Sports

Potential MLB Expansion Cities? The Case For 9 Cities in 3 Countries

Published

3 months ago

August 26, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Potential MLB Expansion Cities? The Case For 9 Cities in 3 Countries

Before there can be realignment in MLB, there needs to be expansion.

Expansion to where? That’s the question the next few years will answer.

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred has stated that there could be a shuffling of teams into different divisions or leagues. Which means that, before the end of the decade, MLB will have two new teams in it to make that realignment work.

There is no shortage of candidates: let’s dive in to nine (in alphabetical order) that could host an MLB team by 2030.

Charlotte, North Carolina

A Charlotte team would have a ton of fans and plenty of media behind it from the start, so it’s no wonder that Carolina Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon has shown an interest in bringing MLB to Charlotte in the recent past.

North Carolina is no stranger to professional baseball: it currently hosts nine minor-league baseball teams, including four in the Carolina League, as well as an additional three MLB partner clubs on the independent circuit. The Triple-A affiliate of the White Sox, the Knights, play in Charlotte.

The NFL’s Carolina Panthers and NBA’s Charlotte Hornets are located there, too. There’s also several soccer clubs, from MLS to NWSL to various USL outfits on the men’s and women’s side.

Of all the American cities on this list, it has the largest media market, and its metro population places it in between the likes of Denver, Baltimore and St. Louis. It shouldn’t be discounted, either, that Raleigh (where the NHL’s Hurricanes play) is also an in-state city with its own significant metro population.

Mexico City, Mexico

In 2016, Manfred mentioned North America’s most populous city as an international expansion possibility. Consider its sheer size: Over 9 million residents, nearly a full million more than New York City, while the metro area has nearly 22 million people. That makes it the sixth-largest in the entire world — the whole region is so heavily populated that, despite being a city, it has the same federally recognized rights as Mexico’s 31 states.

Mexico City has hosted MLB games but would it actually be feasible as an expansion team? (Photo by Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

If Mexico City were to host an MLB team, be prepared for a stadium that makes Denver’s Coors Field look almost normal in comparison: its altitude is even higher than that of the Mile High City. There is a feasible stadium as Estadio Alfredo Harp Helú hosted big-league games in 2023 and 2024 as a part of the MLB Mexico City Series.

The problem for Mexico City, however, is not a lack of potential fans, but that Manfred also said in 2023 that he has “never been close to the idea of Mexico as an expansion opportunity.” Which is not the same thing as saying it can never happen — nothing has been close, but also MLB hasn’t expanded or actively attempted to during that stretch, either.

Montreal, Quebec, Canada

We’d all love to see the return of Expos and the beloved mascot Youpii. From 1969 through 2004, Canada’s second-largest city and media market (behind Toronto) was home to an MLB club before the Expos became the Washington Nationals for the 2005 season. With fresh ownership in place, however, it’s possible big league baseball could work in Montreal again as it did during its best times, when it drew well over two million fans per season on four occasions.

Youpii, once the Expos’ beloved mascot, has since found a new home in Montreal with the NHL’s Canadiens. (Photo by Vitor Munhoz/NHLI via Getty Images)

There have been private equity groups attempting to bring MLB back to the city, as well, most recently when the Tampa Bay Rays considered a two-city solution to their ballpark woes involving both St. Petersburg and Montreal. But any return to Montreal would require a new venue as the Olympic Stadium is well behind any MLB ballparks.

Commissioner Manfred has also spoken in the past about the possibility of further expanding MLB on an international level, and even mentioned Montreal, specifically, as a place where “we could go plan on a sustained basis.”

Nashville, Tennessee

The city is already looking for an MLB team, with the Music City Baseball project aiming to name the team after the Negro League club, the Stars. MLB recently played a regular-season game in Tennessee — albeit not Nashville — when the Braves and Reds played in the first Speedway Classic at Bristol Motor Speedway — so they have their eye on the region already.

Tennessee’s capital and largest city is around the size of Washington D.C. and Denver, with a metro area that compares well to Cleveland, Kansas City and Cincinnati. The NFL’s Tennessee Titans already play in Nashville, as do the NHL’s Predators. Nashville SC is the city’s MLS club, and they already have a long history of Triple-A baseball in the form of the Nashville Sounds. Thanks to the existing sports teams, the media market is already on par with that of Pittsburgh and Baltimore.

Oakland, California

There is no MLB team in Oakland anymore, not with the Athletics currently in Sacramento awaiting their new ballpark in Las Vegas, but that doesn’t have to be the case forever. Oakland attempted to keep the A’s around, but they also tried to negotiate with MLB for the rights to a future expansion team, and to even keep the club’s name intact for future use. This is a city that would very much still like to have an MLB team in it.

Oakland shares a media market with San Francisco and the Giants, but it’s a massive one, ranking 10th right behind Boston. It can be split once again, as it was when the A’s were in town, and the new ballpark that was necessary when the Athletics were negotiating with the city of Oakland can be discussed once more. And there’s plenty of room for them these days, too, with the NBA’s Golden State Warriors now across the East Bay, and the NFL’s Raiders now in Las Vegas.

Would MLB entertain the thought of returning to Oakland? (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Portland, Oregon

Portland was a potential landing spot for the Expos back in the early part of the century. Also, it was unclear whether the Marlins would get the funding needed for a new stadium, Portland once again came up as a possible destination.

Portland, with over 2.5 million people in its metro area, can support something much larger than the Diamondbacks’ High A-ball team they currently have. The Seattle Mariners are all alone in the northwest, but they don’t have to be. Portland is the most populous city in Oregon, and only second behind Seattle as far as American cities in the region – not to mention a natural rivalry across several sports.

There are groups actively working to bring an MLB team to Portland, and the governor of Oregon, Tina Kotek, signed a bill in June 2025 promising $800 million toward the construction of a stadium should Portland end up with an MLB team.

While their media market isn’t massive, it’s larger than that of a number of existing MLB clubs, including St. Louis, Pittsburgh and Baltimore, and the city is already home to the NBA’s Portland Trail Blazers, MLS’ Portland Timbers and NWSL’s Portland Thorns FC, with the WNBA’s Portland Fire set to begin play in 2026.

Salt Lake City, Utah

For the longest time, Utah wasn’t seen as a destination for major professional sports teams, with only the NBA’s Utah Jazz taking up residence there. That’s changed this century, though, and especially in the last decade: MLS club Real Salt Lake arrived in 2004, then NWSL’s Utah Royals FC and then the NHL’s Utah Mammoth in 2024.

Next up could very well be an MLB club: Salt Lake City is making a concerted push for one, to the point that they already have a proposed ballpark construction site and the support of the former owners of the Jazz, the Miller family. While the city itself has just under 200,000 citizens, the metro area of 1.3 million people puts it near the likes of Milwaukee’s, and its media market is comparatively larger than the likes of Baltimore and San Diego.

Sacramento, California

There is already an MLB team in Sacramento. There are extenuating circumstances, of course, and the Athletics are only there temporarily, but the point is that MLB agreed that, even if it was just for a few years, the A’s could play their games in Sacramento. And just as importantly, Sacramento wanted the A’s to be there — it’s not like the Athletics just rolled up and took over the stadium without permission.

Now, for the city to get an expansion team, it would need a brand-new ballpark, if not at first, then at least eventually. You could see MLB wanting to make it happen, however, as it’s the sixth-largest city in California, with the third-largest metro population in the state. It’s been Portland, OR and Pittsburgh on a national level, and is right behind Miami and Cleveland in media market size, as well as ahead of expansion candidates Charlotte, Portland and Salt Lake City.

Until there’s actually construction of an MLB ballpark in Las Vegas, the A’s look destined to stay in Sacramento. (Photo by Scott Strazzante/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)

The NBA’s Sacramento Kings are already in town, as well as the USL’s Sacramento Republic FC, the San Francisco Giants’ Triple-A affiliate, the River Cats, and — again, temporarily — the Athletics. A more permanent MLB team would fit in well with the existing setup, with the A’s stay something of a trial run for this future that other expansion candidates can’t point to.

San Antonio, Texas

San Antonio is the second-largest city in Texas, and already has the NBA’s Spurs, the UFL’s Brahmas and USL’s San Antonio FC. It’s between San Diego and Kansas City in U.S. media markets, while its metro population puts it ahead of Portland, Pittsburgh, Las Vegas, Cincinnati and more cities that are either vying for an MLB expansion team or already have their own club.

Like with Charlotte and Raleigh, San Antonio also has another major city nearby that could help sweeten the pot here: Austin. They are right near each other in media market size, and rank directly next to each other in metro population — even a stadium built in San Antonio itself would be around 90 minutes from fans in Austin, which is to say no further than many in New England need to go in order to attend a Red Sox game, if they aren’t within Boston’s city limits.

There is already a group attempting to bring MLB baseball to Austin — the Austin Baseball Commission — and it might take both cities joining forces to get the league’s attention away from other candidates that don’t already have Astros fans in them.

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Watch Nebraska volleyball vs Long Island: TV channel, time, streaming

Published

6 minutes ago

December 5, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Dec. 5, 2025, 4:08 a.m. CT

The Nebraska volleyball team (30-0) was selected as the No. 1 overall seed for the 2025 NCAA tournament on Sunday night. The Cornhuskers will open the tournament on Friday against the Long Island Sharks (20-8) at the John Cook Arena.

The other first-round game in Lincoln will see San Diego face Kansas State at 4:30 p.m. CT. The Huskers will host the first and second rounds this Friday and Saturday at the Bob Devaney Sports Center. The second round game is Saturday at 7 p.m. CT.

Nebraska’s offense ranks first nationally with a .352 hitting percentage. The defense is equally impressive, ranking first nationally in opponent hitting percentage at .125.

Junior Harper Murray leads the team with 3.55 kills and 2.15 digs per set and a team high 28 aces. Setter Bergen Reilly runs the offense at an elite level with an average of 10.31 assists and 2.73 digs per set. Middle blocker Andi Jackson is averaging 2.75 kills per set on .467 hitting with 1.13 blocks per set.

The Sharks enter the tournament with an automatic bid after winning the Northeast Conference tournament. LIU is led by Sara van Gisteren, who averages 3.92 kills per set. She was also named the NEC tournament MVP. Karly Klaer was named the NEC setter of the year with 10.06 assists per set.

Nebraska will be playing Long Island for the second time ever. The teams met in the first round of the 2023 NCAA Tournament, with the Huskers winning 25-13, 25-16, 25-22.

Watch Nebraska volleyball vs Long Island live on ESPN+

Here’s how to watch the Nebraska volleyball vs Long Island game on Friday, including time, TV schedule, and streaming information:

What channel is Nebraska volleyball vs Long Island on?

TV Channel: N/A

Livestream:ESPN+ (subscriber only)

Nebraska-Long Island volleyball in the first round of the NCAA tournament can be seen on ESPN+. Huskers Radio Network will have audio coverage of all Nebraska matches on Huskers Radio Network affiliates, Huskers.com and the Huskers app. John Baylor and Lauren Cook West will be on the call. Streaming options for the game include ESPN+.

Nebraska volleyball vs Long Island time today

Date: Friday, Dec. 5
Start time: 7 p.m. CT

The Nebraska volleyball vs Long Island first-round NCAA tournament game starts at 7 p.m. CT from the Bob Devaney Sports Center in Lincoln, NE.

Nebraska volleyball 2025 schedule (30-0, 20-0)

Aug. 22 – vs. Pittsburgh – WIN 3-1 (25-22, 25-11, 20-25, 25-23)

Aug. 24 – vs. Stanford – WIN 3-0 (25-13, 25-19, 25-14)

Aug. 29 – at Lipscomb – WIN 3-0 (25-13, 25-21, 25-15)

Aug. 31 – vs Kentucky – WIN 3-2 (24-26, 20-25, 25-19, 25-23, 15-8)

Sept. 5 – vs. Wright State – WIN 3-0 (25-16, 25-16, 25-20)

Sept. 7 – vs. California – WIN 3-0 (25-15, 25-18, 25-12)

Sept. 12 – vs. Utah – WIN 3-1 (21-25, 25-8, 25-18, 25-13)

Sept. 13 – vs. Grand Canyon – WIN 3-0 (25-12, 25-23, 25-18)

Sept. 16 – at Creighton – WIN 3-2 (25-17, 21-25, 25-18, 24-26, 15-9)

Sept. 20 – vs. Arizona – WIN 3-0 (25-19, 25-23, 25-18)

Sept. 24 – vs. Michigan – WIN 3-0 (25-6, 25-15, 25-13)

Sept. 27 – vs. Maryland – WIN 3-0 (25-14, 27-25, 25-14)

Oct. 3 – at Penn State – WIN 3-0 (25-6, 25-15, 25-13)

Oct. 4 – at Rutgers – WIN 3-0 (25-17, 25-15, 25-16)

Oct. 10 – vs. Washington – WIN 3-0 (25-14, 25-18, 25-16)

Oct. 12 – at Purdue – WIN 3-0 (25-23, 25-16, 25-15)

Oct. 17 – at Michigan State – WIN 3-0 (25-15, 25-18, 25-20)

Oct. 19 – at Michigan – WIN 3-0 (25-18, 25-13, 25-18)

Oct. 24 – vs. Northwestern – WIN 3-0 (25-17, 25-13, 25-17)

Oct. 25 – vs. Michigan State – WIN 3-0 (25-15, 25-15, 25-18)

Oct. 31 – at Wisconsin – WIN 3-0 (25-22, 25-19, 25-13)

Nov. 2 – vs. Oregon – WIN 3-0 (25-21, 25-20, 25-12)

Nov. 6 – vs. Illinois – WIN 3-0 (25-11, 25-15, 25-14)

Nov. 8 – at Minnesota – WIN 3-0 (25-15, 25-21, 25-20)

Nov. 14 – at UCLA – WIN 3-1 (25-17, 25-23, 19-25, 25-15)

Nov. 16 – at USC – WIN 3-0 (25-13, 25-16, 25-20)

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Tennessee volleyball vs Utah State, Lady Vols upset in first round

Published

23 minutes ago

December 5, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Updated Dec. 4, 2025, 9:00 p.m. ET

Tennessee volleyball chose a bad time to play its worst volleyball of the season.

The No. 7 seed Lady Vols were on their heels in the beginning of the match against Utah State, and they didn’t have enough to complete the reverse-sweep. Tennessee (20-8) fell 3-2 to the Aggies (24-7) in a shocking upset in the first round of the NCAA tournament at Desert Financial Arena in Tempe, Arizona, on Dec. 4.

The Lady Vols won two straight sets to make it a five-set thriller, and they battled from behind the entire fifth set, which they ultimately lost 15-11. In the end, it wasn’t enough to recover from their poor start.

By the time Tennessee started playing like its season was on the line, it was staring down a reverse sweep to advance. But against a red-hot Utah State team, which entered the tournament on a 21-game winning streak, the late push wasn’t enough.

In the first two sets, the Aggies picked apart the Lady Vols defense at the net and on the floor – it was a clinical dismantling by Utah State, which made all the scrappy, game-winning plays of a team that swept the Mountain West championships.

The Lady Vols made a fierce comeback attempt, turning the tide with sharper, more aggressive serving in the third and fourth sets to force a five-set thriller. They found their footing on defense, and they got a spark from Sydney Jones to launch and more balanced attack.

Outside hitter Starr Williams was a bright spot in the offense, especially while Tennessee looks all out of sorts the first two sets. She continued to be a focal point all match, and she logged 15 kills with a .387 hitting percentage, along with seven digs and four blocks.

Jones was a difference-maker as a reserve, and she continued to score points for the Lady Vols when they needed them. Jones ended the night with 12 kills, and Hayden Kubik also added 12 kills.

The Lady Vols’ offense hit just .228 as a team, while they allowed Utah State to hit .312. They struggled to slow down the Aggies’ attack between Tierney Barlow, who ended the match with 16 kills, and Loryn Helgesen and Andrea Simovski, who both had 14 kills.

Tennessee middle blocker Zoe Humphrey did not travel with the team, according to the ESPN broadcast.

Watch Tennessee volleyball vs. Utah State

Tennessee volleyball vs. Utah State: Live score updates

When does Tennessee volleyball vs. Utah State start?

Date: Thursday, Dec. 4
Time: 6:30 p.m. ET
Where: Desert Financial Arena in Tempe, Arizona.

What TV channel is Tennessee vs. Utah State on today?

Tennessee volleyball schedule 2025

Last 10 games

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2025 DI women’s volleyball championship: Bracket, schedule, scores

Published

39 minutes ago

December 5, 2025

Your Sports Nation

The DI women’s volleyball championship is here. The tournament continues Friday, Dec. 5 with both first and second round matches and lasts until the national championship on Sunday, Dec. 21 at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri.

The full 64-team bracket was announced on Sunday, Nov. 30. Thirty-one conference champions earned automatic bids to the tournament, with the NCAA DI women’s volleyball committee selecting 33 other teams as at-large picks.

Here is everything you need to know about the 2025 women’s volleyball championship.

2025 DI women’s volleyball championship bracket

👉 Click or tap to see the interactive bracket

2025 DI women’s volleyball championship schedule

All times listed in ET

First round: Dec. 4-5
Second round: Dec. 5-6
Regionals: Dec. 11 and 13 or Dec. 12 and 14
Semifinals: Thursday, Dec. 18
National championship: 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 21 | ABC

Selection show: 6 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 30
First round:
- Thursday, Dec. 4
  - No. 5 Colorado 3, American 0
  - No. 6 Baylor 3, Arkansas State 2
  - No. 8 UCLA 3, Georgia Tech 2
  - No. 5 Miami (Fla.) 3, Tulsa 1
  - No. 4 Indiana 3, Toledo 0
  - No. 6 UNI 3, Utah 2
  - North Carolina 3, No. 6 UTEP 1
  - Utah State 3, No. 7 Tennessee 2
  - No. 1 Kentucky 3, Wofford 0
  - No. 3 Purdue 3, Wright State 0
  - No. 4 Kansas 3, High Point 0
  - Cal Poly 3, No. 5 BYU 2
  - No. 3 Creighton 3, Northern Colorado 2
  - No. 3 Wisconsin 3, Eastern Illinois 0
  - No. 2 Arizona State 3, Coppin State 0
  - No. 4 USC 3, Princeton 0

DI women’s volleyball championship history

Here is the complete history of DI women’s volleyball champions:

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Sports

Track & Field Opening Indoor Season with Split-Squad Weekend – Penn State

Published

1 hour ago

December 5, 2025

Your Sports Nation

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State track & field is set to begin its indoor slate with a three-meet split-squad weekend. The Nittany Lions will start their week in Philadelphia on Friday, Dec. 5 at the Penn Opener, also competing on Saturday, Dec. 6. On Saturday, there will also be Nittany Lions competing at the Bucknell Opener in Lewisburg, and the Sharon-Colyear Danville Season Opener in Boston on Saturday. Dec. 6.

Penn State is set to begin the 2025-26 indoor season while continuing to build off its success from a season ago. The men’s squad finished 12^th in the Big Ten last indoor season while the women finished seventh. The squad returns six All-Americans from last year’s indoor team including 2024 First Team All-Americans Handal Roban and Hayley Kitching.

Head Coach John Gondak enters his 12^th season leading the Nittany Lion track & field program. His coaching resume includes 62 First Team All-Americans and 11 Big Ten team titles.

PENN OPENER – Friday-Saturday, December 5-6

Live Results | Watch on Saturday (ESPN+)

Penn State will send seven athletes to compete at the Penn Opener. Maddie Pitts will be the lone competitor on Friday in the pentathlon.

BUCKNELL OPENER – Saturday, December 6

Live Results

The largest group of Nittany Lions will be headed to Lewisburg to compete in the Bucknell Opener. 36 athletes in field events and sprints will be the main competition group for PSU this weekend at Bucknell.

SHARON COLYEAR-DANVILLE SEASON OPENER – Saturday, December 6

Live Results | Watch (FloTrack)

Penn State will be sending 10 athletes to Boston for season opening action. The middle distance/distance group will make up the group competing against some of the top talent in the nation.

FULL 2025-26 INDOOR TRACK & FIELD SCHEDULE

Dec. 5-6 – Penn Opener | Philadelphia, Pa.

Dec. 6 – Bucknell Opener | Lewisburg, Pa.

Dec. 6 – Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener | Boston, Mass.

Jan. 17 – Nittany Lion Challenge | University Park, Pa.

Jan. 24 – Penn 10 Team Elite | Philadelphia, Pa.

Jan. 30-31 – Penn State National Open | University Park, Pa.

Feb. 7 – Sykes & Sabock Challenge | University Park, Pa.

Feb. 13-14 – Tyson Invitational | Fayetteville, Ark.

Feb. 13-14 – David Hemery Valentine Invitational | Boston, Mass.

Feb. 20 – Penn State Tune-Up | University Park, Pa.

Feb. 27-28 – Big Ten Indoor Championships | Indianapolis, Ind.

Mar. 13-14 – NCAA Indoor Championships | Fayetteville, Ark.

FOLLOW THE NITTANY LIONS

Follow along with the team on our social media pages on Facebook (PennStateTFXC) and X/Instagram (@pennstatetfxc). Live updates on race day regarding start times and other important notes will be posted on X.

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Women’s Volleyball vs University of Alaska Anchorage on 12/4/2025 – Box Score

Published

1 hour ago

December 5, 2025

Your Sports Nation

—

UAA subs: Hansen, Elena; Trotter, Hannah; Byrne, Trinity.

—

UAF subs: Flynn, Kellan; Smith, Ainsley.

UAF

0-1

[Henderson, Cynphany] Attack error by Henderson, Mikala (block by Beck, Emma; Riba, Martina).

[Henderson, Cynphany] Attack error by Henderson, Mikala (block by Beck, Emma; Riba, Martina).

—

UAA subs: Hansen, Elena.

UAA

1-1

[Hansen, Elena] Kill by Henderson, Mikala (from Henderson, Cynphany).

—

UAF subs: Flynn, Kellan.

UAF

2-1

[Flynn, Kellan] Kill by Guc, Elena (from Henderson, Cynphany).

UAF

3-1

[Flynn, Kellan] Attack error by Ivakina, Lee (block by Engelauf, Presley; Guc, Elena).

UAF

3-2

[Flynn, Kellan] Kill by Burney, Bella (from Malikova, Johana).

—

UAA subs: Trotter, Hannah; Byrne, Trinity.

UAA

4-2

[Trotter, Hannah] Kill by Lyons, Haylee (from Henderson, Cynphany).

UAF

5-2

[Onaga, Tessa] Kill by Lyons, Haylee (from Byrne, Trinity).

UAF

6-2

[Onaga, Tessa] Attack error by Byrne, Trinity (from Galloway, Madison).

UAF

6-3

[Onaga, Tessa] Kill by Byrne, Trinity (from Trotter, Hannah).

UAA

6-4

[Ivakina, Lee] Attack error by Guc, Elena (from Henderson, Cynphany).

UAA

7-4

[Ivakina, Lee] Kill by Guc, Elena (from Henderson, Cynphany), block error by Burney, Bella.

—

UAF subs: Smith, Ainsley.

UAF

8-4

[Smith, Ainsley] Kill by Henderson, Cynphany (from Onaga, Tessa).

UAF

8-5

[Smith, Ainsley] Kill by Byrne, Trinity (from Trotter, Hannah).

UAA

9-5

[Galloway, Madison] Service error.

UAF

9-6

[Lyons, Haylee] Kill by Riba, Martina (from Trotter, Hannah), block error by Henderson, Cynphany.

UAA

10-6

[Malikova, Johana] Attack error by Riba, Martina (block by Hoshock, Peri).

UAF

11-6

[Hoshock, Peri] Kill by Engelauf, Presley (from Smith, Ainsley).

UAF

12-6

[Hoshock, Peri] Kill by Henderson, Mikala (from Smith, Ainsley).

UAF

12-7

[Hoshock, Peri] Kill by Allen, Tia (from Malikova, Johana).

UAA

12-8

[Allen, Tia] Attack error by Henderson, Mikala (from Smith, Ainsley).

UAA

13-8

[Allen, Tia] Attack error by Riba, Martina.

UAF

14-8

[Henderson, Cynphany] Attack error by Beck, Emma (from Galloway, Madison).

UAF

15-8

[Henderson, Cynphany] Kill by Engelauf, Presley (from Henderson, Cynphany).

UAF

15-9

[Henderson, Cynphany] Kill by Beck, Emma (from Malikova, Johana).

UAA

16-9

[Hansen, Elena] Kill by Henderson, Cynphany (from Onaga, Tessa).

UAF

16-10

[Flynn, Kellan] Kill by Beck, Emma (from Engelauf, Presley).

UAA

17-10

[Trotter, Hannah] Kill by Guc, Elena (from Henderson, Cynphany).

UAF

17-11

[Onaga, Tessa] Kill by Byrne, Trinity (from Trotter, Hannah).

UAA

17-12

[Ivakina, Lee] Attack error by Hoshock, Peri (from Henderson, Cynphany).

UAA

18-12

[Ivakina, Lee] Service error.

UAF

18-13

[Smith, Ainsley] Attack error by Lyons, Haylee (from Smith, Ainsley).

UAA

19-13

[Galloway, Madison] Kill by Henderson, Cynphany (from Smith, Ainsley).

UAF

20-13

[Lyons, Haylee] Attack error by Allen, Tia (from Trotter, Hannah).

UAF

21-13

[Lyons, Haylee] Attack error by Byrne, Trinity (from Trotter, Hannah).

UAF

21-14

[Lyons, Haylee] Kill by Allen, Tia (from Trotter, Hannah).

—

UAA subs: Sapon, Eleasha.

UAA

21-15

[Sapon, Eleasha] Attack error by Henderson, Mikala (from Smith, Ainsley).

UAA

21-16

[Sapon, Eleasha] Kill by Allen, Tia (from Trotter, Hannah).

UAA

21-17

[Sapon, Eleasha] Attack error by Henderson, Mikala (from Smith, Ainsley).

UAA

22-17

[Sapon, Eleasha] Kill by Henderson, Mikala (from Onaga, Tessa).

UAF

23-17

[Hoshock, Peri] Kill by Henderson, Mikala (from Lyons, Haylee).

UAF

24-17

[Hoshock, Peri] Kill by Henderson, Cynphany (from Smith, Ainsley).

UAF

24-18

[Hoshock, Peri] Attack error by Henderson, Mikala (from Hoshock, Peri).

UAA

25-18

[Allen, Tia] Kill by Henderson, Cynphany (from Smith, Ainsley).

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#11 Creighton Volleyball Outlasts Northern Colorado to Advance to Second Round of NCAA Tournament

Published

1 hour ago

December 5, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Courtesy of Rob Anderson, Creighton Athletics

OMAHA, Neb. — No. 11 Creighton Volleyball was pushed to the brink but survived to win its 21st straight match on Thursday evening, opening up NCAA Tournament play with a 3-2 victory over Northern Colorado. Scores of the Bluejay triumph were 25-12, 23-25, 23-25, 25-17, 15-8.

Creighton earns itself a Second Round match-up against Northern Iowa (26-5) after the sixth-seeded Panthers finished off their first reverse sweep in the NCAA Tournament since 2022 with a 15-25, 21-25, 26-24, 25-20, 15-10 win over Utah. Creighton defeated the Panthers at D.J. Sokol Arena on Sept. 14 to close out play at the Bluejay Invitational.

Five women had multiple kills in the first set as Creighton powered past Northern Colorado, led by six kills from Ava Martin. Martin also had a pair of aces late in the set to solidify CU’s 25-12 victory. The Jays hit .438 and had 17 kills to UNC’s six kills on .000 hitting and never trailed in the frame.

UNC snapped Creighton’s 17-set win streak with a 25-23 victory in the second set, which featured nine ties and five lead changes. Isabel Bennett had go-ahead kills to make it 23-22 and 24-23 and Alayna Tessena put down the winner on set point. Northern Colorado had 15 kills and 18 digs in the second set and held the Bluejays to 11 kills and .200 hitting. Martin had seven kills for CU in the second set, while Sydney Breissinger added six digs.

The Bears won the first three points of the third set and moved in front 8-4 to force an early timeout from CU head coach Brian Rosen. The stoppage did little to improve the fortunes for the hosts, who called another timeout six points later after falling behind 12-6 to the Big Sky Tournament champions. The second timeout did the trick, as the Bluejays countered with an 8-2 burst to even the score at 14-all. Northern Colorado settled down, never surrendering the lead, and led 23-20 before one last push from the hosts. Martin pounded her 18th kill of the night, and Nora Wurtz followed with her 56th ace of the fall to cut CU’s deficit to 23-22 and lead UNC coach Lydnsey Oates to call timeout. Martin slammed a cross-court kill to tie the score at 23-all, but UNC answered with a Zoe Gibbs kill for a set point opportunity. The Bears won the set on a Bluejay attack error, 25-23.

The Bluejays got off to a 6-2 lead in the fourth set thanks in part to three early UNC hitting errors, then extended the advantage to 14-6. The Jays won the set 25-17, with freshman Abbey Hayes stepping up with a team-best four kills. CU had 4.5 blocks in the set, including one of set point from Reinhardt and Martin.

Creighton got off to a quick start in the fifth frame, scoring the first three points on two Martin kills and a UNC attack error. CU led 8-3 at the changeover

Martin was dominant with 30 kills on 65 swings, while Jaya Johnson finished with 12 kills. Reinhardt rounded out the Bluejays in double figure kills with 10. Annalea Maeder closed the match with a double-double, delivering 53 assists and 20 digs.

Tessena led Northern Colorado with 14 kills, while Brynn Reines finished with 11 kills

First serve of tomorrow’s Second Round match is at 6:30 p.m.

NOTES: Creighton improved to 18-14 all-time in 15 NCAA Tournament appearances, including a 12-3 mark in the First Round … Creighton has won 21 straight matches, its third-longest streak in program history … Creighton is now 8-4 in home matches in the NCAA Tournament, including five straight victories … Creighton has won its last 11 home matches this fall … Creighton is now 4-1 all-time against Northern Colorado … Creighton has won 68 straight matches over unranked foes and 56 non-televised matches in a row … Ava Martinmoved into third place in CU history in career service aces with 126 … Ava Martinhad her 25th straight match with 10 or more kills and 108th in a row with five or more kills … Ava Martin had her 13th career match with 20+ kills, and seventh this season.

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