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Orem’s Lucky Jennings (8) celebrates with his teammates during a 4A boys volleyball state quarterfinal match against Green Canyon at the UCCU Center in Orem on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.

Darnell Dickson, Daily Herald

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Orem’s Luke Wolsey (center) attacks the ball against Green Canyon in a 4A boys volleyball state quarterfinal match at the UCCU Center in Orem on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.

Darnell Dickson, Daily Herald

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Orem’s Ben Hone takes a swing against Green Canyon in a 4A boys volleyball state quarterfinal match at the UCCU Center in Orem on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.

Darnell Dickson, Daily Herald

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The Orem boys volleyball team celebrates a victory in the 4A quarterfinals against Green Canyon at the UCCU Center in Orem on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.

Darnell Dickson, Daily Herald

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The Orem boys volleyball team celebrates a point during a Day 1 match in the 4A state tournament at the UCCU Center in Orem on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.

Darnell Dickson, Daily Herald

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Orem boys volleyball coach Bill Sefita watches the action at the 4A state tournament at the UCCU Center in Orem on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.

Darnell Dickson, Daily Herald

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Orem’s Bryton Payne (26) celebrates a point during a 4A boys volleyball state quarterfinal match against Green Canyon at the UCCU Center in Orem on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.

Darnell Dickson, Daily Herald

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Orem’s Luke Wolsey (center) attacks the ball against Green Canyon in a 4A boys volleyball state quarterfinal match at the UCCU Center in Orem on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.

Darnell Dickson, Daily Herald

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Orem’s Will Brown serves the ball against Green Canyon in a 4A boys volleyball state quarterfinal match at the UCCU Center in Orem on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.

Darnell Dickson, Daily Herald

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Cooper Pope of Timpanogos elevates to take a swing against Pine View in the 4A boys volleyball state tournament at the UCCU Center in Orem on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.

Darnell Dickson, Daily Herald

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Jared Hansen of Timpanogos (12) rises up for a block against Pine View in the 4A boys volleyball state tournament at the UCCU Center in Orem on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.

Darnell Dickson, Dailly Herald

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Cooper Pope of Timpanogos takes a swing against Pine View in the 4A boys volleyball state tournament at the UCCU Center in Orem on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.

Darnell Dickson, Daily Herald

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Members of the Timpanogos boys volleyball team celebrates a point against Pine View in the 4A state tournament at the UCCU Center on Orem on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.

Darnell Dickson, Daily Herald

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Members of the Timpanogos boys volleyball team celebrates a point against Pine View in the 4A state tournament at the UCCU Center on Orem on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.

Darnell Dickson, Daily Herald

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Zaxen Downey of Timpanogos sets the ball against Pine View in the 4A boys volleyball state tournament at the UCCU Center in Orem on Wednesday, May 7m 2025.

Darnell Dickson, Daily Herald

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Provo’s Talon Colarusso (11) takes a swing against Murray in the 4A boys volleyball state tournament at the UCCU Center in Orem on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.

Darnell Dickson, Daily Herald

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Payson’s Dillon Houston (9) and Zack Kenison put up a block against Mountain View in the 4A boys volleyball state tournament at the UCCU Center in Orem on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.

Darnell Dickson, Daily Herald

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Payson’s Jace Mangum serves the ball against Mountain View in the 4A boys volleyball state tournament at the UCCU Center in Orem on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.

Darnell Dickson, Daily Herald

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Payson boys volleyball players celebrate a point against Mountain View in the 4A state tournament at the UCCU Center in Orem on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.

Darnell Dickson, Daily Herald

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Mountain View’s Adam Maya sets the ball against Payson in the 4A boys volleyball state tournament at the UCCU Center in Orem on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.

Darnell Dickson, Daily Herald

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Mountain View’s Makai Wood serves the ball against Payson in the 4A boys volleyball state tournament at the UCCU Center in Orem on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.

Darnell Dickson, Daily Herald

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Much is expected from Orem in this year’s 4A state tournament, and a convincing quarterfinal straight set win over Green Canyon on Wednesday (25-18, 25-10, 25-8) didn’t disappoint.

Although the Tigers (24-6) started things off slowly, they soon hit a stride as they’ve shown forth so often this season, taking the second and third sets in convincing fashion. A key was an early timeout taken in the first set where Orem coach Bill Sefita managed to refocus his players.

“We can’t just be a reactive team that waits for the other team to do something,” Sefita said of his directive. “We have to be proactive and play our own volleyball first and then take care of the little things. That’s what helped us build that big lead.”

The second set saw Orem dominate from the outset. Led by Lucky Jennings and his eight kills for the match, the Tigers set off on a 12-1 run as most everything came together from both the front and back rows. Green Canyon managed to fight back a bit, but any 11 point deficit is hard to overcome in volleyball, and proved to be the case.

Orem took its second set momentum and parlayed it into an even bigger 25-8 winning margin in the third. After incurring an early 3-2 deficit the Tigers manufactured a 12-0 run and rolled from there for the straight set win.

Earlier in the day, Orem rolled past No. 17 West Field 25-10, 25-21, 25-13 in a first round sweep.

As mentioned, much is expected of the No. 1-seeded Tigers, who are a year removed from just missing out on a state championship. In 2024, Orem lost a heartbreaking five-set thriller to Pine View in the 4A title match.

It’s a fact not lost on this year’s team and has perhaps provided more than a little motivation.

“I think some of those who returned from last year have that chip on their shoulder, and have a point to prove,” Sefita said. “But we ask them to focus on the present and engage in the moment. We drive forward and don’t look backwards.”

What Sefita implored to his team during the first timeout during Wednesday’s match is a directive he’s preached all season.

“Last year was last year and we can’t really dwell on the past. All we can do is move forward,” said Orem Coach Bill Sefita. “We’re focused on what we can do better this year. That’s what we’re doing right now…We’re controlling the controllables.”

With the win Orem advances to take on No. 5 Payson in the semifinals on Thursday at 10:15 a.m. The two teams met twice during Region 8 play, with the Tigers winning 3-1 and 3-0.

Payson pulls it out

Led by Waylon Francom and Brockton Shirley, who tallied 11 and 10 kills, respectively, the Lions (20-9) secured a straight set win over Crimson Cliffs in the quarterfinals (25-17, 25-22, 25-22.)

It was a satisfying result for Payson coach Kyle Adams, whose team appears to be hitting its stride at exactly the right time.

“This season has been up and down,” Adams said. “We’ve had some fantastic play, but we’ve also struggled. But that’s typical high school sports. It’s a game of momentum and we made some adjustments throughout the season and I think we’re starting to peak right now.”

Fraught with illness to some key players early in region play, things have come together nicely with a date versus favored Orem on the horizon in the semifinals.

“I think we have a healthy team,” Adams said. “I think we have a team that’s really great at sacrificing. I love that they have a really selfless attitude and it’s starting to show up on the board.”

In the first round, the Lions took care of Region 8 foe Mountain View 3-1 (25-22, 25-21, 16-25, 25-16).

Timpanogos gets the upset

Timpanogos, the No. 7 seed, reeled off the biggest upset of the day with a four-set win over No. 2 seed Murray (25-16, 17-25, 25-23, 25-23.)

“It may have been unexpected to others, but not to us,” said Timpanogos coach Jared Stark. “We came in ready to take on any team in front of us and our goal is to take it as far as possible.”

Although Senior Cooper Pope led the way and smashed through the game-winner, Stark was hesitant to point out any certain individual for Wednesday’s upset win.

“It was the whole team,” Stark said. “Everyone contributed. The whole team put in the work and it really was a complete team effort today. We’re happy to get this win, but our focus now turns to what’s up next.”

The T-Wolves took out defending state champion Pine View in the first round in a sweep (25-19, 25-15, 25-10).

Timpanogos (14-9) will square off versus Desert Hills (18-8) in the semifinals, giving Region 8 three of the four teams in that round.

In consolation play, No. 12 Mountain View advanced. with a 2-0 sweep (25-9, 25-23) of No. 13 Stansbury, advancing to play No. 8 Jordan on Thursday with the winner playing for 6th-8th place. No. 18 Provo fell to No. 10 Pine View 2-1 (25-23, 23-25, 27-25) and was eliminated in the consolation round.

San Marcos and Santa Barbara High’s top duos had their seasons come to a close on Day 2 of the CIF-SS Individual Pairs Tournament on Wednesday in Huntington Beach.

Josie Gamberdella and Cora Loomer of the Royals reached the quarterfinals while Keenan Engebretson and Lola Heckman of the Dons fell in the Round of 16.

San Marcos

Gamberdella and Loomer, the No. 7 seed, opened the day with a 21-17 opening-set loss in the Round of 16, but they bounced back with two straight wins, 21-12, 18-16, to keep their season alive.

In the third and final set, they found themselves down 6-1 before regrouping and pulling out the tight victory on a transition dig and booming kill.

“The defense and transition kills of both Loomer and Gamberdella during the final part of the third match were critical to their come-from-behind win,” San Marcos head coach Tim Loomer said.

In the quarterfinals, Gamberdella and Loomer fell in two sets to Redondo Union’s Avery and Addison Junk, the No. 2 seed, 21-13, 21-10.

With the finish, Gamberdella and Loomer ended with a fifth-place overall finish in the CIF Southern Section.

“The pair displayed strong skills and aggressive play throughout the two-day tournament, representing their town, school and league well,” Tim Loomer said. “Over the course of the season, both girls made good progress on key aspects of their games and it was fun to watch them play at a high level during both the CIF team and pairs tournaments.

“It was an honor to coach Josie during her final high school volleyball match. She has been a foundational part of both the beach and indoor volleyball programs at San Marcos these past four years. While her skill as a player is exceptional, her work ethic, determination, and quiet leadership are qualities that not only benefited the program but provided an example for her teammates.”

Santa Barbara High

Heckman and Engebretson dropped their Round of 16 matchup to the Junk sisters in two sets, 21-11, 21-10.

“The girls battled hard against a very good, consistent team,” Dons head coach Kristin Hempy said. “I’m proud of how Lola and Keenan stayed aggressive and went after their shots. Overall, a great tournament for these two and for SBHS.”

The Junk duo from Redondo Union went on to win the CIF-SS Individual Pairs Championship.

SIX players from Warrington Swimming and Water Polo Club competed in the National Age Group Championships in Coventry at the weekend – some coming home as gold medal winners.

Francesca Horrobin, Nieve Folkes and Tillie McGeehan represented the City of Liverpool Under 17s women’s team that were crowned champions.

In the semi-finals, they helped their side beat Worthing 9-8, and then went on to defeat West London Penguins 12-6 to claim the Edith and Tom Lythe Memorial Trophy for the first time since 2011.

Tillie received the award for ‘Most Valuable Player of the Tournament’.

Fleur Morris, also representing City of Liverpool but at women’s under 19s level, made an excellent contribution to both of their games, losing 15-10 to the eventual winners Bristol and then being pipped to the bronze medal, losing out 10-8 to Cheltenham.

Oscar Pate took to the water with City of Manchester Under 17s, who clinched the silver medal after their exciting final game was decided on penalties.

Will McGeehan featured for City of Manchester Under 19s Open, who won the gold medal by beating West London Penguins 12-10.

This was Manchester’s first gold in this event since 2015.

Warrington Swimming and Water Polo Club coach Jon McGeehan also attended as team manager for the City of Liverpool Under 17s women and the City of Manchester Under 19s open sides.

A club statement reads: “Warrington Swimming and Water Polo Club are so proud of all the players that attended the finals weekend in Coventry, a fantastic opportunity, and bringing two gold and one silver trophies back to the north west.

“We are sure the town of Warrington are also very proud, well done.”

The NCAA Men’s Volleyball Committee announced the field for the 2025 National Collegiate Men’s Volleyball Championship last week. After being ranked No. 1 for the last 13 weeks, Long Beach State earned an At-Large selection as the No. 1 overall seed in the tournament.

Long Beach State (27-3), who won their sixth Big West regular season championship in the last seven seasons and advanced to the Big West Championship finals received one of two at-large selections into the National Championship. This selection marks the 15th NCAA Tournament appearance in program history and the eighth in the last nine seasons.

The Beach will face off against eighth-seeded Fort Valley State (16-9) as the back-to-back SIAC champions return to the tournament. Long Beach State will take on the Wildcats at 2 p.m. today in the third match of the quarterfinals.

The rest of the field includes Loyola Chicago taking on Pepperdine, and UCLA facing Belmont Abbey. Hawai’i, seeded second, will match up against the winner of the play-in match between Penn State and hosted by Daemen.

The quarterfinals begin today, May 8 at the Covelli Center in Columbus, Ohio, with the semifinals to be held on Saturday, May 10. All six of those matches will be broadcast live on ESPN+. The championship match is set for Monday, May 12 at 4 p.m. (PT) and will be televised live on ESPN2.

RESULTS | PHOTO GALLERIES (DAY 1 | DAY 2 | DAY 3)

The standings may read that the Morehead State Women’s Golf team finished the NCAA Lexington Regtional this week in 11th place of the 12 competing squads, but the scoreboard also reflects the best-ever 54-hole score for an Ohio Valley Conference team at a regional in league history.

The Eagles, competing in the program’s third-ever NCAA regional, navigated the Champions Course at Keene Trace with a three-day total of 888 (294-301-293). That topped MSU’s previous conference-best 896 set in the 2023 Westfield (Ind.) Regional.

Freshman Tavia Burgess, the OVC Freshman of the Year, nearly put herself in the top 10 individually, finally finishing in 13th. Her 13th place effort is the second-best ever finish for an OVC individual at a regional in league history. Burgess carded a 73 in round one but returned on Tuesday and Wednesday to shoot 1-under par 71s and finish at 215, also the second-best individual 54-hole score for an OVC player ever.

Junior Tuva Marie Isebakke, the OVC Player of the Year, fashioned rounds of 73-83-70–226 to take 46th. Senior Hanna Montgomery concluded in 51st at 73-76-78–227, while sophomore Isabella Wiley was next at 75-79-75–229 and 54th.

Junior Amelia Rae Greenlee rounded out the Eagle five also in 54th at 77-75-77–229.

MSU ranked fourth among the 12 teams in par-3 scoring average.

No. 3 Florida State won the regional at -15, followed by NCAA Championship qualifiers No. 34 Georgia Southern, No. 28 Kansas State, No. 9 Southern California and No. 22 Vanderbilt. TCU’s Sofia Barrosa Sa finished fourth and will advance as the top individual not on an advancing team.

The regional wrapped up MSU’s OVC Championship season under veteran head coach Stephanie Barker.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (HawaiiNewsNow) – The University of Hawaii at Manoa men’s volleyball team is gearing up for the NCAA tournament.

The Rainbow Warriors have been training in Columbus, Ohio, ahead of their quarterfinal matchup against Penn State Thursday.

This will be the fifth appearance in the last six seasons for UH in the tournament, but for many of the players on this year’s squad, this is the first time that they’re appearing in postseason play.

“I’m super excited. I’ve been looking forward to this my whole career, so it’s just looking forward to the first game and just kind of settling the nerves and then having fun after,” said setter Tread Rosenthal.

Wednesday marked the first official practice inside the Covelli Center and a chance for the players to get acclimated to the host venue.

“Every gym is different. There’s lights on different spots, the service line on certain distance back,” Rosenthal said. ”I mean you just kind of got to get used to playing in there. It’s just kind of all about that there’s nothing much different.”

The trip to Ohio is a familiar one for senior libero Eleu Choy, the lone member on the squad who was on the 2021 team that won their first national title in Columbus.

Choy recognizes that his time as a Rainbow Warrior will soon come to an end. He’s trying to enjoy each moment.

“Knowing that Thursday might be the last, maybe might hopefully not, but maybe the last game, at this point like every game you just got to play like it’s your last game,” he said. “I think that’s why I just wanna leave behind, and we just got to stay focused because I think when we’re at our best game, no one can beat us.”

The quarterfinal matchup between Hawaii and Penn State is Thursday at 7:30 a.m. Hawaii time.

Games will be streamed on live on ESPN+, except for the national championship, which will air on ESPN2.

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