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IRVINE — The warm feelings of friendship and redemption embraced Gavin Conant on a sunny, mid-summer afternoon and drove away a cold and somber fall once and for all.

Conant and North Irvine’s “Beast Boys” lived up to their nickname by defeating two-time defending champion Newport Beach 9-5 in the 18-and-under boys final at the USA Water Polo Junior Olympics on Tuesday.

Before a packed crowd at Woollett Aquatics Center, Conant earned MVP honors with a match-high four goals, two field blocks and two steals.

The USC-bound attacker delivered the performance after missing his senior season at JSerra in the fall because of a back injury.

“This is fate, so it was fun,” Conant said after leading North Irvine’s to its first 18s title. “I was out for about six, seven months and that was really hard. But I got back in January and started training … (and) bounced back.”

Conant said he suffered a stress fracture in his back at the 18-and-under World Championships last summer in Argentina from “over training.”

The injury didn’t require surgery but he missed JSerra’s runner-up finish in the CIF-SS Open Division and title in the SoCal regional.

Conant made up for lost time Tuesday by uniting with an all-star cast of friends to avenge a 12-9 loss to Newport Beach on Monday.

“A lot of these guys (on North Irvine) are national team buddies,” explained Conant, who played at JSerra for two years after transferring from Cathedral Catholic. “We’re all best friends from different clubs and we came together.”

North Irvine’s inspiration, Conant explained, was the Cozy Boys, another “super team” that won the boys 18-and-under crown in 2018.

“I always looked up to the Cozy Boys,” Conant said. “Beast Boys was kind of our thing. It was pretty special. We made the (swim) suits and got the Instagram. It was really fun.”

Beast Boys’ chemistry showed as the No. 5 seed converted all three of its chances on the man-advantage in the first period.

Former JSerra center Colt Bradley (USC) drew two of the exclusions while former Mater Dei left-hander Kyson Becker (UC San Diego) had a goal and assist.

North Irvine finished 5 for 7 with the extra attacker.

“The team came together with some (North Irvine) alumni who just wanted to run in with their friends, and their friends all happened to be really, really good,” North Irvine coach Ed Carrera said.

Former Newport Harbor All-County goalie Luke Harris (USC) made 12 saves to help anchor North Irvine’s defense. Harris and his field blockers held Newport Beach to a 2 for 10 effort on the extra man.

“The game plan (Monday) was just play them straight up and see what they got,” said North Irvine coach Steve Carrera, whose son Jacob (Archie Williams/UC Davis) scored a goal.

“(Newport Beach) played a good game. We just had a little more hustle in us today.”

North Irvine also received two goals from Milan Sumich (Cal) and one from Camden Kocur (Oaks Christian/USC).

Sean Anderson paced Newport Beach with two goals while goalie Connor Clougherty added six saves.

The squad lost Tyler Anderson, an All-County center at JSerra last season, to a game misconduct in the second period.

The ratings for Saturday’s WNBA All-Star Game on ABC were down 36 percent from the previous year but still drew the second-most viewers in the showcase’s history.

The contest in Indianapolis drew 2.19 million viewers according to Front Office Sports, down from a record 3.44 million last year. It still was the most-watched program of the night across the television landscape, per ESPN.

One glaring reason for the discrepancy is that Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark was on the court for the 2024 All-Star Game and on the bench with a groin injury this year.

Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier scored a record 36 points Saturday to lead her Team Collier to a 151-131 victory over Team Clark.

This is the third straight year ABC aired the All-Star Game in primetime on Saturday. The 2023 game drew 850,000 viewers.

All-Star weekend’s other events were a hit. Friday’s WNBA Skills Challenge and 3-Point Contest drew an average of 1.3 million viewers on ESPN, up a whopping 89 percent over last year.

–Field Level Media

Lexington, KY — The WPI volleyball squad received the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Team Academic Awards as announced on Monday.

WPI joined a record-breaking 1,450 collegiate and high school volleyball teams that maintained a year-long grade-point average of at least a 3.3 on a 4.0 scale to earn the 2025 AVCA Team Academic Award.

The Crimson and Gray now have claimed the award for the seventh time in program history and the fifth time in the past eight seasons as the Engineers computed a 3.66 team grade-point average.

WPI finished 7-19 in 2024 and look to open the 2025 campaign on Friday, August 29th, versus Wentworth at the Brandeis Invitational.

2025 AVCA Team Academic Award Sponsored By INTENT

Jim Barnes has long had a knack for elevating programs to powerhouse status, and for the fourth-year head coach of Iowa volleyball, the Hawkeyes carry that same potential.

Iowa’s 2023-24 campaign, Barnes’ second with the team, saw the Hawkeyes finish 0-20 in Big Ten contests, but this past season saw Iowa improve to four conference wins, besting Rutgers twice and knocking off Maryland and Indiana along the way.

Barnes, whose past coaching tenures include a Sweet 16 run with Baylor, noted the great potential of last season’s roster and the challenges that came with early injuries, like third-year setter Claire Ammeraal.

“I believe last year we had the team to create a winning record had we not run into some injuries early,” Barnes said in an interview with The Daily Iowan. “I think we had the potential to have a winning season and really get going, but didn’t overcome some of those challenges.”

The McNeese State alum also noted the high quality of both teams from this current and the previous season.
“We had the team to do it, and now we’ve doubled that,” Barnes said. “We’ve doubled the talent, we’ve doubled the depth, and we have more than enough on our roster to create a really strong, winning season.”

A key part of any good program is its setters, which the Hawkeyes maximized last season.

Ammeraal tallied 378 assists, averaging 6.41 assists per set, despite an injury that confined the Central Michigan transfer to only 18 matches on the season.

When Ammeraal was sidelined, first-year Jenna Meitzler stepped up to close the gap, posting 709 assists, 143 digs, 55 blocks, and 37 kills.

Ammeraal credits the team’s focus as a key part of winning games last season, despite both individual and program obstacles.

“It seemed like they were a lot more driven,” Ammeraal said in an interview. “They had a lot more common goals, which I really liked. We lost a couple of people from last season, but I think now, we’re even more focused on one thing. We all want the same things.”

The Madison, Wisconsin, native also praised Barnes’ leadership as a coach who keeps the team moving in the same direction.

“He has a positive attitude that brings everybody up,” Ammeraal said. “With his recruiting process, especially, he’s looking for players with good culture who are going to bring good vibes. That’s huge because having one bad attitude on the team can bring a couple other people down with it, and then you have a divide on your team. That’s what leads to losing records, losing games, having a bad time.”

In addition to retaining key players from last season like Ammeraal, who eclipsed 2,000 career assists in just the second game of the season, the Hawkeyes added some new talent to the program this season, such as fourth-year Milana Moisio, a transfer libero from Miami who appeared in two matches of last season’s NCAA tournament.

Moisio described Barnes and his program as placing a major emphasis on culture, which was a key factor in her move to Iowa City.

“My first phone call with him was very detailed,” Moisio said in an interview. “It felt very wholesome. Their values and the culture that they were building, that they were describing, really fit with what I wanted.”
The Waukegan, Illinois native also noted the contributions she hopes to bring to Iowa, citing a positive attitude and good team morale.

“I really want to focus on having my teammates lean on me, especially when times get challenging,” Moisio said. “It’s so easy to play [well] when things are smooth and everyone’s on the same page, but when things are [chaotic], I really want my teammates to know that they can lean on me.”

Barnes ultimately emphasized the positive attitude this year’s team continues to carry into games, praising their resilience as well as both new and returning talent.

“Things have to go your way, you’ve got to stay healthy, but we’re really optimistic about what we can do this year,” Barnes said. “We’ve got some players that can really play and have some good experiences. [We’re] expecting big things.”

INDIANAPOLIS – Head coach Haley Kindall announced the addition of eight new players to the 2025 Greyhound team, which will be her first season with the team.

When asked about the upcoming eight new players being added to the team, Kindall said, “I couldn’t be more excited about this recruiting class. Each one of these young women were carefully handpicked. We are bringing in a unique blend of youth and experience that will add depth, energy, and personality to our program.”

“What unites this team is their undeniable competitive spirit, relentless drive to be great, and deep love for UIndy Volleyball,” Kindall said. “We are proud of this group and cannot wait to begin the next chapter of Greyhound Volleyball, together.”

Carly Fonda is a 5’9 setter from Floyds Knobs, Ind. where she attended Floyd Central High School, and played for the Union Volleyball Club’s 18 UA Black team. As the Highlander’s setter, she recorded a whopping 56.4 kill percentage with 468 kills. She also had 830 career attack attempts with an incredible .490 hitting percentage, and 168 aces in 339 sets played at Floyd Central.

When asked about why Fonda chose to join the Greyhounds’ team, “I chose UIndy because of the strong culture and academics, and I loved the team and all the other people I met while on campus”, said Fonda. “There are so many awesome opportunities and resources at UIndy as well, and after going on my visit, I knew it was where I wanted to spend my next 4 years!”

Carson Bowling is a 5’11 middle hitter out of Trinity Lutheran High School in Seymour, Ind., where she helped lead the Cougars to two 1A sectional championships, a 1A regional title, and 2022 state runner-up finish. She also claimed first team All-Region honors after her senior season. Along with her stellar high school career, she was also a part of the Cougar Volleyball Club where in 2022 her team won the MEQ, the JVA World Challenge, and competed in the AAU National Tournament in Orlando, Fla.

Bowling said, “I chose UIndy because it was the perfect fit for me. It is close to home, not too big but not too small, and everyone here was so welcoming and kind!”

Kaitlin Fasbender is a 6’0 middle blocker from right here in Indianapolis, where she attended Lawrence North High School. In her time with the Wildcats she became only the ninth player in Lawrence North history to be named an Indiana All-Star by the Indiana High School Volleyball Coaches Association. In her four years she picked up 149 kills on a .218 hitting percentage in 148 sets played.

After her four year career at Lawrence North, she spent the last three seasons at GLVC rival Drury, where she recorded a .230 hitting percentage with 209 kills in 58 matches played. She also racked up .265 attacking percentage on 309 attack attempts.

Fasbender said, “From academics to athletics, UIndy immediately just felt so welcoming and like home. The coaches and girls are creating a great culture while also being hungry to compete and I am so excited to be a part of the program.”

Lauren Gips is a 6’2 middle blocker from Winter Park, Fla. where she attended Lake Highland Preparatory School. In her time at Lake Highland Prep School, she was named a PrepVolleyball.com Special Mention All-American, earned Florida All-State Second Team honors, Under Armour Honorable Mention All-American and AVCA All-Region during her senior year. In her four years with the Highlanders, Gips also helped lead the team to two state titles.

Before arriving at UIndy, Gips spent her previous four seasons combined at Babson College and Rice University. She spent her first two seasons at Rice where she appeared in six matches before heading to Babson College where she became a two-time AVCA All-American. In two seasons with the Beavers she averaged 3.04 kills on a .362 hitting percentage. She also tallied 361 kills at a .395 clip in her 2024 season.

Gips said, “I knew for my last year of eligibility I wanted to be a part of something special. What makes Uindy that is the competitive culture not only found in the volleyball program, but amongst all the other athletic programs too. The energy Coach Haley brings is contagious, and I felt that even on our very first phone call. As a former national champion herself, she knows what it takes to win and I believe she will take this program to new heights.”

Lucia Brown is a 5’6 setter from Catholic Memorial High School in Menomonee Falls, Wis., where she also spent three seasons with the Milwaukee Sting, and one with the Revolution Volleyball Academy. In four years for the Crusaders, the setter racked up impressive numbers including; 574 digs, 430 kills, 112 aces, and had a .202 hitting percentage.

Brown said, “I chose UIndy for various reasons; being located near the city, the cute welcoming campus, a coach (Kindall) who believes in me and reminds me of myself, and is someone who will do whatever it takes to win, as well as UIndy having a good education and lots of internship opportunities.”

Makenzie Pflederer is a 5’8 outside hitter and defensive specialist from Tremont High School in Tremont, Ill. In her career at Tremont, she earned various honors including; two first team All-Conference, two Delavan All-Tournament team honors, a Peoria Journal Star All-Area, an IHSA Top-10 Player to Watch, and a Decatur St. Teresa All-Tournament Team honors.

After graduating from Tremont, Pflederer spent two years at Illinois Central College in East Peoria, Ill. In her first year with the program, Pflederer ranked fourth on the team in kills (312), third in total attacks (1055), fourth in kills per set (1.99), and third in digs (468).

Pflederer said, “I chose UIndy because I was encouraged by the passion and dedication the coaching staff has towards the sport of volleyball. They want to create a space of competitiveness while also providing a positive atmosphere for players to build character and confidence.”

Paige Boettcher is a 5’8 outside hitter from Germantown High School in Jackson, Wis., where she racked up an impressive 593 kills, 527 digs and 117 assists in 227 sets played over her four year career with the Warhawks. In her 2024 season she claimed four player of the match awards including three in two weeks in the month of September. 

When asked about why Boettcher chose UIndy she said, “I chose UIndy because the campus felt like home and it is beautiful.”

Paige Parlanti is a 6’0 outside hitter from Las Vegas, Nev., where she attended Desert Oasis High School. She led Nevada 4A in kills with 348, including breaking a school-record for kills in a single match multiple times, including 23 in one game her senior season. She also racked up multiple honors including; first team All-Region, a two-time All-Southern Nevada second team, a 2018 All-State Honorable Mention, and an MVP award in the 2021 Chatsworth California Tournament. She also played for the Vegas Aces where she compiled three gold, one silver and two bronze medals.

After four years at Desert Oasis, she played a combined three seasons at Vincennes College (two), and Bowling Green State (one). In two years at Vincennes she appeared in 72 matches, with 1,049 kills, 946 digs, 141 blocks, 105 aces and 13 assists. She was also named to the NJCAA All-American second-team, twice to the Volleyball.com All-American team, and was a two-time NJCAA Region 24 Player of the Year.

When asked about why she chose UIndy she said, “I chose to go to UIndy because it is very familiar to me and I already know the girls and the expectations of the program. I also love how Coach Haley is making great changes for the future of UIndy volleyball. I am very excited to be a part of this program!”

The Greyhounds open their season at home in the UIndy Invitational against Parkside on Sept. 4 at 6 p.m. in the Ruth Lilly Fitness Center.