Kyle Ashworth was named second-team All-Conference. Ashworth was the leading Long Beach State hitter this season. The graduate student hit .330 and had a team-high 11-game hitting streak. Ashworth was the club leader in runs scored (43), hits (64), doubles (12), triples (2 with three others), total bases (86), and on-base percentage (.456). Ashworth recorded 20 multiple-hit games in 2025 and nine multiple-RBI games. He did not commit an error in 117 chances (111 PO-6A). In Big West only play, Ashworth led the league in on-base percentage (.507). He was fourth in hitting (.393), fourth in walks (22), tied with two others for fourth in hits (46), tied for sixth with three others in doubles (10), and 12th in stolen bases (60). A 2024 honorable mention All-Conference selection, Ashworth moved to fourth in school history in career walks, completing his career with 99. Former MLB All-Star Jason Giambi holds the school mark with 116. Ashworth led the team in walks in 2025 with 37 and was second in the Big West in the category.

Albert Roblez earned second-team All-Conference honors. Roblez led the team in ERA (2.78), saves (4), strikeouts (79), and strikeouts per nine innings (12.19). His strikeouts per nine innings tally is the fifth-best in school history. At 4-3, he was third on the team in victories. Opponents hit 168 (the sixth best in school history) against him in 2025. In league-only play, Roblez was the Big West leader in earned run average (1.97), opposing batting average (.146), fewest hits allowed (23), fewest runs allowed (12), and fewest earned runs allowed (10). He was fourth in strikeouts (61) and tied for fifth with five others for fifth in saves (5). In the May 19 NCAA Division I statistical report, Roblez was fourth in hits allowed per nine innings (5.25), 22nd in strikeouts per nine innings, 36th in ERA, 47th in WHIP (1.06), 93rd in strikeouts, and 149th in saves.

 

Kellan Montgomery was chosen as an honorable mention All-Conference. Montgomery finished the season with a team-high nine wins (9-4) and a team-high 76 innings pitched. He was second on the club in strikeouts with 60. He was named Big West Pitcher of the Week on April 14. Montgomery retired the final 19 Cal State Bakersfield batters he faced as he tossed a complete game four-hitter as Long Beach State defeated the Roadrunners 3-2 on April 13. Montgomery threw the first Long Beach State complete game since May 12, 2023, when Nico Zeglin blanked UC Santa Barbara 1-0. He struck out eight and walked two. He got 15 ground ball outs to go along with the strikeouts. Montgomery threw 122 pitches, 82 of which were for strikes. In conference-only statistics, Montgomery was third in wins (6) and fifth in innings pitched (58.1). Entering the May 19 NCAA Division I statistical report, Montgomery is 12th in victories, 11th in starts (14), and 56th in complete games.

 

 

~#LongBeachBuilt~

A methodical approach to mental training may help, but it’s ultimately up to the individual to determine what works best. 

That process takes time, and 18-year-old Barbara Coppelli of Chile admits that she hasn’t quite figured it out.

“I have really bad concentration problems,” Coppelli says. “In training, I get yelled at ALL the time. Sometimes I’m listening to the coach, but I’m actually just seeing her, not paying attention to her.”

Coppelli, who does double-duty on the junior and senior national teams, says, “Right now, I’m just understanding when I am getting distracted. It’s like, ‘Okay, you’re dissociating. Pay attention now.’ Sometimes I do understand but I don’t do anything about it.”

Unfortunately, resources are limited. “Being a tiny country,” she says, “we don’t have the financial stuff. You see all the big countries bringing physiotherapists, massage people, photographers, psychologists [to a competition like the World Cup in Canada]. It’s, like, we were fighting to get both of our coaches here. It’s very challenging. That’s kind of stopping us a bit from moving forward in our sport.”

Japan’s Tomoka Sato, 23, says that her mental fortitude comes from “repeated practice.”

“I do image training. I close my eyes and imagine the underwater scenery,” says the 2023 world champion in mixed technical duet. When the competition grows near, “I imagine judges and spectators at the match venue, too. I add that.”

Then, just before the performance, she will incorporate music and envision a supportive atmosphere.

“I swim thinking everyone is watching, including judges, coaches and the audience is on my side. This helps me relax,” she says.

Then, in the water, “even when I think, ‘It’s no good, it’s no good,’ I have to push myself. I will swim with faith in the accumulated practice I have gained,” Sato says. “If I’m nervous, I believe in my practice and keep swimming.” 

Still, Sato admits, there have been moments when pressure has reduced her to tears. When that happens, she says, “I write in my diary.” And, she says, “I call my younger brother, Yotaro, who understands me the most.”  (Yotaro is also her mixed-duet partner.)

After switching nationalities from Mexico to the US, Ana Martinez, 23, says the mental game is harder than ever.

Due to a three-year waiting period to represent her new nation, Martinez says, “Last time I competed, the sport was called synchro, had different rules, and no base marks, so I have been preparing a lot. I’ve been visualizing what I need to do. When you’re eight people in the water, you have to think in patterns.  Maybe it’s a line. Maybe it’s two lines.

“You also have to be tighter on the counts. We count one through eight. Sometimes we move on every count, or maybe we move on one count, then hold it for another two counts. It depends on the choreography. But the judges are very strict. If we’re not on count, you can get a ‘minor’ [error which carries a 0.1 penalty], an ‘obvious’ [error which costs 0.5 points], or a ‘major’ if it’s too off,” which yields a 3.0-point deduction.

As a result, she says the team works on visualization every time it swims through the entire routine. And when they do, Martinez says,  “Some people visualize themselves – like how do I want to look in the water?” so they imagine how high they want to be, how a limb should look, or maybe their facial expressions.  In contrast, she says, “Some people visualize what they’re looking at when they’re swimming.”

Many athletes choose one point-of-view or the other, but Martinez – whose role as a “pusher” means she’s at the bottom of every team structure – does both.

“If it’s a new routine,” she explains, “I like to look what I’m looking at [in the water]. But if it’s a very worked [out] routine, I like to look at myself.”        

In addition, the US team has studied and established breathing exercises.

“When you exhale fast, it makes you ready to perform,” Martinez says, “versus if you inhale fast and exhale slow, then it relaxes you. I don’t know if you’ve seen this – but that’s why, when swimmers are about to go on, they go, “HA!”

American flyer Elle Santana, 19, says it helps to be able “to feel your team – even on land,” so she appreciates when the US does its group breathing together “to calm ourselves and stay in our little bubble. It doesn’t matter what other teams are doing in the pool; as soon as we walk into the competition, we’re very honed in.”

Sometimes, switching the brain off can also be effective. The key to staying mentally sharp “for me,” says Canada’s Halle Pratt, 25, “is downtime, making sure you’re well-rested. I try to sleep 8½ hours every night, and a little more towards competition. But I’m not afraid to take a nap in the middle of the day. I think that’s super-helpful.”

Mental training, however, is not universal.

Mexico’s mixed duet specialist Diego Carrillo Villalobos, 20, is an ex-diver who went from complete beginner to world championship silver medallist in just three years.  “I don’t have any special mental training,” he says. “I visualise a little bit, but I think it stresses me. I just trust in my work, and that relaxes me.”

Ultimately – whatever the method (or non-method) of mental training – most artistic swimmers agree on a few universal truths.

Martinez, the Mexican-American says, “I think confidence is key. The first step is to believe you can do it, right? Then, you look at the details.  And, of course, trusting your preparation and all the training you have.”

After spending eight hours in the pool six days of the week, and about 80 run-throughs of a routine, it becomes second nature.

TEXARKANA, Texas — The Texas A&M University-Texarkana athletic department has announced that the overall GPA for all student athletes in the Spring 2025 semester was a 3.25.

There were 319 student athletes enrolled at the university during the spring semester that ended on May 7, 2025. There were 45 student athletes who earned a 4.0 for the semester and qualified for President’s Honors, 101 who finished with a GPA higher than 3.5 and earned University Honors, and 239 who finished with at least a 3.0, which will earn them a spot on the Athletic Director’s Honor Roll.

“We are exceptionally proud of the dedication our student athletes have for their work in the classroom,” said A&M-Texarkana President Dr. Ross Alexander. “To have so many of them qualify for academic honors while competing at a championship level is a testament to their work ethic and drive. We have made adding additional sports and student athletes an integral part of our growth strategy at A&M-Texarkana, and this is precisely why. These are strong students who we know will excel not only during their time with us, but in their careers as well.”

“Our student athletes had an outstanding year both in the classroom and in competition,” said Ryan Wall, A&M-Texarkana Director of Athletics. “With over 40 students earning a perfect 4.0 GPA across multiple sports, it’s clear they’re excelling in every area. This success is a reflection of their hard work and discipline, as well as the commitment of our coaches who continue to recruit high-character individuals and hold them to high standards on and off the field. Kudos to both our student-athletes and coaches for setting the bar high and representing our institution with pride.”

Texas A&M University competes in the NAIA’s Red River Athletic Conference and currently fields 17 varsity sports including men’s and women’s basketball, soccer, cross country, track and field, and tennis, as well as baseball, softball, women’s volleyball, women’s beach volleyball, competitive cheer, competitive dance and esports. The Fall 2025 semester will see the addition of four new sports, with men’s and women’s bowling and golf joining the program.

John Pyatt had 17 kills, and Vinny Silon had 15 kills and eight digs to lead third-seeded Western Wayne to a 3-1 (25-21, 25-14, 18-25, 25-23) win over No. 6 Nanticoke Area in the District 2 Class 2A boys volleyball quarterfinals on Tuesday.

Braden Laity added five kills and four aces, and Theo Black had 33 assists for the Wildcats (13-4), who advanced to play second-seeded Crestwood in the first match of a semifinal doubleheader at Holy Redeemer on Thursday night.

Zack Zubritski had 12 kills, Ethan Yendrzeiwski added 10 service points and eight blocks, Braeden Isaacs had 20 assists and nine service points, and Jayden Teron had blocks for Nanticoke Area (9-7).

Crestwood 3, Valley View 0: The second-seeded Comets (13-3) powered their way into the semifinals of the Class 2A tournament with a 25-20, 25-13, 25-22 win over No. 7 Valley View.

Crestwood advanced to face third-seeded Western Wayne in the first match of a doubleheader at Holy Redeemer High School on Thursday.

Kyle Liparulo had five kills and two blocks, Jagger Roe added five kills, Mike Shemonski had five kills, and Antonio Farina had 18 assists for Valley View (10-6).

Holy Redeemer 3, Dallas 0: Joshua Rocha continued his outstanding season by recording 41 kills to lead top-seeded Holy Redeemer to a 25-19, 25-15, 25-11 win over No. 8 Dallas in the quarterfinals.

The Royals, who are ranked No. 5 among Class 2A teams in the state by the Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association, advanced to the semifinals and will host No. 4 Berwick 30 minutes after the first game of a doubleheader on Thursday night.

Jack Wasiakowski had 39 assists, four blocks, four digs, and nine service points for the undefeated Royals (17-0).

In addition to the two heavy hitters for Holy Redeemer, Max Mohutsky had 10 service points and seven digs, Hayden Fleegle contributed four digs, four assists, and six points, and Jack Broda had three blocks.

Berwick 3, Blue Ridge 0: Fourth-seeded Berwick knocked out defending two-time champion Blue Ridge (25-20, 25-23, 25-16) in the quarterfinals.

Carlos Guzman had 20 service points, 15 kills, and 14 digs to lead the Bulldogs (12-5). Jackson Matash had 26 assists, 13 digs, and six service points; Sage Bankes had six blocks, seven kills, and seven digs; and Jayden Charles had four aces and 10 service points and added five kills and 16 digs.

Parker Glasgow had nine kills, Landon Bishop had seven kills and 12 service points with six aces, and Owen Martin had six kills for Blue Ridge.

Riley Phillips added 11 service points and Bruce Conklin had 21 digs for the Raiders (11-6)

Originally Published: May 20, 2025 at 9:38 PM EDT

One team reappears in the latest 2025 USA TODAY Sports/American Volleyball Coaches Association boys volleyball Super 25. As the action moves toward Memorial Day Weekend, Mira Costa continues to dominate, with the Mustangs making it nine weeks in a row at No. 1.

Josh Rocha had another big night, and the Holy Redeemer Royals are back in the District 2 Class 2A semifinals.

Rocha had 41 kills, and added three aces, as the Royals swept Dallas, 25-19, 25-15 and 25-11, in the quarterfinals Tuesday night.

Redeemer will host Thursday’s doubleheader and will face off with Berwick in the nightcap.

Jack Wasiakowski added 39 assists, four blocks, four digs and nine points, and Max Mohutsky had 10 points and seven digs. Hayden Fleegle added four digs, four assists and six points, and Jack Broda ended with three blocks and two kills.

Crestwood 3, Valley View 0: At Crestwood, the second-seeded Comets used a big game from JJ Stec to advance in three sets past Valley View, 25-20, 25-13 and 25-22.

Crestwood will face off with Western Wayne in the opening match of the semifinal doubleheader at Holy Redeemer on Thursday.

Stec had 15 kills, 10 digs and 11 service points to pace the Comets. Tommy McLaughlin added seven kills and 10 blocks, and Clark Groth ended with nine blocks and five kills. Crestwood libero Luke Joseph finished with 15 digs.

Berwick 3, Blue Ridge 0: At Berwick, Carlos Guzman had 20 points, 15 kills and 14 digs to pace No. 4 Berwick past No. 5 Blue Ridge (25-20, 25-23, 25-16) in the District 2 Class 2A quarterfinals.

The victory puts the Bulldogs in the semifinals against No. 1 seed Holy Redeemer on Thursday.

Jackson Matash had 26 assists and 13 digs for Berwick, and Sage Bankes added seven kills, seven digs and six blocks. Jayden Charles added 10 points, five kills and 16 digs in the win.

Western Wayne 3, Nanticoke Area 1: At Western Wayne, Nanticoke Area rallied to force a fourth set, but the Trojans fell to No. 3 Western Wayne (25-21, 25-14, 18-25, 25-23) in the District 2 Class 2A quarterfinals.

The third-seeded Wildcats will face off with No. 2 Crestwood at Holy Redeemer in the first semifinal on Thursday.

Zack Zubritski had 12 kills to pace the Trojans. Ethan Yendrzeiwski had 10 points and eight blocks, and Braeden Isaacs had 20 assists and nine points. Jayden Teron added six blocks.

Originally Published: May 20, 2025 at 10:04 PM EDT