Minnesota Scene: Sisters Nora and Kate Holtan win two of top MIAC volleyball awards

Gustavus junior setter Nora Holtan was named the MIAC player of the year in volleyball for the second consecutive year on Wednesday.

Two of her Gusties teammates also were honored. Outside hitter Kate Holtan, Nora's sister, was named the conference rookie of the year, and junior Brittany Luethmers was the co-defensive player of the year along with Augsburg junior Macey Terhell.

St. Thomas' Thanh Pham was named the coach of the year.

St. Thomas defeated visiting Hamline 3-0 in the MIAC men's soccer semifinals, scoring all their goals in the final 20 minutes. Pierce Erickson got the first goal in the 71st minute. Macalester beat host Gustavus 1-0 in the other semifinal on Seth Kofman's goal in the 30th minute.

The winners will meet in the championship match at 4 p.m. Saturday at St. Thomas. The Tommies beat the Scots 1-0 in that game a year ago.

• In the MIAC women's soccer semifinals, Gustavus beat host St. Thomas 2-1 in a shootout. The Gusties won the shootout 4-2, with Sophie Leininger and Chase Miller scoring the final two goals. St. Catherine upset top-seeded Augsburg 1-0 on Allie Bird's goal in the 12th minute. Jessica Perez-Adame made seven saves for the shutout.

The winners will play at 1 p.m. Saturday at St. Thomas for the conference tournament title.

• North Dakota forward Austin Poganski of St. Cloud and three players from Division I hockey teams in Minnesota — goalie Michael Bitzer of Bemidji State (Moorhead, Minn.), forward Karson Kuhlman of Minnesota Duluth (Esko, Minn.) and forward Judd Peterson of St. Cloud State (Duluth) — are among the 20 finalists for the Senior CLASS award, given to someone who exemplifies excellence in community, classroom, character and competition.

• Gophers senior defenseman Sydney Baldwin was named the WCHA defensive player of the month for September/October. The Minnetonka native had one goal and 10 assists as Minnesota went 4-2-1. She also had 34 blocked shots. Her points and blocks are the most for any Division I defenseman.

• Minnesota State Mankato is second, Bemidji State fourth and Augustana sixth in the latest NCAA Division II Central Region rankings. The top six teams in the region qualify for the region tournament, opening Nov. 10 and 12.

• Five NSIC volleyball teams are in the top eight of the first NCAA Division II Central Region rankings: Southwest Minnesota State is No. 1, Concordia (St. Paul) No. 2, Northern State No. 4, Minnesota Duluth No. 5 and Winona St. No. 7. The top eight advance to the region tournament, starting Nov. 30.

• Thirty-five Gophers will compete in the Daktronics Open wrestling tournament Sunday in Brookings, S.D.