EMMITSBURG, Md. (April 29, 2025) – On Monday, April 28, Mount St. Mary’s University honored the achievements of their student-athletes during the Second Annual Emmits Awards, held at Knott Auditorium on campus.
 

The evening capped off with the awarding of the Kolon and Sheridan Awards, hoping the top athletes and scholars in the department. This year saw co-winners for both Kolon Awards, with Dola Adebayo of basketball and Aaron Sorkin of golf taking honors for men’s teams while Jo Raflo of basketball and Anna Salerno of lacrosse garnering women’s teams honors. Arran Fahey from track & field and Meghan Spechier from swimming & diving received the Sheridan Scholar-Athlete of the Year Awards. ‘
 
Softball senior Laurenne Gallagher was the recipient of the Lynne Robinson Leadership Award and earned the top individual honor from Strength & Conditioning, becoming the first person to receive two Emmits in the same year.
 
Honors were also presented for Distinguished Faculty Member, Chaplain Recognition, Rookies of the Year, Comeback Athletes of the Year, Transfers of the Year, Unsung Heroes, Academic Team Excellence, and Staff Member of the Year. A full list of award winners is below.
 
2025 Emmits Awards Winners

Male Strength & Conditioning Individual – Kacper Cieplik, Water Polo

Female Strength & Conditioning Individual – Laurenne Gallagher, Softball

Male Strength & Conditioning Team – Baseball

Female Strength & Conditioning Team – Softball
Distinguished Faculty Member – Alejandro Canadas, Bolte School of Business
Chaplain Recognition – Deacon Danny Morrison, Men’s Lacrosse
Female Rookie of the Year – Brooke Molchanoff, Lacrosse

Male Rookie of the Year – Brandon Falconer, Track & Field
Female Transfer of the Year – Anna LeMaster, Basketball
Male Transfer of the Year – Graham Dougald, Soccer

Female Comeback Player of the Year – Emelie Beckman, Track & Field
Male Comeback Player of the Year – Xavier Lipscomb, Basketball
Male Unsung Hero – Nick Fleming, Baseball
Female Unsung Hero – Madison Szczublewski, Water Polo
Lynne Robinson Leadership Award – Laurenne Gallagher, Softball
Female Academic Team Excellence – Tennis
Male Academic Team Excellence – Soccer
Staff Member of the Year – Kostas Rizoulis, Dining Services

Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year – Arran Fahey, Track & Field

Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year – Meghan Spechier, Swimming & Diving
Male Kolon Athletes of the Year – Dola Adebayo, Basketball and Aaron Sorkin, Golf
Female Kolon Athletes of the Year – Jo Raflo, Basketball and Anna Salerno, Lacrosse
 

USA Volleyball has named three-time Olympic medalist April Ross as head of coaching for the beach national teams, turning to one of the country’s most successful beach volleyball players after the Americans had their first-ever medal shutout in Paris.

The national governing body said the southern California native will work to improve the performance of “our top American athletes on the international stage” as it looks ahead to hosting the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

“I’m honored to join USA Volleyball in this new role and look forward to working with our coaches and athletes to continue the legacy of success on the international stage,” Ross said. “I’ve always believed in the power of collaboration, and I’m excited to be part of a team that shares that vision.”

Ross, 42, won a silver medal in London, a bronze in Rio de Janeiro and a gold medal in Tokyo — with three different partners; she also won back-to-back NCAA indoor volleyball titles at Southern California.

“April brings a unique combination of elite-level experience, deep technical knowledge, and a passion for mentoring,” said Sean Scott, director of beach national teams. “She’s competed at the highest levels and understands what it takes to succeed. I’m excited to work alongside her as we continue to build a world-class coaching culture that supports our athletes’ growth and prepares them to win at the highest level.”

USA Volleyball has named three-time Olympic medalist April Ross as head of coaching for the beach national teams, turning to one of the country’s most successful beach volleyball players after the Americans had their first-ever medal shutout in Paris.

The national governing body said the southern California native will work to improve the performance of “our top American athletes on the international stage” as it looks ahead to hosting the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

“I’m honored to join USA Volleyball in this new role and look forward to working with our coaches and athletes to continue the legacy of success on the international stage,” Ross said. “I’ve always believed in the power of collaboration, and I’m excited to be part of a team that shares that vision.”

Ross, 42, won a silver medal in London, a bronze in Rio de Janeiro and a gold medal in Tokyo — with three different partners; she also won back-to-back NCAA indoor volleyball titles at Southern California.

“April brings a unique combination of elite-level experience, deep technical knowledge, and a passion for mentoring,” said Sean Scott, director of beach national teams. “She’s competed at the highest levels and understands what it takes to succeed. I’m excited to work alongside her as we continue to build a world-class coaching culture that supports our athletes’ growth and prepares them to win at the highest level.”

The Americans dominated beach volleyball after the sport that was conceived on the coasts of Hawaii and California was added to the Olympic program in 1996, winning seven of the first 14 Olympic gold medals. But the haul has sputtered as the generation that included Ross and three-time gold medalists Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh Jennings aged out.

The U.S. women failed to medal in Paris for the first time since 2000; the American men have not medaled at all since 2008.

USA Volleyball said Ross will be based at the beach volleyball training center in Torrance, California, and work to improve the quality of coaching and training at all levels of the national team program.

“April’s leadership and dedication to the sport are unmatched, and we are thrilled to have her in this new role,” USA Volleyball President and CEO John Speraw said. “She is a true champion and a mentor who understands the value of collaboration and developing the next generation of elite athletes. We are confident that her expertise will continue to elevate U.S. Beach Volleyball on the global stage, especially as we look ahead to LA 2028.”

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (April 29, 2025) – USA Volleyball announces the 19 athletes on the 2025 U19 Girls National Team who will prepare for the 2025 FIVB Women’s U21 World Championship, Aug. 5-18, in Surabaya, Indonesia.

Due to a scheduling conflict with the NCAA season, the U19 team will step into the international spotlight to compete in the U21 age category for the second time. In 2023, a team comprised of U19 athletes placed sixth at the U21 World Championship.

These rising stars will participate in a training block from July 27 to Aug. 4 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. From this group, 12 athletes will be selected to form the final competition roster.  The U.S. will compete in Pool B at Worlds, where it will face China, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Korea and Croatia.

The 2025 squad features nine athletes with prior age-group national team experience:

• Henley Anderson, 2024 U19 National Team, Continental Championship (Gold)
• Audrey Flanagan, 2024 U19 National Team, Continental Championship (Gold, Best Server, Best Receiver, Best Spiker)
• Genevieve Harris, 2024 U19 National Team, Continental Championship (Gold, Best Setter)
• Elena Hoecke, 2024 U19 National Team, Continental Championship (Gold)
• Isabelle Hoppe, 2024 U19 National Team, Continental Championship (Gold)
• Nadiya Johnson, 2024 U19 National Team
• Kendall Omoruyi, 2024 U19 National Team
• Jayden Robinson, 2024 U19 National Team, Continental Championship (Gold)
• Halle Thompson, 2024 U19 National Team, Continental Championship (Gold)

LOVB Salt Lake coach Tama Miyashiro will lead the team at U21 Worlds.

“I am beyond excited to work with this group,” Miyashiro said. “What an exciting time for these young athletes to train and compete at a high level. To travel and see what the world has to offer at this point in their career is going to be impactful. My hope is to help them along with their personal goals and volleyball career to be the best version of themselves. I’m looking forward to leading the charge with an amazing staff and go take on the world.”

2025 Girls U19 National Team for U21 World Championship

Name (Pos., Height, Birth Year, Hometown, School, USAV Region)
Henley Anderson (OH/OPP, 6-3, 2007, Dripping Springs, Texas, Dripping Springs HS, Lone Star)
Emma Cugino (L, 5-9, 2008, Galena, Ohio, Olentangy Orange HS, Ohio Valley)
Audrey Flanagan (OH, 6-3, 2008, Redondo Beach, Calif., Mira Costa HS, Southern California)
Genevieve Harris (S, 5-11, 2007, Raleigh, N.C., Cardinal Gibbons HS, Carolina)
Brooke Harwood (6-4, 2008, Mesa, Ariz., Casteel HS, Arizona)
Elena Hoecke (MB, 6-3, 2007, Lino Lakes, Minn., Centennial HS, North Country)
Isabelle Hoppe (S, 5-8, 2008, Gibsonia, Pa., Pine Richland HS, Ohio Valley)
Isabel Incinelli (OPP/OH, 6-5, 2008, Winter Park, Fla., Winter Park HS, Florida)
Nadiya Johnson (OPP, 6-2, 2008, Ashburn, Va., Riverside HS, Chesapeake)
Tessa Larkin (OH, 6-1, 2008, Anthem, Ariz., Xavier College Preparatory HS, Arizona)
Kendall Omoruyi (MB, 6-4, 2008, Gilbert, Ariz., Casteel HS, Arizona)
Jayden “JJ” Robinson (OPP, 6-3, 2008, Missouri City, Texas, Ridge Point HS, Lone Star)
Gabi Rodriguez (L, 5-6, 2008, Celeste, Texas, McKinney North HS, North Texas)
Taylor Stanley (OPP, 6-3, 2007, Overland Park, Kan., Blue Valley Southwest HS, Heart of America)
Lynney Tarnow (MB, 6-5, 2007, Downers Grove, Ill., Benet Academy, Great Lakes)
Halle Thompson (OH, 6-0, 2008, Spring, Texas, Grand Oaks HS, Lone Star)
Ayanna Watson (OH/OPP, 6-3, 2007, Henderson, Nev., Bishop Gorman HS, Southern California)
Danielle Whitmire (S, 6-1, 2007, Celina, Texas, Walnut Grove HS, North Texas)
Keoni Williams (MB, 6-4, 2007, Fort Worth, Texas, Eagle Mountain HS, North Texas)

Coaches
Head Coach: Tama Miyashiro (LOVB)
Assistant Coach: Stacy Sykora (LOVB)
Assistant Coach: Steven Duhoux (Ohio State men’s volleyball)
Performance Analyst Training: Elgin Liu (UCSD men’s volleyball)
Performance Analyst Competition: Peter Wong (Halton Region Volleyball Club)
ATC: Misao Tanioka (LOVB)
Team Lead: Alex Purvey (NTDP)

USA Volleyball has named three-time Olympic medalist April Ross as head of coaching for the beach national teams, turning to one of the country’s most successful beach volleyball players after the Americans had their first-ever medal shutout in Paris.

The national governing body said the southern California native will work to improve the performance of “our top American athletes on the international stage” as it looks ahead to hosting the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

“I’m honored to join USA Volleyball in this new role and look forward to working with our coaches and athletes to continue the legacy of success on the international stage,” Ross said. “I’ve always believed in the power of collaboration, and I’m excited to be part of a team that shares that vision.”

Ross, 42, won a silver medal in London, a bronze in Rio de Janeiro and a gold medal in Tokyo — with three different partners; she also won back-to-back NCAA indoor volleyball titles at Southern California.

“April brings a unique combination of elite-level experience, deep technical knowledge, and a passion for mentoring,” said Sean Scott, director of beach national teams. “She’s competed at the highest levels and understands what it takes to succeed. I’m excited to work alongside her as we continue to build a world-class coaching culture that supports our athletes’ growth and prepares them to win at the highest level.”

The Americans dominated beach volleyball after the sport that was conceived on the coasts of Hawaii and California was added to the Olympic program in 1996, winning seven of the first 14 Olympic gold medals. But the haul has sputtered as the generation that included Ross and three-time gold medalists Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh Jennings aged out.

The U.S. women failed to medal in Paris for the first time since 2000; the American men have not medaled at all since 2008.

USA Volleyball said Ross will be based at the beach volleyball training center in Torrance, California, and work to improve the quality of coaching and training at all levels of the national team program.

“April’s leadership and dedication to the sport are unmatched, and we are thrilled to have her in this new role,” USA Volleyball President and CEO John Speraw said. “She is a true champion and a mentor who understands the value of collaboration and developing the next generation of elite athletes. We are confident that her expertise will continue to elevate U.S. Beach Volleyball on the global stage, especially as we look ahead to LA 2028.”

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