Archive - Nov 2012 - Sports Article
November 13th
It goes without saying that not every shot taken in a basketball game falls in, which is why many coaches focus on play after the shot. The difference between a team getting the ball back or giving it up falls in the hands of those underneath the basket grabbing rebounds.
In that regard, Valley City State University womens basketball coach Jill DeVries left pleased after the Vikings' 68-60 win over University of Minnesota — Crookston Monday at W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse.
November 12th
FARGO — All year long, Valley City High School senior Jasmine Stevens played a crucial role in the volleyball team's offensive success, and when the team entered Friday's elimination match in the Eastern Dakota Conference tournament, coach Katy Van Dyke had her ready for more.
"I talked to her (Thursday) and told her 'I'm going to depend on you. You might not kill the ball every time, but you are so dependable about getting the ball over the net,'" Van Dyke said.
VCSU Swept at A.I.I. Tourney
The Valley City State University volleyball team was eliminated on the first day of the Association of Independent Institutions' conference tournament Friday in Mayville.
The Vikings lost 3-0 to both Ashford (Iowa) University and Jamestown College.
Against Ashford, the Vikings had a hard time finding kills and fell 25-16, 25-15, 25-12.
November 8th
Whenever I meet someone and tell them what I do for a living, there's always a bit of curiosity about just why I do what I do. What is it about sports writing that's always kept me pursing this career since I was a sophomore in high school?
For the most part, it's always been the same thing — sports generally make people happy.
Other sections in the paper might be filled with death, destruction and murder, but sports writing is ultimately about one team that won a game, one team that lost a game, and the athletic prowess that made the difference.
November 7th
There are some coaches that load up on easy games to start the season.
But Valley City State University mens basketball coach Jeff Kaminsky isn't one of those coaches.
His team opened the season last weekend, going 1-1 against a pair of top 10-ranked teams in the NAIA and this weekend the Vikings will play at NCAA Division 1 North Dakota State University.
"A lot of good teams will try to play seven, eight, nine, ten games to rack up some wins early," Kaminsky said. "I like to challenge ourselves, and we have that. This first month of scheduling, we have one tough challenge after another.
November 4th
GRAFTON — As the Valley City High School football team walked off the Grafton High School football field following Saturday's 14-8 loss to Grafton in the state semifinals, there were plenty of emotions. A hint of frustration, a bit of sadness.
But the final result, as VCHS coach Scott Roehrich was concerned, was pride.
"I'm proud of the work the guys did," Roehrich said. "They represented their town and themselves in classy ways."
The game ended the season for the Hi-Liners, while the Spoilers will play in the Dakota Bowl next weekend against Shanley.
For a traditional football fan, Saturday's season ending game between Valley City State University and Robert Morris had weather that couldn't be beat.
Temperatures were in the thirties, the air crisp and calm with a light snow falling. Shelly Ellig Field was cleared, and a short berm of snow surrounded.
Though the Vikings' play early in the game left much to be desired, they finished their season on a strong note, scoring 21 unanswered points in the second half to beat Robert Morris 21-20.
All season long, Valley City High School sophomore Clarissa Olson has provided a bit of hustle to the Hi-Liner volleyball team. Each match, she's among the team's dig leaders and has no problem finding a few kills.
But Friday, when the Hi-Liners beat Devils Lake 20-25, 25-14, 25-21, 25-13 in an Eastern Dakota Conference play-in match, she wanted to step up even more.
"I just decided I might as well go for it tonight," Olson said. "Sometimes your team needs to depend on a person throughout the whole game and it doesn't matter who that person is as long they're doing the right thing."
November 1st
Send-Off Planned for VCHS Football
Valley City High School fans looking to support the team are encouraged to help send-off the team in style Saturday morning.
The team bus leaves Hanna Field at 8:45 a.m. and fans are encouraged to line up from Hanna Field along Central Ave. to Main St., and along east Main St. all the way to the interstate.
Fans are encouraged to wear their Hi-Liner gear, make signs, honk horns and support the team, which plays at Grafton in the state semfinals Saturday afternoon.
VCSU Basketball Tipping Off This Weekend
In the past, high school gymnasts have generally had to deal with two sets of coaches — one for the high school season and one for the competitive season.
But starting with the upcoming season, the two coaching staffs will be nearly the same.
The Valley City School Board held a special meeting Thursday afternoon, where they accepted the resignation of VCHS head coach Carina Roehrich and approved hiring Dave Fisher, an assistant coach for the Valley Twisters gymnastics club, to fill the position.
