Sports

Modern Pentathlon Coach Vilma Juchnevičiūtė Speaks About What It Means To Be The Only Girl In The Boys’ Water Polo Team, the Breakthrough And the Most Important Lessons Given By the First Coach

Published

1 month ago

May 19, 2025

Kaunas swimming pool Dainava. It was here, many years ago, that the bond between Jonas Čirūnas, a water polo coach at the time, and Vilma Juchnevičiūtė, a little girl who was brought here by her mother to tame the water, began. Having accepted her into the team of his students, for many years Jonas had an equal player in the boys’ team with unstoppable tenacity and a desire to always be the leader, who later switched to another sport ‒ pentathlon. Today, Vilma herself is a children’s coach of modern pentathlon, and her work with children is guided by the approach and values instilled on her by Jonas Čirūnas.

The coach brings an album of his former pupil to his meeting with Vilma.

“Her whole life is here,” says Jonas Čirūnas as he presents her with a memento.

In fact, flipping through the album brings back many memories of the time when she was still being coached by Jonas Čirūnas. “We are here on a tank in the army. A friend, General Sergej Madalov ‒ then still an acquaintance who later became a friend ‒ invited us for a tour. Children are interested in the army and weapons. Here children are on a tank. The sea… The dolphinarium ‒ Vilma was the only one who was allowed to swim with the dolphins,” the girl’s former coach comments as he flips through the pages of the album.

She came to learn to swim, and got involved into water polo

Vilma was seven when the coach welcomed her among his students. Her mother brought her and her brother to the pool to learn swimming. As Vilma’s mother recalls, it was a cold winter with a snowstorm. Having entered the pool building with her children, the mother asked the receptionist if she could sign them up for swimming lessons. She told her that all the groups were full, but that she would still ask another coach. A few minutes later, Jonas Čirūnas came in and told her the good news ‒ he would accept the children into his group, however not for swimming lessons, but for water polo. The group consisted of only boys. This is how Vilma’s acquaintance with water sports began. A brave, active and innovative girl quickly became enthusiastic about the new activity.

“We came to learn swimming, but since the coach specialised in water polo, he taught us to swim, little by little, and later he introduced the ball to be trained with in the water, training sessions changed and we started to learn how to play water polo. I was the only girl, therefore I had to play with the boys. The coach never made a difference between a girl and a boy. He let me play with them. However, the boys regarded me differently, as a girl,” Vilma admits today.

But back then, it was her coach who encouraged her to keep going and to keep seeking for results, reminding her of how much she was capable of and letting her compete in competitions.

More Than A Water Polo Coach

Jonas Čirūnas did not restrict his team to only training in the swimming pool ‒ his students had the luxury of going with their coach not only to competitions and camps, but also on various excursions.

“It takes a calling to be a coach. You have to love the job. You can’t work carelessly. You have to be versatile: we used to go to the cinema, the theatre, the museum, we meet Pranas Majauskas at the Sports Museum. You have to go everywhere with the children, you can’t be lazy,” advises the coach.

He believes it is important to broaden childrens’ horizons. A wide circle of acquaintances helped Jonas organise something interesting.

“I knew a commander in the army, so I make a phone call, make arrangements, and an officer comes along and tells us about the army. The kids get interested. Vilma’s brother is now an officer. If you put something into children, they later return the same to you,” Čirūnas is convinced.

We went to numerous competitions and camps. The coach recalls that in one of them, Vilma’s personality traits became very apparent. “I used to take the little ones by the hand and take them to the seaside, while the others used to run cross-country. One day, a group of eight people were running. Vilma comes running, and then the first boy appears ten minutes later. She tried to be better than the others everywhere, and became such,” he says.

A Breakthrough Was Needed

However, despite her leadership qualities, she also had some very difficult moments while learning to play water polo.

“Boys were difficult. They didn’t accept me into the team because I was a girl. They simply did everything to keep me out of the team: they tried to drown me in the pool, they beat me… That’s the sport of water polo ‒ you swim up to a person and you can start wrestling,” speaks Vilma Juchnevičiūtė frankly.

A breakthrough was needed so that the boys change their attitude. It happened when Vilma did well at a match and their team became champions.

“I scored many goals during that match and they started believing that I could play as well as them. And I started believing it myself too. Until then, I had fought with them to stay in the sport,” Vilma admits.

According to the girl, she had to be extremely strong, determined and stubborn to survive among the boys. She had to leave their insults behind. Of course, her parents and coach always supported her, constantly encouraged her to continue her sport activities.

“I had to make a lot of effort to compete against them. My brother was also on the boys’ side, and I was like a hermit. After that breakthrough, we all started to get along very well. My brother started supporting me. Something had to happen to change their logic, their thinking, to make them see that a girl can also demonstrate something,” says Vilma.

However, shortly after this event, at the age of 12, she switched to another sport. Today, she trains young athletes in modern pentathlon, the sport she switched to back then.

Training Children

Looking at his former student, Jonas Čirūnas is proud of her today: “I think she has taken everything from me and has already exceeded me ‒ she does much more than me and I don’t know what else she will come up with. She still has everything ahead of her.”

Vilma says she grew up with sport, and the examples she sees around her are inspiring and shape a person as an individual. She admits that she herself has a different attitude towards her students ‒ the attitude that she took over from her coach J.Čirūnas.

“We do not limit ourselves with training excercises, we also go to competitions, camps and additional educational activities as much as we can,” she says.

She always remembers her coach’s advice to be not only a good athlete, but also a good person: responsible, caring for teammates, helpful.

“Being a coach requires a vocation, one has to love children, to get along with them, to comfort them, to talk to them when they need it. After all, every child is different. You have to work hard to build a relationship with them. You may use one technique with one child that may not be suitable for another. Every child is very good experience for the coach, you learn a lot from them,” says Vilma.

As a modern pentathlon coach, she can also teach some swimming.

“Swimming has many advantages. I think every child should get at least the basics of swimming from an early age. It is important for everyone’s future, not only athletes have to know how to swim, but rather everyone, as it is helpful while at the lake, by the sea. You have to have the basics of swimming, to have to have no fear of water. Swimming can help you relax your mind and improve your heart activity,” Vilma says.

A Timeless Connection

She is still amazed at how Jonas Čirūnas manages to maintain a wonderful relationship with all his students over the years. She would like to unravel the mystery of this long-lasting bond herself.

“The coach keeps a great relationship with many of his athletes. When a child leaves my group and chooses a different sport, it is very difficult to keep a relationship with them. Of course, the coach has to be very willing and the athlete’s parents have to be involved. It’s a lot of work on both sides and a lot of willingness,” Vilma is convinced.

Jonas Čirūnas confirms that today he is in touch with almost all of his former students in one way or another.

“All students I have trained have achieved some results. People became high officials, managers. They are all grateful to the coach. The coach only educates, gives them a start, and later they make their own future themselves. I can tell you about all of them,” says Čirūnas, whose greatest gift is the fact that he has kept a relationship with many of his former students to this day.

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Sports

Could Cooper Flagg Become First North American Athlete to Earn $1B In Contracts?

Published

29 minutes ago

June 26, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Could Cooper Flagg Become First North American Athlete to Earn $1B In Contracts?

Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, is poised to become the first North American athlete to earn $1 billion in contracts. Following a lucrative college career and a rookie contract worth $62.7 million over four years, projections indicate that Flagg could land contracts worth over $70 million and $100 million in his subsequent deals. Given his generational talent, Flagg’s trajectory could see him racking up $930 million in just over a decade. If he meets performance benchmarks for supermax contracts, he stands an excellent chance of breaking the $1 billion barrier in on-court earnings.

By the Numbers

Flagg’s rookie contract is valued at $62.7 million over four years.
His potential earnings could total $930 million through his first 14 seasons.

State of Play

Flagg’s projected second contract could exceed $359 million if he meets supermax criteria.
His third contract may be worth around $509 million, boosting his total career earnings substantially.
Other young superstars like Victor Wembanyama also have potential to reach similar earnings.

What’s Next

As Flagg’s career unfolds, his performance and ability to secure lucrative contracts will determine if he can be the first to reach $1 billion in on-court earnings. Continued growth in the NBA’s salary structure may further enhance his opportunities. If he succeeds, other emerging stars may follow a similar path.

Bottom Line

If Flagg fulfills his potential in the NBA, he could redefine the boundaries of athletic earnings, marking a historic milestone in sports contracts and paving the way for future generations of athletes.

Sports

Three Bulldogs Named To The CSC Academic All-District Team

STARKVILLE – Three Mississippi State track and field and cross country athletes were named to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District team. Anje Nel and Sherman Hawkins represented men’s and women’s track, and Gabrielle Boulay represented cross country. Athletes with at least a 3.50 cumulative grade point average and a top-50 ranking regionally, or a […]

Published

38 minutes ago

June 26, 2025

Your Sports Nation

STARKVILLE – Three Mississippi State track and field and cross country athletes were named to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District team. Anje Nel and Sherman Hawkins represented men’s and women’s track, and Gabrielle Boulay represented cross country.

Athletes with at least a 3.50 cumulative grade point average and a top-50 ranking regionally, or a top-50 finish at the cross country regional championships, are eligible.

Anje Nel, a three-time NCAA East First Round qualifier, closed out the season ranked 38th in the 400m hurdles in the East Region. Nel, a native of Nelspruit, South Africa, boasts a 3.86 GPA and majors in business administration.

Sherman Hawkins, a staple in the sprints and relays for the men’s team, finished the season ranked 29th in the 400m in the East Region. Hawkins, an All-SEC and All-American in the sprints and jumps, majors in business administration and holds a 3.59 GPA.

Gabrielle Boulay, also majoring in business administration, holds a perfect 4.0 GPA. Boulay led the cross country team in the 5k and was one of the first women to go sub-20 in the 6k, now tying for the program record in the distance. Boulay earned a 25th-place finish at the NCAA South Region Championships and All-Region honors, the first for State since 2016.

All three athletes will return to State in the fall, with Boulay set to compete in the upcoming cross country season.

For more information on the Mississippi State track and field program, visit HailState.com and follow “HailStateTF” on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook.

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U.S. Girls U19 Team Stays Unbeaten at 2025 Pan American Cup

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (June 25, 2025) — The U.S. Girls U19 National Team continued its winning ways at the 2025 NORCECA U19 Pan American Cup with a 3-0 (25-21, 25-21, 25-23) win over Mexico on Wednesday in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. The U.S. (2-0) completes pool play tomorrow, Thursday, June 26, at 1:30 p.m. PT against […]

Published

39 minutes ago

June 26, 2025

Your Sports Nation

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (June 25, 2025) — The U.S. Girls U19 National Team continued its winning ways at the 2025 NORCECA U19 Pan American Cup with a 3-0 (25-21, 25-21, 25-23) win over Mexico on Wednesday in Kingston, Ontario, Canada.

The U.S. (2-0) completes pool play tomorrow, Thursday, June 26, at 1:30 p.m. PT against Puerto Rico (0-2), who dropped a tight five-setter to Venezuela earlier on Wednesday.

For the second match in as many days, the U.S. held a large lead in kills, registering 52 to only 38 for Mexico. The margins were smaller in blocks (5-3) and aces (6-4) but still favored the U.S.

MATCH STATISTICS (PDF)

Outside hitter Ireland Real led all players in both points (19) and kills (17), adding a block and an ace. She was one of four U.S. players in double digits.

“I’m super proud of how we played as a team. It was so much fun just to be out there with those girls,” Real said. “I’m glad we had time to watch film and understand what type of team we were up against. I feel like it really helped. I’m super excited about the rest of the tournament and tomorrow.”

Middle blocker Shayla Rautenberg contributed 13 points for the second match in a row, this time on 11 kills and two blocks.

Opposite Nejari Crooks totaled 12 points on seven kills, one block and a match-high four aces. Outside Olivia Henry recorded 12 kills while sharing the team-high with libero Cala Haffner with eight digs.

Neither team led by more than three points in the first set until the U.S. used a 6-2 run to win the set by four points. A smart play by Real, pushing a ball to the open back court to give the U.S. an 18-17 lead, gave the U.S. its first lead since 6-5.

Real scored off the block for a 20-19 lead and then served an ace for the U.S. Girls U19 team’s first two-point lead. Henry scored the final two points of the set on kills. Real led all players with nine points on eight kills and her one ace.

A Rautenberg block ended a long rally and put the U.S. ahead by five points,14-9, in the second set. The lead was still five at 17-12 when Mexico used an 8-3 streak to even the set at 20 apiece. A kill by Real put the U.S. back ahead and back-to-back aces by Crooks stretched the lead to three points.

Just as she did in the opening set, Henry ended the set on a kill with the U.S. leading 24-21. Rautenberg led the way in the second set with seven points on six kills and a block. Crooks and Real each contributed five points.

A Henry kill put the U.S. up 21-18 in the third set and a tough Rautenberg serve led to a Kyla Williams kill that extended the lead to four points. Mexico, which struggled at the end of each of the first two sets, scored four of the next five points to cut the lead to one, 23-22, on an ace.

Another Williams kill put the U.S. on the brink of winning the set, 24-22. Mexico held off one match point before Crooks emphatically put a ball down to seal the set and match. Crooks led the team with six points on four kills and two aces, while Real added five kills.

2025 U.S. Girls U19 National Team for the NORCECA Pan American Cup
(Name, Position, Height, Birth Year, Hometown, High School, Region)

1 Taimane Ainu’u (S, 5-11, 2009, Kapolei, Hawaii, Iolani HS, Aloha)
2 Nejari Crooks (OPP, 6-1, 2009, High Point, N.C., Wesleyan Christian Academy, Carolina)
3 Cala Haffner (L, 5-8, 2009, Fort Wayne, Ind., Carroll HS, Hoosier)
4 Taylor Harrington (MB, 6-3, 2009, Arlington, Va., Wakefield HS, Chesapeake)
5 Olivia Henry (OH, 6-5, 2009, Bayside, N.Y., IMG Academy, Florida)
6 Megan Hodges (MB/OPP, 6-5, 2009, Ladera Ranch, Calif., San Juan Hills HS, Southern California)
7 Marissa Jones (S, 6-2, 2009, Atlanta, Ga., Woodward Academy, Southern)
8 Kari Knotts (OH, 6-3, 2010, Marietta, Ga., Hightower Trail MS, Southern)
11 Westley Matavao (OH, 6-0, 2009, Ontario, Calif., Mater Dei HS, Southern California)
13 Shayla Rautenberg (MB, 6-3, 2009, Pleasant Dale, Neb., Milford HS, Great Plains)
14 Ireland Real (OH, 6-4, 2009, San Clemente, Calif., Santa Margarita Catholic HS, Southern California)
18 Kyla Williams (MB, 6-4, 2009, Cleveland, Ohio, Gilmour Academy, Ohio Valley)

Alternates
9 Pulelehua Laikona (L, 5-8, 2009, Gilbert, Ariz., Mesa HS, Arizona)
10 Leilani Lamar (OH, 6-2, 2009, Tampa, Fla., Tampa Preparatory School, Florida)
12 McKenna McIntosh (OH, 6-1, 2009, Stockton, Calif., St. Mary’s HS, Northern California)
15 Josalyn Samuels (S, 6-1, 2009, Harrisburg, S.D., Harrisburg HS, North Country)
16 Marlee Steiner (MB, 6-4, 2009, St. Louis, Mo., Lindbergh HS, Gateway)
17 Caroline Ward (OPP, 6-0, 2009, Lizton, Ind., Tri-West Hendricks HS, Hoosier)
19 Shaye Witherspoon (OH, 6-3, 2009, Wildwood, Mo., Lafayette HS, Gateway)

Coaches
Head Coach: Jamie Morrison (Texas A&M)
Assistant Coach: Michelle Chatman Smith (LOVB)
Assistant Coach: Maggie Eppright (LOVB)
Performance Analyst: Michael Bouril (Mississippi State)
Athletic Trainer: Rebecca Himes (PVF)
Team Lead: Alex Purvey (NTDP)

2025 Girls U19 Pan American Cup Schedule
All times Pacific
All matches will be livestreamed on Volleyball Canada YouTube

June 24: USA def. Venezuela, 3-0 (25-9, 25-23, 25-21)
June 25: USA def. Mexico, 3-0 (25-21, 25-21, 25-23)
June 26: 1:30 p.m.: USA vs. Puerto Rico
June 27: TBA
June 28: Classification/Medal Matches, TBA

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Volleyball announces class of 2029

Story Links WORCESTER, Mass. – Holy Cross volleyball head coach Matthew Cribbin is thrilled to announce the addition of ten student-athletes that will comprise the class of 2029. “I am thrilled to announce my first recruiting class to Holy Cross Volleyball,” Cribbin said. “These ten first year student-athletes will immediately make a […]

Published

43 minutes ago

June 26, 2025

Your Sports Nation

WORCESTER, Mass. – Holy Cross volleyball head coach Matthew Cribbin is thrilled to announce the addition of ten student-athletes that will comprise the class of 2029.

“I am thrilled to announce my first recruiting class to Holy Cross Volleyball,” Cribbin said. “These ten first year student-athletes will immediately make a positive impact on the court as well as in the classroom. They are impressive young women with the potential to join our student-athletes as we pursue excellence in the Patriot League and within their academic endeavors. I am so excited to see what their experiences from across the best clubs in the country can bring to the program. The caliber in the gym rises as we add one of the biggest classes in HCVB history to our ranks as we chase a new era of Crusader Volleyball.”

Take a closer look at the 10 newcomers below:

Adriana Aquino | DS | 5-6 | Hopkinton, Mass. | Hopkinton| Central Massachusetts Juniors

Played four seasons of varsity volleyball with three coming at Hopkinton under head coach Emma Sweetapple.

Team MVP (2024).

TVL MVP (2024).

Two-time TVL all-star (2023, 2024).

Two-time All-State first team (2023, 2024).

Two-time Metrowest All-Star (2023, 2024).

Boston Herald All-Star (2024).

Boston Globe All-Scholastic Honorable Mention (2024).

TVL Champions (2024).

WCAC Champions (2021).

State Championship Runner-up (2021).

Finished her career with 588 kills, 109 service aces and 466 digs.

Played for the Central Massachusetts Juniors under head coach Paul Mccormack.

Was the No. 1 ranked team in New England (2024).

Was class secretary and treasurer in 2021 and 2022.

AP Scholar (2024).

A four-time member of the National Honors Society (2021, 2023, 2024, 2025).

A member of the principals cabinet, hello hillers club and UNITE mentor group.

Biology major with plans to go to medical school and go into emergency or sports medicine.

Coach Cribbin on Adriana Aquino “Adriana is a tenacious defender who brings a ton of energy and intensity to her team. A proven competitor who will help raise the competition level every day.”

Played two seasons of varsity at Archbishop Mitty under head coach Jon Wallace.

Two-time PrepDig Top Watch List (2024, 2025).

Two-time PrepDig Top Performer (2023, 2024).

One-time WCAL conference champions (2023).

Two-time NorCal champions (2023, 2024).

Two-time CIF State Championship Runners-Up (2023, 2024)

Played for the MaxPreps No. 8 women’s volleyball program in the USA (2023).

Also competed for the Encore Volleyball Club under head coach Ali Magner.

Had a NCVA Top-15 finish in the region (2025).

Was asked by Coach Magner to step out of the libero jersey and into the setting role.

Made the honor roll twice.

Pre-Law major at Holy Cross with a career objective of being an attorney.

Coach Cribbin on Savannah Baron: “Savannah brings a championship pedigree to Holy Cross and will help greatly improve our serve receive passing and defense.”

Played four seasons of varsity under head coach Taylor Lamantia.

Two-time team captain (2023, 2024).

Two-time second team All-City (2023, 2024).

Four-time KHSAA All-Academic Award (2021-2024).

Team reached the quarterfinals in 2024.

Earned the MVP in 2024.

Also competed for four years on the varsity track & field team under head coach Leslie Davis.

Three-time team captain (2023-2025).

Central Kentucky Conference Women’s Champion and City Champion in 2023.

Set the school record for the women’s weight throw in 2025.

Earned the Worker Bee award.

Played for 18-1s Nationals Club team under head coach Jenni Morgan.

Was named to the JVA Watchlist (2021-2025), KVCA Watchlist (2021-2025) and AVCA Phenom (2023-2024).

Straight A Honor Roll from (2021-2025).

Part of the Science National Honor Society, FCA, Student Council and Black Student Union.

Plans to major in biology.

Coach Cribbin on Madelyn Blakey: “Madelyn is incredibly athletic with great size that should bring an impressive blocking force to our right side.”

Played four seasons of varsity under head coach Victoria Henson.

Team captain her senior year.

Team MVP (2024).

Team Leadership Award (2024).

Two-time First Team All-District (2023, 2024).

Second Team All-District (2022).

Four-time Academic All-State (2021-2024).

2022 District Champions.

Finished her career with 668 kills and 157 total blocks.

Led Class 5 District 7 in hitting percentage (2024).

Competed for Mavs KC under head coach Kelley Kelley.

Finished Top-10 at Nationals open Division (2024).

Four-time Academic All-State selection (2021-2025).

Made the first honor roll four times (2021-2025).

Earned first place at the Kansas City Invention Convention and Most Patentable (2023).

Excellent Award for Sports Writing (2023).

Political science major at Holy Cross.

Coach Cribbin on Isa Glover: “Isa has one of the best work rates I’ve seen in the middle. She has an everlasting motor that keeps her available at all times and her success at the club level should translate extremely well.”

Played six seasons of varsity under head coach Katie Gallagher.

Two-time team captain her junior and senior year.

Two-time high school state champions (2019, 2024).

Four-time AVCA Phenom List.

AVCA All-American Watch List.

AVCA All-Regional.

Three-time State Semifinalist (2020, 2022, 2023).

Finished her career with 919 kills, 1,595 assists, 947 digs, 85 blocks and 145 aces.

Also played three seasons of beach volleyball under head coach Katie Gallagher.

Competed for the GP 18 ROX club team under head coach Kevin Lopez.

Team captain from 2018-2025.

AAU Open National Champion (2020).

AAU Open Second Place (2021).

Two-time club All-American (2020, 2021).

Prep Volleyball National 17s Setters All-Season Honor (2023-2024).

Prep Dig Volleyball Florida 16 Setters All-Season Honor (2022-2023).

A member of the National Honor Society and Spanish National Honor Society.

Economics major at Holy Cross.

Coach Cribbin on KK Green: “KK is a gamer who thrives in competition. Able to set and attack at a high level, she brings an intensity and competitive side that will serve HCVB almost as well as her versatility!”

Played three and a half seasons of varsity under head coach Hannah Hsieh.

Two-time team sectional champions (2023, 2024).

Also competed for the MOD Volleyball Club under head coach Christopher Steponaitis.

Team finished in third place at UA Nationals 2025.

Made the all-tournament team in UA Nationals 2025.

Undeclared major.

Coach Cribbin on Elizabeth Hall: “Elizabeth brings a consistent presence to our back line. She seems to be always alert and making plays on defense while always keeping a cool head and supporting her teammates. She will instantly help solidify the defense of Holy Cross volleyball.”

Played four seasons of varsity volleyball under head coach Cheryl Weaver.

Named to the All ISL Team (2024).

ISL Champions (2024).

Named to the NEQ 17 Travel All-Tournament Team.

Competed for the Metro Volleyball Club of Washington D.C. under head coach Silivia Johnson.

Earned high honors for three years.

Part of the medical minds and red cross club.

Plans to major in political science with plans to be an attorney.

Coach Cribbin on Kyla Harris: “Kyla brings great power and physicality to the middle, a great armswing and vertical should prove to be a significant weapon for us.”

Competed for four seasons on the varsity team under head coach Preston Yong.

One-time team captain (2024).

Two-time EIL champions (2022, 2023).

Named the EIL Player of the Year in 2022.

Four-time EIL All-League (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024).

Three-time All-NEPSAC (2021, 2023, 2024).

All-NEPSAC Honorable Mention (2022).

2022 Boston Globe and Boston Herald All-Scholastic.

Team made the NEPSAC Class B quarterfinals four-times (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024).

Played three seasons on the varsity tennis program under head coach Lisa Foley.

Earned EIL Honorable Mention honors.

Competed for the Smash Volleyball Club under head coach Andrew Bliss.

Named to the JVA Watch List in 2025.

Inducted into the National Honors Society in 2023.

Part of the Organization of Latin American Students, American Sign Language, Peer Education, PRISM and a senior mentor.

Plans to major in psychology at Holy Cross.

Her parents and her sister graduated from Holy Cross.

Coach Cribbin on Emilia Powderly: “Emi brings a calmness and poise to the setter position, trains very very hard yet makes running the offense seem effortless. She will be a huge asset to the way we train and run our offense.”

Competed for three seasons of varsity under head coach Caitlun Robinson.

Team captain (2024).

Team offensive MVP (2024).

First Team All-District (2023, 2024).

Second Team All-State (2023, 2024).

Academic All-State (2023, 2024).

Honorable Mention All-District (2022).

Team reached the quarterfinals.

Competed for the TAV 18 Black club team under head coach Paul Baxter.

Plans to major in biology at Holy Cross.

Coach Cribbin on Emma Sorensen: “Emma brings 6 rotation experience to The Hill, with no true weaknesses in her position. She blocks and defends very well, plays as a primary passer and can score from both pins as well as back row.”

Competed on varsity for two seasons under head coach LuCinda McCurdy.

Named the Player of the Match twice versus Green Level in 2023 and 2024.

Two-time NAC-VI Academic All-Conference (2024, 2025).

NAC-VI All-Conference Honorable Mention (2024, 2025).

AVCA Girls High School All-Region-Region 3 (2024, 2025).

Two-time Raleigh Sports Club Student-Athlete of the Week (2024, 2025).

Competed for Triange Volleyball Club 18 under head coach Steven Abbott.

Two-time AVCA Phenom Watch List (2022, 2023).

Three-time JVA Watchlist by Fivestar, Class of 2025 (2022, 2023, 2024)

2024 AVCA Class of 2025 All-American Watchlist.

2024 AVCA Girls High School Third Team All-American.

2024 Prep Volleyball All-Region Team – The Atlantic Coast.

Led the team in kills (351) and hitting percentage .204 through April 2025.

Was the Junior class council social media liaison.

A member of the English National Honors Society, Rho Kappa National Honors Society, Mu Alpha Theta National Honors Society and the Science National Honors Society.

Neuroscience, pre-dental major at Holy Cross.

Coach Cribbin on Ava White: “Ava brings a heavy arm and great athleticism to the pin attacker position. She is used to the “go to” role on her teams and rises to the occasion We will look to her to terminate often!”

FOLLOW THE CRUSADERS

Be sure to follow the Holy Cross volleyball team — and all things Crusader Athletics — on social media!

Twitter – @HCrossVB | @goholycross

Instagram – @hcrossvb | @goholycross

Facebook – Holy Cross Volleyball | Holy Cross Athletics

YouTube – GoHolyCross

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Florida Atlantic University Athletics

BOCA RATON, Fla. – Florida Atlantic track & field’s Anabell Reumann was named to the 2025 CSC Academic All-District team on Tuesday afternoon. This comes after the junior placed second in the 2025 American Athletic Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships in the 3000-meter steeplechase. The 2025 Academic All-District Women’s Track & Field teams, selected by […]

Published

54 minutes ago

June 26, 2025

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BOCA RATON, Fla. – Florida Atlantic track & field’s Anabell Reumann was named to the 2025 CSC Academic All-District team on Tuesday afternoon. This comes after the junior placed second in the 2025 American Athletic Conference Outdoor Track & Field Championships in the 3000-meter steeplechase.

The 2025 Academic All-District Women’s Track & Field teams, selected by College Sports Communicators, recognize the nation’s top student-athletes for their combined performances on the track, in the field, and in the classroom. The CSC Academic All-America program separately recognizes women’s track & field honorees in four divisions — NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, and NAIA. To be considered for the CSC Academic All-District team, athletes must have a GPA of 3.5 and be ranked in the top 50 of their individual events nationally.

Reumann finished the outdoor season in the top 50 of the country in the 3000-meter steeplechase. She was named AAC All-Conference Second Team after her performance at the championship. Reumann also etched herself in the record book at No. 2 on May 16. Throughout the season, she set three program records (3000-meter steeplechase and 1500-meter).

Reumann will advance to the CSC Academic All-America® ballot. First, second, and third-team selections for Academic All-America honorees will be announced on July 15.

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Florida Atlantic University Athletics

Florida Atlantic volleyball is coming off one of its most successful seasons. With 15+ wins for the second consecutive year and 18+ wins for the 11th time in program history, the Owls’ incredible fall campaign culminated in their first American Athletic Conference (AAC) Tournament appearance, and ultimately, their first championship berth since 2005. It […]

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59 minutes ago

June 26, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Florida Atlantic volleyball is coming off one of its most successful seasons.
Katelynn Robine

With 15+ wins for the second consecutive year and 18+ wins for the 11th time in program history, the Owls’ incredible fall campaign culminated in their first American Athletic Conference (AAC) Tournament appearance, and ultimately, their first championship berth since 2005.

It also marked one of the most successful seasons for the team under Head Coach Fernanda Nelson, who has been with the program since 2012.

“What I enjoyed the most about this season was the process,” Nelson said. “I felt that this was a team that was able to get better every single day. It didn’t matter if we were winning or losing, they really bought into the process of getting better and peaking at the right time.”

After securing a pair of league sweeps over Charlotte and Memphis to open conference play, the Owls had a remarkable two-game stretch, knocking off the AAC’s top two teams in Rice, 3-0, and South Florida, 3-1. These wins sparked a 6-4 finish to the regular season, as the Owls also earned a sweep over Temple, three four-set wins over Charlotte and North Texas, and capped off the season with a Senior Day win over Tulane.
Victoria Hensley Setting vs. FIU

With a successful regular season under their belts, the Owls then set their sights on postseason play. They headed into the American Athletic Conference Tournament – the team’s first league tournament since 2019 – as the No. 6 seed.

The Owls squared off against No. 3-seed East Carolina in the quarterfinals, earning a five-set win over the Pirates to advance to the semifinals against No. 2-seed Rice. Florida Atlantic rallied in the semifinal matchup to reverse sweep the Rice Owls, punching its ticket to the AAC Championship finals. The Owls finished the season as the No. 2 team in the conference.

This impressive 2024 campaign resulted in multiple conference honors. Victoria Hensley and Katelynn Robine were named to the AAC All-Conference Second Team, and Robine and Valeria Rosado were named AAC Championship All-Tournament Team selections. Robine and Rosado eclipsed 1,000 career kills, and Hensley tallied her 3,000^th career assist. Rosado was also recognized prior to the start of the season as one of just five unanimous AAC Preseason All-Conference honorees.
Head Coach Fernanda Nelson

Nelson attributes much of the team’s success to its strong culture.

“The culture made a big difference for our team this year, one of the best we have ever had,” Nelson said. “They really enjoyed being around each other, they were fun to coach, and they brought in a lot of passion. We were truly a family. That was the goal we had from the beginning of the season. The Florida Atlantic volleyball family we created in 2024 will always be remembered.”

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