The Griswold Tigers volleyball team has a lot to be proud of when they look back at their 2024 season. The Tigers fought their way through a grueling schedule en route to finishing with a 17-16 record. Out of their 16 losses, 11 of them were to teams that made it to the regional semi-finals or finals.  Although the Tigers would’ve liked to see a better record, coach Jody Rossell thinks there is a lot to be proud of.

There were a lot of great moments for the Tigers this year. Senior Gabbie Greieman broke the record for the highest kill efficiency in a season (.332). A record that was set back in 1982.

Griswold’s season also included bounce-back wins versus very difficult teams in the Southwest Valley and ACGC.  Although the Tigers had lost teams to both in a tournament,  Griswold would secure wins against both. Rossell was very pleased with the amount of resiliency that her group showed. Although one of the Tigers’ resiliency, Rossell says the lessons go well beyond the game.

Unfortunately for Griswold, the Tigers graduated nine seniors this season. Although things might look a little different next season, there are plenty of girls who are ready to step up and fill in the gaps left by the outgoing seniors.

Although the Tigers wanted a few more wins, it is hard to say that a resilient team that fought through a difficult schedule, met goals and broke some records along the way a record along the way a way, would be unsuccessful.

Fifth ranked Iowa State raced away from a nine point halftime lead and crushed Colorado 99-71 in the fifth place game at the Maui Invitational. Milan Momcilovic led the way with 24 points ands Curtis Jones finished with 19 as ISU finished the tournament with a 2-1 record.

The Cyclones shot 60 percent for the game and forced 17 Colorado turnovers.

That’s ISU coach T.J. Otzelberger who felt the bench performed well as the tournament progressed.

The Cyclones are 5-1.

Wartburg opens the NCAA Division III playoffs at home on Saturday against Wisconsin-Platteville. These teams scrimmaged in the preseason and Wartburg coach Chris Winter says both teams have matured since then.

Winter says the style of play from Wisconsin-Platteville will be the same they saw in the scrimmage.

These teams have been scrimmaging in the preseason for more than a decade.

Winter says Wartburg’s playoff experience should help them manage what is expected to be cold conditions.

The Knights have made it to the national semifinals in each of the last two seasons.

IOWA CITY, Iowa — Former University of Iowa linebacker Ed Miles will serve as honorary captain when the Hawkeyes host Nebraska in the Pioneer Heroes Game on Friday on Duke Slater Field at Kinnick Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 6:30 p.m. (CT) and the contest will be televised on NBC and broadcast on the Hawkeye Radio Network.

Miles was a four-year letterman from 2003-06. While on the squad, the Hawkeyes won a Big Ten Championship (2004) and competed in four bowl games, including bowl wins in the Outback (2004) and Citrus (2005).

After redshirting in 2002, Miles played special teams and was recognized as an All-Big Ten freshman by Sporting News in 2003. He started two games at linebacker and was recognized as Iowa Special Teams Player of the Year as a sophomore in 2004. He was a starting linebacker his final two seasons, finishing his career with 186 tackles and four sacks.

Miles had a three-stint in the National Football League following graduation. He signed with Miami as an undrafted free agent in 2007. After playing 18 games with the Dolphins, he was on the New York Giants roster in 2008 and Atlanta Falcons in 2009.

The native of Tallahassee, Florida, just concluded his third season as head football coach at Cedar Rapids Jefferson High School. He previously served as assistant coach at Linn-Mar from 2016-20.

Miles will accompany the Iowa captains to midfield for Friday’s pregame coin toss. He will also be with the Hawkeyes in the locker room before and after the game.

The UNI women’s basketball team is in the Virgin Islands and will play Auburn Thursday afternoon in the Paradise Jam. The Panthers are 3-1 and have been off since last week’s victory over then eighth ranked Iowa State.

That’s Panther coach Tanya Warren who says her team is ready to move on to the next challenge.

The Panthers will play three games in three days.