Wednesday Morning Sports – Husker Volleyball Ready for Badgers, Tuesday Post-Practice Comments, Stars Win Sub-District in Thriller, Bearcat Volleyball Season Ends

HUSKER VOLLEYBALL READY FOR BADGERS, ANOTHER TOP 10 MATCHUP

The No. 6 Nebraska volleyball team faces its second of three straight top-15 opponents this Wednesday, Oct. 27 with No. 3 Wisconsin at the Devaney Center. First serve is set for 8 p.m.

Nebraska has sole possession of first place in the Big Ten standings and is the only remaining unbeaten team at 10-0 in conference play. The Huskers are ahead of second-place Wisconsin (9-1).

Nebraska is currently on their longest win streak since 2018.

TUESDAY HUSKER POST-PRACTICE PRESS CONFERENCES:

LUBICK – BYE WEEK GAVE TIME TO SELF-EVALUATE

Nebraska Offensive Coordinator Matt Lubick met with the media after Tuesday’s practice and spoke about what the offense did over the bye week… 

The Huskers face a Purdue defense ranked 13th nationally in allowing only 300 yards per contest.

LUBICK – PURDUE DEFENSE PREVIEW

Nebraska Offensive Coordinator Matt Lubick previewed what the Boilermakers bring to Memorial Stadium on defense for Saturday’s matchup…

Purdue opened as seven point underdogs to the Huskers.

LUBICK – PASS PROTECTION RELIES ON WHOLE OFFENSE

Offensive Coordinator Matt Lubick addressed the media after Tuesday’s practice and spoke about the struggles of protecting quarterback Adrian Martinez. Lubick adds that the responsibility to protect Martinez doesn’t fall just on the offensive line… 

The Huskers currently rank last in the Big Ten in sacks allowed.

LUBICK – OFFENSE AGGRESSIVE FOR BIG PLAYS

The Huskers hold one of the best big-strike offenses currently in college football. Nebraska Offensive Coordinator Matt Lubick explains that the team is happy with the improvement… 

The Huskers look to use big plays to power through a stingy Purdue defense on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

LUBICK – OFFENSE HEALTHIER THAN EVER

Offensive Coordinator of the Huskers Matt Lubick addressed the media on Tuesday and said his offense shouldn’t be hampered by injuries for Saturday…

The Huskers had a limited game plan due to injuries at some positions, including a lingering injury to Quarterback Adrian Martinez that has reportedly been cleared up with added rest. 

LUBICK – OFFENSIVE DEPTH IS STRONG

Matt Lubick was asked after Tuesday’s practice how confident he felt in the Huskers reserves if called into action… 

Lubick added that his team is the healthiest it has been all season. 

LUBICK – ALLEN CONTINUES TO IMPROVE HIS GAME

Offensive Coordinator of the Huskers Matt Lubick had high praise for his tight end Austin Allen after Tuesday’s practice…

Allen is having his best season yet as a Husker, already having six more receptions and over 100 more receiving yards than all of 2020.

NEBRASKA VOLLEYBALL VERSUS OHIO STATE TIME SET

The Nebraska volleyball team’s Saturday, Nov. 6 match at Ohio State has been set for a 6 p.m. CT start time.

The contest will be streamed on Big Ten Network+ from the Covelli Center in Columbus, Ohio, and heard on the Huskers Radio Network.

The Huskers, who lead the Big Ten at 10-0 in conference play, have two top-15 matchups this week, facing No. 3 Wisconsin on Wednesday, Oct. 27 and No. 11 Minnesota on Saturday, Oct. 30.

KEARNEY CATHOLIC VOLLEYBALL WIN THRILLING SUB-DISTRICT

The Kearney Catholic Stars were down 12-3 in the fifth set but rallied to win their home sub-district tournament 3-2 over the #3 seeded Gothenburg Swedes. 

The Stars trailed 2-1 and came back with three straight victories to earn the C1-10 Sub-district title. Margaret Haarberg had back-to-back kills to close out the win. The Stars finished the contest on a 12-1 run. 

Kearney Catholic now awaits a district final matchup for Saturday. 

FREMONT SWEEPS BEARCATS

The Kearney High Volleyball team entered the A-7 district tournament needing to win out to continue their postseason but were swept by Fremont 3-0. 

The Bearcats finish the season at 14-21 overall. 

STORM’S EERNISEE ANNOUNCES COMMITTMENT TO St. THOMAS

Tri-City Storm forward Josh Eernisse has recently announced a commitment to play collegiate hockey in the future at the University of St. Thomas (MN). Eernisse is currently in his second season with the Storm.

Josh Eernisse, 19, of Eagan, Minnesota, has skated in six of Tri-City’s seven games played to this point in the 2021-2022 regular season. He scored one goal and recorded six assists in thirty-three games

HUSKER SOCCER NAMED TO BIG TEN PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Nebraska freshman Abbey Schwarz was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Week following the conclusion of the regular season.

Schwarz finished the season with one goal and one assist against Minnesota to help the team to its third-straight win and fifth shutout

The Huskers were unable to qualify for the conference tournament that will take place Oct. 31-Nov. 7 but finish the year on a high note with three-straight wins against Big Ten opponents. 

UNK FOOTBALL SEVENTH IN SUPER REGION RANKINGS

In the first edition of the NCAA region rankings the Nebraska-Kearney football team is seventh in “Super Region 3.”

These rankings determine the 28-team Division II playoff field (seven teams from four regions). The playoffs start Nov. 20 and end on Dec. 18.

National polls have no bearing on the makeup of the region rankings.There are no automatic qualifiers in D2 football but a league champion can make the playoff field with “earned access”

UNK has wins over two teams with 6-2 records (Pittsburg State and Washburn) and another with a 4-4 mark (Emporia State). The de facto MIAA title tilt occurs this Saturday when the Lopers travel to Northwest Missouri State.

HUSKER FOOTBALL MONDAY POST-PRACTICE COMMENTS

MARTINEZ – WAS NOT 100 PERCENT, BUT HEALTHY ENOUGH TO PLAY

Quarterback Adrian Martinez has faced adversity this season with lingering injuries that have slowed the four year starter down. Martinez elaborates… 

Head Coach Scott Frost had mentioned that the offensive game plan versus Minnesota was manipulated due to Martinez’ injury.

MARTINEZ – URGENCY SETTING IN FOR PROGRAM

Quarterback Adrian Martinez reiterated the importance of this upcoming contest for the Huskers program… 

The Huskers are seven point home favorites over Purdue.

KEARNEY HIGH & STARS EARN PLAYOFF BIDS:

Both Kearney High and Kearney Catholic earned playoff bids after their regular seasons concluded on Friday night. 

Kearney Catholic finished 9-0 and earned a #2 playoff seeding, meaning they will likely host all playoff contests heading into the State Final. The Stars take on 6-3 and #15 Boys Town on Friday at 6 PM

The Bearcats earned a #13 seed after punching their ticket in on Friday’s win over Omaha Northwest. Kearney will face a familiar foe in Elkhorn South, this time on the road in a contest starting at 8 PM on Friday. 

Local Results & Schedules:

THIS WEEK IN LOCAL SPORTS:

TUESDAY:

• KEARNEY HIGH:
  • VOLLEYBALL: District A-7 tournament @ Fremont; #3 Kearney @ #2 Fremont
    • Fremont 3-0

• KEARNEY CATHOLIC:

• • VOLLEYBALL: C1-11 Subdistrict Championship
    • #1 KCHS v. #3 Gothenburg
      • KCHS 3-2

WEDNESDAY:

• KEARNEY HIGH:
  • N/a

• KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
  • N/a

• UNK:
  • N/a

• HASTINGS COLLEGE:

• • N/a

THURSDAY:

• KEARNEY HIGH:
  • N/a

• KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
  • N/a

• UNK:
  • N/a

• HASTINGS COLLEGE:

• • JV WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: @ Southeast Community College, Beatrice

FRIDAY:

• KEARNEY HIGH:
  • FOOTBALL: NSAA Round 1 Class A Playoffs: #13 Kearney @ #4 Elkhorn South – 8 PM
    • KGFW Pregame Coverage @ 7:30 PM

• KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
  • FOOTBALL: NSAA Round 1 Class C1 Playoffs: #15 Boys Town @ #2 Kearney Catholic – 7 PM

• UNK:
  • VOLLEYBALL: @ Missouri Western St. – 5 PM
  • WOMEN’S SOCCER: v. Fort Hays State; Ron and Carol Cope Stadium – 6 PM

• HASTINGS COLLEGE:

• • WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: v. Presentation College, Lynn Farrell Arena
    • C3 Tip-off Classic
  • MEN’S BASKETBALL: v. Presentation College, Lynn Farrell Arena
    • C3 Tip-off Classic

SATURDAY:

• KEARNEY HIGH:
  • N/a

• KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
  • VOLLEYBALL: District Final TBA

• UNK:
  • FOOTBALL: @ No. 10 Northwest Missouri State (MIAA Championship Game) – 2 PM
  • VOLLEYBALL: @ Northwest Missouri State – 6 PM

• HASTINGS COLLEGE:

• • WRESTLING: @ York Open
  • FOOTBALL: @ Mount Marty University, Yankton, SD
  • VOLLEYBALL: @ Morningside University
  • WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: v. Haskell Indian Nations University, Lynn Farrell Arena – 4 PM
    • C3 Tip-off Classic
  • WOMEN’S SOCCER: v. Dordt University – 5 PM, Lloyd Wilson Field
  • MEN’S BASKETBALL: v. Friends University, Lynn Farrell Arena – 6 PM
    • C3 Tip-off Classic
  • MEN’S SOCCER: v. Dordt University – 8 PM, Lloyd Wilson Field