Australia’s athletics team at the FISU World University Games has officially closed out its most successful World University Games campaign in history, topping the medal tally with 10 medals on the back of some outstanding performances.

Pleasingly, a host of New South Wales Institute of Sport (NSWIS) Scholarship holders were in the thick of the action, contributing to five of the Aussie Uniroos’ medals.

Michael Perry, NSWIS State (athletics) Performance Advisor, said the University Games, of which the athletics component was staged in Bochum, Germany, has traditionally proven to be a tremendous ‘steppingstone’ for athletes.

“The World University Games has been a steppingstone for athletes to do on to world competitions,” said Perry, who competed for Australia in the Triple Jump event at the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games. “It gives them a taste of what to expect.”

The 2025 edition of the FISU World University Games saw approximately 8500 athletes from 150 nations compete in the multi-sport event in the Rhine-Ruhr region of Germany. The athletes competed in 18 sports, including athletics, swimming, water polo, rowing and 3 x 3 wheelchair basketball among others.

NSWIS medallists at the 2025 FISU World University Games

Connor Murphy – Gold, Triple Jump (16.77m +1.2)

Kristie Edwards – Gold, 4 x 100m Women’s Relay (43.46)

Allanah Pitcher, – Silver, (Women’s) Team Race Walk

Isaac Beacroft – Silver, (Men’s) 20km Race Walk

Desleigh Owusu – Bronze, Triple Jump  (13.86m) PB

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (July 27, 2025) — The U.S. Women’s U21 National Team completed its undefeated run to win the gold medal at the 2025 NORCECA Women’s U21 Pan American Cup with a 3-0 (25-18, 25-14, 25-13) championship match victory over Chile on Sunday in San Jose, Costa Rica. The U.S. finished the tournament without losing a set in its five matches and won its third straight Pan Am titles, after winning in 2022 and 2023.

“I’m happy for the group to come together over two weeks and play well in the final against a good Chile team. Everyone contributed and I was glad how they kept their focus the whole match. We played our best volleyball at the end,” said U.S. head coach Heather Olmstead. “It was a great tournament, and Costa Rica did a great job hosting it. We are just really grateful to be here and to represent the USA.”

The U.S. finished with large margins in kills (42-15), blocks (10-2) and aces (8-2). Chile committed 11 fewer errors (26-15). The U.S. hit .516 for the match with 42 kills and just nine hitting errors in 64 attacks, while limiting Chile to a .000 hitting percentage on the same number of attacks.

Middle blocker Favor Anyanwu and opposite Jadyn Livings shared match-high honors with 13 points each. Anyanwu led all players with four blocks, adding eight kills, and the championship-clinching ace. Livings was the only player to reach double digits in kills (12) to go with a block.

Outside hitter Brooklyn DeLeye scored eight points on seven kills and a block, and middle blocker Ayden Ames totaled six points on three kills, two blocks and an ace. Libero Ramsey Gary led all players with 11 digs. Setter Stella Swenson delivered a match-high three aces.

A Glover block and back-to-back Swenson aces started a 7-0 U.S. run that turned a two-point lead into a nine-point margin, 13-4, in set one. DeLeye produced a kill that put the U.S. up 22-12 before Chile scored the next four points to prompt a U.S. timeout. The teams split points the rest of the set. DeLeye led all players with five points on four kills and a block.

The U.S. took an early 6-2 lead on a Livings kill in the second set and then the U.S. bench showed off its dancing skills during a lengthy delay. Back-to-back DeLeye kills made it 8-3 heading into the first technical timeout. Ames served an ace to build the lead to seven points, 17-10.

Anyanwu posted a block to put the U.S. ahead 20-11. Livings finished the set with a block, her seventh point of the set. She recorded six kills. Opposite Noemie Glover scored five points on four kills and a block with middle Lizzy Andrew (three kills and one block) and outside hitter Blaire Bayless (three kills and one ace) each scoring four points.

An Anyanwu kill gave the U.S. a 10-5 lead and when Glover put a ball down, the lead grew to seven at 13-6. Anyanwu scored on a slide off the block for an 18-9 lead. Anyanwu sealed the championship with an ace, her seventh point of the set after contributing three kills and three blocks.

2025 NORCECA Women’s U21 Pan American Cup

Name (Pos., Height, Birth Year, Hometown, School, USAV Region)
1 Lizzy Andrew (MB, 6-5, 2005, Ridgefield, Wash., Stanford University, Columbia Empire)
4 Blaire Bayless (OH, 6-2, 2005, Plano, Texas, University of Pittsburgh, North Texas)
5 Favor Anyanwu (MB, 6-3, 2006, Rowlett, Texas, Southern Methodist University, North Texas)
6 Ayden Ames (MB, 6-4, 2006, Prosper, Texas, University of Texas, North Texas)
7C Brooklyn DeLeye (OH, 6-2, 2005, Auburn, Kan., University of Kentucky, Heart of America)
8 Stella Swenson (S, 6-2, 2005, Wayzata, Minn., University of Minnesota, North Country)
11 Ramsey Gary (L, 5-7, 2005, Pendelton, Ind., University of Texas, Hoosier)
12 Noemie Glover (OPP, 6-2, 2005, Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., Arizona State University, Southern California)
13 Kamryn Gibadlo (OH, 6-1, 2005, Cave Creek, Ariz., University of Utah, Arizona)
14 Jadyn Livings (OPP/OH, 6-1, 2006, Dallas, Texas, Southern Methodist University, North Texas)
16 Taylor Parks (S, 5-11, 2006, Clearwater, Fla., University of Florida, Florida)
19 Abby Vander Wal (OH, 6-3, 2006, Elmhurst, Ill., University of Texas, Great Lakes)

Alternates
Jaela Auguste (MB, 6-2, 2006, Spring, Texas, University of Florida, Lone Star)
Carlie Cisneros (OH, 6-0, 2006, Paola, KS, University of Arizona, Heart of America)
Cristin Cline (S, 5-11, Stanfield, N.C., University of Kansas, Carolina)
Taylor Harvey (MB, 6-3, 2006, Bountiful, Utah, Bountiful HS, Intermountain)
Abigail Mullen (OPP, 6-3, 2006, Kansas City, Mo., University of Southern California, Heart of America)
Molly Tuozzo (L, 5-8, 2005, The Woodlands, Texas, University of Kentucky, Lone Star)

Coaches
Head Coach: Heather Olmstead (BYU)
Assistant Coach: Keith Smith (TCU)
Assistant Coach: Megan Hodge Easy (Penn State)
Performance Analyst: Jimmy Kim (NTDP)
Athletic Trainer: Britta Pestak (Hawken School/University Hospital)
Team Lead: Kyle Thompson (Maryland)

Schedule
All times Pacific

July 22: USA def. Canada, 3-0 (25-18, 25-15, 25-13)
July 23: USA def. Puerto Rico, 3-0 (25-13, 25-7, 25-15)
July 24: USA def. Chile, 3-0 (25-18, 25-19, 25-11)
July 25: Quarterfinals: USA received bye
July 26: Semifinals: USA def. Canada, 3-0 (25-17, 25-19, 25-20)
July 27: Gold Medal: USA def. Chile, 3-0 (25-18, 25-14, 25-13)

DAVID WOODS LOUNSBERRY

OBITUARY

LOUNSBERRY, DAVID WOODS David Woods Lounsberry passed away on January 31, 2011 at the age of 53. David was born in La Jolla, CA, the son of Jack Woods and Ann Irvine Lounsberry. He was a gifted athlete, excelling in basketball and surfing. He won 15 surfing trophies and was a proud member of the Windansea Surf Club. He also enjoyed golf, waterskiing, beach volleyball and playing the guitar, composing and performing beautiful worship music. While attending Mission Bay High School David was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder. He battled this illness for the rest of his life, helped by his deep faith in God and continuing support of family and lifelong friends. He maintained a wonderful sense of humor and had a lasting and dramatic impact on many people with whom he came in contact. He is survived by his father and stepmother Jack and Peggy Lounsberry, sister and brother-in-law Kate and Gerard Kelly, aunt and uncle Suzanne and Bruce Hunter, and cousins Russell and Andrew Hunter. His mother passed away in 1983. The family will hold a private service. Memorial gifts may be made to the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill. www.nami.org

Kids may climb aboard fire trucks, watch a grease fire demonstration and take part in indoor and outdoor activities during Fire Safety Education Day 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota, 224 Lamm St.

MinnValley Mutual Insurance is the host organization for the free event that will offer hands-on activities designed to teach children and families essential fire safety skills.

Participants may meet Sparky the Fire Safety Dog and watch a firefighter relay race. Also slated are water barrel fights, drone demonstrations and displays featuring a sprinkler trailer and rescue boats.

For more information, go to: cmsouthernmn.org.

Sand volleyball tourney set

Friday and Saturday, streets within New Ulm’s historic downtown will be transformed into a beach volleyball arena. Eighty-eight teams from across the region will compete in Spikin’ in the Street Sand Volleyball Tournament.

The event is set for 5-11 p.m. Friday and throughout the day Saturday. 

Truckloads of sand will be dumped on the streets for the event. One area will be dedicated as a space for children to make sandcastles. Food vendors will be on site.

The Rolling Thunder Wrestling Club will sponsor a wrestling tournament 5 p.m. Friday in the sand arena.

For more information, contact the New Ulm Area Chamber of Commerce at 507-233-4300 or chamber@newulm.com or go to: newulm.com. 

Event kicks off United Way campaign

Spectators are welcome at a campaign kickoff noon Tuesday for Greater Mankato United Way. Game Show Edition will be played in the banquet hall at Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center.

Registered contestants will compete for prizes. 

United Way’s 2026 campaign will be launched at the event.

Concert date moved to August

Flooding at Wheeler Park has prompted organizers of a free outdoor concert to reschedule the event.

Musician Ben Scruggs’ Music in the Park performance has been moved to 5 p.m. Aug. 28 in the section of the park near Garfield Avenue.

The band DW3 is slated 5 p.m. Thursday as part of the concert series sponsored by North Mankato Taylor Library.

Audience members may bring seating and picnic coolers to the two-hour concerts featuring local bands. Food trucks will be on hand at the events.

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IRVINE — A dazzling blend of experienced and rising talent. Resiliency to peak amid stormy waters. And a coach who continues to connect well with his players.

The SET Black 18-and-under girls channeled all their strengths Sunday to defeat Regency 8-5 in the finals of the USA Water Polo Junior Olympics at Woollett Aquatics Center.

With players such as Allison Cohen supplying the experience and Christina Flynn flashing her budding skills, SET capped a gutsy tournament run to claim its third consecutive title at 18s.

“The people who are experienced came through but the youth also came through for us,” said SET coach Ethan Damato, the recently-hired JSerra coach who secured his first Junior Olympics title at 18s. “They’re winners.”

Flynn, a strong-armed junior from Leland High in San Jose, scored three goals off the bench — including the go-ahead strike late in the third period — to earn tournament MVP.

The youngest of four girls, Flynn, 16, scored from about 5 meters with 53 seconds left in the third period to give SET a 5-4 lead.

The sister of U.S. Olympic attacker Jenna Flynn and former UC Irvine and Cal standout Nina Flynn, Flynn scored moments after Regency failed to convert a penalty shot.

“She’s insane,” attacker Kara Carver of SET said of Flynn. “I don’t understand how she’s so young and has that much talent.”

Cohen, a returning all-tournament selection for SET, set the tone for the fourth period by defending center three times to help keep Regency off the scoreboard.

The defense by the Orange Lutheran senior, who recently committed to Stanford, loomed even more significant as Flynn scored on the power-play about two minutes into the fourth period for a 6-4 lead.

“She’s one of the best players, if not the best player, in high school,” Damato said of Cohen, who had two goals, an assist, a steal and won two sprints. “Allison has been our rock this whole tournament kind of doing whatever we need.”

El Toro product Lulu Gaetano, bound for Arizona State, added a sweep shot from center with 3:20 left in the fourth to extend SET’s lead to 7-4.

Flynn then capped a 4-0 run by SET with another power-play strike to help SET finish 4 for 5 with the extra attacker.

SET’s defense also received strong play in goal from Siena Jumani (Laguna Beach) and Clarysa Sirls (Corona Centennial), who combined for 12 saves.

In the semifinals Sunday, SET edged No. 1 seed SOCAL 10-9 on a late strike by left-hander Didi Evans (Corona del Mar) to avenge a loss to SOCAL on Friday.

SET won three matches on Saturday to fight its way back into contention.

“It just says so much about our resilience,” Damato said. “We had a really tough road. We just kept getting better as the tournament went on.”

Flynn added, “In the tough moments, we had to come together and do it together because it was the only way it was going to work.”

Carver, who earned the eighth gold medal of her career at Junior Olympics, believes Damato’s coaching played a key role.

“He knows how to get on you when you need it but he also knows how to get on you in a nice way when you need someone to support you,” the former Laguna Beach standout said of Damato. “He’s very nurturing.”

Sophomore Paige Segesman scored three first-half goals to lead Regency, a younger team featuring players from Mater Dei. Goalie Sienna Sorensen, a USC commit, added nine saves.

Regency went 1 for 8 with the extra attacker.

In the 16-and-under girls final, Newport Beach defeated Santa Barbara 805 13-8. Newport Beach also claimed titles at the 14s and 10s.

On Tuesday in the boys 18-and-under final, an experienced North Irvine Beast Boys defeated No. 1 seed and two-time defending champion Newport Beach 9-5. Like the Regency girls, Newport Beach was the younger team.

Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) has introduced Kirk Ong as new head coach of its women’s volleyball team.

The San Marcelino-based squad moves on from Rod Palmero after a series of unsuccessful seasons.

It hopes to rebuild its women’s volleyball program with Ong.

Since the NCAA women’s volleyball resumed action after the Covid-19 pandemic, EAC has been a cellar-dweller, only winning seven out of 45 games in the last four seasons.

They hit the rock bottom of the standings in season 98 and 99 while finishing second to the last in season 97 and 100.

Ong has been a long-time mentor of the Chiang Kai Shek (CKSC) girls volleyball team for more than a decade.

“What began as a personal passion for the game has grown into over a decade of dedicated coaching at the high school level. Throughout the years, Coach Kirk Ong developed not just athletes but young leaders, guiding teams through growth, discipline and success on and off the field,” Dr. Lorenzo Lorenzo, EAC representative to the NCAA management committee, told GMA Synergy and Regional TV News.

He led the CKSC 19-under team to a back-to-back championship in the Filipino-Chinese Amateur Athletic Association in 2024 while also winning the gold in the beach volleyball tournament.

“Now, he is stepping into the next challenge. Coaching at the college level with years of hands-on player development, and a commitment to continuous learning,” Lorenzo said.

“He is ready to bring that same energy and vision to the collegiate arena,” he added.

In NCAA Season 100, the Lady Generals showed some flashes of brilliance with a couple of career games from Elizza Alimen and an impressive performance by Erica Bodonal.