Sports
Good sand and loud crowd, but is AVP concept missing something? – Daily News
INGLEWOOD – It was suggested in the runup to this week’s Association of Volleyball Professionals event at Intuit Dome that when Logan Dan visits an AVP venue, he should get the Mariano Rivera treatment. You know, Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” blasting through the speakers as he walks into the place. Dan is literally the tour’s Sandman, […]
INGLEWOOD – It was suggested in the runup to this week’s Association of Volleyball Professionals event at Intuit Dome that when Logan Dan visits an AVP venue, he should get the Mariano Rivera treatment.
You know, Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” blasting through the speakers as he walks into the place.
Dan is literally the tour’s Sandman, maybe the most important guy on tour week in and week out. This week he was the guy who oversaw the delivery of 300 tons of sand and its placement into a beach volleyball court in the Clippers’ not-yet-a-year-old arena.
That court, located at the west end of the arena floor, is the centerpiece for L.A.’s stop in the AVP League, a 2-year-old concept involving the eight top teams on the men’s and women’s sides and played in either big city arenas – like Intuit – or in non-beach venues like a tennis center in Palm Beach, Fla., a marina in East Hampton, N.Y., or Central Park in Manhattan, next weekend’s site.
The league format and the non-beach sites have replaced all but two of the traditional beach tournaments on the AVP schedule, both of which are located in Southern California. There are eight league events – five of them indoors – leading up to the championship round at Chicago’s Oak Street Beach on Labor Day weekend.
And not everyone plays every week, which means that if you’re a true beach volleyball fan and you look forward to the sport’s best all in one place, you seldom get that. More on that below.
As the main domestic beach volleyball circuit transitions away from, you know, actual beaches, the guy in charge of the sand becomes ever more important. Dan, a contractor for San Antonio-based Kilowatt Events, is in his second year overseeing the installation of these temporary courts. Preparing the Intuit Dome, he said, was relatively easy, unlike some places – think facilities normally used for tennis – where the sand has to be dumped one place and transferred to another.
“It’s nice to come into a brand new venue and be the first group to bring sand into it,” he said. “Obviously there’s challenges and learning for the venue with us, you know, as we’re bringing in sand and learning the trucks and paths and things. … (But) everything’s already here.”
The sand surface for volleyball, he said, is USGA Top Dressing sand, the same stuff used by golf courses when aerating fairways and greens. Sometimes the sand used for one of these temporary volleyball courts will be given to golf courses or parks or playgrounds.
What do the players think of the temporary indoor conditions?
Kelly Cheng, USC alum and two-time Olympian, said the Intuit sand was “very shallow. We’ve played in indoor venues on the world tour, on the FIVB, and it’s much deeper than this. So, yeah, very springy sand. People are jump serving hard, jumping high. It’s fun. It’s a fast game. It’s different.”
But Cheng, who partners with Molly Shaw for the Miami Mayhem, said she misses the conditions players deal with outside, particularly the wind: “It’s so fun. It makes the game completely different. I love it. … It’s another challenge because you could go out on the beach and some days aren’t windy at all. And you’ve got to find out, find a way to win.”
A dissenting view comes from Logan Webber, who plays with Hagen Smith (son of beach legend Sinjin Smith) for the L.A. Launch. He doesn’t miss those uncertain conditions.
“It’s almost nice for us to just come in knowing that we’re going to have absolutely clean playing conditions,” he said. “Sometimes, you show up at a tournament and you just don’t know what to expect.”
As for the sand?
“This is basically the south side of the Huntington Pier (in) jumpiness,” he said. “That’s very equivalent sand to what this is. If you’re playing in Hermosa Beach? It’s a very different game from this … You sink in, two feet at a time.”
Meanwhile, the question must be asked: Has this new AVP concept, in which four of the eight teams are idle on a given weekend, thrown away the charm of the sport in exchange for regular weekly TV commitments from the CBS Sports Network and the CW?
What used to be a full summer of AVP tournament play has been reduced to only two “Heritage Event” weekends, the Huntington Beach Open in May and the Manhattan Beach Open – can we call it beach volleyball’s grandaddy of ’em all? – which will be held August 15-17. Five other tournaments are “Contender” (qualifying) events; four have already been played in Palm Beach, Fla., Virginia Beach, Va., Denver and Oshkosh, Wis., with one still to come in Laguna Beach Sept. 13-14.
AVP commissioner and chief operating officer Bobby Corvino said Friday the goal “is to continue to partner with iconic venues across this country. We want to grow the sport, and you know how beautiful it looked and incredible it was (at the 2024 Olympics) with Paris and the Eiffel Tower. … We’re strategic about the cities we’re going to right now, but we’re always looking for options and partners that see the vision with what we’re trying to do and build the sport and grow it in that geographic area.”
The fans who showed up at the Intuit Dome were enthusiastic enough, especially when the in-game host fired them up, but the matchups between geographic neighbors Palm Beach and Miami, and L.A. and San Diego, don’t exactly scream rivalry. Dodgers-Padres, this ain’t.
And much of the problem is that the true rivalries in volleyball are between individual teams, and those are deemphasized without the tournament format and the possibility that those teams could play in a Sunday final.
Example: Canadians (and Olympic silver medalists) Brandie Wilkerson and Melissa Humana-Paredes, are on site this week, playing for Palm Beach. Their rivals for No. 1, Americans Taryn Brasher and Kristen Nuss, who play for Austin, aren’t here.
“The idea seems to be that only by making our beloved game into something we don’t particularly like can the AVP attract a larger fanbase,” Mark Davis wrote in April for the “Larry Hamel’s All Volleyball” Substack.
Meanwhile, a poster on the VolleyTalk message board put it this way in a post last August: “Half the 8 teams sit out every week. What’s good about this league? Really what?”
And, a commenter/player on Reddit made this observation last winter: “(The) AVP has decided that it is going to pool its money and resources and shuffle it around the people who are already at the top of the ladder while eliminating the ability for new or growing talent to emerge.”
Did the AVP’s decision makers perhaps miscalculate?
jalexander@scng.com
Sports
Local Belton resident hosting benefit tournament for The Burgess Family
CHINA SPRING, Texas (KXXV) — John, Julia, and their two sons passed away during the destructive Kerrville flooding. Now, a family friend is helping to make a difference. Burgess Family Volleyball and Cornhole Benefit Tournament Sunday, July 27th, Legacy Beach Volleyball from 5 pm-10 pm. BROADCAST TRANSCRIPT:It has been three weeks since the nation’s attention […]
CHINA SPRING, Texas (KXXV) — John, Julia, and their two sons passed away during the destructive Kerrville flooding. Now, a family friend is helping to make a difference.
- Burgess Family Volleyball and Cornhole Benefit Tournament
- Sunday, July 27th, Legacy Beach Volleyball from 5 pm-10 pm.
BROADCAST TRANSCRIPT:
It has been three weeks since the nation’s attention was focused on the flash flooding in Kerr County; among those who lost their lives were John Burgess, his wife, and two sons.
Their daughter, Jenna, was in a different location. Now, a family friend who lives in Belton is calling on the Central Texas community to rally behind the little girl.
“God is good and he is still present even through devastation like this, and sometimes small benefits like this need to come to bring that out, that it’s proof that he is still with us,” said Grace Wallum, a friend of Julia Burgess.
Wallum is organizing a volleyball and cornhole tournament benefitting Jenna. All proceeds will support John and Julia’s daughter Jenna, the sole survivor of her family.
“We figured we would make this tournament into a benefit to help with Jenna’s trust and anyone that’s going to have to take care of her from this day forward,” said Wallum.
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Sports
UA online expands military tuition grant to include graduate students
The University of Alabama has increased its support for military members through the UA Online Military Tuition Grant. Previously available only to undergraduate students, the grant now includes active-duty graduate students. The tuition grant helps with tuition costs not covered by military tuition assistance. It can cover up to six credit hours per semester and as […]
The University of Alabama has increased its support for military members through the UA Online Military Tuition Grant. Previously available only to undergraduate students, the grant now includes active-duty graduate students. The tuition grant helps with tuition costs not covered by military tuition assistance. It can cover up to six credit hours per semester and as many as 18 credit hours per academic year, up to the maximum amount allowed by a student’s service branch. With this financial assistance, tuition for a UA Online program can be nearly free for military service members, excluding books and other fees.
The expanded grant eligibility takes effect in Fall 2025 and is available to eligible service members.
“As the daughter of a career Marine, I’ve witnessed firsthand the profound sacrifices our military service members make for our country,” said Amanda Ingram, executive director of online and continuing education for UA’s Office of Teaching Innovation and Digital Education. “This expansion is an investment that reflects our deep gratitude and commitment to those who serve.”
Since the grant’s launch in 2022, UA Online has assisted nearly 350 service members and covered more than $200,000 in out-of-pocket college costs.
“UA Online is uniquely positioned to assist active-duty military service members in pursuing their degrees,” Ingram said. “With UA Online’s flexible and asynchronous course delivery, military students can complete coursework alongside their busy schedules and deployments.”
The University is a gold-level Military Friendly and Spouse Friendly Tier 1 Research Institute for 2025–2026. It is also an unlimited Yellow Ribbon school. Additionally, U.S. Veterans magazine has again recognized UA as a top Veteran-Friendly school. These awards recognize the University’s dedicated efforts to address the needs of military members and their families.
Courtesy of the University of Alabama
Sports
Maui County volleyball officials sought for upcoming high school volleyball season : Maui Now
July 26, 2025, 10:00 AM HST Volleyball officials are being recruited for the upcoming high school volleyball season. Stock photo Maui County Volleyball Officials, a non-profit organization, is recruiting officials for the upcoming high school volleyball seasons during the 2025-2026 school year. No experience is necessary. Training and equipment will be provided. The first officials […]
July 26, 2025, 10:00 AM HST
Maui County Volleyball Officials, a non-profit organization, is recruiting officials for the upcoming high school volleyball seasons during the 2025-2026 school year.
No experience is necessary. Training and equipment will be provided. The first officials training session is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 9, at Seabury Hall in Makawao.
Games are scheduled for Tuesday through Friday evenings and Saturday mornings.
An announcement says: “If you are interested in giving back to the volleyball community, our student athletes, and Maui County, (as well as making some extra cash) we’d love to have you join our team!”
For more information, scan the QR code below or contact Ke’van Dudoit at 808-250-5674.
Sports
Germany wins historic first women’s water polo medal at Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU Games
Written by Sarah Maat, FISU Young Reporter, Canada The Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games women’s water polo tournament ended in extraordinary fashion on Saturday, 26 July as the champions, Germany, held Team USA scoreless through the first half. Captain Sinia Plotz led the remarkable charge for the winners, scoring three goals in the host […]
Written by Sarah Maat, FISU Young Reporter, Canada
The Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games women’s water polo tournament ended in extraordinary fashion on Saturday, 26 July as the champions, Germany, held Team USA scoreless through the first half. Captain Sinia Plotz led the remarkable charge for the winners, scoring three goals in the host country’s defeat of the Red, White and Blue.
It looked like the local crowd knew an exceptional final was incoming—for they showed up in top form.
“It was so amazing,” Plotz said, beaming. “We had like all our fans, and the crowd, the families, friends. Everyone was screaming for us, so it was incredible. I don’t know. I have no words, honestly.”
Black, red, and yellow balloons littered the stands as cheers for “Deutschland” echoed over the outdoor pool in Duisburg. Little voices were some of the loudest to sing the chants while a megaphone and drum kept the sold-out stadium on beat.
Darja Heinbichner, Germany’s superb goalkeeper, shared Plotz’ loss for words over the atmosphere.
“They helped us a lot. I had goosebumps the whole game, to be honest. It’s just amazing. I don’t have words.”
Scoreless first half for USA
Even standing room became precious as Germany built a strong lead early. Plotz set the tone after two minutes with a top right penalty shot so strong it lodged the ball perfectly between net and post. Deutschland went on to score three more in the first half, all while shutting out Team USA.
“I think the difference was definitely our goalkeeper. She was amazing, and then also that we all helped each other,” the captain said.
“We were talking a lot on defence. We were picking each other up when they were driving and, well, I think in the end it was our goalkeeper, but we played amazing together.”
In water polo, it’s almost unheard of to hold this kind of dominance throughout an entire half. The United States side had been used to sharing the scoring amongst many throughout the tournament, so their offensive woes seemed to catch them by surprise.
At the halftime break, US head coach Adam Wright was seen directing a huddle with his players. As he tried to get them back on course, he yelled: “You can’t play afraid.”
However, the Germans knew what to expect coming back from the intermission and impeccable defence was always part of the plan. After their semi-final win over New Zealand, the women mentioned the importance of defence in the final match and carried that value through to the end.
“My defence was perfect,” Heinbicher said of her teammates after winning gold. “It helped me a lot. We were really concentrated.”
A solid first half didn’t mean the locals were in the clear yet, however. At half, conversations on the German side focused on the importance of closing out in the same way they had started.
“I remember I told the team, don’t celebrate too early because we were just three goals in front. It doesn’t mean anything in water polo in one minute, everything can change,” Heinbicher said.
Plotz reflected on her team’s offensive dominance throughout the match as well, highlighting how the host team never stopped attacking.
“We didn’t want to let them counter us because they are really fast. And I think it worked.”
Germany—with assistance from a vibrant atmosphere—kept up the pace and landed themselves in the history books with their country’s first women’s water polo medal at the FISU Games. An exciting fact that was not lost on the team.
“It’s our first medal with the German team,” the goalie said. “And to achieve this in front of my family, my friends, the family and friends of my teammates. It’s the best thing that could have happened.”
In almost every post-game interview the student-athletes mentioned making history, and at one point, even stormed the mixed zone together for a cheer of excitement.
Italy also medalled on the women’s side thanks to a 10-5 win over New Zealand.
Also on Saturday, Italy became the first country in FISU Games history to tally three straight gold medals in men’s water polo with a 16-12 win over the USA. Germany defeated Hungary 21-20 in a shoot-out for bronze.
Sports
Jake Stewart – Purdue Boilermakers
Jake Stewart enters his first season as the assistant coach for the men[apos]s and women[apos]s cross country and track and field teams. He is in charge of the men[apos]s distance group. Stewart came to Purdue from Lamar University where he spent three seasons as the distance coach for the track and field teams and two […]
Jake Stewart enters his first season as the assistant coach for the men[apos]s and women[apos]s cross country and track and field teams. He is in charge of the men[apos]s distance group.
Stewart came to Purdue from Lamar University where he spent three seasons as the distance coach for the track and field teams and two as the assistant cross country coach.
In his first season as assistant cross country coach at Lamar, Stewart was named the Southland Conference Coach of the Year after the men won four of their five invitationals including a top finish at the 12-team conference championships. He also led the Cardinals to a third place finish at the regional meet last year.
Prior to his time at Lamar, Stewart was the assistant coach for the Iona College men[apos]s and women[apos]s cross country and track and field teams for three seasons. In his time with the Gaels, the men[apos]s cross country team finished third in 2006 and runner-up in 2007 and 2008, the highest finish of any program in school history. The men[apos]s team was also honored for its scholastic achievements as it was named the NCAA Division I All-Academic Team of the Year in 2006 and 2007.
While at Iona, he coached four student-athletes who competed at the World Cross Country Championships for their respective nations. He also helped lead eight All-Americans in both cross country and track and field, 10 NCAA Track & Field Championships qualifiers, and 26 MAAC indoor and outdoor track and field champions.
Stewart has guided student-athletes to some very impressive marks. The top times he has coached for men are as follows:
-1:48.33 in the 800-meter run
-3:40.89 in 1,500m
-4:04.93 in the mile
-8:35.75 in the 3,000 steeplechase
-7:59.89 for the 3,000m
-13:35.75 in the 5,000m
-28:32.62 in the 10,000m.
With his impressive résumé, Stewart knows what it takes to build a distance program that is capable of competing at the highest level.
Before entering the coaching ranks, Stewart was a four year member of the cross country and track and field team. During his athletic career, the Gaels won four MAAC championships and finished in the top 10 each year. He was the team captain in 2005, the first walk-on in program history to carry the honor. Stewart graduated in 2005 with a bachelor of science in English.
In the spring of 2006, Stewart began his coaching career as an assistant track coach at Western Oregon University. There, he mainly worked as a distance oach. He helped coach four student-athletes who provisionally qualified for the Division II National Championships. He also served as the Western United States recruiting coordinator and helped bring in one of the deepest recruiting classes in the programs history.
He is a native of Kelso, Wash., and is married to his wife, Brandi.
Sports
Nebraska volleyball claims top spot in Big Ten preseason poll
The Nebraska volleyball team has been selected as the Big Ten’s top team in the coaches’ 2025 preseason poll. The league’s 18 coaches voted the Huskers as the conference’s No. 1 team, with Penn State ranked second, followed by Wisconsin, which placed third. The Huskers are coming off their fifth Big Ten title in 2024 […]
The Nebraska volleyball team has been selected as the Big Ten’s top team in the coaches’ 2025 preseason poll. The league’s 18 coaches voted the Huskers as the conference’s No. 1 team, with Penn State ranked second, followed by Wisconsin, which placed third.
The Huskers are coming off their fifth Big Ten title in 2024 with a 19-1 conference record. They finished the season with a 33-3 record and reached the NCAA Semifinals.
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The program enters the 2025 season under new leadership after the surprise retirement of former head coach John Cook. Former Louisville head coach Dani Busboom Kelly replaced Cook.
The Big Ten’s coaches have also noticed the individual talent the Huskers roster holds this season. Four Huskers were named to the Preseason All-Big Ten Team.
Andi Jackson is a junior middle blocker. She was an AVCA All-America First Team member and a unanimous All-Big Ten First Team honoree last season.
Harper Murray is a junior outside hitter. She was an AVCA Second Team All-American last year and led the Huskers in kills with 3.40 per set.
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Bergen Reilly is a junior setter. She is coming off her second straight AVCA All-America Second Team honors and is the first player in conference history to win Big Ten Setter of the Year as both a freshman and sophomore.
Rebekah Allick is a senior middle blocker. She averaged 1.82 kills per set in 2024 with a career-best .357 hitting percentage. She had a team-high 1.43 blocks per set. She was an All-Big Ten Second Team selection in 2022 and 2023.
Earlier this week, Jackson, Murray, and Reilly were named to the AVCA Player of the Year watch list. The three juniors are among the 30 players named to the list.
Nebraska will begin the 2025 season on Friday, August 22, when the Huskers host Pittsburgh at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Find the entire Big Ten volleyball preseason poll by scrolling below.
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2025 BIG TEN VOLLEYBALL PRESEASON POLL1. Nebraska2. Penn State3. Wisconsin4. Minnesota5. UCLA6. USC7. Purdue8. Washington9. Illinois10. Michigan11. Indiana12. Oregon13. Ohio State14. Michigan State15. Northwestern16. Maryland17. Iowa18. Rutgers
Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes, and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Cornhuskers Wire: Nebraska volleyball voted No. 1 in Big Ten preseason poll
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