After leading Lubbock Christian to the Sooner Athletic Conference regular season volleyball championship, Creek grad Elissa Loynes was named the conference’s Most Valuable Player. She was also named Hitter of the Year and first-team All-SAC.
Loynes averaged 3.54 kills per set with a .385 attack percentage, 12th best in the nation. She also averaged .73 blocks per set.
Lubbock Christian begins play in the NAIA tournament this week.
Friendswood grad Brannon O’Neill had her season come to an end when Emory was upset by Trinity in the Southwestern Regional semifinals. O’Neill finished the season averaging 3.53 digs (367 total) in 33 matches.
Friendswood grad Jessie Hays helped lead Central Arkansas (27-3, 16-0) to an undefeated mark in Southland Conference play. Hays had 294 kills and 289 digs for the Sugar Bears, who head into the SLC tournament as the top seed.
Dickinson grad Kaylee Hawkins has Sam Houston State the No. 2 seed in the SLC tournament. She leads the Lady Bearkats with 496 digs (4.28 average).
Lamar will be the No. 4 seed in the SLC tournament. Friendswood grad Adrianne Meengs has 175 kills, 857 assists (8.74 average) and 216 digs for the Lady Cards, while Friendswood grad Lauren Holdorff has 243 kills (2.79 average), 54 blocks and 69 digs.
Santa Fe grad Tara Frantz and UT-Arlington will take on Lamar in the first round. Franz has 220 kills and 40 blocks on the season.
Yancy Helps Stanford To USC Upset
Creek grad Austin Yancy had a strong performance in Stanford’s 55-21 upset of the Trojans on Saturday. Yancy finished the game with four tackles.
Creek grad Marcus Davis registered a career-high four tackles in Texas’ 47-14 win over Baylor. For Baylor, Dickinson grad Ivory Wade started at left guard and Friendswood grad Cameron Kaufhold also saw time on the offensive line.
Friendswood grad Will Ebner had six tackles and a fumble recovery in Missouri’s 38-12 win over Kansas State. La Marque grad Jared Perry added nine yards receiving for the Tigers.
Santa Fe grad C.J. Cavness had 11 tackles in Houston’s 37-32 loss to UCF. La Marque grad L.J. Castile (18 yards receiving, blocked kick), Friendswood grad Chase Turner (44.5 yard average on punts), Dickinson grad Carl Barnett (started at center) and Hitchcock grad Chris Thompson (started at guard) also contributed for the Cougars.
La Marque grad Clarence Ward had five tackles in UTEP’s 35-31 loss to SMU.
Texas City grad Chaz Thompson had 4½ tackles in Louisville’s 10-9 win over Syracuse.
Creek grads Brandon Burton (four tackles) and Jereme Brooks (6 yards receiving) contributed in Utah’s 55-28 loss to undefeated TCU.
Texas City grad Johnny Thomas had two tackles in Oklahoma State’s 24-17 win over Texas Tech. For Tech, Ball grad Rajon Henley and La Marque grad Richard Jones each had two tackles and a sack.
Creek grad Taylor Echols and Brook grad Corey Sonnier each had two tackles in Tulane’s 28-20 loss to Rice.
Ball grad Kenneth Jenkins had 11 tackles and three pass breakups in Sam Houston State’s 17-14 loss to Central Arkansas.
Texas City grad Vincent Pervis had 102 total yards in Stephen F. Austin’s win over Southeastern Louisiana. Ball grad Brandon Scott added 40 yards receiving and a touchdown for the Lumberjacks. Texas City grad Sean Warren didn’t play because he is recovering from a strained knee ligament.
Texas City grad Brandon Robinson had 2½ tackles and a pass breakup in McNeese State’s 30-27 win over Texas State.
With a pair of normal starters out of action on the offensive line, Santa Fe grad Brian Krauskopf was forced to switch from left to right tackle. He produced the same results, however, grading out at 90 percent for the second time in as many outings while adding five knockdown blocks in South Alabama’s 64-12 win over Milford Academy. Since the beginning of October, Krauskopf has received the highest mark on the line in three of four games.
Nokelby Earns Gold Glove
Santa Fe grad Ryan Nokelby earned an American Baseball Coaches Association/Rawlings Division III West Region Gold Glove for his outstanding defense at Texas Lutheran this past season.
Nokelby started in 44 games for TLU, posting a fielding percentage of .986 with seven outfield assists. In the past three seasons, he’s had a total of 19 assists.
Area Rowers Lead UT Novice Squad
Four area grads helped the Texas novice rowing team claim three victories in the Head of Colorado regatta on Lady Bird Lake last month.
Bay Area Christian’s Hilary Rabago, Friendswood’s Kassie Budzik, Creek’s Jullian Domingue and Lake’s Sarah Pederson helped UT win the open eight, first novice eight and second novice eight races.
Galveston County Alumni notes are compiled by Joshua Buckley. Coaches and parents are highly encouraged to help us keep track of any Galveston County athlete in college or the pros. Contact us at 409-683-5242 or sports.desk(at)galvnews.com.
