HIGH POINT, N.C. – The High Point University volleyball program has announced the new additions for the 2025 season. The Panthers have brought in nine additions to the eight returners, with three being transfers.
#1 Gia Padilla | Graduate Student | Apollo Beach, Fla. | Outside Hitter | Mercer
Padilla, the 5’9″ outside hitter joined the Panthers after spending two seasons at Mercer University. Over her two seasons with the bears, she appeared in 219 sets and totaled 461 kills, averaging 2.11 per set and 578 digs to average 2.64 per set. A season ago, she recorded eight games with a double-double in kills and digs and posted a season-high 15 kills against Wofford (Nov. 15, 2024). Prior to playing at Mercer, she played two seasons at Akron.
Jeffery, the 6’1″ outside hitter transferred to High Point after two seasons at Texas A&M. In her two seasons, she appeared in 39 sets and totaled 33 kills with a season-high seven kills at No. 4 Florida. She picked up 12 digs and 13 blocks over the two seasons. Prior to her time at Texas A&M, she played her freshman season at Sacred Heart where she appeared in 31 matches and finished second on the team in kills per set (2.27), third in total kills (250), fourth in blocks (54.0), and fifth in digs (132). Jeffery tallied 12 matches with 10+ kills and posted a season-high 17 kills in a five-set win over LIU (10/28).
Boyne, the 6’0″ senior from Destrehan, Louisiana joined the Panthers after spending the past season at the University of Louisiana Monroe and two seasons at Southeastern Louisiana University. In her junior season, she appeared in 67 sets in 24 matches, making six starts. She was second on the team in kills and points with 179 kills and 193 points. She registered a career-high 24 kills against Marshall (Oct. 19,2024). She added 23 blocks and 38 digs on the season.
Bukovcan is a 6’4″ middle blocker from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada who recently graduated from All Saints Catholic High School. In high school, she was a member of the volleyball, tennis, and track and field teams. She was voted the Jr Female Athlete of the Year during her sophomore season after being named the Jr Girls Volleyball MVP and Varsity Track MVP. During her junior year, she was named the Sr Female Athlete of the Year, Varsity Tennis MVP, Varsity Volleyball MVP and Varsity Track MVP. In track and field she participated in the OFSAA Track and Field Championships. Academically, Bukovcan was on the honor roll with distinction all four years and was awarded the Leadership Award her sophomore year and a Science Award her senior year. Bukovcan played club for the Maverick Broncos (2024-25) and Ottawa Fusion Purple (2021-2024) and is currently playing on the Team Canada U19’s team this summer.
Catojo is a 6’5″ setter from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada who graduated from Sisler High School this past year. In high school she played volleyball, basketball and soccer and was named the Female Athlete of the Year in 2021 and 2023. She helped guide her team to three conference championships and was named the Volleyball Athlete of the Year in 2023. Academically, Catojo was an honor roll student. She played club for Jr Bisons Volleyball (2023) and Shock Volleyball Club (2023-2024) and is currently playing for the Team Canada U19’s league.
#12 Gabby Hill | Freshman | Happy Valley, Ore. | Outside Hitter
Hill, a 6’0″ outside hitter from Happy Valley, Oregon will join the Panthers for her freshman season after graduating from Adrienne C. Nelson High School. She was a member of the volleyball and track and field teams all four years. This past season Hill was named a First Team All-State and First Team All-Conference recipient in volleyball and was a First Team All-Conference honoree in the women’s high jump, Second Team All-Conference honoree in the women’s triple jump, and earned Honorable Mention in the women’s javelin. During her junior season, she was named to the First Team All-Conference and Second Team All-State in volleyball and was a First Team All-Conference recipient in the women’s high jump. Hill helped guide her team to three state appearances in volleyball and made it to the high school states in track and field two times. Academically, Hill was an honor roll student and was a member of the athletic leadership club. She played club volleyball for PVC, OJVA, and Athena.
Mckay, a 5’7″ defensive specialist from Bellville, Texas graduated from Bellville High School this past May. She started all four years on the volleyball team and helped lead her team to three state tournament appearances and four district championships. During her time at Bellville she was named a 2x District MVP, the Defensive Player of the Year on the Super Elite Team in 2024, was on the TGCA All-Star team and TGCA Legacy All-Star team in 2023. She was a 3x All-State recipient, a 4x GHVCA post season team and a 2x State All-Tournament team honoree. She was named to the AVCA Phenom Watchlist selection three time and the AVCA All-Region two times. She was also named to the TWSA first team, the Greater Houston Area first team, and a District first team. Academically, McKay was a four-time Academic All-District award winner and was a member of the National Honor Society. She played club for the Houston Juniors (2021-2024).
Lardner, a 6’2″ middle blocker and opposite hitter from Dallas, Texas graduated from Highland Park High School. She was a member of the volleyball team all four years and was named Honorable Mention District 7-6A and to the Second Team All-District in district 12-5A. Lardner played club for Victory 15’s 4th team, Victory 16’s top team, drive nation 17’s top team, and excel red 17’s top team.
Oduro is a 6’1″ middle blocker from Centerville, Virginia. A graduate of Westfield High School, Oduro played volleyball for three years and was named a Second Team All-District honoree. Academically she was an honor roll student and was a member of the History Honors Society, Black Student Union Club, Film Club, and Oceanography Club. She played club for Loudoun Elite (2022-2023) and Va Juniors (2023-2025).
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Logan Lednicky had 11 kills, Maddie Waak had 29 assists and Texas A&M won its first NCAA volleyball championship, sweeping Kentucky 3-0 on Sunday.
The Aggies (29-4) accomplished the rare feat of defeating three No. 1 seeds. They defeated Nebraska and Pittsburgh earlier in the tournament. They did not drop a set in the final four.
Texas A&M led 13-10 in the third set before a kill by Lednicky started a 6-1 scoring run for a commanding 19-11 lead, six points from the national championship.
At 24-18 in the third set, Kentucky held off a couple of match points before the Aggies took advantage of a free ball and Ifenna Cos-Okpalla delivered the championship point, crushing a set from Waak out of the middle.
Kyndal Stowers finished with 10 kills and hit .304. Cos-Okpalla added eight kills, hitting .235 and Lednicky hit .250.
Eva Hudson had a match-high 13 kills for Kentucky and Kassie O’Brien had 34 assists.
The Aggies hit .257 as a team, compared to Kentucky’s .148.
Set scores were 26-24, 25-15, 25-20.
The Aggies trailed throughout the first set until they tied the score at 20 and also saved a set point to tie it at 24. The Aggies took their first lead at 25-24 on an attack error by Kentucky’s Brooklyn DeLeye, her fifth of the set. Stowers finished off the 26-24 first-set win for the Aggies with a tip off the Kentucky block.
After taking that 25-24 lead, the Aggies did not trail at any point in the rest of the match.
Kentucky (30-3) continued to struggle at the net in the second set. The Wildcats had nine errors in the first set and six more while falling behind 19-9 in the second. The Aggies continued to dominate, winning 25-15 after outhitting their SEC rival .253 — .077.
Stowers and Lednicky had eight kills each in the first two sets, with Stowers hitting .368 and Lednicky .240.
For the first time in program history, the Aggies were crowned NCAA Volleyball champions after sweeping SEC rival Kentucky in three sets on Saturday.Fanatics/Canva
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The Texas A&M Aggies are national champions!
For the first time in program history, the Aggies were crowned NCAA Volleyball champions after sweeping SEC rival Kentucky in three sets on Saturday.
Fans can show their Aggies pride with commemorative championship gear at Fanatics here.
You can also browse a variety of Texas A&M volleyball merch on Fanatics — like this Texas A&M Aggies Volleyball Pullover Hoodie, this Texas A&M Aggies GameDay Greats Pick-A-Player Jersey or this Texas A&M Aggies Volleyball Long Sleeve T-Shirt.
NCAA Volleyball Tournament
Final Four Results
Thursday, Dec. 18
Texas A&M 3, Pittsburgh 0
Kentucky 3, Wisconsin 2
Elite Eight Results
Saturday, Dec. 13
Kentucky 3, Creighton 0
Pitt 3, Purdue 1
Sunday, Dec. 14
Texas A&M 3, Nebraska 2
Wisconsin 3, Texas 1
Sweet 16 Results
Thursday, Dec. 11
Creighton 3, Arizona State 1
Kentucky 3, Cal Poly 0
Pitt 3, Minnesota 0
Purdue 3, SMU 1
Friday, Dec. 12
Texas 3, Indiana 0
Wisconsin 3, Stanford 1
Texas A&M 3, Louisville 2
Nebraska 3, Kansas 0
Joey Chandler is a sports commerce reporter for NJ.com. She’s earned Associated Press Sports Editors honors and won first-place writing awards for features, columns and breaking news in Ohio, Alabama and North…
Local high school runners have once again shifted to the oval following an exciting cross country season as the indoor track schedule has begun with the PVIAC’s weekly meets kicking off on Sunday, Dec. 14.
Smith College’s Indoor Track and Tennis Complex will once again host the competitions that feature teams throughout western Massachusetts. Meets will take place on the weekends, either on Saturday or Sunday, until the MIAA postseason commences in early February.
Here’s a closer look at all six area teams:
Amherst
The Hurricanes should be contenders once again this winter. The girls squad lost a fair amount of talent from last season, but as the cross country season showed, runners are always waiting in the shadows to step up for Amherst.
Ololara Baptiste returns with the most accolades for the ‘Canes girls as the junior was part of the state-championship winning 4×200-meter relay quartet last year. Ella Jamate (mid-distance), Juliana Albo (sprints, field events) and Genevieve Dole (long distance) will round out Amherst’s depth.
The boys will look to see continued growth from Nico Lisle (mid-distance) and Wesley Dunford (field events) this season.
Northampton
An encouraging cross country campaign should carry over into the indoor season for the Blue Devils, who bring back some skilled athletes.
Mairead O’Neil will be the catalyst for the girls team as the reigning Western Mass. cross country champion will attack the mile and 2 mile events for Northampton this winter. Ella Hoogendyk should collect plenty of points for the Blue Devils in field events as the senior will compete in the long jump, high jump and 600. Maddalena Figueroa-Starr (mid-distance, long distance) Maya Zink (long distance) and Allie Sullivan (sprints, field events) are other athletes to watch.
The boys team’s strength will reside in the long distance events, led by Gus Frey and Henry Daggett as Northampton’s 2-milers. Kai Webster (mid-distance) is another name to keep an eye on for the Blue Devils.
Holyoke
Yasani Thompson brings back a winning pedigree to the Purple Knights’ girls team this winter as the defending state champion in the 300. The senior will also strive to qualify for the New England Championships, according to fifth-year head coach Matt Benoit.
Seniors Ryan Kennedy (short, mid-distance) and Jaybriel Rivera Soto (short distance) will carry the Holyoke boys.
Frontier Regional
Expect the Redhawks to be in and around the top of the Valley North standings as both the boys and girls teams have impressive athletes sprinkled throughout their rosters.
The Frontier boys have a pair of seniors in Luke Howard (long distance) and Adrien Pazmandy (sprints) that’ll acquire the bulk of its points. Last season, the Redhawks won the league title after going 13-0. Head coach Walter Flynn enters his fifth season at the helm.
The Frontier girls have a near even split between returners and newcomers this winter. Maddie Antes, Julia Morse and Ashley Rivard count as the Redhawks’ senior class, while the Flagollet sisters (Emmanuelle and Louise) highlight their new runners. Louise Flagollet was Frontier’s top cross country runner on the girls team this past fall.
Head coach Bob Smith, who is in the midst of his 47th season leading the Redhawks, feels experience and team pride are the strengths of this year’s team, while sprints will be an area to grow.
Hampshire Regional
The Raiders girls have a handful of distance runners that’ll secure plenty of points this winter. Brooke Hockenberry, Charlotte Letendre and Kathleen Barry all earned first or second-place finishes at the first PVIAC meet.
Hampshire’s boys trio of Aidan Conklin (mid-distance), Owen Cubi and Oscar Schiff (both long distance) will surely be athletes to keep track of for the Raiders.
South Hadley
The Tigers may not have the high-end talent as some of the other Hampshire County teams, but both boys and girls teams have several athletes who will hold their own on the oval.
Grace Cooney and Margaret Healey raced well in the first PVIAC meet and will anchor South Hadley’s girls’ distance crew.
For the boys squad, Matt Gillis (sprints, field events) and Trevor Sullivan (long distance) are two Tigers athletes who can make an impact this season.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Jamie Morrison was confident for good reason.
The Texas A&M volleyball coach saw greatness in his team before its stunning run through the final two weekends of NCAA Tournament play. As underdogs by seed in each of its last four matches, A&M dispatched three No. 1 seeds consecutively, culminating Sunday with a three-set victory against Kentucky at T-Mobile Center.
The Aggies won 26-24, 25-15, 25-20 to take home their first national championship in women’s volleyball. They are the 13th program in 45 years to hoist the trophy.
A&M’s quartet of All-Americans led the way again. Logan Lednick paced the Aggies with 11 kills. Kyndal Stowers added 10. Ifenna Cos-Okpalla notched eight kills and four blocks. Setter Maddie Waak dished out 29 assists.
Morrison, the third-year A&M coach, came to Aggieland in December 2022 as the centerpiece move of former athletic director Ross Bjork as part of an effort to “strategize differently and envision a new approach” as volleyball emerged as a rising sport nationally.
In his first collegiate head-coaching post, Morrison directed A&M to the opening round of the postseason tournament in 2023, losing at Texas, the eventual national champion. The Aggies fell in the round of 16 a year ago against perennial power Wisconsin.
A&M entered regional play in Lincoln, Neb., as the No. 3 seed, but Morrison said that he and the Aggies weren’t scared of elite competition. They won the final three of five sets in a reverse sweep against Louisville to stay alive, then pulled the upset of the season in defeating No. 1-ranked and previously undefeated Nebraska in a five-set thriller.
By comparison, the Aggies’ first Final Four was a walk in the park. They swept Pitt, another top regional seed, on Thursday. And on Sunday, A&M made fast work of the lone remaining No. 1 seed.
The Aggies trailed throughout much of the first set, and by as many as six points. Down 18-12, they used a 4-0 run capped by a Stowers kill to get within two points for the first time since it was 2-0. The Aggies tied it for the first time at 20 on a block of Eva Hudson and won the opening set on another Stowers kill.
They did not trail in the second or third sets. The championship point came on a kill by Cos-Okpalla.
In this all-SEC final, the title was a second for the conference. Kentucky won the league’s first in the 2021 spring season, moved from 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
A&M avenged an Oct. 8 defeat in College Station. Kentucky had lost previously this season only against Nebraska and Pitt.
It was a big day for the Big Blue Nation as the Kentucky Volleyball team played Texas A&M for a National Championship in Kansas City. In the first-ever all-SEC championship match, the Cats got swept as they fell 3-0 to the Aggies.
The Cats came out hot, leading the majority of the first set by five or six points, as they put the Texas A&M squad on their heels.
However, coming out of a time-out, the Aggies’ defense flipped a switch, and they never looked back. Whether it was in the block or in the outside hitting, Craig Skinner’s squad could never quite get into rhythm, ending a special season for the program in Lexington.
With this, we will say goodbye to one of the best players to wear the UK jersey in Eva Hudson. It was a special season for the Purdue transfer that came up just one win short. However, the Cats could return the majority of their roster next season, setting up for another special run in 2026.
