CLEVELAND, Ohio — Ten BYU football players received Phil Steele postseason honors today, including five who were named All-American among 10 who received Big 12 All-Conference recognition.

All-American honorees include safety Faletau Satuala, who was named second team, and running back LJ Martin, who was a third-team selection. In addition, linebacker Jack Kelly, center Bruce Mitchell and safety Tanner Wall received honorable mention honors.

SATUALA, a 6-4, 210-pound sophomore from Bountiful, Utah, was previously named second-team All-American by the Football Writers Association of America. He played in all 14 games for No. 12-ranked BYU, leading the Cougars in tackles (84) and forced fumbles (2) and was third on the team in interceptions (3) and tackles for loss (7.5). He was also previously named All-Big 12 First Team by Sports Info Solutions and All-Big 12 Third Team by the conference coaches.

MARTIN was previously named second-team All-American by Pro Football Network as well as Big 12 Conference Offensive Player of the Year and first team Big 12 by the conference coaches. In addition, he was named first-team All-Big 12 by both Pro Football Focus and Sports Info Solutions. The 6-foot-2, 220-pound junior from El Paso, Texas, led the Big 12 in yards rushing (1,305), yards per game (100.4) and all-purpose yards (1,560). He was also second in the Big 12 in rushing touchdowns (12).

KELLY was previously honored by the Big 12 coaches as first-team All-Big 12 and received honorable mention honors as Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year. The 6-2, 240-pound senior captain from Kearns, Utah, finished the regular season third in the Big 12 in sacks (10), fourth in tackles for loss (13.5) and tied for fifth in forced fumbles (2). He was also previously named to the Pro Football Network All-Big 12 Third Team. 

MITCHELL was also honored by the Big 12 coaches as first-team All-Big 12 and honorable-mention Offensive Lineman of the Year. He was also named Pro Football Network first team All-Big 12 and to the 2025 Pro Football Focus All-Big 12 Football Team. The 6-4, 305-pound junior from Kearns, Utah, was on the midseason watch list for the Rimington Trophy and was the sixth-highest graded center in the country during the regular season by PFF. He was also twice named to the PFF National Team of the Week at center. 

WALL, a two-year captain, helped lead BYU to a 25-4 record as the starting safety. He was previously honored as first-team All-Big 12 by the conference coaches. The 6-1, 205-pound senior from Arlington, Virginia, finished the year second on the team in tackles (71) and interceptions (4). In September, Wall was named to the prestigious 2025 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team by the American Football Coaches Association. He was also a finalist for both the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy and the Pop Warner College Football Award and was a semifinalist for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award.

PHIL STEELE BIG 12 ALL-CONFERENCE
Phil Steel first team Big 12 All-Conference selections included Kelly, Martin, Mitchell, Satuala and punt returner Parker Kingston, who was also named second-team All-Conference at wide receiver. Wall was also named to the All-Big 12 Second Team. 

Third-team honorees included long snapper Garrison Grimes and defensive tackle John Taumoepeau, while fourth-team selections included linebacker Isaiah Glasker and cornerback Evan Johnson. 

First Team
  – LJ Martin (running back)
  – Bruce Mitchell (center)
  – Jack Kelly (linebacker)
  – Faletau Satuala (safety)
  – Parker Kingston (punt returner)
Second Team
  – Parker Kingston (receiver)
  – Tanner Wall (safety)
Third Team
  – John Taumoepeau (defensive tackle)
  – Garrison Grimes (long snapper)
Fourth Team
  – Isaiah Glasker (linebacker)
  – Evan Johnson (cornerback)

The top high school volleyball players in the state regardless of class are featured in the AL.com Super All-State team.

The team was compiled by the AL.com high school sports staff with input from coaches.

AL.com named Player of the Year, Attacker MVP, Setter MVP, Defensive MVP and Coach of the Year. Award winners are listed separately, but considered part of the Super All-State team.

AL.COM SUPER ALL-STATE VOLLEYBALL TEAM

(Players listed alphabetically)

Ava Bartlett, Addison, 5-11, Jr., Middle

Bennett Boulo, St. Paul’s, 5-10, Sr., Setter/Right Side

Kendall Buckley, Bob Jones, 6-0, Sr., Outside Hitter

Millie Burgess, Vestavia Hills, 6-1, Sr., Outside Hitter

Camryn Collier, Hazel Green, 5-7, Sr., Libero

Caroline Downey, Spanish Fort, 5-10, Sr., Outside Hitter

Haley Eldridge, Mobile Christian, 5-6, Sr., Setter

Lindsey Faison, Auburn, 5-10, Jr, Outside Hitter/Middle

Cami Huff, McGill-Toolen, 6-2, Sr., Middle

Cailyn Kyes, Spain Park, 5-7, Sr., Setter

Macy Lea, Cherokee County, 5-7, Sr., Setter

Sullivan Lell, Mountain Brook, 5-4, Jr., Libero

Maggie Jae Marsh, Austin, 5-8, Jr., Setter

Catherine McClain, McGill-Toolen, 5-9, Sr., Outside Hitter

Kennedy Moss, Huntsville, 5-8, Sr., Outside Hitter

Kayleigh Nguyen, Hewitt-Trussville, 5-10, Jr., Setter

Melissa Patel, Mobile Christian, 5-5, Sr., Libero

Charli Pearce, Saraland, 6-0, Sr., Outside Hitter/Setter

Emma Rigsby, Jasper, 5-11, Jr., Setter

Julie Roberts, Briarwood, 5-10, Jr., Outside Hitter/Right Side

Hayley Robinson, Bayside Academy, 6-3, Sr., Right Side

Baylee Rogers, Prattville Christian, 5-8, Sr., Setter

Mary George Vandergriff, Guntersville, 5-8, Sr., Setter

Elise Wheeler, Pleasant Valley, 5-9, Jr., Setter

Bea Wiggins, Spain Park, 5-11, Sr., Outside Hitter

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Alice Wood, McGill-Toolen

5-9, Jr., Setter

ATTACKER MVP

Ella Lomax, Daphne

5-11, Sr., Outside Hitter

DEFENSIVE MVP

Kenzly Foote, Thompson

5-7, Sr., Defensive Specialist

SETTER MVP

Cailyn Boykin, Spanish Fort

5-8, Jr., Setter

COACH OF THE YEAR

Tiffany Rieger, Cherokee County

HONORABLE MENTION

Abby Tingle, Hoover, Jr., Outside Hitter

Addilyn Gustafson, Madison County, Sr., Setter

Adeline Dickerson, Lauderdale County, Sr., Libero

Adily Alberti, Danville, Sr., Outside Hitter/Defensive Specialist

Alanah Fitch, Ohatchee, Sr., Outside Hitter

Alex Grimes, Brantley, Jr., Middle

Alexis Rudolph, Chelsea, Jr., Outside Hitter

Amelia Smith, St. Luke’s, Sr., Outside Hitter

Anna Simone, Wilson, Sr., Middle

AnnaBeth Powell, Addison, So., Setter

Annie Ricard, Faith Christian, Jr., Outside Hitter

Baker Garside, St. Luke’s, Sr., Setter

Bekah Mouser, Madison Academy, Jr., Outside Hitter

Bella Rumley, Orange Beach, So., Outside Hitter

Brenna McReath, Hartselle, Jr., Right Side

Bri McCulloch, Russellville, So., Libero

Bristol Hannah, Pelham, So., Setter

Callee Taylor, Donoho, Sr., Setter

Carleigh Lanford, Madison County, Sr., Outside Hitter/Defensive Specialist

Caroline Coulter, Decatur, Sr., Outside Hitter

Charlie Barnes, Austin, Sr., Outside Hitter

Christiana Callens, Hewitt-Trussville, So., Libero

Elizabeth Rohling, St. John Paul II, Jr., Setter

Ella Estave, Covenant Christian, Sr., Libero

Ellie Causey, Trinity, Sr., Setter

Ellisan Givens, Cherokee County, Sr., Libero

Faith Odom, Plainview, Sr., Outside Hitter

Gracie Rhoades, Kinston, Jr., Outside Hitter

Grier Broughton, Bayside Academy, Sr., Outside Hitter

Hadley Kelly, Mobile Christian, Jr., Middle

Haniyah Standridge, West Morgan, So., Outside Hitter

Holly Warren, Samson, Sr., Outside Hitter

Isleigh Hicks, Southeastern, Sr., Middle

Johnna Cox, Hewitt-Trussville, So., Outside

Joi McGuire, Montgomery Catholic, Sr., Outside Hitter

Kaci Armistead, Montgomery Academy, Jr., Libero

Kalyn Jones, Lindsay Lane, Jr., Outside Hitter

Ka’miah Walker, Athens, Sr., Outside Hitter

Kamryn Coleman, Homewood, Jr., Setter/Right Side

Kate James, Mars Hill Bible, So., Setter

Kaylin Corley, Saint James, Sr., Outside Hitter/Defensive Specialist

Kenleigh McArthur, Fayetteville, Jr., Outside Hitter/Defensive Specialist

Kenly Nelson, Fairhope, Jr., Outside Hitter

Kohl Tittle, Lynn, Jr., Outside Hitter

Kryslin Martin, Rehobeth, Sr., Middle/Outside Hitter

Layla Hendrix, Arab, Jr., Middle

Lydie Varnadore, Fort Payne, Jr., Outside Hitter/Defensive Specialist

Lynleigh Cobb, Winston County, Sr., Outside Hitter

Maddie McKinley, Washington County, Sr., Middle

Maddy Henderson, Thompson, Jr., Setter/Right Side

Maddy Johnson, Hartselle, Sr., Setter

Madison Schwabe, Pleasant Valley, Sr., Outside Hitter/Defensive Specialist

Maren Diefenderfer, Prattville Christian, Jr., Middle

Marion Haskell, John Carroll, Sr., Right Side

McKenna Phillips, Buckhorn, Jr., Outside Hitter

Mia Talbot, Glencoe, So., Outside Hitter

Millie Gay, Houston Academy, Jr., Middle

MK Whitehurst, Bayside Academy, Sr., Libero

Molli Sandlin, Meek, So., Libero

Molly Wright, Mars Hill Bible, Jr., Outside Hitter

Mya Lacey, Bob Jones, Sr., Right Side/Setter

Nevaeh Gaidurgis, Cherokee County, Sr., Outside Hitter/Middle

Noelle Suellentrop, Briarwood, So., Setter

Payton McClarren, McGill-Toolen, Sr., Libero

Raylee Neal, Westbrook Chrisitan, Sr., Setter

Riley Green, Lindsay Lane, Jr., Setter

Rylee Jo Harbin, New Hope, Jr., Libero

Sawyer Hughes, G.W. Long, Jr., Setter

Shayna Russell, DAR, Sr., Outside Hitter

Sydnie Broom, Hoover, Sr., Middle

Virginia Townsend, Providence Christian, Sr., Outside Hitter

Zaria Rudolph, Montgomery Catholic, So., Middle/Setter

Zoe Griffin, Covenant Christian, Sr., Outside Hitter

BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION – Texas A&M volleyball’s Maddie Waak signed her first professional contract with Major League Volleyball’s (MLV) Atlanta Vibe, the organization announced Saturday.
 

Coming off the Aggies first NCAA national title, Waak was signed to Atlanta’s roster ahead of the 2026 MLV season. The setter directed the Maroon & White’s explosive offense, as she paced the nation in assists per set at 11.50 and ranked third in overall assists with 1,357 which earned her AVCA Third Team All-America honors.
 
“I’m so proud of Maddie [Waak] and can’t wait to watch the start of her pro career,” head coach Jamie Morrison said. “It’s been a goal of ours since I joined the program to help players reach the next level of the game following college, and I know Maddie will do incredible things in Atlanta. She has developed into an elite setter and all-round player and will thrive in the MLV.”
 

The Katy, Texas, native orchestrated the most efficient offense in Texas A&M history, as the group hit at .297 percent as a unit which was a program record. Her 1,357 assists and 11.50 dimes per set both rank as rally-scoring records, while she became the first Aggie since 2019 to log back-to-back 1,000 assist seasons. Waak’s consistency was on full display throughout the 2025 campaign, as she eclipsed 40 assists 19 times, 50 assists six times and set her career high of 63 versus Nebraska in the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight.
 
Her versatility is what separated her from other setters in the country, as she set single-season career highs in all facets of the game. Offensively she recorded 59 kills and 34 aces, while on the defensive end she registered 238 digs and 50 blocks.
 
Waak’s impressive performances with the Aggies earned her a plethora of honors to go with her All-America nod, including becoming an All-Region selection, All-SEC First Team member, NCAA Lincoln Regional All-Tournament Team pick and five-time SEC Setter of the Week.
 
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LONGVIEW – Division I state champion Decatur landed the two top honors in voting for the Blue Bell/Texas Sports Writers Association Class 4A All-State Volleyball Team for the 2025 season.

Voting was conducted by TSWA members based on nominations from coaches and media members from around the state.

COACH OF THE YEAR: Stormi Snider, Decatur

PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Ava Green, Decatur

FIRST TEAM

Middle blockers: Keoni Williams, Eagle Mountain; Emma Pollard, Gatesville; Rebecca Lucksinger, Bellville

Outside hitters: Ava Green, Decatur; Elizabeth Corbitt, Spring Hill; Paisley Pavliska, La Vernia

Setter: Molly Aubert, Eagle Mountain

Libero/Defensive Specialist: Lexi Nichols, Eagle Mountain

SECOND TEAM

Middle blockers: Shaelyn Ward, Aubrey; Alyssa Potts, Lindale; Harper Smith, Decatur

Outside hitters: Libby Tedder, Springtown; Allegra Foreman, Stephenville; Avery Keck, La Vernia

Setter: Grace Fortune, Decatur

Libero/Defensive Specialist: Hannah Forshee, Sweeny

THIRD TEAM

Middle blockers: Sayler Peck, Decatur; Brooklyn Brannen, Bullard; Giselle Webster, Kilgore

Outside hitters: Savannah Irwin, Spring Hill; Brooke Lacewell, Eagle Mountain; Belle Seibert, Sweeny

Setter: Bailey Hampton, Aubrey

Libero/Defensive Specialist: Kaylee Londeau, Spring Hill

HONORABLE MENTION

Middle blockers: Janey Baker, China Spring; Addison Kramer, Lorena; Makenna Hertless, Floresville; Brooke Gisell, Lindale; Alli Bitter, Carthage; Elsie Law, Salado; Jadyn Lindgren, CC Calallen; Maggie Thompson, Sulphur Springs; Bella Elliott, Liberty; Jessa Cox, Cuero; Austyn Flowers, Seminole

Outside hitters: Charlee Mack, Hillsboro; Meredith Muramoto, China Spring; Julia Guidry, Bullard; Trinity Laney, Wimberley; Peighton Purser, Farmersville; Lilli Sandoval, Wimberley; Mazzy Johnson, Salado; Preslee Hardy, Sulphur Springs; Jordan Flodder, Van; Kayla White, Van; Addison Alexander, Canton; Kalia Andres, Bullard; Ella Hutchens, Lindale; Rainey Johnson, Sulphur Springs; Bryleigh Mayhan, Pine Tree

Setter: Carly Chadwick, Pine Tree; Elle Litchenburg, Kilgore; Caroline Cockerham, Carthage; Julia Garrick, Bullard; Caitlyn Gerick, China Spring; Stevie-Kate LaDuque, Stephenville; Charli Niu, Salado; Grace Martinez, CC Calallen; Harper Hodges, Sulphur Springs; Macy Luster, Lindale

Libero/Defensive Specialist: Emma Conley, Aubrey; Peyton Taylor, Sulphur Springs; Hope Escobar, Decatur; Brooklyn Quintanilla, Springtown; Karis Carpenter, La Vernia; Laney Alexander, Carthage

HONOLULU – The second-ranked University of Hawai’i men’s volleyball team opened the 2026 season with a straight-set win over NJIT, Friday, at Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center. Set scores were 25-11, 25-16, 25-14.
 
The Rainbow Warriors (1-0) extended their win streak in season-openers to 13 dating back to 2014 and did so in dominant fashion, hitting .517 as a team with 13.5 blocks and six aces.
 
Kristian Titriyski led the way with a match-high 12 kills, hitting .455 with two aces, four digs, and two blocks. Setter Tread Rosenthal ran an efficient offense as Hawai’i only recorded four attack errors in 60 attempts in the match. The junior tied his career high with eight blocks to go along with a team-high three aces. Newcomer Trevell Jordan added four kills and six blocks.
 
The Highlanders (0-1) hit .045 as a team and did not record a block or ace in the match. Andre Aleixo recorded a double-double with team-highs of 10 kills and 10 digs.

Shut down. ❌ pic.twitter.com/YMA306cZJv

— Hawai’i Men’s Volleyball (@HawaiiMensVB) January 3, 2026

 
UH scored the first five points of Set 1 and never looked back. The Warriors later bunched up six unanswered to push their lead to double digits at 17-6. Titriyski finished the set with four kills while Rosenthal tallied four of his eight blocks in the frame. UH hit .556 and held the Highlanders to .000.
 
The second set was much more competitive as NJIT trailed by just three until the middle of the set. A 7-2 run, capped by Rosenthal’s third ace made it an eight-point UH lead. Hawai’i tallied five blocks in the set and hit .550 while NJIT had its most efficient set offensively with 11 kills.
 
UH used a 7-1 run to break open Set 3 with a 13-6 lead. Reserves Ofeck Hazan and Finn Kearney got in the mix as each recorded a pair of blocks in the frame and the Warriors once again held the Highlanders to .000 hitting.
 
The teams play again on Sunday at 5:00 p.m. at Bankoh Arena.
 
 

#HawaiiMVB

 
 
 

Local indoor track and field athletes rang in the new year with the third installment of the PVIAC meets at Smith College’s Indoor Track and Tennis Facility on Friday.

Amherst and Northampton were featured in the early wave, which began at 10 a.m., while Frontier, Hampshire, South Hadley and Holyoke partook in the late wave, with events beginning at 2 p.m.

The Hurricanes and Blue Devils split the head-to-head matchup as the Amherst boys won 53-24, but the Northampton girls were victorious with a score of 46-32.

Four ‘Canes finished in first in their events. Owen Platt won the boys 600-meter run in one minute, 31.45 seconds, Nico Lisle comfortably took the boys 1,000 in 2:35.55, Genevieve Dole grabbed first in the girls mile with a time of 6:03.90 and Claire Fortin was the best in the girls long jump with a leap of 15 feet, 3.25 inches.

Other top-five finishers for Amherst: Daniel Nunez Saravia (second) and Kyrief Johnson (third) in the boys 300; Maeve Fitzgerald (second) in the girls 600 and girls long jump (fifth); Alhassan Abdel-Maksoud (third) and Elias Katsaros (fifth) in the boys 1,000; Claire Kennedy (fifth) in the girls 1,000; Marit McDonald (fourth) in the girls mile; Wesley Dunford in the boys high jump (second); Tansy Warwick (second), Genevieve Dole (third), and Juliana Albo (third) in the girls high jump; Justin de Alba (fifth) in the boys shot put; Claire Fortin (fourth) in the girls 55-meter dash.

Amherst’s 4×800 relay teams also did well as the girls quartet came in second place in 10:56.68 while the boys crew crossed the finish line in 9:18.02 for fourth place.

The Blue Devils got great performances from four individuals who won events. Maddalena Figueroa-Starr won the girls 600 in 1:43.96, Mairead O’Neil cruised past the competition in the girls 1,000 in 3:14.57, Charlie Sidoti secured first in the boys 2 mile in 10:48.50 and Allie Sullivan claimed the girls high jump with a winning height of 5-0.

Northampton’s girls 4×800 relay squad also won after chasing down Amherst, which held the lead for the majority of the relay, earning a winning time of 10:55.66. Its boys 4×800 relay managed fifth place.

Other top-five finishers for the Blue Devils: Ella Hoogendyk (second) in the girls 300; Liam Hoogendyk (third) and Quinn Allen-Brezsnyak (fifth) in the boys 600; Eliana Kumar (second) in the girls 1,000; Rosalind Stracco (third) and Mia Levy (fifth) in girls mile; Shea O’Neil (second) in the boys 2 mile; Maya Zink (second) in the girls 2 mile; Allie Sullivan (third) in the girls long jump.

The late wave saw Hampshire collect four first-place finishes, including both 4×800 relays.

Kathleen Barry crushed the competition in the girls 2 mile for the Raiders, finishing more than two minutes faster than the next closest runner with a time of 12:10.65. Oscar Schiff won the boys mile with a sub-five minute time of 4:50.87. Charlotte Letendre (girls 1,000) and Caitlyn Packey (girls shot put) registered runner-up finishes in their respective events.

Hampshire’s boys 4×800 relay bunch recorded a time of 8:38.58 while the girls were done in 10:39.93.

Yasani Thompson was Holyoke’s top athlete, nabbing a pair of first-place finishes in the girls 55-meter dash, as well as the girls 300, Thompson’s speciality. The Purple Knight won the straighaway sprint event in 7.34 seconds and took the 300 in 42.48 seconds. Ryan Kennedy earned second-place honors in the boys 300 for Holyoke.

South Hadley’s Ben Gillis won the boys high jump to serve as the highlight of the meet for the Tigers. Gillis jumped 5-10 to seal the victory. Mikayla Weaver ran to a second-place finish in the girls 600 as South Hadley’s best performer on the girls side.

Frontier managed one event winner as Ezra Rich took first in the boys shot put with a toss of 42-11. Emmanuelle Flagollet (girls 55 hurdles), Luke Howard (boys 1,000), Liv Christensen (girls 2 mile), Louise Flagollet (girls high jump) and the girls 4×800 relay team all received second-place finishes in their events.

Boys basketball

Hopkins 46, Smith Academy 39 — The Golden Hawks won their first game since Dec. 15 in the victory against the Falcons.

Chace Earle and Matt Vassallo each slotted 11 points, with the duo combining for five 3-pointers, in the process.

Harry LaFlamme produced 15 points for Smith Academy as the game’s top scorer.

Amherst 68, Taconic 61 — A strong second half helped the Hurricanes secure the road victory.

Amherst trailed by 10 points (36-26) at halftime, but outscored the Thunder 20-2 in the third quarter to flip the momentum in this one.

Mitchell Carey scored 24 points for the Hurricanes while Sam Woodruff deposited 19 as Amherst’s two top scorers.

Frontier 70, Gardner 63 — The Redhawks (6-1) went on the road and picked up an independent win over the Wildcats.

Alex Ellis the the way with 20 points for Frontier. Max Millette (14 points), Garrett Dredge (11 points) and Rowan Modestow (12 points) all reached double-figures for the Redhawks.

Girls basketball

Smith Voc 62, Putnam 44 — The Vikings moved to 4-0 following the victory over the Beavers.

Mallory Radwich and Sofia Zina combined for more than 30 points for Smith Voc, which went ahead, 39-21, at the half.

Frontier 76, Lenox 31 — The Redhawks won their fifth-straight game after a 45-point drubbing of the Millionaires at Goodnow Gymnasium in Suburban league play.

The Redhawks spread out the scoring, with Addie Harrington and Harper Modestow both scoring 19 points. Whitney Campbell (15 points) and Skyler Steele (16 points) also reached double figures for Frontier. Steele had six steals in the game.

Harrington filled the stat sheet with eight rebounds, six assists and four assists. Campbell added four assists.

Swimming

Amherst 86, Agawam 76 (boys) — Lewin Halasz and Soren Castenson powered the Hurricanes in the dual meet victory.

Halasz won the 200 IM and 100 breaststroke while Castenson took first in the 500 free as Amherst pocketed its first win of the season.

Amherst 112, Agawam 55 — The ‘Canes remained undefeated in its huge win against the Brownies.

Teagen Demers (100 free, 200 IM), Rowan Albertson (100 butterfly, 50 free), Emory Albertson (500 free) and Lily Wambura (100 breaststroke) all won events for Amherst.

The Hurricanes’ 400 free relay team, which consists of both Rowan and Emory Albertson, Teagen Demers and Finnley Chambers, qualified for the state meet with a time of 4:01.82.