Angelo State and West Texas A&M will play for the Lone Star Conference Volleyball Championship after winning their respective semifinal matches Friday. The title game is set for 7 p.m. Saturday.
Angelo State 3, No. 22 Abilene Christian 0
The No. 3 seed Angelo State defeated the No. 2 seed and No. 22 nationally ranked Abilene Christian 3-0 (25-18, 25-17, 28-26) in the first of two Lone Star Conference Championship semifinal matches being held at the WTAMU Field house "The Box" on the campus of West Texas A&M.
The win improves the Rambelles to a 19-11 overall record, while the Wildcats fall to 26-5 overall. The win marks the first time since 1998 that ASU has swept ACU.
ASU was led by Debbie Ohl with 14 kills and Alex Woosley with 44 assists. ACU was paced by Jennie Hutt with 13 kills and Ijeoma Moronu with 33 assists.
The Rambelles advance to Saturday night's championship match at 7:00 p.m. and will face the winner of the West Texas A&M and Tarleton State. ASU makes their first appearance in the championship match since 1993.
West Texas A&M 3, Tarleton State 0
The No. 1 seed West Texas A&M defeated the No. 5 seed Tarleton State 3-0 (25-10, 25-13, 25-22) in the Lone Star Conference Championship semifinals being held at the WTAMU Fieldhouse "The Box" on the campus of West Texas A&M.
The win lifts the Lady Buffs to 26-8 overall and propels them into their 12th overall and fifth straight LSC Championship match. The TexAnns end their season at 23-10.
The Lady Buffs were led by Ashley Davis with 13 kills and Erika Dupree with 17 assists and 12 digs. The TexAnns were paced by Flynn Harrell with 12 kills and Jessie Hartman with 14 assists.
WT advances to the championship match against Angelo State with first serve set for Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. The Rambelles reached the finals by sweeping Abilene Christian earlier in the evening.
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Cross Country: LSC announces honors - LSC Office
The Lone Star Conference recognized 21 student-athletes and two head coaches as league officials announced the annual cross country all-conference honors.
The announcement comes following the LSC Cross Country Championships on November 6. Abilene Christian won their 20th consecutive men’s title and Midwestern State claimed the women’s crown for the third straight year.All-conference honors are given to those runners who finish among the top 10 individually at the conference meet, while additional awards are presented for Coach and Freshman of the Year in both the men’s and women’s divisions.
Eastern New Mexico’s Eric Boll earned men’s coach of the year honors, while MSU’s Koby Styles was the women’s coach of the year for the third straight year. Freshman of the Year accolades went to WTAMU’s Luke Irwin and MSU’s Ashley Flores.
The coaching honors were selected by a vote of all the LSC head coaches, while the freshman awards went to the top freshman finishers at the league championships.
The Wildcats Amos Sang was the individual medalist for the second straight year to headline the all-conference list. He was joined by teammates Cleophas Tanui and Romain Rybicki on the All-LSC list.
ENMU finished second with Mohamed Noor placing second in the race. East Central’s men, who finished third, were led by All-LSC performers Daniel Kiptoo and Armando Saldivar, while Cameron’s Julius Korir, Texas A&M-Commerce’s Cody Hughes, Texas A&M-Kingsville’s Kiya Dandena and Tarleton State’s Westyn Rosiles also received recognition.On the women’s side, ACU’s Anais Belledant claimed the women’s individual title, while teammates Chloe Susset and Alyse Goldsmith picked up All-LSC honors. The Mustangs Brissia Montalvo, Sydney Cole and Ashley Flores paced MSU to the team crown as top-10 finishers. Angelo State’s Emeline Crutcher, Central Oklahoma’s Alina Istrate, ENMU’s Nicky Reid and East Central’s Hayley Jennings were also recognized.
2010 LSC Cross Country All-Conference Awards
MEN’S ALL-CONFERENCE PERFORMERS
Place Runner Year Team Hometown
1 Amos Sang SR Abilene Christian Eldoret, Kenya
2 Mohamed Noor JR Eastern New Mexico Lewiston, Maine
3 Cleophas Tanui SR Abilene Christian Rift Valley, Kenya
4 Julius Korir JR Cameron Eldoret, Kenya
5 Kiya Dandena JR Texas A&M-Kingsville Houston, Texas
6 Romain Rybicki SR Abilene Christian Chateauneuf Rhone, France
7 Westyn Rosiles SR Tarleton State Carrollton, Texas
8 Cody Hughes SO Texas A&M-Commerce Anna, Texas
9 Daniel Kiptoo JR East Central Eldoret, Kenya
10 Armando Saldivar JR East Central Ft. Worth, Texas
SPEICAL RECOGNITION
Men’s Team Champion: Abilene Christian
Men’s Freshman of the Year: Luke Irwin, West Texas A&M
Men’s Coach of the Year: Eric Boll, Eastern New Mexico
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WOMEN’S ALL-CONFERENCE PERFORMERS
Place Runner Year Team Hometown
1 Anais Belledant JR Abilene Christian Lyon, France
2 Brissia Montalvo JR Midwestern State El Paso, Texas
3 Chloe Susset SO Abilene Christian Clery Vexin, France
4 Nicky Reid JR Eastern New Mexico Pueblo, Colo.
5 Alyse Goldsmith SO Abilene Christian Katy, Texas
6 Sydney Cole SR Midwestern State Phillipsburg, Kan.
7 Emeline Crutcher SO Angelo State Wellman, Texas
8 Alina Istrate SR Central Oklahoma Galati, Romania
9 Ashley Flores FR Midwestern State Haltom City, Texas
10 Hayley Jennings SO East Central Broken Arrow, Okla.
SPEICAL RECOGNITION
Women’s Team Champion: Midwestern State
Women’s Freshman of the Year: Ashley Flores, Midwestern State
Women’s Coach of the Year: Koby Styles, Midwestern State
ASU SOCCER: Loss to Wildcats ends ASU's best season - San Angelo Standard Times
The season that rewrote the Angelo State record books came to a close Friday after the Rambelles fell to Abilene Christian 5-0 in the opening round of the NCAA Division II Championship Tournament in Austin at SEU Soccer Field.
The Rambelles set a single-season record for most wins (13) and conference wins (9) in a season, and also earned the first NCAA berth in program history.
“It’s been a great journey in 2010 for our soccer program,” third-year coach Travis McCorkle said. “We put ourselves in a good position this year with our player’s hard work in the offseason and won some close games because of the girls’ effort. I couldn’t be prouder of our team and their effort.”
MSU women knocked out of playoffs by Truman - Times Record News
Megan Buri scored two goals in 29 seconds as Truman State eliminated Midwestern State 3-1 in the opening round of the NCAA Division II Championship Friday at Jennies Field.
Buri launched a shot from 30 yards out in the 15th minute that went just out of the reach of MSU goalkeeper Mallory Whitworth for the first tally of the match.
That’s when disaster struck for the Mustangs.
“We lost possession of the kickoff and they crossed a harmless ball into the box that just went through (Whitworth’s) hands,” Trimble said. “A wet ball in the air is just hard for the keeper to handle. It was unfortunate. She is one of the best goalkeepers to ever play at MSU.”
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Division titles already settled - Nathan Wright, San Angelo Standard Times
Last week, the regular-season champions were determined in both the North and South divisions of the Lone Star Conference.
In the South, Abilene Christian defeated West Texas A&M 41-34 to win the title and complete and undefeated run through the juggernaut division.
In the North Division, both East Central and Northeastern State won to share the crown. Both teams had one divisional loss.
ACU can win the overall conference title with a victory this week in its regular-season finale against Southwestern Oklahoma.
The Wildcats didn’t win the South easily. They were down by 14 points in the third quarter to the Buffs before outscoring WTAM 28-7 over the final 17 minutes, 25 seconds of the game.
ACU rushed for 231 yards and four touchdowns and scored on its final four possessions of the contest to earn the victory.
Elsewhere in the South Division, Texas A&M-Kingsville defeated Midwestern State 27-7 and Tarleton State held off Incarnate Word 41-27.
ASU FOOTBALL: One last chance - Nathan Wright, San Angelo Standard Times
This afternoon, the Angelo State University Rams will finish off a football season that didn’t go the way they wanted it to.
The Rams had hoped that this would be the year they would be able to compete with the heavyweights in the Lone Star Conference South Division and possibly win a conference championship and advance to the playoffs for the first time since 2005.
ASU did compete. The Rams just didn’t get the breaks and lost five of their six divisional games — all by 14 points or fewer.
With one game remaining, the Rams will be looking to break even for the season. A win today against Central Oklahoma would give ASU a 5-5 record.
“The season didn’t go as planned but we have to deal with it,” ASU sophomore defensive back Alvin Johnson said. “We want to come out and finish strong. We started that last weekend by beating Southeastern and we want to do the same with Central.”
Maroon and White Zone: End to End - Dave Henry, Amarillo Globe News
1st and goal: Even though they will not find out their postseason fate until Sunday afternoon, the Buffs are treating this game as a playoff contest - and for good reason. WT is a lock for the Division II playoffs, provided the Buffs win this game. "We can't afford another loss," said WT head coach Don Carthel. "We should be able to get in (the playoffs) as long as we take care of business against East Central." The D-II tournament field will be announced at 2 p.m. Sunday on ESPNews. ECU has clinched a share of the LSC North Division title but also has a loss to second-year program Incarnate Word (27-13). WT beat Incarnate Word, 49-10, on Oct. 30.
2nd and goal: ECU does rank fifth in the LSC in total defense (372.5 yards a game) but is No. 8 in pass defense (239.7 yards a game). ECU CB Dontae Smith is tied for the LSC lead with six interceptions. However, the Tigers secondary will face their toughest test with WT's passing game, ranked third nationally in total offense (508.6 yards a game) and third in passing offense (397.5 yards a game). WT slot receiver Tyson Williams (13 catches for 171 yards against No. 2 Abilene Christian last week) is fifth in the nation in catches per game (8.78) and sixth in receiving yards per game (115.44). Williams has at least one TD catch in four straight games.
3rd and goal: ECU, 0-11 a year ago, has won four in a row, with three of those wins by a combined seven points. The Tigers offense, last in the LSC in rushing offense (79.4 yards a game), does most of its damage through the air. ECU QB Tyler Vanderzee is fifth in the LSC in passing yards per game (225.4 yards). WT's secondary has been impressive, returning six interceptions for TDs this season.
4th and goal: Chip Shots - WT strong safety Curtis Jefferson (knee) is expected to miss today's game. Jefferson is tied for fourth on the team with 46 tackles ... ECU DE Armonty Bryant leads the LSC in sacks (10.5). WT LB Shad Baichtal is second with nine.
Coach speak - Amarillo Globe News
East Central head coach Tim McCarty
McCarty is in his fourth season (two separate two-year stints) at ECU, 14-27.
McCarty spent three seasons as assistant head coach at Kansas State.
At KSU, McCarty coached future NFLers Josh Freeman and Jordy Nelson.
"(WT) is extremely athletic. They have some of the best athletes I have ever seen. We're a young team and haven't really played a complete game yet. (WT) is littered with big-time athletes, and we'll have our hands full."
West Texas A&M head coach Don Carthel
Carthel is 58-15 in his sixth WT season and is second in all-time victories.
Against the LSC North, Carthel is 17-1 overall and 7-1 at Kimbrough Memorial Stadium.
A win today would likely give WT its fifth playoff berth under Carthel and sixth straight postseason appearance.
"ECU went out and got some D-I transfers and some JUCO transfers and they have really come on in the second half of the year. They have a lot of confidence the last two weeks when they put up more than 40 points."
Getting personal with ... Aaron Mullane - Amarillo Globe News
Sophomore left guard from Amarillo (Tascosa High School). Has started all 10 games this season.
You were a three-time regional qualifier in discus in high school. Do you miss it? "I threw my freshman year here (at WT) and ended up rolling my ankle. At that point, I felt like I just needed to stick with football."
There's a lot of your friends and family members at home games wearing your name and number. How many are at a typical game? "Close to 10. They're all Buffalo Club members, my parents and grandparents, and get to sit in those chair-back seats."
I've even seen a dog with your jersey. "Yeah, that's my English bulldog, Lt. Dan. There was a picture of him in the Globe-News. I just had a birthday and my mom made me a birthday card with that picture."
Javelinas to close regular season without looking ahead to postseason - George Vondracek, Corpus Christi Caller Times
KINGSVILLE — Perched in the No. 2 slot in the NCAA Division II Super Regional Four rankings, it is a given that Texas A&M-Kingsville’s football team has pocketed a berth in the playoffs.
Barring a major collapse Saturday night in the Lone Star Conference finale against 3-7 Southeastern (Okla.) State, the Javelinas (9-1) should be able to look forward to extending their season. Riding a five-game winning streak, it would be understandable if the players are looking at that scenario, anxious for a second consecutive postseason appearance and a chance to atone for last season’s 57-56 double-overtime loss to Tarleton State in the opening round.
Yet that hasn’t been the modus operandi under which the program has followed since Bo Atterberry arrived as coach in 2007. Much ground has been covered since the Javelinas stumbled in at 3-8 in Atterberry’s first season. The ups and downs have been well documented, and celebrating anything short of the ultimate goal, or looking past the next opponent, isn’t something the coaching staff has preached.
“That’s probably in the back of our minds, that we’re looking forward to that postseason play, especially after what happened to us last year,” said junior Nate Poppell, quarterback of the fourth-ranked Javelinas. “But we’ve got another one to put together. We’ve got to put a game plan together for Southeastern and we’ll do that. Coming back in front of these fans at Javelina Stadium, it’s fun to look forward to.”
“There’s a lot of things at stake still. We’ve all been a part of the regional rankings and how those things unfold,” Atterberry said. “I’d hate to leave it in the hands of the judges, that’s for sure.
“So it’s just having an understanding of that. Regardless of the opponent, I would hope that we’re at a point as a team, and even as an individual, you want to put your best game on the field every time you get a chance because there’s no guarantees,” Atterberry said.
ACU preview: No. 2 'Cats seek outright LSC title, first 11-0 mark - Abilene Reporter News
What’s riding on this game: The Wildcats, ranked No. 2 in the American Football Coaches national poll, can win the LSC title outright with a victory for the second time in three years. They also can go 11-0 in the regular season for the first time in school history and post only the third perfect regular season — the last in 2008 when they won the LSC title outright. ACU, the No. 1-ranked team in Super Regional Four, can nail down that top spot going into the playoffs, earning a first-round bye and homefield advantage through the third round. ACU is 8-1 all-time against the Bulldogs, who leave the LSC after this season. Southwestern’s only win over ACU came in 1930.
RiverHawks provide Mustangs with a Senior Day challenge - J. Scott Russell, Times Record News
The way the South Division has dominated the North in Lone Star Conference crossover games this season — 21-3 — one would expect today’s games just to be a continuation of the season-long trend.
Especially the Midwestern State-Northeastern State matchup where the No. 25 Mustangs have won seven straight against the RiverHawks.
But NSU has improved quite a bit since last year’s 52-3 setback at the hands of the Mustangs, tying for the North Division title and putting together a 6-4 record heading into today’s game.
Add in the fact that the Mustangs won’t be sure on the condition of quarterback Zack Eskridge’s throwing shoulder until game time and things may not go quite as expected.
Kickoff for Senior Day is set for 1 p.m. at Memorial Stadium as the Mustangs (7-3, 6-3), who are still in the running for a spot in the NCAA Division II playoffs, will honor 19 seniors playing their final home game.
“To me, they remind me of a combination of Angelo, Tarleton and Incarnate Word,” MSU head coach Bill Maskill said. “They’ll run off tackle and play-action like they did and then also in the way they try to hold on to the ball. They take the time with what they do and attack you. Their stats don’t show that their time of possession is that great, but it’s around 30 (minutes). And ours has shrunk to 28. On defense, they’ll hit you a lot like Angelo, but they’re bigger.
“They’re big and physical and strong on both offense and defense. I’m impressed with them. They’ve improved and coach (Kenny Evans) has done a great job with them.”
Hounds hope to shake off tough loss in season finale - Dave Wagner, Portales News
After coming up short last week in their bid for a piece of the Lone Star Conference North Division title, the task this week for Eastern New Mexico University’s football team is to get its emotional edge back.
The Greyhounds visit Tarleton State for an 11 a.m. (MST) kickoff today, one of seven crossover games that will bring the LSC’s regular season to an end.
In a matter of moments last Saturday at Northeastern State, the Hounds went from thinking they’d posted a come-from-behind win, to needing a field goal to keep the game alive, then kicking another one in overtime to take the lead only to have the RiverHawks score on their first play following a 5-yard illegal procedure penalty to win 43-40.
“In a span of five minutes I went from feeling as good as I’ve ever felt to feeling as rotten as I’ve ever felt,” ENMU coach Mark Ribaudo, not happy with an illegal formation penalty that nullified an apparent go-ahead touchdown.
He said he had to put aside his feelings for a time to try to pick up the spirits of some disappointed players.
“I couldn’t have asked any more of that team,” he said. “It was our longest road trip, and our best game on the road this year.”
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