Mumphrey becomes a Lady Ram

Longview, TX: Huston-Tillotson University head volleyball coach Ronnie Kaase announced the signing of 5-7 setter A’Kia Mumphrey.

Mumphrey has been the setter for the Longview High School Lobos for the past three years earning the District 11-5A “Setter of the Year” award during her junior season. Lobos volleyball coach Chaka Jackson states “A’Kia is a very quick and explosive setter while having great communication with her hitters running a 5-1 offense.”

 “A’Kia will bring lots of excitement to the Lady Rams volleyball program with her leadership both on and off the court,” Kaase comments. “Her strong work ethics, court awareness, and competitiveness will strengthen the Lady Rams and help guide them back to the conference tournament.”

Mumphrey will major in pre-med working towards a nursing career. She was on the districts All-Academic team for three years.

Seated at the table is Russell Haynes (Grandfather), Nikita Mumphrey (Mom), A’Kia Mumphrey, Alana (sister), and Johnny Mumphrey (Dad). Standing behind is Johnny Hamilton (LHS Assistant AD)   Ronnie Kaase (HT VB Coach), Chaka Jackson (LHS VB Coach), John King (LHS Athletic Director). 

Bacone, USW and Langston finished the season in a three-way tie with TWU two games ahead of that pack and Northwood finishing just three games better. 

2013 RRAC Softball Tournament

March 20, 2013
By Chad Waller, NAIA Director of Communications & Sports Information

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – (All-Time All-Americans) The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) has announced the 2012 – 13 Division I Men’s Basketball All-Americans. The selections are made by the NAIA Men’s Basketball Coaches’ Association All-America Committee and comprises a First, Second, Third and Honorable Mention Team. There are 10 members on each of the first three All-America teams.

As part of the national championship title run, Georgetown’s (Ky.) Vic Moses earned the NABC-Division I Men’s Basketball National Player of the Year. He is the first Tiger to win the award since the awards program started in 1994. The forward from Lexington, Ky., led the NAIA in field goal percentage (.669), was third in rebounding (9.7), 30th in blocks per game (1.16) and 31st in scoring (17.1). His 18 season double-doubles was one shy of the NAIA individual best. He rattled through the national championship with 17.0 points and 13.6 rebounds while shooting 56 percent. Moses was a 2011 NAIA Second Team All-American.
 
Chris Briggs of Georgetown (Ky.) was named the 2012 – 13 Rawlings-NAIA National Coach of the Year. He led the Tigers to their second national championship in school history and first since 1998. During a 28-8 campaign, Briggs had the program rank in the NAIA’s top 10 in numerous statistical categories, including second in blocks per game (4.6) and rebounding margin (+10.0), sixth in scoring offense (84.4) and field goal percentage (.491) . He wrapped up his second season as head coach with a 54-17 record.

Briggs is the third Georgetown coach since the awards were given in 1954, joining Bob Davis (1959) and Jim Reid (1994 and 1996).

Three individuals were repeat selections from a year ago: Preston Branson of Westmont (Calif.), Jordan Dressler of Columbia (Mo.) and Rustin Dowd of MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.). Branson and Dressler were repeaters from the 2012 Second Team, while Dowd made it to the Third Team for the second-straight year.

2012—13 Division I Men’s Basketball All-American’s  

& 2012 Second Team
% 2012 Third Team

www.NAIA.org

In the 1,600 meter relay, the team of  Brittany Perales,  Ravoshia Whaley, Montranique Smith, and Zakeria Chism came in third. Morghan Jones was second in the women’s 100-meter hurdles. Simone Sawyer was second in the women’s shot put and also fifth in the discus. Peyton Garrett ran 1:58.39 in 800 meter relay and on the men’s 4×400 meter team, Chris McConnell, Peyton Garrett, Brandon Semien, Kemon Wright came in first place. Shot putter Datrick Edwards came in third place. Men’s discus Jeffrey Jones came in sixth place. Men’s javelin thrower Ross Kelley came in second place with a throw of 54.96 meters behind ex-Olympian Tom Engwall.

The next meet will be Texas A&M in Commerce, Commerce, TX on March 2nd.

Seniors Erica Cray (1), LaKesha Taylor (21), and Kendra Venzant (12) are working to advance HT in tournament play.

2013 Special Olympics-TX

Several of the Lady Rams Volleyball team along with Coach Kaase volunteered at the 2013 Winter Special Olympics volleyball tournament on February 1-3, 2013, held at Austin Sports Center-Cedar Park. Amber Green, Raveen Robinson, and Brittany Chopane worked as line judges and scorers for the 38 teams entered in the tournament. Amber states “Volunteering with the Special Olympics was an experience that I would love to be a part of again. I think it’s a great experience for anyone who is outgoing and wants or like to see others have fun and overall smile.” Brittany comments “It was amazing to witness incredible athletic ability and see smiles on the faces of the athletes and spectators.” Raveen mentions that “being in the gym and seeing everyone so happy and motivated, touched my heart”. Coach Kaase has been officiating the winter Special Olympics since 1997.

Despite a good start to the game from SAGU, it was the Lady Rams who went on to control the remainder of the game. A second half goal from Courtney Wilcut was harshly ruled out for off-side. The girls then continued to fight hard in search for that elusive winning goal. Attempts from Helen Rios, Bessy Lopez, Chelsea Santos, Tori Reyes and then a last minute goal mouth scramble involving Wilcut again just could not result in the much deserved winner. The game ended a stalemate!

The ladies have now completed their best season ever, finishing with a record of 3-6-1, just one win away from making it to the Red River Athletic Conference tournament. The foundation has been laid for the team to build on this success next year and reach the next level.

Two evenly matched teams battled it out for 90 minutes but it was the shooting prowess of Courtney Wilcut in the 1st half that gave HT the advantage. Two long range left footed efforts rifled into the visitors net giving the Rams a 2 goal lead. Not too long after, the away team pulled one back with a great effort curling into the top corner to give USW some hope. However, right on the stroke of half-time, Helen Rios outpaced the USW back line and coolly restored the 2 goal lead by slotting the ball past the on rushing keeper. The second half was an illustration of the true grit and determination that the Rams have showed all season long as they held on to the 3-1 lead despite intense pressure and earned a great victory for HT.

Cowan Spike

Fort Worth, TX — The Lady Rams volleyball team lose to departing RRAC rival Texas Wesleyan University 16-25, 17-25, 15-25. Texas Wesleyan University will be leaving the RRAC after the 2012 season and joining the Sooner Athletic Conference.

 Seniors Chantelia Washington (Austin/Travis HS) and Faron Bradley (Dallas/Dillard) led the Lady Rams with 5 kills and 5 digs each.  Setters Olivia Sanchez (San Antonio/Palo Alto) and Amber Green (San Antonio/Roosevelt HS) directed the offense with 9 and 7 assists respectively and each had 6 digs.

 Next Opponents: The Lady Rams will travel to Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) on Friday, October 12 for a match starting at 7:00 pm. SAGU will also be leaving the RRAC heading for the SAC with Texas Wesleyan and Northwood. The next home match will be on Saturday, October 13, at 1:00 pm against Wayland Baptist University. The Lady Rams will kick off their fundraising efforts for the month of October to help support the Breast Cancer Awareness program. Come and support the Lady Rams volleyball team in their journey towards the RRAC conference tournament. 

Double Block

Austin, TX — The Lady Rams volleyball team stumbled against upper division NCAA II Oklahoma Panhandle State University 22-25, 16-25, 12-25.

 Senior outside hitter Chantelia Washington (Austin/Travis HS) led the Lady Rams with her third double-double of the season with 10 kills and 10 digs.  Washington’s other double-doubles were against Texas College and Jarvis Christian College a few weeks earlier. Olivia Sanchez (San Antonio/Palo Alto) directed the offense with 11 assists.

 Next Opponents: The Lady Rams will travel to Texas Wesleyan University on Tuesday, October 9, with the JV playing at 5:00 pm and the varsity playing at 7:00 pm. The next home match will be on Saturday, October 13, at 1:00 pm against Wayland Baptist University. Come and support the Lady Rams volleyball team in their journey towards the RRAC conference tournament. 

 Senior outside hitter Chantelia Washington (Austin/Travis HS) led the Lady Rams offensive attack knocking down 11 kills with help from freshman Keara Stiles (Austin/LBJ HS) with 7 kills. Sophomore setter Amber Green (San Antonio/Roosevelt HS) directed the offense with 15 assists. Nicole Cowan (Yoakum/UMHB) led the back row defense with 11 digs. This is the first year for Langston to have a women’s volleyball program in the RRAC.

 In the second meeting with Jarvis Christian College, Washington led with 11 kills and senior right side Faron Bradley (Dallas/Dillard) contributed 8 kills for the Lady Rams offensive attack. Junior setter Olivia Sanchez (San Antonio/Palo Alto) directed the offense with 17 assists. Cowan again maintain great defense with 14 digs moving her into the top 10 ranking at # 8 in the RRAC in digs per set.

 Next Opponents: The Lady Rams will host Oklahoma Panhandle State on Friday at 6:30 pm in a non-conference match. Come and support the Lady Rams volleyball team in their journey towards the RRAC conference tournament.

Austin, TX —

 Senior outside hitter Chantelia Washington (Austin/Travis HS) led the Lady Rams offensive attack knocking down 8 kills with help from junior outside hitter Cynthia Allen (Houston/Alief Taylor HS) with 7 kills. Sophomore setter Amber Green (San Antonio/Roosevelt HS) directed the offense with 15 assists. Nicole Cowan (Yoakum/UMHB) led the back row defense with 17 digs with help from Green’s 14 digs. Freshman Keara Stiles (Austin/LBJ HS) had 2 solo and 3 assist blocks and is ranked #3 in the RRAC in block per set.

 Next Opponents: The Lady Rams will host Langston University at 1:00 pm and Jarvis Christian College at 4:00 pm on Saturday in a regular season match. Come and support the Lady Rams volleyball team in their journey towards the RRAC conference tournament.

Prairie View, TX —

 Senior outside hitter Chantelia Washington (Austin/Travis HS) led the Lady Rams offensive attack posting up 8 kills with help from junior right-side hitter Nicole Cowan (Yoakum/UMHB) with 5 kills and junior outside hitter Cynthia Allen (Houston/Alief Taylor HS) with 5 kills. Sophomore setter Amber Green (San Antonio/Roosevelt HS) had 14 assists and 5 digs. Cowan led in digs with 10 while the front row put on a blocking display with 14 total team blocks. Freshman Keara Stiles (Austin/LBJ HS) had 2 solo and 5 assist blocks with senior right-side Faron Bradley (Dallas/Dillard) contributing 5 assist blocks and Washington with 1 solo and 2 assist blocks. PVAM did not record 1 block for the entire match.

 Coach Ronnie Kaase commented “Once this team puts it all together, the blocking, passing, and hitting in the same match, we will begin our march towards the RRAC conference tournament.”

 Next Opponents: The Lady Rams will host their first home conference matches this weekend with Bacone College on Friday night at 7:00 pm and Langston University at 1:00 pm on Saturday. They will also play Jarvis Christian College at 4:00 pm on Saturday in a regular season match. Come and support the Lady Rams volleyball team in their journey towards the RRAC conference tournament. 

Hawkins, TX —

 Senior outside hitter Chantelia Washington (Austin/Travis HS) led the Lady Rams offensive attack posting up 15 kills with help from junior right-side hitter Nicole Cowan (Yoakum/UMHB) with 9 kills and a hitting percentage of 0.438. The 6-2 offense was commandeered by sophomore setter Amber Green (San Antonio/Roosevelt HS) with 20 assists and junior setter Olivia Sanchez (San Antonio/Palo Alto CC) with 16 assists. On the defensive side Cowan led in digs with 15 while Washington contributed 12 digs to solidify the Lady Rams back row in controlling the ball while senior right-side Faron Bradley (Dallas/Dillard) had 3 solo blocks and 6 assist blocks with help from freshman middle Keara Stiles (Austin/LBJ HS) with 5 assist blocks.

 In other matches during the road trip the Lady Rams lost to Texas College earlier that morning in 4 sets 22-25, 16-25, 25-13, 23-25 and the night before lost to Wiley College 9-25, 11-25, 20-25.

 For the weekend, Cowan had 22 kills, 6 aces, 42 digs, 4 solo blocks and 6 assist blocks and Bradley had 20 kills, 5 aces, 13 digs, 6 solo blocks and 10 assist blocks. Green ended up with 43 assists and 17 digs and Sanchez with 38 assists and 17 digs.

 Next Opponents: The Lady Rams will host their first home conference matches this weekend with Bacone College on Friday night at 7:00 pm and Langston University at 1:00 pm on Saturday. They will also play Jarvis Christian College at 4:00 pm on Saturday in a regular season match. Come and support the Lady Rams volleyball team in their journey towards the RRAC conference tournament. 

Barsi-Glah, a freshman forward from Liberia, played a part in each goal of the Rams’ 3-0 win over Lubbock Christian University (Texas). He netted two of the goals and assisted on the third to help HT advance to 2-0-1.

Sanchez, a junior goalkeeper from Houston, posted two shutouts for HT. In addition to blanking LCU, he also saved a 1-0 win over Schreiner College (Texas) for the Rams’ first two victories of the season.

Jose Cordova of LSU Shreveport was also nominated for this week’s offensive award, and Lance Quini of LSUS was a defensive nominee.

-RRAC-

Defending national champ Lindsey Wilson boasts the No. 1 spot

August 14, 2012

By Chad Waller, Director of Communications and Sports Information

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) will begin the 2012 campaign in a spot it has held for six-straight polls – the No. 1 position. The 2011 national champions gathered 529 total points and all 19 first-place votes in the 2012 NAIA Men’s Soccer Coaches’ Preseason Top 25 Poll, the national office announced Tuesday.

National semifinalist Baker (Kan.) grabs the No. 2 spot with 510 points. Jumping up two spots is No. 3 Southern Poly (Ga.) with 489 points. No. 4 Rio Grande (Ohio) and No. 5 William Carey (Miss.) round out the top five with 479 and 465 points, respectively.

The top ranking is the 37th for Lindsey Wilson since 2000, which is now the most of any program. The Blue Raiders expect back a few key starters from a team that captured its ninth national championship. NAIA First Team All-American Lebogang Moloto finished his 2011 campaign with 11 goals and nine assists. Goaltender Yuta Nomra will look to add to his 14 shutouts from last year and a 0.51 goals against average. Lindsey Wilson finished the year with its first unblemished record since 1998 at 23-0-0.

The two newcomers to the poll are No. 20 Taylor (Ind.) and No. 24 Embry-Riddle (Fla.). Both programs were last ranked in the final 2011 regular-season poll on Nov. 13.

No. 9 Auburn Montgomery (Ala.) made the biggest shift up after a No. 19 ranking in the 2011 postseason poll.
 
The Southern States Athletic Conference leads all conferences/independents/unaffiliated groups with five teams in the Top 25: Southern Poly, William Carey, Auburn Montgomery, No. 12 Mobile (Ala.) and No. 17 Belhaven (Miss.). The Heart of America Athletic Conference placed a trio of ranked clubs in the poll.
 
The poll was voted upon by a panel of head coaches representing each of the conference/independents/unaffiliated groups. The first regular-season poll will be announced on Sept. 4.
 
NOTES: (All information dates back to 2000) No. 1 Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) breaks a tie with Rio Grande (Ohio) for the most all-time No. 1 rankings with 37, followed by Rio Grande (Ohio) at 36, Bethel (Tenn.) (11), Auburn Montgomery (Ala.) (9), Hastings (Neb.) (8), Azusa Pacific (Calif.) (5) and Concordia (Calif.) (5)… The Blue Raiders have now been at No. 1 in the preseason six times (2012, 2010, 2006, 2002, 2001, 2000)… Last year, there were 47 programs ranked in 13 polls and 14 of those teams held a spot each week… Rio Grande has been ranked in the top 10 for the last 37-straight polls, dating back to the start of the 2009 season… Overall, there have been 16 different teams to claim the No. 1 spot… Lindsey Wilson holds the distinction of being consecutively ranked the longest among active schools – 58-straight polls, dating back to the 2007 Preseason Top 25 Poll… Rio Grande is next in line with 52… Since 2000, two teams have rattled through the entire season ranked No. 1 – Bethel in 2009 and Rio Grande during the 2004 campaign.

Others receiving votes: Mount Mercy (Iowa) 100; Vanguard (Calif.) 83; MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.) 52; Ashford (Iowa) 51; Texas at Brownsville 50; Menlo (Calif.) 38; The Master’s (Calif.) 34; Thomas (Ga.) 24; Tennessee Wesleyan 20; Lubbock Christian (Texas) 15; Cumberlands (Ky.) 14; Robert Morris (Ill.) 7; McPherson (Kan.) 4; Oklahoma Baptist 3.

^ Indicates the 2011 postseason poll announced on Dec. 6

-NAIA-

 The top-three seeds all survived in the first day of action at the NAIA Men’s Soccer National Championship, played at the Orange Beach Sportsplex. In Second Round action, defending national champion and top seed Hastings (Neb.) advanced to its third Quarterfinal round in the last four years. No. 2 Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) and No. 3 Baker (Kan.) are also headed to Wednesday action.

No. 4 Mobile (Ala.) tripped up against fellow Southern States Athletic Conference member and No. 13 William Carey (Miss.), 3-0. The Crusaders eliminated the Rams thanks to three second-half goals. These teams played to a 1-1 draw during the regular season on Oct. 18.

Hastings needed 80-plus minutes to survive against second-time qualifier Saint Xavier (Ill.). Dru Kobs notched the game-winner for the Broncos in the 81st minute and send his club to the Quarterfinals. The Broncos improved to 8-0-1 in championship play since 2009.

Lindsey Wilson used a goal in each half to take a 2-0 victory over No. 15 Hannibal-LaGrange (Mo.). The Blue Raiders limited the Hannibal-LaGrange offense to four shots on goal. The win was the 42nd all-time for Lindsey Wilson in the National Championship. The Mid-South Conference member moved past Quincy (Ill.) for the most wins in the postseason.

In the only overtime match of the day, Baker out-lasted rookie qualifier Huston-Tillotson (Texas), 1-0. Nate Byarlay posted his second of the year in dramatic fashion with his netter in the 97th minute. That marker was Byarlay’s first since Sept. 16. The Wildcats, who are playing in their fifth playoff, are headed to the Quarterfinals for the first time in school history.

In three of the four matches, the score was tied 0-0 at the half. There were also three shutouts on the day.

Hosted by the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Sports Commission and the University of Mobile (Ala.), the Championship continues with more Second Round action on Tuesday. No. 8 Azusa Pacific (Calif.) battles Science & Arts (Okla.) at Noon CST with the first of four matches on the day. Watch all the action live on NeuLion. NeuLion is the NAIA’s Digital Media Partner and official video-streaming company of 10 select NAIA National Championship events. The entire event can be purchased for $29.95 and any single day can be purchased for $9.95. For more information, go to www.WatchNAIA.com.

Second Round Recap: Monday, Nov. 28 – Orange Beach, Ala., Orange Beach Sportsplex
Game 1: No. 1 Hastings (Neb.) def. Saint Xavier (Ill.), 1-0 | Box Score
Headline – Kobs Sends Hastings to Quarterfinals With Game-Winner in 81st Minute

Game 2: No. 2 Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) def. No. 15 Hannibal-LaGrange (Mo.), 2-0 | Box Score
Headline – Lindsey Wilson Sets All-Time Championship Wins Record

Game 3: No. 3 Baker (Kan.) def. Huston-Tillotson (Texas), 1-0 (OT) | Box Score
Headline – Wildcats Advance to First-Ever Quarterfinal

Game 4: No. 13 William Carey (Miss.) def. No. 4 Mobile (Ala.), 3-0 | Box Score
Headline – Three Second-Half Goals Lifts the Crusaders Past Mobile

Second Round Schedule: Tuesday, Nov. 29 – Orange Beach, Ala., Orange Beach Sportsplex
Game 5: No. 8 Azusa Pacific (Calif.) vs. Science & Arts (Okla.), Noon CST
Game 6: No. 7 Bethel (Tenn.) vs. No. 10 Southern Poly (Ga.), 2:30 p.m. CST
Game 7: No. 6 Grand View (Iowa) vs. Great Falls (Mont.), 5 p.m. CST
Game 8: No. 5 Rio Grande (Ohio) vs. No. 12 Belhaven (Miss.), 7:30 p.m. CST