By KEN HAMWEY,

Bulletin Sports Writer

The Bellingham High boys’ volleyball team is aiming to improve on last year’s .500 record.

Coach Steve Mantegani’s squad finished at 9-9 last season, then split a pair of matches in the tournament, defeating Innovation Academy before losing to Keefe Tech. Mantegani’s goals this season are to not only return to the playoffs, but to return with a winning record.

At the Bulletin’s deadline, the Blackhawks were off to a good start to achieving their coach’s goals. They were 5-2, a record that included a 3-2 victory over powerful Medfield.

The only coach the boys program has known, Mantegani started the sport in 2019 and has guided the Blackhawks to four tourney appearances. 

“The victory over Medfield was the first time we’ve beaten them, he said. “Definitely a great win for us. Our goals are realistic, and we believe we’ll achieve them. We lost only two seniors from last year’s squad and have six returnees with varying degrees of experience.’’  

Mantegani’s cast has a variety of strengths and he’s optimistic those assets will improve as the season moves along. 

“Our experience is a plus,’’ he said. “Our core players have 2-3 years of varsity experience. We also have good athleticism; the boys are very coachable and their skills and techniques are at a high level. The team has hard-working competitors and they’re mentally tough. Our ball control, serving and passing are also plusses.’’

Senior Jack Davidson is a capable outside hitter who has four years of varsity experience. “Jack works hard, and he’s strong and aggressive at the net,’’ Mantegani said. “He relies heavily on his technical skills, and his passing and ball control have improved.’’ 

Junior Aiden Gibbs plays setter, and he’ll be counted on to quarterback the offense. “Aiden has been our starting setter for two years,’’ Mantegani said. “He’s athletic and has great hands. A strong server, he knows how to direct our offense.’’

Junior Thomas Crandall returns as the team’s libero (defensive specialist). “A two-year starter, Thomas is our QB of serve-receive,’’ Mantegani noted. “One of our best passers, his technique is very sound.’’

Mantegani considers Hesrick Richards the Blackhawks’ strngest hitter. “A 6-foot-2 junior, he’s in his second year of varsity competition as a middle hitter, and he’s effective blocking and jumping,’’ said Mantegani.

Esdras Goncalves, a junior outside hitter, is a second-year player who has improved. “Esdras is athletic, jumps well and hits the ball hard,’’ Mantegani offered.

Junior Wagner Lourenco is another second-year player. “An outside hitter, he jumps effectively, hits hard and is very athletic,’’ the coach said.

Sophomores Caleb Platek (outside hitter) and Lucas Lahousee (defensive specialist) and junior Rehan Shah (middle hitter) are all in their first year on the varsity. “We are hoping that Caleb, Lucas, and Rehan can contribute as the year goes on, and they strengthen their skills and techniques,’’ Mantegani said.

Mantegani’s son, Justin, who coaches the freshmen girls’ squad in the fall, is directing the boys’ junior-varsity team. “Justin knows the game, and the players know him well since he teaches at the high school,’’ his father said.

This year’s team is a co-op venture. Holliston and Medway High don’t have a boys’ volleyball program but now have joined BHS. Players from those two schools, however, will compete solely at the jayvee level to comply with MIAA rules. “The two schools hope to begin a boys’ varsity program next year,’’ Mantegani said.

Long Beach State received the No. 1 seed for the NCAA men’s volleyball tournament on Sunday, while two-time defending national champion UCLA was seeded third and Pepperdine was seeded fifth.

Long Beach (27-3) and UCLA (20-6) stumbled in their respective conference tournaments last week, but both teams were obvious choices for the two at-large berths in the nine-team NCAA field. Long Beach, the Big West Conference regular-season champion, has been ranked No. 1 in the nation for most of the season. UCLA was the MPSF regular-season champion and has been a top-three team all season.

Long Beach, UCLA and Pepperdine will all open the nine-team tournament in quarterfinal matches on Thursday, May 8, at Ohio State’s Covelli Center. The semifinals will be played on Saturday, May 10 and the championship match is Monday, May 12 (4 p.m. PT, ESPN2).

UCLA (20-6) will face sixth-seeded Belmont Abbey (17-8), the Conference Carolinas champion, in the first quarterfinal at 8 a.m. PT. Second-seeded Hawaii (26-5), which defeated Long Beach in four sets in the Big West Tournament final on Saturday night in Honolulu, will face the winner of a May 2 play-in match between EIVA Tournament champion Penn State (14-15) and NEC Tournament champion Daeman (15-12) in a 10:30 a.m. PT quarterfinal.

Long Beach (27-3) faces eighth-seeded Fort Valley State (16-9), the SIAC champion, in the 2 p.m. PT quarterfinal. Fifth-seeded Pepperdine (20-9), which upset UCLA and USC to win the MPSF Tournament, will face fourth-seeded Loyola-Chicago (25-3), the MIVA champion, in the final quarterfinal at approximately 4:30 p.m. PT.

Should Long Beach advance, it will meet the winner of the Pepperdine-Loyola match in a 2 p.m. PT semifinal on May 10. UCLA would likely face Hawaii in a 5 p.m. PT semifinal.

Long Beach, which won its sixth Big West regular-season title in the past seven seasons, is in the NCAA tournament for the 15th time in program history and the eighth time in the last nine seasons. The three-time national champs (1991, 2018, 2019) lost in the national title match in 2022 and 2024 and reached the semifinals in 2023.

UCLA, which defeated Long Beach in four sets in the 2024 final at LBSU’s Walter Pyramid, is chasing its 22nd national title.

Pepperdine has won five national titles (1978, 1985, 1986, 1992 and 2005), the second-most behind UCLA.

Hawaii, which won its 2021 national title the last time the event was in Columbus, Ohio, also won the 2022 title when the tournament was played at UCLA’s Pauley Pavilion. The Rainbow Warriors played in four straight title matches from 2019-23 (there was no tournament in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic).

NCAA TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

(All times PT)

Play-In match, Friday, May 2

Daemen vs. Penn State, 4 p.m.

Quarterfinals (at Ohio State), Thursday, May 8

No. 3 seed UCLA (20-6) vs. No. 6 seed Belmont Abbey (17-8), 8 a.m.

No. 2 seed Hawaii (26-5) vs. No. 7 seed Penn State (14-15)/Daemen (15-12), 10:30 a.m.

No. 1 seed Long Beach State (27-3) vs. No. 8 seed Fort Valley State (16-9), 2 p.m.

No. 4 seed Loyola-Chicago (25-3) vs. No. 5 seed Pepperdine (20-9), 4:30 p.m.

Semifinals (at Ohio State), Saturday, May 10

LBSU-Fort Valley winner vs. Pepperdine-Loyola winner, 2 p.m.

UCLA-Belmont Abbey winner vs. Hawaii-Penn State-Daemen winner, 5 p.m.

Championship match (at Ohio State), Monday, May 12

Semifinal winners, 4 p.m. (ESPN2)

USA Water Polo National League: Mission (UCLA) Wins 2025 Championship

The 2025 USA Water Polo Men’s National League Championships wrapped up with a dramatic day of finals action at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut, California. UCLA captured the National League crown in thrilling fashion over The Olympic Club, while the Los Angeles Athletic Club (LAAC) secured third place with an impressive win over the New York Athletic Club (NYAC).

Third Place Match: LAAC Tops NYAC

In the battle for third place, LAAC outgunned NYAC ,19–16. LAAC’s offense was led by Max Casabella, who erupted for six goals, while Olympian Filip Filipovic added another score to power LAAC’s attack.

LAAC built a steady lead through the first three quarters, never letting NYAC find consistent momentum. LAAC’s defense, anchored by solid team rotations, weathered several late surges by NYAC to secure the victory.

Final Score:
LAAC 19, NYAC 16

Key Stats:

Championship Game: UCLA Survives Olympic Club in Shootout

The Championship Final between UCLA (playing as “Mission”) and The Olympic Club was an instant classic. UCLA held a 14–10 advantage early in the fourth quarter, but Olympic Club stormed back with five straight goals to tie the game at 15–15 at the end of regulation.

In the decisive penalty shootout, UCLA goalkeeper Nathan Tauscher stepped up with two critical saves, while Ryder Dodd led the offense, helping UCLA clinch the championship 4–2 in penalties.

Final Score:
UCLA 15, Olympic Club 15 (UCLA wins 4–2 in shootout)

Quarter-by-Quarter:

• 1st Quarter: UCLA 4, Olympic Club 4

• 2nd Quarter: UCLA 8, Olympic Club 6

• 3rd Quarter: UCLA 12, Olympic Club 9

• 4th Quarter: Tied 15–15

• Shootout: UCLA wins 4–2

Key Stats:

• Ryder Dodd (UCLA): 8 goals

• Paul Reynolds (Olympic Club): 4 goals, including a hat trick in the fourth quarter

• Nathan Tauscher (UCLA): 2 saves in the penalty shootout

Honors and Awards

Individual Honors:

• 

  MVP (Player of the Tournament): Ryder Dodd (UCLA)

• Top Scorer (Overall Tournament): Ryan Ohl (USA Pipeline)

• Top Goalkeeper: Brendon Gyapjas (Channel Cats)

• Coach of the Tournament: Eric Carnohan (LAAC)

Closing Thoughts

UCLA’s run to the title was fueled by Ryder Dodd’s scoring explosion and clutch goaltending from Nathan Tauscher. LAAC’s strong showing, anchored by Casabella and Filipovic, proved they were among the league’s elite. With rising stars and Olympic veterans making headlines all weekend, the 2025 National League sets the stage for an exciting summer of water polo.

Stats and Results:

For full match results, visit usawaterpolo.org

BROWNWOOD – April 28, 2025 – A special dedication ceremony and ribbon cuttings were held on April 26 for the new Ben and Bertha Mieth Outdoor Pavilion and Woody and Miki Martin Volleyball Courts on the HPU campus. The new facilities are located between Veda Hodge Hall and the J. Howard Hodge Bell Towers.

“We are so grateful for the Mieth and Martin families and their investment in the student experience at HPU,” said Dr. Cory Hines, university president. “These state-of-the-art facilities on our campus will allow for wonderful gatherings for students, alumni and the community, as well as provide competitive space for our new beach volleyball team.”

Ben and the late Bertha Mieth gave the lead gift for the 8,700 square foot pavilion, which is named in their honor. The couple were married for 71 years and devoted their lives to serving the Lord. Ben is the founder of International Commission, an organization that has reached millions for Christ since its founding in 1972. They have three children, six grandchildren and 11 greatgrandchildren.

Key features of the new 8,700 square foot Mieth Pavilion include space for a gathering of 250-300 people; technology with 10 outdoor televisions and a 12×16-foot video wall; commercial grade kitchen with gas grill, sinks and refrigerators; a storage area; restrooms; and a serving area for food. The video package will allow student and community groups the opportunity to host movie nights, stream HPU athletic competitions and host large watch parties.

Woody ’80 and Miki ’80 Martin gave the lead gift for the new sand volleyball courts connected to the pavilion. Miki is the daughter of Ben and Bertha Mieth and played volleyball at HPU during her time as a student. The Martins are both alumni of HPU and retired educators who spent their careers in teaching, coaching and administrative roles. They have two children and three grandchildren.

The three NCAA-regulation beach volleyball courts will be used for the launch of beach volleyball at HPU in the fall of 2025 with competition beginning in the spring of 2026. The courts will also be available for intramurals, student events and community gatherings. HPU recently hired alumna Micah Taylor to serve as the first beach volleyball coach.

Program participants for the dedication ceremony included Dr. Hines; Dr. Nathan Penland, vice president for student experience; Ben Mieth; Woody and Miki Martin; and Taylor. Following the dedication, HPU Fest was held on the grounds for students with 15 teams competing in a volleyball tournament.

“I am so excited for the Mieth Pavilion and Martin Volleyball Courts,” said Dr. Penland. “Our students will utilize this space daily in both recreational and varsity athletic competitions. I am so grateful to these families for their generosity in supporting the student experience.”

This is an initiative to improve the student experience, attract and retain students, and provide additional community spaces for both the HPU family and the Brown County area. The project was built by Brasher & Co., a local outdoor specialist company based in Early.

For information about giving opportunities for this project and other campus initiatives, visit www.hputx.edu/give.

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Cutline 1: Pictured left to right: Deaven Connelly, HPU student; members of the Mieth family including Charis Mayton, Rodney and Debra Cavitt, Ben Mieth, Miki and Woody Martin, Sarah Martin; and Brylee Awbrey, HPU student.

Cutline 2: Pictured left to right: Dr. Cory Hines, HPU president; members of the Martin family including Rylan, Leander, Woody, Miki, Sarah, Brinson, Ashley and Dr. Ben Martin; and Melinda Hines, HPU first lady.

Cutline 3: Woody and Miki Martin (left) are pictured with Micah Taylor (right), HPU’s new beach volleyball coach.

Cutline 4: The Office of Student Experience hosted HPU Fest to celebrate the opening of the new Mieth Pavilion and Martin Volleyball Courts.