CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Austin Peay State University Interim Director of Athletics Jordan Harmon announced the 2026 Austin Peay Athletics Hall of Fame Class, Wednesday.

The 48th Hall of Fame Class, which will be inducted during ceremonies held Feb. 13-14, includes track and field’s Savannah Amato, soccer’s Natalia Ariza, football’s James Green, former director of facilities Charles “Bud” Jenkins, men’s golf’s Dustin Korte, and baseball’s Parker Phillips.

The athletics department will recognize the class at halftime of the men’s basketball game against Bellarmine on Saturday, Feb. 14. Tickets for Friday’s Hall of Fame Reception and for Saturday’s basketball doubleheader, which includes the women’s basketball game against West Georgia, will be available for purchase online through Ticketmaster. A full schedule of the Athletics Hall of Fame Weekend events will be available at a later date.

The APSU Athletics Hall of Fame, which is displayed in the front lobby of the Winfield Dunn Center, inducted legendary director of athletics and coach David Aaron as its first member in 1977. This year’s class of six inductees will bring the total number of individuals recognized to 151. The APSU Athletics Hall of Fame can be visited online at LetsGoPeay.com/HOF.

Austin Peay Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2026 Biographical Sketches

Savannah Amato, Track & Field (2015-20)

Pole vaulter Savannah Amato was a six-time Ohio Valley Conference gold medalist, three-time NCAA East Preliminaries participant, 11-time OVC Field Athlete of the Week, and 26-time event winner. A member of the OVC 75th Anniversary Team, Amato still is the only athlete in OVC Indoor Track & Field history to win the pole vault three times and is one of two Governors to win be named the Outdoor Pole Vault Champion three times in a career.

At the conclusion of her collegiate career, she held both pole vault records. While her 4.15-meter vault indoor now is tied for third all-time, Amato still holds three of the top 10 indoor pole vault marks and a program-record 4.17-meter mark from the 2017-18 season.

Natalia Ariza, Soccer (2010-13)

Natalia Ariza is one of two players in Austin Peay soccer history to earn four All-Ohio Valley Conference honors, with three First Team All-OVC selections and one Second Team All-OVC honor. Despite missing the first two games of her collegiate career – due to representing Columbia in the U19 FIFA Women’s World Cup – Ariza finished her freshman season as the Govs’ second-leading scorer with 15 points, a career-best six goals, and four game-winning goals. Her freshman campaign also saw her earn First Team All-OVC, OVC All-Newcomer Team, OVC Tournament Team, and Second Team National Soccer Coaches Association of America honors.

After transitioning to a more defensive-heavy position for her second season, Ariza still scored five goals and dished out four assists as a sophomore, before combining for seven assists across her junior and senior campaigns. Over a decade removed from her playing days in Clarksville, Ariza still ranks top 10 in program history in goals, assists, and points and is the only Governor to earn All-OVC Tournament Team selections

James Green, Football (1975-77)

James Green was a three-year letterwinner on the defensive line for the Austin Peay’s football team from 1975-77. A two-time First Team All-Ohio Valley Conference selection, Green was a captain during Governors’ first OVC Championship season in 1977, a season in which he also earned Associated Press All-America Honorable Mention honors.

Forty-eight years after his collegiate career ended with hoisting the Govs’ first championship trophy since a 1948 Volunteer State Athletic Conference title, Green’s 189-career tackles still are the 10th-most in program history and the second-most by a Gov to play three-or-fewer seasons. Green now becomes the fourth defensive player from the 1977 team to be selected to the Austin Peay Hall of Fame, joining former teammates Ron Sebree, Mike Betts, and Bob Bible.

Charles “Bud” Jenkins, Facilities (1992-25)

Bud Jenkins did it all. If there was something anyone needed, Bud would be there. He is the reason anything ever worked and, if it is still working, he is probably the reason for that too. One minute he would be repairing the seats in the Dunn Center and the next he would be out at any one of Austin Peay’s athletic facilities working on whatever needed to be done.

Bud began at Austin Peay in 1992 and, in those 33 years, epitomized the definitions of hard work and humility. While his job was behind the scenes, his craft and care for Austin Peay showed every time someone walked into a facility.

Dustin Korte, Men’s Golf (2010-13)

One of two men’s golfers in Austin Peay history to qualify for the NCAA Men’s Golf Championship as an individual, Dustin Korte shot 204 at the 2013 NCAA Tempe Regional, including an opening-round 64 that is still tied for the third-best score in program history, to finish as the top individual and advance to the national championship. Korte’s three-round score of 204 at the Tempe Regional still is the eighth-best tournament score in program history and is the best by a Gov in the NCAA Tournament. Korte also was named a PING All-Region selection for his performance in 2013.

A two-time First Team All-Ohio Valley Conference and OVC All-Tournament Team selection, Korte received both those honors during the 2012 and 2013 seasons after being a Second Team All-OVC selection in 2011. After a 76.19 scoring average during his freshman season, Korte posted averages of 73.94, 73.15, and 72.63 during his next three seasons, en route to a 73.79 career scoring average as a Governor. Korte also played to a .777 winning percentage (761-208-29) against the field as a junior and a .767 winning percentage (752-217-34) against the field as a senior to finish his career with a .671 mark (2,139-1,020-105).

Parker Phillips, Baseball (2017-19)

The Home Run King, Parker Phillips still is Austin Peay’s all-time leader in home runs, despite the recent power surges by the likes of Lyle Miller-Green and John Bay. Phillips had 56 home runs in three seasons and is the only player in program history with three 10-home run seasons. Phillips hit 12 home runs as a redshirt sophomore in 2017, before hitting a then-program record 19 home runs in 2018. Phillips followed those seasons with the first 20-homer season in program history, hitting a then-record 25 home runs in 2019, a mark that is still the second-best single-season total in APSU history. Phillips also is 1-of-10 Govs to hit a record three home runs in a single game, but he is the only player in program history to have two three-homer games.

Phillips’ 56 career home runs and 25 home runs in 2019 both still rank as the sixth-best marks in Ohio Valley Conference history. In addition to the home runs, Phillips ranks first in Austin Peay history in hit by pitches (58) – 16 more than the next closest player – he also ranks second in grand slams (4), third in slugging percentage (.674), sixth in RBI (166), sixth in runs scored (158), eighth in sacrifice flies (12), and 16th in on-base percentage (.435).

Phillips also was selected to compete in the 2018 College Home Run Derby at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska, and advanced to the second round of the event. Phillips was a Collegiate Baseball Second Team All-America, ABCA First Team All-South Region, First Team All-OVC, and OVC All-Tournament Team selection in 2019. He also was a Second Team All-OVC selection in 2018 and a Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American, National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Second Team Freshman All-American, and OVC All-Freshman Team selection in 2018.

PULLMAN, Wash. (January 7, 2026) – Washington State Women’s Volleyball Head Coach Korey Schroeder and the staff have announced the signing of five incoming transfers for the 2026 season.

“I couldn’t be more excited about the group of transfers we are adding to Washington State Volleyball,” said Schroeder. “Our staff did an amazing job in the transfer portal to find five high-character humans that each bring experience, a track record of success, and a drive to continue growing. Every one of them made a significant impact on their previous teams, both on the court and in the locker room. Having most of them joining us this spring also makes our gym more competitive and allows us to best prepare for next fall. I can’t wait to see the impact that this group makes as leaders, athletes, students, and community members.”

The additions include a pair of outside hitters, Madyn Cervellera from Seattle U and Emerson Matthews from Buffalo, a defensive specialist/libero from Idaho State, Chloe Heimlicher, a setter from Hawaii, Audrey Hollis, and Naomi White a middle blocker from Portland State.

Madyn Cervellera | 6-0 | OH | Lake Stevens, Wash. (Seattle U)

Cervellera is an outside hitter from Lake Stevens, Wash. who transfers to the Palouse ahead of her junior season after spending her sophomore season at Seattle U and her freshman campaign with Cal Poly-Humboldt. Last season with the Redhawks, Cervellera was a starter in all 29 matches and appeared in a team-high 114 sets, averaging 3.32 kills, 0.36 blocks, 2.29 digs and 3.74 points per set. She led the team with 378 kills, 426.0 points and 1,052 attack attempts, was second in digs with 261. In recognition of her success, she was selected for All-WCC.

Coach Schroeder on Madyn Cervellera: “Between playing against her twice and scouting for other WCC matches, we watched Madyn compete a lot last season. She is a great athlete that impacts matches both offensively and defensively, and that showed with the numbers she put up at Seattle. We wanted people who are excited to be part of Washington State Volleyball, and Madyn made it clear this is where she wants to be.”

Chloe Heimlicher | 5-6 | DS/L | Parker, Colo. (Idaho State)

Heimlicher is a defensive specialist/libero from Parker, Colo. who comes to Pullman for her senior season after three years at Idaho State. During her time in Pocatello, she averaged 1.35 digs per set as a defensive specialist. Last season as a junior she finished with career-bests in matches played (31), assists (30), service aces (27), digs (171), and passer rating (2.36).

Coach Schroeder on Chloe Heimlicher: “We’re thrilled to welcome Chloe to the Washington State Volleyball family. She brings a strong work ethic, competitive mindset, and experience that will elevate our gym right away. Chloe contributed at a high level at Idaho State while making significant improvements in her game each season. Adding a player with her experience and commitment is invaluable.”

Audrey Hollis | 6-0 | S | Colorado Springs, Colo. (Hawaii)

Hollis is a setter from Colorado Springs, Colo. who comes to WSU for her junior season after playing her sophomore year at Hawaii and her freshman campaign at UC San Diego. Last year at Hawaii she appeared in 16 matches, and totaled 125 assists, 49 digs and six service aces. During her time at UC San Diego, Hollis started 25 matches and appeared in 27 on her way to being named to the 2024 Big West All-Freshman team after finishing fifth in the league with 8.86 assists per set.

Coach Schroeder on Audrey Hollis: “Audrey brings a lot of experience, and success, for us at the setter position. Her freshman season she ran a 5-1 for a very successful UC-San Diego team while she was still 17 years old. Audrey has a great head on her shoulders and is passionate about continuing to grow as a volleyball player.”

Emerson Matthews | 6-0 | OH | Lloydminster, Alberta (Buffalo)

Matthews is an outside hitter from Alberta, Canada who transfers to Pullman for her sophomore season after a year at the University of Buffalo where she was named to the All-MAC Second Team and All-Freshman Team. She started 26 matches, appeared in all 27, and played in a team-high 101 sets while leading the team with 366 kills and 419.0 points. Matthews also totaled 41 blocks, 190 digs and 25 service aces, while averaging 3.62 kills, 4.15 points, 1.88 digs, 0.41 blocks and 0.25 aces per set. Before Buffalo, she was a member of Canada’s National Excellence Program(NEP). Matthews played in the BioSteel All-Canadian Games for Team Canada in 16U and 17U, was named SASK Volleyball 17U Female Athlete of the Year, and represented the 19U Team Canada at the NORCECA PAN-AM Cup in Honduras.

Coach Schroeder on Emerson Matthews: “What Emerson accomplished last fall in her first collegiate season is impressive. Being a freshman is hard, but she not only contributed but led her team offensively while playing a six-rotation role. She is an incredibly driven student-athlete with big goals and a vision beyond college volleyball.”

Naomi White | 6-0 | MB | Las Vegas, Nev. (Portland State)

White is a middle blocker from Las Vegas, Nev. who will arrive at WSU for her senior season after playing her first three seasons at Portland State. Last year with the Vikings she started all 28 matches and appeared in all 112 sets, finishing the year with 1.69 kills per set, a .342 hitting percentage, 1.04 blocks per set and 0.33 digs per set. A year prior as a sophomore she ranked fifth in the Big Sky Conference with a .330 hitting percentage, and ninth with 1.04 blocks per set, also starting all 28 matches and appearing in all 99 sets.

Coach Schroeder on Naomi White: “Naomi is a great athlete that has made great strides in her skillsets in the past three seasons. She is another player that brings a lot of experience playing for a competitive program and grew in each of her seasons at Portland State. Naomi is a dynamic middle and consistently impacts the game both offensively defensively.”

For all the latest WSU volleyball news, photos and videos, like the team on Facebook (facebook.com/WSUCougarVB), or follow on Twitter (@WSUCougarVB) and Instagram (@wsucougarvb).

The 2026 Arizona track and field coaches clinic is returning to Brophy College Prep, and this year will feature a lineup ranging from Olympians to professional and collegiate coaches. There will be top coaches from the sprints, distance, throws, jumps and multi-events.

The lineup includes: two-time Olympian Devon Allen, USA Track and Field’s Gwen Mikinski, former Northern Arizona Elite director Ben Rosario, distance runner Stephanie Bruce, professional running coach Ben Bruce, University of Oregon strength and conditioning coach Jim Radcliffe, Grand Canyon University’s Derick Hinch and Jeremy Tuttle, Northern Arizona University’s Ernie Clark and Brad Foote and Phoenix Country Day’s Camilo Tafur.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The MIAA announced its Academic Awards for the 2025 volleyball season.

11 members of the Pittsburg State University team were named to the MIAA Academic Honor Roll with a pair of Gorillas being named MIAA Scholar Athletes and MIAA Academic Excellence Award winners.

Honorees included: Alexis Bittner, Mia Brown, Don’Yah Cosie, Anna Dean, Maliyah Johnson, Maddi LaPointe, Rylee Martin, Josie McCroskey, Olivia Seemann, Vix Vilott and Jesa Wallace.

To be recognized on the Academic Honor Roll list, one must have a grade point average used by the institution for purposes of NCAA academic certification of 3.00 or above at the certifying member institution. The individual must also have at least two terms of grades reported at the certifying member institution, excluding summer terms.

Named as MIAA Scholar Athletes were Dean and McCroskey.

A Scholar-Athlete is an individual that has a grade point average used by the institution for purposes of NCAA academic certification of 3.50 or better at the certifying member institution. They must also have at least two terms of grades reported at the certifying member institution, excluding summer terms. The student-athlete must also earn All-MIAA honors in the sport for the 2025 season.

Claiming the prestiougous MIAA Academic Excellence Award were Bittner and Martin.

An MIAA Academic Excellence Award recipient must have a grade point average used by the institution for purposes of NCAA academic certification of at least 4.00 at the certifying member institution. The honoree also must have at least two terms of grades reported at the certifying member institution, excluding summer terms.

FARMVILLE, Va. – Another semester, and more GPA records fall for Longwood student-athletes.
 
The Lancers broke the department’s term GPA record with a 3.52 this past semester, and every team earned above a 3.0 GPA.
 
A total of 116 student-athletes earned Dean’s List honors for a GPA above 3.5, an honor only available to undergraduates, and 47 posted perfect 4.00 GPAs to earn President’s List honors, also only available to undergraduates. A full 85 percent of student-athletes had a 3.0 GPA or better.

“Once again our student-athletes continue to raise the bar in the classroom,” said Longwood Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Tim Hall. “I am proud of their grit and resilience and proud of hte work of our coaches and support staff to help them continue to succeed. This success is another testament to the emphasis on both athletic and academic excellence that is a pillar of the department at Longwood. I am glad for the opportunity to celebrate these results.”

 

Lancer student-athletes have now compiled a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 for 18 straight semesters.

 

“The continued academic success of our student-athletes is a direct reflection of the standards we set and the people we bring into our programs,” said Farrah Young, Associate Athletics Director for Academics and Student Services and Senior Woman Administrator. “Breaking GPA records again is not something we take lightly—it speaks to the commitment, discipline, and pride our student-athletes show every single day in the classroom. I also want to sincerely thank Alex Dinger for her outstanding work and support of our student-athletes; her efforts play a huge role in these results. These achievements reinforce that the culture of excellence at Longwood is real, sustainable, and continuing to grow.”

 

The Lancer women’s teams combined for their highest GPA in school history with a 3.65, with the women’s golf recording an incredible 3.81 team GPA, the highest in team history. Women’s tennis (3.80) and softball (3.76) also set team records. Women’s basketball, field hockey, women’s lacrosse and women’s cross country and track & field also set GPA records for the semester.

 

On the men’s side, the teams had their second-best GPA with a 3.35, with men’s golf leading the charge at 3.76 that served as the program record. Men’s soccer (3.45) and men’s tennis (3.38) were second and third respectively. Baseball also set the program record for fall GPA in program history with a 3.22.

 

In addition, men’s golf and women’s soccer extended streaks with a GPA above 3.0 to 34 straight semesters, and field hockey is now at 23 straight semesters for the same mark. Softball has topped the plateau in 18 straight semesters, and the men’s basketball team carded an eighth straight semester with a team GPA above 3.0.

 

#GoWood #HorsePower

 

When people hear the name Merritt Beason, they may think “Nebraska volleyball player, former All-American,” but her path to the Husker volleyball team almost didn’t happen.

The former Husker opposite hitter grew up as a gymnast in Alabama before playing volleyball, with plans to try out for the cheer team in high school. However, one conversation with her father changed everything.

“I kind of came to a crossroads where I didn’t know if I was going to try out for cheer or volleyball,” Beason told Hurrdat Sports. “My dad, on my back porch, we were kind of talking through it, and I’ll never forget, he said, ‘Do you want to be cheered for, or do you want to cheer for other people?’ I said, ‘OK, there’s my answer.’”

Beason spent two years at Nebraska, earning All-America honors in 2023 before going pro in 2024.

The Atlanta Vibe drafted Beason with the first overall pick in the first round of the 2024 Major League Volleyball draft. She spent one season there before becoming a free agent and ultimately signing with the Omaha Supernovas on Aug. 7, 2025.

“Nebraska has truly become like my second home, and so the minute that I stepped foot back in the state, I just felt that, and felt all the love from everyone around us,” Beason said. “But I’m just super excited. Everybody says there’s truly no place like Nebraska, and just playing in a state that celebrates volleyball so much is something that I wanted to be a part of again. I’m super excited for our season to get going.”

While with the Huskers, Beason played for former Nebraska head coach John Cook, who now serves as co-owner and general manager of the Supernovas. The two are now reunited in Omaha.

“It was like I was in the portal again getting recruited by him again,” Beason said. “That was obviously not something that I thought that I would be having those kinds of conversations with him anymore. So it was really special, and I think, obviously, he’s been a big part of getting my love for the game back, and just growing in the sport itself. For me, he’s been a huge part of that, so to have him kind of along this journey with me as well has been really cool.”

The 6-foot-4 pin hitter spent two seasons at Florida before entering her name into the transfer portal, stepping into the unknown in 2023.

“I didn’t really care where I ended up,” Beason said. “Honestly, it was kind of like, I could be walking into another program that wasn’t a great fit for me. I was kind of in the mind frame of like, ‘OK, I’ll give it another shot, and if it’s the same kind of deal I’ll quit.’ I didn’t know where I was going to end up. I didn’t necessarily have the best thoughts about myself or my game at that point in time, so I didn’t know if I’d be at the JUCO down the road of my home town or where I was going to end up.”

That unknown led her to Nebraska. In her two seasons with the program, the Gardendale, Alabama, native recorded 3.27 kills per set on .258 hitting while adding 41 aces for the Huskers.

“From the moment that I stepped on campus for my visit, I knew that this was going to be home for me,” Beason said. “I could go on and on for hours just about how special that program was for me specifically, but I truly did fall back in love with volleyball. I had the best teammates that I could have asked for, truly loved every single one of them and just getting to know them, and then obviously staff was a big one for me.”

Named a two-time team captain at Nebraska, Beason helped guide the Huskers to two Final Four appearances while regaining her love for the sport.

“I think just the group of girls that we had made that time so special, the relationships that we built and the friendships, the lifelong friendships that I’ll have away from it,” Beason reflected. “We had so many cool experiences, like, obviously, the stadium match, and going to two Final Fours, and just breaking so many records left and right. That’s such a special time in Nebraska volleyball history. I’m just so honored to have been a small part of it.”

Beason will continue to prepare for her first game with the Supernovas, with hopes of growing throughout the year.

“I think a thing for me personally is just to continue getting 1% better every single day,” Beason said. “I think (head coach) Luka (Slabe) does a great job of kind of fostering that environment as well, of accepting the mistakes and pushing us to make the mistakes so that we can get better. So it’s kind of been a focus of mine in the preseason is not being scared of those mistakes, and just truly failing first so that we can get better. That’s kind of been a focus of mine this off season.”

The Supernovas open the 2026 season by welcoming the San Diego Mojo to CHI Health Center Omaha on Thursday. First serve is set for 7 p.m. CT, streaming on YouTube.