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Elaina Avila, Jupiter senior; Kate Guarneri, Jupiter senior

Kate Guarneri and Elaina Avila from Jupiter High School, Spring 2025 All-County Players of the Year for beach volleyball, photographed on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Seniors Elaina Avila and Kate Guarneri have played volleyball together since their youth days. As seniors at Jupiter, they helped the Warriors win their school’s […]

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Kate Guarneri and Elaina Avila from Jupiter High School, Spring 2025 All-County Players of the Year for beach volleyball, photographed on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Kate Guarneri and Elaina Avila from Jupiter High School, Spring 2025 All-County Players of the Year for beach volleyball, photographed on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Seniors Elaina Avila and Kate Guarneri have played volleyball together since their youth days.

As seniors at Jupiter, they helped the Warriors win their school’s 10th state title overall, and first girls state beach volleyball championship as they rallied to defeat Neptune Beach Fletcher 3-2 in the 3A state final to finish 19-1 and ranked No. 5 nationally.

Avila and Guarneri, and three additional seniors, were members of the team when coach Lilly Fink started the team. There were 45 girls that tried out for that squad, only one had ever played beach volleyball. The remaining players were all indoor players.

“They are solid girls and solid players,” said Fink, whose team dispatched six-time state finalist St. Thomas Aquinas in the semifinals 3-0. “They really rose to the occasion after losing the first set of their match in the finals.”

Elaina Avila from Jupiter High School, Spring 2025 All-County Player of the Year for beach volleyball, photographed on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Elaina Avila from Jupiter High School, Spring 2025 All-County Player of the Year for beach volleyball, photographed on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Avila and Guarneri lost the first set of their match 21-18 to Fletcher’s Karsyn Smith and Lisa Waite before rallying to take the next set 21-14 and then the match-clincher 15-9. The Jupiter duo has only lost three matches in the past two years and finished 16-0 this year.

“Coach Fink gave us some inspirational words after the first set, and I just decided that this was my last match ever, so just go out and have fun,” Avila said. “After we won, everyone ran out on the court to celebrate, and it was so surreal. We were crying, and I was crying happy tears, and I have never cried happy tears before.”

Guarneri said the fact that they won the state title is starting to sink in. The school honored the team with a Wall of Fame ceremony a few days after they returned home. They hang a photo of district, regional, and state champions in the school’s gymnasium.

“I was looking back at pictures and videos from the season and said, ‘wow, we really did that,’” Guarneri said. “Since we won all three, we get special recognition for it.

“On Friday, when we first got there, we were all nervous and then we had that (long) weather delay,” Guarneri said. “I think that really helped us because it allowed us to gather our thoughts. We said we know how to play, and we will play like we do at our home courts. We got in the right mindset, and we really wanted to win.”

Kate Guarneri from Jupiter High School, Spring 2025 All-County Player of the Year for beach volleyball, photographed on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Kate Guarneri from Jupiter High School, Spring 2025 All-County Player of the Year for beach volleyball, photographed on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Honorable mention: Archbishop McCarthy: Fabiana Castro, Brianna Masarrachio, Valerie Morales, Emma Pierce; Benjamin: Riley McCaughey, Sailor Plasman; Boca Raton: Lia Ray, Bella Troncale; Boca Raton Christian: Natalia Marciante, Hannah VanZwieten, Mackenzi VanZwieten; Calvary Christian: Vivi Belfort, Bradee Boyd; Cardinal Newman: Ava Castro, Adrianna Hinds; Cypress Bay: Julia Diaz, Anya Noya; Dr. Joaquin Gacia: Lyla Buser, Kadance Roach; Dwyer: Corrine Cabrera, Samantha Homberger, Drew Lotz; Jupiter: Sophie Katz, Islie Lounsbury, Macy McAmis, Bianca Starz; Jupiter Christian: Gabriella Brodner, Ella Murray; King’s Academy: Valeria Diaz, Gabby Fernandez, Miranda Knoll, Sophia Studley; Lake Worth Christian: Alex Krabs, Sophia Tomlinson; Park Vista: Ava Love, Aolani Paula; St. Thomas Aquinas: Emma Bear, Madeline Meltz, Leah Novatne, Alexa Raymond; Wellington: Brielle Dorish, Madeline Lee.

 



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News – Water Polo Australia

Ten athletes are heading back to school to help young Australians tackle problems, think creatively and connect with sport. Aussie Stingers player Luci Marsh, Australian boxer Adrian Paoletti and two-time Olympic sailor Olivia Price are among the lineup of ambassadors for the 2025 AIS Problem Solvers Program. “Sport has always taught me how to think […]

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Ten athletes are heading back to school to help young Australians tackle problems, think creatively and connect with sport.

Aussie Stingers player Luci Marsh, Australian boxer Adrian Paoletti and two-time Olympic sailor Olivia Price are among the lineup of ambassadors for the 2025 AIS Problem Solvers Program.

“Sport has always taught me how to think clearly under pressure, break down problems and use frameworks to keep learning through every setback,” Price said.

“I’m excited to share that mindset with young students and show them that problem-solving is a skill anyone can build with the right tools, a bit of courage and a willingness to try.”

Now in its third year, the program sees elite athletes present primary school students with a sporting challenge that encourages outside-the-box thinking.

Over several weeks students work together to solve the problem with the help of AIS-designed resources, before delivering their solution back to the athlete.

Among the four returning ambassadors is Para Matildas co-captain Carly Salmon, who’s passionate about making sport accessible for all.

“I was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at 18 months of age and was told I would never be able to play sport,” Salmon said. “I worked hard to defy those odds and have now competed in athletics, volleyball and soccer at an elite level.

“Having accessible opportunities to participate in physical activity and the education to increase my health has had a profoundly positive impact on my life.”

Olympic kayaker Yale Steinepreis agrees and is also excited to return.

“It’s been incredibly rewarding to visit schools and speak with future problem solvers about how we can create meaningful change, not just in sport and their given problem, but in their own lives as well,” Steinepreis said.

Many athletes balance dual careers, bringing diverse expertise to the classroom. This year’s cohort includes three teachers, an osteopath, an engineering student, a creative industries student, a lawyer and a member of the Army Reserve.

“As a teacher and athlete I am passionate about education and youth development,” Melbourne Mavericks netballer Kimberley Brown said. “Now I’m using my experience and leadership to inspire the next generation both in the classroom and through sport.”

Two-time Olympic rower and returning ambassador Ria Thompson said students also gain insight into the life of an athlete and the opportunities sport can unlock.

“I love sharing what I’ve learnt through my life and journey as an athlete to help the next generation build resilience, find solutions and make a positive difference in the world,” Thompson said.

For the athletes, the experience is just as meaningful.

“This is an amazing opportunity for me to engage with the next generation,” Paoletti, who fights in the 92kg division, said. “Ultimately I am grateful to be able to give back to the community and build strong connections along the way.”

The AIS Problem Solvers Program is free and on offer to all students in years 4-6. Schools can apply here.

Proudly supported by HART Sport – Australia’s leading supplier of sporting equipment and training aids – the program’s inclusive approach reflects HART Sports’ mission to get everyone active, regardless of age, circumstance or ability.

2025 Ambassadors

  • Adrian Paoletti, Boxing Australia
  • Aiden Carberry, Paddle Australia
  • Carly Salmon, Football Australia
  • Katerina Paul, Snow Australia
  • Kimberley Brown (nee Jenner), Netball Australia
  • Luci Marsh, Water Polo Australia
  • Olivia Price, Australian Sailing
  • Ria Thompson, Rowing Australia
  • Stefanie Fejes, Volleyball Australia
  • Yale Steinepreis, Paddle Australia

 





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Eight CCIW Women’s Volleyball Teams Earn AVCA Academic Honors

Story Links 2025 AVCA Team Academic Awards NAPERVILLE — Eight College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) women’s volleyball programs earned the 2025 Team Academic Award from the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) on Monday.   Teams that maintained a year-long grade-point average of […]

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NAPERVILLE — Eight College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) women’s volleyball programs earned the 2025 Team Academic Award from the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) on Monday.
 
Teams that maintained a year-long grade-point average of at least 3.3 on a 4.0 scale (or 4.1 on a 5.0 scale) were recognized. Carroll earned the additional distinction of the Team Academic Honor Roll, celebrating programs in the top 20% of GPAs for their division.
 
2025 AVCA Team Academic Award 
Augustana
Carroll*
Elmhurst
Illinois Wesleyan
Millikin
North Central
North Park
Wheaton

* — denotes AVCA Team Academic Honor Roll

 

Follow the CCIW
CCIW on X | CCIW Instagram | CCIW Facebook |
 
The College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) was founded in 1946 and currently services nine member institutions including Augustana College (Rock Island, Ill.), Carroll University (Waukesha, Wis.), Carthage College (Kenosha, Wis.), Elmhurst University (Elmhurst, Ill.), Illinois Wesleyan University (Bloomington, Ill.), Millikin University (Decatur, Ill.), North Central College (Naperville, Ill.), North Park University (Chicago, Ill.) and Wheaton College (Wheaton, Ill.).





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Women’s Volleyball Announces 2025 Schedule

Women’s Volleyball | 7/22/2025 3:20:00 PM Story Links Women’s Volleyball Schedule Page PITTSFORD, N.Y. – The St. John Fisher women’s volleyball team announced its full 2025 schedule on Tuesday.  The Cardinals’ 27-match schedule features six home, nine neutral-site and 12 road contests. They play in […]

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Women’s Volleyball | 7/22/2025 3:20:00 PM

PITTSFORD, N.Y. – The St. John Fisher women’s volleyball team announced its full 2025 schedule on Tuesday. 

The Cardinals’ 27-match schedule features six home, nine neutral-site and 12 road contests. They play in multi-match events at Itahca College, Clarkson University, St. Lawrence University, Hamilton College, Buffalo State University and SUNY New Paltz. 

Fisher opens the season against Ithaca College in the Bomber Invite at 3 p.m. Friday, August 29. The Cardinals don’t open the home portion of their schedule until they face Fredonia State at 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19, at Manning and Napier Varsity Gym. 

Always one of the decisive matches of the year in the Empire 8 Conference, the Cardinals face East Avenue rival Nazareth at Kidera Gymnasium at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21. Fisher swept Nazareth in the E8 title match last November to punch its ticket to the NCAA Division III Women’s Volleyball Tournament. 

The Cardinals, who finished 21-9 and lost just two E8 contests in 2024, have won five of the last six conference championships. 

View the Cardinals’ full 2025 schedule below:

St. John Fisher WVB Schedule

 



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Volleyball Earns AVCA Team Academic Award for 11th-Straight Year

Home Uncategorized Volleyball Earns AVCA Team Academic Award for 11th-Straight Year Volleyball Earns AVCA Team Academic Award for 11th-Straight Year By FHSU Sports Information The Fort Hays State volleyball team earned the 2025 AVCA Team Academic Award, sponsored by INTENT, announced Monday (July 21) by… Previous Post Evergy seeks $55 million in damages for BNSF’s […]

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Volleyball Earns AVCA Team Academic Award for 11th-Straight Year

By FHSU Sports Information The Fort Hays State volleyball team earned the 2025 AVCA Team Academic Award, sponsored by INTENT, announced Monday (July 21) by…



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Men Reach Water Polo World Final After Women’s Triumph

The Hungarian men’s water polo team defeated the Olympic champion Serbs 19-18 in Tuesday’s semifinal at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore, meaning that they will now play for gold alongside the women’s team. The Hungarians were leading by five goals with six minutes to go, but their rivals managed to make the final minutes […]

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The Hungarian men’s water polo team defeated the Olympic champion Serbs 19-18 in Tuesday’s semifinal at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore, meaning that they will now play for gold alongside the women’s team. The Hungarians were leading by five goals with six minutes to go, but their rivals managed to make the final minutes exciting. This is the first time since 1998 that the Hungarian team has triumphed over Serbia at the World Championships.

After the success in Fukuoka in 2023, national team coach Zsolt Varga can now prepare for his second World Championships final at the helm of the men’s team, with European champions Spain as their opponents in Thursday’s final. The two teams met in the third round of the group stage at this year’s World Cup, with Spain winning by one goal thanks to a 5-1 victory in the fourth quarter. Outside of the World Cup, they last met in January this year, when Spain triumphed in the final match of the World Cup qualifiers in Otopeni.

So far, only once, in 2005 in Montreal, have both the men’s and women’s national teams played in the World Championships final, with the women returning home with gold medals and the men with silver.

The Hungarian men’s team is preparing for its eighth classic World Championships final, winning three times, in 2003, 2013 and 2023. The Spanish have the same record, with their three successes to date coming in 1998, 2001 and 2022 (the latter in Budapest).

Krisztián Manhercz. Photo: MTI/Koszticsák Szilárd

The strength of the Spanish team is demonstrated by the fact that they have won medals in five consecutive world championships and, with the exception of two Olympic Games, have been on the podium at every major world competition since 2018. The Spanish team is extremely experienced, with 11 members of the 2022 Budapest-winning team still on the roster today.

Márton Vámos is on the verge of a historic achievement for the Hungarian team, as he could become the first Hungarian water polo player to win three world championships.

Zsolt Varga could become the first Hungarian national team coach to win two world championships, but Dénes Kemény leads the coaching rankings with one gold and three silver medals.

Gergő Fekete. MTI/Koszticsák Szilárd

According to Zsolt Varga, in an incredibly difficult match, the Serbs were “outplayed” in the semifinals, which was also a triumph for the heart. “I would like to start by congratulating the girls, they played fantastically yesterday, it is a huge achievement, and we can be proud that both teams are playing in the final,” said Zsolt Varga in his assessment to M4 Sport in the mixed zone.

“Today’s match started well, but as three-time Olympic champions, the Serbs know how to win these games. We had to work very hard to stay in it at the end, the defense was incredibly tough, they fought for a lot of penalties, but today we simply managed to outscore them, which was one of the keys to victory.” The expert said that in the final minutes, a “huge chess game” began, with the aim of taking the tired Serbian players, who had made several personal mistakes, out of the game. This strategy was largely successful, although Dusan Mandic still managed to make his mark, but that was to be expected from him, he explained.

Kristóf Csoma goalkeeper (R) and Dusan Mandic of Serbia. Photo: MTI/Koszticsák Szilárd

The national team coach noted that the stakes will be no higher in the final against Spain than they were in this match:

The two teams know each other well, we train together regularly, we know that they are a very strong opponent, but it is the heart that we showed today that is needed for success.”

The Hungary-Spain World Championships final will be held on Thursday at 3:35 p.m. Central European Time.

Related article

World Aquatics: Women’s Water Polo Team Knocks Out Olympic Champions to Reach Final

World Aquatics: Women's Water Polo Team Knocks Out Olympic Champions to Reach Final

Via MTI, M4 Sport; Featured image: MTI/Koszticsák Szilárd





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Volleyball Named AVCA All-Academic Team

Story Links SPOKANE, Wash. – Gonzaga Volleyball has been named a winner of the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) national Team Academic Award.   A program must maintain an average team GPA of at least 3.3 across both semesters of the 2024-2025 academic year to be named an Academic Award winner. This is the eighth […]

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SPOKANE, Wash. – Gonzaga Volleyball has been named a winner of the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) national Team Academic Award. 

 A program must maintain an average team GPA of at least 3.3 across both semesters of the 2024-2025 academic year to be named an Academic Award winner. This is the eighth time that the Zags have been honored with this award, as they look to continue to build a culture of success in the classroom in addition to performance on the court. 

The academic performance of volleyball has set records off the court, with a record high 1,450 teams across the high school and collegiate levels being recognized by the coaches association for their academics. 233 Division 1 teams were recognized as Team Academic Award winners, the most since 2020-2021. The Bulldogs will look to continue their academic success in the upcoming athletic and academic year that starts next month. 



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