Sports

Back to School

Published

4 months ago

August 8, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Photo Credit: Major Taylor Kidz

Recent participation reports indicate that youth ridership is on a steady incline, a positive sign for the next generation of cyclists. In even better news, that increased participation is being met with more riding opportunities across the country from members of the Youth Cycling Coalition (YCC), a diverse group of youth-focused organizations getting more kids on bikes.

With the start of another school year around the corner, YCC members are excited to launch a variety of activities designed to welcome new riders and engage experienced ones. From beginner clinics and bike maintenance workshops to group rides and advocacy initiatives, these programs are building skills, confidence, and a lifelong love for cycling. As a founding member and convener of the YCC, PeopleForBikes is proud to support and amplify these efforts.

Here is your back-to-school checklist for bicycling programs near you:

Bike Buses — Rolling to School, Together

Hosted by: Bike Bus World

Bike Bus World is helping communities reimagine school commutes through safe, joyful group rides known as bike buses. By supporting families and students with the tools, resources, and guidance to organize these rides, the organization is turning the journey to school into a healthier, happier experience — for kids and neighborhoods alike.

Free Bikes — Expanding Access to the Bicycle

Hosted by: Free Bikes 4 Kidz (FB4K)

FB4K is ensuring that thousands of students have access to a reliable bike this school year. By collecting and refurbishing gently used bikes, the organization puts capable, high-quality bicycles into the hands of kids who need them most. With more than 200,000 bikes donated so far, FB4K is racing toward an ambitious goal: 1 million donated bikes by 2033. Volunteer, donate, or apply for a bike today.

Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day — October 4, 2025

Hosted by: International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA)

Every fall, IMBA invites families and communities to celebrate Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day, a national event that introduces youth to the fun of riding trails. Created in 2004 and recognized by Congress, this annual celebration has helped hundreds of thousands of young riders discover the joy of dirt, adventure, and two wheels with their local mountain bike club or trails organization. Whether you’re hitting the trail for the first time or riding alongside future mountain bike racers, it’s a day to connect, explore, and get muddy.

Ready to Ride — Biking Education for Every Student

Hosted by: League of American Bicyclists

The League’s Ready to Ride campaign is working to bring high-quality bike education into school systems nationwide. With hands-on instruction, a gold-standard curriculum, and strong advocacy efforts, this initiative ensures that every student can learn to ride safely and confidently. Whether you are an educator, parent, or advocate, Ready to Ride offers ways to get involved and help bring bike education to your community.

Trailblazing Girls — Mentoring on Mountain Bikes

Hosted by: Little Bellas

Little Bellas is a nationwide mountain bike program with a goal of helping girls of all abilities reach their fullest potential. Now in its 19th year, the program fosters confidence, healthy lifestyles, and strong female mentorship. By reducing barriers and supplying gear when needed, Little Bellas is on a mission to get more girls on bikes, and keep them riding.

Getting Prepared — In a Major Way

Hosted by: Major Taylor Kidz

Kicking off the school year with a blend of bike advocacy and community action, Major Taylor Kidz is making a big impact. Inspired by the legacy of Major Taylor, programming includes painting crosswalks, delivering helmets, and handing out hundreds of pre-filled backpacks with supplies. Empowering kids to ride safely, feel confident, and lead with pride, this movement is building bold, community-minded riders across the country.

NICA Eastern + Central Regionals — November 8–9, 2025

Hosted by: National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA)

Celebrating 100,000 student-athletes since 2009, NICA develops mountain biking programs for middle and high school students across the U.S. This fall, they’re turning up the fun with multiple regional events, connecting the NICA community and its 32 leagues with interstate racing, adventure rides, and family-friendly activities.

These weekend-long festivals celebrate the spirit of youth cycling, combining competition with clinics, trail stewardship, GRiT (Girls Riding Together) meetups, and a vibrant community expo. Whether you’re a fan, volunteer, or curious newcomer, come out and experience the energy of a NICA event near you.

Bring Cycling to Your School with an Outride Grant — Opening October 6, 2025

Hosted by: Outride

Outride’s Riding for Focus is a rider education program that uses cycling to support students’ social, emotional, and cognitive well-being. Aimed at students in grades 6 through 8, the program provides schools with everything they need to get students riding, including bikes, helmets, curriculum, teacher training, and access to an annual instructor summit.

Public middle schools that serve low-income communities are eligible to apply for a grant when the application opens on October 6. It is a powerful way to bring the joy and benefits of cycling into the classroom and beyond. Reach out to ridingforfocus@outridebike.org for more info.

Building Career Skills — Biking Meets Workforce Readiness

Hosted by: Project Bike Tech

Project Bike Tech brings bicycle education into high school classrooms, teaching technical skills and connecting students to real-world careers in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) and the bike industry. This fall, the program expands to new classrooms across the country—including Florida—and celebrates a major milestone: becoming an approved career pathway in Colorado with added school funding for certified students.

From hands-on learning to workforce readiness, Project Bike Tech is helping students build confidence, skills, and a path forward, on and off the bike.

Biking to School Toolkit — Ride to School Every Day

Hosted by: Safe Routes Partnership

Want to get more kids biking to school, but not sure where to start? Safe Routes Partnership has you covered with their Bike + Roll to School Day resources, including ready-to-go social media posts, customizable poster templates, and a step-by-step toolkit to help rally parents, students, and school leaders. You don’t have to wait until May for Bike to School Day! Their step-by-step guide helps you make it happen any day, all year long. Use these tools anytime to create fun, community-centered bike-to-school events. And don’t miss their crowdsourced playlists to keep the good vibes rolling! Explore the toolkit.

Learning Math + Science — Via the Bicycle

Hosted by: USA BMX Foundation

As students head back to the classroom this fall, the USA BMX Foundation is excited to offer dynamic, hands-on learning experiences that get kids moving, thinking, and creating. Blending BMX racing with STEAM learning, the USA BMX Foundation offers two innovative programs to inspire the next generation of thinkers, riders, and problem-solvers. These initiatives help 4th through 8th graders explore science, engineering, and math through the thrill of BMX.

Collegiate Cycling — Rolling into Fall Racing Season

Hosted by: USA Cycling

As campuses come back to life, collegiate cycling programs across the country are kicking off a new season of racing and community. From velodromes to mountain trails, fall is the heart of the collegiate cycling calendar.

USA Cycling supports clubs that build leadership, friendship, and high-level racing. New teams receive free club registration, making it easier than ever to get rolling. Whether you’re forming a team or cheering one on, collegiate cycling is building community and competition nationwide.

Learn more about collegiate cycling programs and how to get involved here.

Corporate Giving — Rolling Out Opportunities

Hosted by: Wish for Wheels

Wish for Wheels partners with corporate sponsors to provide brand new bikes and helmets to underserved 2nd grade classrooms across the country. Through its Team Build and Give program, businesses come together to build and donate bikes, giving students the chance to explore their communities on two wheels.

Whether you’re part of a company looking to give back or a school hoping to bring bikes to your students, Wish for Wheels is rolling into the school year with purpose.

Conclusion

The Youth Cycling Coalition (YCC) is a powerful network dedicated to ensuring millions of kids across the U.S. enjoy the physical, mental, and social benefits of bicycling and keep riding for life. By fostering collaboration, sharing resources, and supporting professional growth among youth cycling leaders nationwide, the YCC is accelerating progress toward a more inclusive and active future for the next generation.

As a leading voice for better bicycling in the U.S., PeopleForBikes is committed to ensuring every child has access to a bike, a safe place to ride, and the support they need to keep pedaling.

If your favorite youth program is not yet a part of this movement, reach out to ryan@peopleforbikes.org today to get involved. Together, we can expand opportunities, inspire young riders, and build stronger communities one pedal stroke at a time.

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Watch Nebraska volleyball vs Long Island: TV channel, time, streaming

Published

8 minutes ago

December 5, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Dec. 5, 2025, 4:08 a.m. CT

The Nebraska volleyball team (30-0) was selected as the No. 1 overall seed for the 2025 NCAA tournament on Sunday night. The Cornhuskers will open the tournament on Friday against the Long Island Sharks (20-8) at the John Cook Arena.

The other first-round game in Lincoln will see San Diego face Kansas State at 4:30 p.m. CT. The Huskers will host the first and second rounds this Friday and Saturday at the Bob Devaney Sports Center. The second round game is Saturday at 7 p.m. CT.

Nebraska’s offense ranks first nationally with a .352 hitting percentage. The defense is equally impressive, ranking first nationally in opponent hitting percentage at .125.

Junior Harper Murray leads the team with 3.55 kills and 2.15 digs per set and a team high 28 aces. Setter Bergen Reilly runs the offense at an elite level with an average of 10.31 assists and 2.73 digs per set. Middle blocker Andi Jackson is averaging 2.75 kills per set on .467 hitting with 1.13 blocks per set.

The Sharks enter the tournament with an automatic bid after winning the Northeast Conference tournament. LIU is led by Sara van Gisteren, who averages 3.92 kills per set. She was also named the NEC tournament MVP. Karly Klaer was named the NEC setter of the year with 10.06 assists per set.

Nebraska will be playing Long Island for the second time ever. The teams met in the first round of the 2023 NCAA Tournament, with the Huskers winning 25-13, 25-16, 25-22.

Watch Nebraska volleyball vs Long Island live on ESPN+

Here’s how to watch the Nebraska volleyball vs Long Island game on Friday, including time, TV schedule, and streaming information:

What channel is Nebraska volleyball vs Long Island on?

TV Channel: N/A

Livestream:ESPN+ (subscriber only)

Nebraska-Long Island volleyball in the first round of the NCAA tournament can be seen on ESPN+. Huskers Radio Network will have audio coverage of all Nebraska matches on Huskers Radio Network affiliates, Huskers.com and the Huskers app. John Baylor and Lauren Cook West will be on the call. Streaming options for the game include ESPN+.

Nebraska volleyball vs Long Island time today

Date: Friday, Dec. 5
Start time: 7 p.m. CT

The Nebraska volleyball vs Long Island first-round NCAA tournament game starts at 7 p.m. CT from the Bob Devaney Sports Center in Lincoln, NE.

Nebraska volleyball 2025 schedule (30-0, 20-0)

Aug. 22 – vs. Pittsburgh – WIN 3-1 (25-22, 25-11, 20-25, 25-23)

Aug. 24 – vs. Stanford – WIN 3-0 (25-13, 25-19, 25-14)

Aug. 29 – at Lipscomb – WIN 3-0 (25-13, 25-21, 25-15)

Aug. 31 – vs Kentucky – WIN 3-2 (24-26, 20-25, 25-19, 25-23, 15-8)

Sept. 5 – vs. Wright State – WIN 3-0 (25-16, 25-16, 25-20)

Sept. 7 – vs. California – WIN 3-0 (25-15, 25-18, 25-12)

Sept. 12 – vs. Utah – WIN 3-1 (21-25, 25-8, 25-18, 25-13)

Sept. 13 – vs. Grand Canyon – WIN 3-0 (25-12, 25-23, 25-18)

Sept. 16 – at Creighton – WIN 3-2 (25-17, 21-25, 25-18, 24-26, 15-9)

Sept. 20 – vs. Arizona – WIN 3-0 (25-19, 25-23, 25-18)

Sept. 24 – vs. Michigan – WIN 3-0 (25-6, 25-15, 25-13)

Sept. 27 – vs. Maryland – WIN 3-0 (25-14, 27-25, 25-14)

Oct. 3 – at Penn State – WIN 3-0 (25-6, 25-15, 25-13)

Oct. 4 – at Rutgers – WIN 3-0 (25-17, 25-15, 25-16)

Oct. 10 – vs. Washington – WIN 3-0 (25-14, 25-18, 25-16)

Oct. 12 – at Purdue – WIN 3-0 (25-23, 25-16, 25-15)

Oct. 17 – at Michigan State – WIN 3-0 (25-15, 25-18, 25-20)

Oct. 19 – at Michigan – WIN 3-0 (25-18, 25-13, 25-18)

Oct. 24 – vs. Northwestern – WIN 3-0 (25-17, 25-13, 25-17)

Oct. 25 – vs. Michigan State – WIN 3-0 (25-15, 25-15, 25-18)

Oct. 31 – at Wisconsin – WIN 3-0 (25-22, 25-19, 25-13)

Nov. 2 – vs. Oregon – WIN 3-0 (25-21, 25-20, 25-12)

Nov. 6 – vs. Illinois – WIN 3-0 (25-11, 25-15, 25-14)

Nov. 8 – at Minnesota – WIN 3-0 (25-15, 25-21, 25-20)

Nov. 14 – at UCLA – WIN 3-1 (25-17, 25-23, 19-25, 25-15)

Nov. 16 – at USC – WIN 3-0 (25-13, 25-16, 25-20)

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Tennessee volleyball vs Utah State, Lady Vols upset in first round

Published

24 minutes ago

December 5, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Updated Dec. 4, 2025, 9:00 p.m. ET

Tennessee volleyball chose a bad time to play its worst volleyball of the season.

The No. 7 seed Lady Vols were on their heels in the beginning of the match against Utah State, and they didn’t have enough to complete the reverse-sweep. Tennessee (20-8) fell 3-2 to the Aggies (24-7) in a shocking upset in the first round of the NCAA tournament at Desert Financial Arena in Tempe, Arizona, on Dec. 4.

The Lady Vols won two straight sets to make it a five-set thriller, and they battled from behind the entire fifth set, which they ultimately lost 15-11. In the end, it wasn’t enough to recover from their poor start.

By the time Tennessee started playing like its season was on the line, it was staring down a reverse sweep to advance. But against a red-hot Utah State team, which entered the tournament on a 21-game winning streak, the late push wasn’t enough.

In the first two sets, the Aggies picked apart the Lady Vols defense at the net and on the floor – it was a clinical dismantling by Utah State, which made all the scrappy, game-winning plays of a team that swept the Mountain West championships.

The Lady Vols made a fierce comeback attempt, turning the tide with sharper, more aggressive serving in the third and fourth sets to force a five-set thriller. They found their footing on defense, and they got a spark from Sydney Jones to launch and more balanced attack.

Outside hitter Starr Williams was a bright spot in the offense, especially while Tennessee looks all out of sorts the first two sets. She continued to be a focal point all match, and she logged 15 kills with a .387 hitting percentage, along with seven digs and four blocks.

Jones was a difference-maker as a reserve, and she continued to score points for the Lady Vols when they needed them. Jones ended the night with 12 kills, and Hayden Kubik also added 12 kills.

The Lady Vols’ offense hit just .228 as a team, while they allowed Utah State to hit .312. They struggled to slow down the Aggies’ attack between Tierney Barlow, who ended the match with 16 kills, and Loryn Helgesen and Andrea Simovski, who both had 14 kills.

Tennessee middle blocker Zoe Humphrey did not travel with the team, according to the ESPN broadcast.

Watch Tennessee volleyball vs. Utah State

Tennessee volleyball vs. Utah State: Live score updates

When does Tennessee volleyball vs. Utah State start?

Date: Thursday, Dec. 4
Time: 6:30 p.m. ET
Where: Desert Financial Arena in Tempe, Arizona.

What TV channel is Tennessee vs. Utah State on today?

Tennessee volleyball schedule 2025

Last 10 games

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2025 DI women’s volleyball championship: Bracket, schedule, scores

Published

40 minutes ago

December 5, 2025

Your Sports Nation

The DI women’s volleyball championship is here. The tournament continues Friday, Dec. 5 with both first and second round matches and lasts until the national championship on Sunday, Dec. 21 at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri.

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

First round: Dec. 4-5
Second round: Dec. 5-6
Regionals: Dec. 11 and 13 or Dec. 12 and 14
Semifinals: Thursday, Dec. 18
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

DI women’s volleyball championship history

Here is the complete history of DI women’s volleyball champions:

Link

Sports

Track & Field Opening Indoor Season with Split-Squad Weekend – Penn State

Published

1 hour ago

December 5, 2025

Your Sports Nation

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State track & field is set to begin its indoor slate with a three-meet split-squad weekend. The Nittany Lions will start their week in Philadelphia on Friday, Dec. 5 at the Penn Opener, also competing on Saturday, Dec. 6. On Saturday, there will also be Nittany Lions competing at the Bucknell Opener in Lewisburg, and the Sharon-Colyear Danville Season Opener in Boston on Saturday. Dec. 6.

Penn State is set to begin the 2025-26 indoor season while continuing to build off its success from a season ago. The men’s squad finished 12^th in the Big Ten last indoor season while the women finished seventh. The squad returns six All-Americans from last year’s indoor team including 2024 First Team All-Americans Handal Roban and Hayley Kitching.

Head Coach John Gondak enters his 12^th season leading the Nittany Lion track & field program. His coaching resume includes 62 First Team All-Americans and 11 Big Ten team titles.

PENN OPENER – Friday-Saturday, December 5-6

Live Results | Watch on Saturday (ESPN+)

Penn State will send seven athletes to compete at the Penn Opener. Maddie Pitts will be the lone competitor on Friday in the pentathlon.

BUCKNELL OPENER – Saturday, December 6

Live Results

The largest group of Nittany Lions will be headed to Lewisburg to compete in the Bucknell Opener. 36 athletes in field events and sprints will be the main competition group for PSU this weekend at Bucknell.

SHARON COLYEAR-DANVILLE SEASON OPENER – Saturday, December 6

Live Results | Watch (FloTrack)

Penn State will be sending 10 athletes to Boston for season opening action. The middle distance/distance group will make up the group competing against some of the top talent in the nation.

FULL 2025-26 INDOOR TRACK & FIELD SCHEDULE

Dec. 5-6 – Penn Opener | Philadelphia, Pa.

Dec. 6 – Bucknell Opener | Lewisburg, Pa.

Dec. 6 – Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener | Boston, Mass.

Jan. 17 – Nittany Lion Challenge | University Park, Pa.

Jan. 24 – Penn 10 Team Elite | Philadelphia, Pa.

Jan. 30-31 – Penn State National Open | University Park, Pa.

Feb. 7 – Sykes & Sabock Challenge | University Park, Pa.

Feb. 13-14 – Tyson Invitational | Fayetteville, Ark.

Feb. 13-14 – David Hemery Valentine Invitational | Boston, Mass.

Feb. 20 – Penn State Tune-Up | University Park, Pa.

Feb. 27-28 – Big Ten Indoor Championships | Indianapolis, Ind.

Mar. 13-14 – NCAA Indoor Championships | Fayetteville, Ark.

FOLLOW THE NITTANY LIONS

Follow along with the team on our social media pages on Facebook (PennStateTFXC) and X/Instagram (@pennstatetfxc). Live updates on race day regarding start times and other important notes will be posted on X.

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Sports

Women’s Volleyball vs University of Alaska Anchorage on 12/4/2025 – Box Score

Published

1 hour ago

December 5, 2025

Your Sports Nation

—

UAA subs: Hansen, Elena; Trotter, Hannah; Byrne, Trinity.

—

UAF subs: Flynn, Kellan; Smith, Ainsley.

UAF

0-1

[Henderson, Cynphany] Attack error by Henderson, Mikala (block by Beck, Emma; Riba, Martina).

[Henderson, Cynphany] Attack error by Henderson, Mikala (block by Beck, Emma; Riba, Martina).

—

UAA subs: Hansen, Elena.

UAA

1-1

[Hansen, Elena] Kill by Henderson, Mikala (from Henderson, Cynphany).

—

UAF subs: Flynn, Kellan.

UAF

2-1

[Flynn, Kellan] Kill by Guc, Elena (from Henderson, Cynphany).

UAF

3-1

[Flynn, Kellan] Attack error by Ivakina, Lee (block by Engelauf, Presley; Guc, Elena).

UAF

3-2

[Flynn, Kellan] Kill by Burney, Bella (from Malikova, Johana).

—

UAA subs: Trotter, Hannah; Byrne, Trinity.

UAA

4-2

[Trotter, Hannah] Kill by Lyons, Haylee (from Henderson, Cynphany).

UAF

5-2

[Onaga, Tessa] Kill by Lyons, Haylee (from Byrne, Trinity).

UAF

6-2

[Onaga, Tessa] Attack error by Byrne, Trinity (from Galloway, Madison).

UAF

6-3

[Onaga, Tessa] Kill by Byrne, Trinity (from Trotter, Hannah).

UAA

6-4

[Ivakina, Lee] Attack error by Guc, Elena (from Henderson, Cynphany).

UAA

7-4

[Ivakina, Lee] Kill by Guc, Elena (from Henderson, Cynphany), block error by Burney, Bella.

—

UAF subs: Smith, Ainsley.

UAF

8-4

[Smith, Ainsley] Kill by Henderson, Cynphany (from Onaga, Tessa).

UAF

8-5

[Smith, Ainsley] Kill by Byrne, Trinity (from Trotter, Hannah).

UAA

9-5

[Galloway, Madison] Service error.

UAF

9-6

[Lyons, Haylee] Kill by Riba, Martina (from Trotter, Hannah), block error by Henderson, Cynphany.

UAA

10-6

[Malikova, Johana] Attack error by Riba, Martina (block by Hoshock, Peri).

UAF

11-6

[Hoshock, Peri] Kill by Engelauf, Presley (from Smith, Ainsley).

UAF

12-6

[Hoshock, Peri] Kill by Henderson, Mikala (from Smith, Ainsley).

UAF

12-7

[Hoshock, Peri] Kill by Allen, Tia (from Malikova, Johana).

UAA

12-8

[Allen, Tia] Attack error by Henderson, Mikala (from Smith, Ainsley).

UAA

13-8

[Allen, Tia] Attack error by Riba, Martina.

UAF

14-8

[Henderson, Cynphany] Attack error by Beck, Emma (from Galloway, Madison).

UAF

15-8

[Henderson, Cynphany] Kill by Engelauf, Presley (from Henderson, Cynphany).

UAF

15-9

[Henderson, Cynphany] Kill by Beck, Emma (from Malikova, Johana).

UAA

16-9

[Hansen, Elena] Kill by Henderson, Cynphany (from Onaga, Tessa).

UAF

16-10

[Flynn, Kellan] Kill by Beck, Emma (from Engelauf, Presley).

UAA

17-10

[Trotter, Hannah] Kill by Guc, Elena (from Henderson, Cynphany).

UAF

17-11

[Onaga, Tessa] Kill by Byrne, Trinity (from Trotter, Hannah).

UAA

17-12

[Ivakina, Lee] Attack error by Hoshock, Peri (from Henderson, Cynphany).

UAA

18-12

[Ivakina, Lee] Service error.

UAF

18-13

[Smith, Ainsley] Attack error by Lyons, Haylee (from Smith, Ainsley).

UAA

19-13

[Galloway, Madison] Kill by Henderson, Cynphany (from Smith, Ainsley).

UAF

20-13

[Lyons, Haylee] Attack error by Allen, Tia (from Trotter, Hannah).

UAF

21-13

[Lyons, Haylee] Attack error by Byrne, Trinity (from Trotter, Hannah).

UAF

21-14

[Lyons, Haylee] Kill by Allen, Tia (from Trotter, Hannah).

—

UAA subs: Sapon, Eleasha.

UAA

21-15

[Sapon, Eleasha] Attack error by Henderson, Mikala (from Smith, Ainsley).

UAA

21-16

[Sapon, Eleasha] Kill by Allen, Tia (from Trotter, Hannah).

UAA

21-17

[Sapon, Eleasha] Attack error by Henderson, Mikala (from Smith, Ainsley).

UAA

22-17

[Sapon, Eleasha] Kill by Henderson, Mikala (from Onaga, Tessa).

UAF

23-17

[Hoshock, Peri] Kill by Henderson, Mikala (from Lyons, Haylee).

UAF

24-17

[Hoshock, Peri] Kill by Henderson, Cynphany (from Smith, Ainsley).

UAF

24-18

[Hoshock, Peri] Attack error by Henderson, Mikala (from Hoshock, Peri).

UAA

25-18

[Allen, Tia] Kill by Henderson, Cynphany (from Smith, Ainsley).

Link

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#11 Creighton Volleyball Outlasts Northern Colorado to Advance to Second Round of NCAA Tournament

Published

1 hour ago

December 5, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Courtesy of Rob Anderson, Creighton Athletics

OMAHA, Neb. — No. 11 Creighton Volleyball was pushed to the brink but survived to win its 21st straight match on Thursday evening, opening up NCAA Tournament play with a 3-2 victory over Northern Colorado. Scores of the Bluejay triumph were 25-12, 23-25, 23-25, 25-17, 15-8.

Creighton earns itself a Second Round match-up against Northern Iowa (26-5) after the sixth-seeded Panthers finished off their first reverse sweep in the NCAA Tournament since 2022 with a 15-25, 21-25, 26-24, 25-20, 15-10 win over Utah. Creighton defeated the Panthers at D.J. Sokol Arena on Sept. 14 to close out play at the Bluejay Invitational.

Five women had multiple kills in the first set as Creighton powered past Northern Colorado, led by six kills from Ava Martin. Martin also had a pair of aces late in the set to solidify CU’s 25-12 victory. The Jays hit .438 and had 17 kills to UNC’s six kills on .000 hitting and never trailed in the frame.

UNC snapped Creighton’s 17-set win streak with a 25-23 victory in the second set, which featured nine ties and five lead changes. Isabel Bennett had go-ahead kills to make it 23-22 and 24-23 and Alayna Tessena put down the winner on set point. Northern Colorado had 15 kills and 18 digs in the second set and held the Bluejays to 11 kills and .200 hitting. Martin had seven kills for CU in the second set, while Sydney Breissinger added six digs.

The Bears won the first three points of the third set and moved in front 8-4 to force an early timeout from CU head coach Brian Rosen. The stoppage did little to improve the fortunes for the hosts, who called another timeout six points later after falling behind 12-6 to the Big Sky Tournament champions. The second timeout did the trick, as the Bluejays countered with an 8-2 burst to even the score at 14-all. Northern Colorado settled down, never surrendering the lead, and led 23-20 before one last push from the hosts. Martin pounded her 18th kill of the night, and Nora Wurtz followed with her 56th ace of the fall to cut CU’s deficit to 23-22 and lead UNC coach Lydnsey Oates to call timeout. Martin slammed a cross-court kill to tie the score at 23-all, but UNC answered with a Zoe Gibbs kill for a set point opportunity. The Bears won the set on a Bluejay attack error, 25-23.

The Bluejays got off to a 6-2 lead in the fourth set thanks in part to three early UNC hitting errors, then extended the advantage to 14-6. The Jays won the set 25-17, with freshman Abbey Hayes stepping up with a team-best four kills. CU had 4.5 blocks in the set, including one of set point from Reinhardt and Martin.

Creighton got off to a quick start in the fifth frame, scoring the first three points on two Martin kills and a UNC attack error. CU led 8-3 at the changeover

Martin was dominant with 30 kills on 65 swings, while Jaya Johnson finished with 12 kills. Reinhardt rounded out the Bluejays in double figure kills with 10. Annalea Maeder closed the match with a double-double, delivering 53 assists and 20 digs.

Tessena led Northern Colorado with 14 kills, while Brynn Reines finished with 11 kills

First serve of tomorrow’s Second Round match is at 6:30 p.m.

NOTES: Creighton improved to 18-14 all-time in 15 NCAA Tournament appearances, including a 12-3 mark in the First Round … Creighton has won 21 straight matches, its third-longest streak in program history … Creighton is now 8-4 in home matches in the NCAA Tournament, including five straight victories … Creighton has won its last 11 home matches this fall … Creighton is now 4-1 all-time against Northern Colorado … Creighton has won 68 straight matches over unranked foes and 56 non-televised matches in a row … Ava Martinmoved into third place in CU history in career service aces with 126 … Ava Martinhad her 25th straight match with 10 or more kills and 108th in a row with five or more kills … Ava Martin had her 13th career match with 20+ kills, and seventh this season.

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