Former Hallsville standout Pyle signs with Sam Houston volleyball

Published 10:35 am Friday, January 2, 2026

Lauren Pyle, a three-year starter at Hallsville High School and two-year standout at Tyler Junior College, will continue her academic and athletic career at the 4-year level after signing a volleyball national letter of intent with Sam Houston State University recently.

“Sam Houston reached out to me, and that gave me a lot of confidence,” Pyle said of her decision to sign with the Conference USA school located in Huntsville.

“I went to visit, and just liked the environment,” she added. “It felt like family, and I really liked the program they are building there. The campus is awesome, and the program is just a good fit for me. I just felt strongly it was where I wanted to be for the next two years.”

Pyle spent the past two seasons at Tyler Junior College, recording 1,415 assists, 171 kills, 372 digs and 102 aces during that span.

She was the Region XIV Conference Setter of the Year and a first team all-region selection after the 2025 season, recording 995 assists, 122 kills, 50 aces and 285 digs during a season that saw the Apache Ladies finish 17-14 overall and 10-6 in conference play.

“Tyler was awesome,” Pyle said of her time at TJC. “I was able to grow and learn as a player, and was able to become more of a strategic player, a better player and a better all-around athlete.”

Prior to heading to TJC, Pyle was a standout at Hallsville High School – recording 2,975 assists, 1,052 digs, 464 kills, 261 aces and 101 blocks in her final three seasons with the Ladycats.

She played sparingly as a freshman, and then recorded 830 assists, 55 aces, 72 kills, 34 blocks and 246 digs as a sophomore. Pyle had 1,042 assists, 100 aces, 167 kills, 25 blocks and 382 digs as a junior for Hallsville, and capped her high school career by recording 1,103 assists, 106 aces, 225 kills, 42 blocks and 424 digs her senior season.

Pyle said she will be a setter – either in a 6-1 or 5-2 offense – at Sam Houston, and looks forward to taking the next step.

“I plan to go in and fight for my spot,” she said. “They have another setter coming out of high school, but they want my experience that comes with having two years (of college) under my belt. They know how competitive our conference is, and they want my leadership and experience.”

Tyler competed in the Region XIV Conference along with Trinity Valley, Blinn, Panola, Navarro, Lee, Wharton and Coastal Bend.

Sam Houston is a member of Conference USA with UTEP, Western Kentucky, Kennesaw State, Florida International, Liberty, Jacksonville State, New Mexico State, Missouri State, Delaware, Middle Tennessee and Louisiana Tech

 

Trevor Clevenot has been part of the French men’s national team for more than a decade, during a period that has delivered the greatest results in the programme’s history. Across that time, he has built a reputation based on consistency and reliability rather than visibility.

Even after winning Olympic gold medals in Tokyo and Paris, Clevenot does not speak about success as something that lasts by itself. For him, high-level volleyball remains subject to constant change, a reality he acknowledges when reflecting on the past year with the national team.

Trevor Clevenot shares a moment on court with setter Antoine Brizard and superstar outside hitter Earvin Ngapeth during France’s gold medal run at Paris 2024.

“I think 2025 was a difficult year for our national team. We didn’t manage to reach our objectives,” he said. “Yesterday’s truth is not today’s truth in high-level sport, and especially in volleyball. We will have to go back to work and improve if we want to perform in 2026.”

Clevenot has been a regular presence in the French lineup throughout the most successful era in the team’s history. While others have often taken attacking responsibility, his role has focused on defence, stability and decision-making, particularly in tight moments.

At club level, he is now based in Ankara with Ziraat Bankasi, where he plays alongside stars Nimir Abdel-Aziz of the Netherlands and Poland’s Tomasz Fornal, players he has faced frequently at international level. The shift from opponents to teammates has been straightforward, forged by familiarity and the daily demands of training.

“I was lucky enough to play with them in my previous clubs. They are great players, but above all great people,” he said. “Training every day with top-level players is very inspiring and pushes you to keep improving.”

Life in Turkey has required adjustment after spells in France, Italy and Poland, but Clevenot says he has settled quickly. Living in a different environment has influenced not only his professional routine but also his life away from the court.

“Ankara is a big city, and for me the balance between volleyball and life outside the court is very important,” he said. “I’ve found a very good balance here. You have to adapt to the culture, but that’s also a real source of personal growth.”

Trevor Clevenot stays locked in during Volleyball Nations League action, focused on his role and the details that hold France together.

Looking ahead to 2026, Clevenot does not frame the season around personal targets. With commitments at both club and international level, his approach remains unchanged and focused on consistency rather than outcome.

“2026 will be another very demanding year, both for the club and the national team,” he said. “I don’t set myself specific objectives, but I always try to give the best of myself. The results will be a consequence of our preparation and the level of commitment we put in throughout the season.”

Trevor Clevenot during Volleyball Nations League 2025 action.

Success does not come with a finish line for Trevor Clevenot, only the reality that each season starts again on equal terms.

MOVING ON: Former Hallsville standout Pyle signs with Sam Houston volleyball

Published 8:33 am Friday, January 2, 2026

Lauren Pyle, a three-year starter at Hallsville High School and two-year standout at Tyler Junior College, will continue her academic and athletic career at the 4-year level after signing a volleyball national letter of intent with Sam Houston State University recently.

“Sam Houston reached out to me, and that gave me a lot of confidence,” Pyle said of her decision to sign with the Conference USA school located in Huntsville.

“I went to visit, and just liked the environment,” she added. “It felt like family, and I really liked the program they are building there. The campus is awesome, and the program is just a good fit for me. I just felt strongly it was where I wanted to be for the next two years.”

Pyle spent the past two seasons at Tyler Junior College, recording 1,415 assists, 171 kills, 372 digs and 102 aces during that span.

She was the Region XIV Conference Setter of the Year and a first team all-region selection after the 2025 season, recording 995 assists, 122 kills, 50 aces and 285 digs during a season that saw the Apache Ladies finish 17-14 overall and 10-6 in conference play.

“Tyler was awesome,” Pyle said of her time at TJC. “I was able to grow and learn as a player, and was able to become more of a strategic player, a better player and a better all-around athlete.”

Prior to heading to TJC, Pyle was a standout at Hallsville High School – recording 2,975 assists, 1,052 digs, 464 kills, 261 aces and 101 blocks in her final three seasons with the Ladycats.

She played sparingly as a freshman, and then recorded 830 assists, 55 aces, 72 kills, 34 blocks and 246 digs as a sophomore. Pyle had 1,042 assists, 100 aces, 167 kills, 25 blocks and 382 digs as a junior for Hallsville, and capped her high school career by recording 1,103 assists, 106 aces, 225 kills, 42 blocks and 424 digs her senior season.

Pyle said she will be a setter – either in a 6-1 or 5-2 offense – at Sam Houston, and looks forward to taking the next step.

“I plan to go in and fight for my spot,” she said. “They have another setter coming out of high school, but they want my experience that comes with having two years (of college) under my belt. They know how competitive our conference is, and they want my leadership and experience.”

Tyler competed in the Region XIV Conference along with Trinity Valley, Blinn, Panola, Navarro, Lee, Wharton and Coastal Bend.

Sam Houston is a member of Conference USA with UTEP, Western Kentucky, Kennesaw State, Florida International, Liberty, Jacksonville State, New Mexico State, Missouri State, Delaware, Middle Tennessee and Louisiana Tech

OXFORD, Ohio— The Miami University indoor track and field team will get its 2026 schedule underway later this month with back-to-back trips to Indianapolis, beginning with the Hoosier Horsepower Classic Jan. 16-17. After the Crossroads of America Invite the next weekend (Jan. 23-24, also at the Indiana State Fairgrounds), the RedHawks finish January by competing at Louisville’s Lenny Lyles Invite (Jan. 30-31).
 
Miami’s February slate includes Marshall’s Jewel City Invite (Feb. 6-7 in Huntington, W.Va.), the Fairgrounds Invite (back in Indianapolis Feb. 13-14) and traditional visits to Findlay (Flag City Invite on Feb. 20) and Notre Dame (Alex Wilson Invite on Feb. 21). That leads into the MAC Indoor Championships, which will take place Feb. 27-28 on the campus of Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant, Mich.
 
The complete Miami indoor track and field schedule is available here.
 

ASHEVILLE, N.C. – UNC Asheville Athletics has announced the induction of Nick McDevitt and Sarah Gentry into the 2026 UNC Asheville Athletics Hall of Fame. The pair will be honored during a formal induction ceremony on Friday, Feb. 20, as part of the University’s Homecoming celebration.

Nick McDevitt (Men’s Basketball | 1997–2018)

Nick McDevitt devoted more than two decades to the UNC Asheville men’s basketball program, serving the Bulldogs with distinction as a student-athlete, assistant coach, associate head coach, and head coach from 1997 to 2018.

McDevitt was a four-year letterman for the Bulldogs and was a member of Asheville’s 1998 Big South regular-season championship team during his freshman campaign. He emerged as a key contributor during his senior season, helping guide the Bulldogs to a third-place finish in the conference standings.

Following his graduation in 2001, McDevitt immediately joined the coaching staff under legendary head coach Eddie Biedenbach. Over 12 seasons as an assistant coach, including his final two as associate head coach, McDevitt helped lead Asheville to three Big South Tournament championships and three NCAA Tournament appearances. The Bulldogs recorded Opening Round victories in the NCAA Tournament in both 2003 and 2011, captured three Big South regular-season titles, and advanced to the 2008 National Invitation Tournament (NIT).

McDevitt succeeded Biedenbach as head coach in 2013 and continued the program’s tradition of excellence. Under his leadership, the Bulldogs won the 2016 Big South Tournament championship and advanced to the NCAA Tournament, where they faced eventual national champion Villanova. Asheville also secured Big South regular-season titles in 2017 and 2018, earning postseason appearances both years.

McDevitt was named Big South Coach of the Year in 2017, and during his final three seasons at the helm, the Bulldogs won at least 21 games each year and advanced to postseason play annually. Asheville compiled a 66–35 record during that stretch. McDevitt departed UNC Asheville in April 2018 to become the head coach at Middle Tennessee State.

“Nick McDevitt represents everything we strive for at UNC Asheville — loyalty, leadership, and a commitment to excellence,” said Director of Athletics Janet R. Cone. “His impact on our men’s basketball program spans generations, and his legacy is deeply woven into the success and identity of Bulldog Basketball.”

Sarah Gentry (Track & Field | 2009–2013)

Sarah Gentry enjoyed one of the most accomplished track and field careers in UNC Asheville history. A six-time Big South Conference champion, Gentry excelled in middle-distance events throughout her Bulldog tenure.

She captured Big South titles in the 800 meters twice during the indoor season and twice during the outdoor season. Gentry was also a member of two championship relay teams, winning conference titles as part of the outdoor 1500-meter relay and the indoor distance medley relay (800-meter leg).

Gentry concluded her career with four school records, two of which still stand more than a decade after her graduation — the indoor and outdoor 800-meter records. In recognition of her outstanding achievements, she was named the 2013 UNC Asheville Female Athlete of the Year. Sarah excelled in the classroom, graduating Cum Laude with Honors and DIstinction in International Studies.   

“Sarah is one of the most decorated and impactful student-athletes our track and field program has ever seen,” said Cone. “Her competitive drive, consistency, and record-setting performances set a standard that continues to inspire our current and future student-athletes. Her success went beyond the podium, as she represented UNC Asheville with class, determination, and excellence, and her lasting records speak to just how special her career truly was.”

Since graduating from UNC Asheville, Sarah earned her M.B.A. degree from the University of Nevada, Reno and presently works for Microsoft as a Process Program Manager.

The 2026 UNC Asheville Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place on Friday, Feb. 20, during Homecoming weekend in the Blue Ridge Room in the Highsmith Student Union.