Sports

How each athletic program fared in SEC debut year

Published

7 months ago

June 19, 2025

David Eckert, Austin American-Statesman
| Hearst – Austin Transition

Texas finalized its involvement in the 2024-25 athletic year when the NCAA track and field championships concluded over the weekend, putting a stamp on the Longhorns’ debut season in the SEC.

Naturally, Texas’ introduction to the conference where “It Just Means More” brought plenty of changes. But the Longhorns sustained their success, securing the Director’s Cup — awarded to the country’s best-performing athletic department across all sports — for the fourth time in five years. And UT undertook its year of change alongside a familiar companion. Oklahoma, Texas’ Red River Rival, also made the move from the Big 12 to the SEC.

So, how did Texas’ performance in the SEC compare to Oklahoma’s in Year One?

Here’s a sport-by-sport look.

Football

Texas’ dominant Red River Rivalry win forecasted the outcome of the debut SEC season for both programs. The Longhorns, who hammered the Sooners 34-3 at the Cotton Bowl, finished 13-3, cracking the SEC title game and advancing to the semifinals of the College Football Playoff. Oklahoma finished 6-7 for the second time in three years under coach Brent Venables, concluding the season with a loss to Navy in the Armed Forces Bowl.

SEC finish: Texas: 2nd, OU: 14th

Baseball

The Longhorns blitzed college baseball’s best league in their debut season, winning the SEC by two games and clinching the title with a series victory over the Sooners in Norman. Oklahoma finished 12th in conference play, but advanced just as far in the postseason as the Longhorns did; both clubs were ousted in their respective regional finals.

Regular-season SEC finish: Texas: 1st, OU: 12th

Softball

Oklahoma won three of the four meetings between the Longhorns and Sooners in 2025, but Texas scored the most important victory. The Horns topped OU, 4-2, at the Women’s College World Series en route to their first national championship in program history. The title snapped a streak of four consecutive national titles won by the Sooners. Oklahoma did claim the SEC regular-season crown, though, and was awarded a share of the tournament title after the title game was canceled due to weather.

Regular-season SEC finish: OU: 1st, Texas: 3rd

Women’s basketball

Vic Schaefer’s Longhorns cracked the Final Four for the first time since 2003, beating the Sooners on their way to claiming a share of the SEC regular-season title alongside South Carolina. Oklahoma acquitted itself well in its introduction to the SEC, too. The Sooners won 27 games and advanced to the Sweet 16.

Regular-season SEC finish: Texas: T-1st, OU: 4th

Men’s basketball

The Sooners and Longhorns each sputtered along in the SEC, finishing with 6-12 conference records and splitting the season series, with the road team claiming both games. But the strength of the SEC meant both teams carved out resumes good enough for the NCAA Tournament. Texas fell to Xavier in the First Four while the Sooners lost their Round of 64 game to UConn.

Regular-season SEC finish: OU: 13th, Texas: 14th

Women’s volleyball

Oklahoma beat Texas for just the fifth time ever and the first time since 2014 on Nov. 3, although the Longhorns rebounded later that month to split the season series. The Longhorns’ bid for a national championship three-peat ended in the Sweet 16, and the Sooners were bounced in the Round of 32.

Regular-season SEC finish: Texas: 2nd, OU: 6th

Beach volleyball

Texas cracked the NCAA Tournament in beach volleyball for the first time, topping Cal in the opening round before falling to TCU in the quarters. The SEC does not sponsor beach volleyball, but Texas won the CCSA tournament on its way to a 28-10 campaign. Oklahoma does not field a beach volleyball team.

Women’s golf

The Longhorn women got the best of the Sooners on the golf course, advancing to the quarterfinals of the SEC and NCAA championships by finishing third and seventh in stroke play at those respective events. Oklahoma, by contrast, failed to make it out of the stroke play pool at either competition, registering a 14th-place finish at the SEC championships and tying for 21st at NCAAs.

Men’s golf

Texas advanced to the match play bracket at the SEC and NCAA tournaments, falling in the quarterfinals in both events to Auburn and Florida. The Sooners achieved the exact same fate in both events, falling to Florida at the SEC tournament and Oklahoma State in NCAAs. Oklahoma did best Texas in the stroke play portion of both events, though.

Men’s swimming and diving

The Longhorns dominated in the pool in 2024-25, claiming the SEC title and the 16th national title in program history, which is the most in the country. Oklahoma does not sponsor men’s swimming and diving.

SEC finish: Texas: 1st

Women’s swimming and diving

The Longhorns also claimed the SEC title in women’s swimming and diving, while coming in third at the NCAA championships. Oklahoma does not field a women’s swimming and diving program.

SEC finish: Texas: 1st

Women’s tennis

The Longhorns topped the Sooners in a tight, 4-3 affair on Feb. 28, but Oklahoma finished with a better SEC mark and advanced to the semifinals of the conference tournament while Texas bowed out in the quarters. Texas performed better at the NCAA Tournament, though, advancing to the Sweet 16 while Oklahoma fell in the Round of 32.

Regular-season SEC finish: OU: 4th, Texas: 8th

Men’s tennis

Texas claimed the regular-season and tournament conference titles in men’s tennis, topping Oklahoma on the way to a 29-5 record. The Longhorns danced all the way to the Final Four, where they fell to TCU. The Horned Frogs also eliminated the Sooners from the NCAA Tournament in the second round. Oklahoma concluded the campaign with a 17-11 record that included a trip to the SEC quarterfinals.

Regular-season SEC finish: Texas: 1st, OU: 9th

Women’s track and field

The Sooners outperformed the Longhorns in both indoor and outdoor competition at the SEC championships. Oklahoma placed second in the indoor event in March while Texas came in 12th. At the outdoor event in May, the Sooners picked up a sixth-place finish while Texas tied for ninth. At NCAAs, Oklahoma finished fourth in the indoor championships while the Longhorns tied for 35th. Texas recovered at outdoor NCAAs, though, picking up a 10th-place finish to best the Sooners, who came in 14th.

SEC finish: OU: 2nd (indoor), 6th (outdoor), Texas: 12th (indoor), 9th (outdoor)

Men’s track and field

The Texas men finished 14th at the SEC indoor championships in March and recorded a seventh-place finish at the outdoor championships in May. In NCAA competition, the Longhorns tied for 26th place at the indoor event and finished 34th at the outdoor championships last weekend. Oklahoma had a better season overall; the Sooners finished third at the SEC indoors and 10th at the outdoor championships. They added a 12th-place finish at NCAA indoors and finished sixth in the outdoor competition.

SEC finish: OU: 10th (outdoor), 3rd (indoor), Texas 7th (outdoor), 12th (indoor)

Men’s cross country

The Longhorns bested the Sooners on the cross-country course in 2024, claiming a fourth-place finish at the SEC championships while Oklahoma finished ninth. Texas finished third at its NCAA regional, missing out on the NCAA championships by one spot, OU placed 11th in regional competition.

SEC finish: Texas: 4th, OU 9th

Women’s cross country

Texas claimed a fifth-place finish at the SEC cross country championships to top Oklahoma’s 12th-place mark. The Sooners did not qualify for the NCAA championships, where Texas finished 31st.

SEC finish: Texas: 5th, OU: 12th

Women’s gymnastics

The Sooners claimed national title glory in women’s gymnastics, posting a 198.0125 score to beat UCLA, Mizzou and Utah in the NCAA finals. They arrived there off the back of a 33-2 overall record, sharing the regular-season conference title with LSU and finishing second at the SEC championships. Texas does not field a women’s gymnastics team.

Regular-season SEC finish: OU: T-1st

Men’s gymnastics

The SEC does not sponsor a championship in men’s gymnastics, where Oklahoma posted a 24-4 overall record that the Sooners parlayed into a bronze medal at the NCAA championships. Texas does not have a men’s gymnastics team.

Rowing

The introduction of Texas and Oklahoma prompted the SEC to sponsor a rowing championship for the first time. The Longhorns claimed the inaugural title, while the Sooners finished fourth out of four teams. The Longhorns finished third at the NCAA championships, and Oklahoma did not qualify.

SEC finish: Texas: 1st, OU: 4th

Soccer

Texas’ soccer team became the first program on campus to win an SEC championship, beating South Carolina to claim the SEC tournament title. The Longhorns claimed a 1-0 victory over Oklahoma, which missed the NCAA Tournament while the Longhorns were ousted in the second round by Michigan State.

Regular-season SEC finish: Texas: 3rd, OU: 14th

Wrestling

Oklahoma competed in the Big 12 in wrestling in 2024-25 because the SEC does not sponsor a wrestling championship. The Sooners picked up an 8-4 overall record and a 4-4 conference mark. They finished seventh at the Big 12 Championships and 38th at NCAAs. Texas does not have a wrestling team.

Reach Texas Insider David Eckert via email at david.eckert@hearst.com.

Link

Sports

i-Listen with Kara David: Lara Liwanag on strength, purpose, and fighting for Filipino athletes

Published

18 minutes ago

December 31, 2025

Your Sports Nation

LARA LIWANAG ON I-LISTEN: STRENGTH, PURPOSE, AND FIGHTING FOR FILIPINO ATHLETES

Episode dropping this Wednesday December 31, 2025 5PM on GMA Public Affairs Youtube Channel, Spotify and Apple Podcast

The upcoming episode of I-Listen spotlights Lara Liwanag—elite CrossFit athlete, coach, and advocate for inclusive sports—whose journey proves that strength goes far beyond physical power.

Known as the “clutch queen” after her standout performance on Physical: Asia, Lara represented the Philippines on an international stage, competing against some of the strongest athletes in the region. Despite being underdogs with no combat sports background, Lara and her teammate pushed through fear, injury, and pressure to give an all-out performance for the country. “Manalo man o matalo,” Lara says, “we did it for the Philippines.”

Beyond competition, Lara opens up about her long road as an athlete—from childhood dreams of representing the country, to becoming a national CrossFit champion, to facing injuries, setbacks, and online criticism. A registered nurse by profession, Lara chose to follow her true calling in fitness, even when others questioned her path. “Everything happens for a reason,” she shares. “Nandito ako ngayon dahil may purpose.”

Today, Lara is not only an athlete but a mentor. Through her gym and grassroots training initiatives with Olympian Hidilyn Diaz, she coaches children—many from underprivileged backgrounds—free of charge, helping them discover their potential through sports. Her advocacy highlights a pressing issue: the lack of support and funding for Filipino athletes, despite the abundance of raw talent across the country.

In her I-Listen interview, Lara delivers a powerful message to young women and aspiring athletes: strength is beautiful, fitness is for everyone, and confidence is built by simply starting. “Kung kaya ko, kaya niyo rin,” she says.

Dropping this Wednesday, December 31, 2025, this episode of i-Listen is a story of grit, faith, and purpose—reminding us that real strength lies in perseverance, service, and lifting others as you rise.

Link

Sports

Joshua Knapp – Head Men’s Volleyball Coach – Men’s Volleyball Coaches

Published

52 minutes ago

December 31, 2025

Your Sports Nation

The University of Lynchburg announced Joshua Knapp as the head coach of the Hornets’ Men’s Volleyball Program in December 2025. He arrived in the Hill City with experience as a coach, student-athlete, and official, bringing a versatile background that will support the continued growth of the Hornets’ emerging men’s volleyball operation.

Knapp most recently served as the head coach for the Liberty University men’s club volleyball program, where he led the team since January 2023. In that role, he managed all aspects of the program, including training direction, recruitment efforts, and the coordination of support staff. Prior to taking over as head coach, he worked with the Flames as an assistant coach from August 2022 to January 2023, helping integrate skills development, training plans, and travel logistics for the team.

In addition to his coaching experience, Knapp is also a certified volleyball official with the Virginia High School League and the NCAA, a role he began in August 2025. His work as an official allowed him to use working knowledge of volleyball rules, regulations, and procedures while exhibiting professionalism through all interactions.

A former two-sport student-athlete at Liberty University, Knapp competed for four years in a high-level collegiate setting and served as a team captain for the men’s volleyball team from 2020 through 2022. Knapp earned his B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies from Liberty University in 2022, completing academic specializations in business, sports management, and carpentry.

Link

Sports

TSWA Class A All-State Volleyball

Published

1 hour ago

December 31, 2025

Your Sports Nation

TSWA Class A All-State Volleyball

Published 10:03 am Wednesday, December 31, 2025

LONGVIEW – State champion Blum dominated voting for the Blue Bell/Texas Sports Writers Association Class A All-State Volleyball Team for the 2025 season.

Blum’s Kinsley McPherson earned Player of the Year honors, and Blum head coach Lauren McPherson was named Coach of the Year.

Voting was conducted by TSWA members based on nominations from coaches and media members from around the state.

COACH OF THE YEAR: Lauren McPherson, Blum

PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Kinsley McPherson, Blum

FIRST TEAM

Middle blockers: Landree Bennett, Blum; Rylee Sears, Water Valley; Addison Spaith, Neches

Outside hitters: Kinsley McPherson, Blum; McCaylen Woods, Water Valley; Haley Scott, Blum

Setter: Tallie Rufino, Blum

Libero/Defensive Specialist: Addie Koetting, Blum

SECOND TEAM

Middle blockers: Emerson Fite, Sulphur Bluff; Janaye Coston, Water Valley; Jessica Rohde, Round Top-Carmine

Outside hitters: Bree Dooley, Round Top-Carmine; Zaylee Peyton, Sulphur Bluff; Marae Pounds, Chester

Setter: Madi Collett, Sulphur Bluff

Libero/Defensive Specialist: Audrey Gatlin, Medina

THIRD TEAM

Middle blockers: Callie Weddle, Perrin Whitt; Caitlyn Battreal, Oglesby; Braylee Clark, Woodson

Outside hitters: Brenna Briles, Forestburg; Emilee Silva, Aspermont; Crista Zirkel, Medina

Setter: Madison Markwardt, Round Top-Carmine

Libero/Defensive Specialist: Ana Servin, Sulphur Bluff

HONORABLE MENTION

Middle blockers: Zarah Wisehart, Oglesby; Kannan Collier, Perrin White; Ally Thorman, Jonesboro; Lily Payne, Chester

Outside hitters: Autumn Meyers, Oglesby; Lucchese Reilly, Perrin Whitt; Brylee Stevens, Oglesby; Alyssa Perez, Woodson; Landri McFarlin, Jonesboro; Lauren Citrano, Chester; McKieran Murphy, Perrin Whitt

Setter: Autumn Fitzpatrick, Water Valley; Nilah Stewart-Ayala, Trinidad; Ella Gustin, Jonesboro; Scarlet Aaron, Oglesby; Mailea Wimberly, Woodson

Libero/Defensive Specialist: Matti Polk, Aspermont; Natalie Carrell, Sulphur Bluff

Link

Sports

2026 Sand Devils schedule released – Sun Devil Athletics

Published

2 hours ago

December 31, 2025

Your Sports Nation

TEMPE – The 2026 Sun Devil Beach Volleyball schedule has been announced, marking the Sand Devils’ third season with head coach Kristen Glattfelder and second in the Big 12 conference.

The Sand Devils have 10 weekends of competition, two of them at home. The team will face 10 of the 16 teams that competed in the 2025 NCAA Beach Volleyball Championship and will play against all four national semifinalists (TCU, LMU, Cal Poly and UCLA).

ASU will start its season across the Valley at the Canyon Classic at Grand Canyon from February 20-21. The Sand Devils will face host GCU along with Colorado Mesa, UC Davis and reigning 2025 NCAA Champion and Big 12 Champion TCU.

The Sun Devils will continue to stay in state and head south to Tucson to compete in the Cactus Classic on February 27, where they will compete against Arizona and Georgia State.

The home opener will be from March 6-7, as ASU will host Arizona, Southern Miss, Arizona Christian and Nebraska at the Sun Devil Classic.

The Sand Devils will be out of state for three-consecutive weeks. From March 13-14, they will compete in Manhattan Beach at the East Meets West Invitational where they will go head-to-head against NCAA runner-up LMU, as well as UCLA, Hawai’i and Cal. ASU will travel to LSU for the Death Volley Invitational from March 20–21, facing Georgia State, Texas, Florida State and LSU, before heading to TCU for the Big 12 Preview Tournament from March 27–28.

To start the final month of the regular season, the Maroon and Gold will head home and host the Sparky Invitational where they’ll play Stetson, GCU, FIU and Ottawa from April 3-4. The Sand Devils will be back on the road the following week and compete at the COE Challenge at Cal Poly from April 10-11 and face California, Cal Poly and UCLA.

ASU will play at lone dual at Long Beach State on April 17 before heading to Tucson for the Big 12 Championships on April 23 and 24.

In its first Big 12 season, Arizona State went 22-14, setting a new win record for the program. The Sand Devils also went 9-1 on home sand and finished the season ranked No. 12 in the AVCA Coaches Poll. The team also finished second at the first Big 12 Beach Volleyball Championships, falling to TCU 3-2.

The program and players earned several awards and accolades after finishing second in the league. Daniella Kensinger, Ava Kirunchyk and Samaya Morin were all named to the Big 12 All-Conference Team. Morin was also named an AVCA Second Team All-American. In addition, the team had three pairs named Big 12 Pair of the Week.

Link

Sports

2025 Volleyball Season Recap – Iowa State Athletics

Published

2 hours ago

December 31, 2025

Your Sports Nation

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State concludes 2025 with a 23-8 record, showing tremendous turnaround after going 10-18 last season. It is the highest win total since 2011, while ISU also went 12-6 in Big 12 play to finish tied for third after being chosen ninth in the preseason poll.

Cyclones wrapped the season earning national and conference awards including AVCA Libero of the Year, AVCA Second Team All-America, Big 12 Libero of the Year and Big 12 Setter of the Year.

Iowa State is ranked in the final AVCA Coaches Poll for the first time since 2017 earning the rank of T-No. 22. It’s the highest final ranking in 13 seasons (2012, No. 14). The Cyclones capped the season in the second round of the NCAA Championship, ISU’s 18th trip to the tournament.

Rachel Van Gorp, National Libero of the Year

Van Gorp showed the nation she is the best of the best becoming the inaugural AVCA Libero of the Year. The true sophomore, in her first full season at the position, compiled a list of awards also including AVCA Second Team All-America, AVCA First Team All-Region, Big 12 Libero of the Year, First Team All-Big 12 and two Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week honors.

Our All-American. pic.twitter.com/rhBqaUFRXm

— Iowa State Volleyball (@CycloneVB) December 19, 2025

Big 12 Awards

Iowa State took home Big 12 Libero and Setter of the Year, while five Cyclones were placed on All-Big 12 Teams. Van Gorp was the unanimous choice for Libero of the Year, while Morgan Brandt secured Setter of the Year. Both were First Team All-Big 12 selections, and Tierney Jackson was placed on season team. True freshmen Alea Goolsby and Reagan Hanfelt earned Big 12 All-Rookie Team.

Leading the Conference

ISU ends 2025 as the Big 12 leader in digs (15.12 per set) and kills (13.98 per set). The Cyclones ranked top 25 nationally in kills (No. 18) and assists (12.91 per set, No. 24), helping lead Iowa State to hit at .245 on the season. The efficiency is the fourth-highest single-season hitting percentage in program history.

2025 By the Numbers

4 – ISU had four ranked wins on the season, the most since 2012. The Cyclones were the only Big 12 team to take down Arizona State this season and ended No. 6 ASU’s 12-match win streak and 26-match Big 12 win streak.

4 – Morgan Brandt ends her Iowa State career ranking fourth in program history with 3,787 assists. The total led all 2025 Big 12 active players.

7 – The Cyclones hit over .300 in seven matches. ISU had a stretch of three straight hitting over .400, a program first, while two of those match efficiencies now rank in the program all-time top 10.

8 – Iowa State ended non-conference with a record of 10-1, the best mark in eight seasons.

10 – Maya Duckworth entered the ISU top 10 in career kills and concludes her career with 1,073. Duckworth was the 12th in program history to join the 1,000-kill club.

12 – Iowa State sealed 12 Big 12 wins for the first time since 2012.

15 – ISU opened the season at 5-0 without losing a set, one of the final three teams to begins with 15 set wins. It marked the first time in program history to open the season with a 15-0 set record.

400 – Christy Johnson-Lynch celebrated win No. 400 this season vs. No. 16 TCU. Johnson-Lynch now owns 11 20-win seasons and 48 top 25 wins, with 12 in the top 10.

Link

Sports

Former K-State All-American Myers steps away from volleyball | K-State Sports

Published

3 hours ago

December 31, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Kansas State volleyball All-American Shaylee Myers announced she is stepping away from the sport and will not pursue a professional career.

The Lincoln, Nebraska native was selected in the second round of last month’s Pro Volleyball Federation draft by the Atlanta Vibe, but has decided not to continue playing beyond her collegiate career.

Myers closed her time in Manhattan with one of the most decorated seasons the program has seen. She earned All-America Honorable Mention recognition from the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA), becoming the 12th player in school history to receive the honor and the second under head coach Jason Mansfield, joining former Wildcat teammate Aliyah Carter.

Her All-America nod capped a historic senior campaign filled with accolades. Myers was named the program’s first-ever AVCA Region Player of the Year, earned AVCA First Team All-Region honors and was a unanimous First Team All-Big 12 selection. She also claimed three Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week awards during the season.

Statistically, Myers rewrote the K-State record book. She finished her senior year with 498 kills (4.70 per set) and 547.0 points (5.16 per set), setting the rally-scoring era single-season record for kills per set and tying for third-most total kills in that era. Her 34-kill performance against West Virginia on Oct. 1 marked the Big 12’s top single-match output of the season.

Myers reached another milestone during the NCAA Tournament, becoming just the 20th player in program history to surpass 1,000 career kills. She finished her career with 1,029 kills and 1,148.5 points, ranking among the program’s top 25 in multiple career categories.

K-State concluded the 2025 season at 18-10 overall and 10-8 in Big 12 play, earning an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament — the program’s 19th postseason appearance and first under Mansfield.

Link