FanGraphs also has Ward’s Raw Power rating scored as 60 grade potential. Perhaps this is why pitchers are being so careful when pitching to him, as his swing rate is only 29.7% this year. He’s feared enough at the plate to warrant pitching around the young slugger. This isn’t an exaggeration either – he’s actually seen more balls than strikes this season at High-A (370 balls/367 strikes).
Ward may not have many extra-base hits this season, but his flyball rate is drastically lower than it has ever been in his pro career. More groundballs and less flyballs are not necessarily ideal for a strong power hitter, but all in all, Ward is a bat to be feared in the lower levels of the minor leagues. Maybe he could be on his way to bringing that fear to a higher level sooner rather than later.
Edward Duran was acquired by Toronto in 2022 from the Miami Marlins and has worked his way up to Single-A thus far as a pro. He’s been a defensive stalwart behind the plate in Toronto’s system and his bat has really caught up to speed this season.
Slashing .294/.388/.471 with a .403 wOBA and 141 wRC+ with Dunedin in 2025, Duran stands among the league’s best catchers at the plate. In fact, he is in the Florida State League’s top 5 qualified catchers in hits, RBI, runs scored, triples, walks, and stolen bases. Not to mention his .294 batting average is third-best in the league through roughly 50 games. He’s also the league’s most balanced spray hitting catcher, boasting ball-in-play percentages of at least 31% to all three directions (pull, center, opposite field).
Duran has an incredible arm behind the plate and has put it on full display in 2025, throwing out 21 runners already this season. He’s also great on the basepaths for a catcher, boasting an astronomical 5 triples this year and a 5.4 Speed Score rating according to FanGraphs. Duran is a talented backstop that could find himself making his way up the levels of the minors over the next few seasons.
These five players deserve some strong consideration for promotions in the near future and the Toronto Blue Jays have plenty of talented depth pieces in the minor leagues. The Jays have already had some injury troubles this season and some of these players could fill in a roster spot if it’s needed.
Kentucky volleyball defeated Wisconsin in a five-set thriller to advance to the NCAA Tournament National Championship.
The Wildcats will face Texas A&M for the national title, their second championship appearance since winning in 2020-21.
Eva Hudson led Kentucky with 29 kills, while Brooklyn DeLeye had 15 kills and a team-high five blocks.
Coverage from the match:
Kentucky volleyball won Brooklyn DeLeye’s heart. Star embraces journey
KANSAS CITY, MO — Top-seeded Kentucky volleyball defeated third-seeded Wisconsin in a five-set thriller Thursday at the T-Mobile Center to advance to the NCAA Tournament National Championship.
Eva Hudson led the Wildcats in kills with 29. Brooklyn DeLeye led the team in blocks (five). And Kassie O’Brien led UK with 54 assists.
Kentucky will battle No. 3 Texas A&M at 3:30 p.m. ET Sunday in Kansas City, Missouri, for a national championship title. It’ll be UK’s second championship match and first since it won in 2020-21.
Coverage during the match:
The Wildcats will take on Texas A&M in an all-SEC national title game. Hudson led the Wildcats with 29 kills, followed by DeLeye with 15.
The Wildcats are on a 4-0 run courtesy of two Hudson kills, an ace by freshman Trinity Ward and a huge block from Carr and O’Brien.
A little bonus volleyball for all the folks at home. Hudson is up to 23 kills, followed by DeLeye’s 11 and Carr and Thigpen with eight each. The Wildcats defense is keeping them in this one despite hitting .231 on the match.
Set 5 is first to 15 winning by a margin of two.
UK is on a 5-0 run. Star outsides Hudson and DeLeye both have double-digit kills now, with 18 and 10, respectively. Carr has eight, and Thigpen has seven.
This is a must-win set for the Wildcats.
The Badgers had 21 kills and four errors in the set compared with the Wildcats’ 16 and two. Wisconsin ended the frame on a 3-0 run. It is now one set away from the national championship match.
The Badgers are on a 3-0 run. Colyer has a match-high 17 kills. Wisconsin is hitting .625 this set compared with Kentucky at .364.
Hudson came alive this set with six kills, including three of Kentucky’s last four in the set. She has nine total. DeLeye and Carr each have four.
The Wildcats are still struggling to get their offense in a rhythm, hitting .158 this set and .091 for the match. But they’re holding the Badgers to less production (.333 and 10 kills compared to .682 and 15 kills in the first).
The Badgers hit a whopping .682 as a team in that set, while the Wildcats hit .056. Wisconsin had no attacking errors either, siding out 100%. DeLeye and Hudson have only combined for five kills on 21 total attempts.
The Wildcats are staring down their largest deficit of the NCAA Tournament. Wisconsin is holding UK to just .211 hitting percentage. The Badgers, meanwhile, are hitting a perfect 1.000, led by Colyer’s five kills.
The Wildcats have had trouble getting their offense going early. Meanwhile the Badgers are hitting 1.000, with Carter Booth and Mimi Colyer a perfect 4 for 4 and 3 for 3, respectively.
UK’s two kills have come from outside Brooklyn DeLeye (1 for 3) and setter Kassie O’Brien (1 for 1). The 3-0 run by Wisconsin prompted Skinner to call a timeout.
The Aggies’ sweep of Pitt marks their second upset of a No. 1 seed in a row after defeating Nebraska in the Elite Eight. If Kentucky defeats Wisconsin, the Wildcats and Aggies will face off Sunday in the national championship match.
The match will start about 30 minutes after the first national semifinal between No. 1 seed Pitt and No. 3 seed Texas A&M concludes. That match is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
Buy Kentucky volleyball tickets here
No. 1 seed Kentucky vs. No. 3 seed Wisconsin will be broadcast live on ESPN from the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri.
Authenticated subscribers can access ESPN via TV-connected devices or by going to WatchESPN.com or the WatchESPN app.
Those without cable can access ESPN via streaming services, with Fubo offering a free trial.
UK plays Wisconsin tonight for a spot in the national title game. The Wildcats or Badgers will play No. 3 seed Texas A&M on Sunday. Here’s a look at the tournament schedule:
Semifinals: Today at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri
Championship: Dec. 21 at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri
Dec. 18: Kentucky 3, Wisconsin 2 (NCAA Tournament National Semifinal)
Dec. 21: Kentucky vs. Texas A&M (NCAA Tournament National Final)
Read about how UK volleyball coach Craig Skinner’s people-first approach has vaulted the program to sustained national relevance here.
The Wildcats are known for their bench choreography. Read how UK’s sideline antics have helped lead it to the NCAA Volleyball Tournament national semifinal here.
Kentucky and Wisconsin volleyball did not play this season, so today’s match will be their first meeting of the year.
Today’s national semifinal will be the third meeting between UK and Wisconsin. The Wildcats are 0-2 against the Badgers, having played in Madison in 2021 and in Lexington in 2022.
UK volleyball won the 2020 NCAA Tournament, which was played in April 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Wildcats have played in 27 NCAA Tournaments, including this one (1983, 1987-88, 1990, 1992-93, 2005-2025). Twenty-one of those appearances came under Skinner.
UK has made 15 NCAA Regional Semifinals and now two Final Fours. The program has one national championship from the 2020-21 season.
Click here to see who the Badgers have faced this season.
Kentucky’s 2025 and 2020-21 teams were both crowned SEC champions.
The 2020-21 team went 24-1, dropping one conference match to Florida (3-2) and never losing on its home court.
The 2025 team is 29-2, riding a 26-match win streak dating back to September and encompassing the whole SEC slate as well as every match at Historic Memorial Coliseum.
The Wildcats have won nine consecutive conference titles, which is a Power Four conference volleyball record.
Kentucky volleyball takes a 26-match win streak into the Final Four after going perfect in SEC play and at Historic Memorial Coliseum this season.
Skinner’s contract with Kentucky volleyball runs through June 30, 2029. His base salary is as follows:
July 1, 2022-June 30, 2023: $450,000
July 1, 2023-June 30, 2024: $475,000
July 1, 2024-June 30, 2025: $525,000
July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026: $525,000
July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027: $525,000
July 1, 2027-June 30, 2028: $525,000
July 1, 2028-June 30, 2029: $525,000
Skinner also receives $5,000 per contract year (payable on July 31 and Jan. 31) for “media and endorsement” obligations.
His incentive-based bonuses are not cumulative and include:
$50,000 for a Final Four berth;
$75,000 for an NCAA Championship
Yes, UK is spending its 2025-26 revenue-sharing budget on the following sports: football, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, baseball, softball and volleyball. The athletics department declined to provide a sport-by-sport spending breakdown when asked by The Courier Journal earlier this year.
Other schools that confirmed to The Courier Journal that they’re spending revenue-sharing dollars on volleyball are:
Louisville
Nebraska
Ohio State
Minnesota
Creighton
BYU
TCU
Texas A&M
Eva Hudson and Brooklyn DeLeye are Kentucky’s star outside hitters. DeLeye is a junior and was named the Lexington Regional’s Most Outstanding Player.
Hudson transferred to Kentucky from Purdue for her senior season. She was named to the Lexington Regional All-Tournament Team. Hudson was also awarded SEC Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year.
Both players have been critical for UK’s success all season. They proved especially clutch during the Elite Eight match, combining for 32 of the team’s 47 kills.
Reach college sports enterprise reporter Payton Titus at ptitus@gannett.com and follow her on X @petitus25. Subscribe to her “Full-court Press” newsletter here for a behind-the-scenes look at how college sports’ biggest stories are impacting Louisville and Kentucky athletics.
Kentucky has become a prominent state for volleyball, rivaling its reputation for basketball and horse racing.
Youth clubs like KIVA and strong high school programs have been instrumental in developing top-tier talent.
Both UK and UofL have shown significant institutional support by including volleyball in their athlete revenue-sharing budgets.
Regardless if Kentucky brings back its second NCAA women’s volleyball national championship in the last five years, the commonwealth is winning in volleyball from the colleges down to the grassroots level.
And it will be for the foreseeable future.
Kentucky is no longer just known best for thoroughbred racing and its basketball programs. Volleyball has spiked its way into being associated with the state’s top sports now, too.
That’s why the NCAA brought its women’s volleyball championship to the KFC Yum! Center last year for the second time.
The Wildcats’ run to the national title game this season and Louisville’s run to the Final Four three times in the past four years, including title-game appearances in 2021 and last season, is the exclamation point on just how far the sport has come.
“Kentucky, for whatever reason, generates and creates unbelievable volleyball talent,” said ESPN volleyball analyst Katie George, who played at UofL and was the 2015 ACC Player of the Year. “That’s a testament to the youth coaches, certainly there’s so many great clubs, there’s so many great high school programs.”
Ron Kordes, Assumption High’s Hall of Fame coach, can remember the times when, in the early 1990s, he’d take club teams to compete at national tournaments in Chicago and they would get picked on with the laziest of Kentucky stereotypes, including California kids acting surprised they wore shoes.
They got beat a lot during those early tournaments to the point where Kordes called them “oh-for-weekends” because they would go and not win a single match.
“We’ve got their respect now,” Kordes said.
Known as the “Godfather of Volleyball,” Kordes is responsible whether directly or indirectly for helping develop the state into a volleyball hotbed.
He and Jesse Flynn helped build the Ohio Valley Volleyball Center. It was just the second volleyball-only facility in the nation when it was built after the Great Lakes Volleyball Center outside of Chicago.
The center became the home of the Kentucky Indiana Volleyball Academy (KIVA) grassroots volleyball program, and Kordes said participation in the junior clubs is maxed out.
“Who would have ever imagined anything like this?” he said. “It’s just become overwhelming, and I couldn’t be happier.”
KIVA is responsible for producing many of the best players to come out of Kentucky in any given year, including two who were on display in Thursday’s semifinal match between UK and Wisconsin.
Kristen Simon, who played at Assumption, was the Badgers’ libero/defensive specialist. Her counterpart with the Wildcats was Trinity Ward, who played at Holy Cross. Despite the rival high schools and being on opposite sides in the semifinals, they were friends who were former teammates at KIVA.
It’s not the first time that KIVA produced multiple Final Four participants, and it won’t likely be the last.
The same can be said of UK and UofL pursuing championships. The programs not only have a strong talent base to recruit from but they also have the institutional support to help them excel.
That’s not always a guarantee for those outside of football and men’s basketball.
Volleyball was among the sports prioritized at both schools to receive part of the $20.5 million revenue-sharing budget allocated to pay athletes. That’s a big-time commitment, considering every sport will not be included as football and men’s basketball devour most of those funds.
The foundation has been set. The rise to be among the best is complete. Those shoes California girls once joked about are like footsteps now because volleyball in the commonwealth of Kentucky is right on the heels of every state claiming to be the best.
Reach sports columnist C.L. Brown at clbrown1@gannett.com, follow him on X at @CLBrownHoops and subscribe to his newsletter at profile.courier-journal.com/newsletters/cl-browns-latest to make sure you never miss one of his columns.
UK volleyball is headed to the national championship for just the second time in program history.Kentucky and Wisconsin volleyball battled it out in Kansas City to determine who would play against Texas A&M for the national championship.The Badgers made quick work in the first set, winning 25-12.Kentucky would answer with a 25-22 win in the second set to even things out.But Wisconsin would fire back again, taking the third set 25-21.UK wasn’t going down without a fight, forcing a fifth set after winning the fourth 26-24.The fifth set was another back and forth between the two teams, but Kentucky held on for a 15-13 win, advancing to the title game.The Wildcats will play Texas A&M for the national championship at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. —
UK volleyball is headed to the national championship for just the second time in program history.
Kentucky and Wisconsin volleyball battled it out in Kansas City to determine who would play against Texas A&M for the national championship.
The Badgers made quick work in the first set, winning 25-12.
Kentucky would answer with a 25-22 win in the second set to even things out.
But Wisconsin would fire back again, taking the third set 25-21.
UK wasn’t going down without a fight, forcing a fifth set after winning the fourth 26-24.
The fifth set was another back and forth between the two teams, but Kentucky held on for a 15-13 win, advancing to the title game.
The Wildcats will play Texas A&M for the national championship at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday.
Wisconsin fans took over downtown Kansas City and saw their team nearly pull off an upset of No. 1 seed Kentucky.
Photos by Taylor Wolfram
Words by Preston Schmitt
The Badger volleyball team’s upset bid for a national championship came up just short Thursday, Dec. 18, after falling to No. 1 seed Kentucky in five unforgettable sets in the semifinals. UW got off to a dominating start, winning the first set 25-12 under the heavy hitting of star seniors Carter Booth and Mimi Colyer. Booth famously said that she refuses to lose after taking down another No. 1 seed in Texas in the regional finals. She made Badger fans believe in those words all over again on Thursday, delivering a career high 21 kills in the match. It took Kentucky three match points in the fifth set to finally put away the never-back-down Badgers.
And Badger fans — who showed up to Kansas City in big numbers — refused to be anything but proud of the players and their remarkable effort.
MUMBAI: Naman Mathur, popularly known as Mortal has joined cricketing star Smriti Mandhana, youth icon Rannvijay Singha, and rapper Srushti Tawde for Royal Challenge Packaged Drinking Water’s new campaign ‘Main Nahi Toh Kaun Be’.
This is a celebration of self-belief and authenticity. It reflects a shift from living by inherited norms to defining success on one’s own terms, from “what will people think” to “what do I think.” Brought to life through Srushti Tawade’s spirited anthem of the same name, the campaign is a tribute to those who’ve chosen bold at every turn and earned the right to say, Main Nahi Toh Kaun Be.
As an esports athletes and co-founder of S8UL Esports, Mortal’s inclusion in this national campaign highlights the growing influence of gaming and content creation within India’s youth culture. His journey from starting out as a mobile gamer to representing India on the global stage in esports and winning the Esports Content Creator of the Year 2024 award at the global Esports Awards symbolizes a new generation of achievers who have turned unconventional passions into professional careers.
“Gaming has never just been about winning, it’s about the mindset. Every match is a test of strategy, patience and self-belief. You enter the battlefield knowing anything’s possible if you trust your grind. That’s why ‘Mai Nahi Toh Kaun Be’ isn’t just a line- it’s a reminder to back yourself, every single time,” said Naman Mathur aka Mortal.
Representing diverse passions that define young India, from sports and entertainment to music and gaming, the campaign speaks to a generation unafraid to dream big and carve its own path.
The film opens with an energetic montage capturing each icon in their own world: Mandhana on the pitch, commanding every shot; Singha pushing boundaries with confidence; Mortal deep in gameplay strategy; and Tawde delivering fiery verses that echo her individuality. Their journeys unfold through moments of hustle, passion and triumph, all connected by one powerful idea, belief in oneself. ‘Main Nahi Toh Kaun Be’ goes beyond being a campaign. It is a movement that encourages everyone to make boldness a defining part of who they are.
Varun Koorichh
Speaking on the launch, Varun Koorichh, VP marketing – Portfolio Head Premium and Luxury, Diageo India, said, “Main Nahi Toh Kaun Be is the next chapter in our Choose Bold journey, and it mirrors the wave of confidence shaping India today. Being bold is no longer limited to the big screen or the big stage – it’s about backing yourself in any arena where ambition runs high.
“That’s why this campaign champions everything from high-pressure cricket moments to the explosive rise of e-sports – a space where young Indians are proving that skill, resilience and self-belief are the new markers of success. Whether you’re battling it out in a competitive gaming lobby, creating in the fast-moving digital landscape, or building something from the ground up – it’s that inner conviction that sets you apart. With this campaign, we’ve brought together cultural icons who embody this fearless spirit and we hope it inspires every young Indian to step up and say, ‘If not me, then who?”
According to the FICCI EY Media and Entertainment Industry Report 2025, the number of brands investing in esports is set to rise from 68 in 2024 to 75 in 2025. Royal Challenge Packaged Drinking Water’s association with India’s gaming and esports industry reflects this growing trend. The brand has been consistently engaging with the gaming community, from creating a “Cricket Gaming Zone” with NODWIN Gaming at Mumbai Comic Con 2025 to hosting branded game nights and collaborating with leading Indian gaming creators, showcasing its commitment to the country’s thriving gamer ecosystem.
With this campaign, Royal Challenge Packaged Drinking Water is looking to champion a generation that steps up, takes risks, and embraces boldness in every moment. It stands as a celebration of confidence, courage, and conviction — a reminder to make things happen, because if not you, then who?
The stage is set for the 2025 DI women’s volleyball championship. No. 1 Kentucky is set to face No. 3 Texas A&M on Sunday, Dec. 21 at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri.
Both programs earned their spot in the final after clinching victories on Thursday, Dec. 18 to set up the first ever all-SEC national championship in DI women’s volleyball history.
The Aggies knocked off No. 1 Pitt in three straight sets, continuing their historic season by etching their names in the program’s first-ever national championship. Kyndal Stowers powered the Maroon and White with 16 kills on .433 hitting while setter Maddie Waak orchestrated her balanced offense to an impressive .382 clip with four different Aggies earning at least eight put-aways. Texas A&M has now knocked off back-to-back No. 1 seeds (Nebraska, Pitt) and look to the next in No. 1 Kentucky.
Big Blue earned a dramatic five-setter victory over No. 3 Wisconsin to earn its second ever national championship appearance and first since their 2021 national title. The Badgers seemed to have all control after a Set 1 25-12 victory, but Kentucky wouldn’t be denied. Eva Hudson was on fire, accruing 29 kills on .455 hitting while Molly Tuozzo’s back-court defense with 17 critical digs fought off a career night from Mimi Colyer. The Cats have the momentum heading into Sunday’s match with 27 straight wins.
The full 64-team bracket was announced on Sunday, Nov. 30. Thirty-one conference champions earned automatic bids to the tournament, with the NCAA DI women’s volleyball committee selecting 33 other teams as at-large picks.
Here is everything you need to know about the 2025 women’s volleyball championship.
2025 DI women’s volleyball championship bracket
👉 Click or tap to see the interactive bracket
2025 DI women’s volleyball championship schedule
All times listed in ET
National championship: 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 21 | ABC
Selection show: 6 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 30
First round:
Thursday, Dec. 4
No. 5 Colorado 3, American 0
No. 6 Baylor 3, Arkansas State 2
No. 8 UCLA 3, Georgia Tech 2
No. 5 Miami (Fla.) 3, Tulsa 1
No. 4 Indiana 3, Toledo 0
No. 6 UNI 3, Utah 2
North Carolina 3, No. 6 UTEP 1
Utah State 3, No. 7 Tennessee 2
No. 1 Kentucky 3, Wofford 0
No. 3 Purdue 3, Wright State 0
No. 4 Kansas 3, High Point 0
Cal Poly 3, No. 5 BYU 2
No. 3 Creighton 3, Northern Colorado 2
No. 3 Wisconsin 3, Eastern Illinois 0
No. 2 Arizona State 3, Coppin State 0
No. 4 USC 3, Princeton 0
Friday, Dec. 5
Marquette 3, No. 7 Western Kentucky 0
Michigan 3, No. 8 Xavier 0
Florida 3, No. 7 Rice 0
No. 6 TCU 3, SFA 0
No. 5 Iowa State 3, St. Thomas (Minn.) 2
No. 8 Penn State 3, South Florida 1
Kansas State 3, No. 8 San Diego 2
No. 2 Louisville 3, Loyola Chicago 0
No. 1 Pittsburgh 3, UMBC 0
No. 2 SMU 3, Central Arkansas 0
Arizona 3, No. 7 South Dakota State 1
No. 3 Texas A&M 3, Campbell 0
No. 4 Minnesota 3, Fairfield 0
No. 1 Nebraska 3, LIU 0
No. 1 Texas 3, Florida A&M 0
No. 2 Stanford 3, Utah Valley 1
Second Round:
Friday, Dec. 5
Saturday, Dec. 6
Regionals
Thursday, Dec. 11
Friday, Dec. 12
Saturday, Dec. 13
Sunday, Dec. 14
Semifinals: Thursday, Dec. 18
DI women’s volleyball championship history
Here is the complete history of DI women’s volleyball champions:
Undefeated women’s volleyball teams in 2025
Follow along as we see how long DI women’s volleyball teams can remain perfect.
