Sports
New faces, new places the theme for Polk volleyball in 2025
It’s the question that Molly Hill has heard a few times this year, maybe even asked herself once or twice.
So, now what?
Hill begins her 12th season at Polk County with back-to-back state championships in hand and a rebuilding job ahead. The Wolverines played seven players in November’s state 1A final triumph over Perquimans – six of those graduated in May, including three players now gearing up for their first collegiate seasons.
So when Polk travels Tuesday to R-S Central to open the 2025 season, it will be a very different group taking the court than faced the Hilltoppers – or anyone else – in recent years.
“There are a lot of openings this season,” Hill said. “A lot of big shoes to fill. So we’re trying to figure out what that dynamic is going to look like and trying things and slowing things down so we can evaluate and look at what is going to be our best scenario.
“We have a lot of options. Where everything was kind of set in stone (in recent seasons), this year there’s so much that’s open. We could do this, or I could try her here. So I’m putting them in different scenarios and lineups and we’ll see how it’s going to play out.”
The roster includes another large senior class of seven, and that group will be tasked with taking on leadership for a squad that has plenty of talent, if not experience.
That senior cohort begins with Charley Dusenbury, the lone returning starter from last year’s 22-3 squad. Dusenbury piled up 740 assists as the Wolverines’ primary setter and has been recognized by several media outlets as one of the area’s top returning players at the position.
Yet how much she’ll actually play there this year remains to be seen.
“We depend on her so much to run our offense,” Hill said of Dusenbury. “I did bring Abby (Lewis) up. She has beautiful hands and just really has that whole setter package. And that gives me an opportunity to put Charley in a different role and put some pressure on her in a different way than I ever have before.
“I told her the first day of practice, you have to hit. She was kind of like, what? And I’m like, yes, you’re going to hit this year. So it’s just retraining her brain into thinking, while I’m on front row, I don’t have to take this second ball. I need to focus on blocking and trying to do something dynamic and big for the hitting.”
Senior Akeela Cunningham saw action last season while standout Sophia Overholt was injured and will be a key part of Polk’s attack this year. She’ll be joined outside by junior Beija Olivari, with sophomores Jill Brown and Elena Greve expected to fill the key role of middle hitter.
Lewis may see some time hitting on the right side along with junior Jessie Bradley and seniors Naomi Martinez and Mahaley Wilson.
Another potential hitter is sophomore Reeve Carroll. But Hill expects Carroll to step into the libero role, a key aspect of the Wolverines’ game plan and the position where Hill played in college.
“I need somebody consistent and powerful on the back row that I can leave in the whole game and have that person there,” Hill said. “You know how I am with that position. I am real picky and I hold them to a really high standard. So I’ve been practicing Reeve at that position and she’s doing great.
“But I also have lineups written out where she is hitting. I know I could put on the outside or the middle. And with Beija, I can do the same thing. So it’s just a lot of options.”
Joining Carroll in the back row will be seniors Riyah Schroyer, Aslyn Scruggs and Junie Mitchell as well as junior Zulum Ramirez. Foreign exchange student Manuela Sanchez could also see time in the back as well as some action as a hitter.
It will be a lot of familiar and new faces in new places, but Hill said she’s not the only coach in the area encountering that scenario.
“(At a scrimmage) I was talking to some other coaches, and they’re in the same boat,” she said. “They’re young, they’ve got freshmen and sophomores starting on varsity, just trying to see what that is going to look like.
“So even for other teams around us, it’s going to be a big puzzle of, OK, what is going to be our best? I talked to the girls about that, that it can change week to week. Who are the six people that we feel are the most comfortable and can get us the win? That’s what we’re going to do.”
One other bit of new this season for Hill really isn’t unfamiliar at all. After four seasons in the Mountain Foothills 7 Conference, Polk County has returned to the Western Highlands Conference, which it dominated for several seasons, as part of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association’s realignment for 2025-2029. That same process also moved the Wolverines into the 3A ranks as the NCHSAA has expanded from four to eight classifications beginning this season.
Joining the Wolverines back in the WHC is Hendersonville, and the Bearcats could be Polk’s biggest threat with a core group of returnees bolsted by junior transfer Arden Arkansas, who played last season at Brevard.
“I can’t say that I’m thrilled about the long travel, but I am confident,” Hill said of the return to the WHC. “We’re going to have to play Polk County volleyball and play our style. But it is something we’re familiar with, we’ve seen before and we know all these teams.
“So going into it I’m confident, and hopefully it works out in our favor.”
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
Men’s Basketball (8-9, 2-4)
Men’s basketball had just one game last week, falling 70-57 at UIC. Damien Mayo Jr. was the game’s leading scorer with 17, and he also tied Quel’Ron House to lead all players in assists with five.
Two games await Southern this week. On Wednesday, Jan. 14, they host Drake at 7 p.m. SIU then welcomes Belmont to Banterra Center on Saturday, Jan. 17, at 6 p.m.
Women’s Basketball (4-11, 1-5)
The women’s basketball squad split their two conference games last week.
First, the team lost to Evansville on Thursday, 75-70. Jeniah Thompson reset her career-high in points with 19, and grabbed 12 rebounds to complete a double-double. Karris Allen had a nice game as well with 15 points and eight rebounds, and Indya Green was the final Saluki to hit double-digit points with her 11.
SIU then picked up their first conference win of the season on Saturday, defeating Valparaiso 97-59. Thompson set a new career-high in points once again with 25, and had 14 rebounds as well for another double-double. Green, Kayla Cooper, and Tkiyah Nelson all had 10+ points as well.
This week, the Salukis host Murray State on Thursday, Jan. 15, at 6 p.m. They then welcome UIC to Carbondale on Sunday, Jan. 18, for a 2 p.m. match.
Swim and Dive
It was a busy weekend for swim and dive, who competed for the first time following winter break.
On Friday, the men’s squad traveled to Purdue and fell 207-103. Carter Ruthven won SIU’s first event of the day by taking gold in the 100-butterfly. Alex Cimera won the 200-freestyle event as well as the 100-freestyle. Southern’s last win of the meet came in the 400-IM thanks to Juraj Barcot.
SIU then hosted Evansville and Indiana State’s women’s team on Saturday for Senior Day. Both Southern squads took down Evansville, but the women’s team fell to Indiana State in a close meet. The Salukis started the meet by winning both sides of the 200-medley relay, and Joshua Aceves was the team’s first individual winner in the men’s 1000-freestyle. Susy Hernandez then won the 200-freestyle, as did Willem Huggins for the men’s team. In the 100-backstroke, Liseska Gallegos Gutierrez and Cimera both grabbed gold. Olivia Herron, Maddax Thompson, Nate Worsham , Tomáš Peciar, Benedek Andor, and Barcot all won events as well, and Oliver Mebs provided SIU a diving win in the one-meter dive.
It is another busy week for swim and dive. On Friday, Jan. 16, the team hosts McKendree at 2 p.m. before welcoming Vanderbilt’s women’s team on Saturday, Jan. 17, for a 1 p.m. meet.
Track and Field
The indoor track and field season resumes this week when the Salukis head to the Indiana Invitational on Friday, Jan. 16, and Saturday, Jan. 17.
Follow the Salukis
Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Salukis by following the team on X at @SIUSalukis, on Instagram at @siusalukis, and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SalukiAthletics/. Fans can also download the “Salukis” Mobile App on the App Store or Google Play Store.
WASHINGTON – After three years as head coach and nine years in the American University volleyball program, Ahen Kim has been named the new head coach of Duke University volleyball. Kim most recently led AU to a historic season in 2025, capturing the program’s first Patriot League title since 2019. He leaves American with a 44-25 overall record at the helm.
“We are incredibly grateful to Ahen for everything he has given to American University volleyball,” said Director of Athletics and Recreation JM Caparro. “His connection to this program runs deep, from his time as an assistant under Barry Goldberg during one of the most successful eras in our history to leading the program through an important transition as head coach. This past season’s Patriot League championship and NCAA Tournament berth were a testament to his leadership, commitment to our student-athletes, and belief in this program. While we will miss Ahen, we are proud of the work he has done at AU and understand the significance of the opportunity he has earned. We wish him nothing but success in his next chapter.”
“I’m forever grateful to American University Volleyball and will cherish the time I’ve had coaching here both as an Assistant and as Head Coach,” said Kim. “It has been an honor to serve the program after Coach Barry, and I am extremely proud of the work by our student-athletes and staff to restore its competitive legacy. I want to thank President Alger, JM, Katie Benoit and the AU community for all the support for me and our program over the years. With the addition of the Meltzer Center and Goldberg Court, I know this program will continue to be a winner. AUVB will always be special to me and I wish the program continued success. Once an Eagle, always an Eagle.”
As an assistant from 2012 to 2017 and a head coach since 2023, Kim has been synonymous with many of AU volleyball’s greatest moments. He was on the bench for five Patriot League championships and all three of AU’s NCAA Tournament wins, and returned in 2023 to find more success as a head coach. Kim led the Eagles to back-to-back 20-win seasons in 2023 and 2024, leading to one of the best campaigns in program history in 2025. American won 24 games up through the Patriot League final, with Kim guiding several players to unprecedented individual success. AU earned six All-Patriot League selections and took home all five major postseason awards, including the Coaching Staff of the Year distinction given to Kim and his assistants. In total as a head coach, Kim oversaw 12 All-Patriot League players, six major award winners, two AVCA All-Region selections, and two All-Americans.
With undeniable success on the court, Kim made an equal impact off the court. 30 of his players have landed on the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll and three players earned spots on the Academic All-Patriot League team in 2025, which recognizes both on-court and academic performance.
American University will conduct a national search for its next volleyball coach.
Keep up With Us
For the latest on American University Volleyball, stay tuned to AUEagles.com and follow the team on Twitter (@AU_Volleyball), Facebook (/AU.Volleyball) and Instagram (@au_volleyball).
Men’s Track and Field | 1/12/2026 2:21:00 PM
Wichita, Kan – McPherson College started their 2026 off with an indoor meet on the campus of Wichita State for the First Chance Qualifier. Following their Christmas break, the Bulldogs sought after a solid performance in their first meet of the new year.
The Basics
Location: Heskett Center
Women’s Highlights
In the Women’s 60m Hurdles, Blake Posey would run her personal best time of 9.47 and place 2nd in the meet. Nina Zimmerman finished the Women’s 60m with a 9.24 personal record. Chloe Guzman, a dual-sport athlete for the Bulldogs (women’s soccer), would continue the personal best category after running a 9.40 in the Women’s 60m.
Johanna Walker’s mile time in the Women’s Mile was also a personal best time, running a 6:19.02; this would beat her previous best time by an astonishing 29 seconds.
In the throws department, Cara Shultz’s shot put would travel 12.44m for a personal best throw; she would have a personal-best weight throw of 15.14. In both event Schultz competed in, she placed fourth.
Men’s Highlights
For the men, Eric Brown began his indoor season with a time of 1:29.86 in the Men’s 600m. Lamar Gordon lit up the competition taking first place in the Shot Put and the Weight Throw events. His shot put would travel 15.29m and his weight throw landed at 17.99m.
Up Next
The Bulldogs will travel to Maryville, Missouri this upcoming weekend for the Coach Alsup Invitational hosted by Northwest Missouri State University on January 17th.
Granby Recreation Department/Courtesy photo
As of Jan. 5, the Granby adult co-ed volleyball league has continued its season with some hard-hitting competition.
Results from last week’s games
Washed Up downed Net WERK
Timberline over Spike Tysons
CV Electric beat Sagebrush
Prather Plumbing beat Eastside Gang
Washed Up downed Ski Pigs
Spike Tysons over Liberty Spikes
Drowsy Water Ranch downed Float Goats
CV Electric beat Prather Plumbing
Ski Pigs downed Liberty Spikes
Drowsy Water Ranch over Timberline
Float Goats beat Sagebrush
Net WERK over Eastside Gang
Drowsy Water downed Ski Pigs
League Standings as of Jan. 5
Washed Up 8-0
Drowsy Water Ranch 8-1
Timberline 7-2
Float Goats 6-2
CV Electric 6-3
Sagebrush 5-4
Net WERK 5-4
Prather Plumbing 4-5
Spike Tysons 2-7
Ski Pigs 2-7
Eastside Gang 0-9
Liberty Spikes 0-9
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