PORTLAND, Ore. — The Portland State volleyball program added an experienced setter to its 2026 roster in Asya Akbulut Tuesday.
 
Akbulut, a native of Ankara, Turkey, will be a senior for the Vikings this coming fall after spending her first three years at Southern Utah (one year) and Eastern Arizona (two years).

Akbulut led Southern Utah with 5.0 assists per set last season when she ranked seventh in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) in the category. As a sophomore at Eastern Arizona, Akbulut averaged 5.16 assists and 0.42 aces per set when she was named to the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference D1 All-Region First Team.

 

“Asya has the experience and skills to have an impact on our program immediately,” Portland State head volleyball coach Michael Seemann said. “She has reliable hands and location and understands how to put her hitters in good situations.”

 

Akbulut joins a setter group that includes returning starter Ava Blascziek and junior Elisabeth Levick.

 

2025 Big West Freshman of the Year

2025 All-Big West Second Team

2025 All-Big West Freshman Team

2025 AVCA Top Flight Award (Flight 5)

 

Long Beach State (2025): Named the Big West Freshman of the Year after an outstanding first season at Long Beach State … Earned Second Team All-Big west honors after going 20-5 in the fifth flight, earning an AVCA Top Flight Award … Posted a 28-10 record starting in all matches during her true freshman season … Earned nine wins over ranked opponents … Was the dual clinching point in the Big West Championship with Megan Widener.

 

Beach Volleyball: Played for Spiker Beach Volleyball … Won 3rd at Manhattan Beach BVCA and 1st at AVP Spiker Invitational.

 

High School: Played with Norco High School Indoor and Beach Volleyball…Was named to the Al-Academic League and First Team All-League in girl’s volleyball all three years … Earned Offensive Player of the Year three times … In Beach, earned First Team All-League and All-Academic Team honors as a junior.

 

Major: Kinesiology- Exercise Science

 

LBSU Career Record: 28-10

Record by Flight:

1:

2: 3-3

3: 4-0

4: 1-2

5: 20-5

The Supernovas signed 10 new players this offseason, including former Husker Merritt Beason.

The Nebraska All-American spent a season playing back home with the Atlanta Vibe and said being back in the “volleyball state” feels amazing.

“It’s already been so cool being back. I truly like believe that Nebraska has become my second home, and I felt that the minute that I stepped back into the state. And we all know that Nebraska loves their volleyball and Nebraska celebrates their volleyball players. So I’m just so excited to be back in that environment and in a state that’s like our biggest fans,” she said.

Beason will make her debut with the Supernovas on Thursday in Omaha’s season-opening match against San Diego Mojo.

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BEREA, Ohio – The Baldwin Wallace University men’s volleyball team, led by sixth-year head coach Kyle Mars, has been voted No. 15 in the American Volleyball Coaches Association Division III Preseason Poll and second in the Midwest Collegiate Volleyball League Preseason Coaches Poll.

AVCA

The Yellow Jackets ranked as high as No. 12 in the 2025 season after only receiving votes in the 2025 preseason poll. That was their highest ranking in program history. BW will start this season ranked ahead of every MCVL team. However, the Jackets will face six ranked non-conference opponents before they begin conference play; No. 17 St. John Fisher (N.Y.), No. 13 UC Santa Cruz (Calif.), No. 20 Misericordia (Pa.), No. 3 Juniata (Pa.), No. 5 Messiah (Pa.), and No. 16 Hobart (N.Y.).

MCVL

BW was ranked first in the preseason poll for the 2024 and 2025 seasons after winning the MCVL title in 2023 and losing in the MCVL postseason to the champion in 2024. The 2025 Yellow Jackets fell to the Mount Union Purple Raiders in the MCVL Championship 2-3. Mount Union is ranked first with 75 points and five first-place votes, and BW came in very closely behind with 74 points and three first-place votes. Wittenberg also received first-place votes with two while getting 68 points for third place. The Brown and Gold finished runner-up in the MCVL Championship with a 19-11 regular season record and 6-2 conference record in 2025.

2026 Midwest Collegiate Volleyball League Preseason Coaches Poll

 

Up Next

• Men’s volleyball will kick off their season at the Grove City (Pa.) College Tri-Match against Grove City and Elizabethtown (Pa.) in a double-header on Saturday, January 17.

Behind The Mic provides a roundup of recent news regarding on-air talent, including new deals, departures, and assignments compiled from press releases and reports around the industry. In this week’s edition, NBC continues to share the updated Milan Cortina broadcast and announcing team; ESPN hosted a star studded Christmas Eve NBA game featuring talent from across shows; and more.

NBC Olympics Announces 82 Commentators For Coverage Of The Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games

ESPN Announces Australian Open 2026 On-Air Talent Lineup

ESPN announces its on-air commentator lineup today for the 2026 Australian Open, delivering comprehensive coverage of the season’s first Grand Slam with every match available all in one place on the ESPN App.

Katie George will serve as host during the first week of the tournament, with Malika Andrews as host for the second, including the championship weekend.

Calling the matches across ESPN networks will be a distinguished team of play-by-play voices including Chris Fowler, Chris McKendry, Patrick McEnroe, Jason Goodall and Mike Monaco. Match and studio analysis will be handled by an accomplished roster of former players including John McEnroe, Chris Evert, Caroline Wozniacki, Mary Joe Fernandez, James Blake, Sam Querrey, Chris Eubanks and CoCo Vandeweghe.

Kris Budden will report from Melbourne Park, delivering on-site updates, interviews, and feature storytelling throughout the tournament.

“We’re excited about our Australian Open 2026 talent lineup,” says Linda Schulz, Vice President of Production, ESPN. “The goal was to combine strong storytelling with trusted voices. We are especially thrilled to welcome longtime tennis fan and accomplished host, Malika Andrews. With the addition of Andrews and Eubanks, and the return of Wozniacki, our coverage will provide a vast perspective on the sport of tennis.”

ESPN Deportes commentators Luis Alfredo Alvarez, Jose Luis Clerc, Eduardo Varela and Daniel Orsanic will call matches in Spanish, with Agostina Larroca reporting.

The 2026 Australian Open begins with the qualifiers January 11-15. The main draw runs January 17-28, followed by semifinal matches on January 29 and 30. The women’s singles championship will be contested on January 31, with the men’s singles championship on February 1.

ESPN’s Australian Open coverage will feature live match action, studio programming, and in-depth analysis across platforms, with every match will streaming on the ESPN App via ESPN DTC or Pay TV authentication.

Meet The Broadcast Team – Courtney Thompson & Shelby Coppedge Lead USA Sports’ League One Volleyball (LOVB) Coverage On Usa Network Starting This Wednesday Night, Jan. 7

NBC Olympics SportsDesk Reporters Based in Milan, Cortina, and Livigno to Cover XXV Olympic Winter Games

NBC Olympics announces its SportsDesk reporters – based in the competition regions of Milan, Cortina, and Livigno — for the XXV Olympic Winter Games, led by Mary Carillo, in her 14^th NBC Olympics assignment (17^th overall Olympics).

Carillo will be based in Milan (which features competition in figure skating, speed skating, short track, and ice hockey), joined by co-anchor of “Weekend TODAY” and NBC News chief White House correspondent Peter Alexander, two-time Paralympic gold medalist Ezra Frech, Olympic figure skating bronze medalist Adam Rippon, and NBC News correspondent Anne Thompson.

NBC News correspondent Sam Brock will report from Livigno (freestyle skiing and snowboarding competitions), while NBC News NOW anchors Gadi Schwartz and Savannah Sellers will be based in Cortina (alpine skiing, curling, bobsled, skeleton, and luge competitions). The Opening Ceremony of the Milan Cortina Olympic Winter Games is Feb. 6, 2026, on NBC and Peacock.

SportsDesk reporters will cover various venues and locations throughout the Games and will contribute to features on a variety of platforms.

SPORTSDESK REPORTERS:

Peter Alexander (Milan)

• In his fifth Olympic assignment with NBCUniversal. Previously covered the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, the 2016 Rio Olympics, and the 2022 Beijing Olympics.
• Current chief White House correspondent and a weekend TODAY Show co-anchor celebrated working for NBC News for 20 years in 2024. Alexander is a Walter Cronkite Award recipient for excellence in political journalism.

Sam Brock (Livigno)

• Third NBC Olympics assignment, previously serving as a correspondent at the 2024 Paris Olympics and 2022 Beijing Olympics.
• A correspondent for NBC News since 2019, currently based in New York. Has been with NBCU since 2012, covering a wide range of national and international stories.
• Prior to his role as a national correspondent, Brock worked as a morning news anchor and San Francisco-based reporter for NBC. His work in local news earned him an Emmy in 2012.

Mary Carillo (Milan)

• 17^th Olympic assignment overall and 14^th with NBCUniversal, most recently as a correspondent and play-by-play voice for tennis and marathon swimming events for 2024 Paris Olympics and Tokyo Olympics.
• At 2014 Sochi Olympics was the host and interviewer for a primetime 20-year retrospective documentary on Olympic figure skaters Nancy Kerrigan and Tonya Harding. She also called the women’s gold medal tennis match between Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova at the 2012 London Olympics. She hosted NBC’s late night Olympic coverage and the 2010 Vancouver Olympics and 2008 Beijing Olympics.
• A three-time recipient of the Peabody Award and three-time Sports Emmy winner, Carillo debuted as a full-time Olympic host on Bravo’s coverage in addition to anchoring USA Network’s live, Grand Slam-style coverage of the tennis gold medal finals at the 2004 Athens Games. Joined NBC in 2003 as an analyst on the network’s French Open and Wimbledon coverage. Carillo’s first Olympics assignment was as the skiing reporter for CBS at the 1992 Albertville Olympics.
• Last month, Carillo was elected to the International Tennis Hall of Fame in the Contributor Category, which recognizes individuals who have made a transcendent impact on the sport.  She will be inducted in Newport, Rhode Island in August 2026. Carillo served as an analyst for NBC’s coverage of the French Open for 22 consecutive years from 2003-2024. Played on the professional tennis tour from 1977-80. Teamed with childhood friend John McEnroe and won the 1977 French Open mixed doubles title.

Ezra Frech (Milan)

• Makes NBC Olympics debut at Milan Cortina Olympics, and is first Paralympian to serve as an NBC Olympics commentator for Winter Games Coverage.
• Won two gold medals at the 2024 Paralympics in Paris, winning the 100m dash and the T63 high jump with a Paralympics record clearance of 6-4.25 (1.94m). At the World Para Athletics Junior Championships in 2019, took first place in the high and bronze medals in the long jump and 100m, his first international competition. Also won gold at the 2023 Para Athletic World Championships in the high jump.
• Enrolled at USC as a track and field athlete, competing in high jump, long jump and sprinting events. Inaugural recipient of the Swim with Mike Foundation’s Amir Ekbatani Paralympic Scholarship, awarded to a Paralympian attending USC or UCLA.

Adam Rippon (Milan)

• Third NBC Olympics assignment, previously serving as a correspondent for 2024 Paris Olympics, and Twitter host for Tokyo Olympics.
• Has served as an analyst on NBC Sports’ figure skating coverage, and served as analyst on world feed of U.S. Figure Skating Championships.
• A figure skating bronze medalist in the team event at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympic Winter Games, Rippon was the 2016 U.S. national champion, the 2010 Four Continents champion, and the only man to win back-to-back world junior titles (2008-09).

Gadi Schwartz (Cortina)

• Serves as a reporter in his fourth Olympic assignment. Previously he served as a reporter at 2024 Paris Olympics, 2018 PyeongChang Olympics, and in his NBC Olympics debut in Rio in 2016.
• Anchor of Stay Tuned on NBC News NOW and correspondent based in Los Angeles since 2016. He also reports for all NBC News platforms, including NBC Nightly News and TODAY.

Savannah Sellers (Cortina)

• Serves as a SportsDesk reporter in Cortina, her second Olympic assignment with NBCUniversal.
• An anchor and correspondent at NBC News co-anchoring Morning News NOW on NBC News NOW and co-host of Stay Tuned, NBC News’ program on Snapchat’s Discover platform, was previously a correspondent for NBCUniversal’s coverage of the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics.
• An Emmy Award winner for NBC Nightly News series Hooked: America’s Heroin Epidemic and received the 2022 Gracie Award for Online Video Host.

Anne Thompson (Milan)

• Returns for seventh NBC Olympics assignment after serving as a correspondent at the 2024 Paris Olympics, a reporter in Beijing, Tokyo, PyeongChang and Rio. She also worked at the 2014 Sochi Olympics for NBC News.
• NBC News correspondent since 1997, her wide range of reports appear across all platforms of NBC News.
• Seven-time Emmy Award winner and received the prestigious Gerald Loeb Award and Alfred I. duPont-Columbia Journalism Award for her coverage of major events such as Hurricane Katrina.

Leigh Diffey Returns to Call Sliding Sports for NBCUniversal’s Coverage Of 2026 Milan Cortina Olympic Winter Games

“The voice of speed” Leigh Diffey and legendary bobsled analyst John Morgan headline NBC Olympics’ bobsled, luge, and skeleton commentating team for the XXV Olympic Winter Games in Italy, it was announced today. This will be Diffey’s seventh consecutive NBC Olympics play-by-play assignment (fourth consecutive calling sliding sports) and Morgan’s 12th consecutive Winter Games assignment (seventh consecutive with NBC Sports). The Opening Ceremony of the Milan Cortina Olympic Winter Games is Feb. 6, 2026, on NBC and Peacock.

Diffey and Morgan will be joined by analysts Erin Hamlin Hodge (bronze medalist in luge at 2014 Sochi Olympics) and Bree Schaaf (2010 Vancouver Olympian in bobsled), with Britney Eurton serving as reporter in her Winter Games debut.

Play-by-Play

Leigh Diffey

• 7th NBC Olympics assignment (fourth consecutive Winter Games calling bobsled, luge, and skeleton).
• Previously called track & field at the 2024 Paris Olympics and Tokyo Olympics, and rowing at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
• Joined NBC Sports in 2013 and serves as the lead play-by-play voice of NBC Sports’ NASCAR Cup Series, SuperMotocross, IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, and track & field coverage. Previously served as lead play-by-play commentator on NBC Sports’ INDYCAR coverage (2013-2024) and called the Indianapolis 500 six times, as well as NBC Sports’ Formula 1 coverage (2013-2017).

Analysts

John Morgan

• Returns as a men’s bobsled analyst for his seventh consecutive Winter Games with NBC and 12th consecutive overall.
• Was a member of the U.S. National Bobsled Team member from 1978-79.

Erin Hamlin Hodge

• Second NBC Olympics assignment, previously serving as luge analyst for 2022 Beijing Olympics.
• Four-time Olympian who became first U.S. female luger to medal at a Winter Games (bronze in singles at the 2014 Sochi Olympics).
• Also a two-time world champion, four-time world medalist, and was the U.S. Flag Bearer in the Opening Ceremony at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics. Her 2009 world championship in singles made her the first American woman to ever win a world title in luge.

Bree Schaaf

• Returns to NBC Olympics for a fourth consecutive Winter Games as a skeleton and women’s bobsled analyst.
• Competed for Team USA in bobsled in 2010 Vancouver Olympics and 2009, 2011, and 2012 World Championships. Also a former World Cup skeleton racer, competing at the 2007 World Championships.

Reporter

Britney Eurton

• 2nd NBC Olympics assignment; making Winter Games debut . Previously served as tennis reporter at 2024 Paris Olympics.
• Joined NBC Sports in 2017 and serves as a host and reporter for NBC Sports’ horse racing coverage, including the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, Royal Ascot, and the Breeders’ Cup World Championships.
• Has contributed to NBC Sports’ coverage of gymnastics and The National Dog Show. Serves as a reporter for NWSL games on Prime Video.

Jon Hamm to Host NFL Honors Presented by Invisalign

Jon Hamm, one of Hollywood’s most talented and versatile actors, will host the 15th annual NFL Honors presented by Invisalign, an Align Technology brand, on Thursday, Feb. 5 at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco. The primetime awards special recognizing the standout performances and achievements on and off the field from the 2025 season will air live at 9 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. CT on NBC and NFL Network, with streaming available on Peacock and NFL+.

Prior to the award presentations, the NFL Honors Red Carpet Show presented by Invisalign will air at 8 p.m. ET on NFL Network leading up to NFL Honors. Local blackout restrictions may apply. The NFL Honors program will not air live in all time zones.

“Week after week, the NFL delivers performances that remind you why this game means so much to so many people,” says Hamm. “I’m honored to host an evening that celebrates the players, their immense talents and the unforgettable moments that defined this season.”

Hamm has earned numerous accolades for his nuanced portrayal of the high-powered advertising executive Don Draper on AMC’s award-winning drama series Mad Men, including an Emmy Award in 2015 for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series, Golden Globe Awards in 2008 and 2016, Television Critics Association Awards in 2011 and 2015, a Critics’ Choice Television Award in 2011, as well as multiple Screen Actors Guild nominations. He has since built a body of work spanning television, streaming, animation and film as an actor and executive producer.

Hamm will return as executive producer and star of the Apple TV series Your Friends and Neighbors, set to premiere in April 2026. Also upcoming, Hamm will lead the highly anticipated live-action television series adaptation of the psychological thriller podcast, American Hostage, for MGM+ and he will be featured in the upcoming animated Pixar film, Hoppers, which will be released in March 2026.

“We’re thrilled to have Jon Hamm host NFL Honors, as we mark the show’s 15th year,” says Angela Ellis, NFL vice president of original content & entertainment. “His impressive acting career, passionate football fandom and overall charisma will create an unforgettable night that celebrates the very best of the league, from the performances on the field to the people and stories that define the season.”

NFL Honors debuted in 2012 and includes the announcement of the Associated Press’ annual accolades, the prestigious Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year presented by Nationwide and the newest Pro Football Hall of Fame Class presented by Novartis in the week leading up to Super Bowl Sunday.

The NFL is debuting a new Protector of the Year Award to honor the league’s best offensive lineman in 2025, which will be presented annually at NFL Honors. It is intended to spotlight an overlooked, yet essential role in the sport – the offensive linemen responsible for protecting the quarterback and blocking defenders. Top tackles, guards and centers will be considered for the award that was championed by Buffalo Bills tackle Dion Dawkins. The winner will be selected by a panel of former offensive linemen including LeCharles Bentley, Jason Kelce, Shaun O’Hara, Orlando Pace, Will Shields and Andrew Whitworth. The award is the only on-field award decided by Legends that played the position. The panel will select the recipient based on criteria including skills metrics, impact, leadership, durability and strength of the opponent.

ESPN Presented Star-Studded Five-Game NBA Christmas Day Slate Across ESPN and Disney Platforms

ESPN continued its annual NBA on Christmas Day tradition on Thursday, December 25, with 14 consecutive hours of live NBA coverage, featuring a blockbuster 5-game slate presented by State Farm available across ABC, ESPN and the new ESPN App, streaming via ESPN DTC or pay TV authentication.

Christmas games
The action tipped off at noon ET when the Cleveland Cavaliers, led by Donovan Mitchell, visited the newly-crowned 2025 NBA Cup Champion New York Knicks and reigning NBA Clutch Player of the Year Jalen Brunson. Fans experienced Dunk the Halls, ESPN’s second annual real-time, animated NBA game, available on ESPN2, ESPN App, Disney+, Disney Channel and Disney XD. Powered by Sony’s Beyond Sports technology, the alt-cast recreated the Cavaliers vs. Knicks game from Disney’s Magic Kingdom Park on the iconic Main Street, U.S.A., featuring returning animated commentators Drew Carter and Monica McNutt, with Daisy Duck reporting from the sideline.

The traditional broadcast of the Cavaliers vs. Knicks game aired simultaneously on ABC, ESPN, ESPN App and Disney+ with Ryan Ruocco calling the action alongside analyst Doris Burke and sideline reporter Jorge Sedano.

At 2:30 p.m., the San Antonio Spurs and Victor Wembanyama faced the defending NBA Champion Oklahoma City Thunder and reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in a highly anticipated NBA Cup semifinal rematch after San Antonio snapped Oklahoma City’s 16-game winning streak. Mark Jones provided play-by-play alongside analyst Jay Bilas and reporter Katie George.

At 5 p.m., the Dallas Mavericks and this year’s first overall pick Cooper Flagg visited the Golden State Warriors and two-time NBA MVP Stephen Curry in a showdown of rising talent and established superstar power. Dave Pasch called the game with analyst PJ Carlesimo and sideline reporter Malika Andrews.

Primetime featured a matchup of former MVPs and icons at 8 p.m., as the Houston Rockets and Kevin Durant visited the Los Angeles Lakers, led by LeBron James and league scoring leader Luka Dončić. Mike Breen called the action with analysts Richard Jefferson and Tim Legler, and sideline reporter Lisa Salters.

The Christmas Day slate concluded at 10:30 p.m., when the Minnesota Timberwolves and Anthony Edwards faced the Denver Nuggets, led by three-time NBA MVP and the league’s rebounding and assist leader Nikola Jokić, in a star-studded nightcap. Marc Kestecher provided play-by-play alongside analyst Stephanie White, with Alyssa Lang reporting from courtside.

NBA Tip-Off & Inside the NBA
NBA Tip-Off presented by Popeyes launched ESPN’s Christmas Day coverage with a one-hour show at 11 a.m. on ESPN, ESPN App and Disney+. Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Shaquille O’Neal made their ESPN Christmas Day studio debut as they set the stage for the day’s NBA action, leading directly into the Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks matchup which tipped at noon. Later in the day, Inside the NBA aired at 7:30 p.m. on ABC, ESPN and the ESPN App, with the iconic quartet providing their signature pregame analysis and commentary ahead of the primetime Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Lakers matchup. Both studio shows are produced by TNT Sports.

Hoop Streams
Hoop Streams presented by State Farm – ESPN’s digital NBA pregame show – hosted by Vanessa Richardson and featuring Dave McMenamin and Marc J. Spears, streamed on ESPN’s YouTube channel and Facebook page at 7:30 p.m., leading into the Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Lakers matchup.

ESPN Radio
ESPN Radio coverage began at 11:30 a.m. with Mike Couzens and Sarah Kustok leading into their call of the Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks matchup. Immediately following the conclusion of that game, Ed Cohen and Cory Alexander took over to provide play-by-play and analysis for the San Antonio Spurs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder matchup at 2:30 p.m.

NBA Today: Christmas Special
ESPN tipped off its Christmas Week NBA coverage with NBA Today: Christmas Special, which aired Tuesday, December 24, from 2-4 p.m. ET on ESPN and the ESPN App. Hosted by Malika Andrews, who is joined by Kendrick Perkins, Marc J. Spears, Monica McNutt and Ramona Shelburne, the two-hour special delivered high-end storytelling with six ESPN-exclusive features, revealing untold stories and showcasing unique access across the league as the NBA’s biggest stars and moments take center stage ahead of Christmas Day.