The Wichitan - Midwestern State University, Wichita Falls Texas

MIDWESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY | November, 10, 2004

SPORTS

Memorable Season for Football
Jennifer Tavlian | Sports Editor

After years of realizing the last game of the regular season was the last game of the year, the Indians are finally in the playoffs.
Not many were around the last time MSU had a playoff spot and many things have changed in 13 years. The 1991 season was played under a coach named Mike Calcote who fielded a 9-3 team in his fourth year. The Indians, then part of the NAIA, lost to Peru State 28-24 in the NAIA Division II quarterfinals.
Current MSU head coach Bill Maskill is leading a 2004 Indians squad that had to overcome the loss of several players and a recent history of coming up one game shy of the playoffs to enter this year’s postseason.
The defense is ranked first in the Lone Star Conference in rushing defense and red zone defense. They are also second in scoring defense. All of this has been
done without the likes of last year standouts like Ed Asberry and Al Sullivan around.
This year’s defense touts Marcus Stenix, arguably one of the best in the conference. Plagued by injuries, when he hasn’t played he is still the team’s biggest supporter on the sidelines.
When he has played, other teams haven’t found an answer. On defense, he has broken up eight passes and snagged one interception. In his duties on special teams, Stenix has had 16 punt returns for 189 yards and one touchdown.
Linebacker Cornelius Cooper is ranked ninth in the conference with 88 tackles, including 38 solo hits. Linebacker Kevin Taulton is ranked 19 with 74 tackles and Jerome Jefferson trails Taulton by two spots and has racked up 73 tackles this season.
Ryan Tones has thrown himself into the defensive equation for success, pounding down eight solo sacks.
The offense, shaky at times, has held its own with the help of Ross Harrison.
The sophomore from Petrolia made the switch from inside linebacker to running back and has been nearly untouchable ever since. He is averaging just over 101 yards per game despite missing three games early in the season.
Rahsaan Bell, the only quarterback with any collegiate game experience, has thrown for 1646 yards on 121-of-204 passing and eight touchdowns in eight games.
Last year when he played eight games, he threw for nearly 600 yards and six touchdowns.
Bell came in familiar with the system and with being a starter, as he started the last three games of the 2003 season in place of Phillip Boggs.
The offensive line has given Bell a chance to be successful, and it hasn’t been an easy task. The line had to replace five of six starters and have helped the Indians to a ranking of fifth in total offense in the conference.
Kicker Kristian Foster arrived at MSU from University of Tulsa with the burden of taking over for Jerry Holstrom. Foster met and exceeded the challenge, booting through six-of-11 field goals, including a school record-breaking
51-yarder.
The previous record of 49 yards was held by Bryan Padgett in 1988 and Jon Bailey in 1998.
Foster made good on 22-of-24 PATs.
Several members of the team have said that this year’s roster is different.
The 2004 Indians have team chemistry unlike that of Indians in the past.
New teammates, new attitude and finally, a new record. Now the Indians will explore uncharted territory and venture into Golden, Colorado with hopes of getting their first postseason win in MSU history.

MSU ends Season with a Win
David Roach | The Wichitan

The Midwestern State University Lady Indians (12-19, 4-6) were able to finish off their season on a high note Saturday afternoon at D. L. Ligon Coliseum as they outlasted Texas A&M University-Commerce, 3-1 (27-30, 28-30, 30-25, 30-26, 18-16) after they had shutout Southeastern Oklahoma State University, 3-0 (30-13, 30-13, 30-14) Thursday night.
Picking up their last two wins of the season at home was a special treat for the Lady Indians, and head coach Venera Flores was happy for her team - especially senior Melissa Minus who will soon graduate.
“Obviously, we were excited about the wins,” she said. “We had lost to them (Texas A&M-Commerce) at their place in four games, so it felt good to beat them. Also, finishing with two wins at the end of the season is a positive especially going into the spring. I think the team was excited for Melissa (Minus) too. It was the last match of her career, so to end on a positive note was definitely a plus.”
It seems like the Lady Indians played with some extra enthusiasm to get these wins, especially the close victory against Texas A&M-Commerce. One wonders if they could have played any harder throughout the season leading up to the end.
“I think they did the best they could,” Flores said. “My team never lost because of lack of effort. They played their best every match. Sometimes it's just not there, whether it is serve-receive or offense. We have played well this last month or so, so I am not surprised at the level of play against Southeastern Oklahoma or Texas A&M-Commerce.”
The Lady Indians put up some good numbers against Southeastern Oklahoma Thursday night as the team came together on defense for 64 digs, seven blocks and also garnered 40 net kills offensively.
“Against Southeastern Oklahoma, Melissa Minus and LaToya Terry had good offensive showings, but overall as a team we hit .374 pct. We had 50 kills with only 10 errors on 107 attempts. We also played defense well as a team. Ashley Godwin had 20 (digs) by herself while Abbi Meyer put up 4 blocks.”
Kate Pence knocked down 12 kills Thursday.
MSU produced even greater numbers against Texas A&M-Commerce Saturday afternoon.
The team came up with 83 digs, 9 blocks, 45 net kills and 13 aces with just five serving errors. Pence, Meyer, Colleen Westfall and Terry slammed 18, 13, 12 and 11 kills, respectively.
“Against Commerce, Kate (Pence) and Abbi (Meyer) had good games again,” Flores said. “Obviously, our offense would not run without our setter, Whitney Johansen. The entire team really contributed to these wins.”
Despite missing out on the NCAA Division II playoffs and not being able to reach her personal goal of getting the team over .500, Flores sounded generally pleased about how things went overall during this her first year at MSU.
“It was a bit frustrating at times because I knew what my team was capable of doing out on the court,” she said,” “but I think that they finally got what I was trying to instill in them mentally and ran with it toward the end of the season. I am very lucky to have this opportunity here, and I enjoyed the experiences we had this year. Like I said earlier it is great to finish the season with a win.”
There were some things Flores liked about what she saw from her team this season, and is looking for improvements next season.
“I loved the effort that my team displayed this season,” she said. “They all would consistently take what I had to say to heart and use it to improve their overall performances. I want to see the same level of dedication and intensity next season that they showed me this season. Now that I know what they can do, I won't expect anything less. We will have some new faces on the team next season, so it will be imperative that we gel relatively quickly.”
Flores also wanted to thank all of the students, faculty and staff for their support this year for her and the team.
“It was great to play in front of a lively crowd,” she said. “We hope to see them again next season.”