St. Joseph has the top boys athletics program among area schools again.
With the basketball and tennis teams leading the way, St. Joseph racked up 84 points to repeat as the gold medalist in the third annual Times competition among boys area sports teams.
In a tight race for the silver and bronze medals, Righetti took the silver with 62 points, and Nipomo took the bronze with 56. The Titans edged fourth-place Santa Ynez by four points.
The St. Joseph boys basketball (Division 1) and tennis (Division 2) teams both won a Mountain League and CIF Central Section championship during the 2024-25 school year.
With a league and Central Section title, Tom Mott’s basketball team and Maddie Seeds’ tennis squad both earned 30 points – 10 points for a league championship and 20 for a Central Section title.
The basketball team beat Clovis Buchanan 54-33 for the Division 1 title, and the tennis team beat Fresno Bullard 8-1 for the Division 2 crown. The St. Joseph boys and tennis team were both top-seeded in their respective divisions.
Each first round playoff win was worth two points for each school, each second round win was worth six and each semifinal win was worth 12.
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The St. Joseph baseball team also had a strong showing, netting 14 points.
Righetti got contributions from several teams. The basketball team earned 14 points with its Cinderfellas run to the Division 3 championship game. The volleyball team earned 16 points with the Sunset League title and two playoff wins.
The water polo team notched 12 points with a Mountain League title and one playoff win. The track and field team earned 10 points with another Golden Baton for winning at the Santa Maria City Classic meet.
The volleyball team racked up 20 points for Nipomo by winning the Division 3 championship, the first sectional divisional title in program history. The soccer team earned 24 points by winning the Ocean League title and making a run to the Division 5 semifinals.
The Santa Ynez volleyball team racked up 34 points by winning the Division 2 and Mountain League titles and getting a first-round regional win.
Fifth-place Cabrillo scored 42 points. Cabrillo’s boys water polo team scored 10 points by winning the Division 3 championship for the second time in the past three seasons. The Cabrillo golf, and swimming and diving teams both won a league championship.
Other area scoring teams included Pioneer Valley (41 points), Valley Christian Academy (32), Lompoc (27), Santa Maria (16) and Orcutt Academy (eight).
North Texas’ first women’s professional volleyball team will officially launch its inaugural season on Saturday, Jan. 10.
DALLAS — For North Texas volleyball fans, Saturday’s season opener represents more than just a first serve, it’s the beginning of something the region has been waiting for.
The Dallas Pulse, the region’s first women’s professional volleyball team, will open its inaugural season Saturday, Jan. 10, hosting the Indiana franchise at Comerica Center in Frisco.
The matchup marks the first Major League Volleyball game played by a Dallas-based team and is a milestone moment for the metroplex.
The Pulse will play 14 home matches during the 2026 Major League Volleyball season, giving local fans a consistent opportunity to support a women’s pro team built in their own backyard.
Saturday, Jan. 10 – Indy
Thursday, Jan. 15 – San Diego
Thursday, Feb. 5 – Omaha
Sunday, Feb. 8 – Grand Rapids
Thursday, Feb. 19 – Indy
Sunday, Feb. 22 – Grand Rapids
Friday, Feb. 27 – Orlando
Friday, March 13 – Columbus
Sunday, March 15 – Atlanta
Saturday, March 21 – San Diego
Thursday, March 26 – Atlanta
Friday, April 17 – Columbus
Friday, May 1 – Omaha
Sunday, May 3 – Orlando
Leading the team into its first season is head coach Shannon Winzer, who was named to the role in September. The January debut places Dallas at the center of the league’s early growth as women’s professional volleyball continues to gain momentum nationwide.
The timing feels right for North Texas. The region has long been a volleyball hotbed, producing elite athletes through nationally recognized club programs, championship high school teams and top-tier collegiate programs. Until now, many of those players, and the fans who followed them, had no local professional team to rally behind.
Dallas Pulse leadership told WFAA that they hope to change that.
Season ticket deposits are currently open, and the Pulse holds the No. 1 overall pick in the Major League Volleyball Draft scheduled for Nov. 24, giving the team a chance to add a cornerstone player ahead of its debut season.
Major League Volleyball is also preparing for future growth, announcing plans to add expansion teams in Washington, D.C. and Northern California in 2027.
LONG BEACH, Calif. — UC San Diego men’s volleyball will prepare for the upcoming season with four exhibitions this weekend as part of the North American Challenge. The event will be hosted by Long Beach State on Friday and Sunday at the LBS Financial Credit Union Pyramid.
The Tritons will play two Canadian sides, Alberta and Calagry. They will play each team once on both days of the challenge.
SCHEDULE
Friday, Jan. 2
2 PM – vs Calgary
4:30 PM – vs Alberta
Sunday, Jan. 4
12:30 PM – vs Alberta
3 PM – vs Calgary
Live stats for all four matches will be available HERE. Fans interested in attending matches can purchase tickets through Long Beach State HERE.
UP NEXT
The Tritons open the 2026 season at home next Tuesday, Jan. 6. Jessup will visit LionTree Arena for a match that begins at 7 PM.
About UC San Diego Athletics After two decades as one of the most successful programs in NCAA Division II, the UC San Diego intercollegiate athletics program has begun a new era as a member of The Big West inNCAA Division I. The 24-sport Tritons earned 30 team and nearly 150 individual national championships during its time in Divisions II and III and helped guide 1,400 scholar-athletes to All-America honors. A total of 83 Tritons have earned Academic All-America honors, while 39 have garnered prestigious NCAA Post Graduate Scholarships. UC San Diego scholar-athletes exemplify the academic ideals of one of the world’s preeminent institutions, graduating at an average rate of 90 percent, the highest rate among public institutions in NCAA Division I or II. For more information on the Tritons, visit UCSDtritons.comor follow UC San Diego Athletics on social media @UCSDtritons.
LONG BEACH, Calif. – With the season just around the corner, the Long Beach State Men’s Volleyball team will host the North American Challenge, a preseason exhibition tournament featuring four teams from the United States and Canada. The two-day event will take place Friday, January 2, and Sunday, January 4, with matches held at the LBS Financial Credit Union Pyramid.
Joining the Beach in the tournament are UC San Diego, Calgary, and Alberta, bringing together a competitive mix of NCAA and U SPORTS programs for early-season action. The tournament will feature eight total matches across the two days, providing fans with a full slate of high-level volleyball.
Schedule Friday, January 2
Time
Matchup (Home vs. Away)
11:30 AM
Long Beach State vs. Alberta
2:00 PM
UC San Diego vs. Calgary
4:30 PM
UC San Diego vs. Alberta
7:00 PM
Long Beach State vs. Calgary
Sunday, January 4
Time
Matchup (Home vs. Away)
10:00 AM
Long Beach State vs. Calgary
12:30 PM
UC San Diego vs. Alberta
3:00 PM
UC San Diego vs. Calgary
5:30 PM
Long Beach State vs. Alberta
Following each match, a Player of the Match from each team will be recognized. At the conclusion of the tournament, an All-Tournament Team will be selected.
Tickets can be purchased HERE.
Live statistics for all matches will be available via BeachLiveStats.StatBroadcast.com.
Pitt received a commitment from former Kentucky middle blocker/right-side hitter Jordyn Dailey.
Dailey is a redshirt sophomore and will have two years of eligibility. The 6-foot-2 North Carolina native racked up 188 kills, 116 blocks and 42 digs over the past two seasons. Dailey recorded 142 kills, 82 blocks and a .314 hitting percentage in 2024. Her numbers dipped to 46 kills, 34 blocks and a .211 hitting percentage in 2025.
Pitt lost middle blocker Ryla Jones to Penn State through the transfer portal.
HUNTSVILLE – The Sam Houston volleyball program and head coach Brenda Gray announced the signing of six student-athletes to play for the Bearkats for the 2026 season.
The signing class consists of outside hitters Annika Brooks, Brenlin Garlitz, Justice Rachal, Kameron Rector, Lauren Pyle and Sarah Odell.
“All of these young ladies bring a passion and energy that Sam Houston Volleyball thrives upon,” head coach Brenda Gray said. “They all come with numerous accolades both on the court and in the classroom.”
Annika Brooks • 6-3 • RS • Halletsville, Texas • Sacred Heart Catholic School / Blinn College
Blinn College
– 2025 second team all-conference selection
Ovilla Christian School
– 2021 second team all-district selection as freshman
– 2022 first team all-district selection as a sophomore
– 2022 honorable mention all-area
– 2023 first team all-district selection as a junior
– 2023 TAPPS first team all-state selection
– 2023 honorable mention all-area selection
– 2023 TAPPS academic all-state selection
– 2024 first team all-district selection as a senior
– 2024 TAPPS first team all-state selection
– 2024 TAPPS academic all-state selection
Texas Tornadoes (Club)
– 17s bid to nationals
– 18s bid to nationals
Gray on Brooks …
“Annika brings size and a blocking presence to our game on the right side. We are so fortunate to have her join us this spring.”
Brenlin Garlitz • 5-10 • S • Waxahachie, Texas • Ovilla Christian School
Ovilla Christian School
– 2022 TAPPS second team all-district selection as freshman
– 2023 TAPPS first team all-state
– 2024 TAPPS first team all-state
– 2024 Ellis County All-Star Team
– 4-time state champion
Texas Advantage Volleyball (Club)
– NRG 15s bid to nationals
– NRG 16s bid to nationals
– TAV 18s Black: 5th at nationals
Gray on Garlitz …
“We are excited to bring in a dynamic setter to help run our floor. Brenlin runs a quick offense and brings a passion and love for the game that is undeniable.”
“Justice will be a crowd favorite from the start. She has a contagious energy and a vertical leap that will add to the excitement on the outside position.”
“It is good for us to get an experienced floor leader on the roster and we are excited to have her join us in the spring to begin running our offense and bring her expertise that she delivered in junior college”.
– 2024 and 2025 District 15-6A Outstanding Offensive Player of the Year
– 2024 and 2025 first team all-District 15-6A
– 2024 and 2025 academic all-District 15-6A
– Played club at North Houston Elite Volleyball
Gray on Odell …
“There is an explosiveness to the outside that is needed in this league, which Sarah immediately gives us as a complete, six-rotation player who will help balance our offense.”
