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Russum Named SBC Women's Newcomer of the Year, 10 Mountaineers Earn All

Story Links Sun Belt Release NEW ORLEANS – App State senior Emma Russum was named the Sun Belt Women’s Outdoor Track and Field Newcomer of the Year and was one of 10 Mountaineers who earned all-conference accolades, the league announced Thursday.  Russum clinched the Sun Belt crown in the women’s 3,000-meter steeplechase with a time of […]

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Russum Named SBC Women's Newcomer of the Year, 10 Mountaineers Earn All

NEW ORLEANS – App State senior Emma Russum was named the Sun Belt Women’s Outdoor Track and Field Newcomer of the Year and was one of 10 Mountaineers who earned all-conference accolades, the league announced Thursday. 
 
Russum clinched the Sun Belt crown in the women’s 3,000-meter steeplechase with a time of 10:36.27 and secured silver in the women’s 5,000 meters with a time of 16:53.59. She garnered First Team All-SBC honors for her efforts on the track. In the App State all-time list, Russum ranks second in the women’s 3,000-meter steeplechase and women’s 10,000 meters, as well as fourth in the women’s 5,000 meters. Over the course of the season, Russum led the league in the women’s 5,000 meters (16:30.30, PR), women’s 3,000-meter steeplechase (10:34.13, PR), and women’s 10,000 meters (34:41.91, PR). Russum also ranks among the NCAA Southeast Region’s top-25 in the women’s 10,000 meters and women’s 3,000-meter steeplechase categories.
 
Junior Ethan Lipham also collected First Team All-SBC honors and was one of the leagues’ top scorers at the SBC Outdoor Track & Field Championship meet. Individually, Lipham scored 20 points for the Mountaineers after clinching the titles for the men’s 1,500 meters and men’s 3,000-meter steeplechase. Lipham defended his men’s 1,500-meter title from 2024, after stopping the clock at 3:50.83. He was four seconds shy of his personal best of 3:46.82, which he set at the Penn Relays (April 24). With a personal best of 8:58.49, Lipham clinched the men’s 3,000-meter steeplechase crown. The Largo, Fla. native currently stands fourth in the App State all-time list in the men’s 1,500 meters and sixth all-time in the men’s 3,000-meter steeplechase. 
 
Sophomore Matthew Gray, freshman Lilly Nichols, and graduate student Ethan Turner earned Second Team All-SBC accolades for their performances. Gray broke the App State men’s pole vault record with a clearance of 5.38m (17′ 7.75″). The previous school record, which Gray shared with Patrick Freeman, was 5.35m (17′ 6.5″). In just two seasons with the Mountaineers, Gray has reset the program record on four occasions. Nichols also broke the App State women’s pole vault record with a clearance of 4.11m (13′ 5.75″) and now holds the program’s indoor and outdoor women’s pole vault records. The previous record was 4.04m (13′ 3″), which was set in 2024 by Ava Studney. In the men’s 10,000 meters, Turner stopped the clock at 30:07.94 to place second. Turner also moved to ninth in the program all-time list. 
 
Freshman Thomas Wlazlowski had joined Lipham on the podium for his performance in the men’s 3,000-meter steeplechase, where he finished third with a personal best of 9:03.65. Wlazlowski moved to 10th in the App State all-time list after the race. The men’s 4×100-meter quartet of freshman Brandon Parker, sophomore Armonté Ferguson, freshman Jonathan Wilson, and junior Ray Lee also earned Third Team All-SBC honors after stopping the clock at 40.01. The quartet was one second shy of the program record of 39.70, which was set at the 2012 NCAA Championships. 
 
App State is set to host the Sunday Night Qualifier on May 18 at the Randy Marion Track & Field Facility in Boone, N.C. 
 
The NCAA East Preliminary Round is slated for May 28-31 and will be hosted by North Florida in Jacksonville, Fla. The meet will be available to stream on ESPN+. 
 
Women’s Track Performer of the Year: Abigail Parra, Texas State
Women’s Field Performer of the Year: Imani Moore, Georgia Southern
Women’s Newcomer of the Year: Emma Russum, App State
Women’s Freshman of the Year: Charlize Goody, Texas State
Women’s Coach of the Year: John Frazier, Texas State
Women’s Elite Award: Lara Roberts, Texas State
 
Men’s Track Performer of the Year: Jacob Pyeatt, Arkansas State
Men’s Field Performer of the Year: Aiden Hayes, Texas State
Men’s Newcomer of the Year: Drew Donley, Texas State
Men’s Freshman of the Year: Lawson Jacobs, Louisiana
Men’s Coach of the Year: John Frazier, Texas State
Men’s Elite Award: Bradley Jelmert, Arkansas State
 
2025 Sun Belt Men’s Outdoor Track & Field All-Conference First Team
Ethan Lipham, App State
Jacob Pyeatt, Arkansas State
Colby Eddowes, Arkansas State
Bradley Jelmert, Arkansas State
Menachem Chen, Arkansas State
Noa Isaia, Arkansas State
Mark Daley, Louisiana
Jonathan Gamarra, Louisiana
Chris Gravois, Louisiana
Camren Hardy, Louisiana
Jeremy Nelson, Louisiana
Lawson Jacobs, Louisiana
Joseph Patterson, Louisiana
Caemon Scott, Louisiana
Hunter Ullrich, Louisiana
Reuben Booysen, South Alabama
Kendal White, South Alabama
Piers Cameron, Southern Miss
Drew Donley, Texas State
Aiden Hayes, Texas State
Chris Preddie, Texas State
Easton Hammond, Texas State
Tydreke Thomas, Troy
 
2025 Sun Belt Men’s Outdoor Track & Field All-Conference Second Team
Matthew Gray, App State
Ethan Turner, App State
Brandon Williams, Arkansas State
Terrique Webb, Coastal Carolina
Samuel Mika, South Alabama
Sacha Perrier, South Alabama
Javel Fullerton, Southern Miss
Conner Mozee, Southern Miss
Kelsey Singleton, Southern Miss
Connor Warzecha, Texas State
Michael Hermes, Texas State
Shedrack Akpeki, Texas State
Daniel Harrold, Texas State
Kason O’Riley, Texas State
Altwayne Bedward, Troy
Evan Brown, Troy
Michael Eady, Troy
Keylan Hicks, Troy
Imani Coleman, ULM
Matthew Malcolm, ULM
Santana Richardson, ULM
Stafon Roach, ULM
J’Marcus Sewell, ULM
 
2025 Sun Belt Men’s Outdoor Track & Field All-Conference Third Team
Armonté Ferguson, App State
Ray Lee, App State
Brandon Parker, App State
Jonathan Wilson, App State
Thomas Wlazlowski, App State
Kamil Przybyla, Arkansas State
Trey Kraimer, Coastal Carolina
Adam Groves, Coastal Carolina
William Howard, Louisiana
Federico Bovo, Louisiana
Teodor Borgius, Louisiana
Dallas Beck, South Alabama
Javon Glen, South Alabama
Bobby Gray, South Alabama
Tre Hill, South Alabama
Marlon Miller, South Alabama
Jordan Morrison, South Alabama
Zayne Palomino, Southern Miss
De’Aundre Ward, Southern Miss
Mihajlo Katanic, Texas State
Daniel Strooh, Texas State
Carlo Martinez-Jaramillo, ULM
Devin Bilbo, ULM
 
2025 Sun Belt Women’s Outdoor Track & Field All-Conference First Team
Emma Russum, App State
Carly Pujol, Arkansas State
Molly Jones, Coastal Carolina
Amanda Kinloch, Coastal Carolina
Shatalya Dorsett, Georgia Southern
Emani George, Georgia Southern
Imani Moore, Georgia Southern
Devine Parker, Georgia Southern
NaJ Watson, Georgia Southern
Kimola Hines, Louisiana
Isabelle Russell, Louisiana
Jaellene Burgess, Southern Miss
Taliyah Lindsey, Southern Miss
Addison McLaurin, Southern Miss
Kennedi Sanders, Southern Miss
Alana Simon, Southern Miss
Abigail Parra, Texas State
Melanie Duron, Texas State
Lara Roberts, Texas State
Charlize Goody, Texas State
Savanna Lawson, ULM
Katerina Natsiopoulou, ULM
 
2025 Sun Belt Women’s Outdoor Track & Field All-Conference Second Team
Lilly Nichols, App State
Miranda Burgett, Arkansas State
Michelle Ogbemudia, Arkansas State
Kennedy Hood, Georgia Southern
Leonaya Knox, Georgia Southern
Holly Mpassy, James Madison
Amairi Ashford, Louisiana
Alaysha Veal, Louisiana
Destiny Berryman, Marshall
Iyana Johnson, South Alabama
Calli Stokes, South Alabama
Joidon Boddie, Southern Miss
Cadence Lapp, Southern Miss
Tacherria Lawson, Southern Miss
Valencia Watson, Southern Miss
Jasmine Jimenez, Troy
Aaliyah Murphy, Troy
Kady Schwietz, Troy
Haley Wilson, Troy
 
2025 Sun Belt Women’s Outdoor Track & Field All-Conference Third Team
Tyra Nabors, Arkansas State
Amilia Wise-Sweat, Coastal Carolina
Christine Fitzgerald, James Madison
Esther Germain, James Madison
Erica Moolman, James Madison
Kadence Wilson, James Madison
Lily Murray, Louisiana
Quincy Simon, Louisiana
Reem Tammam, Louisiana
Jaala Thymes, Louisiana
Chaniqua Tonge, Louisiana
Shenell Tucker, Louisiana
Hannah Wyler, Marshall
Taylor Spencer, Marshall
Charleen Elizondo, South Alabama
Ava Wheaton, South Alabama
Jelese Alexander, Southern Miss
Sophia Haberer, Texas State
Shanyah Washington, Troy
Alice Hultberg, ULM
 
 
 
 

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Water polo men’s bronze medal match at World Aquatics Championships 2025: Greece vs.Serbia-Xinhua

Efstathios Kalogeropoulos (R) of Greece competes during the water polo men’s bronze medal match between Greece and Serbia at the World Aquatics Championships 2025 in Singapore on July 24, 2025. (Xinhua/Xue Yuge) Milos Cuk (C) of Serbia competes during the water polo men’s bronze medal match between Greece and Serbia at the World Aquatics Championships […]

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Efstathios Kalogeropoulos (R) of Greece competes during the water polo men’s bronze medal match between Greece and Serbia at the World Aquatics Championships 2025 in Singapore on July 24, 2025. (Xinhua/Xue Yuge)

Milos Cuk (C) of Serbia competes during the water polo men’s bronze medal match between Greece and Serbia at the World Aquatics Championships 2025 in Singapore on July 24, 2025. (Xinhua/Xue Yuge)

Milos Cuk (R) of Serbia competes during the water polo men’s bronze medal match between Greece and Serbia at the World Aquatics Championships 2025 in Singapore on July 24, 2025. (Xinhua/Xue Yuge)

Members of Greece celebrate after the water polo men’s bronze medal match between Greece and Serbia at the World Aquatics Championships 2025 in Singapore on July 24, 2025. (Xinhua/Xue Yuge)

Efstathios Kalogeropoulos of Greece shoots during the water polo men’s bronze medal match between Greece and Serbia at the World Aquatics Championships 2025 in Singapore on July 24, 2025. (Xinhua/Xue Yuge)

Strahinja Rasovic (R, front) of Serbia passes the ball during the water polo men’s bronze medal match between Greece and Serbia at the World Aquatics Championships 2025 in Singapore on July 24, 2025. (Xinhua/Xue Yuge)

Boris Vapenski (1st L) of Serbia competes during the water polo men’s bronze medal match between Greece and Serbia at the World Aquatics Championships 2025 in Singapore on July 24, 2025. (Xinhua/Xue Yuge)

Nikola Jaksic of Serbia competes during the water polo men’s bronze medal match between Greece and Serbia at the World Aquatics Championships 2025 in Singapore on July 24, 2025. (Xinhua/Xue Yuge)



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“Where Are They Now?” Featuring Branden D. Bufford

Football 7/24/2025 10:00:00 AM Deyla Davis, journalism major, c/o ’27 Former Bison standout transitions to higher education positions Story Links WASHINGTON (July 24, 2025) – Branden D. Bufford is a former three-year starter for the Howard […]

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Where Are They Now



Football


Deyla Davis, journalism major, c/o ’27


Former Bison standout transitions to higher education positions




WASHINGTON (July 24, 2025)Branden D. Bufford is a former three-year starter for the Howard University football team where he began his career as a walk-on before earning a scholarship and starting position for the Bison.
 
Bufford attributes his successes on and off the field to his coaches Ron Bolton, Terry Simms, Andre Creamer, Travis Coleman and James Moses. He also acknowledges his teammates Arlandus Hood, Rickey Jackson, Randell Means, Arnando Jamison and record-setting receiver Jarahn Williams for their influence, support and friendship while competing inside Greene Stadium at The Hilltop.
 
Bufford’s commitment to community service is as strong as his dedication to sports. He was an active member of the Michigan State Club, a two-time participant in Howard University’s Alternative Spring Break and a Spring 2009 initiate of the Alpha Tau Chapter of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.
 
In 2011, Bufford ended his undergraduate journey at Howard. Although his time on the field at Greene Stadium had concluded, he never put the ball down. He continued his athletic career as an undrafted free agent in Detroit where his love for the game grew. He took his talents to the Detroit Lions and the now-defunct Chicago Rush of the Arena Football League.
 
After retiring his jersey, Bufford completed his education at Wayne State University, graduating with a master’s in education leadership.
 
He began his education career as a physical education teacher but soon transitioned from the classroom to higher education positions and a college and career position. Bufford currently works as a talent recruiter for KIPP Chicago Public Schools.
 
Before Howard, Bufford attended Cass Tech High School, a powerhouse program in Detroit, where he earned All-City and All-Performer titles in track and field, competing in the high and low hurdles.
 
Bufford is a second-generation educator and a third-generation landlord, acquiring and managing properties in Detroit.
 
Bufford currently calls Chicago home where he lives with his wife, Casey Bufford, and his two children, Taylor, 9, and Jabari, 4, who both respond correctly when you yell “H-U!”

About Where Are They Now?

 

The weekly series of “Where Are They Now?” appears on Thursdays throughout the year.

 

The series will feature former student-athletes from all sports and eras, highlighting their careers as athletes at the University and what they are presently doing.

 

All interested former athletes and their coaches should submit a short bio, a recent head shot and contact information on how they can be reached via email to Jade Spurlock (jade.spurlock@bison.howard.edu) and Derek W. Bryant (derek.bryant@howard.edu).

 

For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.



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Joseph Benson Elevated to CCNY Head Cross Country/Track and Field Coach

Story Links Release Courtesy CCNY Athletic Communications NEW YORK – The City College of New York has announced that Joseph Benson, a proud alumnus and longtime assistant coach, has been elevated to Head Coach of the men’s and women’s cross country and track & field programs ahead of the 2025–26 academic year, […]

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Release Courtesy CCNY Athletic Communications

NEW YORK – The City College of New York has announced that Joseph Benson, a proud alumnus and longtime assistant coach, has been elevated to Head Coach of the men’s and women’s cross country and track & field programs ahead of the 2025–26 academic year, Interim Director of Athletics Karina Jorge announced Thursday.

“Joey is a product of our program who understands the demands, the legacy, and the potential of CCNY Athletics,” said Interim Director of Athletics Karina Jorge. “His passion for CCNY, combined with his leadership, consistency, and deep understanding of our programs, make him the ideal choice to lead our cross country and track & field programs. He’s helped lay the foundation for much of our recent success, and we are confident he will continue to build a culture of excellence and elevate our teams both competitively and academically.”

A dedicated member of the CCNY coaching staff since 2017, Benson has been instrumental in the success of the Beavers’ cross country and distance squads. His tenure has been marked by championship performances, NCAA Regional appearances, and a steadfast commitment to the athletic and personal development of his student-athletes.

“I’m incredibly excited and honored to be named head coach of cross country and track & field at CCNY,” said Benson. “As an alumnus, this program and this school hold a special place in my heart. There’s a rich history of success here — some of which I’ve been fortunate to be part of — and I’m looking forward to building on that legacy and helping our student-athletes continue to grow, compete, and succeed both on and off the track.”

During his time as an assistant coach, Benson helped lead CCNY to numerous CUNY Athletic Conference titles across both track & field and cross country: 

  • Men’s Cross Country CUNYAC Championships: 2018, 2019
  • Men’s Indoor & Track & Field CUNYAC Championships: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023
  • Men’s Outdoor Track & Field CUNYAC Championships: 2018, 2019
  • Women’s Indoor Track & Field CUNYAC Championships: 2018, 2019, 2020
  • Women’s Outdoor Track & Field CUNYAC Championship: 2018
  • Women’s Cross Country CUNYAC Runner-Up Finishes: 2021, 2022

In 2022–23, Benson was elevated to Co-Head Coach for the indoor track & field season, guiding the men’s team to a dramatic one-point victory at the CUNYAC Indoor Championship and earning CUNYAC Coach of the Year honors. Later that spring, both the men’s and women’s outdoor teams finished as runners-up at the conference championships.

A passionate runner, Benson’s journey with CCNY began as a student-athlete from 2014 to 2015, competing in both cross country and track & field. He later served as team manager before earning his bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from CCNY’s Grove School of Engineering in 2016. Outside of athletics, Benson works professionally in Radio Frequency (RF) Engineering, where he designs critical communication infrastructure for high-level projects—bringing the same precision and problem-solving approach to his coaching philosophy.


For the latest news on the CUNY Athletic Conference, log on to cunyathletics.com – the official site of the CUNY Athletic Conference. Also, become a follower of the CUNYAC on Instagram (@CUNYAC), Twitter (@CUNYAC) and YouTube (@CUNY Athletic Conference), and “LIKE” Us on Facebook (CUNY Athletic Conference).





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White County Lady Warriors – BLITZ

Three straight 30-win seasons, and a Final 4 run for the second time in a 3-year stretch. That’s phenomenal. The Lady Warriors will look to retool the lineup and continue to be one of the top teams in North Georgia. PRESEASON INFO 2024 Record: 32-10; Region Runner-Up; Final 4Head Coach: Yarixa Oakes (4th Season)Returning Starters: […]

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Three straight 30-win seasons, and a Final 4 run for the second time in a 3-year stretch. That’s phenomenal. The Lady Warriors will look to retool the lineup and continue to be one of the top teams in North Georgia.

PRESEASON INFO

2024 Record: 32-10; Region Runner-Up; Final 4
Head Coach: Yarixa Oakes (4th Season)
Returning Starters: 2
Key Departures: Mya Yeh, Jenna Pratt, Emma Kerley, Sarah Jarrard,
Baylee Rae Vandiver, Rylee Elrod, Brooklyn Thomason
Key Players: Daylee Barrett, Kalynn Watkins, Aslyn Burkett, incoming freshmen Madi Coker & Mya Palmer; transfer Emmy Barton
Strengths: “We are a young team with a lot of potential,” says Oakes. “We have multiple utility players to allow us to switch up rotations depending on opponents giving us an advantage over other teams.”

“We would love to make another long run into state, have a winning record, and finish top-2 in the region,” says Oakes of the expectations for the girls.



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No. 9 Five Long Beach Teams Win CIF-SS Academic Championships – The562.org

Out of 556 total high schools in the CIF-SS, Long Beach Poly boys’ and girls’ cross country, Poly boys’ and girls’ wrestling, and Wilson girls’ water polo posted the highest cumulative unweighted team GPAs in the large school division for their respective sports. This success, both in each team’s sport and in the classroom, earn […]

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Out of 556 total high schools in the CIF-SS, Long Beach Poly boys’ and girls’ cross country, Poly boys’ and girls’ wrestling, and Wilson girls’ water polo posted the highest cumulative unweighted team GPAs in the large school division for their respective sports. This success, both in each team’s sport and in the classroom, earn the No. 9 spot for our Top 10 High School Sports Moments of the Year.

The CIF Southern Section is one of the most competitive in the state. It contains more than double the amount of schools than any other section in the state, with the second largest being the Sac-Joaquin Section, which encompasses 198 schools. This makes it highly competitive both on the field, and off.

Schools with an enrollment of 1,500 or above are deemed to be large schools. For each CIF sanctioned sport, a small school and large school are commemorated as academic team champions for the school year at an Angels’ baseball game. 

CIF celebrated these academic championships with a ceremony at Angel Stadium in April. Two representatives from each team held a banner with their title and waved up to the crowd from the field as each name was announced. 

Long Beach Poly boys’ and girls’ cross country had unweighted GPAs of 3.950 and 3.957, respectively, Poly boys’ and girls’ wrestling posted GPAs of 3.765 and 3.821, respectively, and Wilson girls’ water polo possessed a GPA of 3.936.

Poly’s boys’ wrestling, girls’ swim and dive, boys’ water polo, and girls’ golf were also recognized at last year’s edition of the event, making it the third year in a row that four or more Long Beach teams have won the award.



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Nebraska Volleyball Tabbed Preseason Big Ten Favorite

Nebraska volleyball is the Big Ten preseason favorite heading into Dani Busboom Kelly’s first season in charge. The conference released its preseason coaches poll and all-conference team on Thursday ahead of next week’s Big Ten Media Days in Chicago. Four Huskers made the 20-player all-conference team: setter Bergen Reilly, outside hitter Harper Murray and middle […]

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Nebraska volleyball is the Big Ten preseason favorite heading into Dani Busboom Kelly’s first season in charge.

The conference released its preseason coaches poll and all-conference team on Thursday ahead of next week’s Big Ten Media Days in Chicago. Four Huskers made the 20-player all-conference team: setter Bergen Reilly, outside hitter Harper Murray and middle blockers Andi Jackson and Rebekah Allick. The first three were unanimous picks.

The Huskers went 33-3 overall last season including 19-1 in Big Ten play, falling in the national semifinals. The Huskers return most of their starters but lost legendary head coach John Cook to retirement following the season. Despite the coaching change, the program didn’t see a single player transfer out or decommit, giving Busboom Kelly a loaded roster to begin her head coaching career in Lincoln.

Penn State, who won the national championship and tied Nebraska for first in the Big Ten last season, is second. Wisconsin, Minnesota and UCLA round out the preseason top five.

Besides the three Huskers, only two others were unanimous all-conference selections and both are Nittany Lions: sophomore setter Izzy Starck and junior opposite hitter Kennedy Martin, a high-profile transfer from Florida. Nebraska four selections tied for the most with UCLA. Penn State and Wisconsin each placed three representatives on the team.

Reilly is a two-time Big Ten Setter of the Year. The 6-foot-1 junior from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, was second in the Big Ten (and 10th nationally) with 11.08 assists per set last season. She led the Huskers to their highest hitting percentage since 2016 at .284. Reilly was a second-team AVCA All-American and a first-team All-Big Ten selection, setting a record by earning Big Ten Setter of the Week five times in one season.

Murray was also a second-team All-American and first-team ALl-Big Ten performer last season after leading the Husker attack at 3.4 kills per set on .257 hitting. She averaged 2.43 digs per set and recorded nine double-doubles while leading Nebraska with 39 service aces. The 6-foot-2 junior from Ann Arbor, Michigan, will represent Nebraska in Chicago next week.

Jackson was a first-team All-America and Big Ten selection last year after one of the most efficient seasons in program history. The 6-foot-3 middle blocker from Brighton, Colorado, averaged 2.62 kills per set on a blistering .439 hitting, sixth in the country and fourth in Nebraska history. She also averaged 1.18 blocks per set.

Allick, who will join Murray and Busboom Kelly in Chicago for Big Ten Media Days, is the longest-tenured Husker alongside fellow senior Maisie Boesiger. A three-year starter, the 6-foot-4 Lincoln native has been a dominant blocker throughout her career and took a step forward offensively as well last year. She averaged 1.82 kills per set on a career-high .357 hitting to go with her team-leading 1.43 blocks per set, 14th in the nation and third in the Big Ten.

Busboom Kelly, Murray and Allick will speak at Big Ten Media Days on Monday. Fan will get a look at the Huskers during the team’s Red-White Scrimmage on Aug. 9 and Alumni Match on Aug. 16 before they open the season at the AVCA First Serve Showcase at Pinnacle Bank Arena on Aug. 22.



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