PEOPLE. MORE THAN 100,000 PEOPLE WILL BE FILLING THIS AREA FOR THE WOMEN’S COLLEGE WORLD SERIES, AND THOSE AT THE ADVENTURE DISTRICT SAYS IT’S THE IMPACT GOES BEYOND THESE GATES. SOFTBALL IN GENERAL BRINGS OVER $40 MILLION A YEAR IN ECONOMIC IMPACT TO OUR CITY. MILLIONS OF DOLLARS COMING IN ANNUALLY. THE ADVENTURE DISTRICT SEES ABOUT 10 MILLION VISITORS A YEAR. THE WOMEN’S COLLEGE WORLD SERIES BRINGS IN OVER 110,000 OF THOSE VISITORS, AND HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE, ALL TO WATCH. THE TOP EIGHT TEAMS COMPETE FOR A NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP. IT’S AN EVENT OKC MAYOR DAVID HOLT CALLS ONE OF THE GREATEST EVENTS IN SPORTS TAKING PLACE AT THE WORLD CAPITAL OF SOFTBALL. IT’S ONE OF THE BIGGEST, AND THE ADVENTURE DISTRICT SAYS BUSINESSES PREPARE EARLY FOR THE INFLUX OF PEOPLE FROM FAN FAVORITE ATTRACTIONS. RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET, WE HAVE THE FIREFIGHTERS MUSEUM, WHICH HAS A LOT OF INTERESTING INFORMATION. WE HAVE THE OKLAHOMA CITY ZOO, SCIENCE MUSEUM, OKLAHOMA. THE NATIONAL COWBOY AND WESTERN HERITAGE MUSEUM TO NEW PLACES FOR PEOPLE TO TRY. THIS YEAR I WANT TO STOP BY BOOMBOX BEACH CLUB. IT’S OUR NEWEST ATTRACTION AND IT IS OPEN LATE NIGHT. SO AFTER YOU WRAP UP YOUR GAMES, GO BY THERE AND PLAY A COUPLE ROUNDS OF INDOOR BEACH VOLLEYBALL. THE WOMEN’S COLLEGE WORLD SERIES STARTS THURSDAY, MAY 29TH THROUGH A BEST OF THREE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES JUNE 4TH THROUGH SIXTH, AND THE WOMEN’S COLLEGE WORLD SERIES COULD OVERLAP WITH THE THUNDER IN THEIR RUN TOWARD THE NBA FINALS. THOSE WITH THE ADVENTURE DISTRICT SAY THEY’RE READY FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE HUNDREDS OF THOUSAN
OKC Adventure District ready for big boom from Women’s College World Series
There are only two more days until the Women’s College World Series, one of the biggest annual events in Oklahoma City, returns.
Updated: 6:08 PM CDT May 27, 2025
There are only two more days until the Women’s College World Series, one of the biggest annual events in Oklahoma City, returns. Preparations are underway at the Devon Park, and businesses in the area are also prepared for the influx of people flocking to the area. More than 100,000 people will come to Adventure District during the softball showdown. “Softball in general brings over $40 million a year in economic impact to our city,” Tiarra Harper, marketing coordinator of the OKC Adventure District, said. “Annually, the Adventure District sees about 10 million visitors a year. The Women’s College World Series brings in 110,000 of those visitors.” Hundreds of thousands of people will watch the top eight teams compete for an NCAA National Championship. >> Video Below: Sooners look to defend title as field is set for the Women’s College World SeriesIt is an event that Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt calls “one of the greatest events in sports.” “It’s one of the biggest,” Harper said. The Adventure District said businesses prepare early for the influx of people, from fan-favorite attractions to new places for people to try this year. “We have right across the street the Firefighters Museum, which has a lot of interesting information. We have the Oklahoma City Zoo, Science Museum Oklahoma, the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum,” Harper said. “You might want to stop by Boombox Beach Club. It’s our newest attraction, and it is open late night, so after you wrap up your games, go by there and play a couple rounds of indoor beach volleyball.” The Women’s College World Series starts Thursday and will run through a best-of-three championship series from June 4 to 6. The event could overlap with the Thunder if the NBA team continues its run toward the NBA Finals. Those with the Adventure District said they are ready for the opportunity to serve hundreds of thousands of visitors. Top Headlines Police identified a man fatally stabbed in OKC, prompting a search for a suspect who tried fleeing the state Severe storms brought intense winds, large hail to Oklahoma Overturned semitruck blocks inside lanes of I-44 in northeast Oklahoma City Person rushed to hospital after fire sparks at northwest Oklahoma City apartment Thunder just 1 win away from NBA Finals after Game 4 win over Timberwolves
OKLAHOMA CITY —
There are only two more days until the Women’s College World Series, one of the biggest annual events in Oklahoma City, returns.
Preparations are underway at the Devon Park, and businesses in the area are also prepared for the influx of people flocking to the area. More than 100,000 people will come to Adventure District during the softball showdown.
“Softball in general brings over $40 million a year in economic impact to our city,” Tiarra Harper, marketing coordinator of the OKC Adventure District, said. “Annually, the Adventure District sees about 10 million visitors a year. The Women’s College World Series brings in 110,000 of those visitors.”
Hundreds of thousands of people will watch the top eight teams compete for an NCAA National Championship.
>> Video Below: Sooners look to defend title as field is set for the Women’s College World Series
It is an event that Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt calls “one of the greatest events in sports.”
“It’s one of the biggest,” Harper said.
The Adventure District said businesses prepare early for the influx of people, from fan-favorite attractions to new places for people to try this year.
“We have right across the street the Firefighters Museum, which has a lot of interesting information. We have the Oklahoma City Zoo, Science Museum Oklahoma, the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum,” Harper said. “You might want to stop by Boombox Beach Club. It’s our newest attraction, and it is open late night, so after you wrap up your games, go by there and play a couple rounds of indoor beach volleyball.”
The Women’s College World Series starts Thursday and will run through a best-of-three championship series from June 4 to 6.
The event could overlap with the Thunder if the NBA team continues its run toward the NBA Finals. Those with the Adventure District said they are ready for the opportunity to serve hundreds of thousands of visitors.
January 7, 2026 – Emporia State volleyball had two MIAA Scholar Athletes and six players in total earn MIAA Academic recognition for the 2025 season.
Mia Frisbie and Brailee Bogle were both MIAA Scholar Athletes for their performance on the court and in the classroom, as both were named Honorable Mention All-MIAA for the 2025 season.
Along with Frisbie and Bogle, Brenna Smith, Willow Deckinger, Sydney Fiatte and Camilla Ossola were named to the MIAA Academic Honor Roll. All six players earned their second career recognition on the Academic Honor Roll.
To be recognized on the Academic Honor Roll, one must have a grade point average used by the institution for purposes of NCAA academic certification of 3.00 at the certifying member institution. The individual must also have at least two terms of attendance at the certifying member institution, excluding summer terms.
To qualify as a Scholar-Athlete an individual must have a grade point average used by the institution for purposes of NCAA academic certification of 3.50 at the certifying member institution. The student-athlete must have at least two terms of attendance at the certifying member institution, excluding summer terms. If competing in a championship sport of the MIAA, the student-athlete must also earn All-MIAA honors from the 2024 season.
LEADING OFF
No. 7 Loyola Chicago opens its 2026 season with a two-match series at No. 2 Hawai’i on Thursday, Jan. 8 and Friday, Jan. 9. First serve for both matches is set for 11 p.m. CT.
QUICK HITS
Loyola headlines the MIVA conference in the preseason poll; Ryan McElligott, Daniel Fabikovic and Aleksander Sosa tabbed Preseason All-MIVA. The Ramblers were picked seventh in the AVCA Preseason Poll.
McElligott finished 2025 as both the MIVA and NCAA assists leader, averaging 10.9 per set.
The Ramblers returned 15 student-athletes and welcomed five new faces, including two freshmen and three transfers.
Assistant coach Dalton Solbrig lettered four years for the Rainbow Warriors from 2016-19. He was a member of two NCAA Tournament teams, including the national runner-up squad in 2019.
Head coach Shane Davis enters his 14th season at Loyola, sporting a 289-92 (.759) career record. In his first season back, Davis led the Ramblers to a 25-4 ledger, their fourth MIVA Tournament title and fourth NCAA Tournament berth.
2026 marks the 30th anniversary of Loyola’s men’s volleyball program, which is home to two of the university’s three NCAA national championship titles.
SCOUTING REPORT
Hawai’i kicked off its season with a two-match series sweep of NJIT (Jan. 2, Jan. 4), in which sophomore opposite Kristian Titriyski combined for 23 kills on .438 hitting. The 6-foot-8 Bulgarian national added five service aces against NJIT. As a team, the Rainbow Warriors hit .517 in both matches. Junior setter Tread Rosenthal led each match in assists, recording 26 in the first and 30 in the rematch. He also contributed 11 total blocks across the series.
Head coach Charlie Wade entered his 17th season at the helm of the program and boasts a 321-131 career record at Hawai’i. Last season, he led the Rainbow Warriors to their fourth overall Big West Tournament title and 10th NCAA Tournament appearance.
SERIES HISTORY
The Rainbow Warriors lead the all-time series, 13-3, with the Ramblers and are 12-3 at home against the MIVA opponent. In their last meeting, Loyola left Hawai’i 1-1 after falling 3-0 in match one then taking the second in a five-set thriller. This year’s two-match series marks Davis’ 11th overall matchup against Hawai’i, and his fifth as head coach.
FOLLOW THE ACTION
Stream both matches on ESPN+. Follow men’s volleyball on Instagram and X @RamblersMVB for in-game updates.
Shawn McLaughlin has just completed his first year as volleyball head coach at Lehigh University Provided/Shawn McLaughlin
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – For Shawn McLaughlin, a South Lake Tahoe native, being part of a team was something that came naturally.
Growing up in Tahoe, McLaughlin was accustomed to community involvement, watching as his father coached track and eventually varsity volleyball as the head coach at George Whittell High School.
“I used to joke that I was the youngest assistant coach in the country,” said McLaughlin. “I would just go around and help him keep stats.”
McLaughlin’s father was extremely successful as head volleyball coach, going on to win several state championships over his 18-year run at both Whittell and South Tahoe High Schools, allowing McLaughlin the opportunity to find interest in following in his footsteps.
Playing volleyball throughout his school years, McLaughlin was also part of a junior club team in the Bay Area before going on to play varsity volleyball at Lindenwood University in St. Louis.
After graduating from college, McLaughlin started volunteer coaching at a number of different schools including UC Davis, University of Nevada, Reno, University of the Incarnate Word, and more all around the country.
“My dad had a huge impact on my wanting to coach,” McLaughlin said, and pretty early on, he determined that a career in education was the direction he wanted to go in. “Volleyball is my means, in education, in growth and learning. I’ve always loved that element and I think that’s part of the reason that coaching has gone the way it’s gone.”
Among McLaughlin’s accomplishments, he brought many teams to their national tournaments through the club ranks. In addition, he won gold in 2014 at the USA Volleyball Junior National in 14’s USA. In terms of college, he’s been coaching for 15 years, winning several conference championships and attending the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) tournament several times.
En route to becoming a Division I (D-I) coach, the opportunity presented itself in the form of his father running a club and bringing in college coaches.
“One of the coaches he brought in was Jamie Holmes, she was at UC Davis. I approached her and said ‘How do I get into this?’ and she said, ‘come be my volunteer,’” said McLaughlin. “It was a great start to my program and a great start to my career and that pushed me into the rest of it.”
McLaughlin is now in his first headcoaching opportunity at Lehigh University, a D-I school in Pennsylvania, and with his first year completed, the competitive program is allowing him to utilize the skills he’s learned over the years assisting other D-I coaches. “Now this is my opportunity to be super successful and to run my own ship.”
McLaughlin aims to focus on the development of the holistic student athleteProvided/Shawn McLaughlin
Despite suffering a major injury, his team was still able to overcome adversity and make it to the Patriot League Tournament, an unprecedented accomplishment for Lehigh.
“I think 2026 could be a really fun year for this team,” added McLaughlin, and with seven seniors on the team, they are striving to be victorious.
Although McLaughlin is now soaring high as head coach, he doesn’t forget his roots, and continues to return to South Lake Tahoe every Christmas.
“[South Lake Tahoe] is one of the best places in the world to grow up. It’s also a very active community,” McLaughlin said. “It’s just home. It still feels like home to me.”
If you’re still feeling the excitement of Texas A&M women’s volleyball’s first national title in program history, then look no further than League One Volleyball (LOVB) to serve up more elite action.
The second season of LOVB (pronounced “love”) gets underway Wednesday, Jan. 7, and opening week is filled with five marquee matchups, including a semifinal rematch Sunday between LOVB Atlanta and LOVB Austin, the defending champions.
A handful of All-American collegiate stars will make their professional debuts, including a trio that played in the NCAA title match. Texas A&M opposite hitter Logan Lednicky signed with LOVB Houston and middle blocker Ifenna Cos-Okpalla LOVB Salt Lake. Kentucky outside hitter Eva Hudson heads to LOVB Atlanta.
The players on LOVB’s six teams have a combined 21 NCAA Division I titles, 101 AVCA All-American awards and 23 Olympic medals. Here’s what you need to know ahead of season two:
College stars will add instant impact
Here’s a handful of college players that will begin their rookie season:
Rebekah Allick, Nebraska, LOVB Madison: The 6-4 middle blocker racked up a team-high 128 blocks (19 solo) and 259 kills on .450 hitting. She was named AVCA second-team All-American.
Ifenna Cos-Okpalla, Texas A&M, LOVB Salt Lake: The 6-foot-2 middle blocker lead the nation with 199 total blocks (22 solo) and had a team-high 1.69 blocks per set. The AVCA first-team All-American was named to the NCAA All-Tournament Team.
Eva Hudson, Kentucky, LOVB Atlanta: The 6-1 outside hitter was named the SEC Player of the Year after hitting .319 with 4.59 kills per set and 546 total kills. She was a finalist for national player of the year finalist after leading Kentucky to the 2025 title game.
Logan Lednicky, Texas A&M, LOVB Houston: The 6-3 opposite hitter led the Aggies’ championship squad in points (534), kills (467) and kills per set (4.10) and hit .310. She recorded double-digit kills in 29 of 33 matches her senior season and was named a AVCA second-team All-American.
Bailey Miller, Arizona State, LOVB Austin: The 6-foot-3 outside hitter was named first-team All-Big 12 after recording 462.5 points, 392 kills, 3.29 kills per set and 39 service aces.
Maya Sands, Missouri, LOVB Houston: The 5-foot-7 Illinois native was named the SEC Libero of the Year after recording 511 digs, including a career-high 32 against South Carolina on Oct. 24. She also had 108 assists.
LOVB Austin reloads ahead of title defense
Despite finishing the regular season with a 5-11 record, LOVB Austin got hot in the postseason and cemented itself as the inaugural champion. They did so with reverse sweeps of LOVB Salt Lake in the quarterfinals and top-seeded LOVB Atlanta in the semifinals, before taking down LOVB Omaha in the title match behind dominant performances by Logan Eggleston (22 points) and Madisen Skinner (21 points). Skinner, who finished the season ranked fourth overall in points (227) and kills (201), was named the Finals MVP.
Skinner and Eggleston are among 10 players returning as LOVB Austin looks to defend its title. Skinner, Eggleston, Asjia O’Neal, Zoe Jarvis and newcomer Bella Bergmark all won an NCAA title together at Texas in 2022. Skinner, Bergmark and O’Neal successfully defended the Longhorn’s title in 2023. Skinner, who also won a NCAA title with Kentucky in 2020, has won four championships in the past five years.
LOVB Austin suffered a major offseason blow after Chiaka Ogbogu, the middle blocker of the year with a league-high 53 blocks, accepted an offer to play in Turkey. But head coach Erik Sullivan will rely on Molly McCage and O’Neal to shore up Austin’s league-leading defense. McCage had 39 blocks last year, fourth in the league. Austin has the talent to pull off a repeat, but it’s paramount they get off to a better start.
LOVB Nebraska looks to continue momentum
LOVB Austin wasn’t the only team to undergo a dramatic postseason turnaround. LOVB Nebraska (formerly LOVB Omaha) finished at the bottom of the standings with a 5-11 record, but went on a Cinderella run in the playoffs. LOVB Nebraska took out LOVB Madison in the quarterfinals and reverse swept LOVB Houston in the semifinals. LOVB Nebraska was subsequently swept in the finals by LOVB Austin, but its deep playoff run highlighted the team’s potential.
LOVB Nebraska will be led by team co-owner Jordan Larson, who finished top 5 in the league in aces (14). She’s not the only Nebraska alum. Libero Lexi Rodriguez is returning and will look to take on a more prominent role after two-time U.S. Olympic medalist libero Justine Wong-Orantes left to move closer to home.
LOVB Nebraska also signed renowned Brazilian middle blocker Ana Carolina da Silva. The 34-year-old led the Brazilian national team to two Olympic medals — silver at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and bronze at the 2024 Paris Olympics — in addition to two world championships. LOVB Nebraska was the only team shut out of the end of season awards last season, but that’s likely to change if the team can recapture its postseason magic.
LOVB Atlanta seeks redemption
LOVB Atlanta is stacked. The team is made up of three-time Olympic medalist Kelsey Cook, the league’s inaugural MVP, in addition to McKenzie Adams (outside hitter of the year) and Tia Jimerson (who ranked second in blocks with 52). The team dominated the regular season with a 13-3 record, but was upset in the semifinals by LOVB Austin. “There was just a lot left out on the court,” Cook said after the shocking loss.
Another season brings a chance at redemption, although LOVB Atlanta will be without their superstar outside hitter. Cook announced her pregnancy in October out for the 2026 season. Adams is capable of carrying the load, ranked top five among outside hitters in the league last season in points (193), kills (163), digs (146), blocks (20) and aces (10). LOVB Atlanta also added Kentucky grad Eva Hudson, who should fit seamlessly into the lineup after being named the SEC player of the year and a national player of the year finalist.
LOVB is expanding (teams + moms)
LOVB is expanding from six teams to nine next season in 2027, with the addition of LOVB Los Angeles, LOVB Minnesota and LOVB San Francisco, but that’s not the only way to the league is growing. Three-time Olympic medalist Kelsey Cook is one of several LOVB players preparing for motherhood.
Cook (LOVB Atlanta) announced her pregnancy in October and her U.S. national teammate Justine Wong-Orantes (LOVB Houston) is expecting a baby boy in March. In fact, Cook and Wong-Orantes revealed they are due two weeks apart.
LOVB Madison middle blocker Anna Hall is returning to LOVB after giving birth to son Louie last September. Hall revealed she was pregnant with her son during LOVB’s inaugural season.
2026 LOVB team rosters
Here’s a look at each team’s roster, by position:
LOVB Atlanta roster
Head coach: Paulo Coco
Liberos: Beatrice Negretti, Piyanut Pannoy
Middle Blockers: Magdalena Jehlarova, Tia Jimerson, Onye Ofoegbu, Jess Robinson
Outside Hitters: McKenzie Adams, Kelsey Cook, Miroslava Paskova, Julia Sangiacomo, Eva Hudson
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LOS ANGELES – The six-time defending West Coast Conference Champions and 2025 NCAA Tournament finalists look to continue to rewrite history this spring. The LMU beach volleyball team, ranked second in the nation to close out last season, has announced the completed schedule for the 2026 season.
The Lions will once again open play at the Hawaii’s OUTRIGGER Duke Kahanamoku Beach Classic in a loaded field that features games against Cal, USC, UCLA, Texas, Stanford, and Hawaii over three days in February. Last season, LMU went 5-1 in the opening event at Queen’s Beach.
LMU will make their home debuts on Feb. 27 and 28, hosting Concordia, Long Beach State, Boise State, and CSUN on the LMU Beach Volleyball Courts on campus.
The next two weekends will feature Friday and Saturday matches in Long Beach and Manhattan Beach to begin March.
The Lions return home for a single battle against Concordia on March 20 before heading to Malibu for Saturday matches against Pepperdine and Tulane.
The next three weekends feature travel to Santa Cruz, Tallahassee, then San Luis Obispo.
The final regular season competion returns to campus for home matches against USC, CSUN, and Grand Canyon on April 17-18.
The West Coast Conference Championship returns to Ocean Park Beach in Santa Monica from April 23-24, 2026.
The NCAA Championships will once again be played in Gulf Shores, Ala., from May 1-3, 2026, to determine the National Champion.
All home matches are free to attend this season on LMU’s campus.
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Fans interested in making a contribution to the Lions Athletic Fund can do so by clicking here. Your gift will help provide a transformational student-athlete experience athletically, academically, and culturally for every LMU student-athlete. We appreciate your continued support of LMU Athletics.
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NEW ORLEANS – Tulane University’s Ben Weiner Director of Athletics Chair David Harris announced the hiring of Derek “Dex” Schroeder as the 11th head coach of the Green Wave’s volleyball program on Wednesday.
Schroeder brings 17 years of head coaching experience, most recently serving three seasons as the head coach at Jacksonville State. He has amassed a 279-234 career record and secured five conference titles.
“We are thrilled to welcome Derek to our team,” said Harris. “His extensive head coaching experience and proven leadership on the court will be invaluable as we pursue our goals. We believe his track record of success will inspire our student-athletes and elevate our program to new heights.”
During his tenure with Jacksonville State, Schroeder developed two All-Conference USA performers: First Team honoree Kayla Williams and All-Freshman team selection Charlee Solomon. He also helped the Gamecocks increase their win total in each of his three seasons.
“Derek’s impressive coaching background and dedication to player development make him the perfect fit for our program,” said Charvi Greer, Tulane’s Deputy Athletic Director for Student Services and Senior Woman Administrator. “We look forward to his leadership and the positive impact he will bring to Tulane’s success.”
Prior to Jacksonville State, Schroeder led Mercer University’s volleyball program for six seasons. As head coach of the Bears, he earned 81 wins from 2017 to 2022. Notably, in just his second season, he guided Mercer to 16 wins—more than any other Southern Conference season in program history—and secured the program’s first SoCon regular-season titles in 2020 and 2021.
In 2021, Schroeder was named the Southern Conference Coach of the Year, and three Mercer players earned All-SoCon honors, including Libero of the Year Megan Smith.
Schroeder spent eight seasons (2008-16) at the helm of the Samford volleyball program. Prior to his arrival, the program has mustered just single-digit win totals in three of the four previous seasons. He promptly led the team to a 28-5 record, the SoCon North Division title and the finals of the SoCon Championship in his first season. During his time with the Bulldogs, he led the program to 169 wins with seven winning seasons and a pair of trips to the NCAA Tournament in 2011 and 2014.
While leading the Bulldogs, Schroeder posted more than 20 wins four times. He also won the SoCon North Division a total of four times and coached three different SoCon Players of the Year, in addition to a Freshman of the Year honor and one SoCon Libero of the Year.
“I am incredibly honored to join Tulane University and lead its Green Wave volleyball program,” Schroeder said. “I look forward to working with our student-athletes, building a strong team culture, and competing at the highest level. Tulane’s vibrant community and commitment to excellence excite both my wife and I, and we can’t wait to get started in Uptown.”
Schroeder’s coaching career began at Furman in 2003, where he served as an assistant coach for four years. He then spent the 2007 season as an assistant at Saint Louis, leading the Billikens to a 23-7 record before accepting the head coaching position at Samford.
A native of Wheatley, Ontario, Canada, Schroeder is a 1998 graduate of the University of Windsor, earning his bachelor’s degree in human kinetics. He will be joined in Uptown by his wife Jenna and their great dane Luna.
Season tickets are now on sale for the 2026 season at TulaneTix.com. For questions, please contact the Tulane Ticket Office at 504-861-WAVE (9283).
