Sports
Tennessee Guard Sues to Play Fifth Year of College Basketball, Citing NIL Pay

Tennessee’s all-time assists leader is seeking one for himself from the courts.
Zakai Zeigler, who led the Volunteers to two Elite Eight appearances, is suing the NCAA for a fifth year of eligibility, citing potentiallost NIL (name, image, and likeness) earnings.
The suit is different from Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia’s successful lawsuit that sought to have junior college not count against a player’s eligibility. Zeigler’s lawsuit asks for a fifth year of eligibility after playing four full years of NCAA sports. The 5-foot-9 point guard played four years at Tennessee before graduating this spring. He was also a two-time SEC Defensive Player of the Year.
Zeigler, who filed his suit in the Eastern District of Tennessee, is claiming he could make between $2 million and $4 million in NIL money next season, after he made just $500,000 this past season. The figures are based on an analysis Zeigler sought from Spyre Sports Group, which is Tennessee’s NIL collective, and not on actual deals Zeigler has been offered.
The NCAA traditionally gives college athletes five years to play four seasons, with a redshirt year available if an athlete is injured or needs time to develop, among other reasons. Zeigler is challenging the redshirt rule by arguing his earnings potential was hampered because he didn’t redshirt.
“All NCAA athletes should be eligible to compete and earn NIL compensation during each year of the five-year window—not just those selected to redshirt,” the lawsuit states.
His suit calls an athlete’s fifth year “the most lucrative year of the eligibility window for the vast majority of athletes.” It also says Zeigler’s class is the first in the NIL era to not get an extra year to compete.
The NCAA began allowing athletes to sign NIL deals in July 2021. Athletes who competed in the NCAA between 2016 and 2020 were all granted an additional year of eligibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but most of those athletes have exhausted their eligibility by now.
“The NCAA’s rule permitting only four seasons of competition within the five-year eligibility window is an unlawful restraint of trade under federal and state antitrust laws,” Litson PLLC and Garza Law Firm, which is representing Zeigler, said in a statement.
Zeigler needs a fast ruling. He wants an immediate injunction to play next season, as rosters and NIL deals are currently being finalized. If he’s successful, it could have massive ramifications across college sports because it could pave the way for other athletes who exhausted their four years of eligibility to get one more year.
The post Tennessee Guard Sues to Play Fifth Year of College Basketball, Citing NIL Pay appeared first on Front Office Sports.
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Sports
Four Tigers Honored to CSC Volleyball Academic All-District Team – LSU
BATON ROUGE, La. — LSU placed a program-record four student-athletes on the 2025 CSC Volleyball Academic All-District Team, as announced Tuesday by College Sports Communicators.
Setter Lauren Brooker (mass communication), middle blocker Jessica Jones (mechanical engineering), libero Aly Kirkhoff (management) and middle blocker Angelina Lee (industrial engineering) earned recognition, marking the fourth consecutive season LSU has had multiple players selected to the Academic All-District Team.
Lee became a two-time CSC Academic All-District selection and is the third Tiger in program history to earn multiple academic honors, joining Lauren DeGirolamo and Anna Zwiebel. She started 24 of the 26 matches she appeared in this season and ranked second on the team with 0.83 blocks per set and 78 total blocks, including a team-high 11 solo blocks. Lee also hit .286 with 128 kills.
Brooker directed the LSU offense with 6.27 assists per set (640 total) and added 29 kills, 31 blocks, 11 aces and 142 digs. The California native recorded three double-doubles and posted a career-high 56 assists against Ole Miss on Nov. 12.
Jones was one of two players to appear in all 104 sets this season and led LSU with 1.03 blocks per set, 107 total blocks and a .313 hitting percentage. She recorded nine matches with at least five blocks, highlighted by a season-high nine blocks at Arkansas on Sept. 28. Jones also hit a career-best .688 with 11 kills on 16 errorless swings against No. 19 USC on Sept. 18.
Kirkhoff led the Tigers with 2.19 digs per set (199 total) and recorded 10 matches with double-digit digs, including five in the final six matches of the season. She posted the first double-double of her career with a career-high 11 assists and 15 digs against Auburn on Nov. 14.
For the latest news and information on Tiger volleyball, visit www.lsusports.net/volleyball. Fans can follow the team on its social media outlets, such as www.facebook.com/lsuvolleyball and @lsuvolleyball, as well as on Instagram and X.
Sports
The top NCAA volleyball players in transfer portal
Dec. 17, 2025, 8:46 a.m. ET
The 2025 NCAA women’s college volleyball tournament is down to the Final Four with Kentucky, Pittsburgh, Wisconsin and Texas A&M advancing to the semifinals, but it’s never too early to look ahead to next season.
As the NCAA crowns a national champion this weekend, some of the biggest names in the sport have entered the transfer portal in search of a new home for the 2026 season. Penn State setter Izzy Starck is among the hundreds of players entering the portal after the defending champion Nittany Lions were ousted in the second round of the tournament.
Here are the best players available in the transfer portal, as of Wednesday:
NCAA women’s volleyball transfer portal
Izzy Starck, Penn State, So.: The 2024 AVCA National Freshman of the Year and second-team All-American appeared in four games for Penn State before stepping away for the season to prioritize her mental health. The 6-foot-1 setter said her hiatus wasn’t a “goodbye forever,” but her time at Penn State has officially come to an end. Starck averaged 10.89 assists per set her freshman season.
Ayden Ames, Texas, So.: The 6-4 middle blocker averaged 1.52 kills and 1.11 blocks per set with a .368 hitting percentage. She recorded a career-best eight total blocks in the first round of the NCAA tournament vs. Florida A&M on Dec. 5 before Texas was upset by Wisconsin in the Elite Eight.
Jovana Zelenovic, Kansas, Fr.: The 6-7 hitter from Serbia was named to the All-Big 12 first team after leading the Jayhawks in kills (375) and service aces (46) with a .276 hitting percentage. Zelenovic was named the AVCA Central Region Freshman of the Year and was unanimously voted to the Big 12’s All-Rookie Team.
Natalie Ring, Marquette, Sr.: The 6-1 outside hitter set career highs in kills (497) and kills per set (4.60), ranked 17th nationally, while hitting .274. She was unanimously named to the All-Big East first team and selected for the 2025 AVCA third team.
Jaela Auguste, Florida, So.: The 6-2 middle blocker was named to the All-SEC first team after averaging 2.69 kills per set and 106 total blocks. The 2024 SEC Freshman of the Year hit .344 her sophomore season and was named to the 2025 AVCA third team.
Alex Bower, BYU, So.: The 5-11 setter was named to the All-Big 12 first team after recording a team-high 10.63 assists per set and 1,265 total assists this season, which ranks 10th in the nation. Bower isn’t the only Cougar to hit the transfer portal: Big 12 Freshman of the Year Suli Davis has committed to SMU.
Kaia Castle, Ohio State, Fr.: The 6-4 middle blocker led the team with 91 blocks and 0.88 per set. She broke the Buckeye’s single-match block record with 15 blocks vs. Troy on Sept. 21.
Katie Dalton, Kansas, Sr.: The 6-1 setter led the Jayhawks with 780 assists and 8.76 assists per set. She recorded 55 assists vs. Iowa State on Oct. 10. She was named to the All-Big 12 second team.
Zoe Humphrey, Tennessee, Fr.: The 6-2 middle blocker was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team after recording 75 kills on .381 hitting and 68 blocks. She had a career-high eight blocks against South Carolina on Sept. 26.
Gabi Placide, Ole Miss, Jr.: The 6-0 outside hitter averaged 4.48 kills per set for Ole Miss this season, which ranks 23rd in the nation. She started her collegiate career at Northern Colorado before transferring to Ole Miss.
Marina Crownover, Missouri, Jr: The 5-11 setter led the Tigers in assists (965) and assists per set (9.37) this season, adding 231 digs and 31 service aces. She recorded a season-high 54 assists vs. Auburn on Oct. 12.
NCAA women’s volleyball transfer portal: Players on the move
There’s already movement in the transfer portal. Here’s some players who have committed to a new team, as of Wednesday Dec. 17:
- BYU freshman outside hitter Suli Davis is transferring to SMU after leading all rookies nationally in total kills (541) and kills per set (4.55). She recorded a career-high 28 kills against both Utah on Nov. 14 Arizona on Nov. 19.
- Florida redshirt junior setter Alexis Stucky is transferring to Penn State after racking up 1,062 assists and 10.31 assists per set this season.
- Tennessee sophomore outside hitter Paityn Chapman is transferring to Illinois after averaging 165 kills and 2.46 kills per set with a .297 hitting percentage with the Lady Vols.
- Arizona sophomore setter Avery Scoggins is transferring to Vanderbilt after recording 1,190 assists and 10.62 assists per set this season, which both rank in the top 20 in the nation.
- Marquette freshman setter Isabela Haggard is transferring to Baylor after recording 997 assists and 257 digs in her rookie campaign. She was named the co-Big East Freshman of the Year
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Sports
Kentucky vs. Wisconsin volleyball: Time, TV channel, preview for the NCAA semifinal
7:06 pm, December 16, 2025
Before the Wildcats and Badgers take the court at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, let’s take a look at how the two teams compare statistically.
| Kentucky | Statistic | Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|
| 29-2 (15-0 SEC) | Record | 28-4 (17-3 Big Ten) |
| No. 1 | NCAA seed | No. 3 |
| .295 | Hitting % | .325 |
| 13.93 | Assists per set | 14.26 |
| 2.47 | Blocks per set | 2.43 |
| .180 | Opp hitting % | .184 |
| 137/225 | Service aces/errors | 85/235 |
6:58 pm, December 16, 2025
Kentucky and Wisconsin won four matches to get to the national semifinals in Kansas City, with UK advancing with a dominant home tournament stretch, losing only one set so far. Wisconsin had slightly more drama, winning at top-seeded Texas in the regional finals.
| No. 1 Kentucky | Round | No. 3 Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|
| Def. Wofford, 3-0 | First | Def. Eastern Illinois, 3-0 |
| Def. No. 8 UCLA, 3-1 | Second | Def. North Carolina, 3-0 |
| Def. Cal Poly, 3-0 | Regional semifinals | Def. No. 2 Stanford, 3-1 |
| Def. No. 3 Creighton, 3-0 | Regional finals | Def. No. 1 Texas, 3-1 |
Sports
Pitt vs. Texas A&M volleyball: Time, TV channel, preview for the NCAA semifinal
Reaching the national semifinals in women’s volleyball is no small task. Since Dec. 4, teams have battled through a demanding NCAA tournament, with every match bringing them one step closer to a national title. Let’s take a look at how Texas A&M and Pitt powered their way into the Final Four.
| NO. 2 PITT | ROUND | NO. 3 TEXAS A&M |
|---|---|---|
| Def. UMBC, 3-0 | First | Def. Campbell, 3-0 |
| Def. Michigan, 3-0 | Second | Def. No. 6 TCU, 3-0 |
| Def. No. 4 Minnesota, 3-0 | Regional semifinals | Def. No. 2 Louisville, 3-2 |
| Def. No. 3 Purdue, 3-1 | Regional finals | Def. No. 1 Nebraska, 3-2 |
👉 Check out the full schedule, scores from the 2025 women’s volleyball tournament
Texas A&M (27-4)
No. 3 Texas A&M punched its ticket to the semis with a stunning 5-set upset of unbeaten Nebraska. The 3-2 victory not only marked the Aggies’ first Final Four appearance in program history, but it also etched them into the record books, becoming the first team since 2015 to eliminate a No.1 overall seed before the national semifinals.
MUST-SEE: Texas A&M upsets unbeaten Nebraska in regional final
Pitt (30-4)
No. 1 Pitt continued its dominant postseason run with a 3-1 win over No. 3 Purdue at home, earning a spot in the Final Four and its fifth straight national semifinal appearance. Despite their sustained success, Pitt is still chasing their first national title. The Panthers reached the semis in 2024, ultimately losing to Louisville in four sets. Now, with another shot at reaching the championship, Pitt is determined to flip last year’s narrative.
Neither program has taken home the trophy, and now only one question remains: Who wants it more? We will find out on Thursday, Dec. 18. Follow along here for live updates throughout the exciting match and live stats.
Sports
Hood Jr., Andrews, Garnett honored as MVC Track and Field Athletes of the Week
ST. LOUIS – Indiana State track and field earned three of the four Missouri Valley Conference Athlete of the Week honors following a strong start to the Sycamores’ season at the John Gartland Invitational. Casey Hood Jr., Reneisha Andrews and Aliseonna Garnett all earned conference accolades Wednesday morning for their performances in the season opener.
Hood Jr. was tabbed the MVC Men’s Track Athlete of the Week, Andrews earned MVC Women’s Track Athlete of the Week and Garnett was named MVC Women’s Field Athlete of the Week. Andrews and Hood Jr. both rank in the top 10 nationally in the 60m, Hood Jr. also owns a top-15 national ranking in the 200m and Garnett owns top-25 national rankings in both throws events.
Hood Jr. started his 2025-26 season with a bang, claiming first-place finishes in both the 60m and 200m with meet record times at the John Gartland Invitational. The 2025 Second Team All-American clocked times of 6.71 in prelims and 6.63 in finals to win the 60m, breaking meet and facility records in the process, and he closed out his season debut with a 21.87 in the 200m, breaking the meet record by more than three-tenths of a second. Hood Jr.’s 60m time ranks third in the nation this season and is also the fastest in both the MVC and Great Lakes Region, while his conference-leading 200m time is also second in the Great Lakes Region and 13th nationally.
Andrews made an instant impression in her Indiana State debut, breaking meet and facility records in the 60m at the John Gartland Invitational. The Trinidad and Tobago native ran a 60m time of 7.51 in prelims and followed that with a 7.40 in finals, both of which broke the meet and facility records in the event. Andrews’ 60m time ranks ninth in the nation this season while also leading both the MVC and Great Lakes Region in the event.
Garnett recorded a pair of commanding first-place finishes in the throws events at the John Gartland Invitational, posting conference leading and top-25 national marks in both the shot put and weight throw. Her weight throw mark of 18.77m (61-7) was a career best in the event, while her throw of 15.48m (50-9.5) was the second-best mark of her career in the event. Garnett leads the MVC and ranks in the top three of the Great Lakes region in both throws events this season, with her shot put mark sitting 13th in the nation and her weight throw mark ranked 22nd in the nation.
The weekly honor is the seventh of Hood Jr.’s career, having earned MVC Track Athlete of the Week honors twice during the 2025 outdoor season and four times during the 2025 indoor season. Andrews and Garnett both earned their first career MVC weekly honor.
Indiana State returns to action after the calendar flips to 2026, as the Sycamores play host to longtime rival Illinois State for the Coughlan-Malloy Cup January 17 inside the Indoor Track and Field Facility.
Follow the Sycamores
For the latest information on the Sycamore Track & Field and Cross Country teams, make sure to check out GoSycamores.com. You can also find the team on social media including Facebook and Twitter. Fans can also receive updates on Sycamore Athletics by downloading the March On App from the both the App Store and the Google Play Store.
– #MarchOn –
Sports
Indy volleyball coach in viral video charged after allegedly sexting a minor
INDIANAPOLIS — A viral video has led to criminal charges against an Indianapolis volleyball coach accused of sending sexually explicit images to someone he believed was a 14-year-old boy.
Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears announced that Levi Garrett, 34, of Danville, faces attempted dissemination of matter harmful to minors, a Level 6 felony, following an independent investigation by the prosecutor’s office.
According to the probable cause affidavit, the charges stem from allegations that on March 2, 2025, Garrett engaged in explicit conversations and sent sexually graphic photos on the dating app Grindr to someone he believed was a minor.
A member of a private online investigative organization used a fake Grindr profile titled “tryna have fun” with a photo portraying themselves as a 14-year-old male named “Josh.” The decoy allegedly engaged with Garrett’s profile, “Hmu & find out.”
During the conversation, court documents show the minor texted Garrett, “U mind if I’m young,” and Garrett replied, “No I don’t mind.” When the decoy told Garrett, “I’m 14 but I down for whatever,” Garrett allegedly “liked” the message and proceeded to send three sexually explicit images, including photos of male genitalia and sexual activity.
The messages also allegedly included language about meeting for sex, with Garrett asking whether the encounter would be “safe or bareback.”
Court records show Garrett initially agreed to meet at a location in Greencastle but later blocked the account.
The case gained widespread attention in August when YouTuber JiDion, who is affiliated with the private investigative group, posted a 26-minute video titled “Volleyball Coach Gets EXPOSED” that has been viewed over 1.2 million times.
In the video, JiDion confronts Garrett at The Academy Volleyball Club located on East 30th Street, showing him screenshots of the alleged text exchanges and explicit photos.
Notably, the video showed several Indianapolis Metropolitan Police officers at the scene during the confrontation. When JiDion urged them to arrest the coach, one officer stated, “I have run into this before. Our prosecutor will not touch this,” a response that was controversial to many of JiDion’s followers.
IMPD later responded to the backlash and clarified that the video lacked important context, noting that a police report was filed at the scene, Garrett was trespassed from the property, and detectives were informed about the allegations.
Following the viral incident, the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office opened a formal investigation into the allegations.
“There are no shortcuts in the investigative process,” Mears said in a statement Monday. “When it comes to crimes against children, justice demands that an independent investigation occur and evidence be properly obtained, so that a case is built that will hold offenders accountable in a court of law.”
According to the affidavit, body camera footage from the incident shows Garrett identifying himself by name and providing his date of birth and phone number to officers, information that matched the Grindr profile under investigation.
Garrett is scheduled to appear for a change of plea hearing on January 27, 2026, at 9 a.m. in Marion County Superior Court.
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