Sports
How to Watch Buccaneers vs. Saints
Below we dig deep into all of the info you need to know about this contest, including how to watch on TV. Learn more about the Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. the New Orleans Saints on FOX Sports!Baker Mayfield will lead the Tampa Bay Buccaneers into their game against the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James […]

Below we dig deep into all of the info you need to know about this contest, including how to watch on TV.
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How to Watch Buccaneers vs. Saints
- When: Sunday, January 5, 2025 at 1 p.m. ET
- Where: Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida
- TV: Watch on FOX
Buccaneers vs. Saints: Head-to-Head
- Tampa Bay has won against New Orleans four times in the past five matchups.
- The Buccaneers’ record ATS is 3-2 in the last five times they have gone up against the Saints while the scoring has gone over the total on one occasion.
- Tampa Bay has outpaced New Orleans 127 points to 85 in the past five games.
Buccaneers’ 2024 Schedule
Date | Opponent | Score | TV |
---|---|---|---|
9/8/2024 | Commanders | W 37-20 | FOX |
9/15/2024 | at Lions | W 20-16 | FOX |
9/22/2024 | Broncos | L 26-7 | FOX |
9/29/2024 | Eagles | W 33-16 | FOX |
10/3/2024 | at Falcons | L 36-30 | Amazon Prime Video |
10/13/2024 | at Saints | W 51-27 | FOX |
10/21/2024 | Ravens | L 41-31 | ESPN |
10/27/2024 | Falcons | L 31-26 | FOX |
11/4/2024 | at Chiefs | L 30-24 | ESPN |
11/10/2024 | 49ers | L 23-20 | FOX |
11/24/2024 | at Giants | W 30-7 | CBS |
12/1/2024 | at Panthers | W 26-23 | FOX |
12/8/2024 | Raiders | W 28-13 | CBS |
12/15/2024 | at Chargers | W 40-17 | FOX |
12/22/2024 | at Cowboys | L 26-24 | NBC |
12/29/2024 | Panthers | W 48-14 | CBS |
1/5/2025 | Saints | – | FOX |
Buccaneers Stats & Insights
- Tampa Bay had the 17th-ranked passing offense last season (224.2 passing yards per game), and it was worse defensively, ranking fourth-worst with 248.9 passing yards allowed per game.
- The Buccaneers owned the fifth-best run defense last season (95.3 rushing yards allowed per game), but they ranked worst offensively (88.8 rushing yards per game).
- With 26 forced turnovers (12th in NFL) against 18 turnovers committed (sixth in NFL), Tampa Bay (+8) owned the ninth-ranked turnover margin in the league last season.
Buccaneers Key Players
- In 16 games for the Buccaneers, Mayfield has led the way with 4,279 yards (267.4 yards per game) while posting 39 touchdowns, 15 interceptions and a 71.7% completion percentage.
- As part of the Buccaneers’ ground attack, Bucky Irving has scampered for 1,033 yards and seven touchdowns on 5.5 YPC.
- In 13 games, Mike Evans has converted 96 targets into 65 catches, 915 yards and 11 touchdowns for the Buccaneers.
Saints’ 2024 Schedule
Date | Opponent | Score | TV |
---|---|---|---|
9/8/2024 | Panthers | W 47-10 | FOX |
9/15/2024 | at Cowboys | W 44-19 | FOX |
9/22/2024 | Eagles | L 15-12 | FOX |
9/29/2024 | at Falcons | L 26-24 | FOX |
10/7/2024 | at Chiefs | L 26-13 | ESPN |
10/13/2024 | Buccaneers | L 51-27 | FOX |
10/17/2024 | Broncos | L 33-10 | Amazon Prime Video |
10/27/2024 | at Chargers | L 26-8 | FOX |
11/3/2024 | at Panthers | L 23-22 | CBS |
11/10/2024 | Falcons | W 20-17 | FOX |
11/17/2024 | Browns | W 35-14 | FOX |
12/1/2024 | Rams | L 21-14 | FOX |
12/8/2024 | at Giants | W 14-11 | FOX |
12/15/2024 | Commanders | L 20-19 | FOX |
12/23/2024 | at Packers | L 34-0 | ESPN |
12/29/2024 | Raiders | L 25-10 | FOX |
1/5/2025 | at Buccaneers | – | FOX |
Saints Stats & Insights
- New Orleans ranked 11th in pass offense (234.7 passing yards per game) and 10th in pass defense (207.3 passing yards allowed per game) last season.
- The Saints averaged 102.5 rushing yards per game on offense last season, which ranked them 21st in the NFL. On the defensive side of the ball, they ranked 22nd, giving up 119.9 rushing yards per game.
- New Orleans forced 29 total turnovers (fourth in NFL) last season and turned it over 18 times (sixth in NFL) for a turnover margin of +11, the third-best in the league.
Saints Key Players
- In addition to his 3,878 passing yards and 68.4% completion percentage last year, Derek Carr threw for 25 touchdowns against eight interceptions.
- As a runner, Alvin Kamara generated 694 yards on the ground with five touchdowns.
- Last season Juwan Johnson reeled in 37 balls on 59 targets for 368 yards and four touchdowns.
FOX Sports created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Data Skrive
The Buccaneers rank 21st in total defense this year (344.9 yards allowed per game), but they’ve been thriving on offense, ranking third-best in the NFL with 399.8 total yards per game. From an offensive angle, the Saints are putting up 19.9 points per game (23rd-ranked). They rank 18th in the NFL on the other side of the ball (23.2 points given up per game).
Sports
MEAC Completes Day 1 of 2025 Outdoor Track & Field Championships
Story Links Complete Results NORFOLK, Va., May. 15, 2025– The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) kicked off its 2025 Outdoor Track & Field Championships on Thursday afternoon at William “Dick” Price Stadium on the campus of Norfolk State University. Six gold medals were awarded on day one. The Norfolk State men’s team and the […]

Complete Results
NORFOLK, Va., May. 15, 2025– The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) kicked off its 2025 Outdoor Track & Field Championships on Thursday afternoon at William “Dick” Price Stadium on the campus of Norfolk State University. Six gold medals were awarded on day one. The Norfolk State men’s team and the Morgan State women’s team led the team scores with 44 and 18 points respectively.
Delano Lawrence of Maryland Eastern Shore captured the first gold medal of the championship with a winning toss of 52.61 meters in the men’s discus event.
Cailyn Johnson won gold in the women’s discus event with a throw of 48.02m giving the Morgan State Bears their first medal of the meet.

N.C. Central’s Tia Lucas claimed the gold medal in the women’s high jump with a personal-best mark of 1.77 meters.
Delaware State’s Ja’Mari Manson and N.C. Central’s Jonathan Raijon-Kroger went jump for jump in the men’s high jump event both clearing the 2.09m mark. Manson successfully cleared the 2.12m height to win the first gold medal for the Hornets.
Rounding out day one was the men’s and women’s 10,000m races. Norfolk State’s distance runners emerged on top claiming one, two, three in both events. Mercyline Kimaiyo won the women’s gold medal with a time of 39:27.00, while Gidion Sigei won the men’s race with a 30:36.11 time.
For more information, visit the Championship Central page.
About the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference
The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) is in its 54th year of intercollegiate competition with the 2024-25 academic school year. Located in Norfolk, Va., the MEAC is made up of eight outstanding historically black institutions across the Atlantic coastline: Coppin State University, Delaware State University, Howard University, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Morgan State University, Norfolk State University, North Carolina Central University and South Carolina State University.
Sports
Trump admin confronts California over trans athlete in girls track championship
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EXCLUSIVE: President Donald Trump’s administration is putting California and Governor Gavin Newsom on notice ahead of a controversial track and field postseason meet that will feature a biologically male trans athlete competing in the girls’ category.
The U.S. Department of Education called out Newsom, the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) and Jurupa Valley High School over the upcoming meet and previous reporting that CIF officials made competitors at last Saturday’s postseason event remove their “Protect Girls Sports” shirts throughout the day.
“CIF’s and Jurupa Valley High School’s apparent flouting of federal civil rights law by allowing a male athlete to compete in a female California track and field [Southern Sectional Division 3 Final] this Saturday, and the alleged retaliation against the girls who are protesting this, is indefensible,” Julie Hartman, a Department of Education spokeswoman, told Fox News Digital.
The CIF is already under a federal Title IX investigation over the state’s trans inclusion practices.
“California Governor Gavin Newsom, who in a startling moment of moral clarity, recently remarked that it was ‘deeply unfair’ for men to compete in women’s sports,” Hartman continued. “Where is Governor Newsom now? With or without the Governor, the Trump Administration’s Department of Education’s commitment is unwavering: we will not allow institutions to trample upon women’s civil rights. OCR’s investigation into CIF continues with vigor.”
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

California girls’ track and field athletes protest trans inclusion in girls’ sports at a postseason meet at Yorba Linda High School on Saturday, May 10, 2025 (Courtesy of Sophia Lorey)
California’s high school sports league was one of the first in the nation to openly announce its defiance of President Donald Trump’s “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports” executive order. Now, the state is facing growing unrest from its own residents over the issue in addition to the federal investigation.
A trans track and field athlete for Jurupa Valley High School will be competing in the high jump, triple jump and long jump after advancing in the prelims last Saturday. The athlete took a top-9 spot in those events, keeping three female athletes from advancing, while taking first in the triple jump.
Brea Olinda student Julia Teven, 17, is one of the athletes set to face the trans competitor on Saturday. Teven is also one of the few female athletes to have beaten Jurupa Valley’s athlete this year, tying for first place in the high jump at the prelims last Saturday, while the trans athlete finished eighth.
However, Teven also claimed she has seen the trans athlete jump much higher in social media posts, and acknowledges that the athlete could still beat her this upcoming Saturday, noting the scoring system of the final is different than the prelims.
“He could beat me, for this one he didn’t, but looking forward he could,” Teven said,
Still, Teven doesn’t blame the athlete for the issue, she blames the institution allowing it.
“I genuinely believe he doesn’t have a harmful intent towards girls sports. I think it’s the kind of like, CIF allowing him that’s kind of put him in his position,” Teven said. “I think genuinely, he’s just, like, being enabled by the CIF, and he’s just taking his opportunity presented to him.”
Crean Lutheran student Reese Hogan, 16, also finished ahead of the trans athlete in high jump, at fifth place. But it was a different story during triple jump.
The trans athlete dominated the event, winning by more than four feet over the runner-up.
Hogan finished third, and would have placed one spot higher were it not for the trans athlete.
“It’s just kind of sad just watching. He’s obviously a really talented athlete, we’ve all seen him jump and stuff, and I wish him the best of luck, but in a boys’ division,” Hogan said. “It’s pretty obvious the certain advantages that he has, and it’s obviously just sad as a woman to watch that.”
TEEN GIRLS OPEN UP ON TRANS ATHLETE SCANDAL THAT TURNED THEIR HIGH SCHOOL INTO A CULTURE WAR BATTLEGROUND

California high school girls’ athletes wear ‘Protect Girls Sports’ shirts at a postseason track meet at Yorba Linda High School on Saturday, May 10, 2025. (Courtesy of Reese Hogan)
The competitors had to wait through an hours-long delay on Saturday to finish the competition after temperatures exceeded over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, putting the meet in a heat danger delay.
The heated nature of the event extended into the temper’s of the spectators.
The meet was overshadowed by controversy and protest, as activists held a live press conference that saw students, parents and even public education officials bash the CIF and state government for allowing what was happening that day.
The CIF has acknowledged that its officials made athletes at the meet take off the “Protect Girls Sports” shirts that they wore in protest, claiming it was due to standard apparel policy.
“Per the CIF Southern Section Playoff Bulletin, all athletes must be dressed in proper, school issued, track uniforms. The student-athletes were asked to comply with this while in the on-field event area, as they were wearing said shirts over their school-issued uniform,” the CIF said in a statement.
However, witnesses allege that the officials did not give the same orders to athletes wearing non-school-issued gear that didn’t include the “Protect Girls Sports” message.
Footage on social media shows some spectators chanting “that’s a boy!” at the athlete. But Hogan and fellow Crean Lutheran student Olivia Viola told Fox News digital that other fans only cheered for the trans athlete during the event while remaining silent for the female competitors.
“I know it was like, really, really split, specifically, like when he was jumping, and it was like you could visibly see it, almost like it felt like half the stadium was, like, against it. And then there was like a little chunk of people over here that would, like, cheer really loudly for everything he did,” Viola said.
“It just was bothersome to me. It was a little bit sad to hear people cheering louder for the biological male competing in a female sport than the females competing in the female sports. That part was just a little bit, that part was saddening to me.”
Viola, who will also compete against the trans athlete on Saturday, added that she also puts the blame on the CIF for hostile, conflicting crowds at the meet.
“I think it’s 100% on the people in authority who are allowing it to happen and not him, not this athlete. I don’t want the protests to be turned against this athlete, I want it to be turned and I do think most of us want it to be turned against the people in authority and the adults who need to stand up for us and CIF,” Viola said.
Some public institutions in California already are standing up, including Hogan and Viola’s school.
Three California Christian schools have spoken out against the CIF over the situation. JSerra Catholic High School, Orange Lutheran High School and Crean Lutheran High School sent a joint letter to the CIF last week, calling out the issue that has erupted for religious schools this track and field season.
“CIF’s Gender Identity Policy also fosters an environment that is increasingly hostile to religious member schools. CIF’s expectation that all faith-based schools facilitate the CIF Gender Identity Policy puts religious schools in the untenable position of adhering to the tenets of their faith in their classrooms and communities but practicing something contrary to their faith on their athletic fields,” the letter read.
California Family Council outreach director told Fox News Digital that parents plan to protest at the southern sectional final.
“As a former CIF and college athlete in California, I am beyond grateful and encouraged to finally see an administration that is boldly standing up for girls. The Trump administration’s willingness to call out the injustice happening at CIF and Jurupa High School is exactly what female athletes across this state have been waiting for,” Lorey said.
CALIFORNIA GIRL OPENS UP ON FIGHTING LEGAL AND POLITICAL BATTLE OVER TRANS ATHLETES AFTER LIFE-CHANGING PAIN
The Jurupa Unified School District provided a statement to Fox News Digital responding to the Department of Education’s statement, defending its continued enabling of biological males in girls’ sports.
“JUSD continues to follow both California law and CIF policy regarding school athletics. Both state law and CIF policy currently require that students be permitted to participate in athletic teams and competitions consistent with their gender identity, irrespective of the gender listed on the pupil’s records. JUSD remains committed to protecting the rights and safety of the students we serve, in accordance with applicable state and federal laws,” the statement read.
California has been a minefield of controversial incidents involving trans athlete inclusion in girls’ and women’s sports for over a year, which has included multiple incidents involving volleyball teams, girls’ basketball teams and girls’ cross country.
Some of the incidents have even prompted forfeits and even lawsuits.
Newsom addressed the issue during an episode of his podcast in early March.
“Well, I think it’s an issue of fairness,” Newsom said to conservative influencer Charlie Kirk. “I completely agree with you on that. It’s deeply unfair.
“So that’s easy to call out the unfairness of that. There’s also a humility and a grace… these poor people are more likely to commit suicide, have anxiety and depression, and the way that people talk down to vulnerable communities is an issue that I have a hard time with as well.
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“So both things I can hold in my hand. How can we address this issue with the kind of decency that I think you know is inherent in you, but not always expressed on the issue?
“The question you’re asking is the question we’ve been asking ourselves for months and haven’t been able to answer. What is that line? How can you make this fair? I haven’t been able to figure it out, and I’m about as transparent about this as anybody out there, especially in my party on this. To the extent someone can and do it in a way that’s respectful and responsible and could find the kind of balance, then I’m open to that discussion.”
Fox News Digital reached out to Newsom’s office, and the CIF for comment.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Sports
Track & Field Captures Multiple MIAC Awards
Story Links 2025 MIAC Women’s Outdoor Track & Field Awards 2025 MIAC Men’s Outdoor Track & Field Awards BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – The MIAC announced the award winners for the 2025 Women’s Outdoor Track & Field Championships on Thursday and Gustavus […]

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. – The MIAC announced the award winners for the 2025 Women’s Outdoor Track & Field Championships on Thursday and Gustavus was well represented as Kelley Brennan was named Field Athlete of the Year, Megan Geraets earned Track Athlete of the Year, and Aaron Lund was selected Coach of the Year.
Brennan garners her second consecutive Field Athlete of the Year honor after earning All-Conference in three throwing events. Brennan won the discus with a mark of 139-09, finished runner up in the shot put with a throw of 42-6.75, and took third in the hammer throw with a heave of 166-04. Brennan is the seventh different Gustie to be named MIAC Outdoor Field Athlete of the Year since 1997 and the third in the last six seasons. She is also the first individual to repeat as MIAC Women’s Outdoor Field Athlete of the Year since Carleton’s Amelia Campbell won three in a row from 2014-16.
Geraets had a banner performance at the conference meet, winning four races and adding a first place finish in the long jump with a meet record distance of 18-9.75. In the 200-meter, Geraets won the prelims with a time of 24.42 and then won the finals in 24.40. The 400-meter was the top performance of her career as she won the prelims with a meet record time of 55.26 and then crushed the record again in the finals with a blistering time of 53.87, which is the top time in Division III this season and 10th all time. She joins Erica Stone (1998-99) and Birgen Nelson (2022-23) as Gustavus women’s track standouts to receive the conference honor.
Lund was voted by his peers as Coach of the Year for the third time in the past four seasons after leading the Gusties to their third MIAC outdoor title in the past four years. His squad earned both the Field and Track Athletes of the Year, captured 14 All-Conference honors, and 10 honorable mentions.
Sports
Volleyball teens win Lone Star Regionals
Members of City Juniors volleyball team: (front) Bella Most, Annie Tang, Natalie Lane, Gigi Cooper and Hattie Butler; (back) Coach Abbie Jackson, Paige Berry, Clara Savarese, Bailiegh Davis, Carson Weinberg, Makaela Strauss, Zoe Pheasey and Coach Lesley Hawley. In its inaugural year, the City Juniors volleyball […]

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Members of City Juniors volleyball team: (front) Bella Most, Annie Tang, Natalie Lane, Gigi Cooper and Hattie Butler; (back) Coach Abbie Jackson, Paige Berry, Clara Savarese, Bailiegh Davis, Carson Weinberg, Makaela Strauss, Zoe Pheasey and Coach Lesley Hawley.
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Former University of Houston standout and current Emery/Weiner School varsity volleyball coach Abigail “Abbie” Jackson” is City Juniors’ coach. More than half the team is made up of current EWS seventh-graders.
The teens started the tournament strong, playing a tough pool schedule and winning all three matches, qualifying them for the gold bracket on day 2.
Sunday morning, City Juniors had to win out in their pool of three teams. While they won their first game fairly decisively, their second match was a battle of attrition, winning very tight sets. But win they did, setting them up for the gold bracket game of the final eight teams.
As the games went on and competition increased, the girls won all three bracket games in straight sets against much more seasoned teams.
With the final point, the 13u City Juniors stood alone as champions, beating out a field of 48 teams from all over Texas.
While City Juniors celebrates a successful end to their season, they are already gearing up for tryouts for the next year. In the 2025-2026 season, they plan to play at both local and regional – or perhaps even national – levels next year. The girls are excited to take their game to the next level.
Sports
Women’s Track and Field Sets Tone for NCAA’s With Fantastic Day at MIT Final Qualifier
Story Links CAMBRIDGE, MA (May 15, 2025) – The Tufts University women’s track and field team went all-in at the M.I.T. Final Qualifier with a fantastic performance to lead into the NCAA Division III Championships next weekend. Jackie Wells landed the biggest performance of the day by breaking the program record […]

CAMBRIDGE, MA (May 15, 2025) – The Tufts University women’s track and field team went all-in at the M.I.T. Final Qualifier with a fantastic performance to lead into the NCAA Division III Championships next weekend.
Jackie Wells landed the biggest performance of the day by breaking the program record in the javelin throw. Her career best mark of 42.41 (139′ 1″) broke the previous program record by over nine inches and earned her first place among a field of Division I, II and III opponents.
Makayla Moriarty brought home a fantastic result in the 200m dash, taking fifth place in a competitive field with a new personal best time of 24.95. It was a top mark in the NCAA Division III and just three tenths of a second off of the Tufts program record.
Arielle Chechile set the third best time in Tufts history with a third place finish in the 400m hurdles. Her personal best time of 1:00.64 was just a couple of seconds off of the program record.
Harper Meek brought home a win in the high jump. Her first place mark of 1.65m was just two centimeters off of her personal best, and was a fitting end to her time with the Jumbos.
Elysse Cumberland continued to shine as she took third place in the long jump. Her mark of 5.70m was enough to earn her a podium among the competitive field of athletes from all levels of the NCAA.
Ceci LaBarge also broke her personal record, tossing a career best hammer throw of 50.12m. It was an improvement of exactly 90 cm, and earned her fifth place in the event.
The Jumbos will now shift gears to the final meet of the season as they head to Geneva, Ohio for the 2025 NCAA Division III Women’s Outdoor Track and FIeld Championships.
–JUMBOS–
Sports
Lafayette Jeff, Zionsville battle in IHSAA boys volleyball sectionals
Harrison also advances with sweep of North Putnam Lafayette area top plays spring April 21 May 2nd Rossville pitcher Zac Wainscott and outfielder Ashton Abbott host the Lafayette area plays of the week from April 21 to May 2. WEST LAFAYETTE ― The clash between Zionsville and Lafayette Jeff Thursday, May 15, indicated just how […]
Harrison also advances with sweep of North Putnam
Lafayette area top plays spring April 21 May 2nd
Rossville pitcher Zac Wainscott and outfielder Ashton Abbott host the Lafayette area plays of the week from April 21 to May 2.
WEST LAFAYETTE ― The clash between Zionsville and Lafayette Jeff Thursday, May 15, indicated just how far boys volleyball in Indiana has come as it concludes the first season under IHSAA overwatch.
While the Indianapolis area has produced nationally ranked high school teams, there were questions about whether or not Lafayette Jeff could handle the size and pressure brought about by Zionsville.
Zionsville beat Lafayette Jeff twice during the regular season but faced determined resistance from the Bronchos. Zionsville was more consistent.
Seniors 6-foot-5 outside hitter Anders Christianson pounded 15 kills, left hander Mason Archer slammed 11 kills and Liam Vigil added 10 kills as the Eagles outlasted Lafayette Jeff in a first-round thriller of the IHSAA sectional quarterfinals, 11-25, 25-20, 25-22, 20-25, 15-11.
The other sectional quarterfinal saw Harrison sweep North Putnam in three sets, 25-11, 25-8, 25-20. Harrison will face Zionsville in the second semifinal Saturday, May 17, with the championship game later that night at Harrison.
Senior captain Kevin Braxton led the Bronchos with 14 kills, junior Azlan Rodriguez added 13 kills and junior setter Josh Waller totaled eight kills, 12 digs and four assists for Lafayette Jeff (17-8).
“We played amazing, we played with our heart, and we made a bridge off that,” Waller said. “We played as a family, and we were all there.”
Lafayette Jeff struggled containing Christianson while Zionsville (22-10) collectively began hitting short middle shots. Zionsville overcame being down 15-9 in the third set before Lafayette Jeff rallied in the fourth.
Lafayette Jeff forced the fifth set despite starting junior middle blocker Colin Smith injuring his left ankle in the fourth frame.
“It was a heartbreaker, but we knew he was going to support us no matter what, whether he was on the court or on the bench,” Braxton said.
Lafayette Jeff will many return key players next year, including Rodriguez and Waller, who are receiving college looks.
Rodriguez led the Bronchos with 208 kills while Waller proved to be a well-rounded player, totaling 118 kills, 102 digs and 59 assists for the 2025 campaign.
Set-by-set breakdown of Lafayette Jeff vs. Zionsville
Set one: Zionsville looked like a team that woke up from a nap, while Lafayette Jeff looked engaged from the jump. A 3-0 lead ballooned to an 18-6 advantage. Junior setter Josh Waller and libero Edwin Rodriguez-Arteaga led a strong shot receive and never looked out of sorts. The balance of Waller set the stage for senior Kevin Braxton with three kills and a block. Junior Azlan Rodriguez has a 4-foot vertical and swift enough to play defensive specialist or libero in college. Lafayette Jeff couldn’t have asked for a better start.
Set two: Zionsville senior lefty outside hitter Mason Archer went on the offensive. Controlling passing in the back row, they were able to turn the momentum of the match. Short side and far side shots found their mark and the back row for Lafayette Jeff splintered. Zionsville won the set by five, but the gap felt larger.
Set three: Zionsville kept its composure in the crunch and Lafayette Jeff didn’t. A pair of late third set hitting errors plus a debated touch ultimately helped the Eagles claw back from a 15-9 deficit to take set three. Christianson and Archer provided the juice offensively backed by libero Landon Scroggins. Rodriguez had the highlight play, but Zionsville was more consistent in its shot receive.
Set four: This set illustrated what makes the speed and strategy of volleyball entertaining and fun. And it came with some drama with Smith’s injury. Senior Kmaury Moten gave Lafayette Jeff a boost off the bench, while an explosive effort from Rodriguez and Josh Waller forced a fifth set.
Set five: Lafayette Jeff ran out of steam, struggling against the physicality of Archer, Vigil and Christianson. Rodriguez had some flashes, but errors on shot receive doomed Lafayette Jeff.
Harrison learns lessons in sweep over North Putnam
Harrison, led by sophomore 6-foot-3 outside hitter Cole Hess and junior Emerson Mohr, made the first two sets look easy.
But then an 8-4 deficit morphed into a 14-10 drought against North Putnam (5-11) in the third set.
“I think our communication was off and we brought that connection back up,” Mohr said.
Eventually Harrison found its way to earn the sweep and set up a semifinal matchup with Zionsville on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. The winner plays either McCutcheon (14-9) or Lebanon (4-7-1) for the first IHSAA sectional championship in Harold May Gymnasium in West Lafayette at 6 p.m. later that day.
Hess believes Harrison is prepared to play Zionsville, ranked No. 6 in the state according to rankings on maxpreps.com.
“I think they’re more beatable now, now that we got to watch them play,” Hess said.
Ethan Hanson is the sports reporter for the Journal & Courier in Lafayette. He can be reached at ehanson@jconline.com, on Twitter at EthanAHanson and Instagram at ethan_a_hanson.
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