MARKOWSKI NAMED PRESEASON ALL-BIG TEN FOR HUSKERS:
Nebraska sophomore post Alexis Markowski claimed first-team All-Big Ten recognition from the conference coaches and media when the league announced its preseason honors
The 2022 Big Ten Freshman of the Year, Markowski returns in pursuit of a big sophomore season to help the Huskers contend for a Big Ten championship and a run in the NCAA Tournament. The 6-3 forward/center from Lincoln, Neb., joins returning All-Big Ten regular-season honorees Jaz Shelley (guard) and Isabelle Bourne (forward) in an experienced and talented Husker lineup.
Markowski was a catalyst last season, averaging team bests of 15.6 points and 8.6 rebounds during Big Ten Conference play while shooting 54 percent from the field, including 53.6 percent from three-point range.
LOPER VOLLEYBALL FALLS IN FIFTH SET TO WASHBURN:
The 12th-ranked Washburn Ichabods scored four of the last five points to down 6th-ranked Nebraska Kearney in five sets Tuesday night at the Health & Sports Center.
Winning at Buckle Court for the third time in five years, WU (14-3) also takes the season series from the Lopers (17-2). The ‘Bods took the final three sets to win in Topeka back on September 10.
Washburn had more kills, digs and blocks than the Lopers but the Blue & Gold almost won. UNK served up a season-best 11 aces and got a combined 46 kills from outsides CeCe Beahm (Hastings St. Cecilia) and Emersen Cyza (Alliance) and middle Bailee Sterling (Kearney).
The fifth set featured 10 ties and eight lead changes with UNK moving ahead 11-10 after a solo block from setter Peyton Neff (North Platte). WU used an unforced Loper attack error and a kill from senior middle Halle Meister to move ahead for good, 12-11.
UNK heads to Pittsburg State (12-7, 6-4) and Missouri Southern State (8-9, 3-5 this weekend. MSSU knocked off Washburn last Friday night while Pitt lost in five on Saturday afternoon.
TREY PALMER ADDED TO BILETNIKOFF WATCH LIST:
Nebraska wide receiver Trey Palmer was recognized for his fast start to the 2022 season Wednesday, as he was added to the Biletnikoff Award Watch List. The Biletnikoff Award recognizes college football’s outstanding receiver at any position.
A transfer from LSU, Palmer has enjoyed a breakout 2022 season, hauling in 36 catches for 480 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He has set career highs in receiving yards four times in five games, including a personal best 157 yards on eight catches in the Huskers’ win over Indiana. In that effort, Palmer’s 71-yard fourth quarter catch gave NU the lead for good.
Palmer ranks second in the Big Ten in catches and third in yards. Nationally, he is 10th nationally in receptions per game (7.2) and 18th in receiving yards per game (96.0 ypg).
HUSKER FOOTBALL PRACTICE COMMENTS – WHIPPLE:
WHIPPLE – STILL IN FIRST PLACE DESPITE OFFENSIVE EFFORT:
Nebraska Offensive Coordinator Mark Whipple addressed the media after Tuesday’s practice and said he was disappointed in his offense’s complete effort during Indiana, but it was enough to get the job done…
Whipple added he was happy to see the response by his offense in adversity especially after he vented his frustration to quarterback Casey Thompson.
WHIPPLE – FRUSTRATED WITH OFFENSE AFTER FIRST DRIVES:
Mark Whipple, Nebraska Offensive Coordinator, spoke to the media after Tuesday’s practice and said he has been somewhat frustrated with his offense’s lack of performance in the past four games…
A verbal confrontation between Whipple and Thompson was shown on cameras during the Nebraska/Indiana matchup, but both quarterback and coordinator have spoken publicly that they have put it behind them and are ready to continue to excel for the Big Red attack.
WHIPPLE – OFFENSIVE LINE CONTINUES TO IMPROVE FROM MISTAKES:
Offensive Coordinator for Nebraska Football Mark Whipple spoke after Tuesday’s practice that he’s been happy with his offensive line’s improvement despite some errors…
Nebraska will walk out a new rotation of offensive lineman for Friday night’s matchup against Rutgers for their fourth different starting five since the season opener.
WHIPPLE – ROAD TRAVEL MUST BE PREPARED FOR:
Nebraska offensive coordinator Mark Whipple spoke to the media after Tuesday’s practice and said one of the biggest concerns for the Big Red offense is hitting the road for their first true road contest of the season…
Nebraska has only played at Memorial Stadium or in Ireland against Northwestern to kick off their season. The Huskers play in Piscataway, New Jersey on Friday against Rutgers.
WHIPPLE – HUSKERS ARE GOOD ENOUGH TO WIN THE WEST:
Offensive Coordinator for Nebraska Mark Whipple may be in his first year guiding the Husker offense, but the coordinator remains confident in his team’s ability to stay competitive in the conference…
The Huskers are currently tied for first with five other teams at 1-1 in conference play.
WHIPPLE – BEING A NICE GUY DOES NOT GARNER SUCCESS:
Mark Whipple was a bit vulgar in his response to Tuesday’s media session when asked why it was good to get on the offense for struggling at times against Indiana…
Nebraska responded well, putting away Indiana in the second half and earning a 35-21 win at Memorial Stadium.
JUDGE SLAMS 62nd HOMER TO BREAK MARIS’ RECORD:
Aaron Judge took a smooth, mighty swing, then broke into a big smile as he trotted around the bases. Heading home, his teammates backed away, letting him touch the plate alone.
At last, the New York Yankees slugger had the American League home run record all to himself.
Judge hit his 62nd home run of the season Tuesday night, breaking Roger Maris’ AL record and setting what some fans consider baseball’s “clean” standard.
Judge said he felt “quite a few emotions” after connecting, thinking about his family and fans and supporters. He said it would probably be after the season until he’d truly soak in and appreciate the significance of his achievement.
Judge did it just in time, too, homering on the next-to-last day of the regular season.
Barry Bonds holds the major league record of 73 home runs, set with the San Francisco Giants in 2001.
ANOTHER COMMITMENT FROM STORM HOCKEY:
Tri-City Storm goaltender Karlis Mezsargs has announced a commitment to play collegiate hockey in the future at the University of Massachusetts Lowell.
He made his USHL debut for Tri-City on September 23rd, 2022, in the Storm’s second game at the 2022 DICK’S Sporting Goods USHL Fall Classic.
Mezsargs notched his first career USHL victory in goal during the same game in Tri-City’s 6-4 victory over the Muskegon Lumberjacks.
UNK WOMEN’S GOLF TOP FIELD IN FLORIDA:
The Nebraska Kearney women’s golf team shot a school-record 54-hole score of 919 to place sixth at the Golfweek Division II Invitational Tuesday in Destin, Fla.
UNK improved each day, carding a 313, 308 and 298. The 919 bests a pair of 933’s (2019 MIAA Championships and 2019 Hardscrabble Invite) with the 298 on Tuesday one of only eight sub-300 rounds in school history.
Puerto Rico super senior Faviola Gonzalez finished 13th with an 11-over par 224 (76-75-73). That is a new 54-hole school-record.
HUSKER VOLLEYBALL READIES FOR MICHIGAN WEEKEND:
After a successful East Coast road trip last weekend, the No. 3 Nebraska volleyball team is back on the road again this week for two matches. The Huskers will battle the Michigan State Spartans on Thursday at 7 p.m. (CT) at the Breslin Center in East Lansing, Mich. NU will then travel to Ann Arbor for a 6 p.m. (CT) match on Saturday against the No. 24 Michigan Wolverines.
Nebraska (12-1, 4-0 Big Ten) has won its first four matches to start the Big Ten schedule and has won five in a row overall. Entering the week, Purdue is the only other Big Ten team still without a conference loss.
The Huskers will battle the Spartans less than two weeks after Nebraska beat Michigan State, 25-15, 25-19, 25-23, in Lincoln on Sept. 23.
Michigan State is 10-5 overall and 1-3 in Big Ten play. The Spartans beat Maryland (3-2) and have losses to the Huskers (0-3), at Rutgers (2-3) and at No. 12 Penn State (1-3). All of Sparty’s conference losses have come on the road.
Local Results & Schedules:
THIS WEEK IN LOCAL SPORTS:
TUESDAY:
- KEARNEY HIGH:
- Girls Golf: A-4 Districts @ Lake Maloney Golf Course
- KHS = 3rd Place (State Qualifier)
- Olivia James = 4th (87)
- Lauren Lydiatt = 8th (93)
- Boys Tennis:
- Dual @ Norfolk
- PPD to Wednesday
- Dual @ Norfolk
- Volleyball: v. Norfolk
- KHS 3-2
- Girls Golf: A-4 Districts @ Lake Maloney Golf Course
- KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
- Volleyball: v. Amherst
- KCHS 3-2
- Volleyball: v. Amherst
- UNK:
- Volleyball: v. Washburn @ Health & Sports Center
- Washburn 3-2
- Volleyball: v. Washburn @ Health & Sports Center
WEDNESDAY:
- KEARNEY HIGH:
- Softball: A-3 Districts @ Elkhorn South
- #4 Kearney v. #5 Omaha Buena Vista
- Boys Tennis: Dual @ Norfolk
- Softball: A-3 Districts @ Elkhorn South
- KGFW Sports Schedule:
- Sports Nightly (6 PM – 8 PM)
THURSDAY:
- KEARNEY HIGH:
- Softball: Districts – TBA
- Cross Country: HAC Championships @ Kearney Country Club
- KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
- Volleyball: Centennial Conference Tournament
- UNK:
- N/a
- KGFW Sports Schedule:
- Nebraska Volleyball @ Michigan State (6:30 PM – 9:45 PM)
FRIDAY:
- KEARNEY HIGH:
- Boys Tennis: @ HAC Championships @ Wood Tennis Center, Lincoln
- Football: @ Omaha Westside – 7 PM
- Pregame on Y102 at 6:30 PM
- KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
- Football: v. Ord – 7 PM
- UNK:
- Volleyball: @ Pittsburg State – 6 PM
- Women’s Soccer: v. Rogers State @ Foster Field – 7 PM
- KGFW Sports Schedule:
- Nebraska Football @ Rutgers (2 PM – 1 AM) – KGFW
- Nebraska Football @ Rutgers (5:15 PM – 11:15 PM) – KQKY/HITS 106
- Kearney High Football @ Omaha Westside (6 PM – 10 PM) – KRNY/Y102
SATURDAY:
- KEARNEY HIGH:
- Volleyball: Varsity Quad @ North Platte – 10 AM
- KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
- Volleyball: Centennial Conference Tournament
- Boys Tennis: v. KCHS Invite (East/West Shootout)
- UNK:
- Women’s Golf: v. Augustana Fall Regional Preview
- Women’s Swimming: Blue/White Scrimmage – 8 AM
- Football: @ Missouri Western State – 4 PM
- Volleyball: @ Missouri Southern State – 7 PM
- KGFW Sports Schedule:
- Nebraska Volleyball @ Michigan (5:30 PM – 8:45 PM)
SUNDAY:
- KEARNEY HIGH:
- N/a
- KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
- N/a
- UNK:
- Women’s Golf; v. Augustana Fall Regional Preview
- Women’s Soccer: v. Northeastern State – 1 PM
- KGFW Sports Schedule:
- N/a
