Raiders defeat Itasca

Perfect division records clashed Wednesday night with the Central Lakes College Raiders capturing a crucial 12th win of the year against nationally third-ranked Itasca. Alanna Hansen led attack with 17 kills with Sami Knott and Lindsay Monson each totaling 11. Tiffany Hartung talled 43 set assists while Monson also knocked back five blocks. CLC dropped the first game 25-20, then prevailed 27-25, 25-15 and 25-19 to hand the Vikings their first Northern Division loss. “There was just one time in the first game where we had a lapse,” said CLC Coach Jane Peterson. “Other than that we were aggressive, upbeat and encouraging each other. It was a good team effort tonight.” CLC entered the game ranked 10th in the NJCAA Division III poll and with a 10-game winning streak on the line. The Vikings entered the showdown at 12-1 overall and 6-0. “It was good volleyball. Itasca played really good defense,” said Peterson. Division: CLC 7-0. Overall: CLC 12-3. Next: Raiders vs. Dakota-Bottineau at Wahpeton, N.D., 5 p.m. Friday, CLC vs. Dawson  (Mont.) at Wahpeton 8 p.m. Friday.

Players of the Week

Central Lakes College football players Sean Nokken and Anthony Moss are Southern Division of the MCAC Players of the Week, and Raider volleyball players Lindsay Monson and Sarah Miller are Players of the Week in the Southern Division of MCAC, announced yesterday by the conference. Sean was named Offensive Player of the Week after rushing for 124 yards on nine carries for a 13.8 averaged and three touchdowns in the Raiders' 39-6 win over Minnesota State Community and Technical College. Sean is a sophomore from Pillager. Anthony Moss (shown) was named Special Teams Player of the Week. He was 3-4 on extra points vs. the Spartans. Anthony is a freshman from Big Lake. Lindsay earned Hitter of the Week honors. She came up big for the nation's 10th-ranked Raiders (11-3, 6-0) in 3 recent wins. She had 33 kills (3.0/gm) including 15 in a 3-2 win vs. #16 Northland, where she also had a .483 attack %. Lindsay hit .466 for the week while adding 8 blocks and 6 digs. She is a freshman from Pierz. Sarah was Libero of the Week. She led CLC to 3 Division wins with 48 digs (4.82/gm). Sarah had a 27-dig effort in the win over Northland. She is a freshman from Crosslake.

Tenth straight win

Sarah Miller’s 14 digs helped the Central Lakes College volleyball team to a 3-0 win over Rainy River in a Northern Division match Saturday. The win was the 10th straight for CLC, which is ranked 10th in NJCAA Division III. Crysta Christensen had 11 digs for the Raiders, who are undefeated in Division play. Tiffany Hartung supported the attack with 27 set assists. Carlie Sweet (shown) poked eight kills and had a good defensive day with six digs. Sami Knott with nine kills and Lindsay Monson with eight rounded out the offensive stats. Coach Jane Peterson said next match on Wednesday at Itasca will be the big challenge to date. The Vikings are also 6-0 in the division, and they're ranked third in the national poll.

Rainy River 11 14 7
Central Lakes 25 25 25

Raiders defeat M State

The Central Lakes College football team ran its record to 4-1 with a 39-6 win over Minnesota State Community and Technical College (Fergus Falls) today at Findorff Field. The Raiders jumped out to an 12-0 halftime lead before increasing the margin with some high-powered offense aginst the Spartans (1-4). QB Andrew Johnson, who took some big hits as he was sacked on several occasions, managed to scored the first three TDs for CLC, which outgained the visitors, 336-132. Defensive leaders were Jared Hoemberg (shown) with two interceptions, Celestino White, Dacotah Thompson, Pete Stenger, Matt Mogere, and Marion Lambright. Beau Bellmore (19 rushes, 84 yards) and Sean Nokken (2 TDs, 124 yards) carried the mail, and shifty Anthony Shelman with his Velcro hands made some outstanding catches (five for 49 yards) over the course of a cold, windy, but sunny afternoon before a spirited crowd. About the only area of weakness for the Raiders was in the placekicking department, where several PAT attempts failed. On the other hand, the defense for CLC helped the offense by blocking punts. Next: at Mn West (3-2, lost to Ridgewater last Saturday 28-9 at Willmar), Worthington, 2:30 p.m. Sat., Sept. 29.
Images: http://www.flickr.com/photos/58518185@N04/

Raiders escape Cardinals

The Raider volleyball team of Central Lakes College had to fight for a 3-0 win, No. 10 in 13 matches this season, at Hibbing Friday. CLC is ranked 10th in the nation and seemed to be a target for upset by the inspired home team coached by a former CLC mentor, Mike Turnbull. The scores were 25-18, 25-20, 25-23, giving the Raiders their ninth straight victory on their way to International Falls for today's clash with Rainy River. Alanna Hansen masterfully ruled the net with five blocks and 10 kills. Lindsay Monson likewise used her height advantage for 10 kills and 3 blocks. Tiffany Hartung amassed 31 key set assists to keep the offense on the attack. The Raiders, undefeated in Northern Division play a 5-0, also got seven kills, 3 blocks, and 2 digs from sophomore stalwart Carlie Sweet. Sami Knott produced seven kills as the team once again spread the workload. Coach Jane Peterson said the Raiders played admirably to avoid the letdown following last Wednesday's big, 5-game match at Northland, which CLC won 3-2.

Raiders defeat Northland

The nation's 10th-ranked (NJCAA Division III) Central Lakes College Raiders (9-3) pulled out their fourth Northern Division volleyball win and eighth straight trumph of the season, 3-2, over Northland at Thief River Falls on Wednesday night. Crysta Christensen and Lindsay Monson each pounded down 15 kills and Tiffany Hartung collected 33 set assists for CLC. Sarah Miller (shown) scooped out 27 digs and Carlie Sweet and Alanna Hansen each collected five blocks. Next: Friday at Hibbing, 6:30 p.m.

Northland 16 28 25 22 5
Central Lakes 25 26 23 25 15

Players of the Week

Central Lakes College athletes have been recognized for their performances in recent competition among Minnesota College Athletic Conference teams. In football the accolades are listed in the Southern Division of the MCAC. In volleyball, CLC is in the Northern Division. Three football players -- Paul Lake (shown), Jordan Bialke, and Anthony Shelman -- were chosen for Player of the Week honors. Paul is Special Teams Player of the Week. The sophomore from Lake Havasu City, AZ. amassed 107 yards with 58 return yards and a 49-yard pass completion on a fake punt attempt against Rochester (31-23 CLC win, record to 3-1). He averaged 38.3 yards per punt return. Jordan is defensive Player of the Week for his 12 tackles and two pass interceptions. The soph from Foley returned one interception 56 yards to give the Raider offense a head start. Anthony is Offensive Player of the Week. The freshman wide receiver from Inadianapolis hauled in five throws from QB Andrew Johnson to net 161 yards and 3 TDs. In volleyball, Lindsay Monson, a freshman from Pierz, had 28 kills in three games, a 2.55 average. She had a .397 attack percentage and totaled 14 blocks (1.27 per game) to earn Hitter of the Week honors. She helped the Raiders win 3 battles and improve to 8-3 going into tonight's showdown at Northland.

Raiders upset Rochester

Video footage: http://youtu.be/9Ij9MwJYj-U
The Central Lakes College football team on Saturday, Sept. 15 pulled off a 31-23 upset of previously undefeated and 16th-ranked Rochester (NJCAA Division III poll)  at Findorff Field in Brainerd. Bertha sophomore defensive back Jared Hoemberg intercepted Rochester quarterback Earl Young on the first play of the game. St. Paul freshman Andrew Johnson, the CLC starting quarterback, threw for 337 yards and four touchdowns. Three of those scoring passes went to Indiananpolis freshnman wide receiver Anthony Shelman, who finished with five catches for 161 yards.

Golf begins

The Central Lakes College men's and women's golf season began Sept. 13 in the Jewel Invite. Team scores for men: NIACC 300, M State 304, Mesabi Range 306, Rochester 317, Southwest tech 333, CLC 339. On Sept. 14, CLC competed in the RCTC Invite, Mt. Frontenac course, where CLC's Kodi Craft shot 71 to earn medalist. Chris Thielen was fourth at 77. Team scores: RCTC 311, Mesabi Range 316, CLC 330, SW Tech 331. On Sept. 16 CLC hosted an invitational at The Preserve. Men: M State 315, Mesabi 322, Hibbing 351. Individual CLc: Zach Rickers 84, Jane Hoffman and Chris Thielen 87.

Volleyball team to 8-3

Defeating nationally-ranked Mesabi Range (No. 6 as of 9-5-12) and conference stalwart Anoka -Ramsey 3-1 in a triangular meet Saturday, Sept. 15, the Central Lakes College volleyball team pushed its record to 8-3 on the year. Pine River sophomore Crysta Christensen knocked down 12 kills vs. Anoka-Ramsey and Brainerd sophomore Alanna Hansen did likewise in the win over Mesabi. Christensen added 11 digs and four blocks in the victory over Anoka-Ramsey. Hansen knocked down nine kills to go with three ace serves and three digs. Crosslake freshman Sarah Miller led CLC with 15 digs and Monticello freshman Keiana Wurtinger added 14 set assists. Against Mesabi, Pierz freshman Lindsay Monson (shown) added 10 kills, five digs and seven blocks.

Raiders sweep Vermilion

Lindsay Monson’s 10 kills helped the Central Lakes College volleyball team notch its fifth consecutive match win as the Raiders swept Vermilion 3-0 Friday, Sept. 14 in the CLC gym. Tiffany Hartung had 30 set assists for the Raiders, who ran their record to 6-3 ahead of the home triangular Sept, 15 vs. Mesabi Range and Anoka-Ramsey..

Vermilion 11 8 6

Central Lakes 25 25 25

Raiders win

Central Lakes College defeated Itasca, 18-9, in MCAC football Saturday at Grand Rapids, giving the Raiders a 2-1 record going into the Sept. 15 home game vs. undefeated Rochester. Andrew Johnson threw for 246 yards and two touchdowns (14-29), and Beau Bellmore rushed for 127 yards in 28 carries for the offense, scoring on a four-yard run. The passing game clicked with Anthony Shelman (shown) catching five for 106 yards and 40-yard score to lead the way. Matthew Scott hauled in two passes for 71 yards and a 63-yard TD. Paul Lake caught five for 70 yards and kicked five punts for 170 yards. Calvin Belfrey intercepted a Viking pass. CLC lost the ball on fumbles twice. The Raiders outgained the home team, 377 yards to 180.

Raiders defeat Fond du Lac

The Central Lakes College volleyball team chalked up its fourth straight win Wednesday with a 3-1 triumph at Fond du Lac in Cloquet. Scores were 20-25, 25-10, 25-11, 25-10. Alanna Hansen notched 12 kills. Lindsay Monson slapped 10 kills. Tiffany Hartung has 32 set assists. Hayley Hornick and Sarah Miller defended with11 digs each, and Carlie Sweet did her job at the net with four blocks. Sophomore Crysta Christensen of Pine River (shown) nailed 9 service aces in her usual focused effort. The team totaled 19 ace serves, which pleased Coach Jane Peterson. CLC, 5-3, next hosts Vermilion on Friday, Sept. 14 at 6:30 p.m.

Raiders defeat Mesabi

BULLETIN: Beau Bellmore  of CLC (shown) was named Southern Division Player of the Week. Why? See below.
The Central Lakes College football team gave up a touchdown on the opening kickoff, but scored four straight TDs after that for a 28-14 Minnesota College Athletic Conference inter-division win over Mesabi Range Sat., Sept. 1 at Findorff Field in Brainerd. The win evens the CLC season record at 1-1 with a game at Itasca next Saturday before returning home Sept. 15. Without the services of two injured sophomores -- running back Taz Seibert and linebacker Brandon Tulenchik from season-ending broken arm and hand respectively, the Raiders still managed to move the football well in the first half to take a 28-7 lead. Also absent due to injury was Beau Stough, a 270-pound freshman running back. Freshman QB Andrew Johnson scored on a pair of short runs after the offense marched to the goal line. Freshman running back Beau Bellmore, who had 200 yards in 30 carries, scored on a short run and a nifty 25-yard scamper. Andrew Leonhardt kicked four PATs. In the second half CLC and Mesabi traded miscues and wore each other down under the warm September sun. In the middle of the last quarter, Johnson threw an interception that produced Mesabi's other TD, an 80-yard return of the errant toss. But the Raider defense held firm, stopping the Norse inside the 10 with under four minutes to play and giving the offense a chance to grind and move the ball to within the Mesabi 15, where time ran out. Images: http://www.flickr.com/photos/58518185@N04/

Raiders win 2

The Central Lakes College women's volleyball team won 2 matches Friday at the St. Cloud Triangular to raise their record to 4-3. CLC defeated Minnesota West, 3-1, and St. Cloud Technical, 3-0. Vs. Mn West: 20-25, 25-11, 25-21, 25-20. Vs. St. Cld: 25-14, 25-13, 25-18. Alanna Hansen (shown) had 22 kills and five blocks. Carlie Sweet had four ace serves. Tammy Hartung had 38 assists for the Raiders. Hayley Hornick and Sarah Miller each had 19 digs. Tatum Hall had 16 assists. Crysta Christensen had 11 kills and 17 digs. Keianna Wurlinger had 12 assists. Lindsay Monson had 12 kills. Sami Knott had 14 kills. CLC plays at Fond du Lac Wednesday, Sept. 5, a 6:30 p.m. match in Cloquet.