More than a game: how Park City Juniors Volleyball Club is filling a crucial gap for local youth
Park City Juniors Volleyball Club Founders Bethany Johansen Byers(left) and Anna Cmaylo-Acton (right). Photo: Park City Juniors Volleyball Club. Meet Bethany Johansen Byers and Anna Cmaylo-Acton, the founders and coaches of Park City Juniors Volleyball Club. The two friends are both former DI professional volleyball players and reconnected in a very Park City “small-world” moment. […]
Park City Juniors Volleyball Club Founders Bethany Johansen Byers(left) and Anna Cmaylo-Acton (right). Photo: Park City Juniors Volleyball Club.
Meet Bethany Johansen Byers and Anna Cmaylo-Acton, the founders and coaches of Park City Juniors Volleyball Club. The two friends are both former DI professional volleyball players and reconnected in a very Park City “small-world” moment. After recognizing each other around town, Anna approached Bethany in Macey’s Market and they quickly hit it off, sharing a love of volleyball, raising small children, and living in a new mountain town.
They also connected on the topic of youth sports opportunities in Park City. Both Bethany and Anna had chances to learn and play multiple sports throughout their childhoods, primarily through sports teams offered at school where there were no cuts and the coaches were often parents, which helped foster early friendships. Practices were also generally held right after school on campus, which made for easier pickups for parents. In this environment, Anna recalls building friendships, healthy habits, and skills for high school sports later on. Together, Bethany and Anna want to help create a similar environment that allows for youth volleyball skills here in Park City. This is why, about a year ago, they founded Park City Juniors Volleyball Club.
PCJVC’s mission is to provide high-level volleyball training for Park City’s young athletes. Without sports teams offered at middle school, some of Park City’s athletes don’t have a chance to learn the foundational skills of some of the more traditional sports before it’s time to try out for the high school team. PCJVC’s programming focuses on filling the gap between the amazing youth programs offered through Basin Recreation and the competitive teams at Park City High School. Currently, a PCJVC Mini Club season for girls’ volleyball is running from March to May. Here, players aged 11-16 can develop both skills and experience in a fun and competitive environment. In addition to the Mini Club season, Bethany and Anna offer skill clinics and private and semi-private lessons. Next year, Bethany and Anna have plans to extend their girls’ club offering from a “Mini” season to a full club season.
Similar Reads On TownLift
Another goal in the works at PCJVC is to create a boy’s team. As of 2023, young boys living in an area without a dedicated boy’s team are unable to compete since new rules do not allow males on girl teams. Although boy’s volleyball became a sanctioned high school sport in Utah in 2024, without any developmental teams for younger athletes beforehand, the high school teams will likely be made up of players who are learning the basics on the first day of practice. Bethany and Anna want to help bridge this gap by offering developmental programs for boys in Park City. PCJVC is offering a Mini Club program for the boys’ season in the fall of 2025. Bethany and Anna are hoping to generate enough interest in the community to have 12 boys aged 11-16. With a full team, they would happily open a Boys Mini Club program from September to November. If you or your young athlete are interested in joining the Boys Mini Club, please email coach@parkcityjuniorvolleyball.com.
From an impromptu get-together at Macey’s Market to starting their own volleyball club, Bethany and Anna’s mission is clear: to empower our community’s youth in a positive atmosphere through sport.
More information on Park City Junior Volleyball Club can be found at www.parkcityjuniorvolleyball.com
Multiple Wildcats qualify on final day of NCAA track and field prelims | K-State Sports
Five Wildcats qualified for the NCAA Outdoor Championship on Saturday on the final day of the NCAA West Preliminary at E.B. Cushing Stadium in Bryan-College Station, Texas. Senior Shalom Olotu qualified for her second event at nationals in the women’s triple jump, juniors Sharie Enoe and Tamaiah Koonce each earned bids in the women’s high […]
Five Wildcats qualified for the NCAA Outdoor Championship on Saturday on the final day of the NCAA West Preliminary at E.B. Cushing Stadium in Bryan-College Station, Texas.
Senior Shalom Olotu qualified for her second event at nationals in the women’s triple jump, juniors Sharie Enoe and Tamaiah Koonce each earned bids in the women’s high jump and discus, respectively, while fellow juniors Safhia Hinds and Jourdin Edwards collected nods in the women’s 400-meter hurdles.
All five are advancing to the NCAA Outdoor Championship for the first time in their respective careers. Olotu had already qualified in the women’s long jump on Thursday with a new personal-best mark.
With its five national bids on Saturday, Kansas State will send a total of nine athletes in eight events to the NCAA Championship, which is set June 11-14 at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon. They will be joined by senior Monique Hardy (women’s hammer), sophomore Riley Marx (men’s javelin), freshman Selva Prabhu (men’s triple jump) and senior Emil Uhlin (men’s decathlon).
For the second time in three days, Olotu posted a personal-best mark to qualify for her second event at the national meet to place 11th and earn one of the 12 qualifying spots in the triple jump. Her leap of 13.45 meters (44 feet, 1 ½ inches) was not only a personal high but ranks as the No. 5 all-time outdoor mark in K-State history. It is the best performance by any Wildcat in the event in four years since Chantoba Bright recorded a jump of 13.53 meters (44 feet, 4 ¾ inches) at the 2021 Guyana Senior National Championships.
Olotu had already qualified in the long jump on Thursday with a new personal-best mark of 6.44 meters (21 feet, 1 ½ inches) to finish ninth. Her performance ranked as the No. 4 best outdoor mark in school history in the event, as she recorded a new personal best in the event for the first time in two years.
Koonce placed sixth in the discus with a season-best mark of 55.99 meters (183 feet, 8 inches). It was her best throw in the event in more than a year since her personal-best toss of 56.14 meters (184 feet, 2 inches) at the 2024 Ward Haylett Invitational. It was also more than 10 feet better than her effort at the 2025 Big 12 Championship (52.88 meters/173 feet, 6 inches) and nearly 3 feet better than her mark at last year’s West Preliminary.
Enoe continued her impressive spring in the high jump, placing fourth in the event with a mark of 1.84 meters (6 feet, ½ inch). She was one of four athletes to hit 1.84m on her first attempt but placed fourth overall due hitting her previous heights of 1.76 meters (5 feet, 9 ¼ inches) and 1.81 meters (5 feet, 11 ¼ inches) on her second attempt. She has now recorded a mark of 1.8 meters in the high jump in all four outdoor meets, including her season-best mark of 1.88 meters (6 feet, 2 inches) to finish as the runner-up at the 2025 Big 12 Championship.
Enoe will look to replicate her First Team All-America honors in the high jump at the NCAA Indoor Championships, where she tied for eighth place with clearance of 1.85m.
Hinds and Edwards each qualified in the women’s 400-meter hurdles with fourth and seventh-place finishes, respectively, while senior Ludivine Aubert placed 19th with a time of 58.38. Hinds recorded a time of 56.34, which was her second-fastest mark of the season and the fastest since winning the 2025 Big 12 Championship in 55.90 seconds. Edwards ran a personal-best time of 56.73, which represented the fourth- fastest time in K-State’s all-time top-10.
The NCAA Championship kicks off June 11 with Marx in the finals of the men’s javelin and Uhlin in the first five events of the decathlon.
Marquette Volleyball Helps Eliminate Some Questions About The 2025 Roster
In case you missed it, Marquette Golden Eagles volleyball had a coaching change this offseason. Ryan Theis took the head coaching job at Florida, and so Marquette hired Tom Mendoza away from South Carolina, fresh off a season where he beat those same Gators on the way to constructing an NCAA Tournament caliber resume. Of […]
In case you missed it, Marquette Golden Eagles volleyball had a coaching change this offseason. Ryan Theis took the head coaching job at Florida, and so Marquette hired Tom Mendoza away from South Carolina, fresh off a season where he beat those same Gators on the way to constructing an NCAA Tournament caliber resume.
Of course, this change does lead to a certain amount of questions as to whether or not the recruiting class that Theis assembled before his departure would remain signed and schedule to play for Marquette. Three of the expected incoming freshmen — Isabela Haggard, Mari King, and Keira Schmidt — were already enrolled at Marquette for the spring semester when Theis left for Gainesville, while three more were expected to arrive in Milwaukee in time for preseason training in August.
I felt pretty confident that the three enrolled freshmen were going to stick around as all three played in the spring match against Wisconsin, a couple of months after Theis left. It stands to reason that if they were planning on moving on, they wouldn’t be trying to help Mendoza figure out how they fit into his plans for the 2025 season.
And so, when Marquette posted this “congrats on your graduations!” item on Instagram, it wasn’t a surprise to see Haggard, King, and Schmidt in there.
I’m not going to call it a surprise that we also see Avery Helms, Annika Kowalski, and Emma Parks in the collection of pictures. But we can call it confirmation that all three of the summer enrollees are still on board with suiting up in blue and gold. I didn’t have any evidence at this point to suggest differently, but it wouldn’t have been the weirdest thing in the world if they had elected to move on without Theis coaching the team any more.
That wraps up almost all the questions about the roster. Elena Radeff is still an outstanding question, as she was announced as an incoming transfer while Theis was still the head coach. Again, no evidence to suggest that she is electing to go elsewhere, but also no positive confirmation that she’s still headed to Milwaukee in about 8 weeks.
Bay High promotes Sarah Livingstone as next indoor, beach volleyball head coach
Bay High has named Sarah Livingstone as the next head coach of the indoor and beach volleyball teams this fall. Livingstone succeeds Sierra Burris, who stepped down after six seasons. Athletic Director Jamie Bukowski expressed enthusiasm in an email, saying, “We’re thrilled to have Coach Livingstone leading our programs and look forward to continued growth […]
Bay High has named Sarah Livingstone as the next head coach of the indoor and beach volleyball teams this fall. Livingstone succeeds Sierra Burris, who stepped down after six seasons.
Athletic Director Jamie Bukowski expressed enthusiasm in an email, saying, “We’re thrilled to have Coach Livingstone leading our programs and look forward to continued growth and success under her leadership.”
Local sports State qualifiers highlight boys track and field all-county team
More local sports Bartlow and Brown headline girls track and field all-county teams
Livingstone brings a strong résumé being a four-year varsity player at Arnold High School and two years at Gulf Coast State College. She also offers valuable coaching experience, having worked with Emerald Coast Volleyball Club and most recently served as Bay High’s varsity assistant coach for the past two seasons.
The Lady Tornadoes indoor volleyball team finished last season with an 8-17 record, while the beach volleyball team went 3-10 in the inaugural season.
Banji Bamidele is a sports reporter for the Panama City News Herald. He can be reached at abamidele@gannett.com or through X, formerly known as Twitter, @AdebanjiBamide1.
Greenville Drive, Fluor Field boost West End businesses, per CBS News
Fluor Field in Greenville has been a catalyst for revitalization and economic growth in the West End neighborhood over the past 20 years.Local businesses have seen significant increases in revenue and foot traffic during baseball season, with some attributing up to a 30% boost to the stadium’s presence.Beyond economic benefits, Fluor Field has fostered a […]
Fluor Field in Greenville has been a catalyst for revitalization and economic growth in the West End neighborhood over the past 20 years.Local businesses have seen significant increases in revenue and foot traffic during baseball season, with some attributing up to a 30% boost to the stadium’s presence.Beyond economic benefits, Fluor Field has fostered a sense of community and safety, attracting residents and contributing to a vibrant social scene.The stadium has also become a popular venue for various events, further enhancing its value to the city beyond baseball.As Fluor Field celebrates its 20th anniversary, its success has inspired similar development in nearby Spartanburg, highlighting the potential of minor league baseball as a community asset.Folks who watched the CBS Evening News on May 2 learned what we already know: The Greenville Drive has been a major player in the transformation of downtown Greenville in its 20-year history.A segment on the evening’s broadcast, called Eye on America, focused on “how a minor league ballpark revived a struggling downtown in South Carolina,” according to a social media post.
“In Greenville, South Carolina, a minor league baseball stadium is doing more than hosting games — it’s revitalizing a city,” CBS News wrote on its social media site. “Fluor Field, home to the Greenville Drive, has become a community hub and an economic engine, helping transform a once-blighted area into a thriving downtown.”
Reporter Mark Strassman called Fluor Field “a field of dreams come true for Greenville, South Carolina.”
In the segment, Strassman said, “The stadium is home to the Greenville Drive, a High-A minor league baseball team of the Boston Red Sox, complete with a replica of Fenway Park’s Green Monster.”
Craig Brown, Greenville Drive owner and chairman, Greenville Mayor Knox White, and Old Europe Desserts owner Bobby Daugherty were interviewed in the segment.
“Fluor Field has become the front porch of the community,” Brown said in the segment. “In the South, the front porch is where the family gathers. That’s very much how we operate the place.”
White recalled the skepticism that came with the idea of building a ballpark in the West End of Greenville more than 20 years ago. “There was a letter to the editor that said, ‘You get a baseball stadium there, only prostitutes will go to the baseball games,” White said in the segment.
Instead, the stadium was built, and businesses followed, thriving as a result.
“I sell cake,” business owner Daugherty said in the segment. “I need bodies to the door. So I knew I was kind of right in the middle of traffic. That’s the sweet spot.”
The Greenville Drive highlighted the segment in a Facebook post, writing, “We live in the best community with the best fans!”
Over the past decade, the Greenville Drive and Fluor Field have generated nearly $300 million in economic impact for the surrounding region, according to a study by Visit Greenville SC.
Fluor Field and the Greenville Drive have an annual economic impact of $34 million and have made $288 million in financial contributions over the past 10 years, according to USC professor Tom Regan, who researched the economic impact of the nearly 20-year-old stadium.
In 2024, Regan’s study concluded that Fluor Field was responsible for $20.4 million in direct spending, $15.7 million in wages and income accumulated, and $1.36 million in taxes generated, alongside a $34 million economic impact.
Since its development nearly 20 years ago, the privately built stadium has seen more than 430 new business permits within a half-mile radius, with an estimated $277 million in new business construction.Beyond Greenville Drive home games, Fluor Field hosts hundreds of additional local events each year, which contribute to spending and overall financial impact, including Imagine Upstate, euphoria, the Southern Conference Baseball Championship, and more, according to the study.Fluor Field transforms the West EndWhen Fluor Field at the West End broke ground in June 2005, Greenville officials believed the idea of baseball could help revitalize a section of the city while also serving as an extension of the Boston Red Sox.
Nearly 20 years later, neighboring businesses and the redeveloped West End area cheer what Greenville’s “Green Monster” baseball team and outdoor facility have provided — a neighborhood considered safe, and months of the year to take advantage of the stadium’s foot traffic.
“That site used to be an old storefront that sold wood prior to becoming Fluor Field,” said Lillian Brock Flemming, a Greenville city council member who represents District 2, where the stadium sits.
The city had struggled for years to revitalize the area, which had languished since the textile era ended and later, when families left for the surrounding suburbs.
“Initially, they (Red Sox) came to us looking for a place for their team, and I believe they looked at Greenville for its possibilities, location, and the idea of partnering alongside a city in a desirable area,” she added.
Earlier this year, Greenville Drive officials celebrated their 20th anniversary of baseball in the West End.
$10 paid for the property for the baseball field
According to county deed records, the city of Greenville purchased the property at 935 S. Main Street from the School District of Greenville for $10 and other valuable considerations in October of 2004. Nearly a year later, construction began on the stadium, which is widely considered the first part of the new arts and entertainment district of downtown Greenville. The Drive paid about $20 million to build the stadium.
Russell Stall, another city council member, said prior to the sale of Fluor Field property, Greenville County Schools had ideas of using the grounds for a Greenville Senior High School baseball field. Post-sale, the city envisioned a space that paid homage to the storied baseball history of Shoeless Joe Jackson and the Greenville Braves.
“Bringing minor league baseball back to Greenville meant paying respect to the old nearby Mayberry Park, bringing jobs to the West End, and also allowing community organizations to fundraise at the stadium, which all happen to this day,” said Brock Flemming. “I think Fluor Field has held up to its end of the bargain.”
Fluor Field a home run for business
Fluor Field hosts 6,700 seats, providing area businesses with increased foot traffic and opportunities for business during the season, which spans from April to September.
For some shops, the field and ballclub help substantiate their business during and outside of the season.
“It’s a world of a difference for us,” said Mike Summerfield, general manager of Mac’s Speed Shop, a restaurant that sits just across the street from Fluor Field. “We see around a 30 percent revenue increase once the season is in versus when it’s not… but beyond the dollars, it’s always a fun time for the restaurant as we feel like an extension of the ballpark.”
For The Goat Sports Bar, in-season foot traffic enables their business to thrive outside of their regular peak season, which typically occurs between September and February.
“Our busy season is normally the NFL and college football season, where people stay at our restaurant for a few hours,” said Hector Batista, owner of the sports bar, located a block west of Fluor Field. “Soon as football is over, spring training, and then the Drive’s season starts, which brings a lot of foot traffic into our space for people to enjoy for a quick bite before or after games.”
Even the non-profit South Carolina Children’s Theatre has benefited since moving near the stadium in 2020.
“I can’t say that (proximity to Fluor Field) has led to increased revenue for our productions or education offerings,” said Amanda Sox, the theatre’s communications manager. “But we have increased revenue from families parking in our lot during (Drive) games.”
“I think the proximity of Fluor Field and The Drive has benefited all of the businesses in the West End, helping us become a primary Greenville destination rather than just an offshoot of Main Street attractions,” she added.
‘There’s a safe neighborhood vibe’
Just as Fenway Park is nestled into a Boston neighborhood with a flurry of social activity, Fluor Field at the West End accomplishes a similar feat, yet on a smaller scale.
Parking is one challenge that remains in the area, Brock Fleming said. More public parking spaces are needed, despite the presence of three city-owned garages nearby.
But there’s “more to being next to Fluor Field besides foot traffic,” said Jesse Van Note, owner of The Whale, a craft beer space located a block west of the stadium. “There’s a safe neighborhood vibe on this end of downtown, which allows my business to continually host our ‘regulars’ and give people an alternate social scene from what North Main may offer.”
“We have a lot of neighbors,” said Batista of The Goat Sports Bar. “My wife and I opened at this location because of the stadium and also it had the neighborhood feel. On the other hand, if we were further north on Main Street, our establishment may have more of a touristic feel.”
Outside of baseball games, Fluor Field is host to many popular social events such as euphoria, Fall Wine Fest, and Kringle Holiday Village, as well as an annual STEM event that connects students with leaders in science and manufacturing.
“Overall, I believe that Fluor Field is working out really well in the West End,” said Brock Flemming. “We’re excited to see the next chapter of its benefit to that historic district and area.”
– A.J. Jackson covers business, the food & dining scene and downtown culture for The Greenville News. Contact him by email at ajackson@gannett.com, and follow him on X (formally Twitter) @ajhappened. This coverage is only possible with support from our readers.Sign up today for a digital subscription.
The New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) has named 154 Connecticut College student athletes, including two All-America track runners, a Watson Fellowship winner and 19 members of the Women’s Rowing team, to the 2025 Spring All-Academic Team. The list also includes 13 student-athletes— Kate Coughlin ’26, Aine Downey ’25, Alexa Estes […]
The New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) has named 154 Connecticut College student athletes, including two All-America track runners, a Watson Fellowship winner and 19 members of the Women’s Rowing team, to the 2025 Spring All-Academic Team.
The list also includes 13 student-athletes— Kate Coughlin ’26, Aine Downey ’25, Alexa Estes ’26, Emily Fairfield ’26, Caroline Graziani ’27, Chris Koskinen ’25, Grace McDonough ’26, Nick McLaughlin ’25, Matt Scardigno ’25, April Schilling ’27, Lilla Kate Tucker ’27, Sydney Weber ’25 and Ryan Yanko ’27—who earned All-NESCAC accolades and six more— Edie Banovic ’25, Sara Braslow ’25, Caitlin Cass ’25, Nicholas DeMarco ’26, Greta Panke ’25 and Gus Williams ’25—who were recognized for sportsmanship. McDonough was also honored as NESCAC Women’s Track & Field’s Most Outstanding Performer.
To be honored on the All-Academic team, an individual must have reached sophomore academic standing, and be in good standing in their sport with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.50 or equivalent on a 4.0 scale. A transfer student must have completed one year of study at an institution.
The Camels named to the 2025 NESCAC Spring All-Academic Team are:
Nikhil Agarwal ’27, Men’s Tennis
Victor Alayande ’25, Men’s Outdoor Track & Field
Gavin Anderson ’26, Men’s Tennis
Jack Anglim ’27, Men’s Lacrosse
Errol Apostolopoulos ’27, Men’s Outdoor Track & Field
Dax Arnold ’27, Men’s Outdoor Track & Field
Patrick Atkins ’25, Men’s Lacrosse
Edie Banovic ’25, Women’s Rowing**
Maddie Baybeck ’27, Women’s Water Polo
Anthony Belford ’27, Men’s Outdoor Track & Field
Sana Bhat ’26, Women’s Tennis
Caitlin Bird ’26, Women’s Outdoor Track & Field
Meiling Bottan ’25, Women’s Water Polo
Sara Braslow ’25, Women’s Outdoor Track & Field**
Naomi Brightman ’27, Women’s Outdoor Track & Field
Paisley Brown ’26, Women’s Rowing
Caroline Bruce ’25, Women’s Lacrosse
Maya Bruno ’25, Women’s Outdoor Track & Field
Coco Carragher ’25, Sailing
Caitlin Cass ’25, Women’s Tennis**
Emmy Castano ’25, Women’s Outdoor Track & Field
Casey Chesner ’26, Women’s Lacrosse
Ainsley Cornwall ’26, Women’s Water Polo
Camille Cortes ’26, Women’s Outdoor Track & Field
Kate Coughlin ’26, Women’s Lacrosse*
Duncan Craine ’26, Sailing
Michael Creutz ’26, Men’s Outdoor Track & Field
Jack Davis ’27, Men’s Outdoor Track & Field
Nicholas DeMarco ’26, Men’s Outdoor Track & Field**
Greeny Announces Addition of Erin Eisenhart to Volleyball Staff
Story Links
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – West Virginia University volleyball coach Jen Greeny has announced the hiring of Erin Eisenhart as the volleyball program’s director of operations. Eisenhart, a native of Madison, Alabama, comes to West Virginia after spending the past two seasons as a graduate assistant for Middle Tennessee’s, where she managed […]
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – West Virginia University volleyball coach Jen Greeny has announced the hiring of Erin Eisenhart as the volleyball program’s director of operations.
Eisenhart, a native of Madison, Alabama, comes to West Virginia after spending the past two seasons as a graduate assistant for Middle Tennessee’s, where she managed the team’s day-to-day operations.
“We are thrilled to welcome Erin as the new director of operations at West Virginia University,” said coach Jen Greeny. “With her dynamic leadership, strategic insight, and forward-thinking mindset, Erin will continue to build excellence across our program.”
Prior to Middle Tennessee, Eisenhart played volleyball as a defensive specialist at Austin Peay, where she earned her bachelor of science degree with a concentration in homeland security and a minor in business administration.
Most recently, she completed her master’s degree of professional studies in strategic leadership from Middle Tennessee.
For more information on the Mountaineers, visit WVUsports.com and follow @WVUVolleyball on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook.
Fluor Field in Greenville has been a catalyst for revitalization and economic growth in the West End neighborhood over the past 20 years.Local businesses have seen significant increases in revenue and foot traffic during baseball season, with some attributing up to a 30% boost to the stadium’s presence.Beyond economic benefits, Fluor Field has fostered a sense of community and safety, attracting residents and contributing to a vibrant social scene.The stadium has also become a popular venue for various events, further enhancing its value to the city beyond baseball.As Fluor Field celebrates its 20th anniversary, its success has inspired similar development in nearby Spartanburg, highlighting the potential of minor league baseball as a community asset.Folks who watched the CBS Evening News on May 2 learned what we already know: The Greenville Drive has been a major player in the transformation of downtown Greenville in its 20-year history.A segment on the evening’s broadcast, called Eye on America, focused on “how a minor league ballpark revived a struggling downtown in South Carolina,” according to a social media post.
Fluor Field transforms the West EndWhen Fluor Field at the West End broke ground in June 2005, Greenville officials believed the idea of baseball could help revitalize a section of the city while also serving as an extension of the 
