Sports

Sarnia

Published

7 months ago

June 17, 2025

Olympic figure skater Michael Marinaro and former NHL player Dustin Jeffrey are part of the Sarnia-Lambton Sports Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025.

Published Jun 17, 2025 • Last updated 2 hours ago • 3 minute read

Kirsten Moore-Towers and Michael Marinaro of Canada skate their free program in the pairs competition at Skate Canada International in Vancouver, B.C., on October 30, 2021. (Photo by Geoff Robins/AFP via Getty Images)

Olympic figure skater Michael Marinaro and former NHL player Dustin Jeffrey are part of the Sarnia-Lambton Sports Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025.

Advertisement 2

Story continues below

Article content

Nine individuals and one team will be inducted Saturday, Oct. 18, at the Dante Club.

Article content

Marinaro will receive the Jack Isom award, which goes to an athlete for excelling internationally. He and pairs partner Kirsten Moore-Towers competed twice at the Winter Olympics and helped Canada place fourth in the team event at the 2022 Beijing Games.

They won three Canadian senior titles, two Four Continents medals and five ISU Grand Prix medals.

Marinaro also won silver at the 2013 world junior championships with Margaret Purdy.

Jeffrey and golfer Chris Dickson are the pro athlete inductees.

Jeffrey had 33 points in 131 NHL games with Pittsburgh, Dallas and Arizona. He played parts of 16 seasons in the pros, twice won the Spengler Cup with Team Canada and was a two-time American Hockey League all-star.

Advertisement 3

Story continues below

Article content

He’s now a Sarnia Sting assistant coach. His father, Neil Jeffrey, and grandfather, Stuart Jeffrey, played for teams in the Sarnia-Lambton Sports Hall of Fame.

Dickson won eight events during his eight years as a touring pro and set two course records. He later became a golf instructor and also coached at Western University.

He was the OUA women’s coach of the year in 2010 and ’11 and won the coach of the year award at the 2012 Golf Canada national university and college championship.

Matt Cimetta is the amateur athlete inductee for a hockey career that included two standout seasons on the Sarnia Legionnaires’ blue-line. He was the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League’s Western Conference most outstanding rookie defenceman in 2011-12.

Advertisement 4

Story continues below

Article content

Ross Helps will receive the special achievement award for volunteering at the Mooretown Silver Stick tournament for 41 years and helping at Sarnia Silver Stick events. He also managed minor hockey teams, coached minor baseball, volunteered with the Sting and helped start the Moore Gymnastics Club.

Pete Kaija is the Earl MacKenzie award recipient for his more than three decades as a boys’ and girls’ basketball coach at St. Clair and Great Lakes secondary schools. He was also the women’s head coach at Lambton College and an assistant coach at Northern.

Joe Birch is the Bud Morrison award winner for contributions to young people in sports. He is the Kitchener Rangers’ chief operator and governor after previously working in the Ontario Hockey League front office and as a player agent. He was twice named to the Hockey News top 100 people of power and influence.

Advertisement 5

Story continues below

Article content

Lisa Bennett is the builder inductee for her 45 years in volleyball. She has coached elementary and high school students and also was involved at the college level.

Bob Newman is the Rose Hodgson award recipient for outstanding contributions to the community. He coached girls softball and track and field at high school and university levels.

The 1993 St. Patrick’s senior football team will be enshrined for a storybook season in which the Fighting Irish became the first non-Toronto-area team to win the Metro Bowl.

The underdog Irish were invited to the tournament after some Toronto schools dropped out amid a meningitis scare. They won their quarter-final and semifinal before upending St. Michael’s 20-6 in the final.

The St. Patrick’s victory led to a tournament expansion and the current OFSAA Bowl Series, according to the Hall of Fame release.

Tickets are available from Hall of Fame directors or from president Pete Coenjarts at 519-542-4095.

mmalone@postmedia.com

Article content

Share this article in your social network

Comments

Join the Conversation

Sports

Men’s Volleyball Hosts No. 7 Loyola Chicago For Two-Match Series

Published

33 minutes ago

January 6, 2026

Your Sports Nation

HONOLULU – The No. 2 University of Hawai’i men’s volleyball team continues its eight-match, season-opening homestand with a pair of matches against No. 7 Loyola Chicago, Thursday, Jan. 8 and Friday, Jan. 9 at Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center. Both matches begin at 7:00 p.m. The Rainbow Warriors (2-0) are coming off a two-match series sweep of NJIT while the Ramblers (0-0) will make their 2026 season debut.

PROMOTIONS & GIVEAWAYS:
Thursday, January 8 – Hawai‘i Heroes Night
It’s Hawai’i Heroes night! Brought to you by First Hawaiian Bank. In recognition of National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day (January 9), join us as we pay tribute to our brave first responders throughout the match.

Ticket Promotion:

First responders receive 50% off select adult tickets. Tickets are limited and in special sections.

How to Get Tickets:

· Online at etickethawaii.com (bring your valid first responder ID for ticket pickup)

· In person at the Stan Sheriff Center Box Office – valid first responder ID required at time of purchase

Friday, January 9 – Alumni Appreciation Night

Hawaii Pacific Health is sponsoring “Alumni Appreciation Night,” featuring exciting giveaways including rainbow fans and amazing prizes. It’s Aloha Friday and fans are encouraged to come in their finest Aloha apparel. Prior to the match, former UH volleyball legends return to the court for a nostalgic showdown in the annual UH Alumni vs. Alumni match at 4:00 p.m

Ticket Promotion:

UH Alumni Appreciation Discount

All University of Hawai’i Alumni will receive 30% off upper level adult tickets (maximum of eight). Tickets are in special sections. Supplies are limited and other restrictions may apply. Get your alumni tickets to select UH events at  https://hawaiiathletics.evenue.net/promotions/UHALUM2526

MATCHES #3-4
Who				#2 Hawai’i (2-0) vs. #7 Loyola Chicago (0-0)
Date \| Time				Thursday, Jan. 8, 7:00 p.m. and Friday, Jan. 9, 7:00 p.m.
Location				Honolulu, O’ahu — Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center
Television				Spectrum Sports. Kanoa Leahey (play-by-play) and Chris McLachlin (analyst)
Live Stream				ESPN+ (blacked out in Hawai’i)
Radio				ESPN Honolulu (1420AM/92.7FM). Tiff Wells (play-by-play)
Streaming Audio				ESPNHonolulu.com; Sideline Hawaii app
Live Stats				HawaiiAthletics.com
Game Notes				Hawai’i
Digital Program				Click Here
Social Media				@HawaiiMensVB \| #HawaiiMVB #WarriorBall26 \| @HawaiiMVB \| Facebook

SERIES INFORMATION

Overall: UH leads 13-3
    In Honolulu: UH leads 12-3
    In Chicago: UH leads 1-0
    Neutral: None
Postseason: None
Last Meeting: Jan. 5, 2024; LUC, 3-2
Streak: LUC, 1

FIRST SERVE

UH leads the all-time series 13-3, including a 12-3 advantage in Honolulu.

The teams split a pair of matches in a season-opening series in 2024 with UH winning the opener in straight sets and the Ramblers taking the rematch in five. The teams also opened the 2022 season in Honolulu with UH winning both matches — the opener in straight sets and the rematch in four.

UH setter Tread Rosenthal made his collegiate debut against LUC in 2024 and finished the two-match series with 90 assists, six aces, four kills, 13 digs, and three blocks. His 58 assists in a five-set loss remains his career-high.

Head coach Charlie Wade has a 4-1 record versus LUC.

LUC captured its first MIVA title since 2015 last season in Shane Davis’ return as head coach. The Ramblers finished 25-4 and advanced to the NCAA Championship quarterfinals.

Davis has a 290-92 all-time record in his 13th season at LUC, which includes a pair of national titles in 2014 and ’15. He spent eight years as head coach of Northwestern’s women’s team (2016-23).

Loyola Chicago assistant coach Dalton Solbrig was a four-year letterman for the Rainbow Warriors (2016-19) and member of two NCAA Tournament teams, including the national runner-up squad in 2019.

UH has a 73-13 combined record against current members of the MIVA. Quincy is the only current MIVA team which UH has not played.

Hawai’i is coming off a dominant two-match series sweep of NJIT last week in Honolulu. The Warriors hit a combined .517 with 23 team blocks and 11 aces.

UH has a 14-match win streak in the month of January dating back to 2024 with its last loss to Loyola Chicago.

#HawaiiMVB

Link

Sports

Women’s Pro Volleyball Debuts Jan. 10 In Frisco – Local Profile

Published

49 minutes ago

January 6, 2026

Your Sports Nation

North Texas is getting a new heartbeat, and it’s fast, electric and ready to soar. Meet Dallas Pulse, the region’s first professional women’s volleyball team, set to make its debut on Jan. 10, 2026, at Comerica Center in Frisco.

Formerly MLV Dallas, the team has a fresh name, a new look and a bold mission: to bring world-class volleyball and hometown pride together under one roof.

North Texas: A Volleyball Powerhouse

Volleyball isn’t new to North Texas. Championship high school programs, nationally recognized club teams and top-tier college squads have produced elite athletes for decades. Now, fans finally have a professional team to rally behind.

Under coach Shannon Winzer and with players like Mimi Colyer and Kelsie Payne, Dallas Pulse promises high-octane matches full of speed, precision and heart that aim to inspire the next generation of local athletes.

Building Something From Scratch

The name Pulse reflects both the fast-paced rhythm of volleyball and the energetic spirit of North Texas. For Grady Raskin, president and CEO of Dallas Pulse, building the franchise from the ground up meant balancing that energy with a clear vision for the team’s culture.

“Clearly, there is a lot that goes into building a professional women’s volleyball franchise from scratch,” Raskin told Local Profile. “That said, the vision for the Dallas Pulse is clear: to compete at the highest level and represent Dallas with passion, integrity and electricity.”

When assembling the roster, Raskin emphasized that talent alone wasn’t enough — character, work ethic and a team-first mindset were just as important. And while winning matters, Raskin explained that the bigger picture is long-term growth.

“We want to be an organization that youth volleyball participants look up to and general sports fans fall in love with,” he said.” The power and precision of this game will hopefully make that easier.”

First Impressions Of A Promising Roster

From the very first days of training, the team showed remarkable intensity. Even as a newly assembled group, the players quickly bonded, embraced Winzer’s expectations and pushed one another while supporting each other, a combination that immediately highlighted the roster’s potential.

“Competition was high, but so was the support they showed for one another, and I believe it is that combination that makes this roster exciting,” Raskin said.

Home Court Advantage At Comerica Center

Fans will have 14 home matches to experience the thrill, playing teams such as the Omaha Supernovas, Grand Rapids Rise, Indy Ignite and more.

“The home opener is about more than the match. It’s a first look at what Dallas Pulse volleyball represents,” Raskin said. “We want the experience to be fast-paced, interactive and family-friendly, and we’ll continue refining it with each game.”

Part of a Growing Movement In Women’s Sports

Women’s professional leagues are booming, with global revenue expected to top $2 billion by 2026. Dallas Pulse plans to ride — and push — that momentum. The ownership group, anchored by North Texas business leaders, many of them women, is committed to elevating opportunities for female athletes and expanding the reach of professional women’s sports in the area.

“The Dallas Pulse isn’t just happy with riding the wave,” said Raskin. “We hope to push it forward by growing the game locally while contributing to the national evolution of women’s professional sports.”

As the countdown to January 10 begins, North Texas fans have a new team to cheer for, a high-energy sport to watch and a franchise that reflects the region’s talent, ambition and electric spirit.

“Dallas Pulse reflects our fast, competitive and electric spirit,” Raskin said. “We want fans to feel that energy not only on match days but through our community involvement and how we show up across North Texas.”

Don’t miss anything Local. Sign up for our free newsletter.

Link

Sports

This Week in Dartmouth Sports: 1.6 – 1.12

Published

1 hour ago

January 6, 2026

Your Sports Nation

HANOVER, N.H. – Check out all the Big Green teams in action this week!

Men’s Hockey — Friday, January 9
No. 11/10 Dartmouth men’s hockey returns to Thompson Arena for one game this weekend. The Big Green host No. 20 Harvard at 7 PM on Friday, Jan. 9. The Big Green come off a pair of losses to now No. 20/19 Princeton and now No. 8 Quinnipiac. The Big Green are currently second in the ECAC with 18 points with a 6-2-0 record. Hayden Stavroff leads Dartmouth with 23 points while Hank Cleaves is second on the team with 18 points. The duo of Stavroff and Cleaves combined for 19 points in December, Stavroff led the NCAA with 10 points while Cleaves was second with nine. The Dartmouth netminders have split the cage all season with a combined 1.99 goals against average and a .905 save percentage. Emmett Croteau is second in the country in goals against average while leading the country with a .939 save percentage.

Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving – Friday, January 9 and Saturday, January 10
Dartmouth returns to action after the holiday break when the Big Green compete against Yale and Penn in Philadelphia this weekend. Both teams return to the pool after strong efforts at the Golden Grizzly Classic, which saw the women win the event and men finish in second. This will mark both teams’ first Ivy League meet away from home this season.

Women’s Hockey – Friday, January 9 and Saturday, January 10
The Big Green will kick off the final stretch of the 2025-26 season this weekend, welcoming Yale and Brown to Hanover for the final regular season meeting with the Bulldogs and Bears. The Big Green are 71-23-3 all time against Yale and 49-36-13 all time against the Bears. Dartmouth is coming off its most cohesive weekend of hockey according to Head Coach Maura Crowell, despite dropping two one-goal games to Vermont. Puck drop on both Friday and Saturday is set for 3 p.m. You can watch the Friday’s game on NESN, Saturday’s game on ESPN+, follow the live stats on DartmouthSports.com, or purchase tickets here.

Men’s Basketball – Saturday, January 10
The Dartmouth men’s basketball team will continue its Ivy League road stretch, traveling to Ithaca, New York to face Cornell at 2 p.m. on Saturday. The Big Green are coming off a 76-68 win on the road at Harvard Monday to open conference play. You can watch Saturday’s game on ESPN+ or follow the live stats at DartmouthSports.com.

Men’s and Women’s Track and Field – Saturday, January 10
The men’s and women’s track and field teams will host the Ivy vs. America East Challenge on Friday, marking their first meet of 2026 at the Leverone Field House. You can follow live results here.

Women’s Basketball – Saturday, January 10
The Big Green look to bounce back from an Ivy League opening loss to Harvard when they remain home to host Cornell on Saturday. Opening tipoff is set for 1 p.m., with a postgame shootaround for fans. Against the Crimson, Dartmouth was led by Cate MacDonald, who scored a career-high 17 points. The Big Green will look to avenge two competitive losses to the Big Red last season.

Link

Sports

Meet the TSWA 2025 Tennessee high school volleyball all-state teams

Published

1 hour ago

January 6, 2026

Your Sports Nation

The Tennessee Sports Writers Association has released its all-state teams for the 2025 TSSAA volleyball season.

Class A

Outside hitters: Derionna Bell, Gordonsville, Sr.; Amanda Gardner, Chattanooga School for the Arts & Sciences, Sr.; Sydney Heisig, Chattanooga School for the Liberal Arts, So.; Campbell Leathers, Eagleville, So.; Savanna Moore, Chattanooga School for the Arts & Sciences, Sr.; Morgan Ryan, East Robertson, Jr.; Gracie Sims, Union City, Sr.; Jena Wright, Merrol Hyde Magnet, Jr..

Middle hitter: Millie Emerson, Summertown, Sr.

More: Meet the Tennessean’s All-Midstate volleyball team for the 2025 TSSAA season

More: Summit captures first ever TSSAA volleyball state championship with Class AAA win over Brentwood

Setters: Brooke Briggs, Gordonsville, Sr.; Preslee Campbell, Eagleville, Sr.; Gentry Hansen, Merrol Hyde, So..

Liberos: Jalyn Hammons, Sale Creek, Jr.; Presley Knowles, Eagleville, Jr.; Breleigh Winters, Loretto, Sr..

Class AA

Outside hitters: Anarela Mejias Ayala, Valor Prep, Jr.; Abby Baker, Creek Wood, Sr.; Stella Huber, Lexington, Sr.; Jentelle McNairl, Valor Prep, So.; Makayla Moore, Sullivan East, Fr.; Abigail Prado, Seymour, Jr.; Becca Rogers, Signal Mountain, Sr.; Jacey Taylor, Chuckey-Doak, So.

Middle hitters: Rylee Key, Dyer County, Jr.; Wesley Thornton, Crockett County, So..

Setters: Raylie Gray, Volunteer, Jr.; Emery Huddleston, Upperman, Jr.; Kierstyn Ray, Dyer County, Jr..

Liberos: Ella Burd, Lakeland Prep, Sr.; Evie Rogers, Dyer County, Jr..

Class AAA

Outside hitters: Gunny Brock, Cleveland, Sr.; Elia Dinsmore, Independence, Sr.; Addie Harris, Arlington, Jr.; Eliza Hicks, William Blount, Sr.; Maggie Kalisz, Summit, Sr.; Mia McGrath, Siegel, Sr.; Daisy Oatsvall, Brentwood, Sr.; Molly Teague, Blackman, Sr.; Sydni Vice, Germantown Houston, Sr..

Middle hitters: Keira Garinger, Clarksville, Sr.; Eliza McKnight, Brentwood, Sr..

Setters: Mela Brice, Dobyns-Bennett, Sr.; Lauren Duncan, Brentwood, Sr.; Lucy O’Daniel, Science Hill, So.; Amanda Shanahan, Summit, Sr..

Libero: Isa Dau, Science Hill, Jr..

Eagleville’s Campbell Leathers (12) become emotional after winning the TSSAA Class A volleyball state championship game against Gordonsville at Middle Tennessee State University’s Murphy Center Friday, Oct. 24, 2025, in Murfreesboro, Tenn.

Division II-A

Outside hitters: Jada Burns, Middle Tennessee Christian, Sr.; Darby Felts, Lakeway Christian, Sr.; Sadie Kroeger, Providence Christian, Sr.; Camryn Neal, Silverdale Baptist, Sr.; Anna Ofenheusle, Friendship Christian, Sr.; Anna Clay Shirley, Middle Tennessee Christian, Sr..

Middle hitters: Kayte Madison Bjornstad, Providence Christian, Sr.; Sophie Easterday, Silverdale Baptist, Jr.; Kendall Stansbury, Grace Christian Academy-Knoxville, Sr..

Setters: Addison Addair, Lakeway Christian, Sr.; Bailee Culpepper, Middle Tennessee Christian, Sr.; Caroline Hilton, Silverdale Baptist, Sr.; Sarah Johnson, Northpoint Christian, So..

Liberos: Addison Burks, Middle Tennessee Christian, Sr.; Annie Harney, Battle Ground Academy, Sr..

Division II-AA

Outside hitters: Tallulah Carney, Knox Webb, Sr.; Heidi Green, Father Ryan, Jr.; Mia Kinney, Knox Catholic, Jr.; Emma Mulvaney, Baylor School, Sr.; Camille Northcross, Briarcrest Christian, Jr.; Raegan Reeves, Christ Presbyterian Academy, Sr..

Middle hitters: Lucy Haywood, Christ Presbyterian Academy, Sr.; Haylee Munsey, Knox Catholic, Sr.; Nancy Ward, Briarcrest Christian, Jr..

Setters: Maddie Hobbs, Pope John Paul II, Jr.; Elise Jensen, Lipscomb Academy, Sr.; Sarah O’Connor, Briarcrest Christian, Sr..

Liberos: Ella Fisher, Pope John Paul II, So.; Cat Nygaard, Girls Preparatory School, Jr.; Rory Oleksik, Baylor School, Jr..

Tyler Palmateer covers high school sports for The Tennessean. Have a story idea for Tyler? Reach him at tpalmateer@tennessean.com and on the X platform, @tpalmateer83.

He also contributes to The Tennessean’s high school sports newsletter, The Bootleg. Subscribe to The Bootleg here.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Here are the 2025 TSWA high school all-state TSSAA volleyball teams

Link

Sports

East Fairmont’s Kyah Stump excels on volleyball court and in classroom | West Virginia High School Sports

Published

1 hour ago

January 6, 2026

Your Sports Nation

State

Zip Code

Country

Link

Sports

Perkins Inks Professional Contract with MLV’s San Diego Mojo – Texas A&M Athletics

Published

2 hours ago

January 6, 2026

Your Sports Nation

BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION – Texas A&M volleyball’s Morgan Perkins signed her first professional contract with Major League Volleyball’s (MLV) San Diego Mojo, the organization announced Tuesday.

Following an NCAA national title winning run, Perkins heads to the golden state to join the Mojo’s roster before the start of the 2026 MLV season. The middle blocker was a model of efficiency for the Aggies during the 2025 campaign, hitting at .422 percent throughout the season which ranks second in the program’s record books for a single season.

“I’m extremely excited for Morgan [Perkins] to start her pro career,” head coach Jamie Morrison said. “It’s been incredible watching her journey, and I’m so glad to see another one of our athletes take the next step to the professional level. I know she will continue to excel in the MLV.”

The Rosharon, Texas, native logged 168 kills on the year on 339 swings with only 25 errors. Her performance stood out even further during the SEC slate, as she hit at .474 percent which was No. 1 in the conference. On the defensive end she recorded 98 blocks which ranked third on the team, while also tacking on a single-season high 44 digs.

Perkins concluded her collegiate career with a plethora of honors, including most recently being named AVCA All-Southwest Honorable Mention. She was also tabbed as SEC Defensive Player of the Week last season, and All-Big 12 Second Team, All-Big 12 Freshman Team and two-time Big-12 Rookie of the Week during her time at Oklahoma.

FOLLOW THE AGGIES
Visit 12thMan.com for more information on Texas A&M volleyball. Fans can keep up to date with the A&M volleyball team on Facebook, Instagram and on Twitter/X by following @AggieVolleyball.

Link