LSC Roundup 9-8

Lone Star Conference does well against top-10 schools - J. Scott Russell, Times Record News
The Lone Star Conference may only be 5-6 against outside competition after two weeks, but its teams are 2-1 against teams ranked in the NCAA Division II top 10.

Texas A&M-Kingsville had the biggest win with its 16-7 win over No. 1 Northwest Missouri State on the road, while Abilene Christian knocked off then No. 9 Washburn, 34-26, for its third-straight season-opening win over an MIAA opponent.

West Texas A&M was not so fortunate as it fell to No. 2 Grand Valley State, 34-31, as the Lakers scored 18 points in the fourth quarter and then held off a late comeback attempt by the Buffs.

The win by the Javelinas was their second straight against a ranked opponent in a season opener — they beat No. 3 Delta State last year — and while they are a team that appears to be moving back to the lofty heights they used to enjoy, don’t read too much into it yet.

Buffs lose game, little else - Dave Henry, Amarillo Globe News
Here's proof that WT Buffs had little to lose by opening up the season taking on the second-ranked team in the nation. Despite a 34-31 loss to Grand Valley State, the Buffs fell only one spot - from No. 8 to No. 9 - in the AFCA DII rankings.

In the long run - or the next 10 weeks - the negative impact will be minimal.

Alves offers NSU a dynamic threat - Ben Johnson, Tahlequah Daily Press
It should come as no surprise that Daryn Alves is listed at running back and wide receiver on the Northeastern State depth chart. And after his performance Thursday in Stephenville, Texas, he could soon find himself listed at another position: quarterback.

The 5-foot-10, 180-pounder from Durant added passing to his repertoire in the RiverHawks' 31-23 season-opening victory over Tarleton State.

"Daryn Alves is one of those guys that's a game-breaker," said NSU coach Kenny Evans, whose team won its opening game since 2002. "We have to find more ways to get the ball into his hands."
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MSU leaps 16 spots to No. 3 in soccer rankings - Times Record News
Midwestern State’s season-opening result over Texas A&M International clearly impressed the voters in the NSCAA Division II men’s soccer poll. The Mustangs leapt 16 spots to No. 3 in the weekly rankings.

It marks the fifth straight season the program has achieved a top 10 ranking. The Mustangs opened with a convincing 2-0 win over the Dustdevils Thursday to extend their unbeaten streak to 22 matches.

MSU women move into NSCAA rankings - Times Record News
The Midwestern State women’s soccer team cracked the NSCAA Division II at No. 20 after a pair of impressive wins at last weekend’s Broncho Invitational. The Mustangs have now received a national ranking three of the last four seasons.

They are one of three teams from the South Central Region in the current NSCAA poll joining No. 4 West Texas A&M and No. 11 St. Edward’s (Texas).

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WT volleyball falls to No. 16 in AVCA poll - Ricky Treon, Amarillo Globe News
The West Texas A&M Lady Buffs dropped Monday to No. 16 in the American Volleyball Coaches Association Division II Coaches’ Poll. WT (3-1) fell at home for the first time since 2007 at the BritKare Lady Buff Classic over the weekend, causing the fall from No. 7.


LSC Volleyball: Six earn weekly honors - LSC Office
Six volleyball student-athletes were named Lone Star Conference Players of the Week for their performances last week, league officials announced today.

Offensive
Zuela Adom, University of Central Oklahoma, SR, Euless, TX, Trinity
Adom led UCO to a 3-1 record in the season-opening West Texas A&M Classic last weekend, earning all-tournament honors in the process. The senior outside hitter had a tournament-high 70 kills with a .284 attack percentage while adding 16 digs and nine total blocks. Adom hit .364 with 14 kills in a three-set sweep of New Mexico Highlands, hit .311 with 18 kills in a four-set win over Texas-Permian Basin, hit .345 with 24 kills in a five-set loss to Western State and had 14 kills with five blocks in a five-set victory over St. Edward's.

Ashley Davis, West Texas A&M University, R-FR, Amarillo, Randall
Davis contributed heavily to the Lady Buffs offensive attack this weekend, netting 42 kills with a .316 hitting percentage, while guiding WT to a 3-1 mark in the season-opening Lady Buff Classic. Davis, a red-shirt freshman, finished fifth in the tournament field averaging 3.00 kills per set and her .316 attack percentage was good enough for 10th out of all players over the weekend. The Amarillo native served up three aces, recorded 17 digs and assisted in two blocks as well.


Defensive
Ginger Gowen, University of Central Oklahoma, JR, Edmond, OK, Santa Fe
Gowen led UCO's defensive efforts in a 3-1 performance at the season-opening West Texas A&M Classic, collecting 80 digs and averaging 4.71 per game. The junior libero had 27 digs in a five-set loss to Western State, 26 in a five-set win over St. Edward's and 18 in a three-set sweep of New Mexico Highlands.

Alexa Williams, Angelo State University, SO, San Antonio, Texas, MacArthur HS
In just four matches this season, Williams leads the Rambelles with 56 digs (5.09/set)… Helped hold Montevallo to a .184 hitting percentage, and Southwest Baptist to a .113 hitting percentage in the final day of the Florida Southern Classic.


Setter
Alex Woolsey, Angelo State University, SO, Plano, Texas, Plano East HS
Woolsey collected her first double-double (45 assists, 10 digs) of the year against Montevallo… Averaged 12.50 assists per set… Named to the Florida Southern Classic All-FSC Team… Performed well on defense, accumulating 32 digs and three block assists… Posted 17 kills in four matches, hitting .260

Erika Dupree, West Texas A&M University, JR, Mesquite, Texas, Poteet
Dupree got to see her first action as WT's primary setter over the weekend and she came through for the Lady Buffs, collecting 101 assists in WT's 6-2 offense. The junior, who made contributions all over the court, came just one kill shy of recording two triple-doubles in Friday's action at the Lady Buff Classic. Instead, she came away with her first career triple-double in WT's win over St. Edward's as she recorded 11 kills, 29 assists and 14 digs. The Mesquite native ranked sixth out of all setters in the tournament as she finished the weekend averaging 6.31 assists per set. She recorded a total of 30 kills, two aces, 47 digs and nine assisted blocks on the weekend as well.