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LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — A 9-year-old baseball fanatic got the chance to see what it was like to be a Louisville Bat for the day.
The minor league baseball team in Louisville honored this year’s Norton Children’s “Super Kid” Ben Rhodes at Saturday’s game.
Ben Rhodes signed a one-day contract with the Louisville Bats at Slugger Field in Louisville, Ky. on June 7, 2025.
Ben has been a patient at Norton Children’s throughout his entire life. His twin brother Henry and him were born premature and had to be in the NICU for several months. Since then, Ben has had several health complications including sepsis and a brain bleed.
“With Ben it was just one thing after another where it wasn’t great news and there was a lot of uncertainty through that process,” said Josh Rhodes, Ben’s father.
Recently, Ben has been back at Norton Children’s as he was treated for Little League elbow. Now, his physician assistant said he’s ready to start throwing strikes again.
“He was like, I’m already back to baseball, I’m back to throwing, I’m having no pain I’m great and so it was a great check-in to know that he is back to doing what he loves to do,” Norton Children’s physician assistant Kirby Talman said.
It was just in time to be signed as a Louisville Bat.
Saturday, Ben got to throw out the ceremonial first pitch.
Baseball runs deep in Rhodes’ blood. His grandfather played for a long time, and his dad played for the University of Louisville in 2000 and his older brother is currently a pitcher for Southwest Oklahoma State.
“It has been really rewarding for me as a father to watch him do something that he loves so much and the joy that he’s shown and the interactions with the players and all the activities on and off the field,” Josh said.
Josh said Ben is thriving and is looking forward to his future on the baseball diamond.
“To see him out here healthy, to see him out here strong doing that it’s a full circle moment, so it’s been a good emotional day,” Josh said.
Ben even brought a bit of good luck to Louisville Slugger Field. The Bats snapped their nine-game losing streak, walking it off against the Norfolk Tides, winning 2-1.
Louisville continues the series Sunday with a doubleheader.
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Sports
Indianapolis volleyball coach in viral video charged after allegedly sexting person posing as 14-year-old boy
Levi Garrett, 34, of Danville, has been charged with dissemination of matter harmful to minors.
INDIANAPOLIS — A volleyball coach shown in a video over the summer that went viral has been charged after allegedly sexting a person who he believed was a minor.
Levi Garrett, 34, of Danville, has been charged with dissemination of matter harmful to minors.
According to court documents, in March 2025, Garrett allegedly sent sexually explicit images and text messages of himself to a person posing as a 14-year-old decoy on Grindr, which is an online dating app.
Garrett continued sending sexually explicit messages even after being told the person he was texting was 14 years old.
In August 2025, a video went viral in which Garrett was confronted by JiDion Adams, a popular YouTuber and a member of a private group that conducts “sting operations,” to identify and confront individuals who are alleged to have engaged in such conduct.
According to court documents, the minor texted Garrett, “U mind if I’m young,” and Garrett replied with, “No I don’t mind.” Then, the minor texted back, “Cool cuz I’m 14 but I down for whatever,” in which Garrett “liked” the message, followed by sending three sexually explicit images.
In a later conversation, court documents say the minor texted Garrett, “So what I tryna do” “U,” and Garrett replied, “Get f*****,” then the minor texted back, “D*** with me?” and Garrett replied, “If you want.”
Court documents say Garrett ultimately agreed to meet the minor in Greencastle, Indiana.

Following that incident, the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office said one of their detectives opened an investigation.
“There are no shortcuts in the investigative process,” Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears said. “When it comes to crimes against children, justice demands that an independent investigation occur and evidence be properly obtained, so that a case is built that will hold offenders accountable in a court of law.”
This case is a result of an independent investigation conducted by the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office.
The prosecutor’s office said Garrett has an attorney and had his initial hearing Tuesday, Dec. 16.
Garrett has a change of plea hearing scheduled for Jan. 27, 2026, at 9 a.m.
Sports
NE10 Volleyball Players Selected to CSC Academic All-District Team
NORTH ATTLEBORO, Mass. – The Northeast 10 Conference had 21 volleyball players named to the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District Team on Tuesday.
The 2025 Academic All-District teams are selected by CSC and recognize the nation’s top student-athletes across the NCAA and NAIA for their combined performances on the playing field and in the classroom.
Academic All-District honorees were considered for advancement to the CSC Academic All-America ballot. Student-athletes selected as CSC Academic All-America finalists are denoted with an asterisk and will advance to the national ballot to be voted on by CSC members. The NE10 had four players advance to the national ballot.
The Academic All-America teams will be announced on January 13.
Adelphi, Bentley and Franklin Pierce led all NE10 programs with four honorees each. Bentley had two players advance to the national ballot – Elizabeth Blinn and Tory Vitko – while Adelphi’s Macarty McQueen and Franklin Pierce’s Annaka Lindstrom also advanced. Overall, seven NE10 volleyball programs were represented.
The Division II and III CSC Academic All-America® programs are partially financially supported by the NCAA Division II and III national governance structures to assist CSC with handling the awards fulfillment aspects for the 2025-26 Divisions II and III Academic All-America® programs.
VOLLEYBALL
Adelphi
Mackenzie Casey
Delaney Kiendra
Macarty McQueen *
Autumn Moore
American International
Claudia Flores Marrero
Carissa Michel
Victoria Soto Burgos
Bentley
Elizabeth Blinn *
Erica Borzone
Sophia Poehlein
Tory Vitko *
Franklin Pierce
Kori Garnhart
Katholiki Koukia
Annaka Lindstrom *
Martina Spackova
Saint Anselm
Taylor Lacerda
Saint Michael’s
Ashley Marshall
Dana Welch
SCSU
Sydney Bennett
Emily Sartell
Sarah Stark
ABOUT THE NE10
The NE10 is an association of 10 diverse institutions serving student-athletes across 24 NCAA Division II sports. Together we build brilliant futures by embracing the journey of every student-athlete.
Each year, 4,500 of those student-athletes compete in conference championships in 24 sports, making the NE10 the largest DII conference in the country in terms of sport sponsorship. Leading the way in the classroom, on the field and within the community, the NE10 is proud of its comprehensive program and the experience it provides student-athletes.
Fans can subscribe via this link to follow NE10 NOW on FloSports this season. The partnership between the NE10 and FloSports works to provide funds back to the athletic departments of the Northeast 10 Conference in support of student-athletes while promoting the league on a national platform.
Sports
2025 NAIA Women’s Volleyball All-Americans and Special Awards
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The 2025 NAIA Women’s Volleyball All-America Teams, as well as the 2025 NAIA Player of the Year, Attacker of the Year, Defender of the Year and Coach of the Year have been announced.
Eva Joldersma of Indiana Wesleyan is the 2025 NAIA Women’s Volleyball Player of the Year for the third consecutive season. Only one other player has been awarded Player of the Year three times in NAIA Women’s Volleyball history: Nada Meawad of Park (Mo.), in 2018, 2020, and 2021. However, no other player has won the award in three consecutive seasons. After missing the first 10 matches of the season due to injury, Joldersma made an immediate impact for the Wildcats when she returned on September 13 against Bethel (Ind.). IWU had only one loss after her return that came at the hands of Mont Vernon Nazarene (Ohio). Joldersma showcased her offensive power and consistency, recording double-digit kills in 20 matches and surpassing 20 kills on six occasions, including a season-high 26 kills versus Crossroads League opponents Marian (Ind.) and Taylor (Ind.). As an outside hitter, her efficiency was equally impressive, hitting over .300 in eight matches and peaking at .563 against Oakland City (Ind.). The senior also contributed to her team’s defensive effort, tallying multiple blocks in nearly every contest for a total of 46 total blocks (40 assisted) on the season and boasted 12 matches with double-digit digs with a season average of 2.42 digs per set.
Bella Thompson of Providence (Mont.) is the 2025 NAIA Setter of the Year. Thompson recorded 50 or more assists in five matches, including a season-high 53 assists against Concordia (Neb.) in the national tournament. Her precision and consistency were evident throughout the year, totaling well over 40 assists in multi-set matches while adding offensive versatility with timely kills and service aces. Defensively, Thompson contributed across the board, tallying double-digit digs in 18 contests and providing strong net presence with blocks in key moments, boasting a season high of seven blocks (6 assisted) against Dakota State (S.D.). The senior ran one of the most efficient offenses in the NAIA as the Argos offense finished the season with an attack percentage of .233. Thompson also earned player of the week honors in week four of the season.
Evelyn Rohrberg of Oklahoma Wesleyan is the 2025 NAIA Attacker of the Year. Rohrberg recorded 20 or more kills in 14 matches, including a season-high 28 kills against Valley City State (N.D.), and posted double-digit kills in nearly every contest. Her attack percentage was equally impressive, surpassing .500 in six matches and peaking at .680 versus Science and Arts (Okla.). She finished the season boasting an attack percentage of .344. The outside hitter minimized her errors throughout the season, only recording four matches with errors in the double-digits. She also led the nation in kills per set for a majority of the season and closed the season as the leader of the category with 5.36 kills per set. Rohrberg also earned player of the week honors in week seven of the season.
Zavyr Metzger of Northwestern (Iowa) is the 2025 NAIA Defender of the Year. The middle blocker anchored one of the nation’s toughest front lines with her elite blocking ability and relentless consistency. Metzger posted multiple blocks in nearly every match, including five matches where she recorded double digits. Metztger boasts a season-best 12 total blocks against Kansas Wesleyan, and routinely shut down top attackers with her timing and court awareness. Her defensive dominance was complemented by efficient offense, hitting above .400 in several matches and adding key kills to keep opponents off balance. Metzger led the nation in blocks per set for a solid chunk of the season, where she sits now at No. 1 in the nation with 1.99 blocks per set. The senior also earned player of the week honors in week five of the season.
Candace Moats, head coach of Indiana Wesleyan, was named the 2025 NAIA Women’s Volleyball Coach of the Year after guiding the Wildcats to an extraordinary season marked by resilience and dominance. Under Moats’ leadership, IWU overcame early challenges and developed into one of the most consistent and dynamic teams in the nation, culminating in a third Red Banner in three years, ending the season with a 33-4 season record.
The NAIA-Volleyball Coaches Association (NAIA-VCA) Executive Committee selects the NAIA All-America teams during the NAIA Championship. The pool of candidates comes from the All-Conference/CAC teams.
First Team
| NAME | INSTITUTION | POSITION | CLASS |
| Eve Fountain & | Bellevue (Neb.) | OH | Sr |
| Ashley Keck & | Concordia (Neb.) | OH | Sr |
| Makayla Roginski | Corban (Ore.) | Opp | Sr |
| Sara Zampedri $ | Cumberlands (Ky.) | OH | Sr |
| Kiauna Mack & | Eastern Oregon | MB | Sr |
| Mariana de Carvalho | Grand View (Iowa) | OH | Sr |
| Eva Joldersma &*@ | Indiana Wesleyan | OH | Sr |
| Abbigail Porter &* | Indiana Wesleyan | S | Sr |
| Gabbi Jakubowska &^ | Missouri Baptist | Opp | Sr |
| Zavyr Metzger % | Northwestern (Iowa) | MB | Sr |
| Stella Winterfeld | Northwestern (Iowa) | OH | Jr |
| Evelyn Rohrberg &* | Oklahoma Wesleyan | OH | Jr |
| Cabry Taylor | Providence (Mont.) | MB | Jr |
| Bella Thompson & | Providence (Mont.) | S | Sr |
Second Team
| NAME | INSTITUTION | POSITION | CLASS |
| Lauren Chioni | Aquinas (Mich.) | MB | Sr |
| Kealy Kiviniemi & | Bellevue (Neb.) | Opp | Sr |
| Cameron Offerle | Bethel (Kan.) | OH | Jr |
| Hailey Heider | Bushnell (Ore.) | OH | Sr |
| Ella Waters | Concordia (Neb.) | Opp | Jr |
| Keira Vaughn | Eastern Oregon | OH | Jr |
| Vivianna Sanchez | Evangel (Mo.) | MB | Jr |
| Katie Warden | McPherson (Kan.) | Opp | Sr |
| Brooklynn Snyder | Midland (Neb.) | OH | So |
| Fernanda Perini | Missouri Baptist | MB | So |
| Macee Selman | Montana – Northern | S/Opp | Sr |
| Sydney Collins $ | Oklahoma Wesleyan | S | Sr |
| Isabella Amet | The Master’s (Calif.) | OH | Jr |
| Jada Mitchell $^ | Viterbo (Wisc.) | MB | Sr |
Third Team
| NAME | INSTITUTION | POSITION | CLASS |
| Savanna Berger | Bellevue (Neb.) | MB | Sr |
| Emma Bischoff | Corban (Ore.) | OH | Jr |
| Aubrey Johnson | Cornerstone (Mich.) | OH | So |
| Kayleigh Hybertson | Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) | S | Jr |
| Elizabeth Tyler | Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.) | Lib | Jr |
| Shelby Chamblin | Fisk (Tenn.) | OH | So |
| Cassidy Lee | Florida College | MB | Sr |
| Lexi Broyles $#~ | IU Kokomo (Ind.) | MB | Sr |
| Abigail Brown | Johnson (Tenn.) | OH | Gr |
| Juliauna Forgach Aguilar | Lewis-Clark State (Idaho) | OH | Sr |
| Corrina Porch-Maxey | Mobile (Ala.) | OH | Sr |
| Maddy Sampson | Northwestern (Iowa) | MB | So |
| Elena Kagiali | Oklahoma Panhandle State | OH | Sr |
| Jessica Pearce | OUAZ (Ariz.) | MB | Sr |
| Karla Melendez | Saint-Mary-of-the-Woods (Ind.) | OH | Jr |
| Laura Bonomi | Southeastern (Fla.) | OH | Jr |
| Jatnna Pena-Perez | Stephens (Mo.) | Lib | Sr |
| Ellie Frey | Taylor (Ind.) | OH | Jr |
| Paulina Dobreva | Texas A&M – Texarkana | OH | Sr |
| Sadie Giles | Providence (Mont.) | MB | Sr |
Key
& 2024, 1st team
% 2024, 2nd team
$ 2024, 3rd team
* 2023, 1st team
^ 2023, 2nd team
# 2023, 3rd team
@ 2022, 2nd team
~ 2022 3rd team
Sports
A year in, Kristen Kelsay believes in the direction of MSU volleyball
Updated Dec. 16, 2025, 7:04 a.m. ET
EAST LANSING — It’s been exactly a year since Kristen Kelsay received the call — on Dec. 16, 2024 — asking if she had interest in becoming Michigan State’s volleyball coach.
She can still recite her initial conversation with the nine players who stayed through a coaching change. She was nervous. They were nervous. Perhaps those shared feelings helped her meet them exactly where they were. From a PowerPoint that simply read, “My name is Kristen,” she began to talk about how hard transitions are and all the different ways they might be feeling.
Sports
NE10 Men’s Indoor Track & Field Report: Week 2
Week 2 – December 16, 2025
NE10 Track Athlete of the Week
Romel Plummer, American Int’l
Grad I Kingston, Jamaica
The Angelo State transfer posted the sixth-best 60M time in the East Region this season, racing in 7.01 this past weekend. AIC has three of the top eight 60 M times in the East Region so far this winter.
NE10 Field Athlete & Rookie of the Week
Harvey Lys, American Int’l
Sophomore I Andover, Mass.
Lys became just the third high jumper on the season in the NE10 and East Region to clear 2.00 meters, allowing him to take fourth place in the Seahawk Shootout hosted by Wagner College at Ocean Breeze on Staten Island. His result beat six Division I athletes. ?
Season Awards History
Track Athlete of the Week
Week 1: David Williams, Adelphi
Week 2: Romel Plummer, AIC
Field Athlete of the Week
Week 1: Carson Thomas, Franklin Pierce
Week 2: Harvey Lys, AIC
Rookie of the Week
Week 1: Sean Horrigan, Southern Connecticut
Week 2: Harvey Lys, AIC
ABOUT THE NE10
The NE10 is an association of 10 diverse institutions serving student-athletes across 24 NCAA Division II sports. Together we build brilliant futures by embracing the journey of every student-athlete.
Each year, 4,500 of those student-athletes compete in conference championships in 24 sports, making the NE10 the largest DII conference in the country in terms of sport sponsorship. Leading the way in the classroom, on the field and within the community, the NE10 is proud of its comprehensive program and the experience it provides student-athletes.
Fans can subscribe via this link to follow NE10 NOW on FloSports this season. The partnership between the NE10 and FloSports works to provide funds back to the athletic departments of the Northeast-10 Conference in support of student-athletes while promoting the league on a national platform.
Sports
Volleyball Has Four CSC Academic All-District Selections
Four members of the Central Connecticut volleyball team were recognized for their scholastic achievement with inclusion on the Academic All-District Teams, selected by College Sports Communicators. The Blue Devils student-athletes were recognized for a combination of athletic prowess while earning at least a 3.50 GPA.
The 2025 Academic All-District® Women’s Volleyball Teams, selected by College Sports Communicators, recognize the nation’s top student-athletes for their combined performances on the field and in the classroom. The CSC Academic All-America® program separately recognizes honorees in four divisions — NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and NAIA.
COMPLETE RELEASE
Academic All-District® honorees were considered for advancement to the CSC Academic All-America® ballot. First-, second- and third-team Academic All-America selections are chosen from among 2,500+ nominations. For more information about CSC Academic All-District and Academic All-America® Teams program, visit AcademicAllAmerica.com.
Central Connecticut honorees included:
Weronika Poczynek, Sr., OH – Computer Science
28 Matches, 3.16 K/Set, 1.14 Digs/Set, 0.36 Block/Set
Breanna Ginley, Jr., MB – Political Science
28 Matches, 1.39 K/Set, .269 Hit %, 0.89 Block/Set
Anja Milosevic, Jr., S – Undeclared
28 Matches, 9.49 A/Set, 2.40 Digs/Set, 0.63 K/Set
Olivia Keckler, So., OPP – Political Science
28 Matches, 3.14 K/Set, 1.56 Digs/Set, 0.44 Block/Set
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