Sports
Kotschau Eager to Assist Buffs
For Reagan Kotschau, it’s both.
The Thornton, Colo., native and Broomfield High School graduate started her collegiate soccer journey at Washington State, but after two seasons, she felt the call to return to her roots and join the Buffaloes.
It’s a story that’s not unfamiliar to the Colorado Soccer program. Kotschau is one of five transfers that returned to the Centennial State, and joins a long list of players that have returned to call Prentup Field home.
Kotschau, along with four other Colorado native transfers, arrived in the spring, and the junior midfielder is eager to make an impact in her first season with Colorado.
“I loved my time at Washington State, but it was time for a change and a chance to grow,” Kotschau said. “I took a couple of visits to other schools during the transfer process, but as soon as I stepped foot in Colorado, I knew I’d be happy here. Being closer to my family, having their support, and joining a program I’ve watched my whole life made it the perfect choice.”
A family legacy
Kotschau’s soccer journey is deeply rooted in her family’s history. Her father, Richie Kotschau, played in the MLS for nine seasons with Chicago, Tampa Bay, Colorado, Columbus and Real Salt Lake, and internationally, earning caps with the U.S. national team.
Her mother, Meredith, was also a college soccer player.
It’s safe to say that soccer runs in the family.
“My parents met at George Mason University, where they both played soccer,” Kotschau said. “They both played soccer there. So obviously, that’s where it started. My mom stopped playing after college, and then they had me and my sister. My dad was still playing when I was born. I think I was around 3 or 4 when he retired. They didn’t push me or my sister to play soccer. They put us in other sports and tried not to sway us in that decision, but it just happened to be that we both just liked it the best.”
Kotschau aspires to follow in her father’s footsteps and play professionally. Whether it’s in the NWSL or overseas, she’s open to whatever opportunities come her way.
“The NWSL is growing rapidly, and it’s exciting to see more opportunities for women’s soccer in the U.S.,” she said. “With a new team in Denver, that could be a potential path for me. Playing for a homegrown team would be an incredible experience.”
Kotschau dons No. 33 as a Buff, becoming the first CU soccer player to wear the number. But it’s not an unfamiliar look in the Kotschau family.
“My dad actually used to be 33, but it wasn’t my first choice when I came here. All my numbers, like my first top-three, were already taken, which was fine. It’s not a big deal. I was sitting talking to [head coach] Danny [Sanchez] with my parents, talking about coming here, and I just said like 33 would be a good number, and then CU has never had a 33, so that’s even cooler. I feel like it’s a good fit.”
Called Up 2x
Kotschau’s talent hasn’t gone unnoticed. She received call-ups to the U-20 national team, a dream come true for her.
“It was great. It was something I wasn’t really expecting. I’ve had coaches talk to me about trying to get me in, but it was just something that kind of never really happened for me until I actually got the email on my birthday, so it was a birthday gift. It was just a great experience.”
Kotschau’s ties to Colorado run deep, and the soccer community has been a significant part of her journey. She acknowledges the state’s strong soccer culture and the competitive environment that helped shape her into the player she is today.
“The soccer culture in Colorado is incredible,” Kotschau said. “There’s always been a pipeline of talented players, and I was fortunate to be part of a competitive environment from a young age. It helped me prepare for college soccer and beyond.”
A new season
As Kotschau embarks on her first season with the Buffs, she’s excited about the team’s potential. Despite being a new addition, she feels a strong sense of camaraderie and chemistry with her teammates.
“We have a great group of players,” Kotschau said. “Even though there are a lot of new faces, we’ve come together quickly. Our goal is to compete at the highest level and make a deep run in the tournament. We’re not settling for anything less.”
For Kotschau, wearing the Colorado jersey is more than just representing a school – it’s representing a community and a legacy.
“It feels surreal to be on that field now,” Kotschau said. “I’ve been a fan of Colorado soccer for as long as I can remember, and now, I get to be part of it. It’s an incredible feeling, and I can’t wait for the season ahead.”
With her family by her side, Kotschau is ready to make her mark on the Colorado soccer program. Her journey may have taken her to Washington State, but there’s no place like home.
For Kotschau, it’s more than just a return; it’s a chance to grow, compete, and inspire the next generation of soccer players in Colorado.
Colorado continues its season-long homestand, hosting front-range rival Air Force on Sunday (1 p.m. MT).
For more information on Colorado Soccer, please visit cubuffs.com/soccer. Fans of the Buffs can follow @cubuffssoccer on Instagram, X, TikTok and Facebook.
RIVERDALE, NY– Manhattan Men’s and Women’s Cross and Country and Track and Field Head Coach Todd Witzleben officially rounded out his 2025-26 Track and Field Coaching Staff with the additions of Justin Kleppel, Waddell Rembert-Jett, and Amanda Chambers on Tuesday morning. Assistant Coach Paddy McGrath remains as the Throws Coach for the Green and White.
Kleppel joins the Jasper family and returns home to Downstate New York after a four-year stint as a student-athlete for the Buffalo Bulls in the MAC.
Led by then Associate Head Coach Todd Witzleben of Buffalo’s Men’s Cross Country, Middle Distance and Distance Coach, Kleppel recorded career bests in numerous events, including the Indoor 60-Meter Dash with a time of 6.92. Outdoor 60-Meter Dash with a time of 7.13. Outdoor 100-Meter Dash of 10.86. Indoor Long Jump with a distance of 6.90m. Finally, the Outdoor Long Jump with a distance of 6.86m.
“I’ve watched as Justin developed from a walk-on at the University at Buffalo into the leader of the jumps squad,” described Witzleben. “I’m excited to bring him home to New York and have him mentor our strong jumps program at Manhattan.”
In his graduate campaign in 2024-25, Kleppel was named to the All-MAC Second Team for helping his team place second in the Men’s 4×100 Meter Relay at the MAC Outdoor Championships with a season-best time of 41.62. Individually, he finished ninth in the long jump finals with a personal best mark of 6.81 meters. Kleppel graduated from Buffalo with a degree in Public Health.
Kleppel hails from Queens and attended Francis Lewis High School, where he claimed PSAL Borough Champion in the Long Jump with a high school best 22’5″ in the respective event, with a mark of 11.84 in the 100m event.
Rembert-Jett hails from Columbia, SC, after attending South Carolina State as a four-year member of the Bulldogs Track and Field program.
“After a long search process, we found exactly what we were looking for in our new sprints and hurdles coach when we found Waddell,” described Witzleben. “He has the knowledge and enthusiasm to build a program that will soon get noticed around the NCAA.”
The Columbia native made his mark just two months into his collegiate career with a second-place finish at the Buccaneers Invitational with a 4x100m time of 41.04. Later that year at the Gamecock Invitational Outdoor, Rembert-Jett, once again, shone in the 4x100m event with a time of 39.63 and a top-five finish.
In the following indoor campaign, Rembert-Jett took the UAB Vulcan Invitational by storm in the 60m event with a time of 6.88 to finish atop the leaderboard in the respective event.
In his junior year, Rembert-Jett again claimed victory in a pair of 4x400m events. First, at the Samford Bulldog Open with a time of 3:16.34, while beating the previous time by nearly three whole seconds at the MEAC Indoor Track and Field Championships with a time of 3:13.64, to sit atop the leaderboard again. Rembert-Jett graduated with an undergraduate degree in 2022 and with a graduate degree in May 2025.
Chambers, a former student-athlete at the University at Albany, was a member of the Cross Country and Track and Field programs for five seasons, highlighted by three America East All-Conference accolades.
“Amanda was highly recommended as an up-and-coming distance coach,” said Witzleben. “As an athlete, she battled adversity to become one of the top runners in the Northeast. She knows what it takes to be great. Our Jasper athletes are going to benefit greatly from her experience and leadership.”
While a member of the Great Danes, Chambers captured her first victory as a student-athlete at the Central Connecticut State University Invitational in the 4x400m event with a time of 4:13.28. At the RPI Capital District Classic, the Schenectady native again took the 4x400m event by storm and posted another victory with a time of 4:05.82.
In the final event of her collegiate career, Chambers took home first place in the 10,000m at the IC4A/ECAC Outdoor Track and Field Championships with a time of 34:18.13.
After her stint as a student-athlete, Chambers joined the team as an Assistant Coach for Middle Distance and Distance runners under the tutelage of Matt Jones and Roberto J. Vives. Chambers, under the historical duo, helped the women’s program capture its 14th straight and 16th overall America East outdoor title, extending its longest active conference winning streak among Division I institutions. As a member of the Jaspers Track and Field coaching staff, Chambers will also join the Cross Country coaching roster.
Finally, making his return is former Jasper and current Throws Coach, Paddy McGrath ’95. McGrath, a 2008 Manhattan University Hall of Famer, rejoined the coaching staff in 2019 and has overseen the throwing contingency ever since.
“Paddy [McGrath] will continue coaching our throws group. We have put together an outstanding staff that will lead us to MAAC Championships through strong coaching and recruiting,” said Witzleben. “We’re building a positive team culture that will provide our student athletes an incredible experience.”
The Jaspers return to action on Friday, January 9, when the Green and White’s Indoor season continues with a trip to The Armory to compete in the Lions Indoor Invitational hosted by TCNJ.
A transfer from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Roman will join the Demon Deacons’ roster for the 2026-27 school year with one final season of eligibility remaining. She spent each of the last three seasons as a member of the Trojans’ volleyball program.
Roman is the second individual to ink with the Deacs this winter, as Catherine Burke also recently signed on Dec. 17.
Andrea Roman | 5-4 | Defensive Specialist/Libero | Humacao, Puerto Rico | Little Rock
One of the country’s top defensive players this past fall as a junior, Roman ranked second in the NCAA in total digs, finishing the 2025 season with 632. That total was good for the most by a Trojan in a single season throughout program history at Little Rock. In addition, her 5.31 digs-per-set average ranked fourth nationally. Roman’s stellar play led to her being named the 2025 Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) Defensive Player of the Year while also earning First Team All-OVC honors. Her clips in total digs and digs-per-set average both led the league. She had four performances of 30-plus digs and 13 with 20 or more while recording three of the top 10 single-match dig marks in program history during the season.
As a sophomore in 2024, Roman played in all 32 matches while making appearances in 125 sets. She led the team with a then-program record 624 digs and averaging 4.99 per set. Roman ranked first in the conference in total digs and fifth among all NCAA players. Her total ultimately helped Little Rock reach a new best single-season mark in digs as a team (2,227) through program history. She also played a notable role in the team’s setting tempo, finishing with 161 total assists. By the conclusion of the season, Roman was named Second Team All-OVC.
During her freshman season, Roman led the Trojans in digs (315) while seeing action in 22 matches and 79 sets played. She was also third on the roster in service aces (80). In all but one of the final 16 matches of the season, Roman led Little Rock in digs.
Andrea Roman Career Accolades & Accomplishments
- 2025 OVC Defensive Player of the Year
- 2025 First Team All-OVC
- 2024 Second Team All-OVC
- Ranks No. 1 all-time in single-season digs (632) at Little Rock
- Ranks No. 2 all-time in career digs (1,571) at Little Rock
- Five-time OVC Defensive Player of the Week honoree
Personal
Andrea is the daughter of Sylvia Gonzalez and Julio Roman – she also has two older siblings. In the classroom, Andrea plans to study Health & Exercise Science during her time on campus.
From Coach Hulsmeyer
“I’m so happy to have Andrea joining us to bring depth and experience to our libero group. With Emma Farrell graduating, Andrea provides an experienced defender who averaged over five digs per set this past season and is someone who has seen a lot of tough serving in the OVC. Getting her to Wake Forest in January will allow us to acclimate her for the speed of the ACC. I’ve known her former coach, Van Compton, for many years, so not only is she a well-trained skilled player, she is also someone of great character. She will be a wonderful addition to the Wake Forest family.”
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Dec. 30, 2025, 3:00 a.m. CT
Who do you think deserves to be the Lakeshore Elite volleyball player of the year? You tell us.
Tom Dombeck made his choice, but you can choose from the six players to make up the first team.
You can vote for the Lakeshore Elite volleyball player of the year until noon on Jan. 6.
You don’t have to be a subscriber to vote.
Here is the ballot. If the poll does not display, refresh your browser.
Contact Tom Dombeck at 920-686-2965 ortdombeck@htrnews.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at@Tom_Dombeck.
High school volleyball teams in the Coastal Region won three state championships this season and 13 teams earned spots in the AHSAA state championship tournament.
McGill-Toolen dominated Class 7A, winning its fourth straight title and 25th AHSAA state championship while Spanish Fort won its second straight Class 6A title and fifth overall, all coming since 2015. Mobile Christian won its second straight Class 3A championship.
Class 3A St. Luke’s won to the title match before falling to Mobile Christian while Class 5A UMS-Wright and Class 4A Orange Beach each earned spots in the final four.
Other teams winning to the Elite Eight were Class 7A Bayside and St. Paul’s, Class 6A Saraland, Class 5A Faith Academy, Class 4A St. Michael and Class 1A Millry and Leroy.
The Press-Register All-Region team is compiled by the AL.com high school sports staff with input from coaches.
AL.com named Player of the Year, Attacker MVP, Defensive MVP, Setter MVP and Coach of the Year. Award winners are listed separately, but considered first-team selections.
PRESS-REGISTER ALL-REGION VOLLEYBALL TEAM
(Players listed alphabetically)
1/104
AHSAA Volleyball 6A State Championship
Zoẽ Beech, Spanish Fort
5-11, Sr., Middle
355 kills, 104 blocks, 404 digs, 59 aces
College: Undecided
Bennett Boulo, St. Paul’s
5-10, Sr., Setter/Right Side
1,091 assists, 354 kills, 51 blocks, 257 digs, 67 aces
College: Undecided
Grier Broughton, Bayside Academy
5-9, Sr., Outside Hitter
321 kills, 33 blocks, 171 digs, 20 aces
College: Undecided
Anna Grace Chason, Daphne
5-11, Sr., Right Side/Setter
1,024 assists, 233 kills, 37 blocks, 238 digs, 58 aces
College: Mississippi College
Caroline Downey, Spanish Fort
5-10, Sr., Outside Hitter
446 kills, 49 blocks, 336 digs, 55 aces
College: Mississippi College
Chloe Duggan, Faith Academy
5-6, Jr., Setter
701 assists, 43 kills, 25 blocks, 204 digs, 47 aces
College: Undecided
Haley Eldridge, Mobile Christian
5-6, Sr., Setter
1,006 assists, 43 kills, 34 blocks, 277 digs, 67 aces
College: Undecided
Baker Garside, St. Luke’s
5-6, Sr., Setter
1,018 assists, 99 kills, 9 blocks, 245 digs, 36 aces
College: Undecided
Victoria Holley, Spanish Fort
5-6, Sr., Libero
695 digs, 98 assists, 66 aces
College: Undecided
Cami Huff, McGill-Toolen
6-2, Sr., Middle
383 kills, 137 blocks, 23 digs
College: West Virginia
Hadley Kelly, Mobile Christian
6-1, Jr., Middle
463 kills, 139 blocks, 12 digs, 35 aces
College: Liberty
Catherine McClain, McGill-Toolen
5-9, Sr., Outside Hitter
538 kills, 41 blocks, 331 digs, 49 aces
College: Loyola
Payton McClarren, McGill-Toolen
5-2, Sr., Libero
534 digs, 75 assists, 69 aces
College: William Carey
Macey Moore, Gulf Shores
5-10, Sr., Setter/Right Side
336 kills, 430 assists, 77 blocks, 351 digs, 71 aces
College: North Florida beach volleyball
Kenly Nelson, Fairhope
5-11, Jr., Outside Hitter
333 kills, 49 blocks, 57 digs, 2 aces
College: Undecided
Charli Pearce, Saraland
6-0, Sr., Outside Hitter/Setter
368 kills, 504 assists, 36 blocks, 329 digs, 64 aces
College: South Alabama
Hayley Robinson, Bayside Academy
6-3, Sr., Right Side
370 kills, 70 blocks, 105 digs, 48 aces
College: Samford
Libby Rogers, Fairhope
5-8, Sr., Setter
710 assists, 166 kills, 33 blocks, 273 digs, 20 aces
College: Montevallo
Bella Rumley, Orange Beach
5-8, So., Outside Hitter
273 kills, 27 blocks, 42 digs, 46 aces
College: Undecided
Amelia Smith, St. Luke’s
6-0, Sr., Outside Hitter
543 kills, 50 blocks, 354 digs, 84 aces
College: UAH
Ella Clarie Sullivan, UMS-Wright
5-7, Sr, Libero
418 digs, 120 assists, 82 aces
College: Undecided
MK Whitehurst, Bayside Academy
5-3, Sr., Libero
504 digs, 59 assists, 44 aces
College: Undecided
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Alice Wood, McGill-Toolen
5-9, Jr., Setter
Region second-best 1,362 assists, region-best 27.8 assists per match average, 57 kills, 76 blocks, 302 digs, 61 aces
College: Kansas State
ATTACKER MVP
Ella Lomax, Daphne
5-11, Sr., Outside Hitter
Region-best 753 kills, region-best 13.45 kills per match average, 35 blocks, 313 digs, 81 aces
College: UNA
DEFENSIVE MVP
Melissa Patel, Mobile Christian
5-5, Sr., Libero
684 digs, 57 assists, 40 aces
College: Southwest Baptist
SETTER MVP
Cailyn Boykin, Spanish Fort
5-8, Jr., Setter
Region-best 1,638 assists, 68 kills, 32 blocks, 351 digs, 66 aces
College: Undecided
COACHES OF THE YEAR
Kate Wood, McGill-Toolen
Gretchen Boykin, Spanish Fort
Mallory Boyington, Mobile Christian
HONORABLE MENTION
Outside Hitter/Right Side: Brooklyn McIlwain, Faith Academy, Sr.; Alexis Scott, Mobile Christian, Sr.; Marissa Smith, St. Paul’s, Fr.; Skylar Courtney, UMS-Wright, Sr.; LillyAnne Doggette, Millry, Sr.; Myah Skanes, Saraland, Jr.; Jaedyn Lang, McGill-Toolen, Sr.; Breanna Stokley, Millry, Sr.; Chandler Thomas, UMS-Wright, Sr.
Middle: Chelsey McReary, T.R. Miller, Jr.; Reece Wilmott, Bayside Academy, Jr.; Mikadyn Cauley, Faith Academy, Jr.; Natalie Maxwell, Spanish Fort, So.; Gabi Berlage, Fairhope, Sr.; Maddie McKinley, Washington County, Sr.; Raina Gunter, Washington County, Sr.; Lily Willingham, Saraland, Sr.
Setter: Sophie Hester, Bayside Academy, Jr.; Grace Thigpen, Daphne, Sr.; Ivey Marston, St. Paul’s, Sr.; Ella Bilbo, Orange Beach, Sr.
Defensive Specialist/Libero: Ava Hodo, Orange Beach, Sr.; Emma Kate Frazier, St. Luke’s, Fr.; Kendall Dougherty, St. Paul’s, Sr.; Addy Busby, Fairhope, Jr.
For the first time ever all 14 athletic programs earned a semester G.P.A. above a 3.150. Six teams earned their highest semester G.P.A. in their respective program’s history and four others achieved their second highest semester G.P.A. in their program’s history.
This marked the 13th consecutive semester of a 3.0 or better department wide grade point average and the seventh consecutive semester that UNT improved on the previous semester’s departmental G.P.A.
“The Fall 2025 semester was an outstanding one for Mean Green Athletics in the classroom,” said UNT VP/Director of Athletics Jared Mosley. “Our student-athletes continue to demonstrate a commitment to academic excellence, and their success is a direct reflection of the support and expectations we have in place. I want to thank our academic services team, led by Suzanne Dickenson, for their leadership and dedication in supporting our student-athletes and helping them reach their full potential both on the field and in the classroom.”
For the sixth consecutive semester the UNT women’s golf team led the way for the department as they earned a 3.907 fall semester G.P.A.
The Mean Green tennis team has now recorded a team G.P.A. of 3.0 or better for 28 consecutive semesters. The UNT soccer team and swim and dive team have both also maintained streaks of 20-plus consecutive semesters with a team G.P.A. above a 3.0.
Fifty-two UNT student-athletes this past fall earned a 4.0 grade point average. The Mean Green women’s track team led the way as they had 11 student-athletes named to the prestigious 2025 Fall President’s List. The tennis team had the highest percentage of student-athletes earning President’s List honors as 72% of its roster had a 4.0 G.P.A.
The UNT men’s basketball, men’s cross country, men’s track and field, women’s basketball, women’s cross country and women’s track and field teams all earned their highest semester G.P.A.s in program history.
Lastly, 47 UNT student-athletes earned their diplomas this past fall.
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