Mark Patton: Strand Clan Made East Beach Volleyball Courts a Family Gathering Place | Sports
Overview: The legacy of the Strand Family has continued through the sands of time with both AVP and Olympic volleyball stars East Beach may be a playground, but twin sisters Kelly and Lisa Strand had to work their way there a half-century ago. They’d follow their older siblings by riding their bikes for six miles, […]
The legacy of the Strand Family has continued through the sands of time with both AVP and Olympic volleyball stars
East Beach may be a playground, but twin sisters Kelly and Lisa Strand had to work their way there a half-century ago.
They’d follow their older siblings by riding their bikes for six miles, packing nothing but a sack lunch and the hunger to play some beach volleyball.
“We wouldn’t even bring a towel, just an apple and a peanut butter sandwich,” recalled Kelly, who was a junior-high teen at the time. “We’d stay all day.”
Older brother Warren and sister Kathy were often already there.
They’d be holding court with such local volleyball gentry as Karch Kiraly, a future Olympic gold medalist in both the indoor and beach games.
It took countless hours of playing and pestering before the little sisters were included with all the “Queen Kathies of the Beach”: Kathy Gregory, Kathy Hanley and sister Kathy Strand.
“There was definitely a pecking order,” Lisa told Noozhawk. “We worked hard to get to play on the big girl court.
“We’d beg people to let us play. Thank God we were twins because we always had each other to play with.”
Twins Kelly, left, and Lisa Strand learned their volleyball on the sand courts of East Beach. Credit: Strand family photo
Lisa and Kelly will be paired again later this month when the Friends of East Beach Association dedicates “The Strand Court” in their honor.
The festivities will be held at Court No. 3 beginning at 10 a.m. May 31.
The organization has dedicated itself to improving the 16 permanent courts at East Beach. It renovated the first one in the name of the late Henry Bergmann in 2010.
Other courts have been named in honor of Kiraly, siblings John and Kathy Hanley, Gregory, Paul Hodgert and Jon Lee.
“It’s a pretty proud moment for us,” said Kelly, who’s now known by her married name of Kelly Van Winden. “It’s really cool because the name of the court will be The Strand Court.
“I just love that my family gets to be honored.”
Don of an Era
She and Lisa caught the volleyball bug while watching their siblings star for coach Rick Olmstead’s indoor teams at Santa Barbara High School.
Brother Warren played with Kiraly and Hanley on the Dons’ CIF-Southern Section championship boys team of 1978.
“We’d go and watch all those games as the tag-along, little sisters,” Kelly said. “It was so much fun.
“Warren and our sister, Kathy, were really good friends with Karch. They were always together, all three of those guys.”
Lisa Strand, left, and twin sister Kelly were fixtures at East Beach during the summer of 1979, between their sophomore and junior years at Santa Barbara High School. Credit: Strand family photo
Their father, Leon Strand, even hired Kiraly to help dig the foundation for their house.
“Our dad was the one who was always driving us to the beach or taking us to the park for tennis lessons,” Kelly said. “He taught us how to swim.
“He wanted us to be active, and all of that.”
Their father, who died last October, also took them sailing, skiing, and even backpacking in the mountain ranges of the High Sierra.
“He got us involved with a youth church group,” Lisa said. “He was trying to raise us up right and keep us out of trouble, so he kept us busy.
“We all had to get jobs pretty young … He had us pay for all our shoes and skis.”
He also facilitated their passion for volleyball.
“We’d stay up late in the front yard rallying, so our dad set up a night light,” Lisa said. “With only one volleyball, we had to wait till Warren and Kathy were done to go out and rally.”
Kelly and Lisa, like their older siblings, played for Olmstead at Santa Barbara High. They were both named to the All-CIF Southern Section Division 4A First Team during their senior season in the autumn of 1980.
“I don’t remember how far we went into the CIF playoffs every year, but I do remember all the fun we had and what great shape we were in,” Lisa said. “Our biggest rival was San Marcos.
Lisa Strand, left, and sister Kelly played together in several professional tournaments after having honed their games on the sands of Santa Barbara’s East Beach. Credit: Strand family photo
“We’d go to Frimple’s for breakfast and do car rallies down State Street prior to those games.”
Girls volleyball at that time was in only its ninth year of sanction by the California Interscholastic Federation.
“I didn’t even recognize how lucky I was at the time, I was just riding the wave,” Kelly said. “It was like these doors opened and I just walked through them.
“I’m not saying that it didn’t come with hard work — the drive to play the game came from inside — but I had no idea about all of that.”
The twins also had no clue that volleyball could be the path to a college scholarship. Olmstead took them aside after their senior season to show them an envelope full of recruiting letters that had been addressed to them.
“He told us, ‘I want you to look through this … You can go to college to play volleyball,’” Kelly said. “We were like, ‘What are you talking about? Are you crazy?’
“We had no idea. We were just playing the game.”
The Next Level
Kelly first went to UC Santa Barbara, serving as a team captain her sophomore season, before transferring to Cal Poly.
She earned first-team all-league honors in 1984 and led the Mustangs to a 32-8 record and the championship of the Pacific Coast Athletic Association. (The league was later renamed as the Big West Conference).
Kelly Strand Van Winden angles a shot past a blocker during one of her professional beach volleyball tournaments. Credit: Strand Family photo
Lisa, a versatile middle blocker, enjoyed even greater success at the University of Hawai‘i, earning All-America honors in both 1982 and 1983 while leading the Rainbow Wahine to back-to-back NCAA championships.
But both twins were just getting started with their lives in volleyball.
Kelly competed on the Women’s Professional Volleyball Association beach circuit for more than a decade, finishing as high as third in the Austin, Texas, event.
She also played two seasons with Major League Volleyball’s San José Golddiggers and four more on the four-person Bud Light Pro Beach Tour. She served as captain of the 1993-1994 championship team.
Kelly also coached at Napa Valley College as well as at Sonoma State College, earning three coach of the year honors.
Lisa, like her sister, competed in both Major League Volleyball and on the Bud Light circuit. She also played on the Association of Volleyball Professionals Tour.
She partnered with Janice Opalinski in 1990 to win the AVP’s Salem Fresh Tokyo Tournament — the richest tour event of that year.
They also got busy starting families.
Lisa Strand competes in the 1990 WPVA Flamingo Hilton/PCH John Shaw Open in Manhattan Beach. Credit: Strand family photo
Kelly married her college sweetheart, Cal Poly basketball player Jim Van Winden. Their daughters, Adlee and Torrey, both earned AVCA All-America honors at their parents’ alma mater.
“Much as we exposed our kids to other things, they chose the sport,” Kelly said. “We sort of led them all away from it, but at the same time they all chased it … They all fell in love with it.”
Torrey now plays on the AVP Tour with cousin Katie Spieler, Kathy’s daughter.
Her sister, now known by the married name of Adlee Kass, also still plays volleyball and is expecting her first child this summer.
“She plans on playing six months pregnant in the Santa Barbara Open,” Kelly said.
Lisa and former University of Hawai‘i men’s volleyball star Pono Ma’a are the parents of four former collegiate volleyball stars: Misty (Miami), Micah (UCLA), Mehana (UCSB) and Maluhia (Kent State).
Micah Ma’a made the Men’s National Team as a setter and helped the United States win a bronze medal at last summer’s Olympic Games in Paris.
“I went to Paris with Warren, Kathy and Kelly,” said Lisa, who’s served as a color analyst the last two decades for University Hawai‘i volleyball telecasts.
“We spent 12 days there and it was the most incredible trip I’ve ever been on.”
She claims that watching her children play volleyball doesn’t make her nervous even when an Olympic medal is at stake.
“I am just happy that they loved the sport,” Lisa said.
Beach Party
East Beach has always been their happy place.
Kelly and Jim even held their wedding reception at a venue that overlooked the area.
“East Beach was just such a comfortable place to be,” Kelly said. “It was like my backyard growing up.
“We’d go down there without a towel … Lie in the sand … Then we’d dive into the ocean, come back out, and lie in the sand once more to get warm.”
Lisa recalls that time as “those lazy, crazy days when all you’d do is play and then swim in the ocean.”
“It was like our yard … Our front yard and our back yard,” she said. “We lived to go down there and play.”
Lisa Strand, center, who led the University of Hawai‘i women’s volleyball team to a pair of NCAA championships, has been a color analyst for the school’s volleyball telecasts for the last two decades. Credit: University of Hawai‘i Athletics photo
She also remembers how satisfying it was when they were accepted by the older players.
“If you lost, you had to wait like forever to get another chance,” Lisa explained, “so it helped with our motivation, and trained us to always win.”
Kelly, who still coaches aspiring players on the sand court that Jim built in their backyard, said “all those women at East Beach have no idea of how influential they were, and in so many ways.”
“They were so wonderful and kind, 99% of the time, to everybody in my family,” she said. “That was pretty huge.”
And it’s something she and her sister have devoted themselves to paying back, over and over again.
Thompson alum Bradley Franklin qualifies for NCAA track and field national championship with Samford – Shelby County Reporter
Thompson alum Bradley Franklin qualifies for NCAA track and field national championship with Samford Published 2:43 pm Monday, June 2, 2025 Thompson alum and current Samford star Bradley Franklin qualified for the NCAA track and field national championship after the former Shelby County Male Athlete of the Year finished fifth at regionals as a true […]
Thompson alum Bradley Franklin qualifies for NCAA track and field national championship with Samford
Published 2:43 pm Monday, June 2, 2025
Thompson alum and current Samford star Bradley Franklin qualified for the NCAA track and field national championship after the former Shelby County Male Athlete of the Year finished fifth at regionals as a true freshman. (Contributed/Samford University Athletics)
By ANDREW SIMONSON | Sports Editor
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Bradley Franklin has wasted little time carrying over his high school success to the collegiate stage as he will compete for a national championship as just a true freshman.
Franklin punched his ticket to the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championship for outdoor track and field with one of the top times in the men’s 110-meter hurdles on Saturday, May 31 at the East Regional at the University of North Florida.
Competing for the Samford Bulldogs, Franklin qualified for nationals with a time of 13.46 seconds in the event, which was good enough for fifth place in the regional field. He was the only member of the Bulldogs to reach nationals.
Franklin’s regional performance is just one of many standout times from his freshman season. He broke the SoCon record for the 110-meter hurdles at the SoCon Championship on May 13 at the Samford Track and Soccer Stadium, securing the conference championship in the process.
His individual title helped Samford secure its fifth-straight conference title in men’s outdoor track and field.
Franklin was named the 2023-24 Shelby County Male Athlete of the Year after placing sixth in the indoor men’s 60-meter hurdles at the 2023 New Balance Nationals and third in the men’s 110-meter hurdles at the outdoor New Balance Nationals in 2024.
He also finished undefeated in his senior indoor season in the hurdles. Franklin finished 7-0 in the 60-meter hurdles, including the Class 7A state championship with a personal-record time of 7.62 seconds. He would beat that time at nationals to record a 7.61-second time.
Franklin then won eight of his nine starts in the 110-meter hurdles and set a new state championship meet record with a time of 13.37 seconds to win his second-straight title in the event. His then personal-record time beat out Hoover alum Marlon Humphrey for the state record.
Franklin also won the 300-meter hurdle state championship after going 5-0 in the event and finished in fifth place in the 100-meter dash state finals in 2024.
Franklin will compete in the 110-meter hurdle national championship at the University of Oregon’s Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore. The semifinals will be Wednesday, June 11 at 7:08 p.m. central time on ESPN and the finals will be Friday, June 13 at 7:42 p.m. on ESPN2. Both will also be streamed on ESPN+.
In other county news, Pelham native Erin Long competed in regionals for Samford but missed out on qualifying for her second-career nationals. She finished in 18th place with a throw of 47.97 after winning the SoCon Championship in the event earlier in the month.
Casey Rood Named New Head Volleyball Coach at Rock Springs High School
Casey Rood. Photo from Rock Springs High School’s Facebook ROCK SPRINGS — Rock Springs High School has announced the hiring of Casey Rood as the new head coach of the Lady Tigers volleyball program, set to lead the team into the 2025 season and beyond. Rood, a former multi-sport standout and collegiate volleyball player, brings […]
Casey Rood. Photo from Rock Springs High School’s Facebook
ROCK SPRINGS — Rock Springs High School has announced the hiring of Casey Rood as the new head coach of the Lady Tigers volleyball program, set to lead the team into the 2025 season and beyond.
Rood, a former multi-sport standout and collegiate volleyball player, brings an impressive athletic and coaching résumé to the program. She returns to Rock Springs with prior experience on the Tigers’ sideline, having served as an assistant coach during a three-year stretch in which the team won a conference title and made three state tournament appearances.
Most recently, Rood worked as an assistant coach at Green River High School, helping guide the Wolves to a second-place finish in conference play and a state tournament berth.
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As a high school athlete, Rood helped lead her volleyball team to a state championship and two district titles while earning Idaho State Journal All-State First Team honors. In track and field, she played a major role in capturing a state title and four district championships, and still holds four school relay records.
At the collegiate level, Rood’s success continued. She contributed to two Region 9 championships and two NJCAA Final Four appearances, later going on to record the third-most blocks in a single season at Montana State University Billings.
Rock Springs High School praised Rood for bringing “a wealth of experience and a winning culture” to the program. In addition to her on-court accomplishments, she is known for building strong, disciplined teams and creating a positive environment focused on athlete growth both in and out of competition.
Rood’s coaching philosophy emphasizes leadership, accountability, and resilience. She draws on lessons from both long-time mentors and local coaching colleagues, aiming to prepare athletes for success beyond high school.
The volleyball program’s summer activities are already in motion. Rood encourages student-athletes to attend summer weight training beginning Monday, June 9 during the girls’ session from 6:30 to 8:00 a.m.
The first open gym session will take place Tuesday, June 17 from 8:15 to 10:00 a.m. in the lower gym at Rock Springs High School. Athletes and parents are invited to attend and meet Coach Rood. Open gyms will continue on Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the summer at the same time.
Rock Springs High School staff and community members have welcomed Rood’s return to the program with enthusiasm as she takes the helm of Lady Tiger volleyball.
For additional information about the program or summer activities, families are encouraged to attend the first open gym.
NCAA Track and Field Championship West Qualifier Meet – The Battalion
Texas A&M University hosted the NCAA Track and Field Championship West Qualifier Meet at E.B. Cushing Stadium from Wednesday, May 28 to Saturday, May 31, 2025. Hosting dozens of teams to compete in College Station for a chance at the Championship in Eugene, Oregon, the Texas A&M Aggies competed amongst steep competition, with over 20 […]
Texas A&M University hosted the NCAA Track and Field Championship West Qualifier Meet at E.B. Cushing Stadium from Wednesday, May 28 to Saturday, May 31, 2025. Hosting dozens of teams to compete in College Station for a chance at the Championship in Eugene, Oregon, the Texas A&M Aggies competed amongst steep competition, with over 20 athletes advancing across track and field events. Beginning Wednesday, June 11, 2025, the Aggies who advanced will begin to compete in semifinal and finals competitions in an effort to become national champions.
June 2, 2025
Junior Jasmine Montgomery reacts to winning the 100m dash during the Texas A&M NCAA Championship Qualifier Meet at E.B. Cushing Stadium on Thursday, May 29, 2025. (Adriano Epsinosa/The Battalion)
Sophomore Carlie Weiser prepares to shotput during the Texas A&M NCAA Championship Qualifier Meet at E.B. Cushing Stadium on Thursday, May 29, 2025. (Adriano Epsinosa/The Battalion)
Sophomore Jasmine Harmon hurdles during the Texas A&M NCAA Championship Qualifier Meet at E.B. Cushing Stadium on Thursday, May 29, 2025. (Adriano Epsinosa/The Battalion)
Sophomore McKenzie Fairchild prepares to toss her javelin during the Texas A&M NCAA Championship Qualifier Meet at E.B. Cushing Stadium on Thursday, May 29, 2025. (Adriano Epsinosa/The Battalion)
Junior Camryn Dickson reacts to advancing to the NCAA Championship during the Texas A&M NCAA Championship Qualifier Meet at E.B. Cushing Stadium on Thursday, May 29, 2025. (Adriano Epsinosa/The Battalion)
A starter gun fires during the Texas A&M NCAA Championship Qualifier Meet at E.B. Cushing Stadium on Thursday, May 29, 2025. (Adriano Epsinosa/The Battalion)
Freshman Megan Roberts reacts to completing the 10,000 meter dash during the Texas A&M NCAA Championship Qualifier Meet at E.B. Cushing Stadium on Thursday, May 29, 2025. (Adriano Epsinosa/The Battalion)
Junior Camryn Dickson after the 200m dash during the Texas A&M NCAA Championship Qualifier Meet at E.B. Cushing Stadium on Thursday, May 29, 2025. (Adriano Epsinosa/The Battalion)
Junior Camryn Dickson and athletes from other colleges compete during the 100m dash during the NCAA Track & Field West Championship Qualifier at E.B. Cushing Stadium on Thursday, May 29, 2025. (Steve Carrasco IV/The Battalion)
Freshman Tyler Lowe competes in the 400m dash during the NCAA Track & Field West Championship Qualifier at E.B. Cushing Stadium on Thursday, May 29, 2025. (Steve Carrasco IV/The Battalion)
Megan Roberts of Texas A&M runs during the 10,000 Meter race during the NCAA Track and Field Championship during the Texas A&M NCAA Championship Qualifier Meet at E.B. Cushing Stadium on Thursday, May 29, 2025. (Taylor Barnett/The Battalion)
Heather Abadie of Texas A&M participates in the Pole Vault event during the NCAA Track and Field Championship during the Texas A&M NCAA Championship Qualifier Meet at E.B. Cushing Stadium on Thursday, May 29, 2025. (Taylor Barnett/The Battalion)
Elise Smoot of Texas A&M participates in the 1,500 Meter event during the NCAA Track and Field Championship during the Texas A&M NCAA Championship Qualifier Meet at E.B. Cushing Stadium on Thursday, May 29, 2025. (Taylor Barnett/The Battalion)
Jaydan Wood of Texas A&M smiles at the scoreboard after running the 400 Meter event during the NCAA Track and Field Championship during the Texas A&M NCAA Championship Qualifier Meet at E.B. Cushing Stadium on Thursday, May 29, 2025. (Taylor Barnett/The Battalion)
Junior Ethan Sanders prepares for Discus during the Texas A&M NCAA Championship Qualifier Meet at E.B. Cushing Stadium on Friday, May 30, 2025. (Adriano Epsinosa/The Battalion)
Senior Mason Mangum hands the baton off to senior Auhmad Robinson during the Texas A&M NCAA Championship Qualifier Meet at E.B. Cushing Stadium on Friday, May 30, 2025. (Adriano Epsinosa/The Battalion)
Senior Auhmad Robinson races to the finish of the 4×100 meter relay during the Texas A&M NCAA Championship Qualifier Meet at E.B. Cushing Stadium on Friday, May 30, 2025. (Adriano Epsinosa/The Battalion)
Senior Cooper Cawthra begins the 1500m dash during the Texas A&M NCAA Championship Qualifier Meet at E.B. Cushing Stadium on Friday, May 30, 2025. (Adriano Epsinosa/The Battalion)
Junior Victor Kibiego leaps into the water pit during the Texas A&M NCAA Championship Qualifier Meet at E.B. Cushing Stadium on Friday, May 30, 2025. (Adriano Epsinosa/The Battalion)
Senior Ja’Qualon Scott hurdles during the Texas A&M NCAA Championship Qualifier Meet at E.B. Cushing Stadium on Friday, May 30, 2025. (Adriano Epsinosa/The Battalion)
Senior Sam Whitmarsh races in the 800m dash during the Texas A&M NCAA Championship Qualifier Meet at E.B. Cushing Stadium on Friday, May 30, 2025. (Adriano Epsinosa/The Battalion)
Senior Sam Whitmarsh reacts to winning the 800m dash during the Texas A&M NCAA Championship Qualifier Meet at E.B. Cushing Stadium on Friday, May 30, 2025. (Adriano Epsinosa/The Battalion)
Senior Bryce McCray runs the 400m dash during the Texas A&M NCAA Championship Qualifier Meet at E.B. Cushing Stadium on Friday, May 30, 2025. (Adriano Epsinosa/The Battalion)
Senior Ja’Qualon Scott reacts to winning the 400m hurdles event during the Texas A&M NCAA Championship Qualifier Meet at E.B. Cushing Stadium on Friday, May 30, 2025. (Adriano Epsinosa/The Battalion)
Senior Bryce McCray reacts to qualifying for the NCAA Championship during the Texas A&M NCAA Championship Qualifier Meet at E.B. Cushing Stadium on Friday, May 30, 2025. (Adriano Epsinosa/The Battalion)
Freshman Jaydon Shield lands in the sand pit after triple jumping during the Texas A&M NCAA Championship Qualifier Meet at E.B. Cushing Stadium on Friday, May 30, 2025. (Adriano Epsinosa/The Battalion)
Senior Auhmad Robinson reacts to winning the 4x400m relay during the Texas A&M NCAA Championship Qualifier Meet at E.B. Cushing Stadium on Friday, May 30, 2025. (Adriano Epsinosa/The Battalion)
Senior Cooper Cawthra reacts to placing in the top 3 fastest times for the 1500 meter dash during the NCAA Track & Field West Championship Qualifier at E.B. Cushing Stadium on Friday, May 30, 2025. (Steve Carrasco IV/The Battalion)
Senior Hassam Hatib reacts at the end of the 4×400 meter relay during the NCAA Track & Field West Championship Qualifier at E.B. Cushing Stadium on Friday, May 30, 2025. (Steve Carrasco IV/The Battalion)
Senior Kimar Farquharson races at the head of heat 1 in the 800m dash during the NCAA Track & Field West Championship Qualifier at E.B. Cushing Stadium on Friday, May 30, 2025. (Steve Carrasco IV/The Battalion)
Seniors Hassam Hatib and Cutter Zamzow race to the finish in the 400m dash during the NCAA Track & Field West Championship Qualifier at E.B. Cushing Stadium on Friday, May 30, 2025. (Steve Carrasco IV/The Battalion)
The Texas A&M Men’s Track Team athletes punching their ticket for the NCAA Track and Field Championship in Eugene, Oregon during the Texas A&M NCAA Championship Qualifier Meet at E.B. Cushing Stadium on Friday, May 30, 2025. (Adriano Epsinosa/The Battalion)
Sophomore Jasmine Harmon trips on a hurdle during the Texas A&M NCAA Championship Qualifier Meet at E.B. Cushing Stadium on Saturday, May 31, 2025. (Adriano Epsinosa/The Battalion)
Sophomore Emma Little runs out of the water pit during the Texas A&M NCAA Championship Qualifier Meet at E.B. Cushing Stadium on Saturday, May 31, 2025. (Adriano Epsinosa/The Battalion)
Sophomore Emma Little leaps into the water pit during the Texas A&M NCAA Championship Qualifier Meet at E.B. Cushing Stadium on Saturday, May 31, 2025. (Adriano Epsinosa/The Battalion)
Freshman Debora Cherono runs out the edge of the water pit during the NCAA Track & Field West Championship Qualifier at E.B. Cushing Stadium on Saturday, May 31, 2025. (Steve Carrasco IV/The Battalion)
Junior Jaiya Covington hurdles during the Texas A&M NCAA Championship Qualifier Meet at E.B. Cushing Stadium on Saturday, May 31, 2025. (Adriano Epsinosa/The Battalion)
Freshman Milena Chevallier participates in the High Jump event during the NCAA Track & Field West Championship Qualifier at E.B. Cushing Stadium on Saturday, May 31, 2025. (Steve Carrasco IV/The Battalion)
Junior Camryn Dickson races during the Texas A&M NCAA Championship Qualifier Meet at E.B. Cushing Stadium on Saturday, May 31, 2025. (Adriano Epsinosa/The Battalion)
Sophomore Jasmine Harmon reacts at the end of the 100m hurdle event during the NCAA Track & Field West Championship Qualifier at E.B. Cushing Stadium on Saturday, May 31, 2025. (Steve Carrasco IV/The Battalion)
Junior Jaiya Covington reacts to placing first in heat 3 of the 100m hurdle during the NCAA Track & Field West Championship Qualifier at E.B. Cushing Stadium on Saturday, May 31, 2025. (Steve Carrasco IV/The Battalion)
Junior Winny Bii launches towards the sand pit in the Triple Jump event during the NCAA Track & Field West Championship Qualifier at E.B. Cushing Stadium on Saturday, May 31, 2025. (Steve Carrasco IV/The Battalion)
Freshman Megan Roberts prepares to compete in the 5000m event during the NCAA Track & Field West Championship Qualifier at E.B. Cushing Stadium on Saturday, May 31, 2025. (Steve Carrasco IV/The Battalion)
Senior Jaydan Wood races to finish the 4x400m relay in first place during the Texas A&M NCAA Championship Qualifier Meet at E.B. Cushing Stadium on Saturday, May 31, 2025. (Adriano Epsinosa/The Battalion)
Senior Jaydan Wood reacts to winning the 4x400m relay during the Texas A&M NCAA Championship Qualifier Meet at E.B. Cushing Stadium on Saturday, May 31, 2025. (Adriano Epsinosa/The Battalion)
The Texas A&M Women’s Track Team athletes punching their ticket to Eugene, Oregon for the NCAA Track and Field Championship during the Texas A&M NCAA Championship Qualifier Meet at E.B. Cushing Stadium on Saturday, May 31, 2025. (Adriano Epsinosa/The Battalion)
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PRINCETON, N.J. – Nyherowo Omene was selected to the USA Men’s U23 National Team, USA Volleyball announced Monday. Omene was one of 21 athletes selected to train for the NORCECA U23 Pan American Cup, which will be held in July 27-August 4 in Guatemala City, Guatemala. The athletes will gather for a training camp at […]
PRINCETON, N.J. – Nyherowo Omene was selected to the USA Men’s U23 National Team, USA Volleyball announced Monday.
Omene was one of 21 athletes selected to train for the NORCECA U23 Pan American Cup, which will be held in July 27-August 4 in Guatemala City, Guatemala.
The athletes will gather for a training camp at the National Team Training Center in Anaheim, Calif., from July 20-27. From this pool, 12 will be chosen to represent the United States in Guatemala.
Omene, who graduated from Princeton last month after completing his senior season, was a 2025 AVCA All-American Honorable Mention and a First Team All-EIVA honoree.
Omene ended the season leading the league in three stat categories, including kills per set (4.40), service aces (0.48) and points per set (5.31). He also earned EIVA weekly honors five times over the course of the season, making over 20 kills in four matches and 15 or more in 14.
As a captain this season, Omene led Princeton to an EIVA Regular Season Championship title and its third EIVA Championship match in his four years.
No stranger to the international stage, however, Omene helped the USA win the U21 World Championship and claim silver at the U21 Pan American Cup in 2023.
Omene will now look ahead to Anaheim in July, where he will vie for a spot on the squad that will head to Guatemala for the Pan American Cup.
Three CSU Rams qualify for NCAA Track and Field Championships | Colorado Sunshine | CSU Rams
Where the good news shines Three athletes will represent Colorado State at the NCAA Track and Field Championships. Klaire Kovatch punched her ticket in the discus event on the final day of the NCAA West Regionals on Saturday. Her first attempt of 52.64 meters was not enough to put her over the line, but her second […]
Three athletes will represent Colorado State at the NCAA Track and Field Championships.
Klaire Kovatch punched her ticket in the discus event on the final day of the NCAA West Regionals on Saturday.
Her first attempt of 52.64 meters was not enough to put her over the line, but her second throw of 54.32m vaulted her into qualifying position.
Kajsa Borrman (hammer) and Mya Lesnar (shot put) qualified during regionals on Friday. Nationals will be held June 11-14 at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore.
(“Colorado Sunshine” celebrates the good news in sports. Suggestions are encouraged through sports editor Paul Klee at paul.klee@gazette.com.)
Two Rams Competed in HBCU International Tournament in Botswana
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WINSTON-SALEM, NC – Tierra Lindsey and Janai Tillman from the Winston-Salem State University volleyball team participated in the second annual Ditsala International Cup, a premier women’s volleyball tournament bringing together collegiate student-athletes from the United States and national teams from across Southern Africa. The competition took place May 29-June […]
WINSTON-SALEM, NC – Tierra Lindsey and Janai Tillman from the Winston-Salem State University volleyball team participated in the second annual Ditsala International Cup, a premier women’s volleyball tournament bringing together collegiate student-athletes from the United States and national teams from across Southern Africa.
The competition took place May 29-June 1 in Gaborone, Botswana.
Head Coach Christa Brown was among the U.S. delegation coaching staff, alongside coaches from Alabama State, Bowie State, Morgan State, Norfolk State, and Virginia State.
The tournament provided a platform for elite-level competition while offering local student-athletes the opportunity to sharpen their skills and engage with international players and coaches. Beyond the matches, the event promotes cultural exchange and fosters the development
of volleyball in the region.
In addition to competing, the American student-athletes will visit the U.S. Embassy in Botswana to meet with diplomats, learn about embassy initiatives, and engage in discussions on sports diplomacy. This visit underscores how athletics serve as a bridge for international collaboration
and development.
The Rams were apart of Team HBCU Botswana and they were the Ditsala International Cup Winners.
About the Botswana Volleyball Federation
Founded in 1979, the Botswana Volleyball Federation (BVF) has grown into a competitive force in Southern Africa, with 44 teams and more than 500 active players. Affiliated with international governing bodies, the BVF continues to elevate the sport through grassroots programs, annual
competitions, and player development initiatives.
About Bring It Promotions
Bring It Promotions (BIP) is a full-service volleyball travel agency with a global presence, specializing in international volleyball tours, events, and professional career development. Since 1996, BIP has organized volleyball experiences at all levels, leveraging an extensive
international network to serve athletes and coaches.
