MOSCOW, Idaho – Collegiate track and field is known to have long seasons. Between indoor and outdoor, Idaho track began competing all the way back in January. The closer you get to the end of a season, the more the field of competition gets narrowed, as only the best of the best earn chances to show out after their respective conference meets. 

Now, as we reach the halfway point of 2025, if there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s that Katja Pattis deserves to sit among the best of the best in all of DI Track and Field. 

Nearing the end of her senior season, the distance runner has turned it up a notch in order to earn extra opportunities to compete. She has done so to the degree of earning the chance to earn the title that all college athletes covet: National Champion. 

After earning a bid to compete in Eugene, OR in the steeplechase, Pattis becomes the first Idaho Vandal to do so since 2022, when Lorenz Herrmann brought the black and gold to Tracktown by way of the 800m, setting a school record that he still holds today. The last Vandal woman to compete on the biggest stage was Kinsey Gomez, who represented Idaho in the 10,000m back in 2016, finishing 10th in the country. 

With just one 3,000m steeplechase to go this season, the opportunity sits in front of Pattis to become only the second-ever female national champion from Idaho, the fifth in school history, and the first since 2001. The other Vandal woman to earn a national title was, coincidentally, another Katja. Katja Schreiber established herself as the best in all of DI track and field, winning the discus title in ’01. 

IDAHO VANDALS NATIONAL CHAMPIONS BY YEAR

Katja Schreiber – 2001 – Discus

Joachim Olsen – 2000 – Shot put

Steve Brown – 1967 – High Jump

David Martindale – 1952 – Pole Vault

The meet will be streamed on ESPN2 and ESPN+. All of the broadcast links, as well as the schedule, are available on govandals.com. 

The steeplechase prelims are scheduled for Thursday, June 12 (Day 2), at 4:38 PM PST. If Pattis finishes in the top 12 of the 24 competitors, she will advance to the finals on Saturday, June 14 (Day 4), at 6:24 PM PST.

BOONE, N.C. – App State head volleyball coach Chad Sutton announced the addition of six student-athletes to the Mountaineers’ 2025 roster on Monday.
 
“My staff and I are super excited with our signing class this spring,” said Sutton. “This staff has done an incredible job coming on board and immediately getting to work to keep this roster competitive and full of great people. We have added five transfers this spring and one incoming freshman, all of which have championship history, all-conference awards or ability to their credit. Moreso, these players are great people and immediately bonded with our staff players.”
 
Maria Contreras | Setter | Tepic, Mexico | Preparatoria Del Valle HS | Santa Fe College
Maria Contreras, who hails from Tepic, Mexico, comes to the High Country as a setter after two seasons at Santa Fe College. While with the Saints, she appeared in 45 matches and 156 sets and was a First Team All-FCSAA Conference selection. During the 2024 campaign, Contreras averaged 7.29 assists per set. 
 
Prior to her collegiate career, Contreras competed on the U21 Mexican National Team at the Women’s NORCECA and made appearances in the FIVB U18 World Championships and U19 Pan American Cup. Contreras plans on studying exercise science while at App State. 
 
Why Contreras Chose App State: “I chose App State because I was looking for a competitive program with a strong support system to help me grow as a player and person. I think App State has a great community for student-athletes, which made me feel confident in making this decision.”
 
Sutton on Contreras: “Maria is an exciting player with her unique length and skill at the setting position. She will be a matchup nightmare and bring different skill sets to the position group. I fully expect big things from Maria during her time here and believe she has the potential to be a game changer for us during her time here.”
 
Bella Dafforn | Defensive Specialist/Libero | Indianapolis, Ind. | Hamilton Southeastern HS
Hailing from Indianapolis, Ind., Bella Dafforn will join the Mountaineers as a freshman defensive specialist/libero. Dafforn led a decorated career at Hamilton Southeastern, where she was a three-time Defensive Player of the Year selection, three-time all-conference honoree, and two-time all-county player. She also earned the all-captain award and was named to the USA High School Preseason Team. Additionally, she placed for the Circle City club team under the direction of Payton Perry. Dafforn helped the team to a fifth-place finish at nationals on two occasions. Academically, Dafforn was named Biomedical Student of the Year. 
 
Dafforn plans on majoring in biology while at App State. She enjoys spending time with her church group and hanging out with friends, as well as babysitting and playing pickleball. 
 
Why Dafforn Chose App State: “I chose App State because of the volleyball coaching staff, the beautiful campus, and education.”
 
Sutton on Dafforn: “Bella is a great addition to our program. Bella is a defensive specialist from Indiana with multiple back row position experiences. She has a great platform, a nasty serve, and hails from an area that just produces top-tier defensive specialists year after year. She is no stranger to high expectations or success. She will fit in seamlessly and have a very bright career here at App State.”
 
MeMe Davis | Defensive Specialist/Libero | Gainesville, Fla. | Gainesville HS | Mercer
Gainesville, Fla. native MeMe Davis will join the Mountaineers as a defensive specialist/libero after a stop at Mercer. Davis helped the Bears to a SoCon regular season title, an undefeated record at Hawkins Arena, an appearance in the SoCon Championship match, and the program’s first postseason appearance in the NIVC Tournament. Individually, Davis collected Second Team All-SoCon, SoCon All-Freshman Team, and SoCon All-Tournament Team honors. She totaled 619 digs, averaging 5.03 digs per contest, and appeared in 33 matches for the Bears.
 
Davis intends on studying healthcare management while at App State. She enjoys shopping, hanging out with friends, and binge-watching shows. She also used to majorette dance.  
 
Why Davis Chose App State: “I chose App State for athletics.”
 
Sutton on Davis: “MeMe is a star. She is one of the most exciting players I have ever been able to coach. Having served as her coach this past year, I can assure you there is nothing she can’t do on a volleyball court. She is a first contact specialist with the ability to score from the libero position. I am beyond thrilled to still be able to coach her.”
 
Lou Johnson | Middle Blocker | Ocala, Fla. | Trinity Catholic HS | Mercer
Ocala, Fla. native Elayna “Lou” Johnson will join the Mountaineers as a sophomore middle blocker after competing for Mercer. While with the Bears, she started all 32 matches and appeared in 112 sets during the 2024 campaign. She averaged 1.66 kills per set with a hitting percentage of .304. Additionally, Johnson made 76 blocks (11 solo, 65 assists) for the Bears. Alongside Davis, Johnson helped lead the Bears through a historic campaign during the 2024 season, which included a conference regular season title, undefeated home record, an appearance in the league’s championship match, and the program’s first postseason appearance. 
 
Johnson plans on studying business management while at App State. Johnson loves the beach, traveling, weightlifting, skateboarding and animals. She also has three brothers, one of which is her twin brother, and all three play NCAA Division I football. 
 
Why Johnson Chose App State: “I chose App State because of the location and because of the team atmosphere.”
 
Sutton on Johnson: “Lou is an absolute beast. She’s one of the hardest hitting players I have ever coached and the only player I have ever seen deflate a ball on contact. Lou personifies hard work on the court, in the gym, and in the classroom. She only knows one speed and that’s all out. I am very excited to add Lou to this program and can’t wait for her to get to work.”
 
Keionna Mackey | Outside Hitter | Tallahassee, Fla. | Florida State University HS | Santa Fe College, Polk State College, Georgia State
Joining the Mountaineers as an outside hitter, is Tallahassee, Fla. native Keionna Mackey. Mackey’s collegiate career has included stops at Santa Fe College, Polk State College, and Georgia State. During the 2024 season at Georgia State, Mackey appeared in 30 matches and led the Panthers with 351 kills on the season, averaging 3.03 kills per set. She also tallied 195 digs, 36 aces, and 52 blocks for the Panthers. In 2023, the Tallahassee, Fla. native competed at Polk State, where she was named a NJCAA All-American, collected First Team All-Citrus Conference honors, and was a FCSAA State All-Tournament Team selection. She also slammed down a career high 27 kills against Daytona State. In 2022, Mackey spent her freshman season at Santa Fe College, where she appeared in 70 sets and 21 matches. She tallied 211 kills on the year, averaging 3.01 per set. 
 
Mackey plans on pursuing a degree in communications while at App State. She enjoys outdoor activities, going to the beach, listening to music, going on adventures, and trying new things. 
 
Why Mackey Chose App State: “I chose App State because I want to be part of a winning program with a strong, driven culture. This team is built on hard work, discipline, and real support and that’s exactly the kind of environment I thrive in. I know I’ll be free to be myself here, and when I’m fully myself, I dominate. Choosing App State is more than just a decision – it’s a power move. It’s the next stepping stone toward greatness and exactly where I need to be to keep leveling up and chasing everything I know I’m capable of.”
 
Sutton on Mackey: “Keionna “Air” Mackey is a high-flyer with the ability to change the scoreboard from anywhere on the court. She is a player I have watched compete for a long time dating back to high school and someone I have always wanted to coach. She has big time ability and will immediately make her presence known as a senior pin. Big things are coming to Boone this fall and “Air Mack” is one of them.”
 
Ali Morris | Outside Hitter | Knoxville, Tenn.  | Grace Christian Academy | Western Carolina
Hailing from Knoxville, Tenn., Ali Morris will join the Mountaineers as an outside hitter after three seasons at Western Carolina. While with the Catamounts, Morris appeared in 84 matches and 265 sets. She led WCU in kills during the 2024 campaign, averaging 3.20 kills per set in addition to 3.66 digs per set. Additionally, she tallied 28 double-doubles while in Cullowhee. 
 
While at App State, Morris plans on studying health sciences. She enjoys golfing and can juggle. She also has a farm. 
 
Why Morris Chose App State: “I chose App State because of the coaching staff and environment.”
 
Sutton on Morris: “Ali is a fantastic senior talent coming to Boone. She is a player I have coached against the past two years and have great respect for. She is a steady but fiery competitor who adds experience, versatility, and dynamic playmaking to our roster. Ali will make an immediate impact upon her arrival.”
 

OREM, Utah — Utah Valley University will send five student-athletes to the 2025 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships this week at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon. The Wolverine men qualified for the 4×100 relay, while Kelsi Oldroyd will throw in the javelin finals.

The men’s relay squad of Gavin Stafford, Cameron Franklin, Kade Thompson, and Gabe Remy won their second straight WAC title and made their second straight NCAA Regionals appearance. The quartet recorded the eighth-fastest time at the NCAA West Preliminary Rounds in College Station, Texas, breaking a school record and finishing in 39.13 seconds.

The group is slated to run in the national semifinal, which opens the action on the track on Wednesday at 4:05 p.m. PT. They’ll run in lane eight in the third of three heats and will need to finish in the top two in the heat or have one of the next three best times to advance to Friday’s final. The race will air live on ESPN and ESPN+.

Oldroyd’s appearance in the javelin finals comes after she earned her third straight WAC title and NCAA Regional appearance. Oldroyd, who competed last summer at Hayward Field in the U.S. Olympic Trials, will throw on Thursday in the second of two 12-person flights in the third spot. The first flight is scheduled to begin at 5:15 p.m. PT and will live air on ESPN+.

Oldroyd was second at the NCAA West national semifinal in the javelin, and her school-record mark of 57.72 meters also ranks eighth in the country this season.

The five will each earn All-America status, with their placement dependent on their final results at the championships. Athletes who finish in the top eight of their events — including as a member of a relay — will earn First-Team All-America honors, while places nine through 16 will be second team, and spots 17 through 24 will receive honorable mention.

Utah Valley Outdoor T&F NCAA All-Americans All-Time

DeKALB, Ill. — Northern Illinois University Volleyball head coach Sondra D’Amore has announced the 2025 schedule for the Huskie volleyball program today (June 9). 

The Huskies will start their schedule with an exhibition on August 22 as they host DePaul in the NIU Convocation Center before starting the season on August 29 at Stetson. 

NIU will see first time opponents this season in Southern Miss, Merrimack, Gonzaga, Bellarmine, and IU-Indianapolis. 

“I am very excited to get the 2025 season underway. We have a lot of new faces on the team this fall and wanted to give the group an opportunity against a variety of competition to prepare us for MAC play. The goal for non-conference is to gain experience playing high level volleyball while building confidence as a young group. We are eager to give everything we have one last time in the MAC!” said D’Amore.  

New and returning fans can purchase general admission, family 4-pack, or courtside seats to watch the Huskies this fall with general admission tickets starting at just $35. The Family 4-Pack is available for $90 ($22.50 each). Courtside seats are priced at $180 for the season. To purchase tickets online, please click here.

The Huskies are set to open the 2025 season in the Sunshine State as they compete at the Stetson Hatters Invitational, August 29 and 30. The Huskies will take on Lamar and Stetson on August 29 before facing off against Southern Miss on August 30. 

Hosting the NIU Invitational in the Convocation Center, the Huskies will see Merrimack, Indiana State, and SIUE visit DeKalb. NIU takes on Merrimack and Indiana State on September 5 as they close the tournament with SIUE on September 6. 

Action continues in the Midwest as NIU concludes non-conference action at the IU-Indianapolis tournament, September 12 and 13. NIU takes on Gonzaga and Bellarmine on September 12 as they conclude the tournament with the hosts IU-Indianapolis. 

Mid-American Conference action starts in Victor E. Court (VEC) for NIU as they place host to Central Michigan and Eastern Michigan on September 25 and 26. 

The Huskies will play seven of their 10 games in the month of October on the road, beginning with Ball State (Oct. 2) and Miami (Oct. 3). NIU briefly returns to DeKalb for a midweek game against Western Michigan on October 7 before traveling to Bowling Green for a two-game series on October 9 and 10. The Huskies host Toledo on October 17 and 18 for two games before traveling to Akron on October 24 and 25. NIU makes the trip to Kalamazoo on October 28 for their second midweek game against Western Michigan. 

NIU ends the month of October and starts November as they host Buffalo on October 31 and November 1. The Huskies welcome Ohio to the VEC for their final two home games on the season on November 7 and 8 before concluding regular season action at Kent State on November 14 and 15. 

The 2025 Mid-American Conference volleyball tournament takes place November 20-23 in Bowling Green, Ohio. 

Need more Huskies Volleyball? Follow us on Twitter/X at @NIUVolleyball, on Facebook at NIU Volleyball, and on Instagram at @NIUVolley.

 

The men’s waterpolo qualifiers hosted in Malta started earlier today as Team Malta seeks a sixth qualification for the water polo European championships.

In a press conference organised by the Aquatic Sports Association of Malta (ASA), President Karl Izzo explained that over the next days both the men’s and women’s national water polo teams will be working on separate objectives.

The men’s team is aiming to qualify for the 2026 European championships and will be playing three games in a qualification group this week against Portugal Ukraine and France in that order.

The games of this group will all be played at the National pool complex at Tal- Qroqq. The first two teams in the group will qualify for the much anticipated 2026 edition of the European water polo championships being held in Belgrade from the 10th to 25th January.

Coach Milan Cirovic was happy to see the return of two veteran players namely Stevie Camilleri and Matthew Zammit who have decided to accept the call up for the National team after they had both decided to retire from international duties. Although this is not being considered to be a comeback from retirement it’s still a big asset for the Malta team. Both players had been actively playing with Neptunes and San Gillian respectively over the last four years when they had not been in the Malta national team due to their personal decisions at the time.

President Karl Izzo said next 3 days were very important for ASA and for Maltese waterpolo as reaching qualification for the 6th consecutive time would be a great achievement for such a small country like Malta.

He reminded the general public that entrance for the Malta men’s senior team games on Monday Tuesday and Wednesday will be free of charge at Tal-Qroqq and the general public is encouraged to attend and support the Maltese players.

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