Sports

Cranston East boys volleyball defeats NK for 2025 D-I title

Cranston East beats North Kingstown to win the D-I boys volleyball title Cranston East started strong, then held off a late charge by the Skippers to win the Division I championship on June 8 at RIC Cranston East defeated North Kingstown 3-2 to win the Rhode Island Division I boys volleyball state championship. This is […]

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2 months ago

June 10, 2025

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Cranston East defeated North Kingstown 3-2 to win the Rhode Island Division I boys volleyball state championship.
This is Cranston East’s first boys volleyball state title in program history.
Cranston East lost three times to North Kingstown during the regular season but prevailed in the championship match.

PROVIDENCE — Cranston East would have scheduled North Kingstown every week if it could.

The Thunderbolts wanted every chance against the state’s preeminent boys volleyball powerhouse. They had lost three times to the Skippers in the regular season, but it didn’t matter to Cranston East.

Sam Rivera tested his serves in each loss. Charles Pincince timed his swings on the outside and Dennis Dixon carved out space in the middle against NK. The trio and the rest of the Thunderbolts improved every time they played North Kingstown.

Cranston East beat the rest of the state and secured the second seed in the Division I tournament. A fourth meeting with NK, one at Rhode Island College, awaited the Thunderbolts.

And Cranston East did what no other program would even think was possible. The Thunderbolts clawed out two games from NK and in the final frame, a fifth-set thriller, Rivera’s ace trickled over the net for a match win.

The 3-2 (25-21, 25-22, 22-25, 15-25, 16-14) triumph is Cranston East’s first boys volleyball state championship in program history and just second boys volleyball title overall.

“I’m glad to be on the court and share it with [my teammates],” Rivera said. “I really look up to all of them and I’m so proud of them. All our hard work and all the effort on and off the court — it all led here and my brothers took me through that final ace.”

Earlier this season: North Kingstown boys volleyball survives Cranston East; Here’s why it matters

No. 2 Cranston East (13-5) stole back-to-back points before Rivera’s ace toed the right side of the net and fell for the win. Rivera capped off the upset of the spring and handed North Kingstown its first loss this season. The top-ranked Skippers entered Sunday’s match with only five set losses all year.

“We knew that we weren’t the favorites to win,” Dixon said. “Nobody expected us to win but we did.

“We knew we were going to make errors. It was just about coming back with momentum. We were sliding, but we had to understand that you have to come back in the next set. You’ve got to come back with some type of fire.”

The Thunderbolts, after losing to La Salle in five sets in last year’s semifinals, didn’t build the program overnight. Aggerson Vetiaque might have been the best athlete on the court and compiled a promising sophomore season. Darien Peterson added another hitting option behind Pincince and Dixon, and Caleb Xum was the reliable setter every team needs.

“It was great seeing all of my teammates celebrate and seeing how happy they got,” Pincince said. “Volleyball is a lot about community and helping each other and supporting each other. It’s amazing to see what we can do together.”

North Kingstown rallied from a 16-10 deficit in the third set to stave off a sweep. The Skippers stormed to a 16-6 lead in the fourth set with the quality hitting that paced an impressive season in the school’s decorated history.

But in the decisive set, Cranston East broke out to a 4-1 lead. The bench energy was on display and it carried the Thunderbolts the rest of the way. NK only led, 12-11 and 13-12, in the fifth set as Cranston East gritted out the victory.

“They were super resilient,” Cranston East coach, Jhamal Diggs, said. “We came out in the first two sets firing. The third and fourth sets were a little wacky, but the plan was to go to five sets. We talked about it, we practiced that and every game we were prepared to go to five. We just went point-by-point and we’re able to execute.”

North Kingstown graduates a talented senior class that was on the doorstep of back-to-back championships. The Skippers handled their second fifth-set championship loss in a row with class and will eventually be back to that stage.

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8 storylines to follow in the 2025 college volleyball season

The 2025 college volleyball season is right around the corner. Here are my top storylines for this season. 1. Can Penn State go back-to-back in its new era? Penn State ended last season back on top of college volleyball in a new era under Katie Schumacher-Cawley. We know the Nittany Lions had the biggest volleyball […]

Published

14 minutes ago

August 14, 2025

Your Sports Nation

The 2025 college volleyball season is right around the corner. Here are my top storylines for this season.

1. Can Penn State go back-to-back in its new era?

Penn State ended last season back on top of college volleyball in a new era under Katie Schumacher-Cawley. We know the Nittany Lions had the biggest volleyball dynasty with four national titles in a row from 2007 to 2010. Now they bring in one of the best players in the country and look to rebuild while staying on top.

Penn State Volleyball, 2024 National Champions

2. Big expectations for Big Red

Nebraska heads into the season at the No. 1 spot, looking like the most dangerous lineup in the country. With a new head coach in Dani Busboom Kelly, can they live up to the hype? There are a lot of high hopes and expectations with one of the most talented lineups.

alllll the angles from our fav red-white rally 🎥 #GBR pic.twitter.com/TM7vE8o8Gn

— Nebraska Volleyball (@HuskerVB) August 12, 2025

3. New season, new rosters

Multiple teams got an entirely new look in the transfer portal — the season is going to start fast and strong. It will be interesting to see how the rosters with players from all over the country gel with one another.

SEE MORE OFF-SEASON CHANGES: Transfer portal recap

4. Marquee matchups in the first few weeks

We have incredible nonconference tournaments this year for the first time. So many top-10 matchups, top-25 matchups right out of the gates. Many of the top-10 teams. Many of the top-10 teams will probably have early records that will look a lot different than years past.

OPEN SEASON: Check out the who, when and where kicking off the 2025 season

5. Restored and revamped rivalries

It feels like we have some new fun matchups to keep an eye on, or old rivalries that have an added flair. With the rise of Texas A&M after last year’s run, that Texas vs. Texas A&M rivalry seems even more fun this year. How about Louisville vs. Kentucky — new stars on both teams. Then there’s Kentucky and Texas fighting for the top of the SEC. Or how about Penn State and Nebraska after the reverse sweep in the semifinals and as the preseason No. 1 and No. 2 teams. That one feels like it has some added value this season as well.

6. New portal additions projected to push UCLA toward the top

There is a lot of preseason talk about UCLA rebuilding from the portal. The Bruins have four national championships, but three were in the ’90s. This rebuild could be a push to bring UCLA back to the forefront of college volleyball.

𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐖𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐨𝐝, 𝐏𝐊! ✍️

The talented middle blocker with National Championship experience is officially in the Blue and Gold!#GoBruins pic.twitter.com/IbYjtlZes8

— UCLA Women’s Volleyball (@UCLAWomensVB) January 15, 2025

7. Fresh faces at the helm of college volleyball

We have some new coaching eras beginning in 2025. Multiple legendary head coaches stepped down after 2024: John Cook, Ray Bechard, Mary Wise and more. We will embark on the new eras of Dani Busboom Kelly at Nebraska, Matt Ulmer at Kansas and Dan Meske at Louisville to name a few. 2025 feels like the start of a new era.

8. Who’s the next big name?

And finally: Who will emerge as superstars this season? Last year graduated a lot of very big shoes to fill, and we have high profile youngsters and freshmen to look forward to seeing on the court this season. Last year we saw names like Izzy Starck, a freshman, go on to win the national title. Who will be big-time this year? We have highly touted recruits like Abby Vander Wal at Texas or players like Stella Swenson at Minnesota who didn’t play last year.

So many question marks for this season — and what I feel like is the one of the most highly anticipated college volleyball seasons yet. .

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Olympian Alex Obert Becomes First Men’s Water Polo GM at Pacific

Published

28 minutes ago

August 14, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Alex Obert has been appointed as the first-ever General Manager for men’s water polo at the University of the Pacific, marking a significant milestone in collegiate water polo. Obert is a three-time Olympian who graduated in 2016 with an engineering degree and brings a wealth of experience, including a bronze medal from the 2024 Olympics and multiple championships in international competition. His return to Pacific, under head coach James Graham’s leadership, is aimed at enhancing the program’s performance through a data-driven approach.

By the Numbers

2024 Olympic Games (Paris) – Bronze Medalist
2015 and 2019 Pan American Games – Gold Medalist

State of Play

This role is the first of its kind in U.S. collegiate men’s water polo.
Pacific’s 2025 season opens on August 30 in Providence, Rhode Island.

What’s Next

With Obert’s appointment, anticipate new strategies focusing on data analysis and athlete development as the men’s water polo team aims for greater success in upcoming competitions.

Bottom Line

Obert’s combination of athletic excellence and professional insight is poised to elevate Pacific’s water polo program, potentially changing the landscape of collegiate sports management.

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Army West Point volleyball trains at Fort Indiantown Gap

Army West Point’s women’s volleyball team prepared for its season at Fort Indiantown Gap, blending volleyball and Army culture. LEBANON COUNTY, Pa. — Army West Point’s women’s volleyball team found a new home in Pennsylvania this preseason. The Black Knights hit the road, spending the weeks leading up to their first match at Fort Indiantown […]

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42 minutes ago

August 14, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Army West Point’s women’s volleyball team prepared for its season at Fort Indiantown Gap, blending volleyball and Army culture.

LEBANON COUNTY, Pa. — Army West Point’s women’s volleyball team found a new home in Pennsylvania this preseason.

The Black Knights hit the road, spending the weeks leading up to their first match at Fort Indiantown Gap.

“It’s a great honor to host them,” said Fort Indiantown Gap garrison commander Col. Kevin Potts. “We’re a premier asset here for Pennsylvania and the National Guard itself, so having people come and utilize that [is] just a big boon for us.”

The goal for the Black Knights was to get away from the chaos of the Academy while still surrounding themselves with the culture of the Army.

“The people make this place incredible,” Army West Point’s head volleyball coach, Alma Kovaci Lee, said. “We have everything we need to have a great preseason, and I think it’s really important that we conduct our training in places where it matters. Being in Fort Indiantown Gap, we not only get volleyball, but [we get] the Army side as well.”

The team even found time for some cool experiences to help break up the hours of training each day.

“We got to go up in Blackhawks the other day with our team, which was incredible,” said senior outside hitter Norah Shattan.

Kovaci Lee added that the team has “been able to hangout together, have a campfire [and] enjoy getting to know each other — something that we can’t get in an Academy.”

When it was time to practice, however, it was the team’s serving as an escape for the service members at Fort Indiantown Gap.

“It’s something different. They can come in and catch an hour or two of them doing practice here in the morning and afternoon,” said Potts. “People could come in and hang out, watch and see what they do and how hard they train.”

The team is representing a different side of the Army.

Shattan said the athletes “have this connection at a broader level than just as a cadet that we normally see. It’s cool that we can represent the Army playing our sport that we love.”

Potts added that the girls help provide the recognition that “the Army is not just being in the field with a weapon, fighting the fight. It’s also all the things that go around that. It’s all the sporting events that go on, all the esprit de corps that goes on [and] all the camaraderie.”

As the team wraps up its preseason at Fort Indiantown Gap, its preparing to open its season on the road at NC State on Aug. 29.

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Women’s Soccer Opens Thursday Night at Flagler Credit Union Stadium

BOCA RATON, Fla. — The Florida Atlantic women’s soccer team opens the 2025 season in the Flagler Credit Union Stadium against Loyola (MD) on Thursday evening before hitting the road. The Owls will then travel to Orlando to take on the Knights on Sunday, Aug. 17, at 6 p.m. The Greyhounds will also open their […]

Published

47 minutes ago

August 14, 2025

Your Sports Nation

BOCA RATON, Fla. — The Florida Atlantic women’s soccer team opens the 2025 season in the Flagler Credit Union Stadium against Loyola (MD) on Thursday evening before hitting the road. The Owls will then travel to Orlando to take on the Knights on Sunday, Aug. 17, at 6 p.m.

The Greyhounds will also open their season in Paradise on Thursday evening, while the Knights will travel to Birmingham, Ala., to take on another American opponent, the Blazers of UAB, on opening night.

On Thursday, the gates will open at 6 p.m. There will be a fan zone with games such as teqball, mini soccer, and more prior to the match. Fans will also have the chance to win two Universal Studios tickets. Concessions will be opened for fans on the deck of the stadium. The parking garage will be closed during the match. Guests are encouraged to park in lot 5. The team will be available for postgame autographs at the conclusion of the match.

ABOUT THE OWLS

Head Coach Patrick Baker enters his 13th season at the helm for the Owls. Baker is one of the top 40 winningest active Division I women’s soccer head coaches.

The Owls enter their third season in the American Conference.

Defender Daniella Diaz, midfielder Morgan McDonald, and forward Michelle Horan were named the Owls’ three players to watch by the American.

FAU has 12 newcomers on the roster for the upcoming season.

Additions to the coaching staff consist of former player Kat Cunningham, who stayed in Paradise as an assistant coach to kick off her coaching career. Additionlly, Jeremy Hampton was promoted to associate head coach.

2024 assists leader Horan returns to complete her college career with seven, which leads the team in that category.

ABOUT THE GREYHOUNDS

This season marks the 14th season of Head Coach Joe Mallia at the helm for Loyola (MD).

The Greyhounds were picked to finish fifth in the Patriot League out of ten teams.

Defender Zoe Willis was named in the 2025 Preseason All-Patriot League

As an addition to the staff for Loyola, Dallas Fiszel joins Mallia and Emma Steiner in Baltimore after spending two seasons at Florida Gulf Coast.

Junior Brigid Mulholland returns after being the starting goalkeeper in the 2024 season. Mulholland recorded 19 starts with 62 saves and seven shutouts on the year.

For the 2025 season, the Greyhounds have five goalkeepers, nine defenders, six midfielders, and 11 forwards.

ABOUT THE KNIGHTS

Head Coach Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak enters her 13th season at the helm for the Knights.

Roberts Sahaydak will begin the season with 121 career wins.

UCF will open its season on Thursday night against UAB in Birmingham.

The Knights will face back-to-back American Conference opponents to open the 2025 season.

UCF was picked to finish 12th out of 16 teams in the Big 12’s annual Preseason Coaches’ Poll.

SERIES HISTORY

The Owls and Greyhounds currently hold a 1-1 record.

Thursday’s matchup marks the third time these two programs have played in Paradise. In the last match on Aug. 29, 2003, the Owls won 2-1 in overtime.

FAU returns to Orlando after two years to take on the Knights.

It will be the 26th time FAU has faced UCF in program history.

The Owls are seeking their first win in Orlando in program history.

TICKETS
To purchase tickets for the match, visit ticketmaster.com

SCHEDULE

For the full 2025 women’s soccer schedule, click HERE.

ROSTER

For the full 2025 women’s soccer roster, click HERE.

FOLLOW THE OWLS

To stay up to date on all things Florida Atlantic women’s soccer, follow FAU on social media @FAUWSoccer.

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Daryana Hall To Represent The Big West At NCAA Student-Athlete Leadership Forum

LONG BEACH, Calif. – Daryana Hall was one of two student-athletes chosen from the Big West to take part in the NCAA Student-Athlete Leadership Forum, a program designed by the NCAA to help further develop leadership skills, focusing on their values, strengths and leadership philosophy which will then translate to their athletic and academic responsibilities. […]

Published

1 hour ago

August 14, 2025

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LONG BEACH, Calif. – Daryana Hall was one of two student-athletes chosen from the Big West to take part in the NCAA Student-Athlete Leadership Forum, a program designed by the NCAA to help further develop leadership skills, focusing on their values, strengths and leadership philosophy which will then translate to their athletic and academic responsibilities.

“I’m very excited and grateful to have the opportunity to represent the big west as well as Long Beach State at the NCAA Student-Athlete Leadership Forum,” said Hall. “I’m looking forward to developing my leadership skills professionally and athletically. This forum will give me the opportunity to learn more about the inner workings of NCAA and create new connections with individuals from other institutions and conferences. The knowledge I gain from this experience will help me become a better leader on campus.”

Hall has been the president of the Long Beach State Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) for the last two years and has been very involved in campus leadership and volunteer efforts in addition to her success on the track as a sprinter. Actively involved in both SAAC and the Student-Athlete Leadership Council, she has helped build a connection with campus student government. Hall attended both the Leadership at the Beach Conference as well as the 2025 Black Student Athlete Summit and was the student liaison for a mental health panel presented by Long Beach State Sports Medicine. She’ll be joined by the conference’s male representative, Tate Meaux of UC Santa Barbara Track and Field.

The NCAA Student-Athlete Leadership Forum provides a diverse and dynamic representation of student-athletes, coaches, and administrators with a transformational opportunity to build a leadership toolkit and develop vital self-awareness that allows them to realize their potential. Participants leave the program with invaluable leadership skills, the experience of exploring the relationship between personal values, core beliefs and behavioral styles, and an understanding of the NCAA as a whole, the different divisional perspectives and the valuable role of Student-Athlete Advisory Committees (SAAC). The Student-Athlete Leadership Forum also creates a close personal support network of like-minded peers to provide continued connection and dialogue after the program concludes.

Sponsored by the NCAA, the forum will take place over the course of four days in November in Dallas.

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Summer Series

Hello everyone! My name is Grace Gannon, and I’m a rising junior on the UR Women’s Lacrosse Team. This summer has been nothing short of incredible, highlighted by our team trip and a six-week study abroad experience in Perugia, Italy. I cannot wait to tell you all about it! I kicked off summer strong with […]

Published

1 hour ago

August 14, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Hello everyone!

My name is Grace Gannon, and I’m a rising junior on the UR Women’s Lacrosse Team. This summer has been nothing short of incredible, highlighted by our team trip and a six-week study abroad experience in Perugia, Italy. I cannot wait to tell you all about it!

I kicked off summer strong with our team trip to Amsterdam and San Sebastián. It was so special to explore new places with my teammates and create more lifelong memories. Two standout moments for me were the Anne Frank House and the pintoxs tour—experiences that offered so much insight into each city’s unique culture.

After the trip, I had a bit of downtime in where I am lucky enough to call home, Bucks County, PA! I enjoyed catching up with family/friends, working out with other college and pro athletes and coaching for my former club team, Dynasty Elite. I worked closely with the 2026s this summer and loved helping make their final club season unforgettable.

Just when I thought summer could not get any better, it was time to head to Italy for six weeks! Along with a group from UR and students from around the globe, I participated in the Intensive Intermediate Italian program at the Università per Stranieri di Perugia. The five-week course taught solely in Italian pushed me outside of my comfort zone and significantly improved my vocabulary, speaking fluency and cultural understanding.

I lived in a beautiful apartment about ten minutes from school that overlooked the city with three other UR students that are now some of my closest friends! While lessons were extremely engaging, the experience really shined outside of the classroom. I attended the famous Umbria Jazz Festival, participated in weekly cooking classes and immersed myself in the rhythm of local life.
Summer Series: Grace Gannon

Our weekends were filled with trips to other cities in Italy, including Milan, Venice and Florence. Each stop consisted of exploring historical churches, eating regional cuisine, racking up thousands of steps and practicing our Italian with locals. My personal favorite stop was Venice with its intricate canal system, stunning glass art and the breathtaking Basilica di San Marco.

To top it all off, my roommates and I celebrated the programs completion with a trip to Sorrento! The clear blue water, beaming sun and fresh seafood were unforgettable. It was the perfect way to close out the best summer! I’m incredibly grateful for these experiences through Richmond, and with just two weeks until we are back on campus, I am counting down the days until we reunite as a team and begin our hunt for an A-10 championship!