Sports

CVU girls, Essex boys reign

Published

7 months ago

June 8, 2025

The Champlain Valley girls dominated mid-distance events to retain their crown. The Essex boys were everywhere to return to glory. And Mount Mansfield’s Avery Gilbert won a year-long duel to reset the day’s lone state record.

Those were the headlines from Saturday’s Division I high school track and field state championships. But they were far from the only storylines to close out a trio of state meets in as many days at Burlington’s D.G. Weaver Athletic Complex.

From Burr and Burton junior Robin Tashjian’s 30-point day to North Country’s Sabine Brueck closing out her star-studded career with a pair of victories to St. Johnsbury’s Andrew Thornton-Sherman’s three wins and Essex thrower Alexander Johnson’s sweep for his first outdoor crowns, plenty was packed in a four-plus hour window.

Brueck summed up the feeling of many: “I just gave it my all.”

In the girls team standings, CVU piled up 91 points for the title repeat, while BBA and South Burlington tied for runner-up honors with 71 points. The Essex boys racked up 137 points to dethrone St. Johnsbury (100), which had won the last four D-I crowns. It’s Essex’s 19th crown overall and first since 2019.

“For today, it’s all about place,” Essex coach Katie White said. “We knew we had a little bit of buffer, but you don’t know what’s going to happen on the day or what other people are doing. We went full steam ahead and everyone showed up. Across the board, everyone contributed.”

How CVU girls, Essex boys captured their team titles

A year ago in their run to the first championship in program history, CVU girls tallied 71 of 112 points in races 400 meters and up. Saturday, they scored 62 points in those same events, paced by senior Alice Kredell, who won the 1,500 (4 minutes, 41.19 seconds) and 3,000 (10:30.22), and Isabella Gravina-Budis, the 800 champion in 2:16.95.

Audrey Neilson (third in the 1,500, fourth in the 800), Lydia Donahue (second in the 1,500 and 3,000 and Charlotte Crum (fourth in the 1,500) added to CVU’s dominance on the track.

Kredell’s double wins gave her eight individual state titles combined from cross-country and indoor and outdoor track.

“It was a great day,” said Kredell, who’s set to continue her running career at the University of Maryland. “We came in not knowing what to expect, but if everything went the way it should, we thought we could win.”

The Essex boys placed multiple athletes in seven out of the 15 individual events on Saturday. Junior Thomas Meek was front in center for the Hornets, sweeping the 100 (11.03) and 200 (22.31) for his first outdoor crowns and running a leg on the winning 4×100 relay squad (43.68) with teammates Gregory Maiberger, Sanjin Hadzic and Brady Botelho.

The senior Johnson, a three-time indoor individual champion, comfortably won shot put (54 feet, 2 inches) and discus (160-11) for his first titles in outdoor track. Essex throwers produced in general: 42 points in total from Johnson, Kymani Mignott, Diwash Maidali, Joseph Gershon and Jeffrey Gershon.

“I was happy with my performances this season,” said Johnson, who will compete at nationals later this month.

In addition to his contribution on the Essex 4×100, Hadzic’s 20 individual points included victory in long jump (21-8.25).

Avery Gilbert storms to 110 hurdles state record

Since the winter season, MMU’s Gilbert and Essex’s Hadzic have waged an entertaining, intense battle in the 55 and 110 hurdles. Hadzic came away with the state-meet win and indoor state record in the 55. And last weekend, both hurdlers broke 14 seconds and the state’s overall record, with Hadzic bursting through victorious at 13.79.

But Saturday, Gilbert’s fast start was enough to create an early cushion and go on to establish a new standard at 13.74. At least for another week. Both hurdlers will race at the New England championships as well as nationals.

“All of my fastest times have been with (Hadzic) in a race. All of his fastest times have been with me in a race,” Gilbert said. “It’s a special kind of competitive relationship and people are pushed to their best when they have someone to work off of.”

Gilbert also won the 300 hurdles (39.24) and placed fifth in the 200.

Hailey Richards overcomes ‘mental block’ to win pole vault

Last month, Brattleboro’s Hailey Richards faced a “mental block” in pole vault.

“I was scared to go upside down,” the sophomore said.

Richards worked through it and also started using a new pole. The result? A massive personal-best and a state title on Saturday. Richards cleared nearly a foot higher than her previous best, going over at 10-1.75 for first.

Richards also broke a 20-year-old Brattleboro school record.

“I’m so thankful I have an amazing coach who always believes in me,” Richards said. “I’m beyond excited.”

Saturday’s other standouts include:

Colchester’s Brinlee Gilfillan: The junior swept the 100 (12.27) and 200 (25.53) for the third straight year. She also anchored Colchester’s winning 4×100 relay.
North Country’s Sabine Brueck: The Montana State-bound senior captured the 300 hurdles (43.63) for the fourth straight year, nearly breaking her state record in the process. Brueck, who will next attempt to defend her decathlon crown, owns 19 state titles across indoor and outdoor.
Essex’s Tess Adams: The senior did not lose an in-state meet in discus or shot put over the last two seasons after pulling off back-to-back titles Saturday.
Mount Anthony’s Ella Palisano: Less than a week after setting the high jump record at 6 feet, Palisano won that event Saturday to highlight a 28-point individual effort.
BBA’s Robin Tashjian: The state record-holder in the 100 hurdles, Tashjian cruised in her top event for the win and placed second in triple jump and third in the 100 and 300 hurdles.
St. Johnsbury’s Andrew Thornton-Sherman: The senior swept the 1,500 (3:57.98) and 800 (1:57.04) and ran a blistering anchor leg to rally the Hilltoppers to the 4×400 triumph.
St. Johnsbury’s Micah McDonald: Won a jump-off for first place in high jump (5-10) and captured javelin (167-01).

Contact Alex Abrami at aabrami@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter:@aabrami5.

DIVISION I GIRLS TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Team scores: 1. Champlain Valley 91; T2. Burr and Burton, South Burlington 71; 4. Essex 64; 5. St. Johnsbury 57.25; 6. Colchester 57; 6. Colchester 57; 7. North Country 40; 8. Mount Mansfield 34; 9. Mount Anthony 32; 10. Burlington 16.25; 11. Brattleboro 14.25; 12. Rutland 7; 13. Spaulding .25.

100-meter dash: 1. Brinlee Gilfillan, Col 12.27; 2. Mallory Chicoine, MMU 12.35; 3. Robin Tashjian, BBA 12.56; 4. Sara Sinkewicz, Essex 12.79; 5. Aven Thomas, SJ 13.21; 6. Lilyanna Mittelstadt, CVU 13.35.

200: 1. Brinlee Gilfillan, Col 25.51; 2. Mallory Chicoine, MMU 25.53; 3. Gracie Morris, SB 26.22; 4. Makenna Pratt, Col 26.95; 5. Aven Thomas, SJ 27.13; 6. Darlene Abiti, Col 27.26.

400: 1. Makenna Pratt, Col 58.93; 2. Gracie Morris, SB 59.33; 3. Fiona Corbett, BBA 1:00; 4. Isabella Delphia, Esesx 1:00.91; 5. Darlene Abiti, Col 1:02.28; 6. Annaliesa Fry, CVU 1:02.76.

800: 1. Isabella Gravina-Budis, CVU 2:16.95; 2. Emily Harris, BBA 2:20.44; 3. Eihlis Murphy, SJ 2:22.15; 4. Audrey Neilson, CVU 2:22.54; 5. Madelyn Harris, BBA 2:26.84; 6. Taylore Dell, Essex 2:27.97.

1,500: 1. Alice Kredell, CVU 4:41.19; 2. Lydia Donahue, CVU 4:48.22; 3. Audrey Neilson, CVU 4:48.61; 4. Charlotte Crum, CVU 4:52.22; 5. Acadia Enman, MMU 4:53.43; 6. Sydney Remenar, BBA 4:53.78.

3,000: 1. Alice Kredell, CVU 10:30.22; 2. Lydia Donahue, CVU 10:36.99; 3. Sydney Rumsey, SB 10:55.81; 4. Acadia Enman, MMU 10:56.17; 5. Erin Geisler, Rut 10:56.87; 6. Annalise Wood, CVU 10:56.98.

100 hurdles: 1. Robin Tashjian, BBA 14.76; 2. Sydney Schoenbeck, SJ 15.19; 3. Sabine Brueck, NC 15.21; 4. Ada Jorschick, Essex 15.92; 5. Teagan Thurber, Bratt 17.03; 6. Amelia Shelton, Rut 17.26.

300 hurdles: 1. Sabine Brueck, NC 43.63; 2. Sydney Schoenbeck, SJ 45.40; 3. Robin Tashjian, BBA 44.45; 4. Amelia Shelton, Rut 48.03; 5. Kate Bradford, Col 48.87; 6. Teagan Thurber, Bratt 49.07.

4×100: 1. Colchester (Abiti, Pratt, Vartuli, Gilfillan) 49.85; 2. Essex 50.22; 3. South Burlington 51.23; 4. Mount Mansfield 51.63; 5. St. Johnsbury 52.61; 6. North Country 53.16.

4×400: 1. Burr and Burton (McGlinn, M. Harris, E. Harris, Corbett) 4:10.38; 2. Colchester 4:11.31; 3. Champlain Valley 4:13.19; 4. St. Johnsbury 4:19.71; 5. South Burlington 4:23.07; 6. Essex 4:24.49; 6.

4×800: 1. Burr and Burton (McGlinn, M. Harris, Martin, E. Harris) 9:57.02; 2. Essex 10:09.06; 3. St. Johnsbury 10:13.67; 4. Champlain Valley 10:16.42; 5. North Country 10:17.63; 6. South Burlington 10:25.64.

Pole vault: 1. Hailey Richards, Bratt 10-1.25; 2. Zoe Jenkins-Mui, CVU 8-5.5; 3. Mckenna Rettew, CVU 8-5.5; 4. Ruby Kiefer, BBA 8-2.5; 5. Avery Wood, MMU 8-2.5; 6. Meredith Lewis, Bratt 8-2.5.

High jump: 1. Ella Palisano, MAU 5-5.75; 2. Sydney Schoenbeck, SJA 5-3.75; 3. Kelsey Adams, SB 4-11.75; 4. Samantha Chittenden, SB 4-9.75; 5. Bailey Qualter, SJ 4-7.75; T6. Elizabeth Toborg, Spa; Britta Fitzgerald, BHS; Rae Thibault, Bratt; Una McKinnon, SJ 4-6.

Long jump: 1. Sabine Brueck, NC 17-10.75; 2. Grace Morris, SB 17-6.75; 3. Ella Palisano, MAU 17-6.75; 4. Mallory Chicoine, MMU 16-11.5; 5. Lilyanna Mittelstadt, CVU 16-10.75; 6. Ada Jorschick, Essex 16-9.25.

Triple jump: 1. Kelsey Adams, SB 37-7.25; 2. Robin Tashjian, BBA 37-3; 3. Sabine Brueck, NC 36-4.75; 4. Ella Palisano, MAU 35-8.5; 5. Lilyanna Mittelstadt, CVU 34-11; 6. Bailey Qualter, SJ 34-9.75.

Shot put: 1. Tess Adams, Essex 39-11.25; 2. Nadia Sylla, BHS 34-7.75; 3. Jaelyn Henault, SB 33-6; 4. Alexa Sprague, MAU 32-7; 5. Nala Meyer, BHS 28-10.25; 6. Hannah Zabilansky, MMU 28-4.25.

Discus: 1. Tess Adams, Essex 126-02; 2. Lanae Buford, SB 101-07; 3. Nadia Sylla, BHS 100-01; 4. Adele Stubbs, Essex 89-09; 5. Kathryn Zajko, SJ 89-04; 6. Jaelyn Henault, SB 88-05.

Javelin: 1. Sara Sinkewicz, Essex 105-09; 2. Ella Palisano, MAU 100-09; 3. Greta Nolan, NC 94-11; 4. Sydney Schoenbeck, SJ 84-09; 5. Effie Dunn, SJ 82-07; 6. Hannah Zabilansky, MMU 75-09.

DIVISION I BOYS TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Team scores: 1. Essex 137; 2. St. Johnsbury 100; 3. Champlain Valley 54; 4. Mount Mansfield 48; 5. Colchester 39; 6. Burlington 33; T7. Rutland, South Burlington 27; 9. BFA-St. Albans 20; 10. Burr and Burton 16; 11. North Country 15; 12. Spaulding 14; 13. Brattleboro 13; 14. Mount Anthony 12.

100-meter dash: 1. Thomas Meek, Essex 11.03; 2. Quintin Fortier, CVU 11.10; 3. Deng Aguek, SB 11.15; 4. Gradyn Bellomo, Rut 11.19; 5. Sanjin Hadzic, Essex 11.25; 6. Demunga Alfani, Col 11.25.

200: 1. Thomas Meek, Essex 22.31; 2. Desmond Snyder, BHS 22.39; 3. Quintin Fortier, CVU 22.54; 4. Deng Aguek, SB 22.79; 5. Avery Gilbert, MMU 22.99; 6. Gradyn Bellomo, Rut 23.00.

400: 1. Jack Cady, Bratt 48.92; 2. Desmond Snyder, BHS 49.26; 3. Kaiden Schiller, Col 50.98; 4. Matthew Mallory, Essex 52.23; 5. James Hatch, SJ 52.24; 6. Brady Botelho, Essex 52.32.

800: 1. Andrew Thornton-Sherman, SJ 1:57.04; 2. Treson McEnaney, CVU 2:00.82; 3. Hayden Villarreal, BBA 2:01.40; 4. Toby Hurteau, BFA 2:01.61; 5. Bryan Stocker, SJ 2:01.88; 6. Bjorn Peterson, BHS 2:03.83.

1,500: 1. Andrew Thornton-Sherman, SJ 3:57.98; 2. Benjamin Holoch, CVU 4:03.51; 3. Emmett Johnson, SJ 4:04.26; 4. Nicholas Kidder, Spa 4:04.75; 5. Jacoby Soter, BFA 4:05.99; 6. Joel Thornton-Sherman, SJ 4:07.64.

3,000: 1. Nicholas Kidder, Spa 8:50.40; 2. Benjamin Holoch, CVU 8:58.53; 3. Joel Thornton-Sherman, SJ 9:00.37; 4. Juan Solana, SJ 9:00.39; 5. Teddy Tremblay, BFA 9:03.37; 6. Nico Conathan-Leach, Bratt 9:05.52.

110 hurdles: 1. Avery Gilbert, MMU 13.74 (state record); 2. Sanjin Hadzic, Essex 13.86; 3. Carter Faas, Col 15.56; 4. Max Lesny, Essex 16.17; 5. Henry Dimitroff, Essex 16.25; 6. Wilder Thomas, SJ 16.50.

300 hurdles: 1. Avery Gilbert, MMu 39.24; 2. Carter Faas, Col 40.78; 3. Henry Dimitroff, Essex 42.13; 4. William Carter, SJ 42.29; 5. Jack Currie, Col 42.88; 6. Max Lesny, Essex 43.32.

4×100: 1. Essex (Maiberger, Meek, Botelho, Hadzic) 43.68; 2. South Burlington 43.77; 3. Rutland 44.25; 4. Colchester 45.63; 5. Brattleboro 45.85; 6. St. Johnsbury 45.95.

4×400: 1. St. Johnsbury (Johnson, Carter, Hatch, Thornton-Sherman) 3:29.96; 2. Essex 3:31.14; 3. Champlain Valley 3:31.57; 4. Burlington 3:38.38; 5. Mount Mansfield 3:33.54; 6. Colchester 3:34.30.

4×800: 1. St. Johnsbury (Kehler, Windrow, Stocker, Johnson) 8:00.79; 2. Burlington 802:32; 3. BFA-St. Albans 8:13.96; 4. Essex 8:20.66; 5. Mount Mansfield 8:23.31; 6. Burr and Burton 8:26.38.

Pole vault: 1. Raf Campanile, MMU 13-5.25; 2. Max Lesny, Essex 11-11.75; 3. Alexander Kopeck, BBA 11-11.75; 4. MacArthur Murad, BHS 10-11.75; 5. Joshua Isabelle, NC 10-11.75; 6. Dylan Elder, CVU 10-6.

High jump: 1. Micah McDonald, SJ 5-10; 2. Wyatt Fuller, Rut 5-8; 3. Jason Pelletier, NC 5-8; 4. Luke Bostic, SJ 5-8; 5. Joshua Isabelle, NC 5-6; 6. Spencer Wheeler, NC 5-6.

Long jump: 1. Sanjin Hadzic, Essex 21-8.25; 2. Gradyn Bellomo, Rut 21-8; 3. Deng Aguek, SB 21-4.75; 4. Raf Campanile, MMU 20-9.25; 5. Logan Baker, MAU 20-8.25; 6. Gregory Maiberger, Essex 20-7.75.

Triple jump: 1. Logan Baker, MAU 41-4.25; 2. Jack Akins, Col 39-8; 3. Gregory Maiberger, Essex 39-4.5; 4. Liam Fitzgerald, Col 38-9; 5. Yi Chen, SB 38-5.5; 6. Jackson Ladd, SJ 38-0.

Shot put: 1. Alexander Johnson, Essex 54-02; 2. Jeremiah Watson, SJ 45-7.75; 3. Jansen Fletcher, BFA 42-9.5; 4. Kymani Mignott, Essex 42-8.75; 5. Cullin Ward, NC 42-6.75; 6. Landon Myers, SB 42-2.

Discus: 1. Alexander Johnson, Essex 160-11; 2. Wade Nichols, CVU 128-09; 3. Kymani Mignott, Essex 126-01; 4. Diwash Maidali, Essex 123; 5. Joseph Gershon, Essex 114-09; 6. Ulysses Sansoz, CVU 114-05.

Javelin: 1. Micah McDonald, SJ 167-01; 2. Raf Campanile, MMU 161-07; 3. Jeffrey Gershon, Essex 156-10; 4. Joe Bury, BBA 145-11; 5. Spencer Wheeler, NC 145-07; 6. Hunter Moore, SJ 143-02.

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Nevada hires Cal Poly associate head coach Jason Borchin to run volleyball program

Published

8 minutes ago

December 30, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Nevada hired Jason Borchin, the associate head coach at Cal Poly, to run its volleyball program Monday.

Borchin helped Cal Poly win back-to-back Big West titles with an NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 appearance last season. Borchin spent nine seasons over two stints with the Mustangs, serving as assistant coach from 2015-17 before returning to the Mustangs from 2019-25 where he was the team’s recruiting coordinator before adding the associate head coach title in 2025.

During Borchin’s tenure in San Luis Obispo, the Mustangs posted a 184-86 record with eight top-three Big West finishes and three NCAA Tournament berths, those coming in 2017, 2019 and 2025. The Mustangs advanced in each of those tournaments, most recently upsetting No. 5 seed BYU and No. 4 seed USC in Los Angeles to reach the Sweet 16.

“We are thrilled to welcome Jason Borchin and his family to the Wolf Pack,” Nevada athletic director Stephanie Rempe said in a news release. “He brings a wealth of experience, having cut his teeth at the club level and worked alongside several highly-respected coaches. Growing up and starting his career in our region gives him a deep understanding of the culture and talent here. Known for his elite training in the gym, his ability to build strong rosters and his extensive recruiting ties in California, Jason is exactly the leader we need to elevate our program and compete at the highest level in the Mountain West.”

Between his stints at Cal Poly, Borchin spent the 2018 season at Notre Dame. Borchin began his college coaching career as a volunteer assistant with Sacramento State in 2007 and became a full-time assistant coach in 2010. In 2007, the Hornets went 29-8, capturing the Big Sky Tournament title and defeating Minnesota in the NCAA Tournament first round. In addition to his indoor coaching duties, Borchin also served as co-head coach of the Sacramento State beach volleyball program from 2013-15 when the team went 11-23 overall in its first three seasons of existence.

“I am honored to be named the head women’s volleyball coach at the University of Nevada,” Jason Borchin said in a news release. “I want to thank President Brian Sandoval, athletic director Stephanie Rempe and the university administration for their trust in me and belief in my vision for this program. This is an incredible opportunity for my family and me to be part of a university with such a strong tradition and bright future. Nevada has tremendous potential to compete in the Mountain West Conference, and I’m excited to get to work building a program our players, alumni and fans can be proud of. Go Pack!”

A native of nearby Roseville, Calif., Borchin has 18 years of coaching experience between the college, high school and club levels. Borchin played two seasons at Sacramento State, earning first-team All-Big Sky and team MVP honors in 2006. He was second-team all-conference in 2007. He then transferred to Pacific where he played in 86 matches from 2008-10 and was among the team’s top-five players in kills.

Borchin coached club volleyball in the Sacramento area for 10 years and was the head coach of the Northern California Volleyball Club Girls 18s team that earned a fifth-place finish at the Junior Nationals in Dallas. His club head-coaching background began during the 2005-06 season with the High Impact Girls 14s team.

Borchin replaces Shannon Wyckoff-McNeal, who quit earlier this month two seasons into a five-year contract. He inherits a Wolf Pack program that has struggled in recent decades.

Nevada reached five NCAA Tournaments from 1998-2005 but has posted just three winning records in the last 20 seasons, those coming in 2007, 2016 and 2019. The Wolf Pack has finished second-to-last in the MW in 2024 and 2025 with last-place finishes in 2018, 2020, 2021 and 2023, meaning Nevada has placed in the bottom two of the MW in five of the last six seasons.

Last year, Nevada went 8-20 overall and 4-14 in the MW while winning just 17 sets in 18 conference matches. The Wolf Pack’s best conference finish since moving to the MW in 2012 is fifth place. While the MW’s top-three teams this year — Utah State, Colorado State, Boise State — are moving to the Pac-12 in 2026, MW additions UTEP (16th in RPI) and UC Davis (48th) were elite this season with Hawaii (161st) historically excellent.

The Wolf Pack is scheduled to return just two starters from last season (Kamryn Tifft and Jess Walkenhorst) after the transfers of Haylee Brown (Grand Canyon), Audrey Jensen (UConn) and Kinsley Singleton (Oklahoma). Nevada’s home arena, Virginia Street Gym, has seen recent upgrades with a new video board installed before the 2024 season and new playing surface before the 2025 campaign.

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Jason Borchin Accepts Head Coaching Position at Nevada

Published

24 minutes ago

December 30, 2025

Your Sports Nation

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — Cal Poly volleyball associate head coach and recruiting coordinator Jason Borchin — who helped the Mustangs reach the NCAA Tournament three times during his time with the program — was named the next head coach of the University of Nevada volleyball program on Monday.

Borchin spent nine seasons on the Cal Poly coaching staff across a pair of stints (2015-17, 2018-25), aiding the Mustangs to an 187-86 overall record, two Big West regular season championships and a conference tournament title during his tenure with the program.

“I’m incredibly proud that what we’ve built together here at Cal Poly has opened doors for Jason and his family,” Cal Poly volleyball head coach Caroline Walters said. “We’ve been together for more than half of my coaching career, and that’s a testament to the quality of work he does, but speaks even more to the person, coach, and friend he is. Jason has made a lasting impact on our program, and while he’ll be missed, we’re excited for him as he takes this next step. We wish Jason, Jessie, Colt, Vaughn, and Beckett nothing but the best as they embrace this new challenge at Nevada.”

Borchin, who was promoted to associate head coach for the Mustangs prior to the 2024 season, helped the program reach historic heights in his final season this fall. After defeating No. 1 seed UC Davis to capture the Big West Tournament Championship and punch its ticket to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2019, Cal Poly took down No. 5 seed BYU and then No. 4 seed USC — both in five sets — to advance to the Sweet 16 for the seventh time in program history and the first time since 2007.

The Mustangs were the lone unseeded team to reach the Third Round in this year’s NCAA Tournament, serving as the country’s Cinderella story. Cal Poly finished the year ranked No. 21 in the nation, its highest ranking to end a season in 18 years and the first time since 2018 the team ended a season nationally ranked.

After serving as a full-time assistant coach on the Sacramento State volleyball staff for five seasons (2010-14), Borchin joined the Cal Poly staff for the first time in 2015 as an assistant. While serving under then head coach Sam Crosson for three seasons, Borchin aided the Mustangs to a Big West regular season championship and an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2017.

In 2018, Borchin served as an assistant coach at Notre Dame before returning to Cal Poly in 2019 to be an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for the Mustangs during Walters’ first season as the head coach. Borchin served in that role for four seasons before being elevated to associate head coach in 2024, helping Cal Poly capture a Big West regular season title and a conference tournament championship in his final two seasons.

Across his nine seasons with the program, the Mustangs saw 42 players earn All-Big West Team honors, eight named to the All-Big West Freshman Team, seven secure All-Region praise and four grab AVCA All-American status.

Prior to beginning his coaching career as a volunteer assistant at Sacramento State in 2007, Borchin played for the Hornets’ men’s team for two seasons (2006-07) before transferring to Pacific, where he appeared in 86 matches from 2008-10. The Roseville, Calif. native graduated from Pacific in 2010 with a degree in sports sciences.

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Track & Field Releases 2026 Schedule

Published

2 hours ago

December 29, 2025

Your Sports Nation

BABSON PARK, Mass.— After a 2025 spring season that was highlighted by four All-East region selections and one athlete competing at the NCAA Championships, Babson College veteran head men’s and women’s track & field coach Russ Brennen officially announced the 2026 schedule on Monday.

For the second year in a row, the Beavers will open the season in Myrtle Beach, S.C., at the Alan Connie Shamrock Invitational on March 19-21. The Green and White come back to New England for the UMass Dartmouth Corsair Invitational on March 28.

Babson starts a busy month of April at the Coast Guard Invitational in New London, Conn., on April 4. The Beavers will be in Medford, Mass. the following weekend, beginning with day one of the Tufts Multi-Meet on April 10 and day two as part of the Tufts Invitational on April 11. The Green and White will wrap up the regular season at MIT’s annual Sean Collier Invitational on April 18.

The post-season begins with the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) Championships at Coast Guard on April 24-25. The Division III New England Championships are slated for May 1-2 in Springfield, Mass.

Top qualifying competitors will go to the Farley Inter Regional Meet at Williams College on May 8-9. Selected Beavers will compete in the Last Chance qualifying meet at MIT on May 14, attempting to qualify for the NCAA national championships, which are at Veteran’s Memorial Field Sports Complex in La Crosse, Wisc. on May 21-24.

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Men’s Volleyball No. 2 In Big West Preseason Poll

Published

2 hours ago

December 29, 2025

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IRVINE, Calif. – The University of Hawai’i men’s volleyball team was picked second in the preseason Big West coaches’ poll while a trio of Rainbow Warriors were named to the seven-member preseason team – setter Tread Rosenthal, outside hitter Adrien Roure, and opposite Kristian Titriyski.

UH received 22 total points and trailed preseason favorite Long Beach State (24 points, 4 first-place votes). UC Irvine (21 points) was third followed by a three-way tie for fourth between CSUN (9), UC San Diego (9), and UC Santa Barbara (9).

Hawai’i returns five starters — Tread Rosenthal, Adrien Roure, Kristian Titriyski, Justin Todd, and Louis Sakanoko — and 12 lettermen from last year’s squad that finished 27-6 and advanced to the NCAA Championship semifinals. Rosenthal and Roure were AVCA first-team All-Americans while Titriyski was named to the second team.

LBSU had two players on the preseason team – Alex Kandev and Skyler Varga – while UCSB (George Bruening) and CSUN (Jalen Phillips) both had one.

The Rainbow Warriors, who captured their fourth Big West Championship title last season, were picked No. 2 in the AVCA Preseason Top 20 Coaches poll behind UCLA. Hawai’i garnered seven first place votes, two more than Long Beach State, who was third.

2026 Big West Preseason Coaches’ Poll
Rk. Team – Points (1^st Place Votes)
1. Long Beach State – 24 (4)
2. Hawai’i – 22 (2)
3. UC Irvine – 17
T4. CSUN – 9
T4. UC San Diego – 9
T4. UC Santa Barbara – 9

2026 Big West Preseason Coaches’ Team
George Bruening, R-So., Outside Hitter, UC Santa Barbara, Newport Beach, Calif.
Alex Kandev, So., Outside Hitter, Long Beach State, Sofia, Bulgaria
Jalen Phillips, R-Jr., Opposite Hitter, CSUN, Anaheim, Calif.
Tread Rosenthal, Jr., Setter, Hawai’i, Austin, Texas
Adrien Roure, So, Outside Hitter, Hawai’i, Lyon, France
Kristian Titriyski, So., Opposite Hitter, Hawai’i, Sofia, Bulgaria
Skyler Varga, R-Sr., Opposite Hitter, Long Beach State, Muenster, Saskatchewan

#HawaiiMVB

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Phillips Named to Preseason Coaches’ Team, CSUN Picked to Tie for Fourth

Published

2 hours ago

December 29, 2025

Your Sports Nation

IRVINE, Calif. – Redshirt junior Jalen Phillips was named to the Preseason Coaches’ Team, while CSUN Men’s Volleyball earned nine points to tie for fourth as the 2026 Big West Men’s Volleyball Preseason Coaches’ Poll and preseason awards were announced Monday, Dec. 29.

Phillips earned a nod to the preseason team for the first time, joining George Bruening of UC Santa Barbara, Alex Kandev and Skyler Varga of Long Beach State, along with Tread Rosenthal, Adrien Roure, and Kristian Titriyski of Hawai’i on the Preseason Coaches’ Team.

Phillips, a first-team AVCA All-America and first-team All-Big West selection in 2025, became the first Matador named to the AVCA first-team since Kevin McKniff and Jacek Ratazczak in 2010. He was a three-time Big West Offensive Player of the Week (Jan. 20, Feb. 24, Apr. 14) last season, leading CSUN with a career-high 456 kills, while averaging 4.22 kills per set, which ranked second in the Big West and fourth in the nation. Phillips also finished his sophomore season ranked third in the Big West in points, averaging 4.81 per set, and was 13th in hitting percentage at .293. MVB_Big West Preaseason_26

In the Preseason Poll, the Matadors received nine points from the conference’s head coaches and were predicted to tie for fourth with UC San Diego and UC Santa Barbara, which also received nine points.

Defending national champions Long Beach State earned the top spot in the poll for the second straight season, picking up four first-place votes and 24 total points in the voting. Hawai’i earned the other two first-place votes and 22 total points for second, with UC Irvine earning 17 points for third. With nine points, the trio of the Matadors, Tritons, and Gauchos round out the polling in the vote by the league’s six head coaches.

“I’m sure the Big West will be exactly what we expect it to be; it’s the best volleyball conference in the country,” said head coach Theo Edwards. “All six Big West teams are ranked in the preseason top-20 of the AVCA national poll, so I know the guys on this team will embrace the challenge ahead and are poised to make some noise in the Big West this season.”

As they’ve done 21 times in the last 22 seasons, the Matadors open the season at the annual UCSB Invitational at Robertson Gym. CSUN will meet Maryville University, Harvard, and Kentucky State over the three-day tournament, which runs from Jan. 8-10.

In addition to Phillips, CSUN returns a host of starters in 2026, including outside hitter Joao Avila, middle blockers Joao Favarim and Shane Nhem, and libero Chris Karnezis. The Matadors also welcome a talented group of newcomers in 2026, including redshirt sophomore setter Owen Douphner, who steps in for departed senior All-American Donovan Constable.

The Hawaiian Islands presents the 2026 Outrigger Big West Men’s Volleyball Championship at the Bren Events Center on the campus of UC Irvine from April 23-25, 2026. All six conference members will vie for The Big West’s automatic berth into the national postseason bracket.

#GoMatadors

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Sports

Tritons Picked Fourth in Preseason Big West Coaches’ Poll

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2 hours ago

December 29, 2025

Your Sports Nation

LA JOLLA, Calif. — UC San Diego men’s volleyball was picked to finish in a tie for fourth in the 2026 Big West Men’s Volleyball Preseason Coaches’ Poll, the conference announced today.

The loaded Big West also sees all six of the conference’s teams ranked in the national AVCA preseason poll. The Tritons are No. 10 nationally.

Long Beach State was picked to win The Big West by the conference’s head coaches after winning the national championship last season. UC San Diego’s projected fourth place finish is the same as the Tritons’ actual finish in 2025 after they went 18-12 overall and 3-7 in Big West play.

The 2026 Triton men’s volleyball season begins at home on January 6 against Jessup. The team’s Big West opener will also be at home as the Tritons host CSUN on March 3. Season and single game tickets are both on sale now.

The Tritons will face each Big West opponent home and away this season with the exception of Hawai’i, who will play in La Jolla twice. The Hawaiian Islands presents the 2026 Outrigger Big West Men’s Volleyball Championship will be April 23-25 on the campus of UC Irvine.

2026 Big West Men’s Volleyball Preseason Coaches’ Poll
Rank	Institution	Points
1.	Long Beach State	24 (4)
2.	Hawai’i	22 (2)
3.	UC Irvine	17
T-4.	UC San Diego	9
	CSUN	9
	UC Santa Barbara	9

About UC San Diego Athletics
After two decades as one of the most successful programs in NCAA Division II, the UC San Diego intercollegiate athletics program has begun a new era as a member of The Big West in NCAA Division I. The 24-sport Tritons earned 30 team and nearly 150 individual national championships during its time in Divisions II and III and helped guide 1,400 scholar-athletes to All-America honors. A total of 83 Tritons have earned Academic All-America honors, while 39 have garnered prestigious NCAA Post Graduate Scholarships. UC San Diego scholar-athletes exemplify the academic ideals of one of the world’s preeminent institutions, graduating at an average rate of 90 percent, the highest rate among public institutions in NCAA Division I or II. For more information on the Tritons, visit UCSDtritons.com or follow UC San Diego Athletics on social media @UCSDtritons.

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