“Terrible and traumatic,” is how the Surf Life Saving New South Wales chief, Steven Pearce, summed up what has been declared the deadliest Easter long weekend on record, well before it was even over.
Seven people across NSW and Victoria were confirmed to have drowned by the morning of Easter Monday, and while the fatal heavy seas had returned to largely normal levels, crews were still searching for two people missing since Good Friday.
The tragedies occurred at different beaches across the east coast of Australia, and while most involved alarmingly large waves sweeping swimmers or fishers off rocks, their varying circumstances were the result of a deadly confluence of factors.
Authorities have blamed what they call a perfect storm for beach fatalities: a low-pressure system generating hazardous surf; unseasonably warm and sunny weather; and risky behaviour when much of the nation was enjoying a long weekend.
Dean Narramore, a senior meteorologist at the Bureau of Meteorology, said the writing was on the wall early on Friday.
“The main driver was a very deep and intense low-pressure system west of New Zealand, that combined with an upper level low,” he explained.
That generated strong winds, which drove the large swells. “The energy moved westwards,” Narramore said, with some swells refracted to eastern Victoria.
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At the same time, a high-pressure system over eastern Australia brought warm northerly winds, with temperatures 5-10C above average.
“There was plenty of sunshine, and all of that combined with the Easter long weekend meant a lot of people were heading out to the beach,” Narramore said.
By mid-morning, images began swirling online of violent waves at some of NSW’s most famous beaches, with surging seas crashing on to roads and into shopfronts. Wave heights exceeded five metres.
In Sydney, with temperatures reaching the mid-20s, even beaches within the city’s harbour, which are traditionally calm and protected from coastal swells, were closed.
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The closures did not stop everyone. Surfers were seen riding waves at the usually waveless Balmoral and Nielsen Park beaches.
At the coastal beach of Coogee, swimmers and surfers defied closures.
At Manly’s Queenscliff beach, footage circulated of swimmers gripping to handlebars before being swept from its ocean pool.
In Newcastle, ferocious waves reached well past the beach, with wheelie bins seen dragged into the water.
Within hours, details of the first drownings were announced by authorities.
A 58-year-old man had been washed off a breakwall at Wollongong harbour early on Friday as he walked to a fishing spot. Family members jumped in but failed to save him.
Later, at Middle Head Point on Sydney’s north shore, a man was washed off rocks and drowned.
By the late afternoon, a young man was “extricated from the water face down” at Eden, on the far south coast of NSW, after being washed off rocks.
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In Victoria, three Chinese nationals at San Remo beach near Phillip Island were swept into the sea. One woman was rescued, but another was pulled from the water unconscious and could not be revived. Her 41-year-old husband could not be located.
“Every drowning is a tragedy, and this is an absolutely tragic start to the Easter long weekend,” Pearce said on Friday night, as search teams looked for a swimmer who went missing from Sydney’s Little Bay beach, last seen struggling in the swell in the mid-afternoon.
Despite Pearce’s warnings, things would only get worse. While wave heights eased slightly on Saturday, to between two and four metres, conditions remained hazardous and many beaches were closed.
More deaths on the coast
Two people rock fishing at Tathra, on the NSW south coast, were swept into the ocean. One returned conscious and breathing. The other was later found dead.
On Sunday morning, another two rock fishers braved conditions, this time at Wattamolla, just south of Sydney. They were swept off rocks, with the Westpac helicopter called in to save them. They were both retrieved, with one pronounced dead at the scene.
Later that day, a nine-year-old boy became trapped between rocks at a beach on the NSW mid north coast. Distraught witnesses told the Daily Telegraph how the parents of the boy, trapped from the chest, were unable to free him. They held his hand and spoke to him, but as tides rose, he ultimately drowned.
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Meanwhile, more than 150 rescues were made by volunteer and professional lifesavers across NSW, with an alarming number of near misses. Rescue helicopters had performed 30 missions by Monday morning.
By Monday afternoon, once swells had returned to near normal levels, Victorian authorities called off the search for the missing 41-year-old Chinese national.
It brought the death toll from the long weekend to eight, as searches continued for the swimmer missing off Sydney’s Little Bay beach.
Devastating but predictable
Pearce said the outcome was devastating for volunteer surf lifesavers, but predictable.
“There’s no other description I would have to say for such a religious weekend this has been absolutely horrific,” he said.
“[It’s] just the culmination of hot temperatures, a long weekend, hundreds of thousands of people going to the coastline and an enormous swell.”
Every fatality that surf lifesavers responded to in NSW related to someone being washed off a rock.
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With the long weekend over, Pearce was wary of the coming Anzac Day long weekend, despite rain predicted.
“Our volunteer lifesavers and our lifeguards have risked their lives multitudes of times.”
He urged swimmers to only enter the water at patrolled beaches.
“If there is no red and yellow flags flying, there will be no one there … that can possibly save you.”
LOGAN, Utah – Utah State volleyball outside hitter Mara Štiglic has been named the Old Trapper Mountain West Offensive Volleyball Player of the Week the conference announced on Monday.
Štiglic led Utah State with a .400 hitting percentage while recording 29 total kills in a pair of wins at San Diego State (3-1) and UNLV (3-0). The sophomore from Rijeka, Croatia, averaged 4.14 kills per set for the week and added two aces, six digs and four blocks. Štiglic tied for the team lead with 13 kills against the Aztecs, hitting .355 on 31 total attempts and adding three blocks. Against the Rebels, Štiglic posted 16 kills on 29 attempts for a .448 hitting percentage, also adding two aces. In the third set, Štiglic had a team-high eight kills to help seal the win. Of 60 total attempts during the week, Štiglic recorded only five hitting errors.
It is Štiglic’s second time this season and in her career earning Player of the Week honors. She previously earned the award after totaling 46 total kills to help USU to wins against Utah Valley and Weber State plus a spirited effort against then-No. 16 BYU, averaging 4.18 kills per set for the week.
Štiglic is the first Aggie to receive multiple awards from the MW this season. Utah State has had six different players receive a weekly award from the conference this season.
PREVIOUS AGGIES TO RECEIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK THIS SEASON
Sept. 2 – Tierney Barlow, Sr., MB – Offensive Player of the Week
Sept. 22 – Mara Štiglic, So., OH – Offensive Player of the Week
Sept. 29 – Lauren Larkin, R-Fr., MB – Freshman of the Week
Oct. 6 – Kaylie Kofe, So., S – Offensive Player of the Week
Oct. 13 – Kendel Thompson, Jr., L/DS – Defensive Player of the Week
Oct. 27 – Loryn Helgesen, So., OPP – Offensive Player of the Week
Up Next
The Aggies return home for a pair of crucial matches versus teams currently in Mountain West Tournament position. Utah State will first host second-place Colorado State on Thursday, Nov. 6, at 6 p.m., before facing Wyoming, who currently sits third in the conference standings, on Saturday, Nov. 8, at noon.
Season tickets, mini-plans, and single-game tickets are on sale now and can be purchased here or by contacting the USU Ticket Office at 435-797-0305.
Fans can follow the Aggie volleyball program on Twitter, @USUVolleyball, on Facebook at /USUVolleyball or on Instagram, @usuvolleyball. Aggie fans can also follow the Utah State athletic program on Twitter, @USUAthletics, Facebook at /USUAthletics and on Instagram, @USUAthletics.
COLLEGE PARK, MD — Each week during the 2025-26 season, a Maryland student-athlete who has shown excellence on and off the playing field will be selected as the Solomon Eye Physicians & Surgeons Terp of the Week.
This week’s Terp of the Week is junior Rose Coats of the women’s cross country team – her third time earning the honor this season and the sixth time overall in her career.
With a 10th-place individual finish, Coats became the Terps’ first-ever All-Big Ten First Team performer as she led Maryland at the Big Ten Championship last week hosted by Michigan State.
The last time the Terps had an All-Conference performer in cross country was in 2017 when Alexandra Lucki placed 12th to earn All-Big Ten honors. Coats is the 10th all-conference performer in Maryland’s cross country program history, but is the first ever to receive All-Big Ten First Team honors.
Coats crossed the line first for the Terps in 10th out of 165 runners. She completed the 6k course with a time of 20:14.2, significantly improving her performance by eighteen spots from last year’s Big Ten Championships.
Coats and the Terps will be back in action on Friday, November 14 as they travel to Bethlehem, PA for the NCAA Mid-Atlantic Regional Championship meet hosted by Lehigh.
AUTO GROUP. THE PINNACLE OF HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS. THE STATE TOURNAMENT TUESDAY NIGHT IOWA HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL TEAMS PUT IT ALL ON THE LINE TO CLAIM THEIR SPOT. REGIONAL FINALS FOR FIVE-A. FOUR A AND THREE A. LET’S START YOU OUT WITH DCG HOSTING ADM COACH MEG JACKSON AND DCG CONTROL THIS ONE THE WHOLE WAY. LET’S TAKE YOU TO MATCH POINT MAGGIE. LIFECARE GETS IT DONE. THEY WIN THAT SET 2511. AND SWEEP. ADM. DCB PUNCHES THEIR TICKET FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2020. AND THERE’S THE MOMENT THEY’VE BEEN WAITING FOR THE REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP BANNER IS THERE. THEY NOW HAVE A SHOT AT THEIR FIRST STATE TITLE IN SCHOOL HISTORY NEXT WEEK IN CORALVILLE. PELLA LOST THE FOUR A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH A SEASON AGO. THEY’LL GET THEIR SHOT AT REDEMPTION. THEY BEAT WAVERLY-SHELL ROCK THREE ONE TO QUALIFY FOR STATE FOR THE SECOND STRAIGHT YEAR. FOR A PLAYER OF THE YEAR FROM LAST YEAR, KATIE SCHECKEL AND COMPANY ARE HEADED BACK TO STATE. NORWALK IS BACK TO STATE AS WELL. THEY LOST THE REGIONAL FINAL LAST SEASON, BUT NOT TONIGHT. THIS TIME THEY WON IT IN A SWEEP THREE ZERO OVER BALLARD OF THE FOUR REGIONAL FINAL. FIRST TIME THEY’VE WON A REGIONAL AT HOME. SECOND EVER TRIP TO STATE. CONGRATS TO NORWALK. PARTY OVER THERE. AND POWERHOUSE CENTENNIAL IS BACK AS WELL. THEY WILL RAISE THE BANNER ADVANCING TO STATE FOR THE SIXTH STRAIGHT YEAR AFTER A SWEEP OF SOUTHEAST POLK. THE JAGS, CHASING THEIR FIRST TITLE SINCE 2018. ANKENY WILL ALSO BE THERE IN CORALVILLE NEXT WEEK, COMPETING FOR A STATE TITLE. THEY GET THE BANNER AS REGIONAL CHAMPS FOR THE EIGHTH YEAR IN A ROW BY SWEEPING KENNEDY. THE REGIONAL FINALS WILL CONTINUE TOMORROW NIGHT WITH ONE
Iowa high school volleyball: Schedule, results and more from state tournament
Updated: 4:42 PM CST Nov 3, 2025
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The Iowa high school volleyball state tournament kicked off Monday at the Xtream Arena in Coralville. Action runs through Thursday, when all five classes have their championship matches. Tickets cost $17 plus fees online or are a flat fee of $15 at the Xtream box office.Here’s what you need to know about state volleyball.Spectator informationLocation: Xtream Arena, 200 E. 9th St. CoralvilleAdmission: Online tickets are $17 per person and include the price of parking. Tickets cost $15 at the box office. Anyone kindergarten-aged or older needs a ticket.State tournament livestreamsClick here to watch livestreams of state tournament matches.Quarterfinal matchups and resultsCLASS 5A MONDAYCourt 1: No. 1 Waukee Northwest 25-25-25, No. 8 Indianola 17-16-12Court 1: No. 4 Dowling Catholic vs. No. 5 Ankeny, 2 p.m.Court 2: No. 2 Ankeny Centennial 25-25-25, No. 7 Iowa City West 23-17-23Court 2: No. 6 West Des Moines Valley 13-25-23-25-15, No. 3 Pleasant Valley 25-21-25-20-13CLASS 4A MONDAYCourt 1: No. 1 Clear Creek Amana vs. No. 8 Sergeant Bluff-Luton, 4 p.m.Court 1: No. 4 Dallas Center-Grimes vs. No. 5 North Scott, 6 p.m.Court 2: No. 2 Sioux Center vs. No. 7 Marion, 4:25 p.m.Court 2: No. 3 Pella vs. No. 6 Norwalk, 6:25 p.m.CLASS 3A TUESDAYCourt 1: No. 1 Western Christian vs. No. 8 Mount Vernon, 10 a.m.Court 1: No. 4 Cherokee vs. No. 5 Humboldt, noonCourt 2: No. 2 Davenport Assumption vs. No. 7 Mid-Prairie, 10:25 a.m.Court 2: No. 3 Red Oak vs. Kuemper Catholic, 12:25 p.m.CLASS 2A TUESDAYCourt 1: No. 1 Denver vs. No. 8 Wapsie Valley, 2 p.m.Court 1: No. 4 Grundy Center vs. No. 5 Beckman Catholic, 4 p.m.Court 2: No. 2 Dike-New Hartford vs. No. 7 Aplington-Parkersburg, 2:25 p.m.Court: No. 3 Hinton vs. No. 6 Iowa City Regina, 4:25 p.m.CLASS 1A TUESDAYCourt 1: No. 1 St. Ansgar vs. No. 8 East Mills, 6 p.m.Court 1: No. 4 Dunkerton vs. No. 5 BCLUW, 8 p.m.Court 2: No. 2 Janesville vs. No. 7 Gladbrook-Reinbeck, 6:25 p.m.Court 2: No. 3 North Tama vs. No. 6 Sidney, 8:25 p.m. Semifinal scheduleCLASS 5A WEDNESDAYCourt 1: Waukee Northwest vs. Ankeny, 10 a.m.Court 2: Ankeny Centennial vs. West Des Moines Valley, 10:25 a.m.CLASS 4A WEDNESDAYCourt 1: Matchup TBD, noonCourt 2: Matchup TBD, 12:25 p.m.CLASS 3A WEDNESDAYCourt 1: Matchup TBD, 2 p.m.Court 2: Matchup TBD, 2:25 p.m. CLASS 2A WEDNESDAYCourt 1: Matchup TBD, 4 p.m.Court 2: Matchup TBD, 4:25 p.m.CLASS 1A WEDNESDAYCourt 1: Matchup TBD, 6 p.m.Court 2: Matchup TBD, 6:25 p.m.Championship schedule ThursdayCLASS 5A : Matchup TBD, 10 a.m.CLASS 4A: Matchup TBD, 12:15 p.m.CLASS 3A: Matchup TBD, 2:30 p.m.CLASS 2A: Matchup TBD, 4:45 p.m.CLASS 1A: Matchup TBD, 7 p.m.
The Iowa high school volleyball state tournament kicked off Monday at the Xtream Arena in Coralville. Action runs through Thursday, when all five classes have their championship matches.
Tickets cost $17 plus fees online or are a flat fee of $15 at the Xtream box office.
Here’s what you need to know about state volleyball.
Spectator information
Location: Xtream Arena, 200 E. 9th St. Coralville
Admission: Online tickets are $17 per person and include the price of parking. Tickets cost $15 at the box office. Anyone kindergarten-aged or older needs a ticket.
State tournament livestreams
Click here to watch livestreams of state tournament matches.
Born on September 17, 2025, in Dardanelle, Arkansas, Tusk VII arrived weighing 2 pounds, 8 ounces and measuring 12 inches long. The proud son of Tusk VI, the University of Arkansas’ beloved live mascot, this little Razorback is already carrying on a cherished tradition that spans generations.
Tusk VII will spend the next year at home on the Stokes Family Farm in Dardanelle, growing and learning from his father before officially taking over mascot duties in 2026. The Tusk lineage has long been a proud part of Razorback history, representing the strength, spirit, and pride of the University of Arkansas.
Tusk VI and Tusk VII are cared for by members of the Stokes family, who have faithfully overseen the live mascot program since it began in 2006. The care and daily work at the Tusk Farm are shared by Julie Stokes, Abbey Stokes-Hess and her husband Tanner, Chip Stokes and his wife Lori, along with their children Colt and Caroline.
Fans who wish to support the live mascot program can donate to the Tusk VI Fund, which helps provide for the daily care and feeding needs of both Tusk VI and Tusk VII. In addition, your contributions will help create a legacy program to guarantee the longevity of the Razorback live mascot program. Click here to give today.
OMAHA, Neb. — Senior outside hitter Ava Martin has been named BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week after a record-setting performance in Creighton Volleyball’s win over Marquette on Saturday.
Martin averaged 5.25 kills, 1.75 digs and 0.38 aces per set while hitting .438 as Creighton defeated DePaul and Marquette last week.
The Overland Park, Kan., native had 12 kills, four digs and an ace on Friday, hitting .375 in a 3-0 sweep vs. DePaul and moving past Olympian Taryn Kloth for fifth on CU’s all-time kills list.
She followed that up with a career-high 30 kills on .464 hitting in a come-from-behind 3-2 win vs. Marquette, adding 10 digs for her second double-double of the fall. Martin’s 30 kills tied a D.J. Sokol Arena record and were tied for third-most in Creighton history at any site. It was her 18th straight match with 10 or more kills and 17th contest in a row that Martin has led or tied for the team-lead in kills.
This is the fourth time this season that Martin has won BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week acclaim, also doing so on Sept. 22, Oct. 6 and Oct. 27, and eighth time in her career. Since Creighton joined the BIG EAST 13 seasons ago, only Norah Sis (9 times) has been recognized more as BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week among Bluejays.
Martin’s teammate, Annalea Maeder, was named to the league’s honor roll after ranking second in the BIG EAST last week in both assists (11.00) and aces (0.75) per set last week.
Winners of 14 straight matches, No. 12 Creighton (19-5, 12-0 BIG EAST) is back in action on Friday at 7:30 p.m. when it hosts Villanova to open its final homestand of the season.
