Sports
Bison Women’s Track & Field Claims Five CSC Academic All-District Honors
Story Links FARGO, N.D. – The North Dakota State University women’s track & field team had the maximum of five student-athletes named to the 2025 College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team, the organization announced Tuesday, June 24. The Bison women selected to the CSC Academic All-District Team were Ella Gardner, […]

FARGO, N.D. – The North Dakota State University women’s track & field team had the maximum of five student-athletes named to the 2025 College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team, the organization announced Tuesday, June 24.
The Bison women selected to the CSC Academic All-District Team were Ella Gardner, Jacee Johannsen, Arienne Birch, Merrideth Spiers, and Annabel Thorstenson.
The Academic All-District team recognizes the nation’s top student-athletes for their combined performances in competition and in the classroom. In addition to meeting athletic performance criteria, nominees must carry a 3.50 cumulative grade-point average with at least sophomore standing. Schools are capped at five recipients for track & field.
Gardner (Nora, Neb.) is majoring in psychology with a 4.0 GPA. She swept the long jump and triple jump titles at the Summit League Indoor Championships and ranked 69th nationally for the indoor long jump.
Johannsen (Sioux Falls, S.D.) earned a mechanical engineering degree with a 3.81 GPA and has a 4.0 GPA pursuing her graduate degree in mechanical engineering. She ranked 45th in the NCAA for the indoor pole vault and qualified for the NCAA West Preliminary Rounds outdoor.
Birch (Mississauga, Ontario) is majoring in biological sciences with a 3.60 cumulative GPA. She ranked 11th in the NCAA for the high jump outdoors, setting a new NDSU school record in the event at 6-01.25 (1.86m).
Spiers (Grant City, Mo.) is pursuing a Ph.D. in criminal justice after earning her undergrad degree with a 4.0 majoring in psychology. She ranked 45th nationally in the weight throw for the indoor season and qualified for the NCAA West Preliminary Rounds in the hammer throw outdoor.
Thorstenson (Champaign, Ill.) posted a 4.0 GPA to earn a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, and owns a 4.0 pursuing a master’s in criminal justice. She qualified for the NCAA West Preliminary Rounds in the hammer throw this season.
Sports
122 Huskers Named Big Ten Distinguished Scholars – University of Nebraska
A total of 122 University of Nebraska student-athletes were honored Monday afternoon with the release of the 2024-25 Big Ten Distinguished Scholar Award recipients. To earn the award, athletes must have recorded a minimum grade-point average (GPA) of 3.7 or higher for the previous academic year. Nebraska’s 122 honorees combined for 134 awards with 12 multi-sport […]
Sports
LA28 Releases First Look at Competition Schedule in Celebration of Marking Three Years Out from the 2028 Olympic Games
The LA28 Games shares Olympic competition schedule for most ambitious sports lineup in history as PlayLA surpasses one million program enrollments to date Los Angeles, CA (July 14, 2025) – Three years from today, the Olympic Games will return to Los Angeles for the third time in history, a remarkable milestone for the iconic […]

The LA28 Games shares Olympic competition schedule for most ambitious sports lineup in history as PlayLA surpasses one million program enrollments to date
Los Angeles, CA (July 14, 2025) – Three years from today, the Olympic Games will return to Los Angeles for the third time in history, a remarkable milestone for the iconic Host City. To celebrate the Road to 2028, LA28 today released the first look at the Olympic competition schedule. Additionally, LA28 CEO Reynold Hoover will join Los Angeles’ Recreation and Parks and PlayLA later today to commemorate a major pre-Games legacy achievement of one million program enrollments in PlayLA programming.
“We couldn’t be more excited to mark this moment at exactly three years out from Los Angeles’ third Olympic Games in 2028,” said Reynold Hoover LA28 Chief Executive Officer. “There is so much to celebrate today between one million program enrollments in LA28’s pre-Games legacy through the PlayLA program, plus the first look at the Olympic competition schedule that has been meticulously developed to ensure the world’s best athletes can compete in LA. We are energized by today’s milestones and remain focused on the work ahead as the Road to 2028 continues.”
“We are now three years away from the LA Memorial Coliseum hosting the opening of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and I’m proud that the first medal will be awarded at the iconic Venice Beach,” said Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. “When the world comes here for these Games, we will highlight every neighborhood as we host a Games for all and work to ensure it leaves a monumental legacy. We are already delivering that legacy as we announce there have been more than one million enrollments in PlayLA. I want to thank LA28 and the International Olympic Committee for making these programs possible and for their continued work to host the greatest Games yet.”
For the first time in nearly 30 years, the Games will return to the United States with a schedule designed to accommodate both domestic and global viewership of the 844 ticketed events.
2028 Olympic Competition Schedule Highlights:
- Opening and Closing Ceremonies: The 2028 Olympic Opening Ceremony will take place on Friday, July 14, 2028 at 8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT, shared between the LA Memorial Coliseum and 2028 Stadium in Inglewood, and the Closing Ceremony will take place Sunday, July 30, 2028 at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT at the LA Memorial Coliseum.
- Historic Swap of Athletics and Swimming competitions: The 2028 Games will kick off with a powerful start thanks to the historic swap of the Athletics and Swimming events. Athletics will move to the first week of competition while Swimming will be held during the second week.
- Athletics at the LA Memorial Coliseum: The Games will kick off with the world’s fastest athletes at the LA Memorial Coliseum. Consistent with tradition, the Marathon events will take place on the final weekend of the Games.
- First Medal of the LA28 Games to be Awarded at Venice Beach: Also on Day 1, Triathlon will award LA28’s first Olympic champion in the Host City of Los Angeles, set along the vibrant coastline of Venice Beach.
- Most Games Medals Awarded on Day 15: Day 15 of competition will go down as one of the most memorable final weekends in Olympic medal history when 16 gold and bronze medal team sport matches and the Finals for 19 individual sports, including Swimming, all take place on the single most action-packed day of the LA28 Games.
- Swimming Finale: Swimming will close out the LA28 Games on Day 16 with the final competition session held in one of the world’s most technically advanced and modern stadiums, the 2028 Stadium, setting the stage for an epic Closing Ceremony at the LA Memorial Coliseum.
Developed in close coordination with Games delivery partners including the Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS), International Federations (IFs) of each respective sport and approval from the International Olympic Committee Executive Board, the 2028 Olympic competition schedule showcases the most ambitious sports lineup in history. Leading up to the 2028 Games, the competition schedule will continue to evolve as planning progresses. A more detailed schedule with medal events and gender order will be released later this year. A downloadable PDF of the current Olympic competition schedule by day and by session is available here.
PlayLA Surpasses One Million Program Enrollments
In partnership with Los Angeles Recreation and Parks, LA28 and the International Olympic Committee have invested up to $160 million in PlayLA, offering quality, affordable, and inclusive sports programming for kids of all abilities. Today, PlayLA is celebrating one million program enrollments, marking an incredible milestone in LA28’s pre-Games legacy. Programming offers kids ages 3-17 the opportunity to engage in over 40 Olympic and adaptive sports, including aquatics, athletics, boxing, flag football, judo, as well as adaptive swimming, adaptive athletics, para surfing, sitting volleyball and more.
ABOUT THE LA28 OLYMPIC AND PARALYMPIC GAMES
The LA28 Games will mark Los Angeles’ third time to host the Olympic Games, previously hosted in 1984 and 1932, and first time to host the Paralympic Games. Los Angeles will host the world’s most elite athletes in 2028 as it welcomes Paralympians and Olympians from around the world to compete on the biggest stage in sports. The LA28 Games are independently operated by a privately funded, non-profit organization with revenue from corporate partners, licensing agreements, hospitality and ticketing programs and a significant contribution from the International Olympic Committee.
###
Sports
BGSU volleyball adds Bosic, Hobson
The Bowling Green State University volleyball program and head coach Alex DelPiombo announced the signings of Anastasija Bozic and Avery Hobson on Monday morning. Bozic, a 6-foot-1 outside hitter, will come to the Falcons as a freshman from Panzevo, Serbia. Hobson, a 6-foot-1 junior outside hitter, will arrive in Bowling Green from Duquesne. Bozic is […]


The Bowling Green State University volleyball program and head coach Alex DelPiombo announced the signings of Anastasija Bozic and Avery Hobson on Monday morning.
Bozic, a 6-foot-1 outside hitter, will come to the Falcons as a freshman from Panzevo, Serbia. Hobson, a 6-foot-1 junior outside hitter, will arrive in Bowling Green from Duquesne.
Bozic is the eighth international student-athlete on the Falcons’ 2025 roster with players also from Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic and Poland.
In Serbia, Bozic most recently played for Ok “Kula” Gradacac in 2025 after competing with Ok “Zeleznicar” Lajovac from 2022-24.
With Ok Zelenznicar, she aided the team to a semifinal appearance in the 2023 and 2024 Serbian Super League Playoffs while also capturing the Cev Cup in both 2023 and 2024 as well. During the 2025 season Bozic earned the Best Scorer of the regular season honor for the Women’s OSBIH Premijer League.
“Anastasija joins our program as a freshman with an immense amount of high level experience,” said DelPiombo. “She is a winner and getting to know her in our recruiting process has made us excited to welcome her to BGSU and our community.
“Anastasija’s talent is just the start; her commitment to getting better, being a good teammate and passion for volleyball will be a big piece for our program.”
Bosic said, “I chose to attend BGSU because of its strong academic programs and excellent volleyball team. The university offers great opportunities for both my athletic and academic growth.
“I was impressed by the supportive community, the coaching staff’s dedication, and the chance to study while competing at a high level. BGSU feels like the perfect place for me to develop my skills and prepare for my future career.”
Hobson will join the Falcons after two seasons with Duquesne. As a freshman in 2023, Hobson was named to the A-10 All-Rookie Team as well as being a two-time A-10 Rookie of the Week.
She followed it up in 2024 by being named to the CSC Academic All-District Team. As for her stats, Hobson appeared in 212 sets over all 56 matches during her two seasons with the Dukes. During her time, she landed 513 kills and 61 aces while adding 534 digs and 90 blocks on the defensive end.
She posted at least 200 kills, 200 digs, 35 blocks and 25 aces in each season, including 296 kills during her freshman campaign.
“Our program is very proud of our past accomplishments, but we are always looking to get better and take steps forward,” said DelPiombo.
“Avery has the tools and competitiveness to help us on that journey. Avery’s experience and drive to be great will immediately impact us. We’re so excited to welcome her to our program and Falcon Nation and know she’s going to be a great fit in our BGSU community and gym.”
With the Dukes, Hobson recorded 12 double-doubles, including double-digit digs in 27 matches and double-digit kills in 21 matches. As a freshman in 2023, her 296 kills led the team while her 3.02 kills per set ranked eighth in the A-10 conference while finishing fourth on the team in digs.
As for her sophomore campaign, Hobson flipped the script, leading the team in digs with 282, averaging 2.47 per set, while finishing fourth on the team in kills.
Before her time at Duquesne, Hobson aided Hamilton Southeastern to a 34-1 record and an Indiana Class 4A state title in 2022. She earned First Team All-State, All-District and All-Conference honors while being named a First Team All-American by MaxPreps.
She was also one of five finalists for the first-annual Indiana High School Volleyball Coaches Association (IHSVCA) Indiana Ms. Volleyball. As for club, Hobson competed with Circle City Volleyball Club.
Sports
Lake Worth Christian volleyball leaves no doubt as Palm Beach’s best of last 25 years
Head coach Terri Kaiser hails volleyball as the ultimate team sport, and under her watch, Lake Worth Christian has become the ultimate volleyball program when it comes to Palm Beach County. The Palm Beach Post’s “Summer Celebration” series takes a look at the last 25 years in each sport, but one would have to go […]

Head coach Terri Kaiser hails volleyball as the ultimate team sport, and under her watch, Lake Worth Christian has become the ultimate volleyball program when it comes to Palm Beach County.
The Palm Beach Post’s “Summer Celebration” series takes a look at the last 25 years in each sport, but one would have to go long beyond that to find the roots of Kaiser’s impact on Lake Worth Christian’s community.
Advertisement
A bricklayer, in the truest sense.
Entering her 37th year at the school — split into two stretches — Kaiser remembers laying pipe in the ground to help expand what was at that point a one-building school.
Lake Worth Christian High School volleyball coachTerri Kaiser of walks onstage to receive the Courage Award at the Palm Beach County Sports Awards on May 28, 2025 at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Florida.
A look back at this year: Lake Worth Christian focusing on ‘the little things’
“We didn’t build the gym until the 90s,” she said. “This is very important: Lake Worth Christian encouraged students first, and athletes followed.”
But when it came time for athletics, Kaiser quickly made her mark.
Surprisingly, she didn’t start out coaching volleyball.
Looking back at her career as a multi-sport athlete in high school and college, Kaiser admitted that softball was her best sport and is in fact what she started coaching in her first years at Lake Worth Christian.
Advertisement
But then she was asked about coaching volleyball, and a moment’s hesitation transformed over the years into a dynasty-like run perhaps unlike any other in the county.
Part of that is because as the sport has evolved, Kaiser has evolved right along with it.
“Volleyball is one of those sports that has evolved, changed, more than any other sport,” she said, pointing to a number of rule adjustments. “The rules keep changing. Volleyball, in the past 25 years has gone from best two out of three games to three out of five now. If you’re not doing it 12 months out of the year and touching the volleyball and playing the club circuit, you can’t evolve to be that next-level player.”
In her time at Lake Worth Christian, Kaiser has become a coach that surrounds herself with the game throughout the year, and she says that’s made as big a difference as any in helping the program find success.
Advertisement
“I think what’s evolved for Lake Worth Christian volleyball is the consistency, the willingness of me and other people that coach with me in the program to stay involved for the last 25 years in a 12-month program.”
Kaiser’s dedication to the program matches the importance it carries for her, in her heart.
Lake Worth Christian carries a unique sense of community for Kaiser, but it goes deeper than that.
It’s family, in the literal sense.
All four of her kids attended the school from kindergarten through senior year, and all four went to college at Palm Beach Atlantic. While Joy VanDyke remains coaching at Cardinal Newman after coaching for a time with her mother, two live in North Carolina and one lives in Texas, now.
Advertisement
The roots are the same, though, a testament to Kaiser’s depiction of loyalty being the hidden truth behind why the Lake Worth Christian volleyball program has been so successful.
“I think loyalty speaks a lot,” Kaiser said, who then took a moment to reflect on all of the players of the last 25 years and beyond that had won The Post’s Player of the Year recognition.
“Everyone, if you look at the list, they pretty much all were at Lake Worth Christian for longer than two years,” she said. “They didn’t just come in when the program was good. They came into the program from the beginning. Their ‘claim to fame’ — is that a good phrase? — would be, they were loyal. They were consistent. They stayed. And that’s different than what you have in the world right now.”
The idea of family extends to those players she’s coached, too.
Advertisement
Rather than focusing on the state championships under her watch — 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2020, with another four runner-up finishes — Kaiser instead spoke with excitement about a cross-country trip she has planned this week.
2017 Volleyball Small Schools Player of the Year: Sarah Franklin, Lake Worth Christian
The veteran coach is traveling to Texas to watch former Lake Worth Christian standout Sarah Franklin play in the Volleyball Nations League as the star outside hitter and former Player of the Year continues her Olympian-sized dreams.
In the era of instant gratification, it’s players like Franklin and others that Kaiser said stayed in the Defenders program and took the time to develop and play as year-round players.
Advertisement
And in that light, going forward, Kaiser says that while the question of best program in the last 25 years is an interesting one, she asks an intriguing follow-up.
“What school is going to give the biggest incentive to play there? It might be a unique year to do a ‘who had the most successful program in 25 years for each spot’ story. A good question would be, are they going to continue down that path?”
Certainly, it’s a question that will be answered in time. But for Kaiser, there is no time like the present, and her love for volleyball is as strong as ever.
Alex Peterman covers high school sports for The Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at apeterman@gannett.com.
Advertisement
Girls Volleyball Player of the Year winners (2000-25)
-
Lake Worth Christian – 11
-
Boca Raton Christian – 3
Palm Beach County girls volleyball state championship (2000-25)
-
Lake Worth Christian – 5
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: How Lake Worth Christian volleyball built a dynasty built on loyalty
Sports
White Pigeon grad to play volleyball with Glen Oaks
WHITE PIGEON — White Pigeon volleyball coach Melissa Gales believes Layla Abner will be able to play a strong game of volleyball at the next level. She has seen the signs of Abner’s ability both on and off the courts. Now, Abner will look to take the next steps in furthering her career with volleyball […]

WHITE PIGEON — White Pigeon volleyball coach Melissa Gales believes Layla Abner will be able to play a strong game of volleyball at the next level.
She has seen the signs of Abner’s ability both on and off the courts. Now, Abner will look to take the next steps in furthering her career with volleyball at Glen Oaks Community College beginning next month. It is a step, Abner said, which she is both excited for and nervous.
But that’s just fine, because it shows that she cares.
“I really think it’s a good fit for her, I think she will excel in anything she does,” Gales said of Abner. “She is a very motivated person, I think. She knows what she wants to do and school is obviously important to her as well.”
Abner is cautiously optimistic. But she is happy with herself in finding a place like Glen Oaks where she can continue to become her own person. Moving on to the college ranks as an athlete can be a lot for a graduating high school senior.
“When I figured out where I was going, I was kind of proud of myself,” Abner said. “It is a big step but I’m happy to have it figured out.”
Abner plays the defensive specialist position, which is often a thankless one. It requires a lot of lateral movement and taking on the big hits of the opposing offenses. So why continue to play volleyball?
“I started in like, sixth grade, and ever since then I have just loved the sport. I like the competitiveness it has,” she said. “I’m a fan of the joy it brings to me, as well. It can be frustrating at times, but I love that the sport makes me happy.”
This past year, as a senior, Abner earned honorable mention accolades by the SouthWest10 Conference.
Abner spoke highly of the team she played with as a senior this past year. It was her final year with the Chiefs, which made it special enough, but Abner said it was also a year which helped her grow. She was proud of the team’s play on both offense and defense, additionally saying she felt like the team was more of a family.
“We all worked together so well this year, I think that was important,” she said. “This year changed quite a bit for me, I think.”
In the classroom, Abner said she plans to follow a career in nursing or potentially culinary.
She prefers baking to cooking, saying the ability to master brownies, cookies and cupcakes is quite a bit of fun.
Abner will miss her friends and teammates from White Pigeon when she moves on to the next level. She won’t be far away, but the new chapter brings along new challenges among other things.
Gales said Abner’s growth as a senior, even though she had only been coaching her for a year or so, was noticeable.
“She probably blossomed most her senior year, she was a staple for us defensively in serve-receive,” Gales said. “I think she really challenged herself as a player this year, learning to push herself.”
Abner said she appreciated what Gales did to help her this year. Getting to the next level can always be tough, she knows, but continuing to build confidence in herself will be a big movement forward.
“I’m pretty nervous, I don’t really know why but I am,” Abner said. “I think it’s meeting new people, learning new things. I’m not the best with that, there is some social anxiety, but I think it will be OK.”
Contact Sports Editor Brandon Watson at bwatson@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @BwatsonSJ.
Sports
Shipway steps into Chair role on interim basis; view AGM agenda
Alison Shipway is to become Volleyball England’s Chair of the Board on an interim basis, starting after Saturday’s (19th July) Annual General Meeting. The organisation’s Vice Chair will temporarily take over from Adam Walker – who steps down at the weekend after completing the maximum eight-year term of service – while the process to identify […]

The organisation’s Vice Chair will temporarily take over from Adam Walker – who steps down at the weekend after completing the maximum eight-year term of service – while the process to identify and appoint a permanent successor is concluded.
“I’m honoured to step into the role of Interim Chair at Volleyball England whilst we continue our critical recruitment of a new Chair to take up the role on a permanent basis,” said Shipway.
“As a committed and highly-skilled Board, we remain collectively focused on continuing to ensure effective governance and robust strategic oversight, and importantly, supporting the whole volleyball community as we embrace the opportunities and challenges ahead.
“My immediate priority is to support with the transition to a new Chair’s tenure with steady and collaborative leadership as we all move forward together.”
Meanwhile, the agenda for the AGM, which will be staged at Loughborough SportPark, starting at 11.30am, can be viewed here.
For those who cannot attend in person, it will be streamed on Volleyball England’s YouTube Channel, which can be viewed by clicking here (stream will appear when live).
The Volleyball England Foundation AGM will also take place on the same day at the same venue, starting at the slightly earlier time of 10.30am.
-
Technology3 weeks ago
Pet fitness and wellness trends for a healthier and happier dog
-
College Sports3 weeks ago
WAC to Rebrand to UAC, Add Five New Members in 2026
-
College Sports3 weeks ago
A new era of Dickinson hockey begins behind the bench – The Dickinson Press
-
Motorsports2 weeks ago
Why Cosmetics are Making Up for Lost Time in Women’s Sports
-
Health3 weeks ago
Florida assault survivor shares hope for change with new mental health law
-
Motorsports2 weeks ago
Team Penske names new leadership
-
Sports6 days ago
New 'Bosch' spin
-
Sports3 weeks ago
How to Market FAST Sports Content to New Audiences
-
Motorsports3 weeks ago
NASCAR This Week – Patriot Publishing LLC
-
Youtube2 weeks ago
BREAKING: NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander signs the RICHEST annual salary in league history