COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS – Elevating past the conference racing, Dani Barrett and Maya Shinnick earned spots to compete at the NCAA West Preliminaries for the chance to run in the NCAA Championships, hosted in Eugene, Oregon.
 
Junior Maya Shinnick made her NCAA debut, posting 35th overall in the first round with a 53.76 finish in the 400 meter dash.
 
Dani Barrett also had a fierce go at the 10,000 meter run, but didn’t make the cut this time around.

“Maya and Dani had a great season” reflects head coach Ngoni Makusha. “They showed great effort towards their goals, and I am excited to see how they finish their careers next season and bring their friends to these championships. I am very proud of the team’s work and effort this season.”

 

Landon Mattiace does this thing where he bounces the volleyball off the back wall before he steps up to the line to uncork a serve.

Unless you’re paying close attention, you probably wouldn’t even notice it.

Home matches. Road matches. Neutral-court matches. Anywhere and everywhere. It’s a habit at this point. A superstition to be sure.

“I did it one game earlier this season as like a joke,” Manheim Central’s dominant middle hitter said. “And then it became a ritual. I do it every single time I’m at the service line. You could say it’s for good luck.”

In Thursday’s District 3 Class 2A championship match, Mattiace didn’t need any luck. He absolutely delivered, doing his pre-serve routine for seven straight second-set points to spark the Barons, and host Central went on to blank York Suburban 3-0 in Derbyshire Gymnasium.

Set scores were 25-22, 25-17 and 25-19, as the top-seeded Barons polished off a perfect run through the district bracket, and Central hoisted gold for the second time — the first since 2019, also over Suburban.

The Barons were in a district title match for the sixth time, and they clicked on all cylinders against the second-seeded Trojans, who were denied a second crown of their own.

“We have a very special group,” Central coach Craig Dietrich said. “They do all the little things well. Big-time players. So, this one is very satisfying. Our kids were so focused. I really didn’t even need to say anything.”

Central fell to Exeter in last year’s district finale, and that motivated the Barons to not only get back, but to finish the job this time around.

Mission accomplished — and convincingly.

Central (20-1) didn’t drop a set in its three matches. Suburban made the Barons sweat it out in the opening set. But Central only trailed four times in all and flashed its patented balance — and quick-strike offensive attack — against the Trojans.

“Feels amazing,” Mattiace said. “Now, on to states.”

Up next for the Barons is the PIAA opener on Tuesday. Central will host District 12 runner-up Academy of Palumbo at 7 p.m. Win there, and it would be off to the state quarterfinals next Saturday.

Central and Suburban could potentially meet in the state semifinals; the Barons went all the way to the PIAA championship match at Penn State last spring but fell to Meadville. Those two are on a collision course for a rematch.

Central is anxious for another journey to Happy Valley.

Pretty much everything went right for the Barons against Suburban. Dylan Musser had five aces — two that clipped off the top of the net and fell — and six setter-dump kills, which are a lot.

Suburban was within 23-21 and 24-22 late in the first set, but Blake Neiles and Mattiace had kills and Musser closed it out with a kill for a 1-0 lead.

“It was a momentum-shifter right away,” Mattiace said. “It’s been a while — six years — since we won districts. There were definitely some nerves coming in. So to win the first one there lifted so much off of our backs.”

The key moment in the match was in the second set, when Mattiace served up seven straight points after seven consecutive bank shots off the back wall. Mattiace didn’t have any aces during the spree, but Musser had two blocks and two setter-dump shots, and Reagan Miller’s block gave the Barons a 15-6 lead.

“It’s big because you need all of your teammates to come through to get a win,” Miller said. “For Landon to get all seven points serving there, it made it easier for everyone else.”

“We’ve gone on some uncanny runs with his serves,” Dietrich said about Mattiace. “He was certainly great from the service line tonight.”

Central kept tacking on after Mattiace’s service run was halted; Miller (11 kills, 11 digs) had a thunderous kill and Musser (34 assists) had back-to-back aces to cap an 11-1 run for an 18-7 cushion.

Suburban hung tough in the third; the Trojans were within 23-18 late, but the Barons slammed the door. Mattiace (10 kills) did the honors; his kill set up match point, and his block capped it.

Colin Rohrer sparked Central’s defensive effort with 18 digs, and Weston Longenecker (eight kills, nine digs) and Caleb Groff (five kills, eight digs) had clutch kills in key moments for the Barons, who won the Section 2 title for the third year in a row before falling to Cedar Crest in the L-L League title match.

But the district gold trophy is heading for the case in Central’s gym lobby.

“This is big, but it’s not the ultimate goal,” Miller said. “We have states next, and that’s going to be ride. It’s not going to be easy, so we’ll be looking to work together as a team. It’s not going to happen with one guy. We’ll need everybody on the court. Winning a state championship won’t be easy. But we’ll trust in each other and see what happens.”

X: @JeffReinhart77

MORE L-L LEAGUE VOLLEYBALL COVERAGE

It’s not what you’d expect to see on the shores of a lake in the rocky Ozarks. But across Lake of the Ozarks, soft, glistening white sand is beginning to grace the waterfront, bringing tropical beachy vibes right here to central Missouri.

Shawnee Bend Sand, based in Sunrise Beach, delivers white sand by the ton—ideal for home projects or bringing a tropical feel to any Lake business.

Need beautiful white sand for your Lake beach or kids’ sandbox? Call “The Sandman” at Shawnee Bend Sand at 573-216-6116 or visit ShawneeBendSand.net.

With hundreds of satisfied customers, owners Harry and Margie Adrian pride themselves on delivering consistently high-quality sand with every order.

“This will be our fourth summer, and we are the only white sand supplier in the Lake area,” Harry Adrian stated. Originally in the limestone business, the Adrians discovered a seam of striking white sandstone about 100 feet down in their local quarry.

“We thought it was a nuisance at first,” Adrian recalled. But Lake customers quickly embraced the sand, using it to transform dull, brown banks into bright, manicured beaches. Now, Adrian proudly uses the handle “Sandman” on his social media accounts.

Customers use Shawnee Bend Sand for a variety of projects, including:

• Volleyball courts
• Beach areas
• Around the fire pit
• Playgrounds and sandboxes
• Beach-themed restaurants
• Horse exercising arenas
• Golf courses

Ordering is simple. Customers just need to call Shawnee Bend Sand and describe their project—especially the length and width of the area—and they’ll calculate how much sand is needed. “We sell in bulk,” Adrian explained. “We can do anything from 1 to 1,000 tons.” (For reference, one dump truck carries about 15 tons.)

Adding white sand offers unique benefits. Because it reflects sunlight, it stays cool even in the summer heat. And thanks to its fine texture, Shawnee Bend Sand feels especially soft underfoot—perfect for spots where people go barefoot and want to relax.

Lake customers can see Shawnee Bend Sand in action at popular Lake spots like Captain Ron’s Bar & Grill, Franky & Louie’s, and Papa Chubby’s, where it levels-up the already beachlike atmosphere.

Large-scale jobs are no problem for Shawnee Bend Sand. “One big job we did for a private beach volleyball court involved 22 dump trucks of sand,” Adrian said.

The company also enjoys giving back to the Lake community. Over the years, they’ve donated abundant sand to Camp Wonderland, a summer camp for children, teens and adults with disabilities.

In previous years, Shawnee Bend Sand helped the camp improve its Lake beach and build a volleyball court. This year, they’re donating sand for a brand-new sandbox for the campers to enjoy.

Whether you’re a waterfront business owner or home owner, 2025 is the year to transform your shoreline with white sand!

To get your own pristine white-sand beach… or to build a tropical-looking volleyball court… or for any other white sand needs, give Shawnee Bend Sand a call at 573-216-6116 or visit their Facebook page. (Ask for “The Sandman” and tell them you read the LakeExpo article!)

2025 UConn Volleyball Season Tickets

STORRS, Conn.- Head Coach Ellen Herman-Kimball and UConn volleyball have announced their schedule for the 2025 fall season on Friday.

Last season, the Huskies finished 3^rd in the BIG EAST with a program-record 26 wins, highlighted by a BIG EAST Tournament appearance and a trip to the NIVC Great Eight.

UConn will begin the season on the road at the University of Binghamton, facing the host Bearcats on August 29^th before taking on Fordham University and Lehigh University in Binghamton, both on August 30^th.

The Huskies will welcome South Dakota (September 4^th), Ball State (September 5^th) and Colgate (September 6^th) to the UConn Volleyball Center. Last season, the Huskies staged an improbable comeback to reverse sweep Colgate in Hamilton. UConn will take on in-state foes Yale (September 12^th) and Fairfield (September 13^th) on the road, before closing out their nonconference schedule with four home games in a row. The Huskies will host Northeastern (September 14^th), Brown (September 19^th), Marist (September 20^th) and Sacred Heart (September 21^st). Last season, UConn went undefeated against nonconference opponents (14-0).

The Huskies will kick off BIG EAST play on the road against DePaul (September 26^th) and Marquette (September 27^th). UConn will battle conference foes Seton Hall (October 3^rd) and St. John’s (October 4^th). UConn and the Red Storm faced off three times last season, with St. John’s defeating the Huskies in the NIVC Great Eight in Queens.

UConn will hit the road the following weekend, facing Xavier (October 10^th) and Butler (October 11^th). The Huskies return to Storrs for the next two weekends for four straight conference games. UConn will square off against Georgetown and Villanova (October 17^th and 18^th), before welcoming defending BIG EAST champion Creighton (October 25^th) and Providence (October 26^th).

The Huskies will complete the home-and-home against St. John’s (October 31^st) and Seton Hall (November 1^st), before closing out the home slate against Butler (November 7^th) and Xavier (November 8^th). UConn will conclude the regular season on the road against ‘Nova (November 14^th) and Georgetown (November 15^th). The BIG EAST Tournament will be hosted by Marquette in Milwaukee from November 22^nd– November 23^rd.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado (May 30, 2025) –  USA Volleyball is proud to announce the 21 athletes who will train with the 2025 Men’s U23 National Team for the NORCECA U23 Pan American Cup, July 27-August 4 in Guatemala City, Guatemala.

The selected athletes will gather for a training block at the National Team Training Center in Anaheim, Calif., from July 20-27. From this pool, 12 athletes will be chosen to represent the United States in Guatemala.

McKendree University men’s head coach Nickie Sanlin will lead the team, assisted by four-time Olympian Reid Priddy (Indoor Volleyball Club) and Luke Reynolds (Pepperdine).

“I am incredibly honored to lead this talented group of athletes alongside such a dedicated and skilled staff” Sanlin said. “Representing our country with ‘USA’ across our chests is a privilege we don’t take lightly, and I am excited for the opportunity to compete and grow together on this stage.”

The roster features many stars from collegiate programs across the country. Several athletes bring impressive resumes, including past gold medals and MVP honors from international competitions.

• George Bruening: 2023 Men’s U21 National Team, U21 Pan Am Cup (silver)
• Donovan Constable: 2024 Men’s Collegiate National Team
• Ryan Merk: 2024 Men’s Collegiate National Team; 2023 Men’s U21 National Team, U21 World Championship; 2023 Men’s U21 National Team, U21 Pan Am Cup (silver)
• Nicodemus Meyer: 2024 Men’s Collegiate National Team; 2023 Men’s U21 National Team
• Trent Moser: 2024 Men’s Collegiate National Team; 2023 Men’s U21 National Team, U21 World Championship; 2023 Men’s U21 National Team, U21 Pan Am Cup (silver)
• Nyherowo Omene: 2023 Men’s U21 National Team, U21 World Championship; 2023 Men’s U21 National Team, U21 Pan Am Cup (silver)
• Jalen Phillips: 2024 Men’s Collegiate National Team;
• Zach Rama: 2024 Men’s National Team, Pan Am Cup Final Six (gold); 2023 Men’s National Team, Pan Am Cup Final Six (gold); 2023 Men’s U21 National Team, U21 World Championship; 2022 Men’s U21 National Team, U21 Pan Am Cup (gold, best attacker)
• Jacob Reilly: 2023 Men’s U21 National Team, U21 World Championship
• Patrick Rogers: 2024 Men’s Collegiate National Team; 2023 Men’s U21 National Team, U21 World Championship
• Owen Rose: 2023 Men’s U21 National Team, U21 World Championship; 2023 Men’s U21 National Team, U21 Pan Am Cup (silver)
• Alex Rottman: 2023 Men’s U21 National Team, U21 World Championship; 2023 Men’s U21 National Team, U21 Pan Am Cup (silver)
• Wesley Smith: 2023 Men’s U21 National Team, U21 World Championship; 2022 Men’s U21 National Team, U21 Pan Am Cup (gold, best blocker)
• Theo Snoey: 2023 Men’s U21 National Team, U21 World Championship
• Cam Thorne: 2024 Men’s Collegiate National Team;
• Micah Wong Diallo: 2024 Men’s Collegiate National Team; 2023 Men’s U21 National Team, U21 World Championship; 2023 Men’s U21 National Team, U21 Pan Am Cup (silver)

As the countdown to LA 2028 continues, the U23 Pan American Cup provides a vital opportunity for elite player development and international experience within USA Volleyball’s national team pipeline.

USA Volleyball Men’s U23 Roster

Name (Pos., Height, Hometown, College/Pro, Region)
Ryan Barnett (OH, 6-5, 2003, Vero Beach, Fla., Pepperdine, Florida)
George Bruening (OPP, 6-10, 2004, Newport Beach, Calif., UCSB, Southern California)
Donovan Constable (S, 6-2, 2003, Clovis, Calif., CSUN, Northern California)
Andrew Deardorff (OH, 6-5, 2003, Itasca, Ill., St. Francis, Great Lakes)
Nathan Flayter (S, 6-4, 2005, Hales Corner, Wisc., McKendree, Badger)
D’Aaron McCraney (MB, 6-9, 2003, Las Vegas, Nev., McKendree, Southern California)
Ryan McElligott (S, 6-6, 2004, Mundelein, Ill., Loyola Chicago, Great Lakes)
Ryan Merk (L, 6-1, 2003, Chicago, Ill., Penn State, Great Lakes)
Nicodemus Meyer (MB, 6-4, 2003, Franklin, Wisc., Loyola Chicago, Badger)
Trent Moser (OH, 6-8, 2003, Gilbert, Ariz., BYU, Arizona)
Nyherowo Omene (OPP, 6-7, 2003, Chicago, Ill., Princeton, Great Lakes)
Jalen Phillips (OPP, 6-5, 2004, Anaheim, Calif., CSUN, Southern California)
Zach Rama (OH, 6-8, 2004, Phoenix, Ariz., UCLA, Arizona)
Jacob Reilly (L, 6-0, 2003, Cypress, Texas, Pepperdine, Lone Star)
Patrick Rogers (OH, 6-7, 2004, Rutherford, N.J., Ball State, Garden Empire)
Owen Rose (MB, 6-8, 2003, Merrick, N.Y., Penn State, Garden Empire)
Alex Rottman (OH, 6-7, 2004, Santa Barbara, Calif., Stanford, Southern California)
Wesley Smith (MB, 6-11, 2004, Encinitas, Calif., USC, Southern California)
Theo Snoey (OH/OPP, 6-8, 2004, Berkeley, Calif., Stanford, Northern California)
Cam Thorne (MB, 6-4, 2004, Hollywood, Fla., UCLA, Florida)
Micah Wong Diallo (MB, 6-9, 2004, Los Angeles, Calif., UCLA, Southern California)

Coaches
Head Coach: Nickie Sanlin (McKendree)
Assistant Coach: Reid Priddy (Indoor VC, Olympian)
Assistant Coach: Luke Reynolds (Pepperdine)
Performance Analyst: Mackenna Basore (Auburn)
ATC: Claire Pointer (LOVB Madison)
Team Lead: Will Berdecia (OTVA)

Irvine, CA – May 31 – The 2025 USA Water Polo Assembly is set for tomorrow May 31, 2025 at 11am et/8am pt. The general assembly portion including addresses from USA Water Polo CEO Jamie Davis and USA Water Polo of Directors Board Chair Bill Smith will take place at 11am et/8am pt at YouTube.com/USAWP (no registration is required). At 11:30am et/8:30am pt, the assembly Q & A will take place via zoom webinar, to register for this portion of the assembly, click here. To submit questions for the Q & A, click here.