Wednesday October 30th Local Sports

— High school volleyball regional semifinals last night
== 3A Region 4
at Hampton — #4 Dike-New Hartford 3-0 Forest City (25-14, 25-11, 25-20)

== 4A Region 6
Charles City 3-1 #15 Center Point-Urbana (23-25, 25-22, 25-17, 25-21)
#5 West Delaware 3-0 Decorah (25-12, 25-22, 25-21)
— Regional final on Tuesday at Manchester

 

 

MASON CITY — The NIACC volleyball team moved up in the rankings this week as they prepare for tonight’s showdown with Iowa Central that will decide the Iowa Community College Athletic Conference regular season title. The Lady Trojans moved up from 18th last week to 13th in this week’s Division II volleyball poll. It’s the fifth poll this year that NIACC has been in the rankings. NIACC will host 8th-ranked Iowa Central tonight starting at 7 o’clock. Both teams are 7-1 in conference play heading into the contest.

 

 

CEDAR FALLS — The stretch run begins for Northern Iowa this weekend with a visit to Illinois State. The 10th ranked Panthers are 5-3 and visit a seventh ranked Redbird squad that is 6-2.

That’s Panther coach Mark Farley. UNI won last year’s game in the UNI-Dome but has dropped three straight in Normal.

Led by freshman quarterback Will McElvain the UNI offense is making progress. McElvain has 14 touchdown passes and only two interceptions.

Farley says that offense will be challenged by the Illinois State defense.

The Illinois State defense gives up less than 17 points per game and the offense is averaging 185 yards per contest.

 

 

IOWA CITY — The faces have changed but the results have not for the Iowa defense. Despite losing four standouts from last year’s defensive line this year’s unit currently ranks at the top of the Kirk Ferentz era in terms of scoring defense and total defense. Hawkeye defensive line coach Kelvin Bell says Iowa’s style of defense is a factor.

Linebacker coach Seth Wallace says the style of play allows the Hawkeyes to plug holes after losing star players.

Iowa’s defensive line has been building depth the past few weeks and Bell says that starts in practice.

Wallace says the system succeeds because of veteran defensive coordinator Phil Parker.

Iowa ranks third in the country in scoring defense and sixth in total defense.

 

 

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Minnesota Vikings safety Jayron Kearse has been charged with multiple gun and alcohol counts after authorities say he was driving while impaired and had a loaded gun in his car. Kearse was arrested early Sunday after he drove his car onto a closed portion of Interstate 94 in Minneapolis. Prosecutors charged him with five counts, including drunken driving and carrying a pistol without a permit. Kearse practiced with the Vikings on Monday and apologized to the team and fans.

 

 

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Nelson Cruz’s $12 million option for next season has been exercised by the Minnesota Twins. The 39-year-old designated hitter agreed in January to a contract with a $14 million salary for 2019 and the club option. He hit .311 with a team-high 41 homers and had 108 RBIs in 120 games. He spent two stints on the injured list for a wrist problem that led to a torn tendon. Cruz was 2 for 10 with a solo home run as the Twins were swept by the New York Yankees in the AL Division Series.

 

 

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins have claimed right-handed pitcher Matt Wisler off waivers from Seattle. Wisler appeared in a combined 44 games this season for San Diego and Seattle, making eight starts for the Mariners. He had 63 strikeouts in 51 1/3 innings, with a 5.61 ERA. The 27-year-old Wisler will join his fifth major league team in three seasons. The Twins had success with a waiver claim a year ago, adding first baseman C.J. Cron after he was let go by Tampa Bay. Cron hit 25 homers in 125 games.

 

 

DALLAS (AP) — Alexander Radulov had a hat trick, scoring late in the second period and twice in the third, as the Dallas Stars rallied from a three-goal deficit to beat the Minnesota Wild 6-3. Roope Hintz, Joe Pavelski and Tyler Seguin also scored for Dallas, which didn’t get on the board until Radulov’s goal with 48 seconds left in the second period. Eric Staal had a power-play goal and an assist in the first period for Minnesota. Jason Zucker and Ryan Suter also scored for the Wild.

 

 

AMES —- The Iowa State women’s basketball team will be without junior center Kristin Scott on Wednesday night when the Cyclones play Missouri Western in an exhibition game. Scott has been sidelined with a back injury. ISU coach Bill Fennelly says she will be reevaluated at the start of next week.

Scott averaged nearly 13 points and more than seven rebounds last season.

Fennelly says without Scott they will look at several different combinations.

Tipoff at Hilton Coliseum is scheduled for 6:30.