Rice has 332 Athletes Named American Conference All-Academic

7/30/2025 10:00:00 AM | Baseball, Football, General, Men’s Basketball, Men’s Cross Country, Men’s Golf, Men’s Tennis, Men’s Track & Field, Women’s Basketball, Women’s Cross Country, Women’s Soccer, Swimming & Diving, Women’s Tennis, Women’s Track & Field, Women’s Volleyball, Women’s Golf

The teams that faced off in last year’s 4A East volleyball regional final are on top of HighSchoolOT’s 2025 preseason statewide Top 25 rankings.

Defending 4A champion Cardinal Gibbons is slotted at No. 1 overall and D.H. Conley, the team the Crusaders beat to get to the championship game, is No. 2. With the N.C. High School Athletic Association’s realignment into eight classes, the Crusaders and Vikings are positioned to dominate the 7A class.

Any school that is a member of a statewide association is eligible for HighSchoolOT rankings.

HSOT has two sets of rankings: a statewide Top 25 and top 15s for each of North Carolina’s six area codes. Subscribe to HighSchoolOT’s email alerts to hear about rankings updates.

• Historical HSOT Rankings & All-State Teams
• All Current Area Code Rankings (coming soon)
• Current 252 Area Code Rankings (coming soon)
• Current 336 Area Code Rankings (coming soon)
• Current 704 Area Code Rankings (coming soon)
• Current 828 Area Code Rankings (coming soon)
• Current 910 Area Code Rankings (coming soon)
• Current 919 Area Code Rankings (coming soon)

A contender in the new 8A classirfication, Green Level, is the third-ranked team in the state.

3A state runner-up J.H. Rose is ranked as the No. 4 team in the state. Rose is now in the 6A classification.

The top five is rounded out by Seaforth, a favorite in the 5A classification.

All five of the top-ranked teams in North Carolina are set to compete in the 2025 HighSchoolOT Garner Volleyball Showcase, which was announced on Tuesday.

HighSchoolOT Volleyball Statewide Top 25

Preseason Rankings (Last year’s record in parentheses)

1. Cardinal Gibbons (22-0)
2. D.H. Conley (27-2)
3. Green Level (23-3)
4. J.H. Rose (23-5)
5. Seaforth (25-5)
6. Green Hope (20-4)
7. Ayden-Grifton (29-2)
8. Kings Mountain (27-3)
9. Wesleyan Christian (20-3)
10. McMichael (30-2)
11. Marvin Ridge (34-3)
12. Grimsley (25-6)
13. Cleveland (26-5)
14. Chapel Hill (27-2)
15. Gray’s Creek (21-5)
16. Weddington (17-10)
17. Brevard (18-5)
18. Northern Guilford (21-6)
19. North Iredell (28-3)
20. Reagan (33-6)
21. Cherokee (25-2)
22. Cox Mill (21-4)
23. Cornerstone Charter (26-3)
24. Hickory (21-4)
25. Orange (18-9)

Previous Weeks’ Rankings

Other Fall Sports Rankings

Six Hamilton College student-athletes earned 2025 U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) All-Academic Athletes recognition for the NCAA Division III women’s track and field seasons on Monday, July 21 when the organization released its list.
 
All honorees must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.30 or better through the 2025 spring semester and meet certain athletic criteria during either the indoor or outdoor seasons. Hamilton’s list can be found below.
 
Sylvie Najarian ’25 (Woodcliff Lake, N.J./Pascack Hills HS)
Emily Pogozelski ’26 (Garden City, N.Y./Garden City HS)
Keira Rogan ’28 (Saratoga Springs, N.Y./Schuylerville Central School)
Dana Schwartz ’26 (Cape Elizabeth, Maine/Cape Elizabeth HS)
Kate Scibelli ’26 (Canandaigua, N.Y./Canandaigua Academy)
Claire Tratnyek ’26 (Short Hills, N.J./Kent Place School)
 

Najarian finished in the top 50 of the 3,000-meter steeplechase on the NCAA outdoor championship qualifying list with a time of 11:03.76 at the All-Atlantic Region Track & Field Conference (AARTFC) championships on May 14.
 
Schwartz had the 27th-best distance in Division III for the javelin throw with a mark of 40.73 meters (133 feet, 7 inches) at the AARTFC championships on May 14.
 
Rogan had the third-fastest time in the nation for the steeplechase (10:27.88, Hamilton Outdoor Invitational on April 4), was 29^th in the outdoor 5,000-meter run (16:48.61, NESCAC championships on April 26), was eighth in the indoor 5,000 meters (16:47.68, Cornell’s Kane Invite on Feb. 15), was ninth in the indoor 3,000 meters (9:42.20, Utica’s Blue & Orange Invite on Feb. 7) and was 17^th in the mile (4:56.62, AARTFC indoor championships on March 7).
 
The distance medley relay of Pogozelski, Tratnyek, Scibelli and Rogan finished No. 22 in Division III with a time of 12:03.73 at the AARTFC indoor meet on March 7.
 
The Continentals were also honored as a 2025 USTFCCCA All-Academic Team for having a cumulative team grade point average of 3.10 or better through the spring semester. Hamilton boasted a team GPA of 3.60 and collected the award for the 14^th consecutive track and field season under Head Coach Ellen Hull.
 

Irvine, Calif. – With the 2025 season fast approaching, the Concordia University Irvine women’s volleyball team is excited to announce the first recruiting class under head coach Eryn Leja-Martin.

The Green and Gold are welcoming 11 new student-athletes to the CUI Golden Eagles family. Seven are true freshmen while four transfers have previous college experience.

Along with assistant coach and recruiting coordinator Alex Leja, the entire coaching staff helped bring in this versatile group of new Golden Eagles – who hail from five different states. 

Six of these 11 additions hail from California, but there are also newcomers who claim Arizona, Utah, Hawai’i or Texas as their home state.

This includes a pair of middle blockers, two setters, multiple liberos and at least five who can play as outside hitters.

Let’s meet our new Golden Eagles:

 

Sofia Ajmal – 6’0″ Pin Hitter

A freshman from Temecula, Ajmal comes to CUI from Chaparral High School and 951 Elite Volleyball club. She is an outside hitter/opposite who can help the team in various ways.

 “Sofia is a great addition to our team in numerous ways,” said CUI head coach Eryn Leja-Martin. “She is so dynamic and can play any position in the front row.  I am so excited to watch Sofia grow as a Golden Eagle, and see what position she will play and contribute at the collegiate level.”

 

Avery Banaag – 5’4″ DS/Libero

A junior transfer from Grossmont College, Banaag is an Eastlake High School alum and hails from Chula Vista, Calif. She is a libero/defensive specialist and an Eastlake High School alum.

“I’ve watched Avery play since high school and followed her JC career closely,” explained Leja-Martin. “She is so fun on defense and she is one of the best ‘coverage’ players I’ve ever coached.  She brings a high level of competitive drive and heart on the court, and her teammates were instantly drawn to her.  Having her compete with us in the spring was a wonderful way to integrate her early, and we cannot wait to see how Avery contributes this fall.”

 

Grace Carollo – 5’8″ Setter

Carollo is a freshman setter from Sacramento. She played at Christian Brothers High School and Synergy Force Volleyball club.

“Grace is a phenomenal young setter and has a natural tempo and feel for running an offense,” said Leja-Martin.  “She was coached by excellent coaches in her previous programs, and I know she will be ready to face any challenge as a young, collegiate setter.  Grace plays with intensity and passion, and I know she will be a wonderful addition to our setting position at CUI.”

 

Nevada Knowles – 6’0″ Setter

A Ventura High School alum, Knowles played previously at UC San Diego as a setter and before that was also a two-time All-American at Ventura College. Knowles set a school record for the Tritons as a junior in 2023 with seven aces in a three-set match against CSUN.

“Nevada is an exceptional athlete and human being, and we are so lucky to have her at CUI,” added Leja-Martin.  “She has already brought so much fire and competitiveness to our gym after transferring in during the spring semester.  She is a multi-faceted player who can do it all.  Her high volleyball IQ and creativity as a setter is so fun to watch, and we cannot wait to see what she brings to her PacWest opponents this fall.”

 

Gabby Johnson – 6’0″ Middle Blocker

One of two new middle blockers joining the squad, Johnson continues the program’s tradition of having at least one student-athlete from Arizona. Johnson is a Perry High School alum from nearby Gilbert and played for Club One Volleyball club.

 “Gabby comes from a powerhouse high school program where she will bring experience and knowledge from high level play and competition.  She is a natural and gifted blocker in the middle and has a super quick arm on offense.  She is fast off the ground, and is incredibly coachable.  We can’t wait to see how Gabby develops on the court as a Golden Eagle over her next four years.”

 

Clara John – 6’1″ Middle Blocker

John comes to Concordia from Farmington High School and Utah Hive Volleyball club as a middle blocker. She is one of four Golden Eagles from the state of Utah.

“Clara is such an exciting player to watch with loads of untapped potential,” said Leja-Martin. “She is a wonderful blocker already, and has a natural feel for shutting opposing hitters down.  She is explosive and quick, and always has a smile on her face while she plays her hardest.  I cannot wait to get Clara in the gym in her CUI uniform this fall.”

 

Isabella Loftin – 6’0″ Pin Hitter

Along with John and the Prior twins, Bella Loftin also is a Utah native. The outside hitter/opposite hails from Lehi High School and Club 801.

“Bella brings so much depth to our roster immediately upon entering our gym,” said Leja-Martin.  “We just knew CUI was the place for her, and she is so determined to be the best she can be to kick off her collegiate career.  She has a heavy arm and is a natural and gifted athlete who I think will surprise a lot of people.  We are so excited to train and have Bell a part of this program.”

 

Halen Kiefer – 5’8″ DS/Libero/OH

Kiefer is a redshirt-sophomore transferring in from San Jose State and most recently San Diego Mesa College. She is from nearby Placentia and a proud graduate of El Dorado High School.

“Halen is the real deal when it comes to the type of athlete you want on your team,” said Leja-Martin.  “She is a top-tier athlete, and has a huge competitive drive in everything she does.  She brings Division I experience as well as the ability to play multiple positions.  I know Halen will immediately elevate everyone who surrounds her, and her desire to compete for the Green & Gold is already so fun to see.”

 

Mya Pinkert – 6’0″ Outside Hitter

A Waimea, Hawai’i native, Pinkert is an outside hitter from Hawai’i Preparatory Academy and Kamuela Volleyball club.

“Mya is such a gifted athlete who has so much upside and natural ability on the volleyball court,” explained Leja-Martin.  “Her instincts on passing and defense are so fun to watch, and her offense is heavy and aggressive out of both the front and back row.  We are so thrilled to have Mya be a part of this program, and she will only get better and better as she competes as a Golden Eagle in this competitive conference.”

 

Emma Wegleitner – 5’11” Outside Hitter

Redshirt sophomore Emma Wegleitner is originally from Boerne, Texas which is near San Antonio. She transferred from Grand Canyon University and is a graduate of Champion High School.

“Emma has been such a blessing to this program immediately upon arrival in the spring,” said Leja-Martin.  “She blended in seamlessly with our current team and has brought in high-level experience. Emma is so fun and joyful to be around, but on the volleyball court she will definitely be one of the most competitive you’ll see across the net.  Her heavy arm, dynamic blocking and killer serve will be a few of the exciting things people can expect to watch her do this Fall.”

 

Kendyll Winn – 5’5″ DS/Libero

Kendyll joins Concordia as a freshman libero/defensive specialist from Mountain View, Calif. She is also a Mountain View High School alum and played for Mountain View Volleyball club.

“Kendyll immediately impressed us with her natural talents as a phenomenal defender and confident serve receive passer,” explained Leja-Martin. “She is so steady and smooth as a defensive player, and knows how to compete hard for every single point.  Kendyll will bring a wonderful steadiness to our backrow position group, and I am so excited to see how she contributes over the next 4 years as a Golden Eagle.”

 

The women’s volleyball team and all its new members will be first introduced when CUI hosts the Golden Eagle Classic from Thursday, Sept. 4 to Saturday, Sept. 6. The first two regular season games for the new Golden Eagles will be on Friday, Sept 5 when CUI hosts Western Oregon in a lunch-time matinee at 12:30 p.m. PT and then plays Cal State Dominguez Hills that evening at 7 p.m. 

 

CLICK HERE for the full CUI women’s volleyball schedule

LAKE CHARLES—McNeese head beach volleyball coach Yasmin Tan has announced the addition of graduate transfer Marisa Armer, redshirt junior transfer Victoria Simmang, sophomore transfer Gracie Behneke and freshmen Dylan Sterna and Breanna Cagle.  The five join early signee Bella Giarla to make up the 2025-26 class.
 
“After experiencing a tremendous amount of growth in year two as a program, I am excited to welcome our incoming freshmen class and transfers to the team as we roll into year three,” Tan said. “With these additions, not only will the size of our squad grow but also the depth, strength, and level of competition amongst our group, which will only make us better.”
 
Armer, a native of Bradenton, Florida is a transfer from New Hampshire where she played four seasons of indoor volleyball. Armer was a member of the 2024 East Conference Championship Team that advanced to the NCAA Tournament.  As a freshman, Armer was named to the American East Conference All-Rookie Team.  Armer played in 106 career matches, accumulated 597 kills and 241 blocks.  In her final season she ranked fourth on the team with 67 blocks.
 
Simmang comes to the Cowgirl program by way of Stephen F. Austin.  The native of Kyle, Texas played the previous two seasons for the Ladyjacks. She is coming off a sophomore year where she posted a 10-6 overall record including a 9-3 record as part of the no. 3 pair.
 
Behneke hails from Lynchburg, Virginia but began her career at UL-Monroe where she posted an overall 9-9 record.  She posted a season best 5-2 record at no. 5 pair.
 
Sterna, a native of Fort Worth, Texas where she was a member of the 692 Texas National Team. Sterna attended Byron Nelson High where she was a member of the 6A D2 Texas State Championship team, was a two-time all-district selection and helped her team to a 48-1 record her senior year.
 
Breanna Cagle hails from Frisco, Texas where she was also a member of the 692 Texas National Team.  Cagle attended Wakeland High where she was a member of the 5A D2 State Championship Team, two-time team captain.  As a senior she recorded 207 digs, 96 assists, and ranked third in aces with 53.
 
2025-26 McNeese Beach Volleyball Signees
Marisa Armer, Gr., Bradenton, Fla. (Transfer from New Hampshire)
Victoria Simmang, Redshirt-Jr. Kyle, Texas (Transfer from Stephen F. Austin)
Gracie Behneke, So., Lynchburg, Va. (Transfer from UL-Monroe)
Dylan Sterna, Fr., Fort Worth, Texas (Byron Nelson High)
Breanna Cagle, Fr., Frisco, Texas (Wakeland High)
*Bella Giarla, Fr., Lakewood, Calif. (Sage Hill High)
 
*- Early Signee
 

The Hamilton College Continentals earned 2025 U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) All-Academic Teams recognition for the NCAA Division III men’s track and field seasons on Monday, July 21 when the organization released its list.
 
Hamilton was honored for having a cumulative team grade point average of 3.10 or better through the 2025 spring semester. The Continentals boasted a team GPA of 3.45 and collected the award for the 14^th consecutive track and field season under Head Coach Brett Hull.