Tag: ranks

Kyabram’s netball ranks is following suit of the football front with an exciting signing spree

Kyabram was an A-grade juggernaut of the 2010s, snaring back-to-back premierships in 2011-12 and 2016-17 and was a force feared by many.

However, after starting the 2020s in much tamer fashion, the Bombers are reloading their arsenal.

Kyabram recently announced the signings of crack shot shooter Tamara Skinner from Shepparton United, midcourt technician Emma Quinn from Tatura and graceful defender Breanna Baker from Merrigum.

Skinner and Quinn are proven operators at GVL and Murray league level, while Baker has won multiple club best-and-fairests in Kyabram District League.

There’s one main method to the signing mania: experience.

The Bombers possess vastly talented youngsters — Natasha Dodos, Isla Carver and Abby Waasdorp to name a few — but those green shoots perhaps didn’t have the maturity to mix it with the best sides in the comp during 2024.

Only one win from 18 games proves that point, but with hundreds of games worth of senior experience flying into the Hangar, the signing spree alludes to the fact Kyabram isn’t content in the doldrums for another year.

On the other end of the scale, two of GVL’s most promising starlets have added another feather to their already-festooned caps.

Shepparton’s Mackenzie O’Dwyer and Shepparton Swans’ Harriet Gall were recently announced as part of an 18-strong group to receive scholarships to the Victorian Institute of Sport for 2025.

Aimed as a fast-track pathway for ambitious Victorian netballers, Gall and O’Dwyer will have unmatched access to high-performance resources designed to elevate their careers.

Under the guidance of Elissa Kent, a former Melbourne Kestrels and Melbourne Vixens player, the pair of athletes will not only train, but also be mentored by a champion who knows the game at its highest levels.

“The VIS development program plays a crucial role in enhancing the pathway talent within Victoria,” Kent said.

“By aligning closely with Netball Victoria and Netball Australia, we ensure that our athletes receive tailored support that addresses their individual needs, focusing on holistic development, utilising the specialised resources at the Victorian Institute of Sport to nurture both athletic performance and personal growth.

“Our aim is to prepare these young athletes, not just for the next step in their netball journey, but for life beyond the sport.

“Ensuring they emerge as both exceptional competitors and well-rounded individuals.”

Source link

November 14, 2024
Buffs’ red zone defense ranks among nation’s best – Longmont Times-Call

Colorado opponents might be able to gain some yards, but when the Buffaloes are backed up, they get tough.

Five games into this season, the Buffaloes (4-1, 2-0 Big 12) have had one of the stingiest red zone defenses in the country. It’s a trend they hope to continue when No. 18 Kansas State (4-1, 1-1) visits Folsom Field on Saturday (8:15 p.m., ESPN).

The Buffs, who were on a bye this weekend, rank seventh nationally in allowing opponents to score on just 61.9% of their trips to the red zone (inside the 20-yard line). CU opponents have reached the red zone 21 times (only 17 teams have allowed more), but have come away with points just 13 times.

“I think the rallying cry defensively has always got to be: ‘Yards don’t equal points,’” CU defensive coordinator Robert Livingston said. “So, as long as you play great situational defense – that’s third down, that’s the red zone, that’s two minute. It’s 2024, these guys get paid too, so they’re going to make some plays. So just tighten the screws when you have to.”

The Buffs are allowing 379.6 yards per game, which ranks 88th out of 134 FBS teams and they’ve been vulnerable to explosive plays. But especially recently, the red zone defense has been lights out. CU’s last three opponents – Colorado State, Baylor and Central Florida – have reached the red zone 11 times but came away with only 27 points (three touchdowns, two field goals). CU has forced five red zone turnovers in those games.

“It’s a testament to (cornerbacks coach Kevin) Mathis,” Livingston said. “He’s our red zone master. He’s our red zone guru each week, so he does a great job. We put a plan together, and the players go out and execute. I can’t say enough about, again, the group of men we have both on the fourth floor (in the football offices) here as a staff, as well as the players. So it makes my job pretty easy.”

K-State will certainly challenge CU’s red zone defense. The Wildcats have scored on 17 of 18 red zone trips (94.4%), ranking 22nd nationally, with 12 touchdowns.

Rare company

CU has yet to allow a single 100-yard rusher or 100-yard receiver this season. The closest to those marks were Baylor’s Sawyer Robertson (82 rushing yards) and UCF’s RJ Harvey (92 receiving yards).

Through Saturday’s games, only five other FBS teams had yet to allow a rusher or receiver hit the century mark: Army, Louisiana Tech, Northern Illinois, Ohio State and Oklahoma. Like those other teams, CU also has not allowed a quarterback to throw for 300 yards.

A year ago, there were 14 CU opponents who the 100-yard mark as a rusher or receiver, including at least one in 11 of 12 games.

Notable

As of Sunday, K-State was a 5.5-point favorite against the Buffs. Both teams are coming off a bye. … Dating back to 2012, CU has gone 6-6 in games following a bye, including 3-1 in the last four years. Last year, the Buffs lost at UCLA following the bye week. … This will be CU’s first game of the season against an opponent ranked in the Associated Press Top 25. Last year, the Buffs faced six ranked opponents. … CU is 1-15 in its last 16 games against Top 25 opponents, with the lone win coming at TCU in the 2023 opener.

Source link

October 6, 2024

Tag: ranks

Kyabram’s netball ranks is following suit of the football front with an exciting signing spree

Buffs’ red zone defense ranks among nation’s best – Longmont Times-Call