QU’s Wijnbergen, Kasavica receive GLVC weekly volleyball honors after weekend sweep

Quincy University senior right side hitter Emma Wijnbergen broke the single-season school record for kills last weekend, a performance that earned her Great Lakes Valley Conference Offensive Player of the Week. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — A record-setting weekend led to Emma Wijnbergen receiving another Great Lakes Valley Conference weekly honor. The same goes for Elena Kasavica. Wijnberegen, the Quincy University women’s volleyball team’s senior right side hitter set the program’s single-season record for kills as the No. 20 Hawks swept a pair of GLVC matches, beating No. 18…

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QU women’s volleyball team showcases tenacity, holds off Missouri S&T to finish weekend undefeated

Quincy University's Elena Kasavica, left, wins a ball at the net against Missouri S&T during Saturday night's final match of the Hawk Invitational at Pepsi Arena. | Photo courtesy QU athletics/Kari Ham

QUINCY — The Quincy University women’s volleyball team bookended its weekend by showing nothing is going to get it down. After opening the Hawk Invitational at Pepsi Arena on Friday with a four-set victory over William Jewell, the Hawks rebounded from two tough sets against Missouri S&T to win another four-set match Saturday and finish…

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C-SC names Alejandro-Rivera as new women’s volleyball coach

Culver-Stockton College women's volleyball coach Audrye Alejandro-Rivera

CANTON, Mo. — Culver-Stockton College’s search for a women’s volleyball coach ended with the hiring of Audrye Alejandro-Rivera. Alejandro-Rivera, a native of Puerto Rico, spent last season as an assistant women’s volleyball coach at Polk State College, an NJCAA school in Winter Haven, Fla. He helped guide the Eagles to a 14-10 overall record and…

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Gengenbacher assumes assistant coach role with San Diego State women’s volleyball program

Quincy native Kristen Gengenbacher, who was an All-American setter at the University of San Diego, is joining the San Diego State University women's volleyball program as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator. | Photo courtesy University of San Diego

SAN DIEGO — Kristen Gengenbacher’s collegiate coaching career is about to take off. The Quincy Notre Dame graduate recently was named an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for the San Diego State University women’s volleyball program. “I am incredibly thankful and excited to be back in San Diego as a part of the Aztec volleyball…

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QU volleyball team earns NCAA tourney bid as fourth seed in Midwest Region

Quincy University middle blocker Alice Pavan, center, and the Hawks are headed to the NCAA Division II national tournament as the No. 4 seed in the Midwest Region. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy University women’s volleyball team is back in the NCAA Tournament. The pairings for the NCAA Division II national tournament were released Monday night, and the Hawks earned the No. 4 seed in the Midwest Region. They will open against fifth-seeded Grand Valley State on Nov. 30 at the University of Missouri-St.…

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Photo gallery: QU women’s volleyball team outlasts Indianapolis in four sets

Quincy University's Alice Pavan, left, and Susanna Beretti put up a block during Friday night's Great Lakes Valley Conference match against Indianapolis at Pepsi Arena. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The Quincy University women’s volleyball team took advantage of its return to Pepsi Arena to get its season right back on track. The Hawks, coming off back-to-back losses, beat Indianapolis 25-21, 20-25, 25-17, 25-19 on Friday night. Quincy is 24-3 overall and 10-2 in Great Lakes Valley Conference play. QU outside hitter Emma…

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QU volleyball team captures title of own invitational by outlasting Upper Iowa in five sets

The Quincy University volleyball team reacts to winning a point during a match against Edinboro during the Quincy Invitational at Pepsi Arena. | Photo courtesy Payton Miller

QUINCY — The Quincy University volleyball team was pushed to the limit to complete a sweep of the Quincy Invitational field on Saturday night. The Hawks outlasted Upper Iowa 25-11, 23-25, 25-21, 20-25, 15-12 in the final match of the weekend, ending the event with three victories and improving to 6-1 overall this season. Forced…

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Photo gallery: JWCC volleyball team sweeps Lewis & Clark in home opener

John Wood Community College sophomore middle hitter Libby Ippensen, right, hits over the block of Lewis & Clark's Kenna Hood, left, and Payton Dunn during Wednesday night's match at the Student Activity Center. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — After playing 13 consecutive matches on the road, the John Wood Community women’s volleyball team finally had the chance to come home Wednesday night. The Trail Blazers showcased why the road seemed friendly. A dominant effort at the net and quality serving enabled JWCC to sweep Lewis & Clark 25-15, 25-13, 25-18 at…

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GLVC preseason polls: QU volleyball team in top four, soccer teams both in bottom half of league

Sophomore middle blocker Alice Pavan, center, and the Quincy University women's volleyball team will try to duplicate last season's success. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — Expectations remain high for the Quincy University women’s volleyball team, while the Hawks have something to prove in men’s and women’s soccer. The Great Lakes Valley Conference released its fall preseason coaches polls this week with the volleyball team still earning respect after winning the league’s regular-season championship last fall and grabbing the…

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Schuck on a Truck: Logsdon, Norris talk about how QU served as home, family during incredible athletic careers

Quincy University record-setting slugger Lance Logsdon, left, and All-American volleyball player Mattison Norris joined Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman on the tailgate for an episode of "Schuck on a Truck." | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The highs and lows — things both Lance Logsdon and Mattison Norris experienced throughout the Quincy University athletic careers — never sidetracked either, largely because of their competitive nature and dogged determination, but also because they had each other. The record-setting slugger for the QU baseball team and the All-American outside hitter for…

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College notebook: Derry gets NAIA coaching job, Alleyne earns All-MIVA honors, QU grad gets jersey retired at SIU

Southeastern graduate Emma Derry has been named the head women's volleyball coach at Brescia University in Owensboro, Ky. | Photo courtesy Brescia University athletics

AUGUSTA, Ill. — Emma Derry is taking her talents to the college game. The Southeastern graduate spent the past two years as the head volleyball coach at Lincoln High School, guiding the Railers to a 30-win season, a regional championship and a second-place finish in the Apollo Conference last fall. The success earned her the…

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Blakemore joins volleyball staff at Kansas Wesleyan after two seasons at helm at HLGU

Kansas Wesleyan assistant coach Maliah Blakemore

HANNIBAL, Mo. — After two seasons at the helm of the Hannibal-LaGrange University women’s volleyball program, Maliah Blakemore is leaving to join the coaching staff at Kansas Wesleyan University. Blakemore, a Quincy High School graduate, was a graduate assistant at HLGU during the 2020 season before taking over as the interim head coach two weeks…

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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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Norris gives QU women’s volleyball team second consecutive GLVC Offensive Player of the Week

Quincy University senior outside hitter Mattison Norris was named the Great Lakes Valley Conference Offensive Player of the Week after being named the most outstanding player of the Warrior Invitational at Wayne State University in Detroit. | Photo courtesy Max Bennett/QU Athletics

QUINCY — The Quincy University women’s volleyball team is beginning to monopolize the Great Lakes Valley Conference Offensive Player of the Week award. Last week, senior setter Makayla Knoblauch earned the league’s weekly honor when she had 117 assists and 32 digs in a four-game sweep at the Henderson State Tournament. This week, Mattison Norris…

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ICYMI: Arch commits to NIU, Knuffman wins playoff, Clay hits grand slam and QU makes history

Palmyra wrestler Collin Arch, a three-time defending state champion who is undefeated in his high school career, verbally committed to Northern Illinois University and announced his decision via Twitter on Saturday. | Matt Schuckman photo

QUINCY — The first full weekend of the fall sports season was filled with highlights — from verbal commitments to grand slams, from playoff victories to historic sweeps. Here is a look at what made us take notice … • Wrestling has always been a family affair for the Arches. It will continue to be…

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QU women’s volleyball team finishes strong in exhibition victory over WIU

Quincy University setter Makayla Knoblauch, right, battles at the net during Saturday's exhibition match against Western Illinois University at Western Hall in Macomb, Ill. | Photo courtesy Max Bennett, QU athletics

MACOMB, Ill. — The Quincy University women’s volleyball team doesn’t officially open its season until Friday at the Henderson State Tournament in Arkadelphia, Ark., but the Hawks already have set the stage for success. QU dominated Western Illinois University in the final two sets of Saturday’s exhibition match at Western Hall, winning 25-17, 22-25, 25-16,…

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Scoreboard for Saturday, November 6

Women’s Soccer At Ellison Poulton Stadium, Canton, Mo. Baker 4, Culver-Stockton College 3: First, the lights went out in the stadium. Then they went out on the Wildcats’ season. Tied at 3 through regulation and two overtimes, the Owls won a penalty-kick shootout to capture the Heart of America Athletic Conference Tournament quarterfinal. Both teams…

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Scoreboard for Friday, November 5

Men’s Basketball At Sedalia, Mo. John Wood Community College 92, Central Methodist JV 71: The Trail Blazers, ranked 14th in the NJCAA Division II preseason national poll, opened their season with a balanced effort. Sophomore forward Ryan Anglin led JWCC with 22 points, while Ja’Veon Taylor had 14 points and Jarvis Jennings added 13. The…

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Scoreboard for Saturday, October 23

Hannibal’s Kendel Locke tips the ball during the Pirates' district semifinal game against Fulton on Saturday at Korf Gym. Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

Girls Volleyball At Korf Gym, Hannibal, Mo. Class 4 District 8: Top-seeded Hannibal advanced to the district championship match with a 25-15, 25-17, 25-16 victory over Fulton. Bella Falconer led the Pirates with 25 kills, while Ashlyn Hess had 22 assists and Nora Hark had five kills and 12 assists. Hannibal will face second-seeded Warrenton…

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Scoreboard for Tuesday, October 19

Palmyra senior Mallory Comstock, left, and Panthers golf coach Chris Parsons celebrate Comstock tying for third at the Class 1 state tournament and becoming the first golfer in program history to earn a state medal. Submitted photo

Girls Golf At Silo Ridge Golf and Country Club, Bolivar, Mo. Class 1 state tournament: Palmyra senior Mallory Comstock became the first golfer in program history to earn a state medal, finishing tied for 13th after the 36-hole event. Comstock improved eight strokes during Tuesday’s second round, shooting a 96. She finished with a two-day…

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Scoreboard for Friday, October 15

Prep Football At Brookfield, Mo. Highland 24, Brookfield 18: The Cougars positioned themselves to challenge for the Clarence Cannon Conference title by running out the clock after the Bulldogs made it a one-possession game. Brookfield scored on a 93-yard drive with 3:31 to play to make it a six-point game, but Highland picked up two…

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College notebook: Keck sets Maryville record with 25 kills in GLVC match

Quincy Notre Dame graduate Taylor Keck set a Maryville record for kills in a Great Lakes Valley Conference match with 25 kills against William Jewell. Photo courtesy Maryville athletics

ST. LOUIS — Taylor Keck helped the Maryville women’s volleyball team end a six-match losing streak with an historic effort. The Quincy Notre Dame graduate recorded 25 kills in a five-set, come-from-behind victory over William Jewell last week at Moloney Arena. The Saints won 25-23, 19-25, 20-25, 25-20, 15-8 with Keck delivering kills on four…

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Scoreboard for Saturday, October 9

Prep Cross Country At Uhland Acres, Liberty, Ill. Liberty Invitational: Quincy High School had three of the top four runners and dominated the girls race, while West Hancock senior Miles Sheppard broke the 15-minute mark to win the individual title of the boys race. The Blue Devils’ Anna Schuering finished in 18 minutes, 47.2 seconds…

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Scoreboard for Friday, October 8

Prep Football At Camp Point, Ill. Central 60, Beardstown 28: Isaac Genenbacher ripped off a 31-yard touchdown run on his first touch and helped power the Panthers to the Western Illinois Valley Conference North Division championship with a 4-1 league mark. Garrett Williams scored on 39- and 27-yard runs to give the Panthers an edge,…

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Scoreboard for Tuesday, October 5

Prep Cross Country At Uhland Farms, Liberty, Ill. West Central Conference Championships: Quincy Notre Dame senior Teresa Drotar was the only runner in the girls race to break 21 minutes and the Raiders had four of the top six runners to win the WCC title. Drotar took first in 20 minutes, 45.4 seconds, while Abigail…

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C-SC volleyball team already has tripled victory total from 2020

Culver-Stockton's Ali Scott attempts to hit the ball over the net during Tuesday's match with Graceland. Hannah Menefee

CANTON, Mo. — The Culver-Stockton College women’s volleyball team earned its second Heart of America Athletic Conference victory with a 25-12, 25-12, 29-27 decision over Graceland University Tuesday night at Charles Field House. The Wildcats, who have won two straight matches, improve to 6-10, 2-3 in the conference. C-SC already has equaled the number of…

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Scoreboard for Sunday, August 22

Women’s Volleyball At the UW Sports Factory, Rockford, Ill. John Wood Community College capped its weekend with a pair of victories to improve to 5-1. The Trail Blazers beat Morton 25-15, 25-15, 25-18 and upended South Suburban 25-20, 25-22, 20-25, 25-16. Paige Knuffman powered the JWCC attack with 23 kills, six blocks and 16 digs…

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Scoreboard for Saturday, August 21

Girls Golf Alton Marquette Blastoff Invite at Spencer T. Olin Golf Course Quincy Notre Dame finished 10th in the 18-team event with a 383. Alton Marquette won the team title with a 313. QND’s Hana Knuffman finished 12th individually with an 85. Blair Eftink shot a 92. Women’s Volleyball At the UW Sports Factory, Rockford,…

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Scoreboard for Friday, August 20

Women’s Volleyball At UW Sports Factory, Rockford, Ill. John Wood Community College splits two matches, losing to Southeastern (Iowa) Community College 25-16, 16-25, 25-20, 25-20 and beating Elgin (Ill.) Community College 25-16, 25-16, 25-9. Paige Knuffman led the Trail Blazers 21 kills, nine digs and three solo blocks in the two matches combined. Isadora Gasparini…

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