Sports
Outside Hitter Ryan Barnett Leads Waves Men’s Volleyball into NCAA Quarterfinals Fueled by Faith and Determination | Newsroom
Ryan Barnett was nervous. It was the middle of the volleyball season, and just beyond the locker room, the outside hitter knew the roaring crowd inside Pauley Pavilion was ready for the match to begin: Pepperdine versus the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)—a premier top 25 NCAA matchup. Barnett expected that the contest would […]
Ryan Barnett was nervous. It was the middle of the volleyball season, and just beyond
the locker room, the outside hitter knew the roaring crowd inside Pauley Pavilion
was ready for the match to begin: Pepperdine versus the University of California,
Los Angeles (UCLA)—a premier top 25 NCAA matchup. Barnett expected that the contest
would demand his best, but he couldn’t shake the butterflies swarming in his stomach.
Ryan Barnett zeroing in on a spike
Lost in a cloud of doubt, the redshirt junior and team co-captain turned to Mark 4:40,
in which Jesus calms the stormy waters and asks his disciples, “Why are you so afraid?
Do you still have no faith?” These questions resonated deeply with the nervous Waves
volleyball player.
“That passage taught me that I can be nervous before a match, but once I step on the
court it’s just joy,” says Barnett. “I’m playing the sport that I love . . . and [I
can] surrender the outcome.”
Since embracing this perspective, Barnett has unlocked new dimensions in his game.
Playing with renewed freedom, he has propelled Pepperdine to a 20-9 record, culminating
in the team’s seventh Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) Tournament title (where
the Waves defeated the Bruins in the semifinal) this April, and a berth in the NCAA
Championships. After fighting fear with faith in the locker room at Pauley Pavilion,
Barnett has realized his true potential as both an athlete and a leader.
Athletic Excellence
“Surreal” is the word Barnett uses to describe the last three weeks of the 2025 volleyball
season. During the final 10-game stretch, the six-foot-five outside hitter recorded
167 kills at a 0.340 attack percentage. Notably, in the MPFS conference tournament,
he hammered home 44 kills against the second- and the fifth-ranked teams in the nation
(UCLA and the University of Southern California, respectively) to propel the Waves
into the NCAA tournament they’re competing in this week in Columbus, Ohio.
Barnett mid serve
This exceptional play solidified an already strong year for Barnett, who ranks in
the top 25 nationally for aces per set, hitting percentage, kills per set, and points
per set. On Monday, May 4, these accomplishments earned him recognition as a First-Team American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-American—an honor he did not anticipate receiving.
“I’ve never really been ‘the guy’ playing volleyball,” Barnett explains. “I’m just
so grateful, happy, and joyful to go along with this [recent] ride. I really don’t
know how to put it into words.”
The “ride,” as Barnett refers to it, is the culmination of a four-year process grounded
in hard work. After redshirting his first year, the outside hitter began to rebuild
the physical components of his game. He focused on eating well and added extra weight
to his training routine. The goal, he claims, was to treat his body like a “machine.”
Despite the hard work, the junior was not in the starting lineup at the beginning
of this season. However, this setback did not deter him from staying the course and
keeping the faith.
“Ryan Barnett has been fantastic this season,” says Jonathan Winder (‘08), head coach of the Pepperdine men’s volleyball team, who, as a setter on the
same team he now leads, was a four-time All-American, a 2005 NCAA champion, and the
2007 AVCA National Player of the Year. “He’s been great about responding to challenges
and difficult conversations over the last couple of years. It hasn’t been an easy
journey. Nothing has been given to him. Ryan had to earn his way to where he is today.”
Barnett’s rise from role player to a First-Team All-American is a testament to his
perseverance and unwavering dedication. While his path toward the top might have been
unexpected given his late addition to the starting lineup, the motivations that spurred
him forward highlight his enduring commitment to athletic excellence.
Barnett celebrating the Waves NCAA title berth
“I want to win, and I want to be the best,” he says. “But beyond that I want to keep
playing with the guys—my teammates. That’s the beauty of a team sport . . . On the
days we’re not feeling it mentally or physically, or if something happens in school,
we have each other to lean on.”
By focusing on the things that meant the most to him—a high personal standard and
the camaraderie of his teammates—Barnett has grown into one of the nation’s best collegiate
volleyball athletes and the leader of Pepperdine’s nationally ranked squad.
Learning to Lead
“When Coach Winder told Gabe [Dyer] and me that we would be team captains going into
this year, my only goal was to be a good leader,” Barnett explains. “I wasn’t focused
on having all these accolades or even playing. I was fine being a bench player, but
I was going to take these guys under my wing and show them the way.”
This confidence was not a natural part of Barnett’s personality. He explains that
leadership is a skill he developed at Pepperdine through the mentorship of his athletic
coaches and professors. By leaning on wisdom from Coach Winder and professor Ned Colletti,
former Los Angeles Dodgers general manager, he gained the maturity needed to support
his teammates.
Barnett celebrating the Waves NCAA Title berth
“Ryan Barnett has been not only a big inspiration but a huge help during the season,”
says Cole Hartke, a Pepperdine first year who has made an immediate impact on the
Waves volleyball team as the nation’s leading freshman scorer. “During the first few
weeks of practice, he pulled me aside and told me ‘It’s not going to be easy. There
will be ups and downs.’ There have been, and Ryan has been with me through all that.”
Harnessing his strong play and confidence, Barnett has succeeded in leading the Waves
to their current position as the sixth-ranked team in the nation with a real chance
of winning the NCAA title. At this point in his career—where faith is fueling his
sense of freedom on the court and the joy with which he competes—Pepperdine’s outside
hitter can look back on his trials and triumphs and feel a sense of contentment.
“The journey is everything,” says Barnett. “Reflecting on the journey, now, is better
than winning in and of itself.”
Barnett and the Waves take on Loyola Chicago in the NCAA quarterfinals on Thursday,
May 8, 2025, at 4:30 PM PDT. The match will be streamed live on ESPN+.
Sports
Mesa Verde boys’ volleyball team ends year with ‘heads held high’ – Citrus Heights Sentinel
The Mesa Verde Boys’ Volleyball team, headed by coach Jennifer Shoffner, practice in the high school’s gym. // SB Williams By Sara Beth Williams–The Mesa Verde High School’s boys’ volleyball team made waves in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV this spring, earning recognition for a record-breaking season that’s putting the school on the athletic map. […]
Sports
High school boys’ volleyball: Playoff results and pairings
THURSDAY’S RESULTS DIVISION 1 Pool A #5 Beckman d. #8 San Clemente, 25-18, 25-19, 19-25, 25-17 FRIDAY’S SCHEDULE DIVISION 1 Pool A #4 Corona del Mar at #1 Mira Costa, 6:30 p.m. Pool B #3 Loyola at #2 Huntington Beach, 6 p.m. SATURDAY’S SCHEDULE (Games at 6 p.m. unless noted) DIVISION 1 Pool B #7 […]
THURSDAY’S RESULTS
DIVISION 1
Pool A
#5 Beckman d. #8 San Clemente, 25-18, 25-19, 19-25, 25-17
FRIDAY’S SCHEDULE
DIVISION 1
Pool A
#4 Corona del Mar at #1 Mira Costa, 6:30 p.m.
Pool B
#3 Loyola at #2 Huntington Beach, 6 p.m.
SATURDAY’S SCHEDULE
(Games at 6 p.m. unless noted)
DIVISION 1
Pool B
#7 Redondo Union at #6 Newport Harbor, 12 p.m.
SEMIFINALS
DIVISION 2
Mater Dei at St. Francis, 4 p.m.
St. Margaret’s at Peninsula, 5 p.m.
DIVISION 3
North Torrance at Tesoro
Orange Lutheran at Warren
DIVISION 4
Santa Barbara at Corona Santiago, 4 p.m.
Crean Lutheran at Sage Hill
DIVISION 5
Newbury Park at Esperanza
Vista Murrieta at Kennedy
DIVISION 6
Village Christian at Quartz Hill
Laguna Blanca at El Toro
DIVISION 7
San Jacinto at Brea Olinda
Brentwood at San Gabriel Academy, Monday at 4 p.m.
DIVISION 8
Lancaster Desert Christian a Katella, 2 p.m.
Wildwood at Avalon
DIVISION 9
CAMS at San Jacinto Valley
Beverly Hills at Downey, Monday at 5 p.m.
Note: Division 1 Finals at 7 p.m. Friday, May 16 at Cerritos College; Finals in all other divisions May 16 or 17 (times and sites TBA).
Sports
SunLive – Tauranga’s quest for four water polo titles starts
The top Tauranga men’s water polo team are gunning to defend their national league title – which they’ve held for the last three years – in the two-month 2025 competition that began in early May. Tauranga Water Polo Club chairman Mark Edgecombe said the Division 1 men’s team had snatched the Suzuki New Zealand National […]
Sports
Dodgers Promote Two Pitchers, Including Minor League Strikeout Leader
The Dodgers are promoting two pitching prospects, including the minor league strikeout leader. Right-hander Sean Linan, who leads the minor leagues with 50 strikeouts for Class-A Rancho Cucamonga, is headed to advanced Class-A Great Lakes. Sam Dykstra of MiLB.com noted the move Thursday on Bluesky. More news: Dodgers Could Add Future Hall of Famer to […]
The Dodgers are promoting two pitching prospects, including the minor league strikeout leader.
Right-hander Sean Linan, who leads the minor leagues with 50 strikeouts for Class-A Rancho Cucamonga, is headed to advanced Class-A Great Lakes. Sam Dykstra of MiLB.com noted the move Thursday on Bluesky.
More news: Dodgers Could Add Future Hall of Famer to Rotation Sooner Rather Than Later
Linan, 20, has a 44.2% strikeout rate, a 1.21 ERA, 0.84 WHIP, and .146 average-against through 29.2 innings with the Quakes. The Dodgers signed Linan to an amateur contract out of Colombia in January 2022.
Pitcher Jose Rodriguez, who struck out 20 batters in 12 innings with Double-A Tulsa, is headed to Triple-A Oklahoma City in a separate transaction. Comets broadcaster Alex Freedman noted the move on Twitter/X Thursday.
Also of note: Jose Rodriguez is joining OKC from Double-A Tulsa.
Outings have been up and down this season, but has struck out 20 over 12.0 IP following up last season’s breakout.
Considered Dodgers #27 prospect per @MLBPipeline.
— Alex Freedman (@azfreedman) May 8, 2025
Rodriguez, 23, was part of the Dodgers’ 2019 international signing class out of Mexico. The 6-foot-6 right-hander has a fastball-changeup combo that he used to rack up 126 strikeouts compared to just 32 walks and 73 hits allowed in 90.2 innings across two lower levels in 2024.
More news: Dodgers Promote Matt Sauer, Place Former Closer on IL
Rodriguez’s promotion comes despite an unsightly 8.25 ERA for the Drillers. Opponents did most of their damage against Rodriguez in his first appearance of the season, on April 4. He allowed five runs — all earned — while recording just two outs that day against the Nothwest Arkansas Naturals.
Since then, Rodriguez has allowed six earned runs and 10 hits in 11.1 innings.
More news: Dodgers Re-Acquire Pitcher From 2024 Championship Team
In a busy day for minor league transactions, the Dodgers also sent right-handed reliever Michael Kopech to Oklahoma City to begin a rehabilitation assignment.
Kopech hasn’t pitched this season because of right shoulder impingement. Kopech pitched through discomfort in his right arm in the 2024 postseason, allowing three runs in nine innings across nine October appearances.
More news: Dodgers Manager Says Shohei Ohtani’s Stats Will Take Step Back in Key Category
The Dodgers will look to welcome him back to a bullpen that’s held up well (2.52 ERA, fifth in MLB) despite a heavy workload (25.0 innings, tied for sixth in MLB) and a rotating cast of characters this month.
Like Kopech, Rodriguez is now one step away from the big leagues — a rapid ascent for a pitcher who’d only thrown one inning above Rookie ball before last year.
More news: Dodgers Cut One Newly Acquired Pitcher After Only Three Games, Activate Another
Linan is a bit farther away from the big leagues, but his promotion Thursday is a strong sign that the organization does not view his gaudy numbers at Rancho Cucamonga as a fluke.
For more Dodgers news, head over to Dodgers on SI.
Sports
Princeton University
Ivy League Outdoor Heptagonal Championships Sat. May 10th and Sun. May 11th | New Haven, Conn. Live Results | ESPN+ | Schedule PRINCETON, N.J. – The Princeton men’s track and field team will compete for its 12th all-time Triple Crown at the Ivy League Outdoor Heptagonal Championships this weekend in New Haven, Conn. […]
Sat. May 10th and Sun. May 11th | New Haven, Conn.
Live Results | ESPN+ | Schedule
PRINCETON, N.J. – The Princeton men’s track and field team will compete for its 12th all-time Triple Crown at the Ivy League Outdoor Heptagonal Championships this weekend in New Haven, Conn.
After winning both the 2024 cross country and 2025 indoor Ivy championship titles, Princeton will seek another outdoor title which would complete the program’s second-consecutive Triple Crown.
Outdoor Season in Review
The Tigers have had a strong outdoor season so far, setting new program records in four events, including the 1500, the 10000, the 4×400 relay and the discus.
Most recently, the Tigers hosted the Larry Ellis Invitational at home in Weaver Stadium last weekend. Karl Dietz, Kavon Miller, Joey Gant and Xavier Donaldson ran the record-breaking 4×400 relay, clocking in at 3:04.85 to clear the previous school record of 3:05.86 set in 2011.
For their efforts, the group was named Ivy Athlete of the Week.
Harrison Witt also had a standout weekend at home, setting a new Princeton record in the 1500 with a time of 3:37.22 to break the previous record of 3:37.60 set by Sam Ellis in 2022.
After the regular season, Princeton leads the Ivy League in seven events. Jadon Spain ranks first in the 100 (10.22), Joey Gant leads the 200 (20.88), Myles Hogan leads in the 5000 (13:37.56) and Jackson Shorten leads in the steeplechase (8:40.45).
In the field events, Greg Foster leads the league in the long jump (8.11m/26′ 7.25″), while Casey Helm leads in the discus (63.37m/207-11″) and Joe Licata leads in the shot put (19.24m/63-1.5″).
National Notice
Several Tigers currently rank high up on the NCAA Qualifying list.
Foster holds onto third in the long jump, while Helm ranks sixth in the discus. Licata ranks 20th in the shot put.
Witt ranks 17th nationally in the 1500.
The Tiger 4×400 squad from Larry Ellis comes in at 30th on the list.
Last Time Around
At last year’s Outdoor Heps, the Tigers achieved their 10th all-time Triple Crown at home in Weaver Stadium, winning Ivy Outdoor Heps for the 22nd time after compiling 204.5 points. The Triple Crown was also the first under Head Coach Jason Vigilante.
In the fall, Princeton won its fourth-consecutive cross country Ivy League championship on its home course at Meadows campus. In the Winter, the Tigers followed up their success by winning their 11th-consecutive indoor Ivy League title.
Now, Princeton will look to complete the Triple Crown in New Haven on Saturday and Sunday.
Sports
Wodonga Waterpolo Club among recipients of Victorian Government ‘Change Our Game’ sport funding
The Wodonga Dolphins Waterpolo Club is among the recipients of Victorian Government grants as part of The Change Our Game Community Activation Grants program, benefitting more than 11,500 individuals. The Wodonga Dolphins Waterpolo Club will deliver the Funfit Ladies Water Polo Program, a 10-week program with modified rules catering to beginners with all levels of […]
The Wodonga Dolphins Waterpolo Club is among the recipients of Victorian Government grants as part of The Change Our Game Community Activation Grants program, benefitting more than 11,500 individuals.
The Wodonga Dolphins Waterpolo Club will deliver the Funfit Ladies Water Polo Program, a 10-week program with modified rules catering to beginners with all levels of fitness.
The Change Our Game Community Activation Grants program delivers grants of up to $10,000 to community sport and recreation clubs to help inspire women and girls to take part – including new women’s programs, opportunities for club leadership roles and other on and off field options.
Since 2018, The Change Our Game Community Activation Grants program has provided more than 700 grants totalling more than $3.7 million for community sport and active recreation clubs and organisations across the state.
Another recipient, Broadmeadows Basketball Association, will provide 60 multicultural women from three junior clubs access to a nine-week program featuring closed basketball sessions and the opportunity for formal coaching accreditation.
Community leaders are also backed through the program – among them Warrnambool Wolves Football Club’s U14 Girls Coach Melissa Francis, who will undertake the Football Australia/AFC C-Diploma to further her coaching journey and support the club’s junior teams.
Through the Fair Access Policy Roadmap, launched in August 2022, and the Community Activation Grants Program, the State Government is helping community sporting organisations achieve more equitable access and increase the number of women and girls actively taking part in their club.
Victorian Director of the Office for Women in Sport and Recreation Sarah Styles noted “Community sport is a powerful vehicle to create positive change. We are dedicated to breaking down barriers and fostering a level playing field for women and girls in community sport.”
Warrnambool Wolves Club President Jeff Morland-Hunt added “as part of our strategic plan, one of our key goals is to invest in opportunities for both new and experienced coaches, with a strong focus on supporting junior and girls’ coaching pathways. This grant brings us one step closer to achieving that vision.”
For more information about Change Our Game programs, visit changeourgame.vic.gov.au.
Related Articles
2nd February 2025 – Applications open for 2025 Change Our Game Community Activation Grants program
23rd October 2024 – Change Our Game continues to support opportunities for women as sport and active recreation leaders
5th February 2024 – Applications open for 2024 Change Our Game Community Activation Grants program
25th October 2022 – Hockey Victoria’s Suzanne Henderson among 96 Change our Game scholarship recipients
25th May 2021 – Victorian Government continues to support Change Our Game program
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