Kitty Malcolm Named 2025 Woman of the Year Kathleen “Kitty” Malcolm has been named the Woman’s Club of Laguna Beach’s 2025 Woman of the Year. She will be honored at a luncheon on Friday, June 20, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Woman’s Club clubhouse at 286 St. Ann’s Drive, Laguna Beach. “The […]
Kathleen “Kitty” Malcolm has been named the Woman’s Club of Laguna Beach’s 2025 Woman of the Year. She will be honored at a luncheon on Friday, June 20, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Woman’s Club clubhouse at 286 St. Ann’s Drive, Laguna Beach. “The Woman’s Club members nominate and vote for a woman from our community who has made a significant contribution—whether through philanthropic, civic, charitable, or nonprofit activities,” said Debbie Brown, president of the Woman’s Club. The annual award was first presented to Sande St. John in 1995. Malcolm will be the 29th recipient of the honor.
LBBC May Speaker: Mayor Alex Rounaghi
Laguna Beach Mayor Alex Rounaghi is scheduled to speak at the Laguna Beach Business Club’s May 15 meeting on the state of the city. The LBBC holds monthly breakfast meetings starting at 7:30 a.m., featuring speakers who discuss valuable topics for achieving personal and professional success.
Club meetings begin with a buffet breakfast and a brief networking roundtable. Meetings are hosted at Nirvana Kitchen + Pantry, 303 Broadway St., #101, Laguna Beach, CA 92651. Non-members are welcome. The non-member guest fee is $30, payable by Venmo or cash/check made out to the Laguna Beach Business Club on the day of the meeting. Space is limited, so guests should be sure to receive RSVP confirmation. For more information about the LBBC or to register to attend the meeting, please either visit our website at lagunabeachbusinessclub.com or write to us at Info@LagunaBeachBusinessClub.com.
Flourish and Bloom at Hortense Miller Garden
Artist Carole Boller, an award-winning artist from Laguna Beach, has created an informative and fun “Flourish & Bloom” Painting Workshop for tomorrow, May 10, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Hortense Miller Garden. It’s fun and affordable, just $10 for materials and free if you bring your own supplies: acrylic colors: lemon yellow, cadmium deep yellow, cadmium orange, phthalocyanine blue, ultramarine blue, cadmium red deep, quinacridone rose, and white; canvas panel; brushes of your choice; palette knives; a palette; paper towels; and a container for water or turpentine if you’re working in oil. Carole Boller is a Laguna Beach festival and award-winning artist. Reservations can be made at hortensemillergarden.org.
Community Rallies Behind Beloved Water Polo Coach
A cornerstone of the Laguna Beach community was injured after being hit by a car while walking his two dogs. When the incident occurred, coach Chad Beeler was walking Penny and Kona on April 21. He sustained multiple injuries, including a broken clavicle. Sadly, his dog, Penny, was killed in the accident.
“Chad has been a cornerstone of the Laguna Beach community for over 30 years. He’s taught, coached, and mentored generations of local kids—as a longtime Laguna Beach lifeguard, head of the Junior Lifeguard Program, coach for many LBHS water polo teams, director of Laguna Beach Water Polo Club, and the heart behind countless summer beach camps for our littlest locals,” his GoFundMe reads. “If you know Coach Chad, you know how much those dogs mean to him—they were always by his side, often making appearances on the pool deck and bringing smiles to all the young swimmers.” A GoFundMe was set up to help Beeler with unexpected costs and the loss of his dog. To donate, visit gofundme.com and search “Chad Beeler.”
Memorial Day Ceremony at Heisler Park to Honor Fallen Service Members
American Legion Post 222 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5868 will host a Memorial Day ceremony on Monday, May 26, at 11 a.m. at Monument Point in Heisler Park. The event honors those who lost their lives while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces across all wars and conflicts. Pastor Greg Munck, a retired Gulf War Marine, author, and co-founder of Crossline Community Church in Laguna Hills, will be the keynote speaker. Local organizations and individuals will place floral offerings at the Heisler Park Memorial Monument as part of the ceremony. For more information, contact American Legion Auxiliary member Sandi Werthe at (949) 494-6016 or shworthy@cox.net.
Susi Q Seeks Donations Ahead of May Bargain Bonanza Fundraiser
The Susi Q Senior Center is preparing for its biannual Bargain Bonanza sale, set for Friday, May 16, from 8 a.m. to noon, and Saturday, May 17, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The community event promises a wide variety of quality items at low prices, with proceeds supporting older adults and students. Organizers are currently accepting donations of new or gently used items including jewelry, tableware, purses, kitchenware, household goods, and collectibles. Please note that apparel, furniture, stemware and oversized items will not be accepted.
Donations can be dropped off Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. and noon, through May 15 at the Susi Q Senior Center, located at 380 Third Street in Laguna Beach.
Proceeds from the sale will purchase Bingo prizes for seniors and contribute to scholarships for Laguna Beach High School students.
For more information, contact Christine Brewer at christineb@thesusiq.org or call (949) 715-8105.
Top Moments: Daily Bruin Sports recap UCLA Athletics’ 2024-2025 season highlights
UCLA Athletics’ first year in the Big Ten didn’t affect its ability to win conference – and national honors. Whether it was individual accolades or program banners, the 2024-2025 campaign was full of bright moments. Daily Bruin Sports shines a spotlight on the best moments from the year. Gymnastics wins Big Ten championshipsHannah Westerhold, Daily […]
UCLA Athletics’ first year in the Big Ten didn’t affect its ability to win conference – and national honors. Whether it was individual accolades or program banners, the 2024-2025 campaign was full of bright moments. Daily Bruin Sports shines a spotlight on the best moments from the year.
Gymnastics wins Big Ten championships Hannah Westerhold, Daily Bruin Contributor
UCLA gymnastics celebrates after winning the Big Ten tournament as junior Jordan Chiles holds the trophy. (Brianna Carlson/Daily Bruin senior staff)
“Ten, ten, ten!”
The chants from the crowd, coaches and teammates after Brooklyn Moors steps off the floor are almost as expected as the graduate student’s precise execution of her choreography.
But the judges never answered the chants. That is, until it mattered most.
UCLA headed to Ann Arbor on March 22, where Moors and junior Jordan Chiles brought UCLA’s inaugural Big Ten Championships to a poetic close, securing victory with a tandem of perfect scores. They weren’t the first Bruins to reach perfection that night – junior Ciena Alipio started the wave of 10s with the first perfect score of her career on beam.
But Michigan State, Minnesota and Michigan prevented a clean sweep for UCLA. Despite owning the Big Ten regular season title, the Bruins stood in second place for the first two rotations of the Big Ten championships – even after tying their season-high 49.350 on vault.
Heading to beam, UCLA needed to narrow the margin. And it delivered – recording five scores of 9.925 or higher. The Bruins notched a season-high beam total of 49.750, raising their old record by .125.
The Bruins approached the floor, still trailing the Spartans. Sophomore Katelyn Rosen led the rotation with a 9.875 mark, boosting the Bruins’ momentum. With each routine, UCLA matched or raised the previous mark.
UCLA’s 198.450 was over 1.000 above its season average and marked UCLA’s fourth-highest score in school history. The Bruins set a standard of excellence in their new conference, earning the highest team score in Big Ten championships history.
Men’s water polo wins NCAA championship Una O’Farrell, Daily Bruin senior staff
UCLA men’s water polo celebrates by jumping in the pool after winning the 2024 NCAA championship. (Courtesy of UCLA Athletics)
UCLA men’s water polo entered the 2024 season with something to prove.
After securing a perfect preseason and conference record in 2023, MPSF and NCAA titles seemed inevitable for last year’s squad.
But after narrow one and two-point defeats in the MPSF semifinal and the NCAA final, respectively, the Bruins fell short.
With a revamped roster, UCLA entered 2024 with renewed potential. The return of veteran contributors and the arrival of Olympic-level talent positioned the team as a top contender from the outset.
Freshman attacker Ryder Dodd joined the team after competing in the 2024 Paris Olympics, where he and Team USA won bronze. Redshirt junior attacker Chase Dodd also returned to the roster after taking the 2023 season off to train with the national team and compete in the Olympics.
But after a close loss in the 2024 MPSF final, it seemed the Bruins would repeat history.
But this time, UCLA finished the job.
The Bruins defeated USC 11-8 in the NCAA championship game at Stanford’s Avery Aquatic Center, clinching their 13th national title in program history and UCLA’s 124th NCAA championship overall.
The victory also marked coach Adam Wright’s fifth NCAA championship with the men’s program and his second national title in the 2024 calendar year, having led the women’s team to a championship in May.
Men’s tennis wins Big Ten tournament title Chloe Agas, Daily Bruin Staff
UCLA men’s tennis players celebrate on the court after clinching the Big Ten tournament title over Ohio State. (Nicolas Greamo/Daily Bruin senior staff)
Ohio State hadn’t lost since 2022 Big Ten title match.
Just a few weeks before the 2025 conference title contest, the Bruins fell to the Buckeyes in a 4-0 sweep on the latter’s home courts. But instead of breaking them, the loss became a turning point as they finished out the season.
Riding a seven-match winning streak and seeded at No. 2 for the Big Ten tournament, coach Billy Martin’s squad found themselves back on the red and black courts in Columbus – in a battle for the program’s first Big Ten title.
With the April 27 match tied at 3-3, senior and captain Alexander Hoogmartens delivered a three-set win against Jack Anthrop, handing the Buckeye his first loss since Feb. 14. All eyes turned to Emon van Loben Sels and Buckeye Alexander Bernard facing off in the deciding match.
The Bruins – who suffered defeat earlier in the season – now had a chance to write a new ending. All of the losses, doubts and close calls stacked up as van Loben Sels carried a potential Big Ten title for the Bruins on his shoulders.
The redshirt sophomore entered this year with just eight singles match appearances from the 2023-24 season. He finished the 2024-25 season with 28 match appearances – 17 on court two – and a 14-4 singles record.
Van Loben Sels stepped up to the baseline to serve for the match point. Both players shuffled at the net, as both teams stood on either side, spectating the ongoing rally. Then, Bernard struck a forehand that went out of bounds upwards into the air.
And in that moment – time stood still.
After a three-and-a half hour battle, van Loben Sels dropped his racket, raised his fists and collapsed to the ground as his teammates surrounded him and cheered.
In their first ever appearance at the tournament, they won it all.
Now, the team that began the season as underdogs hoisted the trophy.
Women’s basketball makes first Final Four since 1978 Ava Abrishamchian, Daily Bruin Staff
UCLA women’s basketball celebrates as confetti falls down after they won the Elite Eight matchup to advance to the Final Four. (Aidan Sun/Assistant Photo editor)
UCLA women’s basketball etched itself into Westwood’s history books in a year filled with both milestones and heartbreak.
Under coach Cori Close’s leadership, the Bruins roared through their inaugural Big Ten season, rattled off 23 straight wins and held the No. 1 national ranking for 12 weeks – both program records.
However, claiming the Big Ten tournament title was not the Bruins’ only historic feat.
It was UCLA’s Final Four appearance – the school’s first during the NCAA era – that will define the legacy of the 2024-2025 squad.
The Bruins’ tournament run was powered by a deep bench, the interior dominance of junior center and 2025 Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Lauren Betts, the leadership of junior guard Kiki Rice, and the breakout performances of transfers like Timea Gardiner and Janiah Barker.
In the Elite Eight, UCLA avenged its 2024 March Madness loss to LSU with a 72-65 win, showcasing poise and grit when it mattered most. It was junior guard Gabriela Jaquez who stepped up for the Bruins, shooting 80% from beyond the arc to help punch the team’s ticket to Tampa.
But a dynasty – led by the soon-to-be No. 1 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft Paige Bueckers – awaited UCLA in Florida. UConn, under the purview of coaching legend Geno Auriemma, dismantled the top-seeded Bruins 85-51 in a semifinal that hurt to watch. It was the largest loss in Final Four history and a brutal punctuation on an otherwise extraordinary campaign.
Still, the Bruins didn’t let the scoreboard define the team’s legacy. And they shouldn’t.
The season was about more than one night in March. It was about the program rising to the occasion and rewriting its own ceilings. Though it left Tampa without a trophy, UCLA set a new standard for itself – a standard it will undoubtedly be looking to exceed next year.
Men’s tennis defeats USC in super regional Kai Dizon, Daily Bruin Senior Staff
It wasn’t just rough sailing for coach Billy Martin’s relatively young and inexperienced crew to begin 2025.
It was a nosedive.
UCLA’s 4-3 Feb. 22 loss to USC completed an early four-match losing streak and a 2-6 start to the 2025 campaign – UCLA’s worst ever under Martin.
But the Bruins turned things around in conference play, firing off six straight wins before heading to the other side of Los Angeles.
With UCLA up 3-2 April 1 at David X. Marks Tennis Stadium, it seemed all but certain that the Bruins would get their revenge after falling in Westwood.
Instead, the Trojans took the final two singles courts, defeating the Bruins 4-3 yet again.
However, after a 4-0 loss to Ohio State the following match, UCLA returned to where they were before USC – the win column.
The Bruins rattled off five more wins to close out the regular season, won three straight in the Big Ten tournament – including a 4-3 upset of the No. 1 seed Buckeyes in Columbus to secure the conference crown – and after narrowly missing out on hosting the first two rounds of the NCAA tournament, secured a spot at super regional after upsetting No. 11 seed California in Berkeley.
For the third time that season, the Bruins had a date with the Trojans – this time, hosting their first-ever super regional at the Los Angeles Tennis Center with a chance to reach the NCAA quarterfinals for the first time since 2018.
This time, UCLA wouldn’t disappoint.
Despite dropping the doubles point on a court-three tiebreaker, the Bruins stormed back with four wins in singles.
And with the match tied at 3-3, sophomore Spencer Johnson – who missed the two previous crosstown bouts due to injury – delivered the final blow, defeating Volodymyr Iakubenko 6-7(6), 6-4, 6-4 and securing UCLA its spot in Waco, Texas.
Women’s basketball defeats USC in Big Ten finals Noah Massey, Daily Bruin staff
UCLA women’s basketball celebrates with the trophy after winning the Big Ten tournament over crosstown rivals USC. (Darlene Sanzon/Daily Bruin senior staff)
Only one team had managed to best an otherwise undefeated Bruin squad – it’s crosstown rival.
And they had already done it twice.
To make matters worse, USC stole the Big Ten regular season title in its final matchup with UCLA at Pauley Pavilion.
So when the Bruins trailed by 13 points in the third quarter of the Big Ten tournament championship, it appeared that the Trojans would solidify themselves as the Bruins’ Achilles’ heel.
In their two victories, the Trojans strung together lengthy fourth-quarter scoring runs to extinguish the Bruins’ chances of emerging triumphant.
This time, it was the Bruins who went on a late run.
UCLA outscored USC 20-13 in the fourth quarter, turning a two-point deficit at the start of the fourth into a five-point advantage.
The Bruin defense clamped down on the Trojan offense, limiting guard JuJu Watkins to nine fourth quarter points.
UCLA held on to its narrow lead for the remainder of the contest to win the Big Ten tournament in its inaugural season – its first conference tournament victory since 2006.
With the victory over the Trojans boosting their resume, the Bruins earned the top seed in the NCAA tournament and went on to make a run to the Final Four – their deepest tournament run in program history.
Men’s basketball and football hit transfer jackpot Ira Gorawara, Daily Bruin senior staff
UCLA men’s basketball coach Mick Cronin (left) stands on the sideline and yells to the court. UCLA football coach DeShaun Foster stands and looks onto the field. (Aidan Sun/Assistant Photo editor)
If college sports had a version of free agency, UCLA played it like the Los Angeles Lakers.
Because by the end of the respective transfer portal windows, both the Rose Bowl and Pauley Pavilion had new headliners.
DeShaun Foster – the charismatic leader, culture-setter and technical maestro that he is – landed Nico Iamaleava, the top prospect in the portal and highest-ranked quarterback in program history. A Downey, California, local, Iamaleava ensured his homecoming was both a reunion and a revival.
For him, a return to roots. For Westwood, a jolt of swagger, a swelling sense of renewal and a beast under center.
But the Bruins didn’t stop there. Nico Iamaleava’s younger brother, Madden Iamaleava, joined him from Arkansas, while sophomore playmakers like wide receiver Mikey Matthews and running back Jaivian Thomas turned UCLA’s backfield and pass catching room into an engine potentially built for prime time.
Meanwhile, the no-nonsense mind of Mick Cronin spared no hesitation in reshaping his roster.
In his biggest pull, Cronin also enticed the best player in the transfer portal to Westwood. Donovan Dent – the 2024-2025 Mountain West Player of the Year who averaged 20.4 points a game through the year – will take over the now-departed Dylan Andrews, whose impact had all but faded by season’s end.
And after helping his team to the Big Ten regular season championship, 6-foot-11 sophomore forward/center Xavier Booker – once a top-20 recruit – will be the imposing presence Cronin lost with center Aday Mara’s departure.
The Bruins’ unflinching architect also created homes for senior guard Jamar Brown, who can create shots at will, and junior center Steven Jamerson II.
So in an era of frequent roster turnover and rapid reinvention, UCLA dominated the portal.
Two major programs, two rebuilds and one overarching warning to the rest of the Big Ten: Westwood’s reloaded.
Gymnastics places second at Final Four Hannah Westerhold, Daily Bruin contributor
UCLA gymnastics poses for a photo after placing second at the NCAA championship. (Zimo Li/Daily Bruin senior staff)
Fourth time’s the charm for UCLA when it comes to its former Pac-12 rival.
After the Bruins took last place at their Jan. 4 season opener, they conquered every squad on the road to the national championships – except for one familiar foe.
Utah defeated UCLA three times in the 2025 season – at its regular season dual meet, the second round of the regional and at the regional final. Including the 2025 defeats, the Red Rocks dominated every dual meet for the past six years.
For the Bruins, beating the Red Rocks seems to be a key ingredient for postseason success – 2019 marked the last time UCLA defeated Utah in a dual meet and the last time they reached the NCAA Final Four.
While the Bruins didn’t clinch the 2025 regular season win, a second-place finish in the regional final launched the No. 5 seed to the national championships in Fort Worth, Texas – giving UCLA a fourth chance at redemption April 19.
UCLA started on floor – their highest nationally ranked event – tying No. 2 seed Oklahoma for the lead, with No. 4 seed Utah and No. 7 seed Missouri not far behind. The Bruins then moved to the vault, where they dropped to second place.
Meanwhile, the Red Rocks’ meet took a turn for the worse. An uncharacteristic fall from senior Grace McCallum widened the margin between the Bruins in second and the Red Rocks in third. With Utah out of contention, it was between UCLA and Oklahoma for the national title.
UCLA ended on beam, with .3375 standing between them and the lead. Seniors Emily Lee and Emma Malabuyo bookended the rotation with marks higher than 9.900, but the Bruins still counted their lowest beam total since March 2. Oklahoma ended on bars with their lowest event total since Jan. 24 – but it was not enough for a UCLA victory.
Even though the Bruins fell short of the national title, the squad jumped 15 spots from their national finish last season. UCLA also landed its best finish since 2018, ending its season of redemption on a positive note.
Warner Bros. Discovery and the French Tennis Federation extend broadcast agreement for Roland-Garros in Europe until 2030
Andrew Georgiou, president and managing director, WBD Sports Europe [L] and Gilles Moretton, French Tennis Federation president [R] Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) and the French Tennis Federation (FFT) have extended their agreement that will see Roland-Garros continue to be broadcast on its channels and platforms on a pan-European basis including the UK and Ireland (excluding […]
Andrew Georgiou, president and managing director, WBD Sports Europe [L] and Gilles Moretton, French Tennis Federation president [R]
Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) and the French Tennis Federation (FFT) have extended their agreement that will see Roland-Garros continue to be broadcast on its channels and platforms on a pan-European basis including the UK and Ireland (excluding France) until at least 2030.
The new deal, which will extend WBD’s relationship with the FFT to over 40 years, was signed on Sunday 8 June by French Tennis Federation president, Gilles Moretton, and resident and managing director, WBD Sports Europe, Andrew Georgiou, ahead of the afternoon’s men’s singles final at Roland-Garros.
Eurosport, which first broadcast Roland-Garros in 1989, will continue to show the tournament on its linear channels across mainland Europe with TNT Sports the exclusive broadcaster in the UK and Ireland. Coverage of every court will remain available to watch live on its streaming platform HBO Max from 2026**.
TNT Sports and Eurosport’s exclusive live coverage of every match at Roland-Garros is complemented by its commitment to content and telling every story on and off the court across all platforms. Its 360-degree tennis ecosystem expands the storytelling beyond the live action, and its localised social media and digital platforms including TNT Sports and Eurosport – which serve up content in 19 languages across Europe – have amassed in excess of 620 million video views with close to 30 million social media engagements so far at Roland-Garros in 2025.
Whether it’s match reports, highlights, engaging player-led short formats or exclusive bonus content featuring an unrivalled cast of tennis legends and on-air presenters, this immersive and comprehensive approach to storytelling brings fans closer to the action and players competing and plays an integral role in attracting new fans to the sport.
Gilles Moretton, French Tennis Federation president, said: “We are delighted to continue our long-standing partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery, whom we thank for their continued trust – demonstrated by the renewal of this agreement.
“The excellent audience figures for Roland-Garros in Europe are a testament to the FFT’s ability to organise an increasingly appealing tournament, and the ability of Warner Bros. Discovery to promote our tournament to our many European fans. This renewed partnership is a perfect illustration of our growing ambitions on the international stage.”
Andrew Georgiou, president and managing director, WBD Sports Europe, said: “We are thrilled that we will continue to broadcast a tournament that enjoys the prestige and heritage of Roland-Garros and we are delighted that we will continue to deliver live coverage of an event that engages and resonates with millions of viewers across Europe.
“There are not many partnerships in sport that span more than 40 years but, with this deal, we are proud to achieve that milestone and would like to thank the French Tennis Federation for their lasting trust and support for what we do to share the great stories of Roland-Garros with millions of fans each and every year.”
The new long-term agreement deepens WBD’s links with the FFT. In addition to extensive and widespread coverage in Europe, 2025 represents the first edition of Roland-Garros that will be broadcast live on TNT Sports in the US, its streaming platform Max as well as TBC and truTV.
Warner Bros. Discovery registered record numbers in a host of countries – including Italy – after the first 12 days of competition in this year’s edition of Roland-Garros. Record audience numbers were reported in Italy, via Eurosport, owing to the success of local hero Jannik Sinner (record average audience numbers for his fourth round match) as well as the best quarter-final match ever as Sinner beat Alexander Bublik in straight sets. The UK, meanwhile – via TNT Sports – recorded its best ever women’s semi-final in terms of average audience numbers as Aryna Sabalenka defeated reigning champion Iga Swiatek.
On Warner Bros. Discovery’s streaming platforms, double digit increases in terms of unique video viewers have been reported in Italy (36%) and the Netherlands (+46%) with further increases in the UK (+7%) and Germany (+8%) after the first week of competition.
Watch final out of Luke Richards’ no-hitter for END baseball team Luke Richards talks about his no-hitter in a 3-0 win over Richfield Springs/ODY in a Section 4 Class D baseball quarterfinal May 23, 2025. Makenna Keough will compete in track and field at St. John Fisher University, while Luke Richards will play baseball at […]
Watch final out of Luke Richards’ no-hitter for END baseball team
Luke Richards talks about his no-hitter in a 3-0 win over Richfield Springs/ODY in a Section 4 Class D baseball quarterfinal May 23, 2025.
Makenna Keough will compete in track and field at St. John Fisher University, while Luke Richards will play baseball at Alfred State.
Madelyn Crossley committed to equestrian at Midway University, Zoey McClelland will play soccer at Keuka College, and Maggie Moore will compete in track and field at Allegheny College.
Elmira Notre Dame High School paid tribute to five seniors at its annual signing celebration June 5 at the school’s auditorium.
The signees:
Makenna Keough, St. John Fisher University for track & field: Keough recently broke her own outdoor school record in the 100-meter hurdles and won the hurdles and triple jump at this year’s Section 4 Class D meet.
During the indoor season, she took second in the 55 hurdles, long jump and triple jump at the Section 4 state qualifier.
In soccer, she was an all-state pick as a senior after helping the Crusaders win the Section 4 Class C title.
Luke Richards, Alfred State for baseball: Richards has eight career no-hitters, a school record, including one in this year’s Section 4 Class D tournament. He also holds the school record with more than 350 strikeouts.
Richards helped the Crusaders to the Section 4 Class D title this season and also played soccer and basketball at the school.
Madelyn Crossley, Midway University for equestrian: Crossley has committed to compete in Western riding at the Kentucky university and plans to study equine rehabilitation. She has been riding horses since she was 4 years old.
Midway’s team qualified for the International Horse Shows Association nationals this past season.
Zoey McClelland, Keuka College for soccer: McClelland was part of Notre Dame’s sectional championship in 2024. She was a four-year starter for the Crusaders and also competed in indoor and outdoor track & field.
McClelland was a captain for her Soaring Capital Soccer Club team for two years and part of a Thruway League championship.
Maggie Moore, Allegheny College for track & field: Moore took first place in the shot put in Division I at the Interscholastic Athletic Conference championships this spring. She placed fifth in the shot put at the Section 4 Class D championships. She also played basketball for the Crusaders.
Cooper Robinson credits family, friends for decorated volleyball career
Many recruited athletes explore their options before committing to a college. Cooper Robinson always knew he belonged at UCLA. “I grew up loving the school,” Robinson, who has donned blue-and-gold merchandise since childhood, said. “I always had a hunch that I would be a Bruin.” The UCLA men’s volleyball redshirt junior outside hitter, who plans […]
Many recruited athletes explore their options before committing to a college.
Cooper Robinson always knew he belonged at UCLA.
“I grew up loving the school,” Robinson, who has donned blue-and-gold merchandise since childhood, said. “I always had a hunch that I would be a Bruin.”
The UCLA men’s volleyball redshirt junior outside hitter, who plans to play in Japan after he graduates this June, is one of nearly 10 family members who have competed for the Bruins.
Among those relatives, his mom was a swimmer, and his dad played water polo. A handful of aunts, uncles and cousins were similarly involved in UCLA’s sports programs.
Coming from an athletic family, Robinson said he was immersed in sports from an early age, but it was his uncle, Sinjin Smith, who encouraged his pursuit of volleyball.
Smith, a two-time national champion with UCLA, organized beach volleyball camps in western Los Angeles. Robinson said that attending these camps allowed him to play as much volleyball as possible, sparking his passion for the sport.
Redshirt junior outside hitter Cooper Robinson jumps to serve the ball. (Daily Bruin file photo)
Robinson found himself spending time with his older cousin Hagen Smith, a professional beach volleyball player and another former Bruin. Robinson’s two older sisters – whom he also cites as influences guiding him to volleyball – also grew up playing the sport, with Charlie Robinson playing at UC Santa Barbara.
“It’s always been in my blood,” Robinson said. “I was very proud to be able to carry on that legacy.”
But the road to the Pacific Palisades local’s collegiate success – earning the 2025 MPSF Player of the Year award and numerous other accolades – came with adversity.
While other top recruits climbed the ranks of high school club volleyball, Robinson was cut from his first club team at 16 years old.
It wasn’t until a coach at Southern California Volleyball Club took a chance on him – around the same time the now-6-foot-7 outside hitter hit a late growth spurt at 17 and 18 – that Robinson began to tap into his potential.
With the guidance he received there, Robinson found himself on Volleyballmag’s 2020 Boys 25 Underclassmen to Watch List and managed to secure a couple collegiate volleyball offers.
“It was between UCSD, UCLA, but, as soon as I got the offer at UCLA, it was an immediate yes,” Robinson said. “There’s no way to turn down such a great program and such a great school.”
The outside hitter still saw limited playing time during his first two seasons in college despite his growth, redshirting his freshman year in 2022 and earning just two starts in 2023.
Alumnus Ethan Champlin, a fellow outside hitter who mentored Robinson, said, while Robinson had always possessed natural athleticism, embracing a strong work ethic maximized his talent. By his third year on the team, Robinson earned a consistent starting position.
“He had some growing pains his first two years and had to figure out what it means to work hard. He wasn’t the hardest worker when he came into UCLA,” Champlin said. “His senior season he really grew and developed. He knew what he needed to work on, … and it showed this season, taking on a bigger role in terms of in the receiving lineup. And then he was just really good at attack.”
Cooper Robinson (right) and former Bruin outside hitter Ethan Champlin (left) both prepare to receive the ball. Champlin played with Robinson from 2022-2024. (Darlene Sanzon/Daily Bruin senior staff)
Over his four years in Westwood, Robinson has been part of two national title-winning squads. And despite the Bruins’ loss in this year’s NCAA championship match, the squad’s team captain was integral in leading the team to a 22-7 season record while spearheading the third-best hitting percentage in the nation with a 0.367 clip.
Robinson ended his final year on the team with 365 total kills on a .388 clip, boasting double-digit kills in 21 out of his 28 games played. He also earned MPSF Offensive Player of the Week twice and AVCA National Player of the Week honors while being selected to both the All-MPSF and All-American First Teams.
“He’s definitely stepped up big time his last two years and became our main leader, really. And he would always give us pep talks to make sure we’re all in line,” said sophomore outside hitter Luca Curci. “He taught us what it was like to be on the team and be one with the guys.”
UCLA has long been in Robinson’s legacy, home to generations of his relatives. But on the hardwood, Robinson created a new family – one forged not by blood but by bond.
From Champlin and former Bruin Alex Knight, who served as his mentors, to junior setter Andrew Rowan and junior outside hitter Zach Rama, who are his closest friends, Robinson said he’s been fortunate to have a strong support system.
“The one word is ‘family.’ I admire the program and the alumni network and all the great people involved on the court and off the court. I’ve had amazing coaching. I’ve been mentored by some amazing players. I’ve played with some fantastic friends,” Robinson said. “I credit all of my happiness and my ability to keep playing to them.”
Junior setter Andrew Rowan rises to set the ball. Rowan played with Robinson from 2022-2024. (Elizabeth Murray/Daily Bruin)
As Robinson’s chapter at UCLA comes to a close, the decorated men’s volleyball athlete has plans for an illustrious professional career, following in the footsteps of his predecessors.
“I was actually talking with my dad the other day about this,” Robinson said. “When I was younger, he looked at me and was like, ‘Hey, I know this is far-fetched, but you can be an Olympian. You can be one of the best players, blah, blah, blah.’ He instilled this type of confidence in me that I think lingered throughout my career.”
(David Berding/Getty Images) Universities in the United States will be able to start paying their athletes directly from next month, following a historic, and long-awaited, ruling. Subscribe to unlock this article Explore our subscription options to continue reading our industry-leading content! Already have an account? Sign in here 0
Universities in the United States will be able to start paying their athletes directly from next month, following a historic, and long-awaited, ruling.
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