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Monadnock Ledger-Transcript – ConVal volleyball players hit the road with travel teams

Eight members of the ConVal girls’ varsity and JV volleyball teams keep their skills sharp by playing travel volleyball throughout the winter and spring, competing in tournaments as far away as Las Vegas and going up against teams from all over the country. “Playing against really talented girls from all over is incredibly tough because […]

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Eight members of the ConVal girls’ varsity and JV volleyball teams keep their skills sharp by playing travel volleyball throughout the winter and spring, competing in tournaments as far away as Las Vegas and going up against teams from all over the country.

“Playing against really talented girls from all over is incredibly tough because the competition is on a whole different level. Every player is fast, powerful and smart on the court. You’re constantly challenged physically by the speed and strength of their game, and mentally by their ability to read plays and stay composed under pressure,” said ConVal varsity co-captain Zadie Marshall.

Marshall and fellow co-captain Ivy Armstrong-McEvoy play for Junior Dynamo NH Volleyball Club based in Milford. This winter, tournaments with Dynamo took them to Las Vegas, Washington D.C., Connecticut and Boston.

Most of the players travel 45 minutes to one hour each way to practice with their club teams, balancing schoolwork and other sports. All eight players also work during the school year and the summer.

“I would say that the most-challenging thing about playing travel volleyball is staying on top of schoolwork during tournament weekends,” Armstrong-McEvoy said. “It can be challenging to complete school assignments while also focusing on playing. A lot of my energy is saved for the games I have to play during the day, and I try my very best to use the rest of my energy on assignments. Although sometimes, all I want to do is take a nap after working hard on the court.”

Ava Van Horn, Regan Kirlin, Piper Bernier and Emily Simard play for the Capital Region Black Hawks Volleyball Club, which is based in Concord. When asked what she thinks is the best part of travel volleyball, Simard said she enjoys getting to play at a higher level.

“Depending on what bracket we are placed in, at all our tournaments, we seem to play a few higher-level teams, which I definitely enjoy,” Simard said. “I also like being able to meet and play against new people and to get to experience more game play during tournaments.”

All the players agree that playing travel volleyball is a very different experience from playing on the ConVal team.

“I would say that club volleyball is a lot different than the ConVal season. For me, I learn a lot of my skills during the club season, and then showcase them during the ConVal season,” Armstrong-McEvoy said.

Van Horn said the best part of playing travel volleyball is making new friends.

“From my experience, the social and physical dynamics of school and club teams are very different,” Van Horn said. “A highlight of my club season has been connecting with the girls and forming ‘forever’ friendships. Not only do we share a love for the sport, but now each other as well.”

Bernier said, “I really enjoy playing club volleyball because it gives me the opportunity to compete at a high level with players from all over, which pushes me to grow as an athlete. I can see noticeable growth in my skills and confidence, and I’m truly proud of that. I’m also really grateful for all the coaches. ”

Bernier said varsity and club volleyball are “hard to compare, since they’re so different.”

“I also really enjoy high school volleyball. The energy on our team is always so positive, and I’m surrounded by supportive teammates and peers. One of the best parts of school volleyball is the support we see at games from the students and parents. Club and school are so different, but I’ve learned a lot from both,’ she said.

Kirlin, a sophomore, balanced winter club volleyball with skiing on the ConVal Alpine team.

“Learning to play cohesively as a team with limited practice time is a real challenge, since we only practice twice a week, and one practice is optional,” Kirlin said.

Kirlin feels her travel team, the Black Hawks, are very supportive, and she appreciates the quality of the coaching.

“My travel team coach really cares, and spends time talking to us about how we can improve as players,” Kirin said. “I loved getting to play in a set position where I can grow and improve as a player, but also fill in where I am needed elsewhere on the team.”

Sophomore Grace Schuneman, who plays for the Mill City Orange, said travel and varsity volleyball are “very different.”

“It takes longer to come together on travel teams because very few girls know each other. The time commitment and the extra work required to be successful means sacrificing in other areas. It’s also really a year-round commitment,” Schunemann said.

Schuneman plans to attend volleyball camps to work on her skills throughout the summer.

Junior Ashlynn Williams, who plays for Meraki Volleyball in Bedford, travels just under an hour each way.

“Travel volleyball has way high expectations and it really will push me to make strides in my volleyball career,” she said.

Each of the players said the best part of travel volleyball, aside from making new friends, is winning tournaments. Marshall said the hours of practice “were all worth it” when Dynamo finished the season on top.

“Winning in a division above our usual level was the highlight of the season because it proved how much we had grown as a team and how hard we had worked. We weren’t expected to come out on top, and every match pushed us to play smarter, harder, and more together than ever before. That win wasn’t just a trophy; it was a statement that we could compete with the best and hold our own,” she said.



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Kirk Ong is new coach of EAC women’s volleyball

Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) has introduced Kirk Ong as new head coach of its women’s volleyball team. The San Marcelino-based squad moves on from Rod Palmero after a series of unsuccessful seasons. It hopes to rebuild its women’s volleyball program with Ong. Since the NCAA women’s volleyball resumed action after the Covid-19 pandemic, EAC has […]

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Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) has introduced Kirk Ong as new head coach of its women’s volleyball team.

The San Marcelino-based squad moves on from Rod Palmero after a series of unsuccessful seasons.

It hopes to rebuild its women’s volleyball program with Ong.

Since the NCAA women’s volleyball resumed action after the Covid-19 pandemic, EAC has been a cellar-dweller, only winning seven out of 45 games in the last four seasons.

They hit the rock bottom of the standings in season 98 and 99 while finishing second to the last in season 97 and 100.

Ong has been a long-time mentor of the Chiang Kai Shek (CKSC) girls volleyball team for more than a decade.

“What began as a personal passion for the game has grown into over a decade of dedicated coaching at the high school level. Throughout the years, Coach Kirk Ong developed not just athletes but young leaders, guiding teams through growth, discipline and success on and off the field,” Dr. Lorenzo Lorenzo, EAC representative to the NCAA management committee, told GMA Synergy and Regional TV News.

He led the CKSC 19-under team to a back-to-back championship in the Filipino-Chinese Amateur Athletic Association in 2024 while also winning the gold in the beach volleyball tournament.

“Now, he is stepping into the next challenge. Coaching at the college level with years of hands-on player development, and a commitment to continuous learning,” Lorenzo said.

“He is ready to bring that same energy and vision to the collegiate arena,” he added.

In NCAA Season 100, the Lady Generals showed some flashes of brilliance with a couple of career games from Elizza Alimen and an impressive performance by Erica Bodonal.



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Hurdles record closes out USATF National Junior Olympics Championships

SAVANNAH, Georgia – Impressive displays of speed over the hurdles and on the sprint straight closed out the 58th USATF National Junior Olympics Championships Sunday at Ted Wright Stadium on the campus of Savannah State University. Jasir Fontenot (Mercury San Diego TC) and Amari Scott (Mark Trail Flying Eagles) both bettered the national record in […]

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SAVANNAH, Georgia – Impressive displays of speed over the hurdles and on the sprint straight closed out the 58th USATF National Junior Olympics Championships Sunday at Ted Wright Stadium on the campus of Savannah State University.

Jasir Fontenot (Mercury San Diego TC) and Amari Scott (Mark Trail Flying Eagles) both bettered the national record in the boys’ 15-16 110 hurdles, with Fontenot taking gold in a stellar 13.56 and Scott the silver in 13.73. The previous meet record was 13.74, set by future Trinidadian Olympian Wayne Davis (Hurdle First) in 2007. Andrew Jones almost knocked down another Davis meet record, winning the 17-18 boys’ race in 13.42, just off the 13.38 recorded by Davis in 2009.

Doubling back from her record-setting win in the girls’ 17-18 400 hurdles, Jasmine Robinson (The Heat TC) picked up her second gold over the barriers with a 13.36 in the 100H. Her time was only .03 away from the meet record that was set by Alia Armstrong (Future Track) in 2018.

Had he not already claimed the meet record in the prelims of the boys’ 15-16 100 with a 10.34, Dillon Mitchell (Track Houston Youth TC) would have gotten it in the final, where he zipped to a 10.41. Coming into the Championships, the meet record was 10.49 by Kennedy Lightner (Fellowship of Champions) in 2018.

The top field event performance of the day came in the boys’ 15-16 javelin, with Walker Ferguson (Carolina Rockets) winning by more than five feet with a best of 60.53/198-7. Penn Virgil won the girls’ 11-12 high jump on the basis of fewer misses at the winning height of 1.51/4-11.5 as she went over on her second attempt to top Abby Harris and Malayah Polk (Hottest in the City TC), who each needed three tries.

3000s

Girls 11-12 Beau Sitzman (West Seattle Road Runners) 10:25.49 (PR)

Boys 11-12  Samuel Weinraub (Quick Track Club)  9:44.89

Girls 13-14 Quinn Hanley (Boweman Track ) 10:12.74 (PR)

Boys 13-14 James Fullerton (Unattached) 9:18.35

Girls 15-16 Madison Howland (Kansas Flyers)  10:26.57

Boys 15-16 Richard Mendoza (El Paso Westside Run Squad) 9:03.45 PR

Women’s 17-18 Desi Broadley (Vermont Exiles) 10:37.74 PR

Men’s 17-18 Taye Newman (Pacific Coast Shock Waves)  8:44.97 PR

400s

Girls 8 & Under Hope Bradley (DeKalb Elite) 1:09.39

Boys 8 & under Eli Wright, Jr (Mercury San Diego) 1:05.76

Girls 9-10 Cerenity Bell (Unattached) 1:02.10PR

Boys 9-10 Axyl Peterson (Afterburners) 59.84 PR

Girls 11-12 Morgan Doggett (Major Impact) 58.15

Boys 11-12 Keyzelle Thomas Jr (Carolina Rockets) 54.68 (PR)

Girls 13-14 Abigail Robisky (Ocean Breeze Wave Runners) 54.38 (PR)

Boys 13-14  Mekhi McIntyre (Drive Phase Track Club) 50.09 (PR)

Girls 15-16 Julia Wallace (MVP Track League) 54.96

Boys 15-16 Ronald Duplessis (Advancement through Athletics) 47.75 (PR)

Womens 17-18 Maddison Brister-Wesley (Lane 4 TC)  53.38

Men’s 17-18 Eddie Bruner Jr., (Kitsap Flyers) 46.18

100s

Girls 8 & under Narai Blanchard (High Voltage) 14.71

Boys 8 & under Avery Rey (Valley United) 13.58

Girls 9-10 Cerenity Bell (Unattached) 13.05

Boys 9-10 Cole McCullar (Track Houston) 13.04

Girls 11-12 Cortney Jones (Golden Knight Track Club) 12.47

Boys 11-12 Mason Whitehead (Wilson Wide Awake Elite Track Club) 11.96

Girls 13-14 Abigail Robisky (Ocean Breeze Wave Runners) 12.10

Boys 13-14 Calvin Portley III (Valley United) 10.91

Girls 15-16 Joya Clark (Run U Xpress) 11.56

Women’s 17-18 Ewomazino Edet (The Heat)11.58

Men’s 17-18 Elijah Monroe (Track Masterz NC) 10.40

110mH

Boys 15-16 Jasir Fontenot (Mercury San Diego) 13.56

Men’s 17-18 Andrew Jones (unattached) 13.42

100mH

Boys 13-14 Jonathan Parra (Valley United) 13.74

Girls 15-16 Valynsia Calhoun (Lane 4 TC) 13.77

Women 17-18 Jasmine Robinson (The Heat) 13.36

Girls 13-14 Harmony Moore (Sapphire Ruff Riders TC) 14.28

80mH

Girls 11-12 Raelynn Wilmore (Arizona Cheetahs) 12.48

Boys 11-12 Jasir Davis (Do Right Educational Sports) 12.04

High Jump

Girls 11-12  Penn Virgil (Unattached) 1.51/4-11.5

Men’s 17-18 Ryan Buskey (Sky’s the Limit) (2.08/6-9.75)

Long Jump

Boys 9-10 Maxwell Winter (Eagles Wings) (4.74/15.675)

Girls 9-10 Xaadia Miller (Zoom Elite) (4.57/15.00)

Girls 11-12 Ashlynn Newton (Elite) (4.98/16-4.25)

Discus

Boys 11-12 Colsen Cobert (Unattached) (36.69/124-04) PR

Boys 13-14 Evan Grays (Athlead Indy) (59.62/195-07)

Shot Put

Girls 13-14 Destiny Ojo (The Throwing Factory) (13.29/43.075)

Girls 8 & under Layla Lopez (unattached) (6.69/21-11.50)

Javelin

Women’s 17-18 Emily Norris (Unattached) (45.09/147-11) PR

Complete results may be found here.



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30 Jacksonville area high school volleyball players to watch in 2025 | Sports

The high school girls’ volleyball season is right around the corner as the start of official practice is Wednesday with the regular season tipping off Aug. 11. Do local squads have what it takes to have special seasons and perhaps make deep postseason runs? Here is a look at local NCHSAA and private school players […]

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The high school girls’ volleyball season is right around the corner as the start of official practice is Wednesday with the regular season tipping off Aug. 11.



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Virginia Tech volleyball overpowers Panthers in a 3-1 win | Sports

The Virginia Tech Hokies stunned the Pittsburgh Panthers in a thriller, winning 3-1 (25-19, 19-25, 25-22, 26-24). Before this game, the Panthers were No. 1 in the ACC. “Pitt is a very good team, very disciplined,” Head Coach Chris Riley said. “We had to be able to match their intensity and balance.” In the first […]

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The Virginia Tech Hokies stunned the Pittsburgh Panthers in a thriller, winning 3-1 (25-19, 19-25, 25-22, 26-24).

Before this game, the Panthers were No. 1 in the ACC.

“Pitt is a very good team, very disciplined,” Head Coach Chris Riley said. “We had to be able to match their intensity and balance.”

In the first set, Virginia Tech and Pittsburgh were stuck in a cat-and-mouse scoring duel. The Hokies pulled away, highlighted by a 5-1 run, after a questionable call that favored Virginia Tech late in the set.

Lindsey Owens recorded seven kills in the set, most of which were assisted by Rhegan Mitchell, who tallied 14 assists in the first set.

The Hokies were extremely efficient in the first set, committing just one attack error, leading to their .469 attack percentage.

In the second set, neither team played pretty volleyball. The second set went to the Panthers, thanks to a 6-1 run in the middle of the set. Virginia Tech committed nine errors and Pitt committed seven.

Those attack errors led to Virginia Tech to have an attack percentage of -0.033 for the second set.

Mitchell added to her assist total, racking up seven more in the set.

In the third set, Virginia Tech was off and running early, going on a 7-1 run, including five consecutive points to start the set.

Towards the end of the set, another questionable call irritated Pittsburgh head coach Dan Fisher, who kept talking to the referees about a call that did not go Pitt’s way, resulting in a yellow card for him.

Rhegan Mitchell continued to impress, racking up 17 assists in the third set. Owens and Amanda McKinzie each recorded six kills a piece.

The Hokies stayed focused in set number four, winning the set and the match.

A 13-5 scoring run by Virginia Tech brought the Hokies back after being down by as many as seven points early on.

Chris Riley commented on the resiliency of his squad saying, “You know that you’re never ever completely out of it and our team will fight no matter what.”

Mitchell racked up 11 more assists, and the setter finished with 49 for the match.

“She (Mitchell) is really maturing every single day in practice,” Riley said. “We love having her, and she’s doing a great job.”

Owens recorded a double-double with 20 kills and 11 digs. McKinzie chipped in with 15 kills of her own. Kenedy McGrath, a libero for Virginia Tech, added 11 digs.

With the win, the Hokies improve to 11-4 (2-1 ACC) and Pittsburgh falls to 12-3 (2-1 ACC).

The Hokies will travel to U.Va. on Saturday, Oct. 3 to face the in-state and ACC-rival Cavaliers.

“The right thing to say is that it’s just another match, but anytime U.Va. and Virginia Tech get together, it’s special,” Riley said. 



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Olympic beach volleyball champions relive Paris 2024 magic with visit to Eiffel Tower – FIVB

One year on from the unforgettable Paris 2024 Olympic Games, beach volleyball stars Ana Patricia Silva Ramos and Eduarda Santos Lisboa (Duda), along with French Olympian Arnaud Gauthier-Rat and his new partner Téo Rotar, returned to the site of the iconic Eiffel Tower Stadium on the Champs-de-Mars.  Dubbed “The Greatest Stadium on Earth” by The […]

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One year on from the unforgettable Paris 2024 Olympic Games, beach volleyball stars Ana Patricia Silva Ramos and Eduarda Santos Lisboa (Duda), along with French Olympian Arnaud Gauthier-Rat and his new partner Téo Rotar, returned to the site of the iconic Eiffel Tower Stadium on the Champs-de-Mars. 

Dubbed “The Greatest Stadium on Earth” by The Wall Street Journal, the Paris 2024 beach volleyball arena hosted nearly 450,000 fans during the Games, becoming one of the most talked-about venues of the summer. Its backdrop of the iconic Eiffel Tower made it a defining image of Paris 2024. 

Overlooking the former stadium site from the top of the Eiffel Tower, the athletes reminisced about the electric atmosphere that surrounded last summer’s Games. For Ana Patricia and Duda, it was a golden memory – the place where they were crowned Olympic champions. 

Ana Patricia commented: “Standing here and looking down at where we won Olympic gold, brings back so many emotions. The Eiffel Tower Stadium was magical – the crowd, the energy, everything. It’s incredible to be back and feel that all over again. Paris and the Eiffel Tower especially, will always have a special place in our hearts.”  

For Arnaud Gauthier-Rat, the experience of competing on home soil in front of passionate French fans remains a career highlight. 

Gauthier-Rat added: “Coming back to this place, where I played in front of a sea of French flags and cheers, still gives me goosebumps. It was one of the proudest moments of my career so far. I’m honoured to be here again to relive last summer while celebrating beach volleyball with fans here in Paris.”  

During the visit, the athletes and FIVB delegation, which included Head of Beach Volleyball Yu Cao and Head of Development and Sustainability Paulo Barone, were welcomed by Eiffel Tower Managing Director Patrick Branco-Ruivo. Branco-Ruivo personally guided the group on an exclusive tour of the iconic landmark, offering unique insights into its history and significance.  

In a special moment, the FIVB delegation presented Branco-Ruivo with a limited-edition print of a painting by renowned artist Peter Spens of the Eiffel Tower Stadium.  

The visit also attracted significant media interest, with international outlets gathering to speak with the athletes and officials atop the tower. 





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Returning player leadership sparks Cyclones’ drive into the 2025 season – Iowa State Daily

Head Coach Matt Campbell answers questions from the media during the 2025 to 2026 Iowa State Football media day at Jack Trice Stadium on July 25, 2025, Ames, Iowa. Iowa State concluded its 2024 football season on a high note, marking its most successful season in school history. The Cyclones ended the season with an […]

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Iowa State concluded its 2024 football season on a high note, marking its most successful season in school history. The Cyclones ended the season with an 11-3 record, highlighted by a win over Miami in the Pop-Tart Bowl.

To ensure the 2025 season is as successful as the last, the Cyclones are relying on strong leadership from their veteran players to display the players’ newfound maturity on the field.

Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell said that leadership and maturity on and off the field are pivotal for the team’s success this season.

“I think it’s just a toughness that it’s going to require,” Campbell said. “Maturity to really be able to tackle this season and really find out if you can consistently be your best throughout the entirety of the season.”

The Cyclones head into the 2025 season with at least 14 starters from the 2024 season returning, along with transfers and freshmen joining the team.

To build and foster chemistry within the team, the Cyclones have relied on the leadership of coaches, staff and players to help unify the group for the season ahead. Using Veteran players, such as offensive lineman Tyler Miller, to foster growth on the field.

“I think we have a great group of guys that have been in the same system for a little while now,” Miller said. “Even the guys we brought in, the transfers who are older or have played for a little, they understand what it takes and I think that everybody as a team is mature in taking that next step.”

Miller started in 38 consecutive games as a right tackle and helped Iowa State rush for 27 touchdowns in the 2024 season. Campbell said that the redshirt senior is one of the team’s biggest leaders.

“Every time he speaks, everybody listens because I think the respect that everybody has for him, what he sings for, how he angles his life outside of football, how he handles his family and how he handles the business every day here is super,” Campbell said.

Alongside Miller, Campbell said how other returning players, such as junior tight ends Benjamin Brahmer and Gabe Burkle, are bringing the same sense of maturity that former leaders, wide receivers Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel, brought to the field during their time at Iowa State.

“What those two guys can give us at the tight end position is the same maturity that Higgins and Noel brought every Saturday and really brought every day from the start of camp to the end of football season,” Campbell said.

Burkle played in all 14 games in 2024 and made eight starts. During his time on the field, he had a career-best with 26 receptions for 296 yards. Alongside Burkle, Brahmer accomplished 10 receptions for 179 yards and one touchdown before he shortened his season due to a stress fracture of his tibia

“We are really working on pad level, technique in the blocking game,” Burkle said. “In terms of running routes and things like that, it’s just focusing on footwork on the top of routes and being better against man coverage.”

After having led the Cyclones to a double-digit win for the first time in program history, junior quarterback Rocco Becht has only enhanced his leadership abilities, as that was his sole focus in the offseason.

“The big thing for me is that I am always trying to grow in my leadership style and be able to connect with the guys on the team,” Becht said. “I think our coaches have done a great job of bringing guys in and maturing guys on our team that have already seen success in order to have a better season than we did last year.”



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