HUSKER VOLLEYBALL AWAITS PITTSBURGH FOR FINAL FOUR SHOWDOWN
The 10th-seeded Nebraska volleyball team (25-7) makes its 16th NCAA Semifinal appearance in program history this Thursday, Dec. 16, facing No. 3 seed Pitt (30-3) at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. First serve is set for 8:30 p.m.
No. 10 Nebraska joins No. 1 Louisville, No. 3 Pitt and No. 4 Wisconsin as the final four teams left standing to contend for a national championship. Louisville and Wisconsin meet in Thursday’s first semifinal match at 6 p.m. CT. The winners of each semifinal will advance to Saturday night’s national title match.
The Huskers are the first double-digit seed to reach an NCAA Semifinal since BYU in 2014. NU looks to become only the second double-digit seed to win the national championship since the NCAA began seeding teams with the 2000 NCAA Tournament. Stanford won the 2004 NCAA title as the No. 11 seed and is the lowest seed to ever win the national championship.
With Saturday’s Regional Final win over Texas, Nebraska advanced to an NCAA Semifinal for the 16th time in program history and for the fifth time in the past seven years.
Pitt is 30-3 on the season after defeating Purdue 3-1 in Saturday’s Regional Final in Pittsburgh for the Panthers’ first NCAA Semifinal appearance in program history.
NEBRASKA VOLLEYBALL: WEDNESDAY MEDIA DAY COMMENTS:
STIVRINS – GRATEFUL TO BE A HUSKER
Nebraska Senior Lauren Stivrins was asked what it’s like to be in her last contests in a Husker uniform, and the middle blocker joked it is a familiar feeling…
Stivrins returned to the Huskers this season after injuring her back during the Spring season. The Huskers take on Pittsburgh on Thursday in the Final Four.
STIVRINS – EXPERIENCE IN FINAL FOUR A NON-FACTOR
Nebraska Senior Lauren Stivrins is one of the few Huskers to have experience playing on the biggest stage in college volleyball. The middle blocker doesn’t think that gives an advantage however…
The Huskers’ opponent on Thursday is the Pittsburgh Panthers in their first Final Four in school history. First serve is set for 8:30 PM.
COOK – STIVRINS WILL BE MISSED
Nebraska Volleyball Head Coach John Cook was asked about what Lauren Stivrins’ career legacy will be at Nebraska, and the head coach had mostly positives to say…
Strivins, Cook, and the Huskers look to continue their season as the lowest seed remaining in the Final Four, as No. 10 Nebraska takes on No. 3 Pittsburgh at 8:30 PM.
KUBIK/STIVRINS – PITT. PREVIEW
Madi Kubik and Lauren Stivrins were asked to preview their opponent for their Final Four matchup against No. 3 Pittsburgh…
The Huskers stellar defense looks to dominate once again after holding the top offense in No. 2 Texas to only a .250 hitting percentage last weekend in the Austin Regional.
COOK – RODRIGUEZ SETS TONE FOR DEFENSE
Nebraska Volleyball is back in the Final Four with a stellar defense leading the way. Head Coach John Cook adds his freshman Lexi Rodriguez is a key part of their success…
Rodriguez is the first freshman to make first-team All-American since Wisconsin’s Dana Rettke in 2017, and the third Husker freshman – joining Sarah Pavan and Kadie Folfzen.
HUSKER VOLLEYBALL EARNS THREE ALL-AMERICANS:
Three Nebraska volleyball players were selected to the 2021 American Volleyball Coaches Association All-America Team
Lexi Rodriguez picked up first-team All-America honors, Kayla Caffey nabbed second-team recognition, and Madi Kubik earned third-team status. Additionally, Nicklin Hames garnered All-America Honorable Mention.
The Huskers’ three AVCA All-America selections boosted NU’s total to a nation-leading 98 certificates all-time. A nation-best total of 50 players have combined for the Huskers’ 98 awards in school history. The Nebraska volleyball program has had multiple All-Americans seven years straight.
HUSKER FOOTBALL ANNOUNCES FULL SIGNING DAY CLASS:
The Nebraska Football team ended National Signing Day with 13 scholarship additions and 4 walk-on commitments. Head Coach Scott Frost reiterated that he wanted a smaller class to help fill gaps needed for the future.
The early-enrollee signees from in-state include: Jake Appleget of Lincoln Southwest, Gage Stenger of Millard South, Ernest Hausmann of Columbus, with walk-ons Cooper Hausmann from Roca (Norris), Luke Lindenmeyer from La Vasita (Papillion-LaVista), and Blake Miller from Nebraska City.
Check out the link to learn more about the newly signed Huskers:
Husker Signing Day Class, Bios, and Commentary.
FROST: NATIONAL SIGNING DAY COMMENTS:
FROST – EXCITED FOR NEW ADDITIONS
Head Coach of Nebraska Football Scott Frost spoke at his national signing day press conference and was thrilled to see the 13 names sign with Nebraska on Wednesday…
That number also does not include the number of transfers that have entered the program. Four walk-ons were also added to the class.
FROST – KEEPING AN EYE ON THE PORTAL, HAPPY WITH GUYS WE HAVE
Head Coach of the Huskers Scott Frost was asked regarding the smaller class and how the transfer portal affected Nebraska’s recruiting…
Nebraska has grabbed key pieces in the portal already, claiming former 4-star defensive back Tommi Hill from Arizona State and also adding walk-on long snapper Brady Weas and Kicker Spencer Pankratz.
SID’s NAME DAVIS, SWANSON TO ALL-AMERICA TEAM
Junior safety Darius Swanson and junior quarterback TJ Davis represent Nebraska-Kearney football on the 2021 Conference Commissioners Association (CCA) Division II All-American team.
Swanson made the first-team with Davis on the second-team. Since 1995 they become the 10th and 11th Lopers, respectively, to earn SID All-American honors.
Swanson had a breakout year as the Lopers starting strong safety. He led the team in tackles (98) and interceptions (four for 19 return yards) while ranking second in pass breakups (seven) and tying for third in tackles for loss (5.0).
Davis had a hand in 40 touchdowns (21 passing, 18 rushing and one receiving), is currently the nation’s second most efficient passer (183.3), ran for 1,151 yards and threw for 2,320 yards.
LYNN EXTENDS WITH LOPERS THROUGH 2025:
Nebraska-Kearney Director of Athletics Marc Bauer announced Tuesday that head football coach Josh Lynn has signed a contract extension that makes him leader of the Loper program through the 2025 season.
The new contract takes effect on January 1, 2022, and includes a salary increase with an incentive package for Lynn and his coaching staff.
Lynn was named the 18th head football coach in school history on January 4, 2017, after successful head coaching stints at Eastern New Mexico University, his alma mater, and New Mexico Military Institute.
His initial contract ran through the 2020 season and then he signed an extension in February 2020 that extended the contract to December 2022. This latest change will extend the contract to December 31, 2025.
Since his arrival, the New Mexico native has increased UNK’s win total by at least two games every fall, culminating with a 10-3 mark this fall. The effort marked the Lopers return to the NCAA Division II playoffs for the first time in a decade, the program’s second-ever D2 playoff win and posting the program’s third-ever double-digit win season. Subsequently, Lynn was named the 2021 MIAA Coach of the Year.
NEW SPORTS COMPLEX COMING TO KEARNEY:
Votes are in and Kearney residents have voted yes for the new sports complex. KSNB reports the votes tallied up to a whopping 5,268 to 1,803. Voters have decided to extend the restaurants tax to raise money for the complex. This also means the expiration date of the tax has been moved from January 2025 to December 2042.
JURGENS ENDS HUSKER CAREER, MOVES ON TO NFL:
Sophomore center Cam Jurgens announced his intention to declare for the NFL Draft Tuesday night on social media.
Jurgens joined the Huskers in 2018 as a tight end out of Beatrice, Neb., and converted to the center position. He started every game in 2019 and 2021, and seven of the eight in 2020.
Jurgens earned Third-Team All-Big Ten honors from league coaches this past season.
UNK’S DAVIS AWAITS HARLON HILL ANNOUNCEMENT FRIDAY
The winner of the 2021 Harlon Hill Trophy, the Division II Heisman, will be announced this Friday (Dec. 17) at 2 p.m. Central.
Nebraska-Kearney redshirt junior quarterback TJ Davis is one of eight national finalists.
The announcement will be aired live on Harlon Hill Facebook page and the GAC You Tube Channel. UNK has had two previous national finalists in QB’s Justin Coleman (1999; 6th & 2000; 2nd) and Jake Spitzlberger (2011; 6th).
The 2021 MIAA and Super Region 3 Offensive Player of the Year, Davis is one of just two QB’s in NCAA’s four divisions (FBS, FCS, D2 and D3) to throw for at least 2,000 and run for 1,000 yards this fall. Having a hand in 40 touchdowns (21 passing, 18 rushing and one receiving), the second-team AFCA All-American had eight games with at least two TD tosses, five 100-yard rushing days and four games with four TD’s.
Local Results & Schedules:
THIS WEEK IN LOCAL SPORTS:
THURSDAY:
- KEARNEY HIGH:
- N/a
- KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
- N/a
- UNK:
- N/a
- HASTINGS COLLEGE:
- MENS WRESTLING: @ Missouri Valley Duals
FRIDAY:
- KEARNEY HIGH:
- GIRLS BASKETBALL: @ Norfolk – 6 PM
- Pregame on KGFW @ 5:45 PM; 1340 AM, 96.1 FM, KGFW.com, KGFW App
- BOYS BASKETBALL: @ Norfolk – 7:45 PM
- Pregame on KGFW @ 7:30 PM; 1340 AM, 96.1 FM, KGFW.com, KGFW App
- SWIMMING: @ Lincoln Southeast Invite
- WRESTLING: Flatwater Fracas Tournament @ Heartland Event Center
- GIRLS BASKETBALL: @ Norfolk – 6 PM
- KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
- GIRLS BASKETBALL: @ Hastings – 5:30 PM
- BOYS BASKETBALL: @ Hastings – 7 PM
- UNK:
- N/a
- HASTINGS COLLEGE:
- WOMENS BASKETBALL: @ University of Fort Lauderdale
- MENS BASKETBALL: @ University of Fort Lauderdale
SATURDAY:
- KEARNEY HIGH:
- WRESTLING: Flatwater Fracas Tournament @ Heartland Event Center
- GIRLS BASKETBALL: @ Columbus – 3:30 PM
- Pregame on KGFW @ 3:15 PM; 1340 AM, 96.1 FM, KGFW.com, KGFW App
- BOYS BASKETBALL: @ Columbus – 5 PM
- Pregame on KGFW @ 4:45 PM; 1340 AM, 96.1 FM, KGFW.com, KGFW App
- KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
- WRESTLING: Kearney Catholic Invite
- SWIMMING: @ Lincoln Southeast Invite
- BOYS BASKETBALL: v. Omaha Skutt (@ Hastings College) – 4:30 PM
- UNK:
- WRESTLING: @ Augustana (Sioux Falls, SD)
- WOMENS BASKETBALL: v. Newman @ HSC – 5:30 PM
- MENS BASKETBALL: v. Newman @ HSC – 7:30 PM
- HASTINGS COLLEGE:
- MENS WRESTLING: @ Kansas City, Avila Duals
- MENS BASKETBALL: @ University of Fort Lauderdale
