Jim Barnes has long had a knack for elevating programs to powerhouse status, and for the fourth-year head coach of Iowa volleyball, the Hawkeyes carry that same potential.

Iowa’s 2023-24 campaign, Barnes’ second with the team, saw the Hawkeyes finish 0-20 in Big Ten contests, but this past season saw Iowa improve to four conference wins, besting Rutgers twice and knocking off Maryland and Indiana along the way.

Barnes, whose past coaching tenures include a Sweet 16 run with Baylor, noted the great potential of last season’s roster and the challenges that came with early injuries, like third-year setter Claire Ammeraal.

“I believe last year we had the team to create a winning record had we not run into some injuries early,” Barnes said in an interview with The Daily Iowan. “I think we had the potential to have a winning season and really get going, but didn’t overcome some of those challenges.”

The McNeese State alum also noted the high quality of both teams from this current and the previous season.
“We had the team to do it, and now we’ve doubled that,” Barnes said. “We’ve doubled the talent, we’ve doubled the depth, and we have more than enough on our roster to create a really strong, winning season.”

A key part of any good program is its setters, which the Hawkeyes maximized last season.

Ammeraal tallied 378 assists, averaging 6.41 assists per set, despite an injury that confined the Central Michigan transfer to only 18 matches on the season.

When Ammeraal was sidelined, first-year Jenna Meitzler stepped up to close the gap, posting 709 assists, 143 digs, 55 blocks, and 37 kills.

Ammeraal credits the team’s focus as a key part of winning games last season, despite both individual and program obstacles.

“It seemed like they were a lot more driven,” Ammeraal said in an interview. “They had a lot more common goals, which I really liked. We lost a couple of people from last season, but I think now, we’re even more focused on one thing. We all want the same things.”

The Madison, Wisconsin, native also praised Barnes’ leadership as a coach who keeps the team moving in the same direction.

“He has a positive attitude that brings everybody up,” Ammeraal said. “With his recruiting process, especially, he’s looking for players with good culture who are going to bring good vibes. That’s huge because having one bad attitude on the team can bring a couple other people down with it, and then you have a divide on your team. That’s what leads to losing records, losing games, having a bad time.”

In addition to retaining key players from last season like Ammeraal, who eclipsed 2,000 career assists in just the second game of the season, the Hawkeyes added some new talent to the program this season, such as fourth-year Milana Moisio, a transfer libero from Miami who appeared in two matches of last season’s NCAA tournament.

Moisio described Barnes and his program as placing a major emphasis on culture, which was a key factor in her move to Iowa City.

“My first phone call with him was very detailed,” Moisio said in an interview. “It felt very wholesome. Their values and the culture that they were building, that they were describing, really fit with what I wanted.”
The Waukegan, Illinois native also noted the contributions she hopes to bring to Iowa, citing a positive attitude and good team morale.

“I really want to focus on having my teammates lean on me, especially when times get challenging,” Moisio said. “It’s so easy to play [well] when things are smooth and everyone’s on the same page, but when things are [chaotic], I really want my teammates to know that they can lean on me.”

Barnes ultimately emphasized the positive attitude this year’s team continues to carry into games, praising their resilience as well as both new and returning talent.

“Things have to go your way, you’ve got to stay healthy, but we’re really optimistic about what we can do this year,” Barnes said. “We’ve got some players that can really play and have some good experiences. [We’re] expecting big things.”

INDIANAPOLIS – Head coach Haley Kindall announced the addition of eight new players to the 2025 Greyhound team, which will be her first season with the team.

When asked about the upcoming eight new players being added to the team, Kindall said, “I couldn’t be more excited about this recruiting class. Each one of these young women were carefully handpicked. We are bringing in a unique blend of youth and experience that will add depth, energy, and personality to our program.”

“What unites this team is their undeniable competitive spirit, relentless drive to be great, and deep love for UIndy Volleyball,” Kindall said. “We are proud of this group and cannot wait to begin the next chapter of Greyhound Volleyball, together.”

Carly Fonda is a 5’9 setter from Floyds Knobs, Ind. where she attended Floyd Central High School, and played for the Union Volleyball Club’s 18 UA Black team. As the Highlander’s setter, she recorded a whopping 56.4 kill percentage with 468 kills. She also had 830 career attack attempts with an incredible .490 hitting percentage, and 168 aces in 339 sets played at Floyd Central.

When asked about why Fonda chose to join the Greyhounds’ team, “I chose UIndy because of the strong culture and academics, and I loved the team and all the other people I met while on campus”, said Fonda. “There are so many awesome opportunities and resources at UIndy as well, and after going on my visit, I knew it was where I wanted to spend my next 4 years!”

Carson Bowling is a 5’11 middle hitter out of Trinity Lutheran High School in Seymour, Ind., where she helped lead the Cougars to two 1A sectional championships, a 1A regional title, and 2022 state runner-up finish. She also claimed first team All-Region honors after her senior season. Along with her stellar high school career, she was also a part of the Cougar Volleyball Club where in 2022 her team won the MEQ, the JVA World Challenge, and competed in the AAU National Tournament in Orlando, Fla.

Bowling said, “I chose UIndy because it was the perfect fit for me. It is close to home, not too big but not too small, and everyone here was so welcoming and kind!”

Kaitlin Fasbender is a 6’0 middle blocker from right here in Indianapolis, where she attended Lawrence North High School. In her time with the Wildcats she became only the ninth player in Lawrence North history to be named an Indiana All-Star by the Indiana High School Volleyball Coaches Association. In her four years she picked up 149 kills on a .218 hitting percentage in 148 sets played.

After her four year career at Lawrence North, she spent the last three seasons at GLVC rival Drury, where she recorded a .230 hitting percentage with 209 kills in 58 matches played. She also racked up .265 attacking percentage on 309 attack attempts.

Fasbender said, “From academics to athletics, UIndy immediately just felt so welcoming and like home. The coaches and girls are creating a great culture while also being hungry to compete and I am so excited to be a part of the program.”

Lauren Gips is a 6’2 middle blocker from Winter Park, Fla. where she attended Lake Highland Preparatory School. In her time at Lake Highland Prep School, she was named a PrepVolleyball.com Special Mention All-American, earned Florida All-State Second Team honors, Under Armour Honorable Mention All-American and AVCA All-Region during her senior year. In her four years with the Highlanders, Gips also helped lead the team to two state titles.

Before arriving at UIndy, Gips spent her previous four seasons combined at Babson College and Rice University. She spent her first two seasons at Rice where she appeared in six matches before heading to Babson College where she became a two-time AVCA All-American. In two seasons with the Beavers she averaged 3.04 kills on a .362 hitting percentage. She also tallied 361 kills at a .395 clip in her 2024 season.

Gips said, “I knew for my last year of eligibility I wanted to be a part of something special. What makes Uindy that is the competitive culture not only found in the volleyball program, but amongst all the other athletic programs too. The energy Coach Haley brings is contagious, and I felt that even on our very first phone call. As a former national champion herself, she knows what it takes to win and I believe she will take this program to new heights.”

Lucia Brown is a 5’6 setter from Catholic Memorial High School in Menomonee Falls, Wis., where she also spent three seasons with the Milwaukee Sting, and one with the Revolution Volleyball Academy. In four years for the Crusaders, the setter racked up impressive numbers including; 574 digs, 430 kills, 112 aces, and had a .202 hitting percentage.

Brown said, “I chose UIndy for various reasons; being located near the city, the cute welcoming campus, a coach (Kindall) who believes in me and reminds me of myself, and is someone who will do whatever it takes to win, as well as UIndy having a good education and lots of internship opportunities.”

Makenzie Pflederer is a 5’8 outside hitter and defensive specialist from Tremont High School in Tremont, Ill. In her career at Tremont, she earned various honors including; two first team All-Conference, two Delavan All-Tournament team honors, a Peoria Journal Star All-Area, an IHSA Top-10 Player to Watch, and a Decatur St. Teresa All-Tournament Team honors.

After graduating from Tremont, Pflederer spent two years at Illinois Central College in East Peoria, Ill. In her first year with the program, Pflederer ranked fourth on the team in kills (312), third in total attacks (1055), fourth in kills per set (1.99), and third in digs (468).

Pflederer said, “I chose UIndy because I was encouraged by the passion and dedication the coaching staff has towards the sport of volleyball. They want to create a space of competitiveness while also providing a positive atmosphere for players to build character and confidence.”

Paige Boettcher is a 5’8 outside hitter from Germantown High School in Jackson, Wis., where she racked up an impressive 593 kills, 527 digs and 117 assists in 227 sets played over her four year career with the Warhawks. In her 2024 season she claimed four player of the match awards including three in two weeks in the month of September. 

When asked about why Boettcher chose UIndy she said, “I chose UIndy because the campus felt like home and it is beautiful.”

Paige Parlanti is a 6’0 outside hitter from Las Vegas, Nev., where she attended Desert Oasis High School. She led Nevada 4A in kills with 348, including breaking a school-record for kills in a single match multiple times, including 23 in one game her senior season. She also racked up multiple honors including; first team All-Region, a two-time All-Southern Nevada second team, a 2018 All-State Honorable Mention, and an MVP award in the 2021 Chatsworth California Tournament. She also played for the Vegas Aces where she compiled three gold, one silver and two bronze medals.

After four years at Desert Oasis, she played a combined three seasons at Vincennes College (two), and Bowling Green State (one). In two years at Vincennes she appeared in 72 matches, with 1,049 kills, 946 digs, 141 blocks, 105 aces and 13 assists. She was also named to the NJCAA All-American second-team, twice to the Volleyball.com All-American team, and was a two-time NJCAA Region 24 Player of the Year.

When asked about why she chose UIndy she said, “I chose to go to UIndy because it is very familiar to me and I already know the girls and the expectations of the program. I also love how Coach Haley is making great changes for the future of UIndy volleyball. I am very excited to be a part of this program!”

The Greyhounds open their season at home in the UIndy Invitational against Parkside on Sept. 4 at 6 p.m. in the Ruth Lilly Fitness Center.

STANDISH, Maine – The 2025 Saint Joseph’s College volleyball schedule is set, with the Monks slated to compete in 28 matches this fall. The season begins on Saturday, August 30th, with a doubleheader against Maine Maritime and host University of New England in Biddeford. The regular season wraps up on November 8th with a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) tri-match versus Simmons University and Colby-Sawyer College in New London, N.H.

Now in his eighth season at the helm, Head Coach Jon Roberts returns after leading Saint Joseph’s to a 15-17 overall record and a 10-5 GNAC mark in 2024. The 2025 schedule features 13 conference contests and 15 non-conference match-ups, including key tilts against 2024 NCAA Tournament participants Maine Maritime and Colby College (Sept. 9, at home).

The Monks will also face two first-time opponents—SUNY Oswego and Western New England—during the Amherst College Tournament on September 6th.

Conference play begins on Saturday, September 20th, when the Monks travel to Franklin, Mass. to take on Dean College at 7:00 PM.

The 2025 GNAC Tournament begins with quarterfinal action on November 11th, followed by semifinal and championship rounds on November 13th and 15th. The conference champion earns an automatic bid to the NCAA DIII Tournament, which starts on November 20th.

Saint Joseph’s earned the #6 seed in last year’s GNAC Tournament and advanced to the semifinals for the second straight season after upsetting #3 Regis College in the opening round. The Monks’ postseason run ended with a 3-1 loss to second-seeded Johnson & Wales.

 

Matches to Watch:

August 30 vs. Maine Maritime @ University of New England – The Monks open the season with a challenging doubleheader against a pair of in-state foes. Saint Joseph’s faces Maine Maritime at 12:00 PM followed by host University of New England at 4:00 PM. The Monks will be looking to snap losing streaks against both programs—last defeating MMA in 2017 and UNE in 2022.

September 30 vs. Southern Maine – Saint Joseph’s and USM split their 2024 season series, with the Monks sweeping the Huskies 3-0 in late August before falling 3-1 in the October rematch. The Huskies own a 24-21 edge in the all-time series dating back to 1996.

October 25 vs. Lasell University – SJC hosts two-time defending GNAC champion Lasell in the opener of a conference tri-match that also features Elms College. The Monks aim to reverse a four-match skid against the Lasers, who lead the all-time series 16-5 and haven’t lost to Saint Joseph’s since 2019.

 

2025 SCHEDULE SYNOPSIS:

* GNAC Opponent

Today, League One Volleyball (LOVB) announced SKIMS as its official loungewear, intimates, and sleepwear partner as momentum around volleyball continues to surge in the United States. The partnership will see LOVB and SKIMS work together to accelerate the future of professional women’s volleyball, as well as empower girls and women both in sports and beyond.

“Partnering with SKIMS is an incredible milestone for our league and clubs — their dedication to empowering women and celebrating confidence aligns perfectly with our mission to elevate our athletes of every age, and accelerate growth of the sport of volleyball,” said Michelle McGoldrick, LOVB’s Chief Business Officer. “Together, we’re not only supporting our remarkable athletes on their journey to becoming household names, but also helping to inspire the next generation of players and fans.”

With record breaking crowds, the LA28 Olympics approaching, and LOVB’s grassroots-to-pro movement, volleyball has become more visible and influential than ever before. As the #1 team sport among girls in the United States, the sport has inspired a community of confidence, empowerment, and cultural change. With a combined commitment to empowering women of all ages to feel confident in sport, while celebrating the strength and spirit of athletes both on the court and beyond, the partnership between SKIMS and LOVB became a natural fit from the start.

“This partnership with LOVB is an exciting opportunity to expand our reach at the intersection of fashion, culture, and sports,” said Jens Grede, Co-Founder & CEO, SKIMS.  “Volleyball highlights strength, teamwork, and rising female talent and we’re proud to partner with LOVB at this key moment, as LOVB’s mission to transform women’s volleyball aligns with SKIMS’ goal to empower women, both in sports and beyond.”

“We’re excited to partner with League One Volleyball and to support the incredible community they’re building from youth players all the way to the professional stage,” said Kim Kardashian, Co-Founder & Chief Creative Officer, SKIMS. “Together, we look forward to inspiring confidence and empowering athletes at every level through innovative products, community activations, and storytelling that celebrates the athletes on and off the court.”

The partnership will feature a number of touchpoints demonstrating how SKIMS and LOVB together champion volleyball athletes of all stages. SKIMS will participate in LOVB community and athlete-driven events, league-wide activations, and more throughout the season. The collaboration will also focus on elevating the voices of female athletes from youth to pro, as well as highlighting volleyball’s growing cultural impact across the United States.

In addition, the partnership will provide SKIMS with exposure across LOVB’s official digital platforms, events, and broadcasts, connecting with one of the fastest-growing youth and professional sports communities in the country.

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — The Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches released its 2025 Women’s All-Academic Awards, honoring water polo student-athletes and teams for their successes in the classroom during the 2024-25 academic year. UC Santa Barbara was one of the top teams academically this year, with 14 student-athletes earning individual honors and the Gauchos’ 3.64 team grade point average besting every water polo team in both The Big West and the University of California system.
 
The ACWPC All-Academic awards recognize all student-athletes who maintained a cumulative GPA of at least 3.20, so long as they were listed as active for at least one match during the season. Student-athletes are recognized in one of three tiers: Outstanding for those with a cumulative GPA between 4.0 and 3.71, Superior for those with a GPA between 3.70 and 3.41, and Excellent for those with a GPA between 3.40 and 3.20.
 
UC Santa Barbara’s 2025 All-Academic honorees are listed below.
Christina Mullane — Outstanding
Ava Donleavy — Outstanding
Cami Mras — Outstanding
Isabel Valaika — Outstanding
Lainey Weintre — Outstanding
Loretta Hovey — Outstanding
Molly Souza — Superior
Aidan Flynn — Superior
Juju Amaral — Superior
Annie Kuester — Superior
Zoe Gabriel — Superior
Hadde Hall — Excellent
Bella Mady — Excellent
Athena Wigo — Excellent