Florida Gulf Coast outside hitter Cortney VanLiew received more recognition Monday from the Atlantic Sun Conference after leading the Eagles volleyball team to the Sunshine State Classic championship over the weekend.
VanLiew, a junior from Columbus East, joined Kennesaw State’s Quin Sutphin as the co-Players of the Week. VanLiew was named the Most Valuable Player of the Sunshine State Classic after totaling 46 kills, two aces, 24 digs and five blocks over three wins against the Miami (Florida), Central Florida and Florida Atlantic.
The Eagles improve to 10-2, and VanLiew has played a big part, leading the team with 181 total kills. She now is 29 kills shy of becoming the third player in the program’s Division I Era with 1,000 in her career.
Williams hits milestone
IU-Kokomo setter Kendal Williams hit a career milestone reaching 1000 total assists for the Cougars in their 25-15, 25-20, 25-21 victory over St. Xavier Friday. She finished with 14 assists, five digs and an ace.
Williams, a sophomore from East, tallied 21 assists, six digs and two aces in its 24-26, 25-9, 25-19, 25-17 conference win over Brescia University Saturday. The Cougars improve to 11-5, 1-0 for the season.
Western still solid
Northern Kentucky middle blocker Bailey Western finished with 13 kills, five blocks and three digs in a 22-25, 25-18, 25-16, 25-27, 15-9 loss to Western Kentucky on Friday.
Western, a junior from East, added four kills, two digs and an ace in a 25-20, 25-12, 28-26 win over Samford and finished with six kills, four blocks, two digs and two aces in a 25-19, 25-21, 25-22 victory over Tulsa on Saturday.
The Norse are 7-5.
Schoen makes return
Eastern Kentucky defensive specialist Sydney Schoen returned to the court Friday after an ankle injury sidelined her for the beginning of the season. She recorded two aces in a 25-17, 25-26, 29-17 loss to Navy.
Schoen, a sophomore from Hauser, finished with two digs, an assist and an ace in a 25-17, 27-25, 25-18 loss to West Virginia and had four digs in a 25-18, 24-26, 25-22, 25-22 loss to Duquesne on Saturday.
FOOTBALL
Crider back on track
Harry Crider and Indiana University got back on the winning track Saturday with a 38-3 home rout over UConn.
Crider, a junior from East, started at left guard in the contest, and helping the running game establish 178 total net yards.
Redding, Burton play
Miami (Ohio) running back Mitchell Burton, a redshirt sophomore from Columbus North, ran for 12 yards on five carries in Saturday’s 76-5 loss to sixth-ranked Ohio State.
Burton’s teammate David Redding, also a redshirt sophomore from North, started at left guard for the 1-3 Redhawks.
MEN’S SOCCER
Smith nets goals
Thomas More’s Ethan Smith netted the lone goal in a 1-0 victory over IU-East on Thursday.
Smith, a senior from North, also recorded the only goal in a 7-1 loss to Kenyon on Saturday.
Bentham preserves win
Fredonia State goalkeeper Ty Bentham, a senior from North, recorded two saves in a 3-2 win over Allegheny Saturday.
The Blue Devils at 3-3-2.
CROSS-COUNTRY
Spoon runs third
Asbury’s Justin Spoon placed third individually with a time of 28 minutes, 8 seconds in Patty Forgey Invitational Saturday hosted by the University of Rio Grande.
Spoon, a junior from North, helped the Eagles to a second-place finish with 70 points. Lindsey Wilson won with a 24.
Rankin finishes 15th
Grace College’s Ben Rankin ran to a 15th place finish with a time of 27:56 for 8K (5 miles) in the Midwest Intercollegiate Championships Friday at Olivet Nazarene.
Rankin, a senior from North, helped the Lancers to a third place finish with 94 points. Olivet Nazarene won with 18.
Tong runs strong
Hanover’s Arig Tong finished 109th in the John McNichols Invitational at the LaVern Gibson Championship Cross-Counry Course in Terre Haute. The race featured teams in Division I, Division II and Division III.
Tong, a sophomore from North, was the second-fastest Division III runner in the field with a time of 19:25 for 5K (3.1 miles), which was her season best, to help the Panthers to a 15th-place finish with 463 points. Arkansas won with 49.
In the men’s Division III race, John Sluys and David Seelye helped Rose-Hulman to a 17th place finish with 516 points in John McNichols Invitational at LaVern Gibson Course in Terre Haute. Northern Arizona won with 31.
Sluys, a freshman from North, clocked in at 28:33 for 8K to finish 193rd overall, and Seelye, a sophomore from Hauser, finished in 30:10 to place 235th.
GOLF
Turner has strong outing
St. Francis’ Bryce Turner claimed a fourth-place finish Battle at Blackthorn in South Bend.
Turner, a junior from North, fired a 69 on Friday and finished with a 76 on Saturday. The Cougars shot a 602 to finish in third. Holy Cross won with a 587.
VanNess finishes first
Marian’s Parker VanNess shot rounds of 72 and 77 Sept. 16 and Tuesday to win medalist honors at the Battle at the Rock tournament in Peru.
VanNess, a freshman from Brown County, helped the Knights place second with a 621, which was three shots behind winner Indiana Wesleyan.
James Pence is a sports writer for The Republic. He can be reached at jpence@therepublic.com or 812-379-5632.
