Tryouts for the spring 2025 season will be held on Jan. 7 and 9 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Florida State Recreation SportsPlex. Both experienced athletes and those new to the game can join a team that values friendship, competitiveness and a shared passion for softball.Traditions also play an important role. Pre-game […]
Tryouts for the spring 2025 season will be held on Jan. 7 and 9 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Florida State Recreation SportsPlex. Both experienced athletes and those new to the game can join a team that values friendship, competitiveness and a shared passion for softball.Traditions also play an important role. Pre-game traditions frequently include visits to Dunkin Donuts or Starbucks. Rally caps decorated with unusual costumes such as hot dog suits and golden hats are required. The team won the South Atlantic – South conference title with a 12-3 conference record and an overall 20-6 performance, outscoring their opponents 261 to 89. Their regional victory earned them a spot in the National Club Softball Association World Series, where they delivered notable performances, including an 8-0 shutout over NC State and a 12-1 win over Iowa. Despite falling short in the final rounds, FSU finished in fifth place nationally.
The Seminoles’ success originates from a balanced commitment to competitiveness and friendship. The leadership staff, led by the president and vice president, is in charge of everything from game lineups to fundraising activities. “Making it to the World Series was unforgettable, but this year we’re aiming for number one,” Vice President Madison Baird said.
“It’s a structure that keeps us competitive while balancing academics,” Baird said. “As a student-run organization, we do it all. We even design and order our team apparel and work to earn Tomahawk Points through volunteerism, which helps secure funding for future seasons.” Looking ahead to the 2025 season, the Seminoles’ goals are clear.
The Florida State University Softball Club is more than simply a team; it’s a community that blends a love of the sport with a strong unity among its members. “These moments are just as memorable as the games,” Walls said. “They create a sense of family that makes this team so special.”
The team practices twice a week for 2 hours, mixed by mandated weekly workouts that players must accomplish on their own. FSU determines success not only by wins and losses, but also by personal development and enjoyment. The Seminoles perform 2-hour auditions for students who want to join every semester. The Seminole softball club, who practice in the Florida State Rec SportsPlex, have become an important component of campus life, providing students with the opportunity to compete at a high level while also developing lifetime friendships. Last season, the club stood out as one of the best in the nation. Jocelenn Walls, the team’s treasurer and senior outfielder, had similar needs. “This team has given me my closest friends and made Tallahassee feel like home,” Walls said. “The relationships we’ve built here are irreplaceable.” Beyond the field, the Garnet and Gold participate in a number of bonding events, including Fair nights and Florida State obstacle courses, as well as game nights at teammates’ apartments. “These little traditions bring us closer and make the experience unforgettable,” Baird said.
“Joining a club sport at any university will be the greatest experience of your life,” Walls said. “Get out there and get active!” “Even returning players must try out again,” Baird said. Standout players like Caroline Orum, the team’s outstanding catcher, help to maintain the team’s competitive edge. “We’re beyond lucky to have her,” Baird said. “Her skills behind the plate and at bat elevate our entire lineup.” “Friendship is at the heart of what we do,” Baird said. “I’ve met all of my best friends through this team. We love having fun while being focused on our goals.” “We want to win regionals and the World Series, but we also want to keep having fun and building stronger bonds,” Walls said. “Last year’s performance raised the bar, and now we’re pushing ourselves even further.”
Nebraska Volleyball Tabbed Preseason Big Ten Favorite
Nebraska volleyball is the Big Ten preseason favorite heading into Dani Busboom Kelly’s first season in charge. The conference released its preseason coaches poll and all-conference team on Thursday ahead of next week’s Big Ten Media Days in Chicago. Four Huskers made the 20-player all-conference team: setter Bergen Reilly, outside hitter Harper Murray and middle […]
Nebraska volleyball is the Big Ten preseason favorite heading into Dani Busboom Kelly’s first season in charge.
The conference released its preseason coaches poll and all-conference team on Thursday ahead of next week’s Big Ten Media Days in Chicago. Four Huskers made the 20-player all-conference team: setter Bergen Reilly, outside hitter Harper Murray and middle blockers Andi Jackson and Rebekah Allick. The first three were unanimous picks.
The Huskers went 33-3 overall last season including 19-1 in Big Ten play, falling in the national semifinals. The Huskers return most of their starters but lost legendary head coach John Cook to retirement following the season. Despite the coaching change, the program didn’t see a single player transfer out or decommit, giving Busboom Kelly a loaded roster to begin her head coaching career in Lincoln.
Penn State, who won the national championship and tied Nebraska for first in the Big Ten last season, is second. Wisconsin, Minnesota and UCLA round out the preseason top five.
Besides the three Huskers, only two others were unanimous all-conference selections and both are Nittany Lions: sophomore setter Izzy Starck and junior opposite hitter Kennedy Martin, a high-profile transfer from Florida. Nebraska four selections tied for the most with UCLA. Penn State and Wisconsin each placed three representatives on the team.
Reilly is a two-time Big Ten Setter of the Year. The 6-foot-1 junior from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, was second in the Big Ten (and 10th nationally) with 11.08 assists per set last season. She led the Huskers to their highest hitting percentage since 2016 at .284. Reilly was a second-team AVCA All-American and a first-team All-Big Ten selection, setting a record by earning Big Ten Setter of the Week five times in one season.
Murray was also a second-team All-American and first-team ALl-Big Ten performer last season after leading the Husker attack at 3.4 kills per set on .257 hitting. She averaged 2.43 digs per set and recorded nine double-doubles while leading Nebraska with 39 service aces. The 6-foot-2 junior from Ann Arbor, Michigan, will represent Nebraska in Chicago next week.
Jackson was a first-team All-America and Big Ten selection last year after one of the most efficient seasons in program history. The 6-foot-3 middle blocker from Brighton, Colorado, averaged 2.62 kills per set on a blistering .439 hitting, sixth in the country and fourth in Nebraska history. She also averaged 1.18 blocks per set.
Allick, who will join Murray and Busboom Kelly in Chicago for Big Ten Media Days, is the longest-tenured Husker alongside fellow senior Maisie Boesiger. A three-year starter, the 6-foot-4 Lincoln native has been a dominant blocker throughout her career and took a step forward offensively as well last year. She averaged 1.82 kills per set on a career-high .357 hitting to go with her team-leading 1.43 blocks per set, 14th in the nation and third in the Big Ten.
Busboom Kelly, Murray and Allick will speak at Big Ten Media Days on Monday. Fan will get a look at the Huskers during the team’s Red-White Scrimmage on Aug. 9 and Alumni Match on Aug. 16 before they open the season at the AVCA First Serve Showcase at Pinnacle Bank Arena on Aug. 22.
From court to college: Track phenom Nick Blann leaps to Union Commonwealth | Sports
After an impressive, yet brief high school track career, Nick Blann, the national champion in the long jump and state champion in the triple jump, officially signed to the next level. Joining multiple athletes from Logan County this past year, Blann adds his name to the list of athletes signed to compete at the collegiate […]
After an impressive, yet brief high school track career, Nick Blann, the national champion in the long jump and state champion in the triple jump, officially signed to the next level. Joining multiple athletes from Logan County this past year, Blann adds his name to the list of athletes signed to compete at the collegiate level. Blann signed his letter of intent to compete for the Union Commonwealth University Bulldogs as a collegiate track athlete. With offers from Morehead State and Kentucky Christian University, Blann ultimately decided to go with the Bulldogs for his future track career.
This past spring saw Blann join the Logan County Track and Field team and make history in his lone year as a standout in both the long jump events and the triple jump events. Blann earned the state title with a mark of 45-0 in the triple jump and set his personal best in the long jump with a 22-7.75 mark for the national title.
Taking his talent and explosive leaping ability from the basketball court to the field gave him an opportunity he didn’t expect. “After basketball season, I was looking for a job and couldn’t find anything. Coming home after school so many times and not having anything to do because, before, I would just be getting ready for basketball next season, but since I was graduating this year, I decided to try something new. I also had people in my ear encouraging me and my family too, so I said why not give it a try?” Blann said. The decision proved to be an important one, as he will now continue his newfound sport into college.
Blann had talked about the quick turnaround after signing, laying out the timeline for his start at Union: “I’ll be up there Aug. 14, with practice starting later in September, and then I will be jumping in December sometime. So after two weeks from moving in, I will be getting right into it, kicking in a different gear and getting right to work.”
A collegiate opportunity to compete in a sport is a huge accomplishment, and the challenges that Blann has overcome—he was vocal in how much the opportunity means: “I am beyond thankful. This is only the first step. I have had so many people believe in me and now it’s time for me to believe in myself. There’s been a lot of ups and downs; I didn’t even know if I was going to go to college, but this opportunity means everything.”
Blann, after etching his name in the history books of the Logan County High School athletic program, looks to continue his legacy at the next level for the Bulldogs.
Not many programs lost as much talent as Union County did from its Elite 8 team a year ago. Four senior leaders that were the top statistical players are gone, though a couple starters return. Despite the youth, the Lady Panthers are eager to grow. PRESEASON INFO 2024 Record: 18-19; Elite 8Head Coach: Megan Brown […]
Not many programs lost as much talent as Union County did from its Elite 8 team a year ago. Four senior leaders that were the top statistical players are gone, though a couple starters return. Despite the youth, the Lady Panthers are eager to grow.
PRESEASON INFO
2024 Record: 18-19; Elite 8 Head Coach: Megan Brown (4th Season) Returning Starters: 2 Key Departures: Lily Brookshire, Katelyn Brown, Charlei Robinson, Mallory Rouse Key Players: Reese Jones (SR H), Sofia Foster (JR), Samantha Combs (SO), Emry Sosensky (SO); New additions Blaire Hedden (JR), Amie Sauers (JR), Austin Beal (JR), Kamryn Brown (JR S) Strengths: Defense
“We have a young group but they are eager, excited, and ready to face some tough opponents,” says coach Megan Brown. “This group plays with a lot of heart, they have great attitudes, and they have fun!”
Washington State volleyball team earns AVCA academic award for second consecutive year
PULLMAN, WA – The Washington State volleyball team earned another award for the second straight year. This award is the 2025 American Coaches Association Team Academic Award. The association’s mission is to advance volleyball with AVCA coaches at the center of professional development, leadership, and advocacy. The AVCA has more than 10,000 collegiate, professional, high […]
PULLMAN, WA – The Washington State volleyball team earned another award for the second straight year.
This award is the 2025 American Coaches Association Team Academic Award.
The association’s mission is to advance volleyball with AVCA coaches at the center of professional development, leadership, and advocacy.
The AVCA has more than 10,000 collegiate, professional, high school, club, and youth volleyball coaches.
AVCA represents not only women’s volleyball coaches but also men’s volleyball and beach volleyball.
The award began in the 1992-93 academic season. It honors the volleyball teams that maintain a GPA of 3.3 or higher on a 4.0 scale, or even a 4.1 or higher on a 5.0 scale.
The Cougar’s volleyball team dominated that grade point average by having a team average of 3.65.
This includes 10 student-athletes who have a GPA of 3.5 or higher for the entire year.
Cougars head coach Korey Schroeder knows that by being a collegiate athlete, you must take academics seriously.
“Our team has shown how much they value their education as well as being an athlete.”
The 2025 season opener for the Cougs volleyball team is on August 29th, down in Utah, taking on Lafayette.
Six Raiders named 2025 USTFCCCA Men’s All-Academic
By: Bill Morgal, sports information director
Story Links
SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. – Six members of the Shippensburg University men’s track & field team: Tommy Crum, Jr., Aiden Gonder, Jackson Hersh, Garrett Quinan, Ian Sherlock and Quinton Townsend were recognized this week as 2025 Men’s All-Academic Athletes by the U.S. […]
SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. – Six members of the Shippensburg University men’s track & field team: Tommy Crum, Jr., Aiden Gonder, Jackson Hersh, Garrett Quinan, Ian Sherlock and Quinton Townsend were recognized this week as 2025 Men’s All-Academic Athletes by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).
It is the third consecutive season that Sherlock has earned a USTFCCCA All-Academic Track & Field classification. For Crum, Gonder, Hersh, Quinan and Townsend, it is their first individual honor for track & field.
To qualify for USTFCCCA All-Academic Athlete status for track & field, individuals must have compiled a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.25 or higher and finished the season among the top 50 individuals as listed on the descending order lists on the Track & Field Results Reporting System (TFRRS). Individuals on a relay that was among the top 35 on the list are also eligible, along with any athletes not among the top 50 but who participated at the indoor or outdoor national championships.
The 2025 season marks the first in which this new qualification criteria is in place.
Crum was recognized for his spot on the opening leg of the indoor distance medley relay that ran a time of 9:59.73 (which, upon flat-track conversion, results in a listed time of 9:51.79) in late January at Bucknell. He is a communication, journalism and media major concentrating in broadcast media production who holds a 3.621 cumulative GPA. Crum was named the Most Valuable Athlete of the 2025 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Indoor Championships after winning league titles in the mile (4:18.98), the 3K (8:31.37) and the DMR (10:14.77).
Gonder earned All-Academic honors for his outdoor performance in the 10K, a time of 29:58.02 achieved in April at Bucknell. It was one of just four sub-30 minute 10Ks in the Atlantic Region this season and ranks sixth all-time in SU history. A member of the Wood Honors College, Gonder graduated magna cum laude in May with a degree in mechanical engineering, minors in mathematics and exercise science, and a 3.678 cumulative GPA.
Hersh was honored in his debut season for his impressive javelin throw of 212 feet 4 inches (64.71 meters) at Lynchburg in late March. The performance ranked fourth in the Atlantic Region and 24th on the national list – the throw would have been a national qualifier in any of the previous four seasons (it would have ranked 15th in 2024, 14th in 2023, 12th in 2022 and 13th in 2021). He is majoring in mechanical engineering and maintains a 3.363 GPA.
Quinan received his All-Academic classification for his 10K that was achieved at the same April meet as Gonder. His time of 29:37.68 was the No. 3 mark in the Atlantic Region and ranks third all-time in school history. He is majoring in civil engineering and maintains a 3.605 cumulative GPA.
Sherlock becomes a three-time honoree by virtue of his work outdoors in the 3,000-meter steeplechase (9:00.38) and the 1,500 meters (3:46.42). His season PR in the steeplechase resulted in his third straight PSAC title in the event and was the top performance in the Atlantic Region this season. His 1,500-meter run was recorded at Bucknell and set a new lifetime best that ranks third all-time in school history.
Overall, Sherlock completed his career as a 10-time USTFCCCA All-Atlantic Region performer in track & field and a seven-time PSAC Champion. Sherlock received his undergraduate degree in May 2024 in communication, journalism & media (broadcast media production concentration) and a minor in marketing with a 3.54 cumulative GPA. He is set to complete his master’s degree in strategic communication this summer, having maintained a 3.933 cumulative GPA.
Townsend was a contributor to the NCAA-provisional qualifying 4×400-meter relay during the outdoor season. He was the 2025 PSAC Indoor Champion in the 200 meters (22.17 seconds at Lehigh) and a conference place winner in both the indoor 400 (fourth place) and the outdoor 400 (fifth place). He is majoring in finance and maintains a 3.562 cumulative GPA.
Sands and Alexander Named to AVCA Player of the Year Watch List Presented by Nike Volleyball
Story Links
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri volleyball saw two named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Division I Player of the Year Watch List presented by Nike Volleyball, announced on Thursday, July 24. Senior libero Maya Sands and senior outside hitter Caylen Alexander will represent Mizzou on the prestigious […]
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri volleyball saw two named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Division I Player of the Year Watch List presented by Nike Volleyball, announced on Thursday, July 24. Senior libero Maya Sands and senior outside hitter Caylen Alexander will represent Mizzou on the prestigious list.
Sands is coming off back-to-back Southeastern Conference Libero of the Year performances and was recently selected to the 2025 Preseason All-SEC Team and invited to join the U23 National Team by USA Volleyball. Additionally, she was a 2024 AVCA All-Region selection. The senior tied her career-best 30 digs twice in 2024, against Mississippi State (Oct. 20) and at Arkansas (Oct. 25), and notched double-digit digs in all three of Mizzou’s NCAA Tournament matches in 2024. She also surpassed 1,000 career digs last season (1,489 career digs, 1,077 career digs at Mizzou), and her 535 digs last campaign ranked sixth all-time for a single season at Mizzou.
Signing with the Tigers in January, Alexander joins Missouri after three seasons at Hawai’i. The 2024 Big West Player of the Year, she led the NCAA Division I with 611 total kills and ranked fifth in the nation with 5.09 kills per set to earn AVCA All-America Honorable Mention. Additionally, the outside hitter ranked second nationally with 676.5 total points and ranked seventh with 5.64 points per set. She totaled 20 or more kills in 15 matches to go with 15 double-doubles (kills-digs) and recorded a career-high 38 kills in a five-set win over Texas State on Sept. 14, 2024. She also posted 36 kills at UC Riverside on Nov. 7, 2024.
The Preseason Watch List was compiled by the AVCA Division I Women’s Volleyball Awards Committee. They will also be the group working on the additional phases of the Player of the Year process, which include:
Midseason additions to the list [October]
Naming the semifinalists [November]
Revealing the finalists [likely Dec. 15]
The announcement of the Player of the Year in Kansas City at the AVCA Awards Banquet on Friday Dec. 19.
FOLLOW THE TIGERS
For all the latest information on Mizzou Volleyball, please visit MUTigers.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Tigers on X, Instagram, and Facebook.
