Cokato cyclist Dickey gets lifetime ban for using EPO

The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency issued a lifetime ban to cyclist Duane Dickey for a second violation of use and possession of the banned endurance-boosting hormone EPO and his refusal to give a sample for testing.

USADA announced Friday that Dickey's ban began Sept. 1, the day the Cokato, Minn., rider accepted the punishment.

He was also disqualified from all competitions since April 2, 2007, the date of his first anti-doping rule violation, and ordered to forfeit any medals, points and prizes.

Dickey, who refused to participate in an out-of-competition test on May 11, was previously suspended for one year in 2002 after testing positive for banned substances, including nandrolone, in a sample taken at the Tour of Guatemala in 2001.

Gophers win in volleyball Ashley Wittman and Tabitha Love each had nine kills to lead the Gophers volleyball team to a 25-12, 25-13, 25-15 victory over North Carolina Central on Friday in Durham, N.C.

Tori Dixon had eight kills and Katherine Harms had seven kills for the Gophers.

The No. 12 Gophers (6-1) will play Delaware and Duke on Saturday.

Stephanie Price of the Gophers won the 6K race in a time of of 21 minutes, 16.5 seconds to pace the Gophers, who finished with a score of 19. North Dakota State was second in the five-team meet with a 57.

Drake won the men's race with a score of 39. The Gophers finished fourth with a score of 74.

Michael Krsnak of South Dakota State won the men's 6K with a time of 19:13.82. Matt Volz of the Gophers finished second with a time of 19:18.94.

Gophers soccer wins again Steph Brandt's goal in the 68th minute broke a scoreless tie and the Gophers women's soccer team went on to defeat Bowling Green 2-0 in Bowling Green, Ohio.

Tamara Strahota added a goal in the 87th minute for the Gophers (6-1), who earned their sixth consecutive victory.

Slinger is finalist for award Concordia (St. Paul) volleyball player Mary Slinger is one of 30 finalists for the 2010 NCAA Woman of the Year award.

The award honors female student-athletes who have distinguished themselves throughout their collegiate career in the areas of academic achievement, athletics excellence, community service and leadership.

The top 30 honorees were nominated by conference and independent members and are representative of multiple sports. Ten honorees were selected from each of the three NCAA divisions.