LEXINGTON, Ky. – Four Missouri State beach volleyball pairs have earned the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Top Flight Award, the organization announced on Friday. MoState’s regular pairs at Flight Nos. 1, 2, 4 and 5 were honored with the award.
The Top Flight program, now in its seventh year, recognizes beach pairs who compete in at least 15 matches together at a specific flight and win at least 75% of their matches. This year, 88 pairs representing 45 schools—from all three NCAA divisions, NAIA, and Two-Year Colleges—have earned Top Flight status. To qualify for the award, the team’s head coach must be an active AVCA member.
Missouri State is one of three Division I teams to win four AVCA Top Flight Awards, along with Chattanooga and Loyola Marymount. Overall, MoState is one of six schools nationally to win four awards. Carson Newman (DII), Fresno City College (Two-Year) and Santa Monica College (Two-Year) also won the honor on four flights.
Becca Bach and Allyson Larkin earned the award at Flight No. 1. The two boasted a record of 17-9 in 2025, which included a nine-match winning streak to start the season. Bach and Larkin only lost two sets during that stretch. The duo ended the season with a straight-set sweep over UAB’s three-time Conference USA Pair of the Week, Olivia Stant and Jasmine Haas, who each made the All-CUSA First Team. Bach was named to the All-CUSA Second Team on Thursday to become the first Missouri State student-athlete to make a CUSA all-conference team. She finished her career with 53 wins, the second-most in program history. Larkin sits at 42 career wins after her first two seasons, good for seventh all-time in team history.
Missouri State’s all-time winningest duo of MacKenzie Steele and Amanda Cleary earned the Top Flight Award for the first time at Flight No. 2. The two ended with a 17-8 record, including a 1-0 result in the Conference USA Tournament with their win over UAB’s Isabel Day and Azmabeth Infante. Steele and Cleary started the season 10-0 while only dropping two sets during that stretch. The 37 wins Steele and Cleary have amassed over the last two seasons are the most in team history, surpassing the previous record of 35 set by Grace Cook and Chloe Tome. Steele became the fourth Missouri State player to reach 50 career individual wins with the victory against UAB in the conference tournament.
Rylie Cepicky and Manuela Niemeyer also earned their first career AVCA Top Flight Awards with a team-best 20-6 record and a Flight No. 4 record of 20-5. The two became the fifth Missouri State pair to reach 20 wins in a single season. Cepicky and Niemeyer also started the season on a 10-match winning streak and had a separate stretch of seven straight wins to start the season as winners of 17 out of 18 matches. Cepicky was named to the CUSA All-Freshman team on Thursday. Her 20 wins are the second most by a MoState freshman in team history. Niemeyer also won her 50th career match during the conference tournament, the third Bears player to reach that milestone.
Lastly, Missouri State earned a Top Flight Award at No. 5 for the second straight year. Olivia Rattler and Erin Eschleman received the honor with a 16-9 record together. The two started their time together on a six-match winning streak, then later won seven consecutive matches spanning from late March to mid-April. Rattler went 19-9 as an individual, including going 3-0 to start the season with Riley Drew at Flight No. 5. Rattler became the first Bears player to reach 50 career wins at the start of the season and finished her beach volleyball career with a program record 61 career victories. Eschleman is the first player in team history to win the AVCA Top Flight Award twice. She won it last season at Flight No. 3 alongside then-senior Olivia Muriel when the pair went 24-7.
Missouri State beach volleyball went 18-10 in 2025 to complete its eighth year as a program and second as a Conference USA affiliate. The Bears advanced to the second day of the CUSA Tournament in Louisiana for the second straight season.
#BearsUnite
Izzy Starck has found a new home.
The former Nittany Lion will stay in the Keystone State as she has transferred to Pitt.
Starck was Freshman of the Year, an All-American and won a national championship in her lone full season with the blue and white.
Starck will now face Penn State at least once a season with the Panthers, in the annual Keystone State Rivalry match.
MORE VOLLEYBALL COVERAGE
It’s a rare occurrence for Penn State in the rankings.
Dec. 24, 2025, 5:15 a.m. CT
Wisconsin volleyball has found its backup setter.
Class of 2026 setter Isabelle Hoppe has flipped her commitment from Pittsburgh to Wisconsin, she announced on Dec. 23 via Instagram.
She fills the void left by Addy Horner – Wisconsin’s 2025 backup setter and the starter while Charlie Fuerbringer was out – who announced her plans to enter the transfer portal on Dec. 19 and committed to TCU earlier on Dec. 23.
Hoppe was rated No. 21 nationally and No. 3 among setters in Prep Dig’s 2026 recruiting rankings. Her outlook at Pitt recently changed as the Panthers signed former Penn State setter Izzy Starck, who was the 2024 AVCA national freshman of the year.
Hoppe is 5-foot-8 and hails from Gibsonia, Pennsylvania. She was named an Under Armour All-American and competed on USA Volleyball’s 2025 U19 world championship team. When she signed with Pitt earlier this year, Pitt coach Dan Fisher said she was a “proven setter at the high school, club and USA Volleyball levels.”
She is the fifth incoming freshman for the Badgers in 2026, joining outside hitters Halle Thompson and Audrey Flanagan and middle blockers Lynney Tarnow and Kymora Scott.
The Homewood High School volleyball team finished as one of the top eight teams in Class 6A this fall, making its appearance at the state volleyball tournament Oct. 28 at the Birmingham CrossPlex.
The Patriots matched up with a stout Saraland team in the opening round of the tournament, falling in three sets to close the season with a 25-20 record.
Homewood was in the state tournament for the first time since 2021. The Patriots won three straight matches in the North Super Regional Tournament last week to advance.
“I’m so grateful for our community, our kids and for this to be the new standard; to expect to be here and want to be here,” Homewood head coach Grace Burgess said. “The kids worked so hard with that in mind the whole season, but without talking too much about it. They believe in themselves and they’re confident kids.
Saraland won the state tournament match in straight sets: 25-20, 25-21, 27-25. The Spartans put forth a tremendous rally to draw even late in the third set and eventually prevailed.
For Homewood, Mary Ellis Jarmon led the offense with 12 kills, adding a pair of aces. Walker Binkley added seven kills and four blocks. Kamryn Coleman directed things with 34 assists, also compiling eight digs and four aces. Sarah Johnson nearly had a double-double, finishing with nine kills and nine digs. Addison Wood had six digs and an ace as well.
The Patriots will conclude their season as the only team from Alabama to knock off 7A favorite McGill-Toolen. They also defeated 6A semifinalist Saraland during the year. They won the area championship, finished runner-up at regionals and advanced to the gold bracket in all but one of their tournaments this year.
“The season was up and down, but they never stopped working when things weren’t going well,” Burgess said. “They didn’t listen when people said they couldn’t accomplish anything. The fact it worked out for them makes me really happy for them.”
The University of Wisconsin volleyball program saw significant transfer portal action as soon as the Badgers’ season ended.
kAm%@ 96=A 72?D <66A FA H:E9 2== E96 492?86[ 96C6VD J@FC @?6\DE@A 9@>6 7@C 2== E96 EC2?D76C A@CE2= ?6HD DFCC@F?5:?8 E96 (:D4@?D:? G@==6J32== AC@8C2>]k^Am
k9amx}i xD236==6 w@AA6[ D6EE6Ck^9am
kAmxD236==6 w@AA6 :D?VE 4@>:?8 7C@> E96 EC2?D76C A@CE2= D:?46 D96VD 2 >6>36C @7 E96 4=2DD @7 a_ae[ 3FE H6VC6 255:?8 96C D:?46 D96VD 2 ?6H 255:E:@? E@ E96 AC@8C2>] w@AA6 2??@F?465 @? s64] ab E92E D96 H2D 7=:AA:?8 96C 4@>>:E>6?E 7C@> !:EED3FC89 E@ (:D4@?D:?]k^Am
kAmk2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^32586C6IEC2]4@>^DA@CED^G@==6J32==^C64CF:E:?8^H:D4@?D:?\G@==6J32==\7=:AD\9:89=J\C2?<65\D6EE6C\7C@>\3:8\E6?\C:G2=^2CE:4=60`7bb4f55\_ecd\cced\2hd7\6dgbf3g`ch7h]9E>=Q E2C86ElQ03=2?
k9am~&%i &?2 ‘2;28:4[ @FED:56 9:EE6Ck^9am
kAm&?2 ‘2;28:4 3642>6 E96 7:CDE DE2CE6C E@ 2??@F?46 96C :?E6?E:@? E@ =62G6 E96 q2586CD] $96 >:DD65 =2DE D62D@? H9:=6 C64@G6C:?8 7C@> 2? pr{ :?;FCJ[ E96? A=2J65 2 4CF4:2= C@=6 😕 E9:D D62D@?VD }rpp %@FC?2>6?E] $96 2??@F?465 s64] aa @? x?DE28C2> 96C 564:D:@? E@ 6?E6C E96 EC2?D76C A@CE2=] $96 H:== 92G6 E9C66 J62CD @7 6=:8:3:=:EJ C6>2:?:?8]k^Am
kAmk2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^32586C6IEC2]4@>^DA@CED^G@==6J32==^H:D4@?D:?\G@==6J32==\=@D6D\DE2CE6C\H9@\D9:?65\5@H?\E96\DEC6E49\E@\EC2?D76C\A@CE2=^2CE:4=60c7ae5b`_\e_ff\c756\24hd\f5gf36__`hd6]9E>=Q E2C86ElQ03=2?
k9amx}i tG2 %C2G:D[ @FED:56 9:EE6Ck^9am
kAm$@A9@>@C6 tG2 %C2G:D 62C?65 uC6D9>2? @7 E96 *62C 9@?@CD 😕 E96 q:8 (6DE r@?76C6?46 =2DE J62C 2?5 9@?@C23=6 >6?E:@? @? E96 p’rp’D !24:7:4 #68:@? 2H2C5D =:DE 2E &r $2?E2 q2C32C2] $96 2??@F?465 s64] aa @? x?DE28C2> 96C 564:D:@? E@ ;@:? E96 q2586CD] $96 H:== 92G6 EH@ J62CD @7 6=:8:3:=:EJ C6>2:?:?8]k^Am
kAmk2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^32586C6IEC2]4@>^DA@CED^G@==6J32==^H:D4@?D:?\G@==6J32==\=2?5D\42=:7@C?:2\@FED:56\9:EE6C\7C@>\EC2?D76C\A@CE2=^2CE:4=60h22e_a_a\7`cc\c5bg\2cga\`ba7bd4e2h3e]9E>=Q E2C86ElQ03=2?
k9amx}i y26=2 pF8FDE6[ >:55=6 3=@4<6Ck^9am
kAm%96 7:CDE 255:E:@? E@ E96 q2586CD C@DE6C 42>6 7C@> E96 u=@C:52 v2E@CD 😕 y26=2 pF8FDE6[ H9@ 62C?65 E9:C5 E62> p==\p>6C:42? 9@?@CD E9:D D62D@?] $96 2??@F?465 s64] a_ @? x?DE28C2> 96C 564:D:@? E@ ;@:? E96 q2586CD] $96 H:== 92G6 EH@ J62CD @7 6=:8:3:=:EJ C6>2:?:?8]k^Am
kAmk2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^32586C6IEC2]4@>^DA@CED^G@==6J32==^H:D4@?D:?\G@==6J32==\=2?5D\2==\2>6C:42?\7C@>\EC2?D76C\A@CE2=\E@\C6A=246\56A2CE:?8\DE2C^2CE:4=60a5d6cccg\_bbe\ce2c\2c53\d625db4`a`hd]9E>=Q E2C86ElQ03=2?
k9am~&%i %C:?:EJ $9255\r6C6D[ @FED:56 9:EE6Ck^9am
kAmx?;FC:6D =:>:E65 E96 492?46D 7@C D@A9@>@C6 %C:?:EJ $9255\r6C6D[ 3FE D96 5:5 62C? A=2J:?8 E:>6 5FC:?8 E96 q2586CDV A@DED62D@? CF?] $96 2??@F?465 s64] `h @? x?DE28C2> 96C 564:D:@? E@ 6?E6C E96 EC2?D76C A@CE2=] $96 H:== 92G6 EH@ J62CD @7 6=:8:3:=:EJ C6>2:?:?8]k^Am
kAmk2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^32586C6IEC2]4@>^DA@CED^G@==6J32==^H:D4@?D:?\G@==6J32==\=@D6D\<6J\A=2J@77\4@?EC:3FE@C\E@\EC2?D76C\A@CE2=^2CE:4=60hh4d7f3a\_h5c\cee4\g2d_\g4d74bd7af5b]9E>=Q E2C86ElQ03=2?
k9am~&%i %@D:2 $6C27:?@HD<2[ >:55=6 3=@4<6Ck^9am
kAm#65D9:CE 7C6D9>2? %@D:2 $6C27:?@HD<2 D2H =:>:E65 24E:@? 😕 96C =@?6 D62D@? 😕 |25:D@?[ 86EE:?8 A=2J:?8 E:>6 😕 7:G6 >2E496D] $96 2??@F?465 s64] `h @? x?DE28C2> 96C 564:D:@? E@ 6?E6C E96 EC2?D76C A@CE2=] $96 H:== 92G6 E9C66 J62CD @7 6=:8:3:=:EJ C6>2:?:?8]k^Am
kAmk2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^32586C6IEC2]4@>^DA@CED^G@==6J32==^H:D4@?D:?\G@==6J32==\=@D6D\EH@\56AE9\A=2J6CD\E@\EC2?D76C\A@CE2=^2CE:4=60_6`3665h\3743\ca`2\26c4\fb5fac_3eh7c]9E>=Q E2C86ElQ03=2?
k9am~&%i |2:=6 r92?[ =:36C@^s$k^9am
kAm$@A9@>@C6 |2:=6 r92? A=2J65 😕 2 E@E2= @7 ad >2E496D 5FC:?8 96C EH@ D62D@?D H:E9 E96 q2586CD] $96 2??@F?465 s64] `h @? x?DE28C2> 96C 564:D:@? E@ 6?E6C E96 EC2?D76C A@CE2=] $96 H:== 92G6 EH@ J62CD @7 6=:8:3:=:EJ C6>2:?:?8]k^Am
kAmk2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^32586C6IEC2]4@>^DA@CED^G@==6J32==^H:D4@?D:?\G@==6J32==\=@D6D\EH@\56AE9\A=2J6CD\E@\EC2?D76C\A@CE2=^2CE:4=60_6`3665h\3743\ca`2\26c4\fb5fac_3eh7c]9E>=Q E2C86ElQ03=2?
k9am~&%i p55J w@C?6C[ D6EE6Ck^9am
kAmuC6D9>2? p55J w@C?6C 62C?65 ?:?6 DE2CED 7@C E96 q2586CD 27E6C r92C=:6 uF6C3C:?86C DF776C65 2? :?;FCJ 282:?DE |:49:82? 😕 62C=J ~4E@36C] w@C?6C 2??@F?465 s64] `h @? x?DE28C2> 96C 564:D:@? E@ 6?E6C E96 EC2?D76C A@CE2=] $96 2??@F?465 s64] ab @? x?DE28C2> E92E D96VD 9625:?8 E@ %r&] $96 H:== 92G6 E9C66 J62CD @7 6=:8:3:=:EJ C6>2:?:?8]k^Am
kAmk2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^32586C6IEC2]4@>^DA@CED^G@==6J32==^H:D4@?D:?\G@==6J32==\=@D6D\A2CE\E:>6\DE2CE6C\E@\EC2?D76C\A@CE2=^2CE:4=60ca7cfgea\abhh\c2d`\hfag\gh434dhfcbh3]9E>=Q E2C86ElQ03=2?
kAmk2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^32586C6IEC2]4@>^DA@CED^G@==6J32==^7@C>6C\H:D4@?D:?\G@==6J32==\D6EE6C\7:?5D\?6H\9@>6^2CE:4=60c6_cf6g_\552`\c7_`\gbb5\7e_g5dbd3bbb]9E>=Q E2C86ElQ03=2?
k9am~&%i p?:J2 (2CC6?[ =:36C@^s$k^9am
kAmuC6D9>2? p?:J2 (2CC6? H2D E96 ?2E:@?VD E@A\C2?<65 =:36C@ 😕 96C C64CF:E:?8 4=2DD H96? D96 564:565 E@ 4@>6 E@ (:D4@?D:?] (2CC6? 2??@F?465 s64] `h @? x?DE28C2> 96C 564:D:@? E@ 6?E6C E96 EC2?D76C A@CE2=] $96 H:== 92G6 E9C66 J62CD @7 6=:8:3:=:EJ C6>2:?:?8]k^Am
kAmk2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^32586C6IEC2]4@>^DA@CED^G@==6J32==^7@C>6C\9:89=J\C2?<65\H:D4@?D:?\G@==6J32==\C64CF:E\E@\6?E6C\EC2?D76C\A@CE2=^2CE:4=60_4c54234\fdac\cg__\hhcc\2bbgf7gc2457]9E>=Q E2C86ElQ03=2?
Photos: Wisconsin volleyball 2025 season in photos
Wisconsin outside hitter Grace Egan (32) serves against UW Milwaukee on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025 at UW Field House in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin middle blocker Alicia Andrew (17) is greeted by fans after taking the floor prior to a match against Southern California at the Wisconsin Fieldhouse in Madison, Wis. Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin defenders jump to block a spike by Kansas outside hitter Jovana Zelenovic (9) on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025 at Kohl Center in Madison, Wis.
The Wisconsin student section reacts after Wisconsin wins the third set against Kansas on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025 at Kohl Center in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin setter Charlie Fuerbringer (24) sets the ball for a spike against Texas on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025 at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin setter Charlie Fuerbringer (24) sets the ball against Eastern Illinois on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025 at UW Field House in Madison, Wiss.
Wisconsin outside hitter Grace Egan, left, and middle blocker Carter Booth, right, go up for a block against UC-Davis Sept. 4.
Wisconsin outside hitter Grace Egan (32) and Wisconsin middle blocker Carter Booth (52) yell after a block to win the first set against Purdue on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025 at UW Field House in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin outside hitter Mimi Colyer (15) elevates to contest a ball at the net against Illinois on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025 at UW Field House in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin outside hitter Mimi Colyer (15) is introduced prior to the match against Illinois on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025 at UW Field House in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin setter Charlie Fuerbringer (24) high-fives kids lined up before playing UC-Davis on Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025 at UW Field House in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin outside hitter Grace Egan (32) hits the floor after saving the ball from touching the ground against Texas on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025 at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin outside hitter Mimi Colyer (15) helps setter Charlie Fuerbringer (24) off the floor after losing a point to Texas on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025 at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin head coach Kelly Sheffield huddles with his senior players following the teamÕs win over UNC during a second round NCAA Tournament match between the teams at the Wisconsin Fieldhouse in Madison, Wis. Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin outside hitter Grace Egan (32) watches as the ball flies in the air before a serve against Notre Dame on Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025 at UW Field House in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin outside hitter Grace Egan (32) goes up for a spike against UC-Davis on Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025 at UW Field House in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin players react after a Minnesota touch goes out of bounds on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025 at UW Field House in Madison, Wis.
The Wisconsin bench celebrates after a point against UW Milwaukee on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025 at UW Field House in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin outside hitter Mimi Colyer (15) attempts to spike over three Iowa defenders on Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025 at UW Field House in Madison, Wis.
Nebraska middle blocker Rebekah Allick (5) yells after a block on Wisconsin outside hitter Grace Egan (32) on Friday, Oct. 31, 2025 at UW Field House in Madison, Wis.
A young fan smiles after getting a high-five from a Wisconsin player during introductions against Minnesota on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025 at UW Field House in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin outside hitter Una Vajagic (1) dives for a ball flying out of bounds against Michigan on Saturday, Oct.5, 2025 at UW Field House in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin outside hitter Mimi Colyer (15) is introduced prior to the teamÕs non-conference match against Florida at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis. Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin outside hitter Mimi Colyer (15) blocks a spike against Michigan on Saturday, Oct.5, 2025 at UW Field House in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin outside hitter Madison Quest (10) emerges from the locker room before playing Michigan on Saturday, Oct.5, 2025 at UW Field House in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin right side hitter Addy Horner (2) and Wisconsin middle blocker Natalie Wardlow (12) collide trying to set the ball against Nebraska on Friday, Oct. 31, 2025 at UW Field House in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin outside hitter Mimi Colyer (15) extends to hit a ball going out of bounds against Minnesota on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025 at UW Field House in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin middle blocker Alicia Andrew (17) and right side hitter Wisconsin setter Charlie Fuerbringer (24) put up a block against Indiana outside hitter Jaidyn Jager (24) in the first set of a match at the UW Field House in Madison, Wis. Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL
Wisconsin outside hitter Grace Egan (32) lines up a bump after a return by Iowa on Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025 at UW Field House in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin middle blocker Carter Booth (52) reacts after a point against Kansas on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025 at Kohl Center in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin players, including Wisconsin middle blocker Alicia Andrew, left, and libero/defensive specialist Kristen Simon (7) celebrate the teamÕs win over UNC during a second round NCAA Tournament match between the teams at the Wisconsin Fieldhouse in Madison, Wis. Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Contact Jim Polzin at jpolzin@madison.com.
COLLEGE STATION, Texas (KBTX) – Just two days after winning a national championship, Jamie Morrison and Aggie volleyball announced the signing of two Division One transfers.
Texas A&M added graduate transfer and All-American Natalie Ring from Marquette and Ohio State’s Kaia Castle.
Volleyball is one of six revenue-sharing sports at Texas A&M, and following the national title match, Morrison acknowledged the university’s financial commitment to recruiting.
“Our administration’s really stepped up and said, hey, we really want you to be competitive on the national landscape. And I couldn’t be more grateful for that,” Morrison said.
Ring led the Golden Eagles to the second round of the NCAA Tournament and landed on the All-America third team. She was also named a unanimous All-Big East selection. She had a career-high 29 kills in a close loss to No. 2 Louisville in the NCAA Tournament.
The Madison, Wisconsin native ranked No. 16 in the nation with 4.60 kills per set.
“We are excited to add Natalie to our Aggie family here in Aggieland,” Morrison said. “She brings a wealth of experience as a well-rounded outside hitter and is a relentless competitor who consistently raised her level against the best competition. The 12th Man is going to love her fire, spirit and the way she plays the game.”
Castle is a redshirt sophomore and averaged 1.94 kills per set as a middle blocker.
“We value speed at the middle blocker position and it’s rare to see someone with Kaia’s length who can move the way she does,” Morrison said. “Beyond the physical tools, she is an incredible human. I truly enjoyed every part of the recruiting process with Kaia and can’t wait to have her here in Aggieland.”
Castle recorded 91 blocks this year for the Buckeyes and broke the program’s single-match block record with 15 against Troy.
The Aggies were quick to get to work on building for next season and remaining at the top of the college volleyball landscape.
“We’re going to sit down, and we’re going to enjoy this as much as we possibly can,” Morrison said. “And then we’re going to get to work and go do it again.”
Copyright 2025 KBTX. All rights reserved.
Seventeen Lake Orion High School student-athletes signed national letters of intent on Dec. 17 to their sports careers at the collegiate level. Photo by Joseph Goral
ORION TWP. — Seventeen senior athletes signed letters of intent at Lake Orion High School on Dec. 17 to play sports at the collegiate level.
The athletes represent eight sports – swimming, lacrosse, soccer, football, baseball, cross country, dance and track and field.
“Congratulations to all of you on joining a small group of high school athletes around the country that get the opportunity to pursue their athletic careers while pursuing their education,” LOHS Athletic Director Chris Bell said.
Several coaches joined Bell to introduce the athletes honored last week
Swimming
Briana Hernandez will swim for Wayne State University where she plans to study biochemistry or chemical biology. Hernandez scored a team-leading 218 points this season, finished first 11 times, was a key member of LOHS’s state team, and is fourth all time in school history for the 50-meter freestyle event.
Samantha O’Kronley (left) and Leo Cassell sign letters of intent on Dec. 17 to play college sports. Photos by Joseph Goral
Maddox LaMothe will continue his swimming career at St. Olaf College in Minnesota and study music education. LaMoth will be a sprint freestyle and breast stroke specialist at St. Olaf College. He has scored 149 points, finished first 12 times and is a league champion in the 100-meter breast stroke event at LOHS.
Lacrosse
JC McClung will play lacrosse at Saginaw Valley State University. McClung has been a varsity starter at Lake Orion since her sophomore year, scored 27 points during her junior year, and will be a captain during her senior season.
Brielle Coventry will play lacrosse at Lewis University in Illinois where she will study aviation administration. Coventry has also been a varsity player since her sophomore year, has scored 75 goals, and was named to the all-state third team in 2025 and to the all-OAA Red team.
Curtis Meech will continue his lacrosse career at Lake Erie College, and began playing lacrosse for Lake Orion Community schools 10 years ago. Head lacrosse coach Chris Wood said Meech is a vocal leader and a reliable, lead-by-example defender.
Maddox LaMothe (left) and Brooke Armstrong sign letters of intent to play college sports.
Quentin Rohlfing will play lacrosse for Kalamazoo College. In his three years playing LOHS lacrosse, Wood said Rohlfing established himself as a relentless competitor, a quick learner in the mid-field, and said Rohlfing is a hard-working individual.
Soccer
Brooke Armstrong will play soccer at Michigan Technological University where she will study biochemistry. Armstrong earned district and league honors during the spring and is a fierce competitor that LOHS is thankful to have on their team, head varsity coach Amanda Hutchinson said.
Lilly Brodoski will play soccer for Calvin University where she will study politics, philosophy and economics. She has been on LOHS’s soccer team since her freshman year, earned league honors her sophomore and junior years, along with the OAA Sportsmanship Award, and is a versatile player who can contribute in many positions on the field, Hutchinson said.
Seniors JC McClung (left) and Brielle Coventry are introduced on Dec. 17.
Football
Leo Cassell will play football at Alma College and study biology. A defensive and offensive lineman, Bell called Cassell a smart player who knows the game, and said he works hard, is unselfish, and was willing to play whatever role his team needed.
Brody Thompson will play football for Northwood University where he will pursue a business degree. Thompson predominantly played quarterback for the Dragons, is a threat running and throwing the football and won a leadership award last season, Bell said.
Alex Hensley will also play football at Northwood University. A starting inside linebacker, Bell described Hensley as an old-fashioned, Orion-tough physical football player. Hensley was also a captain last season, led the Dragons in tackles for the last two seasons and was selected to the all-league team and all-region first team this season.
Quentin Rohlfing (right) and Curtis Meech are introduced by boys varsity lacrosse head coach Chris Wood before a crowd at Lake Orion High School on Dec. 17.
Ryan Rocheleau will play football for Western Michigan University. Bell called Rocheleau the best tight end in Lake Orion History. Rocheleau caught 30 passes for more than 500 yards and five touchdowns, was selected to the all-league first team and all-region first team and was a team captain.
Baseball
Ozzie Schons will play baseball at Alpena Community College where he will study mathematics. Head varsity baseball coach Andy Schramek said Schons chose Alpena Community College for its culture.
Riley Bendle will play baseball at Kellogg Community College and pursue a career as a doctor. Schramek said Kellogg Community College will give Bendle the chance to develop as a player for two years before transferring to a university.
Dance
Samantha O’Kronley will dance at Alma College where she plans to study sports medicine. O’Kronley has been in Lake Orion’s dance program since seventh grade, and was described as always dependable and hardworking by a teammate.
Lilly Brodoski signs a letter of intent to play soccer for Calvin University.
Cross country and track and field
Max Houvener will be running cross country and competing in track and field at Oakland University. Houvener qualified for the state finals in the 3,200-meter relay his freshman year, and finished no lower than 10th in any race over the last two years, except for at the state finals, varsity coach Andrew McDonald said.
Mikaela Redman will be competing in track and field at Northwood University. McDonald called Redman a very versatile athlete, and a leader in the school’s track-and-field program for the last four years.
Mikaela Redman signs a letter of intent on Dec. 17 to compete in track and field at Northwood University.
SoundGear Named Entitlement Sponsor of Spears CARS Tour Southwest Opener
Black Bear Revises Recording Policies After Rulebook Language Surfaces via Lever
Donny Schatz finds new home for 2026, inks full-time deal with CJB Motorsports – InForum
How Donald Trump became FIFA’s ‘soccer president’ long before World Cup draw
David Blitzer, Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment
JR Motorsports Confirms Death Of NASCAR Veteran Michael Annett At Age 39
Elliot and Thuotte Highlight Men’s Indoor Track and Field Season Opener
Rick Ware Racing switching to Chevrolet for 2026
West Fargo volleyball coach Kelsey Titus resigns after four seasons – InForum
#11 Volleyball Practices, Then Meets Media Prior to #2 Kentucky Match
