Tuskegee Golden Tigers release 2017 baseball schedule

HEAD COACH REGINALD HOLLINS
Tuskegee Baseball

TUSKEGEE, Alabama | First year head coach Reginald Hollins released the 2017 Tuskegee University baseball schedule tonight, a schedule that features 25 home games that will be played at Montgomery's historic Paterson Field.

Tuskegee opens the 2017 campaign at home with a doubleheader, before playing four of their first seven games at home. The Golden Tigers open at home February 3 against Selma University in a doubleheader, before hitting the road to face Clark Atlanta University (February 4) in a doubleheader and the University of Montevallo (February 8). The team returns home for a doubleheader against Virginia State University (February 11) before hitting the road for nine consecutive games.

The road trip starts with a neutral site doubleheader against Eastern New Mexico University (February 13) at the Home Plate Baseball Facility in Atlanta. The trip continues with a three-game stint in Miami (Fla.) against Barry University taking place February 17-18, and concludes with a doubleheader against Concordia University (February 21) and Paine College (February 25).

The road trip ends when the Golden Tigers host Montevallo to open the month of March, on the first, before playing a doubleheader at Selma (March 3) and a single game at Columbus State University (March 8).

A modest three-game home stand that spans three days begins March 11 with a doubleheader against Stillman College, followed by a game against Georgia Southwestern State University (March 14).

Following a three-game series, opening Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) play, on the road at Morehouse College (March 18-19), the Golden Tigers return home for a doubleheader against Concordia-Selma (March 21) and then hit the road for another SIAC series at Kentucky State University (March 25-26).

The Golden Tigers return home after their series with Kentucky State for their longest home stand of the season – a nine-game stand beginning with Rust College in a doubleheader on March 29. The stay at home with an SIAC series against Miles College (April 1-2), highlighted by their annual Breast Cancer Awareness Day on April 1 at 12 noon. The series continues with a single game against Columbus State (April 5) and an SIAC series against Spring Hill College (April 8-9).

The final road swing of the season features games at Georgia Southwestern (April 11) and an SIAC series against LeMoyne-Owen College (April 14-15). The final road game of the season takes place in Montgomery as the Golden Tigers face Auburn University Montgomery on the east side of Montgomery on April 18.

Tuskegee closes the regular season with a six-game home stand against Lane College (April 22-23) and Benedict College (April 29-30), with Senior Day being celebrated in the final game of the regular season on April 30 at 1 pm.

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Tuskegee University

2017 Baseball Schedule

Date		Opponent	Location	Time/Result
2/3/2017		Selma	Montgomery, AL	1:00 pm
2/3/2017		Selma	Montgomery, AL	3:30 pm
2/4/2017		Clark Atlanta	Atlanta, GA	12 noon (est)
2/4/2017		Clark Atlanta	Atlanta, GA	2:30 pm (est)
2/8/2017		Montevallo	Montevallo, AL	2:00 pm
2/11/2017		Virginia State	Montgomery, AL	12:00 pm
2/11/2017		Virginia State	Montgomery, AL	2:30 pm
2/13/2017		Eastern New Mexico	Atlanta, GA	11:00 am (est)
2/13/2017		Eastern New Mexico	Atlanta, GA	1:30 pm (est)
2/17/2017		Barry	Miami Shores, FL	6:00 pm (est)
2/18/2017		Barry	Miami Shores, FL	2:30 pm (est)
2/18/2017		Barry	Miami Shores, FL	12:00 pm (est)
2/21/2017		Concordia-Selma	Selma, AL	12:00 pm
2/21/2017		Concordia-Selma	Selma, AL	2:30 pm
2/25/2017		Paine	Augusta, GA	2:30 pm (est)
2/25/2017		Paine	Augusta, GA	12:00 pm (est)
3/1/2017		Montevallo	Montgomery, AL	2:00 pm
3/3/2017		Selma	Selma, AL	2:30 pm
3/8/2017		Columbus State	Columbus, GA	4:00 pm (est)
3/11/2017		Stillman	Montgomery, AL	1:00 pm
3/11/2017		Stillman	Montgomery, AL	3:30 pm
3/14/2017		Georgia Southwestern	Montgomery, AL	4:00 pm
3/18/2017	*	Morehouse	Atlanta, GA	12:00 pm (est)
3/18/2017	*	Morehouse	Atlanta, GA	2:30 pm (est)
3/19/2017	*	Morehouse	Atlanta, GA	1:00 pm (est)
3/21/2017		Concordia-Selma	Montgomery, AL	1:00 pm
3/21/2017		Concordia-Selma	Montgomery, AL	3:30 pm
3/25/2017	*	Kentucky State	Frankfort, KY	2:30 pm (est)
3/25/2017	*	Kentucky State	Frankfort, KY	12:00 pm (est)
3/26/2017	*	Kentucky State	Frankfort, KY	TBA
3/29/2017		Rust	Montgomery, AL	12:00 pm
3/29/2017		Rust	Montgomery, AL	2:30 pm
4/1/2017	*	Miles	Montgomery, AL	12:00 pm
4/1/2017	*	Miles	Montgomery, AL	2:30 pm
4/2/2017	*	Miles	Montgomery, AL	1:00 pm
4/5/2017		Columbus State	Montgomery, AL	4:00 pm
4/8/2017	*	Spring Hill	Montgomery, AL	12:00 pm
4/8/2017	*	Spring Hill	Montgomery, AL	2:30 pm
4/9/2017	*	Spring Hill	Montgomery, AL	1:00 pm
4/11/2017		Georgia Southwestern	Americus, GA	5:00 pm (est)
4/14/2017	*	LeMoyne-Owen	Memphis, TN	12:00 pm
4/14/2017	*	LeMoyne-Owen	Memphis, TN	2:30 pm
4/15/2017	*	LeMoyne-Owen	Memphis, TN	1:00 pm
4/18/2017		Auburn-Montgomery	Montgomery, AL	6:00 pm
4/22/2017	*	Lane	Montgomery, AL	12:00 pm
4/22/2017	*	Lane	Montgomery, AL	2:30 pm
4/23/2017	*	Lane	Montgomery, AL	1:00 pm
4/29/2017	*	Benedict	Montgomery, AL	12:00 pm
4/29/2017	*	Benedict	Montgomery, AL	2:30 pm
4/30/2017	*	Benedict	Montgomery, AL	1:00 pm
SIAC Championships 5/3-7/2017 TBA TBA

TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY OFFICE OF SPORTS INFORMATION

The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) will hold its indoor track & field championships at Liberty University’s new plush $30M facility Feb. 12/13, 2017

LYNCHBURG, Virginia -- The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) will hold its indoor track & field championships at Liberty’s new facility Feb. 12 to 13. The Division II conference decided to move its championships from North Carolina on Sept. 30 in opposition to the state’s House Bill 2, which is commonly referred to as “the bathroom law.”

Construction crews were hard at work on a chilly Thursday afternoon when Brant Tolsma led a tour of Liberty University’s new indoor track & field facility.

Tolsma, who is in his 31st season as the Flames’ track & field coach and has won 100 conference championships during his tenure, knew exactly where everything was supposed to go. Each detail was important, right down to the flooring the athletes will walk on in the team camp area perched on the second floor.



Tolsma stopped and glanced at the work underway. The 200-meter track sat in the middle of the first floor, its corners raised as high as they could go to showcase the hydraulic banking. To the other side of the facility, permanent seating was being finalized. Below those stands, a training facility was taking shape to enhance the student-athlete’s experience.

“It’s everything that we know to want at this time,” Tolsma said, “and it’s more than I ever dreamed Liberty would ever get. It’s pretty amazing.”

The university is moving the indoor track & field facility from Green Hall to a plush, $30-million complex underneath the LU monogram that will rival the other facilities in the nation that boast hydraulic banking.

When completed early next month, the 130,000-square-foot facility will feature about 1,500 permanent seats, a six-lane track, an eight-lane warm-up track below an elevated team area. It also will have accommodations for field events that can be held concurrently with track, as well as locker rooms, a coaches’ hospitality room, concession stands, training rooms and offices.

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Virginia Union: The White Shadow on basketball, life

RICHMOND, Virginia — Dave Robbins misses basketball.

“I can’t help it, I do miss it.” said Robbins, who led tiny Virginia Union University in Richmond, Va. to three NCAA Division II national basketball championships in three different decades. The man called “The White Shadow” left coaching eight years ago. The first white coach in Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) history, Robbins amassed a 713-194 mark during a 30-year tenure.

He thinks about the sport constantly.



“It’s like someone who has been around horse racing all of their life,” said Robbins. “It’s a part of them. They miss the smell of the barn, the feel of the turf, the smell and feel of being around the horses. I’m a basketball coach. That’s what I did. I miss the smell of a gym. I miss seeing guys work hard to perfect their game and to work as a team. I miss it.

“As far as x’s and o’s are concerned, there’s no doubt that I could still coach. I’m not that far removed from the game. But it is a young man’s game. I realize that. The travel, the recruiting, it wears and tears on you. I don’t think I could deal with that. I’m 74 and that’s asking a lot of an old man.”

So these days, he spends a lot of time with his wife of 42 years, Bunny. He also spends a lot of time playing golf.

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Lower-level Division I teams embrace, enjoy epic road trips

ITTA BENA, Mississippi — Mississippi Valley State was hanging fairly close with nationally ranked Michigan State earlier this year before Spartans' guard Miles Bridges took a pass, sprinted down the lane and threw down a vicious one-handed dunk over Jamal Watson.

After that, Michigan State cruised to a 100-53 win over the Delta Devils in one of their 14 consecutive road games to start the season. MVSU coach Andre Payne recalled how following the November game he took an upbeat approach to the drubbing.

Payne went around the locker room praising each player until he saw Watson. He couldn't help but grin.

"And guess what?" Payne said. "You'll get to be on SportsCenter tonight!"

The room burst into laughter. Two months of road games requires a little gallows humor, though Mississippi Valley coaches and players say the experience is often much more rewarding than demoralizing.

MVSU (0-13) and Texas Southern (4-9) are among a handful of lower-level Division I teams that lead a nomadic existence during non-conference play, traveling to play road games with guaranteed payouts.

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Southern Highlights Fort Valley State 2017 Football Schedule

FORT VALLEY, Georgia -- Fort Valley State University Director of Athletics Dr. Darryl Pope, has announced the Wildcats 2017 football schedule. The Wildcats will play a 10 game schedule, which includes four home games, five away games and the Fountain City Classic.

After, this season's slow start, hiring a new coach and coaching staff in late June and players having to buy into a new system the season took an amazing turned. The Wildcats opened with two losses, an overtime win and another four game skid. The team had to win their last two games, of which they did, before meeting Albany State in the Eastern Division Championship game on November 5th. FVSU defeated Albany State and clocked a date with Kentucky State for the SIAC Championship in Montgomery, Alabama. The Wildcats capped off the amazing season with a 33-30 overtime victory and FVSU's 12th SIAC Championship.

The Wildcats will open the 2017 season in Carrollton, Georgia on Thursday, August 31 with the University of West Georgia at 7 p.m., and play Valdosta State University in Waycross, Georgia on Saturday, September 9 at 7 p.m. FVSU's home opener features Miles College on Saturday, September 16 at 6 p.m., then host Benedict College on Saturday, September 23 at 2 p.m. On Saturday, September 30, the Wildcats will play Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana for the second time at 6 p.m. Southern leads the series 1-0. Next on the schedule is a trip to Atlanta, Georgia on Saturday, October 7 with Clark Atlanta University in a 2 p.m. contest, before returning home to host Lane College on October 14 at 2 p.m. FVSU travels to Wilberforce, Ohio on Saturday, October 21 to play Central State University at 1:30 p.m. (CST) and return home for homecoming with Morehouse College on October 28 at 2 p.m. The final regular season game comes on Saturday, November 4 with Albany State University in the 28th Fountain City Classic game in Columbus, Georgia at 2 p.m.

WILDCATS 2017 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

DATE	OPPONENT	LOCATION	TIME
Thur. Aug.31	University of West Georgia	Carrollton, Georgia	7:00 PM
Sat. Sept. 9	Valdosta State University	Waycross, Georgia	7:00 PM
SAT. SEPT. 16	MILES COLLEGE *	FORT VALLEY, GEORGIA	6:00 PM
SAT. SEPT. 23	BENEDICT COLLEGE *	FORT VALLEY, GEORGIA	2:00 PM
Sat. Sept. 30	Southern University	Baton Rouge, Louisiana	6:00 PM
Sat. Oct. 7	Clark Atlanta University *	Atlanta, Georgia	2:00 PM
SAT. OCT. 14	LANE COLLEGE *	FORT VALLEY, GEORGIA	2:00 PM
Sat. Oct. 21	Central State University *	Wilberforce, Ohio	1:30 PM (CST)
SAT. OCT. 28	MOREHOUSE COLLEGE *         (HOMECOMING)	FORT VALLEY, GEORGIA	2:00 PM
Sat. Nov. 4	Albany State University * 28th Annual Fountain City Classic	Columbus, Georgia	2:00 PM
Sat. Nov. 11	SIAC Championship	Montgomery, Alabama	7:00 PM (CST)

(BLUE) Indicate home games                                   (*) Indicate conference games

 FORT VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

Former NSU star Lynden Trail activated by Washington Redskins

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The third time was apparently the charm for former Norfolk State linebacker Lynden Trail.

Friday, a day after he was signed to the Washington Redskins’ practice squad for the third time in two seasons, Trail was activated for today’s game at Chicago.

The move marks the first time the 2014 NSU graduate has appeared on an NFL team’s active roster. An undrafted free agent out of college, he spent part of 2015 on Houston’s practice squad before being twice picked up by Washington.



The 6-foot-7, 270-pounder’s latest return to the Redskins came more than two months after he was waived by the team.He had nine tackles in four preseason games for Washington.

In April, shortly after being signed by the Redskins for the second time, Trail, 25, said he hoped to make his mark on special teams.

“At the end of the day, if you can play special teams, you can pretty much play on the defense as well,” he said. “So that’s going to be kind of my goal.”

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Southern Jaguars Releases 2017 Football Schedule

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -- Southern University football will make their third appearance in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge before facing two Football Bowl Subdivision opponents during the Jaguars 2017 schedule, officials announced Friday.

Southern welcomes South Carolina State - and a nationally televised audience - to Baton Rouge and A.W. Mumford Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 3. in the 11th installment of the ESPN Events sponsored game. The Jaguars hold the distinction of being the only SWAC school to win in the 10-year history of the challenge, claiming wins over Florida A&M in 2007 in Birmingham, Ala. and Delaware State in 2010 in Orlando.

The MEAC/SWAC Challenge features teams from two prominent Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) on the opening weekend of the college football season and is aired on an ESPN network. Prior to the 2016 game, the MEAC/SWAC Challenge originated as a neutral site game at historic Legion Field in Birmingham, Ala. before relocating to the Citrus Bowl in Orlando.

SU head coach Dawson Odums and former Alcorn State head coach Jay Hobson reunite on the gridiron when the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles, 2016 New Orleans Bowl champions, host the Jaguars on September 9 in Hattiesburg, Miss.

Following their first-ever meeting with Southern Miss, Southern heads to the Alamodome for the inaugural meeting against UT-San Antonio led by former LSU assistant coach and current Roadrunners' head coach Frank Wilson. In his first season, Wilson guided the Roadrunners to a Gildan New Mexico Bowl berth before losing to New Mexico 23-20 on Dec. 17.

Southern returns to the state of Mississippi to open the SWAC's new 7-game format against 3-time SWAC eastern division champ Alcorn State on Sept. 23 before NCAA Division II member Fort Valley State closes the Jaguars' nonconference schedule at Mumford Stadium on Sept. 30.

The league office elected to implement a 4-2-1 schedule format which requires conference teams to play four opponents within their division, two permanent cross-divisional foes and one team rotating yearly as a part of the conference slate.

The Jaguars, who finished 8-3, 8-1 in SWAC play - last season and reeled off eight straight wins, host Alabama A&M for homecoming on Oct. 7, then observe their first bye week off the season on Oct. 14.

Archrival Jackson State awaits SU following the off week on Oct. 21 in Jackson, Miss. before the Jaguars tangle with Arkansas-Pine Bluff on the road Oct. 28.

The month of November opens with a pair of Texas schools when Southern salutes their 2017 senior class in the home finale against Prairie View A&M on Nov. 4. After the Texas Southern game on Nov. 11 in Houston, Southern entertains one final bye week before looking to snap a two-game losing skid to Grambling State in the 44th annual Bayou Classic in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans on Nov. 25.

Teams on Southern's 11-game schedule compiled a 59-68 record in 2016.

For more information on Southern University Athletics log on to Gojagsports.com for the latest news, scores, and updates. Fans can also access the latest information on SU Athletics through social media by following @SoutherUsports on Twitter and Instagram or liking the SU Athletics Facebook page at Facebook.com/Southern Jaguars.

DATE	OPPONENT	LOCATION	TIME (CT)
2017 MEAC/SWAC Challenge
Sun, Sep 03	South Carolina State	A.W. Mumford Stadium	TBA
Sat, Sep 09	Southern Miss	Hattiesburg, Miss.	TBA
Sat, Sep 16	Texas-San Antonio	San Antonio, Texas | Alamodome	TBA
Sat, Sep 23	Alcorn State	Lorman, Miss.	TBA
Sat, Sep 30	Fort Valley State	A.W. Mumford Stadium	TBA
Sat, Oct 07	Alabama A&M *	A.W. Mumford Stadium	TBA
Sat, Oct 21	Jackson State	Jackson, Miss.	TBA
Sat, Oct 28	UAPB	Pine Bluff, Ark.	TBA
Sat, Nov 04	Prairie View A&M *	A.W. Mumford Stadium	TBA
Sat, Nov 11	Texas Southern	Houston, Texas | BBVA Compass	TBA
Sat, Nov 25	vs. Grambling State	New Orleans, La. | Mercedes-Benz Superdome	TBA

* Conference Games

SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

UAPB Rallies Past Morgan State for 53-44 Win

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Women's Basketball team picked up their third win of the season with the Lady Lions defeating Morgan State, 53-44 here Wednesday night at the Coliseo Roberto Clemente Arena.

UAPB jumped out to a 7-3 lead to open up the first quarter, capped off by a Destiny Brewton jumper with 4:58 remaining.

MSU used an 8-0 run to take a 11-7 lead into the second quarter of play, capped off by a Janessa Fauntroy free throw with 32 seconds left in the period.

In the second period of play, UAPB outscored MSU 11-8 to tie the contest at 19-19 on a Faith Ohanta jumper with 1:45 remaining.

The Lady Lions went into the break with 23-21 lead at the half.

MSU outscored UAPB, 13-10 to take a 34-33 lead into the fourth quarter of play.

The Lady Lions opened the fourth quarter with a 13-7 run to take a 46-41 lead with 2:50 left to go in the contest, capped off by a Brewton free throw with 2:50 to go in the contest. UAPB closed out the contest with a 7-3 run to hold on for the 53-44 win.

UAPB finished the contest shooting 40.0 percent (18-of-45), while MSU shot 30.0 percent (18-of-60).

MSU (2-8) had three Lady Bears to finish with 10 points each in Braennan Farrar, Zuri White and Tykyrah Williams. White led MSU on the boards with eight.

UAPB (3-7) had a pair of Lady Lions to finish in double-figures with Brewton scoring a team high 12 points and Niya Head adding 11. Both Malaik
Muhammad and Ohanta finished with five rebounds each to lead the Lady Lions on the boards. Also Brewton finished with a team high five assists.

BOX SCORE

UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS PINE BLUFF ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

TSU Lady Tigers end 2016 on high note with 70-62 win at FIU

MIAMI, Florida – The Lady Tigers of Texas Southern University went into their Christmas break on a high note Wednesday after defeating Florida International 70-62.

Sophomore post Artavia Ford recorded her second double-double of the season, scoring 25 points and pulling in 10 rebounds to lead Texas Southern (6-5), which ended a three-game losing skid. Ford shot 10-of-17 from the field.

The Lady Tigers scored seven unanswered points late in the fourth quarter to break a 56-56 tie and pull away from their hosts. TSU had led by as many as 10 points in the first half, but saw a nine-point lead evaporate late in the third quarter.

Joyce Kennerson tallied 17 points, five assists and two steals for the Lady Tigers, who concluded the non-conference portion of their schedule with the win. TSU returns to action Jan. 2 when they visit Alcorn State to open Southwestern Athletic Conference play.

Kristian Hudson scored 18 points to lead FIU (1-8). Kiandre'a Pound chipped in 12 points for the Panthers.

HOW IT HAPPENED:
Texas Southern seized control of the game early with an 11-2 run between the 8:04 and 1:48 marks of the first quarter to take a 17-7 lead. Kennerson scored the last six points of the run, while FIU collectively shot 1-of-7 and committed four turnovers during that span.

FIU cut into TSU's lead in the latter stages of the second period with a 7-2 run that cut the visitors' advantage to 32-28 with less than a minute remaining before halftime. A 3-pointer by Makenna Pouengue with 34 seconds left in the period gave the Lady Tigers a 35-28 halftime lead.

The Panthers completely erased TSU's lead with nine unanswered points between the 6:54 and 3:51 marks of the third quarter, as Amari Hawkins' fast-break layup tied the game at 42. In all, FIU would outscore Texas Southern 18-7 over the final seven minutes of the quarter, with TSU's Breasia McElrath cutting the deficit to 51-49 with 14 seconds remaining in the period.

After the teams exchanged baskets over the first portion of the final quarter, Ford helped the Lady Panthers pull away with seven unanswered points between the 5:27 and 2:17 marks of the period. Ford knocked down two jump shots and all three free throws she took; the run ended with a layup off a Kennerson assist while getting fouled.

As FIU was forced to foul as time wound down, Kennerson scored six of the team's final seven points.

KEY POINTS:
• Texas Southern improved to 2-4 all-time against FIU, and claimed their first-ever win over the Panthers in Miami; the Lady Tigers' only other win over FIU took place in Houston in 1987.
• The game marked the first time the teams had met since the 1992-93 season.
• Head coach Johnetta Hayes-Perry improved to 6-4 against Conference USA opponents in her coaching career.
• The Lady Tigers improved to 2-1 against Conference USA opponents this season; TSU opened the season with an 89-68 win at UTEP.
• Kaitlyn Palmer scored eight points for Texas Southern, while McElrath added seven points and seven rebounds.
• TSU's Chynna Ewing handed out five assists to go along with four points.

BOX SCORE

TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS

XULA's Perry is state's top freshman; Tomasoni honored

NEW ORLEANS — Amanda Perry became the first volleyball student-athlete from Xavier University of Louisiana to earn a major state award when she was named Freshman of the Year by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association late Wednesday.

Perry and teammate Juliana Tomasoni both were chosen second-team All-Louisiana. Perry tied for second in voting for Libero of the Year, and Tomasoni was runner-up for Newcomer of the Year.

An LSWA panel of college sports publicists selected the honorees.

Perry — from Bolingbrook, Ill., a graduate of Bolingbrook High School and a former club player with Sports Performance — set XULA season records with 529 digs, 4.64 digs per set and 19 consecutive matches with double-figure digs. She reached double-figure digs in 29-of-33 matches.

Tomasoni — a junior outside hitter/defensive specialist from Nova Trento, Brazil, and a graduate of Francisco Mazzola in her home country and Northeastern Oklahoma A&M — led the Gold Nuggets with 345 kills, 27 aces and 14 double-doubles and was second with a .242 hitting percentage and 391 digs. She produced a XULA-match-record 25 kills during the opening weekend of the season.

The XULA honorees helped the Gold Nuggets win Gulf Coast Athletic Conference regular-season and tournament championships and qualify for the NAIA National Championship. All three milestones were XULA's sixth in a row. Perry and Tomasoni won a slew of GCAC honors this year, including Defender of the Year for Perry and Newcomer of the Year and tournament MVP for Tomasoni.

For the fourth time in as many seasons, XULA's Hannah Lawing was runner-up for Coach of the Year. This time she lost in a 6-5 vote to Tulane's Jim Barnes. Lawing resigned earlier this month to pursue non-coaching opportunities.

2016 All-Louisiana Women's Volleyball Team
FIRST TEAM
Justine Bowers, junior, Tulane
Tiara Gibson, senior, LSU
Tea Juric, senior, Tulane
Marta Monne, junior, Louisiana Tech
Sarah Ray, junior, Tulane
Stacey Reilly, junior, Louisiana-Lafayette
Libero: Bridget Justis, senior, McNeese State

SECOND TEAM
Alexandria Aguilera, sophomore, McNeese State
Chanelle Gardner, senior, Louisiana-Lafayette
Allison Hartmann, sophomore, Loyola
Angela Papach, senior, Louisiana Tech
Gina Tillis, junior, LSU
Juliana Tomasoni, junior, XULA
Libero: (tie) Kaylie McHugh, freshman, Tulane; Amanda Perry, freshman, XULA

PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Sarah Ray, Tulane
Voting: Ray 9, Reilly 2
LIBERO OF THE YEAR: Bridget Justis, McNeese State
Voting: Justis 5, McHugh 2, Perry 2, Lala Avies (Louisiana Tech) 2
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR: Justine Bowers, Tulane
Voting: Bowers 7, Tomasoni 4
FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR: Amanda Perry, XULA
Voting: Perry 6, McHugh 3, Jordan Yauch (New Orleans) 1, Tyler Beckham (Loyola) 1
COACH OF THE YEAR: Jim Barnes, Tulane
Voting: Barnes 6, Hannah Lawing (XULA) 5

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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Xavier's Flickinger steps down as FAR; Hammer to succeed her

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana — Sister Grace Mary Flickinger, S.B.S., who achieved National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Hall of Fame status for her service on the local, regional, and national level while serving as Xavier University of Louisiana's faculty athletics representative (FAR), is stepping down from that position after 36 years according to XU President Reynold Verret.

Flickinger, a member of the XULA biology faculty since 1968, continues as a professor in the Department of Biology. Verret has appointed Dr. Elliott Hammer, a longtime member of the Department of Psychology, as Flickinger's successor as FAR.

"Sister Grace Mary has admirably served Xavier University of Louisiana, our athletics department, the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC), and the NAIA with untiring devotion in this important position," Verret said. "We are grateful for her many decades of service, her passion and devotion to our student-athletes, and the integral role she has played in the progress of athletics at Xavier."

In the structure of the NAIA, faculty representatives oversee the welfare of the student-athlete, certify eligibility, and ensure the emphasis of academics in university athletics. In the GCAC, the vote of faculty representatives is a crucial step toward ratification of new policies and procedures. Xavier currently fields intercollegiate teams in men's and women's basketball, cross country, track and field, and tennis, as well as women's volleyball.

A New Jersey native, Flickinger has been a member of XULA's biology department since 1968 and joined XU's athletics committee in 1981. A few years later, she took on responsibilities as academic counselor for athletics at the request of former men's basketball coach Denny Alexander. She also has served the GCAC as president for two terms (1990-91 and 1995-99), vice president, faculty athletics representative, and on its eligibility and executive committees. On the national level she chaired the NAIA's Council of Faculty Athletics Representatives.

Flickinger was inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame in 1998, and in 2007 she received the NAIA's Wally Schwartz Award for her work as a faculty athletics representative. Flickinger, who also served for several years as coordinator of advising, has been a longtime proponent of one-on-one advising and nurturing of all students, not only for their smooth transition to Xavier as freshmen but also for their persistence and degree completion, as well as their spiritual growth. Having earned a reputation as tough, but fair, she remains is a favorite among alumni.

"It's time that someone else gets trained in this position," Flickinger said. "It's a good job. It takes a lot of work and a lot of time. But the rewards are better than any time you put into it."

Hammer, who has served at Xavier for 16 years (including seven as chair of the Psychology Department), will assume the duties of FAR this spring. His honors include the Visionary Leader Award and Model Institutions of Excellence mentor award, both from Xavier. Since 2006 he has been the holder of the John D. LaFarge Endowed Professorship in Social Justice.

"Advising students has always been one of my favorite parts of my job, so I'm really looking forward to working more closely with student-athletes to help them achieve their academic and athletic goals," Hammer said.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
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XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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Grambling Hands Southeastern Louisiana First Home Loss

HAMMOND, Louisiana – Southeastern Louisiana junior guard Taylin Underwood scored a game-high 25 points, but it was not enough as Grambling pulled away for an 87-71 victory in non-conference women's basketball action.

Grambling (2-9) snapped an eight-game losing streak and handed SLU (2-8) its first home loss of 2016-17. The Lady Tigers finished with 18 offensive rebounds and held a 21-5 advantage on second chance points, which accounted for their margin of victory.

"Give Grambling credit for the way they crashed the offensive boards," Southeastern head coach Errol Gauff said. "Their ability to take advantage of second chance opportunities was one of the biggest differences in the game. When we get back from the break, we have to focus on executing better on offense. We shot the ball well today, but Grambling forced us into too many turnovers."

Underwood was one of three Lady Lions in double figures, along with senior forward Chey Stewart (11 points) and freshman guard Charlie Dugas (10 points). Sophomore guard Ashailee Brailey and senior guard Bre Warren led Southeastern with four assists each, while Underwood grabbed a team-high six rebounds. Sophomore Jaclyn Scholvin finished with a game-high three steals to lead SLU.

Shakyla Hill topped a balanced Grambling effort with 24 points and a game-high eight rebounds. Hill was joined in double figures by teammates Jazmin Boyd (20 points), Monisha Neal (15 points) and Jazmine Torian (13 points). Torian also led GSU with four assists, while Boyd and Takerra Parsons recorded three steals apiece as Grambling forced 24 SLU turnovers.

A couple of free throws by Underwood gave Southeastern a 15-9 lead with 4:23 left in the opening quarter. Grambling answered with a 10-0 run, but a three by freshman guard Courtney Dawsey helped SLU knot the game up at 19-19 at the end of the quarter.

The game was tied for the final time with 5:10 remaining in the second quarter after a Dugas layup. Grambling would then hold the Lady Lions scoreless for the next four minutes and went into halftime with a 38-33 lead.

Grambling scored the first five points of the third quarter to stretch the lead to 10. Southeastern gradually chipped away at the lead and pulled within five on a pair of free throws by Underwood that cut the lead to 52-47 with 4:35 left in the third quarter.

GSU answered with a 7-0 run, as a pair of Kiana Jones free throws put the Lady Tigers up, 59-47, with 2:47 left in the third quarter. Despite Underwood scoring 15 points in the period, SLU ended the third quarter with a 65-55 deficit.

After a jumper by Warren cut the lead to eight on the opening possession of the fourth quarter, Hill scored seven straight points to give GSU a 72-57 advantage with 7:21 left in the contest. SLU would get no closer than nine the rest of the way, as the lead ballooned to as many as 18 down the stretch.

Southeastern will take a week off for Christmas before closing their non-conference schedule on Wednesday, Dec. 28 with a 6 p.m. (CST) contest at Florida. The game will air on SEC Network+ and can be heard in the Hammond area on KSLU-FM (90.9), online at www.LionSports.net/listenlive and via the TuneIn Radio app.

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Howard Charge Back For 71-68 Win Over Fairleigh Dickinson

HACKENSACK, New Jersey – The Howard women's basketball team battled back from a seven-point deficit to take down Fairleigh Dickinson, 71-68, in the Rothman Center during a Thursday matinee.

With the win, HU improves to 3-8 on the season – including 3-1 against Northeast Conference opponents – while FDU drops to 2-9.

Rookie Imani Bryant poured in a career-high 19 points, just barely missing out on a double-double with nine rebounds. She was 9-of-12 on the afternoon and tallied six blocks.

Redshirt junior Erin Blaine came out with 14 points and 7 boards, while redshirt senior Te'Shya Heslip notched 11 points, seven assists and three steals. Heslip wrote her name in the program's history books as she joined the exclusive 1,000-point club.

Senior Jasmine Hill didn't miss at the charity stripe as she went a perfect 6-for-6 on her way to 10 points. Classmate Sydni Johnson added nine points and five boards.

Howard held FDU to a 37.1 field goal percentage (23-62) and connected on 48.9 percent (23-47) of its shots. The Bison also made 25 of their 34 attempts at the free throw line for a 73.5 percent rate.

HU dominated the Knights down low, outscoring the home team 44-26 in the paint. The Bison put up 25 points off of FDU's 26 turnovers and got 19 points from the bench.

The Bison got off to a quick start, leading by as many as seven points, 17-10, midway through the first quarter. FDU began to settle in as the period wore on to tie the score twice before getting a 25-23 edge at the end of one.

Howard tied the game early in the second quarter, but saw the Knights get out to their largest advantage of the matchup, 35-28, with five minutes left in the half. Thanks to a trio of tallies in the paint, the Bison were able to cut into the deficit and head into the locker room down by four, 39-35.

HU picked up right where it left off to open the second half as it dashed away on a 14-3 run to regain the lead, 49-42, at the 3:54 mark. The Knights clawed their way back as the two teams exchanged points at the free throw line, leaving Howard with a slight 55-54 edge going into the last 10 minutes.

The final period was a back and forth battle that featured three ties and six lead changes. After a three-pointer put FDU up, 64-61, Heslip sank both free throws and Bryant laid the ball in to give the upper hand back to the Bison, 65-64, with 1:41 left to play. Heslip followed that up with a steal that led to an and-one conversion for her 1,000th point and Howard was able to hold off the Knights to come away victorious, 71-68.

The Knights werBOe led by 12 points and nine rebounds from Brianna Thomas as well as 12 points from Kiana Brown. Courtney Blankenship and Peniel M'Bikata earned 11 and 10 points, respectively.

Howard will step onto the court in Burr Gymnasium for the final time in 2016 when it hosts Vermont on Friday, Dec. 30 at 2 p.m.

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