Story by NPCC Athletic Communications

Ankeny, Iowa –&nbsp;Kristyn Woolley&nbsp;notched a collegiate best round 97 to open play at the Grand View Invitational on Monday. Woolley followed up with a final round 101 to bring home a 31st place finish.

Esperanza Mendoza-Rama&nbsp;carded a 103 in the final round to finish 33rd in the field.&nbsp;Kaylee Carlson&nbsp;bested her opening round by 14 strokes to finish 36th.

Knights will return to the course in the spring to continue the 2024-25 season.

North Platte31.&nbsp;Kristyn Woolley&nbsp;– 97-101 (+56)33.&nbsp;Esperanza Mendoza-Rama&nbsp;– 100-103 (+61)36.&nbsp;Kaylee Carlson&nbsp;–&nbsp;122-108 (+88)

Story by NPCC Athletic CommunicationsAnkeny, Iowa –&nbsp;Kristyn Woolley&nbsp;notched a collegiate best round 97 to open play at the Grand View Invitational on Monday. Woolley followed up with a final round 101 to bring home a 31st place finish.Esperanza Mendoza-Rama&nbsp;carded a 103 in the final round to finish 33rd in the field.&nbsp;Kaylee Carlson&nbsp;bested her opening round by 14 strokes to finish 36th.Knights will return to the course in the spring to continue the 2024-25 season.North Platte31.&nbsp;Kristyn Woolley&nbsp;– 97-101 (+56)33.&nbsp;Esperanza Mendoza-Rama&nbsp;– 100-103 (+61)36.&nbsp;Kaylee Carlson&nbsp;–&nbsp;122-108 (+88)

Woolley notches collegiate best round at Grand View Invitational

Ankeny, Iowa – North Platte Community College men's golf team finished 12th at the Grand View Invitational in Ankeny, Iowa on Tuesday.

Taytom Timbers&nbsp;led the way with a 48th place finish. Timbers shot an opening round 82, but rallied with eleven pars in the final round to finish 16-over par.

Layne Smotzer&nbsp;concluded the tournament 21-over par after a second round 77.&nbsp;Caeson Clarke&nbsp;shot his best round on day two, recording a 78 to finish 63rd in the individual standings.

Cole Kramer&nbsp;finished 68th after a final round 88, while&nbsp;Treyten York&nbsp;finished three strokes back of his teammate with a 69th place finish.

North PlatteT48.&nbsp;Taytom Timbers&nbsp;– 82-76 (+16)62.&nbsp;Layne Smotzer&nbsp;– 86-77 (+21)T63.&nbsp;Caeson Clarke&nbsp;– 86-78 (+22)68.&nbsp;Cole Kramer&nbsp;– 83-88 (+29)69.&nbsp;Treyten York&nbsp;– 90-84 (+32)Team StandingsNebraska Wesleyan– 289-293 (+14)Grand View – 295-293 (+20)Iowa Western – 299-293 (+24)William Woods – 292-301 (+25)Southwestern – 307-295 (+34)North Central Missouri – 303-306 (+41)Simpson – 310-300 (+42)Iowa Lakes – 308-303 (+43)William Penn – 315-302 (+49)Central (Iowa) – 313-305 (+50)Grand View (B) – 318-305 (+55)North Platte – 337-315 (+84)

Story by NPCC Athletic CommunicationsAnkeny, Iowa – North Platte Community College men's golf team finished 12th at the Grand View Invitational in Ankeny, Iowa on Tuesday.Taytom Timbers&nbsp;led the way with a 48th place finish. Timbers shot an opening round 82, but rallied with eleven pars in the final round to finish 16-over par.Layne Smotzer&nbsp;concluded the tournament 21-over par after a second round 77.&nbsp;Caeson Clarke&nbsp;shot his best round on day two, recording a 78 to finish 63rd in the individual standings.Cole Kramer&nbsp;finished 68th after a final round 88, while&nbsp;Treyten York&nbsp;finished three strokes back of his teammate with a 69th place finish.Knights will return to the course in the spring to continue the 2024-25 season.North PlatteT48.&nbsp;Taytom Timbers&nbsp;– 82-76 (+16)62.&nbsp;Layne Smotzer&nbsp;– 86-77 (+21)T63.&nbsp;Caeson Clarke&nbsp;– 86-78 (+22)68.&nbsp;Cole Kramer&nbsp;– 83-88 (+29)69.&nbsp;Treyten York&nbsp;– 90-84 (+32)Team StandingsNebraska Wesleyan– 289-293 (+14)Grand View – 295-293 (+20)Iowa Western – 299-293 (+24)William Woods – 292-301 (+25)Southwestern – 307-295 (+34)North Central Missouri – 303-306 (+41)Simpson – 310-300 (+42)Iowa Lakes – 308-303 (+43)William Penn – 315-302 (+49)Central (Iowa) – 313-305 (+50)Grand View (B) – 318-305 (+55)North Platte – 337-315 (+84)

Knights finish fall season at Grand View Invitational

Class A Individual results - North Platte

Class C individual results - Perkins County

Class A Team Results<div><iframe width="444" height="580" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" src="https://eagleradioks-my.sharepoint.com/personal/paxton_gordon_eagleradio_net/_layouts/15/Doc.aspx?sourcedoc={97b3792a-faa9-43bc-af67-18196ae47bc3}&action=embedview&wdAllowInteractivity=False&Item='Sheet1'!A1%3AF25&wdInConfigurator=True&wdInConfigurator=True"></iframe></div>Class A Individual results - North Platte<div><iframe width="432" height="301" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" src="https://eagleradioks-my.sharepoint.com/personal/paxton_gordon_eagleradio_net/_layouts/15/Doc.aspx?sourcedoc={97b3792a-faa9-43bc-af67-18196ae47bc3}&action=embedview&wdAllowInteractivity=False&Item='Sheet2'!A1%3AF11&wdInConfigurator=True&wdInConfigurator=True"></iframe></div>Class B individual results - McCook<div><iframe width="432" height="181" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" src="https://eagleradioks-my.sharepoint.com/personal/paxton_gordon_eagleradio_net/_layouts/15/Doc.aspx?sourcedoc={97b3792a-faa9-43bc-af67-18196ae47bc3}&action=embedview&wdAllowInteractivity=False&Item='Sheet3'!A1%3AF5&wdInConfigurator=True&wdInConfigurator=True"></iframe></div>Class C Team results - Ogallala<div><iframe width="700" height="900" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" src="https://eagleradioks-my.sharepoint.com/personal/paxton_gordon_eagleradio_net/_layouts/15/Doc.aspx?sourcedoc={97b3792a-faa9-43bc-af67-18196ae47bc3}&action=embedview&wdAllowInteractivity=False&Item='Sheet4'!A1%3AF46&wdInConfigurator=True&wdInConfigurator=True"></iframe></div>Class C individual results - Ogallala<div><iframe width="411" height="305" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" src="https://eagleradioks-my.sharepoint.com/personal/paxton_gordon_eagleradio_net/_layouts/15/Doc.aspx?sourcedoc={97b3792a-faa9-43bc-af67-18196ae47bc3}&action=embedview&wdAllowInteractivity=False&Item='Sheet5'!A1%3AF11&wdInConfigurator=True&wdInConfigurator=True"></iframe></div>Class C individual results - Perkins County<div><iframe width="431" height="139" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" src="https://eagleradioks-my.sharepoint.com/personal/paxton_gordon_eagleradio_net/_layouts/15/Doc.aspx?sourcedoc={97b3792a-faa9-43bc-af67-18196ae47bc3}&action=embedview&wdAllowInteractivity=False&Item='Sheet6'!A1%3AF3&wdInConfigurator=True&wdInConfigurator=True"></iframe></div>

NSAA State Golf Day 2 results

The Eagles ended up in a crazy 4th quarter at NM Highlands Saturday! Enjoy a discussion with Coach Long about the pivotal moments in the game, and look ahead to Homecoming against Fort Lewis this week.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666116284028.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Eagles ended up in a crazy 4th quarter at NM Highlands Saturday! Enjoy a discussion with Coach Long about the pivotal moments in the game, and look ahead to Homecoming against Fort Lewis this week.<div><iframe title="Jay Long Show - October 15, 2024" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:150px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=unwtu-1709a44-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=1b1b1b&font-color=auto&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=c73a3a" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

🎙 PODCAST: Jay Long Show - October 15, 2024

Story by NU Athletic Communications

The Nebraska men's gymnastics team will compete in three home meets at the Bob Devaney Sports Center while taking on some of the nation's best teams throughout the 2025 season, Head Coach Chuck Chmelka announced on Monday, Oct. 14.&nbsp;

The Huskers open their season in Colorado Springs, Colo., at the Rocky Mountain Open on Saturday, Jan. 18 at 7 p.m. (CT). Nebraska will compete against Air Force, Arizona State, Oklahoma, Rocky Mountain Mavericks, SoCal United and Stanford.&nbsp;

The Big Red begin Big Ten Conference action by traveling to Illinois to face the Fighting Illini on Friday, Jan. 31 at 6 p.m. (CT).

Nebraska will compete at home for the first time in 2025 when the Huskers welcome Greenville to the Devaney Center on Saturday, Feb. 15 at 1 p.m. (CT).&nbsp;

Individual Husker gymnasts will then have the opportunity to compete at the annual USA Gymnastics Winter Cup in Louisville, Ky., Feb. 21-23.&nbsp;

The Big Red return to team action Friday, Feb. 28 at 8 p.m. (CT), when the Huskers face Oklahoma and California in a tri-meet at Berkeley.&nbsp;

Nebraska returns home to clash with Ohio State at the Devaney Center on Saturday, March 8 at 1 p.m. (CT), before continuing Big Ten action at Penn State on Saturday, March 15 at 3 p.m. (CT).&nbsp;

Nebraska returns to Devaney for its final regular-season meet against Michigan on Friday, March 21 at 6 p.m. (CT).&nbsp;&nbsp;

Postseason competition begins April 4, as the Huskers head to the 2025 Big Ten Championships in Ann Arbor, Mich. The Wolverines are also set to host the 2025 NCAA Championships in Ann Arbor on April 18-19.

Nebraska welcomes back 18 gymnasts including All-Americans Taylor Christopulos, Asher Cohen and Zac Tiderman, from the 2024 squad that claimed the Big Ten regular-season championship and a fourth-place finish at nationals. Freshmen Caden Clinton and Nik Tarca hope to add to Nebraska's chances of challenging for the Big Ten and NCAA titles in 2025.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Follow along on X, Instagram, and Facebook at @HuskerMGym for updates and the latest content on Nebraska Gymnastics.&nbsp;

2025 Men’s Gymnastics ScheduleJan. 18 - at Rocky Mountain Open (Colorado Springs, Colo.) - 7 p.m.Jan. 31 - at Illinois* (Champaign, Ill.) - 6 p.m.&nbsp;Feb. 15 - Greenville (Devaney Center) - 1 p.m.&nbsp;Feb. 21-23 - at Winter Cup (Louisville, Ky.) - (TBA)Feb. 28 - at California, vs. Oklahoma (Berkeley, Calif.) - 8 p.m.&nbsp;March 8 - Ohio State* (Devaney Center) - 1 p.m.&nbsp;March 15 - Penn State* (State College, Pa.) - 3 p.m.March 21 - Michigan* (Devaney Center) - 6 p.m.&nbsp;April 4-5 - Big Ten Championships (Ann Arbor, Mich.) - TBAApril 18-19 NCAA Championships (Ann Arbor, Mich.) - (Saturday, 1:30; Sunday, 6 p.m.)&nbsp;All times Central Time and subject to change.&nbsp;*Indicates Big Ten Meet&nbsp;Home meets are in Bold&nbsp;

Story by NU Athletic CommunicationsThe Nebraska men's gymnastics team will compete in three home meets at the Bob Devaney Sports Center while taking on some of the nation's best teams throughout the 2025 season, Head Coach Chuck Chmelka announced on Monday, Oct. 14.&nbsp;The Huskers open their season in Colorado Springs, Colo., at the Rocky Mountain Open on Saturday, Jan. 18 at 7 p.m. (CT). Nebraska will compete against Air Force, Arizona State, Oklahoma, Rocky Mountain Mavericks, SoCal United and Stanford.&nbsp;The Big Red begin Big Ten Conference action by traveling to Illinois to face the Fighting Illini on Friday, Jan. 31 at 6 p.m. (CT).Nebraska will compete at home for the first time in 2025 when the Huskers welcome Greenville to the Devaney Center on Saturday, Feb. 15 at 1 p.m. (CT).&nbsp;Individual Husker gymnasts will then have the opportunity to compete at the annual USA Gymnastics Winter Cup in Louisville, Ky., Feb. 21-23.&nbsp;The Big Red return to team action Friday, Feb. 28 at 8 p.m. (CT), when the Huskers face Oklahoma and California in a tri-meet at Berkeley.&nbsp;Nebraska returns home to clash with Ohio State at the Devaney Center on Saturday, March 8 at 1 p.m. (CT), before continuing Big Ten action at Penn State on Saturday, March 15 at 3 p.m. (CT).&nbsp;Nebraska returns to Devaney for its final regular-season meet against Michigan on Friday, March 21 at 6 p.m. (CT).&nbsp;&nbsp;Postseason competition begins April 4, as the Huskers head to the 2025 Big Ten Championships in Ann Arbor, Mich. The Wolverines are also set to host the 2025 NCAA Championships in Ann Arbor on April 18-19.Nebraska welcomes back 18 gymnasts including All-Americans Taylor Christopulos, Asher Cohen and Zac Tiderman, from the 2024 squad that claimed the Big Ten regular-season championship and a fourth-place finish at nationals. Freshmen Caden Clinton and Nik Tarca hope to add to Nebraska's chances of challenging for the Big Ten and NCAA titles in 2025.&nbsp;&nbsp;Follow along on X, Instagram, and Facebook at @HuskerMGym for updates and the latest content on Nebraska Gymnastics.&nbsp;2025 Men’s Gymnastics ScheduleJan. 18 - at Rocky Mountain Open (Colorado Springs, Colo.) - 7 p.m.Jan. 31 - at Illinois* (Champaign, Ill.) - 6 p.m.&nbsp;Feb. 15 - Greenville (Devaney Center) - 1 p.m.&nbsp;Feb. 21-23 - at Winter Cup (Louisville, Ky.) - (TBA)Feb. 28 - at California, vs. Oklahoma (Berkeley, Calif.) - 8 p.m.&nbsp;March 8 - Ohio State* (Devaney Center) - 1 p.m.&nbsp;March 15 - Penn State* (State College, Pa.) - 3 p.m.March 21 - Michigan* (Devaney Center) - 6 p.m.&nbsp;April 4-5 - Big Ten Championships (Ann Arbor, Mich.) - TBAApril 18-19 NCAA Championships (Ann Arbor, Mich.) - (Saturday, 1:30; Sunday, 6 p.m.)&nbsp;All times Central Time and subject to change.&nbsp;*Indicates Big Ten Meet&nbsp;Home meets are in Bold&nbsp;

Huskers announce 2025 Men’s Gymnastics Schedule

Facing an early four-run deficit, the Red team used a seven-run outburst in the bottom of the fourth inning to post a 7-5 win and grab a 2-1 lead in the Red-White Series on Monday afternoon at Hawks Field.

Red had seven runs on six hits and an error, while White totaled five runs on nine hits.

Gavin Blachowicz earned the win out of the bullpen, dealing 2.1 shutout innings with one hit, a strikeout and one walk. Luke Broderick collected the save after pitching the final 1.2 innings in shutout fashion. Will Walsh went three innings in the start, allowing four runs on eight hits with a pair of punchouts.

White’s Jackson Brockett took the loss after giving up six runs on four hits with four strikeouts and three walks in 3.2 innings of work. Pryce Bender surrendered a run on two hits in 1.1 innings out of the bullpen, while J’Shawn Unger tossed one scoreless inning of relief.

Red’s Hayden Lewis went 2-for-3 with a pair of doubles and an RBI. Cayden Brumbaugh was 1-for-4 with a double and three RBI. Riley Silva and Gabe Swansen tallied a hit and an RBI each, while Cael Frost added a hit.

Robby Bolin, Case Sanderson and Will Jesske led the White offense with two hits apiece. Dylan Carey, Max Buettenback and TJ Coats recorded one hit.

The White offense went to work early, plating three runs on four hits in the opening frame. Consecutive one-out singles from Bolin and Carey had runners on first and third, before Buettenback lined an RBI double into the left-center gap to bring home Bolin.

Carey trotted home on a passed ball, while Sanderson smacked an RBI to right field to score Buettenback and give the visiting team a 3-0 advantage in the first.

Sanderson ripped a two-out double down the right-field line and later came around to score on an RBI single from Jesske to build the lead to 4-0 in the top of the third.

Red overcame the four-run deficit with a seven-run outburst with five hits in the bottom of the fourth to take a 7-5 lead with three innings to play. All seven runs were scored with two outs in the inning, beginning with a sacrifice fly from Cotton and an RBI double from Lewis that cut the deficit to 4-2.

With the bases loaded, Brumbaugh smacked the 1-1 pitch to right for a bases-clearing three-RBI double that gave Red its first lead of the afternoon. RBI singles from Silva and Swansen grew the lead to three for the Red team in the bottom of the fourth.

A leadoff walk to Rhett Stokes began the seventh, while Stokes later scored when Carey lifted a sacrifice fly to the warning track in left field to bring the White squad within a pair of runs in the final inning.

Broderick struck out the next batter to preserve the 7-5 win for the Red team.

The Red-White Series continues tomorrow afternoon at 3:05 p.m. at Hawks Field.

Story by NU Athletic CommunicationsFacing an early four-run deficit, the Red team used a seven-run outburst in the bottom of the fourth inning to post a 7-5 win and grab a 2-1 lead in the Red-White Series on Monday afternoon at Hawks Field.Red had seven runs on six hits and an error, while White totaled five runs on nine hits.Gavin Blachowicz earned the win out of the bullpen, dealing 2.1 shutout innings with one hit, a strikeout and one walk. Luke Broderick collected the save after pitching the final 1.2 innings in shutout fashion. Will Walsh went three innings in the start, allowing four runs on eight hits with a pair of punchouts.White’s Jackson Brockett took the loss after giving up six runs on four hits with four strikeouts and three walks in 3.2 innings of work. Pryce Bender surrendered a run on two hits in 1.1 innings out of the bullpen, while J’Shawn Unger tossed one scoreless inning of relief.Red’s Hayden Lewis went 2-for-3 with a pair of doubles and an RBI. Cayden Brumbaugh was 1-for-4 with a double and three RBI. Riley Silva and Gabe Swansen tallied a hit and an RBI each, while Cael Frost added a hit.Robby Bolin, Case Sanderson and Will Jesske led the White offense with two hits apiece. Dylan Carey, Max Buettenback and TJ Coats recorded one hit.The White offense went to work early, plating three runs on four hits in the opening frame. Consecutive one-out singles from Bolin and Carey had runners on first and third, before Buettenback lined an RBI double into the left-center gap to bring home Bolin.Carey trotted home on a passed ball, while Sanderson smacked an RBI to right field to score Buettenback and give the visiting team a 3-0 advantage in the first.Sanderson ripped a two-out double down the right-field line and later came around to score on an RBI single from Jesske to build the lead to 4-0 in the top of the third.Red overcame the four-run deficit with a seven-run outburst with five hits in the bottom of the fourth to take a 7-5 lead with three innings to play. All seven runs were scored with two outs in the inning, beginning with a sacrifice fly from Cotton and an RBI double from Lewis that cut the deficit to 4-2.With the bases loaded, Brumbaugh smacked the 1-1 pitch to right for a bases-clearing three-RBI double that gave Red its first lead of the afternoon. RBI singles from Silva and Swansen grew the lead to three for the Red team in the bottom of the fourth.A leadoff walk to Rhett Stokes began the seventh, while Stokes later scored when Carey lifted a sacrifice fly to the warning track in left field to bring the White squad within a pair of runs in the final inning.Broderick struck out the next batter to preserve the 7-5 win for the Red team.The Red-White Series continues tomorrow afternoon at 3:05 p.m. at Hawks Field.

Seven-Run outburst leads Red to 7-5 win in game three

Class C Individual results - Ogallala, Perkins County

NSAA State Golf results Day 1

Due to a Frost advisory, Class A State Golf will now begin at 10:30 a.m. at&nbsp;Riverside Country Club in Grand Island.

In Class A, North Platte High School will participate as a team. In Class C, Ogallala will compete as a team, while Jacqueline Gloy of Perkins County will compete individually.

Due to a Frost advisory, Class A State Golf will now begin at 10:30 a.m. at&nbsp;Riverside Country Club in Grand Island.In Class A, North Platte High School will participate as a team. In Class C, Ogallala will compete as a team, while Jacqueline Gloy of Perkins County will compete individually.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰 𝗡𝗦𝗔𝗔 𝗚𝗶𝗿𝗹𝘀 𝗚𝗼𝗹𝗳 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀 🗓️ October 14, 2024 📍 Class A - Riverside Golf Club 📍 Class B - Monument Shadows Golf Course 📍 Class C - Lake Maloney Golf Club 🕘 10:00 am CT/9:30 am MT ⛳️ <a href="https://t.co/nrejyHLloJ">https://t.co/nrejyHLloJ</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/nebpreps?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#nebpreps</a> <a href="https://t.co/nIZ0nDH1f8">pic.twitter.com/nIZ0nDH1f8</a>&mdash; NSAA Events (@nsaaevents) <a href="https://twitter.com/nsaaevents/status/1845811803218964747?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 14, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

NSAA State Golf start times for 10-14

CHADRON, Neb. – Chadron State and New Mexico Highlands had an old-fashioned shootout during their Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference football game Saturday afternoon. It included 951 yards of total offense and four lead changes in the fourth quarter before the homestanding Cowboys hung on for a 33-30 victory.

With just seconds remaining, the Eagles had a chance to send the clash into overtime, but they missed a 40-yard field goal by a few inches, much to the delight of the Cowboys' homecoming crowd. It is the second-straight one score game between the two schools, as the Eagles pulled out a 24-21 victory by connecting for a touchdown with 71 seconds left on the clock a year ago.

The Eagles are now 2-4 for the season and 1-3 in the RMAC. New Mexico Highlands (1-5, 1-3 RMAC) earned Head Coach Kurt Tuafa'asau's first victory with the program and snapped a 13-game Cowboys losing streak dating back to midseason last year.

Statistically, Highlands dominated the first half Saturday, taking an almost four-to-one margin in time of possession while running 44 plays for 242 yards compared to Chadron State's 22 plays for 113 yards, but Highlands led by just two points at halftime. Chadron State moved the ball better in the second half and finished with 488 total yards while Highlands finished with 463.

Each team had numerous standouts. Both quarterbacks, Joey Cave for Highlands and DJ Ralph for Chadron State, completed over 70 percent of their passes, threw for three touchdowns and ran for one. Neither was sacked. The Eagles' Jake Marschall was the game's leading rusher with 16 carries for 131 yards, while the Cowboys' Teita Valeti carried 26 times for 116 yards and one TD. 

While eight Eagles caught passes, Highlands utilized just four receivers. One of them, senior Teneil Nichols, caught two fourth-quarter touchdown passes for the Cowboys, both of which were among the game's four lead changes in the final quarter. Nichols finished with seven catches for 124 yards.

New Mexico Highlands jumped out to a lead by scoring two touchdowns, but Chadron State stopped the Cowboys on a two-point conversion after the first touchdown before blocking the extra point after the second, keeping the score 12-0. At that point, Highlands had possessed the ball more than 19 minutes and the Eagles less than four.  

Chadron State's Tucker Peterson returned the ensuing kickoff 47 yards and Ralph hit Marschall with a 15-yard pass to help set up a 46-yard field goal by Wilson Yee to put the Eagles on the scoreboard. With barely a minute left in the second quarter, Peterson blocked a Highlands punt at midfield. Ralph threw a 12-yard pass to Chase Nelson and ran for seven yards before wide receiver Tommy Thomas took a short toss 19 yards to the end zone. Yee kicked the extra point to make the score 12-10 at halftime. 

Each team scored once in the third quarter. The Cowboys moved ahead 18-10 on Cave's four-yard pass to Cayden Walton to cap a 10-play, 48-yard drive. The Eagles answered just two minutes later by going 94 yards in just five plays. Ralph hit wide receivers Grant Swenson and Rollin George with lengthy passes, then dashed the final 12 yards up the middle to the end zone for a rushing touchdown to pull within two points at 18-16. The Eagles went for two to try and tie the score, but a double pass attempt from Swenson was intercepted in the end zone.

The Eagles had a chance to take the lead early in the fourth quarter, but a short field goal attempt was foiled by a bad snap to the holder and blocked when it was finally kicked. Chadron State's defense forced a punt, however, and the Eagles finally took their first lead at 23-18 while needing just five plays again to go 74 yards. Ralph connected with passes to Swenson and tight end Peter Krohn, pass interference was called on the Cowboys and George took Ralph's toss the final two yards into the endzone with nine minutes left to play.  

The lead didn't last long. Nichols soon carried Cave's pass 61 yards to the end zone after the CSC cornerback slipped on the turf. The Cowboys were ahead again, this time 26-23.

The Eagles promptly fought back. They needed just six plays to drive 71 yards and regain the lead 30-26 with 4:08 left to play. Ralph and Marschall had runs of 16 and 19 yards, respectively, and the CSC quarterback threw a pass to tight end Peter Krohn, who went the final 20 yards.   

Three minutes later, Highlands took the lead again by going 75 yards in nine plays. Five of them were short rushes that helped run out the clock, but Cave also teamed up with Nichols on passes of 27 and 28 yards, the last one in the end zone for what proved to be the game-winner.  

The Eagles' hopes soared again when Preston Pearson returned the kickoff 45 yards to the Highlands' 46 with a minute left to play. Bolstered by a 12-yard pass to Thomas, CSC got the ball to the 25 before two passes fell incomplete. With 19 seconds remaining, Wilson Yee lined up for a 40-yard field goal that would have tied the score, but it was wide right.

Chadron State's leading tacklers were linebackers Logan O'Brien and Reed Henkel. Each had nine solo stops and O'Brien also earned an assisted tackle to finish with 10 stops.

Chadron State football will be back at home this upcoming Saturday, October 19. It will be homecoming for the Eagles as they take on Fort Lewis (1-5, 0-4 RMAC), who lost 58-24 to nationally-ranked CSU Pueblo on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Elliott Field at Don Beebe Stadium.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728873861753.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By: Con MarshallCHADRON, Neb. – Chadron State and New Mexico Highlands had an old-fashioned shootout during their Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference football game Saturday afternoon. It included 951 yards of total offense and four lead changes in the fourth quarter before the homestanding Cowboys hung on for a 33-30 victory.With just seconds remaining, the Eagles had a chance to send the clash into overtime, but they missed a 40-yard field goal by a few inches, much to the delight of the Cowboys' homecoming crowd. It is the second-straight one score game between the two schools, as the Eagles pulled out a 24-21 victory by connecting for a touchdown with 71 seconds left on the clock a year ago.The Eagles are now 2-4 for the season and 1-3 in the RMAC. New Mexico Highlands (1-5, 1-3 RMAC) earned Head Coach Kurt Tuafa'asau's first victory with the program and snapped a 13-game Cowboys losing streak dating back to midseason last year.Statistically, Highlands dominated the first half Saturday, taking an almost four-to-one margin in time of possession while running 44 plays for 242 yards compared to Chadron State's 22 plays for 113 yards, but Highlands led by just two points at halftime. Chadron State moved the ball better in the second half and finished with 488 total yards while Highlands finished with 463.Each team had numerous standouts. Both quarterbacks, Joey Cave for Highlands and DJ Ralph for Chadron State, completed over 70 percent of their passes, threw for three touchdowns and ran for one. Neither was sacked. The Eagles' Jake Marschall was the game's leading rusher with 16 carries for 131 yards, while the Cowboys' Teita Valeti carried 26 times for 116 yards and one TD. While eight Eagles caught passes, Highlands utilized just four receivers. One of them, senior Teneil Nichols, caught two fourth-quarter touchdown passes for the Cowboys, both of which were among the game's four lead changes in the final quarter. Nichols finished with seven catches for 124 yards.New Mexico Highlands jumped out to a lead by scoring two touchdowns, but Chadron State stopped the Cowboys on a two-point conversion after the first touchdown before blocking the extra point after the second, keeping the score 12-0. At that point, Highlands had possessed the ball more than 19 minutes and the Eagles less than four. Chadron State's Tucker Peterson returned the ensuing kickoff 47 yards and Ralph hit Marschall with a 15-yard pass to help set up a 46-yard field goal by Wilson Yee to put the Eagles on the scoreboard. With barely a minute left in the second quarter, Peterson blocked a Highlands punt at midfield. Ralph threw a 12-yard pass to Chase Nelson and ran for seven yards before wide receiver Tommy Thomas took a short toss 19 yards to the end zone. Yee kicked the extra point to make the score 12-10 at halftime. Each team scored once in the third quarter. The Cowboys moved ahead 18-10 on Cave's four-yard pass to Cayden Walton to cap a 10-play, 48-yard drive. The Eagles answered just two minutes later by going 94 yards in just five plays. Ralph hit wide receivers Grant Swenson and Rollin George with lengthy passes, then dashed the final 12 yards up the middle to the end zone for a rushing touchdown to pull within two points at 18-16. The Eagles went for two to try and tie the score, but a double pass attempt from Swenson was intercepted in the end zone.The Eagles had a chance to take the lead early in the fourth quarter, but a short field goal attempt was foiled by a bad snap to the holder and blocked when it was finally kicked. Chadron State's defense forced a punt, however, and the Eagles finally took their first lead at 23-18 while needing just five plays again to go 74 yards. Ralph connected with passes to Swenson and tight end Peter Krohn, pass interference was called on the Cowboys and George took Ralph's toss the final two yards into the endzone with nine minutes left to play. The lead didn't last long. Nichols soon carried Cave's pass 61 yards to the end zone after the CSC cornerback slipped on the turf. The Cowboys were ahead again, this time 26-23.The Eagles promptly fought back. They needed just six plays to drive 71 yards and regain the lead 30-26 with 4:08 left to play. Ralph and Marschall had runs of 16 and 19 yards, respectively, and the CSC quarterback threw a pass to tight end Peter Krohn, who went the final 20 yards. Three minutes later, Highlands took the lead again by going 75 yards in nine plays. Five of them were short rushes that helped run out the clock, but Cave also teamed up with Nichols on passes of 27 and 28 yards, the last one in the end zone for what proved to be the game-winner. The Eagles' hopes soared again when Preston Pearson returned the kickoff 45 yards to the Highlands' 46 with a minute left to play. Bolstered by a 12-yard pass to Thomas, CSC got the ball to the 25 before two passes fell incomplete. With 19 seconds remaining, Wilson Yee lined up for a 40-yard field goal that would have tied the score, but it was wide right.Chadron State's leading tacklers were linebackers Logan O'Brien and Reed Henkel. Each had nine solo stops and O'Brien also earned an assisted tackle to finish with 10 stops.Chadron State football will be back at home this upcoming Saturday, October 19. It will be homecoming for the Eagles as they take on Fort Lewis (1-5, 0-4 RMAC), who lost 58-24 to nationally-ranked CSU Pueblo on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Elliott Field at Don Beebe Stadium.

Highlands tops CSC 33-30 with slow scoring start becoming wild west shootout

Hitchcock County 46 vs Maywood-Hayes Center 0

North Platte St. Patrick's 1 @ Southern Valley 0

Sandhills Valley 26 @ Arcadia-Loup City 22

<h2>Football</h2>Adams Central 29 vs Cozad 26Arthur County 52 @ Sioux County 18Dundy County Stratton 42 vs Alma 20Gothenburg 55 vs Holdrege 7Hershey 40 vs Gordon-Rushville 30Hitchcock County 46 vs Maywood-Hayes Center 0Kimball 12 vs. Sutherland 22Lincoln Southeast 35 vs North Platte 28Maxwell 66 @ Bayard 28McCook 14 vs Ogallala 12Minden 21 @ Broken Bow 14Morrill 18 vs. Perkins County 70North Platte St. Patrick's 1 @ Southern Valley 0Sandhills Valley 26 @ Arcadia-Loup City 22Sandhills/Thedford 76 vs Mullen 6Sidney 35 @ Chase County 12South Loup 34 @ Ravenna 28Southwest 41 @ Wauneta-Palisade 39Sumner-Eddyville-Miller 44 vs Paxton 21Twin Loup 38 @ Anselmo-Merna 20Wallace 14 @ Medicine Valley 12

Area Football scores from 10-11

OMAHA, Neb.&nbsp;– The&nbsp;Omaha Supernovas,&nbsp;Nebraska’s professional volleyball team and the first Pro Volleyball champions, will welcome middle blocker and&nbsp;Nebraska Volleyball&nbsp;national champion&nbsp;Briana Holman&nbsp;back to the state as she makes appearances during Omaha’s official&nbsp;Trophy Tour.&nbsp;

Holman, who redshirted during Nebraska’s 2015 title run, earned AVCA honorable mention honors for the Huskers’ most recent national title in 2017. She averaged 2.41 kills per set on a .358 hitting percentage and recorded 1.16 blocks per set during her senior campaign.&nbsp;

The Texas native will make her first stop at&nbsp;Bellevue University’s Marvel Classic&nbsp;on&nbsp;Friday, Oct. 11, from&nbsp;6 p.m. to 8 p.m.&nbsp;at the Gordon Lozier Athletic Center. The two-day tournament, hosted by the Bruins, features six teams from around the region.&nbsp;

Holman will then appear at the final&nbsp;Omaha Farmers Market&nbsp;of the year in the Old Market from&nbsp;9 a.m. to 11 a.m.&nbsp;on&nbsp;Saturday, Oct. 12. Later that evening, she will attend&nbsp;Nebraska Volleyball’s match against Rutgers&nbsp;in Lincoln. The match will begin at&nbsp;7 p.m. CDT&nbsp;at the Bob Devaney Sports Center.&nbsp;

Holman’s final stop will be at the&nbsp;2024 Greater Omaha Walk to End Alzheimer’s&nbsp;event on&nbsp;Sunday, Oct. 13, from&nbsp;9 a.m. to 11 a.m.&nbsp;The walk will be held indoors at the College of Saint Mary Fieldhouse at the Lied Fitness Center. Registration begins at&nbsp;9 a.m., followed by the event ceremony at&nbsp;10:30 a.m., and the walk will commence at&nbsp;11 a.m.&nbsp;

Fans are encouraged to attend these events, where they can meet Holman, see the championship trophy, participate in prize giveaways, and get ticket information about the upcoming 2025 season, which is set to begin in January.&nbsp;

Supernovas season tickets for the 2025 season are officially on sale and going out fast! To become a season ticket member and secure the best seat in professional volleyball, click this&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://db9xbvgbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001qp_tiiufxrv0sPWe5ky7UpUA_iVkqiANkpxE7_6hXbGIETnr5gz97g0pvAc8Ky0xwme7N2vScWLRnX5lrxY0dHf1JdllOkKVG64Ko8-QB2Kk9e8dVAkMR3LuiCANZp_GaG5vWrxyzjPrQMPPG4jIls_8gRDUYMaFIUNX-56uIMBZ_faezAVj7c5GyUKjZFWx&amp;c=KBGeoNRiKPsfNuvx-GCmurlhVuqgH79Q5KawJP080lvgfm81FnTacg==&amp;ch=huXTZ42DxDS31TFVrsENEy6Wm3wWFYZJxlgFMb-NZZwlwPrnQ90f_A==">link</a>&nbsp;or call 402-502-5268.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Fans will be able to see the Supernovas and championship trophy as part of the Championship Trophy Tour. Please click this&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://db9xbvgbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001qp_tiiufxrv0sPWe5ky7UpUA_iVkqiANkpxE7_6hXbGIETnr5gz97hebePQwJYSNStNtDlkhoi4-QANnx90yII9WFrVxD-novV7_kkjdz7onzsyXTnGK0PkJDCd468bveMBLQkxdjU0HrB74fTo2v_RAHoA3Y4-MqjqfLewJqHogm7BAQ4pxwxHHs5eDjppS&amp;c=KBGeoNRiKPsfNuvx-GCmurlhVuqgH79Q5KawJP080lvgfm81FnTacg==&amp;ch=huXTZ42DxDS31TFVrsENEy6Wm3wWFYZJxlgFMb-NZZwlwPrnQ90f_A==">link</a>&nbsp;to see where the Supernovas are this fall!&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Omaha Supernovas are the premier home of professional volleyball, boasting the No. 1 Pro Volleyball average attendence in the world. The Supernovas 2025 season will begin in January. The team is owned by global music sensation Jason Derulo and entrepreneurs Danny White and Chris Erickson, Co-Founders of City+Ventures, an investment and business acceleration organization headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska.&nbsp;

ABOUT PRO VOLLEYBALL FEDERATION&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Pro Volleyball Federation is the leading professional volleyball league in the United States. PVF sets the standard for the sport, offering the largest number of franchises, unmatched attendance, extensive broadcast coverage and substantial championship prize money. It combines top-tier talent, including NCAA stars and international athletes, with cutting-edge production and technology to provide fans with an unmatched viewing experience. As a vital link between collegiate volleyball and the professional stage, PVF is dedicated to shaping the future of the sport and increasing visibility for its athletes. For more information, visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://db9xbvgbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001qp_tiiufxrv0sPWe5ky7UpUA_iVkqiANkpxE7_6hXbGIETnr5gz97pfpQBEhkyPYSScp2Ndauu46O0t7VGAKW1tsDmWhibpV9JPCk4GKIkN7rII1sUisV9f-4DxowIFG6mI6lJkrI4bwaFbD7vHNKipyZiVsvwQE&amp;c=KBGeoNRiKPsfNuvx-GCmurlhVuqgH79Q5KawJP080lvgfm81FnTacg==&amp;ch=huXTZ42DxDS31TFVrsENEy6Wm3wWFYZJxlgFMb-NZZwlwPrnQ90f_A==">ProVolleyball.com</a>.

Omaha SupernovasOMAHA, Neb.&nbsp;– The&nbsp;Omaha Supernovas,&nbsp;Nebraska’s professional volleyball team and the first Pro Volleyball champions, will welcome middle blocker and&nbsp;Nebraska Volleyball&nbsp;national champion&nbsp;Briana Holman&nbsp;back to the state as she makes appearances during Omaha’s official&nbsp;Trophy Tour.&nbsp;Holman, who redshirted during Nebraska’s 2015 title run, earned AVCA honorable mention honors for the Huskers’ most recent national title in 2017. She averaged 2.41 kills per set on a .358 hitting percentage and recorded 1.16 blocks per set during her senior campaign.&nbsp;The Texas native will make her first stop at&nbsp;Bellevue University’s Marvel Classic&nbsp;on&nbsp;Friday, Oct. 11, from&nbsp;6 p.m. to 8 p.m.&nbsp;at the Gordon Lozier Athletic Center. The two-day tournament, hosted by the Bruins, features six teams from around the region.&nbsp;Holman will then appear at the final&nbsp;Omaha Farmers Market&nbsp;of the year in the Old Market from&nbsp;9 a.m. to 11 a.m.&nbsp;on&nbsp;Saturday, Oct. 12. Later that evening, she will attend&nbsp;Nebraska Volleyball’s match against Rutgers&nbsp;in Lincoln. The match will begin at&nbsp;7 p.m. CDT&nbsp;at the Bob Devaney Sports Center.&nbsp;Holman’s final stop will be at the&nbsp;2024 Greater Omaha Walk to End Alzheimer’s&nbsp;event on&nbsp;Sunday, Oct. 13, from&nbsp;9 a.m. to 11 a.m.&nbsp;The walk will be held indoors at the College of Saint Mary Fieldhouse at the Lied Fitness Center. Registration begins at&nbsp;9 a.m., followed by the event ceremony at&nbsp;10:30 a.m., and the walk will commence at&nbsp;11 a.m.&nbsp;Fans are encouraged to attend these events, where they can meet Holman, see the championship trophy, participate in prize giveaways, and get ticket information about the upcoming 2025 season, which is set to begin in January.&nbsp;Supernovas season tickets for the 2025 season are officially on sale and going out fast! To become a season ticket member and secure the best seat in professional volleyball, click this&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://db9xbvgbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001qp_tiiufxrv0sPWe5ky7UpUA_iVkqiANkpxE7_6hXbGIETnr5gz97g0pvAc8Ky0xwme7N2vScWLRnX5lrxY0dHf1JdllOkKVG64Ko8-QB2Kk9e8dVAkMR3LuiCANZp_GaG5vWrxyzjPrQMPPG4jIls_8gRDUYMaFIUNX-56uIMBZ_faezAVj7c5GyUKjZFWx&amp;c=KBGeoNRiKPsfNuvx-GCmurlhVuqgH79Q5KawJP080lvgfm81FnTacg==&amp;ch=huXTZ42DxDS31TFVrsENEy6Wm3wWFYZJxlgFMb-NZZwlwPrnQ90f_A==">link</a>&nbsp;or call 402-502-5268.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Fans will be able to see the Supernovas and championship trophy as part of the Championship Trophy Tour. Please click this&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://db9xbvgbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001qp_tiiufxrv0sPWe5ky7UpUA_iVkqiANkpxE7_6hXbGIETnr5gz97hebePQwJYSNStNtDlkhoi4-QANnx90yII9WFrVxD-novV7_kkjdz7onzsyXTnGK0PkJDCd468bveMBLQkxdjU0HrB74fTo2v_RAHoA3Y4-MqjqfLewJqHogm7BAQ4pxwxHHs5eDjppS&amp;c=KBGeoNRiKPsfNuvx-GCmurlhVuqgH79Q5KawJP080lvgfm81FnTacg==&amp;ch=huXTZ42DxDS31TFVrsENEy6Wm3wWFYZJxlgFMb-NZZwlwPrnQ90f_A==">link</a>&nbsp;to see where the Supernovas are this fall!&nbsp;&nbsp;ABOUT OMAHA SUPERNOVAS&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The Omaha Supernovas are the premier home of professional volleyball, boasting the No. 1 Pro Volleyball average attendence in the world. The Supernovas 2025 season will begin in January. The team is owned by global music sensation Jason Derulo and entrepreneurs Danny White and Chris Erickson, Co-Founders of City+Ventures, an investment and business acceleration organization headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska.&nbsp;ABOUT PRO VOLLEYBALL FEDERATION&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pro Volleyball Federation is the leading professional volleyball league in the United States. PVF sets the standard for the sport, offering the largest number of franchises, unmatched attendance, extensive broadcast coverage and substantial championship prize money. It combines top-tier talent, including NCAA stars and international athletes, with cutting-edge production and technology to provide fans with an unmatched viewing experience. As a vital link between collegiate volleyball and the professional stage, PVF is dedicated to shaping the future of the sport and increasing visibility for its athletes. For more information, visit&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://db9xbvgbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001qp_tiiufxrv0sPWe5ky7UpUA_iVkqiANkpxE7_6hXbGIETnr5gz97pfpQBEhkyPYSScp2Ndauu46O0t7VGAKW1tsDmWhibpV9JPCk4GKIkN7rII1sUisV9f-4DxowIFG6mI6lJkrI4bwaFbD7vHNKipyZiVsvwQE&amp;c=KBGeoNRiKPsfNuvx-GCmurlhVuqgH79Q5KawJP080lvgfm81FnTacg==&amp;ch=huXTZ42DxDS31TFVrsENEy6Wm3wWFYZJxlgFMb-NZZwlwPrnQ90f_A==">ProVolleyball.com</a>.

Supernovas Middle Blocker, National Champion Briana Holman to Appear at Marvel Classic and Nebraska Volleyball Match as Part of Trophy Tour 

(North Platte, Nebraska, 10/10/2024) On October 14th and 15th, the best of Nebraska High School Class C girls’ golfers will unite in North Platte for the NSAA state championship golf tournament. The two-day event is expected to draw 94 golfers from across the state to the Lake&nbsp; Maloney Golf Course. 

Along with the participants, we are expecting many friends and family to travel alongside their girls to support them. Tee times will begin from holes one and ten at 9:00am on Monday, October 14th, weather permitting. 

Visit North Platte, in partnership with Lake Maloney Golf Course, was awarded a four-year&nbsp; commitment with NSAA to host Class C Girl’s State Golf. This event is predicted to generate approximately $44,150 in visitor spending in the North Platte area. 

Each year there will be a need for numerous volunteers to help make the event run smoothly alongside the NSAA officials, Visit North Platte, and Lake Maloney Golf Course. Volunteer recruitment has a significant impact on the day-to-day operations of the tournament. 

This event would not be possible without the help of our sponsors: Kwik Stop, Wilkinson Companies – Best Western Plus &amp; Holiday Inn Express, Lashley Land and Recreational Brokers, Pepsi, EJ’s Outdoor Sports, NP Party Bus, Farm Credit Services of America, Orr’s Draperies and Drycleaning, Fort Cody Trading Post, NebraskaLand National Bank, and Papa Murphy’s. 

For more information on North Platte area events, go to VisitNorthPlatte.com or call 308-532-4729.

Visit North Platte(North Platte, Nebraska, 10/10/2024) On October 14th and 15th, the best of Nebraska High School Class C girls’ golfers will unite in North Platte for the NSAA state championship golf tournament. The two-day event is expected to draw 94 golfers from across the state to the Lake&nbsp; Maloney Golf Course. Along with the participants, we are expecting many friends and family to travel alongside their girls to support them. Tee times will begin from holes one and ten at 9:00am on Monday, October 14th, weather permitting. Visit North Platte, in partnership with Lake Maloney Golf Course, was awarded a four-year&nbsp; commitment with NSAA to host Class C Girl’s State Golf. This event is predicted to generate approximately $44,150 in visitor spending in the North Platte area. Each year there will be a need for numerous volunteers to help make the event run smoothly alongside the NSAA officials, Visit North Platte, and Lake Maloney Golf Course. Volunteer recruitment has a significant impact on the day-to-day operations of the tournament. This event would not be possible without the help of our sponsors: Kwik Stop, Wilkinson Companies – Best Western Plus &amp; Holiday Inn Express, Lashley Land and Recreational Brokers, Pepsi, EJ’s Outdoor Sports, NP Party Bus, Farm Credit Services of America, Orr’s Draperies and Drycleaning, Fort Cody Trading Post, NebraskaLand National Bank, and Papa Murphy’s. For more information on North Platte area events, go to VisitNorthPlatte.com or call 308-532-4729.

Bringing Sports Tourism to North Platte through Golf

North Platte, Neb. – Knights avenged an earlier season loss by defeating Hastings College JV in four sets on Tuesday night.

North Platte finished the night with three players in double-digit kills as Jaelyn Dicke led the way with 14. Nya Lual tallied 11 kills, while Zoe Maher added 10 of her own. Aubrey Grant dished out a season best 48 assists to accompany her three kills on the night.

The black and gold matched the Broncos early, until a 7-1 run helped North Platte distance themselves late in the opening set. Hastings rallied with a 5-1 run to pull back within three but kills from Dicke and Lual helped seal the first set, 25-20.

Knights got out to a strong start in the second set, but the Broncos once again rallied to knot the set at ten. Hastings continued to swing the momentum in their favor as they began to pull away at the midway point of the set. Broncos continued to maintain their lead down the stretch to even the match at one set apiece.

Knights dominated the third set as they stormed out to a 7-1 lead. A strong attacking offense carried the home team through the set, as they quickly stretched their lead to nine on a kill by Lual. Hastings could not match the high-powered offense as they dropped the set, 25-12.

The teams battled in the fourth set until a 3-0 run helped Hastings build an 11-8 advantage. A kill by Jocelyn Cheek helped tie the game up at 12-12, before another Broncos spurt gave the road team a two-point edge. North Platte countered with a 6-1 run highlighted by kills from Dicke and Maher to regain control. The Broncos continued to fight and forced a second match point, but a kill by Dicke was all North Platte needed to close out the match.&nbsp;

Knights host No. 4 Northeastern Junior College on Friday. First serve is set for 6 p.m. inside the McDonald-Belton Gymnasium.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728481392056.jpeg" alt="ocelyn Cheek celebrates her kill in the fourth set against Hastings College JV on Tuesday night. (Daniel Stinman, North Platte Community College)" />
 <figcaption>ocelyn Cheek celebrates her kill in the fourth set against Hastings College JV on Tuesday night. (Daniel Stinman, North Platte Community College)</figcaption>
 </figure>NPCC AthleticsNorth Platte, Neb. – Knights avenged an earlier season loss by defeating Hastings College JV in four sets on Tuesday night.North Platte finished the night with three players in double-digit kills as Jaelyn Dicke led the way with 14. Nya Lual tallied 11 kills, while Zoe Maher added 10 of her own. Aubrey Grant dished out a season best 48 assists to accompany her three kills on the night.The black and gold matched the Broncos early, until a 7-1 run helped North Platte distance themselves late in the opening set. Hastings rallied with a 5-1 run to pull back within three but kills from Dicke and Lual helped seal the first set, 25-20.Knights got out to a strong start in the second set, but the Broncos once again rallied to knot the set at ten. Hastings continued to swing the momentum in their favor as they began to pull away at the midway point of the set. Broncos continued to maintain their lead down the stretch to even the match at one set apiece.Knights dominated the third set as they stormed out to a 7-1 lead. A strong attacking offense carried the home team through the set, as they quickly stretched their lead to nine on a kill by Lual. Hastings could not match the high-powered offense as they dropped the set, 25-12.The teams battled in the fourth set until a 3-0 run helped Hastings build an 11-8 advantage. A kill by Jocelyn Cheek helped tie the game up at 12-12, before another Broncos spurt gave the road team a two-point edge. North Platte countered with a 6-1 run highlighted by kills from Dicke and Maher to regain control. The Broncos continued to fight and forced a second match point, but a kill by Dicke was all North Platte needed to close out the match.&nbsp;Knights host No. 4 Northeastern Junior College on Friday. First serve is set for 6 p.m. inside the McDonald-Belton Gymnasium.&nbsp;

Knights down Broncos in four sets

A breakdown of the Adams State blowout victory, how an O-lineman has made a successful change from coach back to player, the weekly Hammer Award and a glance at this week's game in New Mexico!

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666116284028.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>A breakdown of the Adams State blowout victory, how an O-lineman has made a successful change from coach back to player, the weekly Hammer Award and a glance at this week's game in New Mexico!<div><iframe title="Jay Long Show - October 8, 2024" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:150px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=qbbqe-16fdf76-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=1b1b1b&font-color=&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=c73a3a" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>

🎙 PODCAST: Jay Long Show - October 8, 2024

District Softball full assignments 2024

NSAA District Golf Day 1 underway

LINCOLN, Neb. - The No. 2 Nebraska volleyball team swept the Iowa Hawkeyes 25-17, 25-11, 25-13 on Sunday afternoon at the Bob Devaney Sports Center in front of a crowd of 8,667.&nbsp;

In their 11th straight win, the Huskers (14-1, 4-0 Big Ten) hit .404 and held Iowa (8-8, 2-2 Big Ten) to .155.

Nebraska had seven aces and just one service error. The last time the Huskers had at least seven aces with one or fewer service errors was Nov. 12, 2017 against Rutgers (nine aces, one error). Lexi Rodriguez had three of NU's aces to go with a match-high 12 digs.&nbsp;

Merritt Beason led NU offensively with 10 kills on .400 hitting and added five digs. Leyla Blackwell had a season-high nine kills on .692 hitting, and Rebekah Allick had nine kills and hit .583 with three blocks. Harper Murray added seven kills on .353 hitting with two aces. Lindsay Krause chipped in five kills on six swings (.833) all in the third set.&nbsp;

Bergen Reilly contributed 35 assists, and Kennedi Orr and Laney Choboy each had five digs.&nbsp;

The Huskers did not surrender an ace to the Hawkeyes. NU's last eight opponents have combined for just seven aces.&nbsp;

Michelle Urquhart led Iowa with 11 kills on a .269 hitting percentage.

Set 1: Blackwell notched three kills and a solo block to propel the Huskers to an 8-4 lead. Iowa brought the score to 10-10 before Rodriguez went to the service line and sparked a 4-0 run for NU that included kills by Beason and Murray and an ace by Rodriguez. A Reilly kill and Murray ace put the Big Red up 18-12 and forced a Hawkeye timeout. Beason scored her fifth kill to give Nebraska set point, and Allick put down an overpass to close out the 25-17 set victory. NU hit .333 and sided out at a 77.8% mark.&nbsp;

Set 2: Behind an ace from Rodriguez and kills from Murray and Blackwell, the Huskers took a 6-2 lead. Five straight errors from Iowa stretched the advantage to 11-3. Two kills from Landfair and one from Allick powered a 4-0 run to put the Big Red up 16-6. Kills by Murray and Beason and Rodriguez’ third ace of the match extended Nebraska’s lead to 22-9. NU finished out the set, 25-11, with two kills by Blackwell and one by Reilly. Through two sets, Nebraska’s middles combined for 16 kills and no errors for a combined hitting percentage of .800.&nbsp;

Set 3: A Beason kill and solo block, Krause kill and Reilly ace were part of a 5-0 run to put NU up 13-5. Krause notched two kills and Murray registered an ace and a kill to help give the Huskers a 22-12 lead late in the third. A Krause/Allick block and an Allick solo block closed out the set, 25-13, and the match, 3-0.

Up Next: The Huskers will take on No. 10 Purdue on Friday, Oct. 11 at the Bob Devaney Sports Center. The match is slated to start at 7:30 p.m. and will be televised on the Big Ten Network. Audio coverage will be provided by the Huskers Radio Network.

Story by NU Athletic CommunicationsLINCOLN, Neb. - The No. 2 Nebraska volleyball team swept the Iowa Hawkeyes 25-17, 25-11, 25-13 on Sunday afternoon at the Bob Devaney Sports Center in front of a crowd of 8,667.&nbsp;In their 11th straight win, the Huskers (14-1, 4-0 Big Ten) hit .404 and held Iowa (8-8, 2-2 Big Ten) to .155.Nebraska had seven aces and just one service error. The last time the Huskers had at least seven aces with one or fewer service errors was Nov. 12, 2017 against Rutgers (nine aces, one error). Lexi Rodriguez had three of NU's aces to go with a match-high 12 digs.&nbsp;Merritt Beason led NU offensively with 10 kills on .400 hitting and added five digs. Leyla Blackwell had a season-high nine kills on .692 hitting, and Rebekah Allick had nine kills and hit .583 with three blocks. Harper Murray added seven kills on .353 hitting with two aces. Lindsay Krause chipped in five kills on six swings (.833) all in the third set.&nbsp;Bergen Reilly contributed 35 assists, and Kennedi Orr and Laney Choboy each had five digs.&nbsp;The Huskers did not surrender an ace to the Hawkeyes. NU's last eight opponents have combined for just seven aces.&nbsp;Michelle Urquhart led Iowa with 11 kills on a .269 hitting percentage.Set 1: Blackwell notched three kills and a solo block to propel the Huskers to an 8-4 lead. Iowa brought the score to 10-10 before Rodriguez went to the service line and sparked a 4-0 run for NU that included kills by Beason and Murray and an ace by Rodriguez. A Reilly kill and Murray ace put the Big Red up 18-12 and forced a Hawkeye timeout. Beason scored her fifth kill to give Nebraska set point, and Allick put down an overpass to close out the 25-17 set victory. NU hit .333 and sided out at a 77.8% mark.&nbsp;Set 2: Behind an ace from Rodriguez and kills from Murray and Blackwell, the Huskers took a 6-2 lead. Five straight errors from Iowa stretched the advantage to 11-3. Two kills from Landfair and one from Allick powered a 4-0 run to put the Big Red up 16-6. Kills by Murray and Beason and Rodriguez’ third ace of the match extended Nebraska’s lead to 22-9. NU finished out the set, 25-11, with two kills by Blackwell and one by Reilly. Through two sets, Nebraska’s middles combined for 16 kills and no errors for a combined hitting percentage of .800.&nbsp;Set 3: A Beason kill and solo block, Krause kill and Reilly ace were part of a 5-0 run to put NU up 13-5. Krause notched two kills and Murray registered an ace and a kill to help give the Huskers a 22-12 lead late in the third. A Krause/Allick block and an Allick solo block closed out the set, 25-13, and the match, 3-0.Up Next: The Huskers will take on No. 10 Purdue on Friday, Oct. 11 at the Bob Devaney Sports Center. The match is slated to start at 7:30 p.m. and will be televised on the Big Ten Network. Audio coverage will be provided by the Huskers Radio Network.

Huskers rout Hawkeyes, 3-0

Sumner-Eddyville-Miller 48 @ Wauneta-Palisade 20

Amherst 25 vs Hershey 24Anselmo-Merna 28 vs Burwell 24Broken Bow 26 @ Holdrege 7Chadron 32 vs Chase County 6Cozad 27 vs Gothenburg 7Hastings 38 @ McCook 23Hemingford 26 vs Sutherland 6Hi-Line 1 vs Southern Valley 0Mullen 45 vs Maxwell 42North Platte 63 vs. Omaha Benson0Pleasanton 50 @ South Loup 22Sandhills Valley 32 @ West Holt 24Sandhills/Thedford 58 @ Brady 0Sidney 46 vs Ogallala 0Sumner-Eddyville-Miller 48 @ Wauneta-Palisade 20

Area Football scores from 10-4

Story by NU Athletic Communications&nbsp;

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The No. 2 Nebraska volleyball team won its 10th straight match with a 25-18, 25-22, 25-17 sweep of Illinois in front of a crowd of 4,352 on Thursday night.

Nebraska improved to 13-1 overall and 3-0 in Big Ten play, while Illinois dropped to 8-5 on the season and 0-3 in the Big Ten.

The Huskers hit .305 and held the Fighting Illini to .217. Nebraska had five service aces with just one error, while Illinois committed 11 service errors and had just two aces. NU also had a decisive edge in blocks, 12-3.

Merritt Beason had 10 kills and hit .421 with seven blocks. Harper Murray tallied nine kills on .348 hitting with 11 digs, and Taylor Landfair added eight kills.

Leyla Blackwell started at middle blocker and recorded six kills on .385 hitting with three blocks. Rebekah Allick had a team-best nine blocks to go with four kills.&nbsp;

Bergen Reilly dished out 30 assists with eight digs and three kills. Lexi Rodriguez provided a match-high 14 digs.

Raina Terry and Averie Hernandez led Illinois with 13 and 11 kills, respectively.

Set 1: After falling behind 4-0, the Huskers fought back to go up 7-6 after a 4-0 run of their own. A kill and ace by Murray, and consecutive kills by Reilly, Blackwell and Landfair made it 12-7 Huskers. Illinois pulled within 15-14, but two Illini attacking errors and kills by Beason and Murray put the Big Red up 20-15. A pair of kills by Landfair made it 23-17 Huskers, and Landfair put the set away, 25-18.

Set 2: Nebraska led 8-6 after a Blackwell kill, but Illinois went a 6-0 run including five straight kills, four by Hernandez. Illinois led 15-11 when Allick posted a solo block, and a block by Beason and Blackwell brought the Huskers within 16-14. Murray pounded a kill to cut it to 16-15, and the Illini took a timeout. After the break, Beason terminated from the right pin to tie the score, and Rodriguez served an ace for a 17-16 Husker lead. After an Illinois kill, Beason posted a kill of her own followed by an ace for a 19-17 advantage. But Illinois scored four in a row to go back on top, 21-19. Murray posted a sideout kill, and Landfair put down an overpass to tie the set at 21-21. Blackwell connected for a kill and a 22-21 lead. After an Illinois timeout, Reilly and Blackwell combined for a block to make it 23-21, and a kill by Landfair earned set point at 24-22. An ace by Kennedi Orr, her second of the match, gave the Huskers a 25-22 victory.

Set 3: Blackwell had three early kills and a block to help the Big Red to a 7-5 lead. But a 4-0 run by the Illini put them ahead 9-7. Reilly dumped a kill, and the Huskers gained a 13-11 edge after back-to-back kills by Murray. A kill by Beason and two more by Murray increased the lead to three, 16-13. A 3-0 run put the Huskers up 20-15. Lindsay Krause had a kill, and Beason and Allick combined for a block before an Allick kill. After Illinois cut it to 20-17, Allick and Krause posted a block, and Allick terminated again for a 22-17 Husker lead. Allick closed out the match, 25-17, with a kill in between two blocks with Beason. The Huskers ended the set on an 8-2 run, and Allick was involved in scoring NU's final seven points as the Huskers finished with seven blocks in the set.&nbsp;

Up Next: The Huskers host Iowa on Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Bob Devaney Sports Center on Nebraska Public Media and the Husker Sports Network.

Story by NU Athletic Communications&nbsp;CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The No. 2 Nebraska volleyball team won its 10th straight match with a 25-18, 25-22, 25-17 sweep of Illinois in front of a crowd of 4,352 on Thursday night.Nebraska improved to 13-1 overall and 3-0 in Big Ten play, while Illinois dropped to 8-5 on the season and 0-3 in the Big Ten.The Huskers hit .305 and held the Fighting Illini to .217. Nebraska had five service aces with just one error, while Illinois committed 11 service errors and had just two aces. NU also had a decisive edge in blocks, 12-3.Merritt Beason had 10 kills and hit .421 with seven blocks. Harper Murray tallied nine kills on .348 hitting with 11 digs, and Taylor Landfair added eight kills.Leyla Blackwell started at middle blocker and recorded six kills on .385 hitting with three blocks. Rebekah Allick had a team-best nine blocks to go with four kills.&nbsp;Bergen Reilly dished out 30 assists with eight digs and three kills. Lexi Rodriguez provided a match-high 14 digs.Raina Terry and Averie Hernandez led Illinois with 13 and 11 kills, respectively.Set 1: After falling behind 4-0, the Huskers fought back to go up 7-6 after a 4-0 run of their own. A kill and ace by Murray, and consecutive kills by Reilly, Blackwell and Landfair made it 12-7 Huskers. Illinois pulled within 15-14, but two Illini attacking errors and kills by Beason and Murray put the Big Red up 20-15. A pair of kills by Landfair made it 23-17 Huskers, and Landfair put the set away, 25-18.Set 2: Nebraska led 8-6 after a Blackwell kill, but Illinois went a 6-0 run including five straight kills, four by Hernandez. Illinois led 15-11 when Allick posted a solo block, and a block by Beason and Blackwell brought the Huskers within 16-14. Murray pounded a kill to cut it to 16-15, and the Illini took a timeout. After the break, Beason terminated from the right pin to tie the score, and Rodriguez served an ace for a 17-16 Husker lead. After an Illinois kill, Beason posted a kill of her own followed by an ace for a 19-17 advantage. But Illinois scored four in a row to go back on top, 21-19. Murray posted a sideout kill, and Landfair put down an overpass to tie the set at 21-21. Blackwell connected for a kill and a 22-21 lead. After an Illinois timeout, Reilly and Blackwell combined for a block to make it 23-21, and a kill by Landfair earned set point at 24-22. An ace by Kennedi Orr, her second of the match, gave the Huskers a 25-22 victory.Set 3: Blackwell had three early kills and a block to help the Big Red to a 7-5 lead. But a 4-0 run by the Illini put them ahead 9-7. Reilly dumped a kill, and the Huskers gained a 13-11 edge after back-to-back kills by Murray. A kill by Beason and two more by Murray increased the lead to three, 16-13. A 3-0 run put the Huskers up 20-15. Lindsay Krause had a kill, and Beason and Allick combined for a block before an Allick kill. After Illinois cut it to 20-17, Allick and Krause posted a block, and Allick terminated again for a 22-17 Husker lead. Allick closed out the match, 25-17, with a kill in between two blocks with Beason. The Huskers ended the set on an 8-2 run, and Allick was involved in scoring NU's final seven points as the Huskers finished with seven blocks in the set.&nbsp;Up Next: The Huskers host Iowa on Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Bob Devaney Sports Center on Nebraska Public Media and the Husker Sports Network.

Huskers sweep Illinois

Dundy County Stratton 41 vs North Platte St. Patrick's 21

Arapahoe def. Medicine Valley, 25-19, 18-25, 25-10 (2-1)

Aurora def. North Platte, 28-26, 25-21, 25-14 (3-0)

Broken Bow def. Doniphan-Trumbull, 25-20, 25-16, 25-16 (3-0)

Cambridge def. Maywood-Hayes Center, 25-8, 25-20, 25-20 (3-0)

North Platte St. Patrick's def. Sutherland, 25-19, 19-25, 25-20, 25-22 (3-1)

Paxton def. Medicine Valley, 25-9, 23-25, 25-20 (2-1)

Sandhills Valley def. South Loup (Callaway/Arnold), 18-25, 25-16, 25-21 (2-1)

South Loup (Callaway/Arnold) def. Twin Loup, 25-22, 25-14 (2-0)

Twin Loup def. Sandhills Valley, 25-19, 25-18 (2-0)

Wallace def. Hi-Line, 22-25, 20-25, 25-21, 25-21, 15-8 (3-2)

Southern Valley/Alma 0 vs Kearney Catholic 13

<h2>Football</h2>Cambridge 42 vs Maywood-Hayes Center 0Dundy County Stratton 41 vs North Platte St. Patrick's 21Kimball 14 vs. Perkins County 54Loomis 48 vs Hitchcock County 22Southwest 51 vs Medicine Valley 20<h2>Volleyball</h2>Arapahoe def. Medicine Valley, 25-19, 18-25, 25-10 (2-1)Arapahoe def. Paxton, 25-18, 25-18 (2-0)Aurora def. North Platte, 28-26, 25-21, 25-14 (3-0)Broken Bow def. Doniphan-Trumbull, 25-20, 25-16, 25-16 (3-0)Cambridge def. Maywood-Hayes Center, 25-8, 25-20, 25-20 (3-0)North Platte St. Patrick's def. Sutherland, 25-19, 19-25, 25-20, 25-22 (3-1)Paxton def. Medicine Valley, 25-9, 23-25, 25-20 (2-1)Sandhills Valley def. South Loup (Callaway/Arnold), 18-25, 25-16, 25-21 (2-1)South Loup (Callaway/Arnold) def. Twin Loup, 25-22, 25-14 (2-0)Twin Loup def. Sandhills Valley, 25-19, 25-18 (2-0)Wallace def. Hi-Line, 22-25, 20-25, 25-21, 25-21, 15-8 (3-2)<h2>Softball</h2>Hastings St. Cecilia 9 vs McCook 10Southern Valley/Alma 0 vs Kearney Catholic 13

Area Sports Scores from 10-4

NSAA Softball Sub-District assignments

• The second-ranked Nebraska volleyball team plays its first conference road match of the season when it travels to Champaign, Ill., for a 6 p.m. match on Thursday against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Huff Hall.

• Thursday’s match will be televised nationally on FS1 and streamed on the Fox Sports App. &nbsp;

• Huskers Radio Network with John Baylor and Lauren (Cook) West will broadcast all the action on their volleyball affiliate stations, on Huskers.com and on the Huskers App.&nbsp;

• Nebraska has won nine matches in a row since a loss at SMU on Sept. 3. Seven of the nine wins have been sweeps.&nbsp;

• The Huskers rank 10th nationally and second in the Big Ten with a team hitting percentage of .291.

• NU ranks 15th nationally in kills per set (14.00).

• Outside hitter Harper Murray is leading the Huskers with 3.19 kills per set.&nbsp;

• Opposite hitter Merritt Beason is averaging 2.84 kills per set for the Big Red. Over her last seven matches, Beason is averaging 3.17 kills per set with a .298 hitting percentage.

• Outside hitter Lindsay Krause adds 2.33 kills per set and has served a team-high 15 aces.&nbsp;

• Middle blocker Andi Jackson is averaging 2.66 kills with a team-best .475 hitting percentage, which ranks sixth nationally.&nbsp;

• Middle blocker Rebekah Allick adds 1.76 kills per set on .368 hitting with 1.41 blocks per set.&nbsp;

• Setter Bergen Reilly is averaging 10.98 assists per set, which ranks eighth nationally. She also adds 3.05 digs per set and has 11 aces.&nbsp;

• Three-time All-American Lexi Rodriguez guides the Husker back row with 3.73 digs per set. Rodriguez was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week on Monday.

• Illinois (8-4, 0-2 Big Ten) opened conference play last week with a 3-0 loss at No. 11 Oregon and 3-0 loss at Washington.&nbsp;

• The Fighting Illini have only played one home match this season, a 3-1 win over Illinois State on Sept. 3.&nbsp;

• Illinois is hitting .230 on the season and holding opponents to .193.&nbsp;

• Raina Terry averages 4.11 kills per set and has 32 service aces on the season, seventh-most in the nation.&nbsp;

• Former Nebraska assistant coach Chris Tamas is in his eighth year as head coach at Illinois and is 139-85 overall. Tamas was an assistant at Nebraska from 2015-16 and was on the staff of the Huskers’ 2015 NCAA Championship team. &nbsp;

• Nebraska is 34-8-1 all-time against Illinois and has won nine in a row in the series, including 3-1 last year on Nov. 12 in Lincoln.&nbsp;

• Illinois is one of Nebraska’s three Big Ten double-play opponents this season. The teams will meet again on Oct. 25 in Lincoln.&nbsp;

• Cook is 11-1 all-time against Tamas, his former assistant. Cook is 25-2 all-time coaching against his former assistant coaches. &nbsp;

• Nebraska opened Big Ten action last weekend with a pair of home wins over new conference members UCLA (3-1) and USC (3-0). The Huskers held the Bruins to a season-low .153 hitting percentage and the Trojans to a season-low .137 hitting percentage. The Huskers had 13 blocks against the Bruins, their second-most of the season.&nbsp;

• Nebraska led the nation in opponent hitting percentage in both 2022 (.128) and 2023 (.137).

• This year, the Huskers are holding all opponents to a .160 hitting percentage, which ranks 31st nationally.&nbsp;

• In conference play, the Huskers are holding Big Ten opponents to .147 hitting, which is second behind Washington (.093).&nbsp;

• Nebraska has turned up its defense of late, holding its last five opponents to a combined .126 hitting percentage.&nbsp;

• Nebraska has allowed just 26 service aces this season, which ranks second in the nation behind Pittsburgh (24). Over the last six matches, the Huskers have yielded just five aces and have not allowed more than two in a single match in that stretch.&nbsp;

• Nebraska has seven different players averaging between 1.76 and 3.19 kills per set, led by Harper Murray’s 3.19 kills per set.&nbsp;

• Six different players have led the Huskers in kills in a match in the first 13 matches of the season.&nbsp;

• Setter Bergen Reilly ranks eighth nationally averaging 10.98 assists per set.&nbsp;

• Nebraska has won 33 home matches in a row dating back to Dec. 1, 2022.&nbsp;

• The Huskers’ home win streak is its longest since moving into the Devaney Center in 2013.&nbsp;

• Nebraska’s longest all-time home winning streak was 88 matches from 2004-09. Since then, NU also has a home win streak of 38 matches in a row from 2009-11.&nbsp;

RODRIGUEZ AMONG ALL-TIME GREAT NU LIBEROS

• Lexi Rodriguez is in her final year of a stellar career as the Huskers’ libero. A four-year starter and a three-year team captain, Rodriguez will go down in history as one of the all-time greats in Nebraska volleyball history.&nbsp;

• Rodriguez has 1,588 career digs, which ranks third in school history. In the home wins over UCLA and USC, she passed Jennifer Saleaumua and Nicklin Hames to move to No. 3 on NU’s all-time digs list. U.S. Olympian Justine Wong-Orantes is the career leader in digs at NU with 1,890. Kayla Banwarth is second with 1,706 career digs.&nbsp;

• On Sept. 30, Rodriguez was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week for the sixth time in her career. She averaged 4.71 digs per set in the first weekend of conference play, helping the Huskers hold UCLA and USC to season-low hitting percentages at the time.&nbsp;

• Rodriguez is a three-time AVCA All-American, earning first-team honors in 2021 and 2023, and second-team honors in 2022. She will look to join Kadie Rolfzen (2013-16) and Sarah Pavan (2004-07) as the only four-time All-Americans in program history.&nbsp;

• Rodriguez made her mark instantly as a freshman in 2021, earning AVCA National Freshman of the Year and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. Over the last two seasons, Rodriguez has guided the Huskers to the No. 1 defense in the country, earning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year again in 2023 to become the fifth player in Big Ten history to receive the honor twice in a career.&nbsp;

• Opposite hitter Merritt Beason put together a sensational season in 2023 - her first as a Husker after transferring from Florida - earning AVCA first-team All-America honors and AVCA North Region Player of the Year, becoming just the second Husker (Kelly Hunter) to earn that honor.&nbsp;

Story by NU Athletic CommunicationsMATCH PREVIEW• The second-ranked Nebraska volleyball team plays its first conference road match of the season when it travels to Champaign, Ill., for a 6 p.m. match on Thursday against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Huff Hall.• Thursday’s match will be televised nationally on FS1 and streamed on the Fox Sports App. &nbsp;• Huskers Radio Network with John Baylor and Lauren (Cook) West will broadcast all the action on their volleyball affiliate stations, on Huskers.com and on the Huskers App.&nbsp;ABOUT THE HUSKERS• Nebraska has won nine matches in a row since a loss at SMU on Sept. 3. Seven of the nine wins have been sweeps.&nbsp;• The Huskers rank 10th nationally and second in the Big Ten with a team hitting percentage of .291.• NU ranks 15th nationally in kills per set (14.00).• Outside hitter Harper Murray is leading the Huskers with 3.19 kills per set.&nbsp;• Opposite hitter Merritt Beason is averaging 2.84 kills per set for the Big Red. Over her last seven matches, Beason is averaging 3.17 kills per set with a .298 hitting percentage.• Outside hitter Lindsay Krause adds 2.33 kills per set and has served a team-high 15 aces.&nbsp;• Middle blocker Andi Jackson is averaging 2.66 kills with a team-best .475 hitting percentage, which ranks sixth nationally.&nbsp;• Middle blocker Rebekah Allick adds 1.76 kills per set on .368 hitting with 1.41 blocks per set.&nbsp;• Setter Bergen Reilly is averaging 10.98 assists per set, which ranks eighth nationally. She also adds 3.05 digs per set and has 11 aces.&nbsp;• Three-time All-American Lexi Rodriguez guides the Husker back row with 3.73 digs per set. Rodriguez was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week on Monday.SCOUTING REPORT: ILLINOIS• Illinois (8-4, 0-2 Big Ten) opened conference play last week with a 3-0 loss at No. 11 Oregon and 3-0 loss at Washington.&nbsp;• The Fighting Illini have only played one home match this season, a 3-1 win over Illinois State on Sept. 3.&nbsp;• Illinois is hitting .230 on the season and holding opponents to .193.&nbsp;• Raina Terry averages 4.11 kills per set and has 32 service aces on the season, seventh-most in the nation.&nbsp;• Former Nebraska assistant coach Chris Tamas is in his eighth year as head coach at Illinois and is 139-85 overall. Tamas was an assistant at Nebraska from 2015-16 and was on the staff of the Huskers’ 2015 NCAA Championship team. &nbsp;SERIES HISTORY• Nebraska is 34-8-1 all-time against Illinois and has won nine in a row in the series, including 3-1 last year on Nov. 12 in Lincoln.&nbsp;• Illinois is one of Nebraska’s three Big Ten double-play opponents this season. The teams will meet again on Oct. 25 in Lincoln.&nbsp;• Cook is 11-1 all-time against Tamas, his former assistant. Cook is 25-2 all-time coaching against his former assistant coaches. &nbsp;LAST TIME OUT• Nebraska opened Big Ten action last weekend with a pair of home wins over new conference members UCLA (3-1) and USC (3-0). The Huskers held the Bruins to a season-low .153 hitting percentage and the Trojans to a season-low .137 hitting percentage. The Huskers had 13 blocks against the Bruins, their second-most of the season.&nbsp;DOMINANT DEFENSE• Nebraska led the nation in opponent hitting percentage in both 2022 (.128) and 2023 (.137).• This year, the Huskers are holding all opponents to a .160 hitting percentage, which ranks 31st nationally.&nbsp;• In conference play, the Huskers are holding Big Ten opponents to .147 hitting, which is second behind Washington (.093).&nbsp;• Nebraska has turned up its defense of late, holding its last five opponents to a combined .126 hitting percentage.&nbsp;SERVE AND PASS• Nebraska has allowed just 26 service aces this season, which ranks second in the nation behind Pittsburgh (24). Over the last six matches, the Huskers have yielded just five aces and have not allowed more than two in a single match in that stretch.&nbsp;BALANCED ATTACK• Nebraska has seven different players averaging between 1.76 and 3.19 kills per set, led by Harper Murray’s 3.19 kills per set.&nbsp;• Six different players have led the Huskers in kills in a match in the first 13 matches of the season.&nbsp;• Setter Bergen Reilly ranks eighth nationally averaging 10.98 assists per set.&nbsp;HOME SWEET HOME• Nebraska has won 33 home matches in a row dating back to Dec. 1, 2022.&nbsp;• The Huskers’ home win streak is its longest since moving into the Devaney Center in 2013.&nbsp;• Nebraska’s longest all-time home winning streak was 88 matches from 2004-09. Since then, NU also has a home win streak of 38 matches in a row from 2009-11.&nbsp;RODRIGUEZ AMONG ALL-TIME GREAT NU LIBEROS• Lexi Rodriguez is in her final year of a stellar career as the Huskers’ libero. A four-year starter and a three-year team captain, Rodriguez will go down in history as one of the all-time greats in Nebraska volleyball history.&nbsp;• Rodriguez has 1,588 career digs, which ranks third in school history. In the home wins over UCLA and USC, she passed Jennifer Saleaumua and Nicklin Hames to move to No. 3 on NU’s all-time digs list. U.S. Olympian Justine Wong-Orantes is the career leader in digs at NU with 1,890. Kayla Banwarth is second with 1,706 career digs.&nbsp;• On Sept. 30, Rodriguez was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week for the sixth time in her career. She averaged 4.71 digs per set in the first weekend of conference play, helping the Huskers hold UCLA and USC to season-low hitting percentages at the time.&nbsp;• Rodriguez is a three-time AVCA All-American, earning first-team honors in 2021 and 2023, and second-team honors in 2022. She will look to join Kadie Rolfzen (2013-16) and Sarah Pavan (2004-07) as the only four-time All-Americans in program history.&nbsp;• Rodriguez made her mark instantly as a freshman in 2021, earning AVCA National Freshman of the Year and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. Over the last two seasons, Rodriguez has guided the Huskers to the No. 1 defense in the country, earning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year again in 2023 to become the fifth player in Big Ten history to receive the honor twice in a career.&nbsp;BEASON BACK TO LEAD HUSKER ATTACK AGAIN• Opposite hitter Merritt Beason put together a sensational season in 2023 - her first as a Husker after transferring from Florida - earning AVCA first-team All-America honors and AVCA North Region Player of the Year, becoming just the second Husker (Kelly Hunter) to earn that honor.&nbsp;• Beason averaged a team-leading 3.76 kills per set on .282 hitting with 2.05 digs per set. She was named Big Ten Player of the Week four times and was the AVCA National Player of the Week on Oct. 23 after averaging 4.25 kills per set and 1.75 digs per set in wins against Northwestern and top-ranked Wisconsin.&nbsp;• Beason was the MVP of the NCAA Lincoln Regional after 19 kills, 11 digs and a career-high eight blocks in a regional final win over Arkansas.&nbsp;VERSATILE MURRAY HIGHLIGHTS SOPHOMORE CLASS• Sophomore outside hitter Harper Murray is the team leader in kills with 3.19 per set and adds 2.14 digs per set and 12 aces.&nbsp;• Along with Bergen Reilly, Andi Jackson and Laney Choboy, Murray made an instant impact at Nebraska in 2023, earning Big Ten Freshman of the Year, AVCA North Region Freshman of the Year, All-Big Ten First Team and AVCA All-America Third Team honors.&nbsp;• Murray finished her freshman campaign with 3.23 kills per set, the highest kills per set average by a Husker freshman since Kadie Rolfzen (3.46) in 2013. One of the Big Ten’s best six-rotation players, Murray also added 2.07 digs per set with a team-high 36 aces. She was a three-time Big Ten Freshman of the Week.&nbsp;KRAUSE PICKING UP WHERE SHE LEFT OFF• Senior outside hitter Lindsay Krause has been NU’s best threat at the service line this season with a team-high 15 aces. Krause is also averaging 2.33 kills per set.• Krause was having the best year of her Husker career in 2023 before it ended in mid-October with an ankle injury. At the time of her injury, Krause was averaging 2.50 kills per set and was hitting .285 for the season.&nbsp;• Not only that, Krause was putting up 2.82 kills per set on .366 hitting through six Big Ten matches, which led all Big Ten outside hitters in conference action at the time.&nbsp;• Krause was named Big Ten Player of the Week last year on Oct. 9 following a season-high 15 kills on .519 hitting at Michigan and nine kills on .381 hitting at Michigan State. &nbsp;REILLY SETS THE TONE• Sophomore setter Bergen Reilly ranks eighth nationally with 10.98 assists per set this season.&nbsp;• Reilly was the Big Ten Setter of the Year in 2023, becoming the first freshman to win the award since it originated in 2012. Reilly was also an AVCA second-team All-American and an All-Big Ten first-team selection.&nbsp;• Reilly led all Big Ten setters with 10.51 assists per set in 2023, and she has received six career Big Ten Setter of the Week honors, including on Sept. 2 and Sept. 16 this season.&nbsp;• Reilly was named Best Setter at the AVCA First Serve Showcase in Louisville, Ky., as she guided the Huskers to a 3-1 win over No. 9 Kentucky with 39 assists and 11 digs.&nbsp;JACKSON IN ACTION• Sophomore middle blocker Andi Jackson has elevated her game to new heights in 2024, as she is averaging 2.66 kills per set with a .475 hitting percentage, which ranks sixth in the nation and first among Big Ten players.&nbsp;• Jackson showed enormous athleticism and potential the first time she stepped on the floor as a Husker, and she followed through with a strong debut season that included AVCA All-Region, All-Big Ten Second Team, and Big Ten All-Freshman Team honors.&nbsp;• Jackson averaged 2.01 kills per set and 1.09 blocks per set with a .399 hitting percentage in 2023, which ranked third in the Big Ten and 19th in the nation. Her hitting percentage was the best ever by a Husker freshman and ranked seventh all-time in the rally scoring era.&nbsp;• Along with Reilly, Jackson helped the U.S. U21 National Team win the gold medal at the NORCECA U21 Continental Championship in Toronto this summer, hitting .654 throughout the tournament with 39 kills and 10 blocks.&nbsp;ALLICK BRINGS THE BLOCK• Junior middle blocker Rebekah Allick leads the Huskers with 1.41 blocks per set so far this season. Offensively, she has provided 1.76 kills per set on .368 hitting.&nbsp;• Allick’s career 1.19 blocks per set ranks No. 5 in school history in the rally scoring era.&nbsp;• Allick is a two-time AVCA All-Region and All-Big Ten second-team selection. Last season, she averaged 1.76 kills per set with a team-high 1.50 blocks per set, which ranked second among Big Ten players and seven in the nation. Her 1.50 blocks per set was also the No. 2 mark in school history in the rally scoring era.&nbsp;• Allick was at her best at the end of the 2023 season, registering a career-high 12 blocks in the NCAA regional final win over Arkansas and 10 blocks in the NCAA semifinal sweep of Pittsburgh.&nbsp;• In the season-opening victory over Kentucky, Allick had 11 kills and hit .667 while tying her career high with 12 blocks. Her performance earned her Best Middle Blocker and Most Valuable Player honors at the AVCA First Serve Showcase. She averaged 1.90 blocks per set in the first three matches of the season, which earned her Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week.HALL OF FAME COACH COOK IN YEAR 25 AT NU &nbsp; &nbsp;• Nebraska head coach John Cook is in his 25th season as the Nebraska volleyball head coach in 2024. He has led the Huskers to four national championships, 11 final fours, 13 conference championships and 22 top-10 final rankings since 2000.&nbsp;• Cook has 862 career wins and is one of the all-time winningest coaches in NCAA history. Since taking over the program in 2000, Cook has led the Huskers to a nation-leading .874 win percentage (701-101).&nbsp;• On Sept. 10, 2024, the Huskers defeated No. 9 Creighton 3-2 for Cook’s 695th win at Nebraska, which moved him past Terry Pettit for most wins all-time as the Nebraska volleyball head coach.&nbsp;• Under Cook, the Huskers have achieved 68 AVCA All-Americans and 20 CoSIDA Academic All-Americans, both among the best in the nation. He is a three-time AVCA National Coach of the Year, earning the prestigious honor in 2000, 2005 and 2023, and an eight-time conference coach of the year, including Big Ten Coach of the Year in 2016, 2017 and 2023.• In 2023, Cook was voted AVCA National Coach of the Year and Big Ten Coach of the Year after leading a young Nebraska team with no seniors to its first Big Ten title since 2017. The Huskers finished the regular season 28-1 overall, their best regular season record since going 28-1 in 2005. After going 26-6 last year and missing the NCAA regional finals for the first time since 2011, the Huskers started over with a starting lineup featuring four true freshmen and a junior transfer (Beason). Cook’s Huskers won their first 27 matches of the season and held the No. 1 ranking from Oct. 23 through the end of the regular season. Despite having no seniors on the roster for just the second time in Cook’s time at Nebraska - as well as starting a true freshman at setter for only the second time in Cook’s tenure - the Huskers earned the overall No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2016 and the sixth time overall under Cook.• Cook was inducted into the AVCA Hall of Fame in 2017, joining former Husker volleyball coach Terry Pettit in the hall.&nbsp;