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Home of the Lions: Memorial Stadium Celebrates 75 Years of History, Success

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The historic home ground of Lion Football and Lion Track and Field has hosted some of the university’s most memorable moments.

East Texas A&M University is celebrating two historic anniversaries during the 2025-26 academic year: the 75th anniversary of Memorial Stadium on Sept. 23, 2025, and the 75th anniversary of the Field House on Jan. 4, 2026.

In commemoration of the first historic occasion, we are looking back through the decades to reminisce about the moments that make this iconic stadium special. At the end of the year, we’ll do the same for the Field House. We hope you enjoy a deep dive into the history of our storied venues!

A Texas Sports Venue Overflowing with History

Throughout Memorial Stadium’s history, the Victory Bell has tolled hundreds of times to announce Lion Football wins. In more than 380 games, the team has achieved 240 victories, 138 losses and eight ties, for a winning percentage of more than 63%. This includes 12 seasons where the Lions did not lose a single game at Memorial.

The idea for Memorial Stadium was first conceived as a tribute to the university’s war dead in 1945. With this vision, the venue was an answer to two major needs: the need for a new athletic facility to replace the inadequate football field, and the need to properly memorialize the 78 current and former students who lost their lives in proud service to their country during World War II.

A plaque denoting the dedication of Memorial Stadium.
The names of the 78 current and former ET students who were lost in WWII are still enshrined on the west end of the stadium to this day. | Photo credit: Ryan Scott, East Texas A&M Marketing and Communications

With funds raised by the Ex-Students Association, as well as additional state funding, Memorial Stadium was constructed for $300,000 and completed in 1950. The names of the fallen, as well as these words from General Douglas MacArthur, are enshrined on the front façade of the stadium to this day: “Upon the fields of friendly strife, are sown the seeds that, on other fields, on other days, will bear the fruits of victory.”

Upon opening, Memorial Stadium boasted a capacity of 12,000 fans and featured an eight-lane track that ran around the outside of the football field.

Today, the stadium can hold 11,582 fans and features a FieldTurf surface, the President’s suite, a Daktronics video board and sound system installed in 2020, and the “We Are Lions Lounge,” which hosts former letterwinners and Lion Champions Fund donors during games. The football field was named for legendary coach Ernest Hawkins in 2017. The Champions Center, completed in 2020, sits at the northeast end of the stadium and serves as the locker facilities for Lion Football.

The 1950s: A decade of success

During the 1950s, the Lions had several of their most successful campaigns in school history, going undefeated in 1952 and ’53, as well as compiling a record of 27-3 from 1957 to ’59. The decade also saw ET grab three victories and a tie in the postseason Tangerine Bowl, a game still played today as the Citrus Bowl. The Lions captured at least a share of the Lone Star Conference Championship in all but two seasons during the decade.

A black and white photo of a football stadium during a game at night.
Memorial Stadium is pictured here during its first game on Sept. 23, 1950. | Photo credit: Waters Library Special Collections and University Archives

Legendary Lions

All-Americans who played for the Lions during this period include Daniel “Bruno” Ashley, Dean Hesse, “Stumblin’” Sam McCord and Norman Roberts. Legendary coaches Bob Berry, M.A. “Catfish” Smith and J.V. Sikes coached the Lions to a record of 33-11-4 in games played at Memorial, achieving a winning percentage of 72% during the decade.

Blazing trails on the track

The Lions were also dominant on the track, which was also hosted at Memorial Stadium. Like the football team, ET’s Men’s Track and Field teams won the LSC Championship all but two years of the decade. Several individual tracksters took home conference championships, including Jerry Cook, a four-time hurdles champion, Sid “The Jet” Garton, who was named The Dallas Morning News’ collegiate freshman of the state and won the 1959 NAIA Championship in the 220-yard dash and the 880-yard run, and Roy “Buddy” McKee, who was undefeated in LSC hurdles competitions in the latter part of the decade.

The 1960s: The arrival of a legendary coach

The 1960s at Memorial Stadium witnessed the passage of numerous world-class athletes through its gates. While the Lions failed to replicate their soaring successes of the previous decade, the building blocks for a championship-winning team were carefully assembled. The first significant event was the arrival of Coach Ernest Hawkins in 1963. Hawkins would go on to amass over 130 victories and a National Title in 22 seasons at the helm, and Memorial Stadium’s field would bear his name beginning in 2017.

Legendary Lions

Standout football athletes of the decade who earned All-American honors include Chadwick Brown, Orville Hudson, “King” Arthur James and William “Dub” Lewis. Another noteworthy Lion from this decade is Dwight White, who went on to a 10-year career in the National Football League, during which he won four Super Bowls with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Also suiting up for the Lions in the 60s was Jim Thrower, a Lion Hall of Famer and the namesake of the university’s Thrower Center for Student-Athlete Success. Overall, Lion Football posted a winning percentage of 65% in games played at Memorial Stadium during this decade. The Lions won Conference Championships in 1966 and 1969.

A black and white photo of sprinters racing on a running track.
Future Olympic bronze medalist John Carlos smashed records on the Memorial Stadium track for the Lions in 1967. | Photo credit: Waters Library Special Collections and University Archives

Blazing trails on the track

Not to be overlooked, Lion tracksters had serious success during the 60s as well. Distance runners Bridges Ballowe, Morris Kyser, R.L. Lasater and Ronnie McNeil were named All-Americans in 1964, and future Olympian John Carlos set blazing times around the track for the Lions in 1967. ET were LSC Champs in Men’s Track and Field five times during the 60s, including four straight seasons from 1964-67.

The 1970s: A Champion Arises

The culmination of years of building a championship roster finally arrived on Dec. 9, 1972, as the victorious Lions lifted the NAIA National Championship trophy in front of the home crowd on a cold, wet afternoon at Memorial Stadium. This marked the football program’s first national title.

A black and white photo of a group of football players huddling together during a game.
The Lions hosted and won the 1972 NAIA Football Championship Game on Dec. 9, 1972, the first for the program. | Photo credit: Waters Library Special Collections and University Archives

While the rest of the decade saw less success overall as the Lions battled through fierce competition in the Lone Star Conference, the Lions still made Memorial Stadium one of the toughest places to play in the nation. Despite an overall winning percentage of 60% during the decade, ET won more than 76% of its games in the friendly confines of Memorial, its highest home winning percentage of any decade since the stadium opened in 1950.

Significant changes occurred at the stadium during this decade. In 1973, the press box was renovated, leading to the creation of the President’s Suite. In 1978, the original visitor-side grandstands were removed and replaced with tennis courts.

Legendary Lions

All-Americans who took the field for the Lions in the 70s include Autry Beamon, Tim Collier, Harvey Martin, Kenneth Parks, Curtis Wester and Wade Wilson. Martin went on to a stellar decade-long NFL career with the Dallas Cowboys that saw him win league Defensive Player of the Year honors in 1977, as well as Co-MVP of Super Bowl XII. Wilson went on to a 17-year pro career, which included a Pro Bowl selection in 1988 and a championship victory in Super Bowl XXX.

Blazing trails on the track

On the track, a highlight of the decade was Dennis Dyce, who was a Lone Star Conference Champion in the 440-yard dash and competed for Jamaica at the 1972 Olympics in Munich.

The 1980s: The end of an era

ET kicked off the 80s with a trip to the NAIA National Semifinals, led by All-American quarterback Wade Wilson in his senior season. While the Lions couldn’t move on to the championship game, it still signaled a strong start to the decade. The Lions would add another LSC Championship to the trophy case in 1983 under future NFL quarterback Kyle Mackey. However, these successes wouldn’t last much longer as the Lions and the rest of the LSC transitioned from NAIA to NCAA Division II.

Two cheerleaders at a football game, with one sitting on the other's shoulders.
Lion football experienced a downturn in the 80s, but student and fan support remained high. | Photo credit: Waters Library Special Collections and University Archives

Legendary coach Ernest Hawkins would retire following the 1985 season, leaving an indelible mark on Lion Football as the winningest coach in program history. His 132 victories still stand as the all-time mark to this day. While the next few years would see the Lions endure several losing seasons, the foundation was laid for a resurgence to prominence in the Lone Star Conference the following decade.

Legendary Lions

ET won 58% of its games at Memorial Stadium during the 1980s, which was its lowest percentage out of any decade to that point. However, stars like Mackey, Gary Compton and All-Americans Cary Noiel and Alan Veingrad wowed crowds in Commerce through many a fall semester.

Blazing trails on the track

On the track, the Lions dominated the 80s, especially in distance running. Men’s Track All-Americans from this decade include Bobby Bankston, Spiro Kokkinos, Donald Rolle and Wes Smith in the 4x400m relay, Bankston in the 100m dash and 110m hurdles, Samson Obwocha in the 1,500m run, 5,000m run and 3,000m steeplechase, and Agapius Amo in the 3,000m steeplechase, 5,000m run and 10,000m run.

The decade also saw the advent of Women’s Track and Field at ET. Women’s Track All Americans during the decade include Maria Mitchell in the 100m hurdles and Jackie Alford in the Heptathlon.

The 1990s: Back in contention

The early 90s saw a return to prominence for Lion Football under the leadership of Eddie Vowell, which began with a Lone Star Conference Championship and the program’s first trip to the NCAA Division II Playoffs in 1990. The Lions also reached the postseason in 1991 and 1995.

The year 1996 brought significant changes university-wide, as ET joined The Texas A&M University System and was renamed Texas A&M University-Commerce. Following a winning season in the first year of the A&M-Commerce era, the Lions struggled in the latter half of the decade. Regardless, the football program still held a strong record of success at home, with a 67%-win rate in games played at Memorial Stadium in the last decade before the turn of the millennium.

Football players lined up at the line of scrimmage.
The Lions returned to prominence with several playoff appearances, and the ET was dropped in 1996 for TAMUC. | Photo credit: Waters Library Special Collections and University Archives

Legendary Lions

Lion All-Americans during this era include Terry Bagsby, Kevin Mathis, Dwayne Phorne, Eric Turner, Billy Watkins, Antonio Wilson and Fred Woods. Other notable stars include Anthony Brooks, Cole Cayce, Bobby Bounds, and current Lion Head Coach Clint Dolezel, who went on to a 13-year career in the Arena Football League, winning ArenaBowl Championships as both a player and head coach.

Blazing trails on the track

The lone All-American in track for the Lions this decade was Chris Barnes, who received the honor in the Men’s 200m dash in 1990.

The 2000s: Stumbling into the new millennium

While the first half of the new millennium saw Lion Football struggle to lead the pack in the LSC, the team rebounded to a more respectable record in the second half. The Lions didn’t come away with a Lone Star Conference title during a decade for the first time, but with the split of the conference into divisions in 1997, A&M-Commerce had another chance to win some hardware. The Lions were LSC North Division Champions in 2007 and 2009.

A football player running with the ball.
After a rough start to the decade, the Lions rebounded with two division championships late in the 2000s. | Photo credit: East Texas A&M Marketing and Communications

Despite some rough campaigns, Lion Football still managed to put on a good show at home. The team finished the decade with a 25-25 record at Memorial Stadium, the first decade in which the Lions did not post a winning home record but still avoided a losing decade.

Legendary Lions

All-Americans who starred for the Lions after the turn of the millennium include Chris Miller, J.D. Hearn, Darvin Peterson, Ricky Hope and William Green.

Blazing trails on the track

On the track, the Lions saw great success. All-American Men’s runners include Tommie Jemerson, Cornelius Price, Delrick Taylor, Joel Tudman, DeMarques Price, Greg Strickland and Danny Cobbin in relays, and decathlete Ben Botello. Kari Jefferson received All-American honors in the Women’s 100m dash in 2004.

Facility-wise, Memorial Stadium’s long-removed visitor stands were rebuilt at the very end of the decade, giving the stadium its current appearance.

The 2010s: Lions take it to the top

The resurgence of Lion Football was in full force in the 2010s. After a tumultuous start to the decade with back-to-back 1-9 seasons, the hiring of coach Colby Carthel in 2013 breathed new life into the program, and the turnaround was almost instant, going from 1-9 to 7-5 in one season. The period was marked by three consecutive LSC Championships from 2014 to 2016, and a return to the NCAA Division II playoffs for the first time since 1995.

An aerial shot of a football stadium packed with fans.
Memorial Stadium was packed for the Lions’ NCAA Semifinal game against Harding on Dec. 9, 2017. | Photo credit: East Texas A&M Marketing and Communications

The rise in success culminated in what Lion fans had been hoping for since 1972: a championship-winning squad. With the arrival of quarterback Luis Perez in 2016, the stage was set for the team to make a deep playoff run. Memorial Stadium saw its biggest game since the 1972 championship on Dec. 9, 2017, the 45th anniversary of the Lions’ lone national title. In front of more than 10,000 fans, the Lions earned a trip to the NCAA Division II title game the following week in Kansas City, which they won, making Lion Football only the second program ever to win both an NAIA and NCAA Division II National Championship.

On top of All-American honors, Perez was named the 2017 Harlon Hill Award winner as the best player in all of Division II. He has since gone on to a decorated career in numerous spring football leagues and won an XFL Championship in 2023 with the Arlington Renegades.

Legendary Lions

Other All-Americans from the decade include Charlie Tuaau, Vernon Johnson, Richard Cooper, Hector Dominguez, Jared Machorro, Dominique Ramsey, Michael Onuoha and Kristov Martinez. Overall, the Lions amassed a winning percentage of 68% in games played at Memorial Stadium in the 2010s.

Blazing trails on the track

The Lions also dominated on the track in the 2010s. Men’s All-Americans in Lion Track include distance runner Luis “Ricky” Romero, decathletes Matt Rich and Florian Obst, David Rollins, Malcolm Woods, Dionte Taylor, Reggie Kincaide and Devon Sanders, and Rashard Clark in relays, DJ Richardson in the 400m hurdles, and Clark in the 200m and 400m.

Women’s Track All-Americans include Minna Svaerd, Joy Spann, Ro’Nisha Simpson and Kamryn McKee in the relays, Svaerd in the 400m hurdles, McKee in the 400m, and Eboni Coby in the 100m and 200m.

The 2020s: The beginning of the D1 era

For the first time in 70 years, Lion Football did not set foot in Memorial Stadium to play, as the 2020 season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2021 return would be a historic one, as it would mark the Lions’ last campaign as part of NCAA Division II and the Lone Star Conference, of which it was a founding member. The year 2022 saw the Lions make the move to Division I and the Football Championship Subdivision in the Southland Conference, reuniting the program with several old foes, some of whom the Lions hadn’t welcomed to Memorial in many years.

Football players lined up for a play
The Lions sent the crowd home happy with a big win in their first Homecoming game at the Division I level on Oct. 22, 2022. | Photo credit: East Texas A&M Marketing and Communications

While the decade is only half over, plenty of memories have already been made at the venerable old stomping grounds. The first homecoming game as a Division I program in 2022 saw the Lions trounce the visiting Houston Christian Huskies. In 2024, the university returned to its roots with a name change to East Texas A&M University. The name change took effect on Nov. 7, 2024, and just two days later, the Lions welcomed their old rival, SFA, to Memorial and defeated the Lumberjacks, making an emphatic announcement that “ET is Back.”

Legendary Lions

The Lions have managed just a 40%-win rate at home in the few seasons of the 2020s but look to finish the decade strong. All-Americans of the 2020s include Dominique Ramsey and Brandon Tucker.

Blazing trails on the track

On the track, the Lions continue the success of the last decade. In May 2023, Memorial Stadium hosted the Southland Conference Track and Field Championships for the first time, during which the Lions won six gold medals.

Men’s track All-Americans include Malcolm Woods, J.T. Smith, Delan Edwin, Andre Norman, and Cameron Macon. While the Lions weren’t eligible for All-American awards during their Division I transition period, which ended in Summer 2025, other standout athletes and conference champions from that time include Ibrahim Fuseini, Enoch Fosuhene, Philip Krenek, Oguz Uyar and Tyke Owens.

Women’s track All-Americans include Minna Svaerd, Ro’Nisha Simspon, Danielle Nicholson, Atiana Alexander, Mariana Shostak, Sofia Khenfar and Naomi Ndukwe. Other standouts during the transition period include Leah Pettis and Kiara Brown.

In Summer 2024, Fuseini, Shostak and thrower Joe Brown showcased the university on an international stage at the Summer Olympic Games in Paris, representing Ghana, Ukraine and the United States, respectively.

Looking toward the future

With the move to NCAA Division I, the future of Memorial Stadium looks bright as the games are bigger and the stakes are higher. Looking forward, we will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Field House in January 2026. To learn more about Lion Athletics at East Texas A&M, visit etamu.edu/LionsAthletics.



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Women’s Volleyball vs University of Alaska Anchorage on 12/4/2025 – Box Score

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UAA subs: Hansen, Elena; Trotter, Hannah; Byrne, Trinity.



UAA subs: Hansen, Elena; Trotter, Hannah; Byrne, Trinity.






UAF subs: Flynn, Kellan; Smith, Ainsley.



UAF subs: Flynn, Kellan; Smith, Ainsley.




UAF


0-1


[Henderson, Cynphany] Attack error by Henderson, Mikala (block by Beck, Emma; Riba, Martina).



0


Alas. Fairbanks

1

[Henderson, Cynphany] Attack error by Henderson, Mikala (block by Beck, Emma; Riba, Martina).






UAA subs: Hansen, Elena.



UAA subs: Hansen, Elena.




UAA


1-1


[Hansen, Elena] Kill by Henderson, Mikala (from Henderson, Cynphany).



[Hansen, Elena] Kill by Henderson, Mikala (from Henderson, Cynphany).

1


Alas. Anchorage

1






UAF subs: Flynn, Kellan.



UAF subs: Flynn, Kellan.




UAF


2-1


[Flynn, Kellan] Kill by Guc, Elena (from Henderson, Cynphany).



[Flynn, Kellan] Kill by Guc, Elena (from Henderson, Cynphany).

2


Alas. Anchorage

1




UAF


3-1


[Flynn, Kellan] Attack error by Ivakina, Lee (block by Engelauf, Presley; Guc, Elena).



[Flynn, Kellan] Attack error by Ivakina, Lee (block by Engelauf, Presley; Guc, Elena).

3


Alas. Anchorage

1




UAF


3-2


[Flynn, Kellan] Kill by Burney, Bella (from Malikova, Johana).



3


Alas. Fairbanks

2

[Flynn, Kellan] Kill by Burney, Bella (from Malikova, Johana).






UAA subs: Trotter, Hannah; Byrne, Trinity.



UAA subs: Trotter, Hannah; Byrne, Trinity.




UAA


4-2


[Trotter, Hannah] Kill by Lyons, Haylee (from Henderson, Cynphany).



[Trotter, Hannah] Kill by Lyons, Haylee (from Henderson, Cynphany).

4


Alas. Anchorage

2




UAF


5-2


[Onaga, Tessa] Kill by Lyons, Haylee (from Byrne, Trinity).



[Onaga, Tessa] Kill by Lyons, Haylee (from Byrne, Trinity).

5


Alas. Anchorage

2




UAF


6-2


[Onaga, Tessa] Attack error by Byrne, Trinity (from Galloway, Madison).



[Onaga, Tessa] Attack error by Byrne, Trinity (from Galloway, Madison).

6


Alas. Anchorage

2




UAF


6-3


[Onaga, Tessa] Kill by Byrne, Trinity (from Trotter, Hannah).



6


Alas. Fairbanks

3

[Onaga, Tessa] Kill by Byrne, Trinity (from Trotter, Hannah).




UAA


6-4


[Ivakina, Lee] Attack error by Guc, Elena (from Henderson, Cynphany).



6


Alas. Fairbanks

4

[Ivakina, Lee] Attack error by Guc, Elena (from Henderson, Cynphany).




UAA


7-4


[Ivakina, Lee] Kill by Guc, Elena (from Henderson, Cynphany), block error by Burney, Bella.



[Ivakina, Lee] Kill by Guc, Elena (from Henderson, Cynphany), block error by Burney, Bella.

7


Alas. Anchorage

4






UAF subs: Smith, Ainsley.



UAF subs: Smith, Ainsley.




UAF


8-4


[Smith, Ainsley] Kill by Henderson, Cynphany (from Onaga, Tessa).



[Smith, Ainsley] Kill by Henderson, Cynphany (from Onaga, Tessa).

8


Alas. Anchorage

4




UAF


8-5


[Smith, Ainsley] Kill by Byrne, Trinity (from Trotter, Hannah).



8


Alas. Fairbanks

5

[Smith, Ainsley] Kill by Byrne, Trinity (from Trotter, Hannah).




UAA


9-5


[Galloway, Madison] Service error.



[Galloway, Madison] Service error.

9


Alas. Anchorage

5




UAF


9-6


[Lyons, Haylee] Kill by Riba, Martina (from Trotter, Hannah), block error by Henderson, Cynphany.



9


Alas. Fairbanks

6

[Lyons, Haylee] Kill by Riba, Martina (from Trotter, Hannah), block error by Henderson, Cynphany.




UAA


10-6


[Malikova, Johana] Attack error by Riba, Martina (block by Hoshock, Peri).



[Malikova, Johana] Attack error by Riba, Martina (block by Hoshock, Peri).

10


Alas. Anchorage

6




UAF


11-6


[Hoshock, Peri] Kill by Engelauf, Presley (from Smith, Ainsley).



[Hoshock, Peri] Kill by Engelauf, Presley (from Smith, Ainsley).

11


Alas. Anchorage

6




UAF


12-6


[Hoshock, Peri] Kill by Henderson, Mikala (from Smith, Ainsley).



[Hoshock, Peri] Kill by Henderson, Mikala (from Smith, Ainsley).

12


Alas. Anchorage

6




UAF


12-7


[Hoshock, Peri] Kill by Allen, Tia (from Malikova, Johana).



12


Alas. Fairbanks

7

[Hoshock, Peri] Kill by Allen, Tia (from Malikova, Johana).




UAA


12-8


[Allen, Tia] Attack error by Henderson, Mikala (from Smith, Ainsley).



12


Alas. Fairbanks

8

[Allen, Tia] Attack error by Henderson, Mikala (from Smith, Ainsley).




UAA


13-8


[Allen, Tia] Attack error by Riba, Martina.



[Allen, Tia] Attack error by Riba, Martina.

13


Alas. Anchorage

8




UAF


14-8


[Henderson, Cynphany] Attack error by Beck, Emma (from Galloway, Madison).



[Henderson, Cynphany] Attack error by Beck, Emma (from Galloway, Madison).

14


Alas. Anchorage

8




UAF


15-8


[Henderson, Cynphany] Kill by Engelauf, Presley (from Henderson, Cynphany).



[Henderson, Cynphany] Kill by Engelauf, Presley (from Henderson, Cynphany).

15


Alas. Anchorage

8




UAF


15-9


[Henderson, Cynphany] Kill by Beck, Emma (from Malikova, Johana).



15


Alas. Fairbanks

9

[Henderson, Cynphany] Kill by Beck, Emma (from Malikova, Johana).




UAA


16-9


[Hansen, Elena] Kill by Henderson, Cynphany (from Onaga, Tessa).



[Hansen, Elena] Kill by Henderson, Cynphany (from Onaga, Tessa).

16


Alas. Anchorage

9




UAF


16-10


[Flynn, Kellan] Kill by Beck, Emma (from Engelauf, Presley).



16


Alas. Fairbanks

10

[Flynn, Kellan] Kill by Beck, Emma (from Engelauf, Presley).




UAA


17-10


[Trotter, Hannah] Kill by Guc, Elena (from Henderson, Cynphany).



[Trotter, Hannah] Kill by Guc, Elena (from Henderson, Cynphany).

17


Alas. Anchorage

10




UAF


17-11


[Onaga, Tessa] Kill by Byrne, Trinity (from Trotter, Hannah).



17


Alas. Fairbanks

11

[Onaga, Tessa] Kill by Byrne, Trinity (from Trotter, Hannah).




UAA


17-12


[Ivakina, Lee] Attack error by Hoshock, Peri (from Henderson, Cynphany).



17


Alas. Fairbanks

12

[Ivakina, Lee] Attack error by Hoshock, Peri (from Henderson, Cynphany).




UAA


18-12


[Ivakina, Lee] Service error.



[Ivakina, Lee] Service error.

18


Alas. Anchorage

12




UAF


18-13


[Smith, Ainsley] Attack error by Lyons, Haylee (from Smith, Ainsley).



18


Alas. Fairbanks

13

[Smith, Ainsley] Attack error by Lyons, Haylee (from Smith, Ainsley).




UAA


19-13


[Galloway, Madison] Kill by Henderson, Cynphany (from Smith, Ainsley).



[Galloway, Madison] Kill by Henderson, Cynphany (from Smith, Ainsley).

19


Alas. Anchorage

13




UAF


20-13


[Lyons, Haylee] Attack error by Allen, Tia (from Trotter, Hannah).



[Lyons, Haylee] Attack error by Allen, Tia (from Trotter, Hannah).

20


Alas. Anchorage

13




UAF


21-13


[Lyons, Haylee] Attack error by Byrne, Trinity (from Trotter, Hannah).



[Lyons, Haylee] Attack error by Byrne, Trinity (from Trotter, Hannah).

21


Alas. Anchorage

13




UAF


21-14


[Lyons, Haylee] Kill by Allen, Tia (from Trotter, Hannah).



21


Alas. Fairbanks

14

[Lyons, Haylee] Kill by Allen, Tia (from Trotter, Hannah).






UAA subs: Sapon, Eleasha.



UAA subs: Sapon, Eleasha.




UAA


21-15


[Sapon, Eleasha] Attack error by Henderson, Mikala (from Smith, Ainsley).



21


Alas. Fairbanks

15

[Sapon, Eleasha] Attack error by Henderson, Mikala (from Smith, Ainsley).




UAA


21-16


[Sapon, Eleasha] Kill by Allen, Tia (from Trotter, Hannah).



21


Alas. Fairbanks

16

[Sapon, Eleasha] Kill by Allen, Tia (from Trotter, Hannah).




UAA


21-17


[Sapon, Eleasha] Attack error by Henderson, Mikala (from Smith, Ainsley).



21


Alas. Fairbanks

17

[Sapon, Eleasha] Attack error by Henderson, Mikala (from Smith, Ainsley).




UAA


22-17


[Sapon, Eleasha] Kill by Henderson, Mikala (from Onaga, Tessa).



[Sapon, Eleasha] Kill by Henderson, Mikala (from Onaga, Tessa).

22


Alas. Anchorage

17




UAF


23-17


[Hoshock, Peri] Kill by Henderson, Mikala (from Lyons, Haylee).



[Hoshock, Peri] Kill by Henderson, Mikala (from Lyons, Haylee).

23


Alas. Anchorage

17




UAF


24-17


[Hoshock, Peri] Kill by Henderson, Cynphany (from Smith, Ainsley).



[Hoshock, Peri] Kill by Henderson, Cynphany (from Smith, Ainsley).

24


Alas. Anchorage

17




UAF


24-18


[Hoshock, Peri] Attack error by Henderson, Mikala (from Hoshock, Peri).



24


Alas. Fairbanks

18

[Hoshock, Peri] Attack error by Henderson, Mikala (from Hoshock, Peri).




UAA


25-18


[Allen, Tia] Kill by Henderson, Cynphany (from Smith, Ainsley).



[Allen, Tia] Kill by Henderson, Cynphany (from Smith, Ainsley).

25


Alas. Anchorage

18






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#11 Creighton Volleyball Outlasts Northern Colorado to Advance to Second Round of NCAA Tournament

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Courtesy of Rob Anderson, Creighton Athletics

OMAHA, Neb. 
— No. 11 Creighton Volleyball was pushed to the brink but survived to win its 21st straight match on Thursday evening, opening up NCAA Tournament play with a 3-2 victory over Northern Colorado. Scores of the Bluejay triumph were 25-12, 23-25, 23-25, 25-17, 15-8.

Creighton earns itself a Second Round match-up against Northern Iowa (26-5) after the sixth-seeded Panthers finished off their first reverse sweep in the NCAA Tournament since 2022 with a 15-25, 21-25, 26-24, 25-20, 15-10 win over Utah. Creighton defeated the Panthers at D.J. Sokol Arena on Sept. 14 to close out play at the Bluejay Invitational.

Five women had multiple kills in the first set as Creighton powered past Northern Colorado, led by six kills from Ava Martin. Martin also had a pair of aces late in the set to solidify CU’s 25-12 victory. The Jays hit .438 and had 17 kills to UNC’s six kills on .000 hitting and never trailed in the frame.

UNC snapped Creighton’s 17-set win streak with a 25-23 victory in the second set, which featured nine ties and five lead changes. Isabel Bennett had go-ahead kills to make it 23-22 and 24-23 and Alayna Tessena put down the winner on set point. Northern Colorado had 15 kills and 18 digs in the second set and held the Bluejays to 11 kills and .200 hitting. Martin had seven kills for CU in the second set, while Sydney Breissinger added six digs.

The Bears won the first three points of the third set and moved in front 8-4 to force an early timeout from CU head coach Brian Rosen. The stoppage did little to improve the fortunes for the hosts, who called another timeout six points later after falling behind 12-6 to the Big Sky Tournament champions. The second timeout did the trick, as the Bluejays countered with an 8-2 burst to even the score at 14-all. Northern Colorado settled down, never surrendering the lead, and led 23-20 before one last push from the hosts. Martin pounded her 18th kill of the night, and Nora Wurtz followed with her 56th ace of the fall to cut CU’s deficit to 23-22 and lead UNC coach Lydnsey Oates to call timeout. Martin slammed a cross-court kill to tie the score at 23-all, but UNC answered with a Zoe Gibbs kill for a set point opportunity.  The Bears won the set on a Bluejay attack error, 25-23. 

The Bluejays got off to a 6-2 lead in the fourth set thanks in part to three early UNC hitting errors, then extended the advantage to 14-6. The Jays won the set 25-17, with freshman Abbey Hayes stepping up with a team-best four kills. CU had 4.5 blocks in the set, including one of set point from Reinhardt and Martin.

Creighton got off to a quick start in the fifth frame, scoring the first three points on two Martin kills and a UNC attack error. CU led 8-3 at the changeover

Martin was dominant with 30 kills on 65 swings, while Jaya Johnson finished with 12 kills. Reinhardt rounded out the Bluejays in double figure kills with 10. Annalea Maeder closed the match with a double-double, delivering 53 assists and 20 digs.

Tessena led Northern Colorado with 14 kills, while Brynn Reines finished with 11 kills

First serve of tomorrow’s Second Round match is at 6:30 p.m.

NOTES:  Creighton improved to 18-14 all-time in 15 NCAA Tournament appearances, including a 12-3 mark in the First Round … Creighton has won 21 straight matches, its third-longest streak in program history … Creighton is now 8-4 in home matches in the NCAA Tournament, including five straight victories … Creighton has won its last 11 home matches this fall … Creighton is now 4-1 all-time against Northern Colorado … Creighton has won 68 straight matches over unranked foes and 56 non-televised matches in a row … Ava Martinmoved into third place in CU history in career service aces with 126 … Ava Martinhad her 25th straight match with 10 or more kills and 108th in a row with five or more kills … Ava Martin had her 13th career match with 20+ kills, and seventh this season.





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Throwers Set Personal Bests At Liberty Kickoff

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LYNCHBURG – Propelled by a pair of personal-best performances in the weight throw, the Elon University women’s track and field team opened its indoor season Thursday at the Liberty Kickoff inside the Liberty Indoor Complex.
 
In the women’s weight throw, the Phoenix placed two athletes inside the top four. Adriana Clarke claimed runner-up honors with a personal-best toss of 18.14m, moving into third on Elon’s all-time performance list. Isabella Johnson finished third overall at 17.33m, also marking a new PR for the sophomore.
 
Elon also featured three competitors in the pentathlon. Senior Lizzie Lopez was the top Phoenix finisher, placing seventh with 3,510 points. She highlighted the event by tying for first in the high jump with a clearance of 1.65m. Freshman Greta Urbonaviciute debuted with a tenth-place finish and 3,309 points, landing inside the program’s top-10 performance list. Classmate Carolina Frada scored 2,832 points to place 11th in her first collegiate pentathlon.
 
ON DECK
Elon continues action at the Liberty Kickoff on Friday, beginning with the women’s 5,000-meter run at 10 a.m.
 

— ELON —



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Five Dons Earn WCC All-Academic Honors

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SAN BRUNO, Calif. – The West Coast Conference officially announced its Volleyball All-Academic team for the 2025 season on Thursday afternoon.
 
For San Francisco, Crystal Galaviz, Jamie Low, Shannon Knight, Astrid Puig, and Abby Wadas earned WCC All-Academic Honorable Mention honors.
 
At the conclusion of each athletic season, the West Coast Conference selects an all-academic squad for each conference-sponsored sport. To be considered, a student-athlete must maintain at least a 3.20 cumulative grade point average, while also being a significant contributor to her team and in at least their second year at their school.
 
The full 2025 West Coast Conference Volleyball All-Academic Team can be viewed below: 
 
2025 WEST COAST CONFERENCE VOLLEYBALL ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM
 




















Name School Class GPA Major
Genevieve Bane Saint Mary’s Gr. 3.70 Busiiness Administration
Olivia Bennett San Diego Sr. 3.54 Behavioral Neuroscience
Lucie Blazkova Washington State So. 3.92 Psychology
Maddie Boerstra LMU Gr. 3.82 Sociology
Nevaeh Bray Portland Gr. 4.00 Sports Business
Lucia Busso Portland Sr. 4.00 Marketing
Alyson Cox Pacific So. 4.00 Computer Science
Alyssa Eimer Santa Clara Sr.     3.94 Marketing
Grace Flanagan Santa Clara Jr. 4.00 Studio Art
Kate Herrick Gonzaga So. 3.91 Biology
Emma McMahon Pepperdine Sr. 3.83 Psychology
Chloe Pravednikov Pepperdine So. 3.63 Pre-Business Administration
Maui Robins Portland Sr. 4.00 Marketing
Lauren Rumel Oregon State Sr. 3.91 Speech Communication
Cate Shanahan Santa Clara Jr.     3.83 English
Lexi Trapani Santa Clara Jr. 3.88 Business 

 
For more information and updates on the University of San Francisco volleyball program, follow the Dons on Twitter @USFDonsVB, @USFDonsVB on Instagram, and @USFDonsVball on Facebook.
 





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No. 3 Volleyball Opens NCAA Tournament Versus Campbell – Texas A&M Athletics

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BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION – The No. 3 seed Texas A&M volleyball team opens its NCAA Tournament campaign Friday as it hosts Campbell at Reed Arena with first serve set for 30 minutes after the conclusion of the first match of the day which starts at 4 p.m.
 
The Aggies ensured their third-straight tournament berth under the leadership of head coach Jamie Morrison, concluding the regular season and SEC Tournament with a 23-4 record. Their performance throughout the year earned them the highest AVCA ranking in program history of No. 6 and their first NCAA Tournament hosting opportunity since 2019.
 

Shining at home this season, the Maroon & White boast a 9-1 ledger at Reed Arena with its lone loss coming against then-No. 3 Kentucky (3-1). The 12th Man has been a force all year, as they helped break the program attendance record standing 9,801 strong versus Texas as well as accounting for another five top 10 attendances during the 2025 campaign.
 

Texas A&M’s depth of talent has been evident throughout the year and was rewarded during the SEC’s postseason honors, as a conference-high four Aggies were named to the All-SEC First Team including Logan Lednicky, Ifenna Cos-Okpalla, Maddie Waak and Kyndal Stowers. The honors didn’t stop there as Lednicky was named an AVCA Player of the Year Semifinalist, while the group accounted for 24 total accolades throughout the season.
 
The Matchups

Texas A&M enters its third NCAA Tournament with coach Morrison at the helm of the program, coming off a sweet 16 run during the 2024 season. The Maroon & White played the role of the hunter last season, downing No. 3 seed Arizona State in on their home court in the second round and came up just short in a five-set thriller against No. 2 seed Wisconsin.
 
The Aggies earned their highest seed since 2015 at No. 3 and welcome Campbell, TCU and SFA to Aggieland. They open their campaign versus the Camels who hold a 23-6 ledger and earned their second ever NCAA Tournament bid after winning the CAA Championship title in a five-set battle with Hofstra.
 

Friday’s meeting will be the first all-time between Texas A&M and Campbell. The Camels hold a strong 8-3 record when playing on the road but will come against the 12th Man and the Maroon & White’s 9-1 ledger in Reed Arena. On the stat sheet the Aggies hold the advantage in five of the seven team statical categories leading Campbell in kills per set, assists per set, hitting percentage, opponent hitting percentage and blocks per set, while the Camels have the upper hand in aces per set and digs per set.
 
Tracks and Trends
Logan Lednicky sits nine kills away from climbing to fourth in career kills at Texas A&M, she would pass three-time Olympian Stacy Sykora who has 1,586 kills.
 
Ifenna Cos-Okpalla has 159 blocks on the year and is three away from breaking her single season best of 161 and six from recording the most in a season since 1999 (165).
 
Streaming & Stats
Fans can watch the match on the ESPN+ and follow stats on 12thman.com.
 
Tickets
Fans can purchase their tickets to the opening round matches through 12thman.com/ncaatickets.
 
Students will be granted free admission to tomorrow’s game if they show their student ID’s at the north entry of Reed Arena.

Parking

Make plans to arrive early and exhibit patience for the expected traffic and parking congestion around Reed Arena. Multiple parking options are available for fans:

  • General parking is available around the arena on gameday for $5 – cash AND card payments accepted.
  • Fans with a valid TAMU parking pass can park for FREE in lots surrounding the arena. Make sure to have your pass barcode ready to show the lot attendant.

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.





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Volleyball Recaps – December 4

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THUESDAY’S SCORE
@#3 Wisconsin 3, Eastern Illinois 0
 


#3 WISCONSIN 3, EASTERN ILLINOIS 0

MADISON, Wis. – Eastern Illinois Volleyball’s historic season comes to a close after falling to No. 3 Wisconsin in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. EIU finishes the season 24-8 (15-3 OVC). 

EIU dropped both sets one and two, struggling to find a rhythm early on. The Panthers trailed early in both of the first two sets right out of the gate and were unable to provide resistance. In set one, the Badgers hit 0.48% and 0.542% in set two. For the match, Wisconsin hit 0.435. EIU struggled connecting offensively, hitting 0% in set one and 0.022 overall. After the first two sets concluded, the Panthers looked for a spark, and Tori Mohesky answered the call with fireworks right from the jump. Mohesky earned a service ace to calm the Badgers crowd. EIU returned back-to-back points to hold their largest lead, fueled by Destiny Walker and a Wisconsin attack error. Shortly after, EIU trailed 15-9 heading into the media timeout. After the break in the action, both teams went back and forth trading points. Wisconsin reached set point 24-15. However, the Panthers found life and roared back into the match, scoring four straight unanswered points charged by a Katie Kopshever service ace and two blocks by Emma Schroeder and Sylvia Hasz. Unfortunately, the Badgers closed out the set 25-19. 

By The Numbers: EIU records their third NCAA Tournament appearance in program history. Destiny Walker led the way offensively with 6 kills and 1 service ace. Sylvia Hasz collected 16 assists and 3 block assists. Defensively, Ariadne Pereles recorded 8 digs, while Emma Schroeder produced 5 block assists. Lilli Amettis and Katie Kopshever each collected a block assist. 

The Panthers’ historic season comes to a close, finishing with a 24-8 (15-3 OVC) record. After being picked to finish 8th in the OVC preseason poll, EIU stormed through conference play, securing their second OVC title in three years. EIU also collected their fourth regular season title in the program’s history. The Panthers made their third NCAA Tournament appearance.





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