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Coming Home: How Cassie Found Her Way Back to Eastern Washington and the Game She Loves

Story Links CHENEY, Wash. – For Cassie Moeller, coming to Eastern Washington University wasn’t just a transfer—it was a homecoming. Born and raised in Spokane, Cassie grew up immersed in the Eastern athletics community. “My whole life, I was going to Eastern games,” she said. “A lot of my coaches were former […]

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CHENEY, Wash. – For Cassie Moeller, coming to Eastern Washington University wasn’t just a transfer—it was a homecoming.

Born and raised in Spokane, Cassie grew up immersed in the Eastern athletics community. “My whole life, I was going to Eastern games,” she said. “A lot of my coaches were former players or even coaches here. It was like everyone around me was always talking about Eastern—it felt like a part of who I was before I ever got here.”

Now, after a collegiate journey that began at Western Washington University and took her to Spokane Falls Community College, Cassie is stepping into the Division I spotlight with Eastern volleyball. But her path to this point wasn’t a straight line—it was a winding one paved with growth, challenges, and deep-rooted love for both the game and her community.

A Product of the 509

Representing Spokane and the greater 509 region carries deep meaning for Cassie. “It feels like I get to show what the 509 kids are made of,” she said. “It’s like this pride of being homegrown—of putting on that jersey and knowing you’re playing for something bigger than yourself.”

She sees Eastern not just as a school, but as a continuation of the volleyball community that shaped her. “Wade Benson, Allen Allen, Nicole Rayborn, Shawn Wilson, Jaimie Lee… I’ve had so many amazing coaches in Spokane. They all helped me see that I could get to this level.”

A Journey Through Change

Fresh out of high school, Cassie wanted to explore beyond her comfort zone. She left Spokane for Bellingham to attend Western Washington, ready to embrace independence. “I was ready to go anywhere—California, Texas, wherever,” she said. “I wanted to see something new.”

But after a year away, the excitement of distance was tempered by the reality of missing home. Long drives, expensive flights, and being away from her biggest support system—her family—began to weigh heavily.

That led her to Spokane Falls, where she credits coach Elizabeth Harden with not only helping her maintain her game but pushing her to grow as a leader. “She believed in me when I wasn’t sure I’d be picked up late in the transfer portal. She helped me develop my leadership skills and taught me how to be competitive while still keeping things lighthearted.”

Finding Her Fit

Meeting the Eastern volleyball coaches sealed the deal. “I already knew one of them personally, and the moment I talked with them, I could feel their passion for the game and their love for the team. It was like this energy just came off them. I wanted to be around that.”

For Cassie, choosing Eastern wasn’t just about volleyball. It was about staying close to the people who’ve supported her since day one. “I’m very family-oriented,” she said. “Being able to grow on my own while still being close enough to go home for a quick visit—it’s the best of both worlds.”

She smiled when she talked about the idea of calling her mom just to stop by, or how her family can finally come watch her games again. “That means the world to me. It’s comforting in a way that makes me feel like I can really thrive here.”

Eyes on the Future

Cassie isn’t shy about her goals—on and off the court.

On the court, she wants to contribute in whatever way the team needs. “Whether I’m starting, rotating in, or just hyping everyone up from the bench—I want to be the one they can count on,” she said. “Versatile. Loud. Supportive. That’s who I want to be.”

Off the court, her sights are set on creating relationships that go beyond college. “I want these girls to be my lifelong friends. The kind of people I can invite to my wedding, or call when I need help with something.”

She’s currently pursuing a degree in exercise science with aspirations to go into nursing. “Right now, I’m figuring out the best route, but eventually I’d love to work in a medical field where I can help people, maybe even athletic training,” she said.

Building the Next Chapter

Cassie’s story is one of coming full circle. From dreaming of new places to realizing the power of home, she’s now at a school that reflects everything she values: family, growth, support, and community.

Eastern isn’t just a stop on her volleyball journey—it’s a place where she plans to leave a mark.

“I could have gone far away,” she said. “But staying here, playing for a school that means something to my family and my community—that means everything.”

 


Join the Eagle Athletic Fund for as low as $50 per year! Support Eagle student-athletes on and off the field while enjoying exclusive EAF perks such as season ticket and tailgating priority, invitations to special events, exclusive access and more. Visit goeags.com/eaf for more information.

ABOUT EASTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

Eastern Washington University Athletics sponsors 14 intercollegiate sports, six for men and eight for women, both as learning opportunities for its most athletically talented students and as an enhancement to student and community life. Eastern is affiliated with Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and is a member of the Big Sky Conference, an association of 10 regional schools with comparable enrollments and academic goals.

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Water Polo Team Shines with Record 15 Academic Awards in 2024

The San Diego State water polo team has celebrated academic success, with 15 student-athletes receiving individual honors from the Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches (ACWPC) for the 2024-25 school year. This recognition brings head coach Dana Ochsner’s total to 47 individual awards over the past three years and marks the eighth consecutive year the […]

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The San Diego State water polo team has celebrated academic success, with 15 student-athletes receiving individual honors from the Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches (ACWPC) for the 2024-25 school year. This recognition brings head coach Dana Ochsner’s total to 47 individual awards over the past three years and marks the eighth consecutive year the team has received academic accolades. Among the standout students, seniors Amanda Chambers, Rose Kanemy, and Brooke Lee were recognized for the fourth consecutive year, while several others earned their honors multiple times. The team’s cumulative GPA was 3.38, showcasing their commitment to excellence off the field. This reinforces the program’s strong academic culture in addition to its athletic achievements.

By the Numbers

  • 15 individual academic honors earned by San Diego State water polo players this year.
  • The team has achieved a cumulative GPA of 3.38, among the nation’s highest.

State of Play

  • The Aztecs have maintained a tradition of academic excellence, with eight consecutive years of team honors.
  • Earlier this month, the team set a program record with 18 Golden Coast Conference All-Academic honors.

What’s Next

The water polo program will likely continue to focus on balancing athletic and academic achievements, aiming for further growth in both areas as they prepare for the upcoming season.

Bottom Line

The San Diego State water polo team’s recognition for academic excellence highlights its dedication to fostering a culture where student-athletes thrive in both their studies and sport, setting a benchmark for future teams.





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USTFCCCA Honors Seven CCIW Men’s Teams, 24 Student-Athletes as All-Academic

Story Links NAPERVILLE – Seven College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) men’s teams were honored by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) as All-Academic Teams and 24 CCIW student-athletes were selected All-Academic Athletes for the 2025 NCAA Division III Track & Field season on Monday.   […]

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NAPERVILLE – Seven College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) men’s teams were honored by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) as All-Academic Teams and 24 CCIW student-athletes were selected All-Academic Athletes for the 2025 NCAA Division III Track & Field season on Monday.
 
North Central, the league’s indoor and outdoor champion in 2025, led the conference with eight individual selections. Five CCIW programs had multiple honorees.
 
For teams to earn the honor, the cumulative team GPA of all student-athletes who used a season of eligibility must be at least a 3.10 on a 4.0 scale through the most recent semester/quarter. Graduate students must take all undergraduate plus graduate coursework into account.
 
Individuals must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.30 on a 4.0 scale through the most recently completed grading period. Qualifiers must also meet one of the following athletic criteria: finish the season among the top 50 individuals or participate at the Indoor OR Outdoor National Championships.
 
Qualifiers could have also competed as a member of one of the top 35 relay teams. In addition, any athletes not among the top 35 relay teams, but who participated in the relay at the Indoor OR Outdoor National Championships. Graduate students must take all undergraduate plus graduate coursework into account.
 
2025 NCAA Division III Track & Field USTFCCCA Men’s All-Academic Teams
Augustana
Carroll
Carthage
Elmhurst
North Central
North Park
Wheaton
 
2025 NCAA Division III Track & Field USTFCCCA Men’s All-Academic Athletes

Augustana

AJ Banks
Mike Hudson
Joe Langridge
Daniel Prochaska
Magnus Wells
 
Carthage
Jacob Brost
Jacob Curulewski
 
Elmhurst
Logan Turney
 
Illinois Wesleyan
Carson Green
Ernie Waterson
 
North Central
Ben Balboa
Oscar Frontjes
Matthew Jett
Jayden Leise
Braden Nicholson
Connor Riss
BJ Sorg
Anthony Zajac
 
North Park
Jereme Ombogo
 
Wheaton
Ty Bova
Joshua Cross
Sam Elsen
Bradley Lauber
Sheldon Powell
 

Follow the CCIW
CCIW on X | CCIW Instagram | CCIW Facebook |
 
The College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) was founded in 1946 and currently services nine member institutions including Augustana College (Rock Island, Ill.), Carroll University (Waukesha, Wis.), Carthage College (Kenosha, Wis.), Elmhurst University (Elmhurst, Ill.), Illinois Wesleyan University (Bloomington, Ill.), Millikin University (Decatur, Ill.), North Central College (Naperville, Ill.), North Park University (Chicago, Ill.) and Wheaton College (Wheaton, Ill.).





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SCSU Volleyball Receives AVCA Team Academic Award

Story Links  Full AVCA Team Academic Award Release LEXINGTON, Ky. – Southern Connecticut women’s volleyball received the 2025 American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Team Academic Award, sponsored by INTENT, as announced by the AVCA on Tuesday, July 22, 2025. This is the eighth time that the Owls have received the Team […]

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 Full AVCA Team Academic Award Release

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Southern Connecticut women’s volleyball received the 2025 American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Team Academic Award, sponsored by INTENT, as announced by the AVCA on Tuesday, July 22, 2025. This is the eighth time that the Owls have received the Team Academic Award. 

The award, which was created during the 1992-93 academic year, honors volleyball teams that maintain a grade-point average of at least 3.3 on a 4.0 scale, throughout the year, to earn the 2025 AVCA Team Academic Award.

In the spring semester, volleyball was one of the five teams at Southern to achieve a 3.5 GPA or higher, as a team. Jalie Miller and Madi Roar both recorded perfect 4.00 GPAs for the spring semester. Sarah Stark, Sydney Bennett and Madi Roar were named to the 2024-25 CSC Academic All-District Women’s Volleyball Team. Additionally, 27 student-athletes were named to the NE10 Academic Honor Rolls, during the fall and spring semesters. 

 



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Foytack, Shoemaker, Zultevicz, and Track and Field Teams Earn USTFCCCA All-Academic Honors

Story Links NEW ORLEANS, LA (July 22, 2025) — On Monday, the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) released its 2025 Track and Field All-Academic Awards. In the classroom, on the track, and in the field, student-athletes who stood out in all areas of the student-athlete experience […]

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NEW ORLEANS, LA (July 22, 2025) — On Monday, the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) released its 2025 Track and Field All-Academic Awards. In the classroom, on the track, and in the field, student-athletes who stood out in all areas of the student-athlete experience during the 2025 collegiate track and field seasons were honored with this year’s release. Among the honorees were seniors Owen Foytack and Victoria Zultevicz and junior Katey SHoemaker who earned All-Academic Athlete recognition, while bot the King’s College men’s and women’s track and field programs were recognized as All-Academic Teams.

Foytack earns his first USTFCCCA All-Academic Athlete honor for his career as the seventh men’s track and field student-athlete to collect the recognition. Zultevicz also picks up her first career accolade as an All-Academic Athlete as the fifth Monarch women’s track and field athlete to appear on the list, while Shoemaker tabs her second consecutive honor and becomes the second women’s track and field athlete to earn the award twice in her career. USTFCCCA All-Academic Athlete is awarded to all nominated student-athletes who maintained a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.30 on a 4.0 scale, either finished the season among the top 50 individuals as listed on the descending order lists on TFRRS, competed at the Indoor or Outdoor National Championships, or competed as a member of one of the top 35 relay teams on the descending order list on TFRRS.

Both the King’s men’s and women’s track and field teams collected USTFCCCA All-Academic Team recognition for the eighth time out of a possible 10 years as a varsity program under head coach Mike Kolinovsky. The men’s team submitted a 3.37 team GPA and finished among eight men’s programs in the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) on this year’s list. The women’s team posted a 3.63 team GPA and finished as one of 11 women’s programs from the MAC to be recognized in 2025. All-Academic Team is awarded to all nominated teams who had a cumulative team GPA of all student-athletes who used a season of eligibility of at least a 3.10 on a 4.0 scale.


–MONARCHS–



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WSSU Rams Volleyball Unveils 2025 Schedule

Story Links WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Winston-Salem State University Volleyball has officially announced its 2025 schedule, featuring a slate of competitive matchups including invitationals, conference showdowns, and the highly anticipated CIAA tournament. The Rams open the season on Saturday, August 30 with a preseason scrimmage against either Tuskegee or Lees-McRae before heading […]

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WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Winston-Salem State University Volleyball has officially announced its 2025 schedule, featuring a slate of competitive matchups including invitationals, conference showdowns, and the highly anticipated CIAA tournament.

The Rams open the season on Saturday, August 30 with a preseason scrimmage against either Tuskegee or Lees-McRae before heading into regular-season play.

WSSU hits the road for its official opener at Catawba College on Tuesday, September 9 in Salisbury, N.C. The team will then compete in back-to-back invitationals, beginning with the Greenwood Invitational from September 12–13, featuring matchups against Chowan, Young Harris, Saint Anselm, and host Lander University.

The following weekend, WSSU travels to Athens, West Virginia for a four-match stretch in the Athens Invitational, facing off against Rollins, Concord, Davis & Elkins, and West Virginia Wesleyan from September 19–20.

Conference play begins on Thursday, September 25 as the Rams visit Fayetteville State, followed by a road trip to Shaw University on September 29.

The CIAA Round-Up series kicks off with Round-Up #1 on October 4–5, with locations and matchups to be announced. WSSU returns home on October 9 to face Johnson C. Smith, followed by a Livingstone College visit on October 13.

CIAA Round-Up #2 is set for October 18–19, again with details to be finalized. WSSU resumes home action against Shaw (Oct. 23) and Claflin (Oct. 27), before wrapping up the regular season with three road matches against Johnson C. Smith (Oct. 30), Livingstone (Nov. 3), and Claflin (Nov. 6).

The Rams close the regular season at home on Monday, November 10 against Fayetteville State, setting the stage for postseason play.

The CIAA Tournament returns to Bowie, Maryland, from November 21–23, where the Rams will look to make a deep run in the quarterfinals, semifinals, and championship rounds.

Head Coach Christa Brown and the Rams are ready to build on last season’s momentum and make their mark in the CIAA and beyond.

For updates and more, follow WSSU Volleyball on Instagram at wssuvolleyball and visit our website at www.wssurams.com.

 



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Latest newsletter for Club Welfare Officers

Club Welfare Officers at Volleyball England clubs may be interested to know they can download the latest Sport Welfare Officer newsletter from the Sport Welfare Officer Network. The newsletter provides stories about the work they do with clubs, and examples of best practice. It also has a list of upcoming forums, events and Facebook groups […]

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Club Welfare Officers at Volleyball England clubs may be interested to know they can download the latest Sport Welfare Officer newsletter from the Sport Welfare Officer Network.

The newsletter provides stories about the work they do with clubs, and examples of best practice.

It also has a list of upcoming forums, events and Facebook groups available locally for Club Welfare Officers and other volunteers.

Click here to download the newsletter.

 



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