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No. 1 Long Beach State Sweeps No. 8 Fort Valley State To Advance to the National Collegiate Semifinals

COLUMBUS, Ohio – No. 1 Long Beach State made its 15th NCAA Tournament appearance, its eighth showing in the last nine seasons, and came away with a 3-0 [25-21, 25-16, 25-16] sweep of No. 8 seed Fort Valley State in the NCAA Quarterfinals on Thursday night at the Covelli Center. The Beach (28-3) will go […]

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COLUMBUS, Ohio – No. 1 Long Beach State made its 15th NCAA Tournament appearance, its eighth showing in the last nine seasons, and came away with a 3-0 [25-21, 25-16, 25-16] sweep of No. 8 seed Fort Valley State in the NCAA Quarterfinals on Thursday night at the Covelli Center.

The Beach (28-3) will go on to play the winner of the No. 4 seed Loyola Chicago-No. 5 seed Pepperdine on Saturday, May 10 at 2 p.m. (PT) / 5 p.m. (ET).

The Wildcats finish their season with a 16-10 overall record after having gone undefeated at 10-0 in SIAC action.

Freshman setter Moni Nikolov paced Long Beach State to a .367 hitting percentage as he dished out 31 assists distributing the ball evenly. Nikolov turned in an all-around performance as the 6-foot-10 rookie contributed eight kills, eight digs, three aces, and one block on the night. His three aces bring his season total to 97 as he closes in on the NCAA Single-Season aces record of 100 which was set in 2011 by Curtis Abraham.

Senior outside hitter Nato Dickinson turned in his third-straight double-figure kill performance as he led the Beach with 12 on his way to hitting .429 (12-3-21). He went on to collect five digs and two blocks on the night.

Ben Braun, a junior middle blocker from Rancho Mirage, Calif., was efficient as he hit .800 knocking down nine kills on 10 swings, while committing just one error.

Defensively, freshman libero Kellen Larson anchored the defense that held Fort Valley State to a .129 hitting percentage. Larson’s collected seven digs, and picked up 14 perfect receptions, while adding a pair of assists.

The Beach opened the match scoring three-straight points to take a 3-0 lead. However, the Wildcats were quick to counter with three-consecutive points of their own to even the score at 4-all. After the fourth tie of the set, the Beach broke the game open with a 6-0 run, highlighted by a pair of kills from DiAeris McRaven, to open up a 22-16 advantage. After LBSU sent it to set point (24-17), the Wildcats tallied four-straight points to cut the Beach’s lead down to three (24-21). Following a Long Beach State timeout, Dickinson put the game away with a kill to win the first set, 25-21.

Long Beach State hit .450 in the second set as the Beach broke through early. A Skyler Varga kill kicked off a 4-0 run to give LBSU a lead (4-1) that it would not relinquish the remainder of the frame. Up 15-9 at the media timeout, the Beach used a block assist from Braun and Varga to extend their lead to eight (23-15) before Varga secured the set, 25-16, with a kill.

Holding a 2-0 set lead, Long Beach State hit .476 in the third set and never trailed. After two early ties, the Beach got a kill from Braun that kicked off a 3-0 run as LBSU led FVSU, 5-2. After falling behind the Beach, 18-12, after an Alex Kandev kill, Fort Valley called a timeout. The break did little to cool off Long Beach as they surged ahead and closed the set and match on a 5-0 run that saw back-to-back aces from Nikolov and a kill from Braun to win it, 25-16.

Fort Valley State was led by Isaiah Fedd’s 14 kills on a .357 attack percentage. At setter, OShane Farquharson dished out 15 assists, while libero Constantine Ononye recorded five digs.

 





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L-L Spring Sports Roundtable 2025: Manheim Central boys volleyball going for state gold, plus a year in review [video] | High School Baseball

And then, ladies and gentlemen and boys and girls, there was one. One L-L League spring sports team is still standing heading into PIAA championship weekend. And that squad is Manheim Central’s boys volleyball team, which will play for state Class 2A gold on Saturday against Meadville at Penn State. Meadville beat Central in last […]

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And then, ladies and gentlemen and boys and girls, there was one.

One L-L League spring sports team is still standing heading into PIAA championship weekend. And that squad is Manheim Central’s boys volleyball team, which will play for state Class 2A gold on Saturday against Meadville at Penn State.

Meadville beat Central in last year’s PIAA finale, so this will be a rematch.

Sports writers Jason Guarente, Brian Markley, Christian Eby and Jeff Reinhart return to put a cap on the spring sports season – and the entire 2024-25 school year, including some of their favorite memories, players and moments.

Plus a preview of Central’s big match vs. Meadville.


Manheim Central rolls over York Suburban, will get rematch against Meadville in PIAA Class 2A volleyball final


Elizabethtown's magical run ends against Upper Dublin in PIAA Class 5A baseball semifinals


Lampeter-Strasburg baseball falls to Shaler in PIAA Class 5A semifinals


Manheim Township girls reach PIAA Class 3A lacrosse semifinals, while Blue Streaks' boys fall in quarterfinals



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Underrated Beaches In The U.S.

When people think of beach destinations in the United States, buzzy spots like South Beach, Malibu and Waikiki often come to mind. Place-named TV shows like “Outer Banks” and “Laguna Beach” have put their beachy settings on people’s travel radars as well. But of course, our vast country, with its massive coastlines and lakes, is […]

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When people think of beach destinations in the United States, buzzy spots like South Beach, Malibu and Waikiki often come to mind. Place-named TV shows like “Outer Banks” and “Laguna Beach” have put their beachy settings on people’s travel radars as well.

But of course, our vast country, with its massive coastlines and lakes, is home to many more incredible shores worth exploring. With that in mind, we’ve rounded up 14 underrated beach destinations in the U.S. While many are hardly underrated among area locals, they have yet to make it onto the average traveler’s bucket list… at least for now.



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Watch: We mean business, says Izzo as Malta keen to continue rise in international waterpolo

Aquatic Sports Association president Karl Izzo said that the Malta waterpolo national team’s performances in the European Championship qualifiers have shown that this team means business and are keen to maintain their progress in the international sphere. Izzo spoke to the Times of Malta at the end of the European Championship qualifiers at the National […]

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Aquatic Sports Association president Karl Izzo said that the Malta waterpolo national team’s performances in the European Championship qualifiers have shown that this team means business and are keen to maintain their progress in the international sphere.

Izzo spoke to the Times of Malta at the end of the European Championship qualifiers at the National Pool where the Maltese selection booked their place in a sixth successive continental finals.

Hard-fought victories over Ukraine and Portugal ensured Milan Cirovic’s men will board the plane for Belgrade, Serbia, in January, where they will look to improve on the 15th placing achieved two years ago.

However, there is growing optimism among the waterpolo clan that the national team can make even more strides forward in the Euro finals and reach a higher placing, particularly after their resilient performance against continental giants France which saw the team only lose in a penalty shoot-out, after the match ended in a 10-10.

The result was particularly remarkable as the last time the two countries met a few years ago, France prevailed 17-7.

“All the people that came to the pool, or watched the match on television, today realised that this waterpolo national team means business,” Izzo told the Times of Malta.

“This is the first time that we managed such a result against France, as the last time we faced them, we ended up losing by a big margin.

“Today, the players were really at their very best, quite remarkable when one considers that this was the third match in the space of three days.

“It was a very good performance, with the players scoring some spectacular goals, but we were let down by some mistakes that cost us dear.”

Izzo said that Malta’s sixth successive qualification was proof that the work carried out not only by the ASA but also by the club was reaping the desired dividends.

“This result is a clear testament that all the work carried out, not only by the ASA, but also the clubs, who are have invested heavily in foreign coaches and infrastructure, is reaping the desired dividends,” Izzo said.

“It’s a clear sign that the whole waterpolo community in Malta is determined to work together so we continue to climb the ladder in European waterpolo and improve on the 15th placing achieved in the last edition.”

Young talent

One of the young, talented players in the squad is Benji Cachia, who could not hide his pride following the team’s achievements this week.

“We took part in the European qualifiers with a clear plan – to secure qualification for the continental finals,” Cachia said.

“The team achieved this goal against Portugal, and today we knew we had a tough job on our hands when facing France.

“The French are a team that always places very highly in top competitions and we gave them a good run for their money.

“We wanted to win the match, but it was not to be. But no doubt, we are making huge strides forward and  we will do everything in our power to try and arrive as high as possible in the next Euros in January.”





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Airtight defense carries Agawam to Div. 2 boys volleyball championship – Boston Herald

SHREWSBURY – For Agawam boys volleyball star setter David Dzhenzherukha, the joy of a Div. 2 state title in 2023 was a bit overshadowed by the feeling he didn’t carry his weight as much as former superstar Dan Yovenko, who dominated in every big moment that season. Twice in three years strikes a different tune, […]

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SHREWSBURY – For Agawam boys volleyball star setter David Dzhenzherukha, the joy of a Div. 2 state title in 2023 was a bit overshadowed by the feeling he didn’t carry his weight as much as former superstar Dan Yovenko, who dominated in every big moment that season.

Twice in three years strikes a different tune, though, especially against the program that reverse-swept the Brownies in last year’s state semifinals.

In a well-balanced showing paced by Dzhenzherukha’s 46 assists and four kills, as well as a phenomenal defensive performance to dominate the third and fourth sets, top-seeded Agawam (24-1) defeated No. 3 Wayland in the Div. 2 state final, 3-1 (25-22, 23-25, 25-13, 25-16) at Shrewsbury High School.

“In 2023, we won a state championship, but I feel like I didn’t win a state championship – Dan (Yovenko) won a state championship,” Dzhenzherukha said. “That’s been my fuel to win another one. Last year, in the semifinals against Wayland, we got reverse swept. That just added to the motivation to play the best we could for this season. … This is the (thing) I’ve (wanted most) I think ever. This is the best feeling I think I’ve ever had.”

Yovenko erupted for 22 kills to finally take down Westfield in the last state title. Depth was at the heart of this one.

The Warriors (16-9) struggled to effectively block Agawam’s attack, primarily because Dzhenzherukha used all of his weapons in different critical moments.

Wayland's Zachary O'Donnell (10) tries to push the ball past Agawam's defense during the Div. 2 boys volleyball state championship match. (Amanda Sabga/Boston Herald)
Wayland’s Zachary O’Donnell (10) tries to push the ball past Agawam’s defense during the Div. 2 boys volleyball state championship match. (Amanda Sabga/Boston Herald)

In the third set, junior Tim Karcha – who didn’t commit an error en route to 16 kills – touched down six in a major momentum shift. Senior Joe Culhane (15 kills) caught fire for eight in the fourth set to seal the match, all while right-side Dennis Nesen (nine kills) found his moments to strike, and middles Chase Gerani (seven kills, two blocks) and John Cote (three kills, two blocks) made a lasting mark on offense and defense.

“This one hit really different because we didn’t have a Dan Yovenko to lean on … this was a team win,” said Agawam head coach Kevin Pender. “Our team is so balanced, that we can find any guy. (Dzhenzherukha) is incredible, he’s able to run the offense. He’s Tom Brady-level.”

“I think we have the most well-rounded team in the whole state,” Dzhenzherukha added. “Most teams have that one guy that just shines. … You have to try to stop all of us.”

Wayland was in great shape in the first two sets, playing strong defensively while star junior Finn Bell (25 kills) caught fire early. Bell’s seven kills and three aces in the first set couldn’t edge out a win in a 25-22 loss, but he and Cooper Szeremeta (eight kills) teamed up to lead the attack in a 25-23 win to even up the match.

Agawam teammates celebrate a win against Wayland in the MIAA Division 2 boys volleyball state championship match Thursday in Shrewsbury. (Amanda Sabga/Boston Herald)
Agawam teammates celebrate a win against Wayland in the MIAA Division 2 boys volleyball state championship match Thursday in Shrewsbury. (Amanda Sabga/Boston Herald)

But a vicious rally to nearly force extra points lit a spark for the Brownies, which they rolled into a 7-1 start to the third set.

“It helped energize that we’re still in this, we can do it,” Pender said.

Karcha dominated in pockets as Agawam built a 21-9 lead, complemented by kills from Culhane, Nesen and Gerani. Culhane did the same with five kills in a 6-1 run to separate from a 6-6 tie to start the fourth.

The team’s defense perhaps made the biggest impact, though, as Agawam’s blocking gave Bell and Wayland’s fellow hitters fits. And when it didn’t, the back row extended rallies with signature digs.

“That was the winner – I think we kept balls alive, we put pressure on them to score, and we didn’t make it easy,” Pender said. “We were able to turn on a defensive skill set that we really didn’t have to most of the year. … The true story is the display of defense.”

Zach O’Donnell had 35 assists for Wayland, which was making its second straight state finals appearance after making just one trip in program history prior.

“When I’m able to zoom out, I’m really proud of the trajectory of the program and the growth of the players in it,” said Wayland head coach Phil George. “It’s a deep team, we’ll be very excited about next season, but I’m also really proud of the seniors, who kind of ushered in the most successful era we’ve had in this program’s history.”



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Babbitt Community Calendar

PLEASE NOTE: Your free event news can be posted on the Babbitt Weekly Community Calendar. Send to: [email protected]. Peter Mitchell Days is coming up again and the committee will need help selling raffle tickets and buttons at Zup’s. She will have shifts Monday-Friday running from 10-12, 12-2 and 2-4. If you can help please call […]

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PLEASE NOTE: Your free event news can be posted on the Babbitt Weekly Community Calendar. Send to: [email protected].

Peter Mitchell Days is coming up again and the committee will need help selling raffle tickets and buttons at Zup’s. She will have shifts Monday-Friday running from 10-12, 12-2 and 2-4. If you can help please call or text Carolyn Holm 218-404-6585 or there will be a book up at Zup’s when people are selling raffles and buttons.

Woodland Presbyterian Church Peter Mitchell Salad Luncheon is Friday, June 20 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.; 20 Acacia Rd, Babbitt; Adults $10, six and under $5.

 

SATURDAY, JUNE 14

11 AM – 4 PM Walleye Whamma Fishing Contest – Birch Lake.

 

4:30 PM Firemen’s beer garden/food – Arena. 

 

7:00 PM Awards Ceremony at Babbitt Arena. Open to the public.

SUNDAY, JUNE 15

Noon BEACH VOLLEYBALL – Babbitt Public Beach.

MonDAY, JUNE 16

2:00 PM Ventriloquist – James Wedgwood – Public Library. Free.

TUESDAY, JUNE 17

6:00 PM Cribbage Tournament – Singles – at Fish Tales. 

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18

6:00 PM SMEAR TOURNAMENT – Fish Tales. $20 entry per team.

THURSDAY, JUNE 19

NOON Medallion Hunt – Clue posted daily at Zup’s. 

Turn in to Carolyn Holm.

4:00 PM youth pool tournament  – Teen Center.

6:00 PM TEXAS HOld em  – at Fish Tales $10 entry fee. 

6:00 PM Youth dodgeball  at Municipal Center Gym. 

FRIDAY, JUNE 20

Noon – Close Firemen’s Beer Garden

 

Noon – Close Lions BBQ Wagon at Fairgrounds

 

4 p.m. – 10 p.m. Babbitt Figure skating taco Wagon at Fairgrounds

 

11:00 AM – 1 PM SALAD Luncheon.  Woodland Presbyterian Church

 

3:00 PM YOUTH DISC GOLF  

Doubles. Nine holes. 17 and Under. Fountain Hills Park. 

 

4:30 PM Youth bean bag tourney – Age 17 & under. 2-person 

team. Sign up starts 3 PM under big tent. 

 

4:00 PM – 7 PM ADULT PICKLEBALL – Teams of 2, Municipal Center Gym.

Pre-register by June 13: [email protected] 

 

4:00 PM – 7 PM SPAGHETTI FEED – St. Pius X Catholic Church

5:00 PM – 9 PM wizard’s Kingdom inflatables – Open

 

6 PM – 9 PM JAMMIN JOE – Under the Big Tent

5:30 PM ADULT SINGLES DISC GOLF – 18 holes. Fountain Hills Park. 

6:00 PM MISS & Little Miss Babbitt – at School Auditorium. 

 

9 PM – 12 PM OUTDOOR CONCERT – McCullough Brothers
 

SATURDAY, JUNE 21

8 AM – 11 AM Pancake Breakfast at St. Pius X Catholic Church. 

9:00 AM 18 HOLE PAR 3 SCRAMBLE – 3-4 person team. 18 team limit. 

Register Golf Course in advance or 8 AM day of. 9 AM start. Must be 18. 

 

9:00 AM 5K RUN – Central Blvd. by Big Rock. Check in at 8 AM.

 

Noon “Are You Mr. or Mrs. Peter Mitchell?” 

Must shake hands. If found notify Carolyn Holm. 

 

Noon -5 PM Petting zoo at Fairgrounds

 

10 AM – 2 PM Babbitt History Center  open at Municipal Center 

11 AM – 3 PM ATV RIDE  By Babbitt Snowmobile and ATV Club. 

Check in at 10 a.m. at Big Tent

 

11:00 AM Kiddie & ADULT Races at Park across from Shopping Center.

 

11 AM – 4 PM PIE SOCIAL at Lutheran Church of The Good Shepherd 

 

11 AM – 10 PM Lions BBQ Wagon at Fairgrounds

 

NOON – Close Firemen’s Beer Garden

 

Noon – 10 PM wizard’s Kingdom inflatables – Open

 

Noon – 10 PM BAbbitt figure skating club taco wagon

 

1:00 PM – 4 PM CLASSIC CAR SHOW  Field on Commerce Road

 

1 PM – 3 PM ROOT BEER FLOATS Evangelical Lutheran Church parking lot 

 

1:00 PM – 3 PM BINGO Municipal Center Gym. Sponsored by Friends of Library 

 

1:00 PM ADULT BEAN BAG Tourney Big Tent. Double elimination.  Sign Up starts noon on Friday at Beer Garden. 

 

5:30 PM Zup’s 36th Annual Bocce Ball at Fair Grounds. Sign

up at Car Show before 4 p.m. 32 team cut off. Trophies + Purse.

 

7 PM MEDALLION HUNT Ages 0-17 No parent help. Big Tent for clues. 

 

8 PM – Midnight OUTDOOR CONCERT Music by Northwoods Band 

Under the big tent at Fairgrounds. FREE!

10:15 PM Fireworks – If heavy rain moved to Sunday. 
 

SUNDAY, JUNE 22

 

11 AM ADULT Disc GOlf TournEY – Doubles. 27 holes. Red Pine Run. 

 

11 AM – 5 PM Lions BBQ Wagon at Fairgrounds

 

11 AM – 3 PM wizard’s Kingdom inflatables – Open

 

11 AM Rover Radar Run – Park across from The Rock.

Check-in at 10:30 AM. Owners must have button. 

 

11 AM – 4 PM BAbbitt figure skating club taco wagon

 

12:30 PM PARADE Line up North Drive and Alder Road. 

 

NOON – 5 PM Firemen’s Beer Garden

NOON Holey Board Tourney at Big Tent. Double elimination. 

Sign up starts noon on Saturday at Beer Garden.

 

2:00 PM Parade – Parade from Linney Avenue to Babbitt Road. 

 

3:00 PM Sawdust pile near Big Tent. Age groups.

 

3:45 PM FREE WATERMELON FEED  near Big Tent.  

 

4 PM MEDALLION HUNT Ages 0-17 No parent help. Big Tent for clues. 

 

5 PM Button & RAFFLE PRIZE drawings under Big Tent

 





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Oldroyd caps career with first-team All-America performance

Story Links EUGENE, Oregon — Kelsi Oldroyd capped her banner career at Utah Valley University with an 8th-place finish in the javelin at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Hayward Field on Thursday to earn First Team All-America status. Oldroyd’s best throw on Thursday came in her third attempt […]

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EUGENE, Oregon — Kelsi Oldroyd capped her banner career at Utah Valley University with an 8th-place finish in the javelin at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships at Hayward Field on Thursday to earn First Team All-America status.

Oldroyd’s best throw on Thursday came in her third attempt of the day, at 56.37 meters (184-11), as she becomes the first Utah Valley thrower to earn outdoor All-American and is just the second first-teamer in program history (Everlyn Kemboi, 2023 5k). Valentina Barrios Bornacelli of Missouri was the individual champion, with her mark of 62.00 meters (203-5) winning the title on her final throw of the meet.

In 2025, Oldroyd won her third straight WAC Outdoor title in the javelin while also advancing to the NCAA Regional and national semifinal for the third consecutive season. This year, in her final season of eligibility, she broke through to earn All-America status, making an appearance at the NCAA Championships. She’s the first-ever All-American for Utah Valley in the javelin and becomes the 15th All-American in outdoor track & field in program history. 



Utah Valley Outdoor T&F All-Americans


















 Year 

Student-Athlete 

Event 

Place 

Team 

2025 

Kelsi Oldroyd 

Javelin 

8th 

1st Team 

2025 

Gavin Stafford 

4×100 

10th 

2nd Team 

2025 

Cameron Franklin 

4×100 

10th 

2nd Team 

2025 

Kade Thompson 

4×100 

10th 

2nd Team 

2025 

Gabe Remy 

4×100 

10th 

2nd Team 

2023 

Everlyn Kemboi 

5,000m 

2nd 

1st Team 

2023 

Everlyn Kemboi 

10,000 

1st 

1st Team 

2022 

Everlyn Kemboi 

10,000m 

12th 

2nd Team 

2022 

Hannah Branch 

10,000m 

17th 

2nd Team 

2022 

Adam Bunker 

3k Steeplechase 

17th 

Honorable Mention 

2022 

Aaron Johnson 

Long Jump 

21st 

Honorable Mention 

2016 

Nicholas Taylor 

100m 

15th 

2nd Team 

2016 

Nicholas Taylor 

200m 

19th 

Honorable Mention 

2015 

Trac Norris 

3k Steeplechase 

22nd 

Honorable Mention 





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