Sports
Kenya: Melly, Cheruiyot Make Light Work of Burundi in Beach Volleyball Opener
																								
												
												
											 
NAIROBI, Kenya, June 25, 2025 – The men’s beach volleyball team began their Africa Championships campaign on a high note, beating Burundi in the opener in Tetouan, Morocco on Wednesday afternoon.
The pair of Brian Melly and Wilson Cheruiyot had to work extra hard to stop their Burundian opponents, Dan Ishimwe and Diamel Ndayisaba, winning 21-17 in the first set.
They then wrapped up a good day in the office with a 21-15 victory in the second set.
Flying the national flag next will be Elphas Makuto and Jairus Kipkosgei who will square it out with Nigeria’s Uche Augustine and Peter Ibrahim.
In the women’s division, Gaudencia Makokha and Mercy Iminza will take to the beach for their first match against the Nigerian pair of Genevive Kelechi and Happy Wushilang.
Thereafter, Veronica Adhiambo and Sharleen Sembel will duel with another Nigerian duo, Pamela Bawa and Esther Mbah.
Kenyans will be hoping to secure their slots at the World Championships in Adelaide, Australia in November by finishing in the top four of both categories at the continental showpiece.
Sports
IWU Trio Sweeps CCIW Women’s Volleyball Weekly Honors
														 
                NAPERVILLE — Illinois Wesleyan swept Monday’s College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Women’s Volleyball Student-Athlete of the Week awards after a perfect 3-0 stretch that included two top-five victories and clinched the program’s first-ever back-to-back CCIW regular-season championships. 
 
Taylor French was named Hitter of the Week, Sophia Feeney earned Setter of the Week honors, and Kannyn Boyd collected Defensive Student-Athlete of the Week recognition as the Titans capped a big week with wins over #3 Wisconsin-Oshkosh and #5 Juniata.
 
Hitter: Taylor French, Illinois Wesleyan
French powered Illinois Wesleyan to a 3-0 week, highlighted by two top-five wins and the program’s first-ever back-to-back CCIW Regular Season Championships. She totaled 51 kills (4.64 per set) and 35 digs (3.18 per set), while also adding seven aces, four blocks, and an assist. 
 
Last Wednesday, French became IWU’s all-time kills leader with her 1,778th career kill in a win over Carroll. She followed with 17 kills, 15 digs, and three aces in a sweep of #3 Wisconsin-Oshkosh before closing with 21 kills and seven digs in a four-set win over #5 Juniata. Her effort earned her IWU Tournament III All-Tournament Team honors.
 
Setter: Sophie Feeney, Illinois Wesleyan
Feeney totaled 65 assists, averaging 5.91 per set in the 6-2 rotation, while adding 21 digs, nine aces and two kills. Feeney opened the week with 16 assists, seven digs, and four aces in a four-set win over Carroll. She followed with 24 assists, four aces, and seven digs as IWU swet UWO. The junior capped the week with 25 assists, seven digs, two kills, and an ace in the victory over Juniata, helping the Titans hit .293 for the match.
 
Defensive: Kannyn Boyd, Illinois Wesleyan
Boyd anchored the IWU defense during the 3-0 week, logging tallied 55 digs (5.0 per set), 14 assists (1.27 per set) and two aces, as IWU’s defense held opponents to a .198 attack percentage. 
 
Boyd opened the week with 17 digs, three assists, and an ace in a four-set win over Carroll. She added 15 digs and five assists versus UWO and later capped her Senior Day with 23 digs, six assists, and an ace to beat Juniata, earning IWU Tournament III All-Tournament Team honors.
2025 CCIW Women’s Volleyball Student-Athletes of the Week
Hitter
Nov. 3: Taylor French, Illinois Wesleyan
Oct. 27: Alex Bardouniotis, Illinois Wesleyan
Oct. 20: Kristina Manojlovic, Carthage
Oct. 13: Taylor French, Illinois Wesleyan
Oct. 6: Alex Bardouniotis, Illinois Wesleyan
Sept. 29: Meg Rothermel, North Park
Sept. 22: Taylor French, Illinois Wesleyan
Sept. 15: Sarah Lezon, North Central
Sept. 8: Taylor French, Illinois Wesleyan
Sept. 2: Annaliese Rotman, North Park
 
Setter
Nov. 3: Sophia Feeney, Illinois Wesleyan
Oct. 27: Payton Depies, Carroll
Oct. 20: Kendal Britton, North Park
Oct. 13: Sophia Feeney, Illinois Wesleyan
Oct. 6: Kendal Britton, North Park
Sept. 29: Sarah Harvey, North Central
Sept. 22: Alyssa Frederking, Millikin
Sept. 15: Kendal Britton, North Park
Sept. 8: Sarah Harvey, North Central
Sept. 2: Kendal Britton, North Park
 
Defensive
Nov. 3: Kannyn Boyd, Illinois Wesleyan
Oct. 27: Maggie McGough, Carroll
Oct. 20: Hannah Tellor, Illinois Wesleyan
Oct. 13: Kyra Carothers, Millikin
Oct. 6: Eleanor Palmer, Illinois Wesleyan
Sept. 29: Grace Autry, Wheaton
Sept. 22: Kyra Carothers, Millikin
Sept. 15: Jenna Damon, Carthage
Sept. 8: Alysa Lawton, Illinois Wesleyan
Sept. 2: Kannyn Boyd, Illinois Wesleyan
 
| CCIW on X | CCIW Instagram | CCIW Facebook |
The College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) was founded in 1946 and currently services nine member institutions including Augustana College (Rock Island, Ill.), Carroll University (Waukesha, Wis.), Carthage College (Kenosha, Wis.), Elmhurst University (Elmhurst, Ill.), Illinois Wesleyan University (Bloomington, Ill.), Millikin University (Decatur, Ill.), North Central College (Naperville, Ill.), North Park University (Chicago, Ill.) and Wheaton College (Wheaton, Ill.).
Sports
Hartman named MVC Player of the Week for third time this season
														 
ST. LOUIS — UNI junior outside hitter Cassidy Hartman has been named the Missouri Valley Conference’s (MVC) Player of the Week for volleyball, as announced by the league office on Monday afternoon.
The selection comes for the North Liberty, Iowa native after led the Panthers with a pair of double-digit kill showings and one double-double performances in victories over Belmont and Southern Illinois, helping UNI improve to 12-0 in league play.
Northern Iowa is currently in the midst of a 15-match winning streak, tied for the second-longest in Division I, while also having won 48 consecutive regular season matches against MVC opponents, the third-longest such streak in program history and the second-longest active streak in the nation. UNI is also closing in on at least a share of its fourth straight MVC regular season title this week.
UNI’s season leader with 352 total blocks on the year, Hartman notably set a new career-high with 26 terminations in the Panthers’ 3-1 win at Southern Illinois on Saturday, while also tallying 11 digs for her team-leading 11th double-double of the season. Hartman also recorded 11 kills against Belmont last Thursday, having now posted ten or more kills in 19 matches this year.
Hartman’s selection is the eighth MVC weekly award of the season for the Panthers, who have also seen Maryn Bixby be named the MVC Freshman of the Week three times, and Jadyn Petersen the league’s top defense player of the week twice.
In addition to Hartman, Valparaiso’s Emma Hickey was named MVC Defensive Player of the Week for a second straight week, while Drake’s Caroline Smith earned MVC Freshman of the Week honors.
Hartman and the Panthers return to action on Tuesday nights as UNI hosts Drake at 6 p.m. CT inside the McLeod Center. Live coverage of the match can be found on ESPN+ and the Panther Sports Radio Network (106.5 FM Corn Country / 93.5 HD-2).
Tickets can be purchased online through the UNI Ticket Office, by calling 319-273-4849 or through email at tickets@uni.edu.
Fans are encouraged to wear purple for the team’s annual Purple Out match, while UNI will also celebrate Faculty and Staff Appreciation Night.
UNI students in attendance will also have the opportunity to enter a drawing for a $1,000 scholarship. Rules and eligibility can be found HERE. For a full list of upcoming Panther promotions, click HERE.
UNI volleyball action can be followed all season long on social media on Facebook (UNI Volleyball), X (@UNIVolleyball) and on Instagram (@univolleyball). The full 2025 schedule and roster, along with the latest Panther news and information can be found online at UNIpanthers.com.
Sports
Cheney Named A-10 Volleyball Rookie of the Week
														 
Cheney stepped into the solo setter role this week and rose to the occasion. Totaling 146 assists over three matches, averaging 10.43 per set, she helped quarterback the Patriots’ offense. She totaled 46 assists on Wednesday vs. GW, 57 assists on Saturday vs. Rhode Island (good for top-5 assists in a single match post-2008, and second most in a single game in the A-10 this season), and 43 assists on Sunday vs. Rhode Island.
In addition to her assists, the Tucson, Ariz. native had four service aces in Saturday’s match, and she totaled 14 digs and 9 blocks over the week.
The Patriots went 1-2 last week, splitting with Rhode Island and losing to George Washington. They are currently tied for fourth place in the A-10 with a 15-10, 8-6 conference record.
Sports
WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL CLINCHES AMERICA EAST POSTSEASON BERTH
														 
SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant volleyball team clinched a spot in the America East postseason on Sunday afternoon.
The Bulldogs make their return to the postseason after not qualifying last season. They’re the first team in the America East to clinch a postseason berth.
The Black and Gold have an overall 14-11 record and are 5-3 in conference play, tied for second place in the conference with UAlbany and Binghamton. Bryant split the season series with UAlbany and defeated Binghamton in the first meeting.
Bryant split their home matches against New Hampshire and UMBC this weekend at the Chace Athletic Center.
The Bulldogs are back in action on Friday night (Nov. 7), taking on the Binghamton Bearcats on the road. First serve is at 6:00 PM in Vestal, N.Y.
 
Sports
CAA Volleyball Weekly Awards – Nov. 3, 2025
														 
CAA Volleyball Weekly Awards – Nov. 3, 2025
				
				
			
			RICHMOND, Va. (Nov. 3, 2025) – Hofstra’s Beatriz Braga and Stony Brook’s Kali Moore shared Offensive Player of the Week honors, while the Pride’s Julia Amorim and the Seawolves’ Ava Zamora earned outright Defensive Player and Rookie of the Week recognition, respectively, on Monday.
 
CO-OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Beatriz Braga, Hofstra
Junior | Outside Hitter | Uberlândia, Brazil
Braga helped the Pride pick up a pair of road wins over North Carolina A&T to extend the win streak to nine consecutive matches. For the week, Braga averaged 5.13 kills, 1.88 digs and 0.75 blocks per set. She also hit at a .304 clip in the two contests. The Brazilian native posted 41 kills, while adding 15 digs and six blocks in the two matches. On Saturday, she was outstanding with 20 kills in the three-set match, averaging nearly seven kills per set to go with seven digs and three blocks. In Sunday’s win, she literally one-upped herself with 21 kills, a .350 attack percentage, along with eight digs and three blocks. Both kill totals established new season highs for Braga, and they were just the second and third times in her career that she has reached the 20-kill plateau in a match.
 
CO-OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Kali Moore, Stony Brook
Senior | Outside Hitter | Brooklyn, N.Y.
Moore led the Seawolves offense with 41 kills in a pair of upset wins over Towson. The two wins were also the program’s first two wins against the Tigers in its previous 16 matches prior to the weekend slate. The senior outside hitter posted her fifth 20-kill performance of the season with 22 on Friday en route to a 3-1 victory over the Tigers. Moore also had two aces and nine blocks, including a season-high six blocks on Friday. The Brooklyn, N.Y., native followed up with her ninth double-double of the season, notching 19 kills and a season-high 19 digs to secure another 3-1 victory on the road.
 
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Julia Amorim, Hofstra
Freshman | Middle Blocker | Pavuna, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Amorim produced a strong week as the Pride won both contests at North Carolina A&T to extend the current win streak to nine consecutive matches. The middle blocker totaled 15 stuffs, including five solo, along with nine kills, three service aces, and a pair of digs. In Saturday’s match, Amorim totaled nine blocks, including four on her own, to go with three kills, two aces and two digs. The freshman followed that up with another strong defensive effort with six blocks and six kills in Sunday’s victory.
 
ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Ava Zamora, Stony Brook
Freshman | Setter | San Diego, Calif.
Zamora guided the Seawolves to a pair of victories at Towson with 76 assists and 24 digs. The San Diego, Calif., posted a double-double in the opening match with 45 assists and a season-high 19 digs. The freshman setter then recorded 31 assists with five digs on Saturday to notch the team’s first in-season sweep of Towson. Zamora also had five kills, two aces and one block on Saturday.
2025 CAA VOLLEYBALL WEEKLY AWARDS
Offensive Player of the Week
Sept. 1: Tyne Ross, N.C. A&T
Sept. 8: Maja Daca, Campbell / Taylor Pagan, Towson
Sept. 15: Gwen Wolkow, Campbell / Ella Sanders, Towson
Sept. 22: Izadora Stedile, Hofstra
Sept. 29: Caroline Noonan, Charleston
Oct. 6: Beatriz Braga, Hofstra
Oct. 13: Gwen Wolkow, Campbell
Oct. 20: Gwen Wolkow, Campbell
Oct. 27: Tyne Ross, N.C. A&T
Nov. 3: Beatriz Braga, Hofstra / Kali Moore, Stony Brook
 
Defensive Player of the Week
Sept. 1: Nadia Koanui, Northeastern / Mercedes Motton, Stony Brook
Sept. 8: Malinah Purcell-Telefoni, Towson
Sept. 15: Julia Amorim, Hofstra
Sept. 22: Sydney Stewart, Towson
Sept. 29: Makena Parthen, Charleston / Sydney Stewart, Towson
Oct. 6: Sydney Stewart, Towson
Oct. 13: Jumana Martin, Charleston / Lilia Duczek, Hofstra
Oct. 20: Caroline Noonan, Charleston / Leonor Polezzi, N.C. A&T
Oct. 27: Hailey Heytvelt, Campbell / Jumana Martin, Charleston
Nov. 3: Julia Amorim, Hofstra
 
Rookie of the Week
Sept. 1: Ava Zamora, Stony Brook
Sept. 8: Julia Amorim, Hofstra
Sept. 15: Caroline Noonan, Charleston
Sept. 22: Nina Jioshvili-Ravva, Hofstra
Sept. 29: Malinah Purcell-Telefoni, Towson
Oct. 6: Jumana Martin, Charleston / Nina Jioshvili-Ravva, Hofstra
Oct. 13: Nina Jioshvili-Ravva, Hofstra
Oct. 20: Nina Jioshvili-Ravva, Hofstra
Oct. 27: Zariah Winton, N.C. A&T
Nov. 3: Ava Zamora, Stony Brook
 
Follow #CAAVB on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to get up-to-date information and learn more about CAA member institutions and their volleyball programs.
 
 
		
Sports
Mara Štiglic Named Mountain West Offensive Volleyball Player of the Week
														 
LOGAN, Utah – Utah State volleyball outside hitter Mara Štiglic has been named the Old Trapper Mountain West Offensive Volleyball Player of the Week the conference announced on Monday.
Štiglic led Utah State with a .400 hitting percentage while recording 29 total kills in a pair of wins at San Diego State (3-1) and UNLV (3-0). The sophomore from Rijeka, Croatia, averaged 4.14 kills per set for the week and added two aces, six digs and four blocks. Štiglic tied for the team lead with 13 kills against the Aztecs, hitting .355 on 31 total attempts and adding three blocks. Against the Rebels, Štiglic posted 16 kills on 29 attempts for a .448 hitting percentage, also adding two aces. In the third set, Štiglic had a team-high eight kills to help seal the win. Of 60 total attempts during the week, Štiglic recorded only five hitting errors.
It is Štiglic’s second time this season and in her career earning Player of the Week honors. She previously earned the award after totaling 46 total kills to help USU to wins against Utah Valley and Weber State plus a spirited effort against then-No. 16 BYU, averaging 4.18 kills per set for the week.
Štiglic is the first Aggie to receive multiple awards from the MW this season. Utah State has had six different players receive a weekly award from the conference this season.
PREVIOUS AGGIES TO RECEIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK THIS SEASON
Sept. 2 – Tierney Barlow, Sr., MB – Offensive Player of the Week
Sept. 22 – Mara Štiglic, So., OH – Offensive Player of the Week
Sept. 29 – Lauren Larkin, R-Fr., MB – Freshman of the Week
Oct. 6 – Kaylie Kofe, So., S – Offensive Player of the Week
Oct. 13 – Kendel Thompson, Jr., L/DS – Defensive Player of the Week
Oct. 27 – Loryn Helgesen, So., OPP – Offensive Player of the Week
Up Next
The Aggies return home for a pair of crucial matches versus teams currently in Mountain West Tournament position. Utah State will first host second-place Colorado State on Thursday, Nov. 6, at 6 p.m., before facing Wyoming, who currently sits third in the conference standings, on Saturday, Nov. 8, at noon.
Season tickets, mini-plans, and single-game tickets are on sale now and can be purchased here or by contacting the USU Ticket Office at 435-797-0305.
Fans can follow the Aggie volleyball program on Twitter, @USUVolleyball, on Facebook at /USUVolleyball or on Instagram, @usuvolleyball. Aggie fans can also follow the Utah State athletic program on Twitter, @USUAthletics, Facebook at /USUAthletics and on Instagram, @USUAthletics.
– USU –
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