CHICAGO — In its 41st year celebrating the nation’s best high school athletes, Gatorade recently announced that Logan Cary of Rock Canyon High School is the 2025-26 Gatorade Colorado Volleyball Player of the Year.

Gatorade Player of the Year is the top honor in high school sports, celebrating the nation’s best high school athletes for their excellence in sport, academics and community.

The award recognizes Cary as Colorado’s best high school volleyball player, and she joins an elite legacy that spans professional athletes and coaches to CEOs, such as Kerri Walsh Jennings (1995-96, Archbishop Mitty High School, CA), April Ross (1999-00, Newport Harbor High School, CA) and Campbell Flynn (2024-25, Mercy High School, MI).

The 6-foot-2 senior setter and right-side hitter recorded 468 assists and 289 kills this past season, leading the Jaguars (24- 4) to the Class 5A semifinals and a third-place finish in the tournament. Ranked as the state’s No. 2 recruit in her class by PrepDig, Cary was a First Team All-State selection and was selected to play in the Colorado Sports All-State Games. She also compiled 245 digs, 64 blocks, and 49 service aces last fall.

Last summer, she helped her Front Range Volleyball Club squad take 13th at the 17s Division Nationals.

Cary has volunteered locally on behalf of HCA HealthONE Sky Ridge Hospital, the American Cancer Society Walk and Girls on the Run event, Momentum Services and the Children’s Diabetes Foundation Boo Bash. She has also donated her time as a peer math tutor and as a youth volleyball coach.

“Logan has played a major role in her team’s success as one of the most complete players in the state,” said Gwen Forster, Club Director for EVA. “Offensively, she excels both as a setter by making smart decisions and distributing the ball effectively for three rotations, and then, as an attacker, she is a significant scoring threat. Her ability to run an offense while also terminating sets her apart. She’s a solid blocker and a reliable defender, contributing across all phases of the game. Her volleyball IQ, versatility and competitiveness project well at the collegiate level.”

Cary has maintained a weighted 4.12 GPA in the classroom. She has signed a written letter of athletic aid to play volleyball at San Diego State University.

The Gatorade Player of the Year program annually recognizes one state winner from each of the 50 states and Washington D.C., in 12 different sports: football, girls volleyball, boys and girls cross country, boys and girls basketball, baseball, softball, boys and girls soccer, and boys and girls track & field. In total, 610 high school athletes are honored each year. From the pool of state winners, one national winner is selected in each of the 12 sports. The selection process is administered by the Gatorade Player of the Year Selection Committee, which leverages experts including coaches, scouts, media and others as sources to help evaluate and determine the winners in each sport.

As part of Gatorade’s commitment to breaking down barriers in sport, every Player of the Year also receives a grant to donate to a social impact partner. To date, the Gatorade Player of the Year program has provided more than $6.4 million in grants to winners across more than 2,200 organizations.

To learn more about the Gatorade Player of the Year program, check out past winners or to nominate student-athletes, visit playeroftheyear.gatorade.com or follow us on social media on Instagram at instagram.com/Gatorade, Facebook at facebook.com/GatoradePOY and X (Twitter) at x.com/Gatorade

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UCSD subs: Chandler, Luke.

UCSD subs: Chandler, Luke.

—

UCSD subs: Hornyak, Ethan; Luers, John.

UCSD subs: Hornyak, Ethan; Luers, John.

—

Rock subs: Huhman, Quentin; Collins, Ryan.

Rock subs: Huhman, Quentin; Collins, Ryan.

Rock

0-1

[Spadaro, Shay] Kill by Ewert, Josh (from Pravednikov, Leo).

0

1

[Spadaro, Shay] Kill by Ewert, Josh (from Pravednikov, Leo).

UCSD

1-1

[Ewert, Josh] Attack error by Sani, Sebastiano (block by Tran, Lucas; Yusk, Wesley; Sutphen, Will).

[Ewert, Josh] Attack error by Sani, Sebastiano (block by Tran, Lucas; Yusk, Wesley; Sutphen, Will).

1

1

Rock

1-2

[Yusk, Wesley] Kill by Pravednikov, Leo (from Wurl, Cameron).

1

2

[Yusk, Wesley] Kill by Pravednikov, Leo (from Wurl, Cameron).

UCSD

2-2

[Wiemelt, Leo] Service error.

[Wiemelt, Leo] Service error.

2

2

Rock

2-3

[Sutphen, Will] Kill by Garrison, Jim (from Wurl, Cameron).

2

3

[Sutphen, Will] Kill by Garrison, Jim (from Wurl, Cameron).

UCSD

3-3

[Pravednikov, Leo] Kill by DeRoy, Aron (from Jacques, Nathan).

[Pravednikov, Leo] Kill by DeRoy, Aron (from Jacques, Nathan).

3

3

Rock

3-4

[Tran, Lucas] Attack error by DeRoy, Aron (block by Garrison, Jim; Sani, Sebastiano).

3

4

[Tran, Lucas] Attack error by DeRoy, Aron (block by Garrison, Jim; Sani, Sebastiano).

UCSD

4-4

[Sani, Sebastiano] Service error.

[Sani, Sebastiano] Service error.

4

4

Rock

4-5

[DeRoy, Aron] Kill by Ewert, Josh (from Pravednikov, Leo).

4

5

[DeRoy, Aron] Kill by Ewert, Josh (from Pravednikov, Leo).

UCSD

5-5

[Cook, Keegan] Kill by Yusk, Wesley (from Jacques, Nathan).

[Cook, Keegan] Kill by Yusk, Wesley (from Jacques, Nathan).

5

5

Rock

5-6

[Jacques, Nathan] Service error.

5

6

[Jacques, Nathan] Service error.

UCSD

6-6

[Wurl, Cameron] Kill by Sutphen, Will (from Jacques, Nathan).

[Wurl, Cameron] Kill by Sutphen, Will (from Jacques, Nathan).

6

6

Rock

7-6

[Spadaro, Shay] Service ace (Pravednikov, Leo).

[Spadaro, Shay] Service ace (Pravednikov, Leo).

7

6

Rock

7-7

[Spadaro, Shay] Kill by Ewert, Josh (from Wurl, Cameron).

7

7

[Spadaro, Shay] Kill by Ewert, Josh (from Wurl, Cameron).

UCSD

8-7

[Ewert, Josh] Kill by Sutphen, Will (from Jacques, Nathan).

[Ewert, Josh] Kill by Sutphen, Will (from Jacques, Nathan).

8

7

Rock

8-8

[Yusk, Wesley] Service error.

8

8

[Yusk, Wesley] Service error.

UCSD

9-8

[Wiemelt, Leo] Kill by DeRoy, Aron (from Jacques, Nathan).

[Wiemelt, Leo] Kill by DeRoy, Aron (from Jacques, Nathan).

9

8

Rock

10-8

[Sutphen, Will] Kill by Tran, Lucas (from Jacques, Nathan).

[Sutphen, Will] Kill by Tran, Lucas (from Jacques, Nathan).

10

8

Rock

10-9

[Sutphen, Will] Kill by Pravednikov, Leo (from Wurl, Cameron).

10

9

[Sutphen, Will] Kill by Pravednikov, Leo (from Wurl, Cameron).

UCSD

10-10

[Pravednikov, Leo] Attack error by Spadaro, Shay (from Jacques, Nathan).

10

10

[Pravednikov, Leo] Attack error by Spadaro, Shay (from Jacques, Nathan).

UCSD

10-11

[Pravednikov, Leo] Kill by Cook, Keegan.

10

11

[Pravednikov, Leo] Kill by Cook, Keegan.

UCSD

10-12

[Pravednikov, Leo] Kill by Sani, Sebastiano (from Wurl, Cameron).

10

12

[Pravednikov, Leo] Kill by Sani, Sebastiano (from Wurl, Cameron).

UCSD

10-13

[Pravednikov, Leo] Kill by Garrison, Jim (from Wurl, Cameron).

10

13

[Pravednikov, Leo] Kill by Garrison, Jim (from Wurl, Cameron).

UCSD

11-13

[Pravednikov, Leo] Kill by Sutphen, Will (from Jacques, Nathan).

[Pravednikov, Leo] Kill by Sutphen, Will (from Jacques, Nathan).

11

13

Rock

11-14

[Tran, Lucas] Service error.

11

14

[Tran, Lucas] Service error.

UCSD

11-15

[Sani, Sebastiano] Kill by Wurl, Cameron (from Sani, Sebastiano).

11

15

[Sani, Sebastiano] Kill by Wurl, Cameron (from Sani, Sebastiano).

—

Rock subs: Zippay, Tyler.

Rock subs: Zippay, Tyler.

UCSD

11-16

[Sani, Sebastiano] Kill by Pravednikov, Leo (from Wurl, Cameron).

11

16

[Sani, Sebastiano] Kill by Pravednikov, Leo (from Wurl, Cameron).

UCSD

12-16

[Sani, Sebastiano] Kill by DeRoy, Aron (from Zippay, Tyler).

[Sani, Sebastiano] Kill by DeRoy, Aron (from Zippay, Tyler).

12

16

Rock

12-17

[DeRoy, Aron] Kill by Garrison, Jim (from Wurl, Cameron).

12

17

[DeRoy, Aron] Kill by Garrison, Jim (from Wurl, Cameron).

—

UCSD subs: Hornyak, Ethan.

UCSD subs: Hornyak, Ethan.

UCSD

12-18

[Hornyak, Ethan] Bad set by Zippay, Tyler.

12

18

[Hornyak, Ethan] Bad set by Zippay, Tyler.

UCSD

13-18

[Hornyak, Ethan] Kill by Spadaro, Shay (from Zippay, Tyler).

[Hornyak, Ethan] Kill by Spadaro, Shay (from Zippay, Tyler).

13

18

Rock

14-18

[Zippay, Tyler] Kill by Sutphen, Will (from Zippay, Tyler).

[Zippay, Tyler] Kill by Sutphen, Will (from Zippay, Tyler).

14

18

Rock

15-18

[Zippay, Tyler] Attack error by Ewert, Josh (from Wurl, Cameron).

[Zippay, Tyler] Attack error by Ewert, Josh (from Wurl, Cameron).

15

18

Rock

15-19

[Zippay, Tyler] Kill by Wiemelt, Leo (from Wurl, Cameron).

15

19

[Zippay, Tyler] Kill by Wiemelt, Leo (from Wurl, Cameron).

UCSD

16-19

[Wurl, Cameron] Kill by Spadaro, Shay.

[Wurl, Cameron] Kill by Spadaro, Shay.

16

19

Rock

17-19

[Spadaro, Shay] Kill by Sutphen, Will (from Zippay, Tyler).

[Spadaro, Shay] Kill by Sutphen, Will (from Zippay, Tyler).

17

19

Rock

17-20

[Spadaro, Shay] Service error.

17

20

[Spadaro, Shay] Service error.

UCSD

18-20

[Ewert, Josh] Service error.

[Ewert, Josh] Service error.

18

20

—

UCSD subs: Powell, Aidan.

UCSD subs: Powell, Aidan.

Rock

18-21

[Yusk, Wesley] Kill by Sani, Sebastiano (from Wurl, Cameron).

18

21

[Yusk, Wesley] Kill by Sani, Sebastiano (from Wurl, Cameron).

UCSD

18-22

[Wiemelt, Leo] Attack error by Sutphen, Will (block by Sani, Sebastiano; Garrison, Jim).

18

22

[Wiemelt, Leo] Attack error by Sutphen, Will (block by Sani, Sebastiano; Garrison, Jim).

UCSD

19-22

[Wiemelt, Leo] Service error.

[Wiemelt, Leo] Service error.

19

22

Rock

19-23

[Sutphen, Will] Kill by Garrison, Jim (from Wurl, Cameron).

19

23

[Sutphen, Will] Kill by Garrison, Jim (from Wurl, Cameron).

UCSD

19-24

[Pravednikov, Leo] Kill by Powell, Aidan (from Wurl, Cameron).

19

24

[Pravednikov, Leo] Kill by Powell, Aidan (from Wurl, Cameron).

UCSD

20-24

[Pravednikov, Leo] Attack error by Wurl, Cameron.

[Pravednikov, Leo] Attack error by Wurl, Cameron.

20

24

—

UCSD subs: Luers, John; Chandler, Luke.

UCSD subs: Luers, John; Chandler, Luke.

Rock

20-25

[Tran, Lucas] Attack error by Spadaro, Shay (block by Sani, Sebastiano; Garrison, Jim; Chandler, Luke).

20

25

[Tran, Lucas] Attack error by Spadaro, Shay (block by Sani, Sebastiano; Garrison, Jim; Chandler, Luke).

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Avery Vogt, a senior at Waukee Northwest High School, has been named the 2025–26 Gatorade Iowa Volleyball Player of the Year, one of the top honors in high school athletics. The Gatorade Player of the Year award recognizes student-athletes for success in athletics, academics, and community involvement.

Avery helped lead the Wolves to an impressive 38–1 season and the program’s second state championship. She finished the year with 939 assists, along with 216 kills, 171 digs, 45 blocks, and 38 service aces, highlighting her versatility and leadership on the court. Her season also earned her AVCA Honorable Mention All-American and AVCA All-Region recognition.

In addition to the Gatorade honor, Avery was named to the IGCA Elite All-State Team, selected as the State Tournament Most Valuable Player, and received the 5A Ms. Volleyball award. She played a key role in Northwest closing the season with 52 consecutive set victories.

Off the court, Avery enjoys giving back to the community. She volunteers as a mentor at camps and clinics and supports literacy outreach by reading to elementary students throughout the Waukee Community School District.

After graduation, Avery will continue her volleyball career at Drake University. Congratulations, Avery, on this incredible honor

CARBONDALE, Ill. –  School is back in session at Southern Illinois and Saluki athletics is back in full swing. Last week, both basketball squads were in action as well as the swim and dive team. And this week, track and field returns to competition. 
 
Men’s Basketball (8-9, 2-4)
Men’s basketball had just one game last week, falling 70-57 at UIC. Damien Mayo Jr. was the game’s leading scorer with 17, and he also tied Quel’Ron House to lead all players in assists with five. 
 
Two games await Southern this week. On Wednesday, Jan. 14, they host Drake at 7 p.m. SIU then welcomes Belmont to Banterra Center on Saturday, Jan. 17, at 6 p.m.
 
Women’s Basketball (4-11, 1-5)
The women’s basketball squad split their two conference games last week.
 
First, the team lost to Evansville on Thursday, 75-70. Jeniah Thompson reset her career-high in points with 19, and grabbed 12 rebounds to complete a double-double. Karris Allen had a nice game as well with 15 points and eight rebounds, and Indya Green was the final Saluki to hit double-digit points with her 11.
 
SIU then picked up their first conference win of the season on Saturday, defeating Valparaiso 97-59. Thompson set a new career-high in points once again with 25, and had 14 rebounds as well for another double-double. Green, Kayla Cooper, and Tkiyah Nelson all had 10+ points as well. 
 
This week, the Salukis host Murray State on Thursday, Jan. 15, at 6 p.m. They then welcome UIC to Carbondale on Sunday, Jan. 18, for a 2 p.m. match. 
 
Swim and Dive
It was a busy weekend for swim and dive, who competed for the first time following winter break.
 
On Friday, the men’s squad traveled to Purdue and fell 207-103. Carter Ruthven won SIU’s first event of the day by taking gold in the 100-butterfly. Alex Cimera won the 200-freestyle event as well as the 100-freestyle. Southern’s last win of the meet came in the 400-IM thanks to Juraj Barcot. 
 
SIU then hosted Evansville and Indiana State’s women’s team on Saturday for Senior Day. Both Southern squads took down Evansville, but the women’s team fell to Indiana State in a close meet. The Salukis started the meet by winning both sides of the 200-medley relay, and Joshua Aceves was the team’s first individual winner in the men’s 1000-freestyle. Susy Hernandez then won the 200-freestyle, as did Willem Huggins for the men’s team. In the 100-backstroke, Liseska Gallegos Gutierrez and Cimera both grabbed gold. Olivia Herron, Maddax Thompson, Nate Worsham , Tomáš Peciar, Benedek Andor, and Barcot all won events as well, and Oliver Mebs provided SIU a diving win in the one-meter dive. 
 
It is another busy week for swim and dive. On Friday, Jan. 16, the team hosts McKendree at 2 p.m. before welcoming Vanderbilt’s women’s team on Saturday, Jan. 17, for a 1 p.m. meet. 
 
Track and Field
The indoor track and field season resumes this week when the Salukis head to the Indiana Invitational on Friday, Jan. 16, and Saturday, Jan. 17. 
 
Follow the Salukis
Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Salukis by following the team on X at @SIUSalukis, on Instagram at @siusalukis, and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SalukiAthletics/. Fans can also download the “Salukis” Mobile App on the App Store or Google Play Store.
 

WASHINGTON – After three years as head coach and nine years in the American University volleyball program, Ahen Kim has been named the new head coach of Duke University volleyball. Kim most recently led AU to a historic season in 2025, capturing the program’s first Patriot League title since 2019. He leaves American with a 44-25 overall record at the helm.

“We are incredibly grateful to Ahen for everything he has given to American University volleyball,” said Director of Athletics and Recreation JM Caparro. “His connection to this program runs deep, from his time as an assistant under Barry Goldberg during one of the most successful eras in our history to leading the program through an important transition as head coach. This past season’s Patriot League championship and NCAA Tournament berth were a testament to his leadership, commitment to our student-athletes, and belief in this program. While we will miss Ahen, we are proud of the work he has done at AU and understand the significance of the opportunity he has earned. We wish him nothing but success in his next chapter.”

“I’m forever grateful to American University Volleyball and will cherish the time I’ve had coaching here both as an Assistant and as Head Coach,” said Kim. “It has been an honor to serve the program after Coach Barry, and I am extremely proud of the work by our student-athletes and staff to restore its competitive legacy. I want to thank President Alger, JM, Katie Benoit and the AU community for all the support for me and our program over the years. With the addition of the Meltzer Center and Goldberg Court, I know this program will continue to be a winner. AUVB will always be special to me and I wish the program continued success. Once an Eagle, always an Eagle.”

As an assistant from 2012 to 2017 and a head coach since 2023, Kim has been synonymous with many of AU volleyball’s greatest moments. He was on the bench for five Patriot League championships and all three of AU’s NCAA Tournament wins, and returned in 2023 to find more success as a head coach. Kim led the Eagles to back-to-back 20-win seasons in 2023 and 2024, leading to one of the best campaigns in program history in 2025. American won 24 games up through the Patriot League final, with Kim guiding several players to unprecedented individual success. AU earned six All-Patriot League selections and took home all five major postseason awards, including the Coaching Staff of the Year distinction given to Kim and his assistants. In total as a head coach, Kim oversaw 12 All-Patriot League players, six major award winners, two AVCA All-Region selections, and two All-Americans.

With undeniable success on the court, Kim made an equal impact off the court. 30 of his players have landed on the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll and three players earned spots on the Academic All-Patriot League team in 2025, which recognizes both on-court and academic performance. 

American University will conduct a national search for its next volleyball coach.

Keep up With Us

For the latest on American University Volleyball, stay tuned to AUEagles.com and follow the team on Twitter (@AU_Volleyball), Facebook (/AU.Volleyball) and Instagram (@au_volleyball).