Five years ago, Maria Osagie-Erese knew nothing about flag football.

Today she is the first student-athlete from The News-Herald area to earn a college scholarship to play flag football at the next level.

A recent graduate of South, Osagie-Erese said she will join Mercyhurst’s program this coming fall after receiving a substantial scholarship to join the program that just moved up to Division I with its fledging flag football program.

“Five years ago I didn’t even know what flag football was,” Osagie-Erese said. “Five years ago I wanted to play soccer. My dream was to be on the USWNT. It was my favorite sport, but something was missing.”

Enter the sport of girls flag football, where Osagie-Erese spend the past three years as a running back and defensive back for the South Rebels. All of a sudden, her love of soccer and her proficiency in track as a shot put and discus thrower started to take a back seat.

This past spring, Osagie-Erese helped led South to a 17-2 record and a second-place finish in the first state girls flag football tournament at Massillon Paul Brown Stadium. She led the team with 362 yards rushing to go with 14 catches and 179 yards through the air, finishing with seven total touchdowns.

Defensively, she had 18 stops.

She will play running back and defensive back at Mercyhurst, but quickly added, “I’ll play whatever position they want me to play.”

Osagie-Erese certainly could have chosen track and field for college. She was a Division I regional qualifier in the shot put with a throw of 37-feet, 10-inches. Her PR in the discus was 96-1.

“Flag football is a lot of short-burst running,” she said. “It really fits what I do. At first I thought I’d be going to Kent State for track, but Mercyhurst’s coach came to see us play and see our games and that’s when everything changed.”

Most of the colleges that have scholarship opportunities in flag football are in Florida or southern state, Osagie-Erese said. Location to Mercyhurst — just an hour or so from Willoughby — played a big part in her decision, as well.

She plans to major in international business with a minor in French.

Though she graduated a few months ago, Osagie-Erese joined her South teammates at the NFL’s flag football championships in Canton this weekend. The Rebels went 1-2, with a win over a Cincinnati Bengals team and losses to teams representing the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens.

It’s been a highlight week for girls flag football. Not only are the flag football championships going on in Canton this weekend, but the Ohio High School Athletic Association announced it is sponsoring the 2026 state championship game next spring as the latest step toward the OHSAA officially sanctioning the sport.

It’s a journey Osagie-Erese is proud to be part of, along with being the first girl in area history to receive a college scholarship in the sport.

“I think it’s amazing,” she said. “I think girls are finally getting to play and be on the big stage like the boys. It’s long overdue. I’m excited to be part of it.”

Originally Published: July 19, 2025 at 4:13 PM EDT

Day 12 Schedule

Classification 11-12
Match 39. 09:00.

Classification 9-10
Match 40. 10:35.

Classification 5-8 Semifinal
Match 41. 16:00.

Classification 1-4 Semifinal
Match 43. 17:35.

Classification 5-8 Semifinal
Match 42 .20:00.

Classification 1-4 Semifinal
Match 44 .21:35.

Match Reports

Classification 15-16 (starts 9am)

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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (July 19, 2025) – The U.S. Men’s National Team fell to Germany, 3-2 (25-22, 22-25, 17-25, 25-15, 15-12) in its next-to-last Volleyball Nations League (VNL) match on Saturday in Chiba, Japan.

The U.S. (6-5), which needs a win in its final match to possibly advance to the VNL finals, wraps up play tomorrow, Sunday, July 20 at 3:20 a.m. PT against host Japan (7-4).

“I loved how we kept battling. We had different people on in different sets and battled right to the end. Credit to Germany. They played really well in those last couple of sets. That is a really good team. They changed things up too and congratulations to them,” U.S. head coach Karch Kiraly said. “We need to reset. We have a chance to finish strong against a very good Japan team here on their home court. I’m sure it will be a sellout. It will be a great atmosphere and those are the most fun to play.”

Germany held slight advantages in kills (56-53) and blocks (9-8), while finishing with an 8-3 lead in aces. The U.S. made four fewer errors.

Opposite Kyle Hobus led all players with 17 kills and 18 points, adding a block and six digs.

“It was a thriller as all five-setters are. Our team made some really good defensive plays, but props to (Germany) for playing super well. I thought we were taking hard swings and making good plays on the net, recycling the ball and giving ourselves second chances,” Hobus said.

Outside hitter Ethan Champlin finished with 14 kills, a match-best nine successful receptions and five digs. Fellow outside Nolan Flexen scored 12 points on nine kills and a match-high three aces. Setter Micah Ma’a shared top honors with 11 digs, while adding a kill and a block.

Middle blocker Jeff Jendryk totaled seven points on five kills and two blocks, and opposite Gabi Garcia added four kills, coming in to swing late in the fourth set.

An ace gave Germany a 15-12 lead in the first set. The U.S. pulled within one point twice, first at 17-16 when a great Shoji dig keyed a rally finished by a Hobus kill.  Another ace gave Germany its biggest lead of the set, 21-17, and it led by at least two points the rest of the set. Champlin led the U.S. with four kills, three of which came in the final eight points of the set.

A float serve ace put Germany ahead 16-13 in the second set but the U.S. ran off four points in a row after a timeout on kills by Hobus and Champlin and back-to-back net touches by Germany. A Flexen ace put the U.S. ahead by two, 19-17.

Leading 22-21, a great up by Champlin highlighted a rally that Hobus finished with a kill. A Flexen kill that just caught the end line closed out the set and evened the match. Hobus scored eight points on seven kills and a block.

A Flexen serving run helped the U.S. race out to a 7-2 lead in the third set. His second ace made it 6-2 and Hobus followed with a kill. A Germany service error raised the U.S. lead to seven points, 12-5, which was followed by 17 consecutive side-outs.

A Germany ace cut the lead to four points, 21-17, but the U.S. scored the final four points with Flexen’s third ace finishing the set. Hobus finished the set with seven kills.

Leading the fourth set 9-6, Germany ran off the next six points to take a commanding nine-point lead. Merrick McHenry entered the match late in the set and recorded two quick blocks.

A Champlin kill and Jendryk block gave the U.S. a 2-0 lead in the deciding set but Germany went on a 6-2 run and did not trail again. Another Champlin kill brought the U.S. within a point, 11-10, but a service error followed by a Germany ace stretched the lead to three points. Garcia and Cooper Robinson, who entered the match in the fifth set, joined Champlin with two kills.

U.S. Men’s Week Three Roster for 2025 VNL

No. Name (Pos., Ht., Hometown, College, USAV Region)
3 Mason Briggs (L, 6-0, Long Beach, Calif., Long Beach State, Southern California)
4 Jeff Jendryk (MB, 6-10, Wheaton, Ill., Loyola Univ. Chicago, Great Lakes)
5 Kyle Ensing (Opp, 6-7, Valencia, Calif., Long Beach State Univ., Southern California)
9 Gabi Garcia (OPP, 6-7, San Juan, Puerto Rico, BYU)
14 Micah Ma’a (S, 6-3, Kaneohe, Hawaii, UCLA, Aloha)
15 Kyle Hobus (OPP, 6-7, San Pedro, Calif., CSUN, Southern California)
17 Andrew Rowan (S, 6-7, Trabuco Canyon, Calif., UCLA, Southern California)
18 Cooper Robinson (OH, 6-7, Pacific Palisades, Calif., UCLA, Southern California)
22C Erik Shoji (L, 6-0, Honolulu, Hawaii, Stanford Univ., Aloha)
23 Nolan Flexen (OH, 6-9, Rio Rancho, N.M., UC Irvine, Southern)
24 Merrick McHenry (MB, 6-7, Bedford, Texas, UCLA, North Texas)
25 Ethan Champlin (OH, 6-3, Oceanside, Calif., UCLA, Southern California)
26 Matthew Knigge (MB, 6-7, New Egypt, N.J., Vassar, Garden Empire)
29 Jordan Ewert (OH, 6-5, Antioch, Calif., Stanford, Northern California)
27 Michael Marshman (MB, 6-7, Glenmont, N.Y., St. Francis Univ., Excelsior Empire)

Head Coach:  Karch Kiraly
Assistant Coach: Luka Slabe
Assistant Coach: Javier Weber
Performance Analyst: Nate Ngo
Physiotherapist: Aaron Brock
Senior Strength and Conditioning Coach: Tim Pelot
Senior Sports Dietitian: Shawn Hueglin
Mental Performance Coach: Andrea Becker
Team Manager: David Dantes
Consultant Coach: Chris McGown
Consultant Coach: Marv Dunphy
Team Doctors:  Eugene Yim, Mark Hutchinson, Michael Shepard, Warren Young

2025 Volleyball Nations League Schedule for Week 3

All times PDT; Matches will be shown live on VBTV and either CBS Sports Network or Big Ten Network

Week 3 Schedule
July 15 USA def. Türkiye, 3-0 (26-24, 25-21, 29-27)
July 17 USA def. Argentina, 3-1 (25-23, 20-25, 25-20, 25-23)
July 19 Germany def. USA, 3-2 (25-22, 22-25, 17-25, 25-15, 15-12)
July 20 at 3:20 a.m. vs. Japan

Week 1 Results
June 11: Ukraine def. USA, 3-0 (25-22, 25-20, 25-23)
June 12 USA def. Iran, 3-2 (19-25, 21-25, 25-21, 25-23, 17-15)
June 14 Slovenia def. USA, 3-1 (25-22, 27-25, 20-25, 25-23)
June 15 USA def. Cuba, 3-1 (25-22, 25-18, 18-25, 25-23)

Week 2 Results
June 25 USA def. China, 3-2 (25-22, 21-25, 19-25, 25-16, 15-11)
June 26 USA def. Canada, 3-0 (25-23, 25-22, 30-28)
June 28 Poland def. USA, 3-0 (25-20, 25-21, 25-22)
June 29 Italy def. USA, 3-0 (25-21, 25-22, 25-18)

Position Function:

The Director of Fan Experience is responsible for enhancing the in-game atmosphere and overall fan experience for Mississippi State Men’s Basketball. This position will lead the planning, development, and execution of marketing and promotional strategies for Men’s Basketball and assist in department-wide fan engagement efforts across all sports. This position plays a key role in growing attendance, elevating the game day environment, and supporting brand development efforts.

Salary Grade: 14

Please see Staff Compensation Structure for salary ranges.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Serve as primary oversight of the Game Day Experience for Men’s Basketball a. Create and execute in-game entertainment plans for all home men’s basketball games, including scripts, music, promotions, fan interaction elements, and sponsor activations. b. Create and manage community outreach programs to increase local support and attendance. c. Coordinate with marketing and ticket sales teams to create ticket sales strategies when applicable. 2. Football Fan Experience Support a. Oversee and coordinate special recognitions and presentations at football games, including on-field ceremonies and sponsored in-game features. b. Support university-wide fan engagement initiatives such as Cowbell Yell, Homecoming, and Super Bulldog Weekend. 3. Oversee the overall coordination of the student internship program, including recruiting, scheduling, and training a team of approximately 30 undergraduate students to accomplish marketing and fan engagement duties. 4. Assist in the creation and execution of special presentations and recognitions delivered by members of the athletic staff. 5. Perform related duties as assigned.

This position will in-part supervise marketing graduate assistants and interns.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, Event Coordination, or related field with 2 to 4 years of experience in Public Relations, Event Coordination, Fan Engagement, or related area.

Preferred Qualifications:

12-24 months experience as full-time worker in collegiate athletics marketing, or related field.

Proficient in Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

1. Proficient in Microsoft Office 2. Detail oriented for accuracy of data and information 3. Highly organized and ability to balance multiple projects and deadlines 4. Strong initiative to solve problems 5. Extraordinary focus on customer service 6. Willing to work in a team atmosphere where expectations are set and managed while giving staff flexibility to do their assigned task as both a leader and/or a follower 7. Ability to work long hours, including nights and weekends. 8. Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

• Frequent interruptions based on changing priorities; involves occasional exposure to demands and pressures from persons other than immediate supervisor. • Work hours are unpredictable and may require nights and weekends • Limited exposure to elements such as heat, cold, noise, dust, dirt, chemicals, etc., but none to the point of being disagreeable. • May involve minor safety hazards where likely result would be cuts, bruises, etc. • Job frequently requires walking, standing, stooping/kneeling/crouching/crawling, sitting, reaching, talking, hearing, and handling objects with hands. • Job occasionally requires light lifting of up to 25 pounds. • Vision requirements: Ability to see information in print and/or electronically.

Instructions for Applying:

Please attach your Resume and cover letter to the Application.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution. Discrimination is prohibited in university employment, programs or activities based on race, color, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, or any other status to the extent protected by applicable law. Questions about equal opportunity programs or compliance should be directed to the Office of Civil Rights Compliance, 231 Famous Maroon Band Street, P.O. 6044, Mississippi State, MS 39762, (662) 325-5839.

What do I do if I need an accommodation?

In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi State University, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at tel: (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu.

If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management at (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu. Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.

About Mississippi State University

Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution. Discrimination is prohibited in university employment, programs or activities based on race, color, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, or any other status to the extent protected by applicable law. Questions about equal opportunity programs or compliance should be directed to the Office of Civil Rights Compliance, 231 Famous Maroon Band Street, P.O. 6044, Mississippi State, MS 39762, (662) 325-5839.

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