Sports
University of Minnesota Athletics
GS: Take us through your background and childhood.
KK: I have one older sister, Lily. My parents, Alison and Matt, live in West Palm Beach, Florida, which is where I’ve lived my whole life. I come from a super athletic family and everyone loves to play sports. My sister and I are three years apart, so we got to play in high school for one year together, and that was super special. She went on to play club volleyball at Florida State, where she graduated in three years and is staying there to do graduate school. She’s very into math and data science. My parents are my biggest role models and supporters. My dad works in sales and has done that for his whole career.
GS: How did you first get into volleyball? Did you try other sports growing up?
KK: I played alot of sports. My dad was a big soccer player (played in college at Columbia and Claremont McKenna College) and my mom played tennis, so those were two of the sports I grew up playing. I also spent several years as a swimmer. I started playing volleyball because my older sister tried it and really enjoyed it. I played for a local club for three years and I was pretty bad. I started off on the third team but kept getting better and finally got a spot on the first team as a middle blocker (I was one of the tallest players). I worked my way up and eventually moved to another club to play, transitioning to outside hitter in my 14’s year. I never wanted to come off the court, so I asked my coach what I needed to do to play six rotations. She told me to work on my passing, so that whole 14’s year I dedicated to passing and defense.
GS: When did you know that you were really starting to improve and that you could have a future in this sport?
KK: I got invited to the National Team Development Program for Team USA when I was 14. I was a little surprised that I got invited because it’s a pretty selective team, so that meant a lot to me. It helped me transition from playing at a pretty mediocre level to pushing myself and my teammates to chase greater heights. My 15’s year of club, we qualified for nationals for the first time, so that was a big step. NTDP helped push me and make me a better player. I knew after doing that, I could play in college.
GS: When did you know that you wanted to play in college? What was your club experience like?
KK: I’d say early in my 15’s year. It became real in that 15’s year when colleges started to recruit me. That year I also moved to Tribe Volleyball Club, which was my third club of my volleyball career. There I met my best friends, had great coaches and a great team. 16’s year was my favorite year of all time. We were the underdogs and we had that chip on our shoulder but we had a ton of success. We had a lot of college attention on our team and it was a little stressful, but it’s when my goal of playing in college was solidified. I then committed right before my 17’s year. My 18’s year we finished third in the nation and it was a super fun way to end my club career.
GS: Did you ever have a dream school growing up or were you more open?
KK: I did not have a dream school. I knew I wanted to leave Florida, that was my only preference. I grew up there my whole life and wanted something different. I loved the idea of playing in the Big Ten, it’s the best volleyball conference. So I was looking at Big Ten schools and a few California schools as well.
GS: How did your relationship with Minnesota and Coach Cook begin?
KK: I got to play for Keegan [Cook] with Team USA’s U19 group, so we got to know each other there. Then on June 15 of my junior year, we had a phone call that night and I realized how special of a place Minnesota is. I didn’t expect to love it as much as I did. I wanted to keep my options open on June 15 but Minnesota shot straight up the list. I talked about it with my family about the whole process. It came down to the program that cares about me as much as a person as they do as a player. I want to be known as more than a volleyball player and the coaching staff cultivates who I am outside of volleyball. The girls on the team are super special too. I got to talk to Jordan [Taylor], McKenna [Garr] and Carly [Gilk] and get to know them during the process. I can’t see myself being a part of any other team. One of the phone calls I had with the staff, my mom ended up with tears in her eyes. I just knew it was the right decision.
GS: Did you ever visit Minnesota before committing?
KK: In 2022 we were at the Northern Lights Tournament in Minnesota. So I just kind of walked around with my teammates on campus. There was a hockey game going on at the time, so there was a lot of buzz on campus. I also came on a visit the fall of 2022 and saw a couple games during the Big Ten/Pac-12 Challenge. I took a picture in front of the Gopher ‘M’ at Coffman, and it ended up being in the same Gophers shirt I committed in.
GS: What was your official visit to Minnesota like?
KK: I came with the other three freshmen signees in the fall of 2023. I knew Jordan [Taylor] a little bit from NTDP, but we weren’t super close. I met Carly [Gilk] at AAU’s before either of us committed, because we both were considering Minnesota. We ended up committing on the same day. I met McKenna [Garr] for the first time and that was awesome. I got to meet all the girls on the team as well, including Mckenna [Wucherer], who I really look up to. She’s amazing to talk to. During the visit we got to see a game and the Pav was packed. It was so cool to see the atmosphere that I was going to be able to play in. The fans are amazing here. They’re so dedicated and it’s such a healthy culture. We also got to go to a hockey game, and it just felt so ‘Minnesota.’ We also got to watch practice on the visit and it gave me a lot to look forward to in coming here.
GS: You were born raised in Florida. Was it ever a concern for your family with you going so far away for school?
KK: Their main concern is just my happiness. They wanted me to go somewhere I would find my second family. They felt really comfortable with the coaches and the people here. As long as I’m happy, they’re happy.
GS: For those that haven’t seen you play before, how would you describe yourself as a player?
KK: I’m a pretty well-rounded player and can play in a lot of areas on the court. I’ll do anything to help the team win, whatever that looks like. Since I’ve played so many different positions, I can hit a lot of different shots, including from the back row. I’m excited that I have a good technical base, but have a lot of room to grow and get better.
GS: What excites you most about your first collegiate volleyball season?
KK: I’ve just been looking forward to this for so long. The fact I’m blessed enough to play in the Big Ten and Division I in general is super exciting to me. It’s going to show how much my work in the past is going to pay off. I’m going to be able to grow so much as a player. I’m looking forward to playing in different gyms around the Big Ten and be with the team. We’ve had a couple open gyms and lifts, but I can’t wait to see how it pays off on the court.
GS: Where are you most excited to go and play?
KK: Probably everywhere. I’ve only been to a few colleges, so I’m excited to play in so many different gyms. One of my club teammates is on UCLA, so I can’t wait to play them. Other than that, Nebraska, Wisconsin and Penn State. I’m looking forward to seeing my NTDP teammates across the net from me during my games.
GS: What have your teammates told you about our rivalry matches?
KK: Not much so far. I do know the games against Wisconsin are some of the most anticipating matches of the year. I watched both of them last year and they were amazing five-set battles. I can’t wait to live it out myself.
GS: What goals do you have for the team and for yourself this year?
KK: I want the team to go as far as we can. A Big Ten championship and deep run in the tournament is always the goal. For myself, to have a solid freshman year, doing whatever I need to do to help the team. I can’t wait to play in front of the fans too. I want to be a better player every single day and work really hard in practice. I want to grow as a player and as a person.
GS: Do you have a favorite Golden Gopher that you look up to?
KK: I have watched Stephanie Samedy play, when I started watching volleyball. It’s cool that she’s from Florida too. Other than that, I have just watched so many players that I like and try to take something from each of their games.
GS: When you’re not playing volleyball, what do you like to do?
KK: I’m a huge reader. I like hanging out with friends, going to the beach or going to the pool. I’m excited to explore Minneapolis, I’ve been to a few restaurants so far but haven’t really been able to explore the city.
Rapid Fire:
Favorite Food: Pasta or Sushi
Fun Fact: I went on a mission trip to Nicaragua to build houses this year
Big Kill or Big Block: Block
Favorite Sport To Watch: Basketball or Soccer
Pro Sports Team: Liverpool FC
Favorite Vacation Spot: Greece
TV Shows: Supernatural, SWAT, Court of Gold and The Last Dance
Biggest Inspirations: My mom and sister
THIBODAUX, La. – Nicholls State University track and field coach Stefanie Slekis announced the 2026 schedule along with the hiring of assistant coach Cameron Bolt on Monday afternoon.
Nicholls will compete in two in state meets and two out of state meets for the indoor season. The teams will begin the season in Baton Rouge at the LSU Purple Tiger on Jan.16 followed by the McNeese Indoor II on Jan. 30. The Colonels will cross state lines to compete in the Bulldog Invitational hosted by Samford University on Feb. 13 before concluding the season at the Southland Conference Championship on Feb. 25-26.
The outdoor season is action packed with three out of state completion’s and four instate events. The Red & Gray will begin outdoor action at the Louisiana Classics hosted by Louisiana in Lafayette on March 20-21. Next, the squads will open the month of April in Austin, Texas at the Texas Relays on April 1-4. The Colonels return to the boot for the Pelican Relays (4/10-11), Strawberry Relays (4/17), and the LSU Alumni Gold (4/25). Nicholls will wrap up regular season action at Texas A&M’s Alumni Muster in College Station, Texas on May 1-2. The Southland Conference Championship is in Nacogdoches, Texas on May 14.
Coach Slekis is looking forward to the new season with some new opportunities for her student-athletes. Bolt joins the staff after coaching over 200 National qualifiers, 15 All-Americans, four National Champions. Additionally, he is the owner of Bolt Track and Field Club team that he started in 2023 and has had more than 20 National qualifiers.
We are so excited for our 2026 Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field schedule. For our schedule we changed up the second half of both our Indoor and Outdoor seasons from the past few years,” Slekis said. “Indoor we will head to Birmingham to compete at Samford’s Bulldog invitational which will give our team the opportunity to test themselves on the facility we will return to for the indoor championship. Outdoor we close out the season at two of the best SEC track & field programs in the country who have phenomenal facilities. Going first to LSU and then bringing full teams to Texas A & M for the Alumni Muster. Before we return to Texas for the Southland Championship hosted by SFA.”
Coach Slekis gave her overall thoughts on the addition of Coach Bolt and how he can help the team improve.
“We are changing things up a bit this year and I am also really excited to see how well our student-athletes perform this season especially our track & field only student-athletes who had the entire fall semester working with our new assistant coach Cameron Bolt,” Slekis said. “Cam comes with a wealth of knowledge as a young coach who founded his own track & field club and continuously worked to prepare himself for his first NCAA Division I collegiate coaching opportunity. His energy combined with his knowledge base make him a phenomenal hire. He understands how to develop student-athletes and maximize their potential. Through fall testing his event group has seen improvement across the board so it will be fun to see that hard work translate to their specific events this next semester.”
CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Mid-American Conference announced the 78 student-athletes placed on the Academic All-MAC Team for the 2025 volleyball season, as Martina Villani, Gabby Brissett, Vanessa Del Real and Sarah Bettis represented the University of Akron.
The Academic All-MAC honor is awarded to a student-athlete who has excelled in both athletics and academics. To qualify, a student-athlete must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.20 and have participated in at least 50 percent of the contests in that sport.
- Martina Villani, Junior Criminology and Criminal Justice, 3.861
- Gabby Brissett, Senior, Biology, 3.745
- Vanessa Del Real, Junior, Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology, 3.81
- Sarah Bettis, Junior, Biomedical Science, 3.363
Senior Macy Medors led the Rockets, tallying a 3.989 GPA as she earned her third conference honor. Anna Alford and Sierra Pertzborn received the honor for a second-consecutive season. Grace Freiberger and Olivia Heitkamp were named honorees for the first time.
To qualify, student-athletes must be a sophomore or higher academic standing, have maintained a 3.20 cumulative GPA or higher and competed in 50% of contests during the 2025 season.
2025 Toledo Women’s Volleyball Academic All-MAC Team
Anna Alford, Senior, Public Health Management, 3.415
Grace Freiberger, Sophomore, Recreational Therapy, 3.909
Olivia Heitkamp, Sophomore, Early Childhood Education, 3.501
Macy Medors, Senior, Recreational Therapy, 3.989
Sierra Pertzborn, Redshirt Sophomore, Nursing, 3.558
- Kansas City field consists of No. 1 Kentucky, No. 1 Pitt, No. 3 Texas A&M and No. 3 Wisconsin
- Championship broadcast live on ABC for the third straight year; semifinals slated for ESPN, Thu., Dec. 18
- All matches will also stream on the ESPN App
It all comes down to Kansas City as ESPN’s exclusive coverage of the NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Championship culminates this week live from the T-Mobile Center with the National Semifinals on Thursday, Dec. 18, followed by the Championship match on Sunday, Dec. 21.
The stage is set as the final four teams face off in the semifinals beginning with No. 3 Texas A&M vs. No. 1 Pittsburgh in the first semifinal on Thursday, Dec. 18, at 6:30 p.m. ET, followed 30 minutes later by No. 3 Wisconsin vs. No. 1 Kentucky. Both matches will be presented on ESPN and available on the ESPN App.
For the third consecutive year, ABC is home to the Championship match, broadcasting live on Sunday, Dec. 21, at 3:30 p.m. and for the first time, ABC will also air a dedicated 30-minute preview show ahead of the Championship’s first serve, beginning at 3 p.m. Both the preview show and the match will be available on the ESPN App.
On the Mic
For the fourth straight year, game action for all three matches will be called by play-by-play commentator Courtney Lyle, alongside analysts Holly McPeak (three-time beach volleyball Olympian) and Katie George (2015 ACC Player of the Year). For the second consecutive year, the trio is joined by sideline reporter and former FSU beach volleyball standout Madison Fitzpatrick.
Studio Coverage
Studio Coverage will originate from the T-Mobile Center as Christine Williamson, Emily Ehman (four-year Northwestern standout) and Mary Wise (three-time AVCA Coach of the Year) bring viewers pre- and post-game insights and analysis throughout the semifinals and Championship.
The trio will prep viewers for all they need to know ahead the National Semifinals and National Championship match, bringing additional insight and analysis as a champion is crowded.
Every Serve, Every Angle
ESPN has all the action in Kansas City covered from every angle, including exclusive and behind-the-scenes coverage. This year, along with 25-plus cameras and two dozen replay sources, ESPN will have new and enhanced telestrations, giving the fans an additional in-depth look at the Xs and Os of the game.
Additionally, the presentation will have multiple jibs, giving fans a sweeping view over the arena. ESPN will also use six state-of-the-art slow-mo cameras to give viewers a look at the action at the net.
For the first time at the National Championship, the broadcast will feature Bolt 6, showcasing enhanced technology that shows viewers serve speed, spike speed, spike height and other statistical facets of the game.
In addition to the traditional main telecast, an alternate “High End Zone” viewing option will be available on ESPN+/ESPN App for the semifinals and the Championship, giving fans the option to watch the match from the end zone angle.
Kansas City Bound
The National Semifinals boast programs that have made a combined 15 national semifinal appearances. Pittsburgh is making its fifth consecutive trip to the National Semifinal with a No. 1 seed behind them as the Panthers look to hoist their first NCAA trophy. The Wildcats are making their first trip back to the semifinals since the ’20-21 season in which they cut down the nets in Omaha. Storied program Wisconsin makes its seventh trip to the national semifinals, looking to win the program’s second national title (2021). Rounding out the field are the Texas A&M Aggies, who are on the quest to win the program’s first national championship.
2025 NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Championship
| Date | Time (ET) | Match | Network |
| Thu, Dec 18 | 6:30 p.m. | No. 3 Texas A&M vs. No. 1 Pittsburgh Courtney Lyle, Holly McPeak, Katie George, Madison Fitzpatrick |
ESPN ESPN App * |
| Between Match Coverage | NCAA Women’s Volleyball Studio Christine Williamson, Emily Ehman, Mary Wise |
ESPN ESPN App * |
|
| 30 mins after Semifinal 1 | No. 3 Wisconsin vs. No. 1 Kentucky Courtney Lyle, Holly McPeak, Katie George, Madison Fitzpatrick |
ESPN ESPN App * |
|
| Sun, Dec 21 | 3 p.m. | NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Championship Preview Show Christine Williamson, Emily Ehman, Mary Wise |
ABC ESPN App |
| 3:30 p.m. | NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Championship Courtney Lyle, Holly McPeak, Katie George, Madison Fitzpatrick |
ABC ESPN App * |
|
| Following Championship match | NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Trophy Ceremony | ESPN App |
* There will be two streams available on the ESPN App (Traditional Simulcast and High End Zone angle)
All of ESPN. All in One Place.
ESPN offers its full suite of networks and services directly to fans on the ESPN App, providing more choice, flexibility and access to all of ESPN, including more than 47,000 live events per year, on-demand replays, industry-leading studio shows and original programming, and more. The ESPN App gives fans a unique viewing experience that includes multiview and synchronized two-screen viewing options, swipe-able vertical video and a personalized SportsCenter For You, as well as integrated game stats, ESPN Fantasy sports, betting odds and information from DraftKings, sports merchandise, and more. These features are available to all fans who watch on the ESPN App on mobile and connected TV devices, whether they subscribe directly or through a pay TV package. Bundling options available for fans include a limited time offer for the ESPN DTC Unlimited plan with Disney+ and Hulu for $29.99/month for the first 12 months. For more visit stream.espn.com.
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