Sports

PSAC 75th Anniversary: 75 Greatest Female Athletes announced

Published

4 months ago

September 10, 2025

anniversary season in 2025-26, continues the process of honoring 300 of its most prominent contributors throughout the month of September.

The second grouping so honored are the PSAC’s 75 Greatest Female Athletes, recognizing former female student-athletes that had exceptional athletic careers during or after their participation in the PSAC.

“While the path for women in college athletics was not always paved equally, the women of the PSAC have more than made their mark,” said Steve Murray, PSAC Commissioner. “They’ve redefined what’s possible. From the early trailblazers to today’s champions, these 75 greatest female athletes represent courage, excellence, and the relentless pursuit of opportunity. Their achievements speak not only to talent, but to the progress Title IX helped make possible and the power of sport to transform lives.”

The PSAC was founded on March 11, 1951, and comprised 14 institutions as the Pennsylvania State Teachers College Athletic Conference (PSTCAC). Since then, it has grown into one of the largest conferences in the NCAA across all three divisions.

, a group that recognizes former student-athletes that have gone on to influential careers after graduation (which could be in the sports industry, but not necessarily as a professional athlete.)

anniversary celebration continues with the release of the 75 Greatest Male Athletes on September 17 and “Distinguished Keystones” on September 24.

“Any time you attempt to honor the greatest over 75 years, you know you’re going to face tough choices,” said Murray. “The truth is, no list can ever capture everyone who’s made a difference. For every name recognized, there’s another who could just as easily be included. This process was thorough, heartfelt, and rooted in fairness, even if it couldn’t be perfect. What matters most is that we celebrate the legacy of the PSAC and the extraordinary people who helped shape it. That legacy lives in far more than 75 names—it lives in the pride of every person who’s ever been part of this conference.”

All 300 honorees were selected through a process that included nominations from institutions and selections by committee. The committee was comprised of institutional and PSAC staff.

PSAC 75^th Anniversary: 75 Greatest Female Athletes

Georgina Adams – Donnelly – Lock Haven, Women’s Soccer, 1995-99

1x All-American, led her team to the program’s first PSAC title and first NCAA tournament berth

Kylie Anicic – Edinboro, Cross Country/Track, 2022-24

18-for-18 in PSAC Championship races, 2x CSC Academic All-American, 7x All-American

Michaela Barnes – Edinboro, Women’s Basketball, 2016-20

Edinboro’s all-time leading scorer, only Scot over 2,000 points, CSC Academic All-American, 2nd in the nation in scoring senior season with 737 points

Lauren Beckley – Shippensburg, Women’s Basketball, 2006-10

3x PSAC Player of the Year, PSAC’s 2nd All-Time Leading Scorer (2,407 points)

Tabitha Bemis – Edinboro, Track & Field, 2011-14

6x All-American, 14x NCAA qualifier, 15x PSAC Champion, Pete Nevins Award Winner

Julie Bowers Glavin – West Chester, Track & Field, 1982-86

3x NCAA Track Champion, 9x All-American

Julie Bugg – Bloomsburg, Women’s Soccer, 1994-99

Led Huskies to two PSAC titles and the school’s first-ever NCAA playoff appearance

Molly Carr – IUP, Softball, Women’s Basketball, 1996-01

2x PSAC Scholar-Athlete of the Year, 4x Academic All-American, IUP Woman of the Year in 1999, led women’s basketball team to 26 wins and Elite Eight, softball PSAC West Player of the Year in 1999 and 3x First Team All-PSAC

Tara Lynn Crozier Wallick – Kutztown, Track & Field, 1995-98

National Champion in hammer throw, 5x All-American

Kristin Day (Shute) – Clarion, Women’s Swimming & Diving, 2011-15

3x NCAA National Champion, 8x NCAA All-American, 2015 NCAA Woman of the Year (only PSAC athlete to ever win)

Stephanie Denlinger Rummel – Kutztown, Softball, 2006-09

National Player of the Year, broke NCAA DII career home run record (still holds four PSAC records)

Rachel DiBartolomeo – Mercyhurst, Softball, 2014-17

PSAC West Athlete of the Year in 2016, 182 hits, .336 lifetime batting average, 110 RBIs, 125 runs, 33 doubles, 10 triples, 63 stolen bases, 26 HRs

Rachel Dickinson Latham – Millersville, Field Hockey, 2011-14

Named the 2015 Honda Division II Athlete of the Year; NFHCA DII Player of the Year in 2014; Synapse Sports National Freshman of the Year in 2011

April Doyle – Kutztown, Track & Field, 2010-13

8x PSAC shot put champion, first woman in PSAC history to win eight PSAC individual championships in one event

Brenae Edwards – Mansfield, XC/Track & Field, 2008-13

2013 National Champion 10K, 2nd in 5K, 5x All-American/All-PSAC Track, 3x All Region, 2013 PSAC Outdoor Track AOY, 2011 XC All-American, 2x All PSAC XC

Kristin Erb – Lock Haven, Softball, 2005-09

2x NCAA DII Woman of the Year, 4x All-American, led LHU to National Championships in 2006 and ’09, has six NCAA records, six PSAC records and 10 school records

Marissa Erminio – Pitt-Johnstown, Volleyball, 2013-17

3x First-Team All-PSAC (2013, 2014, 2017); 2017 All-Atlantic Region; 2x PSAC Tournament MVP (2013, and 2017); 2013 PSAC Rookie of the Year

Daneen Fero Zaleski – Bloomsburg, Field Hockey, 1985-89

All-American and Division II National Player of the Year in 1988, part of the 1987 Division II National Championship team in 1987 and 1988 PSAC Championship team.

Dee Fichter Cross – Shippensburg, Field Hockey, Women’s Basketball, Women’s Lacrosse, 1977-81

Graduated as SU’s all-time field hockey goals leader, basketball points leader and lacrosse assist leader; 1999 inductee to the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame

Divonne Franklin – California, Track & Field, 2019-23

2x NCAA National Champion (60m, 200m); 8x NCAA All-American; Won 12 individual PSAC titles; Set four-all-time PSAC records

Melissa Gates – California, Swimming, 2009-12

3x NCAA National Champion (50 free, 100 free); 10x NCAA All-American; Won five PSAC titles in 2012; 2x US Olympic Trials

Sunflower Greene – Millersville, Track & Field, 2016-19

2x NCAA indoor shot-put champion, 8x All-American; won 11 PSAC titles in five different events; Outdoor and Indoor Field Athlete of the Year a combined five times; set PSAC records in four events

Laura Hall Gourley – IUP, Volleyball, 1999-03

PSAC Rookie of the Year in 1999, 3x All-PSAC West Selection, member of 2002 PSAC Championship Team, 2x PSAC leader in season kills, 3x All-American

Kara Hopkins-Dawson – Edinboro, Swimming, Volleyball 1988-91

15x All-American in swimming, 2x Academic All-American; All-PSAC in volleyball her senior year

Jaclyn Hynson McKelvy – IUP, Swimming, 2009-12

2012 National Champ, 2x PSAC Champ, 11x NCAA All-American, PSAC swimmer of the year 2001, PSAC scholar athlete of the year 2012

Ariel Jones – Shippensburg, Women’s Basketball, Track & Field, 2017-18 – 2022-23

PSAC’s all-time leading scorer (2,806 points; fourth-most in D2 history); NCAA Division II’s all-time leader in free throws; 3x D2CCA All-American; 2x PSAC Eastern Division Player of the Year; 4x All-PSAC Eastern Division First Team; 3x PSAC place-winner in outdoor track & field

Carlita Jones – Clarion, Women’s Basketball, 1992-95

2x PSAC West Player of the Year, 1992 PSAC West Rookie of the Year, 3x First Team All-PSAC West, led team to four straight West titles, four NCAA Tournaments and 1994 Elite Eight

Kelley Tiesi Key – Shippensburg, Softball, 2003-06

Ranks 2nd in PSAC history in career strikeouts and saves; set NCAA D-II record with 83.2 consecutive scoreless innings in 2004; 2004 NCAA Division II Player of the Year; 4-x All-PSAC East First Team; 2006 PSAC East Pitcher of the Year; 2004 PSAC East Player of the Year

Stephanie Kienle – West Chester, Women’s Lacrosse, 2005-08

2x First Team All-American, USLAX DII Attacker of the Year in 08, led WCU to National Championship game in all four years at WCU. Helped WCU win ’08 Title, ’08 Teewarton Finalist

Susan Kocher – Bloomsburg, Softball, 1983-87

2x All-American, 3x All-PSAC selection, helped the Huskies to four PSAC titles and a third-place finish at the NCAA Division II championships

Linda Kreiser – Millersville, Field Hockey, Women’s Basketball, 1970-74

Set Millersville record in field hockey with 51 goals, helping team to two undefeated seasons; played seven years for USA Field Hockey; captain in all three sports

Yolanda Laney – Cheyney, Women’s Basketball, 1980-84

Tied for 6th in PSAC All-Time points (2173), helped lead Cheyney to NCAA Women’s Basketball Division I championship game in 1982

Cherry Li – Lock Haven, Volleyball, 2002-06

3x All-American, named 2006 Co-National Player of the Year, led nation in hitting percentage during the 2003, 2004 and 2006 seasons, 2x PSAC Player of the Year, 4x All-PSAC selection, PSAC West Freshman of the Year

Karen Linck Matheny – East Stroudsburg, Swimming, 1974-78

5x AIAW individual national champion in freestyle and butterfly, 3x national champion in relays, 9x PSAC champion, 19x All-America

Jenise Lockhart – California, Track & Field, 1982-85

2x NCAA National Champion (4x110m, high jump), 7x NCAA All-American, won two individual PSAC titles

Theresa Lorenzi – Bloomsburg, Women’s Basketball, 1985-89

Finished career as PSAC all-time leader in scoring with 2,173 career points, 4x All-PSAC, led nation in scoring as a sophomore, helped the Huskies to four PSAC Eastern Division championships

Hannah Marsteller – Shippensburg, Softball, 2018-22

All-time PSAC leader in RBIs; second in PSAC history in home runs and slugging; 3x NFCA All-America First Team; 3x PSAC East Athlete of the Year; 2x Ron Lenz Division II Player of the Year; 2021-22 Pete Nevins PSAC Women’s Scholar-Athlete of the Year

Tina Martin – Lock Haven, Women’s Basketball, 1982-86

Holds the school record for points with 2,157, All-American in 1985 and 1986, 4x PSAC All-Star,

2x PSAC Player of the Year

Sara McKinney – California, Women’s Basketball, 2002-05

3x WBCA All-American; 2004 NCAA National Champion; First player in school history with 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds

Diane McCormick-French – IUP, Volleyball, 1968-1972

USA National VB Team, U.S. Association Player of the Year for senior division at the 1987 national championship

Karyn McCready – Slippery Rock, Track & Field, 2000-04

2004 DII National Champion in javelin, Olympic Trials qualifier in javelin, 3x All-American, 3x PSAC Champion, 2x Academic All-American

Meghan McGrath – Slippery Rock, Women’s Soccer, 2003-07

2x All-American, 4x All-Region, 2007 PSAC Athlete of the Year, 4x 1st team All-PSAC, led SRU to two PSAC titles, three NCAA Tournament berths and 57-20-7 record

Terri Meierhofer – East Stroudsburg, Women’s Soccer, 1994-97

PSAC records for goals (74) and assists (178), PSAC Athlete of the Year (1997), All-America,

4x All-PSAC 1st team, 2x PSAC champion (1994, 1997)

Cherie Meiklejohn Spilis – Millersville, Field Hockey, Women’s Lacrosse, 1987-90

All-America in two sports; 2x PSAC Lacrosse Athlete of the Year and IWLCA Division II MVP in 1990; led Millersville field hockey in scoring three consecutive years

Madison Melvin – West Chester, Softball, 2020-24

PSAC/WCU career leader in hits (343), runs (244), and stolen bases (171), 2x PSAC Champion,

1x Atlantic Region Champion

Paige Mikesell – IUP, Women’s Swimming, 2018-23

NCAA runner-up, 10x individual & relay All-American, 1x PSAC Pete Nevins Scholar-Athlete of the Year (2020-21), NCAA Elite 90 winner

Emily Mitarotonda – East Stroudsburg, Women’s Lacrosse, 2021-24

DII record for goals at one program (314), 4x All-America (3x First Team), 2x PSAC Athlete of the Year, 4x All-PSAC First Team, PSAC records for career goals and points (393), 2022 PSAC champion

Julie Morrow Caito – Slippery Rock, Gymnastics, 1981-85

SRU’s only national champion in gymnastics with beam title in 1985, 5x All-American, 3x Academic All-American, national all-around runner up at 1985 National Championships

Rose Ann Neff – Lock Haven, Field Hockey, Women’s Basketball, Women’s Lacrosse, 1969-73

Member of three U.S. Lacrosse Teams, scored 28 goals for 1975 team that completed its tour of Great Britain with perfect record of 13-0

Danielle Penner – California, Softball, 1995-98

3x NFCA All-American; 1997, 1998 NCAA National Champions; Ranks first in D-II history in winning percentage, third with 141 victories

Jazmin Petrantonio Kuhn – Shippensburg, Field Hockey, 2017-21

2021-22 Division II Honda Athlete of the Year; 2x NFHCA Division II National Player of the Year (2018, 2021); 4x NFHCA All-America First Team; 2021-22 Academic All-America At-Large Third Team

Stacy Perryman – East Stroudsburg, Women’s Basketball, 1993-96

One of 2 PSAC players with 1,600 career points and 600 assists, PSAC Athlete of the Year (1995), 4x All-PSAC East (2x 1st team), led ESU to only PSAC championship (1995) and two NCAA Tournaments

Samantha Pirosko – Gannon, Women’s Basketball, 2018-24

3x All-American, 2x PSAC West Athlete of the Year, 2024 NCAA Woman of Year finalist, 2024 WBCA Player of the Year, 2024 D2CCA Ron Lenz Player of the Year, 2024 PSAC Pete Nevins Scholar-Athlete of the Year, 2024 CSC Women’s Basketball Academic All-America Team Member of the Year

Kate Pratt – Mansfield, Softball, 2011-14

2013 All American / Academic All-American, 4x All-PSAC, MU all-time career leader in extra-base hits (96), doubles (50), home runs (41), RBIs (146), and slugging percentage (.743)

Nicole Purtell – Shepherd, Softball, 2019-23

Shepherd’s all-time leader in hits (266), runs (192), and total bases (386), 2x All-American, 2x Academic All-American

Gretchen Reschke – Mansfield, Field Hockey, 1999-2002

4x All-American, 4x First Team All-PSAC, Mansfield records for season points and goals (2nd in career with 43 goals)

Erin Richard – Clarion, Women’s Cross Country, Track & Field, 2004-09

5x NCAA All-American in track & field, 7x PSAC track & field champion, 2007 PSAC cross country champion, 2x Academic All-American

Andi Rose – Slippery Rock, Track & Field, 2003-07

6x All-American, 5 PSAC MVP awards, 11x PSAC champion in individual events, still holds SRU records in 55m hurdles and 60m hurdles

Mallory Sanner – Seton Hill, Track & Field, 2012-15

NCAA Champion in the Javelin, 4x All-American, USTFCCCA Track Scholar Athlete of the Year,

2x First Team Academic All-American

Becky Siembak – California/Slippery Rock, Women’s Basketball, 1999-2003

Helped Slippery Rock win 23 games and a Regional Championship as a freshman, named First Team All-Conference and Rookie of the Year; after transferring to California, led Vulcans to wins in 68 of 71 games, including the 2003-04 national championship, 4x First-Team All-PSAC

Neely Spence Gracey – Shippensburg, Cross Country, Track & Field, 2008-12

8x NCAA National Champion, 11x NCAA All-American, 2x USTFCCCA National Cross Country Athlete of the Year, 2x PSAC Pete Nevins Scholar-Athlete of the Year, named PSAC Athlete of the Year after all 10 of her competitive seasons, 2010 NCAA Division II Women’s Sportsmanship Award

Alison Tagliaferri – Mansfield, Basketball, Softball, 2001-06

4x First Team All-PSAC, 2006 PSAC Player of Year, all-time Mansfield leading scorer (1,795 points),

in softball: named 3x All-PSAC, best Mansfield career ERA (2.00)

Elizabeth A. Thoryk-Longenecker – Kutztown, Women’s Swimming, 1995-99

10x All-American, first KU athlete to be All-America in each of four seasons, broke six school records

Christina Tillotson Sheets – Clarion, Swimming & Diving, 1996-99

28x NCAA Division II All-American, 5x NCAA Division II national champion, 18x PSAC Champion, 2x PSAC Swimmer of the Year

Jahzinga Tracey – IUP, Women’s Basketball, 2005-09

2x PSAC West Player of the Year, leads IUP in numerous all-time stat categories, 2,000-point/1,000 rebounds club in PSAC (one of only 8 players to do so)

Jamie Vanartsdalen – Bloomsburg, Field Hockey, 2005-2008

PSAC all-time leader in goals (120), assists (58), and points (298), 2x PSAC Player of the Year, 4x First Team All-PSAC, won three national championships

Jady van Gils – East Stroudsburg, Field Hockey, 2021-24

2x NFHCA DII Player of the Year (2023-24), 2x PSAC Athlete of the Year, 2022 DII champion (semifinals all four seasons), 2x PSAC champion (2022, 23), 28 goals, 29 assists as midfielder

Valerie Walker – Cheyney, Women’s Basketball, 1978-82

4th in PSAC All-Time points (2,289), helped lead Cheyney to NCAA Women’s Basketball Division I championship game in 1982

Karen Way Gaita – East Stroudsburg, Track & Field, 1988-91

Holds PSAC high jump record (5-10) set in 1990, conference’s oldest women’s outdoor record, 1991 DII champion (2x runner-up), 4x All-America, 3x PSAC champion (no indoor championship)

Lith Webb – California, Softball, 1995-98

4x NFCA First-Team All-American; 1997, 1998 NCAA National Champion; all-time leader in school history in hits (295), average (.442) and runs (195)

Hannah Woelfling – Millersville, Women’s Track & Field, 2019-23

NCAA champion in the discus; set PSAC all-time and championship records in the discus and hammer; 7x PSAC champion; PSAC indoor and outdoor athlete of the meet a combined three times; overall outdoor MVP in 2023

Jamie Wolf Jackel – Clarion, Swimming & Diving, 2003-07

Only diver in Division II history with seven national championships, 3x NCAA Division II Women’s Diver of the Year, Pete Nevins Scholar-Athlete Award winner, CoSIDA Division II-III Academic All-America Team Member of the Year

Jenn Wolfgang Rush – Kutztown, Field Hockey, 1994-97

National Player of the Year, led KU to national title game, PSAC Player of the Year

Georgia Wright – West Chester, Swimming & Diving, 2016-20

CSCAA Top-100 Honoree, 8x NCAA Champion, 14x All-American, held four PSAC records, ended career as DII 1000 Freestyle record holder, 3x PSAC Swimmer of Year

Gao Xuan – Lock Haven, Volleyball, 2010-13

7x All-American, 8x All-Atlantic Region, 4x First Team All-PSAC, 4x PSAC Player of the Year

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Morgan Gaerte, All-ACC First Teamer, Signs with Kentucky Volleyball – UK Athletics

Published

14 minutes ago

December 24, 2025

Your Sports Nation

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Kentucky Volleyball team announced the signing of outside hitter Morgan Gaerte on Wednesday afternoon, who joins the Wildcats with two years of eligibility remaining on her clock.

Gaerte comes to Lexington after spending the first two years of her career at Notre Dame, where she was named First Team All-ACC after the 2025 season and honorable mention on the American Volleyball Coaches’ Association All-America list for this year, as well. She was a team captain for Notre Dame and a member of the AVCA Midwest Region’s first team.

This season, she started all 28 matches and logged 497 kills for the Irish, the most by any Notre Dame player in the rally-scoring era (2008-pres.) and third-most overall in all scoring eras. Gaerte averaged a mammoth 4.64 kills per set and had 10-plus kills in 22-straight matches to kick off the UND season, the second-longest streak in program history for Notre Dame.

Standing at six-foot-five, she hails from Angola, Indiana where she graduated from Angola High School while being ranked as the No. 5 player in the nation by Volleyball Magazine in 2023 and first team all-state for Indiana in 2022 and 2023. She is majoring in Sports Marketing.

For the latest on UK Volleyball, follow the Wildcats on Twitter and Instagram at @KentuckyVB.

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Volleyball: Harrison County athletes named to All-East Texas volleyball team

Published

3 hours ago

December 24, 2025

Your Sports Nation

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER

Triniti Jackson

School: Longview

By the numbers: Jackson finished the season with 702 assists, 401 kills, 313 digs, 45 blocks and 60 aces to earn District 10-6A Setter of the Year honors. She was also named MVP of the Big School match at the second annual East Texas Volleyball All-Star Games held at Spring Hill. In her career, the Lady Lobo standout recorded 2,505 assists, 1,479 digs, 1,342 kills, 266 aces and 151 blocks

CO-NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR

Blair Schroeder

School: Pine Tree

By the numbers: Schroeder recorded 166 kills, 329 digs, 41 assists, 51 aces and eight blocks for the Lady Pirates

CO-NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR

Landry Tubb

School: Longview

By the numbers: Tubb recorded 628 digs, 28 aces and 42 assists for the Lady Lobos

COACH OF THE YEAR

Andrew Harbison

School: Spring Hill

By the numbers: Harbison led Spring Hill to the Class 4A Division II state semifinals and a 40-7 record overall. It marked the third straight season the Lady Panthers have won at least 40 matches (121-18 during that span). The Lady Panthers went 14-0 in District 16-4A, and then defeated Brownsboro (3-1), Pleasant Grove (3-0), Panther Creek (3-2) and Aubrey (3-1) before falling 3-2 to eventual state champion Eagle Mountain. Harbison is 403-203 in his coaching career, including a 216-82 worksheet at Spring Hill

FIRST TEAM

Kellen Weaver

School: Beckville

By the numbers: 375 kills, 18 assists, 56 blocks, 132 digs, 62 aces, 91.4 percent server. District MVP

Jaharia Hunter

School: Longview

By the numbers: 331 kills, 222 digs, 32 blocks

Kaycin Farrell

School: Hallsville

By the numbers: 402 kills, .371 hitting percentage, 302 digs, 68 aces, 50 blocks, 29 assists, 2.26 SR rating, 373 receptions with 29 SR errors. District MVP

Elizabeth Corbitt

School: Spring Hill

By the numbers: 559 kills (school record), 46 blocks, 300 digs, 35 aces. District Hitter of the Year

Savannah Irwin

School: Spring Hill

By the numbers: 342 kills, 529 digs, 68 aces, 95.8 percent server. District Co-MVP

Kaysen Foster

School: Tatum

By the numbers: 454 kills, 352 digs, 44 aces, 37 blocks. Co-District MVP and MVP for Small Schools at the annual East Texas Volleyball All-Star Games

Kamdyn Scott

School: Tatum

By the numbers: 611 kills, 279 digs, 47 aces, 43 blocks. District Co-MVP. Signed with Metropolitan State University/Denver

Carly Chadwick

School: Pine Tree

By the numbers: 793 assists, 140 kills, 301 digs, 104 aces, 18 blocks. District Co-MVP

Taydem Barker

School: Tatum

By the numbers: 1,014 assists, 63 kills, 207 digs, 45 aces. District Setter of the Year

Danika Cantu

School: Marshall

By the numbers: 591 digs, 25 aces, 1.90 SR rating, 36 errors in 941 SR attempts, 65 assists

SECOND TEAM

Kylee Fernandez

School: Hallsville

By the numbers: 231 kills, .268 hitting percentage, 78 blocks, 58 digs. District Co-Blocker of the Year

Bryleigh Mayhan

School: Pine Tree

By the numbers: 336 kills, 139 digs, 35 aces, 30 blocks

Andee Bridges

School: White Oak

By the numbers: 517 kills, 370 digs, 50 aces, 1.86 SR rating

Chesney Jeter

School: Spring Hill

By the numbers: 694 assists, 175 digs, 48 kills, 56 aces

Caroline Cockerham

School: Carthage

By the numbers: 718 assists, 187 digs, 71 aces

Elle Litchenburg

School: Kilgore

By the numbers: 741 assists, 71 aces, 136 kills, 344 digs, 31 blocks

Keeley McCann

School: Sabine

By the numbers: 955 assists, 361 digs, 5 blocks, 158 kills, 61 aces

Kimora Pryor

School: West Rusk

By the numbers: 993 assists, 392 digs, 133 kills, 37 aces, 251 service points

Kaylee Londeau

School: Spring Hill

By the numbers: 606 digs (school record), 41 assists, 38 aces

Kyndal Greenwood

School: Tatum

By the numbers: 479 digs, 48 aces. District’s Libero of the Year

THIRD TEAM

Calleigh Secord

School: Spring Hill

By the numbers: 258 kills, 62 blocks, 104 digs, 21 assists, 27 aces

Giselle Webster

School: Kilgore

By the numbers: 133 blocks, 230 kills

Hannah Haffner

School: West Rusk

By the numbers: 354 kills, 128 blocks, 4 errors in 146 serves, 73 service points

Londyn Baker

School: White Oak

By the numbers: 319 kills, 383 digs, 66 aces

Chloe Green

School: New Diana

By the numbers: 364 kills, 484 digs, 70 aces. District MVP

Sarah Roberts

School: Sabine

By the numbers: 491 kills, 30 aces, 16 assists, 16 blocks, 371 digs

Lilly Fry

School: Hallsville

By the numbers: 632 assists, 217 digs, 4 blocks, 25 aces, 45 kills. District’s Setter of the Year

Taryn Reece

School: New Diana

By the numbers: 462 assists, 160 kills, 481 digs, 70 aces, 28 blocks

Carli Tuttle

School: Beckville

By the numbers: 222 kills, 441 assists, 47 blocks, 249 digs, 74 aces. District’s Top Setter

Laney Alexander

School: Carthage

By the numbers: 647 digs, 36 assists, 25 aces

HONORABLE MENTION

Longview: Alyssa Grissom, N’Kheyli Johnson, Aubrey Orban; Pine Tree: Allison Vasquez; Hallsville: Madi Farrell, Miller Goswick, Elizabeth Hale, Tailor Benson, Lyla Evans; Marshall: Alex Stevens, Nia Newhouse, D’Aubrena Stoker, Maggie Pringle, Kinlee Smith, Ella Kate Runnels, Addi Watkins; Carthage: Alli Bitter; Kilgore: Malea White, Kylie Herrin, Cheyenne Jones, Brittany Yzaguirre, Zoey Johnson; Gilmer: Jayna Rucker; West Rusk: Kamyah Lacy, Ireland Hunt, Kara King, Mackenzie Ressler, Paisley Smith; Arp: Kaitlynn Raymond, Kinley Schminkey, Landry Langley; New Diana: Gaby Martinez, Ava Smith; White Oak: Carrington Watson, Addy Young, Taylor Morgan, Peyton Thompson; Sabine: Ella Phillips; Harleton: Reagan McCarty, AnnaBelle Bunger, Holly Roberts; Beckville: Maci Morris, Adyson Davis; Elysian Fields: Madison Owens, Kaleigh Presley, Taylor Youngblood; Paul Pewitt: Darriyah Thomas, McKensi Jackson, Gloria Pureco; Leverett’s Chapel: Alyvia Page, Itzel Mata; Mount Pleasant Chapel Hill: Ella Waldon; Linden-Kildare: Lynlee LeJeune, Jamah Birmingham, Carley Hays, Jakiah Birmingham, Kalysa Roberts, Olivia Stewart, Hannah Snow; Christian Heritage: Kennedi Laney, Margo Risner; Troup: Shiloh Sluder, Qhenja Jordan, Chayne Graves; Hawkins: Jentri Evans, Jaci Smith, Haylee Skipworth, Ava Ellison

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Watertown High School Announces Resignation of Head Volleyball Coach | Local News

Published

3 hours ago

December 24, 2025

Your Sports Nation

{KXLG – Watertown, SD} After being a part of the program for 28 years, including nine seasons as the head coach, Coach Bellum is stepping down from her role at Watertown High School pending School Board approval.

During her nine seasons as a head coach, Coach Bellum compiled an impressive 193-81 record, including three ESD titles and a state championship.

Coach Bellum emphasized fundamentals, discipline and preparation. She not only had high expectations for her athletes but also for herself. Her dedication extended far beyond the matches as she spent countless hours in the gym developing the program and players within it. She poured herself into this program with her amazing work ethic, attention to details, and a commitment of doing things the right way.

We wish Coach Bellum all the best and thank her for the positive way in which she led the Arrow Volleyball program!

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Evans, Jones and Casale Sign with Houston Volleyball

Published

3 hours ago

December 24, 2025

Your Sports Nation

HOUSTON – Senior middle blocker Kaitlyn Evans, junior outside hitter Sydney Jones and redshirt freshman defensive specialist Mattie Casale have signed to play for Houston Volleyball in 2026, Head Coach David Rehr announced Wednesday.

Evans (Loyola Marymount), Jones (Tennessee) and Casale (Purdue) bring Houston’s transfer signing class to five after Kalei Edson and Kamille Gibson joined the Cougars last week. Thus far, Houston has signed a setter, middle blocker, two outside hitters and a defensive specialist as part of their transfer group.

“Our volleyball staff has been working to rebuild Houston Volleyball and with the two transfers we announced last week, we have improved our team for the 2026 season,” Rehr said. “The additions of Casale, Evans and Jones continue to make us a better volleyball team.”

MATTIE CASALE | DEFENSIVE SPECIALIST | REDSHIRT FRESHMAN | PURDUE
Casale arrives in H-Town after spending her true freshman season with Purdue. While not appearing in a match for the Boilermakers, she spent time with the team as it played most of its season within the Top 15 of the AVCA Coaches Poll and reached the Regional Finals of this year’s NCAA Tournament after earning a three-seed in the bracket.

Casale was the No. 1 defensive specialist out of the state of Florida in the class of 2025. She prepped at Carrollwood Day School in Tampa, Fla., and is a native of Wesley Chapel, Fla. A finalist for Volleyball Recruiter’s 2023 Libero of the Year award, she was a four-time district champion with Carrollwood Day while helping them clinch the FHSAA Class 3A Championship in her junior season. A four-year captain for the team, she posted 345 digs in her junior season to help her school win the state crown and was among the Top 120 players in the country according to PrepDig.com in 2023.

KAITLYN EVANS | MIDDLE BLOCKER | SENIOR | LOYOLA MARYMOUNT
Evans signs with Houston following two seasons at LMU and a year at American. She’s tallied 111 kills along with 122 blocks across 42 career matches. She posted a multiple career-bests in the 2024 season, collecting 57 kills and 56 blocks, averaging 1.08 and 1.06 per set, respectively. Evans also boasts a .201 career hitting percentage with a nearly .400 kill percentage.

The Dallas native attended David Butler High School, playing volleyball, basketball and track & field all four years. In track, she placed second in regionals and fourth in the state for high jump while also playing club volleyball with the Carolina Union Volleyball Club. Coming from an athletic family, her mother, Karen, ran track at Texas A&M and father, Patrick, played football for South Carolina State before going on to play professionally for Pittsburgh and Carolina.

SYDNEY JONES | OUTSIDE HITTER | JUNIOR | TENNESSEE
Jones, a Havertown, Pa., native, joins the Cougars after a year each at Tennessee and Temple. The rising junior has tallied 390 kills across two seasons, highlighted by 324 in her freshman year with the Owls. The 2024 American Conference Freshman of the Year compiled 369.5 points, 209 digs, 35 aces and 17 blocks at Temple, being named an All-Conference Second Team honoree.

Jones saw limited playing time in her year at Tennessee but capitalized on opportunities with the Volunteers, hitting .273 with a .440 kill percentage, 66 kills and 16 blocks across 13 matches and two starts.

The Pennsylvanian attended Haverford Senior High School, where she eclipsed 1,000 kills during her prep career while also playing club ball with Synergy VB. A two-sport athlete, she was also a track & field star at her high school, breaking the Haverford outdoor high-jump record while tying the indoor record with both jumps at 5-foot-6. She ultimately placed second in the high jump event at State Championship in 2023.

SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Volleyball by providing NIL opportunities or by joining the Point Houston Club which provides financial support directly to Houston Volleyball for needs beyond its operating budget.

STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarVB on X, formerly known as Twitter, and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team’s Facebook page at UHCougarVB. Fans also can follow the team on Instagram at @UHCougarVB.

– UHCougars.com –

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Sports

Georgia Tech Student-Athletes Shatter Records in the Classroom – Athletics — Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

Published

3 hours ago

December 24, 2025

Your Sports Nation

THE FLATS – Georgia Tech student-athletes collectively had an astonishing Fall 2025 semester academically, highlighted by all 13 of the Yellow Jackets’ programs earning team grade point averages of 3.0 or higher for the first time in history.

In addition to all 13 teams achieving a 3.0 team GPA, Georgia Tech’s 328 student-athletes had a mean GPA of 3.30, which matched Tech athletics’ all-time high for the third-straight semester.

“As the landscape of college athletics changes, one thing that remains constant here on The Flats is the value of a Georgia Tech education and degree,” vice president and director of athletics Ryan Alpert said. “The young people that choose to come to Georgia Tech are truly making a 40-year decision. Therefore, I couldn’t be more proud of how our student-athletes embrace and take advantage of the opportunity through their hard work in the classroom. I’m also incredibly grateful for our academic support staff, our coaches and our partners on campus for all that they do to support our student-athletes’ academic endeavors.”

Other highlights from the fall semester include:

77% of student-athletes (252) posting a 3.0 GPA or higher;
68% (222) earning Faculty Honors or Dean’s Lost recognition;
first-year student-athletes achieving a 3.22 mean GPA;
nationally ranked golf leading all teams with a 3.68 GPA;
NCAA qualifier women’s tennis leading women’s teams with a 3.65 GPA;
football shattering its team record with a 3.17 team GPA – prior to this semester, its highest all-time GPA was 3.03 (spring 2025) and its highest in-season GPA was 3.00 (fall 2024);
men’s basketball also obliterating its team record with a 3.16 team GPA, surpassing 3.0 for the first time in program history.

Making Georgia Tech athletics’ academic achievements even more impressive is that 84% of its student-athletes major in business (53%), engineering (20%), sciences (7%), design (2.5%) and computing (1.5%).

GEORGIA TECH TEAM GRADE POINT AVERAGES (Fall 2025)
Baseball: 3.35
Men’s Basketball: 3.16
Women’s Basketball: 3.20
Men’s Cross Country/Track and Field: 3.29
Women’s Cross Country/Track and Field: 3.29
Football: 3.17
Golf: 3.68
Softball: 3.28
Men’s Swimming and Diving: 3.24
Women’s Swimming and Diving: 3.46
Men’s Tennis: 3.34
Women’s Tennis: 3.65
Volleyball: 3.44

Fans can celebrate and support the academic success of Georgia Tech student-athletes by participating Alexander-Tharpe Fund’s Fourth Quarter Initiative, which gives supporters the opportunity to receive four A-T Fund priority points for every $100 donated to the Athletic Scholarship Fund through Dec. 31. For more information, visit atfund.org/4th-quarter.

Full Steam Ahead

Full Steam Ahead is a $500 million fundraising initiative to achieve Georgia Tech athletics’ goal of competing for championships at the highest level in the next era of intercollegiate athletics. The initiative will fund transformative projects for Tech athletics, including renovations of Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field (the historic home of Georgia Tech football), the Zelnak Basketball Center (the practice and training facility for Tech basketball) and O’Keefe Gymnasium (the venerable home of Yellow Jackets volleyball), as well as additional projects and initiatives to further advance Georgia Tech athletics through program wide-operational support. All members of the Georgia Tech community are invited to visit atfund.org/FullSteamAhead for full details and renderings of the renovation projects, as well as to learn about opportunities to contribute online.

For the latest information on the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, follow us on X, Facebook, Instagram and at www.ramblinwreck.com.

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Sports

Julia Skari ‘can’t imagine’ not being with Northern State – Jamestown Sun

Published

4 hours ago

December 24, 2025

Your Sports Nation

JAMESTOWN — Julia Skari has a history with excellence when it comes to athletics.

Northern State University is hoping history keeps repeating itself.

Skari, a Jamestown High School Class of 2025 graduate, is currently training and competing for the Northern State University track and field team.

“I was so excited to go to college and have a little bit of change,” Skari said. “I knew going into college I wouldn’t know anyone since no one from Jamestown went to NSU (Northern State University), so I was a bit scared for that, but I was excited to meet new people. … Within the first week at Northern State it was clear that I made the best academic and athletic decision, I can’t imagine not being there.”

Skari began running track in 2021 as an eighth grader. She is a five-time state placer in the 300 hurdles and a two-time state placer in the 100 hurdles. Skari also competed in triple jump and the sprint relays when she was with the Blue Jays.

In her senior year, Skari was crowned the WDA champion in the 100 hurdles and 300 hurdles at the West Region Track and Field Meet. Skari clocked times of 15.59 and 45.62 seconds, respectively, in her races. The senior sprinter also placed eighth in the 100-meter dash and fifth in the 200.

At State, Skari placed third in the 300 hurdles, posting a season-best time of 45.35 seconds. In the 100 hurdles, the Blue Jay senior finished second 0.38 seconds behind Fargo Davies’ Kate Laqua who crossed the finish line at 14.38 seconds.

Her resume made her a natural recruit target for Northern State’s track coaches. The Wolves announced Skari’s signing via social media in May. Skari is planning to compete in both the 100- and 400-meter hurdles. The freshman said she is also hoping to compete in some relays but is open to wherever her coaches put her.

“It is both nervewracking and exciting to be a freshman,” Skari said. “I have a lot to learn, improve and build on throughout this year and the following years. Being a freshman is nervewracking because I know I have to prove myself to not only coaches but my teammates. It’s exciting because it’s a fresh new start with whole new experiences with a new team, coaches and level of competition. The upperclassmen are so willing to take time, critique my form and give advice.”

Northern State opened the indoor track and field season on Nov. 24 with the school’s Maroon vs. Gold Meet. Skari and the Wolves competed again on Dec. 5 at South Dakota State University’s Holiday Meet.

“Coming into my first collegiate meet I was very nervous,” Skari said. “The thought of competing against not only (Division) two athletes but also (Division) one made the nervous go up more. After I competed in my first event … I had a huge sign of relief realizing it’s not much different then high school, just more teams and more competitive.”

Julia Skari, second from left, is enjoying her first season with the Northern State University track and field team.

In her first meet, Skari competed in the 60-meter hurdles and the 4-by-400 meter relay.

“For my first meet I knew I just had to get my nervousness out of the way so my standards weren’t very high besides I just wanted to get my first meet done and get the feeling of how the meets feel,” Skari said. “My time in the 60-meter hurdles was almost my PR (personal record) in high school which means I only plan on getting faster.”

Skari’s continual progression is a testament to how hard she trains with her team.

Skari said as a team, the Wolves train Monday through Saturday with days switching either from a hurdles to sprinting to cross-training on her own time. The team lifts on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.

“I train hurdles on Monday and Thursday,” Skari said. “Tuesday is normally a sprinting workout which is our hard workout. On Wednesday and Saturday we train on our own and on Fridays we switch from sprinting or either hurdle work again. We normally practice around three or three and a half hours a day when we lift and practice.

“Workouts became more intense than high school, so it definitely was a good change,” she said. “College track differs from high school track because practices started back in the beginning of September and it lasts til May. It takes more time than any of my other sports did because it is a bigger commitment.”

The Wolves’ next indoor meet is scheduled for Jan. 15 against the University of Jamestown.

Northern State’s conference indoor track and field season will conclude at the end of February. The NCAA Division 2 Indoor Championships will be held March 13-14. The outdoor season will begin with a three-day invite in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

“No matter how I do (this season), I know I can always get better but I think my main goal is to just train hard, believe in myself and give it my best effort,” Skari said. “I think that’s would make me have a successful first year of colligate track and field athlete. In order for me to be at my best I need to have a positive mindset and be willing to do the hard stuff.”

Katie Ringer is a sports reporter for the Jamestown Sun. Katie joined the Sun staff in the summer of 2019 after graduating from the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire with a degree in journalism. She can be reached by email at kringer@jamestownsun.com or by phone at 701-952-8460.

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