For their fourth national championship run, the Bears aimed to travel early to Gulf Shores, Alabama, to acclimate to the unique environment that awaited them.

Cal has been a ranked contender in the bracket since 2022, but for head coach Megan Owusu, their preparedness is a part of the team’s culture.

“The last four years that we’ve gone it’s just been a total honor to be here,” said Owusu. “We’re very aware that only 16 teams get to earn the right to be at NCAAs in Gulf Shores.”

Though they have never made it past the quarterfinals, the Bears were strong contenders this year, entering the championships ranked No. 10. Owusu led the team to an impressive 27-10 regular season record, their best since 2023 – the year the Bears lost in the NCAA quarterfinals to UCLA.

Their first match was against No. 7 Texas, with whom they had a split record after a 3-2 loss at the East Meets West tournament and a 3-2 comeback win the next weekend at East vs. West.

This year, the Longhorns cut Cal’s NCAA championship dreams short.

On court three, Ella Sears and Alex Young-Gomez lost by only a slim 22-20 margin in the first set, but fell soundly in the second, losing 21-9 and granting Longhorns a 1-0 lead.

However, duo Jenna Colligan and Ella Dreibholz were able to even out the score on court five, winning 21-18 and 21-19.

With multiple matches being played at once, both teams were on their toes as the high-pressure environment grew even more intense.

Gauging lineups is a crucial part of Owusu’s job, especially in preparation for a championship tournament.

“We have all five courts going at once and so we evaluate the matchups with the team that we’re competing against and see where we can be most effective as coaches,” Owusu said. “But we trust all of our athletes to have the tools and the problem-solving abilities to not have a coach and also be able to respond when they do have a coach on their court.”

With the game tied one set to one, all eyes were on the final three courts still playing.

Next to finish was sophomore Emma Donley and Portia Sherman on court one, a pair that has been nothing but reliable throughout the season.

This weekend brought them their 28th pair win, and the record for most pair wins in program history.

They brought home a solid match win for the blue and gold, defeating Chloe Charles and Eva Liisa Kuivonen 21-17 and 21-15.

Once again, Texas fought back on court four, and Noa Sonneville and Macey Butler defeated Marilu Pally and Maile Somera in three hard-fought sets (21-18, 19-21, 17-15) to mark the first three-set match of the whole game.

Earlier this season in the East vs. West tournament, Sonneville and Butler had beaten Pally and Dreibholz in two quick sets (21-13, 21-14), but the lineup change wasn’t enough to keep Texas at bay.

This brought the game to a tie, leaving the game in the hands of Gia Fisher and Sierra Caffo. Both captains played throughout the season.

The match again went to three sets, where two out of the three were win-by-two. Cal was knocked out in a nailbiter third set, which Texas ultimately won 17-15.

The Longhorns came into the NCAA championship with a 28-9 record, nearly identical to Cal’s. But 2025 marked Texas’ first-ever appearance in the tournament. The Longhorns’ win over an established Cal team may have been a surprise, but it was ultimately evidence of a well-deserved spot in the bracket.

“I’m very proud of our team this year,” Owusu said, reflecting on the 2025 season. “Our captains established a great culture, and while it didn’t end the way we wanted, I’m super appreciative of the journey and the success that we did have throughout the season.”

As the team continues to grow — and prepares to break ground on a new facility — there is only gratitude for competition at NCAAs this year, and the day-to-day experiences between the players and coaches.

“I have a ton of respect for Texas, their program and their coaching staff,” Owusu said. “We split with them this season, so we were excited for a great battle and that’s exactly what it was.”

SAUK RAPIDS — The Litchfield track and field team saw its boys take fourth and its girls fifth at the 32nd Annual Mega Meet on Saturday.

Sauk Rapids was the winner for the boys’ competition at 196, followed by Sartell’s 184.5, Albany’s 68 and the Dragons’ 67.5. For the girls, St. Cloud Cathedral won with a 153, which beat Sartell’s 120 and Sauk Rapids’ 114. Litchfield’s girls came in at 101.

Litchfield’s girls had three event winners. Elise Carlson won the 300-meter hurdles in 49.40 seconds. Chloe Kowalczyk was victorious in the discus throw at 123 feet, 1 inch. The Dragons’ 4×100 relay team also won in 51.41. Relay members included Samantha Turck, Josy Turck, Eden Harless and Josie Bjorkman.

Litchfield’s boys had no event winners, but saw its highest placing come from Izrael Jimenez in the shot put. He took second place with a throw of 43-7.

The Dragons compete in the Glencoe-Silver Lake Invitational at 4 p.m. Tuesday at Glencoe.

Easton, Ma. – The Le Moyne College men’s and women’s track & field teams concluded the final day of the 2025 Northeast Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships on Sunday.
 
Senior Jack Gibson (Ilion, N.Y./Central Valley Academy) had the most individual success of the day after recording a 3^rd place finish in the men’s 3000m steeplechase event, clocking in with a time of 9:09.99. Sophomore Mike Purvis (Liverpool, N.Y./Liverpool) also competed in the steeplechase event, placing 5^th overall after running a time of 9:44.83. Redshirt-junior Matthew Frisa (Spencerport, N.Y./Spencerport) competed in the 400m hurdles, placing 6^th overall in the finals after earning a time of 57.20.
 
The quartet of senior Brandon Scott (Camillus, N.Y./West Genesee), redshirt-junior Connor Scott (Camillus, N.Y./West Genesee), junior Jordan Johnson (Plainfield, N.J./Timothy Christian School), and sophomore Christopher Moser (Camillus, N.Y./West Genesee) all competed in the men’s 4x100m relay, placing 8^th overall after running a time of 43.17.
 
Sophomore Skylar Gravell (Malone, N.Y./Franklin Academy), Christopher Moser, Brandon Scott, and freshman Christopher Zajdel (Syracuse, N.Y./Christian Brothers Academy) earned themselves a 4^th place finish in the 4x400m relay after clocking in with a time of 3:17.14. Junior Cyril Anderson (Manchester, N.H./Manchester) placed 9^th overall in the javelin throw after earning a distance of 148-feet, 0-inches.
 
On the women’s side, junior Lilly Capria (North Syracuse, N.Y./Cicero-North Syracuse) and freshman Jacey Locci (Stillwater, N.Y./Stillwater) both tied for 4^th place in the high jump event, earning marks of 5-feet, 1.75-inches.
 
Freshman Jasmin Gonzalez-Rivera (Utica, N.Y./Thomas R. Proctor/Monmouth) earned a 6^th place finish in the 400m hurdles, running a time of 1:07.08. Sophomore Mackenzie Ples (Lowville, N.Y./Lowville) placed 7^th overall in the 3000m steeplechase event after running a time of 11:54.77.
 
The quartet of freshman Sara Edmonson (Leonardsville, N.Y./Mount Markham), senior Delaney Manahan (Marcellus, N.Y./Marcellus), sophomore Amanda Lowenguth (Webster, N.Y./Webster Thomas), and sophomore Rosalie Vincent (Syracuse, N.Y./Bishop Grimes) competed in the 4x100m relay, placing 8^th overall after running a time of 51.45..
 
Rosalie Vincent, Jacey Locci, Amanda Lowenguth, and Jasmin Gonzalex-Rivera placed 8^th overall in the 4x400m relay after running a time of 4:08.50.

Some of the Dolphins will have an opportunity to compete in the ECAC/IC4A Championships scheduled to run from May 16th-May 18th.

 

I’ve covered a lot of sporting events in my career, but there was something undeniably electric about the 2025 NCAA Women’s Beach Volleyball Championship this weekend in Gulf Shores. From the very first serve to the final point, it wasn’t just a tournament—it was a statement.

And what a statement TCU made.

The Horned Frogs claimed their first-ever national title in a dramatic 3-2 win over Loyola Marymount University (LMU). It wasn’t just a win—it was a seismic shift. For the first time in championship history, neither UCLA nor USC hoisted the trophy. Instead, a hungry, fearless TCU team stood victorious on the white sands of Alabama, redefining the power map of collegiate beach volleyball.

I was on the ground, and let me tell you, the energy was unreal. The athletes? Dialed in. The fans? Fired up. And the vibe? Pure magic.

What impressed me the most wasn’t just the level of play—it was the heart. The hustle. The belief. The grit. TCU didn’t just win points—they fought for them. Digs that looked impossible, blocks that rocked the court, and serves that sliced through the wind like laser beams.

This wasn’t just a win for TCU—it was a win for every program fighting to prove they belong. The whole event, set behind The Hangout in Gulf Shores, felt like a festival of athleticism. You had people dancing on tables during timeouts, cheering in the sun, and celebrating every rally like it was a Super Bowl play. And with over 450 matches across all divisions just days earlier at the AVCA Small College Championship, Alabama is officially the new heart of beach volleyball in May.

LMU had its share of shining moments, but this was TCU’s time. As the final point hit the sand, sealing both the match and a legacy, their players stormed the court in a rush of tears and screams–culminating in a celebratory dog pile that marked their historic win.

Adding to the excitement, two programs—Texas and Boise State—made their inaugural appearances at the NCAA Beach Volleyball Championship. Texas, seeded No. 7, earned a hard-fought 3-2 win over No. 10 California before falling to eventual champion TCU in the quarterfinals. Boise State, seeded No. 14, took on No. 3 Stanford in the opening round. Though they didn’t advance, their presence on the national stage marked a proud and promising milestone for the program.

I walked away from the finals with sand in my shoes, a camera full of unforgettable moments, and soaking wet from jumping into the Gulf to capture that iconic shot of the team hoisting the trophy in the water after their win. Totally worth it!!!

NCAA Women’s Beach Volleyball isn’t just growing, it’s thriving. And if this weekend proved anything, it’s that the best is yet to come. Until next year—same beach, even more magic!

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Name: Savanna Hershberger

High school: Northern Bedford County

Hometown: Martinsburg

Sport: Cross Country and Track and Field

College choice: Kent State

Other colleges considered: Grace College, Campbell University

Why I picked Kent State University: “The Lord’s hand was truly on my college decision. I had been praying over the matter, and then I had a call with Coach Laura Rybka. From the first call, I immediately knew. Our goals aligned for my future, and the Lord truly made it clear to me and instilled peace in me over my future.”

Greatest high school achievement: “My greatest high school achievement is yet to come. I believe that this track season will be my best to date.”

Coach Yeatt’s quote: “Savanna is an incredible young woman who I have been blessed to coach for the past three years. She has a joy for running that drives her in her training and she is extremely competitive. This year, she has taken on a leadership role with the track team. As the only senior on our girls’ team, she has been a great role model to a large group of younger athletes. I look forward to seeing where her running career takes her.”

How I got my start in running: “My sister Denae was an excellent distance runner in high school. I grew up watching her and all my other siblings run, and in fifth grade, I ran my first 5k and won in the women’s division. I immediately fell in love with the sport and knew that this was my future.”

Favorite college growing up: UCLA Bruins

Other interests: My church and agriculture

What getting to play in college means to me: “Getting to run in college means the fulfillment of my 5th-grade self. My dream to run at a Division 1 University is now fulfilled. It means using the gifts the Lord has given me to my full capacity.”

Probable college major: Communications with an Agriculture emphasis

Parents: Ross and Yvonne Hershberger

It is a celebration in Gulf Shores, Alabama as the TCU Horned Frogs defeat the Loyola Marymount Lions in the 2025 NCAA Beach Volleyball Tournament finals on Sunday morning to earn the program’s first National Championship.

The Horned Frogs won the Big 12 regular season and Conference Tournament in the first year of the league sponsoring the sport. After dropping only five matches all season, TCU earned the No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament. The Horned Frogs made its first National Championship appearance after getting to the NCAA Tournament in five consecutive seasons and reaching the Final Four in 2023. Since becoming an officially sanctioned NCAA event, the Championship has only ever been won by USC (six titles) and UCLA (two titles). As the No. 4 seed, LMU reached the Final with a first round sweep of No. 13 Florida Atlantic before taking down the sport’s titans USC 3-1 in the quarterfinal and knocking off top seeded UCLA 3-2 in the semifinal. TCU swept past Georgia State and Texas into a semifinal battle with Tournament mainstay 6-seed Cal Poly which the Horned Frogs won 3-1.

TCU opened the scoring with the All-Big 12 pair of Ana Vergara & Anhelina Khmil securing the point from Court 4, 21-14, 21-19, bringing that pairing to a perfect 21-0 when playing together this season. LMU tied it up with a Court 2 straight set victory 21-16, 21-17 over TCU’s Hailey Hamlett & Maria Gonzalez. The back-and-forth affair continued as TCU pulled ahead with the Court 3 point while LMU brought the match level again by taking the point on Court 5. It all built to the showdown from Court 1 between each squad’s top pair as the All-American marquee matchup would decide the National Champion. The Horned Frogs’ pair of Tania Moreno & Daniela Alvarez have been performing at the elite level of the sport together TCU since 2021 and competed in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games representing Spain. It was LMU’s duo of Michelle Schaffer & Anna Pelloia who emerged with the first set, escaping with the the 21-18 advantage. Alvarez & Moreno bounced right back with a 21-15 set win to force the decisive third set. TCU stormed to a quick advantage in that third set and who better to deliver the clinching moment than four-time First Team All-American and 2025 National Player of the Year Daniela Alvarez with the block at the net and the thrill of emotion as the Horned Frogs rushed the sand to celebrate being crowned as National Champions