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Coastal Carolina, Georgia Southern, Old Dominion and Troy Advance to Sun Belt …

Box Score No. 56 nationally ranked and top-seeded Old Dominion won early and often to advance to the tournament semifinals. James Madison (7-12) was unable to score the doubles point despite the pairing of Harrison Lee and Francisco Sinopoli being tied 5-5. Old Dominion (15-8) earned the doubles point with wins on courts one and […]

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1 month ago

April 19, 2025

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Coastal Carolina, Georgia Southern, Old Dominion and Troy Advance to Sun Belt ...

Box Score

No. 56 nationally ranked and top-seeded Old Dominion won early and often to advance to the tournament semifinals.

James Madison (7-12) was unable to score the doubles point despite the pairing of Harrison Lee and Francisco Sinopoli being tied 5-5.

Old Dominion (15-8) earned the doubles point with wins on courts one and two. The pair of First Team All-Conference Doubles performers in Codie and Connor van Schalkwyk, and Adam Majchrzak and Cosme Rolland de Ravel won 6-2, 6-1 to give the Monarchs the early lead.

Jean-Karim Oliver de Sardan won his match on court five as Yanis Moundir won his match in the third frame 2-6, 6-0, 6-2 to give the Monarchs a 3-0 advantage. Aryan Saleh won his match on court six 7-5, 6-2 to secure the victory and return Old Dominion to the semifinals.

Match 2: (4) Troy 4, (5) Louisiana 3
Box Score

Fourth-seeded Troy denied fifth-seeded Louisiana a return trip to the semifinals with a trio of singles wins and the doubles point.

Troy (20-7) earned the doubles point on courts one and three. Noah Martens and Nicolas Simkin won 6-2 as Luciano Alcocer and Henrique de Brito won 6-1 on court three to secure the early Trojan lead.

Troy continued the momentum into singles as Simkin and Martens each won their matches in straight sets on courts two and three to take a 3-0 advantage. Louisiana (10-12) responded with three consecutive singles victories to tie the match at 3-3.

Oriol Fillat Gimenez won his match on court one for the Ragin’ Cajuns in straight sets as Samuel Kyjaci won on court four in straight sets as well. Mason Landredth responded to win in three sets on court five to tie the match.

Troy’s Luciano Alcocer won the first set via tiebreak 9-7 but fell in the second set. The Trojan answered in the third set to win 6-4 and send Troy to the tournament semifinals.

Match 3: (2) Georgia Southern 4, (7) Georgia State 0
Box Score

Georgia Southern (17-6) won on doubles courts two and three to take the early 1-0 advantage. Dimitris Paliouras and Pol del Castillo won 6-3 on court two as Pierre Mouesca and Matthew Mitchell won by the same scoreline on court three.

The Eagles used a trio of singles matches to earn the victory as Georgia State (5-16) forced a third set on court two.

Pol del Castillo won the first singles match on court three 6-2, 6-3 as Pierre Mouesca followed suite on court four with the same scores. Matthew Mitchell secured the victory on court six by a 6-3, 6-1 score to send the Eagles back to the semifinals for the second straight season.

Match 4: (6) Coastal Carolina 4, (3) South Alabama 3
Box Score

Coastal Carolina (9-11) provided the lone upset of the day to deny South Alabama (9-12) a trip to the semifinals. The Chanticleers earned the doubles point as the pair of Rivers Cahill and Juan Cruz Collardin won 6-1 on court three. Jack Dixon and Gonzalez Balmaceda won 6-3 on court one to secure the early 1-0 lead.

South Alabama responded with three consecutive singles victories to take a 3-1 lead in the match. Harold Van Raemdonck won 6-4, 6-1 on court three as Rom Hadzimehmedovic won 6-4, 6-3 on court four to cut the deficit to one. Juan Accossatto won 6-3, 6-3 on court four to put the Jaguars one point away from advancing. Sun Belt Newcomer of the Year Christopher Norlin won 6-3, 7-5 on court one and Juan Cruz Collardin won 7-5, 6-4 on court two to tie the match. On court five, Balmaceda provided the heroics with a 6-4, 6-4 victory to give the Chanticleers their first victory over the Jaguars in program history.

2025 Sun Belt Men’s Tennis Championship (Rome, Ga.)

Quarterfinals – Friday, April 18
Match 1 – (1) Old Dominion 4, (8) James Madison 0
Match 2 – (4) Troy 4, (5) Louisiana 3
Match 3 – (2) Georgia Southern 4, (7) Georgia State 0
Match 4 – (6) Coastal Carolina 4, (3) South Alabama 3

Semifinals – Saturday, April 19
Match 5 – (1) Old Dominion vs. (4) Troy – 10:00 a.m. ET
Match 6 – (2) Georgia Southern vs. (6) Coastal Carolina – 2:00 p.m. ET

Championship – Sunday, April 20
Match 7 – Winner Match 5 vs. Winner Match 6 – 1:00 p.m. ET

Related Topics:history rankings season sports team tennis

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Thomas Worthington, Mount Vernon to play for OHSAA volleyball titles

The Thomas Worthington boys volleyball team advanced to the Division I state final by beating a central Ohio foe May 30 at Wittenberg University. The Cardinals defeated New Albany 25-19, 25-13, 26-24 and will play Cleveland St. Ignatius for the title at noon May 31. St. Ignatius outlasted defending champion Cincinnati St. Xavier 25-27, 25-21, 25-23, […]

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12 seconds ago

May 31, 2025

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The Thomas Worthington boys volleyball team advanced to the Division I state final by beating a central Ohio foe May 30 at Wittenberg University.

The Cardinals defeated New Albany 25-19, 25-13, 26-24 and will play Cleveland St. Ignatius for the title at noon May 31. St. Ignatius outlasted defending champion Cincinnati St. Xavier 25-27, 25-21, 25-23, 16-25, 15-8 in the second semifinal May 30.

Thomas (22-4) is playing in its first state tournament since 1994 and seeking its first championship since 1990.

“To get to the last day of the season is always the goal,” Thomas coach Brian Lawless said. “We’re definitely excited (about) being back (at) Wittenberg (on May 31) and looking forward to competing and (trying) to win the whole thing.”

New Albany (17-9) was playing in its first state tournament.

Thomas played most of the match without senior middle blocker Finn Rubin, who has been dealing with back issues all season and played limited minutes late in the second set. Lawless said Rubin will be available for the final.

J.T. McGuire led Thomas with 16 kills and three digs. Curt Buddie had 11 kills, and Noah May had seven kills and five blocks.

Levi Starinsky led New Albany with 10 kills, 12 digs and two blocks. Yashas Devulapally had eight kills, four blocks and three digs, and Michael Botkin added six kills and three digs.

“Our boys had an unbelievable run,” New Albany coach Dan Baer said. “We put together a season many didn’t think we could. I couldn’t be prouder of these boys. Getting to this point with one senior (in Adam Sutton) is an incredible accomplishment in itself. All credit to Thomas Worthington. They have hitters all over the place and at times we just couldn’t stop their offense.”

Mount Vernon 3, Macedonia Nordonia 0

Mount Vernon will look to win its first state title when it takes on defending champion Cincinnati McNicholas in the Division II final at 3 p.m. May 31 at Wittenberg.

The Yellow Jackets (17-10) advanced by beating Nordonia 25-17, 25-14, 25-19 in a semifinal May 30.

McNicholas defeated Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary 25-19, 25-22, 25-16 in the other semifinal.

Zach Black led Mount Vernon with 11 kills, seven digs and four aces. Hunter Thompson had 11 kills, seven digs and three aces, and Cooper Swanson added five kills, five digs and two aces.

The Yellow Jackets lost in state semifinals in 2019, 2012 and 2010.

(This story has been updated with new information.)

High school sports reporter Frank DiRenna can be reached at fdirenna@dispatch.com and at @DispatchFrank on X.

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Kentucky volleyball’s 2025 non-conference schedule will include entire 2024 Final Four

After leading his squad to the Elite Eight last season, Kentucky volleyball head coach Craig Skinner has put together another challenging schedule in hopes of making an even deeper run in 2025. The program released its non-conference schedule for the upcoming season earlier this week, and it’s loaded with some of the sport’s best teams. […]

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May 31, 2025

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After leading his squad to the Elite Eight last season, Kentucky volleyball head coach Craig Skinner has put together another challenging schedule in hopes of making an even deeper run in 2025.

The program released its non-conference schedule for the upcoming season earlier this week, and it’s loaded with some of the sport’s best teams. All four of last season’s Final Four contenders make up Kentucky’s 10-game non-conference slate for the 2025 campaign. That includes Pittsburgh, which beat the Wildcats in the Elite Eight back in December, along with Louisville, Penn State, and Nebraska. Penn State went on to win the national title over Louisville.

Kentucky will face Penn State and Louisville on the road, while the matchups with Pitt and Nebraska will take place in neutral settings at Fort Worth (TX) and Nashville (TN), respectively. The likes of Washington, SMU, and New Hampshire — all NCAA Tournament teams in 2024 — are also on the Wildcats’ non-conference schedule. UK will host Ohio State for its lone exhibition.

This kind of difficulty isn’t anything new to Skinner, though. Kentucky faced a similarly tough slate of non-conference foes last season. It paid off in the long run.

UK battled the likes of Nebraska, Penn State, Purdue, Louisville, and Stanford prior to SEC action, teams all ranked among the nation’s top 10 at the time. The ‘Cats actually lost all of those games, but the early challenges allowed Skinner’s team to find a groove and post a 14-2 record in the SEC, secure another league championship, and earn a 3-seed in the NCAA Tournament. UK finished with an overall record of 23-8.

Kentucky’s SEC schedule was released last month, and like most of the non-conference schedule, times and TV assignments will be announced later this summer.

Kentucky Volleyball 2025 Non-Conference Schedule

DATE	OPPONENT
August 23rd (EXH)	Ohio State
August 30th	@ Lipscomb
August 31st	vs. Nebraska \| Noon ET on ABC (Nashville, TN)
September 5th	@ Penn State
September 6th	vs. New Hampshire (State College, PA)
September 10th	vs. Pittsburgh \| 6:30 p.m. ET on ESPN (Fort Worth, TX)
September 13th	vs. SMU
September 14th	vs. Houston
September 18th	@ Louisville
September 20th	vs. Washington

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Lamar Jackson prepares to shatter NFL salary records as new contract looms on horizon

The Financial Frontier: Lamar Jackson’s Path to Becoming the NFL’s Highest-Paid Athlete In the high-stakes world of the NFL, where talent and strategy collide on the gridiron, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson stands on the cusp of setting a new benchmark in player compensation. The anticipation surrounding Jackson’s impending contract extension is not just a […]

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32 minutes ago

May 31, 2025

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Lamar Jackson prepares to shatter NFL salary records as new contract looms on horizon

The Financial Frontier: Lamar Jackson’s Path to Becoming the NFL’s Highest-Paid Athlete

In the high-stakes world of the NFL, where talent and strategy collide on the gridiron, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson stands on the cusp of setting a new benchmark in player compensation. The anticipation surrounding Jackson’s impending contract extension is not just a matter of personal achievement but a moment that could redefine the financial landscape of the league.

A New Benchmark in the Making

Lamar Jackson, with his electrifying play and undeniable impact on the field, is poised to eclipse the current salary pinnacle held by Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. Prescott’s groundbreaking four-year, $240 million extension, averaging $60 million annually, currently sets the bar. However, Jackson’s trajectory suggests he’s not just aiming to surpass this figure but to shatter expectations and set a new standard for how elite talent is valued in the NFL.

The Calculus of Value

The mechanics behind Jackson’s potential earnings are as intriguing as his dynamic play. Industry insiders and analysts, drawing on historical trends and market dynamics, suggest that Jackson could command an annual salary ranging from $65.5 million to $67 million should he ink a deal this offseason. This projection isn’t merely speculative; it’s grounded in a pattern observed over recent years, where each quarterback resetting the market has secured a deal averaging nearly 10% more than their predecessor.

Timing and Strategy

The timing of Jackson’s contract extension is pivotal. With each passing season, the NFL’s salary cap experiences significant growth, directly influencing player salaries. Jackson, by strategizing the timing of his extension, could leverage this upward trend to his advantage. The longer he waits, the more favorable the financial landscape becomes, potentially propelling his annual earnings even further.

A Vision Beyond the Field

Jackson’s negotiation transcends individual achievement, signaling a shift in how players navigate the business side of the sport. It underscores the importance of timing, market trends, and the leverage elite athletes hold in contract discussions. As Jackson and the Ravens chart a course toward a historic agreement, the implications ripple through the league, setting new precedents for future negotiations.

Reflecting on the Future

As the sports world watches with bated breath, Lamar Jackson’s imminent contract extension is more than a personal milestone; it’s a watershed moment in NFL economics. It challenges existing paradigms and paves the way for future generations of athletes to approach contract negotiations with a blend of strategic acumen and bold vision. Jackson’s journey to becoming the NFL’s highest-paid player is not just about the numbers on a paycheck but about redefining the value of exceptional talent in professional sports.

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Beaver duo earn volleyball honors | Sports

The boys All-Star teams for both the Mid-State League and District 6 Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association were recently released, and a pair of DuBois players were among those honored amongst those squads. DuBois senior outside hitter Ethan Rusnica actually landed on both the league Mid-State League All-Star squad, as well as the First Team on […]

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40 minutes ago

May 31, 2025

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DuBois senior outside hitter Ethan Rusnica actually landed on both the league Mid-State League All-Star squad, as well as the First Team on the Class 2A squad as part of the District 6 Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association teams.

Rusnica was joined on the Mid-State League team by senior teammate Kyan Peck, who was one of two setters to garner honors.

League champion West Shamokin led the way with five Mid-State All-Stars in seniors Bradyn Rogers (middle hitter), Travis Johns (outside hitter) and Jesse Cessna (opposite hitter), junior Aiden Oesterling (setter) and sophomore Anderson Fowler (middle hitter).

Central had four All-Stars in seniors Bryson Brooks (outside hitter) and Hayden Smith (middle hitter) and the junior duo of Christian Heuston (opposite hitter) and Blake Reynolds (libero).

Rounding out the Mid-State squad were Forest Hills seniors Isaac Valko (middle hitter) and Eli Rudnik (opposite hitter) and Bishop Guilfoyle sophomore Brenden Young (setter).

When it came to the Class 2A Coaches Association First Team, Rusnica was joined by host of familiar faces from the league.

West Shamokin, the D-6 2A champs, once again led the way with five selections, with Johns, Rodgers, Oesterling and Fowler all earning double-honors like Rusnica. The lone difference was the Wolves was senior libero Braden Newell landed on the Coaches Association First Team.

Central’s Heuston and Brooks rounded out the Class 2A squad.

The Coaches Association also seleted a First Team in Class 3A, which was comprised of players from Altoona and State College — two schools that play outside the Mid-State League in the regular season. Both schools had four All-Stars.

Selections from State College were seniors Carter Weight (outside hitter) and Deondre Sheffey (middle hitter), junior Derrick Campbell (setter) and sophomore Ty Miller (libero).

Altoona players were garner honors were seniors Lukas Weathersbee (outside hitter), Saturnino Yohn (libero) and Luke Mitchell (middle hitter) and junior Caleb Terza (setter).

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Men’s Water Polo Welcomes Eight New Players in 2025 Class

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49 minutes ago

May 31, 2025

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Santa Clara University’s men’s water polo program is set to enhance its roster with eight incoming freshmen for the 2025 season. This impressive class brings a wealth of talent with diverse backgrounds spanning high school, club, and international play. Head coach Keith Wilbur expressed excitement about their potential, highlighting their work ethic and character. Notable recruits include Ashton Brown, a center from Australia with national championship experience, and Jamie de Zwart, a Texas standout also named state MVP. Together, they aim to bolster the team’s competitiveness in the Western Conference.

By the Numbers

Ashton Brown is a three-time national club champion and top scorer at various levels.
Jamie de Zwart led his high school to a 32-0-1 perfect season and earned state MVP honors.

State of Play

The incoming class is expected to fill critical positions and enhance team dynamics.
Santa Clara aims to compete effectively in the Western Conference, targeting a championship run.

What’s Next

As preparation for the upcoming season begins, these recruits will integrate into training with returning players, setting the stage for competing in a challenging league. Their immediate contributions could play a pivotal role in achieving team goals.

Bottom Line

The addition of these eight freshmen is a strategic move for Santa Clara’s men’s water polo program, underscoring a commitment to enhance talent and competitiveness, positioning the team for potential championship success.

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