Nebraska men's basketball continued to add to its highest ranked class in program history with the addition of combo guard Quaran McPherson on Wednesday (May 5).

McPherson, a 6-foot-4, 180-pound guard from New York City, spent last season at Link Year School in Branson, Mo., averaging 19 points, seven rebounds and four assists per game for a postgrad team that posted a 26-4 record and earned runner-up honors at the 2021  Post Grad Nationals. He was also invited to the 2020 Pangos All-America festival, which featured 40 of the top players in the country in November of 2020.

"Quaran gives us a combo guard with size and toughness," Nebraska Coach Fred Hoiberg said. "He's a physical guard who can score at all three levels and has a good understanding of the game. The thing that stands out about Quaran is the he loves to compete, and he's been around successful programs so he understands what it takes to win."

McPherson spent his senior season playing for Woodstock (Conn.) Academy and Head Coach Jacque Rivera, averaging 14.6 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.2 steals per game on a roster which sent 10 players to Division I programs. McPherson was slated to play on Woodstock's postgrad team in 2020-21, but didn't play at the school because of COVID-19 restrictions.

Before going to Woodstock, he played two seasons at national power Christ the King High School, helping the school to a 19-10 record and a CHSAA Championship in 2019 despite missing the second half of the season to knee surgery. He came off the bench as a sophomore on a roster which included Kofi Cockburn (Illinois) and Tyson Walker (Michigan State). McPherson played for the New York Rens on the AAU circuit.

McPherson had offers from Arizona State, Georgia, St. John's and other high-majors programs before choosing Nebraska.

He is one of five signees for the 2020-21 season in a recruiting class which is in the top-15 nationally by ESPN and 247Sports. McPherson joins incoming freshmen Bryce McGowens, Wilhelm Breidenbach and Oleg Kojenets, as well as junior college transfer Keisei Tominaga.

Huskers Ready for Columbus Regional

The Nebraska women's golf team makes its first NCAA Regional appearance since 2008, when the Huskers compete at the Columbus Regional, May 10-12.

The 18-team event opens Monday with tee times beginning at 7 a.m. (CT) on the 6,358-yard, par-72 layout at Ohio State's Scarlet Course. The three-day, 54-hole event that features a five-count-four scoring format continues on Tuesday with the second round again at 7 a.m. (CT). The tournament concludes Wednesday with final-round tee times starting at 7 a.m. (CT).

Live scoring for the tournament will be available at GolfStat.com. 

Kate Smith, a fifth-year senior from Detroit Lakes, Minn., leads the Huskers into NCAA Tournament play after capturing Nebraska's first-ever Big Ten individual title. Smith, who won NU's first conference individual crown since All-American Sarah Sasse in 2003, was also recently added to the U.S. Arnold Palmer Cup Team. Smith joins Duke's Gina Kim and Erica Shepherd and Coach Jon Whithaus as U.S. Palmer Cup team members at the Columbus Regional, while Kent State's Emily Price will represent the International Team at the Palmer Cup.  

Smith, who has finished in the top-10 in five of her six collegiate events this spring including a pair of titles, capped her Big Ten victory by tying her own school record with an eight-under-par 64 to finish at 207 (-9).

While Smith picked up an historic win at the Big Ten Championship, teammates Alice Duan (T11th), Kirsten Baete (T16th) and Megan Whittaker (T18th) added top-20 finishes, making the 2021 Huskers the first NU women's golf team with four top-20 finishers at a league tournament. 

2021 NCAA Columbus Regional
The Scarlet Course (Columbus, Ohio)
Par 72, 6,358 Yards

Format: 5-Count-4
Live Scoring: GolfStat.com

Schedule
Monday, May 10 - Tee Times - 7 a.m. (CT)
Tuesday, May 11 - Tee Times - 7 a.m. (CT)
Wednesday, May 12 - Tee Times - 7 a.m. (CT)

Nebraska Lineup
1. Kate Smith
2. Alice Duan
3. Michaela Vavrova
4. Kirsten Baete
5. Megan Whittaker

Participating Teams (18)
1. Duke (2)
2. Arizona State (7)
3. Virginia (11)
4. Kent State (15)
5. Georgia (18)
6. Vanderbilt (24)
7. Michigan (26)
8. Clemson (30)
9. Oklahoma (33)
10. Kentucky (37)
11. Illinois (42)
12. New Mexico (46)
13. Nebraska (49)
14. Washington (54)
15. Coastal Carolina (67)
16. Campbell (82)
17. Evansville (175)
18. Youngstown State (177)
Regional seeds listed in order; GolfStat national rankings in parentheses

Smith Wins Big Ten; Huskers Earn Best Conference Finish Since 1984
Kate Smith won Nebraska's first-ever Big Ten women's golf individual title and the Huskers produced their best conference finish since a runner-up finish in the Big Eight in 1984, as the Huskers tied for second at TPC River's Bend in Maineville, Ohio, April 23-25.

Smith tied her own school record with a final-round 64 (-8) to finish at 207 (-9) to defeat runner-up Irene Kim from Northwestern by three strokes. Smith became Nebraska's first conference champion since Sarah Sasse won the Big 12 in 2003. Smith is just the third individual champion in school history, also joining Big Eight champ Rachelle Tacha in 1996.

As a team, Nebraska fired a season-best 858 over three rounds, including top-20 individual finishes from Alice Duan (T11th), Kirsten Baete (T16th) and Megan Whittaker (T18th). 

Smith Joins U.S. Palmer Cup Team
Kate Smith was selected to represent the United States in the Arnold Palmer Cup June 11-13 at Rich Harvest Farms outside of Chicago, when the teams were announced by the Golf Channel on May 4.

The Palmer Cup, which was co-founded by the legendary Arnold Palmer and the Golf Coaches Association of America, matches the top 12 U.S. men's and women's collegiate golfers against the top 12 collegiate men's and women's international golfers in a format similar to the Ryder Cup. 

It is the only major tournament featuring men and women playing side-by-side as partners in a Mixed Four Ball format (12 groups of two-person teams).

"This is a tremendous honor for Kate and she certainly earned it," Nebraska Head Coach Lisa Johnson said. "Kate will represent Nebraska well among the elite college players in the country at the Palmer Cup. It has been so exciting to watch her receive all the recognition that she has earned this year because of the amazing work she has put into becoming one of the nation's best collegiate golfers."

Elliott Headlines Huskers In NTCA Honors

Lincoln - The Nebraska women's bowling team earned four NTCA honors led by Crystal Elliott earning Bowler of the Year and Head Coach Paul Klempa winning Bill Straub Coach of the Year.

Elliott put together a dominant 2021 season, leading the Husker bowling program to its sixth NCAA title. The sophomore transfer was named the National Tenpin Coaches Association Division I Bowler of the Year, the 11th Husker to earn that distinction since the program became a varsity sport at Nebraska. A first-team All-American, she was the anchor in the Huskers lineup, leading the nation in total scoring average. Elliott was second nationally in traditional game scoring with a 216.0 and third in baker game format (21.35 per frame), the only bowler in the country to rank in the top five in both categories. She also finished second nationally in strike percentage and first in percentage of games of 200 or better. Elliott earned three top-five finishes, highlighted by a third-place showing at the Mid-Winter Classic with a season-best average of 228.33. She placed in the top 15 in all five regular-season tournaments.

"I am so happy for Crystal that she was recognized as the National Player of the Year." Klempa said. "Her story really is a "rags to riches" one as she did not fit in with the school she initially attended coming out of high school last season. She was dismissed by that program and decided to transfer. I am so thankful that not only were we able to convince her to be a Husker but that she thrived in our culture. Crystal became a National Champion, NCAA MVP, First Team All-American and National Player of the Year- all in her first year in our program under our leadership and outstanding chemistry among our student-athletes. She deserves everything that she has earned and I am proud of her accomplishments."

Kayla Verstraete received All-American Second Team honors for the first time in her career. Verstraete had a breakout performance this season, having made her first appearance as a Husker this season and being named to the Central All-Region Second Team. As a redshirt freshman, she placed in the top 10 three times in her four tournaments this season. Verstraete's season was highlighted by a second-place finish at the Music City Classic, averaging 216.80, and a third-place finish at the Big Red Invitational with a season-high average of 233.50. She was named to the All-Tournament Teams in both competitions. At her first tournament, the Prairie View Invitational, Verstraete earned ninth, having bowled a 199.00 average.

Klempa went on to mention, "Kayla redshirted last season and was extremely anxious to make an entrance on the NCAA Bowling scene this year. Her entrance was more like a splash as she made several All-Tournament teams, garnered a spot on the All-Freshman team and now has landed on the All-American Second Team. All this while helping lead her team to a National Championship last month. Kayla has asserted herself as a top tier player in NCAA Bowling and I know she is hungry for more success as she progresses through her career at Nebraska. I am proud of what she has accomplished so early on and will enjoy seeing how far her star can rise in the future."

Cassidy Ray was named to the All-American Third Team to receive her second NTCA All-American Honor, as she was named a 2020 All-American Honorable Mention. She earned Central All-Region Second Team honors at the end of the season, bowling a season average of 208.11. Ray was a Team Co-Captain for the 2020-21 season and had top-20 performances in all five tournaments this season. Ray's highest finish was seventh, twice, at the Big Red Invitational with a season-high 226.75 and the Mid-Winter Classic (218.17).

"Cassidy had paid her dues in our program and in NCAA Bowling," Klempa noted. "She redshirted her freshman year and waited patiently for her turn to be a star in the college bowling scene. Cassidy has arrived and followed up last year's All-American season with another one this year. I could not be happier for Cassidy and it is a joy to see her reap the rewards and recognition she has earned through her hard work and dedication. She is a great person, athlete and leader of our team."

Klempa was named the Bill Straub Coach of the Year after leading Nebraska to a National Championship in only his second season as head coach. He has been with the team since it was hosted as a varsity sport at NU. This is the fourth time the Huskers have had a coach earn the honor with Former Head Coach Bill Straub earning the other three awards. During Klempa's tenure as Assistant and Head Coach, he has had 33 different bowlers make a total of 68 All-American Teams.

"I am humbled to win the Bill Straub Coach of the Year," Klempa said. "To be recognized by my peers and colleagues in NCAA Bowling is an honor I will cherish."

During bowling's time as a sport, going back to when it was a club, the Huskers have had at least one bowler earn All-American Honors for 28 straight years.

Huskers Head to East Coast to Face Indiana and Rutgers

Saturday, May 8 (2 PM) vs. Indiana
Pitching: LHP Cade Povich (4-1) vs. TBA
TV/Streaming: BTN+
Radio: Husker Sports Network
 
Sunday, May 9 (10 AM) vs. Indiana
Pitching: TBA vs. RHP Gabe Bierman (4-2)
TV/Streaming: BTN+
Radio: Husker Sports Network
 
Sunday, May 9 (2 PM) at Rutgers
Pitching: TBA vs. RHP Brent Teller (3-2)
TV/Streaming: BTN+
Radio: Husker Sports Network
 
Monday, May 10 (10 AM) at Rutgers
Pitching: TBA vs. TBA
TV/Streaming: BTN+
Radio: Husker Sports Network
 
Following its first series loss of the season last weekend to Rutgers at Hawks Field, the Nebraska baseball team (20-10) now heads to Piscataway, N.J., for pod play at Bainton Field. The Huskers will play two game each against the Indiana Hoosiers (20-9) and Rutgers Scarlet Knights (17-13).
 
Since it is currently Finals Week on UNL's campus, the Huskers will play Saturday-Sunday-Monday in New Jersey. Nebraska's weekend kicks off on Saturday at 2 PM (CT) with the first meeting of the season between the Huskers and Hoosiers. The Huskers then play two games on Sunday, with another game against the Hoosiers at 10 AM, followed by a meeting with the Scarlet Knights at 2 PM. Nebraska concludes play on the east coast at 10 AM on Monday against Rutgers, the fifth game between the two schools in 11 days.
 
Rutgers swept the Huskers last weekend in Lincoln, marking NU's first series loss of the season after winning a program-record seven-straight series to star the year. It was also the first time Nebraska had been swept at home in conference play since 2009 when Missouri took three games from the Huskers in early May. This week the Huskers fell out of the top spot in the Big Ten Conference and now trail Indiana and Michigan by 0.5 game for the conference lead.
 
Rutgers returns home after winning consecutive series at Michigan and Nebraska. With their win last weekend in Lincoln, the Scarlet Knights have now won four straight road series this year, including wins at Purdue, Northwestern, Michigan and Nebraska. While Rutgers has posted an impressive 13-7 record on the road this season it is only 4-6 on its home turf at Bainton Field.
 
Indiana is back on the road after playing the past two weekends in Bloomington, posting a 5-1 record. The Hoosiers swept Minnesota two weeks ago and took 2-of-3 from Iowa last weekend. Iowa won the series opener, 6-5, but Indiana responded with a 12-6 victory on Saturday and a 12-8 win on Sunday to take the series. The Hoosiers head to Piscataway tied with Michigan for the top spot in the league, as both teams have a 20-9 record.
 
All four games this weekend will be carried on BTN+, an online streaming service through the Big Ten Network.
 
Fans can listen to Nick Handley and Ben McLaughlin call the action this weekend on the Learfield/IMG College Husker Sports Network. Every game this season can be heard for free on Huskers.com and the Official Nebraska Huskers App for both iOS and android devices.
 
Last Time Out
Nebraska lost its first series of the 2021 season last weekend, as it was swept by the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. It marked the first time since 2009 that the Huskers have been swept by a conference team at home and the first time in the Big Ten era. Missouri swept the Huskers in Lincoln in 2009 when both teams were in the Big 12 Conference.
 
4/30: Rutgers 9 - Nebraska 4
5/1: Rutgers 6 - Nebraska 5
5/2: Rutgers 6 - Nebraska 0
 
Next Up
Nebraska is back at Hawks Field next weekend to host the Northwestern Wildcats. It will mark the fourth time the teams have met in Lincoln for a conference series, with the others taking place during the 2013, 2014 and 2016 seasons.
 
The series opener is set for 6:30 PM on Friday, May 14. NET is scheduled to carry Saturday's 2 PM contest and the series concludes on Sunday at Noon.
 
5/14: Nebraska vs. Northwestern (6:30 PM)
5/15: Nebraska vs. Northwestern (2 PM)
5/16: Nebraska vs. Northwestern (12 PM)
 
Leading Off
• Dating back to a win at Iowa on Saturday, March 20, the Huskers have won 15 of their last 21 games entering Saturday.
 
• The Huskers rank in the top-15 nationally in fielding percentage at .980. The Huskers have not committed an error in 15 of their 30 games and have committed multiple errors just seven times. NU has yet to commit more than two errors in a game this season. Iowa is the next closest Big Ten school and is tied for 67th nationally with a .973 fielding percentage.
 
• Nebraska had a seven-game winning streak earlier this season. It was the longest winning streak since 2016 when the Huskers won eight straight, including wins over Wichita State (2), Indiana State (2), Purdue (3) and Creighton (1).  - Nebraska had an nine-game unbeaten streak in 2017. The Huskers won five straight, tied Indiana, and then won three straight following the tie.
 
• NU ranks in the top five in the Big Ten in multiple offensive categories, including a No. 1 ranking in four categories
 
  Sacrifice Bunts - 24 (1st)
  Stolen Bases - 46 (1st)
  Batting Avg. - .274 (3rd)  (Illinois, .286)
  On-Base Percentage - .384 (2nd)  (Michigan, .394)
  Walks - 155 (4th)  (Michigan, 169)
  Slugging Percentage - .442 (4th)  (Northwestern, .494)
  Home Runs - 38 (5th)  (Northwestern, 54)
  RBIs - 183 (5th)  (Michigan, 221)
 
• Nebraska's pitching staff ranks near the top of the conference in multiple categories including:
 
  Fewest Walks Allowed - 95 (1st)
  Shutouts - 4 (T1st with Michigan)
  ERA - 3.99 (2nd)  (Indiana, 2.97) 
  Fewest Runs Allowed - 128 (2nd)  (Indiana, 105)
  Fewest Hits Allowed - 247 (3rd)  (Indiana, 194)
  Fewest Doubles Allowed - 48 (3rd)  (Indiana, 39)
 
• Two Huskers rank in the top 10 in the league in runs scored, including Joe Acker with his conference-best 37 runs. Spencer Schwellenbach is tied for sixth with 30 runs. Both Huskers also rank in the top 10 in walks, with Acker tied for third (21) and Schwellenbach tied for sixth (20). Acker is also tied for fifth in the league with 10 doubles.
 
• Jaxon Hallmark ranks third in the Big Ten with 42 hits, is tied for fourth in stolen bases with 10 and ranks ninth in average at .344.
 
• Cam Chick is tied for fifth in the Big Ten with 28 RBIs and is tied for third in the conference with three sacrifice flies.
 
• Luke Roskam is tied for sixth in the Big Ten with a .458 on-base percentage.
 
• Cade Povich is fourth in the Big Ten with a 3.16 ERA.
 
• Chance Hroch has issued just nine walks this year, the third fewest by a Big Ten pitcher.
 
• 12 players have made their Husker debuts this season, including true freshmen  infielders Max Anderson, Brice Matthews and Jack Steil, as well as freshman pitcher Emmett Olson.
 
Common Foes - Rutgers
Nebraska and Rutgers have played six common opponents this year (Maryland, Iowa, Ohio State, Minnesota, Penn State, Purdue). The Huskers are 16-5 against those six teams, while the Scarlet Knights are 9-10.
 
Nebraska (16-5)
Purdue (3-1)
Ohio State (1-1)
Iowa (3-2)
Minnesota (4-0)
Maryland (2-1)
Penn State (3-0)
 
Rutgers (9-10)
Minnesota (1-1)
Maryland (2-2)
Ohio State (2-1)
Purdue (2-1)
Penn State (1-2)
Iowa (1-3)
 
Common Foes - Indiana
Nebraska and Indiana have played eight common opponents this year (Rutgers, Minnesota, Penn State, Purdue, Michigan State, Ohio State, Illinois, Iowa). The Huskers are 18-9 against those eight teams and the Hoosiers are 18-8.
 
Nebraska (18-9)
Rutgers (0-3)
Minnesota (4-0)
Penn State (3-0)
Purdue (3-1)
Michigan State (2-1)
Ohio State (1-1)
Illinois (2-1)
Iowa (3-2)
 
Indiana (18-8)
Rutgers (1-1)
Minnesota (5-0)
Penn State (4-0)
Purdue (2-1)
Michigan State (2-1)
Ohio State (0-4)
Illinois (2-0)
Iowa (2-1)
 
Win the Weekend
Nebraska won seven straight conference series to start the 2021 season (the Minnesota Pod is not included since it was two games each against Iowa and Ohio State).
 
• Prior to this season, Nebraska had never won seven straight conference series to start a season.
 
• The seven-series winning streak was snapped when Nebraska was swept at home by Rutgers. It was the first time Nebraska had been swept at home during the Big Ten era and the first time it had happened during a conference series since 2009 when NU lost three straight to Missouri during the Big 12 era.
 
• During the Big Ten era, the Huskers previously had never won more than three straight conference series to start a season (2013 and 2016).
 
• Prior to this season, Nebraska won six straight conference series to start the 2006 season, before dropping 2-of-3 at Oklahoma State. The 2006 Huskers started the year with conference wins over Kansas (2-1), Kansas State (2-1), Missouri (3-0), Texas A&M (3-0), Texas (2-1) and Texas Tech (3-0).
 
• This season the Huskers have secured a series victory with a win on Sunday five times - Purdue, Iowa, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan State.
 
• This season Nebraska has dropped the series opener three times - Purdue, Iowa and Rutgers.
 
2021 Series Wins
vs. Purdue (3-1)
at Iowa (2-1)
Minnesota (4-0)
at Illinois (2-1)
Maryland (2-1)
at Penn State (3-0)
at Michigan State (2-1)
 
The All-Time Series with Rutgers
• Nebraska holds an 9-6 advantage in 15 previous games between the teams. The teams have met 12 times since Rutgers joined the Big Ten Conference and the teams are tied, 6-6.
 
• The teams have split six previous meetings in Piscataway, 3-3. The Huskers took the first ever series between the two teams, 2-1, in 2016, while the Scarlet Knights won 2-of-3 during the 2018 season.
 
• Nebraska is 5-3 all time in Lincoln against Rutgers, including 3-3 at Hawks Field. The Huskers swept a three-game series in 2017, while Rutgers swept the Huskers this season.
 
• The first game between the two teams took place at Buck Beltzer Stadium during the 2001 NCAA Tournament. Nebraska advanced to the regional final with a 5-4 victory on May 26. Rutgers battled back through loser's bracket to reach the final and saw its season come to an end with a 14-10 loss to the Huskers. Nebraska went on to beat Rice in the Super Regional, earning its first-ever trip to the College World Series.
 
• The last non-conference game between the teams took place at the TD Ameritrade Classic in Omaha during the 2013 season and Nebraska won, 3-1.
 
• Nebraska and Rutgers have never met at the Big Ten Tournament.
 
Conference Series History
2021 - Rutgers won, 3-0 (Lincoln
2018 - Rutgers won, 2-1 (Piscataway)
2017 - Nebraska won, 3-0 (Lincoln)
2016 - Nebraska won, 2-1 (Piscataway)
 
The All-Time Series with Indiana
• Nebraska holds an 12-11-1 advantage in 24 previous games between the teams. The teams have met 19 times since Nebraska joined the Big Ten Conference and the teams are tied, 9-9-1.
 
• The teams first met in 1899 and Indiana won 5-4. They met four more times over the next seven seasons, including 1900 (NU won, 7-6), 1901 (IU won, 5-4), 1905 (NU won, 5-0) and 1906 (NU won, 5-0). The teams then didn't meet again for 106 years until the 2012 season when Nebraska joined the Big Ten.
 
• The teams have met four times on a neutral field, all at the Big Ten Tournament, including twice in the title game, and the Hoosiers hold a 3-1 advantage.
 
• The teams have met for a conference series five times and the Hoosiers have won three of the series, including the last meeting in Lincoln during the 2018 season.
 
Conference Series History
2018 - Indiana won, 2-1 (Lincoln)
2017 - Nebraska won, 2-0-1 (Bloomington)
2016 - Nebraska won, 3-0 (Lincoln)
2013 - Indiana won, 2-1 (Bloomington)
2012 - Indiana won, 2-1 (Bloomington
 
Super Schwelly
Junior Spencer Schwellenbach is making is case for Big Ten Player of the Year with his play at the plate, in the field and on the mound.
 
• Schwellenbach is hitting .289 and has been NU's No. 3 hitter in all 30 games this season. He is tied for sixth in the Big Ten with 30 runs, is just outside the top 10 with nine doubles and is third on the team with 24 RBIs.
 
• Has drawn 20 walks and has been hit-by-pitch six times, while striking out just 25 times.
 
• Enters the weekend with a 1.08 ERA over 10 appearances out of the bullpen. Is 1-1 and has five saves in 16.2 innings of work and didn't allow an run over his first nine appearances. Notched 20 strikeouts and three walks - didn't issue a walk over his first eight appearances.
 
• Committed just two errors this season in 115 chances.
 
Swiss Army Knife
Senior outfielder Jaxon Hallmark has been a tough on opposing defenses this year both at the plate and on the base paths.
 
• Hallmark is ninth in the Big Ten with a .344 average and is third in the league with 42 hits. He has also laid down five sacrifice bunts on the year, which is tied for third in the league.
 
• On the base paths he has swiped 10 bases, which is tied for fourth in the Big Ten.
 
Leading Man
Joe Acker moved to the lead-off spot in the Husker lineup for the series opener at Iowa.
 
• Over the last 22 games Acker has reached base in his first at-bat of the game 14 times, including eight walks, one hit-by-pitch and a home run.
 
• Acker leads the Big Ten with 37 runs scored and leads Nebraska with 21 walks.
 
• In 2021, Acker has posted a .426 on-base percentage. His previous season-highs for on-base percentage were .364 in 2020 (15 games) and .345 in 2019 (46 games)
 
Let Him Out of the Pen
Elkhorn native Jake Bunz transferred to Nebraska after spending two seasons at Hutchinson Community College. The 6-5 lefty has been a vital arm for the Huskers in 2021, as he has made 12 appearances - including three starts.
 
• Has a 1.52 ERA with four runs allowed over 23.2 innings. Three runs came in a start against Iowa in Minneapolis and he has allowed just one run in 12.2 innings of relief over nine appearances.

Huskers Finish in Top Five at PGA WORKS

Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. - Noor Ahmed and Vanessa Bouvet tied for fifth at the PGA WORKS Collegiate Individual Championship on Wednesday at TPC Sawgrass to become eligible for Symetra Tour MVP Invites into the Guardian Championship.

Bouvet, a junior from Brunei, posted a final-round 77 (+5) to move up one spot on the leader board into a tie with Ahmed in fifth place at 231. Ahmed, a senior from Folsom, Calif., who opened the day in fifth, managed a final-round 79 (+7) to match Bouvet's 231. The Husker duo finished 10 strokes in front of Missouri's Keagan Dunn, who finished in seventh.

Phu Khine from UNC Wilmington cruised to the individual title with a 54-hole score of 218 (+2) on the 5,825-yard layout at TPC Sawgrass. Missouri's Jess Yuen was the runner-up after matching Khine's final-round 76 (+4), but still finished six strokes back. Louisiana Monroe's Jahaanvie Walia took third at 226, while UALR's Agatha Alesson (227) finished fourth, four strokes ahead Ahmed and Bouvet.

On Monday, the PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship announced that the top-five finishers, including ties, will be eligible for a Symetra Tour MVP Invite into the Guardian Championship at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club at Capitol Hill in Prattville, Ala., Sept. 17-19. 

The individual division of the PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship is open to all eligible student-athletes on the current roster of their college team or students participating in Professional Golf Management programs who come from diverse ethnic backgrounds.

PGA WORKS is a strategic initiative designed to diversify the golf industry's workforce. Funded by PGA REACH, the 501(c)(3) charitable foundation of the PGA of America, PGA WORKS leverages fellowships, scholarships, career exploration events, and the PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship to inspire and engage talent from diverse backgrounds to pursue key employment positions across the golf industry.

Huskers and Hawkeyes Meet in Iowa City

The Nebraska softball team travels to Iowa this weekend for a four-game series with the Hawkeyes at Bob Pearl Field. The series begins with a single game on Friday at 3 p.m. before a Saturday doubleheader at 1 p.m. The series finale is set for Noon on Sunday. Fans with a subscription to Big Ten Network+ can watch all four games this weekend.

Nebraska and Iowa are both looking to climb the Big Ten Conference standings with two weeks remaining in the regular season. The Huskers and Hawkeyes are tied for fifth in the league standings with identical 20-16 records. Both teams are also coming off four-game sweeps last weekend, as Iowa won all four of its games at Rutgers and Nebraska posted its first Big Ten sweep of the season by going 4-0 at home against Maryland.

The Huskers won a pair of one-run decisions in the first two games against Maryland before outscoring the Terrapins 16-4 over the final two games. Nebraska's freshmen led the way at the plate, with four freshmen starters combining to go 14-for-30 (.467) in the series with two doubles, six home runs and 14 RBIs. Billie Andrews and Kaylin Kinney each hit three home runs and drove in six runs in the four-game series, while Caitlynn Neal doubled twice and Abbie Squier had a pair of RBIs. Kinney was named the Big Ten Player of the Week for her performance, while Andrews was selected as the Big Ten co-Freshman of the Week.

In the circle, Olivia Ferrell went 2-0 with one save last weekend, factoring into three of NU's four wins. Courtney Wallace also went 2-0 with her first career shutout on Sunday. Kinney contributed by starting the third game of the series and allowing just one run in 5.0 innings.

Quick Hitters

• Nebraska's next win will mark the 1,500th victory in program history.
• The sweep of Maryland last weekend was the first four-game conference sweep in school history (this is the fourth season in program history Nebraska has played four-game conference series).
• Ten of Nebraska's 16 losses this season have been by either one or two runs. 
• Nebraska's 3.10 team ERA is its lowest since the 2014 season.
• The Huskers rank third in the Big Ten in scoring, averaging 4.8 runs per game.
• Nebraska is 13-1 this season when it has more hits than its opponent.
• All four Big Ten weekly award winners (two Huskers and two Hawkeyes) will be on the same field this weekend.
• Billie Andrews leads all Big Ten freshmen in hits (36), runs (28), home runs (7), RBIs (28) and stolen bases (10).
• Tristen Edwards is either walked or hit by a pitch an average of 1.44 times per game, the highest average in the nation.
• Courtney Wallace went 2-0 last week with a 0.68 ERA, ending her week with 7.2 consecutive scoreless innings.

Freshmen Make Mark Against Maryland
Nebraska's freshmen played a large part in the Huskers' four-game sweep of Maryland last weekend in the final home games of the season.

• Offensively, five freshmen played in the Maryland series, including four who started multiple games. Collectively, the freshmen went 14-for-30 (.467) with 10 runs, two doubles, six home runs, 14 RBIs, a 1.133 slugging percentage and a .556 on-base percentage. The freshmen accounted for 52 percent of NU's hits last weekend and 64 percent of the team's RBIs.
• Kaylin Kinney was 4-for-5 in the series with three home runs, four runs scored and six RBIs. She was 4-for-4 with a walk, three homers and six RBIs in her two starts. In game three of the series, Kinney hit two home runs and started in the circle, allowing only one run in 5.0 innings. 
• For her efforts, Kinney was named the Big Ten Player of the Week, becoming the first Husker freshman named the conference player of the week since the 2011 Big 12 season.
• Billie Andrews went 6-for-11 (.545) last weekend and matched Kinney with three home runs and six RBIs. She had at least one run, one hit and one RBI in all four games against Maryland, including homering in three of the four games.
• For her performance, Andrews was named the Big Ten co-Freshman of the Week. She has won four of the eight freshman-of-the-week honors the Big Ten has awarded this season.
• Abbie Squier started the final two games last weekend in left field, her first career starts at the position. Squier was 2-for-6 in those starts with a pair of walks and two RBIs.
• Caitlynn Neal started three games in right field against Maryland, going 2-for-8 with her first two career doubles.
• Camyl Armendariz also contributed, scoring one run as a pinch runner last weekend.

Edwards Walking to First With Frequency
Tristen Edwards has been able to walk to first base 52 times this season as teams have elected to frequently pitch around the senior slugger. 

• With 52 combined walks and hit-by-pitches - in only 36 games - Edwards leads the nation with an average of 1.44 "free passes" per game this season.
• Edwards is the only player from a "Power Five" conference (ACC, Big 12, Big Ten, Pac-12, SEC) who reaches base at least 1.0 time per game due to "free passes".
• Edwards has walked 37 times in 36 games this season, including 10 intentional walks. She ranks third nationally in walks per game (1.3) and fourth in total walks. 
• Edwards is bidding to become just the fourth Big Ten player to average 1.0 walk per game over an entire season since Nebraska joined the conference in 2012. She would join Minnesota's Kendyl Lindaman (1.02 in 2017), Michigan's Sierra Romero (1.08 in 2014) and Ohio State's Alicia Herron (1.00 in 2012).
• Edwards has been hit by 15 pitches in 36 games. She ranks seventh nationally in hit-by-pitches per game (0.42) and 12th in total hit-by-pitches.

Billie Andrews Among Big Ten's Top Freshmen Hitters
With two weeks left in the regular season, Billie Andrews has arguably been the Big Ten's top freshman hitter from a statistical standpoint.

• Andrews leads all Big Ten freshmen in hits (36), runs (28), homers (7), RBIs (28) and steals (10), while ranking second in average (.310) and slugging (.560) and third in triples (2).
• Among all Big Ten hitters regardless of class, Andrews ranks fourth in the conference in runs and RBIs, fifth in home runs, sixth in steals and 10th in triples.

Brooke Andrews Steps Up At Third Base
Sophomore Brooke Andrews has been an impressive addition to the lineup while starting the past 20 games at third base for Nebraska following a season-ending injury to Sydney Gray.

• In her streak of 20 straight starts, Andrews has slugged four doubles, one triple and two home runs while driving in 13 runs with five multi-hit games. During that stretch, she leads Nebraska in doubles and triples and ranks fourth on the team in home runs and RBIs.

Kinney Finding Her Way at the Plate & In the Circle
Freshman Kaylin Kinney, the reigning Big Ten Player of the Week, has been the most productive of her young career the past two weeks.

• Over the last eight games, Kinney is 6-for-14 (.429) at the plate with three home runs, seven RBIs, a .571 on-base percentage and a 1.071 slugging percentage. Kinney was 4-for-5 in the Maryland series with three home runs, including her first career multi-homer game.
• In the circle, Kinney earned her first career win on her birthday against Wisconsin on April 24, allowing only two runs in a career-high 5.2 innings. She also pitched 2.0 hitless innings of relief that same day. Last Saturday against Maryland, Kinney started and allowed just one run in 5.0 innings. She left the game with the lead but did not factor into the decision.

Scouting the Iowa Hawkeyes (20-16)
Iowa enters this weekend tied with Nebraska for fifth place in the Big Ten Conference standings with a 20-16 record. Iowa is coming off a four-game sweep at Rutgers last weekend. Prior to the sweep of the Scarlet Knights, the Hawkeyes had lost three straight series.

Nebraska and Iowa have each played 10 of the other 12 Big Ten teams. Both teams split a doubleheaders with Michigan State and Ohio State and lost three of four games to Minnesota and Wisconsin. Both the Huskers and Hawkeyes won series against Maryland, Penn State and Purdue and lost their series to Michigan. Iowa fared better than Nebraska against Indiana and Rutgers, as the Hawkeyes went 3-1 against the Hoosiers and 4-0 against the Scarlet Knights, while the Huskers were 1-1 against Indiana and 2-2 against Rutgers.

• Iowa is batting .238 as a team and averaging 3.8 runs per game. A pair of Hawkeye starters are batting above .300 and three more are hitting above .265. Iowa has been proficient at playing small ball this season, ranking second in the conference with 30 sacrifices.
• Denali Loecker leads the team with a .327 average, 32 hits, eight doubles, 24 RBIs, a .531 slugging percentage and a .411 on-base percentage. She is also tied for the team lead with four home runs.
• Brylee Klosterman, the Big Ten co-Freshman of the Week, boasts a .316 average. She leads the Hawkeyes with a pair of triples and ranks second on the team in runs (15) and third in hits (30).
• Riley Sheehy is third on the team with a .284 average, and she is tied for the team lead with 13 walks and five stolen bases.
• Kalena Burns (.278) and Nia Carter (.267) are both hitting above .265. Burns is tied for the team lead with four home runs and ranks second among all Hawkeyes with 19 RBIs. Carter is second on the team with 31 hits. Grace Banes is the Iowa runs leader, as she has crossed home plate 18 times this season.
• Defensively, Iowa is allowing 3.1 runs per game this season. The Hawkeyes rank fifth in the Big Ten with a 2.45 ERA and have primarily used a three-pitcher rotation.
• Right-hander Sarah Lehman leads the Hawkeyes with 94.0 innings and 10 complete games this season, and she is tied for the team lead with 17 appearances. Lehman owns a 5-8 record with a 2.90 ERA and opponents are hitting only .238 against her.
• Right-hander Allison Doocy, the Big Ten Pitcher of the Week, has started a team-high 13 games and is 8-4 with a 2.11 ERA in 79.2 innings. She owns the most wins of any Hawkeye and is tied for the team lead with one save and 17 appearances. Doocy has struck out 85 batters while walking only 20. Opponents are hitting .238 against her. In her most recent outing last Sunday at Rutgers, Doocy tossed a 5.0-inning no-hitter. She also did not issue a walk but did hit three batters.
• Left-hander Lauren Shaw is the third of Iowa's primary pitchers. She is 7-3 with a team-low 2.01 ERA in 76.2 innings. Shaw is also tied for the team lead with two saves.
• Right-handers Denali Loecker (0-1, 8.40 ERA in 3.1 IP) and Maggie Peterson (0-0, 0.00 ERA in 1.0 IP) round out the Hawkeye staff.
• Renee Gillispie is in her third season as the head coach at Iowa, where she owns a 56-53 record. In her 27th season as a collegiate head coach, Gillispie is 885-632-3 in her career. Prior to Iowa, Gillispie led UCF to a 625-403-1 record in 17 seasons from 2002 to 2018. She spent four seasons at Texas Tech from 1996 to 1999, posting a 118-123-1 record. Gillispie began her head coaching career at Bradley, leading the program to an 86-53-1 record in three seasons from 1993 to 1995.