Two QU baseball products sign professional contracts

Former Quincy University right-hander Graham Spraker signed a minor league contract last week with the Tampa Bay Rays. | Photo courtesy Buffalo Bisons

QUINCY — A pair of former Quincy University baseball players recently signed professional contracts. Right-handed reliever Graham Spraker is getting the chance to restart his career with a new organization, while slugging infielder Dayson Croes is just beginning his pursuit. Spraker signed a minor league contract with the Tampa Bay Rays last week and was…

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Nationally ranked Greyhounds deny Hawks chance for season sweep

INDIANAPOLIS — There was no sneaking up on the University of Indianapolis a second time. The Greyhounds outscored the Quincy University men’s basketball team 14-8 over the final four minutes Saturday afternoon to post a 76-70 Great Lakes Valley Conference victory at Nicoson Hall. The victory was the 14th straight for seventh-ranked Indianapolis (20-2, 12-2…

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QU’s Walker, Napleton pick up NCBWA NCAA Division II preseason All-American honors

Quincy University senior right-hander Spencer Walker is an NCBWA Division II preseason first-team All-American as he is coming off a 10-1 season as a junior. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — A pair of Quincy University baseball players have been named preseason All-Americans a week ahead of the Hawks’ season opener. The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association released its NCAA Division II preseason All-American teams Thursday with Quincy starting pitcher Spencer Walker earning first-team plaudits and junior catcher Luke Napleton garnering a second-team nod.…

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GLVC coaches tab QU baseball team to finish second in league’s preseason poll

Quincy University senior right-hander Spencer Walker leads the Hawks into the 2023 season with high expectations. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Great Lakes Valley Conference baseball coaches are following the lead of their national counterparts. Illinois-Springfield is the team to beat this spring. Quincy University isn’t far behind. The Prairie Stars, who are the defending GLVC champions and coming off an NCAA Division II World Series appearance, were selected as the No. 1…

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Crim: Matas Martin’s play is pointing QU women’s basketball team in right direction

Quincy University point guard Beth Matas Martin is leading the Hawks in scoring, 3-pointers, assists and steals this season. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Kaci Bailey inherited 14 players on a team coming off a two-win season when she was hired as the Quincy University women’s basketball coach in April 2021. Not the ideal recipe for immediate success. “It was late in the recruiting cycle, and I told the coaches we needed to try to sign a…

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Frustrated by fouls, Foster fuels final flourish as Hawks snap three-game losing streak

Quincy University's Isaiah Foster, right, dribbles while guarded by Maryville's Jaeden Smith during Saturday afternoon's college basketball game at Pepsi Arena. | David Adam

QUINCY — Sitting on the bench tested Isaiah Foster’s patience. Three fouls limited the freshman guard to just 4 minutes, 35 seconds of playing time Saturday until he checked into the game with 11:40 remaining in the second half. Foster helped the Quincy University men’s basketball team go on a 10-point run to take the…

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‘It’s just super exciting’: Matas Martin scores 33 as QU women reach double digits in victories for first time in seven seasons

Beth Matas Martin goers up for a shot during Quincy University's women's basketball game against Maryville on Saturday afternoon at Pepsi Arena. | David Adam

QUINCY — Sarah Nelson remembers the bad times, which makes it so much easier to enjoy the good times. In Nelson’s first three seasons, the Quincy University women’s basketball team had an 18-59 record and a 10-50 record in Great Lakes Valley Conference play. The Hawks now have won three of their last four GLVC…

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Photo gallery: QU men stay in third-place tie in GLVC standings by knocking off Maryville

Malik Hardmon goes up for a layup during Quincy University's victory over Maryville in a men's college basketball game at Pepsi Arena on Saturday. | David Adam photo

QUINCY — The Quincy University men’s basketball team ended a three-game slide and stayed in third place in the Great Lakes Valley Conference with Saturday’s 70-62 victory over Maryville at Pepsi Arena. Muddy River News Editor David Adam sat courtside and put together this photo gallery:

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Photo Gallery: Quincy University women pick up 10th victory by defeating Maryville

Gabby Burns (12) high-fives Quincy University women's basketball coach Kaci Bailey after Saturday's 84-78 victory over Maryville in Pepsi Arena. | David Adam

QUINCY — The Quincy University women’s basketball team picked up its 10th victory of the season — the most since the 2015-16 season — with Saturday’s 84-78 victory over Maryville at Pepsi Arena. Muddy River News Editor David Adam sat courtside and put together this photo gallery:

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Struggles shooting from perimeter lead to Hawks suffering third consecutive loss

Quincy University's Paul Zilinskas looks to attack the basket during Thursday's Great Lakes Valley Conference game against McKendree in Lebanon, Ill. | Photo courtesy Max Bennett, QU Athletics

LEBANON, Ill. — It’s a fact as immutable as gravity — the ball must go through the hoop to win. Right now, the Quincy University men’s basketball team is struggling with that, at least from beyond the 3-point stripe. The Hawks shot just 6.7 percent from 3-point range Thursday night, making only 1 of 15…

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QU women unable to extend win streak, let game slip away in final two minutes

Quincy University guard Beth Matas Martin brings the ball up the floor during Thursday night's game against McKendree in Lebanon, Ill. | Photo courtesy Max Bennett, QU Athletics

LEBANON, Ill. — The Quincy University women’s basketball team has yet to reach February, and already the Hawks have matched the most victories they’ve enjoyed in the last seven seasons. Still, there is another significant step needed in their evolution. The Hawks must sustain success. It eluded them Thursday night. Chasing just the second three-game…

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College notebook: Hawks sit No. 20 in preseason national poll, QHS grad Johnson with two indoor track personal bests

Quincy University junior catcher Luke Napleton, left, and Hawks coach Matt Schissel head into the 2023 season with QU ranked No. 20 in the NCBWA Division II national poll. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The battle waged last season for a spot in the NCAA Division II World Series is expected to happen again, at least by those voting for the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association preseason polls. The Quincy University and Illinois-Springfield baseball teams sit atop the Midwest Region preseason poll and are nationally ranked with…

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Crim: Hawks hope turbulent stretch subsides and more memorable moments await

The Quincy University men's basketball team has made considerable strides in Steve Hawkins' first season back on the bench. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY— Quincy University coach Steve Hawkins likes to compare a basketball season to an airplane flight. “There’s always going to be some turbulence,” he explained. His team is trying to navigate its choppiest stretch yet. After surprising preseason prognosticators by winning six of their first seven Great Lakes Valley Conference games to rise to the…

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Inability to make shots costs Hawks chance to get back on track in GLVC play

Quincy University's Malik Hardmon, left, and Isaiah Foster, right, battle for a loose ball against Missouri S&T during Saturday's Great Lakes Valley Conference game at Pepsi Arena. | Photo courtesy Denny Sinnock, QU Athletics

QUINCY — There wasn’t a lid on the basket at Quincy University’s end of the court. It just seemed that way. The QU men’s basketball team shot just 33 percent from the field, missed 20 of 24 tries from 3-point range and made only 17 of 27 free throws Saturday afternoon to fall 72-65 to…

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Hawks spread wealth offensively in grabbing 20-point GLVC victory against Miners

Point guard Beth Matas Martin led the Quincy University women's basketball team with 20 points in Saturday's victory over Missouri S&T. | Photo courtesy Denny Sinnock, QU Athletics

QUINCY — Beth Matas Martin scored 20 points to lead five players in double figures Saturday as the Quincy University women’s basketball team rolled to an 83-63 victory over Missouri S&T in Pepsi Arena. The victory was the Hawks’ first against the Miners, who had won the previous five meetings, since . QU made 9…

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Second-half defensive struggles too much for Hawks to overcome in loss to Tritons

Quincy University's Jamaurie Coakley, left, looks to pass while being guarded by Missouri-St. Louis' Donovan Vickers during Thursday's Great Lakes Valley Conference game at the Mark Twain Building in St. Louis. | Photo courtesy Max Bennett, QU Athletics

ST. LOUIS — A tale of two halves featured an ending the Quincy University men’s basketball team would like to rewrite. A solid first half defensively Thursday night led to the Hawks owning a three-point halftime edge against nationally ranked Missouri-St. Louis in Great Lakes Valley Conference play at the Mark Twain Building. However, the…

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‘Sometimes it’s a bounce, sometimes it’s just luck’: Coakley’s putback beats buzzer and Panthers as Hawks rally for GLVC victory

Quincy University forward Mason Wujek, right, looks to hand off a pass while being guarded by Drury's Adam Moore during the first half of Thursday's Great Lakes Valley Conference game at Pepsi Arena. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Paul Zilinskas never saw what happened after he released his shot. JJ Schwepker’s reaction told him all he needed to know. With two seconds remaining in regulation Monday night and the Quincy University men’s basketball team trailing Drury by a point, Zilinskas caught an inbounds pass while moving toward the basket. He collided…

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Photo gallery: QU, Drury split GLVC basketball twinbill at Pepsi Arena

Quincy University men's basketball coach Steve Hawkins talks to his team during a timeout during Monday night's Great Lakes Valley Conference game against Drury at Pepsi Arena. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Jamaurie Coakley’s putback of Paul Zilinskas’ miss as the buzzer sounded lifted the Quincy University men’s basketball team to an 84-83 victory over Drury on Monday night in Great Lakes Valley Conference at Pepsi Arena. It also allowed the Hawks to earn a doubleheader split after the second-ranked Drury women beat Quincy 87-49.…

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College notebook: Northeast Missouri native Kirby Cannon joins QU football coaching staff

Alexandria, Mo., native and former Austin Peay State University coach Kirby Cannon will be joining the Quincy University football coaching staff as the defensive backs coach. | Photo courtesy APSU Athletics

QUINCY — Imagine Quincy University football coach Gary Bass’ surprise when a former FCS head coach expressed interest in joining the Hawks’ staff. Suddenly, one of the youngest groups of coaches in the Great Lakes Valley Conference had the opportunity for an injection of experience. Kirby Cannon will certainly provide that. A native of Alexandria,…

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Hawks’ six-game win streak ends at hands of Bearcats as Nelson plays role of 3-point sniper

Quincy University forward Mason Wujek, left, puts up a shot while being defended by Southwest Baptist's Noah Franklin during Saturday's Great Lakes Valley Conference game at Pepsi Arena. | Photo courtesy Denny Sinnock, QU Athletics

QUINCY — Having only one day to prepare for Southwest Baptist University wasn’t enough. Playing less than 48 hours after pulling away late for a hard-fought victory over Rockhurst, the Quincy University men’s basketball team was unable to effectively defend SBU’s motion offense and was repeatedly burned by reigning Great Lakes Valley Conference Player of…

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QU women go on closing kick to snare GLVC victory against Southwest Baptist

Quincy University guard Grace Flanagan brings the ball up the floor against Southwest Baptist during Saturday's game at Pepsi Arena. | Photo courtesy Denny Sinnock, QU Athletics

QUINCY — The Quincy University women’s basketball team outscored Southwest Baptist University 17-3 over the final four minutes Saturday afternoon to post a 63-59 Great Lakes Valley Conference victory in Pepsi Arena. A 3-pointer by Beth Matas Martin from the top of the circle gave the Hawks the lead for good with just under three…

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QU men’s basketball team begins crucial three-game home weekend with victory

Quincy University forward Malik Hardmon scored a game-high 26 points in leading Quincy to an 81-73 victory over Rockhurst on Thursday night at Pepsi Arena. | Photo courtesy Denny Sinnock, QU Athletics

QUINCY — Quincy University men’s basketball coach Steve Hawkins relates three games in five days to an NBA schedule. At least the Hawks have the advantage of playing them all at Pepsi Arena. QU started the homestand off right Thursday night with an 81-73 win over Rockhurst and kept pace with the University of Missouri-St.…

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Cold-shooting third quarter dooms QU women

Quincy University forward Sarah Nelson, right, holds the ball as she sets up her defender while trying to score during Thursday night's game against Rockhurst at Pepsi Arena. | Photo courtesy Denny Sinnock, QU Athletics

QUINCY — After opening up a five-point lead coming out of the half, the Quincy University women’s basketball team seemed to have the momentum to go on an even bigger run. But Great Lakes Valley Conference foe Rockhurst hammered the glass as Quincy struggled to score for the remainder of the game, falling to Rockhurst…

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Top of the charts: QU men’s basketball signee breaks SHG’s career scoring record

Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin's Jake Hamilton, who has signed a national letter of intent with Quincy University, recently became the Cyclones' all-time leading scorer. | Photo courtesy Greg Puckel

QUINCY — The way the numbers added up, Jake Hamilton needed one more shot at history. So Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin boys basketball coach Tim Allen obliged. With a sizable second-half lead over North Chicago in the opening round of the State Farm Holiday Classic on December 27, Allen was set to sub out all of…

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Hawks bring focused energy, sense of purpose into new year with victory over Bulldogs

Quincy University forward Malik Hardmon, right, gets fouled on the arm by Truman State's Xavier Hall during the first half of Thursday night's game at Pershing Arena in Kirksville, Mo. | Photo courtesy Max Bennett, QU Athletics

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. — No one associated with the Quincy University men’s basketball program — outside of head coach Steve Hawkins — had experienced success against Truman State University. As much as the Hawks wanted to change that Thursday night, there was a larger purpose behind their 85-74 Great Lakes Valley Conference victory at Pershing Arena.…

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QU women’s basketball team unable to overcome slow starts to each half

Quincy University guard Beth Matas Martin, left, drives to the basket during the second half of Thursday's Great Lakes Valley Conference game against Truman State at Pershing Arena in Kirksville, Mo. | Photo courtesy Max Bennett, QU Athletics

KIRKSVILLE, Mo. — A sluggish start to each half ruined the start to the Quincy University women’s basketball team’s new year. Truman State outscored Quincy 10-3 over the first five minutes of the first quarter and then went on a 9-2 run over the first two minutes of the third quarter, building an insurmountable lead…

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Holiday cheer: Hawks head home for Christmas following overtime victory against Lakers

From left to right, Quincy University's Solomon Gustafson, coach Steve Hawkins, Paul Zilinskas and Zion Richardson watch as Malik Hardmon makes two game-clinching free throws at the end of overtime in Sunday's 59-54 victory over Lake Superior State at Pepsi Arena. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The only thing that mattered was the only thing that crossed Isaiah Foster’s mind. “Go get the ball,” he said. By doing so, the freshman point guard ensured it will be a Merry Christmas for himself and his Quincy University men’s basketball teammates. Leading Lake Superior State by two points in the waning…

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Photo gallery: QU men’s basketball team finishes Hansen-Spear Holiday Classic with victory

Quincy University's Paul Zilinskas, left, puts up a shot as Lake Superior State's Andy Soma defends during Sunday's game at Pepsi Arena. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy University men’s basketball team is carrying a three-game win streak into its holiday break after beating Lake Superior State 59-54 in overtime in the final game of the Hansen-Spear Holiday Classic at Pepsi Arena. Check out this collection of images shot by Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman during Sunday’s game:

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Inconsistency keeps Hawks from being able to outlast Lakers in nonconference matchup

Quincy University freshman forward Mason Wujek, left, tried to impede the progress of Grand Valley State forward Kingsley Okanu during Tuesday night's game at Pepsi Arena.

QUINCY — Steve Hawkins knew what was necessary to give his Quincy University men’s basketball team a chance to rally. The veteran coach didn’t like it, but he did it. “I feel cheap for it because that’s not how I want to try to win a game,” Hawkins said. Still, it nearly worked. Trailing Grand…

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Prairie Stars shoot down Hawks with blistering effort from 3-point range

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Mama said there’d be days like this. Riding the high of back-to-back victories over two of the Great Lakes Valley Conference’s top three preseason favorites, the Quincy University men’s basketball team saw its momentum stifled Thursday night by another upstart crew. Illinois-Springfield, picked to finish ninth in the 13-team league, shot down…

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Strong closing kick carries QU women’s basketball team to GLVC road victory

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The Quincy University women’s basketball team found itself in a precarious position once again. A one-point game with less than eight minutes remaining in regulation. In five of the seven games prior to Thursday night’s Great Lakes Valley Conference showdown with Illinois-Springfield, the Hawks were within four points heading to the closing…

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QU’s Norris, Knoblauch receive honorable mention All-American after historic campaign

Quincy University's Mattison Norris, left, and Makayla Knoblauch were named honorable mention All-Americans by the American Volleyball Coaches Association. | Muddy River Sports photo

QUINCY — For the first time in program history, the Quincy University women’s volleyball team has two players mentioned on the All-American lists. Senior outside hitter Mattison Norris and graduate student setter Makayla Knoblauch received honorable mention on the American Volleyball Coaches Association Division II All-American squad after leading the Hawks to their finest season…

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QU linebacker earns sprint football league’s top defensive honor

QUINCY — The inaugural season for the Quincy University sprint football team produced encouraging results, including one of the Midwest Sprint Football League’s top postseason individual honors. Sophomore linebacker Ray Lingard was named the MSFL’s Defensive Player of the Year and was one of 11 Hawks recognized on the all-league teams. Lingard led the Hawks…

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Hawks’ Wilson, Bulldogs’ Griffith earn first-team All-GLVC football honors

Quincy University left tackle B.J. Wilson was a first-team All-Great Lakes Valley Conference selection. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — An Achilles tendon injury kept Quincy University left tackle B.J. Wilson from completing a remarkable feat to end his collegiate career. It did nothing to diminish the impact he had. The Great Lakes Valley Conference football coaches were well aware of that. The 6-foot-6, 320-pound Wilson missed the Hawks’ regular-season finale against William…

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GLVC to add Upper Iowa as league’s 14th institution beginning in 2023-24

QUINCY — The Great Lakes Valley Conference continues to shift its geographic footprint. The NCAA Division II league announced Tuesday its Council of Presidents approved admitting the University of Upper Iowa, making it the conference’s 14th member. The Peacocks will join the GLVC for the 2023-24 academic year and be immediately eligible to participate in…

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‘You live for moments like that’: Richardson hits game-winning shot as Hawks ground Flyers

Quincy University's Zion Richardson, left, and Orlando Thomas celebrate after beating Lewis 71-69 in Great Lakes Valley Conference action Monday night in Pepsi Arena. | Matt Schuckman photo

Video courtesy of Steve Looten QUINCY — For the first 39 minutes, 39 seconds of Monday night’s Great Lakes Valley Conference matchup, the Lewis men’s basketball team never wavered from playing tenacious man-to-man defense. “I think it had been that way the entire year, too,” Quincy University coach Steve Hawkins said. So after calling timeout…

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Inability to sustain energy, effort leads to another single-digit loss for QU women’s basketball team

Quincy University forward Emma Knipe fights for possession during Monday night's Great Lakes Valley Conference tussle with Lewis at Pepsi Arena. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Kaci Bailey’s exasperation resulted in a complete overhaul of the Quincy University women’s basketball team’s lineup midway through the third quarter Monday night. “I said put five new ones in,” the second-year Hawks coach said. “I didn’t even know who was in.” All Bailey was certain of was her starters weren’t providing the…

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Photo gallery: QU men, women split GLVC basketball doubleheader with Lewis

The Quincy University men's basketball players celebrate their 71-69 victory over Lewis in Great Lakes Valley Conference play on Monday night at Pepsi Arena. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — A clutch shot and a search for energy. That’s the most poignant way to describe opposite ends of a Great Lakes Valley Conference doubleheader for the Quincy University men’s and women’s basketball teams. Zion Richardson banked in a shot with 2.1 seconds remaining in regulation to life the QU men to a 71-69…

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Crim: Upset shows Hawks displaying toughness, physicality needed to win in GLVC

Quincy University freshman guard Isaiah Foster and the Hawks upset No. 20 Indianapolis last Saturday at Pepsi Arena to open Great Lakes Valley Conference play. | Photo courtesy Denny Sinnock, QU Athletics

QUINCY — Entering the season, it appeared the Great Lakes Valley Conference did the Quincy University men’s basketball team no favors by scheduling it to open league play against Indianapolis and Lewis, opponents projected to finish first and third, respectively. The one caveat was that both games would be in Pepsi Arena, and the Hawks…

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QU women’s basketball team gives itself chance, falls short of beating Indianapolis in GLVC opener

Quincy University's Emma Knipe drives to the basket during Saturday's game against Indianapolis at Pepsi Arena. | Photo courtesy Denny Sinnock, QU Athletics

QUINCY — Night in and night out, the Quincy University women’s basketball team is putting itself in position to challenge for the lead at the end of regulation. Figuring out how to win nip-and-tuck games is the next step. Saturday, the Hawks had a chance to tie Indianapolis in the final 10 seconds of regulation…

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Stunner to start: Hawks open GLVC play by upending preseason favorite Greyhounds

Quincy University's Paul Zilinskas looks for room to score during Saturday's Great Lakes Valley Conference game against Indianapolis at Pepsi Arena. | Photo courtesy Denny Sinnock, QU Athletics

QUINCY — After not enjoying a winning record in the Great Lakes Valley Conference since the 2016-17 season, the Quincy University men’s basketball team started conference play in stunning fashion Saturday with a 62-57 victory over preseason conference favorite Indianapolis at Pepsi Arena. So how long will Quincy coach Steve Hawkins enjoy giving the No.…

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Despite more Matas Martin late-game heroics, Hawks fall in overtime in weekend finale

Quincy University's Kealani Nieves looks for a teammate to pass the ball to during Sunday's game against Winona State in the Hansen-Spear Quincy Classic at Pepsi Arena. | Photo courtesy Denny Sinnock, QU Athletics

QUINCY — The Quincy University women’s basketball team is oh-so-close to being oh-so-successful. For the second time in four games, the Hawks went to overtime, getting a pair of clutch Beth Matas Martin baskets in the final 20 seconds of regulation to tie Sunday’s championship game of the Hansen-Spear Quincy Classic against Winona State at…

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Martin beats buzzer and Rogers State as QU women’s basketball team earns first victory

The Quincy University women's basketball team's bench erupts after Beth Matas Martin hit a game-winning shot with less than a second left Saturday against Rogers State in the Hansen-Spear Quincy Classic at Pepsi Arena. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — When the final play produces the perfect outcome, it had to be run exactly the way it was designed in the huddle, right? “Something like that,” Quincy University women’s basketball coach Kaci Bailey said with a wry smile. When Rogers State disrupted Quincy planned off a sideline inbounds play with 6.9 seconds remaining…

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Photo gallery: Hansen-Spear Quincy Classic at Pepsi Arena

Quincy University guard Beth Matas Martin, left, fights to get past Rogers State's Fredrionna Adams during Saturday's game in the Hansen-Spear Quincy Classic at Pepsi Arena. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The scheduled had to be adjusted and delayed, but Saturday afternoon at Pepsi Arena, four NCAA Division II women’s basketball teams converged for the Hansen-Spear Quincy Classic and delivered a pair of hard-fought affairs. Winona State defeated McKendree 64-50 in the opener, and Quincy University knocked off Rogers State 58-56 as Beth Matas…

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Rough start leads to late rally falling short as QU men’s basketball stumbles on road

PITTSBURG, Kan. — The inconsistency the Quincy University men’s basketball team is showing takes time and toughness to fix. Now, there isn’t much time left before Great Lakes Valley Conference play begins. The Hawks struggled offensively at the start of Saturday’s game against Missouri Southern in the Pitt State Thanksgiving Classic, hit a lull defensively…

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Schuckman: Hawks forge unbreakable bonds by elevating volleyball program to unforgettable heights

The Quincy University women's volleyball team waves to the crowd following a four-set loss to Missouri-St. Louis in Friday night's semifinals of the NCAA Division II Midwest Regional at Pepsi Arena. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — One final wave to say thank you to an adoring, enthusiastic crowd was the Quincy University women’s volleyball team’s way to say goodbye as well. The season that changed the Hawks’ program forever was over. Yet, the bond created amongst a group of student-athletes — “incredible young women” in the words of Quincy…

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Tide-turning third set costs QU women’s volleyball team chance to play for region championship

The University of Missouri-St. Louis volleyball players react to winning a point prior to Quincy University taking a timeout in the fourth set of Friday night's NCAA Division II Midwest Regional semifinal at Pepsi Arena. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The lead, the energy and an enthusiastic crowd. The Quincy University women’s volleyball team had everything it seemed to want and need to dispatch Missouri-St. Louis midway through the third set of Friday night’s NCAA Division II Midwest Regional semifinal. Yet, it turned out that wasn’t enough. The Hawks lacked the finishing touch…

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Photo gallery: QU women’s volleyball team faces UMSL in NCAA Midwest Regional semifinals

The Quincy University women's volleyball team ended its season with a 28-3 record following Friday night's four-set loss to Missouri-St. Louis in the NCAA Division II Midwest Regional semifinals at Pepsi Arena. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy community and the Quincy University student body once again showed the QU women’s volleyball team its appreciation for an historic season, creating a loud and raucous atmosphere in Pepsi Arena for the NCAA Division II Midwest Regional semifinals. The Hawks used the energy to give Missouri-St. Louis a tussle before suffering…

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Finishing with a flourish: Hawks eliminate Wildcats in straight sets, set up Midwest Regional semifinal showdown with Tritons

The Quincy University women's volleyball players celebrate a point during the first set of Thursday's sweep of Northern Michigan in the NCAA Division II Midwest Regional at Pepsi Arena. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — With the third set tied at 17 and the Northern Michigan women’s volleyball team validly entertaining the idea it could extend the match, an air of optimism arose. Moments later, that hope floated away. Top-seeded Quincy University won eight of the final nine points of the NCAA Division II Midwest Regional quarterfinal, moving…

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Bubbling with excitement: Support of QU women’s volleyball team from students, community brings Pepsi Arena to life

More than 1,200 fans packed Pepsi Arena on Thursday night to watch the Quincy University women's volleyball team beat Northern Michigan in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division II Midwest Regional. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Makayla Knoblauch remembers the days where the echoes were as loud as any other sound in Pepsi Arena and the Quincy University women’s volleyball players knew practically every fan in the stands. “Four years ago, it was just our parents, the other team’s parents and a couple of our QU friends,” the senior…

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Who’s your Mattie?: Norris delivers emphatic display offensively to power Hawks to regional quarterfinal victory

Senior outside hitter Mattison Norris led the Quincy University women's volleyball team with 15 kills during Thursday night's sweep of Northern Michigan in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division II Midwest Regional at Pepsi Arena. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The adjustments being made to combat the Quincy University women’s volleyball team’s full-throttle attack come as no surprise to outside hitter Mattison Norris. “People are going to scout us,” she said. “People know how to shut us down.” That leaves it to the Hawks to adapt. It didn’t happen in a three-set loss…

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Photo gallery: QU women’s volleyball team wins NCAA Midwest Regional quarterfinal

The Quincy University volleyball players celebrate the final point in their three-set victory over Northern Michigan in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division II Midwest Regional on Thursday night in Pepsi Arena. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Northern Michigan women’s volleyball coach Mike Lozier used his opening statement in the post-match press conference to adequately sum up what his team dealt with during Thursday night’s NCAA Division II Midwest Regional quarterfinal. “Quincy’s really good at volleyball,” he said. “That was kind of the takeaway.” The top-seeded Hawks showed a glimpse…

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Down to the last detail: Hawks adapt, adjust and improve in winning home opener against Trojans

Quincy University junior guard Zion Richardson looks to make a move around a Hannibal-LaGrange University defender during Wednesday night's game at Pepsi Arena. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Malik Hardmon has listened to the Quincy University men’s basketball coaching staff harp on being detail oriented so often the words and phrases being uttered have slipped into his subconscious. “I wake up and in my dream I’ve heard, ‘Details, details, details,’” the senior forward said with a grin. He and the Hawks…

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Up before the sun: Offseason commitment to each other and to improving catapults QU women’s volleyball team to remarkable season

Mattison Norris, center, implored the Quincy University women's volleyball players to work out together throughout the summer, setting the stage for the best NCAA Division II season in program history. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The 4 a.m. alarms sounding the start of another long, tiring day were necessary, even if they weren’t always welcome. “There were days for sure where we did not want to be in the weight room,” said Makalya Knoblauch, the senior setter on the Quincy University women’s volleyball team. “What’s special about our…

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Schuckman: Emotion hits Hawkins leading up to second home debut as QU men’s basketball coach

Quincy University men's basketball coach Steve Hawkins is now 1-1 in home debuts with the Hawks after beating Hannibal-LaGrange University 88-51 Wednesday night at Pepsi Arena. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Every version of the national anthem is unique and different. Singers with big, booming voices tend to drag out high notes, especially at the top of their vocal range. Nervous singers hurry through it, praying they don’t forget a word or miss a note and fight just to finish. Steve Hawkins would have…

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Chance to play at home allows QU women’s volleyball team to further enhance its legacy

The Quincy University women's volleyball team has gone 22-3 at Pepsi Arena over the past three seasons. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — No buses. No hotel rooms. No scheduling deliveries from Jimmy Johns or Papa Johns or any other ready-to-eat restaurant that would allow the Quincy University women’s volleyball team to get back on the road as quickly as possible. This week has been a study in immersion. The Hawks are immersed in volleyball and…

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QU volleyball team earns No. 1 seed in Midwest, will play host to regional beginning Thursday

The Quincy University women's volleyball team is the No. 1 seed in the Midwest Regional for the NCAA Division II Tournament. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Knowing it was only a matter of time before she’d see the Quincy University volleyball team’s name appear on the national tournament bracket, Mattison Norris watched with a little wide-eyed wonder as teams in other regions got their name called. “I was thinking, ‘That’s going to be insane. That’s going to be us.…

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Late-game struggles lead to another tough loss for QU men’s basketball team

Quincy University's Paul Zilinskas looks for room to score during Saturday's game against Cedarville in the GMAC/GLVC Challenge. | Photo courtesy Logan Howard

CEDARVILLE, Ohio — A number of the things the Quincy University men’s basketball players have done during the first 35 minutes of back-to-back season-opening games will make this group successful in the long run. What took place down the stretch needs to change. Friday night, the Hawks squandered an 11-point lead with nine minutes to…

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Turnovers prove costly as QU football team falters in season finale, finishes last in GLVC standings

QUINCY — Gary Bass didn’t waste time lamenting a season-ending loss. He had other plans in mind. “I’m going to roll up my sleeves and get to work,” the Quincy University football coach said. Recruiting. Fund-raising. Facility improvements. All have to be addressed immediately if the Hawks want to rebound from Saturday’s 17-7 Great Lakes…

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QU volleyball team awaits NCAA Tournament selection show to discover if it hosts regional

EAST PEORIA, Ill. — The Quincy University women’s volleyball team’s fate rests in the hands of the NCAA Tournament selection committee now. The Hawks were eliminated from the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament on Friday, losing 25-21, 25-18, 25-21 to fourth-seeded Lewis in the semifinals at EastSide Centre and leaving them waiting until Sunday night…

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Defensive breakdown late in second half costs Hawks shot at season-opening victory

Quincy University forward Malik Hardmon splits the Findlay defense for a layin during Friday's game in the GMAC/GLVC Challenge in Cedarville, Ohio. | Photo courtesy Scott Huck, Cedarville University

CEDARVILLE, Ohio — The combination of high-level 3-point shooting and solid perimeter defense put the Quincy University men’s basketball team in position to win Steve Hawkins’ second debut as the head coach. Then the defense rested a little too much. Findlay went on a 25-9 run over a 7-minute, 34-second span late in the second…

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Hawks knock out Saints with strong finish, advance to GLVC Tournament semifinals

Quincy University setter Makayla Knoblauch, right, runs the offense during Thursday's Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament quarterfinal against Maryville at the EastSide Centre in East Peoria, Ill. | Photo courtesy Max Bennett, QU Athletics

EAST PEORIA, Ill. — No matter the size of the challenge, the Quincy University women’s volleyball players have the utmost faith in each other to overcome it. So when Maryville dug in Thursday afternoon and won the third set of the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament quarterfinal matchup, the Hawks didn’t fret. They hammered back.…

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Pavan picks up GLVC Freshman of the Year honor, five Hawks on all-conference volleyball teams

Quincy University freshman middle blocker Alice Pavan, center, reacts to beating Lewis in a five-set match earlier this season at Pepsi Arena. Pavan was named the Great Lakes Valley Conference Freshman of the Year. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy University women’s volleyball squad is reaping the rewards of its success. Freshman middle blocker Alice Pavan was named the Great Lakes Valley Conference Freshman of the Year and was one of four Hawks named to the All-GLVC first team, the league announced Wednesday night. Quincy finished tied for the regular-season league…

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QU volleyball squad heading to GLVC Tournament with more historic markers to be had

The Quincy University volleyball team is 26-1 and sits atop the NCAA Division II Midwest Region rankings heading into this week's Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — A national ranking, a spot atop the regional rankings and the No. 1 seed for the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament. Yeah, life is pretty good these days for the Quincy University women’s volleyball team. It could get infinitely better with success this weekend in the GLVC Tournament at the EastSide Centre in…

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Looten’s book ensures QU women’s field hockey program won’t be forgotten footnote

This is an image of the cover of Steve Looten's book “The Perfect Fit: How QC Field Hockey was Taylor-Made to Break Through the Sports Gender Barrier," which chronicles the 12-season run of the Quincy University women's field hockey program. | Submitted photo

QUINCY — They didn’t want to be relegated to a forgotten footnote in the history of Quincy University athletics. Thanks to Steve Looten, they won’t. Looten, an acclaimed former sports director for WGEM-TV, has written a book on the QU women’s field hockey program. Although the 127 women who played for QU, then known as…

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QU offensive tackle accepts invitation to participate in East-West Shrine Bowl

Quincy University senior left tackle B.J. Wilson will participate in the 98th East-West Shrine Bowl in February in Las Vegas. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — B.J. Wilson’s invitation to play in the 98th East-West Shrine Bowl isn’t some run-of-the-mill honor tossed around to whoever might be available to play. This is a direct path to the NFL. The 6-foot-7, 320-pound Quincy University left tackle accepted an invitation this week to play in college football’s most elite all-star game…

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Griffith, Bulldogs run Hawks into ground to stay on course for shot at GLVC championship

Truman State running back Shamar Griffith, a Hannibal native, breaks free from a tackle attempt by a Quincy University defender during Saturday's game at QU Stadium. | Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

QUINCY — Welcome home, Shamar Griffith. Well, it’s as close to home as the former Hannibal all-state running back is going to get throughout his collegiate football career. Griffith, who transferred from Missouri Western to Truman State, enjoyed his finest performance as a Bulldog on Saturday, rushing for 177 yards and a touchdown as Truman…

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Hawks show grit, moxie in exhibition loss to Illini

Quincy University guard Jamaurie Coakley, left, puts up a shot against Illinois forward Matthew Mayer during Friday night's exhibition game at State Farm Center in Champaign, Ill. | Photo courtesy Robin Scholz, Champaign News-Gazette

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Steve Hawkins wasn’t shy about what he hoped to accomplish by traveling to State Farm Center for an exhibition game against the No. 23 University of Illinois men’s basketball team. “A lot,” said Hawkins, embarking on his second stint as the head coach at Quincy University. “It’s going to be beneficial on…

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Crim: Former QU men’s basketball coach lands job with D-I program

Former Quincy University men's basketball coach Ryan Hellenthal, right, has joined the staff at SIU-Edwardsville, where he is reunited with Cougars coach Brian Barone. | Matt Schuckman photo

Around the horn … Former Quincy University men’s basketball coach Ryan Hellenthal has landed a new job as director of basketball development and basketball administration at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, the school announced last week. At SIUE, he is reunited with Cougars coach Brian Barone. Both were assistants on the coaching staff at Garden City (Kan.)…

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Hawks’ Harris earns second GLVC Offensive Player of the Week honor

Quincy University quarterback Tionne Harris threw for 469 yards and three touchdowns in last week's 63-62 overtime victory at McKendree. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Tionne Harris kept slinging the football. His receivers kept catching it. And the Quincy University football team kept scoring. What it all added up to was one of the best single-game passing performances in program history, an epic comeback in an overtime victory, and another Great Lakes Valley Conference Offensive Player of the…

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‘Biggest win since I’ve been here’: QU football team rallies on coach’s birthday to end drought against McKendree

The Quincy University football team celebrated head coach Gary Bass' 39th birthday by beating McKendree 63-62 in Great Lakes Valley Conference action at Leemon Field in Lebanon, Ill. | Matt Schuckman photo

LEBANON, Ill. — Gary Bass had a simple wish for his 39th birthday. “All I wanted was a victory,” the Quincy University football coach said. First, he had to endure some stress-filled moments before blowing out the candles in historic fashion. Trailing by as many as 21 points on three separate occasions Saturday afternoon, the…

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Photo gallery: Practice officially opens on second Hawkins era with QU men’s basketball program

The Quincy University men's basketball team breaks its huddle before starting practice Saturday morning at Pepsi Arena. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — More than two decades have passed since Steve Hawkins last walked into Pepsi Arena to coach the first official practice of the college basketball season, but his expectations for the Quincy University men’s basketball players aren’t any different. The Hawks better be prepared to tirelessly work to get better. Saturday morning, the Hawks…

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The rundown: QU volleyball team keeps rolling, Unity-Payson qualifies for playoffs, QU men’s soccer team’s losing skid reaches six

A mix of prep football, collegiate volleyball and collegiate soccer made Friday a busy day and night. Here’s a look at some of the highlights: • The Quincy University women’s volleyball team continued its dominance of NCAA Division II foes throughout the Midwest, winning a pair of matches in the Midwest Regional Crossover in Hammond,…

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Action Jackson: Connell’s pick-six sparks Hawks in second-half shellacking of Panthers

Quincy University linebacker Jackson Connell, left, gets mobbed by teammates Peyton Plunkett, center, and Joseph Webb after returning an interception 72 yards for a touchdown on Saturday afternoon against Kentucky Wesleyan at QU Stadium.

QUINCY — The signature moment of Jackson Connell’s season — probably of his collegiate football career as well — meant so much more than six points on the scoreboard. It’s how he finally put short-term disappointment and long-term setbacks behind him. With Quincy University leading Kentucky Wesleyan 19-3 in the closing minutes of the third…

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Reset button works as No. 25 QU volleyball team roars back with five-set victory over No. 13 Lewis

The Quincy University women's volleyball team celebrates a point during the fifth set of Saturday's match against Lewis in Great Lakes Valley Conference action at Pepsi Arena. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Be it point to point, set to set or match to match, the Quincy University women’s volleyball team is sticking to a forward-thinking mantra. “It’s reset and get the job done,” senior outside hitter Mattison Norris said. Saturday required the biggest reset to date. The Hawks’ season-opening 14-match win streak ended with Friday…

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Photo gallery: No. 25 QU women’s volleyball team beats No. 13 Lewis at Pepsi Arena

The Quincy University women's volleyball team reacts to winning a point during Saturday's match against Lewis at Pepsi Arena. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — For the first time since 2001, the Quincy University women’s volleyball team beat Lewis, handing the No. 13 Flyers a 25-20, 25-14, 22-25, 22-25, 15-12 loss in Great Lakes Valley Conference play at Pepsi Arena on Saturday afternoon. Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman captured the action and emotion of the moment in…

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Heart of the matter: QU women’s soccer team earns draw with Maryville on Felix’s late goal

The Quincy University women's soccer players celebrate a goal by Jessica Felix, center, that tied Sunday's game against Maryville at 2 with less than five minutes remaining in regulation at Legends Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The sheer excitement of the moment needed to be quickly tempered. Less than five minutes remained in regulation Sunday afternoon when Jessica Felix toe-poked in the game-tying goal and elicited an emphatic response from both the Quincy University women’s soccer team’s sideline and the sizable Legends Stadium crowd. Still, the Hawks couldn’t afford…

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Photo gallery: QU men’s and women’s soccer teams face Maryville at Legends Stadium

Quincy University's Lily Haire, center, and Morgan Evans, right, battled for possession with Maryville's Lexi Gentry during Sunday's game at Legends Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photos

QUINCY — Here are some of the images captured by Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman during Sunday’s Great Lakes Valley Conference soccer doubleheader between Quincy University and Maryville at Legends Stadium.

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Penalty kick late in first half changes everything as QU men’s soccer team falls to Maryville

Quincy University defender Grant Higgins heads a ball out during Sunday's game against Maryville at Legends Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Deflating is the best way to describe it. Having gone toe-to-toe with Maryville for 44 scoreless minutes Sunday afternoon, the Quincy University men’s soccer team was poised to go to the locker room with the satisfaction of a halftime draw and the belief anything was possible in the second half. One sequence changed…

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Schuckman: Progress defensively gives Hawks chance to compete while waiting for offense to find its consistency

Quincy University freshman defensive lineman Sawyer Krueger, right, reacts after a tackle for loss during Saturday's 34-14 loss to Ashland at QU Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — It goes in the ledger as a loss, but in terms of progress being made — from Week 1 to Week 4 this season and over the course of the last 364 days — Saturday’s outcome needs to be viewed as a small step in the right direction for the Quincy University football…

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Photo gallery: QU football team battles No. 12 Ashland at QU Stadium

Ashland running back Geo'vonni Wahsington, right, stiff-arms Quincy University defensive Sa'hron Cunningham during Saturday's game at QU Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy University football team celebrated Homecoming by welcoming 12th-ranked Ashland to QU Stadium on Saturday. Check out the action through the camera lens of Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman:

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Toughness comes into question after QU men’s soccer team squanders pair of two-goal leads

Quincy University's Tiger Thomas, right, looks to the referee for a call after getting tangled up with Missouri S&T's Jason Jorgenson during Monday's Great Lakes Valley Conference game at Legends Stadium. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The determination and moxie it takes to hold onto what many suggest is the most strenuous lead in soccer is what the Quincy University men’s soccer team hasn’t shown. At least not yet. Monday night, in a Great Lakes Valley Conference matchup delayed a day due to transportation issues, the Hawks twice squandered…

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Hawks linebacker Chappel earns GLVC Defensive Player of the Week honor

Quincy University linebacker Peyten Chappel made 12 tackles in last Saturday's victory at Walsh, earning him the Great Lakes Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Week honor. | Photo courtesy Jeb Jarman, QU Athletics

QUINCY — A healthy Peyten Chappel roaming the middle of the field for the Quincy University football team gives the defense some teeth. Walsh was reminded of that last Saturday. In the Hawks’ 28-13 victory in North Canton, Ohio, the senior linebacker did a lot of everything as he piled up 12 tackles (seven solo)…

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QU women’s soccer team breaks through, scores two second-half goals for first victory

The Quincy University women's soccer players celebrate Ella Wolfard's game-winning goal in Sunday's 2-1 victory over Missouri S&T at Legends Stadium. | Photo courtesy Denny Sinnock, QU Athletics

QUINCY — First, tears fell. Then, a little disbelief. Finally, total elation. That’s how Sunday afternoon evolved for first-year Quincy University women’s soccer coach Mackenzie Schissel and her entire team. Held scoreless through the first six regular season games, the Hawks ended that drought when senior forward Jessica Felix scored 18 seconds after Missouri S&T…

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Perfect dozen: QU volleyball team overcomes slow starts in middle sets to dispatch UMSL

Quincy University's Emily Rehagen serves during Saturday's match against Missouri-St. Louis at Pepsi Arena. | Photo courtesy Denny Sinnock, QU Athletics

QUINCY — The Quincy University women’s volleyball team never recovered from the opening salvo the University of Missouri-St. Louis launched at the beginning of the second set Saturday. And it seemed like another punch from the Tritons at the start of the third set had the Hawks on their heels. Then Emily Rehagen stepped to…

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‘Ridiculously proud’: QU shuts out Fontbonne to win inaugural sprint football contest

The Quincy University sprint football team celebrates a 7-0 victory over Fontbonne in its inaugural game Saturday in St. Louis. | Photo courtesy Max Bennett, QU Athletics

ST. LOUIS — A defense that allowed just three first downs and an offense getting a boost from an area product made it a memorable debut for the Quincy University sprint football program. Taylor Klusmeyer, a Unity graduate who originally signed with the QU football program as a quarterback in 2018, scored on a 2-yard…

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