For the first time ever, Greece team topped the podium at a Women’s Water Polo World Cup.

After not medalling at the 2024 Olympics nor the 2024 World Championships and coming in third in the Division 1 Tournament in February few had Greece on their radar as a potential winner. However, the Balkan country quickly asserted itself as a threat in Chengdu, starting with a 19-14 win against Italy in the quarterfinals. This earned them a semifinal berth against The Netherlands, the reigning Olympic bronze medalist. After trailing 6-9 to the Dutch women in the first half, Greece made a spectacular comeback to win 15-13.

In the final, which was Greece’s first in a major international competition since they took silver at the 2004 Athens Olympics, Greece sealed the deal by downing Hungary 13-9. Greek goalie Alexia Tzourka made an impressive 13 saves in this match.

For the Hungarian women, who are the reigning World Championship Silver Medalist, this tournament was a solid showing. Coming into the world cup, Spain seemed to be the team to beat, and Hungary did so in the semifinals. Kamilla Farago led the Hungarians through this slight upset, scoring five goals in a 10-8 final score.

After losing to eventual silver medalists Hungary, Spain also lost in the bronze medal match to the Netherlands 8-10. The Spaniards came in as favorites, topping the Division 1 Tournament earlier in the year and winning gold at the 2024 Olympics.

Greece, Hungary, and 6th place Italy all earned a berth for the 2025 World Championships. All eight teams that competed in the World Cup now have spots in Singapore.

Women’s Water Polo World Cup Final Ranking

1. Greece
2. Hungary
3. Netherlands
4. Spain
5. Australia
6. Italy
7. Japan
8. China

LEWISBURG, Pa.- The Bucknell women’s track & field program has a long history of combining academic and athletic success. The lineage continued with Evelyn Bliss and Kaitlyn Segreti receiving slots on the 2025 Outdoor Track & Field Academic All-Patriot League Team as announced Tuesday by the conference office.

Bliss, a biology major, continued her All-American success on and off the throws course with a 3.25 GPA. The sophomore star repeated as the Patriot League javelin champion last Friday, throwing 53.77m (176-5). Bliss will compete at the NCAA First Round (May 28-31) for the chance to return to the NCAA National Championships (June 11-14). She earned All-American honors last year with a 13th place finish. 

Segreti, an Arts History & Studio Art major, shined in the classroom, obtaining a sparkling 3.98 GPA. A senior walk-on to the cross country and track & field program, Segreti proved an impressive addition and finished seventh in the 10,000-meter run at the 2025 Patriot League Outdoor Championships. She ran 37:33.58 in the event. 

Bucknell women’s track & field will send Bliss and Brylee Tereska to the NCAA First Round. Several other athletes might possibly go depending on marks and times. 

2025 Women’s Scholar-Athlete of the Year

Vera Sjöberg, Boston University, Jr.  

2025 Women’s Outdoor Track & Field Academic All-Patriot League Team 

Lorelei Bangit	(American)
Charlotte Richman	(Army West Point)
Emily Fink	(Army West Point)
Jordan Hecht	(Army West Point)
Mikayla Cheney	(Army West Point)
Zoe Eggleston	(Army West Point)
Alli Lofquist	(Boston University)
Asia Hamilton	(Boston University)
Ijeoma Ezechukwu	(Boston University)
Peace Omonzane	(Boston University)
Vera Sjöberg	(Boston University)
Evelyn Bliss	(Bucknell)
Kaitlyn Segreti	(Bucknell)
Ella Grey	(Holy Cross)
Haley Murphy	(Holy Cross)
Maura Switzer	(Holy Cross)
Ida Moczerniuk	(Lafayette)
Laura Reigle	(Lehigh)
Kylie Maddalena	(Loyola Maryland)
Alex Wercinski	(Navy)
Gracie Emerick	(Navy)

 

• ACTSports launched a boys volleyball program this spring due to increased demand and logistical feasibility.
• While girls volleyball is popular in area high schools, boys volleyball is less common, prompting ACTSports to foster its growth.
• Experienced coaches provided fundamental training, focusing on serving, passing, and setting, leading to significant player improvement.

ACTSports is hoping to grow the sport of boys volleyball in the area. The Christian-based youth sports organization, located in Augusta County just outside of Staunton, offers flag football, soccer, baseball and girls volleyball, but this spring it added boys volleyball.

Tracy Sherrill, the director of ACTSports, said families had been asking about volleyball for boys in recent years. It was something ACTSports wanted to add, but it was a matter of finding court time and coaches. The organization employed a full-time administrative position this year, something that helped ACTSports add a new sport to its offerings.

“It was just the right fit as far as the logistics,” Sherrill said.

Volleyball has been popular in area high schools for years, but only for girls. While the Virginia High School League does sponsor boys volleyball, it’s mostly in larger public schools. According to the Virginia High School League’s page, the organization sponsored two state championships for boys — one for classes 1-4 and one for 5-6.

In Virginia, where boys volleyball, like the girls game, is a fall sport, nearly 30 schools added the sport this past fall when Fairfax County began offering boys volleyball as a varsity-level sport. Before that many of the schools in that Northern Virginia county played boys volleyball as a club sport.

According to statistics from the National Federation of High Schools, boys high school volleyball across the country grew by 7,968 participants in the 2023-24 academic year. It jumped by 10,800 participants the year before that.

Yet, in the Shenandoah Valley, and specifically in Staunton, Waynesboro and Augusta County, schools only offer girls volleyball. Sherrill hopes that ACTSports can play some role in changing that. It starts, she said, with getting boys interested in playing.

Boys volleyball began small this year, something Sherrill said ACTSports does with most of its new programs.

“You start small and you do it well and then you have something people want to be part of,” she said.

This year the organization had nine players sign up. They would like to grow that next year. It’s open to those in grades six through 12. For those interested in playing next spring, visit ACTSports website or its Facebook page for more information.

The group also added a co-ed volleyball program for younger children, second through fourth graders.

“Hopefully we can start exposing volleyball to guys a little younger,” Sherrill said.

Tiffany Eimers and Jenny Turner coached the older boys this spring. Eimers played at American University and has coached at the college level, including Mary Baldwin University. Turner played at Mary Washington and coached in Rockingham County.

Eimers said everyone wants to hit when they start playing volleyball, but the coaches began with the basics — serving and passing — for the athletes this spring.

“Lots of young men have a natural ability to set,” Eimers said. “We had a couple of setters on our team and then we worked into hitting.”

To begin the season, players struggled to get serves over the net, and when they did it was difficult to keep a rally going. In about a month she saw remarkable improvement in their play.

“It would be wonderful if it could grow and flourish,” Eimers said of boys volleyball. “It really is the ultimate team sport. Everybody has to contribute in order for it to work.”

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— Patrick Hite is a reporter at The News Leader. Story ideas and tips always welcome. Connect with Patrick (he/him/his) at phite@newsleader.com and on Instagram @hitepatrick. Subscribe to us at newsleader.com.

Sri Lanka Aquatic Sports Union Launches HNB Age Group Aquatic Championships 2025, Powered by Anchor Newdale, and Hosts Inaugural Indo-Sri Lanka Under-21 Water Polo Championship Colombo, Sri Lanka. 

The Sri Lanka Aquatic Sports Union (SLASU), the national governing body for aquatic sports, proudly announces the HNB Age Group Aquatic Championships 2025, powered by Anchor Newdale, to be held from 7th to 11th May 2025. This year’s championship will also feature the inaugural Indo-Sri Lanka Under-21 Water Polo Championship, taking place from 8th to 11th May 2025 the first time this international water polo event is being hosted in Sri Lanka. 

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SLASU governs six aquatic disciplines: swimming, diving, water polo, artistic swimming, open water swimming, and high diving. Traditionally, competitions in these disciplines are held independently. However, this year, SLASU is bringing swimming, diving, and water polo together into one vibrant national event to foster greater unity, create an exciting championship atmosphere, and generate broader public interest in emerging and underrepresented aquatic disciplines like diving and water polo. 

To ensure the event reaches audiences across Sri Lanka and beyond, ThePapare.com and ThePapare TV 2 HD (Dialog TV Channel 127) will live telecast all five days of competition, offering fans unprecedented access to the action from anywhere in the world. 

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The HNB Age Group Aquatic Championships 2025, powered by Anchor Newdale is made possible thanks to the commitment and generosity of a strong lineup of partners: 

• Title Sponsor: Hatton National Bank (HNB) 

• Gold Sponsor: Anchor Newdale 

• Silver Sponsors: Glory Sports and Stingray Swimming School 

• Food & Beverage Partner: Perera and Sons 

• Education Partner: Oxford School of Business 

• Activewear Partner: Run Club 

• Outdoor Digital Partner: Emerging Media 

This championship also marks the official launch of SLASU’s Elite Athlete Management Program, a transformative initiative designed to support the long term development and retention of Sri Lanka’s top aquatic athletes. HNB is introducing specialized financial solutions for student athletes to continue their education while competing at national and international levels. The Oxford School of Business has also stepped forward with scholarships for elite swimmers to pursue higher education within Sri Lanka. Furthermore, SLASU is working with leading corporates to offer flexible employment to swimmers over 18, allowing them to continue their athletic careers while gaining valuable work experience helping ensure they stay and compete in Sri Lanka. 

The event will also serve as the stage for the Indo-Sri Lanka Under-21 Water Polo Championship, a landmark bilateral series. Featuring both boys’ and girls’ teams from Sri Lanka and India, the tournament is set to become an annual fixture, with each nation hosting the event in alternate years. Sri Lanka is honoured to host the inaugural edition this year, with a return leg planned in India in 2026. SLASU is currently in discussions with the Swimming Federation of India to expand the collaboration in the near future to include senior national teams as well. 

With this landmark event, SLASU reinforces its commitment to raising the standard of aquatic sports in Sri Lanka, nurturing future champions, and building strong international partnerships through meaningful competition.