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Florida Atlantic University Athletics

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BOCA RATON, Fla. – Florida Atlantic volleyball is building up for a big season in 2025, bolstering its roster for the upcoming season with new talent, bringing in four experienced transfers and four talented freshmen.
 
“We’re excited to welcome this wonderful group to our FAU Volleyball family,” expressed Head Coach Fernanda Nelson. “Not only are they talented, but they’re also high-character individuals who are passionate about being here. They’re going to make an immediate impact and raise the level of our gym on day one. With the strong foundation we already have, this class brings added depth, talent, and intensity. They’re ready to contribute to our success right away.”

 

Anna Hartman
RS | Jr. | 6-3 | Murfreesboro, Tenn. | Rutgers
Hartman, a native of Murfreesboro, Tenn., joins the Owls after playing her first two seasons at Rutgers. In two years, Hartman competed in all 57 matches, playing in 178 sets and making 19 starts for the Scarlet Knights. In 2024, Hartman tallied 165 kills, averaging 1.77 per set, and recorded 45 blocks. She recorded a season-high 12 kills against North Texas and tallied a career-high six blocks twice vs. Little Rock and at Maryland. As a freshman, Hartman averaged 1.55 kills per set, posting a career-best 17 kills in a five-set win at Iowa. She also hit a season-best .407 with 12 kills in a top 25 win over No. 16 Minnesota.
 
Prior to arriving in New Brunswick, Hartman was a four-year letterwinner at Providence Christian Academy. Throughout her high school career, she earned numerous awards, including AAU National All-Star, First Team All-District, All-Region Tournament Team, and All-District Tournament Team. In addition to her high school career, Hartman played club volleyball with Tennessee Performance Volleyball. She earned a third-place finish with TPV at AAU Nationals.

 

Kierstin Bevelle
OH/RS | Fr. | 5-11 | Orlando, Fla. | Lake Highland Prep
Bevelle, from Orlando, Florida, arrives in Paradise after playing her freshman season at Apopka High School and spending three years with Lake Highland Prep. Bevelle earned numerous honors during her prep career, including FACA District 1-3A Player of the Year, FACA All-State, AVCA All-Region, Orlando Sentinel All-Area First Team, and being named twice to the AVCA Phenom Watch List. With the Highlanders, Bevelle won a state title, made three state semifinal appearances, and won three region and district titles. She recorded 797 kills and 794 digs in her career with the Highlanders, including a career-best 289 digs and 266 kills during her senior season.
 
In addition to her high school career, Bevelle also competed at the club level with Otva Volleyball.

 

Emsley Venard
S | Fr. | 6-0 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Saint Ursula Academy
Venard, a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, joins the Owls following her high school career at Saint Ursula Academy.
 
Venard was a four-year letterwinner at Saint Ursula Academy. During her senior season, she helped lead the Bulldogs to a 2024 State Championship, while also winning their conference, district, and region championships. She dished out 918 assists, while also recording 229 digs, 53 kills, 46 service aces, and 23 blocks. As a junior, Venard helped Saint Ursula win the 2023 District Championship and finished the season as the 2023 Region Runner-up. She recorded 940 assists, 243 digs, 39 kills, 32 service aces, and 29 blocks. Venard also captured a District Championship in 2022 during her sophomore campaign.
 
In addition to her high school career, Venard also competed in club volleyball with Northern Kentucky Youth Volleyball Club (NKYVC).

 

Ana Brasil
MB | Fr. | 6-3 | Cafelandia, Brazil | Colegio Estadual Doutor Gastao Vidigal
Brasil, a native of Cafelandia, Brazil, joins the Owls after playing with Colegio Estadual Doutor Gastao Vidigal. Brasil joined the team this spring and competed with the Owls during their spring schedule.
 

Brooke McCall
OH | Fr. | 6-1 | Charlotte, N.C. | Charlotte Country Day School
McCall, from Charlotte, N.C., joins the Owls from Charlotte Country Day School. With the Buccaneers, McCall earned numerous accolades, including two-time All-State and All-Conference honoree, in addition to being named an AVCA Phenom twice, and being named twice to the Prep Volleyball watchlist, Junior Volleyball Association watchlist, and twice being named an Under Armour UA Next Invite Athlete. McCall was also named to the Prep Dig Big South Tournament 17 Open Dream Team, awarded PrepVolleyball Beast of the Southeast Tournament Player of the Week, and was a member of the CUVC 17 Open team that ranked as the 11th best team in the nation at nationals in Las Vegas. During her junior season, McCall broke the school record for most kills and highest hitting percentage. She recorded 724 kills over her high school career, including a season-high 250 kills during her senior season.
 
In addition to her high school career, McCall also played club volleyball with Carolina Union Volleyball Club and Carolina Juniors Volleyball.

 

Erin Morrissey
OH | Gr. | 6-3 | Tampa, Fla. | Maryland
Morrissey, from Tampa, Florida, joins the Owls after playing the last five seasons with Maryland. Morrissey competed in 62 sets over 25 matches and made nine starts for the Terrapins. In 2023, Morrissey competed in a career-best 45 sets over 18 matches and made eight starts. She set numerous single-season records, including kills (79), kills per set (1.76), digs (45), total blocks (14), and service aces (4). Morrissey recorded a career-high 12 kills and tied a career-best two blocks in a win over Ohio State. During her redshirt sophomore season, Morrissey tallied a career-best 14 digs against Purdue and posted a season-high eight kills at Wisconsin. She also registered a career-best two service aces against Ohio State.
 
Morrissey played her prep career at Plant High School. The four-time district and regional champion helped lead the Panthers to a state runner-up finish in 2018 and a state semifinal appearance in 2020. As a dual-sport athlete, Morrissey was also a two-year letterwinner and won a district championship on the tennis team.

 

Zoe Winford
L/DS | Jr. | 5-9 | Nevada, Texas | Georgia Tech
Winford, a native of Nevada, Texas, joins the Owls after playing the last two seasons at Georgia Tech.
 
In two seasons with the Yellowjackets, Winford competed in six sets over five matches. She has averaged 0.67 digs per set through two seasons in Atlanta.
 
Prior to Georgia Tech, Zoe was a four-year varsity player at Highland Park High School. She was an academic all-state honoree and won two club volleyball national championships during her prep career.

 

Libby Ashline
MB | Jr. | 6-1 | Melbourne, Fla. | Eastern Florida State College
Ashline, a native of Melbourne, Florida, joins the Owls after playing the last two seasons at Eastern Florida State College.
 
Ashline played in 98 sets over 35 matches during her two seasons with the Titans. With the Titans, Ashline averaged 1.74 kills per set with a .319 hitting clip, to go along with 0.87 blocks per set, 0.77 digs per set, and 0.37 service aces per set. She was named First Team All-Conference during the 2024 season.
 
Prior to Eastern Florida, Ashline was a four-year letterwinner at Melbourne High School and was a two-time MVP with the Bulldogs. As a senior, Ashline played in 53 sets, recording 142 kills and hitting .300, in addition to adding 63 blocks and 25 assists. During her junior season, she competed in a career-high 64 sets, tallying 141 kills, 131 blocks, including a career-best 68 solo blocks, 42 digs, and 12 assists. As a sophomore, she played in 29 sets, recording 84 kills on a .360 hitting clip, while also adding 51 blocks and 11 assists.
 
In addition to her high school career, Ashline also played at the club level with Spirit, VolleyTech, and Countdown.
 
FOLLOW THE OWLS
For updates, follow @FAUVolleyball on X and Instagram, or like FAU Volleyball on Facebook.
 





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Virginia Track & Field Names Distance Carnival After Mark & Cynthia Lorenzoni

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December 18, 2025

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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va.  –  The University of Virginia track and field program will name the prestigious distance carnival at the Virginia Challenge on Friday, April 17th, the Mark & Cynthia Lorenzoni Distance Night at the Virginia Challenge.

Virginia is set to host the annual Virginia Challenge outdoor track & field meet on Friday and Saturday, April 17-18 at Lannigan Field. The meet is known to feature high level competition across all event areas, but especially in the distance events. The distance carnival is set to be named in honor of long time Virginia Track & Field/Cross Country supporters, Mark and Cynthia Lorenzoni. The Lorenzonis have served the Charlottesville community for over 40 years as the couple co-owns The Ragged Mountain Running and Walking Shop with their two eldest children, Alec and Audrey.

“When I think about volunteerism and commitment to the community, it would be difficult to imagine any family doing more than Mark & Cynthia Lorenzoni,” said Director of Track & Field/Cross Country Vin Lananna. “For decades, Mark & Cynthia have positively impacted thousands of running enthusiasts. We are honored to recognize them with the Mark & Cynthia Lorenzoni Distance Night at the Virginia Challenge.”

“What an honor to be recognized in such a public arena and to be closely affiliated with an iconic program that has not only given our family so much to cheer for, but even more importantly, has enriched our lives through the hundreds of special friendships we’ve had the pleasure of sharing with our wonderful UVA Track & Field coaches and athletes over the past 45 years,” said Mark Lorenzoni.

A running family, Mark Lorenzoni began his running career back in high school. A recreational runner throughout college, Mark Lorenzoni took up road racing and even began his amateur coaching career by coaching his wife, Cynthia. Since then, he has coached runners at all levels while also continuing to run himself.

“What a wonderful surprise and great honor to have our family name affiliated with this magnificent program in such a thoughtful way,” said Mark Lorenzoni.

Also beginning her career back in high school, Cynthia Lorenzoni was undefeated in cross country and track & field before going on to compete in college at Michigan State. As a Spartan, Cynthia Lorenzoni finished runner-up at the Big 10 Cross Country Championships during her freshman season and finished 16th at the NCAA Cross Country Championships the same year. After college, she continued to train and compete post collegiately winning the Marine Corps Marathon twice, recorded a 13th place finish at the Boston Marathon and posted a personal best time of 2:38 in the marathon.

“We are humbled by this genuinely thoughtful gesture and we’re very grateful to Coach Vin, his hardworking and caring staff, to [Virginia Director of Athletics] Carla Williams and especially to all of our wonderful “kids” (what we fondly call our UVA Track & Field athletes) for this incredible honor,”  said Mark Lorenzoni.

Mark and Cynthia, who have four children that all ran cross country in high school, have served the community for over 45 years. Not only as the founders of The Ragged Mountain Running and Walking Shop but between the two of them have also served on nearly 30 not-for-profit community boards and having directed, on a volunteer basis, close to 900 local races that have raised over $8 million for area organizations.

“Giving back to a sport that has given so much to our family, in so many meaningful ways, has truly been both one of the easiest and most rewarding things in our life together,” said Mark Lorenzoni.

The Lorenzonis commitment to the sport of cross country and track & field is evident not only in their personal pursuits and community endeavors but also in their continued support of the Virginia Track & Field/Cross Country program. The first annual Mark & Cynthia Lorenzoni Distance Night at the Virginia Challenge is set to take place on Friday, April 17th at Lannigan Field.



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St. John’s Sweeps First BIG EAST Indoor Track and Field Weekly Honors

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December 18, 2025

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NEW YORK – A pair of St. John’s track and field student-athletes swept the first BIG EAST Indoor Track and Field Weekly Honor Roll for the 2025-26 season. Nora Haugen captured Women’s Track Athlete of the Week, while teammate Linn Hertz Saebbo was tabbed Field Athlete of the Week, the league announced on Wednesday afternoon.

Both athletes finished in first place in their respective events to open the indoor campaign at the Youree Spence Garcia Invitational on Dec. 6 in Staten Island. 

Haugen opened her indoor season by setting a program record, Norwegian national record, and the Ocean Breeze facility record in the 600-meter run. Her winning time of 1 minute, 26.93 seconds is the fastest time in the NCAA as of Wednesday, Dec. 17.

The senior was also a part of the St. John’s 4×400-meter relay team, which won the event at the Youree Spence Garcia Invitational with a time of 3:48.33.

Hertz Saebbo won the long jump at the Youree Spence Garcia Invitational on her final attempt. The grad student leapt 6.05 m (19 feet 10.25 inches) to win the event, setting a personal best in the process.

Her mark currently ranks the best in the BIG EAST for the long jump and the first time Hertz Saebbo has broken the six-meter barrier. The performance sits third all-time in St. John’s history and is currently tied for 15th in the NCAA Division I.

Wednesday’s recognition marks the second time that Haugen has garnered Athlete of the Week during her Red Storm career, capturing the honor back on May 8, 2024. 

This is the first time Hertz Saebbo has appeared on the BIG EAST weekly honor roll. The last time a Johnnie was recognized by the conference for a weekly award was Jamora Alves, when she named Field Athlete of the Week on April 15, 2025.

 

St. John’s returns to the oval in late January, competing at the Dr. Sander Scorcher at The Nike Track and Field Center at The Armory in Washington Heights, N.Y.

 



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College Notes: Track & field alums continuing success | Sports

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December 18, 2025

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Standout performances were the order of the day for a number of indoor track and field athletes with ties to South County in the opening weeks of the season, with those efforts providing a base for potential improvement later in the campaign.



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Texas Longhorns volleyball: 5 key offseason questions

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December 18, 2025

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Texas Longhorns setter Ella Swindle (1) celebrates a score during the NCAA Regional Final volleyball match against Wisconsin at Gregory Gym on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025 in Austin.

Texas Longhorns setter Ella Swindle (1) celebrates a score during the NCAA Regional Final volleyball match against Wisconsin at Gregory Gym on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025 in Austin.

Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman

After Sunday’s home loss to Wisconsin in the NCAA Tournament regional finals, Texas volleyball coach Jerritt Elliott gave himself about eight hours or so before he jumped back into the grind.

After all, the Longhorns’ staff had to conduct player meetings Monday morning to assess who’s staying, who may leave and who has questions or concerns before the team members left campus for the holiday break. But that’s how Elliott and his peers have to attack the offseason, which no longer means much off time in the portal era.

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“You try to turn it off, but if you’re going to survive in this profession, you can’t turn it off,” Elliott said after the loss to Wisconsin. “Maybe a few hours here and there, but at some point, you’re waking up in the middle of night with the thoughts of what needs to happen and what pieces you need.”

Texas Longhorns head coach Jerritt Elliott cheers on his team as Texas volleyball plays Indiana in a Sweet 16 NCAA Tournament match in Gregory Gymnasium in Austin, Friday, Dec. 12, 2025. The Longhorns will advance to Elite Eight with a 3-0 win.

Texas Longhorns head coach Jerritt Elliott cheers on his team as Texas volleyball plays Indiana in a Sweet 16 NCAA Tournament match in Gregory Gymnasium in Austin, Friday, Dec. 12, 2025. The Longhorns will advance to Elite Eight with a 3-0 win.

Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman

Fortunately for Elliott, Texas doesn’t need many new pieces based on the returning talent as well as a strong crop of freshmen that will arrive in time for the spring semester. The Longhorns lose star libero Emma Halter to graduation and starting middle blocker Ayden Ames to the portal, but enough returning talent from a team that went 26-4 and earned a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament should make the Longhorns one of the preseason favorites in 2026.

“We feel really good about it,” Elliott said, referring to the offseason. “We’ve got some really good human beings, and we’re in a healthy spot. Obviously we’ll spend some time as a coaching staff going through a lot of different aspects of the program and evaluating and understanding and then trying to rebuild the blocks that we need to be able to be more successful.”

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Here are five key questions Texas must answer in the offseason:

The Texas Longhorns bench watches from the sideline during the NCAA Regional Final volleyball match against Wisconsin at Gregory Gym on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025 in Austin.

The Texas Longhorns bench watches from the sideline during the NCAA Regional Final volleyball match against Wisconsin at Gregory Gym on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025 in Austin.

Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman

Who will replace Emma Halter?

Texas Longhorns setter Ella Swindle (1) celebrates a score during the NCAA Regional Final volleyball match against Wisconsin at Gregory Gym on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025 in Austin.

Texas Longhorns setter Ella Swindle (1) celebrates a score during the NCAA Regional Final volleyball match against Wisconsin at Gregory Gym on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025 in Austin.

Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman

It won’t be easy to step into the shoes of the three-year starting libero; one of the Longhorns’ most popular players ever who ended her career No. 8 on the program’s all-time list with 1,307 career digs. But Ramsey Gary, a junior who started as a defensive specialist this season, spent two seasons as an All-Big Ten libero at Indiana before joining Texas and seems like a natural replacement. Reserve Anja Kujundžić also has starting experience as a libero, and incoming freshman Emma Cugino ranks as the No. 2 libero prospect in the 2026 class.

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MORE: Jerritt Elliott excited about new Texas volleyball arena, says it may open for 2029 season

How much will Texas miss Ayden Ames?

A lot, depending on who Elliott can lure in the portal. The 6-foot-4 middle blocker didn’t quite live up to her potential as the nation’s top recruit during a pair of seasons with Texas, but she did have more blocks than any other Longhorn over the past two years while starting almost every game. Right now, freshman Taylor Harvey and redshirt sophomore Nya Bunton are the only middles on the roster, and there wasn’t a middle signed in the 2026 class.

Texas Longhorns outside hitter Cari Spears (23), Texas Longhorns middle blocker Nya Bunton (55) and Texas Longhorns outside hitter Torrey Stafford (4) triple block a hit from Indiana Hoosiers outside hitter Candela Alonso-Corcelles (3) as Texas volleyball plays Indiana in a Sweet 16 NCAA Tournament match in Gregory Gymnasium in Austin, Friday, Dec. 12, 2025. The Longhorns will advance to Elite Eight with a 3-0 win.

Texas Longhorns outside hitter Cari Spears (23), Texas Longhorns middle blocker Nya Bunton (55) and Texas Longhorns outside hitter Torrey Stafford (4) triple block a hit from Indiana Hoosiers outside hitter Candela Alonso-Corcelles (3) as Texas volleyball plays Indiana in a Sweet 16 NCAA Tournament match in Gregory Gymnasium in Austin, Friday, Dec. 12, 2025. The Longhorns will advance to Elite Eight with a 3-0 win.

Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman

What will be the top portal targets?

The middle blocking position will be the No. 1 priority in the portal. And No. 2. Heck, Elliott may try and sign three portal middles. And there’s already good options available in the portal:

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• Kansas’ Aurora Papac, who earned All-Big 12 freshman honors this past season;

• Florida’s Jaela Auguste, a first-team All-SEC player and a Texas native;

• Tennessee’s Zoe Humphrey, another Texas native who earned All-SEC freshman honors this season;

• and Tennessee’s Kiki Granberry, a multitime All-SEC player who redshirted this season because of an injury and has one year left of eligibility.

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Texas Longhorns outside hitter Torrey Stafford (4) spikes the ball during the NCAA Regional Final volleyball match against Wisconsin at Gregory Gym on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025 in Austin.

Texas Longhorns outside hitter Torrey Stafford (4) spikes the ball during the NCAA Regional Final volleyball match against Wisconsin at Gregory Gym on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025 in Austin.

Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman

Which freshman has the best chance to make an immediate impact?

Outside hitter Henley Anderson of Dripping Springs is the top pin recruit in the nation for the 2026 class and the two-time Central Texas player of the year may be too good to keep off the court. She’ll join arguably the top set of outsides in the country with junior All-American Torrey Stafford and current freshmen Cari Spears and Abby Vander Wal. Expect Anderson to fill the rotational roll that graduates Devin Kahahawai and Whitney Lauenstein shared this past season.

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Will Ella Swindle remain the starting setter?

It’s been a bit of a roller-coaster career for the fiery Swindle, a 6-foot-3 junior who helps set the emotional tone for the Longhorns. She started as a freshman and led Texas to the 2023 national title, she got benched in favor of the since-departed Averi Carlson in 2024, and she shared time with sophomore Rella Binney this season. Swindle may not be the most efficient setter in the SEC, but her size and spirited play remain an integral part of the Longhorns’ identity. Texas does have a touted setter coming with 2026 recruit Genevieve Harris, but whether the team pursues a setter in the portal could be a telling sign of Swindle’s status as a starter. 



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Householder Earns Honorable Mention All-America Status from AVCA

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December 18, 2025

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Youngstown, Ohio — The circuit of impressive honors continued for Youngstown State’s Abbie Householder on Wednesday as she was named an Honorable Mention All-American by the American Volleyball Coaches Association.

Householder is just the second player in program history to earn All-America status, joining Paula Gursching in 2022. The outside hitter from Canfield, Ohio, was previously named the Horizon League Player of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year, and she was an Honorable Mention AVCA All-Midwest Region selection.

Householder is the Horizon League’s only player to garner All-America honors this season, and Dayton’s Kamryn Hunt is the only other player from Ohio’s 13 Division I institutions or native of the Buckeye State to be on the prestigious list of All-Americans.

“We are so proud of Abbie for earning All-America honors,” said YSU head coach Riley Jarrett. “This is an amazing way to finish up her historic career here at YSU, and to truly leave her mark on our program. A lot of hard work and determination has gone into this recognition for Abbie, and I am so happy for her!”

Even with Youngstown State’s season ending on Nov. 22, Householder still ranks 20th in the country in total kills with 502, and she ranks 22nd in total points with 562.5. She ranks 42nd nationally with 4.22 kills per set, and she is 44th with 4.73 points per set. Each of those statistics led the Horizon League in 2025.

Householder finished her career as YSU’s all-time leader in kills with 1,427, passing the previous mark of 1,408 that had stood since 1999. She also is the career record holder with 4,241 attempts, and she ranks third in digs, fourth in points and sixth in aces. Householder is one of three Division I players who surpassed 1,400 career kills and 1,200 career digs this season.



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Rising Senior Libero Dionii Fraga Joins Alabama Volleyball

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December 18, 2025

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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama volleyball announced the addition of Dionii Fraga to its 2026 roster, who will join the Crimson Tide as a rising senior following previous stops at Oklahoma and Fresno State.

Fraga was the starting libero last season at Oklahoma and across two preceding seasons at Fresno State. In 27 matches with the Sooners last year, she led the team with 277 digs (2.61/set), including a season-best 16 win a five-set win over Missouri on Oct. 5. Prior to her arrival in Norman, she played in 63 matches over two seasons at Fresno State, earning All-Mountain West honors each year. She led the Bulldogs with 481 digs (3.91/set) as a sophomore after setting the program’s freshman digs record in 2023 with 544 (4.15/set). Following her breakout freshman campaign, she was named AVCA Pacific South Region Freshman of the Year.



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