Basketball Practice Begins Friday

With Summit League women’s basketball practices having started a little over a week ago, the men’s basketball season officially gets underway Friday, with the start of practice. The basketball preseason polls were released by the league office this week and can be viewed by clicking on the appropriate link. (men / women)

Below is a rundown of the different activities being held across The Summit League.

 

UMKC

Season Tip-Off Event

Swinney Recreation Center, 7:30 p.m.

North Dakota State

Late Show

Bison Sports Arena, 6 p.m.

Oakland

Grizz Madnezz

O’rena, 10 p.m.

Athlon Sports Previews The Summit League

The sneak peek of preseason basketball preview magazines concludes with Athlon Sports College Basketball 2011-12.

Athlon picks Oral Roberts as Summit League champion and Dominique Morrison as its Player of the Year. The publication lists the Golden Eagles, Oakland, IUPUI, South Dakota State and IPFW as its top five Summit League teams.

Preseason rankings and predictions for The Summit League are below. To read the Athlon Sports breakdown of each Summit League team and the entire national preview, you can purchase the magazine at your local newsstands or by ordering online here.

Keep checking the Summit Points blog for more updates as the countdown to tipoff continues.

Predictions
 1. Oral Roberts
 2. Oakland
 4. IUPUI
 4. South Dakota State
 5. IPFW
 6. North Dakota State
 7. UMKC
 8. Western Illinois
 9. Southern Utah
 10. South Dakota

All-Summit League 1^st Team
Ceola Clark III, Western Illinois
Reggie Hamilton, Oakland
Dominique Morrison, Oral Roberts
Nate Wolters, South Dakota State
Alex Young, IUPUI

SDSU's Kelli Fiegen Featured by KSFY

For SDSU junior volleyball star and reigning Summit League player of the year Kelli Fiegen, there is nothing quite like the perfect kill.

"It is pretty exciting when you are up there and see the floor," Fiegen said. "You know the ball is going to come straight down and you feel that adrenaline rush. All of your teammates are excited and know something big just happened."

While her play may impress those in the stands and across the net, her teammates expect nothing less from the three-year leader.

Click here to watch KSFY's video clip on Fiegen.

UMKC's Mayer Named to Weekly CS360.com Primetime Performer Honor Roll

Due to her stellar performance in last week’s road victories over IPFW and Oakland, junior midfielder Zaina Mayer was named to the weekly CS360.com (Collegesoccer360.com) Primetime Performer Honor Roll. 

Against IPFW, with the game tied at one late in the second half, Mayer capitalized on a penalty kick opportunity for the game-winning score.  With that goal, she is now 2-for-2 in penalty kick situations. 

Two days later against Oakland, Mayer and midfielder Ashley Gann assisted forward Taylor Bare’s team-leading seventh goal of the season to put UMKC up 1-0 early in the first half.  The ‘Roos went onto beat the Grizzlies, 2-0, to stay undefeated at 4-0 in Summit League play.

Click here to see the entire team.

CBSSports.com Previews The Summit League

SDSU's Nate Wolters

CBSSports.com recently previewed The Summit League as part of its conference-by-conference countdown to the 2011-12 men's basketball season. The website listed The Summit League as the No. 21 conference in the nation and picked Oral Roberts as the league champion. South Dakota State's Nate Wolters was tabbed as the league's Player of the Year and headlined the five-man all-league team. To read the complete preview, click here.

IUPUI Coach Todd Howard Featured on ESPN Blog

IUPUI coach Todd Howard

First year IUPUI men's head coach Todd Howard and his transition from associate head coach is the subject of a recent ESPN College Basketball Nation blog post. To read more, click here.

ORU's Silva Named Top Performer by CVU.com

Oral Roberts' libero Bruna Silva added another honor to her Summit League Defensive Player of the Week award.  Silva was named one of the CVU.com Top Performers of the week after helping the Golden Eagles go undefeated (2-0) in league play and take sole possession of first place.  For the week, the sophomore recorded 79 digs, averaging 7.9 per set, and two service aces.

Click here to view the CVU.com Player of the Week and Top Performers.

UMKC Mourns the Loss of Former Softball Player

The UMKC softball program lost one of its family members, as recent graduate Rashonda Stanley passed away late Monday evening. Shonda, as she was affectionately known by her family, friends, coaches and teammates brought an unparalleled level of dedication and intensity to both the classroom and the softball field. The Jefferson City, Mo., native played a number of roles for the Kangaroo softball team, splitting time as a skilled outfielder and a crucial pinch runner, as well as an essential component of the team's spirit, often rallying her teammates during exceptional or difficult situations over the course of a game. 

Click here to read the full story.

Former UMKC Standout Sosa Signs with Missouri Comets

The Missouri Comets announced the signing of John Sosa, pending league approval, to join the second-year Major Indoor Soccer League team.

Sosa, a local product from UMKC, just finished an all-star season with the Des Moines Menace of the USL’s Premier Development League.

Sosa played his college soccer under former Kansas City Comets coach Rick Benben at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, where he was a three-time All-Summit League selection. Sosa was named a Summit League all-newcomer in 2007.  In 18 games he scored four goals and five assists and led the team with 13 points on the season. He also recorded two game-winning goals.

Click here to read the entire article.