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Mind Over Matter

May 30, 2025 By Queens University Communications In 2022, the Queens University of Charlotte women’s rugby team made history, clinching the university’s first National Intercollegiate Rugby Association (NIRA) Division 2 National Championship. Beyond the physical prowess and strategic plays, one influential element in their victory was the mental fortitude cultivated through mindfulness sessions led by […]

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Mind Over Matter

May 30, 2025
By Queens University Communications

In 2022, the Queens University of Charlotte women’s rugby team made history, clinching the university’s first National Intercollegiate Rugby Association (NIRA) Division 2 National Championship. Beyond the physical prowess and strategic plays, one influential element in their victory was the mental fortitude cultivated through mindfulness sessions led by university chaplain, Adrian Bird, Ph.D.

In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, Bird reflected on his impactful journey with the team, highlighting the integral role of mental preparation in elite athletic performance and overall student well-being.

A former rugby player and coach, Bird’s involvement with the team began organically. “As a new person to Queens, I was really hoping to connect with athletes so that they would get to know me as the chaplain,” he said. “Almost immediately I had the support of their coaching staff and what evolved was a holistic approach to student-athlete welfare, incorporating elements of sports psychology, mindfulness, and mind-body-spirit balance into weekly sessions.”

The tools provided to the athletes focused on developing mental fortitude and positive self-talk. Bird emphasized preparing athletes to enter a game by repeating, “I am enough, I am equipped, I can perform at an elite level. I have the support of my teammates.” This mental remembering, he stressed, allows athletes to “enter with confidence into the zone of elite performance.”

Bird even facilitated a Zoom session with leading sports psychologist Bill Beswick, who has worked with teams including Manchester United and the English rugby team, to further equip the Queens athletes with strategies for mental preparation.

The impact of the weekly sessions became particularly evident during the championship final, which went into extra time. “As I watched the game on the TV, I knew that that team was equipped mentally, even though they were physically exhausted,” Bird said, recalling the tense moments. “I had no doubt at all that they were going to take that game to victory.”

Beyond the rugby field, Bird recognizes the unique mental health challenges faced by college students today. “It can be a very difficult place to be,” he acknowledged, citing external and internal pressures from academics, sports, family, peers, and the pervasive “imposter syndrome.”

Bird’s approach to these challenges is not about “shutting off the noise,” but rather learning to “tune it out so that you can focus on the task at hand in the moment.” He believes these skills, initially honed for athletic performance, translate into valuable life tools for all students navigating the complexities of campus life.

According to Amber Slack, Ed.D., vice president for student affairs and dean of students, a staggering percentage of students experience physical or emotional symptoms due to stress each month.

“My research shows that college students, especially Gen Z, are struggling to cope with the stress of higher education,” Slack stated. “We know that loneliness, depression, and anxiety are real concerns that directly contribute to psychological distress. This makes student well-being an absolutely critical concern for us, demanding our attention and support.”

Addressing the stigma surrounding mental health support, Bird champions the power of visibility and relationship-building. “If I can be on the field, engaging meaningfully with athletes in their training spaces, it builds a level of trust that makes it much easier for them to seek help when needed – on or off the field,” he said. This presence fosters trust, making it easier for students to seek help when needed.

While still deeply connected to the women’s rugby team, Bird hopes to expand his presence across other athletic programs at Queens. His goal is to collaborate with coaches who see the value in integrating mind-body-spirit balance into their teams’ training, allowing him to “build relationships with students and accompany them on their journey throughout their time at Queens.”

For Bird, this work is immensely rewarding. “I see my role as being very special. It’s an incredibly privileged position,” he shared. “The opportunity to be alongside students through the highs and the lows and everywhere in between is something I don’t take lightly.” Witnessing students thrive, both on and off the field, he said, is “incredibly validating for me.”

Beyond the Chaplain’s Office, the Dean of Students Office provides support to students dealing with mental health crises. Confidential counseling services are also provided to students through the Queens University Health & Wellness Center from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. After hours, virtual counseling and a 24/7 crisis hotline are also available. Additionally, Queens Athletics provides access to a sports psychologist through Atrium Health. Student-athletes do not need a referral and can initiate scheduling through their athletic trainer or by calling 704-512-7578.

The resources provided to students exemplify Queens’ commitment to supporting the holistic well-being of its students. By integrating mental health practices into the student experience, the university empowers its students not only to achieve peak performance in their chosen fields but also to develop resiliency for life’s broader challenges.

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UTA’s Shadrick, Utah Tech’s Isaacson Chamberlain Named 2024-25 WAC Stan Bates Award Winners

Story Links ARLINGTON, Texas – University of Texas at Arlington men’s track and field student-athlete Brady Shadrick and former Utah Tech University women’s basketball student-athlete Emily Isaacson Chamberlain have been selected as the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Stan Bates Award winners for the 2024-25 academic year. Named in honor of former WAC […]

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ARLINGTON, Texas – University of Texas at Arlington men’s track and field student-athlete Brady Shadrick and former Utah Tech University women’s basketball student-athlete Emily Isaacson Chamberlain have been selected as the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Stan Bates Award winners for the 2024-25 academic year.

Named in honor of former WAC Commissioner Stan Bates (1971-80), the award is given to one male and one female student-athlete who have demonstrated excellence in academic achievement, athletic accomplishment and exceptional character and community engagement. A $10,000 postgraduate scholarship is endowed to the winners.

Shadrick, a native of Killeen, graduated with a 3.88 GPA a degree in clinical and applied physiology from UT Arlington in 2025. Shadrick was included on the Academic All-WAC team in both the winter and spring seasons in 2024 and 2025 and was included on the Sun Belt Conference Commissioners List in 2022. Shadrick also received the B.G. Wilson Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award from UT Arlington in 2024, which is presented annually to one male and one female student-athlete who best epitomize the ‘student-first’ and ‘athlete-second’ mantra.

Shadrick claimed four first team All-WAC citations in multis events, earning first team honors in the decathlon from 2023-25 while adding a first team heptathlon scroll in 2024. Shadrick added second team accolades in the javelin (2023 and 2025), the heptathlon (2023) and the pole vault (2025).

Away from the track, Shadrick was a member of the UT Arlington Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) from 2021-25. Shadrick volunteered with the Miracle League of Arlington, assisting special needs children who play baseball, and with Cards for Cubs, a group that wrote and organized cards for foster children, as part of UTA SAAC. Shadrick was also a member and co-leader of Team Student-Athlete from 2022-25, leading meaningful conversations about leadership while trying to find ways to improve the resources available to UTA student-athletes.

Chamberlain, a native of Perry, Utah, graduated Summa Cum Laude with a 3.98 GPA and a degree in recreation and sport management from Utah Tech in the spring of 2023. Chamberlain was a four-time Academic All-WAC recipient (2020-23, 2025), a 2022-23 College Sports Communicators All-District selection and the 2025 Utah Tech True Trailblazer Female Student-Athlete of the Year.

Chamberlain was a three-year starter for Utah Tech, being selected for the all-conference second team in 2021-22 after averaging 13.0 points and 7.0 rebounds. Over 104 career games played (96 starts), Chamberlain registered an average of 11.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game at Utah Tech. Chamberlain exited as the program’s career leader in 3-point field goal percentage (.400) and 3-pointers made (259), and fourth in career rebounds (599) and blocked shots (66).

Outside of basketball, Chamberlain was a member of the Utah Tech SAAC from 2022-25, serving as the department’s president from 2022-24, and was a Utah Tech representative with the WAC SAAC group in 2024-25. Chamberlain was a scholarship recipient for the NCAA Career in Sports Forum in June of 2024, visiting the NCAA headquarters to take part in interactive workshops and seminars focused on enhancing leadership skills and career readiness in the sports industry.


— WAC —



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Track & Field’s Brady Shadrick Announced As Stan Bates Award Winner

Story Links ARLINGTON, Texas – Brady Shadrick was named the winner of the Stan Bates Award, as announced by the Western Athletic Conference on Thursday afternoon.   The annual award was named in honor of former WAC Commissioner Stan Bates and is given to the WAC’s top male and female scholar-athletes. It recognizes […]

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ARLINGTON, Texas – Brady Shadrick was named the winner of the Stan Bates Award, as announced by the Western Athletic Conference on Thursday afternoon.
 
The annual award was named in honor of former WAC Commissioner Stan Bates and is given to the WAC’s top male and female scholar-athletes. It recognizes athletic, academic and community accomplishments. The award includes a $10,000 postgraduate scholarship.
 
Off the track, Shadrick was very active within the community, volunteering with Miracle League, an inclusive baseball program for children with disabilities, and Cards for Cubs, which sends uplifting messages to children in foster care. He’s supported hazing prevention programs, Fresh Check mental health events with CAPS, and helped collect thousands of food items through canned food drives. He’s also supported clothing drives and volunteered at the Trail or Treat Halloween event, among others.
 
In the classroom, Shadrick graduated with a 3.88 GPA a degree in clinical and applied physiology from UT Arlington in 2025. Shadrick was included on the Academic All-WAC team in both the winter and spring seasons in 2024 and 2025 and was included on the Sun Belt Conference Commissioners List in 2022. Shadrick also received the B.G. Wilson Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award from UT Arlington in 2024, which is presented annually to one male and one female student-athlete who best epitomize the ‘student-first’ and ‘athlete-second’ mantra. He has also been named to the Dean’s List, UTA Student-Athlete Honor Roll, UTA Super Scholar, and earned Texas Trust Credit Union Academic Student-Athlete of the Week honors. Shadrick serves as a Senior Advisor in our Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).
 
On the track, Shadrick claimed four first team All-WAC citations in multis events, earning first team honors in the decathlon from 2023-25 while adding a first team heptathlon scroll in 2024. Shadrick added second team accolades in the javelin (2023 and 2025), the heptathlon (2023) and the pole vault (2025).
 

– #BuckEm –

 
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For up-to-date news, photos and videos, follow UTA Athletics online at UTAMavs.com or via several social media accounts on Twitter @UTAMavs, Instagram @UTAMavs and Facebook /UTAMavs.
 





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2025 NM State Volleyball Schedule Released

Story Links LAS CRUCES, N.M. – NM State Volleyball released its 2025 schedule on Thursday, 28th-year Head Coach Mike Jordan announced. The Aggies will open with an exhibition on Aug. 23 before commencing the regular season on the road with a pair of Aug. 29 bouts. The slate includes 11 total […]

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LAS CRUCES, N.M. – NM State Volleyball released its 2025 schedule on Thursday, 28th-year Head Coach Mike Jordan announced. The Aggies will open with an exhibition on Aug. 23 before commencing the regular season on the road with a pair of Aug. 29 bouts. The slate includes 11 total home contests and 16 CUSA matches, concluding on Saturday, Nov. 15 ahead of a potential trip to the CUSA Championship in Miami. 



The Aggies will open with two preseason events at home in August. Spectators will have their first chance to witness the 2025 roster in action during the Crimson & White scrimmage on Saturday, August 16th at 1:00 p.m. MT. One week later, Lubbock Christian is set to roll into town for the Aggies’ lone exhibition of the campaign. 
 
The 52nd regular season in program history is set open from the Golden State, with three matches at the UC San Diego Invitational. NM State will battle Eastern Washington and Northwestern in neutral site bouts on August 29th before taking on the hosting Tritons the following day. Among the trio of opponents, UCSD held the best record a season ago, finishing 17-13 with 11 victories in Big West play. 
 
At the conclusion of three matches in California, Mike Jordan‘s squad will trek to the Midwest for a weekend at the Saluki Bash. Southern Illinois, the host of the invitational, will be the Aggies’ first opponent of the weekend. Later on Sept. 5, NM State will take on Eastern Illinois in the second half of its doubleheader. A day later, Kansas City will await in a rematch of foes that shared the WAC from 2013-19.
 
Following two weeks away, NM State will return for four matches in the Land of Enchantment. The Aggies’ home opener will take place on Sept. 12-13 in a two-match series against New Haven. The Chargers are primed for their first season of Division I action after joining the Northeastern Conference (NEC) on July 1. 
 

On Tuesday, Sept. 16, the Crimson & White will then take on their lone intrastate Division I opponent, making a trip north to battle New Mexico in Albuquerque. The next day (Sept. 17), the two sides will clash once more in the Pan American Center in the Aggies’ final non-conference bout in the City of Crosses.
 
Following the week back in familiar territory, NM State will wrap up its non-conference slate with a trip to the Sooner State for the Tulsa Volleyball Invitational. After taking on the hosting Golden Hurricane (Sept. 19), the Aggies will turn around for a matchup with Little Rock later the same day. At the conclusion of their bout with Oral Roberts on the ensuing afternoon, the Aggies will officially head into their third season of CUSA play.
 
The squad will begin its conquest to a third-straight CUSA Championship match with a road series, welcoming Delaware to the league from the east coast. After two matchups with the Blue Hens, the Aggies will take on Sam Houston in their CUSA home opener. Last season, the Bearkats split the regular-season series before falling in four sets to NM State in the CUSA Championship Quarterfinals. 
 
As was the case in the 2024 postseason, Mike Jordan‘s bunch will turn its attention from Sam Houston to UTEP. In the last Battle of I-10 installment, NM State came back from a 2-1 deficit, taking each of the final two sets in the thrilling CUSA Championship semifinals over the hosting Miners. The Crimson & White will aim to have similar success against their rivals in two matches on Oct. 10-11 from the friendly confines of the Pan American Center. 
 
Six days later, Missouri State will host a two-match set in the Show-Me State. The second of two additions to CUSA will serve as the site for the Aggies’ Oct. 17-18 contests, as Mike Jordan‘s bunch looks to topple the program with the ninth-most victories in Division I history (1,287).
 

In a rematch of last year’s thrilling five-set regular-season finale, Middle Tennessee will be the next squad to visit Las Cruces. The Aggies will welcome the Blue Raiders in their penultimate home series of the season on Oct. 24-25, looking to improve on what currently stands as a 13-3 CUSA record in front of the Crimson & White faithful.
 
Following a two-day trip to LA Tech across Halloween Night and Nov. 1, the group will return home one final time, where they will close out the regular season. Kennesaw State is set to serve as the Aggie opposition for Senior Day, which will be held during the second match of the series on Nov. 15.
 

For the first time as members of Conference USA, NM State will not face each opponent in the regular season, due to the addition of Delaware and Missouri State to the league. The Aggies are not slated to match up against WKU, the six-time reigning league champion. FIU, the host of the CUSA Championship, is also not on the 2025 Crimson & White schedule, along with Liberty.
 
The Conference USA Championship will be held in FIU’s Ocean Bank Convocation Center from Friday, Nov. 21 through Sunday, Nov. 23. The top eight teams from CUSA will qualify for the three-round, single-elimination tournament. The champion will receive an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, which begins Thursday, Dec. 4. 
 
2025 NM State Volleyball Schedule
Saturday, Aug. 16 – Crimson & White Scrimmage (1:00 PM)
Saturday, Aug. 23 – Lubbock Christian (12:00 PM) [EXHIBITION]
Friday, Aug. 29 – vs. Eastern Washington (12:00 PM MT)^
Friday, Aug. 29 – vs. Northwestern (4:00 PM MT)^
Saturday, Aug. 30 – at UC San Diego (4:00 PM MT)^

Friday, Sept. 5 – at Southern Illinois (9:00 AM MT)&

Friday, Sept. 5 – vs. Eastern Illinois (3:00 PM MT)&

Saturday, Sept. 6 – vs. Kansas City (10:00 AM MT)&
Friday, Sept. 12 – New Haven (6:00 PM)
Saturday, Sept. 13 – New Haven (6:00 PM)
Tuesday, Sept. 16 – at New Mexico (5:00 PM)
Wednesday, Sept. 17 – New Mexico (6:00 PM)
Friday, Sept. 19 – at Tulsa (10:00 AM MT)#
Friday, Sept. 19 – vs. Little Rock (3:00 PM MT)#
Saturday, Sept. 20 – vs. Oral Roberts (10:00 AM MT)#
Friday, Sept. 26 – at Delaware (4:00 PM MT)*
Saturday, Sept. 27 – at Delaware (10:00 AM MT)*
Friday, Oct. 3 – Sam Houston (6:00 PM)*
Saturday, Oct. 4 – Sam Houston (12:00 PM)*
Friday, Oct. 10 – UTEP (6:00 PM)*
Saturday, Oct. 11 – UTEP (1:00 PM)*
Friday, Oct. 17 – at Missouri State (5:00 PM MT)*
Saturday, Oct. 18 – at Missouri State (12:00 PM MT)*
Friday, Oct. 24 – Middle Tennessee (6:00 PM)*
Saturday, Oct. 25 – Middle Tennessee (1:00 PM)*
Friday, Oct. 31 – at LA Tech (1:00 PM MT)*
Saturday, Nov. 1 – at LA Tech (11:00 AM MT)*
Thursday, Nov. 6 – at Jacksonville State (5:00 PM MT)*
Friday, Nov. 7 – at Jacksonville State (1:00 PM MT)*
Friday, Nov. 14 – Kennesaw State (6:00 PM)*
Saturday, Nov. 15 – Kennesaw State (1:00 PM)*
Friday, Nov. 21 – Sunday, Nov. 23: Conference USA Championship (Miami, Fla.)
Thursday, Dec. 4 – Saturday, Dec. 21: NCAA Tournament (sites TBD)
 
* – Conference USA match
^ – UC San Diego Invitational (San Diego, Calif.) 

& – Saluki Bash (Carbondale, Ill.)
# – Tulsa Volleyball Invitational (Tulsa, Okla.)
Home matches in BOLD
 
For complete coverage of NM State Volleyball, follow us on Twitter (@NMStateVBall), Instagram (@NMStateVBall) and like us on Facebook (NM State Volleyball). You can also follow along with Aggie Volleyball via NMStateSports.com.
 

##NM State##





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Fourteen Trojans Set to Represent Their Countries at World Championships In Singapore

USC water polo has Trojans in full force at the 2025 World Aquatics Championships, with 14 current and former athletes in the mix to represent their respective countries at the event running July 10-24 in Singapore. Team USA boasts four Trojans on the men’s roster and four on the women’s roster, including current USC student-athletes […]

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USC water polo has Trojans in full force at the 2025 World Aquatics Championships, with 14 current and former athletes in the mix to represent their respective countries at the event running July 10-24 in Singapore.

Team USA boasts four Trojans on the men’s roster and four on the women’s roster, including current USC student-athletes Emily Ausmus, Rachel Gazzaniga, Ava Stryker for the USA women. On the men’s side, current USC goalie Bernardo Herzer is repping the USA for the first time at a major senior level competition, while his USC teammate Andrej Grgurevic got the call-up for the Australian men. Herzer will have three fellow Trojans in the water with him as well, with Jake Ehrhardt also making his World Championships debut with the USA alongside Olympic bronze medalists Hannes Daube and Marko Vavic.

In addition of the trio of current Trojans, the USA women also have Trojan grad and two-time Olympian Amanda Longan capped up in goal, while the Aussie men have two USC alumni on board in 2024 Olympians Jacob Mercep and goalie Nic Porter. Also on the men’s side three-time Olympian and NCAA champion Kostas Genidounias remains in action for Greece. The women’s bracket also boasts two decorated USC alumnae in recent grad and two-time Olympian Tilly Kearns for Australia and four-time Olympian Anni Espar going strong for Spain.

To follow the action in Singapore, visit the 2025 World Aquatics Championships web site.

 



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SCVNews.com | TMU Women’s Volleyball 2025 Schedule Released

The Master’s University women’s volleyball team, the defending GSAC champion, which finished the season ranked No. 25 in the NAIA last year, has released its fall 2025 schedule. Once again the season starts with the Hope Summer Slam and CSM Labor Day Classic tournaments, in which the Lady Mustangs will compete against other Top 25 […]

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The Master’s University women’s volleyball team, the defending GSAC champion, which finished the season ranked No. 25 in the NAIA last year, has released its fall 2025 schedule.

Once again the season starts with the Hope Summer Slam and CSM Labor Day Classic tournaments, in which the Lady Mustangs will compete against other Top 25 teams. This will be followed by a 16-match conference schedule.

“We are beyond excited for what’s on the schedule for this upcoming fall,” said first-year TMU Head Coach McKenna Hafner. “Last year we were given the opportunity to travel to a couple of high-level tournaments and face off against some ranked teams from out of our area. These matches were confidence builders for us as we realized the program has what it takes to consistently compete at the highest level of NAIA women’s volleyball, and provided a roadmap for where we needed to improve to be able to do that. We wanted to replicate that experience as much as possible this year.”

The Hope Summer Slam tournament, played at Hope International in Fullerton, will include a match against Southern Oregon on Aug. 23, one of the top four teams in the country last season.

“Not every program gets the opportunity to compete against a team that finished in the semi-finals of the NAIA national tournament the previous year,” Hafner said. “So our match against Southern Oregon is particularly exciting. I know our girls are eager for the challenge.”

With both Soka University of America and La Sierra University joining the GSAC this year, the conference will be back up to 10 schools, with five in California and five in Arizona. However, Soka will not field a women’s volleyball team, so TMU will face each of the other eight schools twice, both home and away, to make the 16-match conference schedule.

“As far GSAC play goes, there are a lot of unknowns at this point,” Hafner said. “Adding new programs and changing coaching personnel always shakes things up. We are excited to see what the other GSAC programs will look like and it’s exciting to add an extra layer of challenge with the uncertainty of what that looks like. Our team will have to show up to every match open-minded, adaptable and ready to compete because nothing will be a given.”

To see the complete schedule, click HERE.





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Pro beach volleyball is back, but inside Intuit Dome – Orange County Register

LOS ANGELES — Professional beach volleyball is returning to the Los Angeles area – this time, inside one of its newest sporting cathedrals. The Association of Volleyball Professionals tour will stop at the Intuit Dome, home of the Clippers, for its Week 5 action Friday and Saturday night. The touring league, stacked with Olympians and […]

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LOS ANGELES — Professional beach volleyball is returning to the Los Angeles area – this time, inside one of its newest sporting cathedrals.

The Association of Volleyball Professionals tour will stop at the Intuit Dome, home of the Clippers, for its Week 5 action Friday and Saturday night. The touring league, stacked with Olympians and pioneers of the sport, will compete inside the Inglewood arena for the first time.

The Intuit Dome is the latest addition to L.A.’s pro sports infrastructure, and many players are eager to bring beach volleyball’s energy indoors. While the sport typically spikes in attention during Olympic years – ranked as the sixth most-watched sport during the Games – its leap to a major L.A. venue signals growth and offers fans a chance to see it up close in a high-profile setting.

“If fans come out and watch the event,” said Geena Urango of San Diego Smash, “those who haven’t been to one before would realize just how special and entertaining beach volleyball is.”

Urango has a unique relationship with the sport and the city. In 2007, she became the first beach volleyball recruit at USC, laying the foundation for a powerhouse that would go on to win six NCAA titles.

She’s still competing 17 years later.

Both members of the L.A. Launch women’s duo – Terese Cannon (2015-19) and Megan Kraft (2021-24) – followed in Urango’s footsteps at USC. The age gap disappears, they say, when they meet on the sand.

“It’s amazing that she’s still playing at such a high level,” Cannon said. “I sometimes forget she was the first one to play at USC Beach, because she still seems so fresh to the sport. But I know she’s a veteran and a legend.”

Urango is one of many big names in the league.

Phil Dalhausser, a 2008 Olympic gold medalist and four-time Olympian, will retire after the 2025 season. The AVP regards him as perhaps the most dominant player in the sport’s history.

Kelly Cheng, another USC alum (2014-17), competed in the past two Olympics and now plays for Miami Mayhem alongside 2016 Olympian Chaim Schalk.

San Diego Smash’s Chase Budinger joined the AVP after seven seasons in the NBA. He and partner Miles Evans competed for Team USA in 2024.

While these athletes made their names in Olympic arenas, this weekend offers a rare chance to see them compete live, at home.

“It’s the sport that only comes into people’s purview every four years,” said UCLA alum and L.A. Launch player Hagen Smith. “Everybody loves it, but now there’s more opportunity to see all those Olympic athletes. You can just latch on to some amazing new personalities, amazing athletes – and I mean, how can you beat a beach sport? Plus, it’s at Intuit, which makes it even more sick.”

The AVP runs on a team-based format with eight city-backed franchises: L.A. Launch, Miami Mayhem, San Diego Smash, Palm Beach Passion, Brooklyn Blaze, Austin Aces, New York Nitro, and Dallas Dream.

Each tour stop includes four matchups per team contest – two men’s and two women’s – with all results contributing to the team score and standings.

The format encourages continuity and chemistry. Each team travels with consistent men’s and women’s pairs, building bonds that stretch beyond the court.

“You guys are going through this together,” Smith said. “I have so many friends on the tour. When you step on the court, we’re competitors – no friends out there. But off the court, we’re all family.”

This week, Smith and the Launch return “home.”

Through four weekends, L.A. leads the league standings. Now, they’ll look to defend that top spot in front of friends and family on one of the city’s brightest stages.

“It’s so exciting to play in L.A.,” Kraft said. “It’s especially cool because we’re part of the L.A. Launch this year, so we’re able to represent the city and make it our home event. We’ll have some good people in the stands. I invited all my former teammates, friends and family. Hopefully, we get a good crowd at Intuit.”

AVP League Week 5

When: 5 p.m. Friday; 4 p.m. Saturday

Where: Intuit Dome, Inglewood

How to watch: Friday (6-7 p.m. YouTube @avpbeach; 7-9 p.m. CBS Sports Network; 9-10 p.m. YouTube @avpbeach); Saturday (5-7 p.m. The CW Network; 7-9 p.m. YouTube @avpbeach)

Originally Published:



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