IRVINE, Calif. — The UC San Diego women’s water polo team saw its season come to an end Saturday following an 11-9 loss against Hawai’i in a Big West Championship semifinal match-up.

The ninth-ranked Tritons served as the fourth seed while the fourth-ranked Rainbow Wahine are the top seed.

UC San Diego defeated UC Davis, the fifth seed, in Friday’s quarterfinal round to advance.

Hawai’i topped eighth-seeded Cal State Fullerton Friday. The Wahine will face Long Beach State, the No. 2 seed, in Sunday’s championship game.

UC Irvine is hosting the championship at Anteater Aquatics Complex.  

HOW IT HAPPENED

UC San Diego got on the board first when Courtney Okumura found the net at the 5:40 mark of the opening quarter. Hawai’i tied it up 22 seconds later on a Camille Radosavljevic strike. The teams traded goals again when Caroline Christl scored for UC San Diego at 1:15 and Bernadette Doyle evened it up at 2-2 with just under a minute to play in the period. Triton Abby Moll gave UC San Diego a 3-2 edge when she scored with 12 seconds left. Unfortunately, it was the only quarter that the Tritons won.

Just two goals were scored in the second quarter, both by the Rainbow Wahine. They came late in the period when Bernadette Doyle and Jordan Wedderburn went back-to-back in the final four seconds, giving Hawai’i at 4-3 lead going into the halftime break. Wedderburn’s goal came on a powerplay.

The third quarter was the busiest as far as goal-scoring with seven shots ending up in the net – four by Hawai’i and three by UC San Diego. Christl got things going with a five-meter penalty shot goal 15 seconds in, evening the game at 4-4. The Wahine scored the next two goals, one at 7:24 by Doyle, the other at 6:33 by Ema Vernoux. The first was on a penalty shot, the second on a powerplay.

Christl scored two more times in the second quarter, while Wedderburn and Vernoux also found the net again, making the score 8-6 Hawai’i heading into the fourth.

Christl started the final period with a power play goal, bringing the Tritons within one at 8-7. Sydney Munatones followed, scoring at 5:16 to tie it up at 8-8. That would be the final time it was tied as Hawai’i got two-straight goals from Doyle to put her team ahead 10-8. Christl scored yet again at 2:10, but Wedderman scored the game’s final goal at 1:23 on another penalty shot.

Christl led all players with six goals. Munatones dished out four assists and Kendall Thomas drew five exclusions.

Lexi Stahl was solid in net for the Tritons, finishing with eight saves. The senior denied two penalty shots, made several diving stops, and stayed in front of multiple point-blank bids by the Wahine. 

Doyle scored five goals for Hawai’i and Wedderburn tallied three. Daisy Logtens had 11 saves.

The Tritons had a 30-27 advantage in shots. They were whistled for 14 exclusions and the Rainbow Wahine had six. In addition, UC San Diego was called for five penalties to Hawai’i’s one.

TRITON TIDBITS
• UC San Diego lost to Hawai’i, 12-7, on April 10 in La Jolla.
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About UC San Diego Athletics
After two decades as one of the most successful programs in NCAA Division II, the UC San Diego intercollegiate athletics program began a new era in 2020 as a member of The Big West in NCAA Division I. The 23-sport Tritons earned 30 team and nearly 150 individual national championships during its time in Divisions II and III and helped guide 1,400 scholar-athletes to All-America honors. A total of 84 Tritons have earned Academic All-America honors, while 38 have earned prestigious NCAA Post Graduate Scholarships. UC San Diego scholar-athletes exemplify the academic ideals of one of the world’s preeminent institutions, graduating at an average rate of 91 percent, one of the highest rates among institutions at all divisions.
 

Most 91-year-olds are racing to their recliners. Not Emma Maria Mazzenga.

The Italian nonagenarian sprinted through a 200-meter dash in under a minute last year, crushing the previous world record for her age group. While others were gasping for air, Mazzenga was already sizing up her next race.

Amazed by her speed, doctors investigated what makes this senior sprinter tick. Now, they’ve uncovered the unique physical traits that have helped make Mazzenga one of Italy’s most unstoppable athletic wonders.

A body built to move

After blazing through a 200-meter dash in just 51.47 seconds — nearly 1.5 seconds faster than the previous 90-plus world record — Mazzenga enrolled in a scientific study to help scientists better understand her powerhouse physiology.

Italian researchers put the speed queen through a battery of tests, including cycling drills, knee exercises and thigh muscle biopsies.

They found two key factors fueling her fire.

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First, Mazzenga’s cardiorespiratory fitness — how well her heart and lungs pump oxygen to her muscles — was on par with a highly fit woman in her 50s. The energy centers of her cells were also virtually identical to a person decades younger.

Second, her muscles were incredibly unique. Mazzenga’s slow-twitch fibers — built for endurance — were “remarkably large,” letting her go the distance without burning out.

She also had a “very high percentage” of fast-twitch fibers, which produce powerful bursts of energy. According to researchers, these are ideal for fast, explosive movements like sprinting.

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“This unique combination likely contributed to her exceptional 200m sprint performance, allowing her to maintain both endurance and speed at an advanced age,” said Dr. Marta Colosio , a postdoctoral fellow at Marquette University and first author of the study.

Decades in the making

So, how does a 91-year-old end up with the body — and sprint times — of someone half her age?

Simple: she’s been putting in the work for decades.

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Born in 1933, Mazzenga first hit the track during her university days, competing in the 100, 200, 400 and even the 800-meter races. Her crowning achievement was a fourth-place finish at the national championships in Rome.

But as life went on, she became a wife, mother and chemistry professor, putting her track career on hold for more than two decades.

“I got married in 1963,” Mazzenga told Vogue Italia . “I returned to racing in 1986 with my old teammates.”

At 53, she joined the masters athletics circuit — competitive races for older runners organized by age group — and never looked back.

“All the costs are on me, but I’m happy to do it,” she said. “The emotion that a race gives me, the adrenaline that each training session gives me, are the pure energy of my days.”

That passion is paying off.

“Lifelong exercise training can enable extraordinary performance and maintain high functional levels even into the ninth decade of life,” Colosio said.

Today, she holds five world records five world records, nine European records and 28 best Italian performances in various categories of Masters sprinting.

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Mazzenga, who’s been widowed for more than 40 years, credits running not just with keeping her body strong — but also her mind.

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“It got me through some difficult times, which of course haven’t been lacking in a life as long as mine,“ she told Reuters .

Running “also allowed me always to be surrounded by a lot of people, so that I was never alone,“ Mazzenga added.

It’s never too late

Most people who reach their 90s slow down — and for good reason.

Aging brings a range of physiological changes, such as a decline in muscle mass, bone density, joint flexibility and overall mobility. Conditions like arthritis and osteoporosis, along with lifestyle factors like inactivity and poor nutrition, only accelerate the decline.

But researchers say physical activity can help preserve and even improve mobility in older adults, while also preventing age-related declines, even for those who haven’t been athletes their entire lives.

“Exercise is a powerful tool for promoting healthy aging,” Colosio said.

In particular, aerobic and strength exercises, along with balance training, can help seniors maintain mobility, independence and a high quality of life — whether or not they’re chasing world records like Mazzenga.

For top headlines, breaking news and more, visit nypost.com.

Santa Rosa Junior College’s current volleyball team celebrates loudly as freshman Haylen Guynup gets on the scoresheet against the most recent alumni team on Friday, April 18, 2025 at Haehl Pavilion.

Past and present members of the Santa Rosa Junior College volleyball team came together  to reconnect and enjoy a night of volleyball April 18 at Haehl Pavilion. 

Three alumni teams attended, representing players from 2005 to 2025. Players were grouped with former teammates and other players of similar age, plus a team of current players. Each team played one another once in 35-minute games. 

Friends and family filled Haehl Pavilion to join the festivities and cheer on the teams. 

“We couldn’t have been happier with the turnout and level of play,” head coach Ally Sather said. “It was also so amazing to have the most recent four coaches of the JC history all together for the first time. It was amazing to see the turnout of family and friends, coming out to support multiple generations of Bear Cubs. The general happiness was palpable.”

These events play a significant role in Sather’s goal of creating a community.

“Athletics creates such a unique form of community. It is part of my mission to continue to foster and grow that here in the SRJC volleyball program,” Sather said. “It was so amazing for my current players to see and connect with the players that wore the same jerseys from years past and how volleyball can still be a connecting force. And also just seeing the reconnections of former teammates and coaches was so awesome.” 

Former Bear Cubs libero Violet Johnson, who played from 2018 to 2019, reflected on the game and her previous experience within the program. 

“I miss the easy days where the hardest thing I had to do was go through a workout,” Johnson said. “Constantly being surrounded by people who help lift you up. There is no doubt SRJC coaching staff and sports med team does just that. My mental wants me to still throw myself on the floor and go for everything. My body does not.”

Former defensive specialist Jaiden Brooner, a part of the most recent alumni class, gave advice to next season’s Bear Cubs. 

“You are going to go through hard times, be under lots of stress, and there will be things that you can’t control, but it will be OK,” Brooner said. “Don’t be afraid to turn to your teammates, they aren’t just your team, they are also your friends, so look out, lift each other up and take care of one another. Never doubt yourself, your worth and what you are capable of.”

As the night came to an end, Sather handed out alumni T-shirts, former and current players alike took heartwarming photos and exchanged goodbyes. As these events become tradition, former players will get the chance to don SRJC’s uniform again, and current players will get the chance to play as alumni in the future. 

“I’m definitely looking forward to future alumni nights,” Brooner said. “They can’t get rid of me that easily so they’re stuck with me. I would love to come back and play with these great individuals.”

Former Bear Cubs got the chance to don the SRJC shirts on the court again during the volleyball program’s inaugural alumni night, where players from 2005-2025 were repsented on Friday, April 18, 2025 at Haehl Pavilion.

The Texas Tech softball program claimed the 2025 Big 12 regular season title outright after winning a doubleheader against Arizona State on Saturday. This is the first Conference title collected by the Red Raiders in 34 seasons.

The 2025 season has reached new heights for the Red Raiders (39-10). Currently boasting an 18-2 record during Big 12 play, TTU has surpassed its previous high of 13 league wins during the 2012 season while looking to eclipse a season-high 42 wins in 2011.

Texas Tech earns the No. 1 seed in the 2025 Phillips 66 Big 12 Softball Championship and claims a first-round bye. The Red Raiders will face the winner of Game 1 (No. 8 seed vs. No. 9 seed) at 11 a.m. CT on Thursday, May 8. The Championship bracket will be announced following the conclusion of the season.

TTU finishes out the series against ASU tomorrow at Noon CT.

 

PRINCETON, N.J. – Penn State won the EIVA Tournament for the 37^th time in program history, taking down No. 19 Princeton 3-0 (25-20, 27-25, 25-19) in the championship match Saturday at Dillon Gymnasium. The Nittany Lions swept all three of their opponents in the tournament to improve to 14-15 and grab the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. The Tigers, who won the regular season title and hosted the event as the top seed, closed the season at 15-11 overall.

Matthew Luoma led the offensive effort with 18 kills, while Ryan Merk anchored an outstanding defensive performance by Penn State with his 12 digs. The Nittany Lions held the Tigers to .159 hitting, which was well below their final season efficiency of .277.

Michael Schwob tallied 35 assists and led Penn State to .290 hitting. His bigger production came from the service line, where he recorded three aces for the fifth-consecutive match. His nine aces through three matches this week played a large role in his receiving the EIVA Tournament Most Outstanding Player award. Schwob was joined on the EIVA All-Tournament Team by Luoma, Merk, and Will Kuhns.

Gaige Gabriel contributed both offensively and defensively in the win, hitting .667 with eight kills while also leading the team in blocks with five. Kuhns finished with nine kills and three blocks, Carter Dittman contributed six kills and two blocks, and Owen Rose chipped in with two kills and two blocks. Rose helped Penn State get to the championship match with great numbers through the first two wins as he hit .733 with 2.00 kills/set and 1.67 blocks/set in sweeps over Harvard and NJIT.

Saturday marked Penn State’s first EIVA Tournament win at a location other than Rec Hall since securing the title at Rutgers-Newark in 1996.

Princeton was paced by Nyherowo Omene with 13 kills, three aces, and two blocks. He was joined on the All-Tournament Team by setter Henry Wedbush.

Set 1
Luoma hit .357 with seven kills to lead Penn State to a 25-20 win in the opening set. Schwob racked up 12 assists and recorded his first ace of the night. The Nittany Lions started to pull away early with a 4-0 run that put them up 8-4. Luoma was in on the first three points of the run with a pair of kills and a block alongside Kuhns and Gabriel. Schwob capped it with an ace. They went on to lead by as much as eight at 14-6 following a kill by Dittman, but Princeton was able to fight back and get as close as one at 16-15 after an ace by Wedbush. Penn State responded with a 4-0 run and never looked back. Set point was later scored on a kill by Luoma.

Set 2
Set two was much more closely contested with 13 ties and six lead changes before Penn State came through with the 27-25 win. Luoma again led the way with seven kills, while Schwob again tallied 12 assists. The largest lead by either team was three, which Princeton had at 10-7 after an ace by Wedbush and again at 11-8 with a kill by Omene. Penn State led by three at 18-15 following a kill by Gabriel. Penn State clawed its way to 24 first with a kill by Kuhns to make it 24-22. Princeton avoided two straight set points with a solo block by Owen Mellon and an attack error by the Nittany Lions. Schwob followed with a kill but Omene responded with another kill for the Tigers to knot the score at 25-all. A service error by the Tigers made it 26-25, and the Nittany Lions capitalized with a kill by Gabriel for set point.

Set 3
Gabriel, Luoma, and Kuhns contributed four kills apiece as Penn State hit .375 and rolled to a 25-19 win in the third set. Schwob added 11 more assists and two more aces. The Nittany Lions used a 6-0 run to go up 10-4 and led the rest of the way. The first four points of the run went in the order of Gabriel kill, Schwob ace, Gabriel kill, and another Schwob ace to force a Princeton timeout. The Nittany Lions came out of the timeout with two more points on kills by Gabriel and Luoma. Penn State went on to lead by as much as nine at 19-10 after a kill by Schwob. Match point was later scored on a kill by Luoma to secure the EIVA Championship for the Nittany Lions.

Up Next
The NCAA Tournament selection show will air live on April 27 at 4 p.m. ET on NCAA.com.

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska volleyball team took the court for the first time under head coach Dani Busboom Kelly and impressed with a sweep of Kansas in front of a sold-out crowd of 8,592 in John Cook Arena at the Bob Devaney Sports Center on Saturday night.

The teams agreed to play four sets no matter the outcome, and the Huskers showed out with a 25-20, 25-18, 25-21, 25-22 win while experimenting with different lineup combinations throughout the match.

Andi Jackson and Rebekah Allick each had 11 kills and four blocks while hitting .556 and .524, respectively. Hunter tallied 11 kills and hit .563 in her first action as a Husker. Harper Murray chipped in 10 kills, and Teraya Sigler had six kills and Taylor Landfair posted four. 

Bergen Reilly and Campbell Flynn split time at setter. Reilly had 19 assists and eight digs, while Flynn had 23 assists and three digs. 

Laney Choboy and Olivia Mauch both wore the libero jersey for two sets. Choboy had 18 digs and Mauch had 12. 

For the match, NU hit .285 and Kansas hit .214. The Huskers had eight blocks and served six aces. Kansas had four blocks and served four aces.

Set 1: Nebraska used a 4-0 run to take a 7-4 lead, keyed by Murray’s jump serve. She had an ace, and Landfair and Jackson each had kills. Allick pounded two kills to help NU to an 11-6 lead, and kills by Murray and Jackson made it 15-11 at the media timeout. After Kansas cut it to 15-13, Jackson had a kill and Allick had a solo block to help NU back to an 18-13 lead. But the Jayhawks answered to get within 19-18 after a 5-1 spurt. Allick terminated to keep the Huskers in front, 20-18. Allick and Jackson posted back-to-back kills to make it 23-19, and Pierce and Jackson combined for a block for set point. The Huskers won 25-20. 

Set 2: NU got off to a hot start with kills by Allick and Murray. Freshman Ryan Hunter then had a kill and a block with Allick in her first collegiate action to make it 4-1. Murray and Jackson recorded kills to keep NU on top, 8-6, and Hunter tacked on two more kills for a 12-8 Husker advantage. Murray and Jackson put NU up 15-10 at the media break. Jackson smashed back-to-back kills for an 18-13 advantage, and Reilly served an ace before a kill by Allick made it 21-15. The Huskers closed out a 25-18 win to go up 2-0. 

Set 3: The Huskers fought to a 9-6 lead with Hunter posting three kills, Sigler two, and Choboy serving an ace. Landfair’s second kill of the set and another by Sigler made it 11-7. Sigler tacked on another before Ryan followed suit for a 13-10 lead. But the Jayhawks answered with a 5-1 run to go ahead 15-14. Kansas then served long and Landfair tipped a kill to NU back in front. With the score tied 16-16, Allick posted a kill, and Hunter and Sigler stepped up once again for the Big Red to make it 19-17. Allick terminated again, and a block by Sigler and Jackson put the Huskers up 22-18. Hunter notched her ninth kill, and Jackson’s 10th earned set point. NU won 25-21.

Set 4: Kansas came out strong, taking a 12-8 lead. Murray stepped up with two kills and a block with Jackson to help NU rally to tie the score at 12-12 with Choboy serving the 4-0 run. Grace Nelson answered with two kills for KU to put the Jayhawks back up 14-12, but Jackson combined with Flynn for a block and tallied a kill before a Mauch ace sparked the Huskers to a 19-15 lead. Kansas stormed back to tie the score at 20-20, but the Huskers were up to the task, scoring a 4-0 run with an ace by Keri Leimbach, a block by Allick and Hunter, and a kill by Murray. Another Murray kill ended the match, 25-22.    

Up Next: The Huskers will head to Ord next Saturday for a match against South Dakota State at 2 p.m. It will be broadcast on Nebraska Public Media and the Huskers Radio Network.