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Beach Crash the Waves, 3-1, to Advance to Consecutive Championship Finals

Published

7 months ago

May 11, 2025

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Top-seeded Long Beach State toppled No. 5 seed Pepperdine, 3-1, in the 2025 National Collegiate Men’s Volleyball Championship semifinals at the Covelli Center.

Dropping the first set of the day for just the fourth time all season, LBSU (29-3) rebounded to win the next three by set scores of 25-23, 25-19, and 25-23 to advance to consecutive national collegiate championship matches.

The Beach are seeking a fourth ever title in their 11th national championship appearance. LBSU’s last came in 2019 against fellow Big West school Hawai’i. The two have a chance to play a rubber match for the hardware on Monday at 4 p.m., should the second-seeded Rainbow Warriors knock off defending champion and No. 3 seed UCLA in Saturday’s second semifinal.

After a slow start, the Beach showcased a strong offensive performance, recording a .482 hitting percentage with 66 kills and 65 assists, edging the Waves’ percentage of .421 in the match. AVCA and Big West Player of the Year Moni Nikolov set a new single-season record in national collegiate volleyball after serving up five aces to finish the night with 102 on the year, and counting.

The Beach’s top performers include redshirt senior Nato Dickinson, who led the team in both total blocks with five and points with 21.5 after pounding 19 kills on .485 hitting. The strike tally was matched by freshman Alex Kandev who finished with 19 kills while hitting .533 for the match. The second set was a highlight for Kandev, who compiled nine kills while just committing one error to hit .667 in the frame. Nikolov’s standout night included a match-best 42 assists to go along with six kills and the handful of aces.

In the first set, LBSU fell to the Waves by a score of 25-20, due in no small part to seven service errors and a match-low hitting percentage of .269 to go along with just a 70 percent sideout percentage. From the outset, the Waves were able to capitalize on every miscue to swing the momentum their way to grab the early advantage in the match.

However, the second saw the Beach rally and regain form in the hotly-contested frame that featured 15 ties and six lead changes to even the team score. The set started with DiAeris McRaven scoring a kill at 1-0, assisted by Nikolov, to set the pace for LBSU. Still riding the wave from the first set, Pepperdine was able to respond with the set seeing early ties at every point.

Long Beach State was able to gain the slight 15-13 advantage at the media timeout after a Kandev kill, but Pepperdine rallied to knot the frame at 16 apiece when Ryan Barnett’s serve found the floor. The Waves scored the next two unanswered to edge out in front but a kill for Dickenson was followed by a Nikolov ace to again knot the score. The last tie of the frame came at 20-all after Cole Hartke’s strike for the Waves, but the Beach were able to get back to the high side on the ensuing point and fittingly sealed the frame with Kandev’s ninth kill of the set.

In the third set, the Beach secured a 25-19 victory against the Waves with Skyer Varga‘s five kills providing power to the LBSU offense. Nikolov’s instrumental play included back-to-back service aces to make the score 11 and later 12-8 to extend the lead. Kandev again pounded down the set’s final point, assisted by Nikolov in the Sofia, Bulgaria connection. The Beach offense was its most effective in the frame, hitting an eyepopping .720 with 18 kills on 25 swings and no errors.

In the fourth set, LBSU came away with the 25-23 win to advance to the Championship match. Dickinson shined for the offense with eight kills and a pair of blocks, including the decisive point. The Waves were able to keep the set competitive throughout, tying the frame as late at 18-19 after Barnet was able to claim the point, but a kill for Isaiah Preuitt was followed by a big block for Dickinson and McRaven to give the Beach the two-point lead. Pepperdine was able to stave off the first match point attempt, but Dickenson closed the door on the Waves to send LBSU into the final.

Pepperdine was paced by a trio of double-digit kills performance with Ilay Haver providing 14 and the pair of Cole Hartke and Ryan Barnett adding 13 apiece in the loss. Former UC San Diego setter Gabriel Dyer added 48 assists in the match. The Waves cap the year at 21-10 and an MPSF championship.

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2025 AVCA All-American | First Team At the AVCA Major League Volleyball All-America / Players of the Year Banquet presented by Nike, Elia Rubin was recognized as a 2025 AVCA All-American First Team selection. Reflecting on the honor, Rubin shared: “It’s such a huge honor. Being surrounded by so many amazing people makes it even more special. We were a young team, and every day brought a different challenge—but that’s what made it so much fun.” Rubin emphasized the importance of enjoying the journey and credited her teammates and coaches for creating a season defined by growth, connection, and joy. Congratulations to Elia Rubin on an outstanding season and First Team All-American recognition.

Published

16 minutes ago

December 20, 2025

Your Sports Nation

2025 AVCA All-American | First Team At the AVCA Major League Volleyball All-America / Players of the Year Banquet presented by Nike, Elia Rubin was recognized as a 2025 AVCA All-American First Team selection. Reflecting on the honor, Rubin shared: “It’s such a huge honor. Being surrounded by so many amazing people makes it even more special. We were a young team, and every day brought a different challenge—but that’s what made it so much fun.” Rubin emphasized the importance of enjoying the journey and credited her teammates and coaches for creating a season defined by growth, connection, and joy. Congratulations to Elia Rubin on an outstanding season and First Team All-American recognition. | American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA)

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2025 Mirror Girls Volleyball All-Stars | News, Sports, Jobs

Published

32 minutes ago

December 20, 2025

Your Sports Nation

FIRST TEAM

Delayni Baird, so., Hollidaysburg: Made the Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association Class 3A All-District first team. … Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association all-state selection. … Finished with a team-high 657 assists. … Had 69 aces and 157 digs.

Addi Basenback, sr., Hollidaysburg: Second-team Mirror all-star as a junior. … Made the Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association Class 3A All-District first team. … Recorded 251 kills and 35 aces. … Also contributed 161 digs for the District 6 champion Lady Tigers.

Erica Brouse, sr., Central Cambria: Mirror second-team all-star as a junior. … Helped Central Cambria win the Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference championship. … Made the Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association Class 2A All-District first team. … Led Central Cambria with 326 kills.

Kynlee Budny, so., Hollidaysburg: Second-team Mirror all-star as a freshman. … Made the Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association Class 3A All-District first team. … Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association all-state selection. … Had 260 kills and a 0.305 hitting percentage.

Rylan Crowell, sr., Tyrone: Mirror second-team all-star as a sophomore. … Helped Tyrone go 8-8 in the regular season and qualify for the District 6 playoffs. … Surpassed 500 career kills for her career this season. … Had 11 kills and 13 digs in a four-set win over Penns Valley. … Made the Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association Class 2A All-District second team.

Allie Dziabo, sr., Central Cambria: Mirror first-team all-star as a junior at Bishop Carroll. … Helped Central Cambria win the Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference championship. … … Made the Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association Class 2A All-District second team. … Led Central Cambria with 100 blocks and added 169 kills.

Lily Gergely, so., Penn Cambria: Finished with 275 kills and 49 aces. … Compiled 266 service points and 159 serves received. … Had 61 blocks and had 75 digs. … Helped Penn Cambria go 10-8 and qualify for the District 6 playoffs. … Made the Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association Class 2A All-District first team.

Olivia Gregg, jr., Bishop Carroll: Second-team Mirror all-star as both a sophomore and freshman. … Finished the year with 271 kills and a 0.365 hitting percentage. … Had 378 digs and 50 aces this season. … Helped Bishop Carroll finish 12-8 in the regular season and advance to the District 6 Class 1A quarterfinals.

Braelyn Hall, sr., Juniata Valley: Mirror first-team all-star as a junior. … Inter-County Conference first-team all-star. … Went over 1,000 career digs for her career during her senior season. … Helped Juniata Valley go 10-8 in the regular season and qualify for the District 6 playoffs. … For her career, she had 252 service points, 47 aces, 30 assists and 1,033 digs.

Rachel McClellan, sr., Glendale: Mirror first-team all-star as a junior. … Inter-County Conference first-team all-star. … Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association all-state selection. … Finished with 452 kills, as well as 237 digs, 144 service points, 48 aces and 10 blocks for the Lady Vikings.

Kenzi McLanahan, so., Hollidaysburg: Second-team Mirror all-star as a freshman. … Made the Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association Class 3A All-District first team. … Libero for the District 6 champions. … Had 232 digs and 50 aces. … Had a 2.08 SR rating.

Emily Olienyk, jr., Bishop Carroll: Mirror first-team all-star as a sophomore. … Helped Bishop Carroll finish 12-8 in the regular season and advance to the District 6 Class 1A quarterfinals. … Finished with 273 kills and a 0.311 hitting percentage. … Had 83 aces and 81 blocks for the Lady Huskies.

Rowyn Ruddek, jr., Central Cambria: Helped Central Cambria win the Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference championship. … … Made the Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association Class 2A All-District second team. … Led Central Cambria with 348 digs and 378 serves received. … Added 21 aces.

Annalyse Yost, sr., Altoona: First-team Mirror all-star as a junior. … Made the Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association Class 4A All-District first team. … Second-team Mid-Penn Commonwealth Division all-star. … Finished with 163 kills, 47 blocks, 26 aces, 76 digs and 78 service points for the Lady Spikers. … For her career, she had 380 kills, 167 blocks, 31 aces, 109 service points and 117 digs.

SECOND TEAM

Raina Alexander, jr., Williamsburg

Abby Anthony, sr., Tyrone

Sophie Becquet, sr., Bishop Carroll

Maraya Bittner, sr., Altoona

Amberly Detterline, jr., Northern Bedford

Kate Eckenrode, so., Penn Cambria

Payton Hinish, sr., Claysburg-Kimmel

Riley Kauffman, jr., Central Cambria

Calla Miko, sr., Portage

Kerrie Mock, sr., Central

Kaitlyn Mortimore, fr., Claysburg-Kimmel

Mara Pablic, so., Central Cambria

Marina Petucci, sr., Altoona

Madi Skebeck, sr., Glendale

Carly Sowers, sr., Cambria Heights

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Wisconsin lands All-American middle blocker Jaela Auguste via portal

Published

48 minutes ago

December 20, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Dec. 20, 2025, 12:39 p.m. CT

Former Florida middle blocker Jaela Auguste has committed to the Wisconsin Badgers volleyball team.
Auguste was a 2025 AVCA third-team All-American and the SEC’s 2024 freshman of the year.
The 6-foot-2 transfer has two seasons of eligibility remaining.

Wisconsin volleyball has made its first big splash in the transfer portal.

Ex-Florida middle blocker Jaela Auguste has committed to the Badgers via the transfer portal, she announced on Instagram on Dec. 20.

Auguste was a 2025 AVCA third-team All-American after averaging 2.69 kills per set and 0.98 blocks per set while hitting .344. Her hitting percentage was eighth-best in the SEC this season. She also was the SEC’s 2024 freshman of the year after starting in 29 matches and hitting .404.

“So beyond excited to announce my commitment to Wisconsin!” Auguste said in her Instagram post. “So grateful to be able to continue my career at such a great program! Thank you to all the people who have helped and believed in me through this process!!”

The 6-foot-2 middle blocker has two seasons of eligibility remaining. She fills a key void for the 2026 Badgers, as starting middle blockers Carter Booth and Alicia Andrew were seniors in 2025.

She is the Badgers’ first transfer portal commitment following the 2025 season. Five UW players have departed via the portal – Addy Horner, Aniya Warren, Maile Chan, Tosia Serafinowska and Trinity Shadd-Ceres.

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At the AVCA Major League Volleyball All-America / Players of the Year Banquet presented by Nike, Brooklyn DeLeye was recognized as a 2025 AVCA All-American First Team selection. Reflecting on the honor, DeLeye shared: “This is such a high honor. We talk about grit, competitiveness, and joy all the time. Playing alongside my teammates this year has been amazing—I wouldn’t be here without them, our staff, and my family.” DeLeye’s season was marked by resilience, connection, and a shared commitment to excellence. Congratulations to Brooklyn DeLeye on her First Team All-American recognition.

Published

1 hour ago

December 20, 2025

Your Sports Nation

At the AVCA Major League Volleyball All-America / Players of the Year Banquet presented by Nike, Brooklyn DeLeye was recognized as a 2025 AVCA All-American First Team selection. Reflecting on the honor, DeLeye shared: “This is such a high honor. We talk about grit, competitiveness, and joy all the time. Playing alongside my teammates this year has been amazing—I wouldn’t be here without them, our staff, and my family.” DeLeye’s season was marked by resilience, connection, and a shared commitment to excellence. Congratulations to Brooklyn DeLeye on her First Team All-American recognition. | American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA)

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Wisconsin’s Aniya Warren, Addy Horner to enter transfer portal

Published

1 hour ago

December 20, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Dec. 19, 2025, 7:33 p.m. CT

Two Wisconsin volleyball freshmen, Aniya Warren and Addy Horner, have announced their intention to enter the transfer portal.
Warren, a backup libero, and Horner, a backup setter, were behind other talented underclassmen on the roster.

Two Wisconsin volleyball freshmen appear to be taking their talents elsewhere in 2026.

Backup libero/defensive specialist Aniya Warren and backup setter Addy Horner are entering the transfer portal, they each announced on Instagram on Dec. 19.

Horner, in addition to sharing a post from a transfer portal account that listed her entry, said on her Instagram story that she is “beyond grateful” and thanked Badger nation. Warren said in an Instagram post that she is entering the portal to “explore new opportunities and continue my growth.”

“I want to start by sincerely thanking Wisconsin for welcoming me with open arms and so much love,” Warren said in the Instagram post. “A huge shoutout to the incredible coaching staff, my amazing teammates and the wonderful city of Madison for all the support and kindness I’ve received. This experience has meant the world to me.”

Both freshmen had impressive moments in the 2025 season, but were behind other talented underclassmen on the roster.

Starting libero Kristen Simon earned Big Ten all-freshman team honors as she averaged 3.47 digs per set. Charlie Fuerbringer, a third-team All-American in 2024, was an all-Big Ten first-team honoree in 2025 despite missing a month of the season with a shoulder injury.

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BEA has four players earn LHAC volleyball all-star honors | News, Sports, Jobs

Published

2 hours ago

December 20, 2025

Your Sports Nation

: TIM WEIGHT/For the Express
Bald Eagle Area’s Leah Bryan and Norah Eppley hold District 6 Class AA championship trophy together. Both were named to the Laurel Highland volleyball all-star team.

: TIM WEIGHT/For the Express
Bald Eagle Area’s Casey Angellotti was named a LHAC volleyball all-star.TIM WEIGHT/For the Express
Bald Eagle Area’s Casey Angellotti was named a LHAC volleyball all-star.

: TIM WEIGHT/For the Express
Bald Eagle Area’s Emily Smith was named a LHAC volleyball all-star.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express
Bald Eagle Area’s Leah Bryan and Norah Eppley hold District 6 Class AA championship trophy together. Both were named to the Laurel Highland volleyball all-star team.

Following its run to the PIAA Class AA quarterfinals in November, it comes as no surprise that the Bald Eagle Area volleyball team was well represented on this year’s Laurel Highlands all-star team. Four Eagles made the team, including two first teamers.

On the first team, Bald Eagle seniors Leah Bryan and Nora Eppley were present, earning accolades after prolific campaigns at outside hitter and libero respectively.

Fellow senior Casey Angellotti earned second-team honors at setter, and in just her second season, sophomore outside hitter Emily Smith also made the second team.

Apart from the Eagles, Bellefonte and Penns Valley also had all-star representatives. Penns Valley’s Peyton Wasson made the second team as a hitter while Bellefonte’s Colbie Frailey was named an honorable mention.

2025 LAUREL HIGHLAND VOLLEYBALL ALL-STARS

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express
Bald Eagle Area’s Casey Angellotti was named a LHAC volleyball all-star.TIM WEIGHT/For the Express
Bald Eagle Area’s Casey Angellotti was named a LHAC volleyball all-star.

FIRST TEAM

HITTERS

Leah Bryan, Bald Eagle; Addi Basenback, Hollidaysburg; Adi Jarrett, Philipsburg-Osceola; Kynlee Budny, Hollidaysburg.

SETTER

Delayni Baird, Hollidaysburg.