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SJU Visits Macalester This Weekend for MIAC Outdoor Championships

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By: Ryan Klinkner, SJU Athletic Media Relations Director & Frank Rajkowski, SJU Writer/Video Producer

No. 14 Saint John’s track and field competes at the 2025 MIAC Outdoor Championships this Friday-Saturday, May 9-10, at Macalester Stadium in St. Paul. – Live Results | Live Video | Championships Website

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS: This weekend’s tentative schedule of events is listed below.

Friday

Field Events (Men)

-2:00 p.m.: Hammer, Long Jump

-5:00: Discus, High Jump

Track Events (Men)

-2:30 p.m.: 1,500 Meters

-3:05: 110-Meter Hurdles – Prelims 

-3:35: 400-Meter Dash – Prelims 

-4:00: 100-Meter Dash – Prelims 

-4:25: 800 Meters – Prelims 

-5:05: 400-Meter Hurdles – Prelims

-5:35: 200-Meter Dash – Prelims 

-6:05: 4×800-Meter Relay  

-6:35: 10,000 Meters

Saturday

Field Events (Men)

-Noon: Javelin, Triple Jump

-1:00 p.m.: Pole Vault

-3:00: Shot Put

Track Events (Men)

-1:30 p.m.: 4×100-Meter Relay

-1:55: 3,000-Meter Steeplechase

-2:45: 110-Meter Hurdles – Final

-3:05: 400-Meter Dash – Final 

-3:20: 100-Meter Dash – Final

-3:35: 800 Meters – Final 

-3:50: 400-Meter Hurdles – Final  

-4:10: 200-Meter Dash – Final 

-4:20: 5,000 Meters 

-5:10: 4×400-Meter Relay

18 POINTS: Senior Max Lelwica (Brainerd, Minn.) became the fifth Johnnie and seventh overall to win the MIAC decathlon last Thursday-Friday (May 2-3) at Carleton’s Laird Stadium. Lelwica finished with 6,905 points, the second-highest total in program history and just 27 points from the record of 6,932 that Maguire Petersen ’22 registered for fifth place and All-America honors at the 2022 NCAA Division III Championships.

He joined Steve Kimble (1998, 1999); Matt Mogensen (2006); Brayden Wagner (2009); and Petersen (2021, 2022) as a MIAC champion in the event.

The 2025 MIAC indoor champion in the heptathlon, senior Anthony Thurk (St. Bonifacius, Minn./Waconia) earned his third All-MIAC honor (top three) with a third-place finish of 6,378 points and freshman Bailey Evans (Breckenridge, Minn.) picked up two team points with a seventh-place total of 5,734.

Sophomore Noah Besemann (New Brighton, Minn./Irondale) just missed scoring in ninth place (5,697), 13 points from eighth, and sophomore Isak Brandt (Eagan, Minn.) was 14th (4,567).

Lelwica won three of the final five events (six of the 10) – the 110-meter hurdles, discus and pole vault – and finished second in the 1,500 meters. He recorded four personal bests and is now a five-time All-MIAC honoree in the multi-events (heptathlon and decathlon).

Thurk tied for fourth in the pole vault and tallied his fourth PR of the decathlon to finish third in the final event, the 1,500 meters.

Evans was third in the discus and fifth in the javelin, while Besemann’s best event was a tie for first in the pole vault. Brandt claimed seventh in the 110-meter hurdles.

AT ST. OLAF: SJU recorded 12 top-six performances at St. Olaf’s Ole Open last Saturday (May 3). The Johnnies did not have a competitor in eight of the 20 events at the meet.

Freshman Grady Minnerath (Cold Spring, Minn./Rocori) led the Johnnies with wins thanks to season-best throws in both the discus (46.65 meters) and shot put (14.66 meters).

Junior Aidan Morey (Omaha, Neb./Creighton Prep) provided SJU’s third win in the 100-meter dash with a time of 11.23 seconds.

Three Johnnies were in the shot put’s top five, led by freshman Alex Wimmer (Ramsey, Minn./Anoka) in third (13.57 meters). Freshman Jalen Graham (Minneapolis, Minn./Champlin Park) followed in fourth (12.86 meters) and sophomore Beau Boudreaux (Huson, Mont./Frenchtown) was fifth (12.40 meters). Graham was also sixth in the discus (38.69 meters).

Senior Pierre Deutschlander (Maple Grove, Minn.) claimed third in the 400-meter hurdles (58.58), while sophomore Max McCoy (Bennington, Neb./Mount Michael Benedictine) placed fourth in the steeplechase (10:04.99) and senior Emanuel Popoca (Minneapolis, Minn./Bloomington Kennedy) was fourth in the 200-meter dash (22.47). Sophomore Connor Brynteson (Minneapolis, Minn./Robbinsdale Cooper) took fifth in the hammer throw (41.99 meters).

AT HAMLINE: The Johnnies won two events and recorded 23 top-eight marks/times, including eight in the top three, last Wednesday (April 30) at Hamline’s Meet of the Unsaintly.

Senior Mitchell Degen (Brainerd, Minn.) won the javelin with a throw of 59.55 meters and senior Jackson McDowell (Centennial, Colo./Arapahoe) was next in second (52.63 meters). McDowell also claimed second in the high jump (2.01 meters) and classmate Alec Ungar (Eden Prairie, Minn./Chanhassen) was next in fourth (1.88 meters).

Senior Kevin Arthur (Champlin, Minn./Champlin Park) won the 200-meter dash in 21.30 seconds and freshman Max Reis (West Fargo, N.D./Spectrum) took third (21.85). Reis was also second in the long jump with a mark of 6.96 meters, while senior Zach Schaffer (Chaska, Minn.) and freshman Anthony Sletta (St. James, Minn.) were fourth (6.78 meters) and fifth (6.77 meters). Schaffer was also fifth in the triple jump (12.75 meters) and sophomore Bangaly Kaba (St. Cloud, Minn./Apollo) placed sixth (12.73 meters).

Sophomore Andrew Withuski (Wahpeton, N.D.) and junior Josh Johnston (Cold Spring, Minn./Rocori) were second (4.52 meters) and third (4.41 meters), respectively, in the pole vault. Junior Kole Guth (St. Peter, Minn.) was next in fifth (4.26 meters) and senior Andrew Adams (Plymouth, Minn./Wayzata) finished eighth (3.96 meters).

Senior Tommy Allen (Woodbury, Minn./St. Paul Academy) placed fifth in the 800 meters (1:52.61) and junior Owen Montreuil (Jordan, Minn.) was seventh (1:53.91).

A number of Johnnies fared well against NCAA Division III competition. Junior Jacob Malecha (Lonsdale, Minn./New Prague) was fifth overall but first among Division III runners in the steeplechase (9:39.63), while sophomore Cooper Smith (Alvarado, Minn./East Grand Forks) claimed sixth, first among his peers, in the 400-meter hurdles (54.72) and another sophomore Wyatt Witschen (Monticello, Minn.), was first among Division III sprinters in the 400-meter dash (49.95) and eighth overall.

Three others finished third or better among Division III participants:

-Sophomore Bahir Amoud (St. Paul, Minn./Harding), third in the 110-meter hurdles (16.02) and eighth overall;

-Senior Joe Mensen (Hudson, Wis./Hill-Murray), second in the hammer throw (50.86 meters) and seventh overall;

-Minnerath, third in the shot put (14.48 meters) and eighth overall.

SJU’S MIAC OUTDOOR HISTORY: The Johnnies have finished in the conference’s top three in 34 of the last 40 MIAC Outdoor Championship meets, including 19 second-place finishes and seven titles (1997, 1999, 2005, 2007, 2011, 2022 and 2023). 

ALL-MIAC RETURNERS: Eighteen Johnnies enter this weekend’s meet with outdoor All-MIAC honors already on their resumes (see below). Two others – Guth (1-time) and Ungar (2-time) – have earned All-MIAC recognition in indoor track and field but not yet outdoors.

–Tommy Allen: champion (2024, 4×800-meter relay); champion (2022, 800 meters) *5-time All-MIAC indoors

–Kevin Arthur: champion (2024, 100-meter dash); champion (2024, 200-meter dash); second (2024, 4×100-meter relay); champion (2023, 100-meter dash); champion (2023, 200-meter dash); champion (2023, 4×100-meter relay); champion (2022, 100-meter dash); champion (2022, 200-meter dash); champion (2022, 4×100-meter relay); third (2021, 200-meter dash) *6-time All-MIAC indoors

–Ryan Conzemius: third (4×400-meter relay) *1-time All-MIAC indoors

–Jaeden Frost: champion (2024, hammer throw); second (2023, hammer throw); third (2023, discus); third (2023, shot put) *3-time All-MIAC indoors

–Matt Hansen: second (4×100-meter relay)

–Max Lelwica: champion (2025, decathlon); second (2024, decathlon); third (2023, decathlon) *2-time All-MIAC indoors

–Max McCoy (second, 4×800-meter relay)

–Jackson McDowell champion (2024, high jump) *2-time All-MIAC indoors

–Owen Montreuil: second (2024, 4×800-meter relay); third (2024, 4×400-meter relay); champion (2023, 4×800-meter relay) *1-time All-MIAC indoors

–Aidan Morey: second (2024, 4×100-meter relay)

–Kieran Murnan: second (2024, 4×100-meter relay)

–Emanuel Popoca: champion (2023, 4×100-meter relay) *2-time All-MIAC indoors

–Zach Schaffer: champion (2024, long jump); champion (2023, long jump) *4-time All-MIAC indoors

–Nick St. Peter: third (2024, 800 meters); champion (2023, 4×800-meter relay) *2-time All-MIAC indoors

–Cooper Smith: third (2024, 4×400-meter relay) *1-time All-MIAC indoors

–Cole Stencel: second (2024, 4×800-meter relay) *1-time All-MIAC indoors

–Anthony Thurk: third (2025, decathlon); third (2023, long jump) *1-time All-MIAC indoors

–Wyatt Witschen: third (2024, 4×400-meter relay) *1-time All-MIAC indoors

IN THE MIAC: The Johnnies enter this weekend’s conference meet with 52 top-10 marks/times in the MIAC this outdoor season, including 23 in the top five.

100-Meter Dash 

1. Kevin Arthur, 10.32 *No. 4 in Division III

2. Max Reis, 10.47 *No. 20 in Division III

9. Kiernan Murnan, 10.92

200-Meter Dash

2. Kevin Arthur, 21.04 *No. 7 in Division III

8. Max Reis, 21.71

400-Meter Dash

9. Kevin Arthur, 49.94

10. Wyatt Witschen, 49.95

800 Meters

4. Tommy Allen, 1:52.61

7. Owen Montreuil, 1:53.91

9. Nick St. Peter, 1:54.77

10. Max McCoy, 1:54.96

1,500 Meters

7. Cole Stencel, 3:53.95

8. Nick St. Peter, 3:54.28

5,000 Meters

7. Cole Stencel, 14:45.71

10,000 Meters

5. Eamon Cavanaugh, 31:38.05

110-Meter Hurdles

4. Max Lelwica, 15.12

10. Bashir Amoud, 15.91

400-Meter Hurdles

4. Cooper Smith, 54.72

8. Jacob Sterk, 57.50

10. Bode Russell, 57.74

Steeplechase

4. Vincent Kaluza, 9:32.53

6. Jacob Malecha, 9:39.63

8. Joe Gathje, 9:45.61

4×100-Meter Relay

1. SJU, 40.28 *No. 6 in Division III

4×400-Meter Relay

5. SJU, 3:21.05

4×800-Meter Relay

2. SJU, 7:35.84

High Jump

1. Jackson McDowell, 2.06m *No. 8 in Division III

7. Max Lelwica, 1.89m

8. Alec Ungar, 1.88m

9. Anthony Thurk, 1.86m

Pole Vault

t2. Josh Johnston, 4.57m

t2. Andrew Withuski, 4.57m

5. Kole Guth, 4.43m

t9. Max Lelwica, 4.20m

t9. Noah Besemann, 4.20m

Long Jump

3. Zach Schaffer, 7.12m *No. 40 in Division III

4. Max Reis, 6.96m

6. Matt Hansen, 6.87m

7. Anthony Sletta, 6.83m

Triple Jump

7. Bangaly Kaba, 13.20m

Shot Put

9. Grady Minnerath, 14.66m

Discus

5. Grady Minnerath, 46.65m

Hammer

3. Joe Mensen, 50.86m

9. Jaeden Frost, 47.15m

Javelin

1. Mitchell Degen, 60.15m *No. 26 in Division III

4. Jackson McDowell, 54.79m

9. Max Lelwica, 48.07m

10. Bailey Evans, 47.21m

Decathlon

1. Max Lelwica, 6,905 points *No. 4 in Division III

3. Anthony Thurk, 6,378 points *No. 21 in Division III

7. Bailey Evans, 5,734 points

9. Noah Besemann, 5,697 points

FEATURE STORY: Kevin Arthur had another season of outdoor eligibility remaining. But the Saint John’s University sprinting standout wasn’t sure he planned to use it.

He already boasted one of the most distinguished resumes in program history. He swept the MIAC outdoor titles in both the 100- and 200-meter dash the past three seasons and has earned All-America honors at the NCAA Division III indoor or outdoor meets five times.

That included last season when the Champlin Park High School graduate finished fifth outdoors in the 100.

But Arthur has yet to win a national championship, and he saw Max Reis – the talented freshman who joined the Johnnies this season – as a teammate who could help him get one.

“I knew what an impressive athlete he was, and I played a role in recruiting him to come here,” said Arthur of Reis, who was a two-time Class 2A state champion in the 100 and a one-time state champion in the 200 at Elk River’s Spectrum High School.

He went on to compete at Indian Hills (Iowa) Community College in spring 2023, but left school and worked as a window cleaner, hanging holiday lights, removing snow and caring for lawns in the Twin Cities metro area before returning to track at SJU this season.

“I knew having him here meant we’d have the chance to do some pretty special things in the 4×100 relay,” Arthur continued. “That made it a pretty easy sell.”

Indeed, Arthur and Reis have helped shape the SJU 4×100 into one of the top teams in the nation at the Division III level. The foursome – which also includes junior Aidan Morey and sophomore Kieran Murnan – recorded a school-record time of 40.28 seconds (the 17th fastest mark in Division III history) at the Drake Relays in Des Moines, Iowa, on April 26.

It was the sixth-fastest time at the Division III level this season, meaning it’s already a safe bet to say the team will be competing at the national meet May 22-24 in Geneva, Ohio.

“I knew we’d run fast with those two guys (Arthur and Reis) and a couple others we had coming back,” said SJU head coach Jeremy Karger-Gatzow, who already coached an SJU 4×100 team to a national title in 2019.

“That’s certainly been the case. Those guys ran that time (40.28) on a pretty cold day. If we get some nice warm weather, there’s no telling how fast they can go.”

Arthur said his relationship with Reis mirrors the bond he shared with All-American standout Ryan Miller ’22 (the anchor of that 2019 national championship relay) earlier in his career.

“He pushes me and I push him,” said Arthur, who was able to return for the outdoor season because of extra eligibility granted by the NCAA due to the impact of COVID-19 on the 2020 and ’21 seasons.

“We make each other better. It’s different because I’m the older guy now. I’m the one bringing him under my wing and trying to push and mentor him. 

“He broke my school indoor record in the 60,” Arthur continued. “I thought that was going to stand awhile. And he’s just a freshman. Before he’s done, I’ll be completely wiped off the board. But that’s OK. It’s just nice to have the chance to be here during this part of his development.”

That development will continue at this season’s MIAC outdoor meet, scheduled for Friday and Saturday at Macalester in St. Paul. Arthur enters the competition seeded first in the 100 (10.32) and second in the 200 (21.04) behind Jacob Parent of Bethel (20.94).

Reis is seeded second in the 100 (10.47) and eighth in the 200 (21.71), while SJU is seeded first in the 4×100 as well.

“We hope Kevin and our younger sprinters will give us a boost,” said Karger-Gatzow, whose team won conference outdoor titles in 2022 and ’23, then finished second behind Bethel a year ago. “That will help a lot. But our goal is to score in every event and I think we’re capable of accomplishing that. 

“If that happens, it will be a pretty successful weekend.”

Arthur, meanwhile, has goals that extend beyond college. He was born in Ghana, but left his mother’s home there at age 9 to live with his father and stepmother in Italy in search of a better education. 

Then, at 15, he moved with his family to the U.S. His father, Frederick, got a job at Boston Scientific in Maple Grove, and Kevin became a three-sport athlete (soccer, wrestling, track and field) at Champlin Park.

But he still hopes to one day represent Ghana on the world stage. He came close last summer when his times ranked sixth in the 100 and fourth in the 200 on the list officials there used to choose their representatives for the Olympics in Paris – leaving him just short of making the cut.

“I was actually hoping to make the (4×100) relay and they took the top five guys so I just missed out,” he said. “That was a little heartbreaking, but not that much. It was more of a confidence-booter because I saw I was right there. I just have to pick it up a little and it’s obtainable.”

He hopes to do just that when Ghana likely decides its representatives for the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo this September at a national meet in August.

“That will be exciting because it will be decided on the track,” Arthur said. “I follow a number of Ghanan athletes on social media and I’ve seen the times they’ve posted. I’m in the same alley as they are. I can definitely be competitive.”

If he competes at the meet, it will mark his first visit to Ghana – where many of his family members still reside – since he left as a child.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing family and enjoying Ghanaian food,” he said. “I still have friends there, but the last time I saw them, we were all kids. It will be great to get to see where they are now at this time in our lives.”

Before that, though, Arthur has unfinished business in Collegeville. The global business major went through his graduation ceremony a year ago. But he is completing his second internship with Intemark, a marketing firm in the Twin Cities, as he chases a national championship.

“I’ve never been a national champion and it would be an amazing way to finish my career here,” he said. “It won’t be easy. But we have a (relay) team capable of getting the job done.”

 

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No. 11 CSUN Opens 2026 Season With Three Matches at UCSB Asics Invitational

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January 8, 2026

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CSUN THIS WEEK:

UCSB ASICS INVITATIONAL

MATCH #1

CSUN Matadors (0-0) vs. Maryville Saints (0-0)

Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026 – 7:00 p.m. PT

Rob Gym – Santa Barbara, Calif.

ESPN+

Live Stats

MATCH #2

CSUN Matadors vs. Harvard Crimson

Friday, Jan. 9, 2026 – 2:00 p.m. PT

Rob Gym – Santa Barbara, Calif

ESPN+

Live Stats

MATCH #3

CSUN Matadors vs. Kentucky State Thorobreds

Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026 – 4:30 p.m. PT

Rob Gym – Santa Barbara, Calif

ESPN+

Live Stats

In-game X updates: @CSUNMensVB

CSUN Men’s Volleyball Media Notes

FOR STARTERS

The preseason 11th-ranked CSUN Men’s Volleyball team (0-0, 0-0 Big West) opens the 2026 season, its 50th season of men’s volleyball, against Maryville on Thursday at the UCSB Asics Invitational in Santa Barbara. The match is the first of three for the Matadors at the annual tournament held at Rob Gym on the UCSB campus. CSUN opens the tournament Thursday against Maryville at 7 p.m., before taking on Harvard on Friday at 2 p.m. The Matadors conclude the three-day event on Saturday, taking on Kentucky State at 4:30 p.m. Fellow Big West teams UC Irvine and host UC Santa Barbara round out the six-team field this weekend.

FOLLOW YOUR MATADORS ONLINE

All nine matches of UCSB’s Asics Invitational will stream live on ESPN+ and will have live stats available (links at GoMatadors.com). CSUN home matches this season will also stream live on the ESPN+ platform, with Darren Preston handling a majority of the play-by-play this season.

Fans can also follow CSUN Matador men’s volleyball online at the official home of CSUN athletics, www. GoMatadors.com for related links to the match, including any live stats, audio, and video. Fans are also encouraged to check the CSUN Athletics Department’s official X feed (@ GoMatadors) and the volleyball-specific feed (@CSUNMensVB) for news and notes throughout the week, as well as updates of matches in progress.

CSUN RANKED 11TH IN 2026 AVCA PRESEASON MEN’S VOLLEYBALL POLL

After finishing the 2025 season ranked ninth in the final AVCA National Collegiate Poll, CSUN opens the 2026 season ranked 11th in the national preseason poll (Dec. 23). The Matadors, who finished 18-11 in 2025, finished in the top 10 in the final poll for the first time since 2018 and the second time in the last seven seasons. After being ranked in all 18 polls last season, CSUN received 238 points in the preseason poll to rank ninth. 

Since reclaiming a spot in the AVCA national poll in 2023, the Matadors have been ranked in the top 20 in 36 consecutive polls and 46 of the last 49 AVCA national polls since the 2023 season. CSUN has been a fixture in the national polls historically, having previously been ranked in the AVCA Top-15 for 62 consecutive weeks and 262 of the last 289 weekly polls dating back to the 2002 season. 

UCLA opens the 2026 season ranked first in the preseason poll, collecting 12 of 24 first-place votes and 481 total points. Hawai’i is second after receiving seven first-place votes and 473 points, followed by defending national champions Long Beach State, which received five first-place votes and 460 points. The remainder of the preseason top five includes Pepperdine and USC with UC Irvine, Loyola Chicago, BYU, Stanford, and UC San Diego  rounding out the preseason top 10. The second half of the preseason top-20 poll includes the Matadors, Lewis, Penn State, Ohio State, McKendree, Ball State, UC Santa Barbara, Princeton, George Mason, and Lincoln Memorial.

SCOUTING THE ASICS INVITATIONAL FIELD

Maryville (0-0) opens its fifth season of men’s volleyball on Thursday in Santa Barbara. The Saints were picked to finish second in their inaugural season as members of the Great Lakes Valley Conference. Maryville earned four first-place votes and 43 total points to finish second to Rockhurst in the polling. Junior OH Makai Scott returns after leading the Saints with 307 kills (3.37 kps) and 211 digs last season. After finishing 19-9 in 2025, the Saints return 13 players while adding six newcomers in 2026. All-time series: Thursday’s match marks the first-ever meeting between the Matadors and Saints in men’s volleyball.

Harvard (0-0) opens the 2026 season on Thursday against UC Irvine. The Crimson, who finished 9-15 in 2025, were picked to tie for fifth in the EIVA Coaches’ Preseason Poll. Seniors Zach Berty and Brian Thomas were named as Players to Watch by the conference’s seven head coaches. Berty averaged 2.22 kills per set in 2025, while Thomas averaged 0.94 blocks per set to lead the team. All-time series: Friday’s match is the seventh meeting all-time between CSUN and Harvard, with the Matadors holding a 5-1 edge in the series. The two teams also met at the UCSB Invitational in 2019, with CSUN pulling out a five-set win.

Kentucky State (0-0) also opens its 2026 season in Santa Barbara. The Thorobreds, who were picked to finish sixth in the SIAC (Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) Preseason Poll, will open against UC Santa Barbara on Thursday, before taking on UC Irvine and the Matadors to conclude the weekend. All-time series: Saturday’s match marks the first-ever meeting between the Matadors and Thorobreds in men’s volleyball.

CSUN AT THE UCSB ASICS INVITATIONAL

Thursday’s match against Maryville marks CSUN’s 25th appearance in UC Santa Barbara’s annual tournament in the last 29 years. The Matadors are 56-37 (.602) all-time in the tournament dating back to 2001. Last season, the Matadors finished 3-0 in the tournament with wins over Tusculum (3-0), Missouri S&T (3-0), and Menlo (3-1).

Since 2019, the Matadors are 8-7 in UCSB’s annual event, finishing 1-2 three times (2019, 2023, 2024) and 2-1 in 2019. After the 2021 tournament was canceled due to the COVID pandemic, CSUN was scheduled to open the 2022 season in Santa Barbara but due to COVID protocols within the program, the Matadors were forced to withdraw, snapping a streak of 16 consecutive appearances. In 2019, CSUN dropped a five-set decision to Grand Canyon, which snapped a streak of 11 straight Matador wins in the tournament dating back to a loss to Princeton in 2015. CSUN won its first-ever UCSB Invitational championship in 2009 after upsetting No. 2 UCLA (3-1) and defeating No. 14 UCSB (3-1) and No. 8 Stanford (3-1). The Matadors then won their second straight crown in 2010, topping UCSB (3-1), California Baptist (3-1), and BYU (3-1).

THREE MATADORS NAMED AVCA ALL-AMERICAN, ALL-BIG WEST IN 2025

For the first time since 2018, CSUN had three student-athletes named to the All-Big West First Team in 2025. The Matadors had three first-team selections as senior Donovan Constable, redshirt sophomore Jalen Phillips, and freshman Stilian Delibosov were all named to the top team. The last time CSUN had three players named first team was 2018, when Eric Chance, Arvis Greene, Jr., and Dimitar Kalchev earned top honors. All three players went on to earn AVCA All-America honors as Phillips was named to the First Team and Constable and Delibosov earned honorable mention accolades.

NEW FACES IN 2026

In addition to returning 10 letterwinners and five starters from the 2025 season, CSUN welcomes an impressive list of newcomers in 2026. The group includes a trio of 2025 redshirts, including sophomore Owen Douphner, who steps in for departed All-American Donovan Constable at setter. Transfer Jordan Lucas (Grand Canyon) and redshirt freshman Grayson Albers (Sacramento) each open their first season on the active roster in 2026. CSUN also welcomes a trio of true freshmen in 2026 that includes Kingston Jerome, Joel Eanes, and Noah Douphner. Jerome comes to CSUN from Shadow Ridge High School in Las Vegas, Nev., while Eanes is a 6-9 opposite from Kellam High School in Virginia Beach, Va. Douphner is a local product from nearby Stevenson Ranch and the younger brother of the CSUN setter.

MATADORS IN THE BIG WEST  

The 2026 season marks CSUN’s ninth as a member of the Big West in men’s volleyball. With a 3-7 regular season record in 2025, the Matadors are 18-52 (.257) in 70 Big West matches over eight seasons since the conference’s inaugural campaign in 2018. CSUN finished 5-5 in the first Big West season in 2018 before finishing 3-7 in 2019, 2024, and 2025, 2-8 in 2021 and 1-9 in both 2022 and 2023. Prior to 2018, the Matadors played 25 seasons as a member of the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) from 1993-2017 and 16 seasons in the Western Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (WIVA) from 1977-92.

EDWARDS IN FOURTH SEASON AS CSUN HEAD COACH

Theo Edwards is in his fourth season as CSUN’s head coach in 2026 after leading the Matadors back into the AVCA national rankings in his first three seasons. Now in his 16th season at CSUN, Edwards was named the successor to Jeff Campbell on Dec. 9, 2022. CSUN finished 12-16 in Edwards’ first season (1-9 in the Big West) in 2023 and the Matadors have steadily improved in each of Edwards’ three seasons. CSUN finished 13-16 in 2024 and 18-11 in 2025. Under Edwards’ leadership, CSUN earned a No. 7 national ranking on Mar. 10 of the 2025 season, its highest national ranking in seven seasons. The Matadors finished the 2025 season with a No. 9 national ranking, also its best since 2018.

LOOKING AHEAD

Following three matches at the UCSB Asics Invitational, the Matadors will remain on the road for two more matches next week. CSUN will travel to the Midwest for the 2026 Under Armour Invitational at Lindenwood in St. Charles, Mo. The Matadors will take on the host Lions on Jan. 16 before meeting Purdue Fort Wayne on Jan. 17 at 2:00 p.m. PT.

#GoMatadors



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Jenna Ibieta named head coach of Loyola indoor, beach volleyball programs – Crescent City Sports

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January 8, 2026

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Jenna Ibieta steps into her new role after earning SSAC Assistant Coach of the Year honors in November

NEW ORLEANS – The Loyola University New Orleans indoor and beach volleyball program has a familiar face grabbing the reins, as Jenna Ibieta was named the new head coach for the two teams, Assistant Vice President of Athletics Brett Simpson announced Wednesday. Ibieta made the move to her new role after serving as assistant coach for the indoor fall 2025 season.

She’s the eighth head coach in program history.

“We’re excited to announce Jenna Ibieta as our next Head Volleyball Coach at Loyola University New Orleans,” Simpson said. “Jenna has already made a significant impact on our program through her leadership and deep understanding of the game, earning SSAC Assistant Coach of the Year honors this past season. With head coaching experience at the high school level, extensive club coaching in New Orleans, and a strong background as a student-athlete at Tulane, she is well-positioned to lead our program forward and build on our recent success.

Ibieta joined the Wolf Pack in May and helped the indoor team collect 29 wins, the second-most in program wins, the program’s first SSAC Championship title, and the second NAIA national tournament appearance in three years. She was also named the SSAC Assistant Coach of the Year.

“This is home for me, and I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to lead these programs,” Ibieta said. “What last season’s group accomplished set a strong foundation, and with a talented recruiting class coming in, I’m excited to continue building a culture grounded in excellence. I’m looking forward to what’s ahead and honored to be part of the ongoing growth and success of the Indoor and Beach programs.”

Ibieta’s roles with the program have been leading the recruiting efforts, player development, travel logistics, and on-court training, with a focus on offensive systems. She coached five members of the SSAC All-Conference team, including SSAC Freshman and Attacker of the Year Isis Harink, all-conference first-teamers Alexa Palmer and Kala Emanuelli, along with Harink, and members of the second team: Ivana De Carvalho Peixe and Samantha Guillotte.

Before joining the Loyola staff, Ibieta spent the four years prior in Lafayette, serving as the Head Volleyball Coach at Acadiana High School (2024–2025) and Sacred Heart Grand Coteau (2021–2024), while also working as an Admissions Coordinator. She brings additional experience from the club volleyball scene, having coached with the Cajun Elite and Louisiana Volleyball programs during that four-year stretch.

A former collegiate setter at Tulane University (2017–2019), Ibieta tallied 1,497 assists and 556 digs over her career. She was named to the All-State Sugar Bowl Collegiate Classic All-Tournament Team, was a member of the Tulane Athletic 3.0 Club, and earned American Athletic Conference All-Academic Team honors in 2018–2019. She holds a B.S. in Communications with minors in Sociology and Business.

Ibieta’s volleyball roots run deep. As a standout player at Metairie Park Country Day, she led her team to four LHSAA State Championships (2012–2014, 2016) and was named Louisiana Miss Volleyball in 2016. She holds the school record with over 5,000 career assists and was a four-time all-state selection. Her coaching journey began early, contributing to NOLA Volleyball during her high school and college years.

Volleyball excellence runs in the family, too. Her mother, Julie Stempel Ibieta, is a former LSU volleyball standout and co-director of NOLA Volleyball. Her father, Juan Ibieta, played baseball at Tulane. Her brothers, Justin and Jake, are also involved in collegiate athletics — Justin as a graduate assistant with Tulane Football and Jake as a member of the LSU football team.

A reception to introduce Coach Ibieta will take place at 12:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 12, in the University Sports Complex’s Hall of Fame Room.



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Two Scholar Athletes Highlight Academic Awards for Hornet Volleyball

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January 8, 2026

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Women’s Volleyball | 1/7/2026 2:00:00 PM

January 7, 2026 – Emporia State volleyball had two MIAA Scholar Athletes and six players in total earn MIAA Academic recognition for the 2025 season.
 
Mia Frisbie and Brailee Bogle were both MIAA Scholar Athletes for their performance on the court and in the classroom, as both were named Honorable Mention All-MIAA for the 2025 season.
 
Along with Frisbie and Bogle, Brenna Smith, Willow Deckinger, Sydney Fiatte and Camilla Ossola were named to the MIAA Academic Honor Roll. All six players earned their second career recognition on the Academic Honor Roll.
 
To be recognized on the Academic Honor Roll, one must have a grade point average used by the institution for purposes of NCAA academic certification of 3.00 at the certifying member institution. The individual must also have at least two terms of attendance at the certifying member institution, excluding summer terms.
 
To qualify as a Scholar-Athlete an individual must have a grade point average used by the institution for purposes of NCAA academic certification of 3.50 at the certifying member institution. The student-athlete must have at least two terms of attendance at the certifying member institution, excluding summer terms. If competing in a championship sport of the MIAA, the student-athlete must also earn All-MIAA honors from the 2024 season. 
 
MIAA Scholar Athletes





Mia Frisbie Sophomore 3.98 Health & Human Perf. Overland Park, Kan.
Braile Bogle Junior 3.55 Biology Wichita, Kan.

MIAA Academic Honor Roll









Mia Frisbie Sophomore 3.98 Health & Human Perf. Overland Park, Kan.
Brenna Smith Sophomore 3.84 Health & Human Perf. St. Mary’s, Kan.
Willow Deckinger Sophomore 3.76 English Wichita, Kan.
Sydney Fiatte Senior 3.73 Health & Human Perf. Shawnee, Kan.
Camilla Ossola Senior 3.72 Biology Gavirate, Italy
Braile Bogle Junior 3.55 Biology Wichita, Kan.

 



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No. 7 Ramblers Start Season at No. 2 Rainbow Warriors

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January 8, 2026

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LEADING OFF 
No. 7 Loyola Chicago opens its 2026 season with a two-match series at No. 2 Hawai’i on Thursday, Jan. 8 and Friday, Jan. 9. First serve for both matches is set for 11 p.m. CT.  

QUICK HITS 

  • Loyola headlines the MIVA conference in the preseason poll; Ryan McElligott, Daniel Fabikovic and Aleksander Sosa tabbed Preseason All-MIVA. The Ramblers were picked seventh in the AVCA Preseason Poll. 

  • McElligott finished 2025 as both the MIVA and NCAA assists leader, averaging 10.9 per set.  

  • The Ramblers returned 15 student-athletes and welcomed five new faces, including two freshmen and three transfers.  

  • Assistant coach Dalton Solbrig lettered four years for the Rainbow Warriors from 2016-19. He was a member of two NCAA Tournament teams, including the national runner-up squad in 2019. 

  • Head coach Shane Davis enters his 14th season at Loyola, sporting a 289-92 (.759) career record. In his first season back, Davis led the Ramblers to a 25-4 ledger, their fourth MIVA Tournament title and fourth NCAA Tournament berth. 

  • 2026 marks the 30th anniversary of Loyola’s men’s volleyball program, which is home to two of the university’s three NCAA national championship titles.  

SCOUTING REPORT 
Hawai’i kicked off its season with a two-match series sweep of NJIT (Jan. 2, Jan. 4), in which sophomore opposite Kristian Titriyski combined for 23 kills on .438 hitting. The 6-foot-8 Bulgarian national added five service aces against NJIT. As a team, the Rainbow Warriors hit .517 in both matches. Junior setter Tread Rosenthal led each match in assists, recording 26 in the first and 30 in the rematch. He also contributed 11 total blocks across the series.  

Head coach Charlie Wade entered his 17th season at the helm of the program and boasts a 321-131 career record at Hawai’i. Last season, he led the Rainbow Warriors to their fourth overall Big West Tournament title and 10th NCAA Tournament appearance.  

 

SERIES HISTORY  

The Rainbow Warriors lead the all-time series, 13-3, with the Ramblers and are 12-3 at home against the MIVA opponent. In their last meeting, Loyola left Hawai’i 1-1 after falling 3-0 in match one then taking the second in a five-set thriller. This year’s two-match series marks Davis’ 11th overall matchup against Hawai’i, and his fifth as head coach.  

FOLLOW THE ACTION 

Stream both matches on ESPN+. Follow men’s volleyball on Instagram and X @RamblersMVB for in-game updates. 



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South Tahoe High School graduate completes first year as NCAA Division I university head volleyball coach

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January 8, 2026

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Shawn McLaughlin has just completed his first year as volleyball head coach at Lehigh University
Provided/Shawn McLaughlin

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – For Shawn McLaughlin, a South Lake Tahoe native, being part of a team was something that came naturally. 

Growing up in Tahoe, McLaughlin was accustomed to community involvement, watching as his father coached track and eventually varsity volleyball as the head coach at George Whittell High School. 

“I used to joke that I was the youngest assistant coach in the country,” said McLaughlin. “I would just go around and help him keep stats.”

McLaughlin’s father was extremely successful as head volleyball coach, going on to win several state championships over his 18-year run at both Whittell and South Tahoe High Schools, allowing McLaughlin the opportunity to find interest in following in his footsteps. 

Playing volleyball throughout his school years, McLaughlin was also part of a junior club team in the Bay Area before going on to play varsity volleyball at Lindenwood University in St. Louis. 

After graduating from college, McLaughlin started volunteer coaching at a number of different schools including UC Davis, University of Nevada, Reno, University of the Incarnate Word, and more all around the country. 

“My dad had a huge impact on my wanting to coach,” McLaughlin said, and pretty early on, he determined that a career in education was the direction he wanted to go in. “Volleyball is my means, in education, in growth and learning. I’ve always loved that element and I think that’s part of the reason that coaching has gone the way it’s gone.”

Among McLaughlin’s accomplishments, he brought many teams to their national tournaments through the club ranks. In addition, he won gold in 2014 at the USA Volleyball Junior National in 14’s USA. In terms of college, he’s been coaching for 15 years, winning several conference championships and attending the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) tournament several times. 

En route to becoming a Division I (D-I) coach, the opportunity presented itself in the form of his father running a club and bringing in college coaches.

“One of the coaches he brought in was Jamie Holmes, she was at UC Davis. I approached her and said ‘How do I get into this?’ and she said, ‘come be my volunteer,’” said McLaughlin. “It was a great start to my program and a great start to my career and that pushed me into the rest of it.”

McLaughlin is now in his first headcoaching opportunity at Lehigh University, a D-I school in Pennsylvania, and with his first year completed, the competitive program is allowing him to utilize the skills he’s learned over the years assisting other D-I coaches. “Now this is my opportunity to be super successful and to run my own ship.”

McLaughlin aims to focus on the development of the holistic student athlete
Provided/Shawn McLaughlin

Despite suffering a major injury, his team was still able to overcome adversity and make it to the Patriot League Tournament, an unprecedented accomplishment for Lehigh. 

“I think 2026 could be a really fun year for this team,” added McLaughlin, and with seven seniors on the team, they are striving to be victorious. 

Although McLaughlin is now soaring high as head coach, he doesn’t forget his roots, and continues to return to South Lake Tahoe every Christmas.

“[South Lake Tahoe] is one of the best places in the world to grow up. It’s also a very active community,” McLaughlin said. “It’s just home. It still feels like home to me.” 





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What is LOVB? 2026 pro volleyball preview, rosters and what to expect

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January 8, 2026

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Jan. 7, 2026, 6:02 a.m. ET





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