TYLER, TEXAS – UT Tyler volleyball will begin their season on September 4^th against Ferris State inside the HPC as part of the 2025 Patriot Classic.
 
A LOOK BACK
 

Last season, the Patriots made their fourth straight appearance in the NCAA South Central Regional Tournament. They played to an 18-9 record during the regular season and went 14-2 in the LSC regular season. That qualified them to the LSC Tournament, where they made an appearance in the semifinals before bowing out. They also earned a berth in the NCAA Tournament, falling to #2 seed West Texas A&M in the opening round.
 
The Patriots were led in a big way by Kota Hartman, who went on to be the LSC Newcomer of the Year and earn All-LSC First Team honors. Also joining Hartman in the returning group are All-LSC honorees Saige Rivera, Autumn Perry, and Makhai Lewis.
 
CLOSING THE YEAR STRONG
 
“At the start of the season we were trying to figure out the right lineup and a group that played with great chemistry,” head coach Lyndsay Mashe said. “We had so many new players, and it took some time to develop that. The team was never satisfied with the way we started and showed grit and determination to turn it around!”
 
A STRONG CORE RETURNING
 
“I am excited to have such a strong core coming back. It’s hard to replace the players we lost to graduation, but it’s a great opportunity for others to step in to those roles and help us reach our goals. When you have this many players returning the expectations are high and we are pumped to get back in the gym and see this group go to work!”
 
KEY NEWCOMERS
 
“We have seven freshman we are adding to the team. They are a very talented group, and we are excited to get them in the gym with our returners and really watch them develop and turn into the players we think they can be.”
 
A TOUGH SCHEDULE
 
“Our schedule is for sure one of the toughest in the nation. Our first tournament of the year we start off with Ferris State and Central Oklahoma who should both be in the preseason Top 10 in the nation. We travel to Angelo State and WT twice to go along with the rest of the LSC schedule. I am looking forward to seeing our team rise to the challenge of our schedule!”
 
HOSTING THE PATRIOT CLASSIC
 
“Being on the home floor to start the season is something we are excited about. We have a great record in our gym, so hopefully that will help us with getting off to a good start. Our travel schedule will be difficult, so being able to get a tournament with 4 matches at home is really big. There is nothing like playing in front of your own fans and we have great support here!  I would expect that first weekend the gym will be packed!”
 
The 2025 Patriot Classic beginning on September 4th will see the Patriots face off with Ferris State, Central Oklahoma, Ouachita Baptist, and Mississippi College over three days of action to begin the year. The next week, the Patriots head to the TWU Volleyfest to take on Texas Woman’s, Arkansas Monticello, and Arkansas Tech over just two days of action on September 12^th and 13^th. The final non-conference action will be in the LSC Challenge on September 18^th and 19^th against West Texas A&M and Angelo State.
 
The LSC slate begins September 27^th as the Patriots take on Oklahoma Christian at home. They then alternate away and home again against St. Edward’s and UT Dallas on September 30^th and October 4^th before taking on a weekend road trip against UT Permian Basin and Angelo State on October 10^th and 11^th.
 
The Patriots return home October 17^th and 18^th against Lubbock Christian and Midwestern State, but then hit the road for a three match road trip from October 24^th through the 28^th as they take on West Texas A&M, Eastern New Mexico, and St. Mary’s.
 
The program will then play four of their last six matches at home, beginning with a home weekend against Sul Ross State and Western New Mexico on October 31^st and November 1^st. They hit the road for the last time against Texas A&M-Kingsville and Texas A&M International on November 7^th and 8^th and then come back to the HPC to finish the regular season against Texas Woman’s and DBU on November 14^th and 15^th.
 

Tucked away in the heart of Cache Valley, something extraordinary is taking shape — and soon, the secret will be out.

Welcome to Willow Lakes, a brand-new private lakefront community on the Logan River that’s quickly becoming one of Utah’s most intriguing residential and vacation destinations. Designed for those who crave resort-style living without giving up the comfort of home, Willow Lakes offers a rare chance to own a piece of paradise just north of Salt Lake City.

A lake in Logan may sound a little strange at first, but the novelty is the point. For more than seven years, the developers behind Willow Lakes have been working quietly and deliberately on a vision many thought was impossible. They created the largest private lake in northern Utah, designed specifically for all wake sports, tubing and waterskiing. They even included a deep wave surf machine, for year-round recreation and relaxation.

And now that vision is coming to life.

The lakes are officially starting to fill and lots are selling quickly. If you’ve ever dreamed of owning waterfront property in Utah — but want to skip the crowds and high-traffic tourist spots — here’s why you should explore Willow Lakes.

Not just a place to live, but a lifestyle

One of the most exciting things about Willow Lakes is how intentional everything has been, from the layout of the homes to the community amenities. At the center of it all will be a 30,000-square-foot clubhouse, which will offer:

• Full fitness facilities.
• Massage and spa services.
• Sauna and red light therapy.
• Golf simulator.
• Swimming pool and hot tubs.
• Pickleball and beach volleyball courts.
• Lounge and event areas.
• Deep wave surf simulator.

With so many options at your disposal, you can be as active or relaxed as you want.

Beyond the clubhouse, there’s plenty to enjoy all around you, including over a mile of soft, white sandy beaches and 2.5 miles of private riverfront. It has “luxury vacation” written all over it — only here, it could be your life every day.

A primary residence, vacation home — or both

Willow Lakes is the kind of community that fits whatever lifestyle you’re after. Some residents are local to Cache Valley and looking to elevate their everyday living. Others are coming from the Salt Lake area or out of state, hoping to create a peaceful retreat they can escape to whenever they choose.

It might be your go-to spot for summer getaways and family reunions, or your future retirement home and a welcome escape from the Wasatch Front heat. Whatever your plans, that flexibility is part of what makes Willow Lakes so appealing.

Logan is gaining national attention

Speaking of reasons to buy property here, Logan just added a major bragging right. WorldAtlas recently named it one of the 10 Best Resort Towns in America, placing it alongside destinations like Vail, Colorado, and Palm Springs, California.

Among its many perks, Logan is just 90 minutes north of Salt Lake City. It’s surrounded by beautiful mountains and offers easy access to both Bear Lake and the Great Salt Lake’s Bear River Bay. The area’s slightly higher humidity — which is unusual for Utah — helps create lush greenery and endless opportunities for outdoor recreation. It is also centrally located to 14 world-class ski resorts.

Logan is also home to Utah State University, a strong health care system and a low cost of living with almost no unemployment. Add in its rich cultural and religious heritage, including landmarks like the Logan Utah Temple and it’s easy to see why people are falling in love with this small mountain city — and why Willow Lakes is right at the center of it all.

Why now is the time to act

With the lake starting to fill and construction moving fast, things are picking up quickly — and so is demand. Three areas — phases 1, 2 and 3 — are currently available, but nearly sold out. Plus, once the lake is full and the amenities are finished, you can expect prices to rise. Right now, Willow Lakes is offering special pre-lake-fill pricing, which gives you a rare opportunity to get in early and claim a premium lot while they’re still available.

It’s not every day a private surf lake opens in Utah. And it’s definitely not every day you can build your dream home on it.

For a map and pricing info, click here.

Come see it for yourself

The best way to understand what makes Willow Lakes so unique is to visit it in person. Walk the beach. Take in the panoramic views unparalleled in northern Utah. Tour the available home sites. Once you’re here, you’ll see why so many are ready to make the move — or at least make it their home away from home.

To learn more or schedule a private tour, contact Grey Wilson with Dwell Realty Group at 435-757-1107 or visit www.willowlakesutah.com.

Just don’t wait too long — once the lake fills up, so will the remaining lots!

LYNCHBURG, Va. – The Liberty track & field/cross country program is adding 30 newcomers for 2025-26, including 15 men and 15 women. The sizable crop of new faces also includes four transfer student-athletes.
     

“We are excited to have a group of very talented athletes coming into our program,” stated Liberty Director of Track & Field and Cross Country Lance Bingham. “They exemplify the character of athletes who will add to our team as we seek to honor the Lord through the things we say and do. We expect a number of these student-athletes to make an immediate impact on our program. We are looking forward to a great year!”
 
Women’s Newcomers
Eden Alexander
Mid-distance
Purcellville, Va. (Home Schooled)
800 – 2:10.25, Mile – 4:58.29
 
Mackenzie Babcock
Distance
Cottage Grove, Wis. (Monona Grove High School)
1,600 – 4:51.56
 
Mackenzie Boggess
Jumps
Clover, S.C. (Clover High School)
Long Jump – 19-4.75, Triple Jump – 40-1.5
 
Lara DeFazio
Jumps
Sewickley, Pa. (Eden Christian Academy)
Long Jump – 18-6.5, Triple Jump – 37-6.25, High Jump – 5-4
 
Isabella Frattura
Javelin
Sparta, N.J. (Sparta High School)
Javelin – 150-3
 
Sophie Gonzalez
Hammer
Guatemala City, Guatemala (Wake Forest)
Hammer – 204-4
 
Gracelyn Laudermilch
Distance
Rome, Pa. (Northeast Bradford High School)
1,600 – 5:03.21, 3,200 – 10:47.12
 
Mia Lee-Bowens
Hurdles
Middleborough, Mass. (Middleborough High School)
100 Hurdles – 14.26
 
Kate Loescher
Distance
Stafford, Va. (Colonial Forge High School)
800 – 2:12.84, 1,600 – 4:44.33, 3,200 – 10:17.87
 
Kona Moore
Heptathlon/Pole Vault
Lynchburg, Va. (Liberty Christian Academy)
Pole Vault – 12-6, Long Jump – 18-2.5
 
Emily Norris
Heptathlon
Carmel, Ind. (Carmel High School)
200 – 24.63, Long Jump – 19-3, Javelin – 147-11
 
Alivia Rivera-Norman
Hurdles
Odessa, Texas (Permian High School)
100 Hurdles – 13.92, 300 Hurdles – 42.77
 
Adelle Schlotterback
Hurdles
Fort Wayne, Ind. (Carmel High School)
300 Hurdles – 43.90
 
Shelby Smith
Sprints
Williamstown, W.Va. (Williamstown High School)
200 – 24.99, 400 – 56.10
 
Ellie Stine
Throws
Broken Arrow, Okla. (Lincoln Christian School)
Discus – 154-2
 
Men’s Newcomers
Patrick Adams III
Hurdles
Allendale, Mich. (Cornerstone)
60 Hurdles – 8.04, 110 Hurdles – 14.35, 400 Hurdles – 52.20
 
Robbie Annett
Distance
Anchorage, Alaska (Grace Christian School)
800 – 1:53.21, Mile – 4:15.14
 
Nathan Haas
Javelin
Port Matilda, Pa. (State College Area High School)
Javelin – 204-4
 
Chase Johnson
Pole Vault
Flower Mound, Texas (Marcus High School)
Pole Vault – 16-9
 
Jayron Lewis
Throws
Williamstown, N.J. (Williamstown High School)
Shot Put – 59-5, Discus – 175-4
 
Zane Lindquist
Distance
Alta, Wyo. (Home Schooled)
1,600 – 4:24.51, 3,200 – 9:18.60
 
Michael Long
Mid-distance
Sterling, Va. (Ave Maria)
800 – 1:47.54
 
Grattan O’Neill
Distance
Huntsville, Ala. (Home Schooled)
3,200 – 8:56.21
 
Andrew Picataggi
Decathlon
Williamsburg, Va. (Warhill High School)
400 – 48.88, Long Jump – 22-9
 
Jamar Smith
Decathlon
Lynchburg, Va. (E.C. Glass High School)
Long Jump – 23-8, 110 Hurdles – 14.20
 
Jacob Tarkington
Mid-distance
Johns Creek, Ga. (Home Schooled)
800 – 1:50.69
 
Marshall Toney
Jumps
Williamsburg, Va. (Warhill High School)
Triple Jump – 46-11, High Jump – 6-5
 
Reagan Wise
Pole Vault
Cary, N.C. (Campbell)
Pole Vault – 16-10
 
Isaac Yarnell
Sprints
Altoona, Pa. (Hollidaysburg Area High School)
100 – 10.55, 200 – 21.16
 
Kyrhan Young
Sprints
Houston, Texas (Atascocita High School)
100 – 10.45, 200 – 21.50

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department has released a statement following a viral video featuring YouTuber JiDion, who is known for exposing alleged child predators.

The 26-minute-long, edited video titled “Volleyball Coach Gets EXPOSED,” was posted on Aug. 13 and has been viewed over 1.2 million times.

In the video, JiDion visits a volleyball gym in Indianapolis, claiming that a volleyball coach had inappropriate conversations with a 14-year-old boy on Grindr. Holding printed photos and messages from the exchanges, JiDion confronts the coach about the allegations.

As the confrontation unfolds, several IMPD officers are on the scene. JiDion urges them to arrest the coach.

“I have run into this before,” the officer states. “Our prosecutor will not touch this.” When JiDion presses him further on what action the police will take, the officer simply replies, “Nothing.”

The situation intensifies as JiDion continues to confront the coach until a gym employee eventually asks him to leave the property.

In a follow-up, JiDion visits an IMPD office to request the case number related to the allegations.

In their statement, IMPD noted that the video lacked important context. They clarified that a police report was filed at the scene, the coach was trespassed from the property, and detectives were informed about the allegations.

IMPD’s statement also advised the public: “If you suspect a crime involving a child or adult, please report it directly to your local law enforcement agency. Attempting to intervene independently or record content for social media can compromise investigations and potentially endanger those involved.”

The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office also responded to the video in a statement that can be read below.

People with information related to this case, or who know someone affected, are encouraged to contact IMPD. The department also provided contacts for reporting incidents to the Department of Child Services (1-800-800-5556) and the National Center for Exploited and Missing Children (1-800-843-5678 or report.cybertip.org).

WRTV will continue to follow the investigation.

The Journal-News recently obtained an exclusive first tour of the all-inclusive entertainment venue on 3.5 acres – across the street from Lakota East High School – and local owners Mike and Heather Ewers said the public will soon experience a rare, hybrid leisure fun experience unduplicated in southwest Ohio and beyond.

“If you are nine years old or 99, there will be something for everybody at Liberty Collective,” said Mike Ewers, long-time Liberty Twp. resident.

“When you come here, you’ll have an option of whatever food you’d like, deserts, fun, sports and entertainment and a wide range of beer and spirits for everybody,” he said.

An expansive, two-story, open-air hall – including booths, balcony seating, leather couches – is overseen by one of the largest TV screens in the region and serves as a multi-faceted centerpiece to the 18,000-square-foot center.

Inside and outside spaces, which include a coffee/breakfast bar and ice cream shop and more, can accommodate hundreds, said Ewers.

Adorning one side of the hall is “restaurant row,” said Ewers, which offers five eateries designed to cater to a wide variety of tastes and multiple solution to the common family conundrum of “what does everyone want to eat.”

The fun isn’t confined to the inside.

On the first and second floors are also outdoor tables, lounges, bar access and plenty of room for families, including balcony seating.

Wintertime will see the spacious balcony area sealed from the cold and converted to digital golf simulators.

Warmer weather will see a major portion of the grounds used for five combined beach volleyball courts, which can also be converted to sand flag football, other sports and child play areas and seating for outdoor music acts.

Hailed by Liberty Twp. officials during its initial announcement in 2022 as an “iconic place” for the fast-growing Butler County community, the Liberty Collective will also feature one of the area’s premier sand volleyball facilities at its 6735 Lakota Lane site along with numerous other sports and games for families.

ExploreOpening month set for regionally unique Liberty Collective entertainment complex

Based on a similar property of the Ewers in the South American nation of Belize, the two are now also developing another Collective outside of Indianapolis.

Co-owner Heather Ewers said the family-inclusive aspects of Liberty Collective were always a focus in its design.

“Having a variety of food options was important to us. Paired with some beverage and entertainment options really makes this a family friendly environment,” she said.

“There are so many families around here and there are also empty nesters who appreciate having kids around.”

A public-opening date in September will soon be announced and more information can be found on the Liberty Collective website.

Lottery.com and Sports.com have partnered with INDY NXT driver Sebastian Murray and the Andretti Cape team. The deal includes branding on Murray’s race car, a behind-the-scenes series, and social media activations. This partnership is expected to enhance brand exposure and provide networking opportunities. The deal will debut at the Grand Prix of Alabama in May 2025.

Lottery.com Inc. (Nasdaq: LTRY, LTRYW) and Sports.com have announced a high-visibility sponsorship with rising motorsport talent Sebastian Murray, who competes in the 2025 INDY NXT by Firestone with the renowned Andretti Cape INDY NXT team. The sponsorship, set to debut at the Grand Prix of Alabama in May 2025, includes branding on Murray’s No. 2 INDY NXT car, decals on the driver’s race suit, and a behind-the-scenes series produced by Sports.com Studios. The partnership also encompasses social media activations across the remaining 13 INDY NXT races, providing Lottery.com and Sports.com with enhanced brand exposure and networking opportunities.

The sponsorship centers on Murray, one of the sport’s most exciting young drivers, and includes branding rights, digital content, and fan engagement activations facilitated through his participation with Andretti Cape. The car will run this weekend with its new look featuring Lottery.com and Sports.com branding at the Grand Prix of Alabama, taking place May 2–4 in Birmingham, Alabama.

The sponsorship was introduced by Warren Macal, Founder of Prosperity Investment Management and a board member at Lottery.com. Matthew McGahan, Chairman and CEO of Lottery.com and Sports.com, commented, “Sebastian Murray is a standout talent, and this sponsorship places Lottery.com and Sports.com right alongside his journey to the top of U.S. open-wheel racing. We’re investing in speed, story, and a new generation of fans.” Sebastian Murray added, “It is a huge honor to carry the Lottery.com and Sports.com brands. The support from Matthew, Warren, and the entire team fuels my drive to deliver on and off the track.”

This announcement follows the launch of the Company’s sponsorship of Donate to Win’s™ Miami Sweepstakes, offering exclusive hospitality at the Miami Grand Prix this past weekend — part of a broader campaign to engage fans and elevate brand exposure. Lottery.com is transforming how official lottery and sweepstakes games are played across the globe, combining cutting-edge technology with consumer-first innovation. Sports.com is a premier digital sports platform dedicated to delivering cutting-edge content, fan engagement, and technological innovation in the sports industry.

The sponsorship with Sebastian Murray is expected to enhance both brands’ visibility and engagement within the motorsports community, aligning with their strategic vision to grow their digital presence and fan base. The partnership reflects the companies’ commitment to investing in promising talent and leveraging high-visibility platforms to drive brand awareness.

References:
[1] https://www.marketscreener.com/quote/stock/LOTTERY-COM-INC-128898692/news/From-Wall-Street-to-the-Pit-Lane-Lottery-com-and-Sports-com-Sponsor-Rising-INDY-NXT-Driver-Sebastia-49805849/