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Players see forming union as key to SV.League success

Stars of Japanese volleyball’s SV.League say the league must address its crowded match schedule and other issues affecting players following the conclusion of the rebranded competition’s inaugural season. One of the league’s biggest stars has been leading calls for the formation of a players’ union to address such concerns and support the league’s goal of […]

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Stars of Japanese volleyball’s SV.League say the league must address its crowded match schedule and other issues affecting players following the conclusion of the rebranded competition’s inaugural season.

One of the league’s biggest stars has been leading calls for the formation of a players’ union to address such concerns and support the league’s goal of becoming the global benchmark in professional volleyball.

Osaka Bluteon’s Yuji Nishida, a star of the Japanese men’s national team, proposed the establishment of the union in an April 27 post on X, formerly Twitter.

Osaka Bluteon’s Yuji Nishida reacts to his team’s SV.League volleyball season-opening win over Suntory Sunbirds Osaka at Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium on Oct. 11, 2024. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

“To all players, let’s form a players’ union to make the league better and raise the level of our play,” he said.

“The union is absolutely necessary if the SV.League wants to be the top of world volleyball. We have so many questions. For instance, each team plays 44 matches, but we play some opponents four times and others six times. What are the reasons for this?”

For the inaugural 2024-2025 regular season, the league increased the number of men’s matches per team to 44, up from 36 in the predecessor V.League, while doubling the number of women’s matches per team to 44 from 22.

The league launched last year with 10 men’s teams and 14 women’s teams, aiming to become the world’s most competitive and popular volleyball league by 2030. SV.League Chairman Masaaki Okawa said he envisions a league that players from around the globe aspire to join.

Nishida also raised the issue of promoting teams from the second division. The Hokkaido Yellow Stars topped the eight-team second-division standings with a dominant 26-2 record but will not be promoted for next season.

Wolfdogs Nagoya’s Nimir Abdel-Aziz serves during the first set against the Hiroshima Thunders in Game 2 of their SV.League men’s volleyball quarterfinal at the Entrio gymnasium in Inazawa, Aichi Prefecture, on April 19, 2025. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

“Another question is why can’t a team that has received a SV.League license move up (from the second division). Is it impossible to have an odd number of teams? One year isn’t ‘just one year’ for players,” Nishida said.

Meanwhile, regular-season attendance totaled 1,034,667, up 204 percent from the 2023-2024 V.League season, the SV.League said on April 16, two days before the playoffs began.

Attendance for men’s matches surged 75 percent to 664,709, while women’s attendance jumped 195 percent to 369,958, buoyed by the expanded schedule. However, average attendance per women’s match fell by 31 percent.

Nishida’s Bluteon teammate Thomas Jaeschke, who won two bronze medals while playing for the United States in the past three Olympics, has also pointed to multiple issues that the SV.League needs to address.

“It’s just too many matches, physically, for players,” Jaeschke told Kyodo News after his team played two matches against the Tokyo Great Bears at the beginning of March. “It’s not reasonable for players. It’s really a big mistake. It needs to be adjusted.”

“Back-to-back matches. Everybody plays twice a weekend. The market is just kind of saturated. You can’t watch every night. They’re competing against each other. They’re playing the same time.”

Suntory Sunbirds Osaka’s Ran Takahashi spikes the ball during the second set against JTEKT Stings Aichi in Game 1 of their SV.League men’s volleyball final at Tokyo’s Ariake Arena on May 3, 2025. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

He added that when he played for European clubs, including in Italy and Turkey, teams with two weekly matches typically played once midweek and once on the weekend, whereas the current schedule in Japan is less conducive to match quality and player health.

“I think guys (foreign players) will come here and see that. The money here is good. A lot of things are good, but I do think some changes need to be made,” Jaeschke said.

The 31-year-old outside hitter has decided not to return to Japan for his third season.

The SV.League believes the current schedule is ideal for fans to attend matches. It also reduces costs, enabling match organizers to set up and clear a venue once per weekend, as many clubs do not have their own arenas, the league said in a recent reply to questions from Kyodo News.

Osaka Marvelous’ Mizuki Tanaka (top L) spikes the ball during the third set against NEC Red Rockets Kawasaki in Game 1 of their SV.League women’s volleyball final at Tokyo’s Ariake Arena on May 2, 2025. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

The league added that it is harder to assign umpires and supporting staff on weekdays, and the current weekend schedule also makes it easier for fans to travel for away matches.

Asked about players who say their performance is better with one midweek and one weekend match per week, the league said, “There are also players who prefer playing on weekends while resting on weekdays. Those players say it’s easier to get themselves in shape that way.”

“If we have more matches on weekdays, we might get more (media) exposure. That’s a positive thing. We know there are various opinions. We’ll continue to examine the best options for the league.”


Related coverage:

Volleyball: Sunbirds win SV.League men’s championship

Volleyball: Osaka Marvelous win inaugural SV.League women’s title

Volleyball: Osaka Bluteon run winning streak to 16 games in SV.League






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Purdue Fort Wayne dropping baseball, softball amid budget cuts – NBC Chicago

Purdue Fort Wayne joined a line of schools dropping sports because of budget cuts and the looming era of revenue sharing with athletes, announcing Friday it would discontinue its baseball and softball programs immediately. The university announced $6 million in budget cuts Thursday, and discontinuing the two sports will save about $1 million. The Mastadons are members […]

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Purdue Fort Wayne joined a line of schools dropping sports because of budget cuts and the looming era of revenue sharing with athletes, announcing Friday it would discontinue its baseball and softball programs immediately.

The university announced $6 million in budget cuts Thursday, and discontinuing the two sports will save about $1 million.

The Mastadons are members of the Horizon League and Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association and will sponsor 14 Division I sports.

“This is one of the saddest days in my 25 years as a Mastodon,” athletic director Kelley Hartley Hutton said. “We know this news will upset our student-athletes, alumni and fans. It was not made lightly, and we are committed to supporting those affected through this transition.”

Harley Hutton said budget challenges across the university, in combination with changes in the NCAA model, led to a re-evaluation of the athletic program.

Stephen F. Austin announced Thursday it would drop bowling, men’s and women’s golf and beach volleyball. Eastern Illinois announced on May 12 it would discontinue men’s and women’s tennis.



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AVP Volleyball Hits Prime Time Tonight on KCWE

with me tonight. The AVP League kicks off its 2025 season and summer’s hottest sport just raised the stakes. 10 weeks of nonstop must-see matches as the world’s best battle to rule the beach all summer long. This is so worth it. The AVP League tonight at 7 on Kansas City’s own KCWE. The AVP […]

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with me tonight. The AVP League kicks off its 2025 season and summer’s hottest sport just raised the stakes. 10 weeks of nonstop must-see matches as the world’s best battle to rule the beach all summer long. This is so worth it. The AVP League tonight at 7 on Kansas City’s own KCWE.

The AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour brings its signature blend of athleticism and intensity to your screen tonight as top teams face off in Delray Beach, Florida.This nationally televised matchup features some of the sport’s biggest names—Olympians, rising stars, and proven champions—battling point-for-point in one of the tour’s most competitive events. With the energy of a packed crowd and the pressure of early-season standings, every serve, spike, and dig counts.Delray Beach provides the perfect backdrop: palm trees, sand, and a stadium full of passionate fans. Whether it wraps up under the lights or in the late-day sun, expect drama, precision, and plenty of highlight-reel plays.Watch it all unfold tonight at 7 p.m. on Kansas City’s Own® KCWE.

The AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour brings its signature blend of athleticism and intensity to your screen tonight as top teams face off in Delray Beach, Florida.

This nationally televised matchup features some of the sport’s biggest names—Olympians, rising stars, and proven champions—battling point-for-point in one of the tour’s most competitive events. With the energy of a packed crowd and the pressure of early-season standings, every serve, spike, and dig counts.

Delray Beach provides the perfect backdrop: palm trees, sand, and a stadium full of passionate fans. Whether it wraps up under the lights or in the late-day sun, expect drama, precision, and plenty of highlight-reel plays.

Watch it all unfold tonight at 7 p.m. on Kansas City’s Own® KCWE.



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S’wak At MSSM Meet | Sarawak Tribune

KUCHING: Sarawak’s aquatic hopes are riding high as 18 athletes from the Power Aquatics Swimming Club (PASC) dive into national competition at the Malaysian Schools Sports Council (MSSM) Aquatic Championship 2025. The event is taking place at the MBJB Aquatic Centre, Larkin Arena, Johor Bahru, from May 24 to 28. The group includes 11 swimmers […]

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KUCHING: Sarawak’s aquatic hopes are riding high as 18 athletes from the Power Aquatics Swimming Club (PASC) dive into national competition at the Malaysian Schools Sports Council (MSSM) Aquatic Championship 2025.

The event is taking place at the MBJB Aquatic Centre, Larkin Arena, Johor Bahru, from May 24 to 28.

The group includes 11 swimmers and seven water polo players from PASC, making up a significant portion of Sarawak’s aquatic contingent at this national-level school championship.

The water polo lineup is composed entirely of PASC athletes: Bryan Lee Ming Yik, Jeremiah Luk Kah, Jon Marcus Ling Kwong Cheng, Ong Zong Lian, Presley Phang Yi Qi, Samuel Chong Yue Yang, and Tay Kee Ren.

In the swimming events, Sarawak will be represented by PASC’s Arshabel Chong Jiin Sii, Bernard Tan Yi Song, Caitlyn Yeo Xuan, Chereen Ngo Yirui, Elisha Lee Ern, Eva Chai Ching Yi, Hansel Narang Tan Zhihan, Jonas Chai He Xuan, Larissa Yii Ya Xuan, Rhian Tang Hui Xin, and Sheamus Chew Heng Yi.

PASC advisor and water polo team coach Voon Yong Hui told the Sarawak Tribune yesterday that while there are no fixed expectations this year due to the team’s composition, the focus is on growth and experience.

“This year, most of our swimmers are in different age groups, and more than half of the water polo team are new players.

“I hope they can deliver strong performances or at least gain valuable experience for future competitions,” he said.

The MSSM Aquatic Championship serves as an important platform for young athletes to showcase their talents and test themselves against the best from across Malaysia.

With rising young talents stepping up to the national stage, PASC continues to be a vital force in Sarawak’s aquatic development.



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Steelers shut out of top players under 25 list

Right now, the Pittsburgh Steelers roster is in a state of flux. The last two offseasons have felt like half-hearted attempts to rebuild various positional units, but there still remain more questions than answers. One of the best concerns is the lack of truly elite young talent on the roster. Proof of this is the […]

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Right now, the Pittsburgh Steelers roster is in a state of flux. The last two offseasons have felt like half-hearted attempts to rebuild various positional units, but there still remain more questions than answers. One of the best concerns is the lack of truly elite young talent on the roster. Proof of this is the list recently published by Pro Football Reference, ranking the 25 best players under 25 in the NFL.

The Steelers failed to land a single player on the list, which is an indicator of a roster when the best players are aging and the young players on the team aren’t performing up to their potential.

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As we look over the Steleers current roster, the only player we could make a case to be included is center Zach Frazier. Frazier was the Steelers second-round pick in 2024 and thanks to an injury to starting center Nate Herbig, found himself in the starting lineup quickly.

Frazier started 15 games for the Steelers in 2024 and finished as the second-highest rated rookie offensive lineman in the entire NFL. The Steelers have a long history of elite NFL centers and Frazier appears to be next in line.

Aside from Frazier, things get pretty dicey for the Steelers and young talent. cornerback Joey Porter Jr. and defensive tackle Keeanu Benton both took a step back in year two and edge defender Nick Herbig has shown very little. The Steelers 2025 rookie class, including defensive tackle Derrick Harmon and running back Kaleb Johnson looks great but it’s far too soon to consider them for a list like this.

This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: No Steelers made the PFF Best players under 25 list



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Ayanna Douglas staying local with signing to John Wood volleyball

QUINCY (WGEM) – John Wood keeps adding more talent to their volleyball program and they hit the jackpot with a recent Blazer signee. Quincy High School’s Ayanna Douglas will be sporting green and yellow this fall. In her senior year, Douglas had 181 kills, 172 digs, and 34 aces. Douglas will be joining a big […]

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QUINCY (WGEM) – John Wood keeps adding more talent to their volleyball program and they hit the jackpot with a recent Blazer signee.

Quincy High School’s Ayanna Douglas will be sporting green and yellow this fall. In her senior year, Douglas had 181 kills, 172 digs, and 34 aces.

Douglas will be joining a big freshmen class looking to make a difference under their new head coach, Nick Pudlowski.

“I want to accomplish a team that is strong,” said Douglas. “I want to impact the team in a positive manner, I want to be there for my teammates and I want to be the person that can always be leaned on. Quincy prepared me because I will be playing with girls that I played with here, so I will be able to further my connection with them and play at a higher level.”

It was a hard process for Douglas to choose what college to play for, but she said family guided her to make this decision.

“It’s pretty relieving,” said Douglas. “I had a whole season where I was stressed about where to go. But then I was shown by my people where to go, they showed me that family is where I belong.”



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Long Beach Poly Falls in Extra Innings of Quarterfinal vs. Camarillo – The562.org

The562’s baseball coverage in 2025 is sponsored by the Millikan, Long Beach Poly, Lakewood and Wilson baseball boosters. The562’s coverage of Long Beach Poly is sponsored by Bryson Financial. The Long Beach Poly baseball program played each of their CIF-SS Division 5 games in the utmost dramatic fashion. Their quarterfinal against Camarillo was no different, […]

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The562’s baseball coverage in 2025 is sponsored by the Millikan, Long Beach Poly, Lakewood and Wilson baseball boosters.

The562’s coverage of Long Beach Poly is sponsored by Bryson Financial.

The Long Beach Poly baseball program played each of their CIF-SS Division 5 games in the utmost dramatic fashion. Their quarterfinal against Camarillo was no different, as the Jackrabbits took the game through eight innings with the Scorpions.

After two consecutive walk-offs helped Poly advance, their season came to an end when Camarillo beat the Jackrabbits on a “balk-off.” The Scorpions brought home the winning run when Poly’s pitcher did not come completely set in the bottom of the eighth inning, allowing Camarillo to take the game in a 4-3 final score.

“We played really good, we’re proud of it, but we just lost off a small margin today,” Poly head coach Solomon Williams said. “I know that we were a better team today than we were at any point throughout the season, and that’s always what we hope to create.”

Despite four hours of travel via bus, the Jackrabbits looked ready to go at game time. They got their first two men on base and got the scoring going early when Deven Munoz roped a double to score both runs. 

This energy carried over to the second inning, starting with Daylen Carey’s leadoff single. Carey stole second and was moved to third on a bunt from Fausto Gaxiola III before he was brought home by Izaiyah Gutierrez. 

“We’ve been building up to get off hot like that, which we haven’t really done all year, so we were happy with that,” Williams said. 

The momentum seemed to be in Poly’s favor, as Camarillo couldn’t get anything going for them in the first two innings. The Jackrabbits tried to continue pressing in the third, but back-to-back pick offs put a stent in their efforts. 

“We made some mistakes in the third inning, and then we got beat on our approach,” Williams said. 

There was no more action from either team until the fifth inning when the home team came alive. The Scorpions only had two hits through the previous four innings, but added a third when Austin Phenix led off with a single to left field.

Three consecutive RBIs allowed Camarillo to tie it up. Back-to-back RBI doubles from Blaise Meylemans and Brayden Smith brought in the first two runs, and Travis Wade capped off the third run with a single to right field.

Poly was able to limit the damage to three runs when the next two batters grounded and flew out, respectively. However, the teams were now tied 3-3 going into the final two innings.

Some terrific defensive plays and strikeouts kept each side at bay through the next 12 outs. Carey, who started on the bump for the Jackrabbits, sent his team into extra innings with a strikeout against Smith to end the seventh.

“DC [Carey] has obviously been our horse the entire year,” Williams said. “When I first got here, he told me that he was going to do exactly what he did the whole year. We’re super proud and impressed from him.”

The Jackrabbits went down 1-2-3 in the top of the eighth, looking to take the field and keep their season alive. The Scorpions managed to get a guy on after Nate Escobar hit a one-out double to center field that couldn’t be caught despite Antonio Yepez’s diving efforts.

A ground out to shortstop moved Escobar to third and left Poly with one more out to go before they could hit again. Carey maxed out on his pitches through 7.2 innings, forcing the Jackrabbits to bring in Damian Marquez.

The junior came into a tough spot but did well to get ahead of the final batter with a 1-2 count. On the ensuing pitch, the home plate umpire stepped out from behind the plate and pointed at the mound to signal a balk.

He then signaled Escobar to come home, which proved to be the game-winning run for the Scorpions, and set off a celebration at home plate. With this win, Camarillo advances to the CIF-SS Division 5 semifinals. 

“I’m not going to harp on one little mistake in a nine inning game,” Williams said. “There were a lot of really good plays and there were a couple mistakes, and in a game this tight, the margins are going to be small for who’s going to win.”

The Jackrabbits ended the season with a 16-14 overall record and finished third in the Moore League. Game changers, like Carey, Munoz, and Gutierrez, are part of a strong senior class for this year’s Poly squad.

“We’re proud of our seniors; they’re what Jackrabbits are supposed to be,” Williams said. 

Williams, who wraps up his first year as the head coach at 1600 Atlantic, has high hopes for the future of his program. Many familiar faces will return for Poly, as well as some rising underclassmen who will fill in the gaps.

“We have really good players coming up for returners and our freshmen and JV teams. People are excited about our program right now, and I just think that it’s only up from here for us,” Williams said. “The Jackrabbits are here to stay for a long time.”



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