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Legendary Trojan Volleyball Coach Van Compton Announces Retirement

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LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – One of the most influential and enduring leaders in Little Rock Athletics history is stepping away. Head volleyball coach Van Compton, a cornerstone of the department for nearly four decades, has announced her retirement after serving the institution since 1986.

Compton first arrived at Little Rock to coach women’s basketball before transitioning to volleyball two seasons later — a move that would define an era. She also served as the department’s Senior Woman Administrator during her tenure, contributing to the growth of women’s athletics across the program.

“I am so grateful to have been here as long as I have,” Compton said. “I’ve enjoyed every minute of my tenure, but it’s time to turn the page and open the door for someone younger. It was an emotional decision because I love coaching and love our players, but it was time.”

Compton’s retirement follows the achievement of two career-defining milestones this season: surpassing the 600-win mark as a Trojan and her election to the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame. She concludes her Little Rock career with a 603-527 record — 675 wins overall — after completing her 38th season at the helm.

During that remarkable stretch, Compton built Little Rock Volleyball into one of the most respected programs in the region. Her teams captured four Sun Belt regular-season championships, five Sun Belt Tournament titles and made five NCAA Tournament appearances. A commitment to excellence, consistency and player development helped define the standard for the program.

“Coach Compton’s impact on Little Rock Athletics and the state of Arkansas is immeasurable,” said Director of Athletics Frank M. Cuervo. “For nearly four decades, she has embodied what it means to be a Trojan — competitive, principled, and committed to her student-athletes. She built a championship-caliber program that elevated our department and influenced generations of young women through her mentorship and leadership. We will miss her presence deeply, but her legacy will continue to shape Little Rock Athletics for years to come. We are profoundly grateful for all she has given to this institution.”

A national search to identify the next Trojan Volleyball head coach will be launched immediately. 

Her early years showcased program-building ability. In 1989, Compton engineered a 21-win improvement, guiding the Trojans to a 27-11 record. A year later, Little Rock finished 21-3, and when the program transitioned into the Sun Belt in 1991, Compton’s teams were immediately a league powerhouse.

The late 1990s marked an era of dominance that still stands unmatched. From 1996–98, Little Rock became the only program ever to win three consecutive Sun Belt Tournament titles, each resulting in an NCAA Championship berth. The Trojans added more accolades in 1999 and 2000, cementing their place among college volleyball’s elite.

Her 2014 squad remains the gold standard of her tenure. The Trojans finished 30-5, posted the first-ever 20-0 Sun Belt record, held the nation’s longest winning streak late in the season, defeated No. 16 seed Kansas for the program’s first NCAA Tournament win, and finished No. 24 in the final AVCA poll — the first Top-25 ranking in school history. Compton earned both Sun Belt and AVCA Southwest Region Coach of the Year honors that season.

“We won a lot of games and enjoyed a great deal of success in 38 seasons,” Compton reflected. “I couldn’t have done that without so many talented players. We have had determined, hardworking young women who wanted to be great. While the success was wonderful, I’m most proud of the character of these young women and how they’ve succeeded in life. That’s what matters most.”

Beloved among colleagues for her warmth and steady leadership, Compton has been a constant presence through generations of administrators, coaches and staff.

“We’ve had some really good people work here,” she said. “I’ve enjoyed my friendships with the administrators and coaches I’ve worked with. I love coming to the office every day. I’m really going to miss being at the Jack Stephens Center.”

A native of Forrest City and a graduate of Arkansas State, Compton began her career as a high school teacher before entering the college ranks. Her journey ultimately led her to Little Rock — where she became a pillar of the department and one of the most respected figures in Arkansas athletics.

Van Compton leaves behind far more than victories and titles. She leaves a legacy of integrity, mentorship, competitive spirit and transformational leadership — a legacy that will endure long after her final season.

 

 



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Pride Collect Three GNAC Weekly Awards After Wesleyan Winter Invitational

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WESTON, Mass. — Hannah Griffin, Zoe Kirk, and Justin Thuotte each represented the Pride this week in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) weekly awards. Kirk earned her second Rookie of the Week honor of the season, while Griffin collected her first career Track Athlete of the Week award. Thuotte was named Field Athlete of the Week, marking his first honor of the season and the fifth weekly award of his career.

Zoe Kirk continued her strong rookie campaign with a pair of top-10 finishes. She placed third overall in the high jump with a mark of 1.50 meters, setting a new indoor program record and surpassing the previous mark of 1.46 held by teammate Grace Micklon. Kirk also finished ninth in the 60-meter hurdles, clocking a time of 9.93.

Hannah Griffin captured the top spot in the 800 meters with a time of 2:44.36, edging her nearest competitor by nearly one second.

Justin Thuotte delivered another standout performance at the Wesleyan Winter Invitational, winning the long jump with a mark of 6.70 meters to set a new indoor program record, besting his own previous mark of 6.65 from the last meet. He also placed third in the triple jump at 12.99 meters and rounded out his day with a 10th-place finish in the weight throw, posting a personal-best mark of 13.59 meters.

Regis track and field stays close to home this weekend, traveling to Brighton, Massachusetts, to compete at the Suffolk Ice Breaker at The Track at New Balance.



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Ella Parker to Join Milwaukee Volleyball as Newest Addition to Roster

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MILWAUKEE – Ella Parker has been announced as the newest addition to the Milwaukee volleyball roster, head coach Susie Johnson announced on Monday afternoon.
 
Parker will join the Panthers this spring after spending the last three semesters at St. John’s University in Queens, N.Y., where she was a member of the Red Storm for the past two seasons.
 
“We are excited to add Ella to our team this spring,” said Johnson. “Having played in the Big East Conference, she has match experience and will bring a lot to our program in the Horizon League. We’re excited that she not only can score points for us but defend as well.”
 
This past fall, Parker played in 16 matches for St. John’s and recorded 138 kills, along with 10 service aces, 26 digs, and 15 blocks. She posted a season-high 16 kills on Oct. 4 at UConn while hitting .361 and later recorded a season-best .692 hitting percentage with nine kills without an error against LeMoyne earlier in the year.
 
As a true freshman in 2024, Parker saw action in three matches before an injury ended her season.
 
Originally from Corrales, New Mexico, Parker was a three-year member of the Cougar volleyball team at Cibola High School in Albuquerque. During her prep career, she earned AVCA Girls High School All-Region honors as both a junior and a senior and was named to the All-American Watch List.
 
A multiple-time All-State, All-Region, All-Area, and All-Conference selection, Parker was also chosen for the New Mexico Red and Green All-Start Team. She set Cibola program records for both most kills in a season and most kills in a match.
 
Parker played club volleyball for Duke City Volleyball Academy and competed in beach volleyball with the Albuquerque Beach Volleyball Academy. Away from the court, she was also a competitive swimmer for more than 10 years.
 
Parker joins fellow transfer Kameron Stover, along with incoming freshmen Olivia Doerre, Emma Duffy, Kayla Landerud, and Hope Wagner as newcomers for the 2026 volleyball season.
 





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T&F trio earn GNAC honors

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PORTLAND, ORE. – The University of Alaska Anchorage had three Seawolves earn GNAC Athlete of the Week honors for indoor track and field.

Liv Heite was named the women’s track athlete of the week. Her top effort was a 60-meter hurdles time of 8.91 seconds, upping her name to third on the GNAC performance list this winter. Heite is the reigning GNAC silver medalist in the event from last season. She also ran 8.09 seconds in the 60 meters, 26.02 seconds in the 200 meters and ran a leg of a UAA 4×400 meter relay squad that posted 3:57.48 minutes to round out her productive weekend. Now in her third season at UAA, Heite is a four-time GNAC medalist earning silver in both the 2024 and 2025 100-meter hurdles (outdoor), silver in the 2025 60-meter hurdles (indoor), and silver in the 2025 400-meter hurdles (outdoor)

 “Liv looks like she is ready to pick up where she left off,” said head coach Ryan McWilliams. “She started the season off faster than she did last year and ran consistently over the weekend. I think she is ready to take it to the next level.”

Sarah Dittman was named the women’s field athlete of the week. She kicked things off with a high jump mark of 4-11.75 feet (1.52 meters) and a long jump of 17-4.25 feet (5.29 meters), placing fifth in both events. Each of those marks slotted her fourth among GNAC competitors so far in the indoor season. Dittman also contributed on the track, running a 200 meters time of 26.79 seconds, a 60-meter hurdles time of 10.61 seconds and running a leg of UAA’s 4×400 meter relay unit that posted a time of 4:14.89 minutes.

“Sarah had an encouraging start to her college career,” said head coach Ryan McWilliams. “I am really looking forward to seeing where her growth and development over the course of this season is going to take her.”

Tyler Drake was named the men’s field athlete of the week.  His weekend was highlighted by a third-place finish in the long jump, as he cleared 22-3 feet (6.78 meters). That stands as the second-best long jump by a GNAC athlete so far this season. On the track, he posted times of 23.55 seconds in the 200 meters and 8.36 seconds in the 60-meter hurdles.

“Tyler had himself a great start to his college career,” said head coach Ryan McWilliams. “He set personal bests in the hurdles and long jump and moved himself into the top-10 on UAA’s performance list. His long jump start is even more encouraging because of how obvious it is that he still has so much room to grow.”

UAA will compete at the UW Preview Jan. 16-17.



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Shank Named GNAC Setter of the Week After Facilitating Offense in Season Opener

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WESTON, Mass. — Evan Shank earned the first Setter of the Week honor of the 2026 season from the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) after leading Regis College to a 3–0 sweep of Elms on Saturday.

The junior directed the offense in the Pride’s straight-sets victory on January 9, recording 33 assists to average an impressive 11.0 assists per set. Making his debut in crimson and gold, Shank efficiently controlled the tempo throughout the match, guiding Regis to a dominant non-conference win.

Shank and the Pride will return to action on Wednesday, hosting Curry College for their 2026 home opener at 7 p.m.



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UC Davis Athletics Concludes Fall With Competitive Success, National Honors and Facilities Investment

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DAVIS, Calif. — UC Davis Athletics capped the Fall 2025 season with record-setting performances, national and conference honors, and postseason success across multiple programs. The season also marked the announcement of Aggie Ascent, a $265 million facilities plan designed to enhance the student-athlete and fan experience.

 

“Across multiple programs this fall, our teams competed at a high level, earned conference championships, advanced in postseason play, and achieved milestones that reflect the depth and consistency of our department,” said UC Davis Athletic Director Rocko DeLuca. “Those results are a direct credit to our student-athletes, coaches, and staff, who continue to raise the standard through their commitment, preparation, and belief in what we’re building here. As we celebrate those accomplishments, we’re focused on matching that competitive momentum with long-term investment in our facilities and resources to support our teams at the highest level of Division I athletics. I’m proud of what this group accomplished this fall and excited about where Aggie Athletics is headed.”

 

Aggie Ascent Announcement

 

This fall, UC Davis Athletics announced Aggie Ascent, a comprehensive facilities master plan. The $265 million, phased, gift-driven project prioritizes high-impact and revenue-generating facilities, beginning with a reimagined UC Davis Health Stadium featuring premium seating, suites, and a year-round hospitality space, alongside a new NCAA-compliant Woody Wilson Track and Field Complex and a Golf Training Center serving both Aggie programs and the surrounding community. Future phases include upgrades to baseball, soccer, and the University Credit Union Center, as well as a new softball stadium and redevelopment of south campus facilities.

 

Developed in partnership with ELS Architecture and Urban Design, the plan represents the university’s unified vision for athletics infrastructure, focused on enhancing the student-athlete experience, elevating the fan experience, and ensuring long-term sustainability. The project reflects UC Davis’ commitment to innovation and competitive excellence at the Division I level.

 

Championships and Postseason

 

UC Davis Athletics delivered a strong year highlighted by postseason appearances, conference championships, and historic milestones across multiple programs. Aggie football, gymnastics, and women’s golf each qualified for NCAA postseason competition, with several teams extending their seasons beyond conference play.

 

Conference success followed, as volleyball captured the Big West regular season title and men’s water polo claimed the Big West Conference championship, continuing the program’s tradition of postseason success.

 

Football, under second-year head coach Tim Plough, continued its national climb by advancing to the NCAA Quarterfinals for a second-straight year, while posting a top eight finish nationally in back-to-back seasons coming in at No. 8 following the most recent fall. Field hockey also marked a milestone year, hosting and competing in its first Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Championship game.

 

Historic Wins and Notable Awards

 

UC Davis student-athletes earned significant national and conference recognition across multiple programs this year. Men’s water polo standout Thomas Kiesling was named a third-team ACWPC All-American after earning All-Big West First Team honors, placing him among the nation’s top collegiate players.

 

Field hockey collected major accolades, as Karly Redman earned MPSF Offensive Player of the Year honors, while freshman goalkeeper Addie Collingwood was named MPSF Freshman of the Year following an impactful debut season.

 

Football earned multiple postseason honors this season, highlighted by a handful of Aggies receiving All-America recognition from four different national organizations. Among those was first team All-American Jacob Psyk, making it three-straight seasons the Aggies have had at least one first team All-American.

 

Volleyball capped a strong season with multiple major awards. Jade Light was named Big West Player of the Year and earned American Volleyball Coaches Association All-American Honorable Mention, becoming the program’s first All-American since 1996. She was joined by Mia Starr, the Big West Setter of the Year, and Ximena Cordero Barr, who earned Libero of the Year honors. These accolades coincided with a record-setting season, as the Aggies posted the most conference wins in program history.

 

ABOUT UC DAVIS ATHLETICS:

UC Davis, the No. 2 ranked public university by the Wall Street Journal, is home to 40,000 undergraduate students and 12,000 employees. Ranked #1 in Agriculture and Forestry as well as #1 in Veterinary Medicine, UC Davis is located in a true California college town nestled between world-class destinations such as the San Francisco Bay Area, Napa Valley and Lake Tahoe. Over 650 Aggie student-athletes compete in 25 Division I varsity sports, with 16 sports transitioning to the Mountain West Conference beginning in 2026–27.

 

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Fabela, Tavita named to Softball America Freshman Watch List – BYU Athletics – Official Athletics Website

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PROVO, Utah — BYU softball freshmen Kaiya Fabela and Rita Tavita were named to Softball America’s Freshman Watch List, the outlet announced Monday morning.

The duo were two of 33 Big 12 freshmen selected to the list.

Fabela, who was also named to D1Softball’s D100 Freshman Watch List, was a three-time District 6-4A Catcher of the Year and a three-time all-area selection by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Morning News and DFW Metroplex.

The 5-foot-9 Fort Worth, Texas, native was also named all-state by the Texas Sports Writers Association and the Texas Girls Coaches Association and earned a spot on the Extra Inning Softball Class of 2025 Top 20 list.

Tavita, the 2024-25 Utah Gatorade Player of the Year, captured a state championship at West Jordan High School during her senior season. A three-time all-state and all-region honoree, she batted .557 with 41 RBIs and 15 home runs in 2025.

In the circle, the 5-foot-10 Salt Lake City native posted a 6-1 record with a 1.56 ERA as a senior. Over two seasons at West Jordan, Tavita recorded a 1.95 ERA with 230 strikeouts across 187 innings pitched.

BYU opens the 2026 season at the NFCA Leadoff Classic in Clearwater, Florida, on Thursday, Feb. 5.

The full Freshman Watch List is available on Softball America’s website.



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