scott-frost-c044d129471db5294f90ce038d05905b">firing of Scott Frost</a>&nbsp;on Sunday.“I think when you accept the job as interim head coach, that's the opportunity you're working for, to become the head coach,” Joseph said. “But we understand what goes along with this profession. It’s wins and losses, and that’s what it’s going to depend on.”Joseph, 54, opens his stint as interim head coach with a home game against former conference rival and sixth-ranked Oklahoma (2-0) on Saturday. The Huskers (1-2) have lost 18 straight against Top 25 opponents.Joseph played quarterback at Nebraska under Tom Osborne from 1988-91, has worked at all levels of college football and was receivers coach and assistant head coach at LSU before joining the Cornhuskers' staff this year. He's best known for his abilities to recruit and develop NFL talent.Alberts said he told Joseph he planned to do an exhaustive coach search. The expectation is that money will be no object because of the huge increase in cash coming to Big Ten schools when the $1 billion-per-year conference television contract begins in 2023.“We will see how the season unfolds, but I think we have an opportunity to hire an outstanding coach to lead our program,” Alberts said. "I would love to see Mickey grow into that, and we will just see where it goes. We will do a national search and if at that point, if Mickey is an obvious candidate, he will be part of that conversation as well.”Joseph is the first Black head coach at Nebraska, interim or permanent, in any sport.“I haven’t really thought about that because I’ve been a football coach, I’ve been a Black football coach, all my life,” he said. “I’m more concerned about the boys and getting the boys ready to play on Saturday. It’s bigger than me.”Richard Lapchick, director of the Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport at Central Florida, told The Associated Press he expects Nebraska to take Joseph's candidacy seriously.“Nebraska should give him a hard look with the understanding that turning the program around that quickly is a difficult situation,” Lapchick said. “Measuring his success can’t only be measured on the wins and losses he has but the relationships with the players, how hard they play, how the team congeals under his leadership.”Turner Gill, also a Black former Nebraska assistant and quarterback under Osborne, was a finalist for the Cornhuskers’ job that went to Bo Pelini in 2007. Gill went on to become head coach at Buffalo, Kansas and Liberty.Lapchick said the Nebraska athletic department has done diversity and inclusion training since the 1990s. Most other schools, he said, didn’t provide such training until after the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/death-of-george-floyd">death of George Floyd in 2019.</a>“I know the fact (Joseph) is the first doesn’t mean they weren’t trying to do that before,” he said. “I am very personally pleased — both wanting the best for Nebraska football but also changing what’s going on around America in general in light of the racial reckoning of the past several years and just the history of sport in America.”Lapchick, who in 1984 helped found the pioneering Center for the Study of Sport in Society at Northeastern University, publishes an annual report card on racial and gender hiring practices and is a leading voice on diversity and inclusion in athletics.Not including Joseph, there are eight Black head football coaches this season among the 65 Power Five schools, including Notre Dame. There are three in the Big Ten.The fact Joseph has not been a head coach or coordinator at the Football Bowl Subdivision level doesn't work in his favor, Lapchick said.“If that disqualifies him, that would tell me his candidacy was not genuine from the beginning,” Lapchick said, noting that Joseph will have at least nine games of experience at the end of the season.This week's NCAA strength-of-schedule report shows Nebraska has the 20th-toughest remaining schedule based on its opponents' combined record of 15-4.“We’ve got nine games left, right?” Joseph said. “As a coach, you've got to stand up and say we’re trying to win nine games. But we're not worried about nine games right now. We're worried about this game this week.”

Joseph wants Nebraska head coaching job beyond this season

Softball - Scottsbluff Vs. NPHS Bulldogs

The Mid-Plains Community College Rodeo Team is off to a strong start after wrapping up its first regional rodeo of the season.

The team came away with the women’s team championship during the Falcon Frontier Days Rodeo in River Falls, Wis. over the weekend.

Contributing to that was Maggie Underhill, of Hill City, Kan., who won the barrel racing short go with a 16.10 second run and placed second in the average.

Andrea Meyer, of Stapleton, ended up third in the breakaway roping average and 10th in goat tying.

Madison McGee, of Deloraine, Manitoba, Canada, and Kaden Wooters, of Elwood, finished third in the team roping for Mid-Plains. Wooters was also third in the steer wrestling average after winning the long go. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Jace Richter, of Ogallala, came in seventh in the tie down roping average. He placed third in the long go round.

“I’m very proud of the women’s team accomplishment this weekend,” said Wyatt Clark, MPCC Rodeo Team timed event coach. “It was a great way to start the season. Both Coach Kaai and I are proud of our team’s camaraderie and culture this season, and we are looking forward to seeing both the women’s and men’s team excel this weekend at our home rodeo.”

This week’s rodeo activities will begin with the Whitetail Bull Bash at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Wild West Arena in North Platte.

That will be followed by two days of the 10th annual MPCC Stampede. Performances are scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Wild West Arena.

Tickets for all three events are available at the gate at a cost of $10 each. The exception is children 10 and younger who will be admitted free as will MPCC students and employees with a college ID.

Weekend passes are also available for $20. The pass will get patrons into the bull bash and both nights of the Stampede.

The Mid-Plains Community College Rodeo Team is off to a strong start after wrapping up its first regional rodeo of the season.The team came away with the women’s team championship during the Falcon Frontier Days Rodeo in River Falls, Wis. over the weekend.Contributing to that was Maggie Underhill, of Hill City, Kan., who won the barrel racing short go with a 16.10 second run and placed second in the average.Andrea Meyer, of Stapleton, ended up third in the breakaway roping average and 10th in goat tying.Madison McGee, of Deloraine, Manitoba, Canada, and Kaden Wooters, of Elwood, finished third in the team roping for Mid-Plains. Wooters was also third in the steer wrestling average after winning the long go. &nbsp;&nbsp;Jace Richter, of Ogallala, came in seventh in the tie down roping average. He placed third in the long go round.“I’m very proud of the women’s team accomplishment this weekend,” said Wyatt Clark, MPCC Rodeo Team timed event coach. “It was a great way to start the season. Both Coach Kaai and I are proud of our team’s camaraderie and culture this season, and we are looking forward to seeing both the women’s and men’s team excel this weekend at our home rodeo.”This week’s rodeo activities will begin with the Whitetail Bull Bash at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Wild West Arena in North Platte.That will be followed by two days of the 10th annual MPCC Stampede. Performances are scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Wild West Arena.Tickets for all three events are available at the gate at a cost of $10 each. The exception is children 10 and younger who will be admitted free as will MPCC students and employees with a college ID.Weekend passes are also available for $20. The pass will get patrons into the bull bash and both nights of the Stampede.

MPCC Rodeo claims women’s team championship during first competition of the season

Nebraska's offense rolled up 575 yards of total&nbsp;yards, but Georgia Southern answered with 642 offensive yards in a 45-42 win over the Huskers at Memorial Stadium on Saturday night. The Eagles (2-0) scored the go-ahead touchdown on quarterback Kyle Vantrease's&nbsp;eight-yard run with 36 seconds left.&nbsp;Casey Thompson&nbsp;then moved Nebraska quickly into field goal position. His pass to&nbsp;Trey Palmer&nbsp;with one second left, set up a 51-yard field goal attempt by&nbsp;Timmy Bleekrode, which would have forced overtime. But Bleekrode's kick spun wide left, dropping Nebraska to 1-2 on the young season. Nebraska's first non-conference loss came despite a strong night from Thompson, who completed 23-of-34 passes for 318 yards and a touchdown. He rushed 10 times for 31 yards and three touchdowns, including Nebraska's go-ahead score with 3:05 left that made it 42-38 Huskers. Palmer hauled in six receptions for 81 yards, while&nbsp;Marcus Washington&nbsp;led the Husker receiving corps with 123 yards on six catches of his own. While Thompson moved the Huskers through the air and on the ground, running back&nbsp;Anthony Grant&nbsp;added his third consecutive 100-yard rushing game to open his Nebraska career. Grant rushed for a game-high 138 yards on 27 carries, including a touchdown, while&nbsp;Ajay Allen&nbsp;added 76 yards and a score on just eight carries. On a night when both&nbsp;offenses dictated the tone and tempo of the game from start to finish, the Eagles answered with Vantrease's touchdown run to cap an 11-play, 75-yard drive that took 2:29.Vantrease, who previously led a Buffalo team on the field at Memorial Stadium, put up huge numbers by completing 37-of-56 passes for 409 yards and a touchdown. He also threw a pair of interceptions while adding two carries for seven yards on the ground.&nbsp;Derwin Burgess Jr. was Vantrease's favorite target, hauling in 12 receptions for 119 yards. Jeremy Singleton added nine catches for 89 yards and Khaleb Hood contributed six catches for 82 yards. The Eagles added 233 rushing yards, including 132 yards from running back Gerald Green on just 10 attempts with two touchdowns. Jalen White pitched in 18 yards on 17 carries with two more scores. Georgia Southern outscored Nebraska 17-14 in the second half, and 10-7 in the final quarter. Defensive back&nbsp;Marques Buford Jr.&nbsp;provided highlights for the Nebraska defense with a pair of interceptions to go along with his five tackles.&nbsp;Isaac Gifford&nbsp;led Nebraska with 11 total tackles, while&nbsp;Luke Reimer&nbsp;and&nbsp;Stephon Wynn Jr.&nbsp;each pitched in nine stops. After a high-scoring first half, the two teams went to the locker room tied at 28 after combining for 689 yards of total offense on 83 snaps. Thompson completed 13-of-16 passes for 202 yards and a touchdown in the opening half, while adding six carries for eight yards and two more touchdowns on the ground. Grant added 75 yards rushing and another scoring on 14 first-half carries, while Allen pitched in 38 rushing yards on five totes.&nbsp;Nebraska rolled 325 total yards in the half, including&nbsp;Brody Belt's&nbsp;first career touchdown catch, a 21-yard connection with Thompson to tie the score at 14 early in the second quarter. Just over five minutes later, Grant gave the Big Red its only lead of the half on his four-yard touchdown run with 8:25 left in the half to make it 21-14 Huskers. Georgia Southern then answered with back-to-back touchdown drives in a 3:27 span to regain a 28-21 edge. Green, who had 120 yards on five carries for the Eagles in the first half, scored on runs of 1 and 47 yards. Thompson answered for the Huskers on their final drive of the half, capping a six-play, 75-yard drive with his two-yard touchdown run. Vantrease led the Georgia Southern offense with 185 yards on 19-of-26 passing but did throw one interception in the half. The Eagles put up 364 yards of total offense including 179 on the ground in the half, but Nebraska closed the second quarter with an important stop after GSU drove inside the Husker 5.&nbsp;The two teams exchanged touchdowns in the third quarter to send the game to the fourth quarter tied at 35. However, Georgia Southern opened the fourth with 3rd-and-Goal near the Husker goal line. Nebraska's defense held to force a field goal. Trailing 38-35 with 14:42 left, Nebraska's offense took over but sputtered out of the blocks. Georgia Southern forced a punt and took over at its own 32. The Eagles drove across midfield before&nbsp;Garrett Nelson&nbsp;and Buford Jr. teamed for Nebraska's biggest defensive play of the game. Nelson pressured Vantrease and hit him just as he threw the ball deep down the left side of the field. Buford was in perfect position to secure his second&nbsp;interception of the night to stop the Eagle scoring threat. Thompson and the Husker offense took over at the NU 2 and proceeded to march 98 yards on 15 plays over the next 5:58, capped by his own one-yard touchdown plunge to give the Big Red a 42-38 lead with 3:05 left. Nebraska returns home next weekend to complete non-conference action by playing host to Oklahoma. Kick-off between the Huskers and Sooners on Saturday, Sept. 17 at Memorial Stadium is set for 11 a.m., with live national television coverage by FOX, including early pre-game coverage with the Big Noon Kickoff Show. The game can also be heard on the Huskers Radio Network, the Huskers App and Huskers.com.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Nebraska's offense rolled up 575 yards of total&nbsp;yards, but Georgia Southern answered with 642 offensive yards in a 45-42 win over the Huskers at Memorial Stadium on Saturday night. The Eagles (2-0) scored the go-ahead touchdown on quarterback Kyle Vantrease's&nbsp;eight-yard run with 36 seconds left.&nbsp;Casey Thompson&nbsp;then moved Nebraska quickly into field goal position. His pass to&nbsp;Trey Palmer&nbsp;with one second left, set up a 51-yard field goal attempt by&nbsp;Timmy Bleekrode, which would have forced overtime. But Bleekrode's kick spun wide left, dropping Nebraska to 1-2 on the young season. Nebraska's first non-conference loss came despite a strong night from Thompson, who completed 23-of-34 passes for 318 yards and a touchdown. He rushed 10 times for 31 yards and three touchdowns, including Nebraska's go-ahead score with 3:05 left that made it 42-38 Huskers. Palmer hauled in six receptions for 81 yards, while&nbsp;Marcus Washington&nbsp;led the Husker receiving corps with 123 yards on six catches of his own. While Thompson moved the Huskers through the air and on the ground, running back&nbsp;Anthony Grant&nbsp;added his third consecutive 100-yard rushing game to open his Nebraska career. Grant rushed for a game-high 138 yards on 27 carries, including a touchdown, while&nbsp;Ajay Allen&nbsp;added 76 yards and a score on just eight carries. On a night when both&nbsp;offenses dictated the tone and tempo of the game from start to finish, the Eagles answered with Vantrease's touchdown run to cap an 11-play, 75-yard drive that took 2:29.Vantrease, who previously led a Buffalo team on the field at Memorial Stadium, put up huge numbers by completing 37-of-56 passes for 409 yards and a touchdown. He also threw a pair of interceptions while adding two carries for seven yards on the ground.&nbsp;Derwin Burgess Jr. was Vantrease's favorite target, hauling in 12 receptions for 119 yards. Jeremy Singleton added nine catches for 89 yards and Khaleb Hood contributed six catches for 82 yards. The Eagles added 233 rushing yards, including 132 yards from running back Gerald Green on just 10 attempts with two touchdowns. Jalen White pitched in 18 yards on 17 carries with two more scores. Georgia Southern outscored Nebraska 17-14 in the second half, and 10-7 in the final quarter. Defensive back&nbsp;Marques Buford Jr.&nbsp;provided highlights for the Nebraska defense with a pair of interceptions to go along with his five tackles.&nbsp;Isaac Gifford&nbsp;led Nebraska with 11 total tackles, while&nbsp;Luke Reimer&nbsp;and&nbsp;Stephon Wynn Jr.&nbsp;each pitched in nine stops. After a high-scoring first half, the two teams went to the locker room tied at 28 after combining for 689 yards of total offense on 83 snaps. Thompson completed 13-of-16 passes for 202 yards and a touchdown in the opening half, while adding six carries for eight yards and two more touchdowns on the ground. Grant added 75 yards rushing and another scoring on 14 first-half carries, while Allen pitched in 38 rushing yards on five totes.&nbsp;Nebraska rolled 325 total yards in the half, including&nbsp;Brody Belt's&nbsp;first career touchdown catch, a 21-yard connection with Thompson to tie the score at 14 early in the second quarter. Just over five minutes later, Grant gave the Big Red its only lead of the half on his four-yard touchdown run with 8:25 left in the half to make it 21-14 Huskers. Georgia Southern then answered with back-to-back touchdown drives in a 3:27 span to regain a 28-21 edge. Green, who had 120 yards on five carries for the Eagles in the first half, scored on runs of 1 and 47 yards. Thompson answered for the Huskers on their final drive of the half, capping a six-play, 75-yard drive with his two-yard touchdown run. Vantrease led the Georgia Southern offense with 185 yards on 19-of-26 passing but did throw one interception in the half. The Eagles put up 364 yards of total offense including 179 on the ground in the half, but Nebraska closed the second quarter with an important stop after GSU drove inside the Husker 5.&nbsp;The two teams exchanged touchdowns in the third quarter to send the game to the fourth quarter tied at 35. However, Georgia Southern opened the fourth with 3rd-and-Goal near the Husker goal line. Nebraska's defense held to force a field goal. Trailing 38-35 with 14:42 left, Nebraska's offense took over but sputtered out of the blocks. Georgia Southern forced a punt and took over at its own 32. The Eagles drove across midfield before&nbsp;Garrett Nelson&nbsp;and Buford Jr. teamed for Nebraska's biggest defensive play of the game. Nelson pressured Vantrease and hit him just as he threw the ball deep down the left side of the field. Buford was in perfect position to secure his second&nbsp;interception of the night to stop the Eagle scoring threat. Thompson and the Husker offense took over at the NU 2 and proceeded to march 98 yards on 15 plays over the next 5:58, capped by his own one-yard touchdown plunge to give the Big Red a 42-38 lead with 3:05 left. Nebraska returns home next weekend to complete non-conference action by playing host to Oklahoma. Kick-off between the Huskers and Sooners on Saturday, Sept. 17 at Memorial Stadium is set for 11 a.m., with live national television coverage by FOX, including early pre-game coverage with the Big Noon Kickoff Show. The game can also be heard on the Huskers Radio Network, the Huskers App and Huskers.com.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Huskers fall short against Eagles

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1662919919733.jpeg" alt="huskers" />
 <figcaption>huskers</figcaption>
 </figure>Press conference slated for 3 p.m.

Breaking news - Scott Frost out as Huskers Head Coach

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Georgia Southern's players sprinted into the south end zone in celebration after the Eagles finished their 45-42 upset of three-touchdown-favorite Nebraska on Saturday night.

Meanwhile, in the southeast corner of Memorial Stadium, the student section was chanting “Fire Frost, Fire Frost, Fire Frost.”

Kyle Vantrease scored on an 8-yard run with 36 seconds left after Nebraska had taken its first lead, and after Casey Thompson moved the Huskers into field-goal range, Timmy Bleekrode was wide left with a 52-yard attempt as time ran out.

The victory, the Eagles’ first in 13 games against Power Five opponents, came with a $1.423 million guarantee paid by Nebraska. And it happened almost a year to the day that Southern California fired Clay Helton two games into his seventh season. Helton was hired last November to take over a Georgia Southern program that went 3-9 and lost six of its last seven games last season.

“What a special night,” Helton said. “So proud of our kids, especially when you come off the season where you just win three games and you've got a new collection of people. You watch them come together and watch them starting to believe in themselves and believe in each other.”

The loss again turns up the pressure on embattled Nebraska coach Scott Frost, who faces a home game next week against No. 7 Oklahoma.

The Huskers (1-2) had come into the Georgia Southern game 214-0 when scoring at least 35 points at Memorial Stadium.

Frost lost to a Sun Belt Conference team for the second time in his five seasons, and he and his players are bracing for a week of negativity from one of college football's most ardent fan bases.

“Got to make sure it doesn’t seep into players. I haven’t listened to any of it for a long time. Got to make sure they don’t,” Frost said. “There are a lot of games left in the season and this group can do well.”

The Eagles (2-0) piled up 642 yards, none bigger than the 75 they moved in 11 plays for the winning touchdown.

Kyle Vantrease converted a fourth-and-2 pass and threw 27 yards to Khaleb Hood before he took off up the middle on a designed quarterback run for the go-ahead score.

Thompson moved the Huskers from their 23 to the Eagles' 34 before Bleekrode pulled his field-goal try to the left.

“We kind of felt that it might be a shootout and that whoever had the ball last, it might go their way,” Helton said. “We had just enough time left on that clock to be able to score, and I was holding my breath on their last drive when they had. The good Lord was watching after us.”

Nebraska had taken the lead on Thompson's 1-yard run with 3:05 left after Marques Buford's second interception of the game turned back the Eagles as they tried to build on a three-point lead.

Thompson led the Huskers 98 yards in 15 plays. Thompson and Anthony Grant churned out yards on the ground and Marcus Washington made a catch at the 1 that was upheld on video review before Thompson went over the pile at the goal line.

Vantrease, who was quarterback for Buffalo when it lost at Nebraska last year, was 37 of 56 for 409 yards. Gerald Green ran for 132 yards and two touchdowns and Jalen Allen had 85 yards and two scores.

Thompson ran for three touchdowns and was 23 of 34 for 318 yards and a score. Grant carried 27 times for 138 yards and a score.

“We win together and lose together,” Frost said. “All of us are frustrated after that one. Give them credit, give Clay credit. We can’t let it divide us.”

Georgia Southern: The Eagles began their transition from the Championship Subdivision to the Bowl Subdivision in 2013, the same year they beat Florida for their only other win over a Power Five team.

Nebraska: Frost’s hot seat is hotter than ever. His contract buyout drops from $15 million to $7.5 million on Oct. 1.

Georgia Southern lost two players to injury. Receiver Sam Kenerson injured his right leg late in the first half and was taken off the field on a cart, and defensive back Wylan Free left the game in the middle of the third quarter after making helmet-to-helmet contact while tackling Grant.

Kenerson had gone over the middle to make a catch, turned and was running when Marques Buford Jr. hit him. Kenerson went down writhing in pain and holding his leg and went off the field wearing an air cast.

Grant ran into Free head-on on a run. Free wobbled when he got up and was helped off the field.

Georgia Southern: Visits UAB on Saturday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1662913324857.jpeg" alt="Georgia Southern quarterback Kyle Vantrease (6) leaps over Nebraska's Ernest Hausmann (15) to score a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, in Lincoln, Neb. Georgia Southern won 45-42. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)" />
 <figcaption>Georgia Southern quarterback Kyle Vantrease (6) leaps over Nebraska's Ernest Hausmann (15) to score a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, in Lincoln, Neb. Georgia Southern won 45-42. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)</figcaption>
 </figure>LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Georgia Southern's players sprinted into the south end zone in celebration after the Eagles finished their 45-42 upset of three-touchdown-favorite Nebraska on Saturday night.Meanwhile, in the southeast corner of Memorial Stadium, the student section was chanting “Fire Frost, Fire Frost, Fire Frost.”Kyle Vantrease scored on an 8-yard run with 36 seconds left after Nebraska had taken its first lead, and after Casey Thompson moved the Huskers into field-goal range, Timmy Bleekrode was wide left with a 52-yard attempt as time ran out.The victory, the Eagles’ first in 13 games against Power Five opponents, came with a $1.423 million guarantee paid by Nebraska. And it happened almost a year to the day that Southern California fired Clay Helton two games into his seventh season. Helton was hired last November to take over a Georgia Southern program that went 3-9 and lost six of its last seven games last season.“What a special night,” Helton said. “So proud of our kids, especially when you come off the season where you just win three games and you've got a new collection of people. You watch them come together and watch them starting to believe in themselves and believe in each other.”The loss again turns up the pressure on embattled Nebraska coach Scott Frost, who faces a home game next week against No. 7 Oklahoma.The Huskers (1-2) had come into the Georgia Southern game 214-0 when scoring at least 35 points at Memorial Stadium.Frost lost to a Sun Belt Conference team for the second time in his five seasons, and he and his players are bracing for a week of negativity from one of college football's most ardent fan bases.“Got to make sure it doesn’t seep into players. I haven’t listened to any of it for a long time. Got to make sure they don’t,” Frost said. “There are a lot of games left in the season and this group can do well.”The Eagles (2-0) piled up 642 yards, none bigger than the 75 they moved in 11 plays for the winning touchdown.Kyle Vantrease converted a fourth-and-2 pass and threw 27 yards to Khaleb Hood before he took off up the middle on a designed quarterback run for the go-ahead score.Thompson moved the Huskers from their 23 to the Eagles' 34 before Bleekrode pulled his field-goal try to the left.“We kind of felt that it might be a shootout and that whoever had the ball last, it might go their way,” Helton said. “We had just enough time left on that clock to be able to score, and I was holding my breath on their last drive when they had. The good Lord was watching after us.”Nebraska had taken the lead on Thompson's 1-yard run with 3:05 left after Marques Buford's second interception of the game turned back the Eagles as they tried to build on a three-point lead.Thompson led the Huskers 98 yards in 15 plays. Thompson and Anthony Grant churned out yards on the ground and Marcus Washington made a catch at the 1 that was upheld on video review before Thompson went over the pile at the goal line.Vantrease, who was quarterback for Buffalo when it lost at Nebraska last year, was 37 of 56 for 409 yards. Gerald Green ran for 132 yards and two touchdowns and Jalen Allen had 85 yards and two scores.Thompson ran for three touchdowns and was 23 of 34 for 318 yards and a score. Grant carried 27 times for 138 yards and a score.“We win together and lose together,” Frost said. “All of us are frustrated after that one. Give them credit, give Clay credit. We can’t let it divide us.”THE TAKEAWAYGeorgia Southern: The Eagles began their transition from the Championship Subdivision to the Bowl Subdivision in 2013, the same year they beat Florida for their only other win over a Power Five team.Nebraska: Frost’s hot seat is hotter than ever. His contract buyout drops from $15 million to $7.5 million on Oct. 1.EAGLE INJURIESGeorgia Southern lost two players to injury. Receiver Sam Kenerson injured his right leg late in the first half and was taken off the field on a cart, and defensive back Wylan Free left the game in the middle of the third quarter after making helmet-to-helmet contact while tackling Grant.Kenerson had gone over the middle to make a catch, turned and was running when Marques Buford Jr. hit him. Kenerson went down writhing in pain and holding his leg and went off the field wearing an air cast.Grant ran into Free head-on on a run. Free wobbled when he got up and was helped off the field.UP NEXTGeorgia Southern: Visits UAB on Saturday.Nebraska: Hosts No. 7 Oklahoma on Saturday in a meeting of old Big Eight/Big 12 rivals.