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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Allison Sadler certainly wasn't the only reason Washburn University's volleyball team avenged an earlier loss to Northwest Missouri with a 3-1 victory Saturday at Lee Arena.
But the return of the Ichabods' All-MIAA senior setter was definitely a big factor as WU improved to 9-3 on the season with a 25-19, 24-26, 25-18, 25-16 win over the Bearcats, the Ichabods' fourth straight victory.
Northwest Missouri, which fell to 6-2, had handed Washburn its first loss of the spring season back on Feb. 24, with the Bearcats taking a 3-1 win at Maryville, Mo. as the Ichabods were still trying to adjust to playing without Sadler.
Washburn senior setter Allison Sadler helped the Ichabods avenge an earlier loss to Northwest Missouri with a 3-1 home win Saturday. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
"At the time we had a weird situation in the fact that Allison is in law school and it was just too much for her (going to school and playing),'' Washburn coach Chris Herron said. "I encouraged her to step away. I said, 'You've got to be happy and you're not happy,' so she stopped playing, but she stopped playing the day before we were supposed to play (Northwest) and that gave us no time at all to prep for them. They're a good team and they took it to us.''
Washburn turned the tables in Saturday's rematch, however, with Sadler back in her customary role.
"Allison kind of got a refresher and after a couple of weeks said, 'Hey, wait! I'm going to make it work,' and she came back. She only comes to practice once a week, on Wednesdays, and then plays with us on the weekends. She's kind enough to do that and it makes a big difference.''
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By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
For the first time in his Northeastern State baseball career, Reid Fehr finally got the chance Saturday to play in his home town of Topeka.
The former Seaman three-sport athlete made the most of his opportunity, turning in a big performance at the plate as the RiverHawks rallied from 4-0 and 6-3 deficits to take a 13-6 MIAA win over Washburn in the first game if a three-game series.
Fehr went three for five on the day with a home run, four runs batted in and two runs scored, experiencing the kind of homecoming that athletes dream about.
"Absolutely,'' said Fehr, a six-year senior. "It's awesome to come home and get the first game of a series. Now we're looking forward to (Sunday's) doubleheader and just get after them again.''
Northeastern State senior center-fielder Reid Fehr celebrates his three-run home run in the sixth inning of Saturday's 13-6 RiverHawks win over Washburn at Falley Field. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Topeka High, Washburn Rural sweep first-team spots on TSN's All-Shawnee County girls basketball team
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Topeka High junior NiJaree Canady has been named TopSports.news' All-Shawnee County girls basketball player of the year after leading the Trojans to a 23-2 record and a second-place finish in Class 6A. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
NiJaree Canady, a 6-foot junior, headlines TopSports.news' first-ever All-Shawnee County girls basketball team after leading Topeka High to a second-place finish in the Class 6A state tournament and a 23-2 record overall.
Player of the year Canady, who averaged 20.6 points, 12.3 rebounds, 2.5 steals and 1.8 blocks, is joined on the all-county team by teammates Kiki Smith, a sophomore, and her older sister, senior Lilly Smith, while Washburn Rural sophomore Brooklyn DeLeye and junior Emma Krueger earned the other two first-team spots after leading the Junior Blues to a 16-3 record.
Kiki Smith averaged 15.7 points, 3.0 assists, 2.8 steals and hit 39 3-pointers while Lilly Smith averaged 8.7 points, 1.9 steals and led the city with 41 made 3-pointers.
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NOTE: Statistics for city Centennial League and United Kansas Conference girls basketball teams were compiled by Seaman girls coach Matt Tinsley, with assistance from Seaman junior Jackson Stuewe.
Topeka High junior NiJaree Canady led the city in scoring, rebounding and blocked shots. [File photo/TSN]
SCORING
Name, school Gms. Pts. Avg
Canady, Topeka High 22 454 20.6
DeLeye, Washburn Rural 19 329 17.3
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Washburn Rural senior 120-pounder Bishop Murray was named the Shawnee County wrestler of the year after capturing his third Class 6A state wrestling championship. [Submitted]
By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
After a dominating 2020-21 season that produced the first state boys team title in Washburn Rural history, five state finalists and three state champions, it's probably not a big surprise that the Junior Blues also dominate TopSports.news' inaugural All-Shawnee County boys wrestling team.
The Junior Blues put eight wrestlers on the all-county team and swept the individual awards, with senior Bishop Murray selected as county wrestler of the year, freshman Jonathan Morrison named newcomer of the year and Rural coach Damon Parker earning the coach of the year honor.
Murray, 29-1 on the season, won the third Class 6A state championship of his career as a senior, taking the 120-pound championship, while Morrison (29-3) won the 106-pound title in his first state meet and Parker swept the Shawnee County girls and boys coach of the year awards after leading the Junior Blues to a sweep of the 6A state championships.
