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Boys volleyball: Morgan’s late-night epic with Grantsville ends with 3A championship | News, Sports, Jobs

1 / 4 Morgan head coach Kyle Komenda and his son, senior Jack Komenda, embrace following a 3-2 win over Grantsville for the 3A state boys volleyball championship played Thursday, May 8, 2025, at the UCCU Center in Orem. CONNER BECKER, Standard-Examiner 2 / 4 Morgan hoists its trophy following a 3-2 win over Grantsville […]

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Morgan head coach Kyle Komenda and his son, senior Jack Komenda, embrace following a 3-2 win over Grantsville for the 3A state boys volleyball championship played Thursday, May 8, 2025, at the UCCU Center in Orem.

CONNER BECKER, Standard-Examiner

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Morgan hoists its trophy following a 3-2 win over Grantsville for the 3A state boys volleyball championship played Thursday, May 8, 2025, at the UCCU Center in Orem.

CONNER BECKER, Standard-Examiner

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Morgan senior Madden Bell jumps to spike the ball toward Grantsville during the 3A state boys volleyball championship on Thursday, May 8, 2025, at the UCCU Center in Orem.

CONNER BECKER, Standard-Examiner

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Morgan sophomore Caleb Stephens sets up his serve during the 3A state boys volleyball championship on Thursday, May 8, 2025, at the UCCU Center in Orem.

CONNER BECKER, Standard-Examiner


OREM — Jack Komenda reminded Morgan’s bench to hold their breath. They’d been here before.

Defeating No. 2 Salt Lake Academy in four sets a few hours earlier, the No. 3 Trojans were locked with No. 8 Grantsville, a team that’d previously knocked off top seed Ogden in the quarterfinals, in the match of their lives for the 3A state boys volleyball title.

“Keep going, take breaths,” Komenda said.

A raucous fourth set amassed 64 total points between parties, with Grantsville earning the 33-31 win and evening the match 2-2 in the process.

Morgan pulled it together 15-13 a set later for the program’s first state championship Thursday at Utah Valley University’s UCCU Center.

Morgan won the match in five sets: 23-25, 25-21, 25-21, 31-33, 15-13.

All too familiar, the title’s endless fourth set saw Morgan squander two match-point chances as the Cowboys refused to go down. It took a fifth set, played to 15 points instead of 25, for the Trojans to capitalize on a 13-10 edge.

Kevin Wangsgard’s match point sent the Trojans into a frenzy, as it should’ve. Morgan, a season before, finished third in the state’s first-ever sanctioned state championships in Orem.

The Trojans and Cowboys split two regular-season meetings, Grantsville claiming the first 3-2 in five sets at home and dropping the other 3-1 in four sets on the road. Morgan dropped the first set Thursday but answered, winning the next two.

A fifth set with Grantsville sent Jack’s father and Morgan’s head coach, Kyle Komenda, into a testy place watching his senior compete for program history before his eyes.

“I was like ‘Oh boy, I better hold it together,” Kyle Komenda said. “After they went to that fifth set, it was deja vu with these guys — they got us in that fifth set and he’d just laid everything on the floor, not just today but yesterday in that five-set match.”

Winning two straight, Morgan opened the fourth set down 7-3 and grappled with the Cowboys, led by Hunter Powell up front, through a 33-31 defeat to set up a title for whoever could recover for the fifth set.

Up 13-10, Jack Komenda and his three seniors smelled the summit.

In what the younger Komenda described as a pure “team effort,” Morgan’s final push cemented what they’d fallen short of a year ago on the same courts at UVU.

The moment means a great deal to Jack, who credits his father with steering him into the game and remaining committed to building yet another winning program at Morgan.

“He’s the one (who) brought me to play volleyball,” Jack Komenda said. “He’s been my coach throughout my entire life (and) I’m super grateful for him. … We built this team up from the ground, from the beginning of the season.”

The Trojans, with their first boys volleyball title in hand, finished their second season of the Komenda era 23-8 as the Region 13 runner-up. The first pair of Morgan teams has their head coach committed to keeping expectations sky high.

“There’s a legacy here and that’s why I agreed to coach this team,” Komenda said. “It’s a challenge I wanted to take, and it was our goal last season. We fell short, so that was our motto all year, and yeah, we finished it. It’s extremely satisfying, especially for those seniors.”

Connect with sports reporter Conner Becker via email at cbecker@standard.net and X @ctbecker.

Copyright © 2025 Ogden Newspapers of Utah, LLC | www.standard.net | 332 Standard Way, Ogden, UT 84404



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Havea, Bosko Advance to NCAA Outdoor Championships

Story Links COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Arizona women’s track and field thrower Tapenisa Havea and long jumper Jenica Bosko advance to the NCAA Outdoor Championships on Day 2 of the West First Round.   Tapenisa Havea (shot put) and Jenica Bosko (long jump) advance to Eugene while Taylen Wise (100m […]

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COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Arizona women’s track and field thrower Tapenisa Havea and long jumper Jenica Bosko advance to the NCAA Outdoor Championships on Day 2 of the West First Round.

 

Tapenisa Havea (shot put) and Jenica Bosko (long jump) advance to Eugene while Taylen Wise (100m hurdles), Jade Brown (100m and 200m), McKenna Watson (100m and 200m), Ava Simms (400m), and Antonia Sanchez Nunez (400m hurdles) qualified for the quarterfinals on Saturday.

Havea grabbed the 12th and final qualifying spot for the NCAA Outdoor Championships with a throw of 16.25m (53-3 ¾) in the shot put. It marks her first appearance at the Outdoor Championships since 2023, when she qualified in the discus.

Bosko leaped 6.42m (21-3/4), marking a season best, to finish 10th in the long jump and earn a berth in the NCAA Championships. It will be the second straight year that Bosko has competed in Eugene, after appearing in the long jump at the US Olympic Trials in 2024. This marks her first time advancing to the NCAA Outdoor Championships.

Brown’s time in the 100m of 11.05 (.046) was an all-conditions school record as she just edged Shawnti Jackson, 11.05 (0.49) (Arkansas) for first place in the heat. Brown broke her program record in the event (11.27) set on March 8, 2025, in Tucson. 

Sanchez Nunez finished third in her heat (58.10) of the 400m hurdles to gain automatic qualification into the quarterfinals of the event on Saturday at 5:25 p.m. MST. Sanchez Nunez will be in lane three of heat three for the competition.

Advancing to Quarterfinals on Saturday

Taylen Wise – 100m Hurdles: 15th (13.22)

Jade Brown – 100m: 3rd (program record: 11.05) | 200m: 22nd (23.30)

McKenna Watson – 100m: 23rd (11.33) | 200m: 19th (23.27)

Ava Simms – 400m: 18th (52.47)

Antonia Sanchez Nunez – 400m Hurdles: 19th (58.10)

 

Other finishes

Erin Tack – Javelin: 14th (51.31m/168-4)

Jathiyah Muhammad – Pole Vault: 17th (PB: 4.32m/14-2)

Mackenna Orie – Shot Put: 21st (15.80m/51-10)

Keilee Hall – 400m Hurdles: 28th (58.95)

Lauryn Love – Shot Put: 37th (14.70m/48-2 ¾)

Brooke Nordman – 400m Hurdles: 41st (1:00.65)

 

The Arizona women’s track and field team will be back in action on Saturday, with five athletes looking to earn their way to the NCAA Outdoor Championships at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.

 

The men’s track and field qualifiers will be back on the track tomorrow with the discus starting Day 3 at 11 a.m. MST.

FRIDAY, MAY 30 (DAY THREE) (WATCH LIVE) 

Men’s Discus (11 a.m.) – Youssef Koudssi, Zach Landa, Sam Hala’ufia

Men’s 4×100 Relay (3 p.m.) – James Onanubosi, Brian Limage, Isaac Davis, Tyson Tippett

Men’s 110m Hurdles (4:15 p.m.) – Zach Extine 

Men’s 100 Meters (4:35 p.m.) – Tyson Tippett

Men’s 400 Hurdles (5:25 p.m.) – Yan Vazquez 

 

FOLLOW THE WILDCATS!

Fans can keep up with the latest in Arizona Cross Country and Track & Field by following us on Facebook (ArizonaTrack), X (@ArizonaTrack), Instagram (@arizonatrack), and YouTube (@arizonawildcatstrack).



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Denver Volleyball Signs Maddie Winkler Ahead of 2025 Campaign

Story Links DENVER – The University of Denver volleyball program has signed freshman Maddie Winkler to its 2025 roster, head coach Megan Pendergast announced on Thursday.   “Maddie Winkler is one of the most competitive and high-achieving athletes we’ve had the chance to recruit,” Pendergast said. “Her determination, work ethic […]

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DENVER – The University of Denver volleyball program has signed freshman Maddie Winkler to its 2025 roster, head coach Megan Pendergast announced on Thursday.
 
“Maddie Winkler is one of the most competitive and high-achieving athletes we’ve had the chance to recruit,” Pendergast said. “Her determination, work ethic and relentless drive to improve make every team she’s on better. Every time I watch Maddie, she looks sharper, more dynamic and more confident. We are absolutely fired up to add her to our roster and can’t wait to see the impact she’ll make in our gym and in our program.”
 
Maddie Winkler – Keller, Texas – Keller H.S – Libero – 5-5
BEFORE DENVER:
2024 Second Team All-District…2024 Academic All-State…2023 Varsity Newcomer of the Year…2023 Second Team All-District…2023 Academic All-District…2022 AVCA Phenom Watch List…2022 6A State Semifinalist…2022 GJNC Open Bronze Medalist…2021 GJNC Open Silver Medalist…2019 GJNC American Bronze Medalist…Played her club volleyball for Texas Advantage Club.
 
PERSONAL:
Chose the University of Denver because of the welcoming atmosphere and supportive staff, its strong academics and its great location…Hopes to pursue a career in sports medicine or orthopedics after graduation…Also enjoys baking, cooking and spending time with friends and family.
 
Season tickets for the 2025 season are on sale now and can be purchased here.
 
Visit DenverPioneers.com for complete coverage of all 18 of Denver’s NCAA Division I sports.

 Like 
Denver Pioneers and Denver Volleyball on Facebook

 Follow 
@DU_Pioneers and @DU_Volleyball on Twitter

 Follow 
@denverpioneers and @duvolleyball on Instagram 
 
 





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Tyukasz & Soto Named ACWPC All-Americans

Story Links IRVINE, Calif. – Two of the youngest players on the Concordia University Irvine women’s water polo team were named All-Americans by the Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches. True freshman Anna Tyukasz earned First Team All-American honors while starting goalie Jaden Soto earned Honorable Mention All-American status. Tyukasz led […]

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IRVINE, Calif. – Two of the youngest players on the Concordia University Irvine women’s water polo team were named All-Americans by the Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches.

True freshman Anna Tyukasz earned First Team All-American honors while starting goalie Jaden Soto earned Honorable Mention All-American status.

Tyukasz led Concordia in many categories including goals (71), assists (26) and points (97). She also collected 29 recorded steals, which ranked highest on the team for all non-goalies.

Speaking of the goalie position, Soto racked up more than 280 saves this season between the pipes and reached an impressive milestone as a sophomore with 500 career saves.

The Murrieta, Calif. native was in net for CUI’s surge down the stretch as the team defeated D1 conference foe Santa Clara twice.  Soto was a defensive force for CUI, notching double-digit saves in her last eight starts and tallying at least 18 saves or more on three occasions. She also was credited with five assists and 42 recorded steals, which lead her entire team.

Together, the duo helped the Golden Eagles go 4-3 in their last seven contests, painting a bright future for what lies ahead for the program under head coach Casey Greenawalt.

CLICK HERE for the full 2025 CUI women’s water polo schedule



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University of Utah Athletics

SALT LAKE CITY – Utah Volleyball has added a familiar face in former beach volleyball standout Langley Griffin starting fall of 2025. Griffin will join Beth Launiere and crew as the Utes prepare to pick up where they left off last season making their 19th NCAA appearance, and finishing the year ranked No. 17 in […]

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SALT LAKE CITY – Utah Volleyball has added a familiar face in former beach volleyball standout Langley Griffin starting fall of 2025.

Griffin will join Beth Launiere and crew as the Utes prepare to pick up where they left off last season making their 19th NCAA appearance, and finishing the year ranked No. 17 in the country. Griffin spent the past two seasons with Utah’s beach volleyball program before making the move to indoor.

“We’re so excited to have Langley join the Utah Volleyball Indoor program,” said Launiere. “She is a tremendous athlete and competitor which allowed her to be one of the best beach players in the country. These attributes, as well as her over skill set gained from playing beach will transfer well back into the indoor game, where she began playing the sport of volleyball.”

The 6-foot talent proved to be a commodity early in her beach volleyball career as a freshman, tallying 18 wins for an overall record of 18-16 with her partner Katie McAlister. Throughout the 2024 season, Griffin helped the potent pair post win streaks of six, five, and four through various matches. She also aided in giving the Utes their first top-20 win in program history over No. 19 Arizona going 19-21, 21-16, and 15-13 against the Wildcats.

Griffin’s dominance continued in her sophomore year, helping Utah to their best season in program history, winning 35 of her matches for a 23-11-1 final record that included an eight-match win streak with partner Bella Vezzani and 3-0 victory over Arizona in the Big 12 Tournament to move on to the semifinal round.

Before coming to Utah, Griffin was a standout athlete at Peninsula High School in Tacoma, Washington where she excelled as an outside hitter/opposite hitter for her indoor volleyball team, lettering all four years of her high school career. Additionally, Griffin earned league MVP and first team all-state honors in both her senior and junior years in 2022 and 2021.

Griffin was also a standout on her track and field team as a three-time letter winner in the high jump, pole vault, and the 4×200 meter race, and placed third in her district for the 4×200 and high jump.

Griffin is slated to join the Utes as a pin attacker in 2025.

 



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Assistant Beach Volleyball Coach in Cookeville, TN for Tennessee Tech University

Details Posted: 29-May-25 Location: Cookeville, Tennessee Type: Full-time Salary: Commensurate with education Categories: Coaching Coaching – Volleyball Sector: Collegiate Sports Salary Details: Tennessee Tech offers a competitive benefits package. Benefits include the accumulation of two vacation days per month and one sick leave day per month, and thirteen University holidays. Other benefits include medical and […]

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Details

Posted: 29-May-25

Location: Cookeville, Tennessee

Type: Full-time

Salary: Commensurate with education

Categories:

Coaching

Coaching – Volleyball

Sector:

Collegiate Sports

Salary Details:

Tennessee Tech offers a competitive benefits package. Benefits include the accumulation of two vacation days per month and one sick leave day per month, and thirteen University holidays. Other benefits include medical and life insurance (shared cost with the university), retirement, optional 401k, and educational benefits.

Required Education:

4 Year Degree

Assists the head coach with all aspects of the women’s beach volleyball program.


Essential Functions Assists the head coach with all aspects of the women’s beach volleyball program including practices and conditioning, player development, recruiting, supporting the academic development and graduation of student-athletes, public relations, and event management and promotion. Leads the recruiting efforts for the program with assistance from all staff. Performs other duties as assigned. Tennessee Tech is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution or equivalent international higher education diploma/certificate. Proven record of successful collegiate volleyball playing and/or coaching experience or four years high level volleyball club or national team coaching experience. Education and experience necessary to perform all the functions of a Division I Assistant Volleyball Coach. Knowledge of and commitment to adhere to NCAA and OVC rules and regulations as well as University, department, and program policies and procedures.

Beyond meeting minimum requirements, candidates will be evaluated in terms of how their experience and education have prepared them for a Division I volleyball assistant coaching position, with consideration given to recruiting, assisting with practice and player development, and supporting the academic development and graduation of student-athletes. Coaching philosophy must complement the philosophy of the head coach.



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Young Lowell volleyball team sweeps valiant Boston Latin

LOWELL — Thursday’s round of 32 boys volleyball clash between Lowell and Boston Latin was a useful barometer for Red Raider head coach Paul McCarthy as he witnesses his inexperienced team blossom on the big stage. Lowell earned a 3-0 win on its home court, as the Red Raiders relied on timely play in 25-16, […]

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LOWELL — Thursday’s round of 32 boys volleyball clash between Lowell and Boston Latin was a useful barometer for Red Raider head coach Paul McCarthy as he witnesses his inexperienced team blossom on the big stage. Lowell earned a 3-0 win on its home court, as the Red Raiders relied on timely play in 25-16, 30-28, 30-28 sets that McCarthy believes is a product of his squad’s development this spring. Headlined by Aundre Rivera (11 kills, 13 digs) and Vitou Seng (33 assists), a Lowell team riddled with youth gutted out a win more often yielded by a seasoned class […]

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