Sports
Kats sign six to 2026 roster
HUNTSVILLE – The Sam Houston volleyball program and head coach Brenda Gray announced the signing of six student-athletes to play for the Bearkats for the 2026 season.
The signing class consists of outside hitters Annika Brooks, Brenlin Garlitz, Justice Rachal, Kameron Rector, Lauren Pyle and Sarah Odell.
“All of these young ladies bring a passion and energy that Sam Houston Volleyball thrives upon,” head coach Brenda Gray said. “They all come with numerous accolades both on the court and in the classroom.”
Annika Brooks • 6-3 • RS • Halletsville, Texas • Sacred Heart Catholic School / Blinn College
Blinn College
– 2025 second team all-conference selection
Ovilla Christian School
– 2021 second team all-district selection as freshman
– 2022 first team all-district selection as a sophomore
– 2022 honorable mention all-area
– 2023 first team all-district selection as a junior
– 2023 TAPPS first team all-state selection
– 2023 honorable mention all-area selection
– 2023 TAPPS academic all-state selection
– 2024 first team all-district selection as a senior
– 2024 TAPPS first team all-state selection
– 2024 TAPPS academic all-state selection
Texas Tornadoes (Club)
– 17s bid to nationals
– 18s bid to nationals
Gray on Brooks …
“Annika brings size and a blocking presence to our game on the right side. We are so fortunate to have her join us this spring.”
Brenlin Garlitz • 5-10 • S • Waxahachie, Texas • Ovilla Christian School
Ovilla Christian School
– 2022 TAPPS second team all-district selection as freshman
– 2023 TAPPS first team all-state
– 2024 TAPPS first team all-state
– 2024 Ellis County All-Star Team
– 4-time state champion
Texas Advantage Volleyball (Club)
– NRG 15s bid to nationals
– NRG 16s bid to nationals
– TAV 18s Black: 5th at nationals
Gray on Garlitz …
“We are excited to bring in a dynamic setter to help run our floor. Brenlin runs a quick offense and brings a passion and love for the game that is undeniable.”
Justice Rachal • 5-8 • OH • Cypress, Texas • Bridgeland HS
Bridgeland HS
– 2-time first team all-district selection
– District Offensive Player of the Year
– AVCA Phenom Watch List
– 2-time academic all-district selection
– GHVCA postseason second team choice
– 2023 honorable mention all-district selection
TAV Houston (Club)
– GJNC 16U all-tournament team (Liberty)
– GJNC Third place 17 American
– GJNC 17U all-tournament team (American)
Gray on Rachal …
“Justice will be a crowd favorite from the start. She has a contagious energy and a vertical leap that will add to the excitement on the outside position.”
Kameron Rector • 5-11 • OH • Midlothian, Texas • Midlothian HS
Midlothian HS
– 2023 District Utility Player of the Year
– 2024 Academic All-District selection
– 2025 district MVP
Mad Frog (Club)
– Girls Junior National Championship
– All-Tournament team
– 16 & Under USA Tournament
Gray on Rector …
“Kameron is just so solid all around and will bring a defensive prowess and ball control that a team always needs to continue their success.”
Lauren Pyle • 5-8 • S • Longview, Texas • Hallsville HS / Tyler JC
Tyler JC
– 2025 Region XIV Setter of the Year
Hallsville HS
– 2021 first team all-district selection
– 2021 honorable mention all-state
– 2022 District Setter of the Year
– 2022 all-state selection
– 2023 District MVP
– 2023 All-East Texas Player of the Year
– 2023 all-state selection
– 2023 academic all-state selection
East Texas Alliance (Club)
– 17s bid to nationals
– Won Lonestar Classic
Gray on Pyle …
“It is good for us to get an experienced floor leader on the roster and we are excited to have her join us in the spring to begin running our offense and bring her expertise that she delivered in junior college”.
Sarah Odell • 5-11 • OH • Tomball, Texas • Tomball HS
Tomball HS
– 2023 first team all-District 15-6A selection
– 2024 and 2025 District 15-6A Outstanding Offensive Player of the Year
– 2024 and 2025 first team all-District 15-6A
– 2024 and 2025 academic all-District 15-6A
– Played club at North Houston Elite Volleyball
Gray on Odell …
“There is an explosiveness to the outside that is needed in this league, which Sarah immediately gives us as a complete, six-rotation player who will help balance our offense.”
Sports
Ahen Kim Named Head Coach of Duke Volleyball
WASHINGTON – After three years as head coach and nine years in the American University volleyball program, Ahen Kim has been named the new head coach of Duke University volleyball. Kim most recently led AU to a historic season in 2025, capturing the program’s first Patriot League title since 2019. He leaves American with a 44-25 overall record at the helm.
“We are incredibly grateful to Ahen for everything he has given to American University volleyball,” said Director of Athletics and Recreation JM Caparro. “His connection to this program runs deep, from his time as an assistant under Barry Goldberg during one of the most successful eras in our history to leading the program through an important transition as head coach. This past season’s Patriot League championship and NCAA Tournament berth were a testament to his leadership, commitment to our student-athletes, and belief in this program. While we will miss Ahen, we are proud of the work he has done at AU and understand the significance of the opportunity he has earned. We wish him nothing but success in his next chapter.”
“I’m forever grateful to American University Volleyball and will cherish the time I’ve had coaching here both as an Assistant and as Head Coach,” said Kim. “It has been an honor to serve the program after Coach Barry, and I am extremely proud of the work by our student-athletes and staff to restore its competitive legacy. I want to thank President Alger, JM, Katie Benoit and the AU community for all the support for me and our program over the years. With the addition of the Meltzer Center and Goldberg Court, I know this program will continue to be a winner. AUVB will always be special to me and I wish the program continued success. Once an Eagle, always an Eagle.”
As an assistant from 2012 to 2017 and a head coach since 2023, Kim has been synonymous with many of AU volleyball’s greatest moments. He was on the bench for five Patriot League championships and all three of AU’s NCAA Tournament wins, and returned in 2023 to find more success as a head coach. Kim led the Eagles to back-to-back 20-win seasons in 2023 and 2024, leading to one of the best campaigns in program history in 2025. American won 24 games up through the Patriot League final, with Kim guiding several players to unprecedented individual success. AU earned six All-Patriot League selections and took home all five major postseason awards, including the Coaching Staff of the Year distinction given to Kim and his assistants. In total as a head coach, Kim oversaw 12 All-Patriot League players, six major award winners, two AVCA All-Region selections, and two All-Americans.
With undeniable success on the court, Kim made an equal impact off the court. 30 of his players have landed on the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll and three players earned spots on the Academic All-Patriot League team in 2025, which recognizes both on-court and academic performance.
American University will conduct a national search for its next volleyball coach.
Keep up With Us
For the latest on American University Volleyball, stay tuned to AUEagles.com and follow the team on Twitter (@AU_Volleyball), Facebook (/AU.Volleyball) and Instagram (@au_volleyball).
Sports
Bulldogs See Two First Place Finishes in First Chance Qualifier
Men’s Track and Field | 1/12/2026 2:21:00 PM
Wichita, Kan – McPherson College started their 2026 off with an indoor meet on the campus of Wichita State for the First Chance Qualifier. Following their Christmas break, the Bulldogs sought after a solid performance in their first meet of the new year.
The Basics
Location: Heskett Center
Women’s Highlights
In the Women’s 60m Hurdles, Blake Posey would run her personal best time of 9.47 and place 2nd in the meet. Nina Zimmerman finished the Women’s 60m with a 9.24 personal record. Chloe Guzman, a dual-sport athlete for the Bulldogs (women’s soccer), would continue the personal best category after running a 9.40 in the Women’s 60m.
Johanna Walker’s mile time in the Women’s Mile was also a personal best time, running a 6:19.02; this would beat her previous best time by an astonishing 29 seconds.
In the throws department, Cara Shultz’s shot put would travel 12.44m for a personal best throw; she would have a personal-best weight throw of 15.14. In both event Schultz competed in, she placed fourth.
Men’s Highlights
For the men, Eric Brown began his indoor season with a time of 1:29.86 in the Men’s 600m. Lamar Gordon lit up the competition taking first place in the Shot Put and the Weight Throw events. His shot put would travel 15.29m and his weight throw landed at 17.99m.
Up Next
The Bulldogs will travel to Maryville, Missouri this upcoming weekend for the Coach Alsup Invitational hosted by Northwest Missouri State University on January 17th.
Sports
Granby adult volleyball standings (Jan. 5)

Granby Recreation Department/Courtesy photo
As of Jan. 5, the Granby adult co-ed volleyball league has continued its season with some hard-hitting competition.
Results from last week’s games
Washed Up downed Net WERK
Timberline over Spike Tysons
CV Electric beat Sagebrush
Prather Plumbing beat Eastside Gang
Washed Up downed Ski Pigs
Spike Tysons over Liberty Spikes
Drowsy Water Ranch downed Float Goats
CV Electric beat Prather Plumbing
Ski Pigs downed Liberty Spikes
Drowsy Water Ranch over Timberline
Float Goats beat Sagebrush
Net WERK over Eastside Gang
Drowsy Water downed Ski Pigs
League Standings as of Jan. 5
Washed Up 8-0
Drowsy Water Ranch 8-1
Timberline 7-2
Float Goats 6-2
CV Electric 6-3
Sagebrush 5-4
Net WERK 5-4
Prather Plumbing 4-5
Spike Tysons 2-7
Ski Pigs 2-7
Eastside Gang 0-9
Liberty Spikes 0-9
Sports
UNI track and field coach Dave Paulsen talks Minnesota Open and having an athlete serving in the National Guard
Sports
Vandals Deliver Another Record-Setting Semester in the Classroom
MOSCOW, Idaho- Before the spring semester officially gets underway, Idaho Athletics has announced that its programs recorded another strong performance in the classroom in the fall. Another team GPA record fell and Vandal student-athletes recorded a cumulative GPA of 3.44 across all sports.
Fall 2025 Academic Highlights
-
This is the 23rd consecutive semester that the Vandals earned a mark of 3.0 or higher as a whole.
-
Every program turned in a team GPA of 3.15 or higher.
-
Volleyball led the way for the department with a team GPA of 3.75. Fifteen student athletes had a 3.0 or higher and five of those turned in a perfect 4.0.
-
Men’s Basketball set a program record team performance for the second consecutive term, recording a team GPA of 3.44 by way of fifteen Vandals having a 3.0 or better and two of those with a 4.0. This tops the program record mark of 3.37, set last spring.
-
Swimming and Diving and Women’s Track and Field recorded the most athletes with a 4.0 individual average, with 22 each.
-
Football turned in a total of 83 student athletes with at least a 3.0.
Listed below are team GPAs, including student-athletes who earned a 4.0.
FOOTBALL
4.00 semester GPAs: 17
-
Holden Bea, Sam Brown, Leon Evans, Owen Forsman, Payton Gunter, Trais Higgins, Tony Harste, Calvin Macy, Donovan Parham, Malakai Railton-Stewart, Tyler Skinner, Daveon Superales, Noah West-Baranco, Caden Siegner, Trenton Swanson, Trevor Miller, Austin Flaherty
3.00-3.99 semester GPAs: 66
TEAM GPA: 3.19
SWIMMING AND DIVING
4.00 semester GPAs: 22
-
Parker Bach, Isabelle Borke, Maddy Butler, Natalie Charles, Cadence Gabel, Kaitlyn Hafer, Lauren Howe, Catherine Hyde, Italia Ingle, Abigail Jerome, Avery Keinonen, Ginger Kiefer, McKenzie Kovalscik, Ena Lehman, Marie Mason, Keegan Near, Grace Ruble, Maya Salvitti, Sadie Schaffer, Gaby Stanton, Andie Weiber, Lauren Wierschke
3.00-3.99 semester GPAs: 18
TEAM GPA: 3.63
MEN’S GOLF
4.00 semester GPA’s: 3
3.00-3.99 semester GPA’s: 6
TEAM GPA: 3.62
WOMEN’S GOLF
4.00 semester GPA’s: 3
3.00-3.99 semester GPA’s: 6
TEAM GPA: 3.66
MEN’S TENNIS
4.00 semester GPA’s: 4
3.00-3.99 semester GPA’s: 4
TEAM GPA: 3.68
WOMEN’S TENNIS
4.00 semester GPA’s: 2
3.00-3.99 semester GPA’s: 6
TEAM GPA: 3.62
SOCCER
4.00 semester GPA’s: 13
-
Mia Boltz, Ashlyn Chase, Calli Chiarelli, Annika Farley, Bella Gissendanner, Miranda Goldner, Emma James, Claire Manis, Kya Parke, Sara Rodgers, Heather Squitieri, Makenna Stuart, Izzy Thoma
3.00-3.99 semester GPA’s: 13
TEAM GPA: 3.63
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
4.00 semester GPA’s: 3
3.00-3.99 semester GPA’s: 11
TEAM GPA: 3.54
MEN’S BASKETBALL
4.00 semester GPAs: 2
3.00-3.99 semester GPAs: 13
TEAM GPA: 3.43 – Program Record
VOLLEYBALL
4.00 semester GPAs: 5
3.00-3.99 semester GPAs: 10
TEAM GPA: 3.75
MEN’S TRACK AND FIELD
4.00 semester GPAs: 5
3.00-3.99 semester GPAs: 19
TEAM GPA: 3.15
WOMEN’S TRACK AND FIELD
4.00 semester GPAs: 22
-
Simona Bartosova, Malia Chipouras, Francesca Cuccu, Cami Cvitkovich, Mara Fuerniss, Belen Garcia Arias, Ashley Hollenbeck, Lara Holzhauer, Tesse Kamps, Beatriz Marciano, Jada Miller, Amanda Munoz, Mary Nakamura, Constanze Paoli, Kim Priebe, Ivy Smith, Hanna Tait, Naomi Taylor, Alex Terry, Abigail Thomas, Jana Willems, Adie Wimer
3.00-3.99 semester GPAs: 17
TEAM GPA: 3.59
MEN’S CROSS-COUNTRY
4.00 semester GPAs: 5
3.00-3.99 semester GPAs: 3
TEAM GPA: 3.25
WOMEN’S CROSS-COUNTRY
4.00 semester GPAs: 5
3.00-3.99 semester GPAs: 4
TEAM GPA: 3.55
Department GPA: 3.44
All in all, 291 Idaho student-athletes delivered a GPA of 3.0 or higher for the fall semester, and 102 of those earned a perfect 4.0, continuing an established trend of excellence in the classroom for the Vandals. As the only Carnegie R1 institution in the state, athletes are coming to Moscow not just to compete at a high level, but receive one of the best educations in the northwest.
Below is a consolidated chart of 3.0+ and 4.0 GPAs by sport.
|
TEAM
|
GPA
|
4.0
|
3.0-3.99
|
|
Volleyball
|
3.75
|
5
|
10
|
|
Men’s Tennis
|
3.68
|
4
|
4
|
|
Women’s Golf
|
3.66
|
3
|
6
|
|
Swim and Dive
|
3.63
|
22
|
18
|
|
Soccer
|
3.63
|
13
|
13
|
|
Men’s Golf
|
3.62
|
3
|
6
|
|
Women’s Tennis
|
3.62
|
2
|
6
|
|
Women’s Track
|
3.59
|
22
|
17
|
|
Women’s Cross Country
|
3.55
|
5
|
4
|
|
Women’s Basketball
|
3.54
|
3
|
11
|
|
Men’s Basketball
|
3.43
|
2
|
13
|
|
Men’s Cross Country
|
3.25
|
5
|
3
|
|
Football
|
3.19
|
17
|
66
|
|
Men’s Track
|
3.15
|
5
|
19
|
|
DEPARTMENT
|
3.44
|
102*
|
189*
|
|
*Does not count multisport duplicates.
|
|||
Sports
Duke Names Ahen Kim Head Volleyball Coach
Kim brings a proven track record of success from his head coaching stints at American University and Brown University, where he guided both programs to conference championships, NCAA Tournament berths and record-setting seasons, while developing all-conference and nationally recognized student-athletes.
“We are excited to name Ahen Kim as the next head coach of Duke Volleyball,” King said. “Ahen is a proven leader with an exceptional record of building championship-caliber programs and developing student-athletes at the highest level. His leadership, energy and commitment to excellence are a strong fit for Duke Athletics, and we are confident he will continue to elevate our volleyball program on and off the court.”
“I am deeply honored to be Duke’s next head volleyball coach,” Kim said. “This university has such a rich history and tradition within the landscape of college sports, and I am thrilled to be a part of its future. Duke Volleyball also has a longstanding legacy of competitive success, and I can’t wait to get to work on supporting our student-athletes towards that endeavor. I want to thank President Vincent Price, Nina King and the search committee for this opportunity. My wife and I look forward to being a part of the Duke and Durham community.”
Kim arrives in Durham after spending the past three seasons as the head coach at American University. During his tenure, he compiled a 64-25 overall record and a .719 winning percentage. In 2025, Kim led the Eagles to a historic season, posting a 25-5 overall mark, capturing the Patriot League Championship and earning a berth in the NCAA Tournament.
Kim was tabbed the 2025 Patriot League Coach of the Year, while leading his program to a sweep of the league’s major awards, highlighted by selections for player of the year, setter of the year, rookie of the year and libero of the Year.
In both the 2023 and 2024 campaigns, Kim guided American to 20-win seasons, marking the most wins posted by the program since the 24-win season in 2019. He led the Eagles to the Patriot League Tournament championship match in 2023 and the quarterfinals in 2024.
During his three seasons with the Eagles, Kim mentored 12 players to All-Patriot League honors, including multiple major award winners and nationally recognized performers. He coached the 2023 Patriot League Player of the Year, an AVCA All-Region selection and AVCA Honorable Mention All-America honoree, as well as the league’s 2023 setter of the year and 2024 rookie of the year.
From 2018-22, Kim served as the head coach at Brown University. During his tenure, he led the Bears to the 2021 Ivy League Championship and the program’s first NCAA Tournament appearance in 20 years, before returning to the Ivy League Championship match in 2022. Kim produced 13 All-Ivy selections, including five major conference award winners.
In 2021, Kim was named Ivy League Coach of the Year as Brown swept the conference’s top honors, including player of the year, defensive player of the year and rookie of the year accolades, while his student-athletes earned AVCA All-Region honors and AVCA All-America recognition.
Prior to his time as a head coach, Kim served as an assistant coach at American University from 2012-18, helping guide the program to an impressive 162-42 ledger. During that span, he helped lead the Eagles to five consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, including three tournament victories.
Kim also coached and recruited three AVCA Honorable Mention All-America honorees, six AVCA All-Region selections and three Patriot League Players of the Year, while overseeing the development of five Patriot League Tournament MVPs, 17 Patriot League All-Tournament selections and 15 First Team All-Patriot League recipients.
Kim also brings professional coaching experience, having served as the Director of Volleyball for the Gwangju Peppers, a professional club based in South Korea.
A 2007 graduate of Franklin and Marshall College, Kim earned his degree in sociology and American government. He is married to former collegiate volleyball standout Amy Pauly, who currently serves as the head coach of the Orlando Pro Volleyball Federation.
For more information on Duke volleyball, follow the Blue Devils on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching for “DukeVB”.
#GoDuke
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