Sports
Austin Peay State University Bolsters Sports Performance Department with Key Additions – Clarksville Online
Clarksville, TN – Austin Peay State University (APSU) Assistant Director of Athletics for Sports Performance Medgar Harrison added Assistant Sports Performance Coaches Austin Van Buskirk and Michael Fiorito and graduate assistants Alan Anderson and Austin Okruta to his staff ahead of the 2025-26 academic year.
“In the ever-evolving landscape of college athletics, change is both constant and necessary,” said Harrison. “Over the past 30 days, we’ve seen the departure of six valued staff members, each of whom contributed significantly to the development of our student-athletes and the success of our programs. We thank them for their dedication and wish them continued success in their next chapters. At the same time, I’m excited to announce the addition of four dynamic new professionals to our sports performance team. Each brings unique experiences, fresh energy, and a shared commitment to helping our student-athletes thrive both on and off the field. Their arrival marks a new chapter for our department—one filled with innovation, collaboration, and an unwavering focus on performance, health, and development.”
“We are moving forward with great momentum, and I am confident that this team will not only meet the demands of our growing programs but will also help shape the future of sports performance department at APSU.”
Van Buskirk remains on Harrison’s staff after serving as a volunteer assistant last season while working with the Governors. baseball and track programs.
In addition to his duties for APSU in 2024-25, Van Buskirk also served as a strength and conditioning coach for the 101st Airborne Division on Fort Campbell since July 2023, where he was attached to 1st Brigade, working alongside the 2-32 field artillery regiment and the 2-327 infantry battalions. He helped develop and coach platoon-sized element strength and conditioning programs and supported physical training leaders in managing a battalion of 600-plus soldiers, collaborated with health professional staffs, created and ran Air Assault Prep Academy within the battalion, and more.
Prior to arriving at Fort Campbell, Van Buskirk was a strength and conditioning intern at Ohio State, August 2022-January 2023, working with the 12 Buckeyes programs, where he led team warms ups, recovery sessions, and worked with injured student-athletes’ rehabilitation.
Van Buskirk began his career as an Air Force ROTC in Bowling Green, Ohio, where he completed a semester’s worth of coaching and programming for 80 cadets.
Van Burskirk earned his bachelor’s degree from Bowling Green in 2021 and graduated with his master’s from Concordia of Chicago in 2023.
Fiorito comes to Clarksville after serving as a Strength and Conditioning Assistant for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers since April 2024, working alongside the Buccaneers’ head of strength and conditioning, Anthony Piroli, in Tampa Bay’s performance rehab department.
In addition, Fiorito also assisted with practice and pregame dynamic warm-up groups, utilized key performance indicators to prescribe and implement programming at the positional and individual levels, and more.
Prior to his time in Tampa, Florida, Fiorito was an Assistant Strength Coach and Recreational Center Coordinator at the New Mexico Military Institute, Jan.-April 2024, where he was responsible for the direct development and implementation of year-long performance training programs for the Broncos’ baseball, basketball, and cross country teams. He also assisted the head strength coach in the programming and execution of training programs for the football and volleyball programs.
Fiorito’s first postgraduate experience came as an NFL Bill Walsh Fellowship Strength Intern for the Buccaneers, July-Sept. 2023, where he met daily with the Director of Sports Performance Rehab, led groups through gameday and pre-game warmups and activations, and more.
He served as a graduate assistant for Toledo’s football team, August 2021-June 2023, leading in-season lifts for developmental groups, trained incoming freshman and pro day athletes, and created and led high needs program for athletes to achieve better exercise technique and general mobility. He began his career as an intern for Cincinnati’s football team.
Fiorito earned his bachelor’s degree from Illinois State in 2021 and his master’s from Toledo in 2023.
Okruta joins Harrison’s staff after previously serving as a strength and conditioning intern for Pittsburg’s football team since Jan.
While with the Panthers’ he helped to set up and break down daily lifts, direct injured student-athletes through their return-to-play progression, demonstrating lifts and drills, and assisted in Pro Day training.
Okruta began his strength and conditioning career at the NST Sports Performace in Twinsburg, Ohio as an intern where he assisted in training, ran drills, and more.
Okruta graduated from Kent State in August 2024 and currently is working towards his Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist certification.
Anderson served in the 101st Airborne Division, 2021-25. During his time in the Army, Anderson served as a Brigade Innovations Officer, DSSB Battalion Adjutant, TC Executive Officer, and a Maintenance Platoon Leader/Battalion Maintenance Officer.
Prior to his time on Fort Campbell, Anderson was a member of the Auburn Army ROTC, July 2019-21.
Anderson earned his bachelor’s degree in physical activity and health in May 2021
Sports
esports athlete Mortal joins Royal Challenge Packaged Drinking Water’s new campaign
MUMBAI: Naman Mathur, popularly known as Mortal has joined cricketing star Smriti Mandhana, youth icon Rannvijay Singha, and rapper Srushti Tawde for Royal Challenge Packaged Drinking Water’s new campaign ‘Main Nahi Toh Kaun Be’.
This is a celebration of self-belief and authenticity. It reflects a shift from living by inherited norms to defining success on one’s own terms, from “what will people think” to “what do I think.” Brought to life through Srushti Tawade’s spirited anthem of the same name, the campaign is a tribute to those who’ve chosen bold at every turn and earned the right to say, Main Nahi Toh Kaun Be.
As an esports athletes and co-founder of S8UL Esports, Mortal’s inclusion in this national campaign highlights the growing influence of gaming and content creation within India’s youth culture. His journey from starting out as a mobile gamer to representing India on the global stage in esports and winning the Esports Content Creator of the Year 2024 award at the global Esports Awards symbolizes a new generation of achievers who have turned unconventional passions into professional careers.
“Gaming has never just been about winning, it’s about the mindset. Every match is a test of strategy, patience and self-belief. You enter the battlefield knowing anything’s possible if you trust your grind. That’s why ‘Mai Nahi Toh Kaun Be’ isn’t just a line- it’s a reminder to back yourself, every single time,” said Naman Mathur aka Mortal.
Representing diverse passions that define young India, from sports and entertainment to music and gaming, the campaign speaks to a generation unafraid to dream big and carve its own path.
The film opens with an energetic montage capturing each icon in their own world: Mandhana on the pitch, commanding every shot; Singha pushing boundaries with confidence; Mortal deep in gameplay strategy; and Tawde delivering fiery verses that echo her individuality. Their journeys unfold through moments of hustle, passion and triumph, all connected by one powerful idea, belief in oneself. ‘Main Nahi Toh Kaun Be’ goes beyond being a campaign. It is a movement that encourages everyone to make boldness a defining part of who they are.

Speaking on the launch, Varun Koorichh, VP marketing – Portfolio Head Premium and Luxury, Diageo India, said, “Main Nahi Toh Kaun Be is the next chapter in our Choose Bold journey, and it mirrors the wave of confidence shaping India today. Being bold is no longer limited to the big screen or the big stage – it’s about backing yourself in any arena where ambition runs high.
“That’s why this campaign champions everything from high-pressure cricket moments to the explosive rise of e-sports – a space where young Indians are proving that skill, resilience and self-belief are the new markers of success. Whether you’re battling it out in a competitive gaming lobby, creating in the fast-moving digital landscape, or building something from the ground up – it’s that inner conviction that sets you apart. With this campaign, we’ve brought together cultural icons who embody this fearless spirit and we hope it inspires every young Indian to step up and say, ‘If not me, then who?”
According to the FICCI EY Media and Entertainment Industry Report 2025, the number of brands investing in esports is set to rise from 68 in 2024 to 75 in 2025. Royal Challenge Packaged Drinking Water’s association with India’s gaming and esports industry reflects this growing trend. The brand has been consistently engaging with the gaming community, from creating a “Cricket Gaming Zone” with NODWIN Gaming at Mumbai Comic Con 2025 to hosting branded game nights and collaborating with leading Indian gaming creators, showcasing its commitment to the country’s thriving gamer ecosystem.
With this campaign, Royal Challenge Packaged Drinking Water is looking to champion a generation that steps up, takes risks, and embraces boldness in every moment. It stands as a celebration of confidence, courage, and conviction — a reminder to make things happen, because if not you, then who?
Watch the film here:
Sports
2025 DI women’s volleyball championship: Bracket, schedule, scores
The stage is set for the 2025 DI women’s volleyball championship. No. 1 Kentucky is set to face No. 3 Texas A&M on Sunday, Dec. 21 at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri.
Both programs earned their spot in the final after clinching victories on Thursday, Dec. 18 to set up the first ever all-SEC national championship in DI women’s volleyball history.
The Aggies knocked off No. 1 Pitt in three straight sets, continuing their historic season by etching their names in the program’s first-ever national championship. Kyndal Stowers powered the Maroon and White with 16 kills on .433 hitting while setter Maddie Waak orchestrated her balanced offense to an impressive .382 clip with four different Aggies earning at least eight put-aways. Texas A&M has now knocked off back-to-back No. 1 seeds (Nebraska, Pitt) and look to the next in No. 1 Kentucky.
Big Blue earned a dramatic five-setter victory over No. 3 Wisconsin to earn its second ever national championship appearance and first since their 2021 national title. The Badgers seemed to have all control after a Set 1 25-12 victory, but Kentucky wouldn’t be denied. Eva Hudson was on fire, accruing 29 kills on .455 hitting while Molly Tuozzo’s back-court defense with 17 critical digs fought off a career night from Mimi Colyer. The Cats have the momentum heading into Sunday’s match with 27 straight wins.
The full 64-team bracket was announced on Sunday, Nov. 30. Thirty-one conference champions earned automatic bids to the tournament, with the NCAA DI women’s volleyball committee selecting 33 other teams as at-large picks.
Here is everything you need to know about the 2025 women’s volleyball championship.
2025 DI women’s volleyball championship bracket
👉 Click or tap to see the interactive bracket
2025 DI women’s volleyball championship schedule
All times listed in ET
- National championship: 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 21 | ABC
- Selection show: 6 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 30
- First round:
- Thursday, Dec. 4
- No. 5 Colorado 3, American 0
- No. 6 Baylor 3, Arkansas State 2
- No. 8 UCLA 3, Georgia Tech 2
- No. 5 Miami (Fla.) 3, Tulsa 1
- No. 4 Indiana 3, Toledo 0
- No. 6 UNI 3, Utah 2
- North Carolina 3, No. 6 UTEP 1
- Utah State 3, No. 7 Tennessee 2
- No. 1 Kentucky 3, Wofford 0
- No. 3 Purdue 3, Wright State 0
- No. 4 Kansas 3, High Point 0
- Cal Poly 3, No. 5 BYU 2
- No. 3 Creighton 3, Northern Colorado 2
- No. 3 Wisconsin 3, Eastern Illinois 0
- No. 2 Arizona State 3, Coppin State 0
- No. 4 USC 3, Princeton 0
- Friday, Dec. 5
- Marquette 3, No. 7 Western Kentucky 0
- Michigan 3, No. 8 Xavier 0
- Florida 3, No. 7 Rice 0
- No. 6 TCU 3, SFA 0
- No. 5 Iowa State 3, St. Thomas (Minn.) 2
- No. 8 Penn State 3, South Florida 1
- Kansas State 3, No. 8 San Diego 2
- No. 2 Louisville 3, Loyola Chicago 0
- No. 1 Pittsburgh 3, UMBC 0
- No. 2 SMU 3, Central Arkansas 0
- Arizona 3, No. 7 South Dakota State 1
- No. 3 Texas A&M 3, Campbell 0
- No. 4 Minnesota 3, Fairfield 0
- No. 1 Nebraska 3, LIU 0
- No. 1 Texas 3, Florida A&M 0
- No. 2 Stanford 3, Utah Valley 1
- Thursday, Dec. 4
- Second Round:
- Friday, Dec. 5
- Saturday, Dec. 6
- Regionals
- Thursday, Dec. 11
- Friday, Dec. 12
- Saturday, Dec. 13
- Sunday, Dec. 14
- Semifinals: Thursday, Dec. 18
DI women’s volleyball championship history
Here is the complete history of DI women’s volleyball champions:
Sports
Badgers season ends in five-set thriller
AVCA National Player of the Year finalist Mimi Colyer led the way with a career-best 32 kills on a .348 hitting percentage. The senior racked up her 10th double-double of the season as well, chipping in 12 digs. Fellow All-American Carter Booth joined her at a .633 swing percentage (21 – 2 – 30), accumulating the most kills in her career in her final collegiate match.
Charlier Fuerbringer and Una Vajagic each finished with double-doubles, too. Fuerbringer dished out a career-best 63 assists to pair with her 14 digs. Vajagic was more of the same in this tournament run, concluding the match with 10 kills and 12 digs.
The Badgers exploded out of the gates in set one, putting the Wildcats on their heels early. UW converted each of its first 10 attacks as All-Americans Colyer and Booth led the way, combining to go 7-for-7 to give UW a 7-2 advantage.
Wisconsin pulled away in the first frame and Booth concluded the set with her seventh kill of the match to give the Badgers a 25-12 win and a 1-0 lead.
After battling back-and-forth in the second frame, the Badgers led 20-18 late. But the Wildcats rattled off six-straight points to take a lead and force match point.
After a service error, a block from senior Alicia Andrew and Fuerbringer brought the match within 22-24. Unfortunately for UW, AVCA Player of the Year finalist Eva Hudson capped it off with a kill to knot it up at 1-1.
In set three, the Badgers built an early lead and maintained that cushion throughout, winning the final three points of the frame to take a 2-1 lead heading into set four. Outside hitter Vajagic finished it off with a kill, tallying 10 on the evening.
Set four saw the most intense action at the T-Mobile Center, a frame that witnessed multiple runs en route to extra points. The Badgers started it with a 4-0 burst of their own, as Booth notched a solo block to make it 6-4.
Kentucky was quick to respond once again, winning five of six points to take a 15-13 lead heading into the media timeout.
The teams continued to trade rallies during the latter half of the set, but Wisconsin was able to respond by winning three Kentucky match points, highlighted by a kill from outside hitter Trinity Shadd-Ceres.
The Wildcats secured a pair of blocks to secure the win, tying the match at 2-2. Kentucky continued to find their rhythm in set five, enjoying an 8-2 lead as the teams switched sides.
The Badgers continued to battle, going to Colyer and Booth on the offensive end to bring it within 13-14 to force a Kentucky timeout. However, one final block from the Wildcats secured the match, as the Badgers fell 13-15 in the final frame.
Wisconsin concluded the season with a 28-5 overall record and made an appearance in their seventh NCAA National Semifinal.
Straight from the Court
Head Coach Kelly Sheffield (on reflecting on this season): “I feel like this one of the most successful seasons that I have ever been a part of. You can hurt, but you can also be proud. Both of those things are together.”
Notes:
- The Badgers fall to 76-28 in the NCAA Tournament
- UW moves to 4-4 in NCAA National Championship matches.
- Senior Mimi Colyer recorded double-digit kill totals for the 20th-straight match. The Lincoln, California, native notched a career-best 32 kills in her final collegiate match.
- Libero Kristen Simon passed former Badger great Lauren Carlini for fourth-most digs in a freshman season, concluding the year with 376.
- Middle blocker Carter Booth continued to shine on the big stage, accumulated a career-best 21 kills on a .633 hitting percentage.
- Setter Charlie Fuerbringer earned a double-double behind a career-high in assists with 63. The sophomore chipped in 14 digs, too.
- Outside hitter Una Vajagic excelled once again, turning in her 11th double-double of the season with 10 kills and 12 digs.
- Right side Grace Egan racked up a season-high in digs with 15.
Sports
Assistant Coach-Women’s Volleyball in Tulsa, OK for Oral Roberts University
Details
Posted: 18-Dec-25
Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma
Type: Full-time
Categories:
Coaching
Coaching – Volleyball
Sector:
Collegiate Sports
Required Education:
4 Year Degree
Oral Roberts University is seeking applicants for the position of Assistant Women’s Volleyball Coach. The Assistant Women’s Volleyball Coach provides significant assistance in the development and implementation of the Department’s mission to “Develop Whole Person Champions”. This includes implementing programs at the direction of the Head Women’s Volleyball Coach, the Director of Athletics and the University President that promote Spiritual, Academic, Athletic and Social Development of the Women’s Volleyball student-athletes.
Assists with organizing team practice and schedule
Assists with recruiting process under direction of Head Coach
Monitors student-athletes class attendance, study hall, and grades
Assists with scheduling and team travel
Maintains records of participation and other compliance related matters
Responsible for the maintenance and accountability of equipment (i.e. uniforms, game equipment)
Other duties as assigned
A Bachelor’s degree is required.
Candidates with coaching experience at the Division I level are preferred. Those with playing experience at the same level or internationally will also be favored.
A thorough and demonstrated knowledge of recruiting practices and NCAA rules is critical, including successful completion of the annual certification requirements to recruit as designated by NCAA legislation
Excellent organizational, communicative, and time management skills as well as the ability to take on multiple tasks and work independently or in a team setting are needed.
The candidate must be willing to work nights, weekends and some holidays as well as be available for extensive travel.
Maintain Current Certification in First Aid, CPR and AED, if not currently certified upon hire, ORU will provide certification opportunity that must be completed within 30 days of first date of employment
Adhere to ORU Honor Code for Faculty, Staff and Students
About Oral Roberts University
Oral Roberts University is a non-profit organization whose staff and faculty actually make a difference in the lives of its students. We pride ourselves in our culture and the values we uphold. Our team is passionate about what we do, and we want you to make us even better! Oral Roberts University Athletics mission is to “Develop Whole Person Champions”. This is done by focusing on developing Intellectually Alert, Athletically Excellent, Socially Developed and Spiritually Alive student-athletes.
Connections working at Oral Roberts University
https://ncaamarket.ncaa.org/jobs/21915725/assistant-coach-women-s-volleyball
Sports
Badgers news: Final Four Game Thread vs. No. 1 Kentucky Wildcats
The No. 3 Wisconsin Badgers are taking on the No. 1 Kentucky Wildcats in the Final Four on Thursday, with first serve set for 8:00 P.M. on ESPN.
The Badgers have gone on an incredible run so far in the NCAA Tournament, most recently beating the No. 2 seed Stanford Cardinal and the No. 1 seed Texas Longhorns 3-1 to advance to Kansas City.
Star Mimi Colyer has been on a tear, recording 50 kills in the two wins, including a career-high 27 kills against Stanford. Carter Booth has also come up huge, recording a career-high 14 kills against Stanford as well.
But, the Badgers will be facing a Kentucky team that has won 26 straight matches. They went 29-2 this season, including wins over Texas, Texas A&M, and Louisville.
The Wildcats have dropped only one set in the tournament in the Second Round against UCLA, winning that one 3-1. Apart from that, Kentucky has swept its other three opponents, including most recently against the Creighton Blue Jays.
The winner of Thursday’s matchup will face the Texas A&M Aggies, who swept Pitt on Thursday as well.
Sports
Assistant Women’s Volleyball Coach in Cleveland, TN for Lee University
Lee University is a private, comprehensive university located in Cleveland, Tennessee, in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Lee is emerging as a leader in higher education in the southeastern region and is consistently ranked in the “Top Tier” of the Best Regional Universities in the South by U.S. News & World Report.
Over the past two decades, Lee has become one of the largest Christ-centered private institutions in Tennessee and the largest in the Appalachian College Association. During that period, the university has seen a remarkable transformation that has included significant growth in its academic programs, student enrollment, faculty expertise, and diversity, as well as an expanded sense of mission and vision.
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