Friday Morning Sports – 8/25/2023

KEARNEY VOLLEYBALL DROPS SEASON OPENER TO NORTH STAR:

The Kearney Bearcat Volleyball team rallied in the third set but ultimately fell short of a season opening win, dropping their first game of 2023 in four sets to Lincoln North Star.

Kearney had solid days from Vanderbeek with nine kills, senior Addie Helmbrecht earned seven, and Mailahn wrapped up with six.

The Bearcats hit the road to the Norfolk Invite on Saturday. A full photo gallery and game recap from Thursday’s matchup are available at Centralnebraskatoday.com.

HUSKER VOLLEYBALL OPENS SEASON WITH AMERITAS PLAYERS CHALLENGE:

The fifth-ranked Nebraska volleyball team officially starts the 2023 season by hosting the Ameritas Players Challenge this weekend at the Bob Devaney Sports Center.

Today, Lipscomb plays SMU at 3 p.m., and Nebraska plays Utah State at 6 p.m.

On Saturday, SMU plays Utah State at 2 p.m., and Nebraska plays Lipscomb at 5 p.m.

On Sunday, Utah State plays Lipscomb at 11 a.m., and Nebraska plays SMU at 2 p.m. 

Saturday and Sunday’s Husker matchups can be heard on KGFW.

UNK ATHLETICS “HERE COME THE LOPERS EVENT” ARRIVES SATURDAY:

The annual “Here Come the Lopers!” will be held this Saturday, Aug. 26, around the City of Kearney.

On a Saturday at the beginning of the fall semester every year, Nebraska Kearney student-athletes and coaches go to area businesses around town. The Lopers introduce themselves, hand out the UNK Athletics poster and take pictures with the employees, owners and fans. 

The event begins at 11 a.m. and runs for approximately one hour. Each team will be walking four or five blocks and stopping at businesses that are open at that time.

LOPER FOOTBALL WEDNESDAY SCRIMMAGE COMMENTS – PLAYERS:

WEBSTER – FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE IN DEFENSE:

UNK’s Defense has been adjusting to more speed and “chaos” under new coordinator Tim Schaffner. Defensive back Armani Webster said he feels more comfortable in the system after fall camp…

UNK takes on Central Oklahoma on August 31 in Edmond.

WEBSTER – DEFENSE MOVES VERY FAST:

Armani Webster, UNK Defensive back, was asked after Wednesday night’s scrimmage what he enjoys the most about the new defensive system and defensive coordinator Tim Schaffner…

Webster was one of the Lopers’ top corners last season and looks to maintain that spot this year.

WEBSTER – UCO OFFENSIVE PREVIEW:

UNK Football opens their season in less than a week on the road at Central Oklahoma, and defensive back for the Lopers Armani Webster gave a preview of what he’s seen from the Bronchos on film…

The entire MIAA opens up their season on August 31 as the Lopers head to Edmond next week.

ROSS – FINDING ROLE ON OFFENSE:

Shaun Ross Jr., a wide receiver for the UNK Football team, gave his perspective on how he fits into the Loper passing attack…

The Lopers are chalk full of speed including Ross and quarterback TJ Davis.

ROSS – HELD OFFENSE THROWS BALL MORE:

UNK’s offense looks to evolve from the Josh Lynn era and open up the passing attack, as receiver Shaun Ross Jr. stated after Wednesday night’s scrimmage…

The Lopers have been bottom third in the conference in passing yards each season quarterback TJ Davis has led the attack – meanwhile finishing top in the conference in rushing yards. 

STORM ANNOUNCE TRADE WITH CAPITOLS:

The Tri-City Storm has announced a transaction with the Madison Capitols ahead of the 2023-2024 regular season. 

The Storm has acquired a 2nd Round pick in the 2024 USHL Phase II Draft, and a 3rd Round pick in the 2024 USHL Phase I Draft from the Capitols in exchange for goaltender Patriks Bērziņš, and a 10th Round pick in the 2024 USHL Phase I Draft.

Patriks Bērziņš, 19, of Talsi, Latvia, was acquired by the Storm on January 18th, 2023. 

He made his debut for the organization on January 20th, 2023, in a 4-0 shutout victory on the road against the Omaha Lancers.

SPORTS NIGHTLY WEDNESDAY – TREV ALBERTS COMMENTS:

ALBERTS – DISAPPOINTED IN CARTER MOVE:

Huskers Athletic Director Trev Alberts spoke on his monthly Sports Nightly show last night and was asked about his thoughts on the move by system President Ted Carter to move on to Ohio State at the same position…

Carter remains the University of Nebraska President until December. 

ALBERTS – UPDATING FOOTBALL SCHEDULES WITH ADDITIONS:

Nebraska Athletic Director Trev Alberts spoke on Sports Nightly Wednesday night and gave more insight into the 2024 Big Ten Football conference schedules as Oregon and Washington were added to the conference since the release of the original schedules…

Both schools will join the conference in 2024 in all sports. 

ALBERTS – DIVISIONS WILL NOT RETURN; SCHEDULING UPDATES:

Trev Alberts, Nebraska Athletic Director, spoke on his monthly radio show Wednesday night and stated that just because Oregon and Washington will join the Big Ten in 2024, does not mean certain decisions will change…

Nebraska will await the announcement of next year’s Big Ten schedule as it will be updated with the addition of USC, UCLA, Oregon, and Washington in 2024. 

ALBERTS – STREAMING WILL ADJUST REALIGNMENT:

Nebraska Athletic Director Trev Alberts spoke on Sports Nightly Wednesday night and was adamant about the major impact of college football realignment – streaming numbers and distribution…

The Huskers have been a part of the Big Ten and Big Ten Network cable packages since their inclusion in the conference, but are looking for new revenue options moving forward the AD added.

ALBERTS – NEXT BIG PROJECT IS MEMORIAL STADIUM:

Nebraska Athletic Director Trev Alberts was asked on his monthly Sports Nightly radio show about what the next big project will be regarding Nebraska Athletics…

Nebraska is in the process of adjusting seating options and comfortability at Memorial Stadium. The venue has also hosted a concert two years ago and will host Volleyball Day next Wednesday.

NFL PRESEASON SCHEDULE:

THURSDAY RESULTS:

Pittsburgh Steelers 24-0 Atlanta Falcons

Indianapolis Colts 27-13 Philadelphia Eagles

FRIDAY SCHEDULE:

Detroit Lions @ Carolina Panthers – 7 PM

New England Patriots @ Tennessee Titans – 7:15 PM

Los Angeles Chargers @ San Francisco 49ers – 9 PM

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL SCHEDULE:

FRIDAY SCHEDULE:

Houston Astros @ Detroit Tigers – 5:40 PM

New York Yankees @ Tampa Bay Rays – 5:40 PM

Washington Nationals @ Miami Marlins – 5:40 PM

St. Louis Cardinals @ Philadelphia Phillies – 6:05 PM

Colorado Rockies @ Baltimore Orioles – 6:05 PM

Chicago Cubs @ Pittsburgh Pirates – 6:05 PM

Cleveland Guardians @ Toronto Blue Jays – 6:07 PM

Oakland Athletics @ Chicago White Sox – 6:10 PM

Los Angeles Dodgers @ Boston Red Sox – 6:10 PM

Los Angeles Angels @ New York Mets – 6:10 PM

Texas Rangers @ Minnesota Twins – 7:10 PM

San Diego Padres @ Milwaukee Brewers – 7:10 PM

Cincinnati Reds @ Arizona Diamondbacks – 8:40 PM

Kansas City Royals @ Seattle Mariners – 9:10 PM

Atlanta Braves @ San Francisco Giants – 9:15 PM

Buffalo County Results & Schedules:

THIS WEEK IN BUFFALO COUNTY SPORTS:

THURSDAY:

High School Sports:

• KEARNEY HIGH:
  • Softball: v. Fremont (Doubleheader) @ Patriot Park
    • GAME 1: KHS 8-7 FHS
    • GAME 2: FHS 14-3 KHS
  • Volleyball: v. Lincoln North Star @ Kearney High School – LNS 3-1 KHS
• KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
  • Softball: @ Hershey (Doubleheader)
    • GAME 1: KCHS 18-8 HHS
    • GAME 2: KCHS 18-0 HHS
  • Volleyball: @ Columbus Scotus – KCHS 3-0 CSHS
• AMHERST:
  • Softball: @ Hershey (Doubleheader)
    • GAME 1: KCHS 18-8 HHS
    • GAME 2: KCHS 18-0 HHS
  • Volleyball: @ Elm Creek Triangular
    • GAME 1: AHS 2-0 ALHS
    • GAME 2: AHS 2-0 ECHS
• GIBBON:
  • Volleyball: v. SEM – SEM 3-0 GHS
• SHELTON:
  • Volleyball: @ Nebraska Christian – NCHS 3-1 SHS
• ELM CREEK:
  • Volleyball: v. Elm Creek Triangular 
    • GAME 1: ECHS 2-1 ALHS
    • GAME 2: AHS 2-0 ECHS
  • Football: @ South Loup – SOUTH LOUP 48-21 Elm Creek
• RAVENNA:
  • Volleyball: @ Central City – CCHS 3-0 RHS

College Athletics:

• NEBRASKA CORNHUSKERS:
  • Women’s Soccer: @ Eastern Washington – Neb. 6-0 EW

FRIDAY:

High School Sports:

• KEARNEY HIGH:
  • Girls Golf: Kearney Golf Invite @ Awarii Dunes – 9:30 AM
  • Boys Tennis: Kearney Quad @ Harmon Park – 1:30 PM
  • Football: v. Lincoln East @ Ron & Carol Cope Stadium – 7 PM
    • KGFW Pregame at 6:30 PM
• KEARNEY CATHOLIC:
  • Boys Tennis: @ Kearney Quad @ Harmon Park – 1:30 PM
  • Football: v. Doniphan-Trumbull @ Miles Field – 7 PM
• AMHERST:
  • Football: v. Wood River @ Amherst High School – 7 PM
  • Cross Country: @ Fort Kearney Twilight Run – 8:30 PM
• PLEASANTON:.
  • Football: @ Hi-Line (Eustis) – 8 PM
• GIBBON:
  • Football: v. Hershey @ Gibbon High School – 7 PM
  • Cross Country: @ Fort Kearney Twilight Run – 8:30 PM
• SHELTON:
  • Football: v. Stuart @ Stuart High School – 2 PM
  • Cross Country: @ Fort Kearney Twilight Run – 8:30 PM
• ELM CREEK:
  • Cross Country: @ Fort Kearney Twilight Run – 8:30 PM
• RAVENNA:
  • Football: @ Ansley-Litchfield @ Litchfield – 7 PM

College Athletics:

• UNK LOPERS:
  • Volleyball: v. Metro State (Exhibition) @ Health & Sports Center – 6 PM
• HASTINGS COLLEGE BRONCOS:
  • Volleyball: v. Mid-America Christian @ Lynn Farrell Arena – 2 PM
  • Volleyball: v. Oklahoma Wesleyan @ Lynn Farrell Arena – 6 PM
• NEBRASKA CORNHUSKERS:
  • Volleyball: v. Utah State (Ameritas Players Challenge) @ Bob Devaney Sports Center – 6 PM

KGFW Sports Schedule:

• KGFW High School Football Preview Show (6 PM – 6:30 PM)
• Kearney High Football v. Lincoln East (6:30 PM – 10 PM)