Sports
SPORTS SHORTS | Volleyball: Japan Men Clinch a Spot in the Nations League Finals
Japan closed out the preliminary phase of the 2025 FIVB Men’s Volleyball Nations League in fourth place among 18 teams.
And with its 25-21, 25-19, 25-23 victory over the United States on Sunday, July 20 at Chiba Port Arena, head coach Laurent Tillie’s squad improved to 8-4 in the global competition.
Determination and a high level of execution carried Japan past Team USA.
Outsider hitter Ran Takahashi ignited Japan’s attack and finished with a team-best 18 points. Kento Miyaura chipped in with 13 points, which included two aces. Captain Yuki Ishikawa had seven points.
Takahashi and Taishi Onodera were the team leaders in blocks (two apiece).
“We had a difficult week with the national team, but we did well and this was important for us,” Takahashi was quoted as saying, according to the Volleyball World website. “Going to the finals is also important for us. We get to meet more good teams and grow further. It was amazing to play here in this perfect environment.”
Before its sweep of the United States, Japan played three additional volleyball matches in Week 3 of the tourney’s preliminary round.
It started with a four-game victory over Germany on July 16, followed by a thrilling five-set comeback triumph over Argentina the next day. Brazil swept Japan (25-21, 25-23, 28-26) on July 18.
Volleyball Preparations for Japan
Up next: Japan focuses on getting ready for the eight-team finals in Ningbo, China.
In the quarterfinals, Brazil faces China and Italy takes on Cuba on July 30. Japan meets Poland and France plays Slovenia on July 31.
The final is set for August 3.
In 2023, Japan earned the silver medal at the Volleyball Nations League. A year earlier, the team placed third.
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Basketball
Japan Falls to Australia in FIBA Women’s Asia Cup Final
Australia defeated Japan 88-79 in the 2025 FIBA Women’s Asia Cup final on Sunday, July 20 in Shenzhen, China, to win the title for the first time.
Japan trailed 54-43 at halftime, but chipped away at the lead. Coach Corey Gaines’ squad rallied from a double-digit deficit in the fourth quarter, using an 11-0 run to tie it at 70-70 on a Maki Takada jumper with 7:26 remaining.
And with 3:54 to play, Takada sank a pair of free throws to pull Japan within 80-75.
For Australia, an Alex Brooke Wilson 3-pointer extended the lead to 85-75 with 2:51 remaining.
Rising Akatsuki Japan star Kokoro Tanaka had 19 of her game-high 21 points in the first quarter. The 19-year-old guard also finished with six rebounds and nine assists. Yuki Miyazawa contributed 18 points and nine boards. Team captain Takada poured in 14 points.
Japan had 15 assists and 17 turnovers in the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup final, and the latter statistic was a big factor in the game.
Australia scored 26 points off its opponent’s turnovers.
Tournament MVP Alexandra Fowler paced the Aussies with 15 points on 7-for-11 shooting.
In Sunday’s third-place match, China routed South Korea, winning 101-66.
Impressions of Japan Guard Tanaka
The FIBA Women’s Asia Cup was an impressive showcase for Tanaka, who averaged 14.8 points and 5.5 assists in six games.
“When I first started watching her (Tanaka), I noticed that she is fearless, emotionless and things that faze other people don’t faze her,” Gaines said, according to FIBA.com. “She’s always even-toned even when stuff goes bad, even when I yell at her. As she gets older, she’s only gonna get better.”
The former NBA player and ex-WNBA head coach added, “I’ve been hard on her, but her future is gonna be great. I show her love — it’s tough love because I see greatness in her.”
Tanaka, who also plays for the WJBL’s Eneos Sunflowers, knocked down 15 of 31 3-pointers in the tournament.
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Badminton
China’s Shi, South Korea’s An Claim Japan Open Singles Titles
China’s Yuqi Shi and South Korea’s Se Young An triumphed in the men’s and women’s singles finals, respectively, at the Japan Open. The BWF World Tour tournament wrapped up on Sunday, July 20 at Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium.
Shi earned a 21-17, 21-15 victory over France’s Alex Lanier to secure the title.
Japan’s Koki Watanabe was eliminated in the semifinals on the previous day.
An swept China’s Zhiyi Wang 21-12, 21-10 in the women’s final.
On Saturday, Riko Gunji and fan favorite Akane Yamaguchi lost their semifinal matches in the Japanese capital.
Also on Saturday, Chiharu Shida and Nami Matsuyama, who claimed the women’s bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, dropped their final match in a tournament in Japan. Malaysia’s Pearly Tan and Thinaah Muralitharan won 21-12, 21-11 in the doubles semifinals at the Japan Open.
Shida and Matsuyama recently announced they would be ending their partnership after the 2025 Badminton World Championships, which will be held in late August in Paris.
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Swimming
Japan Grabs Silver in Artistic Swimming Event at World Championships
At the 2025 World Aquatics Championships in Singapore, Japan collected the silver medal in the artistic swimming free competition on Sunday, July 20.
Representing Japan in the event were Kaho Aitaka, Moka Fujii, Moe Higa, Yuka Kawase, Uta Kobayashi, Tomoka Sato, Nao Shirahase and Sakurako Uchida. They amassed 334.7232 points in the final for a trio of components ― total difficulty, artistic impression and execution ― and finished behind China (348.4749).
In Singapore, Japan’s young eight-woman artistic swimming squad featured five athletes who didn’t compete at the Paris Olympics.
Sato, the team captain, said the team’s effort was strong.
“We swam well in the preliminaries yesterday, so we told each other, ‘We can definitely do it today,’ before going into the finals,” Sato said on Sunday, NHK reported.
The 23-year-old Sato added, “I think we were able to [accomplish] a performance we can be proud of, and I’m relieved that it led to a result. We got off to a good start, but there are still other events to go, so we want to keep this momentum going and persevere until the end.”
Japan Earns Silver in Men’s 400-Meter Relay at World University Games
Takumi Mori, Takaki Hara, Yuta Watanabe and Konosuke Yanagimoto represented Japan in the men’s 400-meter freestyle relay at the 2025 World University Games on Thursday, July 17 in Berlin.
The Japanese quartet placed second in the eight-nation final, completing the race in 3 minutes, 14.19 seconds. Brazil secured the bronze in 3:15.02, and the United States won the gold (3:12.30).
The World University Games (July 16-27) is being held in six German cities.
Author: Ed Odeven
Find Ed on JAPAN Forward‘s dedicated website, SportsLook. Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven.
Sports
UC Davis Athletics Concludes Fall With Competitive Success, National Honors and Facilities Investment
DAVIS, Calif. — UC Davis Athletics capped the Fall 2025 season with record-setting performances, national and conference honors, and postseason success across multiple programs. The season also marked the announcement of Aggie Ascent, a $265 million facilities plan designed to enhance the student-athlete and fan experience.
“Across multiple programs this fall, our teams competed at a high level, earned conference championships, advanced in postseason play, and achieved milestones that reflect the depth and consistency of our department,” said UC Davis Athletic Director Rocko DeLuca. “Those results are a direct credit to our student-athletes, coaches, and staff, who continue to raise the standard through their commitment, preparation, and belief in what we’re building here. As we celebrate those accomplishments, we’re focused on matching that competitive momentum with long-term investment in our facilities and resources to support our teams at the highest level of Division I athletics. I’m proud of what this group accomplished this fall and excited about where Aggie Athletics is headed.”
Aggie Ascent Announcement
This fall, UC Davis Athletics announced Aggie Ascent, a comprehensive facilities master plan. The $265 million, phased, gift-driven project prioritizes high-impact and revenue-generating facilities, beginning with a reimagined UC Davis Health Stadium featuring premium seating, suites, and a year-round hospitality space, alongside a new NCAA-compliant Woody Wilson Track and Field Complex and a Golf Training Center serving both Aggie programs and the surrounding community. Future phases include upgrades to baseball, soccer, and the University Credit Union Center, as well as a new softball stadium and redevelopment of south campus facilities.
Developed in partnership with ELS Architecture and Urban Design, the plan represents the university’s unified vision for athletics infrastructure, focused on enhancing the student-athlete experience, elevating the fan experience, and ensuring long-term sustainability. The project reflects UC Davis’ commitment to innovation and competitive excellence at the Division I level.
Championships and Postseason
UC Davis Athletics delivered a strong year highlighted by postseason appearances, conference championships, and historic milestones across multiple programs. Aggie football, gymnastics, and women’s golf each qualified for NCAA postseason competition, with several teams extending their seasons beyond conference play.
Conference success followed, as volleyball captured the Big West regular season title and men’s water polo claimed the Big West Conference championship, continuing the program’s tradition of postseason success.
Football, under second-year head coach Tim Plough, continued its national climb by advancing to the NCAA Quarterfinals for a second-straight year, while posting a top eight finish nationally in back-to-back seasons coming in at No. 8 following the most recent fall. Field hockey also marked a milestone year, hosting and competing in its first Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Championship game.
Historic Wins and Notable Awards
UC Davis student-athletes earned significant national and conference recognition across multiple programs this year. Men’s water polo standout Thomas Kiesling was named a third-team ACWPC All-American after earning All-Big West First Team honors, placing him among the nation’s top collegiate players.
Field hockey collected major accolades, as Karly Redman earned MPSF Offensive Player of the Year honors, while freshman goalkeeper Addie Collingwood was named MPSF Freshman of the Year following an impactful debut season.
Football earned multiple postseason honors this season, highlighted by a handful of Aggies receiving All-America recognition from four different national organizations. Among those was first team All-American Jacob Psyk, making it three-straight seasons the Aggies have had at least one first team All-American.
Volleyball capped a strong season with multiple major awards. Jade Light was named Big West Player of the Year and earned American Volleyball Coaches Association All-American Honorable Mention, becoming the program’s first All-American since 1996. She was joined by Mia Starr, the Big West Setter of the Year, and Ximena Cordero Barr, who earned Libero of the Year honors. These accolades coincided with a record-setting season, as the Aggies posted the most conference wins in program history.
ABOUT UC DAVIS ATHLETICS:
UC Davis, the No. 2 ranked public university by the Wall Street Journal, is home to 40,000 undergraduate students and 12,000 employees. Ranked #1 in Agriculture and Forestry as well as #1 in Veterinary Medicine, UC Davis is located in a true California college town nestled between world-class destinations such as the San Francisco Bay Area, Napa Valley and Lake Tahoe. Over 650 Aggie student-athletes compete in 25 Division I varsity sports, with 16 sports transitioning to the Mountain West Conference beginning in 2026–27.
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Fabela, Tavita named to Softball America Freshman Watch List – BYU Athletics – Official Athletics Website
January 12, 2026
BIG RAPIDS, Mich. —
Ferris State University students, alumni, faculty, and community members poured into the David L. Eisler Center
for the 2026 “Bulldog Spirit Day,” on Monday, Jan. 12, to recognize the success of
both the football and volleyball programs.
The football team was ranked No. 1 in the nation all season long and capped and capped
the historical run with a perfect 16-0 record and earning their fourth NCAA Division
II National Championship title in five years.
Women’s volleyball remained as a national contender while crowning themselves as NCAA
Midwest Regional Champions for the second straight season and securing the 2025 GLIAC
Regular Season Championship – closing the season 27-8 overall.
“It’s a good time for community today,” said Ferris State President Bill Pink during
the celebration. “This semester and this year, we are focused on opportunities to
come together (and) to build community.”
Those efforts were seen as Mecosta County Commissioner and longtime Bulldog Bill Routley
presented a resolution to Ferris State Athletics – and hundreds of students, dozens
of alumni, and campus administration were in attendance to celebrate the championships.
Big Rapids elementary school students also made a visit to the Ferris State main campus
to join the Bulldog Spirit Day fun.
Freshman middle hitter Aaliyah Cage of the volleyball team not only saw her first
collegiate reps this season but was also called on to help steer the Bulldogs to the
regional championship victory over Indianapolis last month on Dec. 26. With the first
season under her belt, she’s thankful for the support Ferris State provides to student-athletes
and their programs to help them feel a sense of belonging.
“Today is important for the community because sports are known to bring everyone together,
and when you’re starting college, it’s natural to feel isolated,” Cage said. “So,
it’s important to know that you have a school that supports programs helping students
to get involved. It’s also good to see that you (student-athletes) have a community
that support what you do on and off the court.”
A large part of building a strong community within athletics boils down to having
strong leaders. Head football coach Tony Annese and volleyball coach Tia Brandel-Wilhelm
expressed their gratitude to the administration for a consistent effort to support
all Ferris State Athletics, while noting that their programs wouldn’t achieve their
success without the support or the constant hard work of their athletes.
While it’s easy to show community support around the time that championships are won,
Pink says building a community is an ongoing effort, and something he wants to be
at the forefront of Ferris State Athletics fans.
“You have to be intentional about building relationships and community… If no one
else is going to do it, Ferris State can. We’re building community, and we’re building
champions. It’s just the way Bulldogs do it,” he said.
Those unable to attend Bulldog Spirit Day will have another opportunity to celebrate
the recent championship success during a victory parade this spring. The time and
date have yet to be determined.
CHICAGO — In its 41st year celebrating the nation’s best high school athletes, Gatorade recently announced that Logan Cary of Rock Canyon High School is the 2025-26 Gatorade Colorado Volleyball Player of the Year.
Gatorade Player of the Year is the top honor in high school sports, celebrating the nation’s best high school athletes for their excellence in sport, academics and community.
The award recognizes Cary as Colorado’s best high school volleyball player, and she joins an elite legacy that spans professional athletes and coaches to CEOs, such as Kerri Walsh Jennings (1995-96, Archbishop Mitty High School, CA), April Ross (1999-00, Newport Harbor High School, CA) and Campbell Flynn (2024-25, Mercy High School, MI).
The 6-foot-2 senior setter and right-side hitter recorded 468 assists and 289 kills this past season, leading the Jaguars (24- 4) to the Class 5A semifinals and a third-place finish in the tournament. Ranked as the state’s No. 2 recruit in her class by PrepDig, Cary was a First Team All-State selection and was selected to play in the Colorado Sports All-State Games. She also compiled 245 digs, 64 blocks, and 49 service aces last fall.
Last summer, she helped her Front Range Volleyball Club squad take 13th at the 17s Division Nationals.
Cary has volunteered locally on behalf of HCA HealthONE Sky Ridge Hospital, the American Cancer Society Walk and Girls on the Run event, Momentum Services and the Children’s Diabetes Foundation Boo Bash. She has also donated her time as a peer math tutor and as a youth volleyball coach.
“Logan has played a major role in her team’s success as one of the most complete players in the state,” said Gwen Forster, Club Director for EVA. “Offensively, she excels both as a setter by making smart decisions and distributing the ball effectively for three rotations, and then, as an attacker, she is a significant scoring threat. Her ability to run an offense while also terminating sets her apart. She’s a solid blocker and a reliable defender, contributing across all phases of the game. Her volleyball IQ, versatility and competitiveness project well at the collegiate level.”
Cary has maintained a weighted 4.12 GPA in the classroom. She has signed a written letter of athletic aid to play volleyball at San Diego State University.
The Gatorade Player of the Year program annually recognizes one state winner from each of the 50 states and Washington D.C., in 12 different sports: football, girls volleyball, boys and girls cross country, boys and girls basketball, baseball, softball, boys and girls soccer, and boys and girls track & field. In total, 610 high school athletes are honored each year. From the pool of state winners, one national winner is selected in each of the 12 sports. The selection process is administered by the Gatorade Player of the Year Selection Committee, which leverages experts including coaches, scouts, media and others as sources to help evaluate and determine the winners in each sport.
As part of Gatorade’s commitment to breaking down barriers in sport, every Player of the Year also receives a grant to donate to a social impact partner. To date, the Gatorade Player of the Year program has provided more than $6.4 million in grants to winners across more than 2,200 organizations.
To learn more about the Gatorade Player of the Year program, check out past winners or to nominate student-athletes, visit playeroftheyear.gatorade.com or follow us on social media on Instagram at instagram.com/Gatorade, Facebook at facebook.com/GatoradePOY and X (Twitter) at x.com/Gatorade
Photo taken by Next Level Portrait
Avery Vogt, a senior at Waukee Northwest High School, has been named the 2025–26 Gatorade Iowa Volleyball Player of the Year, one of the top honors in high school athletics. The Gatorade Player of the Year award recognizes student-athletes for success in athletics, academics, and community involvement.
Avery helped lead the Wolves to an impressive 38–1 season and the program’s second state championship. She finished the year with 939 assists, along with 216 kills, 171 digs, 45 blocks, and 38 service aces, highlighting her versatility and leadership on the court. Her season also earned her AVCA Honorable Mention All-American and AVCA All-Region recognition.
In addition to the Gatorade honor, Avery was named to the IGCA Elite All-State Team, selected as the State Tournament Most Valuable Player, and received the 5A Ms. Volleyball award. She played a key role in Northwest closing the season with 52 consecutive set victories.
Off the court, Avery enjoys giving back to the community. She volunteers as a mentor at camps and clinics and supports literacy outreach by reading to elementary students throughout the Waukee Community School District.
After graduation, Avery will continue her volleyball career at Drake University. Congratulations, Avery, on this incredible honor
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