Sports

Volleyball Seeks Redemption in 2025

Published

4 months ago

August 29, 2025

WASHINGTON (August 28, 2025) – In sports and athletics, the term “program” is often loosely used to describe success and an outstanding season here and there can be attributed to a strong “program.” But the true mark of a “program” is winning with a great deal of consistency, year in and year out, no matter the changes in talent and the unexpected mishaps that take place.

The Howard University women’s volleyball program falls into that elite category. Since 2013, the program has become the standard by which others are measured. During that period, the Bison have had seven 20-plus win seasons and seven postseason tournament appearances. They have had rookies and players of the year consistently.

It always starts at the top, and at Howard, look no further than Shaun Kupferberg. He inherited a program that had measured success at various junctures but was never able to consistently achieve success.

It took him one year to change that dynamic. After winning only one game and posting a 1-23 mark in 2012, Kupferberg has developed the program into the kingpin of the MEAC (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) and the best in HBCUs.

Last season was one of the best in recent history, posting a 23-6 record and went undefeated in MEAC play (14-0).

After posting wins in the MEAC Tournament first round and semifinals, Howard ran into a spirited and upset-minded Delaware State team that ended the team’s dream of a double regular season and tournament title and another automatic NCAA bid.

“We had a great year last season, right up to the final match,” Kupferberg recalled, the winningest coach in school history and a sure-fire Hall of Fame candidate. “The biggest focus is being the best we can be individually and as a team. We do not want to leave any opportunities on the table.”

The 2024 team was made up a number of seniors, who played a part in the team’s success. But before you start broadcasting the end of an era, hold up the press. The Bison return four key starters and 10 players, who were an integral part in the program’s success.

The Fantastic Four include seniors Rya McKinnon (Hoover, Ala.) and Leah Reeves (Allen, Texas). An elite player in women’s college volleyball, McKinnon was the MEAC Player of the Year for an unprecedented third straight year while Reeves was the league’s Setter of the Year.

“Rya has been a special player for her entire career,” said Kupferberg, who has won over 400 matches in his 24 years as a college coach. “She is a quiet force that lets her play speak for itself. Some players with her success become complacent; Rya is incredibly coachable and has improved every offseason by adding new elements to her game. The plays she is making in practice right now will be a problem this year for our opponents.”

Last season, the Alabama native wrapped up her junior campaign topping the conference in kills per set (4.40), which ranks 25th in the nation.

“We wanted very much to win it for the seniors on the team last year,” McKinnon expressed, who holds the distinction of being the MEAC Rookie and Player of the Year three years ago. “It was very disappointing to get that far and then not get that championship.”

Last week (Aug. 20), McKinnon was selected MEAC Preseason Player of the Year after becoming the first player in league history to win the conference’s player of the year for three straight seasons since 1998.

“It has been a great experience to be a part of the consistent success of the program,” said McKinnon on her illustrious career at Howard. “That is why this season is so important. We want to use last year’s disappointment as fuel for a fresh start and I like what I see so far.”

For Reeves, she was named team captain and it should come as no surprise to those who follow the team. The senior let it be known that she is interested in coaching once she completes her studies at Howard.

“Looking back on last year, it was a heartbreak not winning for the seniors,” Reeves said. “But because of the culture that has been developed here at Howard, the mindset has shifted. There seems to be less emotion on this team and it is more vocal. Everyone is locked in and practices are more competitive. I am very excited because we have a nice blend of seniors and juniors to go along with some very talented freshmen and transfers.”

A year ago, Reeves finished the regular season with a conference-leading 8.74 assists per game.

“Leah is the returning MEAC Setter of the Year, so we obviously have great expectations for her to improve,” Kupferberg explained. “She had a great spring, which should help her grow and be a big asset to this team.”

Other players who Kupferberg cited as expected contributors include graduate outside hitter Aziah Buckner (Memphis, Tenn.) and senior libero Claire Simpson (Plainfield, Ill.).

“Aziah and Claire were key contributors who will be looking to take another step forward, building on the confidence they gained last year,” Kupferberg expressed. “All of them are being pushed by their fellow returners and incoming players. There is a lot of competition across the net every practice, which is pushing all of our players to grow their game.”

Entering this season, the program welcomed nine new faces to the program.

“We have nine talented new players who have brought a lot of energy and talent into the gym,” said Kupferberg. “They have pushed for playing time at every position and they are just getting started to find their footing in our gym. They are a special group and have us very excited for the year to come.”

In an effort to continue its quest for another tournament crown, Kupferberg has again put together a schedule with purpose.

“We wanted to keep playing high level teams from a variety of conferences before we enter our MEAC schedule,” Kupferberg stated. “We play against top teams from nine different conferences and that should prepare us for the MEAC as it has gotten much better recently. We have had a good run and the conference has gotten better every year. The MEAC has continued to get more difficult every year and all of the teams are improving. The expectations do not change, which is winning the conference, but none of these programs are going to make that easy.”

It would be remiss of there was no mention of the academic standard that the program has set over the years, annually winning individual and team awards and national academic awards while also producing some of the top alumni who have gone on to achieve. Howard volleyball continues to uphold the standard that it has set.

“I am really proud of our young women and their accomplishments, both in the classroom and post-grad,” Kupferberg continued. “They really get all the credit for being able to balance the rigorous academic schedule, alongside the athletic commitments.”

Howard opens the 2025 season Friday, August 29, when it hosts George Washington at 6 p.m. inside Burr Gymnasium. Following an away match at George Mason (August 30), Howard will host Power Four opponent Virginia from the ACC (Atlantic Coast Conference) Sunday, August 31 at 1 p.m.

Derek W. Bryant, Assistant Athletic Director for Media Relations & Sports Information, contributed to this story

For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.

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Spencer McLachlin Named Head Coach at UC San Diego

Published

3 hours ago

December 30, 2025

Your Sports Nation

LA JOLLA, Calif. – Third-year USC women’s volleyball associate head coach Spencer McLachlin was hired for his first appointment as a head coach and will lead the UC San Diego women’s volleyball program, UCSD Director of Athletics Andy Fee announced on Tuesday, Dec. 23.

McLachlin becomes the eighth head coach in UCSD program history and will coach the Tritons in their final season as members of the Big West (2026) before the program transitions to the West Coast Conference ahead of the 2027 campaign. He joins JJ Van Niel (Arizona State), Tyler Hildebrand (Saint Mary’s College), and Amy Pauly (Orlando Valkyries) as former USC assistants under Brad Keller who have moved into head coaching positions.

“This opportunity is no surprise and has been a long time coming for Spencer,” said Keller. “UCSD is getting one of the best coaches in the game. Spencer and I have worked together in many different phases of our careers, and I know USC is in a better place with a brighter future for everything he has done here. Spencer is an innovator, a creator, and most importantly, a dreamer. Our game needs more leaders like him. I couldn’t be prouder of what he has done and for this new opportunity for him and his family.”

In his three seasons at USC, McLachlin helped lead the Women of Troy to three straight NCAA tournament appearances. The Trojans advanced to the second round in each of their three postseason berths. Most recently, McLachlin helped USC reach 25 wins and finish in a tie for third place in the Big Ten. Six Trojans received awards on all-conference teams and USC led the league in blocking (2.76 bps). The Trojans also ranked second (12th in the NCAA) in total blocks (322.5) and were second for opponent hitting percentage (.184). OH London Wijay earned AVCA All-America honorable mention.

With McLachlin on staff in 2024, USC advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament for the third straight year and finished 22-10 overall with a 13-7 mark in the Big Ten (tied for sixth). Setter Mia Tuaniga was named to the AVCA All-America third team. In his first season with the Women of Troy, McLachlin helped USC go 19-13 with a 12-8 mark in the Pac-12 for a fifth-place finish. That season, OH Skylar Fields was honored with AVCA All-America first-team recognition.

McLachlin is married to former USC volleyball standout opposite hitter Diane Copenhagen (2004-07), a 2004 Pac-10 All-Freshman Team selection. The McLachlins are parents to two daughters, Leila and Malia, and a son named Koa.

The 14th-ranked Trojans (25-7, 15-5 Big Ten) finished the regular season tied for third in the Big Ten and were awarded one of 33 at-large berths—and a hosting bid—into the 2025 NCAA tournament. USC made its fourth straight appearance in the tourney under sixth-year head coach Brad Keller (41st all-time) and moved into the second round for the fourth consecutive year with a 3-0 sweep of Princeton. The Women of Troy were eliminated from postseason play in a hard-fought five-set loss to Cal Poly in the second round.

For more information on the USC women’s volleyball team, please visit USCTrojans.com/WVB. Fans of the Women of Troy can follow @USCWomensVolley on X, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

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Defending Big West Regular Season And National Champion Long Beach State Chosen As 2026 Preseason Coaches’ Poll Favorite

Published

3 hours ago

December 30, 2025

Your Sports Nation

IRVINE, Calif. – The Big West released its 2026 Men’s Volleyball Preseason Coaches’ Poll and Team, and defending Big West regular season and National Champion Long Beach State was selected as the preseason favorite. The Beach garnered 24 total points and four first-place votes from league head coaches, signaling strong expectations for another elite season.

Long Beach State’s status as a national powerhouse was further reinforced in the 2026 AVCA National Collegiate Men’s Volleyball Preseason Poll (Dec. 23), where the Beach were ranked No. 3 nationally behind UCLA and Hawai’i.

The Beach also placed multiple student-athletes on the 2026 Big West Preseason Coaches’ Team, as Skyler Varga and Alex Kandev earned preseason recognition following standout performances during Long Beach State’s championship 2025 season.

Varga returns as one of the nation’s premier attackers. During the 2025 season he played a central role in Long Beach State’s run to the NCAA National Championship, earning NCAA All-Tournament Team honors for his performance in the title match. He finished the year with 270 kills (2.73 per set) on a .368 attack percentage, while adding 33 service aces, 70 total blocks, and 341 points across 99 sets. In addition to his on-court excellence, Varga also received CSC Academic All-America recognition, underscoring his impact as a scholar-athlete.

Kandev, now a sophomore outside hitter, made his mark on the national stage during the 2025 NCAA Championship match. In the title match victory over UCLA, Kandev helped the Beach secure their fourth national title and earned NCAA All-Tournament Team honors in the process. He concluded his freshman season with 210 kills (3.23 per set) while hitting .458, ranking among the team leaders in efficiency, and added 21 aces, 36 blocks, and 250 points in 65 sets.

Following Long Beach State atop the Big West preseason poll, Hawai’i was chosen second with 22 points and two first-place votes, and UC Irvine was tabbed third with 17 points. CSUN, UC San Diego, and UC Santa Barbara rounded out the poll, each earning nine points.

With proven postseason performers and returning national contenders, Long Beach State enters 2026 as both the team to beat in the Big West and one of the top programs in the nation.

2026 Big West Men’s Volleyball Preseason Coaches’ Poll

Long Beach State – 24 points (4)

Hawai’i – 22 points (2)

UC Irvine – 17 points

T-4. CSUN – 9 points

T-4. UC San Diego – 9 points

T-4. UC Santa Barbara – 9 points

First-place votes in parentheses

2026 Big West Men’s Volleyball Preseason Coaches’ Team
George Bruening, UC Santa Barbara
Alex Kandev, Long Beach State
Jalen Phillips, CSUN
Tread Rosenthal, Hawai’i
Adrien Roure, Hawai’i
Kristian Titriyski, Hawai’i
Skyler Varga, Long Beach State

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NSU adds goalkeeper transfer – Northwestern State University Athletics

Published

3 hours ago

December 30, 2025

Your Sports Nation

By: Jonathon Zenk, Assistant Director of Communications

NATCHITOCHES—After dipping into the transfer portal for a midfielder and defender, Northwestern State soccer head coach Ian Brophy now picks up a goalkeeper in the form of transfer Saki Tsuchiya.

Tsuchiya, a native of Takasaki, Japan, comes to NSU following a season at Valparaiso.

“We are very excited to add an experienced goalkeeper who really fits our style of play,” Brophy said. “Her ability with the ball at her feet is something that definitely suits us and should help us as a team. She will instantly provide competition in an already very competitive group and certainly makes us better.”

She played in three games for the Crusaders, sporting a save percentage of .708 and goals against average of 3.36 in just under 134 minutes. She recorded 12 saves this past season, seven coming against Drake and then posting five saves against Illinois.

Prior to her season at Valpo, Tsuchiya started her collegiate career at Tyler JC, where she competed for two seasons.

For Tyler JC, she appeared in 30 matches during the two years, where she posted a 1.18 GAA and a .780 save percentage.

She recorded three solo shutouts and five combined shutouts among her 13 wins as a sophomore in 2024. That season also earned her a Second Team All-Region selection, as her team captured the Region XIV championship and played in the NJCAA National Tournament 2023 and 2024.

As a freshman, she was named to the NJCAA Second Team All-Academic Team for 2023-24.

She played summer soccer in 2024 for TLH Reckoning of the USLW and in 2025 for Peoria City of the WPSL.

In high school at Kaishigakuen JAPAN Soccer College koutoubu, she was a three-year starter in net.

She joins an already impressive goalkeeper room that includes Second Team All-Southland Conference selection Kennedy Rist and rising sophomore Audrey Marfia, who recorded a goals against average of 0.39, surrendering just one goal in 230:32.

Tsuchiya will be the first Japan native to play for the Demons and joins Hosane Soukou, Ravina Sandhu and Anika Sproxton as players on the team not from the United States.

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Lauren Watson Becomes First Player in USD Beach Volleyball History

Published

3 hours ago

December 30, 2025

Your Sports Nation

SAN DIEGO — Defender Lauren Watson became the first player in USD beach volleyball history on Monday afternoon when she signed a grant-in-aid agreement to play for the Toreros.

Watson, who hails from Phoenix, Arizona, attends Notre Dame Preparatory High School, where she was twice named the Arizona Beach Volleyball Player of the Year by the Arizona Republic. She will join San Diego for its inaugural beach volleyball season in the spring of 2027.

“Lauren is a really good all-around talent,” said USD beach volleyball head coach Derek Olson. “As a defender that can sit in the pocket and run shots down, she has good defensive instincts and covers a lot of sand.”

Her high school career thus far has seen her earn two Arizona Beach Volleyball Pairs State Championships, three All-League First-Team honors, and her league’s Defensive Player of the Year award.

“She also knows how to win and that’s very apparent by her results in tournaments,” Olson added. “But what I appreciate most about Lauren is her ability to play with anyone and make them better. She adds value to the environment that she is in.”

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Spencer McLachlin named new women’s volleyball head coach – The UCSD Guardian

Published

4 hours ago

December 30, 2025

Your Sports Nation

On Tuesday, Dec. 23, UC San Diego Athletics announced that USC associate head coach Spencer McLachlin will be the next head coach of Triton women’s volleyball. He replaces Melanie Greene, who stepped down on Dec. 6 after two seasons as head coach.

The coaching change comes after a tumultuous 6-24 season where a promising Triton team never found its rhythm. The Tritons were eliminated from postseason contention with three games left in the season following a loss to UC Riverside on Nov. 17. Assistant coach Kara Barkdoll Coy was named interim head coach for the final six games of the season after Greene’s departure.

“Spencer brings exactly what we need at this moment,” athletic director Andy Fee said in a press release. “He’s helped build winning programs, developed All-Americans, and knows how to compete at the highest level.”

McLachlin played collegiately at Stanford, winning a national championship with the Cardinal in 2010 and ending his four years in Palo Alto ranked third in career kills. McLachlin then served as an assistant coach at Hawai’i, California, UCLA, and Indiana before joining USC as associate head coach in 2023. This past season, the Trojans went 25-7 but fell in the second round of the NCAA Championship in a five-set upset loss against Cal Poly. McLachlin’s new position at UCSD will be his first head coaching role.

“I am thrilled to join UC San Diego as the Head Coach of the women’s volleyball program,” McLachlin said. “This is an incredible opportunity for my family and me to be part of an historic and beautiful university and build a program with great potential.”

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Volleyball Inks Four Highly Touted Transfers to 2026 Roster

Published

4 hours ago

December 30, 2025

Your Sports Nation

DALLAS (SMU) – The SMU Volleyball team announced the signings of outside hitter Suli Davis, libero Victoria Harris, opposite hitter Gabi Placide and setter Ava Sarafa to the 2026 roster on Monday.

Arriving for the spring 2026 semester, Placide brings in three years of collegiate playing experience; Harris and Sarafa come to the Hilltop with two and Davis comes to SMU with one year playing at the college level.

Details of the four transfers are below.

Suli Davis, So., 6-2, Outside Hitter, Euless, Texas – BYU

AVCA Second Team All-American (2025)

AVCA West Region Freshman of the Year (2025)

AVCA All-West Region First Team (2025)

Big 12 Freshman of the Year (2025)

All-Big 12 First Team (2025)

Big 12 All-Rookie Team (2025)

6x Big 12 Rookie of the Week (Sept. 9, Oct. 7, Oct. 21, Nov. 4, Nov. 25, Dec. 2, 2025)

2025 (Freshman at BYU)

–Broke BYU’s all-time freshman kills record during the Cougars’ five-set win over Utah on Nov. 26

–Broke BYU’s rally-scoring era freshman kills record against Arizona on Nov. 19

–27th player in Big 12 history with 500+ kills in a single season

–30 double-digit kill matches, third-most in the rally-scoring era at BYU

–Team-leading 10 double-doubles

–Led the team in kills in 22 matches, including 13 of the Cougars’ final 14

–Played in all 31 of the Cougars’ matches and 119 sets, starting 29 matches

–Recorded 541 kills, third-most in a rally-scoring era season at BYU, 252 digs, 43 total blocks, including 10 solo stuffs, 31 assists and 25 service aces

–Finished No. 1 in total kills (541), kills per set (4.55) and points per set (4.97) in the Cougars’ all-time freshman record book

–Finished No. 1 in sets played (119), total kills (541), kills per set (4.55), total points (591.5) and points per set (4.97) in the freshman rally-scoring era at BYU

–Is also second in double-doubles (10) and third in solo blocks (10) in the Cougars’ freshman rally-era record book

–Career-high 28 kills in back-to-back matches (at Utah on Nov. 14 and vs. Arizona Nov. 19), the second-most kills by a freshman in the rally-scoring era at BYU

Victoria Harris, Jr., 5-4, DS/Libero, Columbia, S.C. – South Carolina

SEC Community Service Team (2025)

SEC All-Freshman Team (2024)

SEC Freshman of the Week (Nov. 18, 2024)

2025 (Sophomore at South Carolina)

-Appeared in all 26 matches for the Gamecocks in her second season with the program

-Finished fourth in the SEC with 4.11 digs per set, totaling 399 digs

-Added 120 assists and 16 aces in her sophomore campaign

-Had seven matches with 20+ digs and 21 matches with double-digit digs

-Logged a season-best 27 digs at Missouri on Oct. 24

-Second in the SEC during conference play, averaging 4.31 digs per set for South Carolina

-Finished with 795 digs, 223 assists and 35 aces as a Gamecock in two seasons

Gabi Placide, Sr., 6-0, Opposite Hitter, Centennial, Colo. – Ole Miss

AVCA South Region Honorable Mention (2025)

SEC Offensive Player of the Week (Sept. 22, 2025)

AVCA West Region Honorable Mention (2024)

Big Sky All-Conference First Team (2024)

2x Big Sky Offensive Player of the Week (Oct. 21, Oct. 28, 2024)

Big Sky Conference Fall All-Academic Team (2024)

Big Sky Outstanding Freshman Award (2023)

Big Sky All-Academic Team (2023)

2025 (Junior at Ole Miss)

-Started and played in all 29 matches for the Rebels

-Led the team with 558.5 total points, 5.12 points per set, ranking third in the SEC and 15th in the NCAA

-Registered 488 kills (31st in the NCAA) on a .213 hitting percentage in her lone season with Ole Miss

-Logged 34 aces (sixth in the SEC) to lead Ole Miss and added 182 digs, 1.67 digs per set.

-Had 10 matches with 20+ kills and logged double-digit kills in 25 of 29 matches

-Registered five double-doubles, including a 19-kill and 14-dig outing against LSU on Nov. 2

-Had a career-high 28 kills against Alabama on Oct. 31

-Notched 22 kills, 10 digs and five aces against Texas on Oct. 24

Ava Sarafa, R-Jr., 6-0, Setter, Bloomfield Hills, Mich. – Kentucky

Fall SEC Academic Honor Roll (2024)

First-Year SEC Academic Honor Roll (2023-24)

2025 (Redshirt Sophomore at Kentucky)
–Played in 27 matches and 80 sets for a Kentucky program that reached the final four in 2025
–Finished the season with 136 assists, 57 digs and 10 aces
–Logged 43 assists, 10 digs and six blocks against Nebraska on Aug. 31

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