Pope High School’s volleyball team capped their 2024 season by capturing the GHSA Class 6A state championship, which was the program’s third state title in the past seven years and their sixth overall.

This was Pope head volleyball coach Erica Miller’s second state championship in her four seasons as the Greyhounds’ coach.

Like any good coach, Miller knows that you’re nothing without great players. She also knows that with great talent comes a mix of personalities. That sums up the 2024 Pope squad, with each team member playing a significant role toward winning the championship.

For setter Jahan Lalli, that role was as the team’s quarterback, according to Miller.

“Jahan is our team glue, our spark, our fire,” Miller said. “She is our quarterback. Jahan is high energy. She was our No. 1 setter and floor captain, and she rarely left the court. She controlled our offense.”

Lalli was named All-County, All-Region, and All-State for her outstanding play for the 2024 season, during which she compiled 96 kills, 51 aces, and 1,111 assists, averaging 9.4 assists per set. As a defender, Lalli was quite effective with 248 digs on the season.

She set a Pope High School record this season with a 62-assist performance in a five-set win over Woodstock. According to Miller, that is the most assists in a single match in the history of Pope volleyball and ranks No. 5 all-time in Georgia high school history.

In the state finals match against Woodward Academy, Lalli rose to the challenge time and time again.

“In the championship, Jahan was focused and full of energy, quickly recovering from an error and lifting her teammates up when they made a mistake,” Miller said.

Miller said there was a moment in the final match when the Greyhounds were ahead and Lalli took charge on the floor.

“We were ahead two sets to zero at the five-minute break in the final, and Jahan was a key voice, encouraging her teammates to stay focused, keep pushing for excellence, and to go ahead and close the match down right there in the third set, which we were so pleased to have done,” Miller said.

Lalli excels in the heat of a match with her high-energy approach, but it’s her preparation off the floor that makes her a special player, according to Miller.

“She thoroughly studied the scouting report and knew what Woodward’s tendencies were and what they were going to do, and from that she knew what we should do to achieve the success we were looking for,” Miller said. “One of her strongest traits as a setter is her understanding of who the opponent is and what is wise to do against them. She pays attention to what hitters and sets are effective against a particular team, even if that means to take a risky approach over the easy, and perhaps more expected, way. She keeps everyone on their toes.

“Jahan’s play was full of split second choices like this during the state final.”

Volleyball a Lifelong Love for Lalli

Growing up in Frisco, Texas, which is located just outside Dallas, Lalli said she fell in love with the sport of volleyball early in her childhood, which kick started her rise to competitive play.

“I played on my first recreation league volleyball team when I was around 7, and from there I went on to play with some of the most competitive club teams in the country,” Lalli said.

Those club teams include Dallas Skyline, TAV, and Drive Nation.

“Playing at such a high level really drove my passion for the game and prepared me for my later years,” Lalli said.

Lalli said that when her family moved to Georgia, she knew that she would be trying to break into a highly successful program at Pope.

“I knew it would be a daunting task, but incredibly exciting too,” she said.

Pope was coming off their 2022 state championship, and Lalli was a new face trying to find her way into the Greyhounds’ program.

“My first season was my sophomore year, and I played defensive specialist while learning from our defensive setter, Cooper Abney,” Lalli said.

That season, Pope fell to Alpharetta in the 2023 Class 6A state finals. That made Lalli more determined than ever to contribute the next season.

“That just fueled me to help bring home a state championship for my junior season,” she said.

That’s exactly what happened.

“Winning a state championship and getting to run a 5-1 (offensive set) and be the floor captain for the program truly shaped who I am as a player,” Lalli said. “The trust that my team and our staff instilled in me has fostered my leadership skills and confidence so much.”

Lalli pointed to the team’s chemistry and ability to support each other as one of the qualities that contributed to the program’s second state title in three seasons.

“We are extremely tight knit,” Lalli said. “These girls are not only my teammates, but they are some of my best friends. Our chemistry allowed us to bend but never break in those difficult moments.”

Lalli was quick to heap praise on her coaches too.

“I wish I could truly explain how much of a gift Erica Miller has been to me and the Pope volleyball program,” Lalli said. “She is consistent, passionate, and intense. She is a comfortable presence on the sidelines when things get tough, and she is a mentor to all of us.

“Coach Erica really brought out and nurtured my best qualities, this past season especially. Her unwavering trust in my abilities really changed the way I viewed myself as a player and a person.”

Lalli said she’s looking forward to finishing strong at Pope in her senior season and hopes she’ll be able to continue with the game she loves and has played her whole life.

“I’m hoping to play collegiate volleyball following high school and further my education to study journalism and international affairs,” she said.

Miller said she is looking forward to having Lalli back next season.

“The girl is competitive, has the fire to win, and keeps the gas pressed all match long,” Miller said.

Lalli, along with her teammates and Miller, will look to win another volleyball state championship in 2025 for Pope.

Rockaway Beach. Photo by Julienne Schaer

Beachgoers are reminded to be safe in and around the water this summer, and only swim when lifeguards are on duty

NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue has announced that the City’s public beaches will open for swimming on Saturday, May 24 and remain open through Sunday, September 7, 2025.  

All NYC Parks beaches are free and open to the general public. 

Lifeguards will be on duty daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. At all other times, swimming is unsafe and strictly prohibited. Closed sections are marked with signs and/or red flags. 

“Each summer, our free public beaches provide millions of people with an opportunity to cool off on hot days, enjoy recreational activities, and relax with family and friends. Beyond the sand and surf, our beaches offer much more to enjoy, including a stunning nature preserve at Rockaway Beach, iconic amusement rides in Coney Island, and a nature center and athletic courts at Orchard Beach,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue. “As always, we’re committed to ensuring that all of our beaches are clean, safe and inviting destinations, and we’re thrilled to welcome back New Yorkers and visitors from all over the world for another season of summer memories.” 

City beaches span a total of 14 miles and include Orchard Beach in the Bronx; Coney Island and Manhattan Beach in Brooklyn; Rockaway Beach in Queens; and Midland Beach, South Beach, Cedar Grove Beach, and Wolfe’s Pond Beach on Staten Island. 

Brooklyn — Coney Island offers an ideal respite from the hectic and steamy city. With nearly three miles of sandy beaches, Coney Island’s sunny skies and rolling waves make for the perfect summer getaway. If your idea of beach fun involves more than just soaking up the sun, Coney Island also offers plenty of recreation choices such as beach volleyball and handball, as well as playgrounds and amusements. Enjoy the New York Aquarium, take in a Brooklyn Cyclones baseball game, or enjoy Coney Island amusements including the historic Deno’s Wonder Wheel, legendary Cyclone roller coaster or New York City’s newest coaster, the Phoenix. Named one of the top 25 beaches in the United States in 2024 by Travel + Leisure magazine, Coney Island’s beaches and boardwalk offer hours of entertainment for a perfect day at the shore! 

The Bronx — Orchard Beach, the Bronx’s only public beach, was proclaimed “the Riviera of New York City” when it was created in the 1930s. Today, it remains a family-friendly destination for summer fun, as visitors can cool off with a refreshing swim or soak up the sun at the 1.1-mile-long beach. Orchard Beach also includes playgrounds, picnic areas, and courts for tennis, basketball, volleyball, pickleball, and handball. In 2024, Parks completed a $2.35 million reconstruction of the Orchard Beach Nature Center, which features educational displays on local wildlife, tanks with live marine creatures, and programming by the Urban Park Rangers. A reconstruction of the landmarked Orchard Beach Pavilion is ongoing, which will restore the structure’s historic architecture, increase accessibility, and create new amenities for beach visitors. Additionally, a new NYC Parks maintenance and operations building was completed in March 2025, following a $35.9 million construction project led by the NYC Department of Design and Construction. The new building consolidates and improves M&O support for the beach and Pelham Bay Park area, allowing the properties to be better served. Other recent improvements at Orchard Beach include the restoration of the original double allée of elm trees lining the mall leading up to the main entrance. 

Queens — Rockaway Beach is home to the City’s only designated surfing areas and its boardwalk has become known for its diverse concessions that sell both local and international cuisine, including Venezuelan, Caribbean, Peruvian, wood-fired pizza, raw bar and lobsters, and more. The Arverne East Nature Preserve is a community resource that supports five unique maritime ecosystems across 35 acres, with pedestrian paths carefully integrated into the landscape providing access from the beach and boardwalk. In fall of 2024, we were excited to unveil the brand new $6 million Nameoke Park in nearby downtown Rockaway, while the recently constructed Beach 98th Playground received the prestigious Municipal Art Society Award for Best Urban Landscape.  

Staten Island — The borough is home to four of New York City’s public beaches: Cedar Grove Beach, Midland Beach, South Beach, and Wolfe’s Pond Beach. Visitors to South Beach can sunbathe while enjoying lovely views of the Verrazzano Bridge, bike through a scenic trail, or enjoy a stop at the popular Fountain of Dolphins, which features six bronze dolphin figures that are illuminated at night. The Franklin D. Roosevelt Boardwalk connects South Beach with neighboring Midland Beach, which offers swimming as well as a playground, bocce and shuffleboard courts, bike rentals, and kayak launch sites. Stop by the Ocean Breeze Fishing Pier, which boasts spectacular views in addition to excellent fishing opportunities. Cedar Grove, the city’s newest beach, is a charming and tranquil location popular with kayakers and local families. Wolfe’s Pond Beach is another restful site, ideal for those seeking a respite from summer crowds. 

During summer 2024, NYC Parks welcomed more than 7.4 million visitors at public beaches citywide. Also, Travel + Leisure magazine’s 2024 list of the best beaches in the United States included two New York City beaches: Rockaway Beach and Coney Island Beach. 

Beach Safety 

NYC Parks is pleased to continue its free sunscreen program this summer, providing dispensers at all beaches to protect New Yorkers from long hours in the sun with SPF 30 sunscreen. In the Rockaways, the sunscreen program is funded by Episcopal Health Services in partnership with IMPACT Melanoma. The foundation will also be providing sun safety information to beach visitors throughout the summer. 

In an effort to enhance public safety, NYC Parks implemented an emergency response lifeguard protocol at public beaches starting in 2024. In the event a heat advisory is issued and the city’s emergency heat plan is activated, NYC lifeguards will remain in their lifeguard stations until 8 p.m. to respond to emergencies. To educate the public on water safety, our Urban Park Rangers conduct tabling at beaches around the city to inform the public on rip currents and the availability of free Learn to Swim classes. Information is provided to beachgoers in multiple languages. Additionally, Parks lifeguards are participating in school assembly events to inform young New Yorkers how to stay safe in the water this summer.  

Accessibility 

To ensure that our beaches are accessible for all, NYC Parks provides beach mats at selected areas so that beachgoers with mobility devices can safely travel from the boardwalk all the way to the high tide line. Beach wheelchairs are also available at no cost to navigate further distances along our beaches. Wheelchairs are available daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and advance reservations are required. New this year, Parks has unveiled a Beach Wheelchair Request Form to reserve a beach wheelchair at least 48 hours in advance of your visit to the beach.  

Stay Informed 

Sign up for Notify NYC and opt-in to “beach notifications” to receive real-time opening and closing notifications.  

Water quality at all beaches is monitored regularly by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. If necessary, easy-to-read water quality advisory signs are posted to ensure that all beachgoers are aware of any health or safety risks. For more information, visit the Health Department’s NYC beaches page or view its Beach Water Quality Map. 

NYC Parks outdoor pools will open on June 27, 2025. 

Related

GENEVA, OHIO – The #6 Rowan Men’s Track & Field Team are in fourth place after the second day of the 2025 NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships at the SPIRE Institute. The Profs have assembled 15.5 points after eight events. Wisconsin-Eau Claire (35) leads Wisconsin-Oshkosh (34) by just one point for first place.

UPDATED RESULTS

Jamile Gantt and Noah Wampole brought home two All-America first-team honors in the high jump as Gantt (2.11 meters) was in a tie for third and Wampole (2.05 meters) was in a tie for sixth. Gantt’s mark was a personal best. Arrington Rhym was 13th (2.00 meters) to score a second-team All-America honor.

In the 110 meter hurdles preliminaries, the Profs will have three student-athletes in the finals. Jason Agyemang (13.93), who ran the top time in the prelims, will join Jamir Brown (14.00) and Anaias Hughes (14.34) tomorrow in the finals.

Shamar Love clocked in at 10.77 in the 100 meter prelims, but his time was out of the top nine needed to move on to the finals.

Saturday is the final day of the three-day meet which features the 4×100 relay, the 110 meter hurdles (Agyemang, Brown, Hughes), and the 200 meters (Rajahn Dixon, Elijah Hendricks) all in finals action.

 

Winter Park Boys Volleyball repeats as state champions

The Winter Park High School boys volleyball team has cemented its place as a powerhouse in Florida, winning its second straight state title and third in four seasons. The Wildcats captured the championship by sweeping Miami Southwest in straight sets, closing out a flawless postseason in which they didn’t drop a single set — going 21-0.

WINTER PARK, Fla. – Winter Park boys volleyball swept its way to a second straight state championship, going 21-0 in postseason sets.

What we know:

Winter Park High School’s boys volleyball team has clinched its second consecutive state championship—and its third in four seasons—by sweeping Miami-Southwest in three straight sets during Saturday night’s Class 3A title match. The Wildcats went a perfect 21-0 in postseason sets, a dominant finish that cemented their status as a powerhouse program in Florida high school volleyball.

The backstory:

Winter Park’s program has been steadily building a legacy, with this year’s senior class playing a central role in three championship runs. The team’s resilience was tested throughout the season, as they overcame regular-season defeats by facing and defeating many of those same opponents in the postseason. This title was more than just another win—it was a statement of dominance and growth.

What we don’t know:

While the team’s future looks bright, it’s unclear how the graduation of key seniors like setter Jacob Little-Phillips and outside hitter Mason Barberree will affect next season’s lineup. Also unknown is how this continued success may influence regional or statewide recruiting and the program’s long-term sustainability.

What they’re saying:

Winter Park is fast becoming synonymous with high school volleyball success in Florida. The Wildcats’ championship run is not just a win for the school, but a defining moment that could elevate the program’s reputation for years to come. 

“It felt right. It felt like it was supposed to happen. It was a great feeling, going 21-0 in sets during the postseason,” senior setter, Jacob Little-Phillip’s said. “It felt like a movie, like a script. It was awesome.”

The road to the title wasn’t easy. The Wildcats had to beat four of the five teams they lost to in the regular season during their playoff run.

“Getting the payback. Coming back and beating all of them, the resiliency of the boys — to me, this year was overall sweeter,” Winter Park head boy’s volleyball coach Jesse Day said.

For the seniors, this win caps off a high school career filled with trophies and memories.

“It’s definitely something that we’re proud of. We’re hoping that this sets Winter Park as a volleyball school,” senior outside hitter Mason Barberree said

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COLUMBIA, Mo. – Nineteen University of Missouri track and field student-athletes have qualified to compete at the 2025 NCAA Track & Field West Regional Championships, which will take place at E.B. Cushing Stadium in College Station, Texas, May 28-31.

Headlining the qualifiers is Kristi Perez-Snyman, who captured Mizzou’s first-ever conference women’s high jump title with a school-record clearance of 1.90m (6-2.75) at the SEC Outdoor Track & Field Championships on May 16. Perez-Snyman enters NCAA competition ranked third in the region. She will be joined by fellow high jumper Claudina Diaz, who qualified with the ninth-best mark in the field after clearing 1.84m (6-0.5).

Additionally, Valentina Barrios headlines a deep women’s javelin group after earning a silver medal at the SEC Championships with a school-record throw of 58.20m (190-11), qualifying with the third-best mark in the West. She leads a strong contingent including Val Galligan, Kaesha George and Morgan Cannon, who each secured a spot in the top 48 regional qualifiers.

Distance standout Monica Wanjiku will double in the 5000m and 10,000m, with a top-10 regional ranking (sixth) in the 10,000m. She’s joined by Rahel Broemmel in the 5000m. Sprinter Alicia Burnett continues her dominant campaign with qualifications in both the 100m and 200m.

On the men’s side, Sterling Scott (triple jump, 10th), Sam Innes (hammer throw, 10th), and Callan Saldutto (javelin, sixth) all bring top-10 regional rankings into the regional championship weekend.

Drew Rogers (10,000m), who impressed with a 12th-place finish at the SEC Championships last weekend, Steven Marks (100m), Lasse Funck (800m) and Skylar Coffey (shot put, discus) will also represent the Mizzou’s men’s team at the Regional.

The NCAA West Regional Championships serve as the gateway to the NCAA National Championships, with the top 12 finishers in each event advancing to Eugene, Oregon, competing June 5–8.

Mizzou 2025 NCAA West Regional Qualifiers

(Event – Athlete – Regional Rank)

Men

-100m: Steven Marks (45)

-800m: Lasse Funck (55)

-10,000m: Drew Rogers (25)

-Triple Jump: Sterling Scott (10)

-Shot Put: Skylar Coffey (44)

-Discus: Skylar Coffey (20), Tarique George (24)

-Hammer Throw: Sam Innes (10)

-Javelin: Callan Saldutto (6)

Women

-100m: Alicia Burnett (18)

-200m: Alicia Burnett (32)

-5000m: Monica Wanjiku (23), Rahel Broemmel (38)

-10,000m: Monica Wanjiku (6)

-High Jump: Kristi Perez-Snyman (3), Claudina Diaz (9)

-Discus: Ames Burton (24)

-Hammer Throw: Reagan Kimrey (36)

-Javelin: Valentina Barrios (3), Val Galligan (25), Kaesha George (31), Morgan Cannon (38)

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Scores and stats from Orange County games on Friday, May 23

Click here for details about sending your team’s scores and stats to the Register.

The deadline for submitting information is 10:45 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 p.m. Saturday.

FRIDAY’S SCORES

BOYS TENNIS

CIF/USTA CHAMPIONSHIPS

SOCAL REGIONAL

Semifinals

University 5, Peninsula 2

Harvard-Westlake 6, Palisades 1

Note: Final at 1:30 p.m. Saturday

Round I

University 7, Buchanan 0

Peninsula 5, Canyon Crest 2

Harvard-Westlake 7, Torrey Pines 0

Palisades 4, JSerra 3

BASEBALL

CIF-SS PLAYOFFS

Quarterfinals

DIVISION 1

St. John Bosco 4, Villa Park 3 (9 innings)

VP: Lopez 2-5, 2B, 2RBI. Hoppie (4.1IP 0H 0R 1BB 3K).

Santa Margarita 5, Los Alamitos 4

SM: Owens 1-2, HR, RBI. Gravely IV 2-3, RBI. Spiridonoff 2-4, 2B, RBI.

LosAl: Deninno 1-1, HR, RBI. Carrion 3-4, RBI. Porch 2B, 2R.

DIVISION 2

Fountain Valley 5, Torrance 2

FV: Hunt (W, 5IP 0H 0R 1BB 1K). Zamora 1-4, RBI. Lomeli R, RBI. Grack 2-3, 2R. Robinson 2-3, R.

Mater Dei 2, Foothill 0

MD: Thomas (7IP, 4H, 0BB, 13K). Lara 2B, RBI. Navarro 1H, RS. Wetzel 2B, RS. Guth 2H. Rudisell 2H, RBI.

Fh: Lauridsen (7IP, 7H, 2ER, 1BB, 9K). Rycroft 2-3, 3B. Gugino 1-2, 2B

Other D2 score

Etiwanda 8, Servite 3

DIVISION 3

Beckman 5, Arrowhead Christian 4

Beck: Molina (W, CG, 7H, 3ER, 5K), 1-3, HR, 2RBI. Powell 1-4, HR, SB, 3RBI.

Glendora 2, Costa Mesa 1

CM: Simmonds (L, 4IP 6H 0ER 3K). Morales (3IP 1H 0ER 3K). Rottschafer 1-3, 2B, RBI

DIVISION 4

Thousand Oaks 6, Woodbridge 3

Wb: Namgoong 4-4, 2B, 2R. Stottlemyer 1-4, R, RBI.

DIVISION 5

Northwood 1, Citrus Hill 0

Nor: Grossman (W, 6.1IP, 3H, 0R, 7K), 1-3, 2B. Stevenson (Sv, 0.2IP, 0H, 0R). Liu 2-3, SB, RBI.

DIVISION 6

Estancia 4, Pacifica Christian 3 (9 innings)

Est: McCrea (8IP 7H 3R 1ER 2K) 1-3, RBI. Silva (W, 1IP 0H 0R 1K). Atkinson 2B, 2R, RBI. Humphries 2-5, RBI.

Note: Sawyer Atkinson’s 2-out, RBI double in bottom of 7th inning tied game 3-3. Jake Humphries’ game-winning hit with 2 outs in 9th scored Atkinson.

DIVISION 7

Mary Star 8, Garden Grove 7

GG: Ramos (5IP, 4H, 1ER, 9K). Martinez 2-3, SB, 2R, RBI. Fernandez 2-3, R, RBI. Lam 2-3, SB, RBI.

DIVISION 8

Fillmore 3, La Quinta 2

LQ: Clarke (6IP, 7H, 2ER, 3K). Forte 2-3, RBI. Perez 1-4, RBI. Rakowski 2-4, R.

Other D8 score

Valencia 9, San Bernardino 3

Originally Published: May 23, 2025 at 2:12 PM PDT