Lynchburg, Va. — The University of Lynchburg and Director of Athletics Jon Waters are thrilled to announce the hiring of Joshua Knapp as the new head coach of the men’s volleyball program. 

“Josh made a great impression on our staff with his student-focused leadership and desire to build a championship-level program,” said Waters. “His commitment to the well-rounded student experience was evident through his past experiences. We are excited to have him get in to motion with our group next month.”

“I want to thank the Director of Athletics, Jon Waters, and the staff at the University of Lynchburg for giving me this opportunity to lead this newly established Men’s Volleyball Program,” said Knapp. “The University of Lynchburg has a proven history of success within its athletic department, and my goal is to embody that culture and elevate Men’s Volleyball to become a top contender in both the ODAC and the NCAA. I look forward to the opportunity to challenge the narrative of what’s possible for a newly founded program and to be part of a growing volleyball environment for the student-athletes here at the University of Lynchburg.”

Knapp arrives in the Hill City with experience as a coach, student-athlete, and official, bringing a versatile background that will support the continued growth of the Hornets’ emerging men’s volleyball operation.

Knapp most recently served as the head coach for the Liberty University men’s club volleyball program, where he led the team since January 2023. In that role, he managed all aspects of the program, including training direction, recruitment efforts, and the coordination of support staff. Prior to taking over as head coach, he worked with the Flames as an assistant coach from August 2022 to January 2023, helping integrate skills development, training plans, and travel logistics for the team.

In addition to his coaching experience, Knapp is also a certified volleyball official with the Virginia High School League and the NCAA, a role he began in August 2025. His work as an official allowed him to use working knowledge of volleyball rules, regulations, and procedures while exhibiting professionalism through all interactions.

A former two-sport student-athlete at Liberty University, Knapp competed for four years in a high-level collegiate setting and served as a team captain for the men’s volleyball team from 2020 through 2022. Knapp earned his B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies from Liberty University in 2022, completing academic specializations in business, sports management, and carpentry.

The University of Lynchburg looks forward to the leadership, energy, and experience Knapp brings to the program as he begins his tenure with the Hornets men’s volleyball team.

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–LYN–

Point Loma Nazarene volleyball star Abigail Nua is the two-time defending PacWest Conference Player of the Year. She won this year’s award despite missing the last eight matches with a knee injury. Nua is nowhere near 100% healthy, but she told head coach Jonathan Scott there was no chance she was not going to let a chance to make history get away.

“Jon kind of sat me down and I was like, are you okay?” says Nua. “I just had to be like, I gotta suck it up. I gotta play for my girls. And so, I just said, well, you’re hurt. Deal with it and let’s play ball.”

On Saturday night, Nua did more than that. In the 4^th and final set of the Division II West Regional final against Fresno Pacific at Golden Gymnasium, Nua had nine kills, including the one that put the Sea Lions into the Elite 8 for the first time ever.

“They fought really hard. That’s something we talk about all the time, is let your actions show how hungry you are,” says Scott. “And it was really obvious tonight how hungry we were.”

Scott is in his 12^th year as the Sea Lions head coach. He’s built the program to the point that PLNU is now a consistent presence in the NCAA Tournament.

“It’s pretty cool. Literally every day, I think about winning a national championship,” says Scott, who has a legitimate chance to make that happen this year.

The Sea Lions are the #3 national seed. They open against #6 Bentley on Thursday morning (the match starts at 9:00 a.m. San Diego time) and they just won a West Regional that was far and away the deepest and most talent-laden of the eight regional sites.

“I’m really excited,” says Nua. “I could say it 10,000 more times, I love this group of girls. I can’t wait to travel with them, I’m really grateful for it.”

As much fun as this trip is going not be, there is also business to be taken care of.

“I gave them an order at the end of the match to enjoy it tonight, to feel good, hug a lot of people, and then when the wake up in the morning no more smiles. It’s time to go and we are not satisfied,” says Scott.

This year’s Elite 8 is being played in Sioux Falls, SD. NBC 7 meteorologist Sheena Parveen says with wind chill, the high temperature there after the Sea Lions arrive is going to feel like 12 degrees. That’s about a 68-degree drop from the San Diego coast. How will they handle the extreme weather change? Like any good Californian, obviously.

“I’ll still be in my Rainbows (sandals),” says Scott.

Win a national title, and nobody will question any fashion choices.

Dec. 8, 2025, 6:55 p.m. CT

UW-Oshkosh freshman Callie Panasuk celebrates with her team during the Division III national championship match against the University of La Verne on Saturday, Dec. 6, in Bloomington, Illinois. The Oak Creek High School graduate was one of four Titans on the All-Tournament Team.

Kodiak Creative

ELLENSBURG, Wash. – Mario Andaya, the Head Coach of the Central Washington University volleyball team since 1996, will step down from his position at the helm of the program to begin a new chapter as the new Deputy Athletics Director of CWU. Lauren Herseth, the Associate Head Coach of the program, will be named the next head coach of Wildcat Volleyball, CWU Director of Athletics Dennis Francois announced on Monday.
 
“It has been amazing to work with Mario over the past 13 years and witness not only the success he has had leading our volleyball program, but also the trust and respect he has earned from our entire athletic staff,” Francois said. “His passion for CWU is unmatched, and his commitment to excellence is evident in everything he does. I am confident he will approach his new role as Deputy Athletics Director with the same level of commitment and be instrumental in the future successes of all of our programs and the Department as a whole.”
 
A former track and field standout at Central in the long and triple jump, Andaya first joined the CWU volleyball team in 1992 as a Student Assistant Volleyball Coach under his predecessor, the late John Pearson. He then became the Wildcats’ Junior Varsity Volleyball Coach from 1993 to 1994, while also serving as Assistant Volleyball Coach until the end of the 1995 season. Andaya was then named Head Coach of the program before the school’s penultimate season in the NAIA in 1996. Andaya proceeded to guide Central Washington through its final days in the NAIA into its move to NCAA Division II with a three-year stay in the Pacific West Conference (1998-2000), before its move to the GNAC in 2001.
 
Andaya and the Wildcats saw great success in 2004, when the team won all 26 of its regular-season matches, becoming just the sixth team in NCAA Division II history to complete the regular season without a loss while also capturing their first GNAC title. The Wildcats repeated as conference champions in 2005 and, after receiving an at-large berth in the NCAA tournament, Andaya guided Central to its first postseason victory since 1991 with a five-set defeat of second-seeded Cal Poly Pomona. The Wildcats also came within one game of the regional championship match, losing to Cal State San Bernardino in five sets in the regional semifinals. The Wildcats’ success culminated with Andaya earning GNAC Coach of the Year honors for both 2004 and 2005.
 
Under Andaya’s guidance, the Wildcats have also produced five 20-win seasons and 18 winning campaigns, including making the NCAA Tournament every year since 2012. In 2024, Central had its best season since 2005–going 18-7 overall, while going 16-2 in the conference to capture the program’s third GNAC title, with Andaya earning his third GNAC Coach of the Year honors. The ‘Cats followed that up this season by going 18-7 overall, with a 14-4 conference record that saw CWU claim its second consecutive title and fourth total, as the Wildcats finished the season in a four-way split for the GNAC regular season title. Central went on to defeat Simon Fraser 3-2 in the first round before narrowly falling to Fresno Pacific 2-3 in the regional semifinals.
 
“The experience leading this program was more than I could have ever imagined when I began my coaching career over thirty years ago,” Andaya said. “All the people that I have shared this experience with throughout my tenure is what I will cherish the most. I am very sad to leave this current team and coaches, but I am so excited to see what they will accomplish in the future. I have been blessed to have had this final season with them and for the journey we experienced together. I want to thank the alumni and supporters of this program for making Wildcat Volleyball such a wonderful family to be a part of. I am so excited for Lauren to step in as the new leader of this program and for the new era of CWU Volleyball.
 
I want to thank Dr. Dennis Francois and President Wohlpart for the opportunity to move into a new role with CWU Athletics. We have incredible people working in this department and institution, all who have high expectations and energy to achieve big things. I am excited to get started.”
 
Since joining the Division II ranks, the Wildcats have appeared in 15 NCAA Regionals, produced 23 AVCA All-Region selections, 16 AVCA All-Americans, seven GNAC Players of the Year (overall and defense), and 41 All-GNAC first-team selections.
 
Off the court, Andaya has coached over 100 academic all-conference players during his tenure. In 2002, the Wildcats set a then-conference record with eight selections to the GNAC Academic All-Conference team and posted the highest team grade-point average in the 10-team league. Six different times, a Wildcat has posted the highest individual GPA in the GNAC.
Andaya finishes his tenure at CWU as the winningest coach in program history with an overall record of 489-315, while going 328-186 in conference.
 
Andaya will begin his new position effectively on Dec. 16, 2025.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa [BOX SCORE | BRACKET | SCHEDULE] – In the 2025 NAIA Women’s Volleyball National Semifinal Round, the Indiana Wesleyan Wildcats emerged victorious over the Eastern Oregon Mountaineers with a hard-fought 3-2 battle (25-20, 23-25, 19-25, 25-15, 15-11).

The Wildcats started strong, taking the first set 25-20, but EOU quickly responded by winning the next two sets 25-23 and 25-19, respectively. IWU rallied to win the fourth set 25-15, forcing a decisive fifth set. In the final stretch, Indiana Wesleyan went on a 9-2 scoring run to clinch the victory with a 15-11 set win.

Indiana Wesleyan was led by freshman rightside hitter Shae Williams, who recorded 25 kills and an impressive hitting percentage of .477. Marissa Mullins also contributed significantly with 16 kills and a .536 hitting percentage, while Eva Joldersma added 22 kills. Setter, Abbigail Porter, dished out 61 assists at 12.2 per set, to go along with 17 digs. IWU’s backline was led by Dayessi Luis with 21 digs and Cadee Notter with 20.

The Mountaineers’ efforts were highlighted by Keira Vaughn, who delivered 20 kills and maintained a .236 hitting percentage. Brooke Womack contributed 13 kills, and Kiauna Mack added nine kills. Kate Stidham and Madison Vaughn led EOU’s offense with 26 and 21 assists, respectively. Defensively, Jaycee Villastrigo led the team with 23 digs, followed closely by Womack with 22.

With the loss, Eastern Oregon is eliminated from championship play.

IWU moves on to play in the championship match for the third year straight and third in program history.

Indiana Wesleyan is in a position to win a third Championship title in three years. The last time a team won three in a row was 2007-10 when former member, Fresno Pacific (Calif.), won four in a row. Only three teams in NAIA history have won three or more titles in as many years.

The Wildcats will return to action Tuesday, December 10, at 7 p.m. CT, taking on the winner of Concordia (Neb.) vs. Northwestern (Iowa) to decide who wins the Battle for the Red Banner.