MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – The schedule for the 2025 Central Michigan Volleyball team has been released and holds dates for nine conference matches in McGuirk Arena.
 
The Chippewa Mid-American Conference schedule was released in April.
 
For the non-conference stretch, the Chippewas are slated to head to four different states including Utah, Wisconsin, Illinois and Pennsylvania.
 
The first game of the 2025 season will be held at BYU August 29^th-30^th. In Utah, the Chippewas will face High Point and the host school on that Friday. CMU will close out the trip taking on Farleigh Dickinson.
 
High Point and FDU are both first-time opponents for the Chippewas, and against BYU, CMU is 0-2. The two teams faced off in 1998 (L, 0-3) and again in 2008 when the Cougars, who were ranked No. 23 in the country, defeated the Chippewas 0-3.
 
September 5^th-6^th, CMU will be in Milwaukee, Wisconsin competing against Iowa State, South Alabama and UW-Milwaukee.
 
Iowa State and Central Michigan have faced off twice in program history and CMU has walked away with a 2-0 victory in 1980 and a 3-0 in 1997.
 
CMU enters the match with South Alabama also with a 2-0 record against the Jaguars winning 3-0 in 2006 and 3-1 in 2008.
 
UW-Milwaukee and the Chippewas have faced off three times in the history of the two programs, and CMU is 2-1 in those meetings. In 1993 the Chippewas won 3-0, in 2006 the fell 0-3 and in 2010, CMU grabbed a 3-0 victory.
 
In Peoria, Illinois, September 12^th-13^th, CMU will play three games against the University of Missouri-Kansas City, the host Bradley, and Jacksonville State.
 
When traveling to Bradley, CMU will take on one new opponent in UM-Kansas City and Jacksonville State. Central Michigan and Bradley have played against each other four times and CMU holds the 3-1 advantage. Victories in 1984 and 1988, 3-0, and 3-1 in 2021capped off the winning streak before the Chippewas fell 2-3 in 2023 in McGuirk Arena.
 
For the latest news and updates on CMU Volleyball, follow the team in X (@cmuvolleyball) and on Instagram (@cmuvolleyball).
 
 
 

TCU beach volleyball program, the reigning national champion, has strengthened its squad for the 2026 season by adding seven new players, including three transfers and four freshmen. Head coach Hector Gutierrez highlighted the mix of local and international talent, expressing excitement about the combination of experienced transfers and the fresh energy of new recruits. This upcoming season promises to build on the success of last year, which included winning the inaugural Big 12 Championship and achieving the program’s first National Championship.

By the Numbers

• TCU has added 7 newcomers, including 3 transfers.
• The team returns 14 players, including 2025 Big 12 Freshman of the Year Sofia Izuzquiza and Pair of the Year Anhelina Khmil.

Yes, But

While the incoming recruits possess a wealth of experience and accolades, the team faces the challenge of integrating them into the existing roster, which includes established talents from a championship season. Balancing the blend of new and returning players will determine the team’s chemistry moving forward.

State of Play

• The Frogs entered the 2025 season as the second-winningest program in collegiate beach volleyball, totaling 174 wins since 2020.
• With a record of nearly 33 wins per season over the past few years, TCU aims to maintain this trajectory in 2026.

What’s Next

Looking ahead, TCU will focus on fostering teamwork and cohesion among the new recruits and returning players in the lead-up to the upcoming season. Their performance in early tournaments will be crucial in setting the tone for the rest of the year.

Bottom Line

The TCU beach volleyball team is poised for continued success as they merge a strong incoming class with a solid returning roster. The focus will be on effective integration and building upon last year’s championship momentum for the 2026 season.

2025 U.S. NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Prior to the championships we examined the turnover in the finals of each Trials/U.S. Nationals since 2013. With several stars sitting out this year after the shortened Olympic Cycle between Tokyo and Paris it was expected that there would be new faces in the top eight of a lot of events in 2025, and that did prove to be the case.

We’re looking at only Olympic events here, so this is a straight comparison to 2024.

NB. The 800 and 1500 were run as timed finals this year in contrast to the heats-and-finals setup last year. When we refer to 2025 finalists in these events we’re talking about the top-eight finishers, even though some came from the early heats.

The Methodology

To compare the continuity of Trials finals, we have devised a Finals Continuity Score. Each swimmer in a Trials final receives a score based on their finishing position in that event. At the next Trials, we add up the scores of the returning swimmers and divide by the maximum possible score (all swimmers returning).

Example:

2021 Women’s 200 IM

1. Alex Walsh- 8 points
2. Kate Douglass- 7 points
3. Madisyn Cox – 6 points
4. Torri Huske – 5 points
5. Meghan Small – 4 points
6. Melanie Margalis- 3 points
7. Beata Nelson- 2 points
8. Emma Barksdale – 1 point

 

2022 Women’s 200 IM

1. Alex Walsh – 8 returning points
2. Leah Hayes – NEW
3. Beata Nelson  – 2 returning points
4. Mackenzie Looze – NEW
5. Isabelle Odgers – NEW
6. Sara Stotler – NEW
7. Abby Hay – NEW
8. Teagan O’Dell – NEW

 

Total returning points: 10

Maximum possible returning points: 36

Final Continuity Score – 0.278 (10/36)

Note that this methodology does not look at why a swimmer does not return – someone missing the final in 9th is treated the same way as a swimmer who did not enter the event, such as Kate Douglass in the example above.

How did 2025 fare?

The men saw their biggest turnover of finalists in over a decade, with an average continuity score of less than 0.50 – nearly 20% less than the previous lowest in 2021. This was also a huge drop in returning finalists compared to last year, caused both by big names sitting out (Ryan Murphy, Caeleb Dressel, Hunter Armstrong) and others missing finals they were expected to be in (Brooks Curry, Matt King).

The women fared slightly better, only dropping to 0.554, however that is still the lowest since 2017. Most of the big names returned, which was reflected in the size of the World’s squad; 20 different women hit one of the four World Championship priorities compared to 27 men.

By Event

Outside of breaststroke, the 200s were the most continuous distance at this year’s Championships. The 200 IM saw five of the eight finalists from Olympic Trials return including all of the top three, joint most of any event along with the 200 fly.

Despite the comparatively high score for the 200 free, only three finalists returned; Luke Hobson (1st in 2024), Chris Guiliano (2nd) and Kieran Smith (4th). That’s one fewer than the 100 backstroke (Jack Aikins, Will Modglin, Jack Wilkening, Tommy Janton), where three of the four returners finished 6th-8th last year.

Half of the events had only two returning finalists from 2024 – that was every event from the 1500 downwards, excluding the 100 back.

The scores were much higher for the women, which saw only three events (200 breast, 1500 free, 400 free) have two returners compared to the seven the men had. Backstroke was the highest scoring stroke with both distances in the top two, each with six returning swimmers.

Katie Ledecky ensured a level of consistency in the 400 and 1500 free, with only a single swimmer returning other than her: Kate Hurst in the 1500 and Madi Mintenko in the 400. Interestingly, both of those finished in the same position in both 2024 and 2025, fourth for Hurst and eighth for Mintenko.

At least half the finalists returned for nine of 14 events, with 10 events scoring at least 0.50. The 100 free was the highest scoring event with only exactly half the final to return – those were last year’s top four of Kate Douglass, Torri Huske, Gretchen Walsh and Simone Manuel, who took the top four spots once again in 2025, albeit in a different order.

NEW YORK, NY – Manhattan University, an NCAA Division I member institution with 21 men’s and women’s sports teams, has announced a pioneering, long-term alliance with the U.S.-based sportswear brand, Capelli Sport. This groundbreaking partnership ushers in a new era for Manhattan University’s athletic programs and signifies Capelli Sport’s first step and expansion into collegiate athletics.

The joint announcement was made by Irma Garcia, Director of Athletics, and George Altirs, President and CEO of Capelli Sport, which was founded in 2011 and has strong roots in international soccer.  

The initial phase of the new partnership will provide all of Manhattan’s student-athletes, coaches, and staff with customized, team and sport-specific, high-performance Capelli Sport uniforms and training gear. 

In addition, both Manhattan and Capelli Sport have agreed to explore and collaborate on select co-branding initiatives, retail opportunities, and sponsorship ideas to expand the partnership across Manhattan Athletics and provide campus-wide options for all students and the Jasper alumni base.

“This partnership is about more than uniforms. It’s about progress,” said Irma Garcia, Director of Athletics. “Capelli Sport understands the power of storytelling through sport, and together, we’re redefining what it means to be a Jasper. From the Bronx to the national stage, our teams will be competing with pride, purpose, and a brand that represents our vision for the future.”

“I am thrilled with this new, cutting-edge alliance between Manhattan and Capelli Sport, and know that this is just the first step of many between our two organizations that share a similar vision and passion for sports,” said Frederick Bonato, President of Manhattan University.

Capelli Sport is a U.S.-based sportswear and footwear company founded in 2011 by entrepreneur George Altirs.  Headquartered in New York City, it operates as a subsidiary of GMA Accessories Inc.  Capelli Sport’s Manhattan University alliance marks the company’s first comprehensive, NCAA Division 1 partnership. Capelli was recently announced as the official apparel partner of USA Lacrosse and USA Field Hockey.

“This partnership with Manhattan University marks a pivotal moment in Capelli Sport’s journey to becoming a leader in multi-sport outfitting. Supporting all 21 Division I programs at one institution reflects our commitment to excellence across every sport. Manhattan University sets the standard for what a comprehensive partnership should look like, and together, we’re laying the groundwork for the next chapter of growth in collegiate athletics,” said Capelli Sport Founder & CEO, George Altirs.

This partnership promises to elevate Manhattan University’s athletic programs and provide student-athletes with top-tier performance gear. Fans can look forward to an early preview of the new look and branding this summer,with official rollouts across social media and GoJaspers.com leading into the fall season.

About Manhattan University

Located in Riverdale, Bronx, New York, Manhattan University is a private, Catholic liberal arts institution offering more than 100 undergraduate and graduate programs. As a proud NCAA Division I member of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC), Manhattan Athletics has a long-standing tradition of academic and athletic excellence. Learn more at gojaspers.com.

About Capelli Sport

Capelli Sport is a global sports brand based in New York City. The company is a leader in sports, lifestyle apparel and equipment. Capelli Sport enables athletes and teams to maximize their potential through a unique global sports ecosystem.  Learn more at capellisport.com and find Capelli Sport on Instagram (@CapelliSport).

Lai Xiang-chen became the first Taiwanese woman to play professional volleyball in Germany after a German team announced signing her on Sunday.

The VfB Suhl LOTTO Thuringen professional women’s volleyball team announced Lai’s signing on its official Web site and Instagram, saying it was pleased to add the 30-year-old Lai as the team’s libero to strengthen its defense.

“Lai brings international quality to the libero position,” the team wrote. “With her training in Taiwan’s competitive youth programs and several seasons in her home country’s top league, Lai established herself as a key player in reception and defense.”

VfB also praised Lai’s previous achievements such as playing for Taiwan’s national team several times at international tournaments, including the Asian Women’s Volleyball Cup, the Asian Volleyball Championship and the Asian Games.

VfB is pleased to welcome Lai for her strong technique, speed and skill in reception and defense, head coach Laszlo Hollosy said.

“Xiang-chen impressed us not only with her game intelligence, but also with her professional attitude and presence on the court,” Hollosy said. “We are convinced that she will play an important role in our defensive structure and be a key figure in the coming season.”

Before Lai, the only other Taiwanese woman to play volleyball professionally in Europe was Yang Yi-chen who joined Italy’s Lardini Filottrano as a setter in 2018.

Lai most recently played for China’s Guangdong Shenzhen Glorious in the China Volleyball League for two seasons from 2023 to this year before getting her German contract.

Lai said she chose Suhl, because she believes it is a great environment for her to develop further as a player and as a person.

“I’m excited about the new challenges and look forward to being part of the team and giving my best in the coming season,” she said over VfB’s Web site.

In another statement, Lai said that she had wanted to play in Europe early on in her career and that she was able to get the opportunity to fulfill the dream after VfB came across her tournament tapes by chance.

The opportunity to play in Germany is not only a career milestone but also a chance to find new excitement and growth, she added.

Lai said she would spend time in Taiwan getting into better physical shape for the start of the new European season in October.