SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — The UC Santa Barbara Men’s Soccer team announced its schedule for the 2025 season on Wednesday, an 18-game slate, plus two exhibition matches. One third of the Gauchos’ competitive games will be against opponents who reached the NCAA Tournament in 2024, including national runners-up and 2020 national champions Marshall. Also on the docket for Santa Barbara are matchups with San Diego, Cornell, North Florida, Oregon State and UC Davis.
Fans can secure their spot at all 10 of the Gauchos’ home matches in 2025, including contests against the Cornell and North Florida sides that played in last year’s tournament, with season tickets. Season tickets will go on sale on July 16, at ucsbgauchos.com/tickets.
In the preseason, the Gauchos will play their Blue-Gold intrasquad game on Aug. 9, then head south to play San Diego State in a friendly on Aug. 15. The season begins with a trip to Corvallis, where Santa Barbara will play Oregon State on Aug. 21. The Gauchos’ home opener comes on Aug. 25, when they host Central Arkansas. The Bears reached their conference championship game last season, losing on penalty kicks to North Florida, whom the Gauchos will host on Aug. 28.
After their tussles with last year’s Atlantic Sun finalists, Santa Barbara will host Westmont in the 62nd annual Community Shield match on Aug. 30. Last year’s Community Shield served as Zac Siebenlist’s coming out party, as the rookie scored both of the Gauchos’ goals on the night. From there, he went on to play in 16 games last season and scored the last-minute equalizer to force overtime at Stanford in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Speaking of the NCAA Tournament, September begins with three straight games against tournament teams for the Gauchos. Santa Barbara hosts Cornell on Sept. 5 before embarking on a cross-country road trip. The Gauchos will visit the University of San Diego on Sept. 10, then travel to West Virginia to play Marshall on Sept. 14, stopping in Las Vegas on their way home to play UNLV on Sept. 18. San Diego finished as the No. 10 team in the country last season, and Marshall made it all the way to the National Championship match, finishing as runners-up.
The Gauchos are back home on Sept. 21, hosting Grand Canyon during UC Santa Barbara’s Welcome Week before hosting the first leg of the Blue-Green Rivalry against Cal Poly on Sept. 27. That match against the Mustangs will not count toward The Big West standings.
Conference play begins in the next game for the Gauchos, as they will play Cal State Fullerton on the road on Oct. 1. Santa Barbara hosts UC Riverside on Oct. 4, then travels north for a Big West Championship rematch with UC Davis on Oct. 8. Santa Barbara returns home to host Cal State Bakersfield on Oct. 11, then visits UC San Diego on Oct. 15 before playing the second leg of the Blue-Green Rivalry at Cal Poly on Oct. 18. The Gauchos host Sacramento State on Oct. 22 and UC Irvine on Oct. 25 for their final home games of the regular season, then play the regular season finale on the road at CSUN on Nov. 1.
Santa Barbara will hope to finish as one of the top two teams in the conference and avoid the first round of The Big West Championship, which is set for Nov. 5. Conference semifinals are set for Nov. 8, with the championship match to be played on Nov. 15. If the Gauchos can claim their third Big West tournament championship or earn an at-large bid, they will make their 16th NCAA Tournament appearance, with the first round set for Nov. 20.
UC Santa Barbara Athletics is excited to announce the remainder of their fall sport schedules in the coming weeks, with the reigning Big West Champion Gaucho Women’s Soccer team revealing their season slate on July 8 and Gaucho Women’s Volleyball unveiling theirs on July 10. The Santa Barbara Men’s Water Polo and Men’s and Women’s Cross Country schedules will be revealed later this month. Season tickets for fall sports will go on sale the week of July 14. Fans can always find the most recent Gaucho news at ucsbgauchos.com.
Ava Castro, Cardinal Newman, Volleyball. Deerfield Beach on Wednesday, December 10, 2025. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Ava Castro, OH, Cardinal Newman senior: Led the Crusaders to a 3A regional quarterfinal appearance; recorded 328 kills, 207 digs, 38 blocks, 26 aces and .374 hitting percentage; registered 26 kills in a match; holds the school record for kills; Boston College signee.
Emmie Hill, Benjamin, Volleyball. All County—Deerfield Beach on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Emmie Hill, MB, Benjamin sophomore: Led the Bucs to a 2A regional quarterfinal win; recorded 210 kills, 63 blocks and .351 hitting percentage; registered 20 kills in a match; USA Volleyball National Team Development Program selection.
Mikayla Matuszko, King’s Academy, Volleyball. All County—Deerfield Beach on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Mikayla Matuszko, OH, King’s Academy freshman: Led the Lions to a district title and 3A regional semifinal appearance; recorded 314 kills, 173 digs and 61 aces; registered 22 kills in a match; USA Volleyball U17 National Team selection.
Riley McCaughey, Benjamin, Volleyball. All County—Deerfield Beach on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Riley McCaughey, setter, Benjamin senior: Led the Bucs to a district championship and 2A regional quarterfinal win; recorded 600 assists, 187 digs, 97 kills and 63 aces; registered 55 assists in a match; 3,064 career assists; University of South Florida signee.
Luiza Queiroz, Saint Andrews School, Volleyball. All County—Deerfield Beach on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Luiza Queiroz, OH, St. Andrew’s seventh grader: Led the Scots to a 3A regional semifinal appearance; recorded 420 kills, 187 digs and 69 aces; registered 41 kills in a match.
SECOND TEAM
Dayana Acevedo, setter, Cardinal Newman senior
Lyla Buser, OPP, Cardinal Newman senior
Caitlin Crino, setter, Boca Raton Christian junior
Miranda Knoll, OH, King’s Academy junior
Taylor Walsh, setter, St. Andrew’s sophomore
Caroline Wright, OH, Boca Raton Christian sophomore
HONORABLE MENTION
American Heritage-Delray: Dagan Rothbaun, Daniela Staton
Atlantic Christian: Anayah Enamorado
Benjamin: Mackenzie Bryan, Londyn Clark, Emma Markin
Lake Worth Christian: Cassidy Childers, Savannah Monier, Ella Vandenberg
Oxbridge Academy: Jessica Jerabek, Olivija Kozul
St. Andrew’s: Ashlyn Cobb
St. John Paul II: Meallen Gunther, Emily Rodriguez, Lyla Tomko
Suncoast: Bella Zingaro
COACH OF THE YEAR
Len Visser, Boca Raton Christian, Volleyball. All County—Deerfield Beach on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Len Visser, Boca Raton Christian: The Blazers won a district title, regional championship and captured their first girls volleyball state championship in school history. They won seven straight matches to close the season. “I am proud that every girl was part of winning states. It’s special because the girls persevered through some very close losses. “We played like a team and I had total confidence in them. They all trusted each other. It’s truly one of my closest teams and they lifted each other up.”
Jupiter Christian senior outside hitter Ella Brodner reached 400 kills in a single season for the first time while Boca Raton Christian sophomore Hannah VanZwieten delivered a remarkable performance throughout the playoffs to lift the Blazers to their first girls volleyball state championship in school history.
The two top performers were recognized as the Sun Sentinel’s Palm Beach 4A-1A girls volleyball co-players of the year.
Brodner, a University of Virginia signee, had 400 kills, 5.7 kills per set and a .336 hitting percentage in just 70 sets played. She also added 244 service receptions, 218 digs, 39 aces and 25 blocks. She had 35 kills in four sets in a district semifinal victory.
Brodner holds the school record with 1,488 kills and 944 digs during her five seasons with the Eagles. She recalled a victory against Jupiter during her junior season as one of her most memorable matches in high school.
“I met the expectations I had set for myself since I came in the eighth grade,” Brodner said. “To end with 400 kills in a season was pretty cool. It’s exciting to hold school records. I could not have done it without any of my teammates. Coach Sarah [Mize] helped me with my mental toughness. I wanted to be an all-around player on the court. I made amazing memories and volleyball is so much fun. It was heartwarming to see little girls look up to me and how they were inspired because of how I play volleyball.”
Brodner took on a leadership role with several newcomers joining the Eagles. “When I was in the eighth grade, I was intimidated by most of the girls,” Brodner said.
“Allison Moore was a great leader and a big influence on me. She spent time helping me with volleyball. I wanted to be a big influence on our younger players. It was a rebuilding year and I knew it was going to be difficult, but I decided to stay. It’s a great feeling to help the girls.”
Brodner enjoyed watching her two older sisters at volleyball practices and tournaments. She joined the Jupiter Elite Volleyball Club at 7. She helped her team qualify for nationals in multiple seasons.
“The growth of our club has been amazing,” Brodner said. “All the coaches helped in my development and to where I am now.” Brodner is excited about the opportunity to play with her older sister, Sarah, at the University of Virginia.
“My sister and I have been really getting close and it’s an amazing opportunity,” Brodner said. “I’m extremely blessed to get to play with her. The ACC is very competitive and I’m excited for college volleyball.”
Ella Brodner, from Jupiter Christian High School, volleyball player of the year, photographed on Tuesday, December 9, 2025.(Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
VanZwieten delivered for the Blazers during their playoff run to capture the state title. She had 13 kills and 12 digs in the regional championship, 19 kills, 23 digs and six aces in the state semifinal and 12 kills and 15 digs in the state championship match.
VanZwieten displayed her versatility with 254 kills, 270 digs, 221 service receptions, 157 assists, 53 aces and 30 blocks during her sophomore season.
“We lost players from last year who had played a big role,” VanZwieten said. “The difference was that we played together as a team. Our coaches did a great job and we handled the pressure. We were so happy to push through and win the semifinal against Seacrest. We practiced hard and stayed focused during the final match. We were so excited to win it.”
VanZwieten’s older sister, Grace, plays collegiate volleyball at Tusculum. Her mom serves as an assistant coach at Boca Raton Christian.
She also competes in beach volleyball tournaments with her sister, Mackenzi, who was a key contributor for the Blazers during their championship run. The sisters won a thrilling beach volleyball tournament in Tavares during a college showcase event.
“I have a lot of fun playing with Mackenzi and we connect really well,” VanZwieten said. “We have that experience together in beach volleyball and it’s helped us when playing indoor. It’s been very special.”
VanZwieten, a setter with Tribe Volleyball Club, displayed her versatility at outside hitter for the Blazers during her sophomore season.
“I was able to get out of my comfort zone and work on my game to get better,” VanZwieten said. “I played with a lot of energy and cheered on my teammates.
Hannah Van Zwieten, volleyball player of the year from Boca Raton Christian photographed on Wednesday, November 19, 2025. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
The junior was a first-team All-Region 4D and first-team All-Northwestern District selection. Curtis had 181 kills and an area-best 78 blocks.
Caroline Eye, Central
The junior had an area-best 642 assists, 36 aces and 138 digs. Eye was a first-team All-Region 2B and first-team All-Bull Run District selection.
Lauren Foltz, Warren County
The senior was a first-team All-Northwestern District and a first-team All-Region 3B selection. Foltz had 134 kills and 32 aces.
Cami Golliday, Sherando
The junior had 30 aces and an area-best 337 digs. Golliday was a first-team All-Northwestern District and a second-team All-Region 4D selection.
Cheslea Stine, Strasburg
The junior was a first-team All-Bull Run District selection. Stine had 226 digs and 37 aces.
Hadley Witherow, Central
The senior had an area-best 278 kills, 44 aces and 170 digs. Witherow was a first-team All-Region 2B and a first-team All-Bull Run District selection.
Coach: Chuck Ashby, Sherando
Ashby led the Warriors to a 15-7 record in his first year back at the helm since 2013. Ashby was named the Class 4 Northwestern District Coach of the Year.
Ballenas Whalers senior girls volleyball side shines at B.C. event
Published 1:30 pm Wednesday, December 24, 2025
The Ballenas Whalers senior girls volleyball team capped off an incredible season with a strong showing at the AAA provincial championships in Vernon.
The team finished second in their pool before advancing to the crossover matches, ultimately securing 12th place in the province. Their journey to the provincials saw them rise from the initial qualifiers in Oceanside, through the North Islands, and then the Islands, consistently proving their resilience and determination.
For the second year in a row, Ballenas stands proud as the highest-ranked AAA Vancouver Island team in the province, a testament to their hard work, talent, and team spirit.
One of the highlights of the tournament was their faceoff with eventual tournament champions, Holy Cross. The Whalers took one set off the eventual champions and held their own in a competitive three-out-of-five crossover match, showcasing their ability to compete at the highest level.
Much of the team’s success can be attributed to the guidance and dedication of their coaching staff. With Rod Pick, Cassidy Kitchen and Sydney Gerke at the helm, the players were able to maximize their potential both on and off the court.
A special congratulations goes to the graduating seniors – Norah Hughes, Sophia Torgerson, Anna Parree, Cadie Denhaan and Cara McLaughlin – as they head off on to new adventures. Their contributions on and off the court have left a lasting legacy for Ballenas volleyball.
Hats off to all these young athletes for their remarkable season, their sportsmanship, and their continued commitment to excellence. The future looks bright for this talented group of volleyball stars!
