NORTH ATTLEBOROUGH, Mass. – The NE10 Cross Country Championship goes off this weekend, with the women’s 6K running at 11 AM Sunday and the men’s 8K following at 12:15 PM. The races are hosted in Manchester, N.H. by Saint Anselm College and will be broadcast live on FloCollege (men’s race | women’s race).
Southern Connecticut is seeking its fourth consecutive men’s championship while Bentley is defending on the women’s side. SCSU is led by previous NE10 XC Champion Jonny Volpe, while Bentley runs behind 2024 NE10 Indoor Track and Field Rookie of the Year Lily Tedford.
“Jonny is one of the most stubborn athletes I have ever coached,” SCSU distance coach Brian Nill said. “He refuses to lose and when he does, he comes back even harder the next time out.”
Volpe didn’t compete at the NE10 Championship last fall while he battled a stress fracture in his foot. He is a grad student in sports management and also has his undergraduate degree in sports management from SCSU. The Owls are further backed by John Glidden and Nate Huebner, who captured NE10 Runner of the Week to start this fall. Huebner has seen a steady rise over his career. His freshman year he was 71st at NE10’s. As a sophomore he was 40th and as a junior he was eighth last fall.
Bentley’s women look to replace 2024 Regional Champion Caitlin Burmester, who graduated as the NE10 Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Tedford runs with 2023 NE10 XC Rookie of the Year Molly Capece and Samantha Doran, who dropped two minutes from her 5K time from a year ago at the New England Championships two weeks back.
The Falcons will have to fend off SCSU’s women, who are captained by Courtney Henchcliffe — the NE10 Runner of the Week every week she competed this fall. Henchcliffe returns from a shattered collarbone that cost her 2024 after leading SCSU to the school’s first title in ’23.
“Courtney is an incredibly resilient athlete,” Nill said. “Throughout the injury process, Court was trooper and cross-trained for three months straight on the bike before she was cleared to run in January. Despite the major setback, Courtney was able to compete outdoors and was NE10 Champion in the 5k as well as finishing seventh at the All-New England Championships where she ran the second fastest 5k in SCSU history.”
Other notable individuals include SNHU’s Dillon Labonte, who was named the NCAA’s Elite 90 winner last fall as the top acadmeic student-athlete in DII. He’s a double major in engineering and math. Mason Behl and Rocco Bueti lead the Bentley men after being named all-conference last fall. Behl interend for Liberty Mutual over the summer and Max Lampe will be working for Ernst & Young after graduation. Notably for Saint Michael’s, the Purple Knights tout several top runners that are also members of the school’s varisty nordic ski team, including Fran Peterson and Jersey Miller on the women’s side and Andrew Scanio on the men’s side among others.
Saint Anselm is looking to run well on a home course. The Hawks women are replacing 2024 NE10 Champion Anyelina Martinez with Cara Morris and the Olsen/Olson duo – Sophia and Jill.
“This is Jill’s first season running cross country,” coach Brian Stankiewicz said of Olson. “She has made the conversion from soccer player and track runner to full-time runner and has done so seamlessly. We were smart with her first summer to make sure she will not burn out, and she has bought into the training.” Olsen, meanwhile, has been one of the most improved for the Hawks.
Gunner Currier is the most recent NE10 Rookie of the Week and is looking to lead a deep Franklin Pierce squad. The Ravens are looking to replace their top runner for the second straight year following the departures of Wondu Summa and Ryan Outerbridge in 2023 and 2024. Sam Fortin has been FPU’s top runner this fall.
“Sam keeps things light hearted,” FPU coach Liam Murphy said. “Sam doesn’t obsess over the small stuff. He puts his head down and works, but the best thing about Sam is that he brings others along for the ride. It’s not all about him. Team finish is more important.”
Adelphi will hope to contend on both sides while pushing one of the top rookies in the field, Max Krapf.
“He is quiet and humble,” coach Katie Rees said, “but he’s also a great competitor. He has a really innate sense of how to push in the distance events, especially in the middle of the race, and he also has really great speed on top of that.”
Both races are open to the public and will be broadcast on Flo Sports. Fans can also purchase personalized NE10 Championship gear on site or via the league’s online store.
ABOUT THE NE10
The NE10 is an association of 10 diverse institutions serving student-athletes across 24 NCAA Division II sports. Together we build brilliant futures by embracing the journey of every student-athlete.
Each year, 4,500 of those student-athletes compete in conference championships in 24 sports, making the NE10 the largest DII conference in the country in terms of sport sponsorship. Leading the way in the classroom, on the field and within the community, the NE10 is proud of its comprehensive program and the experience it provides student-athletes.
Fans can subscribe via this link to follow NE10 NOW on FloSports this season. The partnership between the NE10 and FloSports works to provide funds back to the athletic departments of the Northeast-10 Conference in support of student-athletes while promoting the league on a national platform.
Ava Castro, Cardinal Newman, Volleyball. Deerfield Beach on Wednesday, December 10, 2025. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Ava Castro, OH, Cardinal Newman senior: Led the Crusaders to a 3A regional quarterfinal appearance; recorded 328 kills, 207 digs, 38 blocks, 26 aces and .374 hitting percentage; registered 26 kills in a match; holds the school record for kills; Boston College signee.
Emmie Hill, Benjamin, Volleyball. All County—Deerfield Beach on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Emmie Hill, MB, Benjamin sophomore: Led the Bucs to a 2A regional quarterfinal win; recorded 210 kills, 63 blocks and .351 hitting percentage; registered 20 kills in a match; USA Volleyball National Team Development Program selection.
Mikayla Matuszko, King’s Academy, Volleyball. All County—Deerfield Beach on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Mikayla Matuszko, OH, King’s Academy freshman: Led the Lions to a district title and 3A regional semifinal appearance; recorded 314 kills, 173 digs and 61 aces; registered 22 kills in a match; USA Volleyball U17 National Team selection.
Riley McCaughey, Benjamin, Volleyball. All County—Deerfield Beach on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Riley McCaughey, setter, Benjamin senior: Led the Bucs to a district championship and 2A regional quarterfinal win; recorded 600 assists, 187 digs, 97 kills and 63 aces; registered 55 assists in a match; 3,064 career assists; University of South Florida signee.
Luiza Queiroz, Saint Andrews School, Volleyball. All County—Deerfield Beach on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Luiza Queiroz, OH, St. Andrew’s seventh grader: Led the Scots to a 3A regional semifinal appearance; recorded 420 kills, 187 digs and 69 aces; registered 41 kills in a match.
SECOND TEAM
Dayana Acevedo, setter, Cardinal Newman senior
Lyla Buser, OPP, Cardinal Newman senior
Caitlin Crino, setter, Boca Raton Christian junior
Miranda Knoll, OH, King’s Academy junior
Taylor Walsh, setter, St. Andrew’s sophomore
Caroline Wright, OH, Boca Raton Christian sophomore
HONORABLE MENTION
American Heritage-Delray: Dagan Rothbaun, Daniela Staton
Atlantic Christian: Anayah Enamorado
Benjamin: Mackenzie Bryan, Londyn Clark, Emma Markin
Lake Worth Christian: Cassidy Childers, Savannah Monier, Ella Vandenberg
Oxbridge Academy: Jessica Jerabek, Olivija Kozul
St. Andrew’s: Ashlyn Cobb
St. John Paul II: Meallen Gunther, Emily Rodriguez, Lyla Tomko
Suncoast: Bella Zingaro
COACH OF THE YEAR
Len Visser, Boca Raton Christian, Volleyball. All County—Deerfield Beach on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Len Visser, Boca Raton Christian: The Blazers won a district title, regional championship and captured their first girls volleyball state championship in school history. They won seven straight matches to close the season. “I am proud that every girl was part of winning states. It’s special because the girls persevered through some very close losses. “We played like a team and I had total confidence in them. They all trusted each other. It’s truly one of my closest teams and they lifted each other up.”
Jupiter Christian senior outside hitter Ella Brodner reached 400 kills in a single season for the first time while Boca Raton Christian sophomore Hannah VanZwieten delivered a remarkable performance throughout the playoffs to lift the Blazers to their first girls volleyball state championship in school history.
The two top performers were recognized as the Sun Sentinel’s Palm Beach 4A-1A girls volleyball co-players of the year.
Brodner, a University of Virginia signee, had 400 kills, 5.7 kills per set and a .336 hitting percentage in just 70 sets played. She also added 244 service receptions, 218 digs, 39 aces and 25 blocks. She had 35 kills in four sets in a district semifinal victory.
Brodner holds the school record with 1,488 kills and 944 digs during her five seasons with the Eagles. She recalled a victory against Jupiter during her junior season as one of her most memorable matches in high school.
“I met the expectations I had set for myself since I came in the eighth grade,” Brodner said. “To end with 400 kills in a season was pretty cool. It’s exciting to hold school records. I could not have done it without any of my teammates. Coach Sarah [Mize] helped me with my mental toughness. I wanted to be an all-around player on the court. I made amazing memories and volleyball is so much fun. It was heartwarming to see little girls look up to me and how they were inspired because of how I play volleyball.”
Brodner took on a leadership role with several newcomers joining the Eagles. “When I was in the eighth grade, I was intimidated by most of the girls,” Brodner said.
“Allison Moore was a great leader and a big influence on me. She spent time helping me with volleyball. I wanted to be a big influence on our younger players. It was a rebuilding year and I knew it was going to be difficult, but I decided to stay. It’s a great feeling to help the girls.”
Brodner enjoyed watching her two older sisters at volleyball practices and tournaments. She joined the Jupiter Elite Volleyball Club at 7. She helped her team qualify for nationals in multiple seasons.
“The growth of our club has been amazing,” Brodner said. “All the coaches helped in my development and to where I am now.” Brodner is excited about the opportunity to play with her older sister, Sarah, at the University of Virginia.
“My sister and I have been really getting close and it’s an amazing opportunity,” Brodner said. “I’m extremely blessed to get to play with her. The ACC is very competitive and I’m excited for college volleyball.”
Ella Brodner, from Jupiter Christian High School, volleyball player of the year, photographed on Tuesday, December 9, 2025.(Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
VanZwieten delivered for the Blazers during their playoff run to capture the state title. She had 13 kills and 12 digs in the regional championship, 19 kills, 23 digs and six aces in the state semifinal and 12 kills and 15 digs in the state championship match.
VanZwieten displayed her versatility with 254 kills, 270 digs, 221 service receptions, 157 assists, 53 aces and 30 blocks during her sophomore season.
“We lost players from last year who had played a big role,” VanZwieten said. “The difference was that we played together as a team. Our coaches did a great job and we handled the pressure. We were so happy to push through and win the semifinal against Seacrest. We practiced hard and stayed focused during the final match. We were so excited to win it.”
VanZwieten’s older sister, Grace, plays collegiate volleyball at Tusculum. Her mom serves as an assistant coach at Boca Raton Christian.
She also competes in beach volleyball tournaments with her sister, Mackenzi, who was a key contributor for the Blazers during their championship run. The sisters won a thrilling beach volleyball tournament in Tavares during a college showcase event.
“I have a lot of fun playing with Mackenzi and we connect really well,” VanZwieten said. “We have that experience together in beach volleyball and it’s helped us when playing indoor. It’s been very special.”
VanZwieten, a setter with Tribe Volleyball Club, displayed her versatility at outside hitter for the Blazers during her sophomore season.
“I was able to get out of my comfort zone and work on my game to get better,” VanZwieten said. “I played with a lot of energy and cheered on my teammates.
Hannah Van Zwieten, volleyball player of the year from Boca Raton Christian photographed on Wednesday, November 19, 2025. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
The junior was a first-team All-Region 4D and first-team All-Northwestern District selection. Curtis had 181 kills and an area-best 78 blocks.
Caroline Eye, Central
The junior had an area-best 642 assists, 36 aces and 138 digs. Eye was a first-team All-Region 2B and first-team All-Bull Run District selection.
Lauren Foltz, Warren County
The senior was a first-team All-Northwestern District and a first-team All-Region 3B selection. Foltz had 134 kills and 32 aces.
Cami Golliday, Sherando
The junior had 30 aces and an area-best 337 digs. Golliday was a first-team All-Northwestern District and a second-team All-Region 4D selection.
Cheslea Stine, Strasburg
The junior was a first-team All-Bull Run District selection. Stine had 226 digs and 37 aces.
Hadley Witherow, Central
The senior had an area-best 278 kills, 44 aces and 170 digs. Witherow was a first-team All-Region 2B and a first-team All-Bull Run District selection.
Coach: Chuck Ashby, Sherando
Ashby led the Warriors to a 15-7 record in his first year back at the helm since 2013. Ashby was named the Class 4 Northwestern District Coach of the Year.
Ballenas Whalers senior girls volleyball side shines at B.C. event
Published 1:30 pm Wednesday, December 24, 2025
The Ballenas Whalers senior girls volleyball team capped off an incredible season with a strong showing at the AAA provincial championships in Vernon.
The team finished second in their pool before advancing to the crossover matches, ultimately securing 12th place in the province. Their journey to the provincials saw them rise from the initial qualifiers in Oceanside, through the North Islands, and then the Islands, consistently proving their resilience and determination.
For the second year in a row, Ballenas stands proud as the highest-ranked AAA Vancouver Island team in the province, a testament to their hard work, talent, and team spirit.
One of the highlights of the tournament was their faceoff with eventual tournament champions, Holy Cross. The Whalers took one set off the eventual champions and held their own in a competitive three-out-of-five crossover match, showcasing their ability to compete at the highest level.
Much of the team’s success can be attributed to the guidance and dedication of their coaching staff. With Rod Pick, Cassidy Kitchen and Sydney Gerke at the helm, the players were able to maximize their potential both on and off the court.
A special congratulations goes to the graduating seniors – Norah Hughes, Sophia Torgerson, Anna Parree, Cadie Denhaan and Cara McLaughlin – as they head off on to new adventures. Their contributions on and off the court have left a lasting legacy for Ballenas volleyball.
Hats off to all these young athletes for their remarkable season, their sportsmanship, and their continued commitment to excellence. The future looks bright for this talented group of volleyball stars!
