Sports

Montana signs 20 players, including 9 from Montana in early signing period

Published

1 month ago

December 4, 2025

MISSOULA — The early signing period began Wednesday around the college football world for high school recruits, and the Montana Grizzlies got busy right away by signing 20 new players.

The Treasure State led the way as the Griz inked nine in-state products. That includes a pair from right in their backyard as Missoula Hellgate athletes Evan Pyron and Parker Link made their commitments official.

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Montana Grizzlies sign 20 players, including 9 from Montana in early signing period

Two more came from Billings, which included Central standout William Snell, and then a late commitment from Merek Fisher of Billings Skyview who flipped from Montana Tech on Monday.

Also coming from the Class AA ranks are Derek Opitz of Helena Capital who joins his older brother Hayden at UM, as well as Belgrade wide receiver Wesley Ehret and Lincoln Senter from Great Falls CMR.

Two more come from the Class B ranks in Red Lodge’s Kougar Kappel and Malta’s Dawson Hammond round out the Montana talents.

The Grizzlies also found plenty of talent from Washington once again with four players coming from there, as well as Texas, California, Hawaii, Arkansas, Utah and Iowa all proving fruitful.

The positional breakdown is fairly even, as well. Four players signed as defensive linemen, with cornerback, safety, wide receiver and offensive line also mostly represented with the positions fairly spread out.

The early signing period continues through Friday, followed by the regular signing window which comes in early February.

State breakdown

Montana – 9
Washington – 4
California – 2
Arkansas – 1
Hawaii – 1
Iowa – 1
Texas – 1
Utah – 1

Position breakdown

DL – 4
DB – 4
ATH – 3
OL – 2
WR – 2
LB – 1
TE – 1
RB – 1
QB – 1
K/P – 1

The following are breakdowns and bios of the 20 new signees for the Montana Grizzlies from gogriz.com.

Morgan Dodson, K/P, 6-2, 205, Pasco, Wash. / Chiawana HS

High School: Four-year letterwinner in both football and soccer… First Team All-Conference kicker, punter, and defensive end as a senior, plus honorable mention tight end… First Team All-Conference kicker as a junior… 146 consecutive PATs in his career (100%)… Finished with 7-for-12 field goals and a long of 43 yards… Posted 12 sacks and four forced fumbles as a senior… Standout multi-sport athlete and First Team All-State soccer forward as a junior… Also earned Second Team All-Conference and Honorable Mention soccer honors in previous seasons… Team captain in soccer… Helped lead Chiawana to a 31–4 record during his four varsity soccer seasons, with league championships every year and a 2024–25 state semifinal appearance… Listed as a five-star prospect as a kicker

Personal: Son of Riley and Sarah Dodson… Plans to major in Business… Career goals include performing at the highest level in college and earning All-Conference honors… Enjoys hunting and runs an outdoor-focused Instagram account with over 5,000 followers.

Wesley Ehret, WR, 6-2, 180, Belgrade, Mont. / Belgrade HS

High School: Four-year letterwinner in football, three-time letterwinner in track, and two-time letterwinner in basketball (on track to earn a fourth track letter)… Football captain as a junior and senior, track captain as a junior and senior… Recipient of the Coaches Award for leadership… All-Conference and All-State receiver in 2024, and Returner of the Year in 2025… Senior season totals included 1,000 all-purpose yards, 505 total yards, 495 receiving yards on 39 receptions, 345 kick return yards (#1 in state), 165 punt return yards (#2 in state), 2 interceptions, and 4 touchdowns… Rated a three-star prospect by 247Sports and the No. 4 prospect in the state.

Personal: Son of Judith Ehret and Junior Adams, a former Montana State All-American receiver… Plans to major in Sports Medicine… Career goals include playing in the NFL, building strong relationships in college, and excelling academically to maintain options beyond football… Known for athleticism and versatility, including the ability to perform a backflip.

Merek Fisher, TE, 6-6, 230, Billings, Mont. / Skyview HS

High School: A three-sports standout at Skyview in football, basketball and track… Played all over the field for the Falcons at tight end, tackle, D-end, and linebacker… Earned Eastern AA All-Conference honors as a junior at tackle and an all-state honorable mention… Took fourth at the Class AA state track meet in the discus as a junior as well with a throw of 158 feet, 6 inches… Also played on Skyview’s boys state championship basketball team… Was second leading receiver for the Falcons as a senior with 32 YPG and 296 yards total on 29 catches with one TD… Also posted 50 total tackles, 7.5 TFLs and 4.5 sacks with a forced fumble on defense… A three-year starter.

Personal: Holds a 4.0 GPA… Was originally committed to Montana Tech… Plans on studying sports medicine, kinesiology or physical therapy… Will be a third-generation UM alum.

Dawson Hammond, ATH, 6-0, 170, Malta, Mont. / Malta HS

High School: Four-year letterwinner in football, basketball, and track… Key contributor to Malta’s 2024 State Championship football team that finished 13–0… Two-year football captain and two-year basketball captain… Football MVP in 2025 and Offensive Player of the Year in 2024… Basketball Defensive Player of the Year in 2025… Earned All-State honors in football in 2024 and 2025, plus All-Conference recognition in 2023, 2024, and 2025… Track All-State honoree in 2025… Career totals include 114 receptions for 2,482 yards, 35 receiving touchdowns, 41 all-purpose touchdowns, 17 interceptions, and three pick-sixes… First 1,000-yard receiver in Malta history and one of just three in the state of Montana as a junior.

Personal: Son of Nate and Carly Hammond, and Kari and Tracy Elletson… From Malta, Montana… Plans to major in Business Management… Career goals include playing football at the University of Montana and eventually returning to work on the family farm and ranch… Related to former Montana defensive back Evan Epperly and MSU athletes Nate and Kari Hammond… Carries a 4.15 GPA.

Brady Jay, QB, 6-1, 180, Moses Lake, Wash. / Moses Lake HS

High School: Standout quarterback for Moses Lake High School (WA 4A)… League Player of the Year and two-time League Offensive Player of the Year… Led Moses Lake to a league championship and an 8–2 record… Delivered one of the most prolific seasons in Washington prep football, totaling 50 touchdowns in 10 games… Threw for 3,180 yards, 45 passing touchdowns, and completed 70% of his passes, adding 5 rushing touchdowns… Named Columbia Basin Big Nine MVP, Offensive MVP, and First-Team Quarterback… Across three varsity seasons, put together 6,879 passing yards, 98 touchdowns, 22 interceptions, and a 68.9% completion rate in 23 games. He has also added 293 rushing yards and five touchdowns… A multi-sport athlete, Jay is also a three-year starting guard for the basketball team and a district champion sprinter in track & field…. Owns a personal best of 10.97 in the 100m, and won district titles in the 100m, 200m, and 4×100 relay this past spring… A three-star prospect rated by 247Sports… Also rated the No. 172 QB in the class of ’26 and the No. 40 overall player in Washington

Personal: Son of Moses Lake head coach Brett Jay, who has coached him throughout his career… Also had interest from Boise State, Washington State, and Eastern Washington where he was a two-time summer camp MVP.

Kougar Kappel, S, 6-0, 180, Red Lodge, Mont. / Red Lodge HS

High School: Three-year varsity letterwinner in football and track and field, one-year letterwinner in basketball… Key contributor to Red Lodge High’s three consecutive conference championships in football (2023–2025)… Three-time All-Conference and two-time All-State in football, and three-time All-State in track and field… Senior football totals included 149 carries for 1,538 yards and 26 touchdowns, 16 receptions for 311 yards, 47 solo tackles, and 4 interceptions… Consistent performer on both sides of the ball and in multiple sports throughout high school.

Personal: Son of Melissa Davis and Brad Kappel… From Red Lodge, Montana… Plans to major in Business Finance… Career goals include continuing to work hard and becoming the best athlete and person possible.

Dane Kellner, S, 5-11, 170, Honolulu, Hawaii / Punahou HS

High School: Four-year letterwinner in football, basketball, and track and field… Team captain in both football and basketball as a senior… Standout two-way athlete earning Sophomore All-Conference honors at defensive back, followed by Junior and Senior All-State recognition… As a senior recorded 42 tackles, 5 interceptions (2 returned for touchdowns), and 3 TFLs in eight games… Basketball State Championship MVP in 2024, helping Punahou capture a 28–8 season and the state title… Track and Field long jump State Champion in 2024 and All-State high jumper as a freshman… Also a four-year contributor in both basketball and track with consistent postseason success… A three-star prospect as rated by 247Sports and the No. 28 player in Hawaii.

Personal: Son of Bart and Gina Kellner… Comes from a strong athletic lineage with his father competing in football at Willamette, his grandfather at Stanford, and his brother at the University of San Diego… Enjoys surfing, golfing, and snowboarding… Aims to play football at the highest level while earning a strong education, with long-term interests in sports medicine or coaching.

Owen Liechti, OL, 6-7, 285, Ankeny, Iowa / Ankeny HS

High School: Varsity letterwinner in football and basketball… Earned First Team All-District honors as a senior and Second Team All-District honors as a junior… Allowed zero sacks across 10 games in his senior season… Played varsity football at both Ankeny Centennial (2024) and Ankeny High (2025), contributing to teams that finished 8–3 and 7–3 respectively… Also lettered in varsity basketball during the 2024–25 season.

Personal: Son of Laura and Seth Liechti… Plans to major in Business and pursue an MBA… Focused on growth both academically and athletically, emphasizing discipline and commitment… Comes from a strong athletic family, with relatives who competed in collegiate volleyball and basketball at Nebraska, Sioux Falls, Northwestern College, and DMACC.

Parker Link, ATH, 5-10, 170, Missoula, Mont. / Hellgate HS

High School: Twelve-time varsity letterwinner with four letters each in football, basketball, and track… Two-year football captain (2024, 2025)… Offensive Player of the Year in 2025 and recipient of the Chance Geery Toughness Award… Key contributor to Hellgate’s basketball success, including Conference Championships in 2022–23 and 2023–24 and the 2022–23 State Championship… Earned Second Team All-Conference honors at punter (2023–24) and safety (2024–25)… Three-time All-Conference and 2025 All-State performer in track… Sixth Man of the Year in basketball for the 2023–24 season… Senior year totals included 1,008 all-purpose yards, 7 touchdowns, 83 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, and a pick-six… Career totals include 1,474 receiving yards, 394 rushing yards, 14 touchdowns, 785 kick return yards, 223 tackles, and 11 interceptions.

Personal: Son of Myles and Keri Link… Plans to major in Business… Career goals include working into the two-deep and earning a starting role at the collegiate level… Related to Montana State Hall of Fame running back Paul Schafer… A 4-handicap golfer.

Cooper Neer, LB, 6-3, 205, Kennewick, Wash. / Kennewick HS

High School: Three-year football letterwinner and four-year track and field letterwinner, also lettering once in basketball… Two-time All-Conference First Team linebacker (2024, 2025)… Posted 47.5 tackles as a senior, including 32 solo stops, averaging nearly six tackles per game… Earned multiple team honors, including the Vince Cejka Award in both football and basketball as a sophomore, and Captain Award, Friday Night Defensive Player, and Most Valuable Teammate honors in football as a junior… Added another Captain Award and Friday Night Defensive Player recognition as a senior… Member of Kennewick’s record-breaking 4×100 relay team, competing at the state championships as a sophomore and junior, and regularly qualifying for the prestigious Pasco Invite.

Personal: Son of Jenn and Aaron Neer… From Kennewick, Washington… Interested in careers that blend athletics and the medical field and focused on helping others… Active in Buddy Club supporting life-skills students and attends FCA weekly… Has been in honors programs since middle school… Enjoys board games, pickleball, mountain biking, pickup basketball, and spending time with family.

Jayden Nicholas, CB, 6-0, 170, Suisun City, Calif. / De La Salle HS

High School: Rated a three-star prospect out of De La Salle and the No. 280 overall player in California by 247Sports… Helped lead De La Salle to a top 15 national ranking in 2025… A two years starter on both sides of the ball… As a DB totaled 39 tackles and 2.5 TFLs… Also forced a fumble and picked off a pass… Also played wide receiver and caught 4 passes for 137 yards and one TD… Returned six kickoffs as well for a total of 195 yards, an average of 32.5 yards per tote… Chose Montana over offers from Arizona, Hawaii, Nevada, and Northern Arizona, Sac State, Washington State, San Diego State, Nevada, UNLV, and San Jose State.

Mac Olsen, DL, 6-4, 245, Manti, Utah / Manti HS

High School: Four-year letterwinner in football and a 2025 team captain… Key contributor to one of Utah’s premier 3A programs, helping lead Manti to state runner-up finishes in both 2023 and 2025… Three-time All-State selection (2023, 2024, 2025)… Breakout senior campaign included 10 sacks, 19 tackles for loss, and 79 total tackles… Logged 254 career tackles and 27 sacks in three years… Had previously committed to Fresno State… Also held offers from Air Force, EWU, Idaho, and Idaho State… Rated as a three-star prospect by 247Sports with a No. 33 overall rank in the state of Utah

Personal: Son of Steve and Jen Olsen… Plans to major in Sports Medicine… Career goals include becoming an All-Conference performer and competing for a national championship… Enjoys hunting, fishing, golfing, and wake surfing in the summer.

Derek Opitz, DT/LS, 6-3, 250, Helena, Mont. / Capital HS

High School: Four-year varsity football letterwinner and two-time track and field letterwinner… Football captain in 2025… Key contributor to Capital High’s State Championship teams in 2022 (12–0) and 2024 (11–1)… Honors include Honorable Mention All-Conference Guard (2023), First Team All-State Offensive Guard (2024), and Honorable Mention All-Conference Defensive End (2024)… Football accolades also include Most Improved Offensive Lineman (2023) and track Most Improved and Hardest Worker (2025)… Consistent performer on both sides of the ball and in track and field.

Personal: Son of Chad and Angie Opitz… Plans to major in Business… Father played football for Montana, and brother Hayden currently plays for the Griz… Career goals include sharing snaps on the field with his brother, contributing to the team, making new friends, and enjoying the Missoula experience… Lifelong Griz fan with a love for animals.

Evan Pyron, DE, 6-3, 225, Missoula, Mont. / Hellgate HS

High School: Three-sport athlete in football, basketball, and track… Academic All-State all four years in football, basketball, and track… First Team All-Conference tight end and Second Team All-State tight end as a junior; Second Team All-Conference tight end as a sophomore… Senior season totals: 24 receptions for 225 yards, 53 tackles, and two touchdowns… Career totals: 62 receptions for 674 yards, 158 tackles, and four touchdowns… Football team captain for three seasons… Winner of Hellgate’s 1/11th team culture award in 2025… Lettered four years in football, two years in basketball and track… Basketball conference champion in 2023… Track standout with a 6th-place finish in shot put and top-10 finish in discus in 2025… Also competed in the 4×100 and field events… Rated a three-star prospect by 247Sports and the No. 5 overall prospect in Montana

Personal: Son of Krista and Dave Pyron… Mother Krista (née Redpath) played basketball at Montana… Plans to major in Physics… Career goals include playing in the NFL or becoming an engineer… Enjoys Dune, is a lifelong San Francisco 49ers fan, and plays the tenor saxophone… Won a high school robotics competition.

Elijah Rincon, DE, 6-3, 230, Hacienda Heights, Calif. / Downey HS

High School: As a senior posted 39 tackles in 11 games with 7 TFLs, 4 sacks, and 9 hurries with a forced fumble… Helped Downey to a 9-2 record his senior season with a league championship at 5-0 in the Gateway conference… Had previously been committed to Cal Poly, and had received interest from Cornell and Utah Tech with interest from Boise State and EWU.

Personal: Holds a 3.8 GPA.

Courtney Rogers, RB, 6-2, 200, Blytheville, Ark. / Blytheville HS

High School: Multi-sport athlete who competed in football, basketball, baseball, and track throughout his high school career… Two-year football team captain at Blytheville High School under coach Rod Stinson… Earned All-Conference honors in both 2023 and 2024… Collected multiple game balls from 2022–2025 and was named the Kentucky Fried Chicken Player of the Game in 2025… Set the school record for most touchdowns scored across a five-year span… Helped lead Blytheville to a 7–3 record and a No. 3 conference finish in 2025… Senior season totals included 168 carries for 1,938 yards and 21 touchdowns.

Personal: Son of Phoenicia Rogers… Plans to major in Physical Education with long-term goals that include earning degrees in physical education and pursuing real estate, and finance… Aspires to use sports to mentor and develop young athletes, build financial independence through property ownership, and help others do the same… A community-oriented person who loves church, giving back, and helping people become better versions of themselves… Enjoys reading in his free time and avoids TV and video games.

Lincoln Senter, ATH, 6-5, 250, Great Falls, Mont. / C.M. Russell HS

High School: Two-year varsity letterwinner in football and basketball… Football captain in 2025… Earned Honorable Mention All-Conference and Academic All-State recognition in 2024… Began playing football as a freshman and quickly developed into a key contributor for CMR.

Personal: Son of Tom and Janae Senter… Originally from Silverton, Oregon… Plans to major in Business… Career goals include completing a successful academic and athletic career in college and leveraging those skills for long-term success in life.

William Snell, WR, 6-4, 195, Billings, Mont. / Central HS

High School: Four-year varsity letterwinner in football and track, two-time varsity letterwinner in basketball… Key contributor to Billings Central Catholic’s football success, including a 23–1 record, Class A State Championship, and two Eastern A Conference titles… Special Teams Player of the Year and Academic All-State honoree… All-State wide receiver/ cornerback, All-Conference basketball, and All-State track performer… Track highlights include 400m Class A State Champion, Midland Roundtable top 10 400m, and divisional champion in the 100m and 200m… Senior football totals: 1,413 all-purpose yards, 783 receiving yards, 12 receiving touchdowns, 261 rushing yards, 2 rushing touchdowns, 348 kick/punt return yards, 14 total touchdowns, 17 tackles, and 5 interceptions.

Personal: Son of Kasey Dreamer-Littleowl and William F. Snell, stepdad Josh Littleowl… From Billings, Montana… Plans to major in Criminology… Career goals include making an impact at the University of Montana, helping people on and off the field, pursuing a career with the FBI, and eventually coaching… Member of the Crow and Fort Belknap tribes.

Rodney Weatherspoon, CB, 6-0, 175, Fort Worth, Texas / Byron Nelson HS

High School: Helped lead Byron Nelson to a 2025 UIL Texas State Championship and a 10-3 record… Totaled 21 tackles as a senior with 2 TFLs with one INT and 5 forced incompletions and 3 pass breakups… Is also a power lifter with a 300-pound clean and was timed at a 10.83 100… Also held offers from Montana State, Navy, Austin Peay, and Tennessee State.

Josiah West, OL, 6-6, 260, Prosser, Wash. / Prosser HS

High School: A three-star prospect out of Prosser High that was rated the No. 33 overall recruit in the state of Washington according to 247Sports… Also held offers from Air Force, Montana State, EWU, and Idaho.

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Greeny Announces Addition to 2026 Spring Roster

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10 minutes ago

January 7, 2026

Your Sports Nation

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – West Virginia University volleyball coach Jen Greeny has announced the addition of Lucie Šmardová, a libero from Brno, Czech Republic, to the 2026 spring roster.

“Lucie is a libero who will immediately give us solidity in the back row both in reception and defensively,” Greeny said. “She has played against high level competition in Europe, with experiences with the National Team, Champions league, not to mention the Czech league. We know from experience that Czech volleyball is quality and rising in the world of volleyball on the international stage.

Lucie is athletic, moves well, and is a great person, which is something we always look for. She chose us over one Top 25 team, two NCAA Tournament teams, and three B1G Ten teams. We are so excited Lucie believed in us and will be joining us this January.”

Šmardová competes for VK Královo Pole under coach Erik Nezhoda. The 5-foot-9 libero has represented the Czech Republic on the international stage as a member of the U21 National Team, competing in the CEV European Championships.

At the club level, Šmardová helped lead Královo Pole to a Czech Women’s Extraliga Championship, while also earning multiple podium finishes in the U18 and U20 Czech Extraliga, including a U20 national title. She has competed in both the CEV Champions League and the CEV Cup, gaining experience against some of the strongest professional teams in Europe.

Šmardová’s accomplishments include a Czech Women’s Cup championship and runner-up finishes in both league and cup play.

The daughter of Petr and Hana, Šmardová plans to major in sport management at West Virginia, with aspirations of pursuing a career in the business side of the sports industry, focusing on marketing and organizational development.

For more information on the Mountaineers, follow @WVUVolleyball on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

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Chris Poole Stepping Down as Head Volleyball Coach

Published

26 minutes ago

January 7, 2026

Your Sports Nation

TALLAHASSEE – Florida State volleyball head coach Chris Poole is stepping down from his position, he announced Wednesday. Poole, who led FSU to 15 NCAA Tournament appearances in his 18 seasons, chose not to seek an extension of his contract following the 2025 season.

Poole leaves the sideline following a distinguished career marked by competitive success, program growth, and a lasting impact on student-athletes both on and off the court. In 18 seasons with the Seminoles, Poole tallied 405 wins and led the Garnet and Gold to four ACC championships. Poole led FSU to the Round of 16 in the NCAA Tournament five times and became the first ACC team to reach the National Semifinal in 2011. The four-time ACC Coach of the Year led the Seminoles to 12 20-win seasons and 36 victories over ranked opponents. Poole is the seventh-winningest coach in Division I history with his 955 career wins in 39 seasons as a head coach.

“This university, this department, and this program have meant everything to me,” Poole said. “After thoughtful consideration, I believe this is the right time for me to step aside. I am excited to pursue my next goal in life of working in athletics administration. I am incredibly proud of what we’ve built in Tallahassee and am fully confident in the future of Florida State volleyball.

Florida State Vice President and Director of Athletics Michael Alford praised Poole’s legacy and accomplishments.

“Chris Poole is one of the most respected coaches in Florida State’s entire athletics history,” Alford said. “His decision to step down allows the volleyball program to take its next step forward, but his legacy of consistent competitiveness will always be remembered. We are grateful for his leadership, his integrity, and the foundation he has built.”

Florida State will conduct a national search for its next head coach.

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NIU Athletics 2025 Year in Review

Published

41 minutes ago

January 7, 2026

Your Sports Nation

DEKALB, Ill. – A transformative year for Northern Illinois University Athletics, 2025 will be remembered as a year when Huskie Athletics charted a new path for the future, while achieving numerous on-field accomplishments and raising the bar in fundraising as NIU continues to adapt to the changing landscape of college athletics.

Horizon League Press Conference A new era for Huskie Football was announced in January as NIU accepted an invitation to join the Mountain West Conference for football beginning in the fall of 2026. A month later, it was announced that 14 of NIU’s athletic programs will join the Horizon League beginning with the 2026-27 school year.

With those two moves, NIU secured a future for competing at the highest level, both nationally and regionally, to ensure that Huskies Athletics continues to thrive.

NIU completed its conference alignment for 2026-27 in October as the Huskie gymnastics team accepted an invitation into the Mountain West while the NIU wrestling team became a member of the Pac-12.

As the landscape of college athletics continued to evolve with NCAA House settlement requirements, transfer portal and revenue share in 2025, the need for financial support became even more important and Huskie alumni, fans and friends continued to do their part in contributing generously to that effort. NIU Athletics move to this new national model continues to be innovative in its efforts to reduce expenses while increasing revenues.

The amount of unrestricted dollars raised by the Huskie Athletic Fund (HAF) rose by 285 percent in 2025, with unrestricted donors increasing by 38 percent. The overall number of donors to the HAF increased by 64 percent while the total dollars raised grew by 18 percent during the calendar year.

Sean Frazier NACDA Gavel Huskies Invest, NIU Athletics’ annual week of giving, continued to set records in 2025, generating $1.2 million from over 1,000 gifts as the all-time contribution to Huskies Invest eclipsed $5.5 million.

In June, NIU Vice President and Director of Athletics and Recreation Sean T. Frazier began his one-year term as President of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) in this role he is involved in shaping the future of college athletics. He sat down with Tai M. Brown for the One Question Leadership podcast to explain how the new financial models can help sustain athletics while highlighting your institution.

On the field of play, the NIU men’s soccer team captured a share of the Missouri Valley Conference regular season title, its second conference crown in five years and also scored a memorable victory over Notre Dame in the first-ever visit to DeKalb by an ACC school in men’s soccer.

Women’s tennis capped a remarkable season with its first-ever postseason appearance as the Huskies competed in the UTR Sports NIT Championship. The women’s tennis team set a new school record with 22 dual match victories and reached the final of the Mid-American Conference Tournament for the first time in program history. December 25 Graduation Year in Review

Blake West of the NIU wrestling team captured a MAC Championship at 125 pounds and, along with Landen Johnson, extended NIU’s streak of sending wrestlers to the NCAA Championships to 54 consecutive years. This fall, West made more history as he became just the sixth wrestler in program history to reach the 100-career win mark.

Kamiya Dendy also captured a MAC Championship for the NIU track and field team during the outdoor season, becoming NIU’s first-ever high jump champion at the MAC outdoor meet. Kiera O’Shea of the NIU gymnastics teams qualified for the NCAA Regionals for the second consecutive year in 2025 while, this fall, Nikola Puntaric from the Huskie men’s tennis team earned a bid to the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Masters Championship after claiming the top flight singles title at the MAC Indoor Championship.

Along with their successes on the fields of play, Huskie student-athletes had a banner year in the classroom in 2025, culminating in a fall semester that saw all 16 programs achieve a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better, with a department GPA of 3.274, which included 303 student-athletes at 3.0 or above and 50 student-athletes achieve a 4.0 GPA.

As the winds of change continue to blow in collegiate athletics, NIU’s achievements in 2025 have Huskie Athletics well-positioned for more success in 2026 and beyond.

2024/25 Athletics Snapshot

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Pepperdine Extends Men’s Volleyball Head Coach Jonathan Winder

Published

42 minutes ago

January 7, 2026

Your Sports Nation

MALIBU, Calif. — Pepperdine University and head men’s volleyball coach Jonathan Winder have agreed to a contract extension through 2030, announced today.

The reigning MPSF Coach of the Year, Winder led the Waves to their seventh MPSF Championship in 2025, eventually reaching the NCAA semifinals after defeating Loyola Chicago in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament.

“Jonathan has delivered championship results while leading our program with the values that embody Pepperdine,” said Director of Athletics Tanner Gardner. “His impact extends beyond the court with our athletes and the broader Pepperdine community, and we are excited about the future of the program with the culture and success that he’s instilled.”

The 2025 season also saw the Waves earn 12 ranked victories with a 21-10 overall record in Winder’s third season at the helm of the program, defeating No. 2 UCLA and No. 5 USC in the MPSF Tournament to claim the title at home in Malibu.

Across his first three seasons, Winder has compiled a 54-35 overall record with the Waves. His teams have produced seven AVCA All-Americans, an MPSF Player of the Year (Jaylen Jasper, 2023), MPSF Freshman of the Year in back-to-back seasons (Ethan Watson in 2024 and Cole Hartke in 2025), and nine All-MPSF selections.

His first season saw the Waves boast a 16-14 record in 2023 including an 11-3 record at home, before going 17-11 in 2024 which featured five ranked victories.

“It is the greatest privilege and honor to be the men’s volleyball head coach here at Pepperdine,” said Winder. “I’m extremely grateful for President Gash, Vice President Tim Perrin, Athletic Director Tanner Gardner and Senior Associate AD Amanda Kurtz for the opportunity to continue to lead this program. My family and I love being a part of this community, so it is a great joy to be able to continue our work here. We have made quite a few strides in the past few years as a program on and off the court with more to come this year.”

The extension comes ahead of the Mountain at Mullin Park opening later this year, a new 3,600 seat arena and enhanced facility for the program, which is set to begin as the new home of Pepperdine men’s volleyball in 2027.

“With the opening of The Mountain next year, we are thrilled to be able to steward this program into the ever changing landscape of college athletics,” noted Winder “Having the alignment with the University, the Pepperdine Men’s Volleyball program is as motivated as ever to pursue excellence on the court while developing the lives of our athletes for purpose, service, and leadership.”

A Pepperdine all-time great, Winder graduated in 2008 as a four-time AVCA All-American, the 2007 AVCA National Player of the Year and a member of the 2005 NCAA championship team. He still holds the program’s career assists record (5,118) and ranks sixth in digs (656).

Winder was also a member of the U.S. National Team from 2007-12. He helped the U.S. finish first at the 2007 Pan American Cup and second in 2009, as well as sixth at the 2010 FIVB World Championships. Winder was an alternate for the 2012 U.S. Olympic squad.

Winder first returned to Pepperdine in 2013 as an academic coordinator before shifting over to the men’s volleyball program. The 2014 Waves went 19-7, won a share of the MPSF regular-season title and finished fourth in the national rankings.

As an assistant coach with the Washington indoor women’s volleyball team, the Huskies went 105-21 with back-to-back Elite Eight appearances in 2015 and 2016 with Winder on staff. Moving over as head coach of the beach program at Washington, the Huskies took third place at the 2017 Pac-12 Championships, which is still the best showing in program history.

Winder then served as head coach of the Fresno State women’s indoor volleyball program from 2018-21, going 56-47 while producing 11 All-Mountain West honorees, before returning to Pepperdine.

The Waves will look to defend their MPSF crown in 2026, with the season kicking off Friday at Firestone Fieldhouse, taking on St. Thomas Aquinas at 6 p.m.

ABOUT PEPPERDINE MEN’S VOLLEYBALL

Pepperdine men’s volleyball boasts one of the richest histories in collegiate volleyball, with five NCAA National Championships. Four of those championships came under the direction of Hall of Fame coach Marv Dunphy who totaled 612 victories in 34 seasons at the helm. With 19 NCAA Appearances and 63 All-Americans, the program has consistently been a destination for top talent across the country. Under current head coach Jonathan Winder, the Waves reached the NCAA Final Four in his third season at the helm in 2025.

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Sports

Reilly Named Finalist for Honda Sport Award for Volleyball – University of Nebraska

Published

58 minutes ago

January 7, 2026

Your Sports Nation

Bergen Reilly from the University of Nebraska, Olivia Babcock from the University of Pittsburgh, Eva Hudson from the University of Kentucky and Mimi Colyer from the University of Wisconsin are the four finalists for the Class of 2026 Honda Sport Award for Volleyball as announced by Chris Voelz, Executive Director of the Collegiate Women Sports Awards (CWSA) on Jan. 7.

The announcement comes during a landmark moment for the organization, as the CWSA celebrates its 50th anniversary during the 2025–26 collegiate athletics season. For five decades, the Honda Sport Award has honored the nation’s top women athletes in 12 NCAA-sanctioned sports, symbolizing “the best of the best in collegiate athletics.” The recipient will become a finalist for the prestigious Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year and the Class of 2026 Honda Cup, to be presented live on Monday, July 27, at 6 p.m. CT on CBS Sports Network.

The volleyball finalists were selected by a panel of experts and coaches from the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA). Voting for the Honda Sport Award for volleyball is conducted by senior women administrators from more than 1,000 NCAA member institutions.

Reilly set the Huskers to a school-record .351 hitting percentage, as the Big Red concluded their season with a 33-1 overall record and 20-0 mark in Big Ten play en route to a third straight conference title. Reilly averaged 10.47 assists per set and 2.70 digs per set. She also totaled 73 kills, 67 blocks and 19 aces.

Reilly was named a first-team AVCA All-American, AVCA Setter of the Year, Big Ten Player of the Year, Big Ten Setter of the Year, AVCA Region Player of the Year and All-Big Ten First Team. NU’s .351 hitting percentage ranked first nationally and was the best hitting percentage by a Big Ten team since 2009 Penn State.

A junior from Sioux Falls, S.D., Reilly set Nebraska to a .400 or better hitting percentage nine times this season, a school record in the rally-scoring era. Reilly had double-doubles in all six of the Husker matches that went longer than three sets, and she had four double-doubles in sweeps.

A three-time AVCA All-American and one of four finalists for AVCA Player of the Year, Reilly ranks No. 3 in school history in career assists in the rally-scoring era with 3,723. Her career assists per set average of 10.70 ranks No. 4 among active Division I players and No. 2 in school history in the rally-scoring era.

As the CWSA marks its 50th anniversary, the organization continues its longstanding mission to honor excellence in athletics, leadership, academics, and community service. Since 1986, Honda has contributed more than $3.4 million in institutional grants to support women’s athletics programs nationwide.

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Sports

Texas Tech posts another record semester in classroom

Published

1 hour ago

January 7, 2026

Your Sports Nation

LUBBOCK, Texas – Texas Tech Athletics announced its fall academic accomplishments Wednesday, which was highlighted by both the highest term and cumulative GPA on record.

Texas Tech recorded a 3.49 term GPA among its more than 375 student-athletes this fall, shattering the overall department record of 3.39 that was set during the 2024 fall semester. The successful semester raised the department’s cumulative GPA to 3.48, which is, again, the highest on record, breaking the previous mark of 3.41 that was also set this past spring.

This is the 22nd-consecutive semester Texas Tech’s student-athletes have boasted at least a 3.0 department GPA, continuing its trend of academic success. In total, all 13 athletic teams finished with a fall term and cumulative GPA over 3.0 with six of those programs – baseball, football, men’s tennis, women’s basketball, softball and women’s track and field– recording the highest term GPA on record.

The Texas Tech men’s tennis team led the department with a 3.79 fall GPA followed by soccer (3.74), women’s basketball (3.70), women’s track and field (3.63), softball (3.63), women’s tennis (3.63) and volleyball (3.59). Texas Tech had 11 of its 13 teams with at least a 3.2 term GPA with baseball at a 3.42, both men’s and women’s golf at a 3.40 and the Red Raider football program at a record 3.23. The football program has raised its academic standards during Joey McGuire‘s four seasons leading the Red Raiders, all while doing the same on the field with Texas Tech’s first Big 12 title and appearance in the College Football Playoff this season.

Texas Tech had eight teams – baseball, football, men’s tennis, women’s basketball, softball, women’s track and field, soccer and volleyball – post the highest cumulative GPA on record. The soccer program continues to boast the department’s highest cumulative GPA at 3.80 followed by men’s tennis (3.68), volleyball (3.61), softball (3.58), women’s track and field (3.57), women’s basketball (3.55), men’s golf (3.53) and women’s tennis (3.52).

In total, Texas Tech had 110 student-athletes – 29 percent of the population – record a perfect 4.0 GPA, its highest percentage on record for any term. Texas Tech also had 82 percent of its student-athletes – 315 in total – finish with at least a 3.0 term GPA, which, again, matched the highest percentage on record. The list of accomplishments also featured 86 student-athletes on the President’s List and 96 student-athletes recognized on the Dean’s List.

Texas Tech capped the semester with 27 of its student-athletes across seven sports earning their degrees during the fall commencement ceremonies held at United Supermarkets Arena. The group of graduates combined for a 3.43 cumulative GPA during their time at Texas Tech. A full list of graduates is located below.

Texas Tech student-athletes have a dedicated staff at the Marsha Sharp Center who guide each student-athlete to success from the time of enrollment to graduation. The Marsha Sharp Center provides space for private study, computer labs, supplemental instruction classrooms and private conferencing areas for tutoring and mentoring appointments.

Note: For reporting purposes, the sport of track and field was combined into two teams based on gender, using rosters from indoor, outdoor and cross country seasons.

TEXAS TECH FALL GRADUATES

Baseball: Brendan Lysik, Peyton Schulze.

Football: Tanner Allen, E’Maurion Banks, Jack Burgess, Davion Carter, Caleb Douglas, Jack Esparza, Skyler Gill-Howard, Stone Harrington, A.J. Holmes Jr., Johncarlos Miller II, Bryce Ramirez, Ben Roberts, Terrell Tilmon, Haydon Wiginton, Sheridan Wilson, Hunter Zambrano.

Soccer: Macy Blackburn, Faith Nguyen, Peyton Parsons, Molly Skurcenski.

Softball: Alexa Langeliers.

Men’s Track and Field: Mario Paul, Trey Leathers

Women’s Track and Field: Mekenze Kelley, Shelby Frank.