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Mark Patton: Matt Jones Delivers the Male as Coach of UCSB Women’s Volleyball Team | Sports

Published

5 months ago

August 25, 2025

Overview:

UCSB, picked to finish in fourth place in this year’s Big West Conference women’s volleyball race, will open its season on Friday at San Jose State

Matt Jones is facing one of those “keeping-up-with-the-Joneses” challenges.

He must live up to the legend of a woman known as “The Queen” of their sport when he embarks this week on a pivotal third season as the first male head coach in the 54-year history of UC Santa Barbara women’s volleyball.

The uber-dynamic Kathy Gregory guided the Gauchos for 38 of those seasons.

“I hope I don’t blow it,” Jones replied with a smile when asked about being UCSB’s male pioneer in the women’s game.

The three women who coached the Gauchos during their first 50 years of existence all enjoyed varying degrees of success.

Chris Accornero, the “founding mother” of the program, guided UCSB to three consecutive AIAW Final Fours (1972 to 1974) during the sport’s pre-NCAA era.

Gregory kept the ball rolling from 1975 to 2012 by leading the Gauchos to 882 victories and 27 NCAA tournaments. She was voted National Coach of the Year in 1993.

Nicole Lantagne Welch capped her decade as Gregory’s successor with three consecutive 20-plus-win seasons.

UCSB’s Eva Travis rips one of her team-leading 378 kills last season. She earned All-Big West Conference First Team honors and was also named as the league’s Freshman of the Year. Credit: Jeff Liang / UCSB Athletics photo

Jones, who served as Welch’s assistant for six years, inherited a “senior-heavy” roster when he took over in 2023.

“I was the most spoiled first-year head coach ever,” he said.

Jones’ 2023 Gauchos compiled records of 27-5 overall and 17-1 in the Big West Conference to win their first league championship since Welch’s first season of 2013.

But Jones has been rebuilding his roster ever since.

He leaned heavily last year on Big West Freshman of the Year Eva Travis, a springy outside hitter from Laguna Beach High School.

Travis took 1,012 swings while recording a team-best 378 kills for a UCSB team that went 14-16 overall and 10-8 in conference.

“We’d obviously like to have a more balanced attack this year,” Jones said.

He believes he’s gotten it by recruiting five highly regarded high school players as well as a transfer from Iowa State.

Jones will see how well they mesh with his eight returning players when UCSB opens its season with matches at San José State at 3 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. Saturday.

“I think we’re going in the right direction,” he said.

Coach Class

Jones, a prolific outside hitter at both La Jolla High School and Harvard University, wasn’t sure where volleyball would take him after playing a season overseas in Luxembourg.

“I started thinking out loud, ‘OK, what else can I do?’” he said.

Harvard coach Brian Baise heard him. He alerted his former captain about an opening for a men’s volleyball coach at Santa Barbara City College.

“I was like 23 at the time,” Jones said. “I’d coached club but didn’t have a huge résumé.

“I applied mostly for the interview reps, to be honest.”

He was surprised when SBCC offered him the job.

Jones coached the Vaqueros for three seasons, from 2014 to 2016.

Alyssa Jones gave birth to daughter Devyn in 2023, just two months before husband Matt’s first match as head coach of the UCSB women’s volleyball team. Credit: Jones family photo

He augmented his paycheck by administering the boys’ program at the Santa Barbara Volleyball Club and coaching its 18-and-under team.

“Once I was in year two at City College, it became more serious for me,” Jones said.

“I was like, ‘This is the career I want to commit to.’”

Baise brought him back to Harvard as his assistant for one season.

The move became even more transformational when Jones was asked to also assist the Crimson’s women’s team.

“That was my first toe in the water, working with a women’s team,” he said.

It didn’t take long for Jones — a mathematics major while at Harvard — to do the math on job opportunities.

Only 28 colleges play Division I men’s volleyball … while 334 sponsor women’s volleyball.

“I could see where there was a very realistic chance that I could end up on that side,” he said.

It happened just a year later when Welch brought him back to Santa Barbara as her new Gaucho assistant.

He found the transition to women’s volleyball to be fairly seamless.

“Teaching the game isn’t wildly different, at least the way we do it,” Jones began.

“Women in groups are different than men in groups stereotypically, so there are definitely differences there,” he added. “Just team management and player management and what they value and those kinds of things.

“But the individual piece is more similar.

“There is a range of personalities, and you have to be able to mold and communicate and connect with all different personality types. That doesn’t really change.”

He hopes his coaching position never changes.

The Santa Barbara roots for the family of his wife, Alyssa, go back to 1878.

The next branch of that family tree sprouted when their daughter, Devyn Ryann Jones, was born barely two months before dad’s first match as UCSB’s head coach in 2023.

“My goal is to stay here forever,” he said.

Depth Charges

Jones is fast-forwarding to the future with this year’s freshman class.

“All five are definitely in the mix,” he said. “They’re getting up to speed very quickly.”

They add to a front line that returns three seniors — 6-foot middle Layanna Green, 6-2 outside Sophie Reavis and 6-2 middle Grace Wuischpard — as well as 6-2 sophomore outside Emma McDermott.

Also back are sophomore defensive specialists Cortni Youngblood and Bianca Nistor, as well as setters Michelle Zhao, a redshirt senior, and junior Milan Rex.

The roster includes five others who redshirted last year: setter Katrina Catalan; middles Sandrea Thomas, Caroline Foraker and Anna Boatner; and outside hitter Kate Martin.

“It felt like we had a pretty good spring with this group, and they’ve grown and matured quite a bit,” Jones said.

“We’re still going to be on the younger side, but we’re also more experienced and ready to go this year.”

Travis, an All-Big West first-team selection last year, was a slam-dunk selection to the preseason all-league team that the coaches announced last week.

From left, Sophie Reavis, Eva Travis and Emma McDermott are all back from last season’s UCSB women’s volleyball team. Credit: Jeff Liang / UCSB Athletics photo

The Gauchos — picked fourth in the coaches’ preseason poll behind Hawai‘i, Cal Poly and UC Davis — showed their potential on Saturday by defeating UCLA 3-2 in an exhibition match.

Travis flew a little under the radar as a 5-foot-10 high school recruit — but she gained plenty of attention last season with how high she flew above the net.

“She’s considered to be a little undersized for our level, but she’s very strong and super-explosive,” Jones said. “She flies off the floor and has a real live arm.

“She also broad jumps well, so she’s really good coming out of the back row.”

Travis’ passing and blocking have also developed into assets, he added.

Jones never worried about her cashing in a lucrative NIL (name, image and likeness) offer by transferring to a power-conference school like other young, midmajor stars.

“I think she loves it here,” he said. “She’s bought into what we’re doing here, so it wasn’t a real major concern for us.

“We want to keep all of our kids. We want to have as consistent a team and program as we can have, and having Eva is a piece of that.”

He did lose Harper Hall, a freshman setter who led the Gauchos in both assists and digs last year.

The native of Highland Park, Texas, was lured away by Oklahoma head coach Aaron Mansfield, a former UCSB All-American and assistant coach.

Frosh Approach

Jones recruited 5-foot-6 freshman dynamo Ayva Ostovar to fill Hall’s shoes.

She led Mater Dei High to a pair of California Interscholastic Federation-Southern Section Division 1 championships as well as to the 2023 MaxPreps High School national championship.

“We’ve got a bunch of good arms to go with Ayva, who’s going to be a good setter in our 6-2 (two-setter) system,” Jones said. “They all fit the mold of what we’re trying to do here.

“With the 6-2, we want to find undersized, undervalued setters that we see great value in … who can run our fast offense and locate and be great defenders.”

Jones searched the globe to rearm his offensive attack.

Matt Jones coached the men’s volleyball team at Santa Barbara City College before he was hired to help coach the UCSB women’s team. Credit: Jeff Liang / UCSB Athletics photo

The freshman recruits include 6-2 outside hitter Ema Petkovic from Serbia; 5-11 outside hitter Gabi Martinez from Katy, Texas; 6-1 opposite Avery Gibbs from Loveland, Colorado; and 6-1 middle Jordyn Johnson from Saint Paul, Minnesota.

“(These) front-row players have a chance to make an impact for us for three or four years, so it’s real exciting,” Jones said.

Kiersten Schmitt, a 6-2 outside hitter, adds another weapon after having played at Iowa State for the last two seasons.

“She’s a dynamic athlete who plays high above the net,” Jones said.

Schmitt got the chance to bond with the team during the spring training season.

Team chemistry, however, began percolating even before that.

“We’ve talked about captains since January,” Jones said. “This team opted to go all hands on deck with no official captain’s model … and it’s actually worked really well.

“I think all of our seniors have really bought into that culture piece — using their voice and doing the little things around the gym and locker room — to really drive the boat.”

As an old English saying (sort of) goes, man may coach them from sun to sun, but the women’s work is never done.

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Capital University to upgrade its fieldhouse for fall

Published

2 hours ago

January 8, 2026

Your Sports Nation

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Capital athletes and students can expect a revamped track and field facility just in time for the fall semester.

The track will be resurfaced with state-of-the-art materials, BSS 2000 RE surface, which are used at The Ohio State University and the University of Oregon’s tracks.

What You Need To Know

The project could result in championship events being hosted at the university

The resurfaced track will all for better safety and performance

Construction should be completed before the 2026-2027 athletic season

“This project extends beyond indoor track — sports like tennis, pickleball, basketball and volleyball will benefit from this state-of-the-art training surface,” said Darrell Bailey, director of Athletics. “In addition to supporting our student-athletes year-round, the facility will serve as a versatile venue for major campus-wide events, including commencement, the Undergraduate Research Symposium, and other programs that bring our entire community together.”

Besides aesthetic benefits, the resurfaced track will allow for better safety, performance and competitive opportunity. Shock absorbtion and greater durability would be just some of the most important upgrades.

“This new surface elevates the standard of our training environment and enhances our capacity to compete and train at a high level. It’s a significant step forward for our program, and it reflects the commitment our institution and alumni have made to supporting Capital track and field,” said Ian Kellogg, director of Cross Country/Track and Field.

The upgrades will also position the university to host championship events in the future, which would not have been a possibility before.

“From updated courts and a better practice facility for all sports that utilize it, to a significant facelift for the Cap Center overall, this investment positions Capital to provide one of the finest training environments in Division III,” said April Novotny, vice president for Advancement and chief development officer. “[Donors] support not only strengthens the student-athlete experience but also ensures our athletes train on an elite surface and positions Capital to welcome more competitive opportunities in the years ahead.”

Construction should be completed before the 2026-2027 athletic season.

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Calallen’s Aubrey Navarro signs to run D1 track at SFA

Published

2 hours ago

January 8, 2026

Your Sports Nation

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — It was college signing day for one Calallen senior. Aubrey Navarro inked her commitment to run sprints for Stephen F. Austin University track and field.

She holds Calallen high school records in the 100, 200 and long jump according to MaxPreps. Navarro made it to Regionals her freshman season. Her journey was not easy, battling injuries the last two seasons. So to make it this far is a huge accomplishment.

“It means a lot because it’s just like so many things have happened lately, and to making it to go D1 and competing at a collegiate level is just a dream that I’ve always wanted since I was little,” Navarro.

Her 100 meter dash personal best time is 11.72 seconds, which she ran at the 97th Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays on March 26, 2025.

Calallen's Aubrey Navarro signs with SFA

Navarro began running track when she was 5-years-old at Pure Speed Performance with Coach Rueben Flowers. She’s excited to represent Corpus Christi at the Division 1 level.

“It means a lot because not a lot of people in the Coastal Bend go for track, or do track or really are into track like I am,” Navarro. “It just means a lot to know that I can be a role model for others that really want to do it.”

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No. 11 CSUN Opens 2026 Season With Three Matches at UCSB Asics Invitational

Published

5 hours ago

January 8, 2026

Your Sports Nation

CSUN THIS WEEK:

UCSB ASICS INVITATIONAL

MATCH #1

CSUN Matadors (0-0) vs. Maryville Saints (0-0)

Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026 – 7:00 p.m. PT

Rob Gym – Santa Barbara, Calif.

ESPN+

Live Stats

MATCH #2

CSUN Matadors vs. Harvard Crimson

Friday, Jan. 9, 2026 – 2:00 p.m. PT

Rob Gym – Santa Barbara, Calif

ESPN+

Live Stats

MATCH #3

CSUN Matadors vs. Kentucky State Thorobreds

Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026 – 4:30 p.m. PT

Rob Gym – Santa Barbara, Calif

ESPN+

Live Stats

In-game X updates: @CSUNMensVB

CSUN Men’s Volleyball Media Notes

FOR STARTERS

The preseason 11th-ranked CSUN Men’s Volleyball team (0-0, 0-0 Big West) opens the 2026 season, its 50th season of men’s volleyball, against Maryville on Thursday at the UCSB Asics Invitational in Santa Barbara. The match is the first of three for the Matadors at the annual tournament held at Rob Gym on the UCSB campus. CSUN opens the tournament Thursday against Maryville at 7 p.m., before taking on Harvard on Friday at 2 p.m. The Matadors conclude the three-day event on Saturday, taking on Kentucky State at 4:30 p.m. Fellow Big West teams UC Irvine and host UC Santa Barbara round out the six-team field this weekend.

FOLLOW YOUR MATADORS ONLINE

All nine matches of UCSB’s Asics Invitational will stream live on ESPN+ and will have live stats available (links at GoMatadors.com). CSUN home matches this season will also stream live on the ESPN+ platform, with Darren Preston handling a majority of the play-by-play this season.

Fans can also follow CSUN Matador men’s volleyball online at the official home of CSUN athletics, www. GoMatadors.com for related links to the match, including any live stats, audio, and video. Fans are also encouraged to check the CSUN Athletics Department’s official X feed (@ GoMatadors) and the volleyball-specific feed (@CSUNMensVB) for news and notes throughout the week, as well as updates of matches in progress.

CSUN RANKED 11TH IN 2026 AVCA PRESEASON MEN’S VOLLEYBALL POLL

After finishing the 2025 season ranked ninth in the final AVCA National Collegiate Poll, CSUN opens the 2026 season ranked 11th in the national preseason poll (Dec. 23). The Matadors, who finished 18-11 in 2025, finished in the top 10 in the final poll for the first time since 2018 and the second time in the last seven seasons. After being ranked in all 18 polls last season, CSUN received 238 points in the preseason poll to rank ninth.

Since reclaiming a spot in the AVCA national poll in 2023, the Matadors have been ranked in the top 20 in 36 consecutive polls and 46 of the last 49 AVCA national polls since the 2023 season. CSUN has been a fixture in the national polls historically, having previously been ranked in the AVCA Top-15 for 62 consecutive weeks and 262 of the last 289 weekly polls dating back to the 2002 season.

UCLA opens the 2026 season ranked first in the preseason poll, collecting 12 of 24 first-place votes and 481 total points. Hawai’i is second after receiving seven first-place votes and 473 points, followed by defending national champions Long Beach State, which received five first-place votes and 460 points. The remainder of the preseason top five includes Pepperdine and USC with UC Irvine, Loyola Chicago, BYU, Stanford, and UC San Diego rounding out the preseason top 10. The second half of the preseason top-20 poll includes the Matadors, Lewis, Penn State, Ohio State, McKendree, Ball State, UC Santa Barbara, Princeton, George Mason, and Lincoln Memorial.

SCOUTING THE ASICS INVITATIONAL FIELD

Maryville (0-0) opens its fifth season of men’s volleyball on Thursday in Santa Barbara. The Saints were picked to finish second in their inaugural season as members of the Great Lakes Valley Conference. Maryville earned four first-place votes and 43 total points to finish second to Rockhurst in the polling. Junior OH Makai Scott returns after leading the Saints with 307 kills (3.37 kps) and 211 digs last season. After finishing 19-9 in 2025, the Saints return 13 players while adding six newcomers in 2026. All-time series: Thursday’s match marks the first-ever meeting between the Matadors and Saints in men’s volleyball.

Harvard (0-0) opens the 2026 season on Thursday against UC Irvine. The Crimson, who finished 9-15 in 2025, were picked to tie for fifth in the EIVA Coaches’ Preseason Poll. Seniors Zach Berty and Brian Thomas were named as Players to Watch by the conference’s seven head coaches. Berty averaged 2.22 kills per set in 2025, while Thomas averaged 0.94 blocks per set to lead the team. All-time series: Friday’s match is the seventh meeting all-time between CSUN and Harvard, with the Matadors holding a 5-1 edge in the series. The two teams also met at the UCSB Invitational in 2019, with CSUN pulling out a five-set win.

Kentucky State (0-0) also opens its 2026 season in Santa Barbara. The Thorobreds, who were picked to finish sixth in the SIAC (Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) Preseason Poll, will open against UC Santa Barbara on Thursday, before taking on UC Irvine and the Matadors to conclude the weekend. All-time series: Saturday’s match marks the first-ever meeting between the Matadors and Thorobreds in men’s volleyball.

CSUN AT THE UCSB ASICS INVITATIONAL

Thursday’s match against Maryville marks CSUN’s 25th appearance in UC Santa Barbara’s annual tournament in the last 29 years. The Matadors are 56-37 (.602) all-time in the tournament dating back to 2001. Last season, the Matadors finished 3-0 in the tournament with wins over Tusculum (3-0), Missouri S&T (3-0), and Menlo (3-1).

Since 2019, the Matadors are 8-7 in UCSB’s annual event, finishing 1-2 three times (2019, 2023, 2024) and 2-1 in 2019. After the 2021 tournament was canceled due to the COVID pandemic, CSUN was scheduled to open the 2022 season in Santa Barbara but due to COVID protocols within the program, the Matadors were forced to withdraw, snapping a streak of 16 consecutive appearances. In 2019, CSUN dropped a five-set decision to Grand Canyon, which snapped a streak of 11 straight Matador wins in the tournament dating back to a loss to Princeton in 2015. CSUN won its first-ever UCSB Invitational championship in 2009 after upsetting No. 2 UCLA (3-1) and defeating No. 14 UCSB (3-1) and No. 8 Stanford (3-1). The Matadors then won their second straight crown in 2010, topping UCSB (3-1), California Baptist (3-1), and BYU (3-1).

THREE MATADORS NAMED AVCA ALL-AMERICAN, ALL-BIG WEST IN 2025

For the first time since 2018, CSUN had three student-athletes named to the All-Big West First Team in 2025. The Matadors had three first-team selections as senior Donovan Constable, redshirt sophomore Jalen Phillips, and freshman Stilian Delibosov were all named to the top team. The last time CSUN had three players named first team was 2018, when Eric Chance, Arvis Greene, Jr., and Dimitar Kalchev earned top honors. All three players went on to earn AVCA All-America honors as Phillips was named to the First Team and Constable and Delibosov earned honorable mention accolades.

NEW FACES IN 2026

In addition to returning 10 letterwinners and five starters from the 2025 season, CSUN welcomes an impressive list of newcomers in 2026. The group includes a trio of 2025 redshirts, including sophomore Owen Douphner, who steps in for departed All-American Donovan Constable at setter. Transfer Jordan Lucas (Grand Canyon) and redshirt freshman Grayson Albers (Sacramento) each open their first season on the active roster in 2026. CSUN also welcomes a trio of true freshmen in 2026 that includes Kingston Jerome, Joel Eanes, and Noah Douphner. Jerome comes to CSUN from Shadow Ridge High School in Las Vegas, Nev., while Eanes is a 6-9 opposite from Kellam High School in Virginia Beach, Va. Douphner is a local product from nearby Stevenson Ranch and the younger brother of the CSUN setter.

MATADORS IN THE BIG WEST

The 2026 season marks CSUN’s ninth as a member of the Big West in men’s volleyball. With a 3-7 regular season record in 2025, the Matadors are 18-52 (.257) in 70 Big West matches over eight seasons since the conference’s inaugural campaign in 2018. CSUN finished 5-5 in the first Big West season in 2018 before finishing 3-7 in 2019, 2024, and 2025, 2-8 in 2021 and 1-9 in both 2022 and 2023. Prior to 2018, the Matadors played 25 seasons as a member of the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) from 1993-2017 and 16 seasons in the Western Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (WIVA) from 1977-92.

EDWARDS IN FOURTH SEASON AS CSUN HEAD COACH

Theo Edwards is in his fourth season as CSUN’s head coach in 2026 after leading the Matadors back into the AVCA national rankings in his first three seasons. Now in his 16th season at CSUN, Edwards was named the successor to Jeff Campbell on Dec. 9, 2022. CSUN finished 12-16 in Edwards’ first season (1-9 in the Big West) in 2023 and the Matadors have steadily improved in each of Edwards’ three seasons. CSUN finished 13-16 in 2024 and 18-11 in 2025. Under Edwards’ leadership, CSUN earned a No. 7 national ranking on Mar. 10 of the 2025 season, its highest national ranking in seven seasons. The Matadors finished the 2025 season with a No. 9 national ranking, also its best since 2018.

LOOKING AHEAD

Following three matches at the UCSB Asics Invitational, the Matadors will remain on the road for two more matches next week. CSUN will travel to the Midwest for the 2026 Under Armour Invitational at Lindenwood in St. Charles, Mo. The Matadors will take on the host Lions on Jan. 16 before meeting Purdue Fort Wayne on Jan. 17 at 2:00 p.m. PT.

#GoMatadors

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Jenna Ibieta named head coach of Loyola indoor, beach volleyball programs – Crescent City Sports

Published

6 hours ago

January 8, 2026

Your Sports Nation

Jenna Ibieta steps into her new role after earning SSAC Assistant Coach of the Year honors in November

NEW ORLEANS – The Loyola University New Orleans indoor and beach volleyball program has a familiar face grabbing the reins, as Jenna Ibieta was named the new head coach for the two teams, Assistant Vice President of Athletics Brett Simpson announced Wednesday. Ibieta made the move to her new role after serving as assistant coach for the indoor fall 2025 season.

She’s the eighth head coach in program history.

“We’re excited to announce Jenna Ibieta as our next Head Volleyball Coach at Loyola University New Orleans,” Simpson said. “Jenna has already made a significant impact on our program through her leadership and deep understanding of the game, earning SSAC Assistant Coach of the Year honors this past season. With head coaching experience at the high school level, extensive club coaching in New Orleans, and a strong background as a student-athlete at Tulane, she is well-positioned to lead our program forward and build on our recent success.

Ibieta joined the Wolf Pack in May and helped the indoor team collect 29 wins, the second-most in program wins, the program’s first SSAC Championship title, and the second NAIA national tournament appearance in three years. She was also named the SSAC Assistant Coach of the Year.

“This is home for me, and I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to lead these programs,” Ibieta said. “What last season’s group accomplished set a strong foundation, and with a talented recruiting class coming in, I’m excited to continue building a culture grounded in excellence. I’m looking forward to what’s ahead and honored to be part of the ongoing growth and success of the Indoor and Beach programs.”

Ibieta’s roles with the program have been leading the recruiting efforts, player development, travel logistics, and on-court training, with a focus on offensive systems. She coached five members of the SSAC All-Conference team, including SSAC Freshman and Attacker of the Year Isis Harink, all-conference first-teamers Alexa Palmer and Kala Emanuelli, along with Harink, and members of the second team: Ivana De Carvalho Peixe and Samantha Guillotte.

Before joining the Loyola staff, Ibieta spent the four years prior in Lafayette, serving as the Head Volleyball Coach at Acadiana High School (2024–2025) and Sacred Heart Grand Coteau (2021–2024), while also working as an Admissions Coordinator. She brings additional experience from the club volleyball scene, having coached with the Cajun Elite and Louisiana Volleyball programs during that four-year stretch.

A former collegiate setter at Tulane University (2017–2019), Ibieta tallied 1,497 assists and 556 digs over her career. She was named to the All-State Sugar Bowl Collegiate Classic All-Tournament Team, was a member of the Tulane Athletic 3.0 Club, and earned American Athletic Conference All-Academic Team honors in 2018–2019. She holds a B.S. in Communications with minors in Sociology and Business.

Ibieta’s volleyball roots run deep. As a standout player at Metairie Park Country Day, she led her team to four LHSAA State Championships (2012–2014, 2016) and was named Louisiana Miss Volleyball in 2016. She holds the school record with over 5,000 career assists and was a four-time all-state selection. Her coaching journey began early, contributing to NOLA Volleyball during her high school and college years.

Volleyball excellence runs in the family, too. Her mother, Julie Stempel Ibieta, is a former LSU volleyball standout and co-director of NOLA Volleyball. Her father, Juan Ibieta, played baseball at Tulane. Her brothers, Justin and Jake, are also involved in collegiate athletics — Justin as a graduate assistant with Tulane Football and Jake as a member of the LSU football team.

A reception to introduce Coach Ibieta will take place at 12:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 12, in the University Sports Complex’s Hall of Fame Room.

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Two Scholar Athletes Highlight Academic Awards for Hornet Volleyball

Published

6 hours ago

January 8, 2026

Your Sports Nation

Women’s Volleyball | 1/7/2026 2:00:00 PM

January 7, 2026 – Emporia State volleyball had two MIAA Scholar Athletes and six players in total earn MIAA Academic recognition for the 2025 season.

Mia Frisbie and Brailee Bogle were both MIAA Scholar Athletes for their performance on the court and in the classroom, as both were named Honorable Mention All-MIAA for the 2025 season.

Along with Frisbie and Bogle, Brenna Smith, Willow Deckinger, Sydney Fiatte and Camilla Ossola were named to the MIAA Academic Honor Roll. All six players earned their second career recognition on the Academic Honor Roll.

To be recognized on the Academic Honor Roll, one must have a grade point average used by the institution for purposes of NCAA academic certification of 3.00 at the certifying member institution. The individual must also have at least two terms of attendance at the certifying member institution, excluding summer terms.

To qualify as a Scholar-Athlete an individual must have a grade point average used by the institution for purposes of NCAA academic certification of 3.50 at the certifying member institution. The student-athlete must have at least two terms of attendance at the certifying member institution, excluding summer terms. If competing in a championship sport of the MIAA, the student-athlete must also earn All-MIAA honors from the 2024 season.

MIAA Scholar Athletes

Mia Frisbie	Sophomore	3.98	Health & Human Perf.	Overland Park, Kan.
Braile Bogle	Junior	3.55	Biology	Wichita, Kan.

MIAA Academic Honor Roll

Mia Frisbie	Sophomore	3.98	Health & Human Perf.	Overland Park, Kan.
Brenna Smith	Sophomore	3.84	Health & Human Perf.	St. Mary’s, Kan.
Willow Deckinger	Sophomore	3.76	English	Wichita, Kan.
Sydney Fiatte	Senior	3.73	Health & Human Perf.	Shawnee, Kan.
Camilla Ossola	Senior	3.72	Biology	Gavirate, Italy
Braile Bogle	Junior	3.55	Biology	Wichita, Kan.

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No. 7 Ramblers Start Season at No. 2 Rainbow Warriors

Published

6 hours ago

January 8, 2026

Your Sports Nation

LEADING OFF
No. 7 Loyola Chicago opens its 2026 season with a two-match series at No. 2 Hawai’i on Thursday, Jan. 8 and Friday, Jan. 9. First serve for both matches is set for 11 p.m. CT.

QUICK HITS

Loyola headlines the MIVA conference in the preseason poll; Ryan McElligott, Daniel Fabikovic and Aleksander Sosa tabbed Preseason All-MIVA. The Ramblers were picked seventh in the AVCA Preseason Poll.

McElligott finished 2025 as both the MIVA and NCAA assists leader, averaging 10.9 per set.

The Ramblers returned 15 student-athletes and welcomed five new faces, including two freshmen and three transfers.

Assistant coach Dalton Solbrig lettered four years for the Rainbow Warriors from 2016-19. He was a member of two NCAA Tournament teams, including the national runner-up squad in 2019.

Head coach Shane Davis enters his 14th season at Loyola, sporting a 289-92 (.759) career record. In his first season back, Davis led the Ramblers to a 25-4 ledger, their fourth MIVA Tournament title and fourth NCAA Tournament berth.

2026 marks the 30th anniversary of Loyola’s men’s volleyball program, which is home to two of the university’s three NCAA national championship titles.

SCOUTING REPORT
Hawai’i kicked off its season with a two-match series sweep of NJIT (Jan. 2, Jan. 4), in which sophomore opposite Kristian Titriyski combined for 23 kills on .438 hitting. The 6-foot-8 Bulgarian national added five service aces against NJIT. As a team, the Rainbow Warriors hit .517 in both matches. Junior setter Tread Rosenthal led each match in assists, recording 26 in the first and 30 in the rematch. He also contributed 11 total blocks across the series.

Head coach Charlie Wade entered his 17th season at the helm of the program and boasts a 321-131 career record at Hawai’i. Last season, he led the Rainbow Warriors to their fourth overall Big West Tournament title and 10th NCAA Tournament appearance.

SERIES HISTORY

The Rainbow Warriors lead the all-time series, 13-3, with the Ramblers and are 12-3 at home against the MIVA opponent. In their last meeting, Loyola left Hawai’i 1-1 after falling 3-0 in match one then taking the second in a five-set thriller. This year’s two-match series marks Davis’ 11th overall matchup against Hawai’i, and his fifth as head coach.

FOLLOW THE ACTION

Stream both matches on ESPN+. Follow men’s volleyball on Instagram and X @RamblersMVB for in-game updates.

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