Sioux softball diving into D-I

In the UND softball team's last year as a Division II program last spring, its schedule consisted of 12 Division I opponents.

The Sioux released their 2009 schedule Monday and the plans aren't to ease into Division I athletics.

The schedule includes 45 of 55 games against D-I teams, a doubleheader against Big 12 runner-up Nebraska and a 14-game trip to California to play 10 D-I teams.

"We wanted to play as many games against Division I teams as we could," UND second-year coach Sami Strinz said. "We really wanted to jump into the transition."

The Sioux open the season Feb. 7-8 at the Ramada UNI-Dome Classic in Cedar Falls, Iowa, which features Nebraska, South Dakota State and Dayton.

The Sioux stay on the road until April 2 against Indiana-Purdue Indianapolis.

"That will be a good experience," Strinz said of the long road stretch. "It'll give the girls a chance to experience different places and play different opponents."

UND went 19-34 last season and set seven team hitting records, including the most home runs (67) ever hit by a North Central Conference team.

The Sioux had only one senior last year and the team has nine new players, including eight freshmen.

"We have a brand new team," Strinz said. "My assistant and I have been working our rears off to recruit talent. We also have a great core of returners."

UND returns two-time All-American outfielder Casie Hanson.

Strinz also said the Sioux will be improved defensively.

"Our pitchers are working hard this offseason," Strinz said. "You'll see dramatic improvement in our pitching numbers."

In late April, UND will take part in the Independent Conference tournament, which is hosted by Northern Colorado. The tournament also will include Cal State-Bakersfield, Houston Baptist, Idaho State, South Dakota and Utah Valley.

"We want to make a mark and make a statement," Strinz said. "We want Division I softball to know we have a team up here in Grand Forks, North Dakota."

Channel 3 to

rebroadcast Sioux games

UND's remaining football and men's hockey home games will be rebroadcast weekly on Channel 3 in Grand Forks beginning this week.

All Friday men's hockey home games will replay Tuesdays at 8 p.m., while all Saturday home games will air the following Wednesdays at 8 p.m.

Also, all home Friday-Saturday hockey games will be rebroadcast back-to-back Wednesdays and Thursdays at midnight.

Sioux football homes games will be replayed Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 8 p.m. and midnight.

"We are extremely pleased that our partnerships with Midcontinent and the UND Television Center will afford us this opportunity to broaden the exposure of our football and men's hockey telecasts," UND athletic director Brian Faison said. "This agreement helps further the goal of delivering UND athletics into as many homes as possible."

The first rebroadcast will air at 8 tonight and will feature last Saturday's 42-32 Sioux football win over Western Washington.

Lamoureux leads

country in scoring

Air Force's Jacques Lamoureux, a former Grand Forks Central player, leads the country with 10 points in four games.

Lamoureux's linemate, Brent Olson, a Baudette, Minn., native, ranks second in the country in scoring with nine points.

Olson is tied with St. Cloud State's Garrett Roe.

Lamoureux also is tied for the national lead in goals with five.

Bemidji State

honors HOF class

Former East Grand Forks Senior High hockey coach Bruce "Buzz" Olson, longtime Fosston High School coaches Mike and Kim Roysland and former Thief River Falls swimming coach John Kopari were among inductees into the Bemidji State Athletic Hall of Fame last weekend.

Olson, a native of Thief River Falls, is a 1969 graduate of BSU, where he played hockey.

Other individuals inducted were Jim Lawrence, Kevin Kish, Joe Rezac, Steve Saxe and Patricia Rosenbrock.

Teams inducted were the 1957 and 1959 football teams, along with the 1972, 1973 and 1976 wrestling teams.

Wischer reaches

semis at NM Invitational

Iowa State's Liza Wischer, a former Grand Forks Red River tennis standout, advanced to the semifinals of the New Mexico Invitational in Albuquerque, N.M., over the weekend.

Wischer defeated Western New Mexico's Izelle Oliver 6-0, 6-1 and New Mexico's Manumea Durie 7-6, 6-3 to reach the semifinals on Saturday.

Wischer lost to Missouri's Sofia Ayala in the semifinal Sunday.

Briefly

Athletics: Steve Baumgartner and Jeff Neil were inducted into the Concordia College Athletic Hall of Fame.

Volleyball: Northland Community and Technical College will host the Minnesota College Athletic Conference state volleyball tournament Saturday and Sunday.

Volleyball: Minnesota-Crookston's Amber Meyer, a 6-foot-2 sophomore, is the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference's offensive player of the week.

Miller reports on sports. Reach him at (701) 780-1121; (800) 477-6572, ext. 121; or send e-mail to tmiller@gfherald.com .