DENVER – The University of Denver volleyball program has signed freshman Maddie Winkler to its 2025 roster, head coach Megan Pendergast announced on Thursday.
 
“Maddie Winkler is one of the most competitive and high-achieving athletes we’ve had the chance to recruit,” Pendergast said. “Her determination, work ethic and relentless drive to improve make every team she’s on better. Every time I watch Maddie, she looks sharper, more dynamic and more confident. We are absolutely fired up to add her to our roster and can’t wait to see the impact she’ll make in our gym and in our program.”
 
Maddie Winkler – Keller, Texas – Keller H.S – Libero – 5-5
BEFORE DENVER:
2024 Second Team All-District…2024 Academic All-State…2023 Varsity Newcomer of the Year…2023 Second Team All-District…2023 Academic All-District…2022 AVCA Phenom Watch List…2022 6A State Semifinalist…2022 GJNC Open Bronze Medalist…2021 GJNC Open Silver Medalist…2019 GJNC American Bronze Medalist…Played her club volleyball for Texas Advantage Club.
 
PERSONAL:
Chose the University of Denver because of the welcoming atmosphere and supportive staff, its strong academics and its great location…Hopes to pursue a career in sports medicine or orthopedics after graduation…Also enjoys baking, cooking and spending time with friends and family.
 
Season tickets for the 2025 season are on sale now and can be purchased here.
 
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IRVINE, Calif. – Two of the youngest players on the Concordia University Irvine women’s water polo team were named All-Americans by the Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches.

True freshman Anna Tyukasz earned First Team All-American honors while starting goalie Jaden Soto earned Honorable Mention All-American status.

Tyukasz led Concordia in many categories including goals (71), assists (26) and points (97). She also collected 29 recorded steals, which ranked highest on the team for all non-goalies.

Speaking of the goalie position, Soto racked up more than 280 saves this season between the pipes and reached an impressive milestone as a sophomore with 500 career saves.

The Murrieta, Calif. native was in net for CUI’s surge down the stretch as the team defeated D1 conference foe Santa Clara twice.  Soto was a defensive force for CUI, notching double-digit saves in her last eight starts and tallying at least 18 saves or more on three occasions. She also was credited with five assists and 42 recorded steals, which lead her entire team.

Together, the duo helped the Golden Eagles go 4-3 in their last seven contests, painting a bright future for what lies ahead for the program under head coach Casey Greenawalt.

CLICK HERE for the full 2025 CUI women’s water polo schedule

Griffin will join Beth Launiere and crew as the Utes prepare to pick up where they left off last season making their 19^th NCAA appearance, and finishing the year ranked No. 17 in the country. Griffin spent the past two seasons with Utah’s beach volleyball program before making the move to indoor.

“We’re so excited to have Langley join the Utah Volleyball Indoor program,” said Launiere. “She is a tremendous athlete and competitor which allowed her to be one of the best beach players in the country. These attributes, as well as her over skill set gained from playing beach will transfer well back into the indoor game, where she began playing the sport of volleyball.”

The 6-foot talent proved to be a commodity early in her beach volleyball career as a freshman, tallying 18 wins for an overall record of 18-16 with her partner Katie McAlister. Throughout the 2024 season, Griffin helped the potent pair post win streaks of six, five, and four through various matches. She also aided in giving the Utes their first top-20 win in program history over No. 19 Arizona going 19-21, 21-16, and 15-13 against the Wildcats.

Griffin’s dominance continued in her sophomore year, helping Utah to their best season in program history, winning 35 of her matches for a 23-11-1 final record that included an eight-match win streak with partner Bella Vezzani and 3-0 victory over Arizona in the Big 12 Tournament to move on to the semifinal round.

Before coming to Utah, Griffin was a standout athlete at Peninsula High School in Tacoma, Washington where she excelled as an outside hitter/opposite hitter for her indoor volleyball team, lettering all four years of her high school career. Additionally, Griffin earned league MVP and first team all-state honors in both her senior and junior years in 2022 and 2021.

Griffin was also a standout on her track and field team as a three-time letter winner in the high jump, pole vault, and the 4×200 meter race, and placed third in her district for the 4×200 and high jump.

Griffin is slated to join the Utes as a pin attacker in 2025.

 

Assists the head coach with all aspects of the women’s beach volleyball program.

Essential Functions Assists the head coach with all aspects of the women’s beach volleyball program including practices and conditioning, player development, recruiting, supporting the academic development and graduation of student-athletes, public relations, and event management and promotion. Leads the recruiting efforts for the program with assistance from all staff. Performs other duties as assigned. Tennessee Tech is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution or equivalent international higher education diploma/certificate. Proven record of successful collegiate volleyball playing and/or coaching experience or four years high level volleyball club or national team coaching experience. Education and experience necessary to perform all the functions of a Division I Assistant Volleyball Coach. Knowledge of and commitment to adhere to NCAA and OVC rules and regulations as well as University, department, and program policies and procedures.

Beyond meeting minimum requirements, candidates will be evaluated in terms of how their experience and education have prepared them for a Division I volleyball assistant coaching position, with consideration given to recruiting, assisting with practice and player development, and supporting the academic development and graduation of student-athletes. Coaching philosophy must complement the philosophy of the head coach.

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