Some of the best beach volleyball players in the sport will descend upon South Florida to compete this weekend. But they won’t be playing anywhere near the beach.

In fact, they will be playing inside a converted film studio.

This one-of-a-kind setup will be the scene inside Medley’s Wayfair Arena this weekend as the Association of Volleyball Professionals returns to South Florida for Week 3 of the 2025 season. The two-day event near Miami begins Friday.

“An indoor stadium — under the lights and out of the sun — makes it feel more like you’re a professional athlete,” said Taylor Sander, a two-time Olympian with the US men’s indoor volleyball team, before he switched to beach volleyball. “Almost feels like you’re playing in the NBA.”

For years, the venue was used as a production house for movies and television. That was until December, when Unrivaled — the startup 3-on-3 women’s basketball league — acquired the property, sold the naming rights and transformed it into a state-of-the-art, 850-person capacity arena.

By the league’s inaugural tipoff in January, the arena was outfitted with massive video boards, a JumboTron hanging overhead, practice courts, recovery areas, a full content studio and lighting.

So how might this LED-lit, 850-person capacity basketball arena get turned into a site suitable for beach volleyball?

The answer is actually quite simple: hauling in over 300 tons of sand.

After trucking in enough sand to completely cover the hardwood basketball court at least 18 inches deep, the floor will be pounded down to create a safe playing surface, while a net and referee stands will be erected to create a regulation-size beach volleyball court.

Coupled with all of the bells and whistles already inside Wayfair, it makes for a unique, immersive setting that you won’t find anywhere else in the sport.

“The AVP has been doing this now for a while, so they’ve got it down to a science,” Sander said. “They do a great job of giving us a great place to put on a show and make it nice for the fans.”

Sander, who competes for the AVP’s Miami Mayhem, also said that an indoor venue creates a louder, more raucous environment than a traditional outdoor setting.

“It just feels more loud,” Sander added. “You can actually hear the fans.”

The AVP’s executive chairman is Heath Freeman, president of Alden Global Capital, an investment firm that owns the Sun Sentinel.

An indoor venue has other differences, too.

“The biggest difference is the weather,” said Taylor Crabb, a 14-time AVP winner. “Outdoors we have the wind, sun, rain, whatever the weather is. Indoors is very controlled.”

Moving indoors, as Crabb explained, takes the natural elements — which normally would have a considerable effect on a match’s outcome — completely out of the equation.

Sure, it is nice being able to escape the South Florida heat radiating off the sand. However, the most notable of changes, players said, is the elimination of a “good” and “bad” side of the court created by the wind.

“The good side is when the wind is in your face, coming at you, because you can hit the ball harder into the wind and it will drop faster,” Crabb explained. “The bad side is the wind at your back. The wind will take the ball further, and maybe out of bounds.”

The event begins at 6 p.m. Friday when the Palm Beach Passion take on the New York Nitro.

• Photo Roster of 2025 Spring All-Big Ten Honorees

ROSEMONT, Ill. — The Big Ten Conference announced its 2025 Spring Academic All-Big Ten honorees on Wednesday (June 11), with 229 University of Michigan student-athletes garnering the recognition.

Criteria for making the Academic All-Big Ten team include being in at least their second academic year at their institution and maintaining a cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 or higher.

The breakdown of Michigan student-athletes on the list is 13 from baseball, six from men’s golf, four from women’s golf, 30 from men’s lacrosse, 29 from women’s lacrosse, 30 from rowing, 14 from softball, seven from men’s tennis, six from women’s tennis, 36 from men’s track and field, 39 from women’s track and field and 15 from water polo.

Michigan had six student-athletes with perfect 4.0 GPAs in Aiden Felty (men’s track and field), Owen MacKenzie (men’s track and field), John McNeil (men’s track and field), Leah Hill (women’s track and field), Brooke Johnston (women’s track and field) and Aasia Laurencin (women’s track and field).

The conference office also awards Academic All-Big Ten distinction in the fall and winter seasons, and the Distinguished Scholar Award at the end of the academic year. Student-athletes eligible for the Distinguished Scholar Award must be letterwinners in at least their second year in residence at their institution. Qualifying student-athletes must have earned a GPA of 3.7 or higher for the current academic year, excluding summer school.

Baseball (13)

Kurt Barr, Jr., Sport Management

AJ Garcia, So., Sport Management

Ricky Kidd, Sr., Sport Management

Jonathan Kim, Jr., Sport Management

Brock Leitgeb, So., Sport Management

Joe Longo, Sr., Communications & Media

Noah Miller, So., Sport Management

Cooper Mullens, So., Business Administration

Wyatt Novara, So., Sport Management

Keegan O’Hearn, So., Sport Management

Joonsung Park, So., Sport Management

Alfredo Velazquez, So., Movement Science

Mitch Voit, Jr., Economics

Men’s Golf (6)

Jason Gordon, So., Sport Management

Ben Hoagland, 5th/Sr., Political Science

Yuqi Liu, Sr., Economics

Jack O’Donnell, 5th/Sr., Business Administration

Caden Pinckes, So./Fr., Sport Management

Hunter Thomson, Sr., Sport Management

Women’s Golf (4)

Mara Janess, Jr./So., Sport Management

Lauren Sung, Jr., Business Administration

Sydney Sung, Jr., Business Administration

Grace Wang, So., Business Administration

Men’s Lacrosse (30)

Max Bonner, So., Business Administration

Rowan Clay, So., Sport Management

Ryan Cohen, Sr., Sport Management

Lucas Delgado, Sr., Communication & Media

Josh Ford, Jr., Business Administration

Michael Frechette, Sr., Sport Management

Chris Gaine, Jr., Economics

Alex Gatto, So., Business Administration

Cameron Goodloe, Sr., Business Administration

Matt Han, So., Business Administration

Emmett Houlihan, Jr., Business Administration

Jack Jenkins, So., Business Administration

Kevin Kearns, So., Sport Management

Nick Lauderback, Sr., Sport Management

Bo Lockwood, Jr., Sport Management

Thomas Lowman, Sr., Business Administration

Ryan Lyngklip, Jr., Business Administration

Jack Marlow, So., Communication & Media

John Morgan, Sr., Sport Management

Aidan Mulholland, Sr., Sport Management

Will O’Connor, Jr., Sociology

Jimmy Pisani, Jr., Business Administration

Brandon Plemmons, Sr., Communication & Media

Crandall Quinn, So., Business Administration

CJ Reilly, So., Political Science

Nick Roode, So., Sport Management

Hunter Taylor, Jr., Business Administration

Kees van Wees, Sr., Economics

Jack Welcsh, Sr., Sport Management

Mason Whitney, Jr., Business Administration

Women’s Lacrosse (29)

Emma Bradbury, So., Cognitive Science

Grace Callahan, Jr., Psychology

Rowan Clancy, So., Economics

Taylor Cullen, Jr., Business Administration

Lucy Davis, So., Business Administration

Isabel DiNanno, So., Communication and Media

Kaylee Dyer, Sr., Sport Management

Jane Fetterolf, Sr., Sport Management

Emileigh Goodloe, So., Biology, Health, & Society

Jordyn Harrison, Sr., Sport Management

Allie Hartman, So., Aerospace Engineering

Kassidy Isaacson, Jr., Sport Management

Laila Kostorowski, So., International Studies

Kennedy Meier, So., Business Administration

Katharine Merrifield, Sr., Business Administration

Megan Minturn, Jr., Psychology

Claire Nelson, Jr., Sport Management

Stella Nolan, So., International Studies

Calli Norris, Jr., General Studies

Erin O’Grady, Sr., Sport Management

Emerson Pattillo, So., Sport Management

Haley Polk, Sr., Communication and Media

Maya Rutherford, Sr., Computer Science

Maya Santa-Maria, Sr., Communication and Media

Julia Schwabe, Sr., Movement Science

Peyton Shreves, Jr., Psychology

Jill Smith, Sr., Sport Management

Ceci Stein, Jr., Business Administration

Rylee Tinney, Jr., Communication and Media

Rowing (30)

Ally Blomquist, Jr., Sport Management

Zara Bongiorno, So., Business Administration

Jenna Chaffin, Jr., Ecology, Evolution, & Biodiversity

Autumn Crowe, So., Movement Science

Abigail Dent, Sr., Economics

Katie Easton, Sr., Public Health

Gabrielle Graves, Sr., Economics

Lillie Gregory, Jr., Materials Science & Engineering

Gretel Ham, So., Political Science

Grace Hammis, Jr., English

Grace Harte, Jr., Business Administration

Megan Higley, So., Movement Science

Sara Houben, Jr., International Studies & Environment

Emma Kerkau, Jr., Movement Science

Gracie Landefeld, Sr., Industrial & Oper Engineering

Madeleine Lauriault, Jr., Political Science BA & Economics

Halle Loveday, Sr., Computer Science

Maddy Matos, Jr., Biology, Health, & Society

Leah Miller, Jr., Biology, Health, & Society

Anna Muench, Sr., Psychology

Amy Newton, So., LSA Undeclared

Jana Peachey, Jr., Psychology

Isabela Pimentel, Jr., Business Administration

Logan Roeder, Sr., Psychology

Carla Russell, Sr., Applied Exercise Science

Madeson Scott, So., Biology, Health, & Society

Rumaysa Siddiqi, So., Business Administration

Sophie Snyder, So., Sport Management

Leia Till, Gr., Movement Science

Margaret Vander Woude, Gr., Biomedical Engineering

Softball (14)

Emerson Aiken, Sr., Biology, Health, & Society

Ryleigh Carricaburu, Gr., Master of Management

Ava Costales, So., Biology

Lexi Dellamonica, So., Communication & Media

Lauren Derkowski, Sr., Industrial & Operations Engineering

Maddie Erickson, Jr., Biopsychology, Cognition, & Neuroscience

Avery Fantucci, Jr., Business Administration

Indiana Langford, Jr., Biology, Health, & Society

Ella McVey, Sr., Communication & Media

Madi Ramey, Jr., General Studies

Kaylee America Rodriguez, Sr., Sport Management

Ellie Sieler, Sr., Communication & Media

Ella Stephenson, So., Movement Science

Lilly Vallimont, Jr., Applied Exercise Science

Men’s Tennis (7)

Alex Cairo, So., Business Administration

Will Cooksey, Sr., English

Patorn Hanchaikul, Sr., Industrial & Operations Engineering

Mert Oral, Jr., Biomedical Engineering

Nicholas Steiglehner, Jr., Business Administration

Bjorn Swenson, Jr., Sport Management

Gavin Young, Sr., Economics

Women’s Tennis (6)

Ava Bruno, So., LSA Undeclared

Piper Charney, So., Business Administration

Julia Fliegner, Sr., Business Administration

Lily Jones, Jr., Communication & Media

Reese Miller, So., Business Administration

Bayley Sheinin, Jr., Sport Management

Men’s Track & Field (36)

Peter Baracco, Jr., Economics

Will Barhite, Sr., Applied Exercise Science

Xander Black, Sr., Business Administration

Miles Brown, Sr., Movement Science

Nolan Clark, So., LSA Undeclared

Aiden Felty, Sr., Sport Management

Lawrence Gilliam, Sr., Business Administration

Ian Hill, Jr., Biology, Health, & Society

Kepler Huntress, So., Mathematics

Caleb Jarema, Jr., Business Administration

Henry Johnson, Sr., Applied Exercise Science

Jack Juds, Sr., Business Administration

Jack Kelke, Jr., General Studies

Liam Kinney, So., Data Science

Jacob Koerner, Sr., Applied Exercise Science

Jakob Kunzer, Gr., Accounting

Camden Law, So., Business Administration

Nathan Lopez, So., Business Administration

Owen MacKenzie, Gr., Biomedical Engineering

Heath McAllister, So., Mechanical Engineering

Trent McFarland, So., LSA Undeclared

Kyler McNatt, Jr., Aerospace Engineering

John McNeil, Gr., International and Regional Studies

Jozef Meyers, Gr., Architecture

John O’Reilly, So., Business Administration

Akili Parekh, So., Mathematics

Corey Royster, So., LSA Undeclared

Amit Rutman, So., Business Administration

Cole Sheldon, Jr., Environment

Jaden Simmons, So., LSA Undeclared

Jack Spamer, Sr., Electrical Engineering

Jake Steslicki, Jr., Economics

Luke Stowasser, Jr., Sport Management

Aiden Sullivan, So., Business Administration

Jake Wall, Jr., Sport Management

Eli Winter, Gr., Economics

Women’s Track & Field (39)

Riley Ammenhauser, Sr., Sport Management

Maya Anderson, So., Sport Management

BreeAna Bates, Sr., Sport Management

Abby Bonnema, Jr., Pharmaceutical Sciences

Haley Deighan, Jr., Psychology

Natalie Desarbo, Sr., Environment

Trinity Franklin, Jr., Psychology

Sidney Green, So., Political Science

Amare Harlan, So., LSA Undeclared

Samantha Hastie, Sr., Data Science

Adele Havlick, So., Environment

Mary Caroline Heinen, Gr., Management

Trinity Henderson, Jr., Business Administration

Leah Hill, Jr., Organizational Studies

Kennedy Johnson, Sr., Sport Management

Brooke Johnston, So., LSA Undeclared

CC Jones, So., LSA Undeclared

Catrin Koselka, Sr., History and Political Science

Aasia Laurencin, Gr., Interpersonal Practice in Integrated Health, Mental Health, & Substance Abuse

Alyna Lewis, Jr., History

Mara Longenecker, Jr., Movement Science

Lisa Luecke, Jr., International Studies and Spanish

Yasmine Mansi, Sr., Business Administration

Mia Manson, Gr., Management

Clare McNamara, Gr., Business Analytics

Gabbie Michael, Sr., Molec, Cell & Dev Biology

Gabriella Newman, Jr., History BA and Political Science

Chiamaka Odenigbo, Gr., Mechanical Engineering

Lauren Pansegrau, Jr., Biology

Lucy Petee, Gr., Cognitive Science and Communication and Media

Noelani Phillips, Gr., Movement Science

Hannah Pricco, So., LSA Undeclared

Meredith Soule, Jr., Art and Design

Savannah Sutherland, Sr., Biology, Health, & Society

Elizabeth Tapper, So., Biomolecular Science

Rylee Tolson, Jr., Anthropology

Ainsley Workman, Jr., Neuroscience and History

Emma Yungeberg, Jr., Communication and Media

Jadyn Zdanavage, So., Economics

Water Polo (15)

Riley Chapple, Jr., Communication and Media

Katie Delaney, So., Biochemistry

Claire Eusey, Jr., Cognitive Science

Emma Gustafsson, So., Communication and Media

Brooke Ingram, Jr., Sport Management

Issy Jackson, Jr., Sport Management

Kaia Levenfeld, So., Movement Science

Emilia Mladjan, So., Electrical Engineering

Ashley O’Neill, Sr., Neuroscience

Sophia Panossian, So., Applied Exercise Science

Maiken Pardon, Sr., Mechanical Engineering

Maddy Scarth, So., French; Political Science

Jillian Schlom, So., Economics

Jordan Schneider, So., Economics

Kasey Umlauf, Gr., Human Genetics

King, a native of Evansville, Indiana, and a standout swimmer for the Indiana Hoosiers, competed at the 2016, 2020, and 2024 Olympic Games, winning six medals across her career. Her retirement announcement came just days before the start of the USA Swimming Toyota National Championships on June 3—held at the Indiana University Natatorium in Indianapolis, the pool where she first began racing as a 10-year-old.

“It has always been important to me that my last meet in the (United States) be at the pool that started it all,” King said. “I have been racing in the Indiana University Natatorium since I was 10 years old. From state meets, to the NCAA Championships, USA Swimming Nationals, and anything in between, this pool has been my home… I look forward to racing in front of a home crowd one last time. See you in Indy!”

An 18-time world champion and 27-time world medallist, King arrived in Indianapolis for what she had planned to be her final U.S. meet. The Nationals also served as the selection trials for the 2025 World Aquatics Championships in Singapore, with only the top two swimmers in each event qualifying for Team USA.

Predictably confident in familiar surroundings, King said: “We are here a lot for big meets. It’s exciting to always be able to swim here. I think everyone has a routine when they are here—perhaps not everyone’s routine is as down pat as mine, because I have been swimming here my whole life.”

King opted out of the 200m breaststroke and opened her competition in the 50m breaststroke—an event recently added to the Olympic program, though she has said another Olympic medal chase isn’t in her future. On June 5, she led her heat in 30.15 and went on to win the final in a field of 51 swimmers with the only sub-30-second time: 29.88. Her farewell tour was officially extended, with a spot secured for Singapore.

A day later, King finished second in the 100m breaststroke final—just 0.23 seconds behind Kate Douglass—securing her second World Championship berth. It was a fitting performance for the 28-year-old, who still holds the world record in the 100m breaststroke, set at the 2017 World Championships in Budapest.

In a post-race interview on NBC, King was her usual candid self: “Honestly, I just took a little bit too much caffeine before my race, so I was about to jump out of my skin anyway. I am super grateful to be here. I appreciate you all being here and coming out and supporting me, forever! It’s been such a great ride and I can’t wait to represent Team USA again this summer.”

How did you feel about your swim in the 50m breaststroke?
It was good—any time I can go under 30, it’s a good race. I like to win, and any time I get to do that is special. Doing it in front of a crowd makes it even more fun. It’s still exciting to be able to do this at my age. Coming off the blocks, I can hear Ray (Looze, my coach) in my head saying, “Don’t look around!”—but I don’t always listen to Ray. Every season gets a little harder as I get older, and that’s something I’ve had to work through. It’s tough to keep your confidence when you’re not hitting the in-season times you were hitting three, four, five years ago. But I take pride in overcoming that mental block.

What was your take on your 100m breaststroke performance?
The first 50 felt good—I think I was 30.6 going out. The front half looked strong; the back end is always a little messy. At a trials meet, you just have to get up and go for it. Of course, I’d love to be under 1:06, but we’ve got a solid training block ahead, and I’m excited to sharpen up before Worlds.

What’s been the secret to your longevity in the sport?
I’ve been really fortunate not to have had any major injuries. A lot of that comes down to taking care of myself. I take pride in that and try to set an example for the younger athletes—especially when it comes to stretching and recovery. And, honestly, I think I’ve just been lucky too.

Did the announcement about 50m stroke events being added to the LA Olympics make you reconsider retirement?
No! Well… yes, for about six hours. I called my mom and we talked it through. I had maybe a day of thinking it over. But I was already sure I was going to take next year off. I woke up the next morning and said to myself, “We’re good. Let the young ones have it.”

So when will you officially retire?
Now that I’ve qualified for the World Championships, I’ll retire after my last event in Singapore. After that, I’ll be cheering everyone on—so, good luck, everyone! Honestly, this has been my plan for at least five years. I’ve always known Paris would be my last Olympics. Would I love to swim in LA? Sure. But I’m also really excited to watch swimming in LA. I’m ready to move on and just be a normal human being.

What are your goals for the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore?
To swim fast! It’s nice going to Singapore without having to swim the 200. I didn’t do it at Short Course Worlds either. That gives me a few days to rest and get some training in between events. When I was doing my full schedule, I was swimming from Day 2 through Day 8—that’s a lot. I think the 200’s been affecting my 50 a bit, so I’m excited to be able to go all-in with a little more recovery.

What’s it meant to you to race the last few years at trials events in Indianapolis?
It’s been great. I love racing here. It just happened that the last few years worked out for me to swim at this pool and then at Lucas Oil Stadium last year. It’s been a cool way to close out this chapter of my career.

Were you able to take in the crowd’s support this week?
Yeah, I think I soak it in a little more when I’m here. I get a lot of love from the crowd, and I really appreciate it. I’m not sad—actually, I’m really excited. I’m feeling a lot of gratitude. I’m not super nostalgic just yet, and I don’t know if I will be. I’m not a very emotional person, but I’ll try to keep it together. I’m doing okay—it’s all good!

Looking back on your journey, what stands out the most?
I’m really happy with how everything turned out. I’ve been fortunate to swim with—and learn from—so many amazing people. I got to hear their stories, pick up their tips and tricks, and be part of something special with the national team. I’m grateful for that, and I hope I’ve passed some of that along.

Lawler crossed the line in 29:31.40 and marks the 12th time in the last 14 years that one or more Syracuse runners (men or women) has earned All-America status in the 10k.

New Mexico’s Ishmael Kipkurui (29:07.70) won the title in the event.

Lawler is the first of two Orange to race this weekend. Iaunia Pointer will take on the 200-meter dash on Thursday, competing in the national semifinals. Action will be televised on ESPN.

 

Bianco, a senior, opened the decathlon with a strong showing across five events, ending the day with 3,958 points, good for 19th place heading into Day Two. He clocked 11.18 seconds in the 100-meter dash (+1.1) for 821 points, followed by a leap of 6.99 meters (+0.6) in the long jump (811). He recorded 11.81 meters in the shot put (595), cleared 1.92 meters in the high jump (731), and closed with a season-best 49.67 in the 400 meters.

Bianco will look to climb the standings on the final day of the decathlon and in his final time wearing the black and gold.

Thursday decathlon schedule (all times Pacific):

9:45 a.m. – 110 meter hurdles

10:35 a.m. – Discus

11:45 a.m. – Pole vault

2:15 p.m. – Javelin

6:43 p.m. – 1500 meters

All events will stream live on ESPN+.

On the distance side, sophomore Kole Mathison toed the line in the men’s 3,000-meter steeplechase, clocking 8:45.05. He closed strong over the final lap but missed advancing to the final. Mathison hit 5:10.40 at the 2K mark and finished with a 1:08.93 final lap. His season concludes with the semifinal appearance in Eugene.

 

 

Try Water Polo for Free – August 22–24, 2025

USA Water Polo invites athletes of all ages to dive into the sport with free one-day clinics happening nationwide from August 22 to 24, 2025.

Whether you’re brand new to water polo or just looking for a fun team sport, this is your chance to get started—with no cost and plenty of splash!

What to Expect

• Beginner-friendly practice plans
• Local coaches ready to introduce the sport
• All age groups welcome (check local listings)
• Free trial membership through USA Water Polo

Inspired by successful “Try Hockey” and “Try Volleyball” campaigns, this national event aims to grow grassroots participation in aquatics by making the first experience easy, accessible, and fun.

Download Swimming World’s new App to learn more

Google/Android

Apple/iPhone

Participating Clubs

Ready to Host a Clinic?

USA Water Polo is still welcoming more clubs to join. If your club would like to host a Try Water Polo day, email:
sportgrowth@usawaterpolo.org