Wednesday Morning Sports – Braves Win World Series, UNK Volleyball Runs By Hays, Husker Football Practice Comments, State Volleyball Begins

BRAVES WIN FIRST TITLE SINCE 1995

The Atlanta Braves are World Series champions for the first time since 1995. The Braves won the 2021 World Series on Tuesday, defeating the Houston Astros 7-0 in Game 6.

Atlanta jumped out to a sizable lead thanks to two multi-run home runs early in the game. Jorge Soler delivered a massive three-run blast in the third inning to put Atlanta up early. Statcast had Soler’s home run traveling 446 feet with an exit velocity of 109.6 mph.

Soler was named World Series MVP.

UNK VOLLEYBALL DOMINATES FORT HAYS

The 15th-ranked Nebraska-Kearney volleyball team needed just over an hour to sweep rival Fort Hays State Tuesday night at the Health & Sports Center.

The Lopers (21-5, 12-5) win an eighth straight match while the Tigers fall to 12-14 (6-11). UNK is now 95-9 all-time against their neighbors to the South.

UNK faces 2nd-ranked Central Missouri (22-2) Saturday at 3 p.m. The Jennies bested the Lopers in five sets last month in Warrensburg.

KEARNEY CATHOLIC VOLLEYBALL LOOKING TO SET UP STATE RUN

The Kearney Catholic Stars are set to begin their second consecutive state tournament run on Wednesday. 

The Stars worked for their No. 1 seed in the tournament, downing Gothenburg in the sub-district title game on Tuesday last week 3-2 and sweeping Ord in close sets on Saturday in the District Final. 

Kearney Catholic takes on #8 Pierce on the North Court of PBA in Lincoln with a 1 PM first serve. 

MULTIPLE STORM PLAYERS NAMED TO 2022 NHL DRAFT LIST

Five players with ties to the Tri-City Storm organization were recently named to the NHL Central Scouting Bureau’s “Players to Watch” list for the 2022 NHL Draft. 

The list includes three current Tri-City Storm players (Vinny Borgesi, Aiden Dubinsky, Shaun McEwen), one Storm prospect (Cale Ashcroft), and one former Storm player (Hunter Strand). 

The 2022 NHL Draft will be held on July 7th & July 8th at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec. Six players with ties to the Tri-City Storm organization were selected at the 2021 NHL Draft.

HUSKERS TO HONOR VETERANS ON SATURDAY

At Saturday’s game against Ohio State, Nebraska Athletics will salute all Veterans and active duty military in attendance. 

Nebraska will host members of the Nebraska Army Reserve, the Nebraska Air and Army Guard, UNL’s own Military and Veterans Success Center, the Lincoln Roughriders, and many more individuals who have served and/or currently serving.

HUSKER FOOTBALL TUESDAY POST-PRACTICE COMMENTS

LUBICK – MARTINEZ NOT ONLY ONE TO BLAME FOR LOSS

Offensive Coordinator Matt Lubick met with the media on Tuesday and was asked about a potential switch at the quarterback spot… 

Lubick added that the coaching staff needs to do a better job to help improve Martinez’ game.

LUBICK – QUARTERBACK EXPERIENCE HUGE FOR STARTER

Huskers Offensive Coordinator Matt Lubick addressed a potential switch at the quarterback position for Saturday’s contest against Ohio State, reaffirming Nebraska’s commitment to Adrian Martinez. 

Lubick added that the senior’s experience sets him apart…

Lubick added that barring injury, the Huskers will roll with Martinez for the foreseeable future.

LUBICK – BETTS, MANNING IMPROVING

Nebraska Offensive Coordinator Matt Lubick likes the improvement he’s seen from the dynamic receiver set, especially now healthy Omar Manning and Zavier Betts…

Both receivers saw the majority of offensive snaps last week against Purdue, as Omar Manning caught a touchdown in the first quarter. 

LUBICK – OHIO STATE DEFENSE PREVIEW

Huskers Offensive Coordinator Matt Lubick previewed the Ohio State defense Nebraska faces on Saturday…

The Huskers battle Ohio State at Memorial Stadium with an 11 AM Kickoff. 

CHINANDER – BUCKEYE QB MUCH IMPROVED FROM WEEK 1

Defensive Coordinator Erik Chinander met with the media after Tuesday’s practice and broke down how Ohio State quarterback CJ Stroud has improved since the beginning of the year… 

Stroud has thrown for 23 touchdowns against 3 interceptions this season.

CHINANDER – DEFENSIVE IMRPOVEMENTS

Defensive Coordinator Erik Chinander shared his thoughts on where his Blackshirts can continue to improve throughout the rest of this season…

The Blackshirts face a tough test with a high-powered Ohio State offense coming to Lincoln on Saturday.

NEBRASKA WOMEN BASKETBALL DOMINATE MIDLAND:

Alexis Markowski led four Huskers in double figures and just missed a double-double finishing with 15 points and nine rebounds to help the Nebraska women’s basketball team power its way to an 87-42 exhibition victory over Midland in front of more than 3,000 fans at Pinnacle Bank Arena

Nebraska opens its regular season on Tuesday, Nov. 9, by playing host to Maine at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Tip-off is set for noon.

LOPER FOOTBALL DROPS A SPOT IN SUPER REGIONALS

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

These rankings, now released every Monday afternoon, determine the 28-team Division II playoff field (seven teams from four regions). The playoffs start Nov. 20

UNK, which was seventh last Monday, has wins over two teams with 7-2 records (Pittsburg State and Washburn) and another with a 5-4 mark (Emporia State). It’s an important week in the region 

as No. 10 Washburn plays at Pitt.

HUSKER VOLLEYBALL PRACTICE COMMENTS:

COOK – TEAM IS READY TO GET SEASON BACK ON TRACK

Head Coach John Cook met with the media and spoke about how the team is reminding itself that despite some early season losses, the season is not yet over…

The Huskers have lost back-to-back ranked matchups with Wisconsin and Minnesota and will  hit the road to take on #25 Illinois and #7 Ohio State on Thursday and Saturday, respectively. 

NEBRASKA WRESTLING RATED IN TOP TEN

The Nebraska wrestling team is ranked ninth in the preseason NWCA poll.

Five Big Ten teams are ranked in the Top 10 with 11 ranked among the Top 25. Iowa claimed the top spot, while Penn State, Missouri, Michigan and NC State round out the top five.

HUSKER FOOTBALL MONDAY POST-PRACTICE PRESS CONFERENCE:

TAYLOR-BRITT – LOVING THE HUSKERS MATCHUP

Senior cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt is excited about the matchup with Ohio State, and doesn’t see the talent gap between the two teams… 

The Huskers defense will need to step up against an Ohio State offense averaging 47 points per contest. 

FROST – NEED DEFENSE TO BE DOMINANT AGAINST BUCKEYES

Head Coach Scott Frost addressed the media Monday and said he’s expecting his defense to step up once again and make a statement against a powerful offense…

Frost added that he enjoys seeing the toughness and progress the defense has shown.

FROST – IT’S TIME TO GET IT DONE AND WIN

Head Coach Scott Frost spoke about the need to get a win for the program on Saturday against Ohio State…

Frost added that he is wanting to see this season through the next three games and is excited for the future of the program.

Local Results & Schedules:

THIS WEEK IN LOCAL SPORTS:

TUESDAY:

• KEARNEY HIGH:
  • N/a

• KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
  • N/a

• UNK:
  • VOLLEYBALL: v. Fort Hays State @ Health and Sports Center
    • UNK 3-0

• HASTINGS COLLEGE:
  • VOLLEYBALL: @ Concordia
    • Concordia 3-0

WEDNESDAY:

• KEARNEY HIGH:
  • N/a
• KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
  • VOLLEYBALL: C-1 State Tournament, First Round
    • #1 KCHS v. #8 Pierce

• UNK:
• • • N/a
• HASTINGS COLLEGE:
• • MEN’S SOCCER: v. Midland (GPAC Quarterfinal)

THURSDAY:

• KEARNEY HIGH:
  • BOWLING: @ Westside Lanes, Grand Island
• KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
  • N/a
• UNK:
  • N/a
• HASTINGS COLLEGE:
• • WOMEN’S SOCCER: TBA (GPAC Quarterfinals)

FRIDAY:

• KEARNEY HIGH:
  • N/a
• KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
  • VOLLEYBALL: C-1 State Tournament, Semifinals
  • FOOTBALL: C-1 Football Playoffs, Quarterfinals
    • #2 KCHS @ Wahoo – 6 PM
• UNK:
  • N/a
• HASTINGS COLLEGE:
• • MEN’S BASKETBALL: v. Benedictine College
  • WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: v. Bethel College

SATURDAY:

• KEARNEY HIGH:
  • N/a
• KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
  • VOLLEYBALL: C-1 State Tournament, Finals & Third Place Game
• UNK:
  • FOOTBALL: @ Central Oklahoma – 2 PM
  • MENS AND WOMENS CROSS COUNTRY: Central Regional @ Joplin
  • WRESTLING: Blue/Gold Scrimmage – 11 AM
  • VOLLEYBALL: v. Missouri Southern @ Health and Sports Center – 3 PM
• HASTINGS COLLEGE:
• • FOOTBALL: v. Midland, Lloyd Wilson Field – 1 PM
  • WRESTLING: @ Falcon Open
  • MEN’S AND WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY: @ GPAC Championships
  • MEN’S BASKETBALL: v. Waldorf