ELLENSBURG, Wash. – Central Washington University Athletics announced it will discontinue varsity sponsorship of men’s and women’s rugby at the end of the academic year. Director of Athletics Dr. Dennis Francois explained the decision came after months of consideration, primarily due to pending state budget cuts. “This was very a difficult decision, and this news […]
ELLENSBURG, Wash. – Central Washington University Athletics announced it will discontinue varsity sponsorship of men’s and women’s rugby at the end of the academic year.
Director of Athletics Dr. Dennis Francois explained the decision came after months of consideration, primarily due to pending state budget cuts.
“This was very a difficult decision, and this news is incredibly disappointing for our rugby student-athletes, coaches, and our department as a whole,” Francois said.
Francois emphasized that the decision is not a reflection on the student-athletes or coaching staff. He acknowledged their success over the years, both in competition and in academics.
The university also faces increased operational expenses and a structural deficit due to lower post-pandemic enrollment. After analyzing its sports offerings, CWU Athletics concluded it could not continue varsity sponsorship for the rugby programs, which were elevated to varsity status in 2014-15.
CWU will honor all current rugby athletic scholarships for the 2025-26 academic year. The university will support student-athletes wishing to transfer for degree completion.
Francois stated that CWU Athletics will continue to focus on maintaining resources for its remaining 13 NCAA championship sport programs.
No. 17 Winter Haven beach volleyball wins regional quarterfinal game over George Jenkins
WINTER HAVEN — It was evident that the Winter Haven beach volleyball’s No. 1 line was challenged by the No. 1 line of George Jenkins. That isn’t surprising, though, as like Winter Haven (17-0), George Jenkins (7-6) has been a winning program all season. And both teams met in the Class 3A regional quarterfinals Tuesday […]
WINTER HAVEN — It was evident that the Winter Haven beach volleyball’s No. 1 line was challenged by the No. 1 line of George Jenkins.
That isn’t surprising, though, as like Winter Haven (17-0), George Jenkins (7-6) has been a winning program all season. And both teams met in the Class 3A regional quarterfinals Tuesday at Winter Haven High School.
Both No. 1 lines battled it out, but in the end, No. 1 seed Winter Haven prevailed 2-0 behind the efforts of senior player Rylee Tanner and junior Kylie Catrett, which helped catapult a 4-1 win over George Jenkins ― the No. 8 seed in regionals.
“(I’m) incredibly proud. It’s all really about that five-game mentality of playing the best that you can for five matches, and you win the state title. Today was game one of the five-game goal, so one step closer is exactly what it’s all about. One game at a time. And we’re just one step closer, which is where we want to be, so it feels amazing. I’m so proud of the girls for staying locked in and staying focused and finishing our last match against a Polk County opponent for the season,” Winter Haven head beach volleyball coach Dylan Sechrest said after the game.
While essentially the entire team was consistent on Tuesday, Sechrest said the No. 4 line should be able to tighten things ahead of the regional semifinals later this week.
“We got to get the 4 line moving a little bit. Got to get to get them playing a little bit better ball (and) a little bit more competitive, and really going forward,” Sechrest said. “We weren’t really happy with how we played.”
Winter Haven’s district title: Winter Haven captures district title in beach volleyball, looks to take new road back to state
Prepping for regionals: No. 1 Winter Haven beach volleyball preps for regionals
Still, the No. 2 (Sophia Whitaker and Kindyl Goff), 3 (Emily Drier, Addison Traina) and 5 lines (Camila DeJesus and Leah Robles) won like they’ve done all year, and their record is the same as the team’s: 17-0.
“That’s exactly what we were looking for. It’s really nice having those teams play solid. Can’t say a big enough shoutout to the 2, 3 and 5 lines. Can’t say enough good things about those three seedings and how solid and consistent they’ve been for our program in helping us to win,” he said.
Yes, the district champions are playing great. But Sechrest said he wants everyone to work on those deep corner shots heading into the regional semifinals, as they are by far the hardest shots. And they are the hardest shots because teams are usually occupying the middle, of course.
Winter Haven, the No. 17 team in Florida, will be gearing up to play Riverview Sarasota (11-3) in the semifinals 4 pm Friday at Winter Haven High School.
The first spring in the new era of Stanford football has concluded, with the final four spring practices taking place this past week. 15 practices scattered over four weeks in April are over, and improvement was clear from practice one through practice 15. As spring progressed, there became clear signs as to what this year’s […]
The first spring in the new era of Stanford football has concluded, with the final four spring practices taking place this past week. 15 practices scattered over four weeks in April are over, and improvement was clear from practice one through practice 15.
As spring progressed, there became clear signs as to what this year’s version of the Stanford Cardinal is going to be. This team is going to be physical. This team is going to be fast. This team is going to be aggressive. This team is going to be all-in on being there for each other.
At the end of the week, Coach Reich addressed the team after practice with what he liked from that week’s sessions. That is typical following all practices with Coach Reich, but it had a different energy level than normal. There was an additional fire in his voice, and a palpable excitement reverberated throughout the huddle.
“The first few weeks, there were some ups and downs as we figured things out. This last week, these four practices? We absolutely crushed it!” he exclaimed to the team. “[Andrew] Luck challenged us on Monday, he got after us a little bit, and you guys responded. You came out here to work for four days with monster preparation.”
UCLA men’s volleyball reflects on effects of service errors on the court
This post was updated April 29 at 10:30 p.m. The service line often drives success in volleyball. It can make or break a set, match or even a season. And despite UCLA men’s volleyball’s struggles from the back line – committing a nation-leading 603 service errors and averaging 6.15 per set – the team continued […]
The service line often drives success in volleyball.
It can make or break a set, match or even a season. And despite UCLA men’s volleyball’s struggles from the back line – committing a nation-leading 603 service errors and averaging 6.15 per set – the team continued to flourish.
“Every team will tell you that it’s all about serving,” said coach John Hawks. “We spend time on our ability to tactically serve and exert pressure.”
Although UCLA has sported a .367 hitting percentage – the third-highest in the nation – the squad’s service line blunders have negated the attack’s contributions and have cost the team crucial sets and matches.
In the Bruins’ six losses this season, only one opponent recorded more kills. But the squad committed more service errors in five of those matches, including 26 in a four-set loss to Long Beach State on Feb. 7 and 28 in the MPSF Semifinal loss to Pepperdine on Friday.
Former UCLA head coach John Speraw talks to David on the court. Speraw, most recently led the Bruins to back-to-back national championships in 2023 and 2024. Speraw is now the President and CEO of USA volleyball, and led the national team from 2013 to 2024. (Edward Ho/Daily Bruin)
“It’s really hard to assess if it’s a great serve, and it depends on what the (opposing team) is doing,” said redshirt junior outside hitter Cooper Robinson. “We really want to dial in on serving.”
And even in UCLA’s triumphs this season, the backline has marred the team’s success.
The Bruins have committed more back line errors than their opponents in 17 of their 20 victories, making it harder to close out games.
Especially late in the season, the team’s service issues worsened
Four out of the Bruin’s last six games have been pushed to a fifth set, accruing 246 total kills across these five-set games while averaging 32.8 service errors per contest. During this stretch, UCLA set a season-high 42 service errors in its victory against Grand Canyon on April 5.
“I think that they’ll be the first to tell you that they got to be better from the service line,” Hawks said. “That’s a part of the game that’s going to improve, and we haven’t seen anywhere near where these guys are capable of going.”
The serving philosophy former Bruin coach John Speraw ingrained into the program may be the reason for UCLA’s persistent service shortcomings. The last time the team accumulated less than 500 service errors came during the 2021 season.
“As Bruins, the serving motto is to just go rip it,” said junior outside hitter Zach Rama. “That’s what got us these two past national championships.”
Coach John Hawks coaches and claps his hands from the sidelines at the Firestone Fieldhouse in Malibu. (Selin Filiz/Daily Bruin staff)
Despite the errors, this service game plan has also contributed to the Bruins’ ace production.
UCLA boasted two-straight seasons where the group averaged at least 1.9 aces per set in 2023 and 2024, winning the national championship in both campaigns under the tutelage of Speraw.
And this season has been no exception, with Hawks embracing his mentor’s perspective.
“When you have to get a team off the net, you have to serve tough and take gambles,” Hawks said.
UCLA’s approach from the service line has helped it register 1.97 aces per set this year, which ranks fourth in the nation. And despite falling in the MPSF semifinals to eventual champion Pepperdine on Friday, UCLA delivered 15 aces in the affair.
The Bruins’ serving unit has been without steady contributions from senior Ido David, who has been hampered by a knee injury since February.
The outside hitter/opposite has amassed 126 aces across his four-year career at UCLA and has recorded 29 this season despite playing just 53 sets.
However, David’s accuracy seems to set him apart from the rest of the Bruins’ service arsenal.
The 2023 AVCA First Team All-Americanhas committed just 59 service errors this season, sporting a .49 ace-to-service-error ratio to complement his team-leading .55 aces per set.
David’s injury could sideline him from the NCAA tournament, leaving the squad’s back line without the serving consistency he provides among a seemingly inconsistent unit.
Just as matches are often won or lost from the service line, the Bruins’ three-peat hopes may depend on it as well.
San Marcos Girls Beach Volleyball Falls to Redondo Union in CIF Quarterfinals, 4-1 | Sports
San Marcos girls beach volleyball’s season came to a close with a 4-1 loss to Redondo Union on Tuesday in the CIF-SS Div. 1 Quarterfinals in Hermosa Beach. Redondo Union, the No. 3-ranked team in the nation, will be on the road against JSerra for the CIF-SS Semifinals on Thursday at 2 p.m. The Royals’ […]
San Marcos girls beach volleyball’s season came to a close with a 4-1 loss to Redondo Union on Tuesday in the CIF-SS Div. 1 Quarterfinals in Hermosa Beach.
Redondo Union, the No. 3-ranked team in the nation, will be on the road against JSerra for the CIF-SS Semifinals on Thursday at 2 p.m.
The Royals’ lone victory on Tuesday came at court two, where Sam Fallon and Evyn Miller battled to a two-set win, 22-20, 21-17.
“Passing, tough serving and creative offense were keys to defeating a very strong Redondo twos pair,” San Marcos head coach Tim Loomer said. “Finishing the season with a quality win was gratifying for the pair.”
San Marcos wraps up the team season with an overall record of 22-4. The Royals’ No. 1 pairing of Josie Gamberdella and Cora Loomer will continue their season at the CIF-SS Individual Pairs Tournament on May 6 and 7.
Next Game: at Ithaca 5/2/2025 | TBA May. 02 (Fri) / TBA at Ithaca History ROCHESTER, N.Y. – RIT junior Zoe Heffernan scored the game-winner with 1:43 remaining in overtime to lead the No. 3 Tigers to a 13-12 win over No. 6 St. Lawrence in the first round of the Liberty League Tournament, Tuesday. It is […]
ROCHESTER, N.Y. – RIT junior Zoe Heffernan scored the game-winner with 1:43 remaining in overtime to lead the No. 3 Tigers to a 13-12 win over No. 6 St. Lawrence in the first round of the Liberty League Tournament, Tuesday.
It is RIT’s first Liberty League Tournament win since the Tigers beat Skidmore in 2018 and will face No. 2 Ithaca in the semifinals.
Senior Lily DePalma led RIT with five goals and junior Morgan Nichter tallied three goals and an assist. Heffernan and junior Adele Jones each scored two goals and an assist and junior Jenna Bovenzi had three assists.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Keira Dodd scored with 10:07 remaining in the first quarter to give St. Lawrence the lead.
DePalma scored off an assist from Jones to tie the score at 1-1.
The Saints scored two straight goals, taking a 3-1 lead on Jessica LaPlaca’s free position goal with 6:56 to play in the opening quarter.
Nichter and DePalma scored back-to-back goals, tying the score at 3-3 on DePalma’s goal with 57 second remaining in the first.
St. Lawrence scored the first two goals of the second quarter, taking a 6-3 lead on Hamilton’s free-position goal with 9:10 to play in the quarter.
RIT ran off three straight goals, tying the score at 6-6 on Heffernan’s goal with 2:09 to play in the half.
Hamilton scored for the Saints with 18 seconds to play in the second quarter to give St. Lawrence a 7-6 halftime lead.
Cate Rathnam scored with 11:28 remaining in the third quarter to give the Saints an 8-6 lead.
Stephen scored a free-position goal to make it 8-7 and Nichter tied the score at 8-8 on her goal off an assist from Bovenzi with 9:06 to play in the third.
St. Lawrence tallied two straight goals taking a 10-8 lead on LaPlaca’s goal with 1:47 to play in the third.
Jones scored with 1:02 remaining in the third to cut the deficit to 10-9.
Jones scored 37 seconds into the fourth quarter off an assist from Bovenzi that tied the score at 10-10.
DePalma gave RIT an 11-10 lead on her goal with 10:42 remaining in the fourth.
Phoebe Spaeth tied the score at 11-11 on her goal with 9:20 remaining.
DePalma scored a woman-up goal with 7:57 to play to give RIT a 12-11 lead and Spaeth scored with 7:31 remaining to knot the game at 12-12.
Heffernan scored on a free-position shot with 1:43 remaining in the overtime to make it a 13-12 final.
GAME NOTES
RIT outshot St. Lawrence, 30-28
Junior Ellie Ruddy made three saves while first year Grace McDonald made five stops in the second half and overtime to earn the win in goal.
Senior Jane Hudson caused three turnovers and Jones had eight draw controls and four ground balls.
RIT was 20-of-24 on clearing attempts and won 18-of-29 draw controls
WHAT’S NEXT RIT returns to action on Friday (May 2) at Ithaca in the Liberty League Tournament Semifinal.
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AWARDS UCU Athletes of the Week » Michael Crossland (BSB), Varsity Eight – Kiera Cooper, Natasha Vallancey, Laine Bradley, Annica Ford, Samantha Anderson, Lily Feagler, Matti Key, Rachel Cuneo, Sabina Petersen (WROW) All Big West First Team » Anthony Cherfan, Bryce Dvorak (MVB) All Big West Honorable Mention » Josh Schellinger (MVB) #TRITONGIVINGDAY IS APRIL 30 Support the UC San Diego scholar-athletes by making a team-specific or […]
AWARDS
UCU Athletes of the Week » Michael Crossland (BSB), Varsity Eight – Kiera Cooper, Natasha Vallancey, Laine Bradley, Annica Ford, Samantha Anderson, Lily Feagler, Matti Key, Rachel Cuneo, Sabina Petersen (WROW)
All Big West First Team » Anthony Cherfan, Bryce Dvorak (MVB)
All Big West Honorable Mention » Josh Schellinger (MVB)
#TRITONGIVINGDAY IS APRIL 30
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BASEBALL(22-20, 11-10 BIG WEST) This Week » UC San Diego travels to face No. 8 UC Irvine—the Big West leader—for a three game series, Friday-Sunday.
Last Time Out » The Tritons won their mid-week game against LMU, 6-5. Then, over the weekend, they won two of three games to secure their first ever series victory over UC Santa Barbara.
Need to Know » Michael Crossland finished the week 6-for-16 (.375) with two doubles, three walks, five RBI and two runs scored to help the Tritons to a 3-1 week.
SOFTBALL(14-28, 12-12 BIG WEST) This Week » The Tritons will finish Big West play in Hawai’i, with one game on Friday and a doubleheader on Saturday.
Last Time Out » UC San Diego went 1-2 over the weekend against CSUN.
TRACK & FIELD This Week » The Tritons have just one final regular season meet left on the schedule. UC Irvine hosts the Steve Scott Invitational May 2-3, with The Big West Multis and Championships to come in the weeks following.
Last Time Out » The UC San Diego track and field team split up to take on three different meets. The Tritons competed in the Beach Invitational, Bryan Clay Invitational, and Mt. SAC Relays.
Need to Know » Over that weekend, the Tritons set five program records and had 16 marks in the top 10 all-time at UC San Diego. Nine Tritons reached the qualifying levels for The Big West Championships, and 29 personal-bests were set.
MEN’S VOLLEYBALL (18-12, 3-7 BIG WEST) Last Time Out » The Tritons ended the season at the 2025 Outrigger Big West Men’s Volleyball Championship. There, they outlasted UC Santa Barbara in the quarterfinal round but were defeated by Long Beach State in the semifinal round.
Need to Know » Josh Schellinger set a new career high of 22 kills and 12 digs in the quarterfinal game.
WOMEN’S WATER POLO (16-13, 4-3 BIG WEST) Last Time Out » UC San Diego closed out the season in Irvine at the Big West Championship. They defeated UC Davis, 15-10, in the quarterfinal round to move to the semifinal round, where they were narrowly defeated by Hawai’i, 9-11.
Need to Know » Caroline Christl extended her goal-scoring streak to 24 games. She has scored in 29 of 30 games and netted multiple goals in 22 contests.
WOMEN’S TENNIS (11-11, 5-4 BIG WEST) Last Time Out » UC San Diego senior Adriana Tabares was a winner on court five, but the Tritons fell to UC Davis, 4-1, in the opening round of The Big West Women’s Tennis Championship
MEN’S TENNIS (7-14, 3-3 BIG WEST) Last Time Out » The Triton men made their first appearance in the Big West Championship last week. Their first match was in the quarterfinal round against Cal Poly, and they took a 4-2 win. Then, they played UC Santa Barbara in the semifinals and took a 0-4 loss.
