Story by NU Athletic Communications

Nebraska's men’s and women’s cross country teams will travel to Stillwater, Okla. on Friday, Nov. 14th for NCAA Midwest Regional Championships. The women will race a 6k first at 10:30 a.m. (CT), followed by the men who will toe the line at 11:30 a.m. (CT) for a 10k race. Awards will be presented following both races at 12:15 p.m. (CT).&nbsp;

The Huskers last raced at Big Ten Cross Country Championships in East Lansing, Mich., where the women placed eighth as a team. Berlyn Schutz (16th, 20:26.4) and Ali Bainbridge (18th, 20:30.6) led the women to their 8th place team finish along with each bringing home Second-Team All-Big Ten honors. Supporting the team finish was Alexandra Joyce (48th, 21:04.6), Jaylee Wingate (83rd, 21:41.2), and Alea Hardie (98th, 21:57.5) all within the scoring line up for the Husker women.

Denny Chapman led the men, who finished 15th, in 91st place with a time of 25:01.1. He was followed by Grant Wasserman (121st, 25:33.0), Jack Witte (129th, 26:06.3), and Gabe Nash (130th, 26:17.4). Kaleb Sharp finished off the scoring line up for the Nebraska men in 138th place with a time of 27:00.3.

Since 2021, the Husker women have come away with three top-ten team finishes. In 2024, Ali Bainbridge became the first Husker to qualify for the NCAA Championship race since Erika Freyhof in 2021. Bainbridge’s 76th-place finish at Midwest Regionals was the highest since Lara Crofford placed 45th in 2008. The Husker men have had two top-20 finishes since 2021. They most recently finished 17th in 2024.

Story by NU Athletic CommunicationsNebraska's men’s and women’s cross country teams will travel to Stillwater, Okla. on Friday, Nov. 14th for NCAA Midwest Regional Championships. The women will race a 6k first at 10:30 a.m. (CT), followed by the men who will toe the line at 11:30 a.m. (CT) for a 10k race. Awards will be presented following both races at 12:15 p.m. (CT).&nbsp;Last Time OutThe Huskers last raced at Big Ten Cross Country Championships in East Lansing, Mich., where the women placed eighth as a team. Berlyn Schutz (16th, 20:26.4) and Ali Bainbridge (18th, 20:30.6) led the women to their 8th place team finish along with each bringing home Second-Team All-Big Ten honors. Supporting the team finish was Alexandra Joyce (48th, 21:04.6), Jaylee Wingate (83rd, 21:41.2), and Alea Hardie (98th, 21:57.5) all within the scoring line up for the Husker women.Denny Chapman led the men, who finished 15th, in 91st place with a time of 25:01.1. He was followed by Grant Wasserman (121st, 25:33.0), Jack Witte (129th, 26:06.3), and Gabe Nash (130th, 26:17.4). Kaleb Sharp finished off the scoring line up for the Nebraska men in 138th place with a time of 27:00.3.NCAA Midwest Regional Information&nbsp;Since 2021, the Husker women have come away with three top-ten team finishes. In 2024, Ali Bainbridge became the first Husker to qualify for the NCAA Championship race since Erika Freyhof in 2021. Bainbridge’s 76th-place finish at Midwest Regionals was the highest since Lara Crofford placed 45th in 2008. The Husker men have had two top-20 finishes since 2021. They most recently finished 17th in 2024.

Huskers look for solid showing at NCAA Midwest Regionals

Story by NPCC Athletic Communications

Dodge City, Kan.– North Platte women’s basketball fell to No. 2 Dodge City 94–52 on Tuesday night.

Dezirae Gonzales and Breonna Shelby led the Knights with 10 points each, with Gonzales also dishing out four assists. Jasmine Gilbert made her presence felt on the glass, grabbing six rebounds.

"We played hard and competed for about 24 of the 40 minutes but that won’t get it done against a team of that caliber," said head coach Jeff Thurman. "We will learn from this and move forward."&nbsp;

The Conquistadors came out firing, knocking down their first five shots from three-point range to jump out to a 15–5 lead. Aliyah Herron then sparked the Knights offense with a strong drive to the basket, igniting a 10-2 run that pulled North Platte within two. Dodge City regained momentum late in the quarter, stretching its lead to 31-17 after the first period.

The second quarter started as a close matchup before the Conquistadors pieced together an 8-0 run to extend their advantage. North Platte would outscore Dodge City by three for the remainder of the quarter, but the Conquistadors still carried a 17-point lead into halftime.

Dodge City came out of the locker room hot, opening the third quarter on a dominant 16-2 run to build a 34-point cushion. Herron ended the drought with a three pointer, but the Conquistadors continued to control the pace, taking a 73-39 lead into the final frame.

North Platte struck first in the fourth quarter with a putback from Ligia Thortvedt, but Dodge City quickly responded with another 8-0 spurt. The Knights fought but couldn’t slow the Conquistadors offense, who outscored North Platte 13–10 down the stretch to secure the victory.

Knights (1-4) return to action on Saturday against Cloud County Community College. Tip is set for 2 p.m. inside Arley Bryant Gymnasium in Concordia, Kan.

Story by NPCC Athletic CommunicationsDodge City, Kan.– North Platte women’s basketball fell to No. 2 Dodge City 94–52 on Tuesday night.Dezirae Gonzales and Breonna Shelby led the Knights with 10 points each, with Gonzales also dishing out four assists. Jasmine Gilbert made her presence felt on the glass, grabbing six rebounds."We played hard and competed for about 24 of the 40 minutes but that won’t get it done against a team of that caliber," said head coach Jeff Thurman. "We will learn from this and move forward."&nbsp;The Conquistadors came out firing, knocking down their first five shots from three-point range to jump out to a 15–5 lead. Aliyah Herron then sparked the Knights offense with a strong drive to the basket, igniting a 10-2 run that pulled North Platte within two. Dodge City regained momentum late in the quarter, stretching its lead to 31-17 after the first period.The second quarter started as a close matchup before the Conquistadors pieced together an 8-0 run to extend their advantage. North Platte would outscore Dodge City by three for the remainder of the quarter, but the Conquistadors still carried a 17-point lead into halftime.Dodge City came out of the locker room hot, opening the third quarter on a dominant 16-2 run to build a 34-point cushion. Herron ended the drought with a three pointer, but the Conquistadors continued to control the pace, taking a 73-39 lead into the final frame.North Platte struck first in the fourth quarter with a putback from Ligia Thortvedt, but Dodge City quickly responded with another 8-0 spurt. The Knights fought but couldn’t slow the Conquistadors offense, who outscored North Platte 13–10 down the stretch to secure the victory.Knights (1-4) return to action on Saturday against Cloud County Community College. Tip is set for 2 p.m. inside Arley Bryant Gymnasium in Concordia, Kan.

Knights fall to No. 2 Dodge City

Story by NU Athletic Communication

The Nebraska men's basketball program looks to extend a six-game win streak Tuesday night, as the Huskers welcome Maryland-Eastern Shore to Pinnacle Bank Arena. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. (central) and 300 Level tickets are available for the matchup by visiting Huskers.com/Tickets or at the PBA Ticket Office beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday. The game will be broadcast on B1G+, while the radio broadcast is available on the Husker Sports Network, as well as on Huskers.com and on the Huskers app.  

Tuesday's game is the Hoops for Troops game where fans who donate to the Blue Star Moms donation drive at PBA will be entered to win an autographed Fred Hoiberg basketball.

The Huskers (2-0) come off a strong offensive performance in a 96-66 win over FIU last Saturday. Nebraska shot 55.2 percent from the field, including 17-of-34 from 3-point range, dished out 29 assists and put five players in double figures. Rienk Mast led Nebraska with the third triple-double in school history as he totaled 18 points, 12 rebounds and a career-high 10 assists. Mast is averaging 14.0 points, 11.5 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game and has double-doubles in both of NU's games.

While Mast's triple-double highlighted the Husker attack, junior forward Pryce Sandfort led NU's 3-point barrage with 20 points, including a career-high tying six 3-pointers. He had 14 of his 20 points, including four 3-pointers, as part of a 22-6 spurt during the first 5:20 of the second half to break the game open.

Maryland-Eastern Shore (1-2) had a strong offensive showing of its own in a 104-59 win over Cheyney on Saturday. The Hawks shot 78.8 percent from the field, including 8-of-13 shooting from 3-point range, and put five players in double figures. UMES took Georgia Tech to overtime in its season opener while Tuesday's game starts a two-game road trip as the Hawks will face Creighton on Friday.

29 - Nebraska had 29 assists in Saturday's win over FIU, the Huskers' highest total since dishing out 35 assists against Northeastern Illinois on Dec. 21, 1994. The previous high for a Husker team under Hoiberg was 25 vs. Doane on Dec. 17, 2020.

20 - Nebraska has dished out 20 or more assists in each of its last three games dating back to the College Basketball Crown last April. It marks the first time in the Big Ten era (2011-12 to present) that the Huskers have had 20 or more assists in three straight games. 

3.0 - Over the last six games dating back to the College Basketball Crown, Sam Hoiberg is averaging 4.0 assists per game with a 3.0-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio. Hoiberg has more steals (12) than turnovers (eight) in that stretch.

3 - For just the third time in the Big Ten era (2011-12 to present), Nebraska returns multiple double-figure scorers with Rienk Mast (12.3 ppg in 2023-24) and Connor Essegian (10.7 ppg). In both previous instances (2018-19 and 2024-25), Nebraska has advanced to postseason play. 

.931 - Over the last three-plus seasons, NU is 41-3 when holding foes to under 1.00 PPP and 43-5 when holding opponents to under 70 points. Nebraska has improved its KenPom defensive efficiency in each of the past three seasons.

.955 - Nebraska is 21-1 at home in non-conference play over the last three-plus seasons and is 34-9 (.791) at home in non-conference action in Fred Hoiberg's tenure at Nebraska.

.800 - Nebraska is 40-10 under Fred Hoiberg when scoring 80 or more points, including a 31-7 mark over the last three-plus seasons. Of those seven losses since the start of 2022-23, four were in overtime.

Maryland Eastern Shore comes to Lincoln with a 1-2 record after Saturday's 104-59 win over Chaney University. The Hawks will play seven of their first eight games on the road, as Tuesday's game with the Huskers begins a five-game road swing. During non-conference play, UMES will face seven power conference foes (Georgia Tech, Georgia, Nebraska, Creighton, Virginia, Virginia Tech and Texas) before opening MEAC play on Jan. 3. The Hawks were picked to finish seventh in the MEAC preseason poll and are led by preseason all-conference pick Christopher Flippin, as the 6-foot-8 forward averaged 9.9 ppg and 5.5 rebounds per game last season. This year, UMES has been led by Joseph Locandro, who is averaging 10.7 ppg, including 17 points on 7-of-8 shooting in 19 minutes in the overtime loss to Georgia Tech.  

UMES Coach Cleo Hill Jr. is in his second year in charge of the program after enjoying success at the Division II level. He spent five seasons at Winston-Salem State, posting a 89-50 mark and won 18 or more games in each of his final four seasons. Hill began his college coaching career in Lincoln as an assistant coach on Danny Nee's staff during the 1998-99 and 1999-2000 seasons. 

Nebraska is 3-0 all-time against UMES, posting wins in 2008, 2009 and 2010. The Huskers are 15-0 all-time against the current members of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. 

Rienk Mast recorded the third triple-double in school history, while Nebraska hit 17 3-pointers in a 96-66 win over FIU on Nov. 8.  Mast became the first Husker since Dalano Banton in 2020 to record a triple-double as he finished with 18 points on 8-of-10 shooting, 12 rebounds and a career-high 10 assists. The 6-foot-10 senior had 14 points, 10 boards and five assists by halftime and secured the achievement by hitting Braden Frager on a driving layup with 7:29 remaining. 

That was the only drama in the final 15 minutes, as the Huskers opened the second half with a barrage of 3-pointers in a 22-6 run in the first 5:20 after the break to build a 71-34 lead.  

Nebraska went 17-of-34 from beyond the stripe, one shy of the single-game 3-point record which had stood since 2002. Nebraska shot 55 percent from the field, put five players in double figures and dished out 29 assists, the team’s highest total since 1994. Pryce Sandfort totaled a game-high 20 points, including six 3-pointers to tie his career high. Braden Frager (15), Connor Essegian (13) and Berke Buyuktuncel (11) also scored in double figures as Nebraska used an early 11-0 to build a double-digit lead and never trailed again. 

• Rienk Mast posted the third triple-double in school history with 18 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists in 25 minutes of work. Mast was 8-of-10 from the field and had a double-double by halftime with 14 points and 10 rebounds.

• Mast joins Cam Mack (2019) and Dalano Banton (2020) as the three Huskers in school history with triple doubles. All three triple-doubles have come during Fred  Hoiberg’s seven seasons at Nebraska.

• Mast now has eight double-doubles as a Husker and 28 in his college career. 

• Pryce Sandfort finished with 20 points for his second career 20-point game and first as a Husker. His six 3-pointers tied his college career high (vs. Southern while at Iowa last season). 

• Nebraska’s 17 3-pointers are the most by a Husker team since hitting a school-record 18 3-pointers against Kansas on Feb. 24, 2002.

• Nebraska’s 29 assists were the most in a game by NU since Dec. 21, 1994, when NU had 35 against Northeastern Illinois.

• Nebraska enters the week with Division I's longest winning streak at six games following Saturday's win over Maryland Eastern Shore. The Huskers closed 2024-25 by winning their final four games at the College Basketball Crown before a pair of wins last week.  Nebraska is averaging 84.2 ppg on 49 percent shooting during its six-game win streak. 

• Nebraska has had six different players in double figures during the first two games, including a pair of 20-point efforts (Braden Frager-West Georgia; Pryce Sandfort-FIU). Nebraska put five players in double figures on Saturday vs. FIU

• If Rienk Mast can record a double-double on Tuesday night, he will be the first Husker with three straight double-doubles since Isaiah Roby from Feb. 10-18, 2018. Roby is the only Husker to post three straight double-doubles in the Big Ten era (2011-12 to present). 

• Redshirt freshman Braden Frager put up a strong week to open the season, as he averaged 18.5 ppg on 67 percent shooting in NU's two games. The 6-foot-7 forward from Lincoln, who turned 19 on Nov. 10, had 22 points in his debut and added 15 points off the bench in the win over FIU. 

One trend which continued from NU's two exhibition games is solid shooting from 3-point range. Including the two exhibition games, NU has averaged 14.5 3-pointers per game, including 17 against FIU and 16 in the exhibition win over No. 8 BYU. 

• Nebraska's 17 teams against FIU were one shy of the Huskers' single-game record and matched the most 3-pointers by a Fred Hoiberg coached team.

• Five different players have hit at least four 3-pointers in a game (including the exhibitions): Rienk Mast (7 vs. BYU), Connor Essegian (5 vs. BYU), Braden Frager (6 vs. Midland), Jamarques Lawrence (5 vs. West Georgia) and Pryce Sandfort (4 vs. Midland, 6 vs. FIU).

• Dating back to last year, NU has had a player hit four or more 3-pointers in the last five contests dating back to the College Basketball Crown. (Brice Williams-Georgetown; Juwan Gary-Boise State; Connor Essegian-UCF; Jamarques Lawrence-West Georgia; Sandfort-FIU). 

• Two years ago, Nebraska led the Big Ten with 9.4 3-pointers per game on its way to hitting a school record 319 3-pointers. 

Nebraska has received outstanding play from its bench, averaging 46.0 ppg in two games this season.

• The back-to-back 46-point efforts marked the seventh and eighth time the Husker bench has scored 40+ points in a game under Fred Hoiberg. The others include Doane (61, 2020-21), South Dakota (51, 2024-25), South Carolina State (47, 2023-24); South Dakota (43, 2021-22); Creigton (42, 2021-22) and Southern (40, 2024-25).

• Two of the Huskers' top three scorers are coming off the bench in Braden Frager (18.5 ppg, first) and Connor Essegian (12.5 ppg, third).  Both Frager and Essegian have reached double figures in both games. 

• Frager's 22 points off the bench vs. West Georgia tied for the fifth-highest output by a Husker reserve in Fred Hoiberg's six-plus seasons at Nebraska. 

• Last year, Nebraska got 31 double-figure efforts from its bench and averaged 23.0 ppg from its bench. 

Story by NU Athletic CommunicationThe Nebraska men's basketball program looks to extend a six-game win streak Tuesday night, as the Huskers welcome Maryland-Eastern Shore to Pinnacle Bank Arena. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. (central) and 300 Level tickets are available for the matchup by visiting Huskers.com/Tickets or at the PBA Ticket Office beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday. The game will be broadcast on B1G+, while the radio broadcast is available on the Husker Sports Network, as well as on Huskers.com and on the Huskers app. Tuesday's game is the Hoops for Troops game where fans who donate to the Blue Star Moms donation drive at PBA will be entered to win an autographed Fred Hoiberg basketball.The Huskers (2-0) come off a strong offensive performance in a 96-66 win over FIU last Saturday. Nebraska shot 55.2 percent from the field, including 17-of-34 from 3-point range, dished out 29 assists and put five players in double figures. Rienk Mast led Nebraska with the third triple-double in school history as he totaled 18 points, 12 rebounds and a career-high 10 assists. Mast is averaging 14.0 points, 11.5 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game and has double-doubles in both of NU's games.While Mast's triple-double highlighted the Husker attack, junior forward Pryce Sandfort led NU's 3-point barrage with 20 points, including a career-high tying six 3-pointers. He had 14 of his 20 points, including four 3-pointers, as part of a 22-6 spurt during the first 5:20 of the second half to break the game open.Maryland-Eastern Shore (1-2) had a strong offensive showing of its own in a 104-59 win over Cheyney on Saturday. The Hawks shot 78.8 percent from the field, including 8-of-13 shooting from 3-point range, and put five players in double figures. UMES took Georgia Tech to overtime in its season opener while Tuesday's game starts a two-game road trip as the Hawks will face Creighton on Friday.Numbers to Know29 - Nebraska had 29 assists in Saturday's win over FIU, the Huskers' highest total since dishing out 35 assists against Northeastern Illinois on Dec. 21, 1994. The previous high for a Husker team under Hoiberg was 25 vs. Doane on Dec. 17, 2020.20 - Nebraska has dished out 20 or more assists in each of its last three games dating back to the College Basketball Crown last April. It marks the first time in the Big Ten era (2011-12 to present) that the Huskers have had 20 or more assists in three straight games. 3.0 - Over the last six games dating back to the College Basketball Crown, Sam Hoiberg is averaging 4.0 assists per game with a 3.0-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio. Hoiberg has more steals (12) than turnovers (eight) in that stretch.3 - For just the third time in the Big Ten era (2011-12 to present), Nebraska returns multiple double-figure scorers with Rienk Mast (12.3 ppg in 2023-24) and Connor Essegian (10.7 ppg). In both previous instances (2018-19 and 2024-25), Nebraska has advanced to postseason play. .931 - Over the last three-plus seasons, NU is 41-3 when holding foes to under 1.00 PPP and 43-5 when holding opponents to under 70 points. Nebraska has improved its KenPom defensive efficiency in each of the past three seasons..955 - Nebraska is 21-1 at home in non-conference play over the last three-plus seasons and is 34-9 (.791) at home in non-conference action in Fred Hoiberg's tenure at Nebraska..800 - Nebraska is 40-10 under Fred Hoiberg when scoring 80 or more points, including a 31-7 mark over the last three-plus seasons. Of those seven losses since the start of 2022-23, four were in overtime.Scouting Maryland-Eastern ShoreMaryland Eastern Shore comes to Lincoln with a 1-2 record after Saturday's 104-59 win over Chaney University. The Hawks will play seven of their first eight games on the road, as Tuesday's game with the Huskers begins a five-game road swing. During non-conference play, UMES will face seven power conference foes (Georgia Tech, Georgia, Nebraska, Creighton, Virginia, Virginia Tech and Texas) before opening MEAC play on Jan. 3. The Hawks were picked to finish seventh in the MEAC preseason poll and are led by preseason all-conference pick Christopher Flippin, as the 6-foot-8 forward averaged 9.9 ppg and 5.5 rebounds per game last season. This year, UMES has been led by Joseph Locandro, who is averaging 10.7 ppg, including 17 points on 7-of-8 shooting in 19 minutes in the overtime loss to Georgia Tech. UMES Coach Cleo Hill Jr. is in his second year in charge of the program after enjoying success at the Division II level. He spent five seasons at Winston-Salem State, posting a 89-50 mark and won 18 or more games in each of his final four seasons. Hill began his college coaching career in Lincoln as an assistant coach on Danny Nee's staff during the 1998-99 and 1999-2000 seasons. Nebraska is 3-0 all-time against UMES, posting wins in 2008, 2009 and 2010. The Huskers are 15-0 all-time against the current members of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. FIU RecapRienk Mast recorded the third triple-double in school history, while Nebraska hit 17 3-pointers in a 96-66 win over FIU on Nov. 8. Mast became the first Husker since Dalano Banton in 2020 to record a triple-double as he finished with 18 points on 8-of-10 shooting, 12 rebounds and a career-high 10 assists. The 6-foot-10 senior had 14 points, 10 boards and five assists by halftime and secured the achievement by hitting Braden Frager on a driving layup with 7:29 remaining. That was the only drama in the final 15 minutes, as the Huskers opened the second half with a barrage of 3-pointers in a 22-6 run in the first 5:20 after the break to build a 71-34 lead. Nebraska went 17-of-34 from beyond the stripe, one shy of the single-game 3-point record which had stood since 2002. Nebraska shot 55 percent from the field, put five players in double figures and dished out 29 assists, the team’s highest total since 1994. Pryce Sandfort totaled a game-high 20 points, including six 3-pointers to tie his career high. Braden Frager (15), Connor Essegian (13) and Berke Buyuktuncel (11) also scored in double figures as Nebraska used an early 11-0 to build a double-digit lead and never trailed again. Worth Noting From Saturday's win• Rienk Mast posted the third triple-double in school history with 18 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists in 25 minutes of work. Mast was 8-of-10 from the field and had a double-double by halftime with 14 points and 10 rebounds.• Mast joins Cam Mack (2019) and Dalano Banton (2020) as the three Huskers in school history with triple doubles. All three triple-doubles have come during Fred Hoiberg’s seven seasons at Nebraska.• Mast now has eight double-doubles as a Husker and 28 in his college career. • Pryce Sandfort finished with 20 points for his second career 20-point game and first as a Husker. His six 3-pointers tied his college career high (vs. Southern while at Iowa last season). • Nebraska’s 17 3-pointers are the most by a Husker team since hitting a school-record 18 3-pointers against Kansas on Feb. 24, 2002.• Nebraska’s 29 assists were the most in a game by NU since Dec. 21, 1994, when NU had 35 against Northeastern Illinois.Worth Noting• Nebraska enters the week with Division I's longest winning streak at six games following Saturday's win over Maryland Eastern Shore. The Huskers closed 2024-25 by winning their final four games at the College Basketball Crown before a pair of wins last week. Nebraska is averaging 84.2 ppg on 49 percent shooting during its six-game win streak. • Nebraska has had six different players in double figures during the first two games, including a pair of 20-point efforts (Braden Frager-West Georgia; Pryce Sandfort-FIU). Nebraska put five players in double figures on Saturday vs. FIU• If Rienk Mast can record a double-double on Tuesday night, he will be the first Husker with three straight double-doubles since Isaiah Roby from Feb. 10-18, 2018. Roby is the only Husker to post three straight double-doubles in the Big Ten era (2011-12 to present). • Redshirt freshman Braden Frager put up a strong week to open the season, as he averaged 18.5 ppg on 67 percent shooting in NU's two games. The 6-foot-7 forward from Lincoln, who turned 19 on Nov. 10, had 22 points in his debut and added 15 points off the bench in the win over FIU. From a DistanceOne trend which continued from NU's two exhibition games is solid shooting from 3-point range. Including the two exhibition games, NU has averaged 14.5 3-pointers per game, including 17 against FIU and 16 in the exhibition win over No. 8 BYU. • Nebraska's 17 teams against FIU were one shy of the Huskers' single-game record and matched the most 3-pointers by a Fred Hoiberg coached team.• Five different players have hit at least four 3-pointers in a game (including the exhibitions): Rienk Mast (7 vs. BYU), Connor Essegian (5 vs. BYU), Braden Frager (6 vs. Midland), Jamarques Lawrence (5 vs. West Georgia) and Pryce Sandfort (4 vs. Midland, 6 vs. FIU).• Dating back to last year, NU has had a player hit four or more 3-pointers in the last five contests dating back to the College Basketball Crown. (Brice Williams-Georgetown; Juwan Gary-Boise State; Connor Essegian-UCF; Jamarques Lawrence-West Georgia; Sandfort-FIU). • Two years ago, Nebraska led the Big Ten with 9.4 3-pointers per game on its way to hitting a school record 319 3-pointers. Bench Support Nebraska has received outstanding play from its bench, averaging 46.0 ppg in two games this season.• The back-to-back 46-point efforts marked the seventh and eighth time the Husker bench has scored 40+ points in a game under Fred Hoiberg. The others include Doane (61, 2020-21), South Dakota (51, 2024-25), South Carolina State (47, 2023-24); South Dakota (43, 2021-22); Creigton (42, 2021-22) and Southern (40, 2024-25).• Two of the Huskers' top three scorers are coming off the bench in Braden Frager (18.5 ppg, first) and Connor Essegian (12.5 ppg, third). Both Frager and Essegian have reached double figures in both games. • Frager's 22 points off the bench vs. West Georgia tied for the fifth-highest output by a Husker reserve in Fred Hoiberg's six-plus seasons at Nebraska. • Last year, Nebraska got 31 double-figure efforts from its bench and averaged 23.0 ppg from its bench.

Huskers look to extend win streak against UMES Tuesday evening

Story by UNK Athletic Communications

Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska Kearney men's cross country team is headed back to the NCAA Championships  for the fourth time in five years.

The Lopers placed sixth at the NCAA Central Regional meet this past Saturday (Nov. 8) in Missouri; the top three teams in each of eight regional meets around the country automatically qualified for nationals Nov. 22 in Kenosha, Wisc. An additional 10 teams received at-large bids today (Nov. 10) with a squad's "body of work" throughout the regular season and at the regional meet the criteria. The 19th-ranked UNK women were third at regionals to earn their second-ever NCAA trip. 

The University of Wisconsin Parkside will host nationals at the Wayne E. Dannehl National C.C. Course with the women's race at 10 a.m. Central and the men following at 11:15 am. Central.

UNK has been regionally ranked in the tough Central all season and was 6th out of 30 teams at regionals and 5th out of 12 at the MIAA Championships. They also faced top competition in four regular season meets.

Omaha redshirt senior Nick Abdalla (2-time All-Region, 3-time All-MIAA) leads the Lopers cause with juniors Juan Garcia (Grand Island Senior H.S.), Nathan Johnson (Lincoln SE) and Conner Wells (St. Paul), sophomores Mesuidi Ejerso (South Sioux City) and Carter Hohlen (Lincoln Christian) and freshman Drew Elliott (Abilene, Kan.) the other scorers at conference and regionals.

The Lopers have placed 22nd (2022) and 25th (2021 and 2024) at recent NCAA Championships. The women were 22nd in 2022 in their first nationals’ trip. 

Story by UNK Athletic CommunicationsKearney, Neb. – The Nebraska Kearney men's cross country team is headed back to the NCAA Championships for the fourth time in five years.The Lopers placed sixth at the NCAA Central Regional meet this past Saturday (Nov. 8) in Missouri; the top three teams in each of eight regional meets around the country automatically qualified for nationals Nov. 22 in Kenosha, Wisc. An additional 10 teams received at-large bids today (Nov. 10) with a squad's "body of work" throughout the regular season and at the regional meet the criteria. The 19th-ranked UNK women were third at regionals to earn their second-ever NCAA trip. The University of Wisconsin Parkside will host nationals at the Wayne E. Dannehl National C.C. Course with the women's race at 10 a.m. Central and the men following at 11:15 am. Central.UNK has been regionally ranked in the tough Central all season and was 6th out of 30 teams at regionals and 5th out of 12 at the MIAA Championships. They also faced top competition in four regular season meets.Omaha redshirt senior Nick Abdalla (2-time All-Region, 3-time All-MIAA) leads the Lopers cause with juniors Juan Garcia (Grand Island Senior H.S.), Nathan Johnson (Lincoln SE) and Conner Wells (St. Paul), sophomores Mesuidi Ejerso (South Sioux City) and Carter Hohlen (Lincoln Christian) and freshman Drew Elliott (Abilene, Kan.) the other scorers at conference and regionals.The Lopers have placed 22nd (2022) and 25th (2021 and 2024) at recent NCAA Championships. The women were 22nd in 2022 in their first nationals’ trip.

Loper Men survive the bubble, reach NCAA Championships

Region IX tourney -- Match 9 -- LCCC and North Platte

Regionals -- Match 8 -- NJC and North Platte

On today's episode of Knight's Weekly, Paxton sat down with Jeff Thurman, Head Coach of the North Platte Community College Women's Basketball team, and discussed the opening weekend of basketball and what he observed from the games. Coach Thurman also discussed how important culture is to a young team and how he sees its effects early on.

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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655346441244.png" alt="<a href="https://www.npkubota.com/">Post Podcast Sponsored By North Platte Kubota</a>" />
 <figcaption><a href="https://www.npkubota.com/">Post Podcast Sponsored By North Platte Kubota</a></figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe title="🎙️ Knight's Weekly #4 2025 featuring North Platte Community College Women's Basketball Coach Jeff Thurman" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:150px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=784zy-19b66c8-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Times%20New%20Roman&skin=654771&font-color=auto&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=ff6d00" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>On today's episode of Knight's Weekly, Paxton sat down with Jeff Thurman, Head Coach of the North Platte Community College Women's Basketball team, and discussed the opening weekend of basketball and what he observed from the games. Coach Thurman also discussed how important culture is to a young team and how he sees its effects early on.

🎙️ Knight's Weekly #4 2025 featuring North Platte Community College Women's Basketball Coach Jeff Thurman

On today's episode of Knight's Weekly, Paxton sat down with Jacob Brandl, Head Coach of the North Platte Community College Men's Basketball team, to discuss the opening weekend of action vs Laramie County Community College and Eastern Wyoming Community College and what he saw from his team. And what transpired on the Knights' first two road games earlier this week.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655346441244.png" alt="<a href="https://www.npkubota.com/">Post Podcast Sponsored By North Platte Kubota</a>" />
 <figcaption><a href="https://www.npkubota.com/">Post Podcast Sponsored By North Platte Kubota</a></figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe title="🎙️ Knight's Weekly #5 2025 featuring North Platte Community College Men's Basketball Coach Jacob Brandl" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:150px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=visex-19b66dc-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Times%20New%20Roman&skin=654771&font-color=auto&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=ff6d00" loading="lazy"></iframe></div>On today's episode of Knight's Weekly, Paxton sat down with Jacob Brandl, Head Coach of the North Platte Community College Men's Basketball team, to discuss the opening weekend of action vs Laramie County Community College and Eastern Wyoming Community College and what he saw from his team. And what transpired on the Knights' first two road games earlier this week.

🎙️ Knight's Weekly #5 2025 featuring North Platte Community College Men's Basketball Coach Jacob Brandl

Borger, Texas – North Platte Community College men's basketball extends their win streak to three games after a 95-82 win over Frank Phillips College on Tuesday.

"We need to be more consistent with not fouling and controlling the rebounds,” said head coach Jacob Brandl. "I thought when we settled in, we were really tough to score on, on the other end when we were moving, they had a hard time guarding us."

Justus Michael set the tone for North Platte, scoring the team’s first seven points. Neither side could pull ahead by more than three until Josh Osayanrhion sparked a 13–3 run. North Platte refused to let up, carrying their momentum into halftime with a 12-point advantage, 48–36.

The second half remained a back-and-forth battle, with both teams trading baskets as the Knights extended their lead by one heading into the first timeout at 14:46. A free throw from Joseph Badejo pushed North Platte ahead by 18, but the Plainsmen clawed their way back to single digits. Dennis Rocha’s three-point play off a foul helped stretch the lead to 17. Frank Phillips trimmed the deficit with four more points, but North Platte held strong to secure the victory.

"We have to reset now and be ready to go against an extremely talented Garden City team that’s plays fast and can really score," said Brandl.

Knights (3-0) return to action on Wednesday against Garden City Community College. Tip is set for 2:30 p.m. inside Conestoga Arena.

Story by NPCC Athletic CommunicationsBorger, Texas – North Platte Community College men's basketball extends their win streak to three games after a 95-82 win over Frank Phillips College on Tuesday."We need to be more consistent with not fouling and controlling the rebounds,” said head coach Jacob Brandl. "I thought when we settled in, we were really tough to score on, on the other end when we were moving, they had a hard time guarding us."Justus Michael set the tone for North Platte, scoring the team’s first seven points. Neither side could pull ahead by more than three until Josh Osayanrhion sparked a 13–3 run. North Platte refused to let up, carrying their momentum into halftime with a 12-point advantage, 48–36.The second half remained a back-and-forth battle, with both teams trading baskets as the Knights extended their lead by one heading into the first timeout at 14:46. A free throw from Joseph Badejo pushed North Platte ahead by 18, but the Plainsmen clawed their way back to single digits. Dennis Rocha’s three-point play off a foul helped stretch the lead to 17. Frank Phillips trimmed the deficit with four more points, but North Platte held strong to secure the victory."We have to reset now and be ready to go against an extremely talented Garden City team that’s plays fast and can really score," said Brandl.Knights (3-0) return to action on Wednesday against Garden City Community College. Tip is set for 2:30 p.m. inside Conestoga Arena.

Knights extend winning streak to three games with win over Plainsmen

The 54th Nebraska School Activities Association state volleyball championships will begin their four day run in Lincoln on Wednesday. Classes A, B and C-1 will kick off the championships on Wednesday with Classes C-2, D-1 and D-2 playing opening round contests on Thursday.&nbsp;

Quarterfinal and semifinal matches will be played at Pinnacle Bank Arena before Saturday’s state championship matches are played at the Bob Devaney Center.&nbsp;

Four of the six 2024 champions have returned, though two have moved classes. Papillion-LaVista South (A), Norris (B), Lincoln Lutheran (C-2 champion, in Class C-1) and Shelton (D-2 champion, in Class D-1) are back for a shot at a second consecutive championship.&nbsp;

Up-to-date championship information will be delivered via the <a href="https://nsaahome.org/nsaa-volleyball-championships-central/">NSAA Volleyball Championship Central</a> page. All first round and state semifinals will be broadcast on the <a href="https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/associations/nsaa">NFHS Network.</a> Saturday’s six championship contests will be broadcast on Nebraska Public Media.

<a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vQ5VSY214GQqbmZ-SdBNMwZFCIZZNsbgwnHr4pXA5xYzxvdlWSjJgQgmVvTzfMq_E0k_LjQgXe13XX_/pubhtml">All-Class State Tournament Bracket</a>&nbsp;

CLASS A: Papillon-LaVista South Seeks Fifth Title in Seven Years

The surest thing in Class A volleyball for the last decade and a half heads to the state tournament with the target on its back once again.

Papillion-La Vista South, winners of four of the last six titles, will be the favorite as the event gets underway Wednesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Starting in 2009, Papio South has been in the finals 10 of the past 16 seasons, winning seven titles.

A check of the schedule shows that Papio South (28-9) should be the favorite again. Six of the Titans’ nine losses have come to out-of-state schools, two have come to Class B Elkhorn North, and the other came at the hands of Class B Omaha Skutt.

Against in-state Class A foes Papio South is unbeaten while dropping only three sets. Against Class A state tournament qualifiers, the Titans are 10-0 with just two sets lost. Perhaps the most athletic team in the Class A field, Papio South has six players committed to play college volleyball, led by Rutgers libero commit Kami Dyrstad. A seventh, Taryn Lewis, is Northwest Missouri State soccer commit.

While Papio South is the favorite, there are plenty of intriguing storylines. Top-seeded Lincoln North Star (30-4), enjoying the best season in school history, will try for its first-ever state tournament win Wednesday against city foe Lincoln Southeast.&nbsp;

Second-seeded Millard South is at state for the first time since 2019, when it reached the state semifinals. Lincoln Southwest, which in 2023 became the first Lincoln school to win Class A since 1998, is back for the sixth consecutive year and will try to knock off Papio South in the first round. Elkhorn South, the 2020 champion, is also in the field, as is Omaha Marian, making its 35th state tournament appearance.

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Chloe Rauner (Elkhorn South), 571 set assists, 205 kills, 291 digs, 37 ace serves; Delainey Volkmer (Lincoln North Star), 365 kills, 44 ace serves, 326 digs; Haleigh Bauer (Lincoln Southeast), 443 kills, 40 ace serves, 296 digs; Ellie Eckman (Lincoln Southwest), 974 set assists, 91 kills, 47 ace serves; Bailey Wyzenski (Millard South), 986 set assists, 107 kills, 64 ace serves; Erin Cramer (Omaha Marian), 261 kills, .376 hitting percentage, 68 blocks; Mackenzie Wingett (Omaha Westside), 328 kills, 87 blocks, 30 ace serves; Kami Dyrstad (Papillion-La Vista South), 486 digs, 30 ace serves.

FIRST ROUND MATCHUPS (WEDNESDAY). At Pinnacle Bank Arena (North Court) | Lincoln North Star (30-4) vs. Lincoln Southeast (20-15), 5:00 PM; Omaha Marian (29-8) vs. Omaha Westside (22-9), 7:00 PM. At Pinnacle Bank Arena (South Court) | Millard South (32-7) vs. Elkhorn South (19-13), 5:00 PM; Papillon-LaVista South (28-9) vs. Lincoln Southwest (23-9), 7:00 PM.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/tournament/I6GHTxMjaUKwyHvu0OOQ4w/ur1vzi6VqkKXPnbNve3GQw/volleyball-25/2025-nsaa-volleyball-championships-(nebraska)-class-a.htm">Interactive MaxPreps Bracket</a>

match. Both teams will take the court in the state volleyball tournament that begins on Wednesday. (Harvest Sports / Andrew Placke)

CLASS B: After Ending Skutt Reign, Norris Eyes Another

There may not be a tougher class of volleyball in Nebraska in 2025 than Class B.

And there may not be a better team in Class B than Norris.

After slaying nine-time defending champion Omaha Skutt in a five-set epic last season to win the state title, the Titans (35-1) come to the state tournament this year as the team with a target on its back.

With a 73-2 record over the past two seasons, the casual observer might say Norris has had an easy time on its climb to the top.&nbsp;

Not so fast. Especially in a historic season for Class B as a whole.

“I don’t know if ever in my coaching career has Class B been this good,” said Norris coach Christina Boesgier, now in her 26th season. “There are just some really good athletes and teams and players right now, which is fun.

“You go through the grind and it’s like, OK, who do we have next week? OK, now who do we have? And I think that part of it just helps you prepare for the postseason as well.”

Norris has done it despite losing seven seniors from last season’s 38-1 state champion.&nbsp;

“They’re just so hungry, you know? I think they felt like a little bit of an underdog when they started this season,” Boesiger said. “A lot of people were like, ‘oh, you lost seven seniors, what are you going to do? So it’s been fun to see them embrace that, but in a really positive way.”

Making the transition easier has been a trio of juniors who have committed to Division I programs in South Dakota State commit Alli Bornschlegl, TCU pledge Kaelynn Lottman, and Nebraska setter commit Malorie Boesiger, Christina’s daughter.

Lottman leads the team with 73 ace serves and 275 digs and is second with 226 kills. Bornschlegl is the top attacker for the state’s top team, with 484 kills on .418 hitting to go with 32 ace serves while standing second to Lottman with 266 digs. Boesiger, after missing last season with a knee injury, has directed the offense with 1,085 set assists to go with 92 kills of her own while also sitting third on the squad with 40 blocks.

“It’s been a year where, knowing we did lose (seven seniors), the rest of the girls could step in, no pressure. They never felt pressure on them, knowing that we have a lot of new people on our team,” Christina Boesiger said. “And so I think that was good that we never focused on how many games we were going to win. Yes, winning back-to-back (titles) has been a goal, and that’s from the beginning, but the journey we knew was going to be was going to take hard work.”

It’s been special for the Boesiger family on a personal level, too.

Malorie, expected to be the team’s starting setter last season, found out a few weeks before the year that she would have to sit out with a fracture in her kneecap that would require surgery. After a freshman season in which she had more than 1,000 set assists, and with the talent Norris knew they had in the gym, it was a tough pill to swallow for player and coach.

But both Christina and Malorie (and Chris, Christina’s husband, Malorie’s dad, and Norris assistant coach), found ways to adjust. Malorie became like another assistant on the bench, helping guide the team in a transition to a 6-2 offense with a pair of new setters.

“Last year was a hard year for her, as part of her journey. And as a mom, it just pulled at my heart knowing she was going to miss it,” Christina said. “And now this year, she walks in the gym and wants to train and wants to get better, and truly is never taking anything for granted.”

Malorie agreed, saying the year off the court helped her grow.

“Honestly, it’s just so good to be back. I think I’m just even more thankful for each time I get to step on the court,” Malorie said. “I feel like I’m definitely a different player. I learned a lot from that experience.”

Norris is hoping the experience of winning a title pays dividends over the next few days. The Titans have dropped just nine sets all season, but eight of those came to teams that made the Class B tournament, including three in a five-set loss to Elkhorn North that is the only blemish on Norris’s record.

“There has not been one day this year where they did not have smiles on their faces in the gym, and that’s hard to say for high school kids,” Christina Boesiger said. “That’s one of the things I’m most proud of them for, is just their willingness and wanting to get better every day and never settling.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Hayden Liebsack (Bennington), 530 kills, .302 hitting percentage, 72 ace serves; Grace Dawson (Columbus Lakeview), 857 set assists, 42 kills, 24 ace serves; Reagan Wallraff (Elkhorn North), 600 kills, .349 hitting percentage, 24 ace serves, 251 digs; Jacey Cochran (Gering), 481 kills, 49 ace serves, 353 digs; Maggie Miller (Gretna), 779 set assists, 47 ace serves, 30 kills; Malorie Boesiger (Norris), 1,085 set assists, 67 ace serves, 92 kills; Addison West (Omaha Skutt), 447 kills, .446 hitting percentage, 38 ace serves, 324 digs; Gracie Lauenstein (Waverly), 387 kills, 54 ace serves, 328 digs.

FIRST ROUND MATCHUPS (WEDNESDAY). At Pinnacle Bank Arena (North Court) | Norris (35-1) vs. Gering (27-9), 9:00 AM; Waverly (29-5) vs. Gretna (27-6), 11:00 AM. At Pinnacle Bank Arena (South Court) | Elkhorn North (28-6) vs. Bennington (24-9), 9:00 AM; Omaha Skutt Catholic (28-10) vs. Columbus Lakeview (30-4), 11:00 AM.

<a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/tournament/I6GHTxMjaUKwyHvu0OOQ4w/L2yHnIoIcUWQhBActI0sdA/volleyball-25/2025-nsaa-volleyball-championships-(nebraska)-class-b.htm">Interactive MaxPreps Bracket</a>

CLASS C-1: Loaded Class Could Lead To Chaotic Tournament

Star power and traditional powerhouses will combine for what could be one of the most combustible of the six brackets when Class C-1 gets going Wednesday.

With two-time defending champion Minden not in the field, but three-time defending C-2 champion Lincoln Lutheran moving up a class, a new champion in C-1 will have earned its title.

The bottom half of the bracket features an electric mix — Lincoln Lutheran will take on Malcolm while trying to reach a fifth consecutive championship match and sixth in the last seven years. The Warriors won the last three C-2 titles after winning the 2019 and 2021 C-1 championships.

To get to Saturday, the Warriors (29-6) will first have to get past the Dolliver sisters of Malcolm. Halle, a senior, had more than 600 kills as a sophomore while powering Malcolm to the 2023 state tournament. After missing last season with a knee injury, she’s back, this time teaming up with sister Payton, a sophomore, to give the Clippers one of the top 1-2 punches in the class. Both Dollivers have more than 400 kills this season (Payton 453, Halle 406) while combining for a .300 hitting percentage.

The winner of that match will face the winner of second-seeded Milford and No. 7 Adams Central. Milford, of course, is led by sophomore Shayla Rautenberg, already the state’s top player. She brings the Eagles to state with a 30-1 record. As a freshman last season, Rautenberg led Milford to state for the first time since 1997, then sparkled with a 29-kill performance in a first-round loss to Pierce before going on to play for the U.S. U-19 national team in the summer. A win Wednesday would be historic for either school — Milford and Adams Central are a combined 0-8 in state tournament matches.

On the other side of the bracket, tradition-rich Ogallala, with three titles and seven total finals appearances, is back at state for the first time since 2016. They will take the court Wednesday as the No. 1 seed with a 30-3 record. The Indians haven’t lost since falling to Class B Grand Island Northwest on October 4, and head to state on a 13-match winning streak.

Ogallala will see a familiar foe in Holdrege. The teams have faced off three times already, Ogallala winning the last two meetings after a Holdrege victory September 23. The Dusters (22-9) are at state for the first time since 2007.

Don’t forget either about Omaha Concordia and Ashland-Greenwood. Concordia (29-8) is at state for the first time since 2017 while Ashland-Greenwood is making its first appearance since 2020.

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Isabel DeJonge (Adams Central), 378 kills, 45 ace serves, 324 digs; Sydney Schram (Ashland-Greenwood), 320 kills, 27 ace serves, 226 digs; Carson Sundquist (Holdrege), 291 kills, 14 ace serves, 298 digs; Bella Sjuts (Lincoln Lutheran), 890 set assists, 115 kills, 53 blocks, 46 ace serves; Halle Dolliver (Malcolm), 406 kills, 55 ace serves, 333 digs; Shayla Rautenberg (Milford), 464 kills, .376 hitting percentage, 44 ace serves, 97 blocks; Alex Ervin (Ogallala), 416 kills, 26 ace serves, 245 digs; Grace Samuelson (Omaha Concordia), 182 kills, .371 hitting percentage, 41 ace serves, 85 blocks.

FIRST ROUND MATCHUPS (WEDNESDAY). At Pinnacle Bank Arena (North Court) | Ogallala (31-3) vs. Holdrege (22-9), 1:00 PM; Omaha Concordia (29-8) vs. Ashland-Greenwood (23-8), 3:00 PM. At Pinnacle Bank Arena (South Court) | Milford (30-1) vs. Adams Central (24-9), 1:00 PM; Lincoln Lutheran (29-6) vs. Malcolm (23-8), 3:00 PM.

<a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/tournament/I6GHTxMjaUKwyHvu0OOQ4w/I4FyXA9f_kGphGg7oEx89Q/volleyball-25/2025-nsaa-volleyball-championships-(nebraska)-class-c1.htm">Interactive MaxPreps Bracket</a>

CLASS C-2: State’s Only Unbeaten, JCC Eyes First Title

The state’s final remaining unbeaten team brings little state tournament pedigree with them to Lincoln this week. But, Johnson County Central has been building toward this moment for the previous three years.&nbsp;

At 31-0 heading into the state tournament, the Thunderbirds can lean on previous experience of just missing Lincoln as they pursue a state championship for the first time in school history. JCC is at state for just the second time ever (2008), but Tecumseh’s (which formed with Nemaha Valley for the JCC district) only appearance in 1990 resulted in a state championship.

After losing in the district final each of the past two seasons, coach Tim Hedger’s team – led by four seniors – took the final step last week in a sweep of Elmwood-Murdock in the district final. JCC has lost just five sets all season.&nbsp;

“I think last year we had a lot of success and were close to making it to state,” Hedger said of last year’s 23-7 team that lost to Freeman in the district final. “We had most of our team returning, so going into this season we had the potential to do really well. But, we also knew we’d have some tough, tough matchups.&nbsp;

“But, I don’t think we had the expectation that we would go undefeated. The girls have shown up and just been really consistent all year.”&nbsp;

Leading the way for the Thunderbirds is Midland commit Ashley Beethe, who is fourth in the state and second in the class for kills this season at 533. A four-year starter, Hedger said that Beethe has developed more mentally as well as physically over the past season. Her leadership has carried the team in some tight matches.&nbsp;

“She’s elevated her game a little bit,” Hedger said.&nbsp; “She’s very coachable, but this year she’s just upped her game. I think a lot of that has to do with her mentality. In the past when she struggled mentally you could see it, but this year the look on her face is just very positive and very consistent.”

The Thunderbirds play around sophomore setter Riley Wellensiek. Senior Harley Lubben adds 264 kills while junior Molly Weber has 154 on the season.&nbsp;

The road to a possible finals appearance will be familiar to JCC. They will face Yutan (21-7) to start the tournament on Thursday — the Chieftains ended JCC’s 2023 season in the district final.&nbsp;

Thayer Central — the 2024 runner-up — will face Freeman in the other quarterfinal on the top side of the bracket. JCC has beaten both teams this year and Freeman defeated the Thunderbirds in last year’s district final.&nbsp;

The opponents are familiar to each other on the bottom half of the bracket as well. The four teams — GACC, Oakland-Craig, Norfolk Catholic and Laurel-Concord-Coleridge — have all played at least one of the other teams on their side.&nbsp;

“It really does look like a tournament where the team that gets hot and plays well can win it,” Hedger said. “We are obviously very familiar with the teams on our side. And you have teams familiar with each other on the other side as well.&nbsp;

“It’s going to be an interesting tournament.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Aniston Bartunek (Freeman), 813 set assists, 45 ace serves, 187 digs; Bailey Gerths (GACC), 473 kills, 334 digs; Riley Wellensiek (Johnson County Central), 872 set assists, 56 ace serves, 220 digs; Rena Rasmussen (Laurel-Concord-Coleridge), 514 kills, 39 ace serves, 40 blocks, 335 digs; Sidonia Wattier (Norfolk Catholic), 724 set assists, 55 ace serves, 162 kills, 274 digs; Briar Ray (Oakland-Craig), 541 kills, 84 ace serves, 353 digs; Piper Havel (Thayer Central), 385 kills, 65 blocks; Mylee Tichota (Yutan), 364 kills, 44 ace serves, 274 digs.&nbsp;

FIRST ROUND MATCHUPS (THURSDAY). At Pinnacle Bank Arena (North Court) | Johnson County Central (31-0) vs. Yutan (21-7), 5:00 PM; Freeman (26-4) vs. Thayer Central (27-5), 7:00 PM. At Pinnacle Bank Arena (South Court) | Guardian Angels CC (28-3) vs. Oakland-Craig (28-7), 5:00 PM; Norfolk Catholic (27-5) vs. Laurel-Concord-Coleridge (31-3), 7:00 PM.

<a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/tournament/I6GHTxMjaUKwyHvu0OOQ4w/5jcLLkwC5kGvf2RbubSJiQ/volleyball-25/2025-nsaa-volleyball-championships-(nebraska)-class-c2.htm">Interactive MaxPreps Bracket</a>

CLASS D-1: Experienced Field Ready For Wide Open Tournament

There is plenty of experience in the Class D-1 field this year; it’s just that they have moved classes. Some of them anyway. Of the eight teams in the field this year, just two return from 2024 — fourth-seeded EMF and seventh-seeded Southwest. But four others were in the Class D-2 field a year ago.&nbsp;

EMF was the runner-up to Superior at the 2024 tournament, while Southwest finished fourth.

On the bottom half of the bracket Southwest will face 2023 Class D-2 champion Overton. The game features three of the top attackers in the class as twins Kyra and Anikka Nelms have combined for 959 kills for the Roughriders while the Eagles’ Daisy Ryan enters the tournament with 379. Overton has swept Southwest twice this season.&nbsp;

The winner of that match will face either Shelton, the 2024 D-2 champions, or Central Valley, which defeated Overton in the 3rd place match in Class D-2 last season.&nbsp;

A youthful Amherst team is the top-seed overall with no class D losses on the season. Setter Mackenzie Cochrane is the lone senior on the roster for the Broncos, who beat Overton three times this fall and fifth-seeded Ansley/Litchfield twice.&nbsp;

They will face Cross County who made a 668-mile round trip to Morrill for their district final and survived in five sets to advance to Lincoln. Senior Sydney Hengelfelt leads the field in kills with 507.&nbsp;

The other quarterfinal has EMF facing Ansley/Litchfield. EMF ended Southwest’s unbeaten season in last year’s semifinal and survived Sutton in five sets in the district final. The Trojans season has all six of their losses to teams in Lincoln.&nbsp;

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Caydence Feldman (Ansley/Litchfield), 688 set assists, 38 ace serves, 352 digs; Mackenzie Cochrane (Amherst), 421 set assists, 56 kills, 31 blocks, 44 ace serves; Bentleigh Dugan (Central Valley), 293 kills, 62 ace serves, 307 digs; Sydney Hengelfelt (Cross County), 503 kills, 41 ace serves; Kaydence Haase (EMF), 507 kills, 52 ace serves, 34 blocks, 329 digs; Daisy Ryan (Overton), 379 kills, 48 ace serves, 317 digs; Erin Gegg (Shelton), 411 kills, 37 ace serves, 48 blocks, 137 digs; Aspen Billeter (Southwest), 868 set assists, 53 kills, 39 ace serves.&nbsp;

FIRST ROUND MATCHUPS (THURSDAY). At Pinnacle Bank Arena (North Court) | Amherst (25-5) vs. Cross County (26-8), 1:00 PM; EMF (25-5) vs. Ansley-Litchfield (25-6), 3:00 PM. At Pinnacle Bank Arena (South Court) | Overton (26-5) vs. Southwest (28-5), 1:00 PM; Central Valley (27-5) vs. Shelton (26-5), 3:00 PM.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/tournament/I6GHTxMjaUKwyHvu0OOQ4w/xttfEIr4RE66g-PfWQCtaQ/volleyball-25/2025-nsaa-volleyball-championships-(nebraska)-class-d1.htm">Interactive MaxPreps Bracket</a>

CLASS D-2: Wynot, Cambridge Headline Deep Field

With four teams from last year’s field – including three semifinalists and 2024 champion Shelton – moving up to Class D-1 this year, the Class D-2 field seems as wide open as ever. The bracket, too, is littered with teams who will come from all parts of the state.&nbsp;

Top-seeded Wynot has ascended to the top of most state rankings and brings a 28-4 record with them to Lincoln. Most known for their basketball prowess, the Blue Devils are making their 8th trip to the state tournament in the past 10 seasons, but they have yet to make a state finals appearance. They will face Red Cloud (22-9) to open the day on Thursday.&nbsp;

State track champion Dundy County-Stratton (26-6) will face Garden County (29-3) in the other quarterfinal on the top half of the bracket. The Tigers bring oval standouts Abi (234 kills, 136 blocks) and Clara (247 kills) Spargo to Lincoln and are making their fifth appearance at state, looking for their second win. The Eagles, led by senior Ridglyn Stanczyk, are back for the first time since 2019 and just the second time this century.&nbsp;

The bottom half of the bracket sees Cambridge (26-7) making their 11th overall appearance and fourth straight. In Class D-1 last year, the Trojans lost to eventual finalist EMF in the opening round. They were the state runner-up to Overton in Class D-2 in 2023. They will face Mullen (20-10) in the opening round, which returns for the first time since 2020.&nbsp;

Two teams with recent state tournament success – SEM (26-6) and BDS (22-10) – will meet in the other first round game. SEM, the 2023 Class D-1 champions, survived the rugged Fort Kearny Conference, which has three teams in the D-1 field. Senior Taryn Arbuthnot brings 488 kills to the tournament and is the all-class state leader with 156 blocks. BDS – winners of 11 of their past 13 matches – are at state for the 9th year in a row and were champions in 2018 and 2019

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Lauryn Koch (BDS), 231 kills, 34 ace serves, 344 digs; Mallory Springer (Cambridge) 279 kills, 44 ace serves, 373 digs; Emily Schack (DCS), 341 kills, 58 ace serves, 271 digs; Ridglyn Stanczyk (Garden County), 332 kills, 41 ace serves, 174 digs; Jenna Donohoe (Mullen), 259 kills, 44 ace serves, 234 digs; Alivia Rust (Red Cloud), 297 kills, 25 ace serves, 274 digs; Jaycelyn Hoos (SEM), 187 kills, 34 kills, 318 digs, 299 set assists; Kenna Oligmueller (Wynot), 387 kills, 56 ace serves, 338 digs.&nbsp;&nbsp;

FIRST ROUND MATCHUPS (THURSDAY). At Pinnacle Bank Arena (North Court) | Wynot (28-4) vs. Red Cloud (22-9), 9:00 AM; Dundy County-Stratton (26-6) vs. Garden County (29-3), 11:00 AM. At Pinnacle Bank Arena (South Court) | Sumner-Eddyville-Miller (26-6) vs. BDS (22-10), 9:00 AM; Cambridge (26-7) vs. Mullen (20-10), 11:00 AM.&nbsp;

2025 NSAA Volleyball Championships preview

&nbsp; By:<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/author/paulhammel/">Paul Hammel</a>

<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/11/03/two-ex-husker-coaches-receive-rarely-given-nu-award/">Nebraska Examiner</a>

LINCOLN — A rarely granted honor, described as the University of Nebraska’s “highest and most prestigious award,” was recently bestowed on two former NU coaches.

The Regents Medal was given posthumously Friday to Bob Devaney, a two-time national champion football coach who helped make wearing red a state obsession, and to Terry Pettit, whose 1995 national championship in volleyball paved the way for Nebraska becoming what many call “the volleyball state.”

The medal has been given only eight times in the past 18 years and only once previously to someone involved in athletics — former NU football coach and athletics director Tom Osborne.

It is intended, NU President Jeffrey Gold said, for individuals who provided “exceptional benefits” in furthering the goals and mission of the state university system.

NU Regent Paul Kenney, who presented the awards at a banquet Friday, said both coaches set standards of excellence that carried forward long after they retired. Both programs have nation-leading sellout streaks due to work by Devaney and Pettit to promote their sports.

Mike Devaney, one of Bob Devaney’s two sons, detailed how his father, a native of Saginaw, Michigan, worked in a foundry and was planning a career as a boxer before eventually going to college and taking a job as a teacher. His hiring, he said, was on the condition that he coach the football team.

Bob Devaney coached at four Michigan high schools, winning state titles, and on Duffy Daugherty’s staff at Michigan State before becoming head coach at the University of Wyoming.

Prior to taking over at Nebraska, Mike Devaney said his father watched film of the NU team’s 1961 season. His father, he said, couldn’t believe that the team, which had talented players like Bob Brown and Larry Kramer, had won only three games that year.

Bob Devaney coached at NU until 1972, winning eight Big Eight titles, playing in nine bowl games and claiming national championships in 1970 and 1971. He later served as NU’s athletic director from 1967 to 1992.

Mike Devaney said his father criss-crossed the state to build support for the football team and make “Go Big Red” a state motto. His father, he said, was a masterful speaker and communicator who made everyone in the audience feel like he was talking to them.

Pettit, a 79-year-old native of Crown Point, Indiana, got a teaching job at Louisburg College in North Carolina on the condition that he coach the golf, tennis and volleyball teams.

In volleyball, he molded a group of players who had never played the sport, winning the state junior college title after losing the first set of the season, 0-15.

Pettit famously applied for the head volleyball coaching job at Nebraska in 1977 after the women’s basketball coach at Louisberg, Paul Sanderford (who would later coach at Nebraska), found an advertisement for the Husker opening in a waste basket.

Over 22 seasons at Nebraska, Pettit built the Huskers into a national power in a sport then dominated by teams on the West Coast. He frequently recruited players who were great athletes in other sports, training them into great volleyball players.

Pettit’s teams won 21 conference titles, qualified for the NCAA tournament 17 times, and played in six final fours, winning it all in 1995 over Texas.

Now retired in Fort Collins, Colorado, Pettit is a published author and poet who produces a regular podcast on leadership and volleyball called “Inside the Coaching Mind.”

In his comments, Pettit said Lincoln business owners never said no to helping build the volleyball program by buying tickets, sponsoring tournaments, purchasing a new scoreboard and bringing in ranked teams to play the Huskers.

Past recipients of the University of Nebraska Regents Medal:

2017 — Richard “Dick” Holland (posthumously)

2013 — Mike Yanney and Dr. Gail Walling Yanney

2011 — Robert B. Daugherty (posthumously)

&nbsp; By:<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/author/paulhammel/">Paul Hammel</a><a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/11/03/two-ex-husker-coaches-receive-rarely-given-nu-award/">Nebraska Examiner</a><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/11/1762196583845.jpeg" alt="The NU Regents Medal, described as the most prestigious award granted by the University of Nebraska, was given recently to two former NU coaches.&nbsp;(Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>The NU Regents Medal, described as the most prestigious award granted by the University of Nebraska, was given recently to two former NU coaches.&nbsp;(Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>LINCOLN — A rarely granted honor, described as the University of Nebraska’s “highest and most prestigious award,” was recently bestowed on two former NU coaches.The Regents Medal was given posthumously Friday to Bob Devaney, a two-time national champion football coach who helped make wearing red a state obsession, and to Terry Pettit, whose 1995 national championship in volleyball paved the way for Nebraska becoming what many call “the volleyball state.”The medal has been given only eight times in the past 18 years and only once previously to someone involved in athletics — former NU football coach and athletics director Tom Osborne.It is intended, NU President Jeffrey Gold said, for individuals who provided “exceptional benefits” in furthering the goals and mission of the state university system.NU Regent Paul Kenney, who presented the awards at a banquet Friday, said both coaches set standards of excellence that carried forward long after they retired. Both programs have nation-leading sellout streaks due to work by Devaney and Pettit to promote their sports.Mike Devaney, one of Bob Devaney’s two sons, detailed how his father, a native of Saginaw, Michigan, worked in a foundry and was planning a career as a boxer before eventually going to college and taking a job as a teacher. His hiring, he said, was on the condition that he coach the football team.Bob Devaney coached at four Michigan high schools, winning state titles, and on Duffy Daugherty’s staff at Michigan State before becoming head coach at the University of Wyoming.<figure>
 <img src="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/IMG_2620-300x200.jpg" alt="Former Nebraska volleyball coach Terry Pettit accepts the Regents Award from NU Regent Paul Kenney and NU President Jeffrey Gold. (Courtesy of University of Nebraska)" />
 <figcaption>Former Nebraska volleyball coach Terry Pettit accepts the Regents Award from NU Regent Paul Kenney and NU President Jeffrey Gold. (Courtesy of University of Nebraska)</figcaption>
 </figure>Prior to taking over at Nebraska, Mike Devaney said his father watched film of the NU team’s 1961 season. His father, he said, couldn’t believe that the team, which had talented players like Bob Brown and Larry Kramer, had won only three games that year.Bob Devaney coached at NU until 1972, winning eight Big Eight titles, playing in nine bowl games and claiming national championships in 1970 and 1971. He later served as NU’s athletic director from 1967 to 1992.Mike Devaney said his father criss-crossed the state to build support for the football team and make “Go Big Red” a state motto. His father, he said, was a masterful speaker and communicator who made everyone in the audience feel like he was talking to them.Pettit, a 79-year-old native of Crown Point, Indiana, got a teaching job at Louisburg College in North Carolina on the condition that he coach the golf, tennis and volleyball teams.In volleyball, he molded a group of players who had never played the sport, winning the state junior college title after losing the first set of the season, 0-15.Pettit famously applied for the head volleyball coaching job at Nebraska in 1977 after the women’s basketball coach at Louisberg, Paul Sanderford (who would later coach at Nebraska), found an advertisement for the Husker opening in a waste basket.<figure>
 <img src="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/IMG_2647-300x200.jpg" alt="Mike Devaney, son of the late NU football coach Bob Devaney, accepts the NU Regents Award from Paul Kenney, the chairman of the University of Nebraska Board of Regents, and NU President Jeffrey Gold. (Courtesy of University of Nebraska)" />
 <figcaption>Mike Devaney, son of the late NU football coach Bob Devaney, accepts the NU Regents Award from Paul Kenney, the chairman of the University of Nebraska Board of Regents, and NU President Jeffrey Gold. (Courtesy of University of Nebraska)</figcaption>
 </figure>Over 22 seasons at Nebraska, Pettit built the Huskers into a national power in a sport then dominated by teams on the West Coast. He frequently recruited players who were great athletes in other sports, training them into great volleyball players.Pettit’s teams won 21 conference titles, qualified for the NCAA tournament 17 times, and played in six final fours, winning it all in 1995 over Texas.Now retired in Fort Collins, Colorado, Pettit is a published author and poet who produces a regular podcast on leadership and volleyball called “Inside the Coaching Mind.”In his comments, Pettit said Lincoln business owners never said no to helping build the volleyball program by buying tickets, sponsoring tournaments, purchasing a new scoreboard and bringing in ranked teams to play the Huskers.<h2>Past recipients of the University of Nebraska Regents Medal:</h2>2023 — Howard and Rhonda Hawks2017 — Richard “Dick” Holland (posthumously)2016 — The Abel Family and Tom Osborne2014 — Walter Scott, Jr.2013 — Mike Yanney and Dr. Gail Walling Yanney2011 — Robert B. Daugherty (posthumously)2009 — Bill and Ruth Scott2007 — Charles W. Durham

Two ex-Husker coaches receive rarely given NU award

It's gameday everyone! On today's episode of Knight's Weekly, Paxton sat down with Jacob Brandl, Head Coach of the North Platte Community College Men's Basketball team, to discuss the opening weekend of action vs Laramie County Community College and Eastern Wyoming Community College.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655346441244.png" alt="<a href="https://www.npkubota.com/">Post Podcast Sponsored By North Platte Kubota</a>" />
 <figcaption><a href="https://www.npkubota.com/">Post Podcast Sponsored By North Platte Kubota</a></figcaption>
 </figure><div><iframe title="The Post Podcast" allowtransparency="true" height="315" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);height:315px;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=6r4r9-72e7e2-pbblog-playlist&share=1&download=1&fonts=Times%20New%20Roman&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&rtl=0&logo_link=episode_page&btn-skin=1b1b1b&size=315" loading="lazy" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>It's gameday everyone! On today's episode of Knight's Weekly, Paxton sat down with Jacob Brandl, Head Coach of the North Platte Community College Men's Basketball team, to discuss the opening weekend of action vs Laramie County Community College and Eastern Wyoming Community College.