NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Vanderbilt swimming earned Scholar All-America Team recognition from the College Swimming & Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) in both the fall and spring during the 2024-25 season, marking the third year in a row that the Commodores have accomplished the feat.

In addition, Vandy had three individuals honored for the second straight season after Kailia Utley, Emily Constable and Aubrey Hull were each named second-team Scholar All-America after the conclusion of the campaign.

Programs must post a cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 or better for the semester in order to receive the award, with the Dores accomplishing the feat with a 3.73 mark in the fall and a 3.70 GPA in the spring. Individually, the three Commodores were recognized after recording a 3.5 or higher GPA and meeting the NCAA B Standard in at least one event.

During the 2024-25 season, Vanderbilt had six swimmers break school records eight time while Constable and Hull combined to set new freshman standards in three events on six occasions. In all, 17 individuals achieved a mark in at least one event that either met qualification for the NCAA and CSCAA National Invitational Championships, and 14 Dores had times that made the program’s all-time top-10 list on 28 occasions.

Utley, who hails from Huntington Beach, California, concluded her Vandy career by becoming the first member of the program to swim at the NCAA Championships in consecutive seasons since 1987-89. She departs as the school record holder in the 100 and 200 butterfly as well as the 200 individual medley, while Utley is the first member of the program to be named a CSCAA Scholar All-American each of her four years and to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District team three times.

In her first season at the collegiate level, Constable broke the school freshman record in the 100 breaststroke—a mark that had stood for more than a dozen years—with a time that ranks second on the Dores’ all-time performer list. The Westfield, New Jersey, native also finished the season among the top 10 all-time at Vanderbilt in the 200 breaststroke after picking up three individuals victories during the campaign.

Hull began the season by being named the initial SEC Freshman of the Week and ended it as the Commodores’ overall and freshman record holder in the 100 backstroke after becoming the first swimmer in program history to post a time below 54 seconds in the event. Originally from Charlotte, North Carolina, she also set the school freshman record and stands second all-time in the 200 backstroke as she won eight individual races throughout the campaign.

Utley was joined on the CSC Academic All-District team by Kate Heintz, Quinlan Hinerfeld and Reagan Mathieson, while the Dores had 20 swimmers on the Winter SEC Academic Honor Roll—the second year in a row that Vandy has had 20 or more individuals earn the honor—and 11 members of the program make the First-Year SEC Academic Honor Roll.

ANCHORAGE (Aug. 13) – Single-match volleyball tickets and season tickets for 2025-26 University of Alaska Anchorage athletic events at the Alaska Airlines Center are on sale now at GoSeawolves.com.

For season tickets, Seawolves fans can choose either the volleyball package for $135 (16 UAA home matches), the men’s and women’s basketball combined package for $225 (34 UAA home games), or the combined volleyball/basketball/gymnastics package for $345. The basketball and combo packages include the ConocoPhillips Great Alaska Shootout.

UAA single-match volleyball tickets start at $10 (general admission) and $13 (reserved) online, with significant discounts available for groups and student guests. UAA students still receive free admission with valid WolfCard.

Season tickets for UAA hockey will be sold separately. Check GoSeawolves.com for updates.

Athena Campos won gold medals and league awards swimming for Taft Union High School. The 2023 graduate excelled in the classroom – completing an expanded curriculum that included English 9-Honors, English 10-Honors, English 11-Honors, Biology 9-Honors and World History 10-Honors. She also participated in more than a half-dozen clubs, and she earned recognition in the pool – earning such achievements as USA Junior Olympic Bronze Medal 2022; USA Junior Olympics 2019, 2021, and 2022; Open Water Shaver Lake Champions 2022; USA Academic All American Waterpolo; Athlete Award (Taft Union Hugh School) Freshmen Year, Co-Swimmer of The Year 2022, Swimmer of the Year 2023.

Campos made successful waves in the Taft pool, but her aquatic love is water polo, a sport TUHS dropped in 2018. After swimming impactfully on the collegiate water polo team for two years at West Valley College, Campos has signed to take her skills and continue her education at Fresno State College.

Is Campos a swimmer or a water poloist? She said she is both. “I see myself as both a swimmer and a water polo player. I couldn’t imagine my life defined by just one. Each sport has shaped me in unique ways, offering different challenges and valuable experiences. Together, they’ve played a major role in shaping who I am today. Through them, I’ve developed strong time management and discipline, learned the value of communication and teamwork, and gained leadership, adaptability, and determination that extend far beyond the pool.”

In the pool, Campos is dedicated now to water polo, and the change of focus from swimming to water polo did not come easily. Campos was a swimmer before most kids are free of floaties, tubes and pool noodles.

“I started swimming at the age of four,” Campos said. “I swam for the Taft TigerShark club in Taft. I developed such a strong love and passion for swimming. I knew I would be doing it for a long time. Then, in my seventh-grade year, I was invited by a swim teammate to go try water polo. I had very little knowledge on this sport and what it was about, but I was intrigued and wanted to try. After one practice at the Bakersfield Water Polo Club, I knew it was going to become more than just a hobby — it was going to be my lifestyle. From that moment on I developed the goal of playing in college.”

Campos said that the year she discovered water polo was also the year Taft Union High School discontinued its water polo team. “It was disappointing, especially since I had been looking forward to competing in the sport throughout high school,” she said. “Still, I refused to let that setback stop me. Instead, I focused on what I could control. I joined the varsity swim team at Taft Union High School and competed all four years.”

From her freshman year through her senior year, Campos participated in the SSL League Championships and CIF Valley Championships in the 100 Butterfly, 200 Freestyle, and 500 Freestyle.

“I stayed active in swimming, not just for competition, but because it helped me stay conditioned for water polo,” Campos said. “Outside of school, I remained fully committed to water polo. I continued practicing with Bakersfield Water Polo Club at Garces High School and later joined Praetorian Water Polo Club in Reedley, Fresno.”

Swimming at Reedley defined her drive and dedication, and embodied the support of her parents. “My parents supported my passion by driving me an hour to Bakersfield twice a week, and two-and-a-half hours to Fresno three times a week,” Campos said. “It was challenging not having my main sport offered at school, but I stayed determined and made the most of every opportunity. In 2019, I was proud to receive the USA All-American Academic Water Polo Athlete Award from USA Water Polo. Alongside athletics, I was deeply involved in school life. At Taft HS, I played tennis, ran track, cheered for football, and competed in golf.”

For Campos, life as a Wildcat embraced more than athletics. She served as vice president and later president of the Oil Technology Academy AADE and held leadership positions in Key Club. She also participated such clubs as Christian Athletes, AVID, Garden Club, Soroptimist, and Art Club. “I stayed committed to both my academics and extracurriculars, determined to grow in every area I could,” she said.

Then in 2022, she faced a personal challenge. “I was diagnosed with a cystic tumor growing inside my heel bone,” Campos said. “It grew so large it shattered the bone and began weakening the surrounding area. I had to step away from water polo and slow down in life. It was an incredibly difficult time—physically, mentally, and emotionally. But I refused to give up. I leaned into my faith, focused on healing, and trusted the process.”

Her faith was rewarded when her body fought back and won. “In what felt like a miracle, the tumor ruptured, and my bone began to heal.” She said. “Coming back after such a long recovery wasn’t easy. I had missed valuable time in the water, but I was determined to return stronger. With resilience and support from my family and faith, I worked my way back. Eventually, I was able to compete again and attend the USA Water Polo Junior Olympics with Kern Premier Water Polo Club. It was a full-circle moment I’ll never forget — and one I thank God for every day. Although Taft Union High School didn’t offer water polo, the school still gave me the support, tools, and resources I needed to thrive. With the encouragement of my coaches, teachers, and family, I achieved my academic goals and continued to pursue my passion for water polo, proving that with determination and faith, even the biggest obstacles can be overcome.”

During her senior year at TUHS, she was contacted by Coach Erika Vargas from West Valley College and was convinced to pursue both her academic and athletic goals there. During her two years with the West Valley College Women’s Water Polo team, the team earned first place in the Northern California Championships in both seasons, placed third in the state during the 2023-2024 season and fourth in the 2024-2025 season. “It was an honor to be part of such a high-performing and dedicated team,” she said. “In the 2024-2025 swim season, I was proud to represent West Valley College at the 3C2A Swim State Championships, where I competed in the 200-yard butterfly. West Valley College has given me so much more than athletic opportunity — it has allowed me to grow as a student, athlete, and individual. I’ve learned invaluable lessons from coaches, teammates, mentors, and professors — many from across the country and around the world. It has truly been a privilege to be part of this community, and I’m deeply thankful for all the experiences and opportunities I’ve had there.”

Fresno State came calling and Campos will begin her next athletic and education adventures with the Bulldogs. “At Fresno State, I will be pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Communicative Sciences and Disorders, with the goal of continuing on to earn a Master’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology,” Campos said. “My ultimate career aspiration is to become a Pediatric Speech Pathologist. I hope to begin my career working in a school setting, where I can support children’s communication development in an educational environment. In the long term, I aim to open my own speech therapy center, creating a space dedicated to helping children reach their full potential.”

Why Fresno State? “Fresno State stood out to me for its academics and athletics,” she said. “Academically, Fresno State’s Communication Sciences and Disorders program is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. It meets rigorous academic and clinical standards. Fresno provides access to clinical work with diverse populations. Fresno State also offers a Master’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology, which will support my goal of continuing my education. Athletically, The program has become a powerhouse in the Golden Coast Conference. The women’s team has earned multiple championships and appeared in NCAA tournaments. Coach Natalie Benson’s leadership inspires me. She has an Olympic background and commitment to developing student-athletes. Fresno State focuses on building strong, well-rounded individuals. The team’s hard work, determination, and community spirit reflect the kind of environment I want to grow. I believe Fresno State is the right place to push my limits academically and athletically and be part of something impactful.”

Finishing up community activism this summer before leaving for Fresno, Campos is working as an ELOP (Expanded Learning Opportunities Program) Summer School Worker through the Westside Recreational Park District. I assist and co-teach a classroom of sixth and seventh-grade students. She is also working as a coordinator for the EmpowerHer program, a mentorship and leadership program designed to inspire young girls and teen girls to explore entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and personal development. And to stay connected the pool, Campos also spends time as a private waterpolo/swim lesson instructor, providing private lessons to children of all ages, teaching water safety, swim techniques, and water polo fundamentals. “I love introducing kids to these two incredible sports while helping them feel safe and confident in the water,”

Rounding out her summer, Campos trains children ages 10-and-under in water polo for Kern Premier Water Polo Club out of Bakersfield.

The Fresno State Bulldogs are getting a true bulldog for their water polo team and their school, a special 5-foot-2-inch attacker who is a winner in the pool, in the classroom in the community and in life.

By Michael Cignoli (For OzarksSportsZone.com)

The Lebanon volleyball team turned heads last fall, as a senior-heavy roster led the club to a 24-win season.

Now that those six players have graduated, a largely new cast looks to build on that success.

“We’re focused on building unstoppable momentum — one that fuels our confidence, energy and teamwork,” Lebanon coach Jenny Collins said. “This momentum will give us a winning edge by keeping us locked in, resilient and always ready to outwork our opponents. When we move forward together with that drive, there’s no limit to what we can achieve.”

With many of Lebanon’s players set to get their first taste of varsity action this fall, the team’s success will hinge on how quickly the group can learn, grow and gel together.

It may not be instant — but Collins believes the lessons ahead could shape something special.

“I am most excited to see this team’s growth over the next few months,” Collins said. “With a relatively young group, every practice and match provides an opportunity to learn and take continued steps forward. I’m looking forward to watching players embrace their roles and rise to challenges.”

As the Yellowjackets look to establish their identity, they will lean on their two players with the most varsity experience — senior outside hitter Lily Waterman and sophomore middle hitter Liv Ahmann.

Waterman ranked fifth on the teams in digs (175) and receptions (87).

“Her steady presence on the court and ability to contribute in all six rotations make her a key asset to our team,” Collins said. “Whether she’s passing, attacking or defending, Lily brings a calm, focused energy that we can always rely on.”

The 6-foot Ahmann led the team with 78 blocks as a freshman.

“She brings a commanding presence at the net and we’re counting on her to be a primary force in the offense out of the middle,” Collins said. “With her size and potential, she has the ability to change the game by putting up a strong block and delivering key kills. Liv’s continued growth and confidence will be vital to our success this season.”

Most everyone else on the roster will be varsity newcomers, although five are seniors who were previously stuck behind the Class of 2025 on the depth chart.

“I’m excited to see the growth from our seniors,” Collins said. “Their journey speaks to perseverance and belief in the process and now — after being behind a strong upper-class group — I’m looking forward to getting to watch them seize the opportunity to lead and make their own mark on the program. “

The Class of 2026 includes setters Baylyn Williams and Zoey Durbin, libero Addi Dent, right side Jaylin Keller and middle hitter/right side Keira Reid.

Collins on Williams: “Baylyn Williams brings grit, toughness, and a defense-first mentality as a setter that sets the tone for our team. She isn’t afraid to get on the floor, a trait that sparks the scrappy, relentless defensive identity we take pride in.”

Collins on Durbin: “Zoey Durbin continues to grow in a setter role and is focused on improving the consistency and confidence in her game. She sees the court well and makes smart choices that put her hitters in good positions to score”

Collins on Dent: “Addi holds herself to a high standard, knowing that her first contact is crucial to setting the tone for our offense. Her adaptability, leadership and strong work ethic in this position will make her an anchor within our defense.”

Collins on Keller: “Jaylyn Keller brings a calm and composed presence to the court, which I think will be a trait needed with an overall young varsity roster lineup. Though not the tallest player, her ability to quickly turn on the ball, find smart angles and utilize the off-speed will help her be an effective attacker on the right side pin.”

Collins on Reid: “Keira Reid joins us as a move-in senior and brings solid potential to the front row. She will primarily contribute from the middle or right side pin and she’s been working hard to build confidence in running a faster-paced offense. Keira is an explosive jumper and we’re eager to capitalize on that to add more of a solid block on the front row.”

Sophomores Harper Starnes, Rikki Reimers and Anora Haney and freshman Kenzie Uder will also look to play their way into the rotation.

Collins on Starnes: “With her ability to jump set, she’s developing into a more deceptive and dynamic playmaker. Harper isn’t afraid to take risks and challenge hitters, often opting for the aggressive choices over the easy play — making her have an impactful presence on the court.”

Collins on Reimers: “Rikki Reimers has the versatility and athleticism to make an impact at any position across the front row. She is developing the tools to become a key offensive weapon. As her confidence continues to grow, Rikki has the potential to be a dominant presence in our attack and a solid contributor to the team’s success this season.”

Collins on Haney: “Anora Haney is eager to learn and constantly growing with every rep out of the middle hitter position. She takes feedback to heart, showing noticeable improvement each time she steps on the court. She will be ready when called upon.”

Collins on Uder: “She embraces the competitive grind of varsity play and thrives in those high-level moments. Defensively, Kenzie consistently finds ways to stand out with her grit and hustle, while offensively, she takes fearless swings. Her willingness to compete will make her a valuable asset on the floor this season.”

Despite the roster turnover, expectations for the incoming players remain high.

“We will not use our youth as an excuse and will expect to compete in every match,” Collins said. “At the end of the season if we can honestly say that we gave our best effort every day, supported one another selflessly and stayed committed to improving as individuals and as a team, then we’ve succeeded.”

The Yellowjackets will travel to Central for an August 27 jamboree with the hosts, Strafford and Hollister. They will open the regular season on August 30 at the Branson Invitational.

“Over the next couple of months, I hope that we become tougher, more confident in our abilities and more united than we were at the start,” Collins said. “It’s important to look back on a season regardless of record and say that we put forth a season we can be proud of. And together we can do that.”

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Skyridge girls volleyball coach Tayler Hifo, right, gives instruction to junior Anzlee Holt in a match against Bingham on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025.

Darnell Dickson, Daily Herald

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Sophomore Lucy Meck of Skyridge (38) leads her team in celebrating a point in a high school girls volleyball match against Bingham on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025.

Darnell Dickson, Daily Herald

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Senior Kylie Buttars of Skyridge (10) serves the ball in a girls high school volleyball match against Bingham on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025.

Darnell Dickson, Daily Herald

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Sophomore Sienna Kuresa of Skyridge (50) takes a swing in a girls high school volleyball match against Bingham on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025.

Darnell Dickson, Daily Herald

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Skyridge girls volleyball coach Tayler Hifo leads a time out during a match against Bingham on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025.

Darnell Dickson, Daily Herald

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Senior Kylie Buttars of Skyridge (10) takes a swing against Bingham in a high school girls volleyball match on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025.

Darnell Dickson, Daily Herald

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Junior Emma White of Skyridge (in orange) tips the ball against Bingham in a girls high school volleyball match on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025.

Darnell Dickson, Daily Herald

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Players on the Skyridge bench react to an ace serve in a match against Bingham on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025.

Darnell Dickson, Daily Herald

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Senior Lily Grant of Skyridge sets the ball during a high school girls volleyball match against Bingham on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025.

Darnell Dickson, Daily Herald

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Senior Lily Grant of Skyridge serves against Bingham in a high school girls volleyball match on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025.

Darnell Dickson, Daily Herald

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The Skyridge girls volleyball team celebrates a point in a match against Bingham on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025.

Darnell Dickson, Daily Herald

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Senior Lily Grant of Skyridge sets the ball during a high school girls volleyball match against Bingham on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025.

Darnell Dickson, Daily Herald

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Skyridge girls volleyball coach Tayler Hifo, left, gives instructions to junior Estelle Slaney in a high school girls volleyball match against Bingham on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025.

Darnell Dickson, Daily Herald

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Skyridge girls volleyball coach Tayler Hifo, right, and assistant coaches Sidney Martindale (left) and Cyrus Fa’alogo prepare for a match against Bingham on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025.

Darnell Dickson, Daily Herald

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Sophomores Lucy Meck (38) and Sienna Kuresa prepare to run through a tunnel of their teammates before the start of a girls high school volleyball match against Bingham on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025.

Darnell Dickson, Daily Herald

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Tayler Hifo — in her first season as head girls volleyball coach at Skyridge — finds herself saying the same things in practice and in games she used to hear from Heather Olmstead at BYU.

Hifo could do much worse that trying to emulate Olmstead, the NCAA leader in career win percentage.

Hifo played four seasons for Olmstead, backing up two of the Cougars all-time best setters in Lyndie Haddock-Eppich and Whitney Bower. Hifo carved out a role as a designated server and totaled 62 aces while in Provo. The American Fork High School graduate (then known as Tayler Tausinga) married Cougar football player Aleva Hifo in 2020.

For her additional COVID year, Taylor Hifo transferred to UC Riverside and was an All-Big West honorable mention selection in 2022, totaling 1,004 assists, 331 digs and 51 aces for the Highlanders.

Then, the call to coach found her.

“I was an assistant at Skyridge for two years and I just kind of fell in love with coaching,” Coach Hifo said. “BYU was great because they establish great coaching techniques from your freshman year on through their camps. I’ve always appreciated that because it’s helped me learn the whole game of volleyball, not just the position that I played. It’s been a blessing to continue coaching at Skyridge. The opportunity came to be head head and I decided to take it.”

Coach Hifo has surrounded herself with talent on the bench as well, pulling in former BYU teammate Sydney Martindale and former Cougar men’s volleyball player Cyrus Fa’alogo to join her.

“They’ve been so awesome,” Coach Hifo said. “I have such a great support staff and the have so much wisdom to share with the girls.”

It was a nice debut for Coach Hifo and the Falcons, who drilled Bingham in straight sets (25-9, 25-14, 25-20) to open the season on Tuesday.

Skyridge jumped out to a 7-1 lead in Set 1 as Bingham struggled with ball control. Emma White and Lucy Meck combined for a block and White scored on a tip to lead the Falcons to a commanding 18-4 lead. A kill from sophomore Sienna Kuresa helped Skyridge get to set point and a solo block from Hadyn Smith finished things off for a 25-9 victory.

Set 2 was more of the same and an ace from Lily Lundberg pushed the Falcons lead to 21-9. Kylie Buttars pounded the ball off the Bingham block at set point for a 25-14 win and a 2-0 lead in the match.

Bingham, also breaking in a first-year coach in Kendzee Cloward,  finally got things going in the third set and took a 12-7 lead. Skyridge went on a 7-0 run, which included a block and a kill from Smith, a kill by Kuresa and an ace serve from Buttars, to surge into a 14-12 lead. The score was tied at 15, 17, 18, and 19 before Falcons libero Estelle Slaney served consecutive aces for a 21-19 advantage. Leading 21-20, Skyridge scored the final four points of the match with back-t0-back kills from Smith to finish off the sweep.

“Bingham really came around and came back in the third set,” Coach Hifo said. “They played tough and I loved how we were able to deal with some adversity.”

So far, the transition to a new head coach is going well for the Falcons.

“Everybody loves Tayler,” Skyridge senior setter Lily Grant said. “I think she’s a great coach. She’s also a setter coach, so that’s really nice for me. I love her coaching style. I love how she breaks things down and explains it to us.

“It’s awesome how we have such great team chemistry. We’re really good on the pins and our middles are really good, too. We’ve got some stuff to work on in practice but it’s going to be a really good season.”

The Hifos are expecting their second child (another boy) in mid-September. Right now, Coach Hifo is helping her players improve every day and hopes to eventually take them deep into the state tournament.

“I want to make sure we’re defining our success with the growth of the players and the growth of the program,” she said. “But it’s always the goal to get to that final game.”

Skyridge (1-0) will travel to northern Utah to play Ridgeline on Thursday.