PITTSBURGH, PA. (SMU) – SMU Volleyball fell to Purdue (27-6) in the NCAA Championship Regional Semifinal 3-1 with set scores of 25-16, 19-25, 22-25, 27-29. The Mustangs end the season 27-6, tied for the most wins in program history.   

Malaya Jones led SMU with her ninth double-double of the season, totaling 23 kills and 12 digs, hitting .333 Thursday night. Favor Anyanwu tied her career-high with 12 kills, swinging at a .476 clip. Kennedi Rogers joined the two in double-figures with 11 kills and four digs, hitting .324.  

Averi Carlson dished out 55 assists and added eight digs against the Boilermakers. Defensively, Jordyn Schilling dug 19 balls for the Mustangs and was joined in double-figures by Jones (12) and Christa Wilburn, who added 11 in the loss.   

SMU hit .295 as a team while Purdue hit .282 in the match. The Boilermakers out-blocked the Mustangs 12-7 and had a 6-2 advantage in service aces.   

MATCH NOTES         

• Jones reached the double-digit kill mark for the 27th time this season and for the 10th straight match. It marked Jones’ 10th match with 20 or more kills. Her 23 kills are the most by a Mustang in an NCAA Tournament match. 
• Anyanwu. She finished with 526 kills this season, the second most all-time in a single season in program history. 
• Rogers recorded double-digit kills for the seventh time this season.        
• It marked Schilling’s 23rd time in double-figures this season and for the sixth straight match.     
• Averi Carlson finished her senior season with 1,396 assists, the third most by a Mustang in the rally scoring era.   
• With three blocks against the Boilermakers, Anyanwu finished the season with 178 on the year, the second most all-time in a single season.     

 

HOW IT HAPPENED:        

SMU got off to a dominant start, going up 9-1 in the first set. Purdue put two short runs together later in the set, but SMU held firm to win the frame 25-16. The Mustangs swung at an efficient .414 clip in the first set and held Purdue to a .067 hitting percentage. The SMU offense was lights out, registering a 15-9 kill advantage.   

Purdue evened the match in the second set with a 25-19 win. SMU answered several Boilermaker runs with multiple stretches of its own, closing their deficit to one three different times midway through the set, the latest being at the 19-18 mark. However, after a timeout by Purdue, the Boilermakers closed the second frame, scoring on six of the final seven points to win the frame.    

Back and forth for a majority of the frame, Purdue took a 2-1 set score lead with a strong finish down the stretch. The Boilermakers controlled the red zone with a 5-2 run after a 20-20 score late in the third to win the frame 25-22. There were seven ties and three lead changes in the third.    

Up one (15-14) on a kill from Anyanwu, Purdue strung together four straight to go up 18-15, forcing SMU to take a timeout. Down 21-17, the Mustangs rallied for six of the next seven to jump ahead by one, 23-22. After a timeout, SMU fought off four consecutive match points but ultimately came up short, falling 29-27 in the fourth set.    

SMU LEADERS:          

SMU Kills Leader: Malaya Jones (23)    

SMU Assists Leader: Averi Carlson (55)   

SMU Digs Leader: Jordyn Schilling (19)    

SMU Blocks Leader: Favor Anyanwu/Madison Scheer (3)    

SMU Ace Leader: Malaya Jones/Maggie Croft (1)    

SMU Points Leader: Malaya Jones (25.5)  

 

For the sixth time in program histor, and fifth under Dave Shondell, Purdue Volleyball is moving on to the Elite Eight. After a slow start in tonight’s Sweet 16 match with 2 seed SMU the Boilers fought back to take three straight sets for a 3-1 win. It is the second time this year Purdue got a 3-1 win over the Mustangs.

The first set was mostly a disaster as SMU came roaring out of the gate to the tune of a 17-4 advantage in the first set. Purdue fought back, but still droped set 1 25-16. Set 2 was much better as it was Purdue’s turn to start out strong. Consecutive aces spurred on a 6-1 start. That allowed Purdue to lead the set throughout, culminating in a 25-19 win.

Set 3 was much more back and forth, with both teams going through lengthy rallies. SMU got out to a 5-1 advantage, but Purdue was able to eventually tie it at 11-11 with kills from Grace Heaney, Akasha Anderson, and Taylor Anderson. The set stayed tense and was eventually tied at 20-20 before Purdue edged ahead to win 25-22.

The battle in set 4 was fierce, as SMU had several huge saves to stay alive. In the end, they fought of four match points before Purdue was finally able to close it 29-27.

This is the first time Purdue has reached the Elite Eight since 2021, where it also lost to Pittsburgh on its home floor. Pitt eliminated Minnesota 3-0 in the first semifinal Thursday night. They enter the match at 29-4 with losses only to Nebraska, Stanford, Miami, and Florida. They have yet to drop a set in the NCAA Tournament.

If Pinterest could describe 2026 in two words, it would be “ambient chaos.” And that’s because Gen Z has been using the visual discovery platform to carve out more intentional lives, according to the new Pinterest Predicts 2026 report. This means that constantly chasing viral moments is very much out next year.

The annual forecast found that younger users are seeking viral trends less and instead are leaning into softer and slower experiences online. In this 2026 edition, Pinterest compiled over two dozen key trends and styles its users are looking for. No surprise, they all lean towards self-expression and escapism.

“Gen Z is overworked, overscheduled and overwhelmed. They are always planning and scheming how to be more productive with their time, looking for hacks to save little bits of their time and energy. So it is no surprise they’re looking towards a distant past they have only heard of, but probably never

experienced—those “nostalgic” days when life was simpler,” said Vivek Iyyani, founder at Millennial Minds.

Case in point: nearly four in 10 Gen Z users say they look to curate personal identities than copy aesthetics from the posts they save and search on Pinterest. This shift is most evident in the rise of nostalgic, offline behaviours. For example, a fourth of Gen Z and millennial users report rediscovering handwriting letters. Notably, Gen Z in Singapore is four times more likely to engage with pen pals compared to the global average. 

Pinterest found three main cultural drivers—emotional comfort, intentional curation, and grounded optimism—influencing next year’s trends. This means that youths are less likely to doomscroll on the platform, but rather engage in designs, looks, and routines that feel personal. For marketers and brands, this suggests that inviting consumers to remix ideas is more effective compared to one-size-fits-all campaigns. 

“For brands, this is a unique opportunity to connect with Gen Z at their most creative and decisive moments. Across APAC markets such as Singapore, we see them embracing both reflective aesthetics and bold self-expression,” said Ayumi Nakajima, senior director, content partnerships, APAC at Pinterest.

Here’s a rundown of the 21 biggest trends of 2026, according to Pinterest: 

• Cool Blue: Think ice queen, but make it everyday life. This is all about frosty blue tones showing up in icy coats, glacier-inspired nail art, pale-blue cocktails, and even cool-toned wedding palettes. The colour palette shifts away from warm brights to something calmer and more, well, chill. 

• Brooched: Maximalism in miniature with brooches, pins and little heirloom-style pieces. Think a suit paired with a statement or sentimental brooch that turns a look from corporate to runway.

• Glamoratti: Imagine 80s luxury power dressing reissued specifically for the chaos on TikTok. Shoulder pads go bigger, tailoring gets sharper, and belts get chunkier. Decadence is back with a love for sculpted silhouettes and high drama.

• Glitchy Glam: The anti-perfect beauty trend. Mismatched nails, off-centre liner, and asymmetric bobs. Symmetry is out for 2026.

• Vamp Romantic: Goth but with a sweet twist. Dark plum lips, inky manicures, and smudged smokey eyes without leaning fully into the goth subculture.

• Scent Stacking: Instead of one signature scent, the in thing is to build a fragrance wardrobe and layer perfumes to create custom combos. There’s a comeback for discovery sets and minis, as more young people get into fragrances and luxury experiences.

• Poetcore: A rebrand of the academia aesthetic with oversized turtlenecks, worn-in blazers, and satchels. This also reflects the broader shift towards hobbies like journaling, reading, and writing.

• Khaki Coded: Think explorer with desert-inspired neutrals in khaki shorts, utility shirts, and field jackets. The idea is to dress like you could walk straight into an expedition, even if you’re just heading to brunch.

• Afrohemian Decor: A fusion of African and boho influences. This means colourful Nigerian textiles, adire fabrics, and Ethiopian wall art. It’s a move away from flat minimalism into homes that feel rooted in culture, craft, and story, with a resort feel.

• Fun Haus: Circus-adjacent interiors with striped ceilings, sculptural furniture, and bold graphic prints. This aesthetic is meant to be playful but grown-up, with a few circus cues in a more neutral base.

• Neo Deco: A contemporary take on art deco. Expect strong geometric patterns and chrome and brass accents. It’s a reaction to bare, beige minimalism. While spaces still look curated and sleek, there’s a sense of old-school glamour reinterpreted for small apartments and modern living.

• Cabbage Crush: The humble cabbage gets its ‘It’ veggie moment. The once-unpopular vegetable is transformed into charred cabbage ‘steaks’ and crunchy wraps. It’s familiar, affordable, and can swing healthy or indulgent.

• Darecations: Travel built around adrenaline. People are searching for rafting, canyoneering, and big sports fixtures as their main activity on trips. Instead of beach holidays, itineraries are structured around bucket-list thrills that look great on camera.

• Mystic Outlands: A travel escapist’s fantasy that features places with a folklore or sci-fi landscape. Think mist-covered Highland valleys, surreal salt flats, and other “ethereal” views. It’s a break from city living, with many looking for unique destinations.

• Gimme Gummy: This one is all about texture you can see and almost feel through the screen. Jelly and gummy aesthetics that are sensory and ASMR-friendly that riles up one’s urge to poke, squish and play with objects.

• Pen Pals: Snail mail gets a revival. Think cute stamps, decorated envelopes, and wax seals. Letters are once again a creative outlet. In Singapore, many younger users are using long-form, handwritten notes as an antidote to DMs.

• Laced Up: The aesthetic features lace-trimmed jackets, crocheted bandanas, and doily-inspired details. Craft and crochet communities get their moment, with more stylised, fashion-forward applications.

• Throwback Kid: Older users recreate their own childhoods for their kids. This means vintage or thrifted children’s clothes, old-school toys, and retro nursery decor. 

• Wilderkind: Detailing taken from nature’s playbook with bug jewellery, deer or fawn-inspired makeup, and insect-inspired nail art. 

• Operasthetic: Dramatic drapes, heavy fabrics, red and gold palettes. Weddings and parties are expected to borrow from old theatres and cabaret to create a sense of performance, where every detail feels like it’s part of a set.

• Extra Celestial: Alien-core and space aesthetics taken beyond niche fandoms into the mainstream. Think holographic fabrics, iridescent and opalescent finishes. Very much inspired by hyperfuturistic design.

She had a record-breaking sophomore season that, in the fall, included her first win at the collegiate level when she posted a time of 17:44.22 in the 5K of the FAU Invitational.

She followed that in the spring by setting a new school record in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the Wake Forest Invitational with a time of 10:48.62. She also recorded the fourth-fastest time in program history in the 3,000-meter run when she posted a 9:50.33.

And as a new season of competition begins to heat up, Scheier is picking up right where she left off as a sophomore.

In September, she set a new Miami record in the 5K with a time of 17:04.48 at the Southern Showcase in Huntsville, Alabama and she she’s determined to keep growing – especially since she really only embraced running late in her high school career.

“I think what I’ve noticed is that because I started later, that now I’m seeing that big improvement that most girls might see in high school,” she said. “It just shows all the hard work from the past couple years, which is really exciting. The jump from my freshman year to sophomore year was huge and I was able to break a lot of records, which was fun. But it’s really meant a lot because I do work really hard and I sacrifice a lot of other things in order to be at my best. So, it’s really cool to see it all come through.”

For Scheier, competing at a high level is second nature.

It had to be, given her family.

Her father, Adam Scheier, is a veteran college football coach who is currently the special teams coordinator at UNLV. Her sister Callie is now an assistant coach and the director of player development for the women’s basketball team at High Point University, where she played and was a two-time conference champion. Sister Riley was a Sunsation at Miami before graduating and is now a cheerleader for the Philadelphia Eagles, while her younger brother, Brady, is taking a postgraduate year before playing football at Princeton.

Competition was always fierce in the Scheier home – but it always came with plenty of support, too.

That, Scheier says, pushed her to become the athlete she is today.

“I just think being around so many good examples and seeing what happens when you put your mind to something and you’re passionate about something, it created a sense of toughness in me,” Scheier said. “I learned how to battle adversity. And also, just having that support system was huge. They’re the ones that support me in every race. They text me good luck beforehand and watch all the races and everything. … It’s just cool having a group of people that I’m so close to that all understand what it means to be a serious athlete and we’re all able to support each other.”

DAVIS, Calif. — UC Davis Track & Field is strengthening its distance program with the addition of Assistant Coach Maria Anderson, a decorated former student-athlete and rapidly rising coach. Anderson brings a strong record of developing all-conference performers, guiding championship teams, and mentoring student-athletes on and off the course.

“We are excited to welcome Coach Maria to our coaching staff,” said Track & Field Head Coach Ngoni Makusha. “Her depth of experience, combined with the passion she showcased at Elizabethtown College and San Francisco State, will be a tremendous asset to our athletes and our program. We look forward to the leadership and enthusiasm she brings.”

Anderson arrives in Davis after spending the 2024 season at San Francisco State, where she coached the men’s and women’s distance squads. Prior to that, she spent six seasons at Elizabethtown College, rising from volunteer coach to Associate Head Coach while helping guide both the men’s and women’s teams to Landmark Conference Cross Country Championships. During her tenure, she coached multiple all-conference and all-region athletes, as well as competitors who qualified for NCAA Division III and Atlantic Regional Championships.

“I’m honored to join the coaching staff at UC Davis and grateful for the opportunity to work with such a talented group of student-athletes and coaches,” Anderson said. “I’m excited to get to work on this upcoming season and look forward to the progress made towards our team goals in the MPSF and Big West Conference.”

As a student-athlete at Elizabethtown, Anderson was a four-time All-Landmark Conference performer in cross country, the 2014 Landmark Conference Rookie of the Year, and helped lead the Blue Jays to four team championships. She also earned two All-Mideast Region honors, captured the 2018 Landmark Conference steeplechase title while setting a facility record, and finished her career as a five-time all-conference honoree in track & field.

Anderson graduated from Elizabethtown in 2018 with a degree in fine arts and earned her master’s in art education from Millersville University in 2022. She also holds A.C.E. personal training certification, USATF Level 1 coaching certification, and is pursuing USATF Level 2 in endurance.

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. 

For more information, visit https://ucdavisaggies.com/. 

 

Nevada volleyball coach Shannon Wyckoff-McNeal resigned Thursday after two years on job, becoming the third Wolf Pack head coach to step down in the last 11 days.

Wyckoff-McNeal joins baseball coach Jake McKinley and women’s soccer coach Vanessa Valentine is resigning recently. McKinley did so to join the Seattle Mariners’ staff. Wyckoff-McNeal said she stepped down to focus on her family.

“After a lot of reflection and prayer, I have chosen to step away in order to put my family first,” Wyckoff-McNeal said in a news release. “It’s truly heart-wrenching to leave a place and a group of people I care for so deeply. Nevada will always hold a special place in my heart, and I’m grateful for every relationship, every experience and every moment spent here. I want to extend my deepest gratitude to the University of Nevada, President (Brian) Sandoval and Stephanie Rempe for the incredible opportunity to be part of such a special place. My time here has meant more to me than I can express. This is a great university with a tremendous community, and being part of this program has been both inspiring and rewarding. Go Pack!”

Wyckoff-McNeal was hired Dec. 27, 2023 as Nevada volleyball’s 12th head coach, agreeing to a five-year pact that paid $155,000 annually with a $40,000 buyout if she left the school before Dec. 31, 2025. Hunt was hired by Nevada after a successful stint as an assistant coach at Washington State for more than a decade.

Nevada finished second-to-last in the MW in each of Wyckoff-McNeal’s two seasons with the Wolf Pack. In 2024, Nevada went 12-17 overall and 5-13 in the Mountain West. This season, the Wolf Pack was 8-20 overall and 4-14 in league play. Wyckoff-McNeal went 20-37 overall and 9-27 in the MW in two seasons. Her first year was marred by Nevada’s boycott of a match against San Jose State, which drew national headlines as the Wolf Pack players voted against taking the court versus the Spartans, whose team featured a a transgender player.

After making five NCAA Tournament berths from 1998-2005, Nevada volleyball has posted a winning record in just three of the last 20 seasons (2007, 2016 and 2019). It also has suffered from heavy transfers over the last decade, including three of the Wolf Pack’s top potential returners (Haylee Brown, Audrey Jensen and Kinsley Singleton) entering the portal earlier this week.

Nevada said it would conduct a national search for Wyckoff-McNeal’s replacement.

“I would like to thank Shannon for her dedication to the Nevada volleyball program and our student-athletes over the past two years,” Nevada athletic director Stephanie Rempe said in a news release. “I wish her all the best.”