Sports
Dear Annie


Dear Annie: There’s a little boy in my son’s school — he’s 6 years old — who has a history of being very physical with other kids, including my son. They were in the same class previously, and my son would come home upset, sometimes with bruises, telling me this boy had hit or shoved him during the day. Thankfully, they’re not in the same class anymore, but they’ve ended up on two different sports teams together in the past year. And the same thing keeps happening.
Just recently, my son came home after practice with a bruise on his back where this boy punched him. He wasn’t the only one. Other kids have been hurt, too — nothing life-threatening, but enough to cause pain, fear and frustration. What hurts me most is that the boy’s parents never apologize. The mom in particular seems to excuse or downplay the behavior, treating him like he’s too little to be held accountable, while other children are being hurt.
I feel protective and, frankly, angry. I want to advocate for my son, but I also don’t want to be that parent who makes waves or alienates another family. I’ve thought about just pulling my son off the team — but why should he have to lose out on something he enjoys because of another child’s behavior?
I keep wondering: what’s the right thing to do here? How do I protect my child while still trying to show compassion for another one who may be struggling? And is there a way to address this with the other parents or the coach without making it worse? — Concerned Mom
Dear Concerned: You’re right to be concerned — and your instincts are spot on.
No child should be expected to tolerate physical aggression, especially in a setting that’s supposed to be safe and fun. Sports are meant to build confidence and teamwork — not bruises and anxiety. The fact that this behavior is recurring across different environments tells me this is not an isolated issue, and it needs to be addressed head-on.
You don’t need to remove your son from the team. That would punish him for someone else’s behavior. Instead, speak directly with the coach or league organizer. Calmly explain what has happened and how it’s affected your child. Focus on safety — not blame. Ask what steps are in place to protect kids and what can be done moving forward.
As for the other parents, it’s unfortunate they haven’t stepped up. But their denial doesn’t mean you have to stay silent. If you feel comfortable, a direct but respectful conversation might help — but don’t count on it. Some parents need more growing up than their children.
At the age of 6, your son needs you as his advocate. Trust yourself. Protecting him is not overreacting; it’s good parenting.
“How Can I Forgive My Cheating Partner?” is out now! Annie Lane’s second anthology — featuring favorite columns on marriage, infidelity, communication and reconciliation — is available as a paperback and e-book. Visit http://www.creatorspublishing.com for more information. Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@creators.com.
Sports
Kansas State volleyball vs Nebraska in NCAA Tournament channel, time
Dec. 6, 2025, 6:03 a.m. CT
Kansas State volleyball survived and advanced, and now it will take on the No. 1 team in the country in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
The Wildcats and Nebraska Cornhuskers will face off at 7 p.m. in the Bob Devaney Sports Center in Lincoln, Nebraska, on Saturday, Dec. 6.
Watch K-State volleyball in NCAA Tournament
Nebraska enters the match 31-0, seeking its first championship since 2017. The Huskers cruised to a three-set win over Long Island.
K-State’s win over San Diego to advance was more dramatic. The Wildcats (18-9, 10-8 Big 12) pulled it off in five sets, while needing to win the fourth to make it possible.
What channel is Kansas State volleyball vs Nebraska on today?
- TV channel: None
- Stream:ESPN+
Kansas State volleyball vs. Nebraska will be available to stream on ESPN+.
Watch K-State volleyball in NCAA Tournament
Kansas State volleyball vs Nebraska time today
- Date: Saturday, Dec. 6
- Start time: 7 p.m. CT
Kansas State and Nebraska will begin at 7 p.m. CT on Saturday, Dec. 6.
Wyatt D. Wheeler covers Kansas State athletics for the USA TODAY Network and Topeka Capital-Journal. You can follow him on X at @WyattWheeler_, contact him at 417-371-6987 or email him at wwheeler@usatodayco.com
Sports
Women’s track and field begins indoor season at M City Classic
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – The St. Olaf College women’s track and field team turned in 13 performances that ranked on its all-time performers’ list at the season-opening M City Classic on Friday at the University of Minnesota Fieldhouse.
First years accounted for 11 of the 13 performances that ranked on St. Olaf’s all-time list at the unscored meet, which included teams from the NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), and club levels. In addition to the top-10 list performances, senior Ella Landis posted St. Olaf’s lone first-place finish at the meet by winning the one-mile run in 5:17.28.
In her first collegiate meet, first year Evangeline Sappington broke onto the program’s all-time performers’ list in both the 60-meter dash and 200-meter dash. Sappington was the top Division III finisher and was 10th overall in the 200-meter dash (26.84), while also taking second among Division III competitors and 16th overall in the 60-meter dash. Sappington’s time in the 60-meter dash ranks second on the Oles’ all-time list – just four one-hundredths of a second off the record – and her time in the 200-meter dash is fifth.
Sophomore Izzi Jaeckle clocked in with St. Olaf’s No. 4 time in the 60-meter dash by placing 17th (8.10), while first year Ellie Semple also broke onto the list in 10th with a time of 8.28 seconds to finish 27th. Sophomore Logan Paulsen moved up to seventh on the Oles’ list with a sixth-place performance in the shot put (12.48m, 40′ 11 ½”), while first year Abigal Frei cleared 3.26 meters (10′ 8 ¼”) for a No. 5 all-time result and an eighth-place finish.
First years Svea Frantzich and Claire Stein recorded St. Olaf’s No. 8 and No. 10 scores in the pentathlon by finishing seventh (3,005) and eighth (2,993), respectively. Frantzich tied for third in the long jump (5.44m, 17′ 10 ¼”) and was sixth in the 60-meter hurdles (9.47), which both ranked on St. Olaf’s all-time list. Stein also tied for third in the long jump (5.44m, 10′ 10 ¼”) to highlight her day. First year Annika Walsh was the runner-up in the high jump (1.62m, 5′ 3 ¾”) – fifth all-time – and was seventh in the 60-meter hurdles (9.48) – ninth all-time – as part of a ninth-place finish in the pentathlon (2,881).
St. Olaf will be back in action in 2026 at the Ole Opener at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 17 at Tostrud Center.
Sports
Second-Screen Golf Experiences : Player Profiles
In addition to offering an on-site fan experience, IRCODE, as a Technology Partner, introduced an interactive viewer experience for fans at home. When players appeared on-screen, viewers used the IRCODE app to scan their screen and instantly accessed a full, interactive profile for shopping their favorite players’ gear, diving deeper into their stories and learning more about the causes that are meaningful to them.
Player Profiles leverages IRCODE’s patented EXACT Match technology and proprietary computer vision, and applies real-time visual recognition to usher in the next generation of second-screen entertainment.
Sports
Catch Saturday’s Basketball and Indoor Track and Field Action
BEREA, Ohio – Fans can follow or watch Saturday’s Baldwin Wallace University basketball and indoor track and field action via live results, statistics or video.
The men’s and women’s indoor track and field teams open the 2025-26 season when it travels to Cleveland to compete in the Spartan Alumni Holiday Classic hosted by Case Western Reserve University inside the Veale Convocation, Recreation and Athletic Center at 11:00 a.m.
Live Results:
https://bwyellowjackets.cc/3MlDQcr
FloCollege On Demand Live Video:
https://bwyellowjackets.cc/3KFq6st
The men’s basketball team travels to New Concord for the first game of a men’s and women’s Ohio Athletic Conference and Hoops for Hunger Food Drive doubleheader against Muskingum University on Performance Court inside the Anne C. Steele Center at 1:00 p.m. Fans can receive free admission to the game with a donation of canned food, a non-perishable item, or a monetary contribution.
Tickets:
https://bwyellowjackets.cc/3WGuwll
Live Statistics:
https://bwyellowjackets.cc/493Gehq
FloCollege On Demand Live Video:
https://flosports.link/47hSw2V
The No. 21 nationally ranked women’s basketball team travels to New Concord for the second game of a women’s and men’s Ohio Athletic Conference and Hoops for Hunger Food Drive doubleheader against Muskingum University on Performance Court inside the Anne C. Steele Center at 4:00 p.m. Fans can receive free admission to the game with a donation of canned food, a non-perishable item, or a monetary contribution.
Tickets:
https://bwyellowjackets.cc/3WGuwll
Live Statistics:
https://bwyellowjackets.cc/49Ist7Q
FloCollege On Demand Live Video:
https://flosports.link/4qu1Fyr
Sports
2025 DII women’s volleyball championship: Bracket, schedule, scores
Here’s everything you need to know leading up to the first round of the 2025 DII women’s volleyball championship.
The championship bracket was revealed during a selection show on Monday, Nov. 24, live streamed here on NCAA.com. Twenty-three teams earned automatic qualification, with the remaining 41 teams selected at-large by the Division II Women’s Volleyball Committee. Teams from each of the eight regional sites received initial seeds Nos. 1-8.
🏆 Watch live: 2025 DII women’s volleyball championship rounds
2025 DII women’s volleyball championship bracket
Click or tap here for the 2025 interactive bracket
2025 NCAA DII women’s volleyball schedule
- Regionals: Dec. 4-6
- Quarterfinals: Thursday, Dec. 11
- Semifinals: Friday, Dec. 12
- National Championship: Saturday, Dec. 13
- Selection show: 7:30 p.m. ET on Monday, November 24
- Regionals: Dec. 4-6
- Thursday, Dec. 4
- No. 3 Indiana (Pennsylvania) 3, No. 6 Fairmont State 0
- No. 3 Anderson (South Carolina) 3, No. 6 Augusta 1
- No. 3 Lynn 3, No. 6 UAH 2
- No. 6 Washburn 3, No. 3 Wayne State (Nebraska) 0
- No. 3 Mercy 3, No. 6 Molloy 2
- No. 2 East Stroudsburg 3, No. 7 Charleston (West Virginia) 0
- No. 3 Ferris State 3, No. 6 Quincy 2
- No. 2 Lenoir-Rhyne 3, No. 7 Lander 1
- No. 7 Colorado Sch. of Mines 3, No. 2 UCCS 2
- No. 3 Fresno Pacific 3, No. 6 Western Washington 0
- No. 2 Barry 3, No. 7 Eckerd 0
- No. 2 Concordia-St. Paul 3, No. 7 Central Oklahoma 0
- No. 7 Holy Family 3, No. 2 Adelphi 2
- No. 7 Rockhurst 3, No. 2 Ohio Dominican 0
- No. 3 Angelo State 3, No. 6 Lubbock Christian 1
- No. 5 Flagler 3, No. 4 Carson-Newman 1
- No. 1 Gannon 3, No. 8 Fayetteville State 0
- No. 7 Central Washington 3, No. 2 Simon Fraser 2
- No. 1 Tampa 3, No. 8 Spring Hill 0
- No. 8 UIndy 3, No. 1 Missouri-State Louis 2
- No. 4 St. Cloud St. 3, No. 5 Missouri Western 1
- No. 1 Bentley 3, No. 8 Bridgeport 1
- No. 1 MSU Denver 3, No. 8 Colorado Mesa 0
- No. 4 Pitt.-Johnstown 4, No. 5 Shepherd 0
- No. 4 West Florida 3, No. 5 Palm Beach Atl. 2
- No. 1 Wingate 3, No. 8 Emmanuel (Georgia) 1
- No. 1 Point Loma 3, No. 8 CSUSB 2
- No. 1 Nebraska-Kearney 3, No. 8 Oklahoma Baptist 2
- No. 5 Post 3, No. 4 American Int’l 1
- No. 5 Findlay 3, No. 4 Wayne State (Michigan) 2
- No. 4 West Tex. A&M 3, No. 5 CSU Pueblo 1
- No. 5 Alas. Fairbanks 3, No. 4 Alas. Anchorage 0
- Friday, Dec. 5
- No. 2 Barry 3, No. 3 Lynn 0
- No. 3 Indiana (PA) 3, No. 2 East Stroudsburg 1
- No. 3 Anderson (SC) 3, No. 2 Lenoir-Rhyne 1
- No. 3 Mercy 3, No. 7 Holy Family 1
- No. 2 Concordia-St. Paul 3, No. 6 Washburn 0
- No. 3 Ferris State 3, No. 7 Rockhurst 0
- No. 3 Angelo State 3, No. 7 Colorado Sch. of Mines 0
- No. 1 Bentley 3, No. 5 Post 1
- No. 3 Fresno Pacific 3, No. 7 Central Washington 2
- No. 1 Gannon 3, No. 4 Pitt.-Johnstown 1
- No. 1 Tampa 3, No. 4 West Florida 1
- No. 1 Wingate 3, No. 5 Flagler 1
- No. 8 UIndy 3, No. 5 Findlay 1
- No. 4 St. Cloud State 3, No. 1 Nebraska-Kearney 1
- No. 1 MSU Denver 3, No. 4 West Tex. A&M 1
- No. 1 Point Loma 3, No. 5 Alas. Fairbanks 1
- Thursday, Dec. 4
NCAA DII women’s volleyball championship history
Here is the full list of champions and runners-up since 1981:
| Year | Champion (Record) | Coach | Score | Runner-Up | Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Lynn (33-3) | Adam Milewski | 3-2 | San Francisco St. | Sioux Falls, SD |
| 2023 | Cal State LA (24-10) | Juan Figueroa | 3-1 | West Texas A&M | Moon Township, PA |
| 2022 | West Texas A&M (33-4) | Kendra Potts | 3-1 | Concordia-St. Paul | Seattle, Wash. |
| 2021 | Tampa (34-2) | Chris Catanach | 3-0 | Washburn | Tampa, FL. |
| 2020 | Canceled due to Covid-19 | — | — | — | — |
| 2019 | Cal State San Bernardino (33-0) | Kim Cherniss | 3-1 | Nebraska-Kearney | Denver, Co. |
| 2018 | Tampa (33-4) | Chris Catanach | 3-2 | Western Washington | Pittsburgh, Pa. |
| 2017 | Concordia-St. Paul (34-3) | Brady Starkey | 3-0 | Florida Southern | Pensacola, Fla. |
| 2016 | Concordia-St. Paul (32-4) | Brady Starkey | 3-0 | Alaska Anchorage | Sioux Falls, S.D. |
| 2015 | Wheeling Jesuit (39-4) | Christy Benner | 3-0 | Palm Beach Atlantic | Tampa, Fla. |
| 2014 | Tampa (33-1) | Chris Catanach | 3-0 | S’west Minnesota State | Louisville, Ky. |
| 2013 | Concordia-St. Paul (35-3) | Brady Starkey | 3-0 | BYU-Hawaii | Cedar Rapids, Iowa |
| 2012 | Concordia-St. Paul (34-4) | Brady Starkey | 3-2 | Tampa | Pensacola, Fla. |
| 2011 | Concordia-St. Paul (34-2) | Brady Starkey | 3-0 | Cal State San Bernardino | Cal State San Bernardino |
| 2010 | Concordia-St. Paul (32-4) | Brady Starkey | 3-1 | Tampa | Louisville, Ky. |
| 2009 | Concordia-St. Paul (37-0) | Brady Starkey | 3-0 | West Texas A&M | Concordia-St. Paul |
| 2008 | Concordia-St. Paul (37-1) | Brady Starkey | 3-2 | Cal State San Bernardino | Concordia-St. Paul |
| 2007 | Concordia-St. Paul (36-4) | Brady Starkey | 3-1 | Western Washington | Washburn |
| 2006 | Tampa (35-1) | Chris Catanach | 3-1 | North Alabama | West Florida |
| 2005 | Grand Valley State (32-1) | Deanne Scanlon | 3-1 | Nebraska-Kearney | Nebraska-Kearney |
| 2004 | Barry (34-1) | Dave Nichols | 3-1 | Truman | Barry |
| 2003 | North Alabama (33-7) | Matt Peck | 3-0 | Concordia-St. Paul | Cal State San Bernardino |
| 2002 | BYU-Hawaii (27-2) | Wilfred Navalta | 3-0 | Truman | West Texas A&M |
| 2001 | Barry (32-2) | Dave Nichols | 3-0 | South Dakota State | Grand Valley State |
| 2000 | Hawaii Pacific (28-0) | Tita Ahuna | 3-0 | Augustana (S.D.) | Augustana (S.D.) |
| 1999 | BYU-Hawaii (30-2) | Wilfred Navalta | 3-0 | Tampa | Battle Creek, Mich. |
| 1998 | Hawaii Pacific (31-5) | Tita Ahuna | 3-1 | North Dakota State | Kissimmee, Fla. |
| 1997 | West Texas A&M (37-1) | Debbie Hendricks | 3-2 | Barry | Cal State Bakersfield |
| 1996 | Nebraska-Omaha (35-2) | Rose Shires | 3-2 | Tampa | Central Missouri |
| 1995 | Barry (34-2) | Leonid Yelin | 3-1 | Northern Michigan | Barry |
| 1994 | Northern Michigan (32-4) | Mark Rosen | 3-1 | Cal State Bakersfield | Cal State Bakersfield |
| 1993 | Northern Michigan (38-1) | Jim Moore | 3-1 | Cal State Bakersfield | Northern Michigan |
| 1992 | Portland State (36-1) | Jeff Mozzochi | 3-2 | Northern Michigan | Portland State |
| 1991 | West Texas A&M (36-2) | Jim Giacomazzi | 3-0 | Portland State | West Texas A&M |
| 1990 | West Texas A&M (38-1) | Kim Hudson | 3-0 | North Dakota State | Cal State Bakersfield |
| 1989 | Cal State Bakersfield (21-15) | David Rubio | 3-0 | Sacramento State | Cal State Bakersfield |
| 1988 | Portland State (36-5) | Jeff Mozzochi | 3-0 | Cal State Northridge | North Dakota State |
| 1987 | Cal State Northridge (35-6) | Walt Ker | 3-2 | Central Missouri | Nebraska-Omaha |
| 1986 | UC Riverside (29-7) | Sue Gozansky | 3-0 | Cal State Northridge | Sacramento State |
| 1985 | Portland State (36-5) | Jeff Mozzochi | 3-1 | Cal State Northridge | Portland State |
| 1984 | Portland State (33-4) | Jeff Mozzochi | 3-0 | Cal State Northridge | Portland State |
| 1983 | Cal State Northridge (30- 6) | Walt Ker | 3-2 | Portland State | Florida Southern |
| 1982 | UC Riverside (31-5) | Sue Gozansky | 3-0 | Cal State Northridge | Cal State Northridge |
| 1981 | Sacramento State (28-6) | Debby Colbery | 3-0 | Lewis | UC Riverside |
Sports
Cal Poly Stuns USC and Advances to Seventh Sweet-16 in Program History
LOS ANGELES — After months of preparation, Cal Poly’s historic Friday night culminated in a stunning five-set upset of fourth-seeded USC (25-19, 25-20, 20-25, 14-25, 15-7), shattering every perfect bracket along the way.
The unseeded Mustangs (27-7) not only advanced to the NCAA Round of 16 for the first time since 2007, the seventh such appearance in program history, but also became the only team in the bracket to defeat two seeded opponents ranked lower than No. 6. Cal Poly’s last deep runs came in 2007, 1989, ‘87, ‘85, ‘84, and ‘82.
In a departure from their typical all-court offense, the Mustangs leaned on their pin hitters to secure a second straight ranked victory. Leading the charge was Emma Fredrick, who delivered a statement double-double with match-highs of 17 kills and 17 digs. Kendall Beshear and Annabelle Thalken followed with 12 kills apiece, with Beshear adding a pair of aces.
Freshman middle Charlotte Kelly anchored the net with a career-high seven block assists, part of a 10-block team effort that quieted USC’s top-50 offense to a .237 hitting percentage. Beshear (14 digs) and setter Emme Bullis (44 assists, 12 digs) also recorded double-doubles, helping limit USC’s top hitters, Leah Ford and London Wijay, to 19 kills on 55 swings.
Cal Poly stormed through the opening set behind relentless blocking, forcing an early USC timeout at 11-6. Despite a late Trojan push to narrow the gap to 22-18, a Caroline Walters timeout steadied the Mustangs, who closed out the frame 25-19.
USC responded by edging ahead 15-13 at the second-set media timeout. But after 13 ties and five lead changes, Cal Poly surged late with a 21-18 advantage and never looked back, taking the set 25-20.
The Women of Troy rallied in the third, building their largest lead at 17-12 and holding on to win 25-20. Momentum carried into the fourth, where USC raced ahead to claim it 25-14 and force a deciding fifth set.
In the tiebreaker, Cal Poly’s second of the tournament, the Mustangs broke a 3-3 deadlock with a commanding 12-4 run, sealing the match and their spot in the Third Round.
Now, one of the finest teams in program history, and a standout in recent mid-major volleyball, travels to Lexington to face No. 1 seed and regional host Kentucky.
The NCAA will announce date and time details Saturday evening. Until then, San Luis Obispo’s humble Mustangs have plenty to celebrate.
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