Lindsey Sparks sat on the side of UCLA’s beach volleyball courts for two and a half hours each day, unable to participate in practice yet required to attend every one.
Sparks was not far removed from becoming an NCAA Beach Volleyball champion, having played a pivotal role in the Bruins’ title-winning run as a freshman in 2019.
As a member of the fifth pairing Sparks had secured one of the three wins needed in the championship match, and was named to the 2019 NCAA All-Tournament Team.
In the summer after her sophomore season, the young star tore over a third of the cartilage on the backside of her kneecap as well as dislocating it, putting her final two years into jeopardy.
She underwent an experimental knee surgery for a torn medial patellofemoral ligament and injured cartilage on the patella, and was given a 50% chance she would ever play the sport she loved again.
For her entire junior and senior year seasons, Sparks had been relegated to watching practices and shagging balls when her knee was up to it.
Now, four years after the injury and six years after the championship, Sparks is back in the starting lineup, but this time for Cal Poly.
She just wrapped up her second and final regular season with the team while playing on the No. 3 line and was named an All-Big West Honorable Mention.
“I definitely lost hope I’d ever play again after the year mark,” Sparks said. “Then things took a turn for the better, and I’m just super lucky to be here.”
Finding her way back to the volleyball court was not an easy road for the graduate student, who is in her final year of eligibility after seven years on and off the injury report.
Sparks made her official comeback to NCAA action last season as a Mustang, but she had not expected to leave her former program UCLA, where she had rehabbed her injury.
In 2023, after two years of continuous work to strengthen her knee enough to take on the sand, she reached out to her coaches in the hopes of returning to the program for her sixth year.
Sparks found herself on a Zoom with one coach in September 2023 after receiving positive encouragement on her training all summer, when she received the most shocking news of her college career.
UCLA cut her from the team.
After years of enduring the frustration of being cast aside while she couldn’t play, her shot to prove the doubters wrong had just disappeared with no warning.
Still determined to finish her career as an athlete, Sparks turned to the transfer portal and caught the attention of Todd Rogers, former gold medalist and Cal Poly’s head coach.
Sparks transfers to Cal Poly
Sparks is in her seventh year of eligibility, using a redshirt year and transferring to Cal Poly as a graduate student in 2024. Emma Arredondo / Mustang News
Sparks had an initial interest in attending Cal Poly, stemming from her love of nature and positive experience in her visit before ultimately choosing UCLA. In fall of 2023, she reached out to Rogers.
Rogers, who previously tried to recruit her as a freshman, “welcomed [her] with open arms,” according to Sparks.
Sparks, after getting her Master’s in Transformative Coaching and Leadership from UCLA, she decided to pursue a Master’s in Nutrition at Cal Poly.
While Rogers knew he was not signing up for a 100 percent healthy Sparks this time around, he saw her as a valuable asset regardless due to her headstrong leadership.
“We’ve always needed more of those people who are comfortable caring for someone but are also giving them the elbow and saying ‘hey, you can be better than that,’” Rogers said.
Sparks got to work starting winter quarter 2024. Still in recovery, it took time for her to adjust to the practice regimen.
While injuries persisted, Sparks noted that the coaching staff allowed her to be active in practice as a leader and supported her through the injury, contrasting with her experience at UCLA.
“It means a lot for them to believe in me through the ups and the downs,” Sparks said. “They don’t just support me when I’m up.”
While it was uncertain where she would be in the lineup, if at all, she proved to be physically capable enough to not just be a starter, but land herself in the No. 3 spot.
Finally somewhat healthy, Sparks reclaimed some of the undeniable talent that had landed her on the All-Pac 12 Second Team in 2021 and the PAC-12 All-Freshman Team in 2019.
Sparks and Perry become reliable duo
That winter, Rogers selected then freshman Quinn Perry to be her partner for the season. Sparks began her Cal Poly career at 24 years old and Perry at 18, but the age gap did not matter, and neither did Sparks’s sudden appearance on the team.
The pair put up an incredible season at the No. 3 spot in 2024, boasting an 18-5 record and earning All-Big West honorable mentions.
In 2025, Rogers separated the two through the first half of the season before bringing them back together. They still hold strong at an 11-4 record this season.
Perry and Sparks work best with each other due to their willingness to have “uncomfortable conversations” about their play and conduct on the court, according to Perry. Their honesty with each other allows them to have a strong bond both on and off the sand.
“My favorite thing about Lindsey is that she is unapologetically herself, which is refreshing especially in this day and age,” Perry said.
Mustangs upset No. 2 UCLA
Cal Poly beach volleyball went 1-1 against NCAA No. 1 seed UCLA this season. Emma Arredondo / Mustang News Credit: Emma Arredondo / Mustang News
On April 4, 2025, Sparks found herself in a pivotal matchup in what might have been her last shot to showcase her capabilities against her former team.
Perry and Sparks won in straight sets with Sparks’s former coach Jenny Johnson Jordan coaching against her on the court.
In dramatic fashion, Izzy Martinez and Logan Walter took their matchup 20-18 in the third set, clinching a 3-2 Mustang win.
Sparks had taken her matchup against the Bruins before, this win marked the first time the Mustangs beat the Bruins in program history. Sparks described it as “the sweetest satisfaction ever.”
“I’m not gonna gloat too much, but it really did feel good,” Sparks said.
Sparks got her happy ending, but her sights are set higher. Cal Poly Beach Volleyball has entered the NCAA Championships for the second year in a row and will face off against LSU in the first round.
The only possible scenario where the Mustangs can face off against the No. 1 Bruins again will be if both teams advance to the championship match.
Sparks begins her final collegiate NCAA run at 1 p.m. against Louisiana State University on May 2.
KALAMAZOO, Mich. — The Mid-American Conference announced the 2025 Cross Country Academic All-MAC Team on Thursday morning, celebrating the achievements of 117 student-athletes who have excelled both in competition and in the classroom. The Broncos were headlined by six honorees on this year’s list.
The Academic All-MAC distinction honors student-athletes who demonstrate outstanding dedication to both their academic and athletic pursuits. To qualify, student-athletes must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.20 and participate in at least 50% of their team’s competitions during the season.
Ava Kurczewski (3.93, Exercise Science), Lara Machado Pereira (3.76, Biomedical Sciences), Larissa McGrath (3.97, Biomedical Sciences), Lily Overton (3.70, Exercise Science), Lauren Sancrant (3.68, Strategic Communications: Public Relations) and Madison Zarembski (3.98, Elementary Education) were the representatives this season.
#19 MEN’S VOLLEYBALL vs. Catawba College WHEN: Saturday, January 10 (5 p.m.) WHERE: The RAC | Fairfax, Va. 2025 RECORDS: #19 George Mason (16-13, 6-6 EIVA); Catawba College (13-12, 1-2 IVA) ALL-TIME SERIES: First-ever meeting LIVE STATS: Click Here WATCH (ESPN+): Click Here
FAIRFAX, Va. – The No. 19 George Mason Men’s Volleyball team will begin their 2026 campaign this Saturday, January 10, when they host Catawba College at the Recreation Athletic Complex (RAC) at 5 p.m. in Fairfax. This will be the Patriots’ first-ever meeting with the Indians and the first time since 2023 the Patriots will start the season with a home opener.
Head coach Jay Hosack, who is entering his 11th season at the helm and recently signed a three-year contract extension with George Mason, said he is looking forward to get the new season underway.
“We are excited to get the 2026 season underway!” said Coach Hosack. “Our guys have worked hard in the preseason, and we are stoked to start the march towards an EIVA title run!”
George Mason ended their 2025 season with a 16-13 overall record and a EIVA Conference record of 6-6. After sweeping Charleston (WV) in the first round of the EIVA tournament, the Patriots’ season came to a close when they lost 3-1 to top-seeded Princeton in the semifinals.
In the offseason, Coach Hosack signed Patriot alum Sam Greenslade (’20) as an assistant coach and added freshmen Brady Ruth of Orlando, Fla., and Alex Venes of Plainfield, Ill.
George Mason is also highly ranked in both conference and national preseason polls. The Patriots are ranked No. 19 in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) National Collegiate MVB Preseason Poll, and they are ranked third in the Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (EIVA) Preseason Coaches Poll.
Redshirt senior outside hitter Liam French and sophomore middle blocker Alexander Lillie were also selected to the 2026 EIVA Players to Watch list. Last season, French played 72 sets from 24 matches and scored 233 points with 191 kills. The Virginia Beach, Va., native also had 29 service aces, the second-most on the team, as well as a .242 hitting percentage, 57 digs and 22 blocks. French recorded a season-high of four service aces against Charleston (WV) on April 23rd.
Lillie’s freshman campaign was a decorated one, as he was named a three-time EIVA Defensive Player of the Week and was also selected to the EIVA First-Team. The Ronkonkoma, N.Y., product appeared in 82 sets across 24 matches and recorded 30 solo blocks, which was the second-most in the country. In total, his 94 blocks with 1.132 blocks per set was good for ninth-best in the country as well.
The team this season comprise of the following:
SENIORS (4)
JUNIORS (6)
SOPHOMORES (6)
FRESHMEN (2)
SCOUTING CATAWBA COLLEGE
Catawba College will begin their second-ever men’s volleyball season this Saturday in Fairfax. Last season, the Indians finished their inaugural season with an overall record of 13-12 and an Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (IVA) Conference record of 1-2. They entered the IVA Tournament as the four-seed and fell to No. 5 Rockhurst in the first round of the tournament, 3-1, in St. Louis, Mo.
HISTORY WITH THE INDIANS
This will be George Mason’s first-ever meeting with Catawba College.
UP NEXT
After the home opener, the Patriots will travel to Columbus, Ohio, for two matches. They will face host Ohio State on Jan. 15, followed by meeting with Long Beach State the following day (Jan. 16). The Patriots will then return home to host Merrimack on Jan. 24th at 6 pm at the RAC.
The University of Missouri’s track and field team returns to the recently renovated Hearnes Center indoor track facility for its first home meet of the season, hosting the Alexis Jarrett Invitational in Columbia, Mo., at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 10.
First opened in 1972, the Hearnes Center has served as a central home for Missouri’s volleyball, wrestling, gymnastics (until 2026) and track & field. The Fieldhouse originally featured a 200-meter track, sprint straightaway and multiple event runways. Now, it features a 200m, 21m Radius and 12 Degree Banked Mondo Track. Over its history, the center has hosted major competitions including the 1991 Big Eight Indoor Track & Field Championship and continues to be a key site for the team.
Last Year’s Alexis Jarrett Invitational
Last year, the Tigers had their first home meet of the season during this invitational. During this meet, 15 Tigers set personal bests across nine different events. On top of that, 12 different Tigers had event wins such as Sam Innes and Petra Gombas for their throws. Alongside them, Reagan Kimrey had a 13.60m shot put throw and Anna Vedral led the pole-vaulters. Lastly, Rahel Broemmel set a career mark in the 1000m.
The Tigers have 39 women athletes on the roster this season, each competing in their respective events.
The Tigers’ roster features 30 male athletes ready for the 2026 season.
With a deep and stacked roster on both the men’s and women’s sides, the Tigers enter the Alexis Jarrett Invitational ready to open the indoor season strong at home. Veteran leaders and new athletes across all event groups will push for early success this weekend.
“I think that they’re ready to be better versions of themselves in a really short period of time, based on what I’m seeing,” assistant coach TJ Harris said.
To read more about Missouri’s Track & Field team, follow @Rock MNation and @SophBleedsLa on X.com
Caydence Doolan closed her North Hagerstown volleyball career as one of the greatest players in Washington County history.
She helped North win three state championships and reach another state final. She put away a staggering 1,256 kills wearing a Hubs uniform.
On Friday, Jan. 9, Doolan was announced as the winner of the Gatorade Maryland Volleyball Player of the Year award.
“It’s really exciting,” said Doolan, who was on her way to Marquette University and early enrollment. “It’s really nice knowing all the hard work I’ve put in got me to this honor. I just think about all the support I had, the coaches, the teammates — they were always great to me, and it helped me as a player grow. They pushed me, but always let me know, ‘You got this.”
Doolan had 478 kills and 223 digs in her senior year, leading the Hubs to a 19-1 record in best-of-5-set matches and a fourth straight appearance in the Class 3A state final. She set a county record for kills-per-set average in the rally-scoring era (from 2002 on), averaging 7.35 kills.
North went 76-4 over Doolan’s four seasons, winning state titles in each of her first three years. Doolan is the only player to win the Herald-Mail county player of the year honor three times this century. She also earned AVCA All-American second-team honors.
“Caydence is the kind of volleyball player every coach dreams of,” said Hubs coach Lacie Johnson in the press release. “She’s a consistent force, a competitor who plays with intensity, precision and has an unshakable drive to always improve.”
Now she’s ready for the next stop in her volleyball journey with the Golden Eagles.
“I’m just excited to get in the gym and start working with the team and do great things,” Doolan said. “It’s a great program, a great school and I’m excited to be here.”
CHICAGO – DePaul track and field is ready to return to competition on Saturday, Jan. 10, following a brief hiatus, as the Blue Demons head back to Gately Park. While the meet takes place at DePaul’s home venue, the shared facility will be hosted by Wisconsin this weekend as part of the Badger Midwest Invite. DePaul returns to the Badger Midwest Invite for the third consecutive season with hopes of strong performances on both the track and in the field.
The Field
DePaul will compete alongside a local field that includes Ball State, Chicago State, UIC, and Wisconsin. Field events begin at 2 p.m. CT, followed by track events at 3:55 p.m. CT, with finals slated for 5:40 p.m. CT.
December Rewind
The Blue Demons carry early momentum into the new year after competing in three December meets at Notre Dame, Boston University, and Gately Indoor. To open the year in South Bend, Ind., Jaiden Gary and Jaiah Hopf earned first-place finishes in the shot put and long jump, respectively, while Katelyn Welsh became DePaul’s first female pole vaulter in program history.
In Boston, Vivian Wyller posted a personal-best time of 17:11.22 in the 5,000 meters before an outstanding day for DePaul at its home meet, the Blue Demon Holiday Classic. The meet saw 12 individual event champions crowned, with 21 personal records set during the Blue Demons’ final competition of the 2025 calendar year.
Newcomers
To open the 2025–26 DePaul University Winter Quarter, the Blue Demons’ women’s track and field team welcomed two newcomers. Helen Baumgarten, an international product from Germany, enters her redshirt-junior campaign after transferring from New Orleans. The multi-event specialist reunites with first-year DePaul assistant coach Ben Hibbert.
Antioch, Ill., native and Ball State transfer Rosie Gonzales joins the Blue Demons as a freshman. Gonzales specializes in distance running and hails from Antioch Community High School, located roughly three miles south of the Illinois-Wisconsin border. Both newcomers join the fray hoping to make an immediate impact.
Follow along with DePaul at the Badger Midwest Invite: Live Results | Event Schedule | Blue Demons
Up Next
The Blue Demons compete locally at the Cardinal Opener on Saturday, Jan. 17, hosted by North Central College.
Jordan Larson, Nebraska volleyball legend and Olympian, announces retirement from competitive volleyball
Well, thanks to so many of you guys that have come out this morning. We’re excited to, to be here. Um, my name is Kirsten Bernthal Booth. I’m the president of business operations for Love, Nebraska, and we have *** special announcement, um, before we open at home on Sunday. So I’m gonna now turn it over to Jordan Larson for *** few words. Hey everyone, welcome. Um, so I’m gonna kind of read this just because. We’re probably gonna be fumbled, so I’m gonna try to get through it, but I’ve read it probably 10 times, so hopefully, there’s no tears. Um, the season isn’t about an ending. It’s about celebrating that made the journey possible. Oh, after this year, I’ll be stepping away from competitive volleyball, and rather than making this the finish line, I want to spend this season honoring the people, places, and moments that shaped it all. Are you. Every gym, every jersey, every teammate coach, and Van has played *** role, and this year is my way of saying thank you. It’s been I’ve been incredibly fortunate to play this game alongside people who challenged me. Pushed me and supported me and believe in something bigger than myself. None of this would have happened alone. This season is for the shared work, the memories and lessons and for the love of the game that has been constant from the very beginning. So I wanna celebrate together, um, one more season competing, connecting and appreciate just how special this ride has been. Um, grateful for every step and ready for one more. And, um, I think just recognizing how special it is for me to be home and be able to do this in front of *** state that just really loves volleyball and this really isn’t about me. There’s been so many greats that have come on before me and maybe haven’t had. The proper buy to the game and um I hope this is just kind of setting that foundation for others to to follow suit.
Jordan Larson, Nebraska volleyball legend and Olympian, announces retirement from competitive volleyball
Updated: 11:15 AM CST Jan 9, 2026
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Jordan Larson, a former Nebraska volleyball player and four-time Olympic medalist, announced Friday that this will be her last season as a professional player.”This season isn’t about an ending, it’s about celebrating that made the journey possible,” Larson said. “After this year, I’ll be stepping away from competitive volleyball and rather than making this the finish line, I want to spend the season honoring the people, places and moments that shaped it all.” » Download the free KETV app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google PlayLarson was a three-time All-American and national champion at NU. She won a gold medal with Team USA in 2021.The Fremont native was on John Cook’s coaching staff at Nebraska for two seasons and helped lead the Huskers to an NCAA national championship appearance in 2023 and an NCAA tournament final four appearance in 2024.Larson is also part of the new ownership group for the LOVB Nebraska volleyball team.Make sure you can always see the latest news, weather, sports and more from KETV NewsWatch 7 on Google search.NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |
OMAHA, Neb. —
Jordan Larson, a former Nebraska volleyball player and four-time Olympic medalist, announced Friday that this will be her last season as a professional player.
“This season isn’t about an ending, it’s about celebrating that made the journey possible,” Larson said. “After this year, I’ll be stepping away from competitive volleyball and rather than making this the finish line, I want to spend the season honoring the people, places and moments that shaped it all.”
» Download the free KETV app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play
Larson was a three-time All-American and national champion at NU. She won a gold medal with Team USA in 2021.
The Fremont native was on John Cook’s coaching staff at Nebraska for two seasons and helped lead the Huskers to an NCAA national championship appearance in 2023 and an NCAA tournament final four appearance in 2024.
Larson is also part of the new ownership group for the LOVB Nebraska volleyball team.
Make sure you can always see the latest news, weather, sports and more from KETV NewsWatch 7 on Google search.
NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |
