Sports
St. Edward wrestling's state title quest
Kelly reacts to her son’s first-round win during the state wrestling tournament at Ohio State University’s Schottenstein Center in Columbus, which features Adam’s signature tongue wag.Cleveland.com photographers Josh Gunter and John Kuntz followed the Eagles throughout much of the season, capturing photos of wrestlers on and off the mat leading up to the state tournament.St. […]
Kelly reacts to her son’s first-round win during the state wrestling tournament at Ohio State University’s Schottenstein Center in Columbus, which features Adam’s signature tongue wag.
Jan. 4: Tri Meet at St. Paris Graham High School
Jan. 6: Endurance workout
Before the start of the Ohio High School Wrestling Coaches Association duals tournament district qualifiers at St. Edward, the practice gym is hot and noisy with the sounds of wrestlers warming up and music playing over a speaker.
Jan. 8: Practice
“Heff and our coaches preach it a lot. Just get out here, and attack, attack, attack, put on offense. Don’t be scared. Afraid to score a point,” Butler said after his first-round match. “If our whole team is doing that, I think we got all bonus points so far through this round, that’s gonna help us win a team title. So just go out there, attack, do what you do best, and go win a match.”
With two technical falls, a pin at 1:00 and a 7-0 decision Butler punched his state tournament ticket.
Butler looks for an opportunity to shoot on assistant wrestling coach Zac Carson.
St. Edward wrestling senior Adam Butler gets a congratulatory high five from head coach John Heffernan after winning his match during the OHSWCA District Qualifiers at St. Edward high school on February 1. Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com
Sports
Michaela Kaliniak – Track & Field Coach
Michael Kaliniak was named Assistant Coach for the Oakland men’s and women’s track and field team in the fall of 2020. She is responsible for working with pole vaulters, jumpers, multis, and recruiting operations. Kaliniak is USTFCCA Strength and Conditioning certified and is recognized as […]
Michael Kaliniak was named Assistant Coach for the Oakland men’s and women’s track and field team in the fall of 2020. She is responsible for working with pole vaulters, jumpers, multis, and recruiting operations.
Kaliniak is USTFCCA Strength and Conditioning certified and is recognized as a jumps specialist.
Before being named Assistant Coach, she spent two years as a Volunteer Assistant Coach for the teams.
Kaliniak graduated from Olivet College in 2019, where she spent three years as one of the track and field captains. At Olivet College, she primarily competed in the pole vault and still holds the indoor, outdoor, and conference record.
The Sparta, Mich. native also graduated from OU in 2021 with a master’s in exercise science.
Sports
San Giljan win BOV Water Polo Premier Division Knockout Competition for 16th time
San Giljan 16 Neptunes 10 (7-1, 2-2, 5-4, 2-3) San Giljan clinched their fifth BOV Water Polo Knockout title in the past six years – the 16th time in the club’s history – after overcoming arch-rivals Neptunes 16-10 in the final. The Saints, in front of an enthusiastic crowd of jubilant supporters, […]
San Giljan 16
Neptunes 10
(7-1, 2-2, 5-4, 2-3)
San Giljan clinched their fifth BOV Water Polo Knockout title in the past six years – the 16th time in the club’s history – after overcoming arch-rivals Neptunes 16-10 in the final. The Saints, in front of an enthusiastic crowd of jubilant supporters, were superior from the start and delivered a commanding performance, showcasing their attacking firepower and defensive resilience, while Neptunes could not find a solution to break San Giljan’s strength, sealing yet another chapter of dominance in the competition.
They opened a 7-1 lead in the first session, an advantage that they held on to for the rest of the game, with Neptunes unable to bridge the gap.
The Saints pushed harder to establish a 9-1 gap at the start of the second session, and it was clear there and then that Neptunes had already thrown in the towel.
San Giljan continued to respond to Neptunes’ goals to retain the healthy advantage they had, and, in spite of missing two penalties, their victory was never in doubt.
Younger was instrumental in the saints victory, scoring three goals and setting up others. Matthew Zammit, Daniel Tully, Jake Bonavia, Nikolai Zammit and Darren Zammit also scored two goals each, with Russell Caruana, Ben Plumpton and Jeremy Abela netting the others.
Neptunes goals were scored by Jordan Camilleri (3), Stevie Camilleri and Gergo Zalanki and Sam Gialanze (two each) and Alec Fenech.
The two sides will meet again for the league final, with the team winning two of three games scheduled later this month to be crowned champions.
The BOV Water Polo Premier Division Knockout Trophy was presented in a celebratory ceremony held poolside at the National Pool in Tal-Qroqq. Bank of Valletta’s Chief Operations Officer, Ernest Agius, together with ASA President Karl Izzo, handed over the prestigious silverware to the San Giljan’s Captain Matthew Zammit. The moment was met with jubilant cheers from fans as the team lifted the trophy high, marking yet another milestone in their storied legacy.
This year’s knockout competition holds special significance as the Aquatic Sports Association of Malta celebrates its 100th anniversary. Bank of Valletta is proud to stand alongside the ASA in marking this historic milestone, reaffirming its long-standing commitment to the development of aquatic sports in Malta. Through continued sponsorship and collaboration, BOV remains dedicated to nurturing local talent and promoting excellence in water polo and swimming across generations.
Sports
2025 AVCA First Serve: Schedule, teams, how to watch the college volleyball event
The 2025 college volleyball season opens at the AVCA First Serve from Aug. 22-24 in Lincoln, Neb., and Aug. 25 in Sioux Falls, S.D. Some of the nation’s premier programs are slated for competition in the first few days of the season. The matches are set to broadcast across FOX, FS1, ESPN and Big Ten […]
The 2025 college volleyball season opens at the AVCA First Serve from Aug. 22-24 in Lincoln, Neb., and Aug. 25 in Sioux Falls, S.D. Some of the nation’s premier programs are slated for competition in the first few days of the season.
The matches are set to broadcast across FOX, FS1, ESPN and Big Ten Network throughout the weekend.
Check out the storylines, schedule and teams below.
2025 AVCA First Serve Schedule
All times ET
- Friday, Aug. 22 at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Neb.:
- No. 1 Nebraska vs. No. 3 Pittsburgh | 7 p.m. | FOX | Live Stats
- No. 6 Stanford vs. No. 16 Florida | 9 p.m. | FOX | Live Stats
- Saturday, Aug. 23 at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Neb.:
- No. 15 Kansas vs. Vanderbilt | 3 p.m. | FS1 | Live Stats
- No. 2 Penn State vs. No. 12 Creighton | 5 p.m. | FS1 | Live Stats
- Sunday, Aug. 24 at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Neb.:
- No. 3 Pittsburgh vs. No. 16 Florida| 1 p.m. | ESPN | Live Stats
- No. 1 Nebraska vs. No. 6 Stanford | 3:30 p.m. | ESPN | Live Stats
- August 25, 2025 at Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D.:
- No. 2 Penn State vs. No. 15 Kansas | 6:30 p.m. | Big Ten Network | Live Stats
- No. 9 Texas A&M vs. No. 11 Minnesota | 8:30 p.m. | Big Ten Network | Live Stats
History of AVCA First Serve
The 2024 AVCA First Serve in Louisville marked the revival a similar preseason event that the association sponsored from 1995-2011 and 2014. Due to new NCAA exemptions prior to the 2024 season, the AVCA was once again able to host four of the nation’s top teams.
In 2024, the then one-night, two-match event featured Nebraska, Kentucky, Louisville and Wisconsin at the KFC Yum! Center. The Huskers defeated the Wildcats 3-1, while the Cardinals rallied for a 3-1 comeback win over the Badgers.
REMEMBER: Nebraska and Louisville post wins in 2024 AVCA First Serve Showcase
All four teams concluded the 2024 season by at least reaching a NCAA regional finals, with the KFC Yum! Center welcoming back Nebraska for the Final Four and Louisville in the National Championship match.
RELIVE: Penn State wins the 2024 National Championship
Storylines to watch this year
The start of the 2025 season kicks off with a wave of new names, faces and stories to watch unfold.
First of all, the AVCA First Serve Showcase is shifting from four to 10 teams and is set to take place over two locations: Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Neb., and the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D.
The first six matches over the first three days are in Lincoln, with the fourth and final day of competition taking place at the Sanford Pentagon in South Dakota with No. 14 Kansas vs. No. 2 Penn State and No. 9 Texas A&M vs. No. 11 Minnesota. The Sanford Pentagon venue holds 3,250 fans and is home to the NBA G League team, the Sioux Falls Skyforce.
The high-profile nonconference matchups between volleyball’s top programs make this event just a taste of the regular and postseason ahead.
No. 1 Nebraska team brings high expectations and a stacked lineup to the field at the helm of a new head coach in Dani Busboom Kelly. Veterans like Harper Murray and Rebekah Allick plus a highly touted freshmen round out their roster. They are set to face No. 3 Pittsburgh. No. 6 Stanford, equipped with experience in Elia Rubin and Lizzy Andrew, will challenge the Huskers to round out their showcase.
Coming in at No. 2 in the preseason rankings, defending national champion Penn State looks to make a statement. Though the Nittany Lions lost some veteran players in the offseason, they bring back plenty of experience and some big-name newcomers. Penn State opens up against No. 12 Creighton in a rematch of the 2024 regional finals, where the Nittany Lions knocked off the Bluejays in a five-set thriller. They finish with a matchup against No. 14 Kansas.
The championship moment 🏆 #WeAre pic.twitter.com/5CSn8AvBdF
— Penn State Women’s Volleyball (@PennStateVBALL) December 23, 2024
2024 NCAA tournament top overall seed No. 3 Pitt comes to Lincoln, bringing back National Player of the Year Olivia Babcock. With some big moves in the portal and veteran leadership under coach Dan Fisher, the Panthers should make some waves against No. 1 Nebraska and No. 16 Florida.
LEARN ABOUT THE AVCA Player of the Year Award
After an impressive run to the regional semifinals, No. 9 Texas A&M looks to continue its momentum in 2025. The Aggies bring back star talent in Logan Lednicky as they face No. 11 Minnesota.
The AVCA First Serve marks not just a new season but the beginning of several new tenures in college volleyball.
Besides Nebraska having a new coach No. 12 Creighton arrives with a new leader in Brian Rosen. No. 14 Kansas will additionally kick off the season under fresh leadership in Matt Ulmer, and the No. 16 Florida Gators begin a new era as Ryan Theis steps into his first year following the retirement of legendary coach Mary Wise.
Vanderbilt joins the field for one match against No. 14 Kansas, as the newly instated Commodores compete for the first time since 1980. The Commodores brought in talent from Ivy League Player of the Year Kamryn Chaney.
READ MORE: Storylines to know before the 2025 season
Sports
New RBVL Champions Crowned, on a Heartbreaking Day – THE ROCKAWAY TIMES
By Sean Shevlin The 2025 Rockaway Beach Volleyball League (RBVL) playoffs kicked-off on Saturday, August 9, under beautiful, sun-splashed skies and temperatures in the 70s at Riis. Perfect weather for the league to conclude its 36th season. Sixty-six teams across 10 divisions gathered to compete for a championship and, the ultimate prize, the vaunted sweatshirt. […]
By Sean Shevlin
The 2025 Rockaway Beach Volleyball League (RBVL) playoffs kicked-off on Saturday, August 9, under beautiful, sun-splashed skies and temperatures in the 70s at Riis. Perfect weather for the league to conclude its 36th season. Sixty-six teams across 10 divisions gathered to compete for a championship and, the ultimate prize, the vaunted sweatshirt.
Spirits were high as players, friends and family packed the beach for the commencement of the first round, at 10:30 a.m. However, during the early afternoon ambulances could be seen by the flagpole, at the top of the beach, and all play soon stopped as word filtered down that a player had suffered a heart attack and was being treated in one of those ambulances. That player was Rockaway resident Charles Nopper, who later died. He was 43. Nopper, beloved by many, was a former DSNY worker, who spent time behind the bar at Jamesons and as manager at Bishops Barn. The RBVL committee extends its heartfelt condolences to the Nopper family, on this devastating loss. A funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, August 14 at 11 a.m. at St. Francis de Sales Church.
Meanwhile, all but the Sun division, Charles’ division, elected to continue play, and nine champions were crowned. Congratulations to all!!
The winners include Storage Place of the Ocean Division, Rockaway Soda of Ocean Breeze, BHYC Snotty Yachties of the Wave Division, the 123 Bangouts of Beach, Leo’s Tavern of Beach Breeze, Danger Zone of Boardwalk, Boarder’s Surf Shop on Sun Ray, DysFUNctional of Moon and the BHYC Social Yachties of the Star Division.
Sports
Women's Soccer Falls to Falcons in Tightly Contested Season Opener
Next Game: Valparaiso University 8/17/2025 | 7 PM Aug. 17 (Sun) / 7 PM Valparaiso University History BOWLING GREEN, Oh. – The Golden Grizzlies fell to the Bowling Green Falcons (BGSU) 1-0 in the 2025 season opener, despite a hard fought effort on both sides of the ball. The Falcons secured the victory with a second-half […]
Next Game:
Valparaiso University
8/17/2025 | 7 PM
Aug. 17 (Sun) / 7 PM
Valparaiso University
History
The Falcons secured the victory with a second-half goal by Ella Kane. Both teams finished with three shots on goal, while BGSU outshot Oakland 10 to five total.
The first half opened with defensive plays from both sides as Oakland and Bowling Green were evenly matched. Maryn Weiger made a couple of crucial saves, including a diving punch-out in the 37th minute, denying Lexi White a chance to score. In the final minutes, Oakland increased offensive pressure with shots by Mia Tuka, Kimee Liu, and Dakota Jarrett, but each attempt was halted by Payton O’Malley, keeping the score 0-0 at the end of the half.
BGSU quickly took the lead out of the break as Kane snuck in a lefty shot on a deep cross from Isabella Mazzaferro in the 52nd minute. Oakland responded with multiple corner kick opportunities, including one at 56′ and another at 76′, keeping pressure on the home team, but were unable to capitalize. Weiger made a crucial save at 80′, stopping a shot by Emme Butera, but Oakland couldn’t find the equalizer.
Liu, Jarrett, and Tuka each contributed offensively with one shot on goal apiece, leading the team’s efforts in that category. Tuka and true freshman Corinne Jenkins also stood out on defense, making several key plays to halt BGSU runs into Oakland territory.
Oakland prepares to host Valparaiso University on Sunday, August 17 at 7:00 p.m.
How to Follow Oakland Women’s Soccer: For complete information on Oakland Women’s Soccer, follow the team on Instagram and X @oaklandwsoc.
