Sports
SLC Selects Samantha Gonzalez as NCAA Woman of the Year Nominee
RIO GRANDE VALLEY – Samantha Gonzalez didn’t come to The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) thinking about what kind of legacy she’d leave behind.
She arrived on campus in the fall of 2020 with the goal of contributing to the cross country and track & field teams. Her work ethic, commitment to academics and athletics, and team-first attitude turned Gonzalez into a conference champion, a three-time all-conference performer, a team captain, and now, a 2025 NCAA Woman of the Year nominee.
“After five years at UTRGV, I hope I left a lasting impact on the track & field/cross country program,” Gonzalez said. “When I first joined the program, I wasn’t a standout athlete. But through hard work, consistency and dedication, I was able to make tremendous improvements. I hope my journey inspires others to believe in themselves, put in the work, and reach their full potential.”
The NCAA Woman of the Year program was established in 1991 to honor the academic achievements, athletic excellence, community service and leadership of graduating female student-athletes from all three divisions. Student-athletes are first nominated by their schools, then the conference offices select their top choice(s), up to two women, to advance to the next round of national consideration.
Gonzalez and Molly VandenBout, a softball student-athlete from Nicholls, were announced on Monday as the Southland Conference’s (SLC) nominees for the NCAA Woman of the Year award. Gonzalez was surprised but proud to learn about her selection.
“I feel deeply honored to be chosen not only by the UTRGV athletic department but by the Southland Conference as a nominee for this award,” Gonzalez said. “This recognition is especially meaningful from UTRGV because the department has witnessed my growth over the past five years not just as a student-athlete, but as a person. I want to thank Molly Castner, Deputy Director of Athletics/Senior Woman Administrator, for nominating me. Her unwavering support of the track & field and cross country teams has never gone unnoticed, and I’m incredibly grateful that she has always believed in me. I also see this nomination as a reflection of the incredible support I have received from my coaches, whose guidance, belief and dedication shaped me both on and off the track.”
Originally from Laredo, Texas, Gonzalez developed into a true leader and incredible representative of the university during her time at UTRGV. She has been a team captain, served on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), and was named the UTRGV Female Breakout Athlete of the Year following the 2021-22 athletic year.
After earning her undergraduate degree in biology with a minor in psychology in Spring 2024, Gonzalez elected to stay at UTRGV for her final year of eligibility in cross country, indoor and outdoor track & field. The decision was a good one as Gonzalez saved her best for last and was one of the top performing Vaqueros in 2024-25.
Gonzalez got her final year started with a stellar cross country season. She captured her first individual win at the West Side Classic, leading the women’s team to its first victory in at least 20 years. She earned Southland All-Conference honors as she finished 10th at the SLC Championships.
Gonzalez won the SLC Outdoor Championship in the women’s 3,000-meter steeplechase in May, earning All-Conference First Team honors as she lowered her personal best in the event to 10:33.31. Throughout the outdoor season, Gonzalez totaled three event wins and claimed two program records. She leaves UTRGV with four total program records: the steeplechase, the outdoor 1,500-meter run (4:30.33), the indoor mile (4:54.35), and the indoor distance medley relay (11:55.33) – all collected in 2025.
“I chose to stay at UTRGV for five years because I believed in the program just as much as it believed in me. I hope I was able to elevate the program, set new standards, and contribute to its continued success,” Gonzalez said.
Head track & field/cross country coach Shareese Hicks praised the growth and resilience she’s seen in Gonzalez since taking over the program in July 2021.
“In every way, Samantha Gonzalez is the true definition of Woman of the Year,” Hicks said. “From our very first introduction her sophomore year, I knew she was beyond exceptional. She never complains, she doesn’t make excuses, she just works. She has an outstanding family which instilled values in her that lit an everlasting fire. She is just as fierce in the classroom as she is as a competitor.
“Sam has been a shining example of what you can accomplish with work ethic and a positive attitude,” Hicks continued. “She has faced a monumental academic workload, overcome injury, and accepted competitive contention with poise and grace. To say that we are all very proud of her is an understatement.”
Gonzalez is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Physical Therapy at UTRGV. She skillfully balanced a challenging courseload with a year-round training and competition throughout her career, consistently earning academic all-conference, CSC academic all-district, and AD honor roll accolades.
“I want my legacy to reflect the importance of academic excellence, showing that success in sports and in the classroom can go hand in hand,” Gonzalez said. “I took pride in challenging myself academically, and I plan to use my education to serve South Texas and continue making a difference well beyond my time as a student-athlete. Most importantly, I hope to inspire younger athletes, especially those from my hometown of Laredo, to dream big, believe in themselves, and know that with dedication, anything is possible.”
Beyond her accomplishments in the classroom and in competition, Gonzalez contributed to UTRGV being one of the top athletic departments in community service efforts throughout her time in the Valley. From her efforts with SAAC to campus clean-ups to the various camps and clinics held by UTRGV track & field/cross country, Gonzalez made a difference for many across the RGV. She helped UTRGV rank in the top 10 nationally for community service hours three consecutive years, including a program-high sixth-place finish in 2023-24. That year, women’s track & field student-athletes averaged 22 hours of community service.
After countless miles, many awards and five years of memories made, Gonzalez’s UTRGV career has reached its end. But her endearing, competitive spirit will carry on through the program because she cared enough about her team and her university to give all she had.
“Those who know me understand how much pride I take in being a supporter, advocate and fan of UTRGV, and it is truly an honor to represent my university both on and off the track, and now in this special way as a Woman of the Year nominee,” Gonzalez said. “I recognize the incredible accomplishments of so many women in the SLC and beyond, and I am humbled to be selected among such an inspiring group.”
The top 30 honorees (10 from each division) and the NCAA Woman of the Year will be announced this fall.
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THIBODAUX, La. – Nicholls State University track and field coach Stefanie Slekis announced the 2026 schedule along with the hiring of assistant coach Cameron Bolt on Monday afternoon.
Nicholls will compete in two in state meets and two out of state meets for the indoor season. The teams will begin the season in Baton Rouge at the LSU Purple Tiger on Jan.16 followed by the McNeese Indoor II on Jan. 30. The Colonels will cross state lines to compete in the Bulldog Invitational hosted by Samford University on Feb. 13 before concluding the season at the Southland Conference Championship on Feb. 25-26.
The outdoor season is action packed with three out of state completion’s and four instate events. The Red & Gray will begin outdoor action at the Louisiana Classics hosted by Louisiana in Lafayette on March 20-21. Next, the squads will open the month of April in Austin, Texas at the Texas Relays on April 1-4. The Colonels return to the boot for the Pelican Relays (4/10-11), Strawberry Relays (4/17), and the LSU Alumni Gold (4/25). Nicholls will wrap up regular season action at Texas A&M’s Alumni Muster in College Station, Texas on May 1-2. The Southland Conference Championship is in Nacogdoches, Texas on May 14.
Coach Slekis is looking forward to the new season with some new opportunities for her student-athletes. Bolt joins the staff after coaching over 200 National qualifiers, 15 All-Americans, four National Champions. Additionally, he is the owner of Bolt Track and Field Club team that he started in 2023 and has had more than 20 National qualifiers.
We are so excited for our 2026 Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field schedule. For our schedule we changed up the second half of both our Indoor and Outdoor seasons from the past few years,” Slekis said. “Indoor we will head to Birmingham to compete at Samford’s Bulldog invitational which will give our team the opportunity to test themselves on the facility we will return to for the indoor championship. Outdoor we close out the season at two of the best SEC track & field programs in the country who have phenomenal facilities. Going first to LSU and then bringing full teams to Texas A & M for the Alumni Muster. Before we return to Texas for the Southland Championship hosted by SFA.”
Coach Slekis gave her overall thoughts on the addition of Coach Bolt and how he can help the team improve.
“We are changing things up a bit this year and I am also really excited to see how well our student-athletes perform this season especially our track & field only student-athletes who had the entire fall semester working with our new assistant coach Cameron Bolt,” Slekis said. “Cam comes with a wealth of knowledge as a young coach who founded his own track & field club and continuously worked to prepare himself for his first NCAA Division I collegiate coaching opportunity. His energy combined with his knowledge base make him a phenomenal hire. He understands how to develop student-athletes and maximize their potential. Through fall testing his event group has seen improvement across the board so it will be fun to see that hard work translate to their specific events this next semester.”
CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Mid-American Conference announced the 78 student-athletes placed on the Academic All-MAC Team for the 2025 volleyball season, as Martina Villani, Gabby Brissett, Vanessa Del Real and Sarah Bettis represented the University of Akron.
The Academic All-MAC honor is awarded to a student-athlete who has excelled in both athletics and academics. To qualify, a student-athlete must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.20 and have participated in at least 50 percent of the contests in that sport.
- Martina Villani, Junior Criminology and Criminal Justice, 3.861
- Gabby Brissett, Senior, Biology, 3.745
- Vanessa Del Real, Junior, Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology, 3.81
- Sarah Bettis, Junior, Biomedical Science, 3.363
Senior Macy Medors led the Rockets, tallying a 3.989 GPA as she earned her third conference honor. Anna Alford and Sierra Pertzborn received the honor for a second-consecutive season. Grace Freiberger and Olivia Heitkamp were named honorees for the first time.
To qualify, student-athletes must be a sophomore or higher academic standing, have maintained a 3.20 cumulative GPA or higher and competed in 50% of contests during the 2025 season.
2025 Toledo Women’s Volleyball Academic All-MAC Team
Anna Alford, Senior, Public Health Management, 3.415
Grace Freiberger, Sophomore, Recreational Therapy, 3.909
Olivia Heitkamp, Sophomore, Early Childhood Education, 3.501
Macy Medors, Senior, Recreational Therapy, 3.989
Sierra Pertzborn, Redshirt Sophomore, Nursing, 3.558
- Kansas City field consists of No. 1 Kentucky, No. 1 Pitt, No. 3 Texas A&M and No. 3 Wisconsin
- Championship broadcast live on ABC for the third straight year; semifinals slated for ESPN, Thu., Dec. 18
- All matches will also stream on the ESPN App
It all comes down to Kansas City as ESPN’s exclusive coverage of the NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Championship culminates this week live from the T-Mobile Center with the National Semifinals on Thursday, Dec. 18, followed by the Championship match on Sunday, Dec. 21.
The stage is set as the final four teams face off in the semifinals beginning with No. 3 Texas A&M vs. No. 1 Pittsburgh in the first semifinal on Thursday, Dec. 18, at 6:30 p.m. ET, followed 30 minutes later by No. 3 Wisconsin vs. No. 1 Kentucky. Both matches will be presented on ESPN and available on the ESPN App.
For the third consecutive year, ABC is home to the Championship match, broadcasting live on Sunday, Dec. 21, at 3:30 p.m. and for the first time, ABC will also air a dedicated 30-minute preview show ahead of the Championship’s first serve, beginning at 3 p.m. Both the preview show and the match will be available on the ESPN App.
On the Mic
For the fourth straight year, game action for all three matches will be called by play-by-play commentator Courtney Lyle, alongside analysts Holly McPeak (three-time beach volleyball Olympian) and Katie George (2015 ACC Player of the Year). For the second consecutive year, the trio is joined by sideline reporter and former FSU beach volleyball standout Madison Fitzpatrick.
Studio Coverage
Studio Coverage will originate from the T-Mobile Center as Christine Williamson, Emily Ehman (four-year Northwestern standout) and Mary Wise (three-time AVCA Coach of the Year) bring viewers pre- and post-game insights and analysis throughout the semifinals and Championship.
The trio will prep viewers for all they need to know ahead the National Semifinals and National Championship match, bringing additional insight and analysis as a champion is crowded.
Every Serve, Every Angle
ESPN has all the action in Kansas City covered from every angle, including exclusive and behind-the-scenes coverage. This year, along with 25-plus cameras and two dozen replay sources, ESPN will have new and enhanced telestrations, giving the fans an additional in-depth look at the Xs and Os of the game.
Additionally, the presentation will have multiple jibs, giving fans a sweeping view over the arena. ESPN will also use six state-of-the-art slow-mo cameras to give viewers a look at the action at the net.
For the first time at the National Championship, the broadcast will feature Bolt 6, showcasing enhanced technology that shows viewers serve speed, spike speed, spike height and other statistical facets of the game.
In addition to the traditional main telecast, an alternate “High End Zone” viewing option will be available on ESPN+/ESPN App for the semifinals and the Championship, giving fans the option to watch the match from the end zone angle.
Kansas City Bound
The National Semifinals boast programs that have made a combined 15 national semifinal appearances. Pittsburgh is making its fifth consecutive trip to the National Semifinal with a No. 1 seed behind them as the Panthers look to hoist their first NCAA trophy. The Wildcats are making their first trip back to the semifinals since the ’20-21 season in which they cut down the nets in Omaha. Storied program Wisconsin makes its seventh trip to the national semifinals, looking to win the program’s second national title (2021). Rounding out the field are the Texas A&M Aggies, who are on the quest to win the program’s first national championship.
2025 NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Championship
| Date | Time (ET) | Match | Network |
| Thu, Dec 18 | 6:30 p.m. | No. 3 Texas A&M vs. No. 1 Pittsburgh Courtney Lyle, Holly McPeak, Katie George, Madison Fitzpatrick |
ESPN ESPN App * |
| Between Match Coverage | NCAA Women’s Volleyball Studio Christine Williamson, Emily Ehman, Mary Wise |
ESPN ESPN App * |
|
| 30 mins after Semifinal 1 | No. 3 Wisconsin vs. No. 1 Kentucky Courtney Lyle, Holly McPeak, Katie George, Madison Fitzpatrick |
ESPN ESPN App * |
|
| Sun, Dec 21 | 3 p.m. | NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Championship Preview Show Christine Williamson, Emily Ehman, Mary Wise |
ABC ESPN App |
| 3:30 p.m. | NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Championship Courtney Lyle, Holly McPeak, Katie George, Madison Fitzpatrick |
ABC ESPN App * |
|
| Following Championship match | NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Trophy Ceremony | ESPN App |
* There will be two streams available on the ESPN App (Traditional Simulcast and High End Zone angle)
All of ESPN. All in One Place.
ESPN offers its full suite of networks and services directly to fans on the ESPN App, providing more choice, flexibility and access to all of ESPN, including more than 47,000 live events per year, on-demand replays, industry-leading studio shows and original programming, and more. The ESPN App gives fans a unique viewing experience that includes multiview and synchronized two-screen viewing options, swipe-able vertical video and a personalized SportsCenter For You, as well as integrated game stats, ESPN Fantasy sports, betting odds and information from DraftKings, sports merchandise, and more. These features are available to all fans who watch on the ESPN App on mobile and connected TV devices, whether they subscribe directly or through a pay TV package. Bundling options available for fans include a limited time offer for the ESPN DTC Unlimited plan with Disney+ and Hulu for $29.99/month for the first 12 months. For more visit stream.espn.com.
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