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George Jenkins’ Jacob Aca is The Ledger’s 2025 Boys Volleyball Player of the Year

It was an unbelievable accomplishment for the George Jenkins boys volleyball team to win the Class 3A District 8 Championship in 2025 with an undefeated record of 22-0 record. “I used to walk into the gym dreaming of being the reason we’d hand a banner at George Jenkins — especially knowing it would be the […]

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It was an unbelievable accomplishment for the George Jenkins boys volleyball team to win the Class 3A District 8 Championship in 2025 with an undefeated record of 22-0 record.

“I used to walk into the gym dreaming of being the reason we’d hand a banner at George Jenkins — especially knowing it would be the first ever for volleyball. After winning that intense district championship match, it felt unreal to know we made that dream a reality,” George Jenkins middle blocker Jacob Aca said.

It was such a powerful moment for the Eagles, as everything the team worked for assembled, and the energy in that gym was unreal. This movement was led by the best player in the county in Aca, who put up 232 kills and 172 digs.

He’s the Ledger’s 2025 Player of the Year.

“It’s an incredible honor. I think about all the long practices, the ups and downs, and how much I’ve grown — not just as a player, but as a leader. It’s humbling, and I’m just proud to represent my school and teammates this way,” Aca said.

Aca has played varsity volleyball at George Jenkins for three years, and this season he was team captain, starting as a middle blocker and moving to outside hitter, and setter, and this year he really embraced being a leader on and off the court.

This year, the biggest obstacle was dealing with the pressure of staying undefeated while still pushing himself to improve every game.

“It wasn’t easy trying to lead while also feeling that weight. I overcame it by trusting my training, staying locked in mentally, kept a consistent routine, and reminded myself to enjoy the game. Staying focused while having fun really helped me push through,” he said.

Aca said he’s learned the importance of accountability, communication, and trust— skills that go beyond sports. His teammates taught him how to stay positive in tough moments, and his coaches pushed him to be better every day.

“These lessons will definitely help me in college and life,” Aca said.

Aca plans to keep playing volleyball in college while studying exercise science and sports management. He is speakin with a few colleges at this moment.

“I’m excited to compete at the next level and keep growing as both an athlete and a student,” he said.



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Four Nebraska volleyball players named to preseason All-Big Ten team

Four Nebraska volleyball players were named to the preseason All-Big Ten team. Juniors Andi Jackson, Harper Murray, and Bergen Reilly were unanimous selections. Senior Rebecca Allick rounded out the quartet. All four had outstanding seasons. Jackson was named to the 2024 AVCA All-America first-team and was a unanimous All-Big Ten first-team selection. Murray was an […]

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Four Nebraska volleyball players were named to the preseason All-Big Ten team. Juniors Andi Jackson, Harper Murray, and Bergen Reilly were unanimous selections. Senior Rebecca Allick rounded out the quartet.

All four had outstanding seasons. Jackson was named to the 2024 AVCA All-America first-team and was a unanimous All-Big Ten first-team selection. Murray was an AVCA second-team All-American selection and was named the NCAA Lincoln Regional Most Outstanding Player.

Reilly made history in her own right. She would become the first player in Big Ten history to win Big Ten Setter of the Year as both a freshman and sophomore. She, too, was named to the AVCA All-America second-team.

Allick finished 2024 with a .357 hitting percentage, which was the best in her career. She also had one point for three blocks per set, which was a team-high. This ranked third among Big Ten players and No. 14 overall nationally.

All in all, this roster is shaping up nicely for Dani Busboom-Kelly. The Huskers should be in a position to compete for a national championship once again.

Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes, and opinions.





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Men’s Volleyball Earns Fourth Straight AVCA Team Academic Award

Story Links Lexington, Ky. – July 28, 2025 – The Springfield College men’s volleyball team was honored with the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Team Academic Award. This marks the fourth consecutive season that the Pride has been recognized for its academic achievements. The award recognizes those programs which maintained at least […]

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Lexington, Ky. – July 28, 2025 – The Springfield College men’s volleyball team was honored with the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Team Academic Award. This marks the fourth consecutive season that the Pride has been recognized for its academic achievements.

The award recognizes those programs which maintained at least a 3.30 cumulative grade point average on a 4.00 scale. In total 63 Division III men’s volleyball programs received the honor this year. During the spring semester of the 2024-25 academic year, the Pride put together a 3.625 team grade point average. Springfield was also placed on the Team Academic Honor Roll for being in the top-20 percent of all schools within its division.

Off the court, Dylan Mulvaney (Reston, Va.)Jake DesLauriers (Eastport, N.Y.) and Carter Durivage (East Greenbush, N.Y.) earned spots on the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District Team, while Mulvaney soared to a spot on the CSC Academic All-America Third Team.

Springfield finished the 2025 season with a record of 25-5 and made it back to the NCAA Division III National Championship match for the first time since 2022 and for the tenth time in program history. The Pride finished the 2025 campaign ranked second in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Division III national poll and earned seven wins over ranked opponents over the course of the year under the direction of AVCA Region I Coach of the Year Charlie Sullivan.

For the latest on Springfield College Athletics, follow the Pride on social media on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.  Be sure to tune into all Springfield College Athletic events by subscribing to FloSports.





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Twelve Men’s U23 Athletes in Guatemala for 2025 Pan Am Cup

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado (July 28, 2025) – USA Volleyball announces the 12 athletes representing the United States at the 2025 NORCECA Men’s U23 Pan American Cup, July 29-Aug. 3 in Guatemala City, Guatemala. The team was selected following a training block held July 20–27 at the National Team Training Center in Anaheim, Calif. McKendree University head […]

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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado (July 28, 2025) – USA Volleyball announces the 12 athletes representing the United States at the 2025 NORCECA Men’s U23 Pan American Cup, July 29-Aug. 3 in Guatemala City, Guatemala.

The team was selected following a training block held July 20–27 at the National Team Training Center in Anaheim, Calif.

McKendree University head coach Nickie Sanlin will lead the team, with support from assistant coaches Reid Priddy, a four-time Olympian, and Luke Reynolds of Pepperdine University.

“This roster reflects more than just talent,” Sanlin said. “It represents a group of driven young men committed to competing with purpose. They’ve come together quickly, showing cohesion, leadership and a clear ability to execute our system with precision at a high level. We’re proud to represent USA Volleyball with a standard of discipline, connection and intention as we pursue excellence on the international stage.”

The U.S. team will play Belize, the Dominican Republic and Mexico in pool play, while the other pool has Costa Rica, Guatemala, Suriname and Venezuela. The U.S. kicks off play against the Dominican Republic on July 29 at 3 p.m. PT.

Nine of the athletes have previous experience with an age-group national teams:

  • George Bruening: 2023 Men’s U21 National Team, U21 Pan Am Cup (silver)
  • Ryan Merk: 2024 Men’s Collegiate National Team; 2023 Men’s U21 National Team, U21 World Championship; 2023 Men’s U21 National Team, U21 Pan Am Cup (silver)
  • Nicodemus Meyer: 2024 Men’s Collegiate National Team; 2023 Men’s U21 National Team
  • Jalen Phillips: 2024 Men’s Collegiate National Team
  • Patrick Rogers: 2024 Men’s Collegiate National Team; 2023 Men’s U21 National Team, U21 World Championship
  • Owen Rose: 2023 Men’s U21 National Team, U21 World Championship; 2023 Men’s U21 National Team, U21 Pan Am Cup (silver)
  • Wesley Smith: 2023 Men’s U21 National Team, U21 World Championship; 2022 Men’s U21 National Team, U21 Pan Am Cup (gold, best blocker)
  • Theo Snoey: 2023 Men’s U21 National Team, U21 World Championship
  • Cam Thorne: 2024 Men’s Collegiate National Team

Nathan Flayter, Ryan Barnett and  Ryan McElligott are all making their debuts with a U.S. age-group national team.

USA Volleyball Men’s U23 Roster for Pan Am Cup

Name (Pos., Height, Hometown, College/Pro, Region)

1 Ryan Merk (L, 6-1, 2003, Chicago, Ill., Penn State, Great Lakes)
4 Nathan Flayter (S, 6-4, 2005, Hales Corner, Wisc., McKendree, Badger)
5 Cam Thorne (MB, 6-4, 2004, Hollywood, Fla., UCLA, Florida)
6 Ryan Barnett (OH, 6-5, 2003, Vero Beach, Fla., Pepperdine, Florida)
8 Jalen Phillips (OPP, 6-5, 2004, Anaheim, Calif., CSUN, Southern California)
9 Ryan McElligott (S, 6-6, 2004, Mundelein, Ill., Loyola Chicago, Great Lakes)
14 Nicodemus Meyer (MB, 6-4, 2003, Franklin, Wisc., Loyola Chicago, Badger)
18 Patrick Rogers (OH, 6-7, 2004, Rutherford, N.J., Ball State, Garden Empire)
19 George Bruening (OPP, 6-10, 2004, Newport Beach, Calif., UCSB, Southern California)
21 Wesley Smith (MB, 6-11, 2004, Encinitas, Calif., USC, Southern California)
22 Owen Rose (MB, 6-8, 2003, Merrick, N.Y., Penn State, Garden Empire)
25 Theo Snoey (OH/OPP, 6-8, 2004, Berkeley, Calif., Stanford, Northern California)

Alternates
2 Donovan Constable (S, 6-2, 2003, Clovis, Calif., CSUN, Northern California)
7 Andrew Deardorff (OH, 6-5, 2003, Itasca, Ill., St. Francis, Great Lakes)
10 Paul Wyszynski (L, 6-0, 2003, Northbrook, Ill.,  Miedzyrzeckie Towarzystwo Siatkarskie, Great Lakes)
13 D’Aaron McCraney (MB, 6-9, 2003, Las Vegas, Nev., McKendree, Southern California)
16 Nyherowo Omene (OPP, 6-7, 2003, Chicago, Ill., Princeton, Great Lakes)
17 Trent Moser (OH, 6-8, 2003, Gilbert, Ariz., BYU, Arizona)
23 Alex Rottman (OH, 6-7, 2004, Santa Barbara, Calif., Stanford, Southern California)

Coaches
Head Coach: Nickie Sanlin (McKendree)
Assistant Coach: Reid Priddy (Indoor VC, Olympian)
Assistant Coach: Luke Reynolds (Pepperdine)
Performance Analyst: Mackenna Basore (Auburn)
ATC: Claire Pointer (LOVB Madison)
Team Lead: Will Berdecia (OTVA)

Schedule

All times Pacific

July 29: USA vs Dominican Republic, 3 p.m.
July 30: USA vs. Mexico, 3 p.m.
July 31: USA vs. Belize, 3 p.m.
Aug. 1: Quarterfinals
Aug. 2: Semifinals/Classification Matches
Aug. 3: Medal Matches/Classification Matches



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Dramatic clashes await after Champions League and Euro Cup draws

The Champions League men’s trophy on display in Malta in June. Photo: Istvan Derencsenyi/European Aquatics Monday’s draw for all four club water polo competitions – the men’s and women’s Champions League and Euro Cup – set up a series of outstanding matches fans can look forward to from this autumn. Champions League Men2025/26 Group StageOctober 14th/15th-February […]

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The Champions League men’s trophy on display in Malta in June. Photo: Istvan Derencsenyi/European Aquatics

Monday’s draw for all four club water polo competitions – the men’s and women’s Champions League and Euro Cup – set up a series of outstanding matches fans can look forward to from this autumn.

Champions League Men
2025/26 Group Stage

October 14th/15th-February 10th/11th

Group A
Olympiacos SFP (GRE), SPD Radnicki (SRB), Winner Qualification Group B, Winner Qualification Group C

Group B
Pro Recco (ITA), VK Jadran Split (CRO), Jadran m:tel Herceg Novi (MNE), Runners-up Qualification Group A.

Group C
FTC Telekom (HUN), CSM Oradea (ROU), Winner Qualification Group A, Runners-up Qualification Group C.

Group D
Zodiac CNAB (ESP), CN Marseille (FRA), Waspo Hannover 1898 (GER), Runners-up Qualification Group B.

Champions League Men
Qualification Round

September 19th-21st

Group A (Belgrade)
VK Novi Beograd (SRB), CSA Steaua BA (ROU), VPK Primorac Kotor (MNE), Pays d’Aix Natation (FRA)

Group B (Sabadell)
KEIO CN Sabadell (ESP), Vasas Sport Club (HUN), Spandau 04 (GER)

Group C (Zagreb)
AN Brescia (ITA), Vouliagmeni NC (GRE), HAVK Mladost (CRO)

If Novi Beograd prevail at home in the qualification round, last season’s final will be replayed right away in the Group Stage, as the draw would land the winners of their group in the company of FTC-Telekom.

The Hungarians beat the Serbs in a memorable match in Malta – and now there is a strong chance the two giants will meet again. Romanian champions Oradea have also been drawn to Fradi’s quartet, whom the title-holders met in the quarters in the previous seasons and cruised past them with ease.

However, the fourth team, the second best among Brescia, Vouliagmeni and Mladost may cause some headaches even for the Magyars, who are targeting a three-peat after winning the past two editions while losing only a single match in the respective season.

Group A promises some exciting battles as Olympiacos and Radnicki have already been drawn together. Two group winners from the qualifications will join them, making this four arguably the toughest one.

Returning Italian giants Pro Recco will also be challenged as the respective champions of Croatia and Montenegro, Jadran Split and Jadran Herceg Novi will be ready to put up some good fights against the most decorated club in history.

Another showdown from the Final Four will be replayed in Group D – the bronze medal match between Zodiac CNAB and Marseille. Here, Hannover may find it difficult to hold off the two greats, and a qualifier will complete this group.

Champions League Women
2025/26 Group Stage

October 25th-TBC

Group A
Runners-up Qualification Group B, UVSE Helia-D (HUN), Olympiacos SFP (GRE), Winner Qualification Group C

Group B
Ekipe Orizzonte (ITA), Runners-up Qualification Group A, Astralpool CN Sabadell (ESP), Winner Qualification Group D

Group C
Winner Qualification Group B, FTC Telekom (HUN), Runners-up Qualification Group D, Vouliagmeni NC (GRE)

Group D
CN Sant Andreu (ESP), SIS Roma (ITA), Winner Qualification Group A, Runners-up Qualification Group C

Champions League Women
Qualification Round

September 26th-28th

Group A
CN Terrassa (ESP), ANC Glyfada (GRE), ONE Eger (HUN)

Group B
Alimos NAC Betsson (GRE), Lille UC (FRA), Spandau 04 (GER)

Group C
DFVE Vizilabda (HUN), ZV De Zaan (NED), Grand Nancy AC (FRA)

Group D
Assolim CN Mataro (ESP), Pallanuoto Trieste (ITA), Rapallo Pallanuoto (ITA)

The Greek–Hungarian rivalry hit new heights recently as the national teams contested both big finals, at the World Cup and the World Championships. This adds some extra flavour to the already-known composition of Group A and Group C.

In the first, Olympiacos and UVSE were drawn together – the two sides also met last season in this stage – while FTC-Telekom and Vouliagmeni will play two exciting matches in the other group.

The two most successful clubs in the competition history, seven-times winners Sabadell, runners-up last spring, and eight-times champions Orizzonte are set for more battles in Group B, and another Italian–Spanish showdown is coming in Group D, where title-holders Sant Andreu and SIS Roma will meet.

Of course, several strong sides will join the show from the qualifications, two per group, from the four groups of three and all the favourites will impose some threats on the eight teams listed above.

Euro Cup Men
2025/26 Group Stage

October 16th-February 12th

Group A
VK Jug AO (CRO), Duisburg (GER), Winner Qualification Group C, Winner Qualification Group D

Group B
CN Barcelona (ESP), CS Dinamo Bucuresti (ROU), Winner Qualification Group B, 3rd-best 2nd-place team in Qualification

Group C
BVSC Manna ABC (HUN), Panathinaikos AC (GRE), PVK Buducnost Podgorica (MNE), 1st-best 2nd-placed team in Qualification

Group D
RN Savona (ITA), VK Sabac Elixir (SRB), Winner Qualification Group A, 2nd-best 2nd-placed team in Qualification

Euro Cup Men
Qualification Round

October 3rd-5th

Group A
3rd CHL QR Group B, GS Apollon Smyrnis (GRE), ZV De Zaan (NED), A-Polo Sport Management (GEO)

Group B
3rd CHL QR Group C, BVK Crvena Zvezda (SRB), Pallanuoto Trieste (ITA), Montpellier Water Polo (FRA)

Group C
3rd CHL QR Group A, WPC Dinamo Tbilisi (GEO), VK Solaris (CRO), CS Rapid Bucuresti (ROU)

Group D
4th CHL QR Group A, Szolnoki Dozsa Praktiker (HUN), CN Terrassa (ESP), OSC Postadam (GER)

Euro Cup Women
2025/26 Group Stage

November 8th-December 13th

Group A
Third Place Qualification Group B, Winner Qualification Group B, Ethnikos (GRE)

Group B
BVSC Manna ABC (HUN), Winner Qualification Group C, Third Place Qualification Group A

Group C
Antenore Plebiscito Padova (ITA), Third Place Qualification Group C, Winner Qualification Group A

Group D
EPlus CN Catalunya (ESP), 1st best 2nd place team in Qualification, Third place in Qualification Group D

Euro Cup Women
Qualification Round

October 17th-19th

Group A
Panionios GSS (GRE), ZAVK Mladost (CRO), Zodiac CNAB (ESP)

Group B
Polar Bears (NED), Galatasaray Zena (TUR), ASD Bogliasco 1951 (ITA)

Group C
III Keruleti Torna Es Vivo Egylet (HUN), VK Vojvodina (SRB), Hapoel Yokneam (ISR)

Gergely Csurka for European Aquatics



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Wisconsin to host first outdoor varsity volleyball match on custom outdoor court

MAYVILLE, Wis. (CBS 58) — In a first for Wisconsin athletics, Mayville High School’s football field will be transformed into a one-of-a-kind volleyball arena to host the Battle of the Marsh, an outdoor high school varsity volleyball triple-header.  Taking place Tuesday, Aug. 26, the event will be played on a Sport Court, which is laid […]

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MAYVILLE, Wis. (CBS 58) — In a first for Wisconsin athletics, Mayville High School’s football field will be transformed into a one-of-a-kind volleyball arena to host the Battle of the Marsh, an outdoor high school varsity volleyball triple-header. 

Taking place Tuesday, Aug. 26, the event will be played on a Sport Court, which is laid over a structural base of plywood on the field. 

According to a news release, this marks the first known varsity volleyball match in Wisconsin to be played outdoors on such a surface, breaking new ground both literally and figuratively.

“We’ve been working on this for about 10 months,” said Alan Capps, Mayville Varsity Head Coach and event organizer. “The pure scale of this is something I had not anticipated! It would be impossible to do this without the literally hundreds of volunteers!”

The evening will feature three matchups among regional rivals:

  • 5:30 p.m.: Waupun vs. Mayville
  • 6:30 p.m.: Horicon vs. Waupun
  • 7:45 p.m.: (Under the Lights): Horicon vs. Mayville

The news release goes on to say, the Battle of the Marsh will celebrate local history as Mayville High School will honor the very first varsity girls’ volleyball team from 1973. Surviving players and coaches will be recognized in a special ceremony at center court. 

“We’re proud to honor the women who laid the foundation for what girls’ high school sports would become,” said Capps. “Bringing this full circle — from a small gym in the 1970s to an outdoor court under the lights with hundreds of fans — is something truly special.”



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Morgan White – Assistant Director of Marketing – Staff Directory

Morgan White joined the UNI Athletics staff in July 2025 as Assistant Director of Marketing. A Hartland, Vermont native, White comes to Cedar Falls after spending a year and a half as Associate Director of Marketing and Ticketing at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire. While working with the Big Green, White was part of a department […]

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Morgan White joined the UNI Athletics staff in July 2025 as Assistant Director of Marketing.

A Hartland, Vermont native, White comes to Cedar Falls after spending a year and a half as Associate Director of Marketing and Ticketing at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire. While working with the Big Green, White was part of a department that helped increase revenue during the 2024-25 school year by 17.7% through promotions, detailed ticketing plans and coordination with Dartmouth’s external operations team. She also oversaw the department’s Lil’ Green Kids Club and increased membership by 188%, while also developing the marketing plan for Dartmouth women’s hockey, which saw a 42.3% attendance increase with her managing game production for both the men’s and women’s programs.

Prior to her time at Dartmouth, White spent time as a marketing graduate assistant at Kent State University in Ohio, directing marketing efforts for field hockey, soccer, wrestling and lacrosse. Three of the programs she helped promote saw notable attendance increases, including wrestling (74%), field hockey (34%) and soccer (30.5%), with her also managing the Future Flashes Kids Club.

White also brings experience working at the professional sports level, having worked with the marketing teams for the United States Football League (USFL) during the 2023 season, as well as a promotions intern for two years with the Cleveland Monsters (AHL hockey) and the Cleveland Charge (NBA G League).



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