Former Philadelphia Phillies’ Ryan Howard smiles before a ceremony honoring him before a baseball game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Washington Nationals, Sunday, July 14, 2019, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
By Dan Gelston
associated press
PHILADELPHIA — Ryan Howard was a rookie with the Philadelphia Phillies just putting baseball on notice with his moonshot home runs when he met Buck O’Neil, a champion of Black ballplayers during a monumental, eight-decade career on and off the field.
Howard was introduced to O’Neil as a modern-day Josh Gibson, one of the Negro Leagues’ greatest players, who hit .466 for the 1943 Homestead Grays. Howard, who hit at least 45 homers four times in his career, was too embarrassed to accept the comparison.
“Mr. O’Neil was like, ‘Do you got that power?’ I said, ‘Yes sir, I do,’” Howard said. “He told me: ‘Don’t be ashamed of it. Let it out.’ It was great, just hearing the stories from and just being in his presence.”
O’Neil, who died in 2006, was long a champion of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, Missouri. Howard, who won an NL MVP and a World Series with the Phillies, is ready to take up O’Neil’s cause as the former slugger joined the push in helping the museum’s expansion project.
The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum is fundraising for a new 30,000-square-foot facility and campus, aimed at advancing the museum’s mission of preserving the rich history of Negro Leagues baseball and its impact on social progress in the United States.
Howard and San Diego Padres manager Mike Shildt announced their plans Thursday to join the Negro Leagues’ “Pitch for the Future” in bringing greater awareness to the legacy of the Negro Leagues with a museum expansion.
FILE – Buck O’Neil walks to the field as he is introduced before a minor league all-star game Tuesday, July 18, 2006, in Kansas City, Kan. O’Neil, a champion of Black ballplayers during a monumental, eight-decade career on and off the field, has joined Gil Hodges, Minnie Minoso and three others in being elected to the baseball Hall of Fame, on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021. (AP Photo/Charlie Riede, File)
Negro Leagues Baseball Museum president Bob Kendrick said he hoped to raise $30 million to complete the project.
“It’s a tremendous indicator of the growth of his museum and the heightened interest in the subject matter that we’ve generated through the years and has dictated a need for us to grow in all phases of our operations,” Kendrick said. “This is a byproduct of growth.”
Interest in the Negro Leagues has spiked of late in large part because of its inclusion in the video game MLB The Show and when records for more than 2,300 players were incorporated last year into Major League Baseball statistics. The museum that was founded in a tiny, one-room office space in 1990 that attracts about 70,000 visitors each year — plus major leaguers who stop by during road trips — has outgrown its space at 18th and Vine.
Kendrick said the current space “wasn’t designed to handle large crowds at any one time.”
“In a perfect world, Kansas City will host the World Cup next year,” Kendrick said, “and we would love to follow the energy and excitement of the World Cup with a grand opening of the Negro Leagues Museum in 2027. That might be a little bit ambitious, but it’s doable.”
Howard toured the museum long before he was one of the feared sluggers in the National League.
“It was my way of paying homage to the Negro Leagues and former Negro League players that didn’t get the opportunity to play in the big leagues,” Howard said.
Howard was always struck by the Field of Legends — 13 life-size statues of the first Negro Leaguers inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York — that deepened his understanding of the journey the players took to reach the Hall.
“I think that’s why it’s important to keep the story going, keep it alive,” Howard said. “You’ve got to understand the history of Black baseball and how it correlates with baseball, in general, and Major League Baseball.”
The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport found during its last published study that Black players represented just 6.2% of players on MLB opening day rosters in 2023, down from 7.2% in 2022. For the first time since 1950, shortly after Jackie Robinson broke the Major League Baseball color barrier, there were no U.S.-born Black players on the Houston Astros’ or Philadelphia Phillies’ roster in the 2022 World Series.
Former New York Mets slugger Darryl Strawberry said over the weekend that MLB needed to focus on developing and marketing the game within the inner cities in order for the percentage of Black players to rise substantially.
Howard said connecting Black youth with baseball has long had its issues.
“It’s tough, trying to help figure things out,” Howard said. “I think there are now more young Black kids starting to get back into baseball. You have to be able to turn on the TV and see somebody that looks like you.”
Howard was raised in Missouri and noted Black former St. Louis Cardinals stars such as Willie McGee, Vince Coleman and Terry Pendleton who helped ignite his interest in the sport. Howard and fellow NL MVP Jimmy Rollins were two Black stars and fan favorites with the Phillies when they won their last World Series in 2008.
Shildt was a frequent visitor of the museum when he managed the Cardinals and remained hopeful that expansion would provide the resources needed to educate a new generation of fans.
“There’s a bigger story to tell,” Shildt said. “What’s taken place has been more grassroots oriented. They’ve been able to put it together without the resources to tell the full, big-picture story.”
Ripon High School’s Adriana Dorn is The Modesto Bee Volleyball Player of Year.
Andy Alfaro
aalfaro@modbee.com
The Ripon High volleyball team spent the majority of the 2025 season ranked in the top 10 of the MaxPreps Sac-Joaquin Section rankings. The team came back to reverse sweep Pitman High in a highly anticipated five-set, top-10 thriller and then, weeks later, secured a third consecutive undefeated Trans-Valley League season, three-peating as league champions.
But none of that was senior Adriana Dorn’s favorite part of the season.
Asked about her favorite memory from the season, the decorated leader thought back to a loss.
Dorn and the Indians were trailing two sets to zero in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division III championship match against Christian Brothers (Ripon was moved up after winning the 2024 title in D-IV).
Ripon’s Adriana Dorn floats a ball over the net during the Sac-Joaquin Section D3 volleyball championship match with Christian Brothers at Cosumnes River College in Sacramento on Nov. 8, 2025. Andy Alfaro aalfaro@modbee.com
They rallied back to produce arguably the most exciting match of the championship day slate at Cosumnes River College, winning the next two sets and forcing a winner-take-all fifth set. Though they lost 15-8, the team showed the hundreds of attendees what Dorn knew about her team all along.
“Even though we didn’t win, we played with so much grit and so much fight,” she said. “Every single point, we gave it our all. Even if we didn’t come out on top, that was just a really important game and one of my last as a Ripon High volleyball player.”
Dorn grew into a leadership role for the Stanislaus District’s top-ranked team, according to MaxPreps. She guided the Indians to a fourth straight section championship appearance and a fourth straight CIF Northern California Regional playoff berth.
Dorn was one of the top hitters in California, finishing ninth in hitting percentage (.408), and eighth in kills (544). Those numbers rank second and fourth in the section, respectively.
In her final high school season, Dorn finished with career highs in not only kills and hit percentage but kills per set (5.3) and kill percentage (51.9%). Dorn this season also was named the TVL’s Most Valuable Player for the second straight year.
For her efforts, Dorn is The Bee’s Volleyball Player of the Year for a second straight season.
“I’m just honored,” she said of winning the award for a second straight season. “I’m blessed to play with such a really good group of girls two years in a row and they helped me achieve this. I couldn’t have done any of it without them.”
Ripon High School’s Adriana Dorn is The Modesto Bee Volleyball Player of Year Andy Alfaro aalfaro@modbee.com
A successful senior season
Dorn, a four-year varsity player, saw her skills improve and her role change every year she played. As a freshman, she tallied 254 assists and just 76 kills. As a senior, her 544 kills were a team high.
She also grew as a leader.
“This program has taught me so many lessons and given me so many memories that I’ll cherish forever.”
As a senior, she reached the milestone of 1,000 career kills, was one of the driving forces in Ripon’s third straight season with over 25 overall wins and led the team through one of toughest volleyball leagues in California, beating multiple state qualifiers and a state champion twice in a 12-0 TVL season.
“Our first goal was always to win league,” Dorn said. “I think (head coach) Greg (Soliz) did a good job preparing us for that. Those games are always really fun because you have rivalries like RC and Escalon. They’re super fun to compete in.”
While her ability to put the ball away as an outside hitter earned her back-to-back Bee Player of the Year honors, Dorn’s versatility has made her a coveted recruit across the West Coast.
According to recruiting website prepdig.com, she is the No. 13 overall player in California and the state’s No. 4 ranked setter/right side.
“I’m willing to do anything to help the team,” she said. “I love to set and I love to hit. I’m good with doing whatever one.”
Fourth title game caps decorated career
In addition to over 1,300 kills, Dorn’s career was defined by winning. The most she lost in a season was 11 games as a freshman. In her final three high school seasons, Ripon never lost more than seven games in a season.
Dorn has never missed a section title match. Each varsity season, her teams played for a blue banner. They won titles during her freshman and junior seasons, 2022 and 2024, and lost in her sophomore and senior seasons, 2023 and 2025. In her four-year varsity career, Dorn and the Indians went 110-27 overall and 44-2 in league matches.
She still remembers her first section title match as a wide-eyed 14-year-old under the brightest lights the SJS offers. She jokingly said she had “no idea what I was doing playing in front of a crowd that big.”
As a senior, she became one of the team’s steady voices, talking the players through tough stretches in a match and guiding them to a near comeback in front of a rowdy crowd in a college gym.
“This was my fourth section championship and I was just able to kind of drown out the noise and just focus on the team,” she said. “My time (at Ripon) has really taught me that.”
2025 Modesto Bee All District Teams
COACH OF THE YEAR
Coming into the season, Pitman head coach Ariah Amini knew his team would be young in key areas. The girls lost their starting middle and second-leading hitter, their leader in service aces, blocks and their starting setter.
He also knew they would be returning some talent, like kills leader and Portland State signee Maryn Hall and key players like Kayliyah Williams, Aila Reich and Alyssa Moreno.
It was just about how everyone would fit together.
Amini asked players to step into bigger roles than they had last season. He had some returners play out of position, coaching them through tough nonleague matchups as they prepared to defend their three-time undefeated run as Central California Athletic League champions.
Though the Pride fell in the Division I quarterfinals, it did not mark the end of their season.
As the season progressed, the Pride only got better. They ended the season with 27 wins and just 11 losses and finished as undefeated CCAL champions for the fourth straight season. The Pride have now won 40 straight league games.
For his efforts, Amini was named CCAL Coach of the Year for the second time and is The Bee’s 2025 Volleyball Coach of the Year.
Pitman, a top 15 team in the section all season, advanced to the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I playoffs, competing against the best schools the area offers. As the No. 5 seed, they beat Franklin of Elk Grove in a competitive five-set match.
Despite not advancing to the section semifinals and earning an automatic bid into the CIF Northern California Regional playoffs, they did receive an at-large bid granted by the seeding committee. The Pride hosted a first round match in the Division III NorCal tournament as the No. 3 seed, but fell in a competitive five-set thriller to Shasta.
Pitman secured its fourth straight season with at least 25 wins and the third straight under Amini. The league champions had the CCAL MVP, co-Defensive Player of the Year and Setter of the Year.
FIRST TEAM
OH: Zaniyah Corneille, Sophomore, Downey
OH: Faye Dobson, Sophomore, Big Valley Christian
OH: Maryn Hall, Senior, Pitman
OH: Amelia Spaulding, Junior, Turlock
OH/OPP: Olivia Piazza, Junior, Hughson
MB/MH: Brynn Bohn, Senior, Ripon Christian
MH/MB: Emma Gomes, Senior, Hilmar
L: Audrey Mensonides, Senior, Turlock
L: Aila Reich, Senior, Pitman
S: Stella Pires, Senior, Hilmar
S: Jaedyn Riley, Senior, Oakdale
S: Alayna Sprinkle, Junior, Ripon
S: Izabella Ziencina, Sophomore, Pitman
SECOND TEAM
OH: Alyssa Colston, Senior, Hilmar
OH: Jorie Eskes, Junior, Ripon
OH/OPP: Ashlyn Malone, Sophomore, Ripon
OH/OPP: Alyssa Thomas, Senior, Central Catholic
OH/OPP: Addison Yarbrough, Freshman, Hughson
MH/MB: Reese Ahlem, Junior, Hilmar
MB/MH: Haley Kootstra, Senior, Ripon Christian
DS/L: Caitlin Echegoyen, Freshman, Big Valley Christian
DS/L: Izzy Piazza, Sophomore, Hughson
S: Ella Alavezos, Senior, Big Valley Christian
S: Alanna Blanco, Senior, Ripon Christian
S: Aniston Hunt, Junior, Escalon
S: Alyssa Vasquez, Senior, Davis
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Quinton Hamilton
The Modesto Bee
Quinton Hamilton covers high school sports for The Modesto Bee. He is a Southern California native and received his bachelor’s degree from Pacific Union College and a master’s in journalism from Quinnipiac University in Connecticut. Quinton has worked at the Record-Journal in Meriden and helped on projects at Hearst Connecticut.
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Virginia volleyball head coach Shannon Wells announced on Monday (Dec. 29) the addition of Reese Wuebker (Centreville, Ohio), an outside hitter from Ohio State. Wuebker intends to enroll and join the Cavaliers for the spring semester.
“We knew exactly what we were looking for to round out our 2026 roster and it is an important one for us as we have goals of the NCAA tournament: A six-rotation outside hitter who could stabilize our back row, terminate and bring a winning mentality to our gym,” Wells said. “Reese checks every one of those boxes. Her two years competing in the Big 10 have prepared her to win at the highest level and her drive to be the best is evident every day. Just as important, she’s an outstanding teammate who will step into a leadership role right away. We’re thrilled to welcome Reese to the UVA volleyball family.”
Wuebker comes to Grounds after a pair of seasons with the Buckeyes. She saw action in 48 matches throughout her two-year stint at Ohio State.
During the 2025 campaign, Wuebker posted 260 kills, 157 digs, 14 service aces and 11 total blocks. She ranked second on the squad by averaging 2.65 kills per set and 1.60 digs per set. Wuebker notched 12 matches with double-digit kills, including a season-best 21 kill performance against Wright State. Overall, she recorded three double-doubles during the season.
As a freshman at Ohio State, Wuebker registered 102 kills, 97 kills, 21 total blocks and nine service aces. She tallied double-digit digs in a pair of contests and recorded a career-high five blocks in a match against ACC foe Miami.
Wuebker prepped at Centerville High School, where she was named Conference and District Player of the Year as a senior and was a three-time first team all-conference performer. She played her club volleyball at Tri State Elite and earned Prep Volleyball All-American honors in 2023.
Caleb Atwood, Scarborough junior outside hitter: Atwood guided Scarborough to the top seed in Class A. She had 162 kills and 62 digs, and was exceptional at the line with a 92.3 service percentage and 39 aces. “She’s someone we tried to gameplan against,” Thornton coach Corey Huot said.
Maya Babcock, York senior libero: With Babcock in back, the Wildcats had someone who made a habit of turning kills into game-turning rallies. She totaled 363 digs, and also dished out 36 assists while adding 34 aces. “(She was) the best defensive player I saw this year,” Washington Academy coach Corey Schwinn said.
Liana Edwards, Gorham junior setter: Our choice for Varsity Maine Player of the Year for the second straight season was the versatile centerpiece for the three-time Class A champion Rams. Her precise passing helped Gorham hit an extra gear, but she was also a strong defender and hitter. The University of Rhode Island commit totaled 337 assists, 171 digs and 90 kills.
Lily Hennessey, Washington Academy senior setter: The Raiders’ attack featured options from all angles, and setting them up was Hennessey, who ran everything with what coach Corey Schwinn called “pinpoint accuracy.” She handed out 460 assists and also totaled 43 aces for the season.
Grace Keaney, Yarmouth senior middle hitter/outside hitter: A dominant middle hitter, the 6-foot-3 Keaney also had the versatility to affect the game elsewhere on the line. The University of Rhode Island commit, a three-time Varsity Maine All-State selection, totaled 149 kills with what Washington Academy coach Corey Schwinn called a “terminating swing,” as well as 87 digs and 41 aces.
Bella Parrotta, York senior setter: With Parrotta at the center of the operation, the Wildcats overpowered most of their opponents en route to a second Class B final appearance. She totaled the 1,000th assist of her career and finished with a whopping 425 for the season, and she added 130 digs, 64 aces and 43 kills.
Addie Petit, Thornton Academy junior setter: Petit was a game-changer for the Golden Trojans and guided them to their first Class A final. The SMAA first-team pick had 369 assists, 98 digs and 40 aces. “She’s amazing,” Gorham coach Emma Tirrell said.
Kellan Schwinn, Washington Academy senior outside hitter: A three-time All-State selection, Schwinn did everything well for the Class B champions. Her powerful, consistent and accurate hits allowed her to take over matches, and she led the Raiders with 199 kills, 107 digs, and 75 aces.
Anabelle Talley, Greely junior outside hitter: Talley was the big hitter that helped the Rangers reach the Class B semifinals. The two-time Varsity Maine selection totaled 193 kills, 158 digs and 30 aces this fall, and was credited with a .479 hitting percentage. “If she got swinging, we were in trouble,” Yarmouth coach Erin Hancock said.
Quinn Wherley, Kennebunk senior libero: While setter Charlotte MacDonald ran the offense, Whirley was the full-tilt defender whose anticipation and hustle allowed her to get to hit after hit, even those she seemingly wouldn’t be able to reach. She piled up 264 digs, handed out 20 assists and was an excellent server with 61 aces.
COACH OF THE YEAR
Corey Huot, Thornton Academy: Huot, the SMAA Coach of the Year, guided the Golden Trojans to their first state championship match. To get there, the fourth-seeded Trojans had to take down No. 1 Scarborough. He also led the Trojans to a victory over eventual state champion Gorham during the regular season.
Drew Bonifant covers sports for the Press Herald, with beats in high school football, basketball and baseball. He was previously part of the Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel sports team. A New Hampshire…
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When Alexa Borgman was a high school volleyball player, her height, power and athleticism loaded her with potential.
But at West Ottawa, she was never the best player on the court, leaving her a little uncertain about her abilities – but they were there.
Borgman just needed the right college situation to grow her confidence.
Fast forward four years and Borgman was NCCAA Regional Player of the Year and second-team All-American at Grace University.
“I felt like I left everything on the court this year and I dominated, and that showed in my stats quite a bit,” she said. “I just wanted to play with a passion this year. When I was first-team all-region I just broke into tears because I never expected it, then the bigger awards came, and I was just in shock.”
Grace made it to the regional finals, led by Borgman, who was in the top three in the NCCAA in kills and kill percentage.
“That was not something I thought about in high school. I was pretty uncertain,” she said. “But it has been really cool to see. Something in me clicked this year and I went in with confidence the entire time.”
One thing that she was certain about in high school was her blocking ability. She has continued that through college.
But this year, Grace graduated its entire starting lineup except Borgman and one other player. So the team needed offense.
After playing right-side as a freshman, then spending a year looking to finesse her shots as an outside, Borgman brought back her powerful swing and simply dominated. She had 369 kills, while hitting .301. She also had 25 aces and 22 blocks. She had 813 kills in her career and will look to reach 1,000 in her final season.
“When I first started, I started on the right-side because that is where they put the biggest block,” Borgman said. “I had never played outside before, so it involved a lot of training outside of the gym. I was lifting a lot and working on my jumping and when I got to practice it was about hitting shots instead of just hitting with power. I know I have a powerful swing, but I knew if I was on the outside, I would have to hit smarter.
“This year coach wanted me to work on my power, and my confidence came with it. I feel more grown up as a player and my character really developed.”
Contact sports editor Dan D’Addona at Dan.D’Addona@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @DanDAddona or Facebook @HollandSentinelSports.
For a second straight season Manitowoc Lutheran’s Ava Stuebs is the Lakeshore Elite volleyball player of the year.
The junior helped guide the Lancers to their second-straight WIAA state championship, this time in Division 3 after winning the Division 4 title in 2024.
She was first team all-Big East Red and unanimous first team all-state in Division 3 by the Wisconsin Volleyball Coaches Association.
Hartselle head coach Lyndsey Crumpton. Enquirer photo by Jim Meadows
Brewer High School, Danville High School, Hartselle High School, Morgan County, News Main, Priceville High School, Sports
The 2025 high school volleyball season across the Enquirer coverage area was defined by consistency, toughness, and elite-level production at the net and on the back line. From deep postseason runs to record-setting individual performances, the area’s top programs were powered by athletes who delivered night after night. The Hartselle Enquirer All-Area Volleyball Team recognizes the players and coaches whose performances set the standard throughout the fall.
Coaches of the Year
Lyndsey Crumpton, Hartselle
Crumpton guided Hartselle to a 48-15 record and a return trip to the State Tournament. The Tigers captured the 6A Area 15 title and followed it up with a third-place finish at the North Super Regional, continuing the program’s tradition of postseason success under her leadership.
Jill Faulkner, Brewer
Brewer head coach Jill Faulkner. Enquirer photo by Jim Meadows
Faulkner led Brewer to a 42-19 record and a State Tournament berth after the Patriots claimed the 5A North Super Regional championship. Brewer’s postseason surge was fueled by balanced play, defensive toughness, and timely offense throughout the year.
Player of the Year
Brewer’s Blakely Faulkner. Enquirer photo by Jim Meadows
Blakely Faulkner, Brewer, Sr.
Faulkner put together one of the most dominant all-around seasons in the state, finishing with 653 digs, 557 kills, and an eye-popping 319 aces. Her ability to impact the match in every phase made her the centerpiece of Brewer’s run and the clear choice for Player of the Year.
All-Area team
Brenna McReath, Hartselle, Jr.
McReath turned in a monster season with 520 kills, 395 digs, 112 aces, and 63 blocks. Her versatility and power at the net made her one of the most difficult matchups in the area.
Abby Langlois, Priceville, Sr.
Langlois anchored Priceville’s attack with 435 kills while adding 325 digs, 96 blocks, and 43 aces. Her presence at the net and consistency in transition play were key for the Bulldogs.
Maddy Johnson, Hartselle, Sr.
One of the area’s top setters, Johnson dished out 1,520 assists to go with 416 digs, 192 kills, 66 aces, and 22 blocks. Her court vision and tempo control fueled Hartselle’s offense all season long.
Makenzie Irmen, Brewer, Sr.
Irmen was a steady force for Brewer, finishing with 621 digs and 482 kills. Her two-way play gave the Patriots a reliable option in both serve receive and attack.
Abigail Preuitt, Hartselle, Sr.
Preuitt delivered 453 kills and 84 digs, providing a consistent scoring threat on the outside as Hartselle navigated a demanding schedule and postseason run.
Alley Emerson, Brewer, Soph.
A defensive standout, Emerson piled up 802 digs and added 40 aces. Her ability to extend rallies and control the back row made her one of the area’s premier defensive players.
Lyndie Springer, Hartselle, Sr.
Springer filled the stat sheet with 546 digs, 326 kills, and 90 aces. Her all-around production and leadership were vital to the Tigers’ success.
Josi Langlois, Priceville, Soph.
Langlois emerged as a dynamic young talent, finishing with 336 digs, 305 kills, and 59 aces. Her growth throughout the season was instrumental for Priceville.
Adily Alberti, Danville, Sr.
Alberti capped her senior season with 358 kills and 332 digs, leading Danville with steady offense and defensive consistency on the court.
