NDSU’s Bohl MVFC Coach of the Year, Jensen Offensive Player of the Year

 

ST. LOUIS - North Dakota State's Craig Bohl was named Bruce Craddock Coach of the Year and quarterback Brock Jensen was named Offensive Player of the Year Wednesday, Nov. 27, by a vote of the Missouri Valley Football Conference head coaches, sports information directors and media.

Bohl guided North Dakota State to its first undefeated regular season since 1990 with an 11-0 record including its fourth straight win over a Football Bowl Subdivision opponent at Kansas State in the season opener.  NDSU won its third straight MVFC championship with an 8-0 record and advanced to the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs for the fourth straight season.  Bohl is NDSU's all-time winningest coach with a 100-32 record in his 11th season.

Jensen, a 6-foot-3, 225-pound senior from Waupaca, Wis., is the FCS record holder with 44 career victories.  He has made all 11 starts completing 67.6 percent of his passes for 2,076 yards and a school-record 26 touchdowns while also rushing for 268 yards and five touchdowns.   Jensen led the league in total offense and passing efficiency and ranks fourth nationally in efficiency and seventh in completion percentage.  He is NDSU’s all-time leader in pass attempts, completions, yards, TD passes and total offense.

South Dakota linebacker Tyler Starr was voted Defensive Player of the Year and Youngstown State running back Martin Ruiz was voted Newcomer of the Year and Freshman of the Year.  The remainder of the all-conference teams will be announced Monday, Dec. 2.

NDSU Athletes Earn Honors

NDSU’s LeCompte Named MVFC Special Teams Player of the Week

ST. LOUIS - North Dakota State punter Ben LeCompte was named Missouri Valley Football Conference Special Teams Player of the Week by the league office Sunday, Nov. 24.

LeCompte, a 5-foot-10, 200-pound sophomore from Barrington, Ill., had three punts for a season-high 49.3 average including a long punt of 52 yards and one inside the 20 in North Dakota State’s 42-0 win over South Dakota.  It was his second award of the season.  

LeCompte also had seven kickoffs averaging 60.3 yards with two touchbacks. USD started on the 19, 20 and 21 on three punts and drove into Bison territory only twice in the game.

 

NDSU’s Turner Earns Third MVFC Offensive Lineman of the Week Award

ST. LOUIS - North Dakota State left tackle Billy Turner was named Missouri Valley Football Conference Offensive Lineman of the Week by the league office Monday, Nov. 25.  It is Turner's third award of the season and NDSU's fifth overall.

Turner, a 6-foot-6, 314-pound senior from Shoreview, Minn., has graded out at 90 percent with zero sacks allowed through the end of regular season.  He had eight knockdowns in last week's 42-0 home victory over South Dakota.

NDSU rushed for 296 yards and four touchdowns averaging 6.3 yards per carry against USD.  Sam Ojuri had 118 yards and John Crockett finished with 116 to give the Bison dual 100-yard rushers for the second straight game and the third time this season.

Top-ranked and No. 1 seed North Dakota State (11-0, 8-0 MVFC) will host a second round Football Championship Subdivision playoff game Saturday, Dec. 7, against the Furman-South Carolina State winner.

LeMar Named Summit League Women's Basketball Player of the Week

ELMHURST, Ill. – North Dakota State women's basketball junior guard Brooke LeMar was named The Summit League Player of the Week after leading the Bison in both of their games last week against Northern Iowa and Milwaukee. It's her first career Player of the Week honor.

In Wednesday's game against UNI, the junior recorded 24 points on 10-of-14 shooting while dishing out eight assists.

Saturday, at Milwaukee, LeMar nearly recorded a double-double, scoring 25 points and snagging nine rebounds. She also had five assists in the contest.

For the week, the Canyon Country, Calif., native averaged 24.5 points, 6.5 assists and six boards per game along with a 1.4 assist-to-turnover ratio. LeMar also shot 50 percent from the field, going 20-of-40.

NDSU returns to action Friday, Nov. 29, when it faces Montana in the DoubleTree LA Westside Thanksgiving Classic hosted by Loyola-Marymount in Los Angeles. 

NDSU’s Braun Named Summit League Men’s Basketball Player of the Week

ELMHURST, Ill. – North Dakota State’s Taylor Braun was named as The Summit League’s Men’s Basketball Player of the Week following his performance in three games from Nov. 18-24.

Braun garnered his third career Player of the Week award, and first of the season, after posting career-high point and assist totals during the week. Against Southern Mississippi, Braun equaled his career-best with 11 assists while scoring 11 points and adding four steals.

Two nights later in a victory at Western Michigan, Braun had a team-high 23 points to go along with six rebounds and three steals. Braun recorded a career-high 34 points, including 18 made free throws for the second-most in NDSU single-game history, at North Dakota.

For the week, Braun averaged 22.7 points, 4.0 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 3.0 steals per game.

NDSU will travel to Santa Clara, Calif., next to take part in the Cable Car Classic, playing host Santa Clara on Nov. 29 and either Rice or Rider on Nov. 30.

UMC Earns NSCAA Team Academic Award

CROOKSTON, Minn.- The University of Minnesota Crookston women’s soccer team was one of 864 collegiate soccer teams (271 men and 593 women) who earned the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Team Academic Award for maintaining a 3.0 grade point average or above for the 2012-13 academic year.

“I am very pleased for the program that we have earned the 2012-2013 NSCAA Team Academic Award,” UMC head soccer coach Joe Alianiello said. “It shows just how committed the program is to success on and off the field.  This award will be a goal of ours every year and I look forward to the team earning it again next year. “

The Minnesota Crookston women’s soccer team, now in their second year under head coach Joe Alianiello, maintained a 3.17, as they have shown marked improvement on the pitch and in the classroom under Alianiello’s direction. Also announced today were seven members of the 2013 team who earned NSIC Fall All-Academic honors in the classroom, up from three last season, indicating the hard work the Golden Eagles are putting into their academics.

 For more information, visit the Golden Eagle Athletics website at www.goldeneaglesports.com.

Summit League Volleyball Year-End Honors

INDIANAPOLIS – Four North Dakota State University volleyball players were honored by The Summit League on Thursday, Nov. 21, following the conclusion of the regular season. Sophomore outside hitter Jenni Fassbender was named to the All-Summit League Team, and freshmen Emily Miron, Emily Milligan and Monica Claxton claimed three of the seven spots on the league’s Freshmen Team.

Fassbender leads the Bison with 290 kills this season, and she ranked fourth in the league with 3.72 kills per set in league play. Her average of 4.3 points per set was also fourth-best in the league. This is Fassbender’s first all-league honor.

Miron, who also earned honorable mention all-league recognition as a middle hitter, ranked third among Summit League freshmen with 2.76 kills per set in league play. She posted a .313 attack percentage in Summit League matches – the eighth-highest in the league – and led the Bison with 55 total blocks on the year.

Milligan finished second in The Summit League with an average of 3.98 digs per set in league matches. Her 277 total digs lead the Bison this season.

Claxton averaged 10.67 assists per set to rank fourth in the league. She also ranked top-15 in the league in digs per set and was second on NDSU with 214 total digs. Claxton recorded seven double-doubles on the season.

South Dakota’s Kendall Kritenbrink garnered Player of the Year honors, while the IUPUI duo of Beth Howard and Alexis Meeks earned Defensive Player of the Year and Setter of the Year, respectively. Denver’s Nola Basey was tabbed the Freshman of the Year and IUPUI’s Steve Payne was named Coach of the Year.

The 2013 Summit League Volleyball Championship begins Friday, on the campus of IUPUI, with six teams participating. No. 3 South Dakota faces No. 6 Western Illinois in the first quarterfinal match on Friday, at 4:30 p.m. (ET). The second quarterfinal match pits No. 4 Fort Wayne against No. 5 North Dakota State at 7 p.m. (ET). In Saturday’s semifinal matches, No. 2 Denver will face the winner of South Dakota/Western Illinois at 4:30 p.m. (ET) and No. 1 IUPUI is set to take on the winner of Fort Wayne/North Dakota State at 7 p.m. (ET).

The tournament concludes with Sunday’s championship match at 2 p.m. (ET). The winner claims The Summit League’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

2013 All-Summit League Volleyball Teams

All-League
Kelsey Biltoft, South Dakota, So., MH
Moriah Fair, IUPUI, Sr., OH
Jenni Fassbender, North Dakota State, So., OH
Kaitlyn Hickey, IUPUI, So., OH
Beth Howard, IUPUI, Jr., DS
Colleen King, Denver, Sr., RS
Kendall Kritenbrink, South Dakota, Jr., OH
Tori Kroll, South Dakota, Sr., S
Alexis Meeks, IUPUI, Sr., S
Brea Muhle, Denver, Sr., MH
Hailie Ripley, Fort Wayne, So., MH
Emily Spencer, Fort Wayne, Jr. OH

Honorable Mention
Nola Basey, Denver, Fr., OH
Moni Corrujedo, Denver, Fr., OH
Ann Miller, Western Illinois, Jr., OH
Emily Miron, North Dakota State, Fr., MH
Megan Schmale, Omaha, So., OH
Sarah Schmid, Denver, So., MH

Freshmen Team
Nola Basey, Denver, OH
Monica Claxton, North Dakota State, S
Moni Corrujedo, Denver, OH
Tiara Gibson, South Dakota State, MH
Emily Milligan, North Dakota State, DS
Emily Miron, North Dakota State, MH
Logan Walling, IUPUI, MH

Player of the Year
Kendall Kritenbrink, South Dakota

Defensive Player of the Year
Beth Howard, IUPUI

Setter of the Year
Alexis Meeks, IUPUI

Freshman of the Year
Nola Basey, Denver

Coach of the Year
Steve Payne, IUPUI

UND Hockey Notes

GRAND FORKS, N.D. – The University of North Dakota is ranked No. 14 in the latest USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Poll and No. 15 in the USCHO.com Division I Men’s Poll, both of which were released earlier today.

North Dakota is coming off of a National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) split with Minnesota Duluth, winning 4-2 on Friday before falling 6-3 on Saturday. UMD climbed one spot to No. 19 in the USCHO rankings but remained unranked in the USA Today poll.

Minnesota remained the top-ranked team in both polls, with St. Cloud State jumping into the No. 2 spot in both. Providence, Quinnipiac and Michigan rounded out the top five in both polls.

UND will travel to Boston University next weekend for a non-conference series Friday and Saturday. The Terriers were unranked in both polls but received votes in the USCHO rankings.

Simpson named NCHC Defenseman of the Week

GRAND FORKS, N.D. – University of North Dakota senior captain Dillon Simpson has been named National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) Defenseman of the Week for his play in North Dakota’s series split against No. 20 Minnesota Duluth last weekend.

Simpson registered four points – three of them coming on the power play – and blocked three shots in the series. The Edmonton, Alberta, native matched his career high with two assists in Friday’s 4-2 win, including an assist on Jordan Schmaltz’s game-winning goal midway through the period. The following night in a 6-3 loss, Simpson scored a power-play goal and added an assist on Bryn Chyzyk’s third-period goal.

In 10 games this season, Simpson leads UND’s defensemen with six points on a goal and five assists. All six of his points having come during NCHC play, ranking him second among the league’s defensemen. His five assists during league play top all NCHC defensemen.

Simpson was a fourth-round draft pick (92^nd overall) of his hometown Edmonton Oilers in the 2011 National Hockey League Entry Draft.

St. Cloud State senior forward Cory Thorson was named NCHC Offensive Player of the Week, Minnesota Duluth forward Alex Iafallo was named NCHC Rookie of the Week, and Denver senior Sam Brittain was named NCHC Goaltender of the Week.

North Dakota remains in top 15 after split with Minnesota Duluth

UMC Men's Basketball Sign Two

CROOKSTON, Minn. - The University of Minnesota Crookston men’s basketball program annonced the addition of a pair of Regional talents to their 2014-15 signing class as both Jim Warmack (F/C, 6-7 220, East Grand Forks, Minn.) and Gable Smith (G/F, 6-7 170, Lodi, Wis.) have signed National Letters of Intent to continue their careers at UMC beginning in the Fall of 2014.

Warmack and Smith join a UMC squad that graduates just two seniors at the end of the 2013-14 season in Ashton Harrell (G, Houston, Texas) and Brandon Burns (F, Baton Rouge, La.). The Golden Eagles are slated to return 14 players to the roster next season.

All signees are contingent upon admission to UMC and compliance with NCAA rules, including certification by the NCAA Eligibility Center. Everyone released today has signed their National Letter of Intent prior to the release of information.

“We are very excited about the two young men we have signed in the Early Signing Period,” said UMC Head Coach Jeff Oseth.

Jim Warmack, F/C, 6-7 220, East Grand Forks, Minn./East Grand Forks H.S.

Warmack has been an All-Northwest Basketball Conference pick the last two years for the East Grand Forks H.S. He was named his team’s Most Valuable Player for the last three seasons. He averaged 20.5 points per game, 11.2 rebounds a game and 3.2 assists per game last season for East Grand Forks H.S. Warmack eclipsed the 1,000 point scoring mark for the Green Wave last season. He scored over 30 points against Thief River Falls H.S., Warroad H.S. and Park Rapids Area H.S. Helped lead Green Wave to a 19-6 mark overall.

Warmack is the son of Jim and Karen Warmack. His sister Kate Warmack is a senior center for the Bemidji State University women’s basketball team. Warmack plans to major in Business Marketing at UMC. He was born Feb. 16, 1996.

“We have been following Jim Warmack for a long time,” Oseth said. “We feel he is the best basketball player in Northern Minnesota and Eastern North Dakota. He is what we were looking for in a post player. He has good size, good hands, good feet and has an excellent basketball motor. Jim will make an immediate impact in our program.”

Gable Smith, G/F, 6-7 170, Lodi, Wis./Lodi H.S.

Smith played a limited role for Lodi H.S. last year due to seniors playing ahead of him but averaged 3.6 points per game. He will have an increased role for the team as a senior. Smith played for a Lodi H.S. team that went 24-4 last season and advanced to the WIAA Division 3 State Title Game where they lost to Aquinas H.S.

Smith is the son of Ian Smith and Britney Smith. He plans to major in Business Management at UMC. He was born April 24, 1996.

“Gable is a long athletic wing with a very good basketball I.Q.,” Oseth said. “He comes from a very successful high school basketball program. He runs the floor well and has the ability to score in a variety of ways. He also has the skill set to defend other positions.”

 For more information, visit the Golden Eagle Athletics website at www.goldeneaglesports.com.

NDSU Football Players Earn Weekly Honors

NDSU’s Jensen Named MVFC Offensive Player of the Week

ST. LOUIS - North Dakota State quarterback Brock Jensen was named Missouri Valley Football Conference Offensive Player of the Week by the league office Sunday, Nov. 17.

Jensen, a senior from Waupaca, Wis., led North Dakota State to its third straight MVFC championship and tied Armanti Edwards' Football Championship Subdivision record with his 43rd career victory as a quarterback in a 35-17 win at Youngstown State.

Jensen was 17-for-22 passing for 200 yards and a career-high four touchdowns and ran for a fifth touchdown.  He broke the NDSU single-season (24) and career (62) records for TD passes.  It was his third 200-yard passing game of the season and the 12th of his career.

North Dakota State (10-0, 7-0 MVFC) closes out the regular season hosting South Dakota at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, at Gate City Bank Field at the Fargodome.  USD is 4-7 overall and 3-4 in the MVFC after a 27-12 home loss to South Dakota State.

 

NDSU’s Johnson Named MVFC Offensive Lineman of the Week

ST. LOUIS - North Dakota State left guard Zack Johnson was named Missouri Valley Football Conference Offensive Lineman of the Week by the league office Monday, Nov. 18.

Johnson, a 6-foot-4, 317-pound sophomore from Apple Valley, Minn., had the best game of his career with 13 knockdowns and zero quarterback hurries or sacks allowed in North Dakota State’s 35-17 win at Youngstown State.  NDSU (10-0, 7-0 MVFC) won its third straight conference title.

Johnson keyed several big runs as the Bison averaged 6.7 yards per carry and had dual 100-yard rushers for the second time this season.  Sam Ojuri rushed for 146 yards and John Crockett went for 120 while quarterback Brock Jensen passed for four touchdowns in his third 200-yard game of the season.

Johnson has made all 10 starts this year.  North Dakota State closes the regular season hosting South Dakota (4-7, 3-4 MVFC) at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, at Gate City Bank Field at the Fargodome.

NDSU Bison Wrestling Signs Two in Early Signing Period

FARGO, N.D. – Nazar Mironenko of Mifflinburg Area High School in Pennsylvania and Christian Stackhouse of Riverside High School in New Jersey have signed National Letters of Intent to continue their education and wrestle at North Dakota State University.

NDSU head coach Roger Kish made the announcement on Monday, Nov. 18, during the one-week early signing period. Both student-athletes are expected to join the Bison in the fall of 2014.

Mironenko won a Pennsylvania AA state title at 285 pounds as a sophomore in 2012, going 43-2 on the season. As a junior, he went 35-5 and captured a district championship, and he has been ranked among the nation’s top 20 heavyweights entering his senior season. Mironenko was also a standout lineman for the Mifflinburg football team.

Stackhouse placed third in the 160-pound freestyle division at USA Junior Nationals in Fargo in July 2013. As a sophomore in 2012, he went 38-3 and was a New Jersey state tournament qualifier at 145 pounds. Stackhouse followed up with a 34-5 record at 152 pounds as a junior, and he is ranked 17th in the nation at 160 pounds entering his senior season.

 
NDSU will compete next in a triangular against Northern Iowa and Northern Illinois in DeKalb, Ill., on Nov. 23.

NDSU VB Earns No. 5 Seed for Summit League Championship

ELMHURST, Ill. – The North Dakota State volleyball team has earned the No. 5 seed for the 2013 Summit League Volleyball Championship, qualifying for the league tournament for the sixth time in seven years since joining the league.

IUPUI claims the top seed after capturing its second-straight Summit League regular season title.  Joining the Jaguars in the championship field are Denver, South Dakota, Fort Wayne, North Dakota State and Western Illinois.

The 2013 Summit League Volleyball Championship is hosted by IUPUI and takes place Nov. 22-24, at The Jungle in Indianapolis.

The Jaguars finished the regular season with an 11-3 record in league play and enter the league tournament with its second consecutive No. 1 seed. League newcomer Denver clinched the No. 2 seed with a league record of 10-4.  As the top-two seeds, IUPUI and Denver earn a bye in the first-round of the tournament.

South Dakota and Fort Wayne tied for third place in the regular season standings with a 9-5 record in league play.  The Coyotes claim the No. 3 seed by virtue of a better record against North Dakota State and Western Illinois, who tied for fifth in the regular season standings.  South Dakota makes its first appearance in the league tournament since joining the league.  Fort Wayne, the defending tournament champion, appears in its sixth consecutive league championship.

North Dakota State and Western Illinois each posted a league record of 6-8 in a tie for fifth.  The Bison earn the No. 5 seed after splitting their regular season matches with Denver, while the Fighting Leathernecks were swept by the Pioneers.  North Dakota State competes in its sixth league tournament in seven years since joining the league after missing out on last year's championship.  Western Illinois advances to the league tournament for the first time since 2007.

No. 3 South Dakota faces No. 6 Western Illinois in the first quarterfinal match on Friday at 4:30 p.m. (ET).  The second quarterfinal match pits No. 4 Fort Wayne against No. 5 North Dakota State at 7 p.m. (ET).  In Saturday's semifinal matches, No. 2 Denver will face the winner of South Dakota/Western Illinois at 4:30 p.m. (ET) and No. 1 IUPUI is set to take on the winner of Fort Wayne/North Dakota State at 7 p.m. (ET). 

The tournament concludes with Sunday's championship match at 2 p.m. (ET). The winner claims The Summit League's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Championship Schedule
Friday, Nov. 22 - Quarterfinals
4:30 p.m. – Match One: (3) South Dakota vs. (6) Western Illinois
7 p.m. – Match Two: (4) Fort Wayne vs. (5) North Dakota State

Saturday, Nov. 23 – Semifinals
4:30 p.m. – Match Three: (2) Denver vs. Winner Match One
7 p.m. – Match Four: (1) IUPUI vs. Winner Match Two

Sunday, Nov. 24
2 p.m. – Championship Match: Winner Match Three vs. Winner Match Four
All times Eastern

T-Wolves Kevin Love Announces Sixth Annual Coat Drive

MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL – Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Love today announced that he has once again partnered with The Salvation Army to host a coat drive to help those in need this winter. Beginning today and ending on Dec. 18, Love is inviting all fans to bring new and gently used coats to the Target Center Box Office.

Love will personally deliver all donations to The Salvation Army on Dec. 17, and remind fans that there is one more day to contribute to the coat drive.

"Cold weather is here and many people are in need of winter coats," Love said. "With the support of The Salvation Army and Wolves fans, we can make a difference again this winter for those in need."

As a thank you to those who donate, Love has purchased tickets to the Timberwolves' Jan. 1 game vs. the New Orleans Pelicans and the Jan. 8 game vs. the Phoenix Suns. Fans will receive a pair of tickets to one of these games for each coat they donate (limit four tickets per family on a first come, first served basis while supplies last).

To support his Coat Drive and encourage donations, Love will hold a public meet-and-greet in early December. Details on the date and location of the appearance will be released soon. Fans can follow the hashtag #SpreadLove on Twitter to stay updated on the latest information and news on the coat drive and future Love appearances. 
This year’s coat drive is off to a record start with the Hope for the City organization donating 2,500 coats in October.  

Section 8AA Football All-Tournament Selections

Name	School	Grade	Height	Weight	Position
Jordan Harms	Hawley	11	6' 4"	180	QB/FS
Ben Ellefson	Hawley	11	6' 4"	206	TE/LB
Chris Buttke	Hawley	12	5' 9"	195	FB
Dalton Leaf	Hawley	12	5' 11"	170	WR/DB
Cody Cook	Hawley	11	6' 1"	210	OL/DL
Jace Nosal	Barnesville	12	5' 8"	165	LB
Michael Strand	Barnesville	12	5' 11"	175	RB/SS
Ben Randklev	Barnesville	11	6' 1"	195	G/LB
Kyler Martz	Barnesville	12	6' 2"	195	QB
Tristan Kjellberg	United North Central	12	5' 11"	175	RB/LB
Bob Lusti	United North Central	12	6'	220	C/LB
Taylor Carlson	United North Central	12	6' 1"	215	QB/DE
Garrett Malstrom	Frazee	11	6' 1"	235	LB
Hesston Bachmann	Frazee	11	5' 10"	165	RB
Cory Wokasch	Frazee	12	6' 1"	200	DE
Blayke Nelson	Warroad	12	5' 11"	190	QB/LB
Ethan Agre	Warroad	12	6' 2"	220	OL/DL
Nate Merken	Crookston	12	5' 10"	155	LB/S
Parker Epema	Crookston	12	6' 2"	195	DE/TE
Jake Skansberg	Bagley	12	6' 1"	200	TE/LB

UMC Volleyball Signees

CROOKSTON, Minn. - The University of Minnesota Crookston volleyball program announced the signing of Burnsville High School teammates Kaycie Hagen (S, 5-8, Savage, Minn.) and Alyssa Muelken (MH, 6-0, Savage, Minn.). Both players signed National Letters of Intent to compete for the Golden Eagles beginning at the start of the 2014 season. Hagen and Muelken are also both teammates on the Mizuno Northern Lights 18-1 club team.

All signees are contingent upon admission to UMC and compliance with NCAA rules, including certification by the NCAA Eligibility Center. Everyone released today has signed their National Letter of Intent prior to the release of information.

Kaycie Hagen, 5-8, S, Savage, Minn./Burnsville H.S.

Hagen was an All-South Suburban Conference pick as a senior at Burnsville H.S.and an All-South Suburban Conference Honorable Mention selection as a junior. Hagen averaged 6.7 assists per set with 1,664 assists as a senior. She also added 526 digs on the year and had 100 service aces. Played for the Mizuno Northern Lights for the club volleyball, one of the premier club programs in the state of Minnesota. The club also produced current UMC players Erin Schwarz, Sierra Trost and Maggie Perrel. A high school and club teammate of fellow UMC signee Alyssa Muelken.

Daughter and Stephanie and Steve Hagen. Born April 25, 1996.

“Kaycie is an outstanding setter with an extremely high volleyball IQ,” said UMC head coach Lee Anderson. “She has phenomenal leadership qualities and is a selfless team player, she will do whatever it takes to ensure the team succeeds. We are very excited that she decided to continue her playing career as a Golden Eagle.”

Alyssa Muelken, 6-0, MH, Savage, Minn./Burnsville H.S. (Pronounced Mull-kin)

Muelken was an All-South Suburban Conference pick as a junior and senior. Named Offensive Player of the Year as a senior. Was an Academic All-State pick in 2013. A four year letterwinner for Burnsville H.S. Muelker is also a member of National Honor Society and has maintained a 3.88 GPA. Had 550 kills for an average of 2.2 kills per set and tallied 166 total blocks for an average of 0.70 blocks per set. Played for the Mizuno Northern Lights for the club volleyball, one of the premier club programs in the state of Minnesota. The club also produced current UMC players Erin Schwarz, Sierra Trost and Maggie Perrel. A high school and club teammate of fellow UMC signee Kaycie Hagen.

Daughter of Susan and Greg Muelken. Born Sept. 25, 1995.

“Alyssa is very skilled and talented middle hitter,” Anderson said. “Her vast high school and club experiences are going to be a tremendous asset to her at the next level. She has a great work ethic and is going to be a great member of the Golden Eagle Volleyball Team.”

Hagen and Muelken will join a Golden Eagle squad that is currently 13-13 on the season and on the cusp of qualifying for the NSIC Tournament. UMC is looking to replace six seniors but will return 11 players from this season’s squad.

For more information, visit the Golden Eagle Athletics website at www.goldeneaglesports.com.

UMC Women's BB Signs Four Players to National Letters of Intent

CROOKSTON, Minn. - The University of Minnesota Crookston women’s basketball program announced the additions of four student-athletes during the Early Signing Period. Dawn Leland (6-1, G/F, Merrill, Wis./Merrill H.S.), Gabby Smith (5-10, G/F, Bloomington, Minn./Jefferson H.S.), Micaela Noga (5-7, G, Parkers Prairie, Minn./Parkers Prairie H.S. and Isieoma Odor (6-0, F, Bloomington, Minn./John F. Kennedy H.S.), all signed National Letters of Intent to play basketball for UMC. The four players will begin playing during the 2014-15 season.

All signees are contingent upon admission to UMC and compliance with NCAA rules, including certification by the NCAA Eligibility Center. Everyone released today has signed their National Letter of Intent prior to the release of information.

“We are bringing in a lot of depth at a variety of positions with this signing class,” said UMC Head Women’s Basketball Coach Mike Roysland. “This group has the potential to be a tremendous class for us. We are very excited to have them in the fold for the University fo Minnesota Crookston women’s basketball program.”

Dawn Leland, 6-1, G/F, Merrill, Wis./Merrill H.S.

Leland is ranked in the top 40 among high school seniors in the state of Wisconsin by the Wisconsin Sports Network for the 2014 class. She was named her team’s most improved varsity player for the 2011-12 season. Leland averaged 5.2 points, 2.5 assists and 2.5 rebounds per game as a junior for Merrill High School.  She tallied a season-high 12 points versus Wausau West High School. Had 11 points in two games against Lincoln High School. Leland also served as a team captain for the C.W. Elite AAU team and was named Athlete of the Week in 2013 by her local paper.

She is the daughter of John and Arnnette Leland. She plans to major in natural resource management. Leland was born June 26, 1996.

“Dawn is a long athletic player who can play the point but is someone who will be well suited in college to play on the wing,” Roysland said. “Her point guard assets are going to be a huge asset for us though because of the passing she will bring us from the wing.”

Gabby Smith, 5-10, G/F, Bloomington, Minn./Jefferson H.S.

Smith was a 2013 South Suburban All-Conference Honorable Mention selection. She has served as the team captain for Bloomington Jefferson H.S. during her senior season. Smith averaged 9.3 points per game as a junior and had a team-high 20-point game on the season. She also competes for the Minnesota Stars AAU club. She has been a four-year letterwinner on the basketball team.

Gabby is the daughter of Alan and Clare Smith. She plans to major in education at UMC. She was born June 18, 1996.

“Gabby is a hard-working player that has great range from the outside,” Roysland said. “She also brings a high basketball I.Q. and understanding of the game. Gabby reminds me a lot of Ashley Martell, who is currently on the team, and we are excited to add her to our class.”

Micaela Noga, G, 5-7, Parkers Prairie, Minn./Parkers Prairie H.S.

Noga has been named All-Little Eight Conference basketball during each of her four seasons so far playing on the varsity team, with one season still remaining. She has also been named All-Little Eight Conference for volleyball for four-consecutive seasons, as well as for softball. Noga was an All-State selection in basketball in 2010 and 2011. Noga has scored over 2,000 points on the basketball court and has 1,032 career assists in volleyball. She also played on the North Tartan Elite AAU team. She has been an academic letterwinner for all four of her high school years and is a member of National Honor Society.

Noga is the daughter of Nancy and John Noga. She is undecided on a major. She was born Oct. 13, 1995. Her sister Sari was the Associated Press Player of the Year in Minnesota in 2010. She is a senior starter on the University of Minnesota women’s basketball team.

“Micaela is a point guard that is going to bring a lot of grit to our team,” Roysland said. “She sees the floor really well and can shoot the three, as well as attack the rim. She comes from a very strong basketball background as her sister plays for the Golden Gophers and her Dad has been the head coach at Parkers Prairie for a long time. She possesses a great knowledge of the game.”

Isieoma Odor, F, 6-0, Bloomington, Minn./John F. Kennedy H.S. (E.C.-oh-ma Oh-dore)

Odor averaged 4.7 points and 5.0 rebounds per game for John F. Kennedy H.S. last season. She is a captain of the basketball team. Tallied 10 points against Chanhassen and had eight points in the section playoffs against Chanhassen. Grabbed seven boards against Anoka H.S.

She is the daughter of Pamela and Howard Odor. She plans to major in health sciences with a physical therapy emphasis. She was born Dec. 18, 1995.

“Isieoma will bring a very athletic presence to the post position,” Roysland said. “She is long and has a lot of strength inside and will really help us in the post with her rebounding skills and scoring in the paint. Isieoma also has great jumping ability.”

The four signees will join a deep UMC roster that currently includes 14 players with the Golden Eagles only scheduled to graduate one senior from this year’s roster in Jacy Christenson (Sr., G, Shoreview, Minn.)

For more information, visit the Golden Eagle Athletics website at www.goldeneaglesports.com.

Follow the Golden Eagles on Facebook at Golden Eagle Sports and on Twitter at @UMCAthletics.

The University of Minnesota Crookston is an NCAA Division II Institution and a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). The Golden Eagle Equestrian team is a member of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA).

UMC's Looker Selected to All-NSIC First Team

BURNSVILLE, Minn. - University of Minnesota Crookston junior volleyball player Brittany Looker (Jr., OH, Rochester, Minn./Health Science) was selected All-Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) First Team as announced Wednesday afternoon by the conference office. Looker is only the second player in the history of the program to earn All-NSIC First Team honors joining Joan Ebnet, who was All-Conference First Team ins 2003, 2004, 2005. Looker has been named to the All-NSIC team each of her three seasons in the Maroon and Gold. She was an All-NSIC Second Team pick as a sophomore and an All-NSIC Honorable Selection as a freshman. She is the first player in Coach Lee Anderson’s seven years to earn All-NSIC First Team honors.

Looker has been a force this season at her outside hitter position, averaging 3.91 kills per set and 2.84 digs per set. Looker’s kill mark currently ranks in sixth on the season in the NSIC this season. She has improved by over a kill per set from last season after averaging 2.69 kills per set as a sophomore. Looker has 12 double-doubles this season and has tallied 20 or more kills on four occasions including in league play against nationall ranked Wayne State College (Neb.), University of Mary and Upper Iowa University.

Looker is moving up the record books for career marks for UMC in several categories as she ranks sixth all-time in kills and sixth in career points. She needs just 22 points to surpass the 1,000 mark in kills and already did so in career points. Looker would be the fifth player in school history to have 1,000 or more kills. She also has 793 career digs, which is just 27 digs shy of the top 10 in a career.

Looker was one of 18 players on the first team. Concordia University, St. Paul, University of Minnesota Duluth and Southwest Minnesota State University each had four players on the first team. Augustana College had two players on the first team, as did Wayne State College. Northern State University and UMC each had one. 

Minnesota Duluth’s Kate Lange was named NSIC Player of the Year while Julie Rainey was picked as the NSIC Libero of the Year, also from UMD. Wayne State’s Alyssa Frauendorfer was selected as the NSIC Freshman of the Year. Northern State University’s Brent Aldridge was named the NSIC Coach of the Year after getting the wolves into the top 25 rankings this season.

Looker was the only Golden Eagle selected to either the First Team or Second Team with 33 student-athletes being recognized. The Golden Eagles will wrap up the 2013 NSIC regular-season Friday and Saturday against Winona State University and Upper Iowa University as they fight for a spot in the NSIC Tournament, which takes the top eight NSIC teams.

For more information, visit the Golden Eagle Athletics website at www.goldeneaglesports.com.

Golden Gopher Basketball Signs Three

University of Minnesota men’s basketball head coach Richard Pitino introduces the 2014-15 recruiting class and has announced the signing of three athletes to National Letters of Intent. Josh Martin, Nate Mason and Carlos Morris will join the team for the 2014-15 season.

Martin is a 6-foot, 8-inch forward from Bothell, Wash. He averaged 11.8 points and 8.2 rebounds as a junior at Bothell High School. He made 50 percent of his field goal attempts during the season. Martin, who can play both in the paint and on the perimeter, participated in the Reebok Classic Breakout over the summer. He received three-star ratings from Rivals.com and Scout.com. Martin spent two years at Seattle Prep before moving to Bothell. Earning all-state recognition, Martin has also received multiple inspirational awards at the high school and state level. He chose Minnesota over Pittsburgh and Florida State.

Mason, a 6-1 guard from Decatur, Ga., currently attends Arlington Country Day High School (Jacksonville, Fla.). As a junior at Shiloh High School (Snellville, Ga.), Mason led the team to a 23-8 record. His AAU team, the CP3 All-Stars, finished second at the 2013 Nike Peach Jam, where Mason averaged 14.3 points per game in seven games. ESPN, Rivals.com and Scout.com tabbed him as a three-star recruit. Mason chose the Gophers over Kansas State and Virginia.

Morris, a 6-5 guard, will join the Gophers as a junior transfer from Chipola College (Fla.). The Apalachicola, Fla., native averaged a team-best 13.3 points along with 4.0 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game as a freshman in 2012-13. He scored 21 points in Chipola’s season opener this year. Morris attended Arlington Country Day High School, where he earned all-state and All-Panhandle Conference honors. He played AAU ball for the Dwight Howard Warriors. Out of high school, Morris was a listed as a four-star recruit by Scout.com and listed in Rivals.com’s 2012 top 150 class. Out of high school, he originally committed to South Carolina. 

NDSU Softball Signs Five to National Letters of Intent

 

FARGO, N.D. – North Dakota State Bison head softball coach Darren Mueller and co-head coach Jamie Trachsel announced Wednesday, Nov. 13, that Breanna Beatty, Tabitha Heinz, Joei (jo-ee)Samper, Jacquelyn Sertic (ser-tick) and Katie Shoultz have all signed National Letters of Intent to attend North Dakota State University and play softball beginning in the fall of 2014.
 
"We are very excited about our class this year. Jamie has done a truly amazing job with this year's class. They bring a great amount of passion, personality and drive. We are proud to have them join our program and become a Bison," Mueller said.
 
Breanna Beatty, 5-9, OF, bats right, throws right, Las Vegas, Nev./Palo Verde HS
HIGH SCHOOL:  A three-time all-state honoree...Has a school record 26 home runs entering her senior season...Hit .525 with nine homers, 19 doubles and drove in 49 runs her junior season...Had a .528 batting average with 14 home runs, 48 RBIs, 18 doubles and 52 runs scored...Her 66 hits that season were the most hits in the state of Nevada...Named first-team all-region in 2012 and was a second-team all-state and all-league honoree in 2011...Member of the 2011 Nevada Class 4A state championship team...The team was also Nevada 4A Sunset Region champions and Nevada 4A Northwest League champions...2013 Max Preps All-American...Three-time scholar athlete selection...Four-year starter...SUMMER LEAGUE: Member of the Las Vegas Lil' Rebels from 2010-2012...The Lil' Rebels '96 were 2012 and 2013 ASA 18U Nevada state champions, 2009, 2010 and 2011 ASA 14U Nevada state champions.
 Coach Mueller's take: "Bre is an amazing hitter and absolutely crushes the ball. Bre is someone who will not only add power to our lineup but brings a tremendous work ethic and drive to be successful. She may be one of the most decorated players we have ever brought in out of high school."
 
Tabitha Heinz, 5-7, INF, bats right, throws right, Livermore, Calif./Granada HS
HIGH SCHOOL:  Three-time all-league and four-year starter...Compiled a .351 batting average with two home runs, three triples and eight doubles and had an on-base percentage of .424 in 2013...Also hit .351 with a slugging percentage of .703 in 2012 with a league-leading seven homers as well as a triple and three doubles that drove in 18 runs...Academic all-league selection in 2011...Has been selected to the honor roll every trimester at Granada...SUMMER LEAGUE: A starter on the California Grapettes in 2009 and 2010 and also AASA from 2010-present...Selected to the Queen of the Mountain all-tournament team in 2011 and 2012...Independence Tournament All-Star, Sparkler All-Star, Fireworks All-Star, six-time On-Deck invite and attendee...Member of the team that won Western Nationals at 14's in 2010...Team placed 13th at the largest 16 ASA Nationals to date (172 teams) in 2011.
 Coach Mueller's take: "Tabby is an excellent catcher. Not only is she smart behind the plate, she has a great arm. She is also a very strong hitter that hits for power and average."
 
Joei Samper, 5-1, INF/OF, bats right, throws right, Rancho Cucamonga, Calif./Rancho Cucamonga HS
HIGH SCHOOL:  Four-year starter and a team captain...First team all-league and honored as Best Defensive Player in 2013...Garnered Rookie of the Year honors and was a second-team all-league selection in 2011.
 Coach Mueller's take: "Joei is a very smart player that has all the tools. A strong arm, good glove, very good speed and is a very intelligent base runner. Besides hitting on the right side of the plate, she also has the ability to slap the ball from the left side."
 
Jacquelyn Sertic, 5-6, RHP/OF, bats right, throws right, Sparks, Nev./Reed HS
HIGH SCHOOL:  Two-time all-state...Pitched 128 1/3 innings with 151 strikeouts, eight walks and an ERA of just 0.71...Pitched 111 1/3 innings in 2012 with a 1.51 ERA, 13-2 record, 109 K's and 23 walks...Team captain and a three-year starter...Named North Nevada Pitcher of the Year in 2012 and 2013...Two-time North Nevada All-Region selection...Pitched a perfect game against Wooster High School in 2013...All-State Academic in 2013...Team was the 2013 Northern Nevada Region Champions and the league champions in 2012 and 2013...Also was a three-year cross country runner...Two-time all-state academic team selection running cross country... Also played tennis.
 Coach Mueller's take: "Jacquelyn is a very intelligent pitcher with a terrific presence on the mound. She has very good movement on her pitches and an excellent off-speed pitch."
 
Katie Shoultz, 5-8, OF, bats left, throws right, Muscatine, Iowa/Muscatine HS
HIGH SCHOOL:  Two-time all-state...Hit .541 with 24 RBIs, 10 triples, 86 hits, 61 runs scored, 62 stolen bases, on-base percentage of .571 and slugging percentage of .679...Broke school record for batting average and single-season stolen bases...Four-year starter and a team captain...Team qualified for state in 2010...Three-time all-conference and all-district first team selection...Also played volleyball, basketball, soccer and ran track and field...Three-time state qualifier in three events...Finished second in the 100m dash in 2012 and was conference champion in 2013...Second team all-conference volleyball in 2013...Member of the 2012-13 state qualifying basketball team.
 Coach Mueller's take: "Fast! Katie brings game-changing speed to our program. We've had and do have players with excellent speed and Katie may be the fastest one we've signed. She also has the ability to drive the ball and brings us another triple threat option."
 
North Dakota State went 33-16 and won its second straight Summit League softball championship with a 17-1 record in league play.  The Bison advanced to the NCAA Division I tournament four straight seasons from 2009 to 2012