Jay Taft: Raymond's NIU uniform still fits
Stephanie Raymond, Rockford Lutheran's all-time leading scorer and a standout on last year's 19-win NIU team, is back in a Huskie uniform this month.
Raymond, who was drafted and played for the WNBA's Chicago Sky this summer, is suiting up and going "100 percent" in practice as a student-assistant coach to head coach Carol Owens. She has to complete one more semester before receiving her degree in physical education in May.
"I'm a lucky woman. I play for the WNBA, then come back and coach my old college team. Life is good," Raymond said while sitting at the coaches table at Tuesday's media day. "This was just a great opportunity for me to practice with my old team, stay in shape and work on my game, and finish up my degree."
Raymond plans on playing a bigger role for the Sky next season - she averaged 9.1 minutes and scored 3.1 points per game - and she will then have to make a decision on whether to play overseas in fall 2008.
"It's a good decision to have to make," the 5-foot-5 point guard said.
Locals battle D-III style
Matt Wenger (Dakota) helped North Central College stifle Jason Doetch's (North Boone) team from Augustana in the Cardinals' first win at Ericson Field since 1980 this past weekend.
The sophomore linebacker Wenger tallied 10 tackles - his fourth straight game with double-digit stops - as North Central (6-2, 4-1 CCIW) held Augustana (3-5, 1-4) to 108 yards rushing while pulling off a 31-15 road victory.
The senior fullback Doetch - who is third on the team with 381 yards on 61 attempts this year - led Augustana's dormant rushing attack with 30 yards on seven carries Saturday.
Regent spikers bow out
Despite 17 kills by Clara Wiersma (Hononegah), the Rockford College women's volleyball team bowed out of the 2007 Northern Athletics Conference tournament Tuesday with a 3-1 loss to Benedictine.
The Regents finished the season 11-17, 6-6 in the league.
The Rockford College women's soccer team did not make the NAC tourney cutoff, finishing the season with a 4-14 overall mark, and an 0-12 conference record.
Wendy Murphy led the team with 15 goals on 45 shots.
Sheets wins honor in loss
Rockford College senior defensive lineman Dan Sheets (Stillman Valley) was named UMAC South Player of the Week after his 11-tackle performance Friday in the Dome Day title game.
After a blocked field goal and a blocked extra point, Rockford College lost the UMAC championship 28-27 to Northwestern in overtime.
Sheets is tied for third on the Regents with 48 tackles on the season.
The Regents (6-3, 5-2) will take a weekend off before closing out the season at noon Nov. 11 against Aurora at Sam Greeley Field.
Jay Taft's Quick Shots on college sports appears Thursdays. He can be reached at 815-987-1384 or jtaft@rrstar.com.