Sports

Mater Dei chases rare three-peat in top prep volleyball division

Published

4 months ago

August 18, 2025

As the 2025 high school girls volleyball campaign gets underway, no program in the Southland is garnering as much attention as Mater Dei — and for good reason.

Led by reigning Coach of the Year Dan O’Dell, the Monarchs have won back-to-back CIF Southern Section Division 1 titles and are trying to become only the second team in section annals to capture three straight in the top playoff division.

The first school to three-peat in the highest division was Newport Harbor, which won three straight Division 1AA titles from 1997-99 under coach Dan Glenn.

Spearheading Mater Dei’s chase for history are reigning Player of the Year Layli Ostovar, a senior outside hitter committed to USC for beach and indoor, and fellow All-CIF outside hitter Westley Matavao, who flourished as a sophomore for the Monarchs following a mandatory sit-out period after transferring from Orange Lutheran.

Audrey Flanagan, of Mira Costa , extends to reach a volleyball during a match.

Matavao, an early commit to UCLA, had 12 kills in the final of the Durango Classic in Las Vegas in September and was named the tournament MVP. She ended last season with 276 kills (3.5 per set) and 284 digs in 80 sets. Last Tuesday, the junior picked up right where she left off, pounding 15 kills and serving three aces in a season-opening four-set triumph over San Clemente.

Ostovar was the team’s kill-leader last fall with 337. Her sisters — setter Ayva and libero Kayla — graduated in the spring, but the Monarchs bring back three strong middle blockers in Addison Coady, Emma Kingston and Sierra Robinson.

Mater Dei won back-to-back Division 1 crowns in 2017 and 2018 (also under O’Dell) but its bid for three in a row ended with a four-set loss to Redondo Union in the finals in 2019.

Should it pull off a trifecta, this year’s squad would equal the feat the Monarchs achieved in capturing three straight Division IIA titles from 2001-03 under Craig Pazanti, currently the boys and girls coach at his alma mater, Huntington Beach.

The biggest threat to Mater Dei’s supremacy in the Trinity League figures to be Santa Margarita, which returns All-CIF outside hitters Ireland Real (a U19 USA Volleyball team member who had 543 kills as a sophomore for the Eagles last fall) and Memphis Burnett. Orange Lutheran returns setter/hitter Marley Robinson and JSerra’s attack is led by opposites Katherine and Charlotte Nowak.

Redondo Union is one of several teams with the firepower to dethrone Mater Dei. The Seahawks established themselves as the favorites in the talent-laden Bay League by finishing runner-up at the Ann Kang Invitational in Hawaii for a second straight time, falling to Byron Nelson of Texas in Saturday’s championship match. On its march to the Gold Division final, Tommy Chaffins’ squad ousted JSerra, league rival Mira Costa and Sierra Canyon.

The Seahawks are flying high thanks to Cal-bound outside Abby Zimmerman, libero Addi Junk and opposite hitter Avery Junk (twins who are Florida State beach commits) and All-CIF middle blocker Taylor Boice (UC Irvine). Zimmerman is one of the most well-rounded players in California and last season’s stats prove it: 429 kills, 259 digs, 63 blocks and 57 aces.

Layli Ostovar, of Mater Dei, extends to hit the volleyball during a match.

Mira Costa wants revenge after getting upset by Redondo Union in the CIF-SS beach finals on May 3 and the Mustangs from Manhattan Beach are more than capable with a stable of outside hitters that includes Audrey Flanagan, Simone Roslon and Cayenne Ceman, and USC-bound setter Milly McGee. Flanagan pounded 478 kills a year ago and is headed to Wisconsin. Roslon has committed to Stanford and Ceman has committed to Northeastern. Despite the graduation of Taylor Decker (now at USC), who was a three-year starter at libero, Mira Costa has gone undefeated in league four years in a row and is determined to extend that streak.

The last school not named Mater Dei to win the top prize in the Southern Section was Sierra Canyon, which swept Mira Costa in the finals in 2022. The Trailblazers are contenders once more with junior outside hitters Hanna McGinest (452 kills in 2024) and Eva Jeffries (415 kills), both of whom are daughters of former pro athletes. The roster also features Missouri commit Lucky Fasavalu (who can both set and hit) and two junior transfers—middle and Nebraska commit Kendall Omoruyi and hitter McKenna McIntosh, a USC commit.

Defending the Mission League crown will be a challenge for Sierra Canyon because Marymount is itching to unseat its archival, having dropped three meetings with the Trailblazers last season. Returning for the Sailors are hitter Sammy Destler (a Washington commit), setter Olivia Penske (a Georgetown commit), middle Elle Vandeweghe (a Southern Methodist commit) and junior pin hitter Makenna Barnes.

Cari Klein coached Marymount to six straight titles (five in Division IVAA and the last in IA) from 2001-06 — still the section record — and three consecutive from 2010-12 (the first two in 1A and the last in 1AA, then the top division).

Huntington Beach lost All-CIF libero Olivia Foye (now at Princeton) but outside hitter Addison Williams (a Hawaii commit) and the Oilers will battle for the Sunset League crown with Los Alamitos, which is paced by libero Kaitlyn Herweg.

Table showing many of the top high school girls' volleyball players in Southern California for the 2025 season.

Murrieta Valley and Palos Verdes clashed for the Division 2 title last year but both rosters look significantly different. All-CIF sophomore hitter Summer Tukua returns but the champion Nighthawks graduated eight players, including MVP Miley Thunstrom. Palos Verdes lost three All-CIF players: top hitter and Stanford commit Kaci Demaria, LSU beach commit Molly LeBreche and UCLA beach commit Mallory LaBreche.

Under coach Arman Mercado, defending City Section Open Division champion Taft won 40 or more matches in each of the three previous seasons, but the core of that group graduated last spring, including Co-Players of the Year Aleiah Carr and Francine Baltazar-Shine, libero Gianella Tijamo and All-City outside hitter Eva Velarde. Returning are defensive specialist Jasmine Orellana, setter Alexa Barajas and opposite Laila Braimah.

Open Division finalist Venice returns All-City first-teamers Gaia Adeseun-Williams and setter Kaya Richards and second-team pick Samantha Lortie. Palisades is hungry for its first title in five years with hitter Tulah Block and libero Lucy Neilson.

Table looking at the girls' volleyball teams that have won the most consecutive Southern Section titles.

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CUNYAC Women’s Indoor Track and Field Weekly Award Winners (Dec. 9, 2025)

Published

6 minutes ago

December 9, 2025

Your Sports Nation

2025-26 Women’s Indoor Track and Field: Schedule/Results | Top Performances

CUNYAC Women’s Indoor Track and Field Track Athlete of the Week

Toshel Goffe, Medgar Evers (Jr., Jamaica, West Indies)

Goffe won the 200 (26.10/25.71 converted) and placed fourth in the 60-meter dash (7.82) at the Crowell Invitational and Multi hosted by Army West Point. Her times in both events rank first in the conference and are No. 18 nationally in both events in Division III.

CUNYAC Women’s Indoor Track and Field Field Athlete of the Week/Rookie of the Week

Brianna Lindo, Medgar Evers (Fr., Queens, N.Y.)

Lindo competed in the pentathlon at the Crowell Invitational and Multi, placing fourth with 2,888 points. She placed fourth out of 13 competitors and her point total is currently No. 16 in Division III. She finished second in the high jump (1.50m) and fourth in the 800 (2:37.30). Five of her six marks in the pentathlon currently rank first in the conference.

CUNYAC Women’s Indoor Track and Field Athlete of the Week (Honorable Mention)

Rachelle Griffith, Hunter (Fr., Valley Stream, N.Y.)

Griffith posted the best time in the conference in the 400 at the Youree Spence Garcia Invitational, recording a time of 1:03.74. She also put down a time of 10.72 seconds in the 60 meter hurdles, good for thirdin the current CUNYAC rankings.

Previous Award Winners

Week	Track Athlete of the Week	Field Athlete of the Week	Rookie of the Week	Honorable Mention
12/9/25	Toshel Goffe, Medgar Evers	Brianna Lindo, Medgar Evers	Brianna Lindo, Medgar Evers	Rachelle Griffith, Hunter

Previous Results

Friday, December 5

Lehman at Armory Collegiate Carnival | Results

Saturday, December 6

Medgar Evers at Crowell Invitational and Multi | Results

CCNY, Hunter at Youree-Spence Garcia Meet | Results

This Week’s Schedule

Friday, December 12

CCNY, York at Wagner Seahawk Shootout

Medgar Evers, Lehman at Art Kadish Elm City Challenge

Saturday, December 13

Medgar Evers, Lehman at Art Kadish Elm City Challenge

2026 CUNYAC Indoor Track and Field Championship
Sunday, March 1 – Nike Track and Field Center at The Armory

For the latest news on the CUNY Athletic Conference, log on to cunyathletics.com – the official site of the CUNY Athletic Conference. Also, become a follower of the CUNYAC on Instagram (@CUNYAC), Twitter (@CUNYAC) and YouTube (@CUNY Athletic Conference), and “LIKE” Us on Facebook (CUNY Athletic Conference).

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Volleyball Inks All-Sun Belt Hitter Nina Moorer as Transfer – Ole Miss Athletics

Published

7 minutes ago

December 9, 2025

Your Sports Nation

OXFORD, Miss. – Head coach Bre Henry and the Ole Miss volleyball program made an early splash in the transfer portal, signing All-Sun Belt honoree Nina Moorer as a transfer on Tuesday.

Moorer joins the Rebels after spending two seasons at Texas State. Moorer spent the previous two seasons at Louisville, redshirting in 2022 and has one season of eligibility remaining.

A native of Missouri City, Texas, Moorer joins the Rebels after a breakout season at Texas State in which she was selected as an All-Sun Belt Third Team honoree. Moorer recorded 252 kills on .202 hitting, while adding 72.0 blocks and 63 digs over 28 matches.

Moorer shined in big moments for the Bobcats, delivering several standout performances against top teams in the nation, including a 13-kill performance on .300 hitting against UCLA and 13 kills on .250 hitting and four blocks in a five-setter against No. 9 Arizona State.

Moorer’s career began at Louisville, where she redshirted on the 2022 team that reached the national championship match, before making her debut with the Cardinals the next season as a redshirt freshman. That Louisville team would go on to reach the Elite Eight.

Fans can continue to show support for the Rebels by joining the ACE Club. Funds from the ACE Club are a major component in helping the Ole Miss volleyball program compete at the highest level. For more information and to donate, click here.

Get rewarded for attending events by joining Rebel Rewards powered by Coca-Cola, the official fan loyalty program of the Ole Miss Rebels. Download the Ole Miss Sports mobile app, sign up for a Rebel Rewards account, and start earning points immediately that can be redeemed for exclusive prizes and experiences.

Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Rebels by following Ole Miss Volleyball on X at @OleMissVB, on Instagram at @olemissvb and on Facebook at Ole Miss Volleyball. See exclusive photo and video content from behind the scenes and connect in real time with everything Ole Miss.

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CUNYAC Men’s Indoor Track and Field Weekly Award Winners (Dec. 9, 2025)

Published

22 minutes ago

December 9, 2025

Your Sports Nation

2025-26 Men’s Indoor Track and Field: Schedule/Results | Top Performances

CUNYAC Men’s Indoor Track and Field Track Athlete of the Week

Reco Griffith, Medgar Evers (So., Barbados, West Indies)

At the Crowell Invitational and Multi hosted by Army West Point, Griffith laid down the top time in the conference in the 60-meter dash in the prelims (7.00 seconds) and placed third in the final with a 7.05-second effort. He also ran a time of 23.11 (22.71 converted) in the 200, also the top time in the CUNYAC, and was part of the Cougars’ 4×400 relay that posted a time of 3:34.09.

CUNYAC Men’s Indoor Track and Field Field Athlete of the Week

Chrisnel Nicolas, Medgar Evers (Sr., St. Albans, N.Y.)

Nicolas competed in the heptathlon at the Crowell Invitational and Multi, setting a school record with 3,615 points. He placed second in the high jump (1.76 meters), fourth in the pole vault (3.45 meters) and posted a 10.32 meter toss in the shot put (second in the conference) and a 5.66-meter long jump (third in the conference). Nicolas was ninth overall in a field consisting of primarly Division I athletes.

CUNYAC Men’s Indoor Track and Field Rookie of the Week

Mustapha Abubakar, CCNY (Fr., Yonkers, N.Y.)

Abubakar placed fourth in the 200-meter dash at the Youree Spence Garcia Invitational hosted by St. John’s at Ocean Breeze. He ran a time of 22.72, good for second in the conference. Abubakar also ran a time of 7.14 in the 60-meter dash, currently good for third in CUNYAC.

CUNYAC Men’s Indoor Track and Field Athlete of the Week (Honorable Mention)

Brian Arias, Hunter (Sr., Brooklyn, N.Y.)

Arias laid down the top time in the conference in the 3,000 meters at the Youree Spence Garcia Invitational Saturday, posting a time of 9:48.98. He placed 11th in a field of 28 runners.

Previous Award Winners

Week	Track Athlete of the Week	Field Athlete of the Week	Rookie of the Week	Honorable Mention
12/9/25	Reco Griffith, Medgar Evers	Chrisnel Nicolas, Medgar Evers	Mustapha Abubakar, CCNY	Brian Arias, Hunter

Previous Results

Friday, December 5

Lehman at Armory Collegiate Carnival | Results

Saturday, December 6

Medgar Evers at Crowell Invitational and Multi | Results

CCNY, Hunter at Youree-Spence Garcia Meet | Results

This Week’s Schedule

Friday, December 12

CCNY, York at Wagner Seahawk Shootout

Medgar Evers, Lehman at Art Kadish Elm City Challenge

Saturday, December 13

Medgar Evers, Lehman at Art Kadish Elm City Challenge

2026 CUNYAC Indoor Track and Field Championship
Sunday, March 1 – Nike Track and Field Center at The Armory

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Preston Receives AVCA All-Region Honors

Published

23 minutes ago

December 9, 2025

Your Sports Nation

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Rice’s Taylor Preston received AVCA Southwest Region All-Region Honorable Mention, the organization announced Tuesday morning.

Preston led Rice in kills in 25 of 31 matches this season and surpassed 1,000 career kills, adding two American Conference Offensive Player of the Week honors along the way. She also earned a spot on the American’s first-team all-conference team.

She averaged 4.32 kills and 4.78 points per set while starting every match for the Owls. Preston recorded six double-doubles and twice posted a season-high 27 kills, doing so against Temple and Wichita State.

Nationally, she ranks 36th in kills per set, 41st in total points and points per set, 10th in total attacks and second in attacks per set. Within the American, she is second in kills per set and third in points per set.

This is the Owls’ 19th consecutive season in which a player has been honored by the AVCA. Rice finished the season 21–10, claiming the American regular-season title. The Owls set a program record with a 17-game winning streak and went 15–1 in conference play.

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Nabwe Tabbed as Athlete to Watch by Big Ten

Published

38 minutes ago

December 9, 2025

Your Sports Nation

MINNEAPOLIS – University of Minnesota redshirt junior Anthonett Nabwe has been named the indoor track and field Athlete to Watch by the Big Ten, the conference office announced on Tuesday.

Now a two-time indoor Big Ten champion, Nabwe returns to the college indoor scene where she owns the NCAA No. 21 mark all-time in the weight throw at 24.22m (79-5 1/2) while also holding the second-best indoor shot put mark all-time at Minnesota at 17.23m (56-6 1/2). Last indoor season Nabwe became the first Big Ten weight thrower in nine years to repeat as champion at the Big Ten Indoor Championships and was just the fifth Big Ten women’s weight thrower all-time to defend their conference title.

Safe to say Anthonett Nabwe 🇱🇷 is the #ncaaTF LEADER in the weight throw!

23.74m (77-10 3/4) in her December season opening throw for the two-time @bigten weight throw champion#SkiUMah | #Gophers pic.twitter.com/A3A91n3v95

— Minnesota Cross Country, Track & Field (@GopherCCTF) December 6, 2025

With the NCAA indoor track and field season underway, the Big Ten listed athletes from each member institution as Athletes to Watch for the 2025-26 campaign. The 2025-26 indoor track and field season will culminate at the Big Ten Indoor Championships in Indianapolis, Ind., from Feb. 26-28, along with the NCAA Indoor Championships in Fayetteville, Ark., from March 13-14.

For more information on the Gophers, continue to check back with GopherSports.com. Keep up with the University of Minnesota cross country and track and field team on X, Instagram (@GopherCCTF) and on Facebook, so you do not miss any content during the season.

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Virginia Volleyball | Ennist Named AVCA East Coast Region Freshman of the Year

Published

39 minutes ago

December 9, 2025

Your Sports Nation

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Virginia outside hitter Reagan Ennist has been named American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) East Coast Region Freshman of the Year, the association announced on Tuesday (Dec. 9). Ennist also landed on the All-Region team.

Ennist becomes the third Cavalier to earn AVCA region Freshman of the Year honors and the first since Anna Walsh in 2015. Overall, she is the 23rd UVA volleyball player to garner All-Region team recognition.

The Clifton Park, N. Y., native, proved to be one of the best freshmen in the country, racking up 383 kills and 427 points in 102 sets to lead the Virginia attack. Ennist’s 383 kills were the fifth-most by a Cavalier freshman in program history, while her average of 3.75 kills per set is the second-highest mark by a freshman ever.

On the national stage, Ennist placed seventh among freshmen in kills per set and points per set, while ranking ninth in total kills and 13th in total points.

Ennist exploded on the scene with a record-setting 32-kill match against Syracuse on Oct. 5 en route to the first of her three ACC Freshman of the Week awards. In total, Ennist tallied seven matches with 20 or more kills this season, the most by a Cavalier in the Shannon Wells era.

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