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Pepperdine Athletics’ Building Waves Program Continues to Empower and Prepare Student-Athletes for Life

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MALIBU, Calif. – Pepperdine Athletics is proud to highlight another successful year of its Building Waves program, the department’s professional development initiative designed to prepare student-athletes for life after their time in Malibu.

Launched in 2020, Building Waves helps student-athletes clarify their career interests, establish connections with alumni and industry professionals, and build confidence in their transferable skills. The program includes resume and career skills workshops, one-on-one mentoring, life beyond sport discussions, and networking events with Pepperdine alumni where many of whom were student-athletes themselves.

In 2024–25, the program engaged over 80 student-athletes across 12 programs and all four class years in a variety of workshops, events, and mentorship opportunities focused on career preparation and personal growth.

 

This year, 32 alumni mentors stepped up to guide, encourage, and inspire our student-athletes. Since 2021, almost 90 alumni have shared their time and expertise with student athletes. Our signature program is the one-on-one mentoring program which matches current student athletes with alumni who match their career interests.

 

The academic year saw the highest-ever recorded department-wide GPA with multiple programs setting new program-record GPA-highs.

“This has been an inspiring year for Building Waves with participation across sports at an all-program high,” noted Academic Support Coordinator/Career Development Erin Carroll. “Helping our student athletes prepare for the transition out of college athletics and appreciate their unique value in the professional world, I’m seeing them step into this new confidence. For this, I have to thank our Wave alumni who are the linchpin of this program. We know the caliber of our alumni is tremendous, and they are making an enormous impact on the next generation of Waves.”

2024–25 Program Impact

  • 78 participants representing 12 men’s and women’s sports
  • Engagement across all class years:

    • Freshmen: 17
    • Sophomores: 16
    • Juniors: 22
    • Seniors: 23

  • Participating teams:

    • Baseball (20), Men’s Water Polo (14), Cross Country/Track (14), Women’s Swimming/Diving (7), Women’s Basketball (5), Women’s Soccer (5), Women’s Basketball (5), Beach Volleyball (4), Women’s Tennis (2), Men’s Tennis (2) and Men’s Golf (1)

“Building Waves gave me a deeper understanding of how the business world truly works. I learned what stands out in interviews, gained technical knowledge specific to commercial real estate, and received valuable answers to both basic and advanced questions. I also made some meaningful connections that could lead to future job or internship opportunities. Overall, I feel much more confident in my skills—I’m now interning in the field and adapting quickly thanks to what I learned through this program.”
— Karina Gonzalez, Women’s Soccer Senior

“Jen Karson was the perfect mentor for me! She came in at a perfect time as I was trying to land an internship. With her interview help and demo reel advice, I landed an internship that I am very excited about.”

— Jenna Parsio, Track Junior

“I have had an excellent experience with this program, not only has Emily been extremely helpful, but she has given me excellent resources and other connections that have helped so much. This has been one of the best resources from Pepperdine Athletics.”

— Emma Martinez, Cross Country and Track Sophomore

“This is an amazing program. I only wish it was available when I was a graduate. Thankfully, I’ve been able to mentor a number of people along the way in my professional life but it just seems much more special giving back to someone from Pepperdine who is an athlete. Very excited about Karina’s future when she leaves Pepperdine.”

— Pat Meaney, Mentor, Men’s Water Polo 1980

 

Since its inception, Building Waves has helped foster strong bonds between current Waves and alumni dating back as far as the Class of 1979. These connections have provided insight into industries such as law, business, education, healthcare, and more while delivering tailored support from those who understand the unique journey of a student-athlete.

The program, which began virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic, now offers in-person and hybrid programming with increasing reach and frequency. Once focused primarily on seniors, Building Waves now serves all student-athletes, with expanded sessions created in partnership with Pepperdine’s sport psychology staff. This includes special emphasis on life beyond sports, equipping student-athletes with tools to manage the emotional and professional transitions that come after their final season.

 



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Wisconsin’s Carter Booth has F-bomb after volleyball upset vs. Texas

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Dec. 15, 2025, 8:46 a.m. ET

Perhaps no one is more hyped about the No. 3 Wisconsin Badgers upsetting No. 1 Texas during the 2025 NCAA volleyball tournament than star Carter Booth.

On Sunday, the Badgers unleashed an elite game plan to get a dominant 3-1 win in the Elite Eight over the Longhorns. The victory was the 13th straight win for Wisconsin, which now has a date in the Final Four in Kansas City later this week. After the match, Booth was still amped up during an ESPN interview when she dropped a pretty big F-bomb.

“I refuse to [ expletive] lose,” she said matter-of-factly.

MORE WOMEN’S SPORTS:Caitlin Clark thankfully looks like herself again at Team USA practice





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Can Pitt volleyball use favorable path to finally get over Final Four hump?

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Legendary Lincoln Lutheran volleyball coach Sue Ziegler retiring

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LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – After 28 successful seasons of leading the Lincoln Lutheran volleyball program, Sue Ziegler is retiring. The legendary head volleyball coach announced the decision during a team meeting on Monday.

Ziegler is a 6-time state champion (2004, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024) and member of the Nebraska High School Hall of Fame. In 2021, she was recognized as the AVCA National High School Coach of the Year. Ziegler totaled 624 wins over her career, which ranks among the state’s all-time leaders.

Ziegler’s teams reached the NSAA State Tournament 15 times, including each of the last nine years. Prior to the 2024 season, Lincoln Lutheran dedicated its court to the longtime volleyball coach.

Lincoln Lutheran said the search for a new head coach will begin immediately.

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Loyola Chicago Leads MIVA in Preseason Poll

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CHICAGO – The Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (MIVA) named Loyola Chicago as the No. 1 favorite in the league’s preseason poll, announced on Monday. Ryan McElligott, Daniel Fabikovic and Aleksandar Sosa tabbed spots on the Preseason All-MIVA Team.  

The MIVA Preseason Poll and All-MIVA Team are voted on by the nine MIVA head coaches. 

After finishing the 2025 season as the MIVA regular season and tournament champions, the Ramblers claim the top spot with 75 points and five first place votes. MIVA Tournament runner-up Ohio State ranks second and Ball State rounds out the top three.   

Senior setter McElligott led both the NCAA and the MIVA in assists in 2025, totaling 1,1016, earning him All-MIVA First Team and All-Tournament Team, and an AVCA All-American Honorable Mention. He added 75 kills, 69 total blocks and 32 service aces.  

Fabikovic was a menace on the court last season, starting all 29 matches and seeing action in 105 sets where he contributed 343 kills, the most amongst returning Ramblers. The junior outside hitter tallied 403.5 points during his sophomore campaign which earned him All-MIVA First Team and All-Tournament Team as well as a back-to-back AVCA Second Team All-American nod.  

Sosa, a junior transfer from Quincy, was named to the 2025 All-MIVA Second Team after leading the Hawks in points, kills and aces. The opposite finished fifth in the MIVA in kills per set and fourth in points per set and posted double-digit kills in 18 matches, including 15 straight to cap the season.  

2026 MIVA 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 



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Assistant Athletic Trainer in Salem, WV for Salem University

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Details

Posted: 15-Dec-25

Location: Salem, West Virginia

Type: Full-time

Categories:

Sports Medicine

Sports Medicine – Athletic Training

Sector:

Collegiate Sports

The Assistant Athletic Trainer is responsible for assisting the Head Athletic Trainer in maintaining and representing a NCAA Division II athletic program that supports student recruitment and enhances the educational experience and personal growth of the student-athletes. Will cooperate with the Head Athletic Trainer to manage assigned teams and all aspects based on strict adherence to the University’s Department of Intercollegiate Athletics Policies and Procedures. Equally responsible for conducting all activities in accordance with all state and federal regulations, accreditation standards and the University’s policies and procedures, all conference and NCAA regulations consistent with the highest ethical standards.


Position Requirements: The role includes providing coverage for assigned teams during practices and games, as well as overseeing regular treatment and rehabilitation sessions. It also involves assisting other personnel and departments with data collection and problem solving, and participating in departmental activities such as staff meetings, training sessions, orientations, and campus or community events, while being available for representational and public relations duties. Additional responsibilities include supporting the planning and administration of practices and contests to promote successful seasons, assisting with team travel, and facilitating player interactions with Athletic Training, Sports Information, and Compliance staff. The position also requires counseling student-athletes on academic success and responsible citizenship, upholding the highest ethical standards, and adhering to all relevant state and federal regulations, accreditation requirements, and University, conference, and NCAA policies. Other duties may be assigned as needed.

  • Bachelor’s degree in athletic training or related field
  • BOC Certified/WV Licensed or eligible to apply
  • Valid Driver’s license/qualified to operate a passenger vehicle up to 12 or 15 passenger van consistent with university insurance regulations.
  • Excellent oral and written communication and computer skills required
  • Outstanding time-management skills with ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment
  • Excellent communications and interpersonal skills. Able to work effectively with people from global, diverse cultures and different socio-economic and cultural backgrounds
  • Commitment to the balance of academic and athletic achievement and integration in a small university setting is essential.
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About Salem University

The Mission of Salem University is to prepare global citizens with broad knowledge, marketable professional skills, and the ability to make decisions with integrity.


Connections working at Salem University

https://ncaamarket.ncaa.org/jobs/21896714/assistant-athletic-trainer



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Texas volleyball loses middle blocker Ayden Ames

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Less than 24 hours after Texas volleyball’s season ended with a loss to Wisconsin in the NCAA Tournament regional finals, middle blocker Ayden Ames reportedly intends to enter the transfer portal.

Ames becomes the first Longhorn to announce her intention to enter the portal, and she’ll be just the second regular member of the rotation not returning next season. Libero Emma Halter, the lone senior starter for a Texas team that went 26-4 this season, will next play for the Indy Ignite of Major League Volleyball.

Ames’ exit was first reported by On3.

A 6-foot-4 blue-chip recruit from the Dallas suburb of Prosper who once competed for the under-19 U.S. national team, Ames became a regular part of the lineup over the past two seasons after flipping from Nebraska to join Texas late in the 2024 recruiting cycle.

She enrolled in the spring of 2024 and immediately established herself as a key component of the Longhorns’ lineup. Texas coach Jerritt Elliott even called her “the most complete middle I’ve ever had as a freshman,” a powerful statement from a coach who has worked with All-Americans such as Asjia O’Neal, Molly McCage and Chiaka Ogbogu.

As a freshman, Ames started all 27 games and 96 sets for the season and finished second on the team with 88 blocks and was fifth on team with 150 kills and 1.56 kills per set average. She played in 29 of Texas’ 30 matches this season, but her numbers dipped slightly to 149 kills and 1.52 kills per set with a team-high 109 blocks.

In Sunday’s loss to Wisconsin, Elliott replaced Ames with freshman middle blocker Taylor Harvey after Texas dropped the first two sets. Ames didn’t have a kill or a block against the Badgers.

Pending any more portal exits for Texas, Harvey and redshirt sophomore Nya Bunton will enter the offseason as the only middle blockers on the Longhorns’ roster. Both saw extensive action this season, with Bunton ranking second on the team with 61 blocks.

Texas didn’t sign any middle blockers in its touted 2026 recruiting class, which means the position will likely be a top portal target for Elliott and his staff.



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