Sports
2025 BRYANT VOLLEYBALL SEASON RECAP
SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant volleyball team wrapped up an impressive season in their fourth year in the America East Conference.
The Bulldogs earned their first America East regular season title, finishing as co-champions of the conference with UMBC. They also finished with seven regular season conference wins, the most in program history since joining the America East. The Bulldogs finished the season with a 16-12 record and went 7-3 in America East play. Bryant’s season came to an end in the America East semifinal round, falling to the No. 3 seeded UAlbany Great Danes in straight sets.
Head coach Theresa Garlacy finished her 30th season at the helm for the Bulldogs. Her overall coaching record improved to 630-418 (.601). Garlacy praises this group, citing their dedication to success:
“I couldn’t be prouder of this championship team. We will raise a banner to them. Winning a regular season title is so difficult, I’m not sure people realize how hard the grind is to win consistently week in and week out. They never wavered in their support for each other and focusing on the team’s goals. They have set the foundation for success in the America East!”
The Bulldogs picked up several notable victories this season. The first came on September 6th, defeating Providence College on the road in five sets in the Ocean State Cup. It marked their first win at Alumni Hall since 2018.
Another big win came on September 17th, beating the defending MAAC champion Fairfield in four sets at home. The win marked the start of a five-game winning streak for the Bulldogs. From that point on, the Bulldogs won 13 of their remaining 18 games to close out the season. Madison Koeller shattered records in the win, tallying 58 assists, ranking her third all-time in single-game assists in Bryant’s Division I history.
The Bulldogs momentum carried over into their trip to Chestnut Hill, facing Boston College in the final match of the BC Invitational. The Bulldogs picked up their second win in program history against the Eagles, beating them in five sets and snapping a six-game losing streak dating back to 2013. It was Bryant’s first-ever win in Chestnut Hill, spoiling the Eagles’ perfect 11-0 start and handing them their first loss of the season.
Bryant’s success in their non-conference slate helped them in the America East. The Bulldogs swept the defending champion New Hampshire Wildcats in their first road conference match, earning their first road win in Durham since 2011.
The Bulldogs performed well at the Chace Athletic Center this season, finishing with a 7-4 home record. They finished 4-1 at home in conference play, earning victories over UAlbany, Binghamton, New Hampshire, and NJIT. The final win over NJIT clinched a share of the America East regular season title for Bryant, with the Bulldogs sweeping the Highlanders on Senior Night.
The Bulldogs were led by America East Player of the Year Arianna Ugolini. It marks the first time Bryant has received a Player of the Year award in the Division I era. Ugolini also earned First Team All-Conference honors for the third consecutive season. She led the conference in kills (419), service aces (43), and points (476.5). Her 419 kills were a new career best. She surpassed 1,000 career kills and points this season and is now the fifth player in Bryant’s Division I history to eclipse 1,000 career kills.
The Bulldogs were also led by Brookelyn Talmadge, earning Second Team All-Conference honors. Talmadge led the America East in hitting percentage (.406), tallying a career best 178 kills. She also led the team with 72.0 total blocks this season.
Ruth Ochelli and Kaitlin Curran shined in their first season with the Bulldogs, each earning All-Rookie team honors for the America East. Ochelli finished the season with 204 kills, second best on the team. She averaged 2.37 kills/set. Curran finished with 202 kills, third on the team. She averaged 2.77 kills/set. She ranked third in the conference in service aces (34).
Madison Koeller ran the tempo for the Bulldogs offense this season. She set a new career best in assists, finishing with 815 this season. She surpassed 1,000 career assists as a Bulldog, becoming the seventh player in Bryant’s Division I history to eclipse 1,000 assists. She ranked second in the conference in assists (815) and assists/set (8.67). Madison Keem and Melis Isik also contributed in massive ways at the setter position for the Bulldogs. Keem tallied 154 assists in her rookie campaign, tallying 26 assists at Providence on September 6th and a season best 28 assists at Binghamton on November 7th. Isik tallied 142 assists this season. She posted a career-high 37 assists against UMBC at home on November 2nd.
Carrina Barron and Claudia Camacho-Castro were the anchors for the Bulldogs defense this season, posting 396 digs. Barron now sits at 996 career digs entering her senior season next fall. She ranked fourth in the America East in digs/set (3.88). Camacho-Castro posted 223 digs, third best on the team. She also added 38 service aces, second on the team. She recorded a career best five service aces on two separate occassions this season. The first came on September 6th at Providence, and the second came on October 17th at NJIT.
Nina Gavin proved to be a spark off the bench for the Bulldogs all season long. She finished her junior season with 32 kills and 17 aces. She recorded a career-high 8 kills in a sweep over Binghamton on October 12th.
Hannah Jackson appeared in four matches in her rookie campaign. She had an impressive showing against FIU on August 30th, recording a season best 6 kills.
Ana Fuertes-Brito appeared in 13 matches in her final season with the Bulldogs. She finished with 34 kills, including a season high 12 kills at Duke in the season opener.
Natalie Ricevuto appeared in 10 matches in her sophomore campaign. She finished with a career best 37 kills, including a career high 9 kills in a sweep over New Haven on September 23rd.
Lea Mackey and Maeve Voltz always gave the Bulldogs a boost off the bench this season. Mackey posted 50 kills and 23.0 total blocks. She recorded a season high 8 kills against Rhode Island on September 6th and a season high five total blocks against Providence on September 6th. Voltz enjoyed her first season at Bryant after spending the previous three seasons with Springfield College. She finished with 38 kills and 13.0 total blocks. She recorded a season high 8 kills against FIU on August 30th.
London Hunt put together an impressive final season. The senior captain finished with 145 kills and 70.0 total blocks. She ranked fourth in the America East in hitting percentage (.345).
The Bulldogs collected many accolades this season, like their first America East regular season title, the most America East wins in program history, and their first Division I Player of the Year Award recipient. Bryant will rely on the leadership from the junior class for next season, including Carrina Barron, Brookelyn Talmadge, Madison Koeller, Nina Gavin, and Nadine Abdat. The future is bright for the Bulldogs for next season.
Texas outside hitter Whitney Lauenstein announced her commitment to Penn State women’s volleyball out of the transfer portal on Wednesday. Lauenstein posted her decision to transfer to Happy Valley on her Instagram.
As a redshirt senior this past season, Lauenstein logged 33 kills, 11 digs, and 14 total blocks across 20 sets for the Longhorns.
Lauenstein began her NCAA journey with two seasons at Nebraska. As a sophomore, she led the Cornhuskers in total points, earning AVCA All-Region Team and Academic All-Big Ten honors.
After the 2022 season, the Waverly, Nebraska, native stepped away from the team to focus on her family. Lauenstein then transferred to Texas in December of 2023, where she spent the last two seasons.
Lauenstein now joins setter Alexis Stucky and middle blocker Ryla Jones as transfer players who have committed to the Nittany Lions this cycle.
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Updated Dec. 24, 2025, 10:22 a.m. CT
- Marquette volleyball All-American Natalie Ring is transferring to Texas A&M for her final season.
- Ring, a third-team All-American, ranked 25th in the nation with 497 kills this past season.
- She is the second key player to leave Marquette, following freshman setter Isabela Haggard’s transfer to Baylor.
- Marquette has added Ball State’s Carson Tyler, the Mid-American Conference player of the year.
A Marquette volleyball All-American is joining the national champions.
The Golden Eagles’ Natalie Ring announced on social media on Dec. 23 that she will use her final season of NCAA eligibility at Texas A&M.
Ring, a former Madison Edgewood High School standout, was a third-team All-American this season. She ranked 25th in the nation in kills with 497. Ring has 754 kills in her career.
“We are excited to add Natalie to our Aggie family here in Aggieland,” Texas A&M coach Jamie Morrison said in a statement. “She brings a wealth of experience as a well-rounded outside hitter and is a relentless competitor who consistently raised her level against the best competition.”
Ring helped lead the Golden Eagles to the second round of the NCAA tournament under first-year coach Tom Mendoza. MU lost in five sets to host Louisville.
Texas A&M went on a magical run to the national title as a No. 3 seed, beating three of the tournament’s No. 1 seeds, culminating in a sweep of Kentucky in the title game.
Ring is the second key player to leave MU’s team. Freshman setter Isabela Haggard announced a transfer to Baylor after recording 997 assists and 257 digs.
Mendoza has added Ball State’s Carson Tyler, the Mid-American Conference player of the year who will have two seasons of eligibility. She registered 506 kills, which was 18th in the country.
Updated Dec. 24, 2025, 12:56 p.m. ET
Pitt volleyball’s fifth consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament national semifinals ended with another heartbreak following an upset loss to the eventual champions, the Texas A&M Aggies. But the Panthers have reloaded for next season with one of the biggest names in the transfer portal.
The Panthers announced the signing of former Penn State setter Izzy Starck on Tuesday, pairing the 2024 AVCA National Freshman of the Year with Olivia Babcock, the two-time AVCA National Player of the Year.
“I’m so excited I cannot wait for next season to start,” Babcock wrote on Instagram. “WOOOOHHOOOO.”
Starck had a breakout freshman campaign at Penn State, recording 1,483 assists (10.89 per set), 342 digs, 112 kills and 99 blocks. The Big Ten Freshman of the Year led the Nittany Lions to a 35-2 overall record under head coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley and the program’s eighth national championship.
The 6-foot-1 setter appeared in four games for Penn State before stepping away for the season to prioritize her mental health. Starck said her hiatus wasn’t a “goodbye forever,” but her time at Penn State officially came to an end when she entered the transfer portal earlier this month.
“I am very excited to announce that I will be entering the transfer portal this December. I look forward to finding a new home where I can grow in the next chapter of my career,” said Starck, who has three years of eligibility remaining after redshirting her sophomore season. “I am beyond grateful for the endless support I’ve received over the past months.”
Starck joins a championship contender looking to finally get over the national semifinal hump. Pitt advanced to the 2025 NCAA volleyball Final Four for the fifth consecutive year, but the No. 1 seed Panthers were swept 29-27, 25-21, 25-20 by No. 3 seed Texas A&M. It marked the first time Pitt had been swept all year and the Panthers’ fifth straight time falling short of a national championship berth.
Pitt is in search of its first national championship appearance and first national title.
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Dec. 24, 2025, 10:30 a.m. CT
Texas A&M’s first-ever NCAA Championship win over the Kentucky Wildcats on Sunday was one of the most-watched title games in college volleyball history.
The 2025 campaign has featured many first-time achievements for Jamie Morrison’s squad in just his third year as head coach in Bryan-College Station, Texas, including a victory in the No. 2-most-watched NCAA title game ever. Texas A&M’s match against Kentucky attracted a peak of 1.7 million viewers, as part of the most-consumed NCAA Women’s Volleyball Tournament in the history of the sport.
The Aggies have much to be proud of following their historic run on the court this season. Still, the Maroon and White faithful have also played their own crucial roles in supporting the program as it ventured to some of the most hostile road environments in volleyball. One of those rowdy atmospheres occurred in the Lincoln Regional, where Morrison’s squad dethroned No. 1 seed Nebraska in an instant classic that advanced the Aggies to their first-ever appearance in the Final Four.
Texas A&M’s outstanding season, capped off by a sweep of the Wildcats in the NCAA Championship, played a massive role in etching their name into the viewership history books.
The wheels never stop turning, however. Morrison went straight to work and immediately made a splash in the transfer portal by landing commitments from Ohio State middle blocker Kaia Castle and Marquette outside hitter Natalie Ring. While it hasn’t even been one week since Texas A&M brought the national title to College Station, Morrison and company are already turning their heads to focus on building another stacked roster eager to make more history in 2026.
That approach to recruiting and rebuilding is a massive reason for the Aggies’ recent success on the court under Morrison’s watchful eye. The talented athletes like Logan Lednicky, Ifenna Cos-Okpalla and the NCAA MVP Kyndal Stowers have molded this winning culture, which the stars of the future in the Maroon and White will look to build upon and surpass moving forward.
Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Dylan on X: @dylanmflippo.
Johnson comes to Manhattan after serving one season as the defensive coordinator at Coastal Carolina in addition to being the Chanticleers’ interim head coach for the Independence Bowl against Louisiana Tech, which will be played next Tuesday.
“When Coach Klein called about joining his staff, it was a no brainer,” said Johnson, who worked with Klein during the 2016 season at Northern Iowa. “Having the opportunity to help him execute his vision for this program is exciting, and I am humbled and honored to work alongside one of the best coaches, leaders and humans in this business. It’s an added bonus that I am able to return to my home state. Nicki, Lane, Drew and I are so grateful to Collin and Shalin for bringing us on their journey and making us a part of their Wildcat Family. Team Johnson is fired up to get to Manhattan and get to work. Go Cats!”
Johnson has also served as a defensive coordinator at Northern Iowa (2014-2021, 2023), Kent State (2022) and Louisiana Tech (2024).
“Jeremiah is one of the best teachers of the game of football I have been around,” said Klein. “He is a relentless recruiter and a program builder. I am very excited to have him on our staff.”
This season, Johnson has helped Coastal advance to its sixth-straight bowl game as the Chanticleers rank 16th nationally and second in the Sun Belt in fourth down defense (40.0%) and 31st in fumble recoveries (8). He has helped Xamarion Gordon to a No. 2 national ranking in fumble recoveries (3) and a No. 5 ranking in the conference in interceptions (3). Myles Woods also had three interceptions on the year, while Johnson has coached Ezekiel Durham-Campbell to a No. 7 ranking in the conference in sacks (0.46 per game).
The Johnson-led Louisiana Tech defense in 2024 ranked 12th nationally in total defense, surrendering only 308.4 yards per game. It was a 98-spot improvement over where the Bulldogs finished in 2023, while his unit also produced a 91-place improvement in scoring defense (21.0 points per game) as they finished at No. 26. Additionally, Johnson led La Tech to an 88-place bump in rushing defense (135.5 yards per game) to rank 44th.
Outside of a one-year hiatus in which he served the 2022 season as Kent State’s defensive coordinator, Johnson coached for 16 seasons at Northern Iowa, spending the 2007 through 2021 seasons – in addition to the 2023 campaign – in Cedar Falls. While at UNI, Johnson coached Panther defenders to a combined 32 All-Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) First Team honors, five MVFC Defensive Players of the Year, one Buck Buchanan Award winner, 15 Associated Press FCS All-America honors and seven American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) All-American accolades.
In 11 seasons as the UNI defensive coordinator, Johnson’s defenses ranked in the top 10 nationally in statistical categories 29 times, which included turnovers gained on six occasions (highest ranking of No. 2 in 2019 with 34), defensive touchdowns four times (highest ranking of No. 5 in 2016 and 2019 with 4) and scoring defense three times (best ranking of No. 6 at 15.3 points per game in the Spring of 2021). During his first run as defensive coordinator from 2014 through 2021, UNI ranked sixth in the FCS by allowing 19.9 points per game over a 99-game span. He was also named a finalist for the 2019 FootballScoop FCS Defensive Coordinator of the Year award.
The Panthers won four conference championships during Johnson’s time at UNI. Additionally, they made 10 FCS Playoff appearances and advanced past the first round in eight of 10 seasons, which included a semifinal showing in 2008 and quarterfinal appearances in 2015 and 2019.
Before being promoted to coordinator, Johnson coached the Northern Iowa defensive backs and served as the recruiting coordinator from 2009 through 2012. In 2007 and 2008, he was the video coordinator and assistant defensive backs coach.
Johnson went to UNI after working the 2003 through 2006 seasons at Loras College, serving on the same staff as former K-State head coach Chris Klieman. Johnson worked with the Duhawk defensive backs in 2003, 2004 and 2006, while he coached the wide receivers in 2005. Prior to his time at Loras, he was a graduate assistant and video coordinator at Wyoming in 2002.
A native of Scandia, Kansas, Johnson obtained his undergraduate degree in sports science from Kansas in 2000, while he earned a master’s degree in athletic administration from Loras in 2005.
Johnson and his five, Nicki, have a son, Lane, and a daughter, Drew.
THE JEREMIAH JOHNSON FILE
Hometown: Scandia, Kansas
College: Kansas – Bachelor’s degree in sports science (2000); Loras College – Master’s degree in athletic administration (2005)
Family: Wife: Nicki; Children: Lane, Drew
JEREMIAH JOHNSON’S COACHING CAREER
2002, Wyoming (Graduate Assistant/Video Coordinator)
2003-04, Loras College (Defensive Backs)
2005, Loras College (Wide Receivers)
2006, Loras College (Defensive Backs)
2007-08, Northern Iowa (Video Coordinator/Assistant Defensive Backs Coach)
2009-12, Northern Iowa (Defensive Backs/Recruiting Coordinator)
2013-16, Northern Iowa (Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers)
2017-21, Northern Iowa (Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs)
2022, Kent State (Defensive Coordinator)
2023, Northern Iowa (Defensive Coordinator)
2024, Louisiana Tech (Defensive Coordinator)
2025, Coastal Carolina (Defensive Coordinator/Interim Head Coach)
2026, K-State (Defensive Backs)
Dec. 24, 2025, 5:40 p.m. CT
Winning championships is always the top goal for any athletic program. However, when you go deep into the postseason, especially in volleyball, it can interfere with the staff’s ability to recruit. That’s a good problem to have when you’re bringing home hardware, and Texas A&M head coach Jamie Morrison is already getting work done in the NCAA transfer portal.
Needing to reload a roster that’s losing nine seniors, including four All-Americans and two future professional players, Coach Morrison received some major news on Tuesday. It was announced that former Boise State middle blocker Eliza Sharp has committed to Texas A&M. This gives A&M another young talent to develop and brings some elite production.
Originally, Coach Morrison had a five-year plan to reach a national title, which meant he understood that the roster he had now would be a crucial part of turning the Aggie volleyball program into a national powerhouse. With him now ahead of schedule by two years, it gives him a significant advantage in recruiting and positions Texas A&M for a quick turnaround to make another championship run in the near future.
Below is key information on the third commit joining the 2026 Texas A&M volleyball team.
Eliza Sharp – Middle Blocker
- Former School: Boise State
- Class: RS Freshman
- Eligibility: Three years remaining
- Stats: 250 career kills, 2.21 kills per set, .323 hitting percentage, 140 career blocks, 1.2 blocks per set, Mountain West Freshman of the Year, All-Mountain West
Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Jarrett Johnson on X: @whosnextsports1.
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