UNK teams play over weekend, win twice

KEARNEY The Nebraska-Kearney tennis teams were busy this past weekend, each beating Nebraska Wesleyan, Concordia, Seward County C.C. (Kan) and Barton County C.C. (Kan.).

All duals were held a the Buffalo County Fairgrounds in Kearney. The Loper women improve to 4-6 while the men, who hadn't played in a month, are now 4-2.

On the women's side, the Lopers blanked Seward (9-0), easily beat Concordia (8-1) and got by Wesleyan (6-3) and Barton (5-3). In the fall junior college rankings, Barton was ranked 9th nationally and Seward 17th.

The UNK men beat Concordia and Wesleyan by 9-0 scores, then dominated Seward County (8-1). However, things were much tougher against Barton, 5-4.

In the latest junior college rankings, Seward was eighth in the nation and Barton ninth.

This Saturday, UNK travels to Topeka, Kan., to face Washburn and Baker (Kan.). On Sunday, the team will face Winona State in Omaha.

* SOFTBALL

Flames to host tryouts for summer teams

Flames of Nebraska girls fast-pitch travel softball team will be holding tryouts Sunday for a few remaining positions for this summer's softball teams. Tryouts will also be from 6-7:30 p.m. Monday and March 24 at Hastings 18th street YMCA (formerly Champion Sports), for all age players also may apply and tryout for any remaining open slots.

The 10 and under team has room for 4-5 players. They will be from 1-3 p.m. Sunday inside the Doniphan High School Gym. Coaches are not necessarily looking at the skills at this age group as much as desire, attitude, commitment, coach-ability and willingness to learn as they will be taught the skills.

The 14U team has room for 1-2 players. The tryout will be from 3-5 p.m. Sunday at Wood River High School. The 16U team will be trying out up to 3-4 players from 1:30-3:30 p.m. Sunday at the Hastings 18th street YMCA (formerly Champion Sports). Both the 14 and 16U will also be trying out from 6-7:30 p.m. Monday and March 24 at the Hastings 18th street YMCA. For more information or to call for individual times, call Coach Rick Buerer at 402-469-7777, e-mail r_buerer@hotmail.com or visit the Flames Web site at www.flamessoftball.com.

HC doubleheader with Briar Cliff moved to Hastings

The Hastings College doubleheader on Wednesday with Briar Cliff University has been moved from Sioux City, Iowa, to Hastings. The doubleheader will start at 3 p.m. at the Smith Softball Complex in Hastings.

* USHL

Storm to host Sioux City in makeup game

KEARNEY The Tri-City Storm announced Monday that they will be hosting the Sioux City Musketeers at 7:05 p.m. Tuesday at the FirsTier Event Center.

This game was originally slated for Feb. 5 but was rescheduled due to inclement weather. Fans who purchased tickets for the game on Feb. 5 will still be allowed to use that ticket for Tuesday night's game. The first 500 fans through the doors will receive purple, black or silver bead necklaces.

For further information please contact the Tri-City Storm at (308) 338-8809.

* MEN'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL

UNK men fail to get bid to regional tournament

KEARNEY The Nebraska-Kearney men's team saw the 2007-08 season come to an end Sunday night when it didn't receive an at-large bid to the NCAA Division II Tournament.

This is the first time the Lopers (16-12) haven't made the North Central Regional since 2000-01, a string of six years.

The first seven seeds in the North Central fell as expected but the eighth and final seed was a battle between UNK, SW Minnesota State, Adams State and Colorado Christian.

The CCU Cougars (18-12) got the nod, thanks to advancing to the RMAC Tournament finals. Had UNK beat CCU Friday night, the Lopers would be heading to Winona, Minn., for the third straight year.

Winona State (32-1), the 2006 national champion and 2007 national runner up, will host the North Central Regional. This is Christian's first-ever trip to the NCAA's and they'll be facing a team that has lost only two games since the start of the 2006-07 season.

* GOLF

Home Federal league to play at Jackrabbit Run

The Home Federal Bank Senior Golf League at Jackrabbit Run Golf Course will begin April 21. The league plays on Monday mornings for 18 weeks with tee times running from 9-10:30 a.m. The dues are $30 per person, which all goes towards the weekly prizes. The events include low gross, low nets, flag prizes, scrambles, best balls and a club tournament. The men's league is for anyone age 55 or over. For more information, please call the golf shop at 385-5340.

* VOLLEYBALL

G.I. Vikes teams win tournaments

Four G.I. Vikes volleyball teams won tournaments over the weekend.

The G.I. Vikes 17s team won the gold 17s volleyball tournament at UNK Sunday. The Vikes went undefeated and beat Tornadoes Gold, Nebraska Heartland 17-1, Nebraska West 17s, and Nebraska Gold 17-1 teams to win the championship.

Team members are: Melissa Costello, Lydia Myers, Katie Rauert, Jenna Rouzee, Shayna Schacher, Amber Riedy, Taylor Johnson, Kyla Havranek, and Kayla Faaborg.

The team is coached by Dave Rouzee and Pam Schacher.

The G.I. Vikes 15s team won the gold 15s volleyball tournament at Nebraska Wesleyan in Lincoln on Sunday. The Vikes went undefeated to win the championship.

Team members are: Morgan Garner, Alex Hall, Ali Hall, Mikayla Morgan, Brittany Raile, Jamie Rogers, Emily Jones, Tori Preisendorf and Michaela Schimmer.

The team is coached by Cindy Schimmer and Cherie Morgan.

The G.I. Vikes 13-2 team won the silver 13s club division volleyball tournament at UNK Sunday.

Team members are: Maddie Hedges, Nicolle Nellson, Mary Rice, Laura Springer, Amanda Winder, Morgan Valasek, Whitney Valasek, Kara Valasek, and Lauren Perkins. The team is coached by Lori Nellson.

The G.I. Vikes 12-3 team won the gold 12s club division volleyball tournament at UNK.

Team members are: Carina Valdez, Jessica Kleine, Braelyn Verba, Alyssa Martin, Bailey Simonson, Kayla Peters, Courtney Wichman, Rachel Jacobson and Julie Bruns.

The team is coached by Kristen and Rick Martin.