Sports
Fashion on the Fairway – How Golf Has Gone Viral for Gen‑Z
Why it is the topic trending: Swinging Style Up the Social Feed
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Elite sport gets a street-style makeoverGolf has traditionally meant polo shirts and country clubs—but brands like Malbon are injecting it with laid-back, skate-inspired design, turning golf outfits into scroll-stopping streetwear. This rebranding is part of what’s catapulting #GolfFitCheck and #GolfTok into virality.
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Luxury meets inclusivity through unexpected collabsHigh-fashion labels are entering the fairway. Jimmy Choo × Malbon’s 2.0 drop (women’s handbags, shoes with metallic accents) and Ring Concierge’s glove launched with immediate sell-out success. These bursting-of-the-bubble collabs promise both elevated design and broad accessibility.
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Women and Gen‑Z golfers are the growth coreWomen now make up over 25% of golfers and account for 60% of the sport’s post-pandemic growth. Gen‑Z’s presence on TikTok golf content (up 39% in posts, 54% in views) signals their role in reframing golf’s cultural image.
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Creator-driven visuals are reshaping normsInfluencers on TikTok and Reels are creating golf content that centers on style, fun, and authenticity—not rules or exclusivity—making golf appear accessible, vibrant, and modern.
Overview: From Fairways to FYP – Golf as Visual Culture
Golf is shedding its buttoned-up image, thanks to fashion-forward collaborations and digital momentum. Luxury-meets-skatewear drops are making their way onto feeds, while branded visuals by women and Gen‑Z creators are transforming golf into a lifestyle filled with expression, sport, and community. The message is clear—golf is no longer niche, it’s now stylishly mainstream.
Detailed findings: Fairway Fashion Power Plays
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Jimmy Choo × Malbon 2.0 nails luxe-lifestyle crossoverThe collaboration features metallic-accent shoes, glam totes, and standout accessories that bridge runway poise with fairway utility—perfect for “Golf with Style” content.
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Ring Concierge glove sells out in 7 minutesDesigned specifically for women—complete with a ring slot—the glove’s instantaneous sell-out shows that functional, stylish golf gear resonates deeply.
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Women’s golf wear market is boomingRhone’s women’s golf line has grown 129% year-on-year, with green grass wholesale expected to rise 115%. Malbon and Tuckernuck are launching women-first collections, recognizing untapped demand.
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TikTok views and content creation are explodingPosts tagged #golf have soared, with brands like Tuckernuck seeing 10× engagement on golf-focused items—activated by matchy social and community-driven content.
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Athlete-endorsed style is shifting perceptionsLPGA golfers like Lilia Vu co-design for functionality, while pro-athletes like Collin Morikawa and Lilia Vu present style-forward, lifestyle content that appeals to non-golfers.
Key success factors of product (trend): Style Meets Swing
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Female-focused functional designProducts aren’t just pretty—they work: gloves with spots for rings, skirts sized for swings, tees accessible via hidden pockets. These features reflect real course needs with aesthetic appeal.
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Collaborations that blend luxury and mass appealUpscale launches like Jimmy Choo × Malbon energize aspirational audiences, while Gap × Malbon delivers accessible fashion—broadening reach to mainstream Gen‑Z populations.
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Performance-first fashionRhone’s use of LPGA athlete feedback ensures technical integrity, while pieces from Tuckernuck blend moisture-wicking fabrics and pockets in retro stylings for everyday wear.
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Creator and athlete synergy boosts credibilityInfluencer partnerships go beyond product placement—creators showcase lifestyle-first narratives that highlight swing style and community, encouraging authentic engagement.
Key Takeaway: Golf Isn’t Just a Game—It’s Now a Wardrobe Moment
Golf apparel is transitioning into mainstream lifestyle fashion. Clever collaborations, female-focused design, community engagement, and digital appeal have turned golfwear into high-visibility statements—not just sport uniforms. It’s a masterclass in how to fuse function, fashion, and fandom.
Main Trend: Sport-Centric Style Explosion
Golf has joined tennis and streetwear in the rise of sport-as-fashion. It’s evolving beyond uniformity into identity-rich attire that explores function, expression, and community.
Description of the trend: Golfwear as Personal Branding
Gone are the days of one-size-fits-all golf polos. Today’s golfwear serves as a statement—crafted with purposeful design, stylistic flair, and digital-first broadcastability. It’s style made for practice, play, and social shareability.
What is consumer motivation: Style + Swing = Self-Expression
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Show off identity while playing sportConsumers use golfwear to align athleticism with aesthetics—melding aspirational fashion with on-course performance.
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Reject old-money exclusivityStylish branding and bold design challenge the historic elitist narrative of golf, making the sport feel inclusive and modern.
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Merge beauty and utilityFunctional features—moisture control, ring-access, swing-friendly cuts—mean golfwear isn’t just about looks, it’s built to perform.
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Boost social visibilityTikTok isn’t just about tricks; it’s turning golf outfits into digital showpieces—built for like counts and scrolling thumbs.
What is driving trend: Collab, Content, Culture
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Luxury x streetwear collabs create buzzUnexpected brand mashups generate excitement and legitimacy—gamifying golfwear into a trend conversation.
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Gen‑Z creators reshape perceptionSocial platforms are reframing golf as a creative, communal, and stylish pursuit—far from its country club origins.
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Women-first product development leads designArmed with athlete insights, new collections balance mobility, comfort, and image—filling a long-ignored market with tailored functionality.
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Athlete visibility enlivens strategyEndorsement by LPGA players and streetwear-savvy pros gives golfwear cultural context, making it both credible and desired.
What is motivation beyond the trend: Confidence. Community. Craft.
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Fashion is a confidence boostStylish gear isn’t just merch; it fosters self-belief on and off the fairway.
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Community is built through styleThese clothes are unifying tokens for young golfers—trending in group photos, tagging circles, digital-first connections.
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Support gender progress in sportWomen-focused gear signals that sport design must respond to diverse bodies and preferences—not replicate outdated norms.
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Versatility equals valuePieces bridge sport, travel, social outings—maximizing investment and extending wardrobes.
Description of consumers article is referring to: Young Style-Driven Fairway Players
Summary Profile
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Trend-aware and socially conscious
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Live in digital-first social pools, love limited drops
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Seek out style, inclusion, and community in sportwear
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Functionality is must-have, not optional
Detailed Profile
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Who are they?18–30-year-olds: Gen‑Z women and young adults with a passion for blending sport and style.
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What kind of products they like?Luxe accessories, metallic sneakers, patterned skirts, logo gear that photographs well and performs.
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What is their age?Mainly 18–30, with rising crossover into 30–40-year-old professionals embracing athleisure.
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What is their gender?LGBTQ+ inclusive, primarily female-identifying, but welcoming all gender expressions.
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What is their income?Ranges from students to early professionals. Tiered pricing from luxury to accessible serves wide income bands.
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What is their lifestyle?Creative, active, digitally native—seek brands that look good and feel good on course and café.
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Shopping preferences in categoryDriven by limited-edition drops, influencer codes, and digital hype cycles.
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Category shopper typeOccasional—high engagement during branch seasons, high FOMO, medium-long purchase cycles.
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General motivationsIdentity expression, aesthetic belonging, performative coverage, Instagram feed readiness.
Conclusions: Golf Fashion Isn’t Niche—It’s Narrative
The sport’s new fans aren’t just playing golf—they’re living it like a lifestyle narrative. Their gear is an outward signal of community, confidence, and creativity. Brands that can seamlessly align form, function, and fandom win in this era.
Implications for brands: Collab, Content, Credibility
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Launch hybrid collabsMerge luxury, street, and volume-friendly labels to capture aspirational and mass appeal simultaneously.
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Design to film, not just fitPrioritize gear that photographs dynamically—motion-forward, clutch gear that plays well on camera.
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Collaborate with women-athletes earlyCo-design ensures authenticity and builds community support.
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Activate creators on-courseStage physical and virtual pop-ups with influencers to translate product into culture.
Implication for society: Swinging Open the Fairway
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Golf culture is becoming inclusive—from color and gender to style and body types.
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Social media is reframing sports as platforms for expression, not etiquette.
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Young designers and athletes are rewriting legacy sports codes with diverse narratives.
Implications for consumers: Wear Confidence, Feel Community
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Golfwear now equals identity wear—providing emotional authenticity and community alignment.
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Multi-functional styling supports active lifestyles beyond sport—one piece, many lives.
Implication for Future: Sportswear as Storywear
Expect drop schedules, augmented reality try-ons, and multi-use athleisure designed for both performance and social shareability. Future golfwear will double as identity artifact and social presence.
Consumer Trend: Fashion-First Sportwear
Golfwear joins the sportswear evolution—design that performs, photographs, and defines identity.
Consumer Sub Trend: Collab-Culture Golf
Luxury × street × performance collaborations are now the go-to release model for aspirational athletic style.
Big Social Trend: Democratizing Elite Sports
Sport alignment with fashion makes participation feel accessible to diverse, digitally-connected communities.
Worldwide Social Trend: Active Identity Aesthetics
Clothes define community and personal narrative—sportwear is a canvas for expressing values and belonging.
Social Drive: Visibility Through Vogue
For Gen‑Z, every garment is a statement—sport style stitched with cultural belonging and digital presence.
Learnings for brands to use in 2025: Connect Function, Fashion, and Filmability
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Prioritize Instagram and TikTok readiness in color, cut, and context.
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Use smart drops across tiers to build hype and accessibility.
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Embed athlete feedback loops for authenticity.
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Treat launches as lifestyle events—not just product releases.
Strategy Recommendations for brands to follow in 2025: Align, Amplify, Actualize
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Design collab ladders: luxe, street, accessible.
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Pre-seed collections to creators for organic hype.
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Co-create with female athletes—not just use them as spokespeople.
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Host content-enabled pop-ups at tournaments and city micro-events.
Final Sentence
Golf is now a social runway—where empowerment meets elegance, and gear becomes digital currency for Gen‑Z and women redefining sport.
Final Note
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Core Trend: Fashion-First Golfwear – Golf uniforms are being replaced by statement-made pieces built for performance and visibility.
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Core Strategy: Gender-Inclusive Co-Creation – Designing with women—athletes and creators—ensures fit, flair, and fandom.
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Core Industry Trend: Collaboration-Driven Sport Culture – Unexpected, high-profile collabs are energizing the market and channeling social attention.
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Core Consumer Motivation: Expressive Athletic Identity – Consumers wear golfwear as personal branding, identity expression, and lifestyle alignment.
Final Conclusion: Putt with Purpose – Style, Sport, Selfie
Golf is now a visual culture—a fusion of sport, style, and social narrative. Gen‑Z and women aren’t just playing—they’re performing fashion on the fairway, and influencers, collabs, and athlete design are driving this renaissance. Brands that master form × function × filmability—while leaning into inclusion—will define the next wave of sport style.
Core Trend Detailed: Golfwear is the New Streetwear
Golfwear is rapidly becoming a cultural artifact of Gen-Z’s broader rejection of elitism and embrace of expressive functionality. No longer confined to pro shops and polos, today’s golf fashion draws from streetwear, surf culture, and digital content aesthetics. With female-driven innovation, high-profile collabs, and creator partnerships, golf apparel is blurring the lines between sport utility and high style. It represents more than just what one wears to play—it’s a wearable badge of cultural realignment and social visibility. Golf fashion is becoming the canvas where inclusion, elegance, and entertainment meet.
Key Characteristics of the Core trend: Function, Fashion, Fandom
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Expression-first utilityFunction is essential, but style leads the conversation. Golfwear now enables performance without sacrificing personal flair.
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Inclusivity-forward designNew collections address fit, body types, and practical needs for women and non-binary players. Gear is becoming intentionally inclusive.
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Drop culture deliveryReleases are timed and hyped like sneakers—collabs, limited quantities, and creator involvement drive urgency and excitement.
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On-camera appealProducts are designed to look great on video—cut, color, and movement harmonize for TikTok and IG Reels.
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Athlete-creator convergenceBoth athletes and social stars are involved in design and promo, giving collections range and relevance.
Market and Cultural Signals Supporting the Trend: The Rise of Gen-Z Golfwear
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Golf participation is upPost-COVID, younger and more diverse demographics are taking up the sport, driving increased demand for modern golf fashion.
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TikTok algorithm promotes visual sportswearFashionable and functional content has strong engagement on social media, boosting visibility for stylish golf gear.
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Gender balance is improvingWith LPGA and amateur women leading digital engagement, golfwear is finally being designed for the majority growth demographic.
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Fashion industry interest is increasingHigh-end labels are exploring golf collabs, confirming that golfwear is now a serious category within luxury and sportswear.
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Retailers are carving out golf editsE-commerce platforms are creating golf-specific style sections to cater to the new demand wave.
How the Trend Is Changing Consumer Behavior: Teeing Off with Identity
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Shopping for style before sportConsumers now prioritize how golfwear looks on their feed before how it feels on the course.
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Increased purchase frequency during dropsLimited editions are creating cycles of repeat purchasing, especially among Gen-Z.
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Cross-category adoptionGolfwear is being styled off-course—in cafes, city strolls, and social outings—indicating it’s a lifestyle category.
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Democratization of an elite sportThrough fashion, younger audiences feel more comfortable entering what was once a gatekept domain.
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Community formation around gearGolfwear has become a bonding agent—users identify each other via specific brands, styles, and hashtags.
Implications Across the Ecosystem: Swinging the Style Stakes
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For Brands and CPGsShift design timelines to accommodate influencer-based hype cycles; co-create with athletes and creators to ensure authenticity.
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For RetailersCurate specialized golf edits, offer gender-fluid sizing, and stage digital-first drops aligned with seasonal sport moments.
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For ConsumersGolfwear is no longer niche or sport-bound—it offers a lifestyle choice with self-expression, inclusivity, and hybrid utility.
Strategic Forecast: Fairway Future Forward
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Social commerce will define salesExpect more TikTok Shop integrations, creator discount codes, and livestream golfwear hauls.
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Brand-led tournaments will emergeFashion houses and collab-driven brands will launch their own mini-tourneys or digital competitions.
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High-tech fabrics will go glamMoisture-wicking, UV-protective, and movement-optimized materials will be styled with metallics and luxe aesthetics.
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Augmented try-on tools will riseVirtual fittings using AR will aid conversion and increase online golfwear spend.
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Greater push for modular designGolfwear that converts between sport and streetwear with ease will dominate new lines.
Areas of innovation: The Next Wave of Golfwear Evolution
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Modular Wardrobe PiecesConvertible jackets, removable skirts, and double-duty accessories blend golfwear with everyday use.
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High-Fashion Tech FabricsSmart textiles with climate adaptation and sweat absorption are being adopted into stylish silhouettes.
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AR Try-On for Golf GearDigitally enhanced fittings via social media tools increase accessibility and virtual experience.
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Lifestyle-Led CollectionsDesigns that function at brunch, bar, and back nine reflect the shift toward hybrid dressing.
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Digital Drop StrategyRelease models that mirror streetwear drops keep hype alive and inventory moving fast.
Final Thought: From Tees to TikToks
Golfwear has become the Gen-Z uniform of empowered play—where aesthetics meet authenticity, and identity is broadcast one fit check at a time. It’s less about the scorecard and more about style statements, with brands, athletes, and influencers co-creating a new era of fashion-forward performance. The fairway isn’t just where golf is played—it’s where the next cultural wave is launched.

Sports
Florida Volleyball Adds Three Transfers to 2026 Roster
Arriving for the spring 2026 semester, Holladay and Leban each bring one year of collegiate experience, while Chaney arrives with three.
“Selena and Bri are talented freshmen who offer both production and upside,” Florida Head Coach Ryan Theis said. “Kami gives us a proven point scorer and while we’ll add a few more pieces between now and August, we’re thrilled with this start.”
The trio joins incoming freshman opposite/outside hitter Nadi’ya Shelby as newcomers on Florida’s 2026 roster.
Details on Chaney, Holladay and Leban are below.
Kamryn (Kami) Chaney
- Position: Outside Hitter
- Class: Senior
- Height: 6-1
- Hometown: Park Forest, Illinois
- Previous Teams: Vanderbilt (2025), Princeton (2023-24)
- High School: Marist
At Vanderbilt
Honors:
- TSWA Volleyball Player of the Week – Sept. 23
- Recorded a double-double vs. UC Irvine (19 kills/11 digs)
- Black Student-Athlete Group Executive Board – Treasurer
2025 as a junior: Saw action in 17 matches and led the Commodores attack 12 times and behind the service line in eight matches… Finished with double-digit kills 12 times, including three with 20 or more… Season-best 22 kills against California (Sept. 10)… Matched career-best six aces against Western Kentucky (Sept. 16)… Led Vanderbilt in aces with 33 and totaled 218 kills, .182 hitting %, 94 digs,25 blocks and 264.5 points…Averaged 4.01 points per set, 3.30 kills per set, 0.50 aces per set, 1,42 digs per set and 0.38 blocks per set
At Princeton
Honors:
- Ivy League Player of the Year (2024)
- First Team All-Region (2024)
- First Team All-Ivy League (2024)
- Ivy League All-Tournament Team (2024)
- #9, Most Kills in A Season (421, 2024)
- Second Team All-Ivy League (2023)
- 4x Ivy League Player of the Week (Nov. 18 2024, Nov. 4 2024, Oct. 21 2024, Sept. 16 2024)
- Ivy League Rookie of the Week (Oct. 16, 2023)
2024 as a sophomore: Led the Ivy League and ranked 16th nationally in points-per-set (5.20) … led the Ivy league and ranked 24th nationally in kills-per-set (4.43) … led the Ivy League in points (494) and kills (421) … ranked second in the Ivy League in service aces (48) and service aces-per-set (0.42) … her season-high 34 kills that came on a .484 hitting percentage against High Point on Sept. 21 were the eighth-most kills recorded in a five set match by any player in the 2024 season … became the first Ivy League player Maddie Lord of Penn of Penn on Oct. 11, 2014, to have 34 kills in a match … recorded 12 double-doubles … exceeded 20 kills in eight matches … tallied 25 kills, a season-high 16 digs and a season-high seven blocks on Sept. 13 against St. John’s … recorded 25 kills on a .532 hitting percentage, 13 digs and two service aces against Yale on Nov. 1 … accumulated 24 kills on a .404 hitting percentage and four digs against Yale on Oct. 5 … had 24 kills, hit .358 and had four digs on Sept. 28 against Penn … contributed 23 kills on a .400 hitting percentage and 11 digs at Cornell on Oct. 19 … finished with 22 kills, 10 digs and three blocks at UMBC on Sept. 21 … compiled 20 kills on a .357 hitting percentage, 10 digs and four blocks on Nov. 16 at Harvard
2023 as a freshman: Led the Tigers and ranked second in the Ivy League in points per set (3.86) … led the Tigers and ranked fourth in the Ivy League kills per set (3.27) … led the Tigers and ranked 10th in the Ivy League in service aces per set (0.33) … tied the team-high and ranked 10th in the Ivy League in service aces (24) … appeared in 21 matches and 73 sets … recorded 42 digs and 32 blocks … had a season-high 25 kills on a .417 hitting percentage in the Tigers’ win over Dartmouth on Nov. 10 … recorded 17 kills, three digs and two service aces at Harvard on Oct. 6 … finished with 16 kills, five service aces and three digs in the Tigers’ win at Dartmouth on Oct. 7 … tallied 13 kills, a season-high six service aces, four digs and three blocks on Oct. 14 in Princeton’s win over Cornell … finished with 15 kills, four digs and three blocks at UMBC on Sept. 8 … had a season-high four blocks in the Tigers’ victory over Penn on Sept. 22 … had double digit kills in 13 matches
Why Chaney chose the University of Florida
“Florida checked all the boxes for me. They have the best combination of elite academics and high-level athletics which is super important for me. How could I say no to Gainesville and the opportunities Florida can bring? Go Gators!”
| Career Stats | |||||||||||||||
| Year | S | MP | Kills | E | TA | Hit. Pct. | A | SA | SErr | D | BS | BA | TB | BErr | PTS |
| 2023 | 73 | 21 | 239 | 126 | 650 | 0.174 | 2 | 24 | 34 | 47 | 6 | 26 | 32 | 2 | 282.0 |
| 2024 | 95 | 26 | 421 | 151 | 968 | 0.279 | 16 | 40 | 62 | 222 | 10 | 46 | 56 | 5 | 494.0 |
| 2025 | 66 | 17 | 218 | 113 | 578 | 0.182 | 6 | 33 | 67 | 94 | 2 | 23 | 25 | 3 | 264.5 |
| Totals: | 234 | 64 | 878 | 390 | 2,196 | 0.222 | 24 | 97 | 163 | 363 | 18 | 95 | 213 | 10 | 1,040.5 |
Brianna (Bri) Holladay
- Position: Middle Blocker
- Class: Sophomore
- Height: 6-3
- Hometown: Leesburg, Va.
- Previous Teams: Virginia Tech
- High School: Riverside
At Virginia Tech
Honors:
- Earned All-Tournament Team honors at both the Blue Hen Invitational and the Seahawk Classic
- Named MVP of the Hokie Invitational
2025 as a freshman: In her rookie campaign, the Leesburg, Va., native appeared in 30 of Virginia Tech’s 31 matches, recording 108 blocks. She led the Hokies in blocks in 12 matches and posted five or more blocks 11 times during the season. Holladay added three double-digit kill performances and recorded her first career double-double with a career-high 13 kills and 10 blocks in Virginia Tech’s season finale against Syracuse on Nov. 28.
High School: Earned First Team All-State, All-Region and All-District selections in 2024… Named the 2024 State Player of the Year… Earned 2024 County Player of the Year honors and was named First Team All-Metropolitan… Earned Earned First Team All-State, All-Region and All-District selections in 2023… Named to the Second Team All-Metropolitan in 2023… Is an AP Scholar with Distinction… Earned the Academic Excellence Award four times.
Why Holladay chose the University of Florida
“I chose Florida Volleyball because the program represents a legacy of excellence that inspires every player to set a higher standard. I value the opportunity to represent Florida on the court and develop under the guidance of the new coaching staff. The passionate Gator fan base and strong support for student-athletes create an environment where I know I will be pushed to excel. Beyond athletics, the university’s strong academic reputation, particularly in engineering, will prepare me for a career after volleyball.”
| Career Stats | |||||||||||||||
| Year | S | MP | Kills | E | TA | Hit. Pct. | A | SA | SErr | D | BS | BA | TB | BErr | PTS |
| 2025 | 95 | 30 | 158 | 49 | 332 | .328 | 5 | 7 | 12 | 20 | 10 | 98 | 108 | 12 | 224.0 |
| Totals: | 95 | 30 | 158 | 49 | 332 | .328 | 5 | 7 | 12 | 20 | 10 | 98 | 108 | 12 | 224.0 |
Selena Leban
- Position: Outside Hitter
- Class: Sophomore
- Height: 6-0
- Hometown: Nova Gorica, Slovenia
- Previous Teams: Kansas
- High School: Gimnazija Šiška
At Kansas
2025 as a freshman: Appeared in 21 of the Jayhawks’ 35 matches, posting double-digit kills seven times and double-digit digs four times. Recorded back-to-back double-doubles, including a career-best 20 kills and 11 digs against then-No. 2 Penn State on Aug. 25, followed by 14 kills and 10 digs against then-No. 8 Wisconsin on Aug. 29.
High School: Competed for Slovenia on the national stage since 2019, beginning with the U16/U17 European Championship…. The European Golden League in 2024 was her 10th competition within the European Volleyball Confederation (CEV)… In 42 career CEV matches, Leban has recorded 289 kills, 52 service aces and 32 blocks…. Also competed in the 2020 and 2023 European Cups for her club.
| Career Stats | |||||||||||||||
| Year | S | MP | Kills | E | TA | Hit. Pct. | A | SA | SErr | D | BS | BA | TB | BErr | PTS |
| 2025 | 67 | 21 | 147 | 74 | 425 | .172 | 11 | 15 | 32 | 126 | 1 | 28 | 29 | 5 | 177.0 |
| Totals: | 67 | 21 | 147 | 74 | 425 | .172 | 11 | 15 | 32 | 126 | 1 | 28 | 29 | 5 | 177.0 |
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Sports
“I’m Lucky To Be At A Volleyball School”
KANSAS CITY – Dan Fisher sat at the podium Wednesday afternoon inside the T-Mobile Center, fielding questions about roster turnover, the transfer portal and about how his Pitt volleyball program keeps reloading year after year. As the Panthers prepare to make their fifth consecutive appearance in the national semifinal on Thursday night against Texas A&M, Fisher reflected on the program he’s built.
Then came his answer, simple and profound in its honesty.
“I’m lucky to be at a volleyball school.”
Eight words that capture everything about what Fisher has built. Not a school with a volleyball program. A volleyball school.
The distinction matters.
With all the roster turnover experienced from 2024 to 2025, Fisher and his staff didn’t panic.
They pivoted. They recruited. They rebuilt.
And here they are at the Final Four again, with a roster that looks completely different from the one that took the floor a season ago in Louisville.
“We had to pivot pretty quickly,” Fisher said. “I’m just really proud of the work my staff did to get a team in place to be back here.”
But the work goes deeper than Xs and Os, deeper than recruiting rankings or transfer portal additions. Fisher has built something sustainable at Pitt, something that transcends any single player or season. He’s built a culture, and more importantly, a family.
More Than Volleyball
For Fisher, the consistency hasn’t come from chasing perfection, but from setting standards and trusting people to grow into them.
Olivia Babcock and Bre Kelley, both All-Americans and leaders on this Final Four roster, describe a program that demands excellence without suffocating it.
“We have a standard we want to hold ourselves to,” Babcock said. “But it’s not the end of the world if we don’t hit it right away. That takes pressure off and it lets us get better every day.”
Kelley echoed that balance, pointing to Fisher’s ability to coach individuals as much as athletes.
“He builds real relationships with us off the court,” she said. “So when things get hard, when he’s pushing you, you know it’s coming from a place of care. He believes you can reach that level.”
This year’s team has needed that flexibility more than most. With so many new faces, the Panthers had to build chemistry on the fly while maintaining championship-level play. The result? A dominant season that has ended up back at the Final Four.
“This is a very new team, but so many people have been here before,” Babcock said. “We were able to prepare the newer players coming into this experience, what to expect.”
Playing for Something Bigger
Standing on the precipice of another Final Four, both Babcock and Kelley emphasized something that matters more than wins and losses: they’re playing for each other.
“Every time I step on the court, it’s just to have fun with my friends,” Kelley said. “Obviously, it’s hard to not give in to the pressure of these moments, but you just kind of look at your six-foot world, which is just the people on the court.”
That “six-foot world” philosophy – focusing on the teammates beside you rather than the noise around you – has become a mantra for this group. It’s how they’ve dominated elite competition. It’s how they’ve stayed locked in through adversity. And it’s how they plan to approach tomorrow’s national semifinal match against Texas A&M.
“We just want to play volleyball,” Babcock said. “This game is supposed to be fun. It’s not supposed to be severely taxing on your mind and body. I just want to play ball with this team and play to the best ability that we can and have a blast on this court.”
The Evolution of a Powerhouse
Fisher ponders a question about when he felt his program had arrived.
The foundation took years to build, player development that used to span five-year arcs rather than single seasons. But somewhere around last year, he admits, the perception shifted.
“Probably last year, with us being ranked number one a lot, it shifted from us being looked at as this new kid to, ‘Oh yeah, Pitt’s number one,'” Fisher said. “That was the new shift.”
Maintaining that standard through roster turnover and the chaotic modern college landscape? That’s the real challenge.
“The hardest part is how much the college landscape has changed,” Fisher acknowledged. “People are going to schools for different reasons, recruiting’s changed. As a collegiate coach, you need to evolve and adapt and embrace it.”
But even with all the changes, one thing remains constant: Fisher’s commitment to his players beyond volleyball.
“The most rewarding part is always the relationships,” he said. “The best thing as a coach is to see somebody maybe become better or to do something they didn’t think they could do. To be part of that journey is the best part.”
A Volleyball School
Back to those eight words: “I’m lucky to be at a volleyball school.”
Fisher wasn’t bragging. He was expressing genuine gratitude for an administration that supports the program, for fans who pack Fitzgerald Field House and for a city that has embraced this team as its own.
“We have a newer athletic director (Allen Greene) that’s been incredibly supportive of us,” Fisher said. “I’m lucky to be at the school I’m at.”
As the Panthers prepare for their fifth straight national semifinal appearance, they carry with them the weight of looking for their first appearance in the national championship match and the lightness of a team that genuinely loves playing together. They carry Fisher’s standards without his expectations. They carry the knowledge that they’re playing for something bigger than themselves.
Most of all, they carry the confidence that comes from knowing their coach sees them, truly, as more than just volleyball players.
That’s what it means to be at a volleyball school. That’s what Dan Fisher has built at Pitt.
Five straight Final Fours. A new roster. The same standard. The same coach who feels lucky to be at a volleyball school that just keeps winning.
Sports
Louisell Named AVCA All-American – James Madison University Athletics
Louisell’s selection marks the fourth for a JMU player in program history and first since Sophie Davis was also named an honorable mention selection following the 2023 season.
The outside hitter and 2025 Sun Belt Player of the Year joins Davis (2023), M’Kaela White (2018), and Janey Goodman (2016) as players to be honored by the AVCA. Louisell was the only Sun Belt player to be named an All-American.
Louisell finished the 2025 season with 605 kills, the most for a JMU player in the Division I era (1986-present). The outside hitter also set a record with her average of 4.80 kills per set, with her kill and kills per set marks both ranking among the nation’s best.
The native of Grand Rapids, Mich., had double-digit kills in all 31 matches, including 12 with 20 or more kills and two with 30 or more.
Against Georgia State on Oct. 4, Louisell finished with 37 kills, breaking the program single-match record which had stood for over 40 years. Three weeks later against Georgia Southern, she broke her own record, finishing with 38 kills and 20 digs in a five-set win over the Eagles.
She remains the only player in the sport with at least 35 kills and 20 digs in the same match this season.
Sports
No. 3 Volleyball Faces No. 1 Pittsburgh in Final Four – Texas A&M Athletics
The Aggies punched their first ticket to the national semifinals following a pair of five set victories at the Lincoln Regional. They faced No. 2 seed Louisville in the Sweet 16, reverse sweeping the Cardinals to secure the program’s third Elite Eight berth. They followed that up the next day handing the undefeated No. 1 overall seed Nebraska Cornhuskers their first loss of the season and first home loss since 2022 to go further than any team in Texas A&M history had gone.
In the opening contest of the regional the Aggies embodied their team saying, ‘grit’, as they came back from a two-set deficit to defeat Louisville. Ifenna Cos-Okpalla set the tone for the weekend, blocking a program postseason record 12 swings in the match. Offensively, three Aggies hit double-digit kills paced by Logan Lednicky’s 20 and followed by Kyndal Stowers and Emily Hellmuth who added 17 and 12, respectively.
Following that up two days later, the Maroon & White took down the top-ranked Cornhuskers marking the second time in program history they had defeated the nation’s best and first time in 30 years. In what was an instant classic, Texas A&M secured the victory thanks to a complete team performance which included team postseason records in kills (75), blocks (17) and aces (9).
The Matchup
Thursday’s matchup versus Pittsburgh will be the seventh all-time meeting between the programs. The Panthers hold an advantage in the series at 4-2, but that margin shrink by one when they face off on a neutral court to 3-2. Pittsburgh claimed the most recent matchup between the teams, winning in three sets in 2022.
Texas A&M holds the slight advantage in games played on a neutral court this year at 4-1 compared to the Panthers’ 3-1. When playing away from in totality the Aggies boast a 16-3 record, while Pittsburgh is 13-4.
Looking at the stat sheet, the Maroon & White lead Pittsburgh in three of the seven team statistical categories including kills per set, assists per set and digs per set, while the Panthers leads in hitting percentage, opponent hitting percentage, aces per set and blocks per set.
Tracks and Trends
Logan Lednicky has recorded double-digit kills in her last 21 matches and passed Hollann Hans for the rally-scoring kills record and ranks third overall in career kills at Texas A&M.
Ifenna Cos-Okpalla has logged five or more blocks in her last five games and is six blocks away from tying the program record for career blocks of 562. She is also one block from the single season record.
The Aggies have recorded 10 or more blocks as a team in five-consecutive games.
Streaming & Stats
Fans can watch the match on the ESPN and follow stats on 12thman.com.
Follow the Aggies
Visit 12thMan.com for more information on Texas A&M volleyball. Fans can keep up to date with the A&M volleyball team on Facebook, Instagram and on Twitter by following @AggieVolleyball.
Sports
No. 3 Volleyball earns three AVCA All-America honors
AUSTIN, Texas – No. 3 Texas Volleyball saw three athletes earn All-America honors on Wednesday, the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) announced.
Junior outside hitter Torrey Stafford was named a First Team All-American for the second-straight season, first with Texas. Stafford led the Longhorns this season in kills (516), service aces (33) and points (580.5). After 30 matches, Stafford averaged 4.69 kills per set and hit for .360. On top of her offense, the AVCA National Player of the Year semifinalist added 52 blocks and a team-leading 11 solo blocks.
Her 516 kills in her first year as a Longhorn is the sixth-most in a single season in UT history, while her 4.69 kills per set ranks eighth. Stafford later climbed to No. 5 on the Individual Match Records list with 32 kills.
Freshman Cari Spears was named a Third Team All-American after starting all 30 matches as a rightside. The Frisco, Texas native was named the SEC Freshman of the Week five times, was a two-time SEC player of the Week and AVCA Player of the Week once. It was the first time in two years a freshman earned the weekly honor. Spears ended the year with the second-most kills on the team (358) and combined for 3.25 kills per set and hit .295.
Senior libero Emma Halter earned Honorable Mention in her final year as a Longhorn. Halter ended the season with 396 digs, 167 assists and 24 service aces. In four years, Halter totaled 1,307 digs – the eighth-most in Texas history for an individual’s career. She also broke the Texas record in digs in a three-set match against Florida A&M with 25.
Wednesday’s honors gave the Longhorns their 62nd All-American and 115th honor.
Sports
Four Members of Pack Volleyball Earn Academic All-District Honors
The award recognizes student-athletes for their performance in the classroom in addition to on the court. To qualify, one must have a grade point average of 3.5 and be at least a sophomore both academically and athletically.
Lily Cropper, Sydney Daniels, and Elaisa Villar earn the honor for the first time in their career while Courtney Bryant earns it for the second year in a row.
Bryant is the first student-athlete to earn the honor consecutively since Brie Merriweather did so in 2012 and 2013.
Cropper, Villar and Byrant appeared in all al 30 matches for the Wolfpack this season, while stuffing the stat sheet for their respective positions.
Daniels also appeared in all 30 matches for the Pack as a defensive specialist and wore the libero jersey for eight of those matches.
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