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Fantasy Baseball SP Roundup 7/22

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Fantasy Baseball SP Roundup 7/22

Welcome to the SP Roundup, my daily fantasy baseball article reviewing every starting pitcher’s performance from every Tuesday game. I apologize for the jokes written in my delirium in advance. Have questions? Ask me during my office hours on Playback.tv weekday mornings from 10 am-12 pm ET.

Cristopher Sánchez (PHI) vs BOS (W) – 9.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 12 Ks – 19 Whiffs, 43% CSW, 106 pitches.

I understand that some may think I’ve been Paranoid that Cristopher Sánchez’s WHIP is higher than the Ordinary Man you’d draft and maybe I’ve been Snowblind. It’s time for me to become a Dreamer after last night’s 9.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 Hits, 0 BBs, 12 Ks – 19 Whiffs, 43% CSW, 106 pitches (W) against the Red Sox. That’s six straight outings of exactly 1 ER for Sánchez and I Don’t Wanna Stop.

You can describe Sánchez’s success in just one word: Changes. No, not a new approach, just the slowball acting like The Wizard as it returned 14/45 whiffs, while the sinker was its usual self, living above it for a boatload of called strikes (16/46!). It’s the classic Singer approach, except for a better secondary and a proper #3 pitch in Sánchez’s slider.

I understand this roundup take isn’t a Shot In The Dark, but I wanted to honor him today. I’m also happy we have No More Tears about his forearm injury scare that put us on a Crazy Train of emotions. I Don’t Know if that will return again, but it looks like a thing of the past and I Don’t Wanna Stop starting Sánchez. There will be some moments he’ll act like a H*ckraiser that will send us Into The Void, and he’ll be better Tomorrow. I have some reservations about 2026, but for those focused on next year, I’ll See You On The Other Side.

It’s a fantastic 9-2 record across 124 frames with a 2.40 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and 27% strikeout rate. Thanks for being our Iron Man.

Let’s see how every other SP did Tuesday:

Matthew Boyd (CHC) vs KCR (W) – 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 93 pitches.

BOYD BOYZ UNITE. It’s the same thing we’ve seen all year, though he’s sneaking in a few more curveballs for called strikes and saving his slider nearly exclusively for LHB. Nothing new, just Boyd displaying the same rhythm he’s had all year.

Eduardo Rodriguez (ARI) vs HOU (ND) – 6.1 IP, 0 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 90 pitches.

Awwww yis. The changeup flirted with the outside corner and earned 50% chases without a single one in the zone, setting up the cutter and heater effectively. That’s the Rodriguez way and getting a RHB-exclusive lineup seemingly worked in his favor. Sadly, I’d avoid @DET and in Sacré Verde up next.

Logan Gilbert (SEA) vs MIL (W) – 6.1 IP, 0 ER, 2 Hits, 0 BBs, 10 Ks – 15 Whiffs, 38% CSW, 86 pitches.

I’m just going to give him AGA because we know. The four-seamer still doesn’t get whiffs (1/39 lol) but the slider was consistent and hot dang was that splitter on. I had a fun talk with Chris Towers about it in the PL Discord – it has an absurdly low xwOBA, but then again, with a 22% zone rate and thrown just once in a three-ball count, the massive majority will either be a strikeout or a batter has made contact on a pitch outside the zone leading to weak contact. It’s why most splitters (and pitches saved for two strikes out of the zone, like Glasnow’s curveball) have stupid good in-play result stats. But how is it at striking batters out? I’m glad you asked! We have a stat for that – Putaway Rate. When thrown in a two-strike count, how often is it a strikeout? Gilbert’s splitter is one of the best in the majors at a 30.4% putaway rate. That’s hot.

Landen Roupp (SFG) @ ATL (W) – 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 Hits, 1 BBs, 6 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 33% CSW, 87 pitches.

Atta boy Roupp! We saw some cutters get in the mix against LHB to questionable success (7/8 strikes, but two hard hits), which I love for the long term, and the changeup, sinker, and curve command was great. He’s a Holly right now.

Jacob Misiorowski (MIL) @ SEA (ND) – 3.2 IP, 0 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 7 Ks – 16 Whiffs, 36% CSW, 64 pitches.

So apparently the Brewers are planning on limiting Jay Mis to make sure he’s available for a potential playoff run. COME ON. I know. At the same time, even 3.2 innings, that’s a 0.00 ERA with seven strikeouts and near 1.00 WHIP. Still helpful, eh? It’s still the best fastball in the majors – Joe Ryan’s HAVAA, Gilbert’s extension, Greene’s velocity – and returned 13/41 whiffs. What a guy.

Framber Valdez (HOU) @ ARI (W) – 7.0 IP, 1 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 93 pitches.

Aces gonna ace. Even against the Sneks, he made it work. But the curveball was off. Look at that! 48% strike rate and it still worked out. The changeup stepped up in a huge way and props to Valdez for adapting.

Jacob deGrom (TEX) vs ATH (W) – 6.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 9 Ks – 28 Whiffs, 40% CSW, 86 pitches.

Aces gonna blow away the competition for a Gallows Pole. Just nine strikeouts on 28 whiffs?! YOU’RE SLACKING. It’s so wonderful to have peak deGrom back.

Edward Cabrera (MIA) vs SDP (W) – 5.2 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 0 BBs, 6 Ks – 13 Whiffs, 34% CSW, 86 pitches.

Ayyyy, they let you loose! The changeup and slider didn’t return the number of strikes we want to see, but they worked well enough as the curve and sinker took care of the rest. And just six four-seamers! That’s how it should be. Roll with him against the Cardinals without fear.

J.T. Ginn (ATH) @ TEX (ND) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 58 pitches.

Oh snap, this was good! Ginn’s sinker, cutter, and slider command were excellent…save for those five cutters that were really bad to LHB up-and-out of the zone. Huh. I wonder if he can do it a second time. Probably not. Don’t ignore the low 58 pitch count, too – it explains the lower strikeouts and showcases his ability to locate here. Efficiency y’all.

Rich Hill (KCR) @ CHC (L) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 6 Hits, 2 BBs, 1 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 90 pitches.

This is SO DANG COOL. I cannot believe 45-year-old Hill tossed five innings of one-run ball against his former squad, even if it came with just one strikeout (HAISTBMBWT?!)…and two unearned runs on back-to-back fielder’s choices. Ahhhh, that makes a little more sense. Does it? DID THIS DUDE JUST DID THIS? What a glorious Gold Star. This was 89 mph four-seamers with his famous -10″ vertical & -16″ horizontal breaking curveball (that’s a whole lot of two-plane movement!) doing all of the work and essentially Dancing With The Disco. No, you shouldn’t pick him up. Just appreciate it. I LOVE IT.

Joey Cantillo (CLE) vs BAL (W) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 Hits, 4 BBs, 5 Ks – 14 Whiffs, 37% CSW, 95 pitches.

Those four walks are annoying, but I’ll take it. He was a little more inconsistent with the changeup than normal, but he got it down. Meanwhile, the heater was delicately spotted up or down (especially to LHB) and the curve, while not the most reliable, was there for called strikes at a great 8/27 clip. It’s all coming together…I’d roll with this in Kansas City next.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto (LAD) vs MIN (ND) – 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 8 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 101 pitches.

Aces gonna ace. He labored a bit as he couldn’t put batters away with the splitter per usual, but the four-seamer woke up for seven strikeouts and five whiffs. Yes, the heater! It kinda went upstairs! Maybe he’ll embrace it in full as he ages. One day…

Brad Lord (WSN) vs CIN (ND) – 4.0 IP, 1 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 1 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 18% CSW, 50 pitches.

The Reds Carpet sometimes features the assistant engineer who gets nominated for best mix album alongside Radiohead. And hey, he had a great time! You don’t care about your dry bread, you’re cutting the carbs, after all. Nick, he throws 95/96 mph! Yep, it’s from the right side and his sinker comes with 19″ of horizontal. Sadly, he’s really a sinker/slider arm with horrible extension (5.6 feet = two feet less than Misiorowski lol) and a slider that doesn’t excite. No thanks.

Frankie Montas Jr. (NYM) vs LAA (W) – 5.2 IP, 2 ER, 8 Hits, 2 BBs, 6 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 31% CSW, 91 pitches.

You know, for a date against the hot Angels offense, that’s pretty solid. I was really impressed with Montas’ command of sliders and sinkers to RHB, though the slide piece didn’t nip the corner as much as he’d like + Soler obliterated a hanger away that Montas wants back. He is what he is at this point – a Toby with a decent Win chance with suspect ratios. Play the matchups – @SDP, SFG, @MIL are next and I’d only consider the latter two.

Bradley Blalock (COL) vs STL (W) – 5.1 IP, 2 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 0 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 19% CSW, 73 pitches.

Despite a horrific WHIP and zero strikeouts (HAISTBMBWT?!), be happy! That’s a Win! And helpful ERA! In Coors! It’s nice to see pitchers get their moments to celebrate a Birthday Party.

Cam Schlittler (NYY) @ TOR (ND) – 5.0 IP, 2 ER, 7 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks – 9 Whiffs, 28% CSW, 90 pitches.

Wow, I guess the Yankees didn’t baby him after all. His heater was electric once again at 97/98 mph, but he struggled to get any of his secondaries down to execute the BSB, which allowed batters to look up for the full game. I really dig what he brings to the table, though, and if sticks in this rotation (kick out Stroman, have Schlittler go Sunday or Monday, Luis Gil in the other start and take advantage of the off-day, or maybe Gil isn’t ready?) I think he’s a legit play for the second half. Sign me up for Schlittler in 2026, too.

Drew Rasmussen (TBR) vs CHW (ND) – 4.0 IP, 2 ER, 3 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 6 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 75 pitches.

Blegh. He wasn’t efficient enough with 32 pitches in the fourth messing everything up. But at least it’s a 1.00 WHIP and five strikeouts…? Yeah, this isn’t fun. I need to lower him.

Mitch Keller (PIT) vs DET (W) – 6.0 IP, 3 ER, 6 Hits, 3 BBs, 5 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 89 pitches.

He’s been a Vargas Rule and this is a perfect example of how I’m put-off by Keller (a VPQS hurts your ratios), but y’all see a Quality Start and a Win. So I guess you do you? At least he heads to San Francisco next. That’s fine. I guess. I just wish it was more than 27% sliders and not 48% dead-zone four-seamers.

Stephen Kolek (SDP) @ MIA (L) – 5.2 IP, 3 ER, 8 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 80 pitches.

That’s a Philly, leaving the bases loaded in the sixth and fortunate this wasn’t a 6 ER clunker. Let’s not do this. Please.

Davis Martin (CHW) @ TBR (L) – 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 3 Hits, 4 BBs, 3 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 20% CSW, 76 pitches.

He’s back! And doing nothing exciting to grab your attention. Let’s wait for the changeup and cutter to be there before considering Davis and his diminished Win chance.

Kyle Hendricks (LAA) @ NYM (L) – 4.2 IP, 3 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 2 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 30% CSW, 67 pitches.

What, you expected anything different? I hope Hendricks has had a fun time in NYC. I wonder if he’s been to Strand…

Brandon Young (BAL) @ CLE (L) – 4.1 IP, 3 ER, 4 Hits, 3 BBs, 3 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 73 pitches.

Young messed around with a splitter in this one for 25% usage against the LHB-exclusive Guardians and it generally worked well, with just one hit allowed, but a low 56% strike rate meant the heater had to step up with its 17″ of vert at 94/95 mph and it wasn’t his best. I can make out how it works – the curve was cool! – and maybe sometime in the future it’ll click. I’ll let you know when this Young pitcher learns a new trick.

Simeon Woods Richardson (MIN) @ LAD (ND) – 3.0 IP, 3 ER, 2 Hits, 5 BBs, 2 Ks – 4 Whiffs, 22% CSW, 58 pitches.

Hey Twins, can you demote SWR instead of Festa? I know he has just one option left but…come on. Nah, they’ll just trade away Ryan instead. Ohhhhhh. Huh. I wonder if they do. He’s a Free Agent after the 2027 season and they’d make a killing on the market right now. Hmmmm.

Max Scherzer (TOR) vs NYY (ND) – 5.0 IP, 4 ER, 5 Hits, 1 BBs, 4 Ks – 8 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 90 pitches.

He was bamboozled for a three-run shot in the first from Jazz, then a solo shot in the fifth to Belly, making up all his damage for the outing. The cutter is earning strikes effectively (save for the longball), though the changeup feel is not what it used to be. With his heater working well + the cutter in the mix and even curves for the occasional strike, Scherzer is worth your attention. Maybe @DET and vs. KCR next…

Casey Mize (DET) @ PIT (L) – 4.0 IP, 4 ER, 10 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 10 Whiffs, 26% CSW, 86 pitches.

Oh jeez. So many pitches down the pipe. The heater was demolished, the splitter was a meatball, and the slider didn’t help the Singled Out punishment. And now it’s the Jays, Phillies, and Angels. You don’t have to hold onto Mize for it, though I like him after.

Richard Fitts (BOS) @ PHI (L) – 3.1 IP, 4 ER, 6 Hits, 0 BBs, 4 Ks – 7 Whiffs, 23% CSW, 65 pitches.

Bleeegh. The heater was 95.4 mph, not 97+ mph, and despite generally great BSB control to LHB, the slider was walloped for a pair of longballs (I actually think the pitch was worse to RHB, for what it’s worth). I wonder how the Boston rotation shapes up post trade deadline and in the short term, I think we hold off for the Twins on Monday next week. That said, his stuff and command is better than this line.

Chase Burns (CIN) @ WSN (L) – 5.2 IP, 5 ER, 7 Hits, 2 BBs, 10 Ks – 17 Whiffs, 29% CSW, 98 pitches.

This was a massive Careful, Icarus as Burns was absurd until he labored in the fifth and sixth. The slider was stupid good, the heater was upstairs for a BSB (just 2/46 whiffs despite 98/99 mph is kinda what we expected), and look at that! A changeup thrown 13 times to LHB for a pair of strikeouts! It was generally in the right area, too. Keep sticking with him, the skills are just so obvious.

Davis Daniel (ATL) vs SFG (L) – 5.0 IP, 5 ER, 7 Hits, 4 BBs, 3 Ks – 5 Whiffs, 24% CSW, 92 pitches.

Yeah, that’s about right. Two first names, obviously. I wonder how Atlanta will treat their rotation after the trade deadline. Someone has to be on the move, and does that mean we see more of Daniel? Oh dear.

Erick Fedde (STL) @ COL (L) – 3.0 IP, 6 ER, 7 Hits, 1 BBs, 5 Ks – 12 Whiffs, 35% CSW, 62 pitches.

You have to believe Fedde isn’t lasting in this rotation much longer…right? Hey, what if he goes to Atlanta? Uhhhh, I guess? Just make sure it’s not your fantasy teams.

Game of the Day

Troy Melton vs. Pittsburgh Pirates – We don’t start MLB debuts, but Melton is a spec add for this one.

But Nick?! Where are the streaming picks? – I’ve moved them to the daily SP Matchups & Streamer Rankings article.

Have Questions? – Join my morning Playback.tv livestream! I answer all questions there for free: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm ET Monday through Friday.

Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter/X; @justinparadis.bsky.social on BlueSky)

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Former UH volleyball player, youth coach accused of producing child porn

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December 6, 2025

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HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – A former youth volleyball coach who played on the University of Hawaii men’s volleyball team was arrested and charged with production of child pornography, allegedly with a former player.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Hawaii, announced Friday that Elias David, 37, of Waimanalo, was charged by criminal complaint on Dec. 3.

He was employed as a firefighter for the Department of Defense and worked at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Federal Fire Station 9.

According to the criminal complaint filed by the FBI, a 17-year-old told her aunt she was having sexual intercourse with David, who was a family friend and her volleyball coach since she was 13 years old.

Court documents said the teen’s relationship began with David in 2023 after a volleyball trip to Las Vegas. She was 16 at the time.

The teen told investigators that David was providing extra training to prepare her for college. She also admitted to engaging in different types of sexual contact with David that including oral and vaginal sex, documents said.

She also said that their sexual activities occurred at the fire station where he worked, at a nearby warehouse, as well as at David’s home and vehicle, documents said.

David was arrested in July of 2024 for sexual assault in the second degree. He waived his Miranda rights and was interviewed.

During his interview with investigators, David said they “began to develop feelings for each other and ‘fell in love,’” and admitted that he and the teen engaged in a sexual relationship, documents said.

David said that the romantic phase of the relationship began around March 2023, and admitted to ordering ride share services for the teen so she could leave her house to meet him at or near his workplace, documents said.

Investigators said they found 97 graphic videos of the two of them on her phone and 78 emails referring to ride share trips and GPS location data.

David played for the University of Hawaii men’s volleyball team in 2009.

If convicted, he could face up to 30 years in prison.

Copyright 2025 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.



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Iowa State Tops St. Thomas, Advances to Second Round

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December 6, 2025

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MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – No. 23 Iowa State (23-7, 12-6 Big 12) won in five against St. Thomas (21-10, 11-5 Summit) in the NCAA Championship First Round Friday night. No. 5-seed ISU advances to the second round to meet the winner of No. 4-seed Minnesota vs. Fairfield tomorrow at 7 p.m.

After St. Thomas took the first 25-21, ISU answered outhitting UST .552-.143 in the second to tie up the match with a set score of 25-13. The Cyclones took the match lead after another dominant set score of 25-16, but St. Thomas would win the fourth 25-21 to extend the match to a fifth. ISU used a 7-0 run in the fifth to flip the momentum and seal the victory.

Big 12 Libero of the Year Rachel Van Gorp was her usual self and had her third-straight match with 20 or more digs, ending the night with a career-high 33. The total is the second-most in an NCAA Tournament match by a Cyclone, and most since 2012. It was also match No. 35 in a row with double-figure digs and her 50th-career match in double figures.

Iowa State had a dominant night at the service line, serving to the fourth 10-plus ace match this season, and 28th of Christy Johnson-Lynch‘s career with 12 through the night. ISU was led by Nayeli Ti’a with five aces to tie the NCAA Tournament school record, while Van Gorp had four, now the second-most in a tournament match.

Alea Goolsby had her 15th match this season with 10-plus kills, leading ISU with 15. Ti’a delivered 14 kills for her 13th match this season with 10-plus, and Lilly Wachholz (12) and Amiree Hendricks-Walker (10) made for four in double figures.

SET ONE

At 6-6, Morgan Brandt tricked St. Thomas with a setter kill while Tierney Jackson served up an ace but UST followed to again knot the score. The Tommies flipped the lead at 11-10 and took the next two as Iowa State called the first timeout. Ti’a slammed down her second kill out of the timeout, but St. Thomas kept with the lead reaching 20 first (20-17). ISU cut its deficit to one at 22-21, but the Tommies ended the first on a run of three for the set win.

SET TWO

Ti’a had a no-doubt kill to make it 1-1, while the Tommies denied ISU the lead while going up 4-2. Goolsby’s third kill tied it, and the Cyclones took their first lead at 6-5 on a block. UST flipped the advantage in its favor briefly, but ISU set out on an 11-0 run to take it right back and run ahead 18-8. A Brandt ace put the Cyclones at set point and an attack error by the Tommies sealed the set at 25-13. ISU did not have a single attack error in the frame.

SET THREE

Back-to-back aces by Ti’a brought Iowa State ahead 6-2, while Ti’a delivered another bringing the scoreboard to 9-2. Goolsby’s seventh kill at .400 capped a Cyclone run of seven on the next play, but a UST scoring run of four came soon after as the Tommies came within three (13-10). Iowa State had a run of four of their own to keep command of the lead, while the Cyclones took the match lead on Goolsby’s 10th kill at 25-16.

SET FOUR

A 4-0 scoring run took the Tommies ahead 7-3 as ISU then called an early timeout. Iowa State would go on to knot the score at 13s on yet another ace by Ti’a, while a UST attack error gave ISU its first lead of the set. That lead was not safe as the Tommies went ahead 19-15 to cause Iowa State’s final timeout of the set. The Cyclones had a late run of three, but St. Thomas pushed on to force a fifth at 25-21.

SET FIVE

Iowa State took the first point on a kill by Ti’a, but St. Thomas followed going ahead 5-2. ISU did not let up, hitting a run of four to take a 6-5 lead and cause a UST timeout. The run stretched to seven as Iowa State switched sides with the lead of 8-5, and Goolsby capped the run next with a kill. ISU would go on to win it 15-8 after a St. Thomas service error.



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Updates, highlights as Wisconsin advances with sweep vs North Carolina

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December 6, 2025

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9:43 pm CT December 5, 2025

See some highlights from Wisconsin’s NCAA tournament win vs North Carolina

John Steppe

9:39 pm CT December 5, 2025

Mimi Colyer’s stats vs. North Carolina in second round of NCAA tournament

John Steppe

  • 22 kills
  • 5 attack errors
  • 42 total attacks
  • .405 hitting percentage
  • 13 digs
  • 3 blocks

9:37 pm CT December 5, 2025

Wisconsin vs. North Carolina NCAA tournament final stats comparison

John Steppe

  • Kills: Wisconsin 60, North Carolina 37
  • Hitting percentage: Wisconsin .365, North Carolina .233
  • Service aces: Wisconsin 2, North Carolina 0
  • Service errors: North Carolina 5, Wisconsin 8
  • Digs: Wisconsin 56, North Carolina 40
  • Total team blocks: North Carolina 6, Wisconsin 5

9:33 pm CT December 5, 2025

Wisconsin coach Kelly Sheffield comments on Badgers’ NCAA tournament win vs. North Carolina

John Steppe



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2025 NCAA volleyball tournament: Bracket, schedule, results

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December 6, 2025

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Dec. 5, 2025Updated Dec. 6, 2025, 12:22 a.m. ET



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Saddle Up: No. 3 Badgers advance to Regional Semifinals

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December 6, 2025

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MADISON, Wis. – The No. 3 seeded Wisconsin volleyball team punched their ticket to the Regional Semifinals for the 13th consecutive season with their second sweep in as many days, this time defeating North Carolina (25-14, 25-21, 27-25) in the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament. 

UW maintained their momentum from their First Round battle right away in set one, putting together a 15-9 advantage with a potent attack on the offensive end. 

The Badgers (26-4) were able to close out the first frame behind a 4-0 run, highlighted by a pair of kills turned in by outside hitter Mimi Colyer. Setter Charlie Fuerbringer was able to cap it off with a kill of her own, tallying eight between the pair of matches this weekend. 

After a back-and-forth affair to begin the second set, Wisconsin found some separation by winning four-of-five rallies to build a 12-7 lead. The Tar Heels provided a quick response to bring it within 18-17 with the help of their physical block. 

Outside hitter Una Vajagic and right side Grace Egan each racked up a kill to force a North Carolina (22-9) timeout. Egan wrapped up the set two with another kill, as the Badgers went on to win three of the four last points. 

Wisconsin and the Tar Heels continued to trade points throughout the majority of the third set, which saw 19 ties and 10 lead changes. Colyer accumulated her 20th kill of the match in the process—giving UW a narrow 14-13 lead at the midway point of the set. 

Vajagic recorded six kills in the set, providing a spark on the offensive side of the ball. The redshirt sophomore continued to excel for the Badgers, concluding the match with 12 kills on a .435 hitting percentage. 

Late in the set, North Carolina fought back to force extra points by winning three-straight points. Outside hitter Trinity Shadd-Ceres and libero Maile Chan entered late and made an instant impact, highlighted by a block from Shadd-Ceres and a pair of digs turned in by Chan. UW made one final push to officially advance in the NCAA Tournament, led by a resilient effort on the defensive end—converting on a trio of kills to wrap up the match. 

Colyer, in her final match at the UW Field House, ended a lengthy rally with a kill to seal the victory. The senior finished with 22 on the evening, the 11th time this year where she has accumulated 20 or more. The five-time Big Ten Player of the Week also earned her eighth double-double of the season, adding 13 digs. 

Egan joined Colyer in the double-double department, emerging as a staple on the defensive end with 11 digs, complemented by her 11 kills. Libero Kristen Simon put together another standout showing defensively as well, totaling a team-high 16 digs. The freshman added eight assists to wrap up a strong week of play in her NCAA Tournament debut. 

On the front line, Fuerbringer led the way with 43 assists—powering the Badgers to a hitting percentage of .365 (60 – 14 – 126) against one of the strongest blocks in the country. 

Middle blocker Carter Booth was one of the beneficiaries, turning in her third-straight errorless match with eight kills on 16 attempts. After tonight’s performance, Booth will enter Texas swinging .540 (27 – 0 – 50) in her past three matches. 

 

Straight from the Court

Head Coach Kelly Sheffield (on continuing to build confidence down the stretch): “It’s earned through work. Confidence is earned by the work you put in; it’s earned by how you talk to yourself. It’s been something that these guys have worked a lot on, not just having an individual confidence, but a collective confidence.” 
(On the performance of outside hitters Una Vajagic and Mimi Colyer): “These two hitting over .400 against one of the best blocking teams in the country is just a ridiculous number. They got some blocks on us, but we stayed aggressive and we continued to accelerate and hit good shots and know when to be patient.”
Outside Hitter Mimi Colyer (on playing one last time in the Field House): “Coming to Wisconsin has been the best decision I have ever made. This program and this fan base is just so special. Just the love that we have for each other and the love this fan base has for each other is just so special. It’s incredible, there’s nothing like it.”
Outside Hitter Una Vajagic (on building on her first postseason run): “I feel it was great tonight, playing with my team and having their backs all of the time was such a huge thing for me. Just with them behind me, I felt super confident and I’m so excited.” 
 

Notes:

  • With the 3-0 sweep over North Carolina, Wisconsin will advance to the NCAA Regional Semifinals for the 23rd time in program history and 13th-consecutive season under head coach Kelly Sheffield.

  • The victory also moves Wisconsin to 72-29 all-time in the NCAA Tournament, and 21-5 in the Second Round of the tournament.

  • The Badgers had three players with double-figure digs, Kristen Simon (16), Mimi Colyer (13), and Grace Egan (11).

  • Senior Mimi Colyer recorded her eighth double-double of the season and 44th of her career with a 22 kill, 13 dig performance.

  • Right Grace Egan totaled her fourth double-double of the season, eighth of her career with an 11 kill, 11 dig performance.

  • Wisconsin also had three players with double-figure kills, Colyer

  • Wisconsin totaled 56 digs, tying a season-high for most digs in a three-set match.

  • With 57 assists, Wisconsin totaled it’s second-highest assist mark for the season in a three-set match.

  • For the 16th consecutive match, Colyer totaled double-figure kills at 23, and her 11th match with 20 or more kills this season. She also tied Ellen Chapman (2013) in program history for most consecutive matches with double-figure kills.

  • In consecutive nights, senior Carter Booth recorded another error-less match. She tallied eight kills on 16 swings for a .500 hitting percentage.

Up Next: The Badgers will await their next opponent in the Regional Semifinals down in Austin, Texas. The date and time for the match is still to be determined.





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Kansas Advances to NCAA Sweet 16 with 3-1 Win over Miami

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December 6, 2025

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LAWRENCE, Kan. – The No. 16 Kansas Jayhawks defeated the Miami Hurricanes, 3-1, the second round of the NCAA Volleyball Tournament inside Horejsi Family Volleyball Arena on Friday to advance to the NCAA Sweet 16. 
Kansas (24-10, 13-5 Big 12) advances to the NCAA Sweet 16 for the fourth time in program history and the first time since 2021. Kansas has gone to the Sweet 16 and beyond in four seasons, including 2021 (Sweet 16), 2015 (NCAA Semifinalist) and 2013 (Sweet 16). The Jayhawks will take on the winner of Nebraska vs. Long Island or Kansas State. 

“They showed up every day and just kept grinding,” said head coach Matt Ulmer. “They never stopped believing in what we were talking about. Our staff has talked a lot about the amazing additions to this group, and I think they complement the returners really well. This is when you want to be playing your best volleyball, and I think that was the best we’ve played. It’s not always going to be pretty against a great team; they’re going to push you and force the issue, but I’m just really, really happy for them. And I really appreciate everyone who was here and everyone who’s been with us to help us get to this point.”

The Jayhawks were led by 15 kills by senior Rhian Swanson, marking her 19th game with 10 more kills this season, while also surpassing 500 career kills. Senior Katie Dalton added 39 assists and set a career-high 7 blocks in the win. 

Both teams traded points early in the opening set as the teams were knotted at 5-5, until Kansas was able to pull ahead first at 8-5 behind three kills from sophomore Reese Ptacek and Swanson. Kansas would rally to five straight points to force Miami’s first timeout at 10-5. 

Midway through the first set, Kansas continued its momentum to take a 15-9 lead behind a kill from junior Aisha Aiono on an assist from Dalton. Miami would draw to within three points at 16-13, before Kansas would rally for three straight points, including a service ace from freshman Selena Leban to give Kansas a 19-13 advantage before a Miami timeout.

Kansas would find its largest lead of the first set at 23-15 and the Jayhawks would capture the first set, 25-17.

Much like the opening set, both teams went back-and-forth to open the second set with both teams knotted at 6-6. The Jayhawks would pull ahead at 8-6 following a block by Ptacek and Dalton, before Miami would rally for three straight points to pull ahead at 9-8. A long rally that ended with an Aiono and Dalton gave Kansas a two point advantage at 11-9.

Miami would bounce back with four straight points to force a Kansas timeout at 13-13. Following the timeout, both teams traded points until Kansas gained a three point lead at 20-17 following a block by Ptacek and Dalton. Leban would bring it to 21-17 with a kill, forcing a Hurricane timeout.

Following the timeout, Miami would rally for four straight points to tie the score at 21-21. Kansas responded with three straight points to take it to set point at 24-21, before Kansas secured the second set at 25-22.

Miami found the early advantage in the third set, jumping out to a 5-2 lead. Kansas pulled the margin to within two at 10-8, before Miami would extend its lead to 13-8, forcing a Jayhawk timeout. Out of the break, Kansas brought the score to within a point at 18-17 following a Swanson kill on an assist from Dalton. 

After Miami took a 22-19 lead, Kansas powered back with back-to-back kills from Leban and Ptacek to force a Miami timeout at 22-21. Miami would bounce back from the timeout and win its first set, 25-22. 

With Kansas leading the match 2-1, Miami jumped out to a 4-1 advantage in set four. Kansas wasted no time marching back, retaking the lead at 6-5 from three straight kills. The Jayhawks carried their momentum to take a 13-9 lead midway through the fourth set on a service ace from Ptacek. Miami would take a timeout following a block from Swanson and Aiono to make the score 14-9.

Miami responded after the break by tying the score at 17 all to force a Kansas timeout. Both teams traded the next two points, before Kansas pulled ahead at 20-18 on a service ace from Leban. Both teams battled back-and-forth with Kansas leading at 23-21, before Miami got two straight points to tie the fourth set at 23-23. Knotted at 25-25, Kansas regained the lead at 26-25 following an attack error by the Hurricanes. Kansas secured the win at 27-25 with a kill by Leban on the assist from Dalton.

Up Next

Kansas will advance to the NCAA Sweet 16 and will take on the winner of Nebraska vs. Kansas State.



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