The News-Gazette’s 44th All-State volleyball team | Sports

Published

6 days ago

December 24, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Congratulations to St. Charles North’s Haley Burgdorf and 185 other players from around the state:

FIRST TEAM

PLAYER SCHOOL HT. YR. POS.

Madison Anspaugh Rockford Christian 6-2 Sr. OH

Clemson-bound star propelled the Royal Lions to a 34-7 season and Class 2A fourth-place finish with 468 kills, 229 digs, 57 aces and 26 blocks

Avery Boehm Mascoutah 5-10 Sr. OH

Future Saint Louis outside hitter was a force for the 28-win Indians, wrapping up her prep career with 507 kills, 302 digs, 48 blocks and 29 aces

Lily Bosworth Mahomet-Seymour 6-4 Sr. MB

1222025 AA VB Lily Bosworth 1 — Lily Bosworth, MS, during the volleyball AA team photos at the NG in Champaign on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025.

Robin Scholz/The News-Gazette

Bosworth flipped her commitment from Michigan State to Purdue and then went on to lead the Bulldogs to 32 wins with 302 kills and 65 blocks

Haley Burgdorf St. Charles North 6-0 Sr. OH

The N-G’s player of the year dominated at the net for the 35-4 North Stars and will head to Penn State after totaling 435 kills, 198 digs and 52 aces

Cassidy Cage Marist 6-2 Sr. MB

Next stop for Cage after putting up 236 kills and 92 blocks for the 36-win Class 4A champs is Mississippi State

Trixie Carroll Lanark Eastland 5-10 Sr. OH

Uber productive outside hitter finished with 535 kills and 279 digs for the 27-11 Cougars, which should thrill Central Michigan fans

Elayna Davidson Marist 5-6 Sr. L

Maryland-bound libero did it all in the back row for the Class 4A state champion Redhawks with 402 digs, 125 assists and 36 aces

Abbey Knight Providence Catholic 6-1 Sr. OH

Wright State-bound outside hitter was the go-to option for the Class 3A third-place Celtics, finishing with 470 kills, 218 digs, 64 aces and 34 blocks

Kalia Kroth DePaul Prep 5-9 Jr. OH

Kroth, a North Carolina commit, put up 440 kills, 215 digs and 40 aces while being an ace passer for the 33-6 Rams this fall

Mia Lamberti Limestone 6-0 Jr. S/OPP

Lamberti committed to Illinois this summer and went on to post 406 assists, 402 kills, 137 digs and 67 aces for the 34-win Rockets

Addison Lucht Cissna Park 5-10 Sr. OH

1222025 AA VB Addison Lucht 2 — Cissna Park senior Addison Lucht is a First Team All-Area volleyball selection and the All-Area Player of the Year choice by The News-Gazette for the 2025 season.

Robin Scholz/The News-Gazette

Lucht capped her volleyball career — she’s off to Northwestern to play softball — with 339 kills, 202 digs and 48 aces in a run to a Class 1A state title

Lucy Maloney Mother McAuley 5-6 Sr. L

Clemson landed an impressive piece for its defensive future in Maloney, who helped the Mighty Macs go 34-5 with 627 digs, 75 assists and 26 aces

Kampbell Niepagen Bloomington Central Catholic 6-0 Jr. OH

Auburn commit was a driving force in the Saints’ 36-6 season and Class 2A state runner-up finish with 395 kills, 241 digs, 60 aces and 42 blocks

Morgan Petelin Normal U-High 5-11 Sr. S/OPP

Tennessee Tech landed a versatile option in Petelin, who helped the Pioneers win a Class 3A state title with 582 assists, 300 digs, 122 kills, 43 blocks and 40 aces

Caroline Simmons Carmi-White County 5-5 Sr. OH

Simmons is also headed to Cookeville, Tenn., to join Tennessee Tech’s beach team after posting 515 kills and 51 aces for the 37-3 Bulldogs

Ellie Stiernagle Benet Academy 6-2 Sr. S

Future Northwestern setter was a key cog in the Redwings’ 39-win season and Class 4A runner-up finish with 815 assists, 158 digs, 51 kills and 42 aces

Lynney Tarnow Benet Academy 6-5 Sr. MB

Wisconsin signee, like Burgdorf, was an AVCA All-American and put up 227 kills, 40 blocks and 22 aces in the Redwings’ state run this fall

Alana Whitfield Normal 6-0 Sr. OH

Ironmen got to 34 wins with the future Michigan State outside hitter — and high-level passer — leading the way with 418 kills, 276 digs and 34 blocks

SECOND TEAM

PLAYER SCHOOL HT. YR. POS.

Brooklynne Brass Benet Academy 5-10 Jr. OH

Maryland commit played an important role in the Redwings’ state tournament run, finishing the year with 283 kills, 248 digs, 50 blocks and 23 aces

Alayna Briggs Hartsburg-Emden 6-0 Sr. OH

Future Parkland outside hitter was a key cog in the Stags’ 35-win season, putting up 361 kills, 219 digs, 97 blocks and 39 aces in her senior year

Haven Enselman Marist 5-11 Fr. S

Star freshman set the bar high for her prep career, posting 951 assists, 205 digs, 43 blocks and 36 kills to help the Redhawks win the Class 4A title

Charlie Fleegle Libertyville 5-6 Jr. L

Illinois State commit was more than just a standout defender with 309 digs given she added 107 assists and 53 aces and was a 2.24 passer

Taylor Haas Stockton 6-1 Jr. MB

Blackhawks’ 36-6 season and Class 1A state runner-up finish was built on Haas’ two-way impact with 302 kills and 129 blocks

Peyton Heatherly Mother McAuley 5-10 Jr. S

Coastal Carolina commit ran the show again for the 34-5 Mighty Macs, closing out her junior year with 676 assists, 157 digs, 75 kills and 22 aces

Maryam Hussein Oak Lawn 5-11 Sr. OH

Spartans senior was one of the most productive six-rotation outside hitters in the state, finishing the season with 460 and 219 digs

Kenzie Jones Shelbyville 6-2 Sr. MB

Missouri State-bound middle blocker was the catalyst to the Rams’ 27-win season with 273 kills, 111 digs, 91 blocks and 42 aces

Jaydee Melton Norris City-Omaha-Enfield 5-8 Sr. S

Melton will stick close to home next season at Rend Lake after leading the Cardinals to a Class 1A third-place finish with 954 assists, 110 digs and 74 kills

Bella Potempa Timothy Christian 5-8 Sr. OH

Team captain and Tennessee Tech signee led the way for 29-6 Trojans with 359 kills, 174 digs, 39 aces and 30 blocks in senior season

Lola Robertson Durand 6-0 Jr. OH

Marquette commit helped Bulldogs post a 28-8 record thanks to her do-everything 369 kills, 252 digs, 60 assists, 33 aces and 27 blocks

Sawyer Secrist ROWVA/Williamsfield 5-10 Sr. MB

Senior middle blocker was a force at the net for the 32-win Tigers with 468 kills to go with 289 digs, 44 assists, 37 aces and 21 blocks

Addison Smith Prairie Ridge 5-10 Sr. S

Purdue Northwest-bound setter kept the Class 3A fourth-place Wolves rolling after Maizy Agnello’s injury with 924 assists, 219 digs, 106 kills and 43 aces

Laney Snow Normal U-High 6-0 Sr. OH

Future Ferris State outside hitter pushed the Pioneers to a Class 3A state title with 329 kills, 298 digs and 34 blocks for the season

Khloe Stear Limestone 5-4 Sr. L

Defensive ace was the star of the Rockets’ back row, passing an impressive 2.4 while contributing 587 digs, 101 assists and 26 aces

Kara Stephens Augusta Southeastern 5-10 Jr. S/MB

A rare athlete to split her time at setter and middle blocker, Stephens had 562 kills, 301 digs, 249 assists, 33 aces and 30 blocks for the Suns

Robyn Ward Taylorville 6-3 Sr. MB

Dominant middle blocker will play at UIC next season after totaling 316 kills, 81 blocks and 52 aces for the 32-6 Tornadoes this fall

Savanah Weathers Marist 5-8 Sr. OPP

Right-side hitter bound for Division II Davenport University helped Marist win a Class 4A title with 262 kills, 235 digs, 87 blocks and 26 aces

SPECIAL MENTION 50

PLAYER SCHOOL HT. YR. POS.

Noelle Aprati Bolingbrook 5-10 Sr. OH

Saylor Barry Mendon Unity 5-5 Sr. OH

Kamille Barth Washington 5-6 Sr. L

Kalyn Brookbank Barrington 6-1 Jr. OH

Kiersten Cieslinski Vernon Hills 6-1 Jr. OH

Ciara Cunningham Edwardsville 5-11 Sr. OPP

Carly Dawson Washington 6-2 Jr. OH

Reece Distler Althoff Catholic 5-9 Sr. OH

Maddie Dostall Minooka 5-5 Sr. L

Aubrey Duttlinger LaSalle Peru 5-10 Jr. OH

Brinlie Durbin Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg 5-9 Sr. S/OPP

Marley Edson Centralia 5-11 Jr. S/OPP

Bridget Ferriter Lockport 6-0 Sr. OH

Mya Friese Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg 5-11 Jr. OH

Lexie Grevengoed Joliet West 5-11 So. OH

Quinn Grevengoed Chicago Christian 6-1 Jr. OH

Lydia Hart Athens 5-9 Jr. OH

Cara Hatton Effingham St. Anthony 6-0 Jr. OH

Essence Haynes Elverado 6-1 Jr. MB

Hazel Helmers Trico 5-9 Jr. MB

Julia Irvin Rockford Christian 5-9 Sr. S

Akshara Jay Fremd 5-11 Sr. S/OPP

Ainsley Johnson Springfield Calvary 5-10 Sr. MB

Tatum Kelly Neuqua Valley 5-11 So. S/OPP

Hayden Knight Norris City-Omaha-Enfield 5-10 Sr. MB

Maura Kohlenberger Columbia 6-0 Sr. MB

Rosie Krenz Bloomington Central Catholic 6-1 Sr. MB

Mia Lieberman Father McGivney 6-0 Sr. MB

Maryn Linderman Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin 5-6 Sr. L

Francesca Lorenzo Montini Catholic 6-0 Sr. OPP

Aubrey Martinez St. Laurence 5-9 Jr. OH

Ava Mathews Columbia 5-10 Sr. S/OPP

Mia McCall St. Charles North 5-11 Sr. S

Mya McCoy Galena 5-11 Sr. OH

Anna McGlasson Midland 6-1 Jr. MB/OPP

Addison Nenninger Breese Mater Dei 5-10 Sr. S

Alexis Neumann Chatham Glenwood 6-2 Jr. OH

Hailee Pietryk Waubonsie Valley 5-7 Sr. L

Avery Poppe Lexington 5-9 Sr. OH

Moira Quirk Montini Catholic 6-0 Jr. MB

Addi Samolinski Wheaton St. Francis 5-4 Sr. L

Claire Sandstrom Columbia 5-11 Jr. OH

Lyla Tate Heyworth 6-0 Sr. OH

Laine Thompson Normal West 5-9 Jr. S

Cami Tinder Rochester 5-8 Jr. S

Hope Wagner Aurora Christian 6-1 Sr. OH

Morgan Wiezorek Chatham Glenwood 5-8 Jr. S

Bryn Williamson Limestone 6-1 Jr.

Kaydra Wright Stockton 5-5 Jr. S

Peyton Zeidler Rochester 5-10 Jr. OH

HONORABLE MENTION 100

PLAYER SCHOOL HT. YR. POS.

Lauren Abbott Erie-Prophetstown 5-11 Sr. MB

Isabelle Axelson Eureka 5-11 Sr. MB

Emma Behrmann Nashville 5-10 Sr. OH

Peyton Benhoff Breese Central 6-1 Sr. MB

Taylor Berg Marist 5-10 Jr. OH

Peyton Biekert Marissa/Coulterville 6-0 Jr. MB

Annabelle Bischoff Tri-Valley 6-0 Jr. MB

Natalie Bochantin Lockport 5-7 Jr. S

Jacie Bosler Carlyle 5-3 Jr. L

Eva Breckenkamp Quincy Notre Dame 6-0 Sr. MB

Farryn Burridge Glenbard West 6-1 Jr. MB

Jaycie Buss Okawville 5-9 So. MB

Sofia Campos Niles North 5-11 Sr. MB

Demi Carbone Providence Catholic 5-10 Sr. S/OPP

Zoey Carlson Newark 5-11 Fr. MB

Laila Carr LeRoy 5-10 Sr. OH

Sophia Chinetti Benet Academy 6-0 Sr. OH

Mariella Ciaravino Saint Ignatius 5-8 Xx. OH

Ava Crabtree Normal U-High 6-1 Sr. OH

Celia Cross Hartsburg-Emden 5-10 Sr. S ICC

Arabelle Cunningham Athens 5-6 Jr. S

Catherine Daniels Bolingbrook 5-11 Jr. S

Madelyn Doggett Westville 5-9 Jr. OH

Sophie Duis Cissna Park 5-10 Sr. MB

Hannah Edwards Massac County 5-7 Sr. S

Meghan Edwards Carlyle 6-0 Sr. OH

Emma Eeten Hartsburg-Emden 6-0 Jr. MB

Addie Elliott Carmi White County 5-5 Sr. S

Eden Eyassu Joliet West 6-1 Sr. L

Aubrey Fair Bloomington Central Catholic 6-0 Sr. OH

Kelsey Frederick LaSalle Peru 5-10 Sr. MB

Madison Funk Normal U-High 5-8 Sr. S/OPP

Delaneigh Garner Warrensburg-Latham 5-4 Sr. L

Maddy Gesky Manteno 5-11 Jr. MB

Addison Glenn Nokomis 5-10 Sr. MB

Kinley Glover Benton 5-9 Jr. MB

Livia Goebel Edwardsville 6-0 Jr. MB

Lina Govoni Joliet West 5-9 Sr. S/OPP

Skylar Greene Saint Ignatius 5-10 Sr. OPP

Adeline Grider Prairie Ridge 6-0 Jr. OH

Miranda Hari Prairie Central 5-8 Jr. OH

Molly Harrison Decatur Unity Christian 5-7 Jr. OH

Neve Hayes Evergreen Park 5-9 Sr. S

Cara Herbert Glenbard West 5-11 Jr. S

Hannah Herrick Oswego 6-1 Jr. OH

Hannah Holliday Williamsville 5-9 So. OH

Campbell Hopkins Hartsburg-Emden 5-8 Jr. OH

Dani Hopp Richmond-Burton 6-0 Jr. OH

Kallie Hubbard Highland 5-9 Jr. OH

Abby Inman Stevenson 5-11 Jr. OH

Kinley Jany Columbia 5-8 Sr. OH

Alyssa Jepson Morris 5-6 Sr. L

Zoe Johnson Palatine 5-10 Sr. OH

Ella Keene Pinckeyville 5-9 Sr. OH

Ellie Kowalski Saint Ignatius 5-7 Jr. L

Kamryn Kruger Riverdale 5-6 Sr. L

Ava Lampe Breese Mater Dei 5-5 Jr. L

Taylor Langland El Paso-Gridley 5-6 Sr. S

Sami Liaromatis Wilmington 5-6 Jr. L

Madison Loos Quincy 5-11 Sr. MB

Mckenzie Love Effingham 5-8 Sr. MB

Brooklyn Lynch Shelbyville 5-3 Sr. L

Erin Lynch Saint Viator 5-11 Sr. OH

Reis McFarland Bismarck-Henning/Rossville-Alvin 5-11 Sr. OH

Mady Melton Monticello 5-5 Sr. L

Ireland Mensendike Stockton 5-7 Jr. OH

Maggie Michaels Normal 5-8 Sr. OH

Cassidy Monahan St. Thomas More 6-2 Sr. OH

Klarke Mosby Lincoln-Way East 5-9 Jr. OPP

Harper Neill Fremd 5-9 So. OH

Josie Neukomm Cissna Park 5-10 Sr. OH

Madelyn Ohlau Edwardsville 5-10 Jr. OH

Maddy Ohrmundt DePaul Prep 5-6 Jr. L

Ihuoma Ozoh Homewood-Flossomoor 6-3 Sr. MB

Nora Parsons Tremont 5-10 So. MB

Avery Patton Breese Mater Dei 5-11 Jr. MB

Cayla Prohaska Mother McAuley 6-0 Sr. OH

Kinze Reese Mascoutah 5-8 So. OH

Kolby Ross Lincoln-Way East 5-8 So. OH

Jillian Schlittler Unity 5-10 Sr. S/OPP

Brooke Schumacher Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg 5-11 Jr.

Kymora Scott Homewood-Flossmoor 6-2 Sr. OH

Hallee Smallman Massac County 5-3 Sr. L

Abigail Smith Prairie Ridge 5-11 Sr. OPP

Rachel Smith Wilmington 5-10 Sr. OH

Molly Southall Wilmington 5-10 Sr. S/OPP

Kendall Stotlar Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin 6-0 Sr. MB

Hutsyn Timosciek Lockport 5-11 Jr. OPP

Tess Tortorello Nazareth Academy 5-3 So. L

Abby VanMeenen Morton 6-1 Jr. MB

Dia Villahard Father McGivney 5-6 Sr. L

Alayna Vincent Taylorville 5-8 Sr. OH

Tegan Vrbancic Prairie Ridge 5-7 Jr. L

Claire Weather s Benet Academy 5-9 Jr. L

Molly Welge Benet Academy 6-3 Sr. OPP

Emily Westerhold Macomb 5-5 Sr. L

Carly Whitcomb Tremont 5-3 So. L

L’Rae White Chicago Christian 5-6 Sr. OH

Sidney Wright St. Charles North 6-1 Sr. MB

Ava Yeakel Mahomet-Seymour 6-1 Sr. OH

Link

Practice grind begins for Hawaii men’s volleyball team

Published

26 minutes ago

December 30, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Hawaii junior outside hitter Louis Sakanoko sat down for an interview before the second men’s volleyball practice on Monday and took a deep breath.

“Man, I’m tired,” he said with a smile.

That’s the grind of having less than a week to prepare for the season as the No. 2-ranked Rainbow Warriors, who held their first official practices on Sunday, do what they can over five days to be ready to take the court on Friday in the season opener against New Jersey Institute of Technology at Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center.

UH is holding three consecutive days of two-a-day practices before getting a day off for the holiday.

Friday’s match marks the first of eight over a 15-day period to start the season at home. Following UH’s match against Roberts Wesleyan on Jan. 16, the Rainbow Warriors won’t play at home again until March 4.

“We all know physically we can play with any team,” junior setter Tread Rosenthal said. “I think, mentally last year, we were a little immature at times, and we didn’t understand the full weight of every game matters and every point matters.”

Hawaii is coming off a 27-6 season that included a Big West Conference championship and an appearance in the national semifinals.

UH’s season ended in a three-set loss to UCLA, which went on to lose to Long Beach State in the final.

Hawaii returns six of its top seven kill leaders from last season, including Rosenthal, a third-year starter at setter who made the AVCA All-America first team last year.

Rosenthal was one of three Rainbow Warriors, along with sophomore outside Adrien Roure and opposite Kristian Titriyski, named to the Big West Men’s Volleyball Preseason Coaches Team on Monday.

Hawaii, which opens the season No. 2 in the country in the AVCA preseason rankings, was picked to finish second in the Big West behind Long Beach State in the preseason poll voted on by the league’s six head coaches.

UH defeated the Beach twice last year, including in the Big West tournament championship.

Hawaii was the only team to have three players selected to the preseason all-conference team.

“It’s fun to see the excitement surrounding the program and seeing the guys react to it,” Hawaii coach Charlie Wade said. “A guy like Roman (Payne), a guy like Trevell (Jordan) … I kind of laugh about it because they have no idea how much their lives are going to change in the next few months.”

Payne, a 7-foot freshman from Carlsbad, Calif., and Jordan, a 6-foot-10 sophomore transfer from Grand Canyon, are two new middle blockers who should enter the rotation right away.

Quintin Greenidge, a 5-foot-8 junior transfer from Canada, is the replacement for departed senior ‘Eleu Choy at libero and has been called by Rosenthal as a name to watch early in the season.

“I think Quintin is a very legit libero on the international stage and he has been very consistent for us in the practice gym,” Rosenthal said. “I know that that will translate to our games.”

The Rainbow Warriors are as loaded as any team in the country. Whether it was experienced three-year players in the program like Rosenthal or Sakanoko, or a newcomer like Jordan, everyone who spoke to the media Monday talked about finding consistency in every play on the court.

“It’s nice to hear that it’s seeping through a little bit. I’ve heard it back from some of them, but words are easy, action and lifestyle is a whole different thing,” Wade said. “Everybody loves the idea of being a champion and playing in front of sold-out crowds. Not everybody loves the lifestyle and not everybody embraces showing up every day and being the best version of yourself possible on a daily basis. It’s hard. It’s hard for anyone at any stage of life, let alone 19- and 20-year-olds.”

Assistant coach Kupono Fey has been promoted to associate head coach, taking over the role previously held by Milan Zarkovic, who departed for UCLA in the offseason. Donan Cruz will continue on the staff as an assistant coach.

Hawaii’s January schedule includes a pair of doubleheaders on Jan. 14 and 16.

UH will rotate a morning 11 a.m. match and an evening 7 p.m. match against Rockhurst and Roberts Wesleyan.

Loyola-Chicago, which UH hosts on Jan. 8 and 9, begins the season ranked No. 7 in the country. NJIT is the second team outside of the Top 20.

Link

Sports

Andrea Roman Signs With Wake Forest Volleyball

Published

42 minutes ago

December 30, 2025

Your Sports Nation

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Wake Forest volleyball and head coach Jeff Hulsmeyer announced the addition of Andrea Roman on Tuesday.

A transfer from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Roman will join the Demon Deacons’ roster for the 2026-27 school year with one final season of eligibility remaining. She spent each of the last three seasons as a member of the Trojans’ volleyball program.

Roman is the second individual to ink with the Deacs this winter, as Catherine Burke also recently signed on Dec. 17.

Andrea Roman | 5-4 | Defensive Specialist/Libero | Humacao, Puerto Rico | Little Rock

One of the country’s top defensive players this past fall as a junior, Roman ranked second in the NCAA in total digs, finishing the 2025 season with 632. That total was good for the most by a Trojan in a single season throughout program history at Little Rock. In addition, her 5.31 digs-per-set average ranked fourth nationally. Roman’s stellar play led to her being named the 2025 Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) Defensive Player of the Year while also earning First Team All-OVC honors. Her clips in total digs and digs-per-set average both led the league. She had four performances of 30-plus digs and 13 with 20 or more while recording three of the top 10 single-match dig marks in program history during the season.

As a sophomore in 2024, Roman played in all 32 matches while making appearances in 125 sets. She led the team with a then-program record 624 digs and averaging 4.99 per set. Roman ranked first in the conference in total digs and fifth among all NCAA players. Her total ultimately helped Little Rock reach a new best single-season mark in digs as a team (2,227) through program history. She also played a notable role in the team’s setting tempo, finishing with 161 total assists. By the conclusion of the season, Roman was named Second Team All-OVC.

During her freshman season, Roman led the Trojans in digs (315) while seeing action in 22 matches and 79 sets played. She was also third on the roster in service aces (80). In all but one of the final 16 matches of the season, Roman led Little Rock in digs.

Andrea Roman Career Accolades & Accomplishments

2025 OVC Defensive Player of the Year

2025 First Team All-OVC

2024 Second Team All-OVC

Ranks No. 1 all-time in single-season digs (632) at Little Rock

Ranks No. 2 all-time in career digs (1,571) at Little Rock

Five-time OVC Defensive Player of the Week honoree

Personal
Andrea is the daughter of Sylvia Gonzalez and Julio Roman – she also has two older siblings. In the classroom, Andrea plans to study Health & Exercise Science during her time on campus.

From Coach Hulsmeyer

“I’m so happy to have Andrea joining us to bring depth and experience to our libero group. With Emma Farrell graduating, Andrea provides an experienced defender who averaged over five digs per set this past season and is someone who has seen a lot of tough serving in the OVC. Getting her to Wake Forest in January will allow us to acclimate her for the speed of the ACC. I’ve known her former coach, Van Compton, for many years, so not only is she a well-trained skilled player, she is also someone of great character. She will be a wonderful addition to the Wake Forest family.”

Follow the Deacs

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | GoDeacs.com

Link

Sports

Vote in the Lakeshore Elite volleyball player of the year poll

Published

58 minutes ago

December 30, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Dec. 30, 2025, 3:00 a.m. CT

Link

Sports

Meet the 2025 Press-Register All-Region volleyball team

Published

1 hour ago

December 30, 2025

Your Sports Nation

High school volleyball teams in the Coastal Region won three state championships this season and 13 teams earned spots in the AHSAA state championship tournament.

McGill-Toolen dominated Class 7A, winning its fourth straight title and 25th AHSAA state championship while Spanish Fort won its second straight Class 6A title and fifth overall, all coming since 2015. Mobile Christian won its second straight Class 3A championship.

Class 3A St. Luke’s won to the title match before falling to Mobile Christian while Class 5A UMS-Wright and Class 4A Orange Beach each earned spots in the final four.

Other teams winning to the Elite Eight were Class 7A Bayside and St. Paul’s, Class 6A Saraland, Class 5A Faith Academy, Class 4A St. Michael and Class 1A Millry and Leroy.

The Press-Register All-Region team is compiled by the AL.com high school sports staff with input from coaches.

AL.com named Player of the Year, Attacker MVP, Defensive MVP, Setter MVP and Coach of the Year. Award winners are listed separately, but considered first-team selections.

PRESS-REGISTER ALL-REGION VOLLEYBALL TEAM

(Players listed alphabetically)

Zoẽ Beech, Spanish Fort

5-11, Sr., Middle

355 kills, 104 blocks, 404 digs, 59 aces

College: Undecided

Bennett Boulo, St. Paul’s

5-10, Sr., Setter/Right Side

1,091 assists, 354 kills, 51 blocks, 257 digs, 67 aces

College: Undecided

Grier Broughton, Bayside Academy

5-9, Sr., Outside Hitter

321 kills, 33 blocks, 171 digs, 20 aces

College: Undecided

Anna Grace Chason, Daphne

5-11, Sr., Right Side/Setter

1,024 assists, 233 kills, 37 blocks, 238 digs, 58 aces

College: Mississippi College

Caroline Downey, Spanish Fort

5-10, Sr., Outside Hitter

446 kills, 49 blocks, 336 digs, 55 aces

College: Mississippi College

Chloe Duggan, Faith Academy

5-6, Jr., Setter

701 assists, 43 kills, 25 blocks, 204 digs, 47 aces

College: Undecided

Haley Eldridge, Mobile Christian

5-6, Sr., Setter

1,006 assists, 43 kills, 34 blocks, 277 digs, 67 aces

College: Undecided

Baker Garside, St. Luke’s

5-6, Sr., Setter

1,018 assists, 99 kills, 9 blocks, 245 digs, 36 aces

College: Undecided

Victoria Holley, Spanish Fort

5-6, Sr., Libero

695 digs, 98 assists, 66 aces

College: Undecided

Cami Huff, McGill-Toolen

6-2, Sr., Middle

383 kills, 137 blocks, 23 digs

College: West Virginia

Hadley Kelly, Mobile Christian

6-1, Jr., Middle

463 kills, 139 blocks, 12 digs, 35 aces

College: Liberty

Catherine McClain, McGill-Toolen

5-9, Sr., Outside Hitter

538 kills, 41 blocks, 331 digs, 49 aces

College: Loyola

Payton McClarren, McGill-Toolen

5-2, Sr., Libero

534 digs, 75 assists, 69 aces

College: William Carey

Macey Moore, Gulf Shores

5-10, Sr., Setter/Right Side

336 kills, 430 assists, 77 blocks, 351 digs, 71 aces

College: North Florida beach volleyball

Kenly Nelson, Fairhope

5-11, Jr., Outside Hitter

333 kills, 49 blocks, 57 digs, 2 aces

College: Undecided

Charli Pearce, Saraland

6-0, Sr., Outside Hitter/Setter

368 kills, 504 assists, 36 blocks, 329 digs, 64 aces

College: South Alabama

Hayley Robinson, Bayside Academy

6-3, Sr., Right Side

370 kills, 70 blocks, 105 digs, 48 aces

College: Samford

Libby Rogers, Fairhope

5-8, Sr., Setter

710 assists, 166 kills, 33 blocks, 273 digs, 20 aces

College: Montevallo

Bella Rumley, Orange Beach

5-8, So., Outside Hitter

273 kills, 27 blocks, 42 digs, 46 aces

College: Undecided

Amelia Smith, St. Luke’s

6-0, Sr., Outside Hitter

543 kills, 50 blocks, 354 digs, 84 aces

College: UAH

Ella Clarie Sullivan, UMS-Wright

5-7, Sr, Libero

418 digs, 120 assists, 82 aces

College: Undecided

MK Whitehurst, Bayside Academy

5-3, Sr., Libero

504 digs, 59 assists, 44 aces

College: Undecided

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

AHSAA Volleyball 7A Championship — McGill-Toolen’s Alice Wood celebrates after wining set point in the third set to give McGill-Toolen a two-sets-to-one lead against Thompson during the AHSAA Class 7A volleyball state championship at Bill Harris Arena in Birmingham, Ala., Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025. (Vasha Hunt | preps@al.com) Vasha Hunt

Alice Wood, McGill-Toolen

5-9, Jr., Setter

Region second-best 1,362 assists, region-best 27.8 assists per match average, 57 kills, 76 blocks, 302 digs, 61 aces

College: Kansas State

ATTACKER MVP

Daphne's Ella Lomax — Daphne’s Ella Lomax watches her attack during 2025 action. (Dennis Victory | preps@al.com)Dennis Victory

Ella Lomax, Daphne

5-11, Sr., Outside Hitter

Region-best 753 kills, region-best 13.45 kills per match average, 35 blocks, 313 digs, 81 aces

College: UNA

DEFENSIVE MVP

AHSAA Volleyball 3A Championship — Mobile Christian’s Melissa Patel dives for an attack during the AHSAA Class 3A volleyball state championship at Bill Harris Arena in Birmingham, Ala., Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. (Dennis Victory | preps@al.com)Dennis Victory

Melissa Patel, Mobile Christian

5-5, Sr., Libero

684 digs, 57 assists, 40 aces

College: Southwest Baptist

SETTER MVP

AHSAA Volleyball 6A Championship — Spanish Fort’s Cailyn Boykin sets the ball against Hazel Green during the AHSAA Class 6A volleyball state championship at Bill Harris Arena in Birmingham, Ala., Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025. (Dennis Victory | preps@al.com)Dennis Victory

Cailyn Boykin, Spanish Fort

5-8, Jr., Setter

Region-best 1,638 assists, 68 kills, 32 blocks, 351 digs, 66 aces

College: Undecided

COACHES OF THE YEAR

Kate Wood, McGill-Toolen

Gretchen Boykin, Spanish Fort

Mallory Boyington, Mobile Christian

HONORABLE MENTION

Outside Hitter/Right Side: Brooklyn McIlwain, Faith Academy, Sr.; Alexis Scott, Mobile Christian, Sr.; Marissa Smith, St. Paul’s, Fr.; Skylar Courtney, UMS-Wright, Sr.; LillyAnne Doggette, Millry, Sr.; Myah Skanes, Saraland, Jr.; Jaedyn Lang, McGill-Toolen, Sr.; Breanna Stokley, Millry, Sr.; Chandler Thomas, UMS-Wright, Sr.

Middle: Chelsey McReary, T.R. Miller, Jr.; Reece Wilmott, Bayside Academy, Jr.; Mikadyn Cauley, Faith Academy, Jr.; Natalie Maxwell, Spanish Fort, So.; Gabi Berlage, Fairhope, Sr.; Maddie McKinley, Washington County, Sr.; Raina Gunter, Washington County, Sr.; Lily Willingham, Saraland, Sr.

Setter: Sophie Hester, Bayside Academy, Jr.; Grace Thigpen, Daphne, Sr.; Ivey Marston, St. Paul’s, Sr.; Ella Bilbo, Orange Beach, Sr.

Defensive Specialist/Libero: Ava Hodo, Orange Beach, Sr.; Emma Kate Frazier, St. Luke’s, Fr.; Kendall Dougherty, St. Paul’s, Sr.; Addy Busby, Fairhope, Jr.

Link

Sports

UNT Student-Athletes Boast Record Setting G.P.A.

Published

8 hours ago

December 30, 2025

Your Sports Nation

DENTON – This past fall semester UNT student-athletes achieved the highest departmental grade point average in Mean Green history with a 3.457.

For the first time ever all 14 athletic programs earned a semester G.P.A. above a 3.150. Six teams earned their highest semester G.P.A. in their respective program’s history and four others achieved their second highest semester G.P.A. in their program’s history.

This marked the 13th consecutive semester of a 3.0 or better department wide grade point average and the seventh consecutive semester that UNT improved on the previous semester’s departmental G.P.A.

“The Fall 2025 semester was an outstanding one for Mean Green Athletics in the classroom,” said UNT VP/Director of Athletics Jared Mosley. “Our student-athletes continue to demonstrate a commitment to academic excellence, and their success is a direct reflection of the support and expectations we have in place. I want to thank our academic services team, led by Suzanne Dickenson, for their leadership and dedication in supporting our student-athletes and helping them reach their full potential both on the field and in the classroom.”

For the sixth consecutive semester the UNT women’s golf team led the way for the department as they earned a 3.907 fall semester G.P.A.

The Mean Green tennis team has now recorded a team G.P.A. of 3.0 or better for 28 consecutive semesters. The UNT soccer team and swim and dive team have both also maintained streaks of 20-plus consecutive semesters with a team G.P.A. above a 3.0.

Fifty-two UNT student-athletes this past fall earned a 4.0 grade point average. The Mean Green women’s track team led the way as they had 11 student-athletes named to the prestigious 2025 Fall President’s List. The tennis team had the highest percentage of student-athletes earning President’s List honors as 72% of its roster had a 4.0 G.P.A.

The UNT men’s basketball, men’s cross country, men’s track and field, women’s basketball, women’s cross country and women’s track and field teams all earned their highest semester G.P.A.s in program history.

Lastly, 47 UNT student-athletes earned their diplomas this past fall.

Link

Sports

Spencer McLachlin Named Head Coach at UC San Diego

Published

14 hours ago

December 30, 2025

Your Sports Nation

LA JOLLA, Calif. – Third-year USC women’s volleyball associate head coach Spencer McLachlin was hired for his first appointment as a head coach and will lead the UC San Diego women’s volleyball program, UCSD Director of Athletics Andy Fee announced on Tuesday, Dec. 23.

McLachlin becomes the eighth head coach in UCSD program history and will coach the Tritons in their final season as members of the Big West (2026) before the program transitions to the West Coast Conference ahead of the 2027 campaign. He joins JJ Van Niel (Arizona State), Tyler Hildebrand (Saint Mary’s College), and Amy Pauly (Orlando Valkyries) as former USC assistants under Brad Keller who have moved into head coaching positions.

“This opportunity is no surprise and has been a long time coming for Spencer,” said Keller. “UCSD is getting one of the best coaches in the game. Spencer and I have worked together in many different phases of our careers, and I know USC is in a better place with a brighter future for everything he has done here. Spencer is an innovator, a creator, and most importantly, a dreamer. Our game needs more leaders like him. I couldn’t be prouder of what he has done and for this new opportunity for him and his family.”

In his three seasons at USC, McLachlin helped lead the Women of Troy to three straight NCAA tournament appearances. The Trojans advanced to the second round in each of their three postseason berths. Most recently, McLachlin helped USC reach 25 wins and finish in a tie for third place in the Big Ten. Six Trojans received awards on all-conference teams and USC led the league in blocking (2.76 bps). The Trojans also ranked second (12th in the NCAA) in total blocks (322.5) and were second for opponent hitting percentage (.184). OH London Wijay earned AVCA All-America honorable mention.

With McLachlin on staff in 2024, USC advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament for the third straight year and finished 22-10 overall with a 13-7 mark in the Big Ten (tied for sixth). Setter Mia Tuaniga was named to the AVCA All-America third team. In his first season with the Women of Troy, McLachlin helped USC go 19-13 with a 12-8 mark in the Pac-12 for a fifth-place finish. That season, OH Skylar Fields was honored with AVCA All-America first-team recognition.

McLachlin is married to former USC volleyball standout opposite hitter Diane Copenhagen (2004-07), a 2004 Pac-10 All-Freshman Team selection. The McLachlins are parents to two daughters, Leila and Malia, and a son named Koa.

The 14th-ranked Trojans (25-7, 15-5 Big Ten) finished the regular season tied for third in the Big Ten and were awarded one of 33 at-large berths—and a hosting bid—into the 2025 NCAA tournament. USC made its fourth straight appearance in the tourney under sixth-year head coach Brad Keller (41st all-time) and moved into the second round for the fourth consecutive year with a 3-0 sweep of Princeton. The Women of Troy were eliminated from postseason play in a hard-fought five-set loss to Cal Poly in the second round.

For more information on the USC women’s volleyball team, please visit USCTrojans.com/WVB. Fans of the Women of Troy can follow @USCWomensVolley on X, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

Link