COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – A dynamic mix of athletes, including three Olympians, comprise the 30-player long-list roster for the U.S. Women’s National Team as it prepares for the 2025 Volleyball Nations League (VNL), the world’s premier annual international tournament.

Former Minnesota Golden Gopher Stephanie Samedy was one of the 30 players to make the roster. The Clermont, Fla., native earned four AVCA First Team All-America honors during her career (2017-21) and was named Big Ten Player of the Year in 2020 and 2021. Samedy helped the Gophers win a Big Ten title while making three Sweet 16’s, a Final Four and an Elite Eight during her tenure in Dinkytown.

The VNL brings together the world’s top 18 teams for three action-packed weeks of preliminary play, with each team competing in four matches per week. Only the top eight teams will earn a spot in the Final Round, where a VNL title will be on the line.

From the long list, U.S. coaches will select 14 athletes to compete at each of the three preliminary round stops: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (June 4-8), Belgrade, Serbia (June 18-22), and a highly anticipated home appearance in Arlington, Texas (July 9-13). The Final Round is set for July 23-27 in Łódź, Poland.

“We’ve had an incredible group of athletes in the gym so far — they’re bringing great energy, a strong work ethic, and a real commitment to getting better every day,” U.S. Women’s National Team Head Coach Erik Sullivan said. “This roster brings together a lot of exciting skill sets, and it’s been fun to see how quickly they’re connecting and pushing each other. Our more experienced athletes have done a great job setting the tone and sharing their experience, which has been huge for our younger athletes. As we head into VNL, I’m looking forward to seeing this group grow and take on the challenge of international competition together.”

Three players return from the 2024 team that won silver at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games: setter Jordyn Poulter, who also won gold with the team in 2020; outside hitter Avery Skinner and middle blocker Dana Rettke.

Several athletes have competed for the senior U.S. National Team in NORCECA events, including libero Lexi Rodriguez, opposites Olivia Babcock, Taylor Mims and Stephanie Samedy, setter Ella Powell, outside hitters Logan Eggleston and Sarah Franklin, and middle blockers Serena Gray, Amber Igiede, Molly McCage and Tia Jimerson.

Six athletes have yet to compete for the senior U.S. National Team: setters Rachel Fairbanks and Saige Ka’aha’aina-Torres, middle blocker Anna Dodson, outside hitter McKenzie Adams, opposite Logan Lednicky and libero Lauren Briseño.

Sullivan, who is in his first year coaching the U.S. Women’s National Team, is assisted by Tayyiba Haneef-Park, Brandon Taliaferro and Mike Wall.

The U.S. Women are the reigning Olympic silver medalists and ranked No. 3 in the world. They have won the VNL three times (2018, ’19, ’21) since its inception in 2018. In 2024, they lost in the quarterfinals to eventual Olympic champion Italy.

U.S. Women’s Preliminary Roster for 2025 VNL

No. Name (Pos., Ht., Hometown, College, USAV Region)

2 Jordyn Poulter (S, 6-2, Aurora, Colo., Univ. of Illinois, Rocky Mountain)

3 Avery Skinner (OH, 6-1, Katy, Texas, Univ. of Kentucky, Lone Star)

5 Ali Frantti (OH, 6-1, Spring Grove, Ill., Penn State, Great Lakes)

6 Morgan Hentz (L, 5-9, Lakeside Park, Ky., Stanford Univ., Pioneer)

7 Lexi Rodriguez (L, 5-5, Sterling, Ill., Univ. of Nebraska Great Lakes)

8 Brionne Butler (MB, 6-4, Kendleton, Texas, Univ. of Texas, Lone Star)

9 Madisen Skinner (OH, 6-2, Katy, Texas, Univ. of Kentucky and Univ. of Texas, Lone Star)

11 Taylor Mims (Opp, 6-3, Billings, Mont., Washington State, Evergreen)

10 Jenna Gray (S, 6-1, Shawnee, Kan., Stanford Univ., Heart of America)

13 Amber Igiede (MB, 6-3, Baton Rouge, La., Univ. of Hawaii, Delta)

14 Anna Dodson (MB, 6-5, Fort Collins, Colo., UCLA, Rocky Mountain)

15 Rachel Fairbanks (S, 6-0, Tustin, Calif., Pitt, Southern California)

16 Dana Rettke (MB, 6-8, Riverside, Ill., Univ. of Wisconsin, Great Lakes)

17 Zoe Jarvis  (previously Fleck)(L, 5-6, Granada Hills, Calif., UCLA and Univ. of Texas, Southern California)

18 Asjia O’Neal (MB, 6-3, Southlake, Texas, Univ. of Texas, North Texas)

19 Khalia Lanier (OH, 6-2, Scottsdale, Ariz., Univ. of Southern California, Arizona)

20 Danielle Cuttino (Opp, 6-4, Indianapolis, Ind., Purdue, Hoosier)

21 Roni Jones-Perry (OH, 6-0, West Jordan, Utah, BYU, Intermountain)

22 Sarah Franklin (OH, 6-4, Lake Worth, Fla., Univ. of Wisconsin, Florida)

23 Lauren Briseño (L, 5-7, San Antonio, Texas, Baylor, Lone Star)

24 Olivia Babcock (Opp, 6-4, Los Angeles, Calif., Pitt, Southern California)

25 Tia Jimerson (MB, 6-3, Sugar Hill, Ga., Ohio University, Southern)

27 Ella Powell (S, 6-0, Fayetteville, Ark., Univ. of Washington, Delta)

28 Logan Lednicky (Opp, 6-3, Sugar Land, Texas, Univ. of Texas A&M, Lone Star)

29 Molly McCage (MB, 6-3, Spring, Texas, Univ. of Texas, Lone Star)

30 McKenzie Adams (OH, Schertz, Texas, Univ. of Texas at San Antonio, Lone Star)

32 Saige Ka’aha’aina-Torres (S, Honolulu, Hawaii, Univ. of Texas, Aloha)

33 Logan Eggleston (OH, 6-2, Brentwood, Tenn., Univ. of Texas, Southern)

34 Stephanie Samedy (Opp, 6-2, Clermont, Fla., Univ. of Minnesota, Florida)

43 Serena Gray (MB, 6-2, Temple City, Calif., Pitt, Southern California)

Head Coach:  Erik Sullivan

Assistant Coach: Mike Wall

Second Assistant Coach: Brandon Taliaferro

Second Assistant Coach: Tayyiba Haneef-Park

Second Assistant Coach: Joe Trinsey

U.S. Women’s Schedule for the 2025 Volleyball Nations League

Matches will be shown live and on-demand on VBTV.

(All times PDT)

Week 1:  Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

June 4 at 10 a.m. vs. Italy

June 5 at 5 p.m. vs. Brazil

June 6 at 5 p.m. vs. Czechia

June 8 at 1 p.m. vs. Korea

Week 2: Belgrade, Serbia

June 18 at 11 a.m. vs. Serbia

June 19 at 7:30 a.m. vs. Poland

June 21 at 7:30 a.m. vs. Netherlands

June 22 at 7:30 a.m. vs. France

Week 3: Arlington, Texas

July 9 at 5:30 p.m. vs. Thailand

July 10 at 5:30 p.m. vs. Dominican Republic vs. USA

July 12 at 5:30 p.m. vs. Canada vs. USA

July 13 at 5 p.m. vs. China

THURSDAY’S RESULTS

DIVISION I

QUARTERFINALS

#1 Taft d. #8 Cleveland, 25-14, 23-25, 25-16, 25-14

#5 Marquez d. #4 South East, 14-25, 23-25, 25-14, 25-23, 19-17

#3 Marshall d. #6 Kennedy, 25-20, 25-18, 25-23

#2 Carson d. #7 Van Nuys, 25-18, 26-28, 20-25, 25-18, 19-17

DIVISION II

SECOND ROUND

#1 VAAS d. #17 LACES, 25-7, 25-13, 25-23

#8 Roosevelt d. #9 North Hollywood, 25-19, 25-22, 21-25, 25-17

#5 Poly d. #12 Panorama, 25-16, 23-25, 25-21, 25-18

#4 Fairfax d. #13 Reseda, 25-22, 25-21, 25-20

#3 Banning d. #14 San Pedro, 3-1

#6 Sylmar d. #11 Diego Rivera, 25-22, 25-16, 25-20

#10 Legacy d. #7 Vaughn, 30-28, 13-25, 24-26, 25-20, 19-17

#2 Mendez d. #18 Bravo, 25-16, 25-14, 25-13

DIVISION III

SECOND ROUND

#1 East Valley d. #16 Animo Robinson, 25-18, 25-18, 25-18

#8 Foshay d. #9 Central City Value, 3-0

#5 Downtown Magnets d. #12 Manual Arts, 25-16, 25-20, 25-19

#4 SOCES d. #20 King/Drew, 3-0

#19 San Fernando d. #3 Larchmont Charter, 22-25, 25-16, 25-22, 22-25, 15-8

#6 Angelou d. #11 Chavez, 23-25, 23-25, 27-25, 25-20, 15-13

#7 Maywood CES d. #10 Orthopaedic, 3-1

#2 Gardena d. #15 Animo Bunche, 25-21, 25-11, 24-26, 25-21

DIVISION IV

SECOND ROUND

#1 Garfield d. #17 Sotomayor, 25-18, 23-25, 25-15, 25-14

#8 Hamilton d. #9 Rise Kohyang, 25-11, 15-25, 16-25, 25-20, 15-5

#5 Animo Venice d. #12 LA Leadership, 25-9, 23-25, 25-21, 25-18

#20 Belmont d. #4 Burton, 22-25, 22-25, 25-16, 25-18, 15-12

#3 Sun Valley Magnet d. #19 Animo Watts, 25-22, 25-17, 23-25, 25-18

#11 University Prep Value d. #6 Magnolia Science Academy, 25-19, 25-17, 23-25, 25-18

#10 Port of LA d. #7 Contreras, 25-22, 25-19, 24-26, 25-15

#2 Huntington Park d. #15 West Adams, 25-14, 25-23, 25-23

DIVISION V

SECOND ROUND

#1 Wilson d. #17 USC-MAE, 25-9, 25-15, 25-9

#9 Magnolia Science Academy d. #8 Bert Corona, 25-17, 25-20, 25-21

#12 Arleta d. #5 Animo Brown, 25-21, 26-24, 25-17

#4 Animo South LA d. #13 Community Charter, 25-17, 28-26, 20-25, 27-25

#3 Harbor Teacher d. #14 New West Charter, 25-18, 25-17, 25-22

#6 New Designs University Park d. #11 University Pathways Medical, 25-0, 25-6, 25-14

#10 Washington at #7 University Pathways Public Service Academy

#2 Dorsey d. #15 Academia Avance, 25-14, 25-18, 25-10

MONDAY’S SCHEDULE

(Games at 7 p.m. unless noted)

QUARTERFINALS

DIVISION II

#8 Roosevelt at #1 VAAS

#5 Poly at #4 Fairfax

#6 Sylmar at #3 Banning

#10 Mendez at #2 Mendez

DIVISION III

#8 Foshay at #1 East Valley

#5 Downtown Magnets at #4 SOCES

#19 San Fernando at #6 Angelou

#7 Maywood CES at #2 Gardena

DIVISION IV

#8 Hamilton at #1 Garfield

#20 Belmont at #5 Animo Venice

#11 University Prep Value at #3 Sun Valley Magnet

#10 Port of LA at #2 Huntington Park

DIVISION V

#9 Magnolia Science Academy Reseda at #1 Wilson

#12 Arleta at #4 Animo South LA

#6 New Designs University Park at #3 Harbor Teacher

#7 University Pathways Public Services/#10 Washington at #2 Dorsey

TUESDAY’S SCHEDULE

(Games at 7 p.m. unless noted)

SEMIFINALS

OPEN DIVISION

#4 Granada Hills at #1 Venice

#3 El Camino Real at #2 Chatsworth

DIVISION I

#5 Marquez at #1 Taft

#3 Marshall at #2 Carson

Note: Semifinals in Division II-V, May 14 at 7 p.m. at higher seeds; Finals in all divisions May 16-17 (sites and times TBD).

When it comes to water polo championships, California is unrivaled. The 2025 NCAA women’s water polo tournament will give eight programs a shot at a title this week. 

Historically, only three schools have won the tournament — Stanford, UCLA and USC. Unsurprisingly, all three are back in the running this year. The Cardinal snagged the No. 1 seed, with the Bruins and Trojans in the No. 2 and No. 3 spots. 

Rounding out the rest of the bracket are California, Hawaii, Wagner, LMU and Harvard. The tournament will be a single-elimination format, with competition taking place over three days this weekend.

Who will become 2025 champions?

Here’s everything you need to know about the NCAA women’s water polo championship, including TV channel and streaming options for the annual tournament.

NCAA women’s water polo bracket 2025

The full seeding, bracket and team records for the 2025 NCAA women’s water polo tournament are below.

NCAA women’s water polo tournament schedule 2025

The 2025 NCAA women’s water polo tournament will start on Friday, May 9, and end on Sunday, May 11. All games will be played at the Indiana University Natatorium in Bloomington, Indiana. 

Thursday, May 8: Quarterfinals

Friday, May 9: Semifinals

Saturday, May 10: Championship

NCAA women’s water polo tournament TV channel, live streams

• TV channel: NCAA.com, ESPNU
• Live stream: Fubo

The first two rounds of the NCAA women’s water polo tournament will air on NCAA.com. The championship will air on ESPNU.

Fans can also stream the final matchup on Fubo, which is currently offering a free trial.

Fubo offers a free trial for new subscribers, so you can try the service before you buy. Stream ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC and 200+ top channels of live TV and sports without cable. (Participating plans only. Taxes and fees may apply.)

Summer is coming.

For young volleyball athletes, that means registration for the Sunshine Westside Beach Camp and South Bay Beach camp is in full swing. From beginning to expert, a summer of focused volleyball instruction on the beach in smaller teams ensures players get more contacts per hour, learn how to communicate and work better on a team, and continue their love for the sport over the summer months.

“There’s more to volleyball than playing inside. Although it’s the same sport, it’s different in how we train, and overall, learning to play outdoors rounds out our players’ skills and teaches them work ethic, focus and determination, all while having fun with their friends and teammates” said Kyle Weindel, associate club director.

Beach camp coaches teach beginning to expert players from ages 8-16, grouped by age and ability, ensuring that everyone is receiving appropriate instruction. Beginners are taught the basic fundamentals needed to have fun playing, and advanced players learn skills to fine-tune their game, such as ball control, reading opponents movements, doubles strategy and serving. Both beginners and advanced players are welcome at the Sunshine beach camps because the community and fellowship of the program is unmatched, Weindel said. 

“The most important part of the camp is having fun. We want every player to have individualized attention from the coaches, so there’s a lot of interaction, a lot of fun. We’re in the business of providing opportunities for young girls and want to provide as many opportunities to play this game as we can,” Weindel said. “Volleyball is a loved sport, and during the summer, our methods of teaching and drills are engaging, effective and fun for girls of all ages.”

Sunshine Beach Camp is an extension of Sunshine Volleyball Club’s successful indoor program, a program that has instilled the love of volleyball in girls since 1998. Over the last three years, both indoor and outdoor volleyball programs have seen growth. 

“Sunshine has doubled in size and we’re up over 600 players and over 50 teams on the indoor side. We’re really looking forward to expanding our beach camps as well that regularly see 300 to 500 kids per summer,” Weindel said. 

Sunshine comprises top-tier coaches dedicated to the sport year-round. Chris Flood, the current beach director, has coached on an Olympic level and assists volleyball at Pepperdine, another one is the head coach of the ninth-ranked California Golden Bears. Many coaches are also players, including one on the fourth-ranked beach volleyball team at UCLA and another one on the seventh-ranked team at Stanford, and several who play professionally in Italy and Germany and U.S. national indoor teams. 

Joining a summer team for the love of the sport is a valuable experience for time management, goal setting and training ahead of the school year.

Westside Beach Camp is in session from June 9 to Aug. 15 at Will Rogers State Beach, tower 15. Players can enroll by the week or by the day. Daily registration costs $80 per day, weekly registration costs $340 per week. Early bird registration before May 1^st is $300 per week. 

South Bay Beach Camp runs from June 16 to Aug. 8. Weekly and daily registration is available. The cost is $270 per week or $70 per day. Early bird registration for South Bay Beach Camp at $255 per week ends May 1. 

To learn more about Sunshine Westside Beach Camp visit, https://sunshinevolleyballclub.com/programs/beach-camp/westside/. Information on South Bay Beach Camp can be found here: https://sunshinevolleyballclub.com/programs/beach-camp/south-bay/.