Sports
Super Rugby Pacific Round 7

Fijian DruaHighlandersPrediction: The Waratahs haven’t crossed the ditch yet this year and their only loss for the season has come on the road. Meanwhile the Hurricanes have won just two games from five with one loss coming in a massive upset to Moana Pasifika. With Suaalii back in for the Waratahs and their recent drought-breaking win over the Brumbies, they’ll head to Wellington ready to end their seven-game losing streak to the Hurricanes. Waratahs by 5.Odds [tab.com.au]: Brumbies .30, -8.5 .85; Highlanders .30, +8.5 .90
Odds [tab.com.au]: Crusaders .02, -24.5 .85; Moana , +24.5 .90
Hurricanes vs. Waratahs
Brumbies: Tom Wright, Andy Muirhead, Len Ikitau, David Feliuai, Corey Toole, Noah Lolesio, Harrison Goddard, Rob Valetini, Rory Scott, Tom Hooper, Lachlan Shaw, Nick Frost, Allan Alaalatoa, Billy Pollard, James Slipper. Replacements: Liam Bowron, Blake Schoupp, Rhys van Nek, Cadyern Neville, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Klayton Thorn, Jack Debreczeni, Ollie SapsfordSimon Parker (Knee, Short-term), Anton Lienert-Brown (Leg, Short-term), Josh Lord (Knee, Mid-term), Rameka Poihipi (Knee, Season), Kaleb Trask (Hamstring, Mid-term), Etene Nanai-Seturo (Hamstring, Long-term), Liam Coombes-Fabling (Knee, Mid-term), Fiti Sa, (Shoulder, Long-term), Wallace Sititi (Knee, Long-term), Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi (Shoulder, Short-term)Harry Johnson-Holmes (knee) Bayley Kuenzle (knee) Harry Hoopert (knee) Divad Palu (shoulder) Matt Proctor (shoulder) Papillon Sevele (knee)Jake Gordon (medial ligament) Mahe Vailanu (broken arm) Triston Reilly (shoulder) Dave Porecki (calf) Fergus Lee-Warner (foot) Lucas Ripley (shoulder)Brett Cameron (Knee/season) Devan Flanders (Ankle/ Round 12) Tjay Clarke (Shoulder/ Round 11) Daniel Sinkinson (Hamstring/ Round 8) Riley Higgins (Hand/ Round 8) Harry Godfrey (Lower Leg/Round 11) Billy Proctor (Achilles/ TBC)Lachlan Lonergan (return to play protocol, concussion, expected back Round 9), Kadin Pritchard (return to play protocol, concussion, expected back Round 9), Charlie Cale (lower back injury, timeline TBC), Ben O’Donnell (hamstring operation), Tevita Alatini (ACL), Harry Vella (ACL)Moana Pasifika
Brumbies vs. Highlanders
Western Force,Officials: Angus Gardner; Assistant Referees: Mark Winter, Jeremy Markey; TMO: Angus MabeySky Stadium, Wellington, 5:05pm (AEDT)Prediction: What a difference a year makes. The Crusaders sit second on the table and are looking unbeatable. A star off the bench so far this season, James O’Connor has been handed the reins to start this week, while Macca Springer also returns to the starting XV. Meanwhile, Moana have received a timely boost in Ardie Savea’s return. It won’t be enough for Moana though. Crusaders by 20. Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch, 5:05pm (AEDT)BluesOfficials: Jordan Way; Assistant Referees: Matt Kellahan, Jordan Kaminski; TMO: James Leckie
Saturday, March 29
Crusaders vs. Moana Pasifika
NSW WaratahsOdds [tab.com.au]: Hurricanes .26, -9.5 .85; Waratahs .60, +9.5 .90Drua: Motikiai Murray (Round 9)Waratahs: Max Jorgensen, Darby Lancaster, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Joey Walton, Archie Saunders, Lawson Creighton, Teddy Wilson, Langi Gleeson, Charlie Gamble, Rob Leota, Miles Amatosero, Ben Grant, Taniela Tupou, Julian Heaven, Angus Bell. Replacements: Ethan Dobbins, Isaac Kailea, Daniel Botha, Felix Kalapu, Jamie Andamson, Jack Grant, Tane Edmed, Lalakai FoketiPrediction: This is a big game for the Brumbies after their win streak over the Waratahs was finally brought to an end last week. Returning to their fortress they’ll be determined to put on a big score against a wounded Highlanders side who went down at home last weekend to the Reds. Brumbies by 12Queensland RedsCrusaders: Will Jordan, Chay Fihaki, Dallas McLeod, David Havili (c),Macca Springer, James O’Connor, Noah Hotham, Fletcher Anderson, Ethan Blackadder, Cullen Grace, Jamie Hannah, Scott Barrett, Fletcher Newell, Ioane Moananu, George Bower. Replacements: Codie Taylor, Tamaiti Williams, Seb Calder, Quinten Strange, Xavier Saifoloi, Mitch Drummond, Rivez Reihana, Levi AumuaJoseph Suaalii made his Waratahs debut on Friday night. Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty ImagesQueensland Reds vs. Western ForceSuncorp Stadium, Brisbane, 7:35pm (AEDT)Reds: Heremaia Murray, Lachie Anderson, Filipo Daugunu, Hunter Paisami, Tim Ryan, Tom Lynagh, Kalani Thomas, Joe Brial, John Bryant, Seru Uru, Ryan Smith, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Massimo De Lutiis, Richie Asiata, Alex Hodgman. Replacement: Josh Nasser, George Blake, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Angus Blyth, Connor Vest, Tate McDermott, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Dre Pakeho.Force: Mac Grealy, Harry Potter, Sio Tomkinson, Hamish Stewart, Dylan Pietsch, Ben Donaldson, Nic White, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Carlo Tizzano, Will Harris, Darcy Swain, Jeremy Williams, Tom Robertson, Nic Dolly, Marley Pearce. Replacements: Tom Horton, Ryan Coxon, Atu Moli, Vaiolini Ekuasi, Reed Prinsep, Isaak Fines-Leleiwasa, Max Burey, Reesjan PasitoaOfficials: Ben O’Keffe; Assistant Referees: Stu Curran, Jackson Henshaw; TMO: Brett CronanPrediction: Both sides will be entering this clash full of confidence after their respective wins last weekend. The Reds looked strong in their impressive win over the Highlanders on the road, while the Force ran circles around the Drua. This is sure to be a tight encounter with set-piece set to play a big role in the result. Expect fireworks when the back-rows clash. Reds by 3. Top Fantasy pick: This one’s going to be tight and given his huge tackle numbers Carlo Tizzano is one to get in your team.Odds [tab.com.au]: Reds $1.20, -11.5 $1.85; Force $4.20, +11.5 $1.90
Injury Ward
ChiefsOliver Haig (Foot / 2 weeks ) Jonah Lowe (ACL / 1-2 weeks ) Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens (Neck / 2-3 weeks) Folau Fakatava (Hamstring / 1-2 weeks) Finn Hurley (Quad / TBC) Nikora Broughton (Rib Injury / 1-2 weeks) Hugh Renton (Groin /1-2 weeks)Friday, March 28Meanwhile the injury ward keeps growing. Read on for all lineups, tips and injury updates.Good luck with your tips.BrumbiesAs we close in on the halfway point of the competition — yes, already! — the table is starting to take shape with ALL four Aussie teams inside the top six! But will it stay that way?Highlanders: Sam Gilbert, Caleb Tangitau, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Timoci Tavatavanawai (c),Jona Nareki, Taine Robinson,Nathan Hastie,Sean Withy, Veveni Lasaqa, TK Howden, Mitch Dunshea, Fabian Holland, Saula Ma’u, Soane Vikena, Daniel Lienert-Brown. Replacements: Henry Bell, Josh Bartlett, Sefo Kautai, Will Stodart, Michael Loft, Adam Lennox, Ajay Faleafaga, Tanielu Tele’aGIO Stadium, Canberra 7:35pm (AEDT)Moana: William Havili, Tevita Ofa, Pepesana Patafilo, Lalomilo Lalomilo, Solomon Alaimalo, Patrick Pellegrini, Jonathan Taumateine, Ardie Savea (c), Semisi Paea, Miracle Faillagi, Allan Craig, Sam Slade, Feleti Sae-Ta’ufo’ou, Millennium Sanerivi, Tito Tuipulotu. Replacements: Sama Malolo, Abraham Pole, Chris Apoua, Tom Savage, Alamanda Motuga, Melani Matavao, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Tuna TuitamaTop Fantasy pick: After a five-try showing two weeks ago against the Force, Macca Springer is primed to add to his season tally.Selestino Ravutaumada (HIA), Epeli Momo (Knee)All odds correct at time of publication. HurricanesHurricanes: Ruben Love, Ngatungane Punivai, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Bailyn Sullivan, Kini Naholo, Riley Hohepa, Cam Roigard, Peter Lakai, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Braydon Iose, Zach Gallagher, Caleb Delany, Tyrel Lomax, Asafo Aumua, Xavier Numia. Replacements: Jacob Devery, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Tevita Mafileo,Isaia Walker-Leawere, Brad Shields, Jordi Vilijoen, Fatafehi Fineanganofo, Kade Banks.Danny Toala (knee) James Lay (elbow) Julian Savea (knee) Kyren Taumoefolau (shoulder) Losi Filipo (shoulder) Lotu Inisi (hamstring) Michael Curry (shoulder injury) Samiuela Moli (hamstring) Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa (quad) Sione Havili Talitui (ankle)Dom Gardiner (Hamstring/ 2 weeks) Johnny McNicholl (Hamstring/ 3-4 weeks) Kyle Preston (Rib/1-2 weeks) Kershawl Sykes-Martin (Knee/ 2 weeks) George Bell (Foot/season) Braydon Ennor (Hamstring/TBC) Finlay Brewis (Shoulder/season)CrusadersTop Fantasy pick: This is a match perfectly suited for Tom Wright.Officials: Damon Murphy; Assistant Referees: Marcus Playle, Jeremy Markey; TMO: Brett CronanTop Fantasy pick: He hasn’t stepped on the pitch since round one, but Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii will no doubt earn you some big points.Jock Campbell, Matt Faessler, Josh Flook, Matt Gibbon, Frankie Goldsbrough, Mason Gordon Isaac Henry, Will McCulloch, Liam Wright
Suspensions
PJ Sheck (shoulder), Zarn Sullivan (foot), Ben Ake (shoulder), Beauden Barrett (hand), Adrian Choat (knee), Taufa Funaki (shoulder), Reon Paul (shoulder), Ricky Riccitelli (chest), Ofa Tu’ungafasi (neck), Anton Segner (concussion), Sam Darry (shoulder, season), AJ Lam (leg).The Waratahs cross the ditch for the first time this season to take on the Hurricanes, while the Brumbies face their own Kiwi rival in the Highlanders; the Reds host the Force to close out the round.
Sports
No. 2 seed ASU volleyball advances to Sweet 16 in NCAA Tournament
Updated Dec. 5, 2025, 11:15 p.m. MT
One step closer.
No. 2 seed Arizona State volleyball is back in the Sweet 16 for the second time in three seasons.
The Sun Devils defeated Utah State in four sets (25-15, 25-18, 22-25, 25-15) in the second round of the NCAA Tournament at Desert Financial Arena on Friday, Dec. 5.
“It was really special for me,” senior outside hitter Bailey Miller said. “I was one of the only ones last year when we got upset (in the second round), so I think going into it, all the girls just wanted to recognize all the girls who didn’t get to go to the Sweet 16 last year and took it seriously. It was really special.”
ASU’s return to the Sweet 16 offers a sweeter follow-up to last season’s second-round exit after the Sun Devils earned a hosting bid for the first two rounds. As painful as it was for coach JJ Van Niel, he chose not to let last year cloud the current success.
“I don’t reflect back,” Van Niel said. “That’s negative, but it’s just moving forward. Every year is a new shot, but last year was very painful. Mostly, because I didn’t think we played our best volleyball.”
With few players remaining from last year, Van Niel wasn’t sure how ASU’s season would go and if they’d repeat as Big 12 champions and NCAA Tournament hosts. But his team has done both and added more with a Sweet 16 berth.
“I really had no idea this year what we were going to look like,” Van Niel said. “It’s 100% a new lineup and I’m really proud of these kids because they’ve fought and they’ve scrapped. They’ve all gotten better through the year and they’ve earned this Sweet 16, it’s a really special group.”
What was key for ASU was their defense against a scrappy team that rarely went down in one swing. The Sun Devils were up to the task as they benefited from USU’s 21 attack errors.
USU’s strong offense forced ASU’s middle blockers to front the middle, exploiting their right-side players. While the middle blockers didn’t get as many kills as they did in the first round, it opened the floor for Miller, Noemie Glover and Tatum Parrott.
Miller led ASU with 18 kills on .471 hitting and two errors, a stark improvement from her first-round performance. Glover didn’t commit any errors and had 17 kills on .531 hitting. Parrott added 13 kills.
ASU was serving well again as the Aggies sided out 56.3% of the time, including less than half the time in the first set. Miller’s three aces helped ASU finish with a 7-5 advantage in service aces.
“They’re a great offensive team and their middle (blockers) were very active,” Miller said. “We haven’t really seen a lot of that, so it definitely took some adjusting. But in the end, that’s our bread and butter, being able to adjust and be ready.”
The Aggies got their first lead since early in the first set when they started with an 8-5 edge over ASU in the third set. Instead of putting them away like in the first two sets, ASU had trouble against USU’s attack.
As the third set neared the end, neither side scored twice for six consecutive points until USU got a 24-22 lead over ASU. The Aggies then scored off a bad set from ASU’s Sydney Henry.
The Aggies were strong to start the fourth set, but ASU’s 6-0 run midway through the set helped the Sun Devils gain the separation needed and eliminate them.
The Sun Devils will travel to Lexington, Kentucky, and play No. 3 Creighton in the regional hosted by No. 1 seed Kentucky, either Dec. 12 or 13.
ASU capped off an impressive season at home where it went 16-0, and only dropped eight sets in those games.
Reach the reporter at jenna.ortiz@arizonarepublic.com, as well as @jennarortiz on X.
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Sports
Babcock sets record as Pitt women’s volleyball team rolls in 1st round of NCAA Tournament
Olivia Babcock didn’t realize her performance during the first round of the NCAA women’s volleyball tournament gave her the Pitt record for most kills in a season. Babcock knew she met the previous record holder, Wendy Hatlestad, during alumni weekend.
Babcock recorded 13 kills during the Panthers’ 25-10, 25-17, 25-13 win Friday night at Petersen Events Center in front of a crowd of 4,240. Babcock now has 558 kills, going past the single-season record of 555 Hatlestad set in 2003.
“I was talking to her two weeks ago,” Babcock said. “That’s crazy I just met her. But I think it says a lot about how much my team trusts me to take those big rips, and it gives me the opportunity to score and get as many kills as I do.”
Everyone had a good night hitting for the top-seeded Panthers, who advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament for the 10th straight season.
The Panthers committed only four attack errors against UMBC (13-12) and finished with a hitting percentage of .551.
“It’s really good to start out and to remind ourselves to maintain high standards,” Babcock said. “Obviously, all of these teams have made it into the tournament because they’re an amazing team, and everyone’s going to bring their best volleyball. I think we just need to make sure that we’re playing our best, too, because, especially in these matches, we don’t wanna slip up and give away a set or a match.”
Pitt (27-4) hasn’t dropped a set in the first round since it beat VCU, 3-1, in 2017 at Penn State.
The Retrievers qualified for the tournament after winning the America East Conference for the fifth time in the past six seasons. Pitt setter Brooke Mosher, who finished with 34 assists, said the Panthers got themselves in system thanks to their good passing.
Blaire Bayless was second for the Panthers with nine kills, and Abby Emch contributed eight.
“That made it really easy for me to spread the ball around and get the middles involved,” Mosher said. “Then, I trusted my teammates to be able to put the ball away.”
Pitt lost the first point of the match after UMBC delivered on a kill by Jalynn Brown. The Panthers responded by scoring the next three points, capping the surge with an ace by Izzy Masten.
UMBC struggled to find holes in Pitt’s defense. The Retrievers hit .129 and were led by seven kills from Hannah Dobbs.
UMBC coach Kasey Crider was happy with how they played.
“We don’t have an Olivia Babcock slayer, so, bummer,” Crider said. “I’ve been to this tournament a few times as a head coach and assistant coach, and I’ve never walked away from the tournament thinking we were the best at the end until today. It still hurts, but there were no regrets.”
Pitt will take on Michigan in the second round Saturday. The Wolverines advanced by beating Xavier. The Panthers are 3-6 all-time against the Wolverines.
Pitt’s only meeting with Michigan in the NCAA Tournament came in 2018, when the Wolverines upset Pitt in five sets at Petersen Events Center.
Mosher, who previously played in the NCAA Tournament with Illinois, said she doesn’t feel any extra pressure playing as the No. 1 seed.
“I think just being in the tournament has its own weight in itself,” Mosher said. “Every game your season is on the line, which is the same no matter who you are.”
Josh Rizzo is a freelance writer.
Sports
Kansas State volleyball vs Nebraska in NCAA Tournament channel, time
Dec. 6, 2025, 6:03 a.m. CT
Kansas State volleyball survived and advanced, and now it will take on the No. 1 team in the country in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
The Wildcats and Nebraska Cornhuskers will face off at 7 p.m. in the Bob Devaney Sports Center in Lincoln, Nebraska, on Saturday, Dec. 6.
Watch K-State volleyball in NCAA Tournament
Nebraska enters the match 31-0, seeking its first championship since 2017. The Huskers cruised to a three-set win over Long Island.
K-State’s win over San Diego to advance was more dramatic. The Wildcats (18-9, 10-8 Big 12) pulled it off in five sets, while needing to win the fourth to make it possible.
What channel is Kansas State volleyball vs Nebraska on today?
- TV channel: None
- Stream:ESPN+
Kansas State volleyball vs. Nebraska will be available to stream on ESPN+.
Watch K-State volleyball in NCAA Tournament
Kansas State volleyball vs Nebraska time today
- Date: Saturday, Dec. 6
- Start time: 7 p.m. CT
Kansas State and Nebraska will begin at 7 p.m. CT on Saturday, Dec. 6.
Wyatt D. Wheeler covers Kansas State athletics for the USA TODAY Network and Topeka Capital-Journal. You can follow him on X at @WyattWheeler_, contact him at 417-371-6987 or email him at wwheeler@usatodayco.com
Sports
Women’s track and field begins indoor season at M City Classic
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – The St. Olaf College women’s track and field team turned in 13 performances that ranked on its all-time performers’ list at the season-opening M City Classic on Friday at the University of Minnesota Fieldhouse.
First years accounted for 11 of the 13 performances that ranked on St. Olaf’s all-time list at the unscored meet, which included teams from the NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), and club levels. In addition to the top-10 list performances, senior Ella Landis posted St. Olaf’s lone first-place finish at the meet by winning the one-mile run in 5:17.28.
In her first collegiate meet, first year Evangeline Sappington broke onto the program’s all-time performers’ list in both the 60-meter dash and 200-meter dash. Sappington was the top Division III finisher and was 10th overall in the 200-meter dash (26.84), while also taking second among Division III competitors and 16th overall in the 60-meter dash. Sappington’s time in the 60-meter dash ranks second on the Oles’ all-time list – just four one-hundredths of a second off the record – and her time in the 200-meter dash is fifth.
Sophomore Izzi Jaeckle clocked in with St. Olaf’s No. 4 time in the 60-meter dash by placing 17th (8.10), while first year Ellie Semple also broke onto the list in 10th with a time of 8.28 seconds to finish 27th. Sophomore Logan Paulsen moved up to seventh on the Oles’ list with a sixth-place performance in the shot put (12.48m, 40′ 11 ½”), while first year Abigal Frei cleared 3.26 meters (10′ 8 ¼”) for a No. 5 all-time result and an eighth-place finish.
First years Svea Frantzich and Claire Stein recorded St. Olaf’s No. 8 and No. 10 scores in the pentathlon by finishing seventh (3,005) and eighth (2,993), respectively. Frantzich tied for third in the long jump (5.44m, 17′ 10 ¼”) and was sixth in the 60-meter hurdles (9.47), which both ranked on St. Olaf’s all-time list. Stein also tied for third in the long jump (5.44m, 10′ 10 ¼”) to highlight her day. First year Annika Walsh was the runner-up in the high jump (1.62m, 5′ 3 ¾”) – fifth all-time – and was seventh in the 60-meter hurdles (9.48) – ninth all-time – as part of a ninth-place finish in the pentathlon (2,881).
St. Olaf will be back in action in 2026 at the Ole Opener at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 17 at Tostrud Center.
Sports
Second-Screen Golf Experiences : Player Profiles
In addition to offering an on-site fan experience, IRCODE, as a Technology Partner, introduced an interactive viewer experience for fans at home. When players appeared on-screen, viewers used the IRCODE app to scan their screen and instantly accessed a full, interactive profile for shopping their favorite players’ gear, diving deeper into their stories and learning more about the causes that are meaningful to them.
Player Profiles leverages IRCODE’s patented EXACT Match technology and proprietary computer vision, and applies real-time visual recognition to usher in the next generation of second-screen entertainment.
Sports
Catch Saturday’s Basketball and Indoor Track and Field Action
BEREA, Ohio – Fans can follow or watch Saturday’s Baldwin Wallace University basketball and indoor track and field action via live results, statistics or video.
The men’s and women’s indoor track and field teams open the 2025-26 season when it travels to Cleveland to compete in the Spartan Alumni Holiday Classic hosted by Case Western Reserve University inside the Veale Convocation, Recreation and Athletic Center at 11:00 a.m.
Live Results:
https://bwyellowjackets.cc/3MlDQcr
FloCollege On Demand Live Video:
https://bwyellowjackets.cc/3KFq6st
The men’s basketball team travels to New Concord for the first game of a men’s and women’s Ohio Athletic Conference and Hoops for Hunger Food Drive doubleheader against Muskingum University on Performance Court inside the Anne C. Steele Center at 1:00 p.m. Fans can receive free admission to the game with a donation of canned food, a non-perishable item, or a monetary contribution.
Tickets:
https://bwyellowjackets.cc/3WGuwll
Live Statistics:
https://bwyellowjackets.cc/493Gehq
FloCollege On Demand Live Video:
https://flosports.link/47hSw2V
The No. 21 nationally ranked women’s basketball team travels to New Concord for the second game of a women’s and men’s Ohio Athletic Conference and Hoops for Hunger Food Drive doubleheader against Muskingum University on Performance Court inside the Anne C. Steele Center at 4:00 p.m. Fans can receive free admission to the game with a donation of canned food, a non-perishable item, or a monetary contribution.
Tickets:
https://bwyellowjackets.cc/3WGuwll
Live Statistics:
https://bwyellowjackets.cc/49Ist7Q
FloCollege On Demand Live Video:
https://flosports.link/4qu1Fyr
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