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

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

—

UAF subs: Flynn, Kellan; Smith, Ainsley.

UAF subs: Flynn, Kellan; Smith, Ainsley.

UAF

0-1

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

0

1

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

—

UAA subs: Hansen, Elena.

UAA subs: Hansen, Elena.

UAA

1-1

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

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

1

1

—

UAF subs: Flynn, Kellan.

UAF subs: Flynn, Kellan.

UAF

2-1

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

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

2

1

UAF

3-1

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

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

3

1

UAF

3-2

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

3

2

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

—

UAA subs: Trotter, Hannah; Byrne, Trinity.

UAA subs: Trotter, Hannah; Byrne, Trinity.

UAA

4-2

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

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

4

2

UAF

5-2

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

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

5

2

UAF

6-2

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

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

6

2

UAF

6-3

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

6

3

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

UAA

6-4

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

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.

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

7

4

—

UAF subs: Smith, Ainsley.

UAF subs: Smith, Ainsley.

UAF

8-4

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

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

8

4

UAF

8-5

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

8

5

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

UAA

9-5

[Galloway, Madison] Service error.

[Galloway, Madison] Service error.

9

5

UAF

9-6

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

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).

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

10

6

UAF

11-6

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

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

11

6

UAF

12-6

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

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

12

6

UAF

12-7

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

12

7

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

UAA

12-8

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

12

8

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

UAA

13-8

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

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

13

8

UAF

14-8

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

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

14

8

UAF

15-8

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

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

15

8

UAF

15-9

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

15

9

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

UAA

16-9

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

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

16

9

UAF

16-10

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

16

10

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

UAA

17-10

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

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

17

10

UAF

17-11

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

17

11

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

UAA

17-12

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

17

12

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

UAA

18-12

[Ivakina, Lee] Service error.

[Ivakina, Lee] Service error.

18

12

UAF

18-13

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

18

13

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

UAA

19-13

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

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

19

13

UAF

20-13

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

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

20

13

UAF

21-13

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

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

21

13

UAF

21-14

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

21

14

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

—

UAA subs: Sapon, Eleasha.

UAA subs: Sapon, Eleasha.

UAA

21-15

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

21

15

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

UAA

21-16

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

21

16

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

UAA

21-17

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

21

17

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

UAA

22-17

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

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

22

17

UAF

23-17

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

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

23

17

UAF

24-17

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

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

24

17

UAF

24-18

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

24

18

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

UAA

25-18

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

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

25

18

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.

LYNCHBURG – Propelled by a pair of personal-best performances in the weight throw, the Elon University women’s track and field team opened its indoor season Thursday at the Liberty Kickoff inside the Liberty Indoor Complex.
 
In the women’s weight throw, the Phoenix placed two athletes inside the top four. Adriana Clarke claimed runner-up honors with a personal-best toss of 18.14m, moving into third on Elon’s all-time performance list. Isabella Johnson finished third overall at 17.33m, also marking a new PR for the sophomore.
 
Elon also featured three competitors in the pentathlon. Senior Lizzie Lopez was the top Phoenix finisher, placing seventh with 3,510 points. She highlighted the event by tying for first in the high jump with a clearance of 1.65m. Freshman Greta Urbonaviciute debuted with a tenth-place finish and 3,309 points, landing inside the program’s top-10 performance list. Classmate Carolina Frada scored 2,832 points to place 11th in her first collegiate pentathlon.
 
ON DECK
Elon continues action at the Liberty Kickoff on Friday, beginning with the women’s 5,000-meter run at 10 a.m.
 

— ELON —