Thursday Morning Sports – Husker Volleyball Travels to Sweet 16, Husker Volleyball Comments, Nebraska Offensive Assistants Hired, Lopers’ Davis an All-American, Local Sports Schedule

HUSKER VOLLEYBALL TRAVELS TO AUSTIN FOR NCAA SWEET 16

The 10th-seeded Nebraska volleyball team (23-7) heads to the Lone Star State this weekend for its 10th straight NCAA Regional appearance, Thursday, Dec. 9 and Saturday, Dec. 11, in Austin, Texas. The Huskers face Big Ten peer Illinois on Thursday, with first serve set for 8:30 p.m. at Gregory Gym.

With a win, Nebraska would advance to Saturday’s regional final against the winner of the Washington-Texas semifinal (Thursday at 6:30 p.m.). The regional final match is set for 9 p.m.

The Huskers have won six straight in the series dating back to 2018, and they look for their fifth consecutive sweep of UI Thursday night. NU has an 7-0-1 advantage over Illinois on a neutral court and have a 4-2 edge in the NCAA Tournament.

HUSKER VOLLEYBALL SWEET 16 PRE-GAME COMMENTS:

COOK – TOUGHEST TEST MAY BE SLEEP SCHEDULE

The Husker Volleyball team is once again in the Sweet 16 as the team flew to Austin, Texas to compete in the NCAA Tournament Regional. Nebraska Head Coach John Cook jokingly said the toughest challenge ahead for the Huskers has nothing to do with their opponents… 

Other teams in the regional include Washington and Texas, and the Huskers’ opponent tonight in the Illinois Fighting Illini. Nebraska and Illinois have first serve at 8:30 PM tonight.

HAMES – EXCITING MATCHES AHEAD

Nebraska Volleyball traveled to Austin, Texas for its 10th straight NCAA Regional Appearance. Senior Nicklin Hames said the level of competition makes the regional more exciting, but the Huskers are ready for the tough tests ahead… 

Game time comes tonight at 8:30 as the Huskers take on Illinois, who the Huskers have swept in every appearance since 2018. Pregame on KGFW starts at 8 PM. 

COOK – GOOD TO SEE CHANGES COME TO TOURNAMENT OVER TIME

Head Coach of Nebraska Volleyball John Cook spoke to the media on Wednesday in preparation for the Huskers NCAA Regional Tournament matchup with Illinois. Cook spoke briefly about the impactful changes made to the tournament over the years… 

The Huskers take on Illinois at 8:30 PM tonight and will face Washington or Texas on Saturday for the Regional Final with a win.

KNUCKLES – SCOUTING ILLINOIS AS A NEW TEAM

Junior Kenzie Knuckles and other Huskers spoke to the media on Wednesday previewing the Husker Volleyball matchup with Illinois tonight in the NCAA Regional Tournament. 

Knuckles and the Huskers are facing Illinois for the third time this season, but Knuckles added that Nebraska is preparing as if it is a brand new opponent… 

The Huskers have swept Illinois in each matchup since 2018.

HUSKER FOOTBALL ANNOUNCES NEW HIRES:

Nebraska Head Coach Scott Frost announced the addition of two assistants to his offensive staff. Mark Whipple will serve as the Huskers’ offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, while Donovan Raiola will serve as the offensive line coach on Frost’s Nebraska staff.

Whipple comes to Nebraska after three seasons in the same role at Pitt, where he directed an explosive Panther offense that helped the school to its first ACC Championship in 2021, and its first league title in any conference since 2010.

Whipple’s Pitt offense ranked among the nation’s most prolific units in 2021. The Panthers ranked in the top 10 nationally in scoring offense (43.0 ppg, 3rd), total offense (502.9 ypg, 5th), passing offense (350.2 ypg, 6th) and passing efficiency (8th). Pitt scored more than 40 points eight times in 2021 and converted 88 percent of its red-zone trips into scores. The Panther offense also featured Heisman Trophy finalist Kenny Pickett.

Raiola comes to the Husker program after spending the past four seasons with the Chicago Bears as an assistant offensive line coach. In addition to his time in the National Football League, Raiola also brings four years of collegiate coaching experience to the Husker program.

Raiola is the younger brother of Dominic Raiola, an All-America center and Rimington Trophy winner for the Huskers. Dominic Raiola played 14 seasons in the National Football League with the Detroit Lions.

UNK’S DAVIS NAMED TO ALL-AMERICA TEAM:

Nebraska-Kearney redshirt junior quarterback TJ Davis has been named to the 2021 American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Division II All-American team.

A second-team pick, Davis is just the seventh Loper to earn AFCA All-America honors. The first Loper at a skill position to be chosen, Davis is the fifth player since 1990 to make the squad.

The 2021 MIAA and Super Region 3 Offensive Player of the Year, Davis is one of just two QB’s in all of the NCAA – including FBS, FCS, D2, and D3)  to throw for at least 2,000 yards and run for 1,000 yards this fall. Having a hand in 40 touchdowns (21 passing, 18 rushing and one receiving), the Harlon Hill Trophy finalist had eight games with at least two TD tosses, five 100-yard rushing days and four games with four TD’s.

HUSKER MEN’S BASKETBALL POSTGAME COMMENTS:

HOIBERG – EMBARRASSING PERFORMANCE AGAINST MICHIGAN:

Nebraska Men’s Basketball Coach Fred Hoiberg spoke to the media after Tuesday’s loss to Michigan, and did not hold back his disappointment… 

Hoiberg added he was concerned for this contest leading up as multiple Nebraska players missed practice time this week due to sinus infections and other illnesses. 

HOIBERG – VERY DISHEARTENING EFFORT

Nebraska Men’s Basketball Coach Fred Hoiberg spoke to the media on Tuesday night after the Big Ten home opening loss to Michigan, saying he was worried about a potential loss like this… 

Hoiberg and the Huskers did receive a 31 point effort from Alonzo Verge Jr. Nebraska travels to Atlanta on Saturday to take on Top 20 rated Auburn.

HOIBERG – NEED TO FIND GUYS WHO WANT TO PLAY HARD

Fred Hoiberg kept the Huskers solution to their recent loss short and simple… 

The Huskers gave up a 21-5 run in the first half to trail by double digits at halftime against Michigan before falling 102-67.

HOIBERG – NEBRASKA MUST HANDLE ADVERSITY

Nebraska Men’s Basketball evened their record at 5-5 with a Tuesday night loss to Michigan. Head Coach Fred Hoiberg spoke to the media after the contest and said he wants to see more fight from his team… 

The Huskers take a tough challenge on Saturday against a Top 20 rated Auburn in Atlanta. 

LOPER VOLLEYBALL’S SQUIERS EARN ALL-AVCA HONORS:

Nebraska-Kearney super seniors Anna Squiers and Madison Squiers are repeat selections on the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Division II All-American team.

Madison (setter) makes the second-team once again with Anna (middle blocker) moving from honorable mention honors in 2019 to third-team this year. They become the 12th and 13th Lopers, respectively, in the D2 era (1990-present) to earn multiple All-American honors in a career.

The Lopers went 26-7 in this past year, reaching the NCAA Tournament for a 22nd straight year, recording the program’s 33rd all-time NCAA win and having a 12-match win streak.

HUSKER NAMED BIG TEN WRESTLER OF THE WEEK

Nebraska junior Mikey Labriola (174) has been named the Big Ten Wrestler of the Week, the conference office announced Wednesday. This is Labriola’s second of his career and first for the Huskers since Taylor Venz (184) garnered the award on Jan. 29, 2019.

The Easton, Pa., native and three-time All-American most recently claimed an individual title at the Cliff Keen Invitational, helping lead the No. 8 Huskers to their second consecutive Cliff Keen team title. In the championship, Labriola took on #6 Ethan Smith of Ohio State where he scored a takedown in sudden victory to clinch the title.

Local Results & Schedules:

THIS WEEK IN LOCAL SPORTS:

WEDNESDAY:

• KEARNEY HIGH:
  • N/a
• KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
  • N/a
• UNK:
  • N/a
• HASTINGS COLLEGE:
  • WOMENS BASKETBALL: @ Midland
    • HC 69-59
  • MENS BASKETBALL: @ Midland
    • Midland 83-78

THURSDAY:

• KEARNEY HIGH:
  • N/a
• KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
  • WRESTLING: Triangular v. North Platte St. Pats, GICC
• UNK:
  • N/a
• HASTINGS COLLEGE:
  • N/a

FRIDAY:

• KEARNEY HIGH:
  • GIRLS BASKETBALL: @ Lincoln East – 5:45 PM
    • Pregame on KGFW @ 5:30 PM; 1340 AM, 96.1 FM, KGFW.com, KGFW App
  • BOYS BASKETBALL: @ Lincoln East – 7:30 PM
    • Pregame on KGFW @ 7:15 PM; 1340 AM, 96.1 FM, KGFW.com, KGFW App
  • WRESTLING: @ Council Bluffs Classic
    • Day 1
• KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
  • GIRLS BASKETBALL: @ Ord
  • BOYS BASKETBALL: @ Ord
  • WRESTLING: @ Wood River – 10 AM
• UNK:
  • M/W TRACK AND FIELD: Pre-Holiday Meet @ Kearney
• HASTINGS COLLEGE:
  • M/W TRACK AND FIELD: Pre-Holiday Meet @ UNK

SATURDAY:

• KEARNEY HIGH:
  • WRESTLING: @ Council Bluffs Classic
    • Day 2
  • GIRLS BASKETBALL: v. Omaha Central @ Kearney High School – 4:30 PM
    • Pregame on KGFW @ 4:15 PM; 1340 AM, 96.1 FM, KGFW.com, KGFW App
  • BOYS BASKETBALL: v. Omaha Central @ Kearney High School – 6:15 PM
    • Pregame on KGFW @ 6 PM; 1340 AM, 96.1 FM, KGFW.com, KGFW App
• KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
  • N/a
• UNK:
  • WRESTLING: @ Chadron State
  • WOMENS BASKETBALL: @ No. 2 Fort Hays State – 2 PM
  • MENS BASKETBALL: @ Fort Hays State – 4 PM
• HASTINGS COLLEGE:
• • WOMENS WRESTLING: @ Centerville, IA
  • WOMENS BASKETBALL: v. No. 25 Concordia @ Lynn Farrell Arena – 2 PM
  • MENS BASKETBALL: v. Concordia @ Lynn Farrell Arena – 3:45 PM