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Chicago White Sox Minor League Update

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Chicago White Sox Minor League Update

Charlotte Knights 7, Norfolk Tides 4 (Statcast box)
The Knights (15-15) offense carried the team with 10 hits while handing the Tides (9-20) the L to take a commanding three-game series lead. This is the seventh win in a row for Charlotte, which is now back at .500 on the year.

There was plenty of hits to go around on Thursday, with nearly every Charlotte batter getting one, and five of the 10 were extra-base hits. The Knights put up three doubles and two homers — and Kyle Teel’s RBI double in the sixth was nearly the third ball hit out of the park.

Dominic Fletcher and Bryan Ramos each had a multi-hit game, but Omar Narváez and Lipcius both mashed a long ball and accounted for four of the seven runs batted in.

The bullpen was decent, and Wikelman González made his Triple-A debut out of the pen, tossing two innings and racking up three strikeouts while snagging the win. Outside of a 2/3rd-inning hiccup from Justin Anderson, who allowed three hits and two runs, the Knights were able to hold the Tides down, and Dan Altavilla completed his fourth save of the season — the most on the team, and most in the International League.

Poll

Who was the MVP for the Knights?

This poll is closed

  • 32%

    Wikelman González: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K, W in his Triple-A debut

    (36 votes)

  • 1%

    Dan Altavilla: 1 IP, H, 0 R, K, S

    (2 votes)

  • 0%

    Dominic Fletcher: 2-for-4, R

    (0 votes)

  • 45%

    Omar Narváez: 2-for-3, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB, PB, 2 E (throwing)

    (50 votes)

  • 13%

    Bryan Ramos: 2-for-4, 2B, 2 R

    (15 votes)

  • 2%

    Kyle Teel: 1-for-4, 2B, RBI, K

    (3 votes)

  • 4%

    Andrew Lipcius: 1-for-4, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI

    (5 votes)



111 votes total

Vote Now

Poll

Who was the Cold Cat for the Knights?

This poll is closed

  • 3%

    Zach DeLoach: 0-for-2, SF, RBI

    (3 votes)

  • 3%

    Corey Julks: 1-for-4, K

    (3 votes)

  • 7%

    Tim Elko: 1-for-4, 2 K

    (7 votes)

  • 0%

    Adisyn Coffey: 2 IP, 2 H, R, BB, K, H

    (0 votes)

  • 85%

    Justin Anderson: 2/3 IP, 3 H, 2 R, BB, 2 K

    (77 votes)



90 votes total

Vote Now


Pensacola Blue Wahoos 6, Birmingham Barons 5 (11 innings)

The Barons (12-11) played a hard-fought game, but the pitching imploded in the 11th inning and the Blue Wahoos (17-7) were able to stave off Birmingham and get the win.

Pensacola scored first in the game but the Barons were able to answer back in the bottom of the first thanks to a two-run single from Ryan Galanie, and they held the lead through the next four innings.

Riley Gowens had a great start through the first five innings, only having allowed one run in the top of the first inning, but things fell apart a bit in the top of the sixth. A throwing error from Mario Camilletti began the three-run rally that allowed the Blue Wahoos to take a 4-3 lead. Gowens gave up seven hits in his start, though even with the four runs given up (three earned), Gowens struck out seven and didn’t walk a single batter.

The Barons fought back in the bottom of the sixth, and Jacob Burke drove in Caden Connor as the tying run. Neither offense was able to assert itself, and both bullpens were essentially indestructible. Jarold Rosado was nearly perfect in the seventh, not allowing a hit and striking out two. And Chase Plymell was highly effective for the final two innings, only allowing two hits while striking out one.

Tyler Davis had everyone holding their breath in the 10th, walking two batters to load the bases with two outs, but thankfully he worked out of it. Gil Luna was in for the 11th and could not find the strike zone to save his life; 20 of his 38 pitches were balls. Luna got the first batter out, but then walked four batters to hand Pensacola two runs without even making contact with the ball.

Connor gave the Barons some brief hope after driving in Camilletti — who started the inning on second — to cut the lead in half. The hope was cut very short, as Shawn Goosenberg and Burke ended the game with back-to-back strikeouts to seal the heartbreaking loss.

Poll

Who was the MVP for the Barons?

This poll is closed

  • 2%

    Rikuu Nishida: 1-for-4, R, RBI, BB, SB

    (2 votes)

  • 1%

    Ryan Galanie: 1-for-5, 2 RBI, K

    (1 vote)

  • 2%

    Jarold Rosado: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 K

    (2 votes)

  • 6%

    Chase Plymell: 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, K

    (6 votes)

  • 61%

    Caden Connor: 2-for-4, 2 R, RBI, BB

    (53 votes)

  • 25%

    Jacob Burke: 2-for-4, 2B, RBI, 2 K, SB

    (22 votes)



86 votes total

Vote Now

Poll

Who was the Cold Cat for the Barons?

This poll is closed

  • 6%

    Wilfred Veras: 0-for-4, 3 K

    (5 votes)

  • 66%

    Weston Eberly: 0-for-4, 4 K

    (51 votes)

  • 7%

    Riley Gowens: 6 IP, 7 H, 4 R (3 ER), 0 BB, 7 K

    (6 votes)

  • 19%

    Gil Luna: 1 IP, 0 H, 2 R (1 ER), 4 BB

    (15 votes)



77 votes total

Vote Now


Greensboro Grasshoppers 6, Winston-Salem Dash 1
The Dash (9-15) scored first thanks to a Sam Antonacci RBI single in the top of the third, but then fell flat and only mustered five hits for the rest of the game — ultimately falling to the Grasshoppers (16-8), 6-1.

Jake Bockenstedt made his fifth start of 2025, and while he started the year pretty solid, he has given up four runs in each of his last three starts, including today, which slapped him with his second loss of the season. Bockenstedt also struck out six batters and walked two, but either way the lack of run support wasn’t going to cut it.

Winston-Salem had their opportunities to score, leaving five on base and going 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position as a team. The Dash bullpen also wasn’t anything to write home about, with everyone giving up a run Thursday except for Madison Jeffrey.

Poll

Who was the Dash MVP?

This poll is closed

  • 25%

    Sam Antonacci: 1-for-3, RBI, BB, CS, PO

    (16 votes)

  • 17%

    Braden Montgomery: 1-for-4, 2B, 2 K

    (11 votes)

  • 0%

    Alec Makarewicz: 1-for-4, 2B, K

    (0 votes)

  • 28%

    Samuel Zavala: 1-for-2, R, SAC

    (18 votes)

  • 28%

    Madison Jeffrey: 1 1/3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, K

    (18 votes)



63 votes total

Vote Now

Poll

Who was the Cold Cat for the Dash?

This poll is closed

  • 63%

    Jake Bockenstedt: 4 2/3 IP, 6 H, HR, 4 R, 2 BB, 6 K, WP, PO

    (38 votes)

  • 3%

    Jeral Perez: 0-for-4, K

    (2 votes)

  • 31%

    Arxy Hernández: 0-for-4, E

    (19 votes)

  • 1%

    Joseph Yabbour: 1 IP, H, HR, R, BB

    (1 vote)



60 votes total

Vote Now


Kannapolis Cannon Ballers 3, Augusta GreenJackets 2
Solid pitching and great defense is what propelled the Cannon Ballers (14-10) to victory on Thursday, defeating the GreenJackets (13-11) in a close matchup.

On the mound was Justin Sinibaldi making his fourth start of the season, and it might have been his best game yet. He was in command for five innings, and only allowed one run on two hits. Sinibaldi threw 67% of his pitches for strikes (51 of 76), and walked one and struck out five while earning his first win of the year.

It also helped that the defense was holding down the fort behind Sinibaldi, and the outfield made not one, but two diving plays behind him.

The first came from Nate Archer in the top of the third:

Then Abraham Núñez in the top of the fourth:

The bullpen was on point once they took over. Only three more hits were given up the rest of the game, and Grant Umberger was excellent in relief. Umberger happened to strike out the same amount of batters as Sinibaldi (five), though he did it in three less innings. Things got a bit dicey in the ninth with the GreenJackets pulling within one, but Morris Austin was still able to keep Augusta at bay and record his second save of the season.

On the other side of the ball, Kannapolis put up six hits, with Ryan Burrowes and Miguel Santos, as the two players with a multi-hit game — including a home run in the fourth from Santos, his first as a Cannon Baller!

They got on base plenty by also walking six times, but only went 2-for-12 with RISP, so the game probably shouldn’t have been as tight as it was. George Wolkow and Ryan Burrowes accounted for the other two runs batted in for Kanny, just enough to sneak away with the win.

Poll

Who was the MVP for the Cannon Ballers?

This poll is closed

  • 50%

    Justin Sinibaldi: 5 IP, 2 H, R, BB, 5 K, W

    (32 votes)

  • 11%

    Grant Umberger: 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 5 K, H

    (7 votes)

  • 0%

    Aric McAtee: 1 IP, H, 2 K, H

    (0 votes)

  • 0%

    Morris Austin: IP, 2 H, R, BB, K, S

    (0 votes)

  • 7%

    George Wolkow: 1-for-4, RBI, 2 K, SB

    (5 votes)

  • 28%

    Miguel Santos: 2-for-3, HR, R, RBI, BB,

    (18 votes)

  • 0%

    Nate Archer: 1-for-4, 2B, R, K, diving play in left

    (0 votes)

  • 1%

    Ryan Burrowes: 2-for-4, RBI, SB

    (1 vote)



63 votes total

Vote Now

Poll

Who was the Cold Cat for the Ballers?

This poll is closed

  • 5%

    Chase Bonemer: 0-for-3, BB, SB

    (3 votes)

  • 83%

    Mikey Kane: 0-for-3, BB, K

    (47 votes)

  • 10%

    Abraham Núñez: 0-for-3, BB, 2 K, 2 SB, great catch in CF

    (6 votes)



56 votes total

Vote Now

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Jason Borchin named Nevada Women’s Volleyball Head Coach

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RENO, Nev. – Jason Borchin, who helped lead Cal Poly Women’s Volleyball to back-to-back Big West titles and an NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 appearance in 2025, has been named the next Nevada Women’s Volleyball head coach, Director of Athletics Stephanie Rempe announced Monday.

Borchin spent 10 years and nine seasons (the 2020 season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic) over two separate stints at Cal Poly, serving as assistant coach from 2015-17, then returning to the Mustangs from 2019-25, serving as recruiting coordinator that whole period and adding the associate head coach title in 2025.

During Borchin’s tenure in San Luis Obispo, the Mustangs posted a combined 184-86 record with two Big West regular-season titles, two runners-up, and five third-place finishes in the standings along with three NCAA Tournament appearances (2017, 2019, 2025). The Mustangs picked up at least one win in each of those three postseason appearances, most recently scoring upsets of No. 5 seed BYU and No. 4 seed USC in Los Angeles to reach the Sweet 16 in Lexington, Kentucky.

“We are thrilled to welcome Jason Borchin and his family to the Wolf Pack. He brings a wealth of experience, having cut his teeth at the club level and worked alongside several highly-respected coaches. Growing up and starting his career in our region gives him a deep understanding of the culture and talent here. Known for his elite training in the gym, his ability to build strong rosters, and his extensive recruiting ties in California, Jason is exactly the leader we need to elevate our program and compete at the highest level in the Mountain West,” Rempe said.

Cal Poly finished Big West play with a winning record in each of the nine seasons with Borchin on staff, going 120-38 including a perfect 16-0 mark in 2017. Since the advent of the Big West Women’s Volleyball Championship in 2023, the Mustangs have gone 4-2 at the event and won the title in 2025.

“I am honored to be named the Head Women’s Volleyball Coach at the University of Nevada. I want to thank President Brian Sandoval, Athletic Director Stephanie Rempe and the University administration for their trust in me and belief in my vision for this program,” Borchin said. “This is an incredible opportunity for my family and me, to be part of a University with such a strong tradition and bright future. Nevada has tremendous potential to compete in the Mountain West Conference and I’m excited to get to work building a program our players, alumni, and fans can be proud of. Go Pack!”

Between his stints at Cal Poly, Borchin spent the 2018 season on the staff at Notre Dame. Prior to his first stint with the Mustangs, Borchin began his collegiate coaching career as a volunteer assistant with Sacramento State in 2007 and became a full-time assistant coach in 2010. In 2007, the Hornets went 29-8, capturing the Big Sky tournament title and defeating Minnesota in the NCAA Tournament First Round at Stanford.

In addition to his indoor coaching duties, Borchin also served as co-head coach of the Sacramento State beach volleyball program for its first three seasons (2013-15).

Borchin coached club volleyball in the Sacramento area for 10 years and was the head coach of the Northern California Volleyball Club (NCVC) Girls 18s team that earned a fifth-place finish at the Junior Nationals in Dallas. His club head coaching background began during the 2005-06 season with the High Impact Girls 14s team.

A native of Roseville, Calif. and a graduate of Oakmont High School, Borchin boasts a total of 18 years of coaching experience between the intercollegiate, high school and club levels.

Borchin’s collegiate playing career included two seasons with the Hornets, earning All-Big Sky first-team and team MVP honors in 2006 and was a second-team all-conference selection in 2007. He then transferred to Pacific, where he played in 86 career matches from 2008-10 and was consistently among the team’s top five players in kills, finishing his playing career with 611 kills, 423 digs, 142 blocks and 59 aces.

Borchin graduated from Pacific in 2010 with a degree in sports sciences.



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Nevada hires Cal Poly associate head coach Jason Borchin to run volleyball program

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Nevada hired Jason Borchin, the associate head coach at Cal Poly, to run its volleyball program Monday.

Borchin helped Cal Poly win back-to-back Big West titles with an NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 appearance last season. Borchin spent nine seasons over two stints with the Mustangs, serving as assistant coach from 2015-17 before returning to the Mustangs from 2019-25 where he was the team’s recruiting coordinator before adding the associate head coach title in 2025.

During Borchin’s tenure in San Luis Obispo, the Mustangs posted a 184-86 record with eight top-three Big West finishes and three NCAA Tournament berths, those coming in 2017, 2019 and 2025. The Mustangs advanced in each of those tournaments, most recently upsetting No. 5 seed BYU and No. 4 seed USC in Los Angeles to reach the Sweet 16.

“We are thrilled to welcome Jason Borchin and his family to the Wolf Pack,” Nevada athletic director Stephanie Rempe said in a news release. “He brings a wealth of experience, having cut his teeth at the club level and worked alongside several highly-respected coaches. Growing up and starting his career in our region gives him a deep understanding of the culture and talent here. Known for his elite training in the gym, his ability to build strong rosters and his extensive recruiting ties in California, Jason is exactly the leader we need to elevate our program and compete at the highest level in the Mountain West.”

Between his stints at Cal Poly, Borchin spent the 2018 season at Notre Dame. Borchin began his college coaching career as a volunteer assistant with Sacramento State in 2007 and became a full-time assistant coach in 2010. In 2007, the Hornets went 29-8, capturing the Big Sky Tournament title and defeating Minnesota in the NCAA Tournament first round. In addition to his indoor coaching duties, Borchin also served as co-head coach of the Sacramento State beach volleyball program from 2013-15 when the team went 11-23 overall in its first three seasons of existence.

“I am honored to be named the head women’s volleyball coach at the University of Nevada,” Jason Borchin said in a news release. “I want to thank President Brian Sandoval, athletic director Stephanie Rempe and the university administration for their trust in me and belief in my vision for this program. This is an incredible opportunity for my family and me to be part of a university with such a strong tradition and bright future. Nevada has tremendous potential to compete in the Mountain West Conference, and I’m excited to get to work building a program our players, alumni and fans can be proud of. Go Pack!”

A native of nearby Roseville, Calif., Borchin has 18 years of coaching experience between the college, high school and club levels. Borchin played two seasons at Sacramento State, earning first-team All-Big Sky and team MVP honors in 2006. He was second-team all-conference in 2007. He then transferred to Pacific where he played in 86 matches from 2008-10 and was among the team’s top-five players in kills.

Borchin coached club volleyball in the Sacramento area for 10 years and was the head coach of the Northern California Volleyball Club Girls 18s team that earned a fifth-place finish at the Junior Nationals in Dallas. His club head-coaching background began during the 2005-06 season with the High Impact Girls 14s team.

Borchin replaces Shannon Wyckoff-McNeal, who quit earlier this month two seasons into a five-year contract. He inherits a Wolf Pack program that has struggled in recent decades.

Nevada reached five NCAA Tournaments from 1998-2005 but has posted just three winning records in the last 20 seasons, those coming in 2007, 2016 and 2019. The Wolf Pack has finished second-to-last in the MW in 2024 and 2025 with last-place finishes in 2018, 2020, 2021 and 2023, meaning Nevada has placed in the bottom two of the MW in five of the last six seasons.

Last year, Nevada went 8-20 overall and 4-14 in the MW while winning just 17 sets in 18 conference matches. The Wolf Pack’s best conference finish since moving to the MW in 2012 is fifth place. While the MW’s top-three teams this year — Utah State, Colorado State, Boise State — are moving to the Pac-12 in 2026, MW additions UTEP (16th in RPI) and UC Davis (48th) were elite this season with Hawaii (161st) historically excellent.

The Wolf Pack is scheduled to return just two starters from last season (Kamryn Tifft and Jess Walkenhorst) after the transfers of Haylee Brown (Grand Canyon), Audrey Jensen (UConn) and Kinsley Singleton (Oklahoma). Nevada’s home arena, Virginia Street Gym, has seen recent upgrades with a new video board installed before the 2024 season and new playing surface before the 2025 campaign.



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Jason Borchin Accepts Head Coaching Position at Nevada

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SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — Cal Poly volleyball associate head coach and recruiting coordinator Jason Borchin — who helped the Mustangs reach the NCAA Tournament three times during his time with the program — was named the next head coach of the University of Nevada volleyball program on Monday.

Borchin spent nine seasons on the Cal Poly coaching staff across a pair of stints (2015-17, 2018-25), aiding the Mustangs to an 187-86 overall record, two Big West regular season championships and a conference tournament title during his tenure with the program.

“I’m incredibly proud that what we’ve built together here at Cal Poly has opened doors for Jason and his family,” Cal Poly volleyball head coach Caroline Walters said. “We’ve been together for more than half of my coaching career, and that’s a testament to the quality of work he does, but speaks even more to the person, coach, and friend he is. Jason has made a lasting impact on our program, and while he’ll be missed, we’re excited for him as he takes this next step. We wish Jason, Jessie, Colt, Vaughn, and Beckett nothing but the best as they embrace this new challenge at Nevada.”

Borchin, who was promoted to associate head coach for the Mustangs prior to the 2024 season, helped the program reach historic heights in his final season this fall. After defeating No. 1 seed UC Davis to capture the Big West Tournament Championship and punch its ticket to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2019, Cal Poly took down No. 5 seed BYU and then No. 4 seed USC — both in five sets — to advance to the Sweet 16 for the seventh time in program history and the first time since 2007.

The Mustangs were the lone unseeded team to reach the Third Round in this year’s NCAA Tournament, serving as the country’s Cinderella story. Cal Poly finished the year ranked No. 21 in the nation, its highest ranking to end a season in 18 years and the first time since 2018 the team ended a season nationally ranked.

After serving as a full-time assistant coach on the Sacramento State volleyball staff for five seasons (2010-14), Borchin joined the Cal Poly staff for the first time in 2015 as an assistant. While serving under then head coach Sam Crosson for three seasons, Borchin aided the Mustangs to a Big West regular season championship and an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2017.

In 2018, Borchin served as an assistant coach at Notre Dame before returning to Cal Poly in 2019 to be an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for the Mustangs during Walters’ first season as the head coach. Borchin served in that role for four seasons before being elevated to associate head coach in 2024, helping Cal Poly capture a Big West regular season title and a conference tournament championship in his final two seasons.

Across his nine seasons with the program, the Mustangs saw 42 players earn All-Big West Team honors, eight named to the All-Big West Freshman Team, seven secure All-Region praise and four grab AVCA All-American status.

Prior to beginning his coaching career as a volunteer assistant at Sacramento State in 2007, Borchin played for the Hornets’ men’s team for two seasons (2006-07) before transferring to Pacific, where he appeared in 86 matches from 2008-10. The Roseville, Calif. native graduated from Pacific in 2010 with a degree in sports sciences.



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Track & Field Releases 2026 Schedule

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BABSON PARK, Mass.— After a 2025 spring season that was highlighted by four All-East region selections and one athlete competing at the NCAA Championships, Babson College veteran head men’s and women’s track & field coach Russ Brennen officially announced the 2026 schedule on Monday.

For the second year in a row, the Beavers will open the season in Myrtle Beach, S.C., at the Alan Connie Shamrock Invitational on March 19-21. The Green and White come back to New England for the UMass Dartmouth Corsair Invitational on March 28.

Babson starts a busy month of April at the Coast Guard Invitational in New London, Conn., on April 4. The Beavers will be in Medford, Mass. the following weekend, beginning with day one of the Tufts Multi-Meet on April 10 and day two as part of the Tufts Invitational on April 11. The Green and White will wrap up the regular season at MIT’s annual Sean Collier Invitational on April 18.

The post-season begins with the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) Championships at Coast Guard on April 24-25. The Division III New England Championships are slated for May 1-2 in Springfield, Mass.

Top qualifying competitors will go to the Farley Inter Regional Meet at Williams College on May 8-9. Selected Beavers will compete in the Last Chance qualifying meet at MIT on May 14, attempting to qualify for the NCAA national championships, which are at Veteran’s Memorial Field Sports Complex in La Crosse, Wisc. on May 21-24.

 



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Men’s Volleyball No. 2 In Big West Preseason Poll

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IRVINE, Calif. – The University of Hawai’i men’s volleyball team was picked second in the preseason Big West coaches’ poll while a trio of Rainbow Warriors were named to the seven-member preseason team – setter Tread Rosenthal, outside hitter Adrien Roure, and opposite Kristian Titriyski.
 
UH received 22 total points and trailed preseason favorite Long Beach State (24 points, 4 first-place votes). UC Irvine (21 points) was third followed by a three-way tie for fourth between CSUN (9), UC San Diego (9), and UC Santa Barbara (9).
 
Hawai’i returns five starters — Tread Rosenthal, Adrien Roure, Kristian Titriyski, Justin Todd, and Louis Sakanoko — and 12 lettermen from last year’s squad that finished 27-6 and advanced to the NCAA Championship semifinals. Rosenthal and Roure were AVCA first-team All-Americans while Titriyski was named to the second team.
 
LBSU had two players on the preseason team – Alex Kandev and Skyler Varga – while UCSB (George Bruening) and CSUN (Jalen Phillips) both had one.
 
The Rainbow Warriors, who captured their fourth Big West Championship title last season, were picked No. 2 in the AVCA Preseason Top 20 Coaches poll behind UCLA. Hawai’i garnered seven first place votes, two more than Long Beach State, who was third.
 
2026 Big West Preseason Coaches’ Poll
Rk. Team – Points (1st Place Votes)
1. Long Beach State – 24 (4)
2. Hawai’i – 22 (2)
3. UC Irvine – 17
T4. CSUN – 9
T4. UC San Diego – 9
T4. UC Santa Barbara – 9
 
2026 Big West Preseason Coaches’ Team
George Bruening, R-So., Outside Hitter, UC Santa Barbara, Newport Beach, Calif.
Alex Kandev, So., Outside Hitter, Long Beach State, Sofia, Bulgaria
Jalen Phillips, R-Jr., Opposite Hitter, CSUN, Anaheim, Calif.
Tread Rosenthal, Jr., Setter, Hawai’i, Austin, Texas
Adrien Roure, So, Outside Hitter, Hawai’i, Lyon, France
Kristian Titriyski, So., Opposite Hitter, Hawai’i, Sofia, Bulgaria
Skyler Varga, R-Sr., Opposite Hitter, Long Beach State, Muenster, Saskatchewan
 
 

#HawaiiMVB

 
 



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Phillips Named to Preseason Coaches’ Team, CSUN Picked to Tie for Fourth

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IRVINE, Calif. – Redshirt junior Jalen Phillips was named to the Preseason Coaches’ Team, while CSUN Men’s Volleyball earned nine points to tie for fourth as the 2026 Big West Men’s Volleyball Preseason Coaches’ Poll and preseason awards were announced Monday, Dec. 29.

Phillips earned a nod to the preseason team for the first time, joining George Bruening of UC Santa Barbara, Alex Kandev and Skyler Varga of Long Beach State, along with Tread Rosenthal, Adrien Roure, and Kristian Titriyski of Hawai’i on the Preseason Coaches’ Team.

Phillips, a first-team AVCA All-America and first-team All-Big West selection in 2025, became the first Matador named to the AVCA first-team since Kevin McKniff and Jacek Ratazczak in 2010. He was a three-time Big West Offensive Player of the Week (Jan. 20, Feb. 24, Apr. 14) last season, leading CSUN with a career-high 456 kills, while averaging 4.22 kills per set, which ranked second in the Big West and fourth in the nation. Phillips also finished his sophomore season ranked third in the Big West in points, averaging 4.81 per set, and was 13th in hitting percentage at .293.MVB_Big West Preaseason_26

In the Preseason Poll, the Matadors received nine points from the conference’s head coaches and were predicted to tie for fourth with UC San Diego and UC Santa Barbara, which also received nine points.

Defending national champions Long Beach State earned the top spot in the poll for the second straight season, picking up four first-place votes and 24 total points in the voting. Hawai’i earned the other two first-place votes and 22 total points for second, with UC Irvine earning 17 points for third. With nine points, the trio of the Matadors, Tritons, and Gauchos round out the polling in the vote by the league’s six head coaches.

“I’m sure the Big West will be exactly what we expect it to be; it’s the best volleyball conference in the country,” said head coach Theo Edwards. “All six Big West teams are ranked in the preseason top-20 of the AVCA national poll, so I know the guys on this team will embrace the challenge ahead and are poised to make some noise in the Big West this season.”

As they’ve done 21 times in the last 22 seasons, the Matadors open the season at the annual UCSB Invitational at Robertson Gym. CSUN will meet Maryville University, Harvard, and Kentucky State over the three-day tournament, which runs from Jan. 8-10.

In addition to Phillips, CSUN returns a host of starters in 2026, including outside hitter Joao Avila, middle blockers Joao Favarim and Shane Nhem, and libero Chris Karnezis. The Matadors also welcome a talented group of newcomers in 2026, including redshirt sophomore setter Owen Douphner, who steps in for departed senior All-American Donovan Constable.

 

The Hawaiian Islands presents the 2026 Outrigger Big West Men’s Volleyball Championship at the Bren Events Center on the campus of UC Irvine from April 23-25, 2026. All six conference members will vie for The Big West’s automatic berth into the national postseason bracket. 

#GoMatadors



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