Youth from more than a dozen schools hope to earn a spot on the roster and sign Aug. 6 with Bluff Impact Volleyball Club teams. For only the second year, the group held a summer tryout before the high school season. It is now in the process of selecting the players who will fill either the 15U, 16U, or 17U teams. More than 30 girls showed up Friday to Poplar Bluff Junior High, where tryouts consisted of multiple drills to showcase athletes’ serving abilities.

“I was very pleasantly surprised with the turnout,” said Bluff Impact coach Christine Walker. “This was the second year we did a summer tryout before high school season as opposed to after high school season. In total, we had about 32 or 33 tryout to fill those three teams.”

The tryout was held Friday night at Poplar Bluff Junior High and consisted of multiple drills to showcase athletes’ serving abilities.

“The first thing we did was warmup with some serving and serve receive,” she said. “We ranked girls based off of serves in-and-out and different types of serves. We were also looking at accuracy as well. If they hit two in, are they hitting the next two out? Same with passing. Are they getting to the ball, moving their feet, are they following the ball?”

Following the drills, Walker put prospective teammates in open play with multiple combinations of girls.

“We had, I think, over 12 schools represented just within those 30-something players,” she added. “Some of those girls are returning players so coaches kind of know how they play, and we were using what we already know about them to see how they mesh in with newer players. Sometimes girls get more comfortable when they’ve been playing with each other, and they’re more familiar with each other as teammates and they know each other strengths.”

Event Info

Here’s how to watch the 2025 Long Beach State vs Chapman – Men’s Water Polo broadcast on FloSwimming. The 2025 Long Beach State vs Chapman – Men’s Water Polo broadcast starts on Sep 6, 2025. Stream or cast from your desktop, mobile or TV. Now available on Roku, Fire TV, Chromecast and Apple TV. Don’t forget to download the FloSports app on iOS or Android! If you can’t watch live, catch up with the replays! Video footage from the event will be archived and stored in a video library for FloSwimming subscribers to watch for the duration of their subscription.

The last high school sports preseason milestone is within reach!

In just a few days (Aug. 1 to be exact), football, soccer and volleyball teams can officially begin practicing. Just in time for the calendar to flip, The Enquirer presents its final list of the top volleyball players in the city.

This week, we’re focusing on the top hitters. Watching these players work can leave fans awestruck. Just don’t get in the way of their incredibly powerful swings.

You can also read about the top defensive specialists/ liberos, top setters and top blockers.

Saturday night lights: Fenwick announces historic outdoor volleyball match versus Lakota East on Sept. 13

Emma Adkins, Mercy McAuley

Adkins has done a little bit of everything in her high school career. Stepping into a starting role as a sophomore, she contributed 364 digs, 93 assists and 57 aces. Last fall, she posted 308 assists, 253 kills, 237 digs, 53 aces and 19 blocks as an invaluable six-rotation player. The Wolves will lean on the Northern Kentucky commit as a senior leader as they return just four players who saw the court in 2024.

Callie Combs, Seton

Last year, Sakura Codling was named the Ohio Division I Player of the Year. Combs could keep that honor at Seton. She is the No. 9-ranked player in Ohio, according to PrepDig, was first-team all-district and second-team All-Ohio, and is committed to North Carolina State. As a junior, she posted 327 kills, 271 digs, 33 blocks, 30 aces and 21 aces. She is on track to cross the 1,000-kill threshold for her career and has a solid chance to reach 100 career blocks.

Audrey Dyas, Notre Dame

Ava Tilden led the Pandas in 2024 with 477 kills. This fall, Notre Dame can replicate her production in the aggregate (that’s a “Moneyball” reference). Dyas, a Toledo commit, was second on the team with 241 kills to go with 62 blocks. PrepDig ranks her as the No. 7 player in Kentucky and the 64th best player in the nation.

Ava McIntyre, Kings

One of the most energetic players in the Eastern Cincinnati Conference was named the league’s 2024 offensive player of the year after posting 369 kills, 241 digs, 69 aces and 47 blocks. She recorded double-digit kills in 21 of the Knights’ 24 matches and averaged 15.4 kills per match. McIntyre led the conference in aces and was second in kills. The Wingate commit was also named to the DII all-state first team.

Morgan Meiring, Fenwick

As a sophomore, she had the second-most kills in the Greater Catholic League-Coed with 395. She also posted 271 digs and 47 aces to lead the Falcons to the DV state championship match. For the second year in a row, she was named to the all-league first team and All-Ohio third team.

Milyn Minor, Scott

The two-time 10th Region Player of the Year is back for one final season after posting 484 kills, 314 digs, 63 blocks and 57 aces as a junior. Minor lives above the net and has one of the most powerful arms on either side of the river, as proven by her 1,509 career kills.

Kendall Northern, Summit Country Day

The Penn State commit was the go-to option for the Silver Knights as she led the Miami Valley Conference with 426 kills in 2024. She also led her team 223 digs, and rounded out her contributions with 63 aces and 35 assists. Northern was named the DV District 16 Player of the Year and All-Ohio second team. She is the No. 1-ranked player in Ohio and No. 14 in the nation by PrepDig.

Gabby Semona, St. Ursula

The senior is the top returning attacker for the Bulldogs, coming off a season where she had 244 kills to go with 46 digs and 39 blocks. The Xavier University commit is an all-around net player; she posted 78 blocks as a sophomore in 2023. The Bulldogs return to DI after one season in DII, but have the roster to compete for another state title.

Nattie Slusher, Seton

Slusher had one job for the Saints in 2024: dominate at the net. She did that to the tune of 274 kills and 46 blocks. The Eastern Michigan commit averaged 11.4 kills per match in the second half of the season and posted double-digit kills in five straight postseason matches to help the Saints mow down the competition on their way to a state title.

Savanna Stacey, McNicholas

Stacey leads four returners who put away at least 100 kills in 2024. She compiled 224 kills, 190 digs, 37 blocks and 31 aces as a sophomore. She can get hot at a moment’s notice; as a freshman, she logged 27 and 28 kills in two different five-set wins. Stacey was named to the GCL-Coed and district first team and the All-Ohio third team as the Rockets advanced to the DIV regional final.

Additional hitters to watch in the 2025 season

Kendall Bosse, Ross; Railynn Bowman, Edgewood; Neenah Burton, Colerain; Kelsey Clyde, South Dearborn; Madi Demler, St. Henry; Lexy Dreher, Lakota East; Emily Helmers, St. Henry; Chloe Hershey, Bishop Brossart; Liz Hudnall, East Central; Sarah Hutchinson, McNicholas; Karsyn Jamison, East Clinton; Rachel King, Ryle; Jenna Kitchens, Simon Kenton; Rachel Lewandowski, Beechwood; Ava Long, Lebanon; Grace Miracle, Milford; Miya Nance, Wilmington; Josie Nichols, Loveland; Isabel O’Brien, Beechwood; Regan Oaks, Harrison; Kennedy Ostendorf, Fairfield; Charlotte Patton, Conner; Liz Perkins, Highlands; Ellie Poynter, Batavia; Cara Richter, Mount Notre Dame; Evie Schiller, Madeira; Maddie Steele, Turpin; Emma Tharp, Oak Hills; Lola Waleskowski, St. Ursula

Vote: Who is the top hitter in Greater Cincinnati girls volleyball in 2025?

Readers can vote once per hour per device. This poll will close at 4 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 1.

CHICAGO – The Big Ten Conference held the fourth annual Big Ten Women’s Volleyball Media Days on Monday and Tuesday in Chicago with all 18 teams represented. Head Coach Jen Flynn Oldenburg, junior Mia Tuman and sophomore Olivia Hasbrook attended media day.
 
“I think what makes Covelli special is how intimate it is,” Oldenburg said. “It was made for volleyball. I think they did the research well – no seat is a bad seat. Even if you go get concessions, you’re still standing close enough to see every point of the action and it’s loud. Regardless of the amount of fans in there, but especially when we sell out, which we are expected to do, it’s a pretty cool environment.”
 

Media day featured interviews with BTN in multiple capacities (BTN Courtside, At The Net, BTN Digital Studio, BTN Main Studio), SiriusXM, AVCA & TOGETHXR, Out of System and a live press conference (TRANSCRIPT). The day wrapped up with a photoshoot. View photos from Big Ten media day HERE.
 
“I think we’re all super hungry and we’re ready to go,” Tuman said. “We want to earn everything that we get and I think that’s been our mindset for how hard we want to work. Our work ethic in the weight room has been completely different this summer, but in the best way.”
 
“Everyone feels comfortable being around each other,” Hasbrook said. “I think building that foundation has set us up for success on the volleyball court. Throughout the spring and summer, we’ve made [team bonding] a huge focus for us. I think you can tell that by how we are off the court and how much we hang out with each other. On the court, you can see the trust and the love.”
 
The Buckeyes open the 2025 season at the University of Miami, playing VCU on Friday, Aug. 29 and Miami (FL) on Saturday, Aug. 30. Ohio State’s home opener is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 7 against Florida.
 
Tickets for the 2025 season are now on sale with links for season tickets, four-match mini plans and single match tickets found below. Ohio State students are free with a valid BuckID. Fans with ticketing questions should call the Ohio State Ticket Office at 1-800-GO-BUCKS or email athletic.tix@osu.edu.
 
Ticket links:

#GoBucks

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado (July 29, 2025) – The U.S. Men’s U23 National Team dropped an exciting opening match at the 2025 NORCECA Men’s U23 Pan American Cup, 3-1 (23-25, 26-24, 31-29, 25-16) to the Dominican Republic on Tuesday in Guatemala City, Guatemala.

The U.S. returns to action July 30 at 3 p.m. PDT against Mexico.

The U.S. recorded 12 of the 16 blocks in the match and four of six aces but could not overcome 37 errors and a 62-51 deficit in kills.

Opposite George Bruening led the U.S. with 20 points on 16 kills, a block and a match-high three aces. Middle blocker Cam Thorne posted a match-high five blocks, one more than the Dominican Republic, and added 10 kills for 15 points. Fellow middle Nicodemus Meyer also totaled 15 points with 14 kills and a block.

Outside hitter Patrick Rogers contributed seven points on six kills and a block. Libero Ryan Merk led the U.S. with 10 kills and five successful receptions.

Barnett scored on an overpass to put the U.S. up 10-8 in the first set. A Rogers block made it 14-11, and Bruening made a mid-air adjustment to score on a tip and give the U.S. its biggest lead of the set at four points, 17-13.

The Dominican Republic responded with a 5-1 run to even the set at 18. Bruening recorded a kill and an ace as the U.S. scored three points in a row for a 22-19 lead. Rogers tallied the last two U.S. points, giving him five points on four kills and a block in the set.

The Dominican Republic jumped out to a 7-3 lead in the second set and still led 13-9 when the U.S. went on a 5-2 run to pull within a point, 15-14.

Trailing 21-18, the U.S. tied the set on a Bruening kill, a Thorne block and a Dominican Republic hitting error. A Flayter block gave the U.S. set point at 24-23, but a service error and back-to-back blocks evened the match at one set each. Bruening led all players with eight kills.

Trailing 9-7 in the third set, the Dominican Republic took the lead with a 4-0 run. The lead grew to five points, 20-15. The U.S. used a Thorne kill and consecutive aces by Bruening to pull within a point, 23-22. A Barnett kill tied the set at 24.

The U.S. then saved four set points before earning its first set point, 29-28, on an error. The Dominican Republic scored the last three points to take the set. Bruening led the U.S. with eight points on six kills and two aces. Adrian Figueroa of the Dominican Republic registered 14 kills in the set.

Continuing its momentum from the end of the third set, the Dominican Republic scored four of the first five points in the fourth set and never trailed in clinching the match. The U.S. cut the lead to two points, 9-7, only to see the Dominican Republic stretch the lead to seven with a 6-1 run and a 15-8 lead on its way to clinching the match. Barnett led all players with six kills.

USA Volleyball Men’s U23 Roster for Pan Am Cup

Name (Pos., Height, Hometown, College/Pro, Region)

1 Ryan Merk (L, 6-1, 2003, Chicago, Ill., Penn State, Great Lakes)
4 Nathan Flayter (S, 6-4, 2005, Hales Corner, Wisc., McKendree, Badger)
5 Cam Thorne (MB, 6-4, 2004, Hollywood, Fla., UCLA, Florida)
6 Ryan Barnett (OH, 6-5, 2003, Vero Beach, Fla., Pepperdine, Florida)
8 Jalen Phillips (OPP, 6-5, 2004, Anaheim, Calif., CSUN, Southern California)
9 Ryan McElligott (S, 6-6, 2004, Mundelein, Ill., Loyola Chicago, Great Lakes)
14 Nicodemus Meyer (MB, 6-4, 2003, Franklin, Wisc., Loyola Chicago, Badger)
18 Patrick Rogers (OH, 6-7, 2004, Rutherford, N.J., Ball State, Garden Empire)
19 George Bruening (OPP, 6-10, 2004, Newport Beach, Calif., UCSB, Southern California)
21 Wesley Smith (MB, 6-11, 2004, Encinitas, Calif., USC, Southern California)
22 Owen Rose (MB, 6-8, 2003, Merrick, N.Y., Penn State, Garden Empire)
25 Theo Snoey (OH/OPP, 6-8, 2004, Berkeley, Calif., Stanford, Northern California)

Alternates
2 Donovan Constable (S, 6-2, 2003, Clovis, Calif., CSUN, Northern California)
7 Andrew Deardorff (OH, 6-5, 2003, Itasca, Ill., St. Francis, Great Lakes)
10 Paul Wyszynski (L, 6-0, 2003, Northbrook, Ill.,  Miedzyrzeckie Towarzystwo Siatkarskie, Great Lakes)
13 D’Aaron McCraney (MB, 6-9, 2003, Las Vegas, Nev., McKendree, Southern California)
16 Nyherowo Omene (OPP, 6-7, 2003, Chicago, Ill., Princeton, Great Lakes)
17 Trent Moser (OH, 6-8, 2003, Gilbert, Ariz., BYU, Arizona)
23 Alex Rottman (OH, 6-7, 2004, Santa Barbara, Calif., Stanford, Southern California)

Coaches
Head Coach: Nickie Sanlin (McKendree)
Assistant Coach: Reid Priddy (Indoor VC, Olympian)
Assistant Coach: Luke Reynolds (Pepperdine)
Performance Analyst: Mackenna Basore (Auburn)
ATC: Claire Pointer (LOVB Madison)
Team Lead: Will Berdecia (OTVA)

Schedule

All times Pacific

July 29: Dominican Republic def. USA, 3-1 (23-25, 26-24, 31-29, 25-16)
July 30: USA vs. Mexico, 3 p.m.
July 31: USA vs. Belize, 3 p.m.
Aug. 1: Quarterfinals
Aug. 2: Semifinals/Classification Matches
Aug. 3: Medal Matches/Classification Matches

International Olympic Committee news

Less than a year after hosting Olympic and Paralympic competitions, the Olympic Aquatics Centre has recently re-opened to the public – delivering on the Games’ long-term vision to bring lasting benefits to local communities, create opportunities for everyday sport, and make smart use of public investment. Designed from the outset to serve well beyond the Games, the Centre is now a permanent public facility in one of France’s most underserved areas for sports infrastructure.

Community first

During Paris 2024, the Centre staged Olympic and Paralympic diving, water polo and artistic swimming competitions. Located in Seine-Saint-Denis – a densely populated suburb in the north of Paris, and one of the youngest and most diverse areas in France – the venue reflected a core ambition of the organisers: to bring the Games closer to communities, and to invest in infrastructure with long-term local value. It also embodies the reforms brought forward by the IOC’s strategic roadmap, Olympic Agenda 2020, which places legacy, sustainability and long-term public value at the centre of the planning and delivery of the Olympic Games. Paris 2024 was the first Games edition to fully implement this roadmap.

“The Olympic Aquatics Centre represents our ambition to make the Olympic Games more useful and more impactful. It is a venue designed not only to host world-class competition, but also to serve the everyday needs of the wider community for years to come. It shows what is possible when the Olympic Games are planned and organised with a long-term vision in mind.”

Marie Sallois
IOC Director for Sustainability

Now reconfigured in its legacy mode, the Olympic Aquatics Centre includes four pools: a 50-metre competition pool, a diving pool, a learning pool for schoolchildren, and a leisure pool open to all. It also offers nine padel courts, a 1,000m² climbing hall, multiple fitness spaces, a restaurant and snack bar, and a sports “recyclerie” that includes co-repair workshops and a solidarity shop for used equipment.

More than 50 new jobs are being created to support the daily operations and programming of the Aquatics Centre, including roles in facility management, sports instruction and visitor services. Recruitment is being prioritised for local residents through partnerships with France Travail and the local authority, Plaine Commune. The venue also acted as a catalyst for local employment during its construction, generating over 80,000 hours of work and providing training opportunities for jobseekers and young people.

As the first completed facility in the broader Grand Pleyel redevelopment zone – a major urban project that will reshape this part of northern Paris through new housing, transport connections and public services – the Aquatics Centre anchors sport as a lasting part of the city’s future.

A new benchmark for sustainable design

With full stands and a dynamic atmosphere, the Centre was one of the most visually distinctive venues of Paris 2024. Athletes competed in world-class conditions beneath a striking timber roof that captured global attention and reflected the sustainable design principles of the Games.

Constructed in under three years on the former industrial site of Plaine Saulnier – adjacent to the Stade de France – the Centre was delivered on time and on budget. The building itself sets a new benchmark for sustainable venue design. Its 90-metre roof is made from 90% bio-sourced French wood from sustainably managed forests. Entirely self-supporting, the structure eliminates the need for internal pillars, providing clear sightlines and a strong architectural identity. The Centre uses 50% less energy than a typical aquatic facility, thanks to features like water recycling, natural ventilation and high-efficiency lighting – contributing to Paris 2024’s ambition to deliver Games with a reduced carbon footprint.

Blending high performance and public use

Looking ahead, the venue will continue to balance high performance with public use, as well as serve as an elite pole for the French Swimming Federation. In 2026, it will serve as a key site for the European Swimming Championships, reinforcing its dual role as both a high-performance environment and a community anchor.

In the coming weeks, the Olympic rings will be installed on the façade, and the venue will be formally named the Centre Aquatique Olympique Métropole du Grand Paris. As it reopens, it stands not only as a reminder of the Games, but also as a lasting asset for the community it was built to serve.

“The Olympic Aquatics Centre, an iconic venue of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, will soon become the most popular pool in France.  In an area where access to sports infrastructure remains among the lowest in the country, and where too many children are unable to learn to swim, this facility meets long-standing needs.”

Marie Barsacq
Minister for Sport, Youth and Community Life, France