Sports
New Coaches, Big Visits

For current players, it’s about competing for reps and rising on the depth chart. For new coaches, it’s a first impression. And for recruits—it’s the truth behind the pitch. Last year, recruits walked away from spring visits impressed by the tempo, instruction, and culture. This year? Same standard—with new coaches stepping into the spotlight. “I’m looking forward to checking out Texas in action. I want to see how Coach Kenny Baker coaches and how he develops his guys. That’s what it’s about.” Spring ball in Austin is more than just drills and install—it’s a proving ground. With a loaded slate of elite visitors making their way to the Forty Acres , Texas has a major opportunity to show recruits exactly what this program is all about. Here’s what a few of them had to say heading into their visits: La’Allan Clark , coming off a national championship with Ohio State, already has a proven track record of development. Recruits will get to see what he teaches in terms of leverage, hand usage, pass rush angles—everything you need to become a pro, because he’s coached them. Jalen Brewster , 2027 DL from Cedar Hill High School (Cedar Hill, TX): These visits give recruits a chance to see everything—how Texas practices, how they coach, and how they compete. If the Longhorns show out again, this could be the launch point for another elite recruiting wave. Mark Orphey will have a chance to make his first impression on recruits. They’ll get to see what he teaches, his technique, his style, how he develops, what his standards are, how he reaches kids to get them to perform, and whether individual drills carry over into full practice. Duane Akina is back in Austin, so recruits will get a chance to see the old-school, fire-breathing DB energy he brings to practice every day. Honing in on technique, accountability, and competition—every snap and every rep. Chad Scott , taking over for Tashard Choice, will get the chance to show what he brings to the running back room—how he develops, how he teaches, what energy he brings, how he pushes his room, and how the players respond to his coaching. “I’m definitely looking forward to seeing all of the offensive line coaches again and checking out their beautiful facility—it’s easily the nicest I’ve seen so far. I’m also excited to soak up knowledge by watching the older guys and paying close attention to the drills they go through.” “I just want to get down there and see how the guys compete. I’m looking forward to being in the tight end room, seeing how the coaches coach, and finally getting a chance to see the offense in person—from an instructional and install standpoint.” Mark Bowman , 2026 TE and No. 2 tight end in the nation from Mater Dei High School (Santa Ana, CA): Alexander Herrera , 2027 OT (6’7”, 305) from Crowley High School (Crowley, TX): [Join Inside Texas TODAY and get FOUR MONTHS for just ONE DOLLAR!] The post New Coaches, Big Visits: Texas Football Spring Practice Becomes a Recruiting Proving Ground appeared first on On3 .
Sports
Ohio Volleyball Places Seven Athletes on 2025 Academic All-MAC Team
CLEVELAND – The Ohio volleyball team placed seven athletes on the 2025 Volleyball All-Mid-American Conference Team, as announced by the league on Monday, Dec. 15.
Eastern Michigan, Miami, and Western Michigan led the league with eight student-athletes honored. Ball State, Buffalo, Central Michigan, and Ohio followed behind with seven honorees each.
The Academic All-MAC honor is awarded to a student-athlete who has excelled in both athletics and academics. To qualify, a student-athlete must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.20 and have participated in at least 50 percent of the contests in that sport.
2025 Volleyball Academic All-MAC Team
Caroline Curran, Junior, Engineering Tech & MGMT (3.852)
Sierra Evans, Sophomore, Journalism News and Info. (3.457)
Olivia Gardner, Junior, Exercise Physiology (3.660)
Lexi Grissett, Sophomore, Marketing (4.000)
Kendall Hickey, Junior, Communication Studies (3.396)
Bryn Janke, Sophomore, Accounting & Finance (3.895)
Darbi Ricketts, Sophomore, Exercise Physiology – Strength & Conditioning (3.384)
#OUohyeah
Sports
Owls Dominate Cross Country Regional Honors
NORTH ATTLEBORO, Mass. – The Southern Connecticut State Univeristy cross country teams dominated the East Region year-end awards, selected by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).
The Northeast 10 champions, Jonathan Volpe and Courtney Henchcliffe, each were named region Athletes of the Year. Both also won the East Region and advanced with their teams to the NCAA Championships.
Coaches John Wallin and Melissa Stoll were each named East Region Coach of the Year. Brian Nill is the SCSU lead assistant for cross country.
The Owls dominated this fall, with the men becoming the first program in NE10 history to claim four consecutive NE10 championships. The women repeated as conference champs for the second time in three seasons, winning the school’s first title in 2023. Volpe’s individual crown was his second league title.
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.
Sports
Five Golden Flashes Named to Volleyball Academic All-MAC Team
CLEVELAND — The Kent State volleyball program had five student-athletes earn Academic All-MAC honors, as the Mid-American Conference recognized a total of 78 student-athletes for their accomplishments this past season.
The Academic All-MAC honor is awarded to a student-athlete who has excelled in both athletics and academics. To qualify, a student-athlete must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.20 and have participated in at least 50 percent of the contests that season.
FOLLOW KENT STATE VOLLEYBALL
For complete coverage of Kent State Volleyball, download the official Kent State Golden Flashes app (iOS, Android) and follow the Golden Flashes on social media on X, Instagram and Facebook for news and updates.
2025 Volleyball Academic All-MAC Team (Kent State honorees)
Greta Bolognini, Senior, Business Management
Hailey Brenner, Sophomore, Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology
Lesley Furuta, Sophomore, General Business
Mackenzie McGuire, Senior, Exercise Science
Nadia Miller, Sophomore, Exercise Science
Sports
Track & Field 2026 Home Meet Tickets on Sale Now

General admission and expanded seating options, including a new premium section located near the finish line to provide an upgraded view of the action, will be available for all six home meets.
Fans have two ticket options for each meet. Daily tickets are priced at $15 for non-premium general admission. Those wanting to be closer to the action can purchase premium seating for $25, located near the finish line with chairbacks included.
Group tickets will also be
available to purchase. For more information, please call the Houston Athletics Ticket Office at 713-462-6647 or via email at tickets@central.uh.edu.2026 HOME REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE
Jan. 10: Leonard Hilton Memorial Invitational
Jan. 30-31: Robert Platt Invitational
Feb. 13: Howie Ryan Invitational
March 19: Kirk Baptiste Invitational
April 17-18: Tom Tellez Alumni Invitational
April 29: Cameron Burrell Invitational
SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Track and Field by providing NIL opportunities, purchasing tickets and by joining the Podium Club, which provides support directly to Houston Track and Field for needs beyond its operating budget.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates on #HTownSpeedCity by following @UHCougarTF on X and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team’s Facebook page at UHCougarTF or on the team’s Instagram page at @uhcougartf.
– UHCougars.com –
Sports
Men’s Volleyball Picked Sixth In MIVA Preseason Poll
The Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association has announced the 2026 preseason poll this morning with Lindenwood coming in at number six with 33 votes. The Lions were picked to finish ahead of Purdue Fort Wayne (24 votes), Northern Kentucky (19 votes), and Queens (16 votes).
Loyola Chicago was picked to win the conference as they received 73 votes (five first place votes) and right behind them is Ohio State with 68 votes (two first place votes). Rounding out the top five was Ball State (63 votes), Lewis (57 votes), and McKendree (52 votes). There were 12 players named to the 2026 Preseason All-MIVA Team with Patrick Rogers from Ball State being named the 2026 Preseason MIVA Player of the Year.
Lindenwood opens the season on January 9th at Long Beach State at 9 p.m. CT and MIVA play will start on February 4 at 7 p.m. in Hyland Arena against Loyola Chicago.
2026 Preseason Poll
1. Loyola Chicago – 73 (5)
2. Ohio State – 68 (2)
3. Ball State – 63 (1)
4. Lewis – 57 (1)
5. McKendree – 52
6. Lindenwood – 33
7. Purdue Fort Wayne – 24
8. Northern Kentucky – 19
9. Queens – 16
2026 Preseason All-MIVA Team (alphabetical by team)
Lucas Machado – Ball State
*Patrick Rogers – Ball State
Oguzhan Oguz – Lewis
Nico Paula – Lewis
Ryan McElligott – Loyola Chicago
Daniel Fabikovic – Loyola Chicago
Aleksander Sosa – Loyola Chicago
Yadiel Diaz – McKendree
Nate Flayter – McKendree
Stanislaw Chacinski – Ohio State
Shane Wetzel – Ohio State
Logan Muir – Purdue Fort Wayne
*Preseason Player of the Year
Sports
Logan Muir Selected to Preseason All-MIVA Team
Muir was named to the 2025 All-MIVA Second Team following last season.
The Junior led the Mastodons in points (464.5), kills (391) and service aces (41) last year. He was second in the MIVA in kills per set (4.39), aces per set (0.41) and points per set (5.19) during conference play. Muir’s 5.09 points per set ranked fifth in the nation. The California native also was 10th in the MIVA in hitting percentage with .299. Muir recorded double-digit kills in 19 of the ‘Dons’ 26 matches. He hit a career-high 23 kills in three sets at McKendree, the third most in the program’s rally scoring era.
Purdue Fort Wayne finished seventh in the MIVA last season, finishing with a 4-12 conference record.
Muir and the Mastodons open the season on the Arnie Ball Court against Missouri S&T on January 10.
2026 Preseason All-MIVA Team (alphabetical by team)
Lucas Machado – Ball State
*Patrick Rogers – Ball State
Oguzhan Oguz – Lewis
Nico Paula – Lewis
Ryan McElligott – Loyola Chicago
Daniel Fabikovic – Loyola Chicago
Aleksander Sosa – Loyola Chicago
Yadiel Diaz – McKendree
Nate Flayter – McKendree
Stanislaw Chacinski – Ohio State
Shane Wetzel – Ohio State
Logan Muir – Purdue Fort Wayne
*Preseason Player of the Year
~ Feel the Rumble ~
-
Rec Sports3 weeks agoFargo girl, 13, dies after collapsing during school basketball game – Grand Forks Herald
-
Sports3 weeks agoUtah State Announces 2025-26 Indoor Track & Field Schedule
-
Motorsports3 weeks agoRedemption Means First Pro Stock World Championship for Dallas Glenn
-
Sports3 weeks agoTexas volleyball vs Kentucky game score: Live SEC tournament updates
-
Motorsports2 weeks agoJo Shimoda Undergoes Back Surgery
-
Rec Sports2 weeks agoRobert “Bobby” Lewis Hardin, 56
-
NIL2 weeks agoBowl Projections: ESPN predicts 12-team College Football Playoff bracket, full bowl slate after Week 14
-
Motorsports5 days agoSoundGear Named Entitlement Sponsor of Spears CARS Tour Southwest Opener
-
Rec Sports2 weeks agoHow this startup (and a KC sports icon) turned young players into card-carrying legends overnight
-
NIL3 weeks agoIndiana’s rapid ascent and its impact across college football





