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Tech hosts in-state rival Middle Tennessee in home finale on Tuesday

By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech baseball team hosts its final contest at Quillen Field and Bush Stadium at the Averitt Express Baseball Complex of the season on Tuesday night, squaring off in a rematch with longtime in-state rival Middle Tennessee at 6:00 p.m. CT. The contest is slated […]

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By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech baseball team hosts its final contest at Quillen Field and Bush Stadium at the Averitt Express Baseball Complex of the season on Tuesday night, squaring off in a rematch with longtime in-state rival Middle Tennessee at 6:00 p.m. CT.

The contest is slated to be streamed on ESPN+, with Dylan Vazzano on the call. Admission to all Tech home baseball games is free of charge. With inclement weather expected in the Cookeville area throughout the day, fans are encouraged to check TTUSports.com and Tennessee Tech social media for any more potential updates to this season’s schedule.

THE SERIES
Tuesday’s match-up represents the 198th meeting between the two ball clubs in the all-time series, with the Blue Raiders holding a 124-71-2 lead. Last season, the Golden Eagles swept the home-and-home series, picking up wins at each team’s ballpark.

Following a two-hour weather delay back on Apr. 2 of last season, the purple and gold overcame a five-run deficit to top their rival to the west in a back-and-forth, 11-9 affair at Quillen Field and Bush Stadium at the Averitt Express Baseball Complex. Trailing 7-2 heading into the bottom of the fourth, Tech’s offense went to work, scoring four runs in the frame, two more in the sixth, and a very important three insurance markers in the eighth.

On Apr. 17, the sides squared off again with the Cookeville crew boasting a 5-2 victory in Murfreesboro. Mack Whitcomb belted a go-ahead, two-run long ball in the sixth to provide the necessary offense to secure the win. Tech’s bullpen racked up seven shutout frames to close the contest.

The two in-state foes clashed in Murfreesboro back on Mar. 11, with the Golden Eagles rolling to a 13-3 victory in seven innings. Shortstop Owen Lee led the charge by tying the program’s single-game home run record with three jacks on the night. Tech piled up 10 hits and 10 walks in the contest, constantly pressuring the Blue Raider pitching staff.

LAST TIME OUT
The Golden Eagles enter Tuesday’s contest after winning their sixth OVC series of the season with a pair of victories over visiting Lindenwood this past weekend. The Lions out-dueled the purple and gold in a 1-0 shutout in the opener on Friday, but Tech took over from there.

In game two, the Tech offense backed more brilliant pitching from its staff for a 9-1 victory, with reigning OVC Pitcher of the Week Jared Herzog tossing up 6.0 scoreless frames with seven punch-outs. Reece McDuffie finished things off for the three-inning save.

Sophomore catcher Mack Whitcomb paved the way to Sunday’s 7-4 victory, tying the program’s single-game home run record with three round-trippers in the affair. The defense and pitching held up their side as well, leading to another huge home victory on Senior Day. 

THE OPPONENT
The Blue Raiders come into Tuesday’s affair following a banner weekend in their final home tilts of the season, sweeping a three-game set over Conference USA rival Sam Houston. Middle Tennessee picked up a 4-1 win in the opener, bouncing back from a solo run in the first to set the tone for the weekend.

A late charge in game two produced an 11-6 victory for the Blue Raiders, dropping eight runs across the sixth, seventh, and eighth frames. The offense continued to hum in the finale, setting the tone in a 13-3 run-rule victory in seven innings.

CLIMBING THE LEADERBOARD
Four-time Ohio Valley Conference Coach of the Year Matt Bragga is back for his 19th overall season at the helm of the Golden Eagle program and fourth after making his return to Cookeville in 2022. The Tech legend continues to climb the OVC’s all-time coaching wins list, currently ranked fifth overall in league history with a Golden Eagle program-record 555 victories. This season, Bragga passed TTU Sports Hall of Famer David Mays on the all-time list, and the Tech duo represents the only pair of coaches from the same school to rank in the league’s top eight of OVC wins.

1.   Gary McClure, Austin Peay (1988-15)     847
2.     Johnny Reagan, Murray State (1958-93)    776
3.   Jim Ward, Eastern Kentucky (1980-01)   628
4.   Jim Case, Jacksonville State (2004-21)    564
5.   Matt Bragga, Tennessee Tech (2004-18, 22-present)   560
6.   David Mays, Tennessee Tech (1974-98)   554
7.    Mark Hogan, Southeast Missouri (1995-12)    526
8.   Jim Schmitz, Eastern Illinois (1997-15)   480
9.   John Stanford, Middle Tennessee (1974-87)   402
10.    Steve Peterson, Middle Tennessee (1988-00)   401

PRESEASON OUTLOOK
The purple and gold were selected to finish third in the OVC in a preseason vote of league head baseball coaches and communications directors, falling behind only defending tournament champion Southeast Missouri and defending regular-season champ Little Rock.

During its 2025 OVC Season Preview, D1baseball.com selected southpaw Jared Herzog as the No. 1 prospect in the league for the 2025 MLB Draft while outfielder Jorsixt Jimenez was ranked 11th. The D1baseball crew listed catcher Mack Whitcomb as the No. 2 prospect from the OVC for the 2026 MLB Draft, right-handed pitcher Jack Brafa No. 7, and right-handed hurler Juan Vargas No. 9. Rookie righty Carter Casabella was selected as an Impact Freshman, sitting at No. 10.

OVC HONORS
On Monday, sophomore catcher Mack Whitcomb earned his second OVC Player of the Week honor of the season and his career following a career showing against Lindenwood. In the finale, the backstop tied a program record with three home runs and finished the weekend with five RBI, six runs, a .500 batting average, and a 1.400 slugging percentage.

Last week, senior southpaw Jared Herzog claimed the first OVC Pitcher of the Week nod of his lone season in the purple and gold after a sensational showing at Southeast Missouri on Saturday. The Ottawa, Ill. native tossed the team’s first complete game of the year, completing 9.0 innings while holding the Redhawks to just one run on seven hits while striking out four.

On Apr. 28, junior hurler Reece McDuffie was honored with his first career OVC Pitcher of the Week accolade, sharing the honor with Lindenwood’s Josh Newell. The right-hander completed 6.1 innings out of the pen, allowing just three base runners while striking out four and picking up a pair of wins in three appearances.

Earlier this month, on Apr. 14, junior infielder Eddie Garza picked up the first OVC Player of the Week honor of his career after helping lead the Golden Eagles to a three-game sweep of Southern Indiana. The second baseman hit .667 with three home runs, four runs scored, and nine RBI during the week, slugging a ridiculous 1.417. 

Back on Mar. 24, senior outfielder Nicho Jordan was recognized as the OVC Player of the Week for the first time in his career, slashing .583/.688/.1.417 over four games with three home runs, six RBI, and eight runs scored. After opening Tech’s first OVC series at Little Rock 1-for-4, Jordan exploded in the second contest, tallying two home runs (including one of the inside-the-park variety) on a 4-for-4 day with five RBI, five runs, a walk, and a stolen base.

On Feb. 17, Whitcomb earned his first career OVC Player of the Week nod, batting .385 with five extra-base hits, six RBI, and five runs in a four-game sweep over Le Moyne on opening weekend. He slugged 1.154 while turning in an OPS of 1.625, smashing two long balls along the way.

Twitter: @TNTech_Baseball 
Facebook: /TennesseeTechBaseball 
Instagram: tntech_bsb

Current Week Schedule
Tuesday, May 13 | vs. Middle Tennessee | 6:00 p.m. CT
Thursday, May 15 | at Morehead State | 5:00 p.m. CT
Friday, May 16 | at Morehead State | 1:00 p.m. CT
Saturday, May 17 | at Morehead State | 12:00 p.m. CT

TENNESSEE TECH GOLDEN EAGLES
2025 Record: 34-18
2025 OVC Record: 16-8
Head Coach: Matt Bragga
TTU: 560-497-2 (19th Season)
Career: 611-573-3 (22nd Season)

STATS LEADERS
AVG: Mack Whitcomb (.339)
2B: Whitcomb (12)
3B: Jackson Green (2)
HR: Whitcomb (13)
RBI: Whitcomb (45)
R: Whitcomb (47)
BB: Nicho Jordan (35)
SLG%: Whitcomb (.619)
OB%: Whitcomb (.466)
SB: Jordan (18)
ERA: Juan Vargas (2.58)
W: Jack Brafa (6)
APP: 3 players tied (19)
IP: Jaxson Pease (63.1)
K: Vargas (51)
BAA: Herzog (.184)
SV: Vargas (8)

MIDDLE TENNESSEE BLUE RAIDERS
2025 Record: 23-28
2025 CUSA Record: 8-16
Head Coach: Jerry Meyers
MT: 70-93 (3rd Season)
Career: 237-251 (9th Season)

STATS LEADERS
AVG: Eston Snider (.351)
2B: Snider (16)
3B: 6 players tied (1)
HR: Brett Vondohlen (17)
RBI: Vondohlen (46)
R: Snider (43)
BB: Matt Wolfe (29)
SLG%: Vondohlen (.606)
OB%: Snider (.448)
SB: Snider (22)
ERA: Drew Horn (1.75)
W: Chandler Alderman (4)
APP: Landen Burch / Ethan Imbimbo (18)
IP: Alderman (64.2)
K: Horn (57)
BAA: Horn (.149)
SV: Burch (3)

Photo by Jim Dillon





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Casper College to host youth volleyball camp

By Lisa S. Icenogle CASPER, Wyo. — A girls volleyball camp will take place at Casper College in the “Swede” Erickson Thunderbird Gymnasium, scheduled for June 9-11. The camp will feature three sessions under the direction of Angel Sharman, women’s head volleyball coach, and assistant coach Kelly Wiedemann. The first, from 10 a.m. to noon, […]

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By Lisa S. Icenogle

CASPER, Wyo. — A girls volleyball camp will take place at Casper College in the “Swede” Erickson Thunderbird Gymnasium, scheduled for June 9-11.

The camp will feature three sessions under the direction of Angel Sharman, women’s head volleyball coach, and assistant coach Kelly Wiedemann. The first, from 10 a.m. to noon, will be for third and fourth graders, followed by a camp for fifth and sixth graders from 1-3 p.m., and finally one for seventh through 10th graders from 3-5 p.m. Check-in is 30 minutes before each camp begins.

“Kelly and I are committed to giving all campers an enjoyable time at Casper College while teaching each one the skills and team aspect of the sport of volleyball,” said Sharman.

The camp fee is $80 per person, and each participant will receive a camp T-shirt. Walk-ins will not be accepted for a session that is full, so early registration is encouraged.

To register or for more information, people can contact athletics administrative assistant Robin Bisiar at 307-268-3000 or robin.bisiar@caspercollege.edu, or go here.



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Blackfoot volleyball player Lilian Harper signs to become a Lady Monster

BLACKFOOT – Blackfoot’s Lilian Harper signed this week to play volleyball at Eastern Arizona College in Thatcher, Arizona. Harper was a 5A District 6 All-Conference honorable mention selection at outside/right side hitter. She led the Broncos with a 0.214 hitting percentage and was among team leaders in kills per set (2.7), blocks (56), and kills […]

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BLACKFOOT – Blackfoot’s Lilian Harper signed this week to play volleyball at Eastern Arizona College in Thatcher, Arizona.

Harper was a 5A District 6 All-Conference honorable mention selection at outside/right side hitter.

She led the Broncos with a 0.214 hitting percentage and was among team leaders in kills per set (2.7), blocks (56), and kills (273).

The Eastern Arizona Lady Monsters advanced to the NJCAA Division I National Tournament last season and finished 23-12. They won the Region I Championship and the Rocky Mountain B District Championship to advance to the national tournament.

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Volleyball Graduate Assistant in Pittsburg, KS for Pittsburg State University

Pittsburg State University is an accredited, comprehensive, state-supported institution in southeastern Kansas, enrolling approximately 7,200 students annually. The institution has Colleges in the fields of Arts and Sciences, Business, Education, and Technology. For more information see: http://www.pittstate.edu . Pittsburg has a population of approximately 19,000 residents and is located in southeast Kansas, about thirty miles […]

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Pittsburg State University is an accredited, comprehensive, state-supported institution in southeastern Kansas, enrolling approximately 7,200 students annually. The institution has Colleges in the fields of Arts and Sciences, Business, Education, and Technology. For more information see: http://www.pittstate.edu . Pittsburg has a population of approximately 19,000 residents and is located in southeast Kansas, about thirty miles from Joplin, Missouri, which has a metropolitan area population of about 60,000 residents. Kansas City is located 120 miles north; Tulsa, Oklahoma is 125 miles southwest; Wichita is 160 miles west; and Springfield, Missouri is 95 miles east. For more information see: http://www.pittks.org .



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UCLA Athletics Again Faces Hard Choices — Will History Repeat?

UCLA Athletics is once again at a pivotal crossroads Already burdened with a $219.5 million cumulative deficit over the past six fiscal years, and facing the looming financial obligations from the House v. NCAA settlement — which will require approximately $22 million annually in direct athlete compensation — the UCLA athletics department must now navigate […]

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UCLA Athletics is once again at a pivotal crossroads

Already burdened with a $219.5 million cumulative deficit over the past six fiscal years, and facing the looming financial obligations from the House v. NCAA settlement — which will require approximately $22 million annually in direct athlete compensation — the UCLA athletics department must now navigate a fragile future for its non-revenue sports, including women’s swimming and diving and water polo.

History Echoes: UCLA Cut Men’s Swimming After a National Title

1980 UCLA Men's Swimming TeamThis moment evokes a painful chapter from UCLA’s past. Despite winning the 1982 NCAA Men’s Swimming and Diving championship and producing one of the fastest swimmers in the world, Robin Leamy, who set NCAA records in the 50-yard freestyle and won USA relay gold medals at the 1984 Olympics, UCLA famously cut its men’s swimming program in 1994.

Budget pressures and the need to comply with Title IX gender equity standards were cited. Yet the decision shocked the swimming world: how could one of the sport’s top programs — home to 22 Olympians — simply disappear?

Read the original LA Times coverage here.

“It didn’t matter that we had world records, Olympic medals, or NCAA titles,” one former swimmer recalled. “We were still cut because of the numbers.”

Today’s Success — and Today’s Risks

UCLA Women's Water Polo Team NCAA Champions 2024

Fast forward to today, and the parallels are unsettling.

UCLA’s women’s water polo team is just a year removed from a perfect season by capturing the 2024 NCAA title. The women’s swimming and diving teams continue to produce NCAA qualifiers and Olympic hopefuls.

But success in the pool does not guarantee security outside of it.

Swimming World has reported on the financial challenges now facing collegiate aquatic sports:

Starting in the 2025–26 season, NCAA swimming teams will be capped at 30 athletes per gender, with some conferences proposing even stricter limits. Cuts and roster reductions have already begun nationwide, particularly for non-revenue sports like swimming and diving.

Big Ten Move Brings Hope — But Also Pressure

UCLA Campus Aquatic Facilities

UCLA’s move to the Big Ten Conference is expected to provide a financial boost, with an estimated $75 million annually in new media rights revenue.

But this influx must cover soaring travel costs, new athlete compensation models, and the university’s existing debts. Athletic Director Martin Jarmond remains optimistic about sustaining Olympic sports — but history shows success alone doesn’t always save programs when budgets tighten.

The ghosts of 1994 are hovering again over Westwood. The question now is not whether UCLA can win championships — its aquatic programs already are. It’s whether that will be enough to preserve them in an era where spreadsheets, not scoreboards, often have the final say.



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Track & Field Ready for Princeton Elite Meet

Story Links PRINCETON, N.J. — The Columbia Outdoor Track & Field team returns to action this weekend at the Princeton Elite Meet in New Jersey. This is the final opportunity for student-athletes to qualify for the NCAA Outdoor Prelims in two weeks.  The competition will begin on Saturday at 11 […]

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PRINCETON, N.J. — The Columbia Outdoor Track & Field team returns to action this weekend at the Princeton Elite Meet in New Jersey. This is the final opportunity for student-athletes to qualify for the NCAA Outdoor Prelims in two weeks. 

The competition will begin on Saturday at 11 a.m. at Weaver Stadium with the women’s javelin. 

MEET INFO

For everything you need to know about the Princeton Elite Invitational, visit the event page on Princeton’s website, HERE. 

Live results will also be available, HERE. 

LAST TIME OUT

Last weekend, the Lions participated in the Outdoor Ivy League Heptagonal Championships. 

Obiora Okeke made headlines, capturing the Shot Put Ivy League Championship with a historic toss. 

In the finals on Sunday afternoon, Okeke launched a shot 20.17m, which set a new meet record as well as a program record to secure the Ivy League title. After also placing fourth in the discus with a mark of 52.21m and seventh in the hammer, Okeke was named the Most Outstanding Performer – Field of the Outdoor Championships. 

Elsewhere, the Lions earned 14 medals including four silver and three bronze.

After Joshua Adams won the Lions’ first silver medal on Saturday in the long jump, Rory Clare claimed the team’s first silver on Sunday in the 1500m, clocking in at 4:25.64, just over a second off of first place. 

Haydn Brotschi also took home a silver medal, taking second in the 400m with a time of 46.80, just under two tenths of a second away from gold. 

The final silver medal came from the men’s 4×800 relay, consisting of Ben BergeyJustin GottliebMatt Gatune, and Jacob Van Orden. The team finished with a time of 7:23.90 to claim the medal. 

The women’s 4×800 relay took home a bronze medal, as the squad of Isabella Shertzer, Clare, Grace Carr, and Lucy Henkel finished with a new program record time of 8:32.46. 

The men’s and women’s 4×100 relays also each earned a bronze medal. 

Full results from the Ivy League Indoor Heps can be found HERE. 

ON DECK: 

With the regular season wrapped up, attention will turn towards NCAAs, beginning with the Outdoor Prelims. For qualified student-athletes, the competition will begin on Wednesday, May 28 at 3 p.m. in Jacksonville, Florida. 

Columbia’s schedule for the rest of the 2024-25 outdoor season can be found HERE. 

 

Stay up to date on all things Columbia track & field by following the Lions on Twitter (@CULionsXCTF), Instagram (@culionsxctf) and on Facebook (@ColumbiaAthletics).



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Four From Men’s Volleyball Named AVCA All-Americans in 2025

Story Links Louisville, Ky. – May 15, 2025 – Four student-athletes from the Springfield College men’s volleyball team were honored with All-America accolades from the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) following the 2025 season that saw the Pride reach the national championship game in Salem, Virginia. Senior Chris Rouleau (Bay Shore, N.Y.) and Dylan Mulvaney […]

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Louisville, Ky. – May 15, 2025 – Four student-athletes from the Springfield College men’s volleyball team were honored with All-America accolades from the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) following the 2025 season that saw the Pride reach the national championship game in Salem, Virginia.

Senior Chris Rouleau (Bay Shore, N.Y.) and Dylan Mulvaney (Reston, Va.) earned spots on the AVCA All-America First Team, while juniors Jake DesLauriers (Eastport, N.Y.) and Carter Durivage (East Greenbush, N.Y.) were placed on the AVCA All-America Second Team. This marks the third straight All-America selection for Mulvaney, the second for Rouleau and first for both DesLauriers and Durivage.

Mulvaney ranked second in the nation with 10.37 assists per set dishing out a total of 861 helpers and powered Springfield College to the second-best hitting percentage in the country at a .354 clip. The junior setter also registered 30 kills, 26 aces, 99 digs, 36 blocks and hit .418. IN addition to his third straight All-America award, Mulvaney was tabbed as the FrogJump Volleyball Division III National Setter of the Year.

Rouleau had the fourth highest hitting percentage in the country this season at a .474 clip. As one of Springfield’s most dominant middle, Rouleau registered 173 kills (2.22 per set) and totaled 61 blocks holding opponents to just a .174 hitting percentage.

DesLauriers made his transition from the baseball diamond to the volleyball court this season and made an immediate impact. The junior outside registered 204 kills (2.46 per set) and hit .359, which ranked 30th in Division III this year. DesLauriers also posted 40 aces and 116 digs (1.40 per set).

Durivage powered Springfield’s offense with a team-best 221 kills (3.16 per set) and his .369 on the season. The junior outside also totaled 27 blocks and 81 digs. Durivage’s .369 hitting percentage ranked 25th nationally, while his 3.80 points per set ranked 64th in Division III this season.

These four student-athletes led Springfield to 25 wins and back to the NCAA Division III National Championship match for the first time since 2022.

For the latest on Springfield College Athletics, follow the Pride on social media on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.  Be sure to tune into all Springfield College Athletic events by subscribing to FloSports.

 





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