Sports

Six Generals Named to VaSID Academic All-State Team

Published

6 months ago

July 8, 2025

A total of 36 schools are represented on the Academic All-State Team with 216 student-athletes earning the recognition. All six Generals maintained a grade point average of 3.93 or higher across W&L’s three academic terms.

Riley Bryant, So., Little Rock, Ark., Accounting, Women’s Basketball
Cassie Carr, L1, Girard, Pa., Law, Women’s Cross Country/ Track and Field
- XC First Team All-ODAC
- XC All-Region
- Indoor Second Team All-American (Mile)
- ODAC Indoor Champion (Mile)
- Indoor First Team All-ODAC (Mile)
- Indoor Third Team All-ODAC (3,000m)
- USTFCCCCA Indoor All-Region (DMR, Mile & 3,000m)
Robert Cooper, So., Sunnyvale, Calif., Economics and History, Men’s Cross Country/ Track and Field
- XC First Team All-ODAC
- XC All-Region
- Indoor Second Team All-ODAC (5,000m)
- Outdoor Second Team All-ODAC (5,000m)
- USTFCCCA Indoor All-Region (5,000m)
Will Joseph, Jr., Wilmette, Ill., Accounting and Classics, Men’s Soccer
- Third Team All-ODAC
- Third Team All-Region
- Third Team Academic All-America
John Santowski, Jr., Pittsford, N.Y., Biology, Wrestling
- ODAC Champion (197 lbs)
- First Team All-ODAC
- ODAC Scholar-Athlete of the Year
- NWCA Scholar All-America
Maddie Weller, Sr., West Chester, Pa., Economics, Volleyball

Averett University
Faith Bowlin, Sr., Abingdon, Md., Nursing, Women’s Lacrosse
Celia de Diego, Sr., Valladolid, Spain, Aviation, Women’s Soccer/Lacrosse
Anibal Lopez, Jr., Vigo Spain, Health & Sport Science, Men’s Volleyball/Soccer
Jaeden Mukkaladyil, Sr., Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, Business Administration, Men’s Tennis
Emma Nash, Gr., Monroe, N.C., Master of Business Administration, Women’s Volleyball
Brayton Powers, Sr., Airdrie, Alberta, Canada, Sports Medicine, Men’s Lacrosse

Bridgewater College
Mackenzie Cauthorn, Jr., Tappahannock, Va., Business Administration, Softball
Jade Buckles, Jr., Stafford, Va., Elementary Education, Field Hockey & Women’s Track & Field
Grace Warren, Jr., Lynchburg, Va., Digital Media Arts, Women’s Swimming
Mackenzie Young, Sr., Chesterfield, Va., Liberal Studies, Women’s Cross Country
Emily Smeds, Sr. Palmyra, Va., English, Women’s Cross Country
Noah Hines, Sr., Garner, N.C., Health & Exercise Science, Football

Christendom College
Catherine Thomas, Portland, Texas, Mathematics, Soccer & Basketball
Regina Bonvissuto, Kingston Springs, Tenn., Philosophy, Basketball
Michael Townsend, Front Royal, Va., Mathematics, Soccer
Mary Noble, Charlottesville, Va., English Language and Literature, Cross Country
Christopher Usher, Chandler, Ariz., Philosophy, Rugby
Miranda Keller, Harrisburg, Pa., Philosophy, Soccer & Basketball

Christopher Newport University
Katie Abendschoen, Sr., Chester, Md., Psychology, Field Hockey
Grant Hartman, Sr., Burke, Va., Finance, Baseball
Matt Liss, Sr., Washington Township, N.J., Pre-Law (Political Science), Men’s Soccer
Jamie Martin, Sr., Lorton, Va., Neuroscience, Softball
Nyah Savage, Gr., Urbana, Md., Accounting, Women’s Soccer
Vincent Truong, Jr., Fairfax, Va., Computer Engineering, Men’s Tennis

Eastern Mennonite University
Leah Beachy, Jr., Grants Pass, Oregon, Nursing, Women’s Soccer
Mary Kate Bomberger, Sr., Lititz, Pa., Nursing, Women’s Soccer
Jason Dwyer, Sr., Fairfax, Va., Political Science and History, Baseball
Garrett Nyce, Sr., Souderton, Pa., Economics and Business Analytics, Baseball
Chris Santisteban, Jr., Ashburn, Va., Business Administration, Men’s Soccer
Jenna Weaver, Sr., Harrisonburg, Va., Nursing, Cross Country, Track & Field and Triathlon

Emory & Henry University
Gabe Brown, Sr., Clintwood, Va., Exercise Science – Clinical Health Professions, Men’s Basketball
Meaghan Croteau, Sr., Sparks, Md., Equine Studies, Equestrian
Ross Divers, Sr., Vinton, Va., Business Administration, Baseball
Trent Gehringer, Sr., Fleetwood, Pa., Business Administration/Political Science/Spanish Studies, Men’s Golf
Paige Gelenski, Sr., Boca Raton, Fla., Exercise Science – Clinical Health Professions, Women’s Swimming
Macy McClellan, Sr., Kingsport, Tenn., Accounting, Women’s Basketball

Ferrum College
Ian Ashworth, Jr., Galax, Va., Business Finance, Football
Zach Beckner, Sr., Front Royal, Va., Recreation Leadership, Wrestling
Bri Bitz, Gr., Ridgeway, Va., M.Ed. in Clinical and Counseling Psychology, Women’s Soccer
Kyle Markowitz, Sr., Hilton Head Island, S.C., Media and Communications, Baseball
Christian Sorrells, Sr., Verona, Va., Health & Human Performance, Football
Makaila Veney, Sr., Montross, Va., Health & Human Performance and Liberal Studies, Women’s Lacrosse

George Mason University
Jacco Arends, Sr., Groningen, Netherlands, Economics, Men’s Tennis
Arsalan Yaqubi, Sr., Springfield, Va., Criminology, Law and Society, Men’s Track & Field
Georgi Zahariev, Jr., Stara Zagora, Bulgaria, Computer Science, Men’s Volleyball
Olyvia Kennedy, Sr, Columbus, Ohio, English, Women’s Volleyball
Lauren Distad, Sr., Roseville, Minn., Biology, Women’s Lacrosse
Ali Tyler, Sr., Cheshire, Conn., Forensic Science, Women’s Swimming & Diving

Hampden-Sydney College
Adam Brazil, Sr., Mooresville, N.C., English, Basketball
Grayson Harris, Sr., Moseley, Va., Economics & Business, Baseball
Brandon Hyde, Sr., Thousand Oaks, Calif., Biology and History, Swimming
Conor Kilfeather, Sr., Wyndmoor, Pa., Economics & Business, Lacrosse
Kade Minton, Sr., Wytheville, Va., Applied Mathematics and Engineering Physics, Cross Country/Distance Track
Will Thomas, Sr., Blacksburg, Va., English, Football

Hampton University
Madisyn Strange, Sr., Newport News, Va., Biology, Women’s Soccer
Priscilla Michel, So., Hazlet, N.J., Kinesiology, Women’s Track and Field
Kiya Dorroh, Sr., Tucson, Ariz., Liberal Studies, Women’s Basketball
Quinlan Coryat, So., Orlando, Fla., Computer Engineering, Men’s Lacrosse
Aryan Arora, Jr., Punjab, India, Accounting, Men’s Tennis
Jackson Manley, Jr., Atlanta, Ga., Political Science, Sailing

Hollins University
Sanaa Belton, Jr., Gainesville, Va., History, Track & Field
Noelani Carter, Jr., Easley, S.C., Business, Basketball
Madeleine Freeman, Jr., Reston, Va., Psychology, Swimming
Sylvia Guillet, Jr., Glens Falls, N.Y., Biology, Cross Country/Track & Field
Taryn “T” Shover, Jr., Harrisburg, Pa., Creative Writing, Soccer
Izzy Workman, Jr., Ghent, W.Va., Psychology and Communications, Soccer/Track & Field

James Madison University
Savannah Derey, Sr., Roanoke, Va., Business Management, Lacrosse
Jacob Dobbs, R-Sr., Macomb, Mich., Cyber Intelligence, Football
Peyton McDaniel, R-Jr., Birdsboro, Pa., Adult Education/Human Resource Development, Women’s Basketball
Cassidy Strittmatter, Sr., Tabernacle, N.J., Marketing, Field Hockey
Vaclav Tichy, Sr., Prague, Czech Republic, Quantitative Finance, Men’s Golf
Demitri Turner, R-Sr., Lorton, Va., Quantitative Finance, Men’s Soccer

Liberty University
Luke Eberle, Sr., Arnold, Md., Psychology (UG)/Interdisciplinary Studies (G), Men’s Soccer
Halle Engle, R-So., Mechanicsburg, Pa., Exercise Science, Women’s Soccer
Meredith Engle, R-Jr., Dillsburg, Pa., Computer Science (UG)/Cybersecurity (G), Women’s Track & Field
Kellen Kimes, So., Ludington, Mich., Biomedical Sciences, Men’s Track & Field
Chase Robinson, R-So., Spartanburg, S.C., Business Administration, Men’s Tennis
Rachel Roupe, Sr., Sharpsburg, Md., Public Health, Softball

Longwood University
Lauren Vick, Sr., Quinton, Va., Communication Sciences and Disorders, Women’s Cross Country/Track & Field
James Nelson, Gr., Midlothian, Va., Business Administration, Baseball
Alec Daniel, Sr., Gloucester, Va., Business Administration, Women’s Cross Country/Track & Field
Alejandro Uribe, Jr., Medellín, Colombia, Business Administration, Men’s Tennis
Oriana Izarra, Jr., Valencia, Venezuela, Business Administration, Women’s Tennis
Sara Curtis, Jr., Apex, N.C., Business Administration, Women’s Soccer

University of Lynchburg
Conner Harlacher, Sr., York, Pa., Exercise Physiology, Men’s Lacrosse
Jacob Hodnett, Sr. Cloverdale, Va., Exercise Physiology, Men’s Cross Country/Track & Field/Swimming
Jenna Norko, Sr., Woodbridge, Va., Nursing, Women’s Lacrosse
Reese McAtee, Jr., Chesapeake, Va., Nursing, Women’s Tennis
Alexandria Russell, Sr., Ocean City, Md., Exercise Physiology, Equestrian
Reid Rouse, Jr., Greensboro, N.C., Business Administration, Men’s Soccer

University of Mary Washington
Ryan Meyer, Sr., North Potomac, Md., Economics, Men’s Tennis
Jessica Oberlies, Sr., Greensboro, N.C., Environmental Science and Spanish, Women’s Cross Country/Track and Field
Caroline Porter, Jr., Virginia Beach, Va., Nursing, Field Hockey
Freddy Rogers, Sr., High Wycombe, England, Marketing, Men’s Soccer
Maura Schroeder, So., Potomac Falls, Va., Psychology, Women’s Lacrosse
Amelia Stephenson, Jr., Carrboro, N.C., Nursing, Women’s Cross Country/Track & Field

Marymount University
Brier Amerlinck, So., East Amherst, N.Y., Biochemistry, Women’s Cross Country/Track & Field
Abby Dunn, Grad, Pasadena, Md., Forensic & Legal Psychology, Women’s Lacrosse
Gavin Taylorson, Sr., Dundalk, Md., Information Technology, Men’s Lacrosse
Payton So, Jr., Sterling, Va., Health Sciences, Women’s Swimming
Samuel Struggs, Jr., Sugar Land, Tex., Business Administration, Men’s Track & Field
Garrett Watson, So., Spartanburg, S.C., Health Sciences, Men’s Swimming

Norfolk State University
Angelina Maniawska, Sr., Tarnow, Poland, Interdisciplinary Studies, Women’s Tennis
Lashauna Burrus, Jr., Norfolk, Va., Elementary Education, Women’s Bowling
Jahee Blake, Sr., Lynchburg, Va., Interdisciplinary Studies, Football
Lauren Sheehan, Sr., King’s George, Va., Social Work, Softball
Victor Jumo, Sr., Eldoret, Kenya, Computer Science, Men’s Track & Field/Cross Country
Jordan Lyons, Grad., Fairfax, Va., Social Work, Women’s Volleyball

Old Dominion University
Sofia Johnson, Sr., London, England, Business Analytics, Women’s Tennis
Kiersten Donnelly, Sr., Pottstown, Pa., Bio Medical Sciences, Women’s Swimming
Gustaf Hansson, Sr., Ramlosa, Sweden, Civil Engineering, Men’s Swimming
Dylan Brown, Jr., Lansdale, Pa., Civil Engineering, Baseball
En’Dya Buford, Gr., Memphis, Tenn., Sport Management, Women’s Basketball
Callie Culhane, Sr., Port Tobacco, Md., Biomedical Sciences, Women’s Lacrosse

Radford University
Liam McDonald, Jr., Winchester, Va., Allied Health Sciences, Men’s Cross Country
Channing Blevins, Gr., Wytheville, Va., Business Administration, Men’s Golf
Cassi Barbato, Sr., Milford, Ct., Exercise, Sport and Health Education, Softball
Macy Johnson, So., Salem, Va., Economics, Women’s Golf
Natalie Preston, Sr., Essex Junction, Vt., Nursing, Women’s Track and Field
Evie Gee, Sr., Columbus, Ohio, Communications & Sciences Disorders, Women’s Lacrosse

Randolph College
Cole Torres, Gr., Thurmont, Md., Sport and Exercise Studies, Men’s Track and Field
Carter Kelly, Sr., Carrolton, Va., Sport and Exercise Studies, Men’s Soccer
Lena Kersten, So., Bonn, Germany, Psychology, Women’s Tennis
Jillian Warter, Gr., Leesburg, Va., Coaching and Sport Leadership, Women’s Volleyball
Paige Scruggs, Sr., Cowpens, S.C./Sport and Exercise Studies, Softball
Kylie Stark, Gr., Lynchburg, Va., Coaching and Sport Leadership, Women’s Basketball

Randolph-Macon College
Gracie Ellis, Sr., New Kent, Va., Nursing, Softball
Kyle Ihle, Sr., Apex, N.C., Accounting and Economics, Football
Catherine Kagey, Sr., Roanoke, Va., Biology, Women’s Basketball
Riley Russ, Sr., Virginia Beach, Va., Behavioral Neuroscience, Women’s Soccer
Sam Slevin, Sr., Virginia Beach, Va., Computer Science, Baseball
Marisa Ziegler, Sr., Forest Hill, Md., Computer Science, Women’s Basketball

Regent University
Samantha Bodnar, Jr., Mullica Hill, N.J., Psychology, Women’s Cross Country/Track & Field
Aaron Campbell, Gr., Virginia Beach, Va., Master of Education, Men’s Volleyball
Preston Nemeti, Jr., Burke, Va., Computer Science, Men’s Volleyball
Shaley Wertz, Sr., Kansas City, Mo., Business, Women’s Volleyball
Thomas Slingluff, So., Suffolk, Va., Business, Men’s Cross Country/Track & Field
Emily Greene, So., Carrollton, Va., Government, Women’s Soccer

Richard Bland College
Phoebe Heath, So., Colonial Heights, Va., Women’s Beach/Indoor Volleyball
Peyton Ostenson, So., Edgemont, S.D., Women’s Beach/Indoor Volleyball
Kaci Godsey, So., New Kent, Va., Softball
Teagan Jackson, So. Chesapeake, Va., Women’s Soccer
Michael Duncan, So., Arlington, Va., Baseball
Dylan Jones, So., Chesterfield, Va., Baseball

University of Richmond
Addie Budnik, Gr., Highland Park, Ill., MBA, Women’s Basketball
Katie Chignell, Jr., Raleigh, N.C., Health Studies, Swimming
Laurel Kurtz, Sr., Flemington, N.J., Leadership and Rhetoric & Communications, Track & Field
Morgan Lyons, Sr., Basking Ridge, N.J., Health Studies, Track & Field
Brady O’Brien, Gr., North Andover, Mass., Data Analytics, Baseball
Joe Sheridan, Jr., West Chester, Pa., Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Men’s Lacrosse

Roanoke College
Julia Bassett, Sr., Midlothian, Va., Health and Exercise Science, Women’s Tennis
Payton Bradford, Salisbury, Md., Psychology, Field Hockey
Ophelia Ladner, Brunswick, Maine, Sociology, Women’s Track & Field
Joshua Morse, Sr. Charlottesville, Va., Business Administration, Men’s Basketball
Lily Mullens, Sr., North Canton, Ohio, Health Education, Women’s Swimming
Connor Tyson, Sr., Waxhaw, N.C. Health and Exercise Science, Men’s Volleyball

Shenandoah University
Steven Hugney, Sr., Fairfax, Va. Computer Science, Football
Mairead McKibbin, Sr., Magnolia, Del. Health and Physical Education, Football
Janelle Anderson, Sr., Stafford, Va., Sports Management, Track and Field
Kendrick Robinson, Sr., Fredericksburg, Va. Film Production/Communications, Men’s Basketball
Mark Isabelle, Gr., Bumpass, Va. Masters Business Administration, Men’s Lacrosse
Ainsley Buckner, Gr. Springfield, Va. Health Care Management, Women’s Lacrosse

Southern Virginia University
Sydney Bassett, Sr., Winston-Salem, Va., Biochemistry, Women’s Volleyball
Heidi Barton, Sr., Evanston, Wyo., Business Management and Leadership, Women’s XC/Track & Field
Eli Ballstaedt, Sr., Midway, Utah, Psychology, Men’s Basketball
Maybel Harris, Sr., Highland, Utah, Business Management and Leadership, Women’s Soccer
Kedryn Chandler, Buena Vista, Va., Business Management and Leadership, Men’s XC/Track & Field
Abigail Snyder, Rocky Ford, Colo., Business Management and Leadership, Women’s Basketball

Sweet Briar College
Ana Patino, Sr., Medellín, Colombia, Engineering Science, Tennis
Amani Narang, Sr., Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India, Business, Golf
Jillian Lewis, Sr., Ellicott City, Md., Engineering Science, Soccer/Swimming,
Lara Jost, Sr., Würzburg, Germany, Chemistry, Field Hockey
Maggie Minton, So., Wytheville, Va., Biology/Engineering Science, Tennis
Jaiana Gray, Jr., Chicago, Ill., Business/Economica, Track & Field

University of Virginia
Will Anthony, Jr., Whitby, Poriua, New Zealand, Mathematics, Men’s Cross Country
Gary Martin, Jr., Warminster, Pa., Media Studies, Men’s Cross Country
Elaine Chervinsky, Sr., Baltimore, Md., Psychology, Women’s Tennis
Jans Croon, Sr., San Diego, Calif., Global Studies, Field Hockey
Jade Hylton, Jr., Martinsville, Va., Kinesiology, Softball
Alex Walsh, Gr., Nashville, Tenn., Cybersecurity Management, Women’s Swimming

Virginia Commonwealth University
Yelizaveta Karlova, Sr., Almaty, Kazakhstan, Psychology, Women’s Tennis
Alfred Almasi, Jr., Trstice, Slovakia, Economics, Men’s Tennis
Jasmine Knight, Gr., Phoenix, Ariz., Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness, Volleyball
Ava Radel, Sr., Harveys Lake, Pa., Finance, Field Hockey
Joe Bamisile, Sr., Richmond Va., Masters in Rehabilitation Counseling, Men’s Basketball
Jaylin Pate, Jr, Psychology, Charlotte, N.C., Women’s Track & Field

Virginia Military Institute
James Boynewicz, Sr., Virginia Beach, Va., Biology, Men’s Lacrosse
Kevin Shank, So., Mt. Holly Spring, Pa., Mechanical Engineering, Men’s Cross Country/Track & Field
Sam Castle, Jr., Mechanicsville, Va., Mechanical Engineering, Men’s Swimming
Courtney Novotny, Sr., Reading, Pa., Biology, Women’s Water Polo
Audrey Davis, Sr., Austin, Texas, International Studies, Women’s Soccer
Darien Tweedell, So., Ashburn, Va., International Studies, Women’s Rifle

Virginia Tech
Sam Tackett, R-Sr., Lexington, Ky., Management; Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Technology Management, Baseball
Lauren Hargrove, Sr., Richmond, Va., Exercise and Health Sciences, Women’s Soccer
Carys Baker, So., West Hartford, Conn., Sports Media and Analytics, Women’s Basketball
Sam Latona, Gr., Alabaster, Ala., Agricultural and Life Sciences, Wrestling
Kelvin Gilliam Jr., R-Sr., Richmond, Va., Sociology, Football
Cori McMillan, Sr., Greensboro, N.C., Exercise and Health Sciences, Softball

Virginia Wesleyan University
Hannah Smith, Sr., Virginia Beach, Va., Allied Health Studies, Women’s Volleyball
Lauren Hedspeth, Sr., Virginia Beach, Va., Recreational Therapy, Field Hockey
Tori Green, Sr., Oak Hill, Va., Business, Women’s Soccer
Juliette Coffey, So., Woodbridge, England, Chemistry & French Studies, Women’s Golf
Laci Campbell, Jr., Washington, N.C., Sociology and Criminal Justice, Softball
Cael Long, Jr., Virginia Beach, Va., Recreational Therapy, Men’s Swimming

Washington and Lee University
Riley Bryant, So., Little Rock, Ark., Accounting, Women’s Basketball
Cassie Carr, L1, Girard, Pa., Law, Women’s Cross Country/ Track and Field
Robert Cooper, So., Sunnyvale, Calif., Economics and History, Men’s Cross Country/ Track and Field
Will Joseph, Jr., Wilmette, Ill., Accounting and Classics, Men’s Soccer
John Santowski, Jr., Pittsford, N.Y., Biology, Wrestling
Maddie Weller, Sr., West Chester, Pa., Economics, Volleyball

College of William & Mary
Claire Doto, Sr., Randolph, N.J., Biology, Women’s Lacrosse
Pyper Friedman, Sr., Phoenix, Md., Finance, Field Hockey
Devin Genderson, Sr., Short Hills, N.J., Neuroscience, Women’s Swimming
Jonathan Irwin, Sr., Lexington, Ky., Computer Science, Men’s Gymnastics
Sean McElwain, Jr., Glen Allen, Va., Business Analytics, Supply Chain, Football
Darren Osborne, Jr., South Riding, Va., Computer Science, Baseball

Nestled in the mountains of Virginia, Washington and Lee University is a proud member of NCAA Division III and the Old Dominion Athletic Conference. Founded in 1749, W&L is the ninth-oldest college in the United States and a top-ranked liberal arts university. With over 500 student-athletes in 24 varsity sports, the Generals have celebrated over 265 conference championships. Learn more about the Blue and White by visiting www.generalssports.com or on social media at @WLUGenerals.

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2025 All-Area Volleyball: Meet the complete team | Sports

Published

5 hours ago

December 21, 2025

Your Sports Nation

All-Area First Team

Player YR. Pos. School

Lily Bosworth Sr. MB Mahomet-Seymour

Maddy Doggett Jr. OH Westville

Sophie Duis Sr. MB Cissna Park

Addison Lucht Sr. OH Cissna Park

Reis McFarland Sr. OH Bismarck-Henning/Rossville-Alvin

Mady Melton Sr. L Monticello

Cassidy Monahan Sr. OH St. Thomas More

Josie Neukomm Sr. OH Cissna Park

Jillian Schlittler Sr. S/OH Unity

Ava Yeakel Sr. OH Mahomet-Seymour

All-Area Second Team

Player Yr. Pos. School

Brin Armstrong So. OH Champaign Central

Nia Bolton Sr. L Centennial

Laila Carr Sr. OH LeRoy

Erin Dallas Sr. S Mahomet-Seymour

Mady Marcott Jr. S Cissna Park

Tinley Parkerson Sr. S/OH Armstrong-Potomac

Thayren Rigsby Sr. MB Watseka

Bella Romine So. MB Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond

Aeralyn Thrasher Sr. OH Sullivan

Paige Young Sr. L Prairie Central

All-Area Honorable Mention

➜ Arcola: Kiera Leal (Sr. OH), Maddie Pilkington (Sr. S), Ema Simpson (Sr. MB)

➜ Argenta-Oreana: Khloe Hartrich (So. MB), Alexis Havener (Sr. L), Mya Hill (Sr. OH)

➜ Armstrong-Potomac: Ashlyn Ackerman (So. MB), Makenna Ackerman (Sr. DS), Isabel Bullington (So. OH), Carly Grant (Jr. S), Elie Lomax (Jr. OH/MB)

➜ Arthur Christian: Maddie Goff (Jr. MB), Avery Herschberger (So. S), Aselynn Kauffman (Jr. OH), Brileigh Mast (Sr. OH), Sheri Miller (Sr. DS)

➜ Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond: McKenna Blaudow (Jr. OH), Savannah Butcher (Sr. OH), Morgan Casteel (Jr. S), Summer Melton (Sr. OH), Annabelle Vanausdoll (So. S), Karaline Vanausdoll (Sr. L)

➜ Bismarck-Henning/Rossville-Alvin: Ella Acton (Sr. MB), Mallory Brines (Jr. S), Raylynn Hearnley (So. MB/OH)

➜ Blue Ridge: Ava Franzen (Jr. MB)

➜ Centennial: Journey Davis (So. MB/OH), Kate Pitcher (Jr. S)

➜ Cerro Gordo/Bement: Rylan Petty (Jr. S), Avery Stoerger (Fr. MB)

➜ Champaign Central: Summer Abudayeh (Jr. OH), Grace Bandy (Jr. L), Ava Clark (Sr. S), Avery Miller (Fr. OH), Prestyn Roberts (Jr. S)

➜ Chrisman: Jaidyn Alexander (Sr. OH), Leah Phipps (Sr. S/OH)

➜ Cissna Park: Marina Day (So. MB), Ava Henrichs (Jr. OH), Kendyl Neukomm (So. L), Ella Schluter (So. S)

➜ Clinton: Paisley Schick (Jr. L)

➜ Deland-Weldon: Ellie Hayward (Sr. OH)

➜ Fisher: Avery Carleton (Jr. OH), Brooklynn Kellems (Jr. S), Bella Kelsey (So. OH), Raegan Kilman (Jr. OH)

➜ Georgetown-Ridge Farm: Addisen Ellis (So. MB/OH), Milee Ellis (Sr. OH), Rubyrae Fraser Soule (Sr. S), Hadlee Hayes (Sr. MB/OH), Madi Spesard (Jr. DS)

➜ Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley: Abby Brown (Sr. MB), Bailey Bunting (So. OH), Bailey Grider (Sr. S), Maci Lindelof (Jr. OH), Londyn Roderick (Jr. S)

➜ Heritage: Addison Hopper (Jr. L), Faith Latham (Sr. S/OH), Bre Ploense (Jr. S/OH), Brooklynn Powell (Jr. MB)

➜ Hoopeston Area: Addyson Kelnhofer (Sr. MB), Abby Steiner (Sr. MB)

➜ Judah Christian: Liza Carder (Sr. OH), Olivia Dailey (Sr. OH), Kisandra Fazio (Sr. L), Mackenzie Jackson (Sr. S), Avoni Kelly (Sr. MB)

➜ LeRoy: Ella Mennenga (Jr. L), Sadee Owens (Jr. S), Kendyl Spratt (Sr. S/OH)

➜ Mahomet-Seymour: Pfeifer Manuel (So. L), Hannah Martin (Jr. MB), Addy Reigart (Sr. OH), Joelle Snodsmith (So. OH), Anna Streicher (Sr. OH)

➜ Milford: Erica Felton (Sr. MB), Lillie Harris (Sr. OH), Kami Muehling (Jr. L), Sydney Seyfer (Sr. OH)

➜ Monticello: Emma Arnold (Jr. S), Addison Finet (Sr. S/OH), Madison Highland (Jr. MB), Shelby Smith (Sr. OH), Emerson Snook (Sr. OH), Ashley Stiverson (Sr. MB), Sadie Walsh (Sr. DS)

➜ Oakwood: Sophia Hart (Sr. L), Mady Nicoson (Sr. MB), Kendyl Rogers (Sr. OH/DS)

➜ Paxton-Buckley-Loda: Emmy Bagwell (Jr. MB), Ellie Dirks (So. OH), Logan Loschen (So. S), Olivia Rehg (Sr. OH), Kylie Rust (Jr. S)

➜ Prairie Central: Kyah Creek (Sr. S), Mia Elliott (Jr. MB), Miranda Hari (Jr. OH), Lydia Kilgus (Sr. DS), Charlee Popejoy (Jr. DS), Jules Woodrey (Sr. OH)

➜ Rantoul: Airiana Bell (Sr. OH), Lauren Herbert (Sr. S), Josie Roseman (Sr. L)

➜ Ridgeview: Claire Edwards (Sr. S/L)

➜ St. Joseph-Ogden: Katie Ericksen (Sr. L), Hadley McDonald (Jr. OH), Emma McKinney (Sr. S), Emerson Williams (Jr. OH)

➜ St. Thomas More: Audrey Gooding (Sr. L), Sophia Hill (Sr. OH/MB), Avery Humphrey (Fr. S), Juju Kerr (Jr. S/OH), Campbell Phillips (Sr. MB)

➜ Salt Fork: Rain Pitlik (Sr. MB/OH), Ava Ringstrom (Sr. S), Maya Smith (Sr. OH)

➜ Schlarman: Izzy Bogen (Sr. OH), Addison Forsyth (Jr. S), Irene Rangel (Jr. L)

➜ Sullivan: Kate Bushue (Sr. MB), Mae Dawkins (Sr. S), Nevaeh Dovell (Sr. MB), Mya Dyer (Jr. L)

➜ Tuscola: Sawyer Cleland (Jr. OH), Reese Davis (Sr. L), Lilly Kurtz (Sr. MB), Sicily Moss (Jr. S), Bella Wishard (So. OH)

➜ Unity: Lauren Stratton (Sr. L), Olivia Williams (So. OH)

➜ Urbana: Sophia Sheyko-Frailey (Jr. OH)

➜ Villa Grove: Piper Kiser (Sr. S/OH), Hayden Thomas (Sr. L)

➜ Watseka: Christa Holohan (Sr. S), Gabby Kohl (So. MB), Liana Navas (So. S), Avery Pufahl (So. OH), Noelle Schroeder (Sr. L)

➜ Westville: Gwen Bennett (Jr. OH/S), Ady Blakeney (Jr. OH), Carlee Miller (Jr. MB), Lainey Wichtowski (Sr. S), Daylin Zaayer (Jr. L)

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Volleyball Wildcats face Texas A&M for national championship

Published

5 hours ago

December 21, 2025

Your Sports Nation

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – For the second time in school history, the Kentucky volleyball Wildcats will be playing for a national championship, when UK faces Texas A&M on Sunday.

Kentucky coach Craig Skinner won the 2020 NCAA championship, a first at UK.

The Wildcats and the Aggies met back in October, in College Station, with UK rallying from a set down to win the match, 3-1.

“I think it’s important just to treat it like every other game we’ve played in the last 30,” libero Molly Berezowitz said on Friday.

Kentucky, a number one seed and the number two seed overall, defeated Wisconsin on Thursday, 3-2, to advance to the final match.

“We’re at the pinnacle of our sport,” coach Craig Skinner said on Friday. “It’s a great opportunity for Kentucky volleyball and our fans to be in this moment.”

Sunday’s championship match marks just the seventh time two teams from the same conference will play for a title.

First serve in the national championship match is set for 3:30 p.m.

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Where to watch Texas A&M volleyball vs. Kentucky: Time, TV channel

Published

9 hours ago

December 21, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Texas A&M fell to the Texas Longhorns in the SEC Volleyball Tournament semifinals last month, but the Aggies have since fought their way to the top of NCAA competition.

The Aggies swept top-seeded Pittsburgh in the Final Four on Thursday, solidifying their matchup against No. 2 Kentucky in the NCAA volleyball title game Sunday in Kansas City, Mo. It’s the team’s first appearance in a national semifinal or final.

Here’s everything you need to know:

How to watch Texas volleyball vs. Kentucky: See date, start time, TV channel, streaming

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Last-minute madness: 79-yd TD pass sends UW-River Falls to DIII title game

Published

9 hours ago

December 21, 2025

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Football

Dec. 20, 2025

Last-minute madness: 79-yd TD pass sends UW-River Falls to DIII title game

Dec. 20, 2025

Tied late in the 4th quarter, University of Wisconsin–River Falls QB Kaleb Blaha connected with Blake Rohrer for a game-winning 79-yard touchdown in the final minute, stunning Johns Hopkins Blue Jays, 48-41, and punching the Falcons’ first trip to the Stagg Bowl.

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2025 All-Area Volleyball Player of the Year: Lucht a champion in all aspects | Sports

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10 hours ago

December 21, 2025

Your Sports Nation

1222025 AA VB Addison Lucht 1 — Addison Lucht ended her volleyball career at Cissna Park in the best way possible: As a state champion. Lucht, who finished as the program’s all-time kills leader, produced 202 digs and 48 aces to go along with her team-high 339 kills this fall in leading the Timberwolves to the Class 1A volleyball state championship this season.

Robin Scholz/The News-Gazette

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CISSNA PARK — Anyone who knows Addison Lucht wouldn’t be surprised by how she reacted to winning The News-Gazette’s All-Area Volleyball Player of the Year honor.

“It’s a reflection of our whole team and what we were able to accomplish in this amazing season,” Lucht said. “I wouldn’t have been able to get that award or do what I’ve done without the team, how close we are and how much we push each other every day in practice. We’re in there grinding and making each other better. Even the people who don’t get the time on the court, they’re on the bench cheering us on really loud every game and working us really hard in practice on the other side of the net. I’m really excited and honored to receive this, but it goes right back to my teammates. I wouldn’t have been able to do it without them.”

Same humble nature she’s always had, redirecting all the praise despite deserving every bit of it. Just once, you might expect her to give herself some props. Maybe even brag a little. She’s earned that.

But take it from senior teammates Sophie Duis.

“She won’t,” Duis said with a smirk.

Lucht just wrapped up her final volleyball season at Cissna Park and couldn’t have ended it any better. She led the Timberwolves to a program-record 40 wins and a Class 1A state championship, the first state title for the school in any sport. She earned a third consecutive All-State First-Team honor and was the 1A state finals MVP. She totaled 202 digs and 48 aces to go along with her team-high 339 kills, which brought her to 1,359 for her career to become the program’s all-time kills leader.

The argument that Cissna Park doesn’t reach three straight state tournaments without Lucht is a valid one. Although, Duis and Josie Neukomm — both All-State Second-Team selections and All-Area First-Team picks in their own right — among other strong talents, might prove that theory wrong. Regardless, it’s never been about the individual accolades for Lucht. All she cared about was the team, which is why the team was so successful.

“Having had a month to reflect on it, it’s beginning to set in how big of a thing we just accomplished,” Lucht said. “It keeps getting cooler and cooler by the day. To know we did that and were able to end our last game and my volleyball career on a win on the biggest stage is amazing.”

11172025 CPvball 44 — Cissna Park’s Addison Lucht (9) reacts to her medal in the Class 1A volleyball championship at CEFCU Arena in Normal on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025.

Robin Scholz/The News-Gazette

It’s one of the many reasons she’s so popular among her teammates. She’s one of the best athletes in Illinois, an All-State talent in four different sports, but she wants no part of the spotlight. Ironic that the biggest moments are when she shines brightest.

“She’s very humble, and everything she does goes unnoticed,” Neukomm said. “She’s been working her butt off since day one. Everything she has coming is extremely deserved. I don’t think there’s a single thing she doesn’t deserve. She’s just an amazing person, and seeing the path she’s going on is really exciting.”

As if all her athletic abilities weren’t enough, Lucht is also the valedictorian of her class at Cissna Park.

“A lot of people look at her and think it’s just a lot of natural talent,” Duis said. “Obviously, there is a lot of that, but a large part of it is the hard work she puts in behind the scenes. She’s a really good on- and off-the-court leader, and she’s super fun to have as a friend and teammate.”

And for Cissna Park volleyball coach and athletic director Josh Landon, “I could just say ‘Ditto.’

“I could go back and say it started in kindergarten watching them in PE,” Landon said. “I had all these girls from kindergarten through fourth grade for elementary PE, and you could see a little bit of that competitiveness happening. You’d have tears from some people because we weren’t winning or others weren’t trying as hard. You could see all this happening. There is the God-given talent, but you also have to buy in to reach that success.”

This is actually the second All-Area Player of the Year honor Lucht has earned, but the first was for basketball after leading the Timberwolves back to CEFCU Arena and winning their second 1A third-place trophy in as many seasons.

Two days after winning the volleyball title on Nov. 15, Lucht and Co. played their first basketball game, a 64-14 win against St. Thomas More. Lucht put up 20 points, seven steals and four assists in the winning effort, and she hasn’t needed to knock off any rust in another strong start to that sport.

Neither are Lucht’s top sport, however. While simultaneously placing fifth and eighth in last spring’s 1A state triple jump and long jump competition, she batted .579 with seven home runs for the Milford/Cissna Park co-op softball team. She signed her letter of intent to continue her softball career at Northwestern on Nov. 12.

“I’ve always loved every single sport I’ve been in, and what sport I’m in, that’s my favorite at the time,” Lucht said. “Being able to have these special seasons and do it with these girls is amazing. I’m not going on to college to play those sports, and I’m going to miss them a lot, but I’m excited to get up to Evanston and excited for this spring at Milford.”

11172025 CPvball 46 — Cissna Park’s Addison Lucht (9) as Cissna Park won the 1A state volleyball championship at CEFCU Arena in Normal on Saturday, Nov. 17, 2025.

Robin Scholz/The News-Gazette

Amber McKean won the All-Area Player of the Year award back in 2003 for the Cissna Park/Crescent-Iroquois co-op, and she went on to have a successful volleyball career at Olivet Nazarene. Landon said nobody believed anyone like her would come through their town of fewer than 800 again.

Plenty of talented athletes have played for Cissna Park since then but none quite like Lucht. Not with the same level of ability, passion and dedication to that many sports. And certainly not with the same level of care off the court. She was already a champion. Now, she has the trophy to go along with it.

“I hope we’re just getting started,” Lucht said. “I’m in the thick of it right now, and I’m so locked in and focused that I don’t think it’s ever going to end. It’s tough to realize these are some of the last games I’ll get to play in a Cissna Park jersey. It’s kind of surreal. I’m really fortunate that our volleyball season ended in the best way possible, and I’m hoping the same for basketball and the spring sports. I’m happy to get off to a really good start. Hopefully, it can end strong, too.”

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Population Boom Boosts Jackson County Volleyball Team — Grady Newsource

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10 hours ago

December 21, 2025

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The halls at Jackson County High School are growing busier each year, and so is the volleyball court.

As the county’s population surges, more students are filling classrooms, lockers and tryout lists. The squeak of sneakers and the thud of volleyballs echo through the gym as coaches call out drills, a reflection of how fast the community and its competition are growing.

With more players trying out than ever, coaches and athletes have had to adjust to a more selective environment that’s reshaping team dynamics. As the Panthers close the book on their season, which included a second-round playoff run for the second straight year, Laura Keefer is already reflecting on what she learned in her first year leading the program.

“So when I came for tryouts in May, we had 72 girls here for tryouts, and that was a lot,” Keefer said. “I’ve been at a smaller private school for the past nine years, but even when I talked to other friends in public high schools and I told them how many girls we had, they said that’s a really big number, too.”

Over the past decade, Jackson County has been one of Georgia’s fastest-growing areas. The high school, which opened in 2021 to accommodate the surge in population, has already hit capacity. Public development director Jamie Dove said the county’s growth is fueled by its location and livability.

“There are just a lot of things to drive people here,” Dove said. Jackson County is an interstate drive away from Atlanta and Greenville, S.C., “and I’m a day trip to the beach and a two-hour drive to the mountains. So it’s a gem of a location.”

Jackson County’s population jumped from 75,907 in 2020 to an estimated 93,825 in 2024, according to the development department.

For two years in a row now, we have been the fourth-fastest-growing county in the country,” Dove said.

At Jackson County High, that growth has led to what students call “learning cottages,” temporary classrooms used to handle overflow. Siena Berthold, a senior at Jackson County and member of the volleyball team, mentioned this.

“They’re called learning cottages,” Berthold said, “but they’re not learning cottages — they’re trailers.”

A graph shows enrollment for Jackson County High growing much faster than other local public schools. — SOURCE: Georgia High School Association, ghsa.net. (Graphic/Ellie English)

Keefer brought two decades of experience from smaller schools and club teams to Jackson County High’s volleyball program. Now that the season is over, Keefer said the tryout and cut process is still on her mind, especially as she thinks ahead to next year.

“The positive side of that is I had a lot of talent in the gym to choose from,” Keefer said. “The hard part is I don’t think everybody realizes it’s truly a gut-wrenching process for me. I had to cut a lot of talent.”

For players, the population boom means that earning a jersey is no longer guaranteed. The competition drives everyone to push harder and succeed.

“It’s just a great group because everyone wants to play volleyball,” Berthold said. “You have more competition, so everyone wants to play better.”

The volleyball team’s rise mirrors growing community pride. Home matches now draw bigger crowds. Jackson County Schools have also made athletic and academic expansion a strategic priority.

“Our board of education does a great job of letting us hire earlier than other school systems,” Hooper said. “It’s a daily tracking of enrollment, and for human resources, it’s a daily tracking of students.”

So far, the volleyball program has not faced gym or scheduling conflicts with other sports. Keefer said the athletic department’s collaboration has been essential to that success.

Our administration does a fantastic job and really all of our teams together,” Keefer said. “We support each other.”

As Jackson County prepares to open Hoschton High School in 2027 to accommodate population growth, the volleyball program at Jackson County High School may eventually face a split, with players and families drawn toward the new school. This shift could reshape existing rivalries and create new opportunities for athletes across the county.

After one season coaching in Jackson County, Keefer said she now better understands how deep that talent pool runs, and how a future school could split and reshape it.

“I imagine most of the upperclassmen would stay and want to finish out and graduate where they’ve been,” Keefer said. “As far as the long term, obviously the pool of talent like we’ve had these huge numbers coming in right, that’s going to be divided now.”

Ellie English is a student in the undergraduate certificate program at the Carmical Sports Media Institute at UGA.

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