Sports
Kara Kaneshiro outdels Ava Cepeda for Manoa Cup women's championship

HONOLULU — Kara Kaneshiro made good on her second chance at a dip in the Oahu Country Club pool.
The Kalani High alumna left little doubt in her Manoa Cup title pairing with recent Kahuku graduate Ava Cepeda, claiming victory on the 15th hole on Friday as the sole survivor of the 16-person women’s bracket of the Hawaii state amateur match play championship.
In the 2022 final, Kaneshiro fell to Raya Nakao, 3 and 2, and watched as her opponent got the customary toss in the clubhouse’s refreshing water.
[Note: See below for more photos of the Manoa Cup women’s final pairing.]
Arriving back in the last pairing came with its own series of mental challenges.
“It’s definitely a lot more nerves just off the bat, on the first tee, but I tried to just take some deep breaths, stay present, talk to my caddy (CSUN golfer and Iolani graduate Nicole Tanoue), and yeah, it was a lot of fun,” Kaneshiro said.
In the 116th edition of the open bracket, former University of Hawaii golfers Kolbe Irei and Remington Hirano will meet for what will be a first Manoa Cup title. Their 36-hole final tees off at 7 a.m. Saturday.
Irei, a Roosevelt graduate who completed his UH career in 2024, routed the last past champion still in the field, Peter Jung (2021, 2022), 5 and 4 in the semifinals on a day that began with eight remaining — including 64-year-old Brandan Kop. Hirano came back to beat another former UH golfer Zachary Sagayaga, 1 up in the other semi.
For Kaneshiro, who packs power in her 5-foot-2 frame, there was relatively little drama to the week. She credited her short game for taking her home.
She did not play beyond the 15th hole in four matches this week, taking the last three (against Cepeda, Leia Chung and Brooke Asao) by identical 4 and 3 margins. In the opening round of 16, she rolled over Mia Hirashima, 8 and 7.
Kara Kaneshiro completed a convincing week of play in the Manoa Cup women’s bracket by defeating Ava Cepeda, 4 and 3 on Friday. (Spectrum News/Brian McInnis)
A birdie on No. 11 helped swing the women’s final in her favor and she steadily built a cushion. By No. 15, the reigning HHSAA girls individual champion Cepeda had no outs left. She got little cooperation from the course on an uphill putt from beyond 15 feet that she needed to sink; Kaneshiro then nailed one from inside 3 feet to clinch it.
Cepeda, who outdueled her sister Mia in the quarterfinals on Wednesday, was no stranger to OCC. The soon-to-be New Mexico Lobo
“I think I played all right. My putting wasn’t great today,” Cepeda said. “I had a couple three-putts and just putts that I was making before I didn’t make today.”
Kaneshiro became the ninth champion of the Manoa Cup women’s bracket that was introduced in 2016.
“I think it’s great to grow the game of golf for girls, especially this tournament’s only been around for … less than 10 years for women,” Kaneshiro said. “It’s so awesome seeing all the generations come through and going to college on scholarships.”
Kaneshiro has racked up meaningful accolades in two years at Colorado State, earning Mountain West Freshman of the Year in 2024 and first-team honors and an NCAA regional appearance in May.
Whether or not it was due to her recent experience in the rugged terrain of the Mountain West, Kaneshiro was at ease traversing the hilly terrain of OCC all week.
Now she and Cepeda prepare to head to Maui for the U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship qualifier at Wailea Golf Club on Tuesday.
Ava Cepeda chipped onto the No. 15 green. (Spectrum News/Brian McInnis)
Kara Kaneshiro smiled after winning the Manoa Cup. (Spectrum News/Brian McInnis)
Ava Cepeda, left, hugged Kara Kaneshiro after their match was decided. (Spectrum News/Brian McInnis)
Ava Cepeda needed to make a putt from beyond 15 feet on No. 15 to have a realistic shot at extending the match. (Spectrum News/Brian McInnis)
Kara Kaneshiro chipped from the fringe to within 3 feet to set up her winning putt. (Spectrum News/Brian McInnis)
Brian McInnis covers the state’s sports scene for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at brian.mcinnis@charter.com.
Sports
4 Patriots Earn CSC Academic All-District Honors
TYLER, TEXAS – Four members of UT Tyler volleyball, including Kailey Manes, Autumn Perry, Saige Rivera, and Emma Vazquez have been selected as CSC Academic All-District honorees as announced Tuesday.
The 2025-26 Academic All-District® Women’s Volleyball teams, selected by College Sports Communicators, recognize the nation’s top student-athletes for their combined performances on the court and in the classroom. The CSC Academic All-America® program separately recognizes women’s volleyball honorees in four divisions — NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and NAIA.
This is the second straight honor for both Perry and Rivera, and the first for Vazquez and Manes.
Perry was an All-LSC First Team selection after leading the Patriots with 339 kills on a .198 percentage. She played all 29 matches and played in 97 sets for the year while posting 45 blocks and 174 digs.
Rivera was named All-LSC Second Team for the second straight year while also being a member of the LSC All-Academic Team. Rivera had 732 total assists while chipping in 26 aces and 228 digs while playing in all 29 matches and 99 total sets for the year.
Vazquez also played in all 29 matches this year and in 96 total sets while adding a team-high 29 aces. She also recorded 235 total digs for a 2.45 digs per set mark on the season.
Manes played in 25 matches and made 21 starts while posting 73 sets played. She recorded 145 kills on a .300 percentage while adding a team-high 60 total blocks.
Sports
MAC Volleyball Places 41 Student-Athletes on CSC Academic All-District Team
To be nominated, a student-athlete must be a starter or important reserve with at least a 3.50 cumulative grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) at his/her current institution. Student-athletes must compete in 90 percent of the institution’s games/contests/sets played OR must start in at least 66 percent of the games/contests/sets. The 2025 Academic All-District Women’s Volleyball Teams, selected by College Sports Communicators, recognize the nation’s top student-athletes for their combined performances on the field and in the classroom. The CSC Academic All-America® program separately recognizes volleyball honorees in four divisions — NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and NAIA.
Information courtesy of Athletic Communications Departments
Four Zips Named to the CSC Volleyball Academic All-District Team
Jaryn Morgan, Vanessa Del Real, Gabby Brissett and Martina Villani were named to the 2025-26 CSC Academic All-District® Women’s Volleyball team, as announced on December 16, 2025.
Ball State Cardinals
Information coming soon…
Four Falcons Named CSC Academic All-District
Four members of the Bowling Green State University volleyball team have been named to the 2025 Academic All-District® Team, selected by College Sports Communicators (formerly CoSIDA). The teams were announced Tuesday afternoon (Dec. 16). Jessica Andrews, Sydnie Hernandez, Avery Hobson and Helen Wilford were all named to the team. The Mid-American Conference had 41 honorees. Nine teams from the conference, including Bowling Green, had the maximum number of recipients with four.
Jessica Andrews was an elite force for the Falcons during the 2025 season, landing a career-high 234 kills on top of 101 blocks. A senior, Andrews concluded her time in the Orange and Brown with multiple record book accolades, including 58 solo blocks, 401 block assists, 459 total blocks and a .302 career hitting percentage.
Transitioning into the team’s libero this season, Sydnie Hernandez led the Falcons in both digs (471) and aces (41) this season. Her ace total also ranked fourth during the program’s Rally Scoring Era. Hernandez was the only Falcon this year to appear in all 124 sets played and was one of three to compete in all 32 matches.
Arriving at BGSU prior to the season from Duquesne, Avery Hobson jumped into action for the Falcons, leading the team in kills with a career-high 376 during the 2025 campaign. Hobson tallied double-digit kills in 15 straight matches from Sept. 12 to Oct. 24 and logged six double-doubles for the Falcons. She was also one of two Falcons to start all 32 matches.
One of three Falcons to appear in all 32 matches, Helen Wilford led the team in blocks with a career-high 236. She finished the season tied for 40th in the nation for the stat while also tying for ninth during the program’s Rally Scoring Era. Of the 136 blocks for Wilford, 124 were logged as block assists, tying for eighth during BGSU’s Rally Scoring Era.
Adams, Forlin, and Kleidon Earn CSC Academic All-District Honors
The University at Buffalo women’s volleyball team was represented by three student-athletes on the 2025 College Sports Communicators (formerly CoSIDA) Academic All-District Women’s Volleyball Team, as announced by the organization.
Sophmores Eve Adams and Keira Kleidon, as well as junior Manoela Forlin were named to this year’s Academic All-District team. All three earned Academic All-MAC honors this season. This is Forlin’s second CSC Academic All-District honor.
Eve Adams, Sophomore, Outside Hitter, Early Childhood Education, 3.857
Sophomore Eva Adams appeared in all 27 matches for the Bulls this season. She had a team-high 28 aces including a career-high three aces at Akron (10/7) and at Northern Illinois (11/1). At Toledo (11/7), she tallied a career-high seven digs. This is her first Academic All-MAC honor in her career.
Manoela Forlin, Sophomore, Opposite/Right Side, Graphic Design, 3.590
Junior Manoela Forlin started all 27 matches while being second on the team in total kills with 345. Her 3.42 kills per set and 3.84 points per set were good for fourth and third in the MAC as she went on to earn Second-Team All-MAC honors. This is her second Academic All-MAC honor in her career.
Keira Kleidon, Sophomore, Defensive Specialist/Libero, Exploratory, 3.862
Sophomore defensive specialist/libero Keira Kleidon played in all 27 matches this season. She led the team with 337 digs, an average of 3.51 per set. She set a career-high 27 digs against Marist (8/30). This is her first Academic All-MAC honor in her career.
Central Michigan Volleyball Lands Four on CSC Academic All-District Team
College Sports Communicators (CSC) announced its annual All-District listing on Tuesday, including four Central Michigan Volleyball members.
The list of honorees is below:
Senior Alina Anderson (Rockford, Mich. / Rockford / Ferris State)
Senior Abby Olin (Coopersville, Mich. / Coopersville / Michigan State)
Sophomore Izzy Swiercz (Hudsonville, Mich. / Hudsonville)
Sophomore Grace Thomas (Dublin, Ohio / Dublin Coffman)
Both Anderson and Olin earned the honor for the 2024 season.
Eastern Michigan Volleyball Lands Four on CSC Academic All-District List
Eastern Michigan University volleyball student-athletes Ashlynn Belcher, Ella Grasson, Surabhi Srinivasan, and Ella Voorhees were named to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District team, the organization announced Tuesday, Dec. 16.
Belcher made the list via her 3.55 GPA while playing in all of the team’s 31 matches. Grasson’s accolade comes after posting a 3.87 GPA while seeing action in 30 contests. Srinivasan earned the honor with a 3.80 GPA after seeing action in 30 matches, and Voorhees held a 3.59 GPA, and appeared in 29 matches.
The award marks the second for Belcher, as she previously earned it in the 2024 season with Old Dominion while Grasson, Srinivasan, and Voorhees earned the honor for the first time in their respective careers.
Kent State Places Four on CSC Academic All-District Volleyball List
Kent State student-athletes Greta Bolognini, Adalynn Ginley, Mackenzie McGuire and Christina Vigil and have been named to the 2025 Academic All-District® Volleyball teams, selected by College Sports Communicators (CSC).
Miami RedHawks
Information coming soon…
Northern Illinois Huskies
Information coming soon…
Pair of Rocket Volleyball Players Make CSC Academic All-District Team
Sophomore duo Grace Freiberger and Olivia Heitkamp were each named to the 2025 College Sport Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District Team.
Freiberger is earning her first Academic All-District selection. Toledo’s captain is majoring in recreational therapy and currently has a 3.909 GPA and saw action in all 34 matches this season at libero. Freiberger led the team in digs (626), digs per set (4.7), and service aces (50). Freiberger’s 626 digs this season were the most in a single season in Rockets’ program history.
Heitkamp is also earning her first Academic All-District selection. The outside hitter/right-side hitter is majoring in Early Childhood Education and has earned a 3.501 GPA. On the court, Heitkamp led Toledo with 364 kills and 3.1 kills per set in 34 matches played this season.
In order to be selected, student-athletes must have a minimum 3.5 cumulative GPA, an academic standing of sophomore or higher, and play in at least 90% or start in 66% of the team’s matches.
In addition to her Academic All-District nod, Freiberger also advanced to the Academic All-America ballot. The CSC Academic All-America Teams will be announced on Wednesday, Jan. 14.
2025 Toledo Women’s Volleyball CSC Academic All-District Honorees
Grace Freiberger – 3.909, Sophomore, Recreational Therapy
Olivia Heitkamp – 3.501, Sophomore, Early Childhood Education
Four Broncos Earn Academic All-District Selections
For the fourth year in a row, four members of the Western Michigan volleyball team have been named to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District® Team. Seniors Reeghan Boyer, Mary Clare Brusek and Amanda Glanton were joined by redshirt freshman Leah Richmond as WMU’s honorees.
A Finance major with a 3.93 GPA, Boyer took over the libero role for Western Michigan late in the season, helping the Broncos charge down the stretch and earn the No. 2 seed for the 2025 MAC Volleyball Championship. The senior finished second on WMU and sixth in the MAC with 430 digs and ranked second on the team with an average of 3.39 digs per set to help the Brown and Gold lead the nation with 2,226 digs and rank fourth nationally with 17.53 digs per set.
Brusek was Western Michigan’s leader in kills this season with 377 and ranked 10th in the MAC with 2.99 kills per set on the way to an All-MAC First Team selection. An Exercise Science major with a 3.77 GPA, Brusek took her game to another level in conference play, totaling double-digit kills in 17 of 18 MAC contests to finish fourth in kills per set (3.46) and fifth in hitting percentage (.352) in league action.
Also an All-MAC First Team selection this fall, Glanton owns a 3.84 GPA as a Mechanical Engineering major. The Davison, Mich., native finished second in the conference in both total blocks (139) and blocks per set (1.21), helping the Broncos rank second in the league with a .179 opposing hitting percentage and third in blocks per set at 2.30. In MAC play, Glanton paced the conference in both total blocks (103) and blocks per set (1.45), while also owning a .359 hitting percentage, the fourth-best mark in league play.
An Exercise Science major with a 4.00 GPA, Richmond was named to both the All-MAC First Team and the league’s All-Freshman Team this season. The Indianapolis native led the conference and was top-50 in the nation with 9.93 assists per set. She also ranked eighth in the league in total digs with 414, and set a Western Michigan single-season record with 26 double-doubles.
Brusek and Richmond have been selected to advance to the CSC Academic All-America® ballot.
Sports
Volleyball Tabs Three on CSC Academic All-District Team
SAINT PETER, Minn. – Three members of the Gustavus volleyball team have been named to the 2025-26 CSC Academic All-District team, College Sports Communicators (CSC) announced Tuesday. Sophomore Logan Brent (Ramsey, Minn.) and seniors Olivia Stockham (Big Lake, Minn.) and Sydney Timm (Lakeville, Minn.) were the Gusties selected.
The 2025-26 Academic All-District® Women’s Volleyball Teams, selected by College Sports Communicators, recognize the nation’s top student-athletes for their combined performances on the court and in the classroom. The CSC Academic All-America® program separately recognizes honorees in four divisions — NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and NAIA.
Brent, after only playing in seven sets last year, stepped into a large role this year for the Gusties, playing in 102 sets as an outside hitter. The Ramsey, Minn. native was one of only three members of the team this season to eclipse 300 kills, just crossing the threshold with 305. Brent averaged 2.99 kills per set, second on the team, and added 77 digs defensively for Gustavus.
Stockham, a senior defensive specialist, was the second honoree for Gustavus after a tremendous year in the back row. The Big Lake, Minn. native played in every set for the Gusties, one of three players to do that. Across 119 sets, Stockham had 333 digs to push her career total to 541, averaged 2.80 digs per set this season, and added 28 aces from the service line.
After a tremendous senior season, Timm is the third honoree for the Gusties for the 2025-26 season. The Lakeville, Minn. native was responsible for 364 total points, including 309 kills, good for second on the team. Timm also competed in every set for the Gusties this season as an outside hitter and setter, adding 76 assists, 63 blocks, 20 service aces, and 282 digs, defensively.
The Gustavus volleyball team finished 24-8 (9-2 MIAC) this season and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division III Volleyball Tournament, where they ran into eventual national champions, UW-Oshkosh.
Sports
Twenty-six selected to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District® volleyball teams
Sioux Falls, S.D. – Twenty-six #SummitVB student-athletes were selected to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District® volleyball teams. North Dakota State’s Ally Barth, South Dakota’s Kamryn Farris and St. Thomas’s Ella Voegele earned All-District honors for the third straight season, while North Dakota State’s Arianna Blohm, Omaha’s Kali Jurgensmeier, St. Thomas’s Ellie Gustafson and Morgan Kealy, South Dakota’s Avery Van Hook, and South Dakota State’s Rylee Martin, Rachel Wieber, and Joslyn Richardson earned All-District honors for the second straight season.
The Academic All-District Women’s Volleyball Teams, selected by College Sports Communicators, recognize the nation’s top student-athletes for their combined performances on the court and in the classroom. The CSC Academic All-America® program separately recognizes volleyball honorees in four divisions — NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and NAIA.
The Academic All-District honorees will now move on in the CSC Academic All-America program and be on the CSC Academic All-America ballot. Student-athletes selected as CSC Academic All-America® finalists are denoted with an asterisk and will advance to the national ballot to be voted on by CSC members. The Academic All-American honorees will be announced in January.
Denver
Ilayda Eren
Isabel Rawlings
North Dakota
Paige Barber*
Isabelle McCormick
North Dakota State
Ally Barth
Arianna Blohm
Maddy Dombeck
Lauren Jansen
Omaha
Morgan DeBow
Davis Guetterman
Emily Huss
Kali Jurgensmeier*
Oral Roberts
Natassia Baptiste
Jenna Salyer
St. Thomas
Ellie Gustafson
Morgan Kealy*
Addison Schmotzer
Ella Voegele
South Dakota
Morgan Bode
Kamryn Farris*
Avery Van Hook
Amanda Loschen
South Dakota State
Rylee Martin*
Joslyn Richardson
Rachel Wieber
Sylvie Zgonc*
#SummitVB
Sports
CUNYAC Women’s Indoor Track and Field Weekly Award Winners (Dec. 16, 2025)
2025-26 Women’s Indoor Track and Field: Schedule/Results | Top Performances
CUNYAC Women’s Indoor Track and Field Track Athlete of the Week/Rookie of the Week
Brianna Lindo, Medgar Evers (Fr., Queens, N.Y.)
At the Art Kadish Elm City Challenge, Lindo placed fifth overall in the pentathlon with 2,815 points, setting a school record in the 800m (1st, 2:32.47c). She posted multiple top finishes, including high jump (6th, 1.46m), 55m hurdles (4th, 9.02), long jump (7th, 4.51m), and shot put (7th, 7.66m). She returned Saturday to lower her hurdle time to 8.85 in the open 55m hurdles to place fifth, ran the third-fastest 600m in MEC history (1:51.97, 1:50.61c), and contributed to the fourth-place 4x400m relay that ran a CUNYAC-leading time of 4:29.44 (4:25.91c). She also competed in the 55m (7.89, 8.50c) and added a 7.43m shot put mark.
CUNYAC Women’s Indoor Track and Field Field Athlete of the Week
Serena Warner, CCNY (Sr., Rockland, N.Y.)
At the Wagner Seahawk Shootout, Warner posted a weight throw mark of 11.31 meters and a 9.84 meter shot put toss. Both marks are currently tops in the conference.
CUNYAC Women’s Indoor Track and Field Athlete of the Week (Honorable Mention)
Mikelena Bouzy, CCNY (Fr., Brooklyn, N.Y.)
At Wagner, Bouzy posted a 60-meter dash time of 8.37 seconds, currently No. 4 in the conference, while also running 45.08 seconds in the 300-meter dash.
Previous Award Winners
| Week | Track Athlete of the Week | Field Athlete of the Week | Rookie of the Week | Honorable Mention |
| 12/9/25 | Toshel Goffe, Medgar Evers | Brianna Lindo, Medgar Evers | Brianna Lindo, Medgar Evers | Rachelle Griffith, Hunter |
Last Week’s Results
Friday, December 12
CCNY, York at Wagner Seahawk Shootout | Results
Saturday, December 13
Medgar Evers, Lehman at Art Kadish Elm City Challenge | Results
Upcoming Schedule
Friday, January 9
Hunter, CCNY, Lehman, York at STAC Spartan Invitational
Saturday, January 10
Medgar Evers at Wesleyan Invitational
2026 CUNYAC Indoor Track and Field Championship
Sunday, March 1 – Nike Track and Field Center at The Armory
For the latest news on the CUNY Athletic Conference, log on to cunyathletics.com – the official site of the CUNY Athletic Conference. Also, become a follower of the CUNYAC on Instagram (@CUNYAC), Twitter (@CUNYAC) and YouTube (@CUNY Athletic Conference), and “LIKE” Us on Facebook (CUNY Athletic Conference).
Sign up to receive the latest CUNY Athletic Conference news delivered right to your email inbox HERE.
Sports
2025 NCAA Volleyball Tournament Central
Wisconsin 3, Stanford 1
Regional Semifinal – Austin, Texas
The Badgers defeated 2-seed Stanford (25-17, 21-25, 25-23, 25-22) behind another prolific performance on the offensive end—hitting .420 (70 – 15 – 131) by the conclusion of the four-set match.
The Badgers (27-4) were clicking on all cylinders in the first frame, as UW exploded for a .514 swinging percentage to jump out to a hot start in the first frame.
With the match in the balance in the fourth set, Colyer racked up her 2,000th kill of her career —accumulating a match-high 27 at Gregory Gym. The senior earned her final three in the late stages of set four, pushing Wisconsin to the Regional Finals.
Offensively, Booth tied a career-best with 14 kills, last doing so in the Regional Semifinal last season against Texas A&M. The Denver, Colorado, native swung .700 (14 – 0 – 20) against the Cardinal, as she finished errorless for the fourth-straight match.
Middle blocker Alicia Andrew joined her in the process, racking up seven kills on nine attempts without an attack error.
Setter Charlie Fuerbringer was the centerpiece throughout the entirety of the match, tallying a career-high 61 assists to guide the Badgers to their highest hitting percentage in a four-set match in program history.
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