Sports

Tennessee vs UCLA softball live updates

Published

7 months ago

June 1, 2025

The 2025 Women’s College World Series field will reach the final four teams on June 1.

A pair of elimination games will be played to determine who plays in the semifinal round on June 2 for a chance to qualify for the championship series. The first of the two elimination games will feature No. 9 UCLA taking on No. 7 Tennessee from Devon Park in Oklahoma City.

The winner of that game will advance to take on No. 6 Texas in the semifinal at noon on June 2. They would need to defeat the Longhorns twice to advance to the best-of-three-game championship series, which is scheduled to start on June 4.

Watch UCLA vs Tennessee softball, Women’s College World Series on Fubo (free trial)

UCLA is coming off a 3-1 loss to NiJaree Canady and Texas Tech in the winner’s bracket on Saturday. While the Bruins scored the first run off Canady in the WCWS, it was not enough, as the Red Raiders’ million-dollar arm continued her hot postseason.

Tennessee avoided elimination by defeating its SEC rival Florida by a run-rule 11-3 margin on May 30. The Vols left no doubt by plating seven runs in the opening inning and then doing enough to finish the game in five innings. The best part for them, ace Karlyn Pickens, threw one inning and then earned a much-needed rest.

Follow along here for live updates, scores and highlights from the WCWS elimination game between UCLA and Tennessee:

UCLA vs Tennessee live score

TEAMS	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	F
UCLA	0	2	0	0	0	0	2	―
TENN	2	0	0	0	2	0	―	―

UCLA vs Tennessee live updates

Top of seventh inning: Tennessee 4, UCLA 4

Tennessee challenes if Megan Grant touched home plate after home run

Tennessee is challenging if Megan Grant touched home plate after hitting her home run. It appears she missed the plate on the first look but then went back and touched the plate. But according to the rules expert, she could be called out if she received assistance from her teammate to touch home.

Megan Grant ties game with two-run home run

Down to its final out, Megan Grant takes a first pitch swing from Karlyn Pickens and knocks it out of the park to tie the game 4-4 in the top of the seventh inning.

Jordan Woolery collected a two-out single to set up the heroics from Grant.

End of sixth inning: Tennessee 4, UCLA 2

Tennessee 3 outs away from WCWS semifinal

Despite getting the lead-off hitter on via a hit-by -pitch, the Lady Vols are not able to add any insurance runs in the inning after Taylor Tinsley records three straight outs.

Karlyn Pickens and Tennessee will face the top of the UCLA order in the top of the seventh inning.

Taylor Tinsley relieves Kaitlyn Terry in circle for UCLA

Kaitlyn Terry hits Alannah Leach on an 0-2 count to lead off the bottom of the sixth inning. Taylor Tinsley will come on to relieve Terry in the circle. Terry will actually move to right field instead of being removed altogether.

Emma Clarke is up for the Lady Vols.

Tennessee challenge ends UCLA threat in sixth

Tennessee successfully challenges that Kaitlyn Terry was out of the runner’s lane, causing an error on a throw from pitcher Karlyn Pickens to the first baseman and allowing Terry to reach. That results in the third out of the inning.

UCLA would have had runners on first and third with two outs for the top of the order if the challenge had not been successful. The Bruins are down to their final three outs.

End of fifth inning: Tennessee 4, UCLA 2

Tennessee is 6 outs away from CWS semifinal appearance

Following a two-run home run from Taylor Pannell in the bottom of the fifth inning, Tennessee is ahead of UCLA 4-2. The Lady Vols need to record six more outs to get back to the WCWS semifinals vs. No. 7 Texas.

That was a good bounce back by Kaitlyn Terry to get Laura Mealer to ground out to end the inning with runners on second and third.

Taylor Pannell gives Tennessee lead with 2-run home run

Taylor Pannell takes the first pitch she sees in the bottom of the fifth inning to left field for a two-run home run to give Tennessee a 4-2 lead. The ball flies 69.5 mph off the bat. Gabby Leach had a single up the middle with one out preceding the homer.

UCLA leaves bases loaded

UCLA potentially misses out on a huge scoring opportunity. Karlyn Pickens strikes out Alexis Ramirez with the bases loaded and two outs to escape the jam and strand three runners on base. Pickens walked Megan Grant with runners on second and third to load the bases.

It was a bold move considering Ramirez went deep off Pickens earlier in the game, but it did set up a righty vs. righty situation.

End of fourth inning: Tennessee 2, UCLA 2

Kaitlyn Terry, Karlyn Pickens in pitcher’s duel

Following a fast start for both offenses, both Kaitlyn Terry and Karlyn Pickens have settled in for a pitcher’s duel.

Terry has retired seven straight batters and 10 of the last 11 she has faced since a two-RBI single by Laura Mealer in the first inning. Terry has six strikeouts and one walk (an intentional walk) in four innings of work.

Meanwhile, Pickens has five strikeouts and two walks in her four innings. Sofia Mujiica’s home run in the second inning was the last hit she allowed.

End of third inning: Tennessee 2, UCLA 2

Kaitlyn Terry strikes out pair in 1-2-3 third inning

Kaitlyn Terry strikes out Sophia Nugent and McKenna Gibson back-to-back in a 1-2-3 bottom of the third inning. Terry has retired four straight batters and seven of the last eight hitters since the Laura Mealer two-RBI single in the first inning.

Alexis Ramirez, who hit a solo home run in the second inning, leads off the fourth for the Bruins.

Karlyn Pickens bounce back in third inning

A nice bounce back inning for Tennessee pitcher Karlyn Pickens after allowing two home runs in the second inning. Pickens works around a one-out walk to Jordan Woolery for a scoreless third inning.

End of second inning: Tennessee 2, UCLA 2

Sofia Mujica ties game with home run

Freshman DP Sofia Mujica takes another high riseball and hits it over the center field wall to tie the game at 2-2 with a home run. This is the first time Karlyn Pickens has allowed two home runs in an inning this season.

Alexis Ramirez hits home run for UCLA

Alexis Ramirez takes a riseball from Karlyn Pickens and drives it out to left field for a solo home run to get one run back for the Bruins.

End of first inning: Tennessee 2, UCLA 0

Tennessee strikes first vs UCLA

Tennessee’s offense strikes first off a two-RBI single by Laura Mealer with the bases loaded and two outs. UCLA opted to walk McKenna Gibson with two runners in scoring position.

Taylor Pannell and Ella Dodge had back-to-back singles with one out and advanced to scoring position on a flyball to center field, in which outfielders Jessica Clements and Liesl Osteen nearly collided.

Laura Mealer gives Tennessee early lead

Laura Mealer makes UCLA pay for walking McKenna Gibson to load the bases. With two outs, she hits a two-RBI single to center field.

Infield flyball rule ends UCLA inning with double play

UCLA’s Jessica Clements had a leadoff single, and Jordan Woolery added a one-out single, but the UCLA threat ends due to the infield fly rule. Megan Grant popped out behind short, but Laura Mealer struggled with the sun and dropped the ball. The umpire called it an infield fly, which means the batter is out and runners can advance at their own risk.

Tennessee center fielder Kinsey Fiedler threw out Clements trying to advance to third base for the third out.

Tennessee-UCLA WCWS matchup underway

Karlyn Pickens fires the first pitch of the Tennessee-UCLA matchup for a strike and we are underway here at Devon Park in Oklahoma City.

Pregame

UCLA-Tennessee first pitch is set for 2:15 p.m.

UCLA will bat first, serving as the designated away team. That means the Bruins will begin the game at the plate against Tennessee ace Karlyn Pickens.

First pitch is scheduled for 2:15 p.m.

Tennessee starting lineup

Here’s a look at the Lady Vols’ starting lineup for today’s elimination game against UCLA:

Gabby Leach, RF
Taylor Pannell, 3B
Ella Dodge, 2B
Sophia Nugent, C
McKenna Gibson, 1B
Laura Mealer, SS
Alannah Leach, LF
Emma Clarke, DP
Kinsey Fielder, CF

Starting pitcher: Karlyn Pickens

UCLA starting lineup

Here’s a look at the Bruins’ starting lineup for today’s elimination game against Tennessee:

Jessica Clements, CF
Savannah Pola, 2B
Jordan Woolery, 3B
Megan Grant, 1B
Alexis Ramirez, C
Rylee Slimp, LF
Kaniya Bragg, SS
Sofia Mujica, DP
Kaitlyn Terry, P
Liesel Osteen, RF*

* Won’t be in the batting lineup.

Karlyn Pickens’ tournament stats

Tennessee ace Karlyn Pickens has been in top form in the NCAA softball tournament, allowing 10 earned runs on 23 hits in 37 1/3 innings of work to go along with 59 strikeouts and 13 walks.

Pickens lasted just one inning against Florida in her last outing, being relieved after the Lady Vols built up a 7-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning.

UCLA defeated Tennessee in an early-season tournament game

The Bruins earned a 4-3 win over the Vols in the most recent meeting in the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic in Cathedral City, California on Feb. 22. Tennessee scored three first inning runs and held the lead into the fifth inning.

Karlyn Pickens limited the Bruins’ offense until the fifth inning when they loaded the bases against her. Karen Weekly pulled Pickens for Sage Mardjetko, who allowed all four runs to score, including a three-run homer by Jordan Woolery to give UCLA the lead.

UCLA vs Tennessee softball history

UCLA leads the all-time series against Tennessee softball 10-4. The Bruins have won four in a row against the Lady Vols. They have split their two previous matchups in the WCWS: The Lady Vols defeated the Bruins 4-3 in 2006, while UCLA earned a 3-1 win in 2005.

What time does UCLA vs Tennessee softball start?

Date: Sunday, June 1
Time: 3 p.m. ET
Where: Devon Park (Oklahoma City)

First pitch for UCLA and Tennessee’s softball game in the 2025 Women’s College World Series is set for 3 p.m. ET from Devon Park in Oklahoma City on June 1.

What TV channel is UCLA vs Tennessee softball WCWS game today?

TV: ABC
Streaming: ESPN app | ESPN+

Sunday’s WCWS elimination game between UCLA and Tennessee will air on ESPN. Beth Mowins, Michele Smith and Jessica Mendoza will have the call, while Holly Rowe serves as the sideline reporter.

Streaming options for the game include the ESPN app, which requires a valid cable login to access, and ESPN+, the latter of which serves as ESPN’s subscription streaming service.

UCLA softball schedule 2025

Below is UCLA softball’s postseason schedule. For the Bruins’ full schedule, click here.

Los Angeles Regional

Friday, May 16: No. 9 UCLA 9, UC Santa Barbara 1 (6 innings)
Saturday, May 17: No. 9 UCLA 10, San Diego State 0 (6 innings)
Sunday, May 18: No. 9 UCLA 12, UC Santa Barbara 1 (5 innings)

Columbia Super Regional

Friday, May 23: No. 8 South Carolina 9, No. 9 UCLA 2
Saturday, May 24: No. 9 UCLA 5, No. 8 South Carolina 4
Sunday, May 25: No. 9 UCLA 5, No. 8 South Carolina 0

WCWS

Thursday, May 29: No. 9 UCLA 4, No. 16 Oregon 2
Saturday, May 31: No. 12 Texas Tech 3, No. 9 UCLA 1
Sunday, June 1: No. 9 UCLA vs. No. 7 Tennessee (3 p.m. ET)

Tennessee softball schedule 2025

Below is Tennessee softball’s postseason schedule. For the Lady Vols’ full schedule, click here.

Knoxville Regional

Friday, May 16: No. 7 Tennessee 17, Miami (Ohio) 0 (5 innings)
Saturday, May 17: No. 7 Tennessee 4, Ohio State 2
Sunday, May 18: No. 7 Tennessee 5, Ohio State 0

Knoxville Super Regional

Friday, May 23: Nebraska 5, No. 7 Tennessee 2
Saturday, May 24: No. 7 Tennessee 3, Nebraska 2
Sunday, May 25: No. 7 Tennessee 1, Nebraska 0

WCWS

Thursday, May 29: No. 2 Oklahoma 4, No. 7 Tennessee 2
Friday, May 30: No. 7 Tennessee 11, No. 3 Florida (5 innings)
Sunday, June 1: No. 7 Tennessee vs. UCLA (3 p.m. ET)

WCWS schedule

Women’s College World Series: May 29-June 5/6
WCWS finals: June 4-5/6

The Women’s College World Series began May 29 and will run through either June 5 or June 6. The WCWS three-game championship series will begin on June 4 and end on June 5 or 6, depending on whether the series concludes in two or three games.

Sports

UNT Student-Athletes Boast Record Setting G.P.A.

Published

1 hour ago

December 30, 2025

Your Sports Nation

DENTON – This past fall semester UNT student-athletes achieved the highest departmental grade point average in Mean Green history with a 3.457.

For the first time ever all 14 athletic programs earned a semester G.P.A. above a 3.150. Six teams earned their highest semester G.P.A. in their respective program’s history and four others achieved their second highest semester G.P.A. in their program’s history.

This marked the 13th consecutive semester of a 3.0 or better department wide grade point average and the seventh consecutive semester that UNT improved on the previous semester’s departmental G.P.A.

“The Fall 2025 semester was an outstanding one for Mean Green Athletics in the classroom,” said UNT VP/Director of Athletics Jared Mosley. “Our student-athletes continue to demonstrate a commitment to academic excellence, and their success is a direct reflection of the support and expectations we have in place. I want to thank our academic services team, led by Suzanne Dickenson, for their leadership and dedication in supporting our student-athletes and helping them reach their full potential both on the field and in the classroom.”

For the sixth consecutive semester the UNT women’s golf team led the way for the department as they earned a 3.907 fall semester G.P.A.

The Mean Green tennis team has now recorded a team G.P.A. of 3.0 or better for 28 consecutive semesters. The UNT soccer team and swim and dive team have both also maintained streaks of 20-plus consecutive semesters with a team G.P.A. above a 3.0.

Fifty-two UNT student-athletes this past fall earned a 4.0 grade point average. The Mean Green women’s track team led the way as they had 11 student-athletes named to the prestigious 2025 Fall President’s List. The tennis team had the highest percentage of student-athletes earning President’s List honors as 72% of its roster had a 4.0 G.P.A.

The UNT men’s basketball, men’s cross country, men’s track and field, women’s basketball, women’s cross country and women’s track and field teams all earned their highest semester G.P.A.s in program history.

Lastly, 47 UNT student-athletes earned their diplomas this past fall.

Link

Sports

Spencer McLachlin Named Head Coach at UC San Diego

Published

8 hours ago

December 30, 2025

Your Sports Nation

LA JOLLA, Calif. – Third-year USC women’s volleyball associate head coach Spencer McLachlin was hired for his first appointment as a head coach and will lead the UC San Diego women’s volleyball program, UCSD Director of Athletics Andy Fee announced on Tuesday, Dec. 23.

McLachlin becomes the eighth head coach in UCSD program history and will coach the Tritons in their final season as members of the Big West (2026) before the program transitions to the West Coast Conference ahead of the 2027 campaign. He joins JJ Van Niel (Arizona State), Tyler Hildebrand (Saint Mary’s College), and Amy Pauly (Orlando Valkyries) as former USC assistants under Brad Keller who have moved into head coaching positions.

“This opportunity is no surprise and has been a long time coming for Spencer,” said Keller. “UCSD is getting one of the best coaches in the game. Spencer and I have worked together in many different phases of our careers, and I know USC is in a better place with a brighter future for everything he has done here. Spencer is an innovator, a creator, and most importantly, a dreamer. Our game needs more leaders like him. I couldn’t be prouder of what he has done and for this new opportunity for him and his family.”

In his three seasons at USC, McLachlin helped lead the Women of Troy to three straight NCAA tournament appearances. The Trojans advanced to the second round in each of their three postseason berths. Most recently, McLachlin helped USC reach 25 wins and finish in a tie for third place in the Big Ten. Six Trojans received awards on all-conference teams and USC led the league in blocking (2.76 bps). The Trojans also ranked second (12th in the NCAA) in total blocks (322.5) and were second for opponent hitting percentage (.184). OH London Wijay earned AVCA All-America honorable mention.

With McLachlin on staff in 2024, USC advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament for the third straight year and finished 22-10 overall with a 13-7 mark in the Big Ten (tied for sixth). Setter Mia Tuaniga was named to the AVCA All-America third team. In his first season with the Women of Troy, McLachlin helped USC go 19-13 with a 12-8 mark in the Pac-12 for a fifth-place finish. That season, OH Skylar Fields was honored with AVCA All-America first-team recognition.

McLachlin is married to former USC volleyball standout opposite hitter Diane Copenhagen (2004-07), a 2004 Pac-10 All-Freshman Team selection. The McLachlins are parents to two daughters, Leila and Malia, and a son named Koa.

The 14th-ranked Trojans (25-7, 15-5 Big Ten) finished the regular season tied for third in the Big Ten and were awarded one of 33 at-large berths—and a hosting bid—into the 2025 NCAA tournament. USC made its fourth straight appearance in the tourney under sixth-year head coach Brad Keller (41st all-time) and moved into the second round for the fourth consecutive year with a 3-0 sweep of Princeton. The Women of Troy were eliminated from postseason play in a hard-fought five-set loss to Cal Poly in the second round.

For more information on the USC women’s volleyball team, please visit USCTrojans.com/WVB. Fans of the Women of Troy can follow @USCWomensVolley on X, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

Link

Sports

Defending Big West Regular Season And National Champion Long Beach State Chosen As 2026 Preseason Coaches’ Poll Favorite

Published

8 hours ago

December 30, 2025

Your Sports Nation

IRVINE, Calif. – The Big West released its 2026 Men’s Volleyball Preseason Coaches’ Poll and Team, and defending Big West regular season and National Champion Long Beach State was selected as the preseason favorite. The Beach garnered 24 total points and four first-place votes from league head coaches, signaling strong expectations for another elite season.

Long Beach State’s status as a national powerhouse was further reinforced in the 2026 AVCA National Collegiate Men’s Volleyball Preseason Poll (Dec. 23), where the Beach were ranked No. 3 nationally behind UCLA and Hawai’i.

The Beach also placed multiple student-athletes on the 2026 Big West Preseason Coaches’ Team, as Skyler Varga and Alex Kandev earned preseason recognition following standout performances during Long Beach State’s championship 2025 season.

Varga returns as one of the nation’s premier attackers. During the 2025 season he played a central role in Long Beach State’s run to the NCAA National Championship, earning NCAA All-Tournament Team honors for his performance in the title match. He finished the year with 270 kills (2.73 per set) on a .368 attack percentage, while adding 33 service aces, 70 total blocks, and 341 points across 99 sets. In addition to his on-court excellence, Varga also received CSC Academic All-America recognition, underscoring his impact as a scholar-athlete.

Kandev, now a sophomore outside hitter, made his mark on the national stage during the 2025 NCAA Championship match. In the title match victory over UCLA, Kandev helped the Beach secure their fourth national title and earned NCAA All-Tournament Team honors in the process. He concluded his freshman season with 210 kills (3.23 per set) while hitting .458, ranking among the team leaders in efficiency, and added 21 aces, 36 blocks, and 250 points in 65 sets.

Following Long Beach State atop the Big West preseason poll, Hawai’i was chosen second with 22 points and two first-place votes, and UC Irvine was tabbed third with 17 points. CSUN, UC San Diego, and UC Santa Barbara rounded out the poll, each earning nine points.

With proven postseason performers and returning national contenders, Long Beach State enters 2026 as both the team to beat in the Big West and one of the top programs in the nation.

2026 Big West Men’s Volleyball Preseason Coaches’ Poll

Long Beach State – 24 points (4)

Hawai’i – 22 points (2)

UC Irvine – 17 points

T-4. CSUN – 9 points

T-4. UC San Diego – 9 points

T-4. UC Santa Barbara – 9 points

First-place votes in parentheses

2026 Big West Men’s Volleyball Preseason Coaches’ Team
George Bruening, UC Santa Barbara
Alex Kandev, Long Beach State
Jalen Phillips, CSUN
Tread Rosenthal, Hawai’i
Adrien Roure, Hawai’i
Kristian Titriyski, Hawai’i
Skyler Varga, Long Beach State

Link

Sports

NSU adds goalkeeper transfer – Northwestern State University Athletics

Published

9 hours ago

December 30, 2025

Your Sports Nation

By: Jonathon Zenk, Assistant Director of Communications

NATCHITOCHES—After dipping into the transfer portal for a midfielder and defender, Northwestern State soccer head coach Ian Brophy now picks up a goalkeeper in the form of transfer Saki Tsuchiya.

Tsuchiya, a native of Takasaki, Japan, comes to NSU following a season at Valparaiso.

“We are very excited to add an experienced goalkeeper who really fits our style of play,” Brophy said. “Her ability with the ball at her feet is something that definitely suits us and should help us as a team. She will instantly provide competition in an already very competitive group and certainly makes us better.”

She played in three games for the Crusaders, sporting a save percentage of .708 and goals against average of 3.36 in just under 134 minutes. She recorded 12 saves this past season, seven coming against Drake and then posting five saves against Illinois.

Prior to her season at Valpo, Tsuchiya started her collegiate career at Tyler JC, where she competed for two seasons.

For Tyler JC, she appeared in 30 matches during the two years, where she posted a 1.18 GAA and a .780 save percentage.

She recorded three solo shutouts and five combined shutouts among her 13 wins as a sophomore in 2024. That season also earned her a Second Team All-Region selection, as her team captured the Region XIV championship and played in the NJCAA National Tournament 2023 and 2024.

As a freshman, she was named to the NJCAA Second Team All-Academic Team for 2023-24.

She played summer soccer in 2024 for TLH Reckoning of the USLW and in 2025 for Peoria City of the WPSL.

In high school at Kaishigakuen JAPAN Soccer College koutoubu, she was a three-year starter in net.

She joins an already impressive goalkeeper room that includes Second Team All-Southland Conference selection Kennedy Rist and rising sophomore Audrey Marfia, who recorded a goals against average of 0.39, surrendering just one goal in 230:32.

Tsuchiya will be the first Japan native to play for the Demons and joins Hosane Soukou, Ravina Sandhu and Anika Sproxton as players on the team not from the United States.

Link

Sports

Lauren Watson Becomes First Player in USD Beach Volleyball History

Published

9 hours ago

December 30, 2025

Your Sports Nation

SAN DIEGO — Defender Lauren Watson became the first player in USD beach volleyball history on Monday afternoon when she signed a grant-in-aid agreement to play for the Toreros.

Watson, who hails from Phoenix, Arizona, attends Notre Dame Preparatory High School, where she was twice named the Arizona Beach Volleyball Player of the Year by the Arizona Republic. She will join San Diego for its inaugural beach volleyball season in the spring of 2027.

“Lauren is a really good all-around talent,” said USD beach volleyball head coach Derek Olson. “As a defender that can sit in the pocket and run shots down, she has good defensive instincts and covers a lot of sand.”

Her high school career thus far has seen her earn two Arizona Beach Volleyball Pairs State Championships, three All-League First-Team honors, and her league’s Defensive Player of the Year award.

“She also knows how to win and that’s very apparent by her results in tournaments,” Olson added. “But what I appreciate most about Lauren is her ability to play with anyone and make them better. She adds value to the environment that she is in.”

Link

Sports

Spencer McLachlin named new women’s volleyball head coach – The UCSD Guardian

Published

9 hours ago

December 30, 2025

Your Sports Nation

On Tuesday, Dec. 23, UC San Diego Athletics announced that USC associate head coach Spencer McLachlin will be the next head coach of Triton women’s volleyball. He replaces Melanie Greene, who stepped down on Dec. 6 after two seasons as head coach.

The coaching change comes after a tumultuous 6-24 season where a promising Triton team never found its rhythm. The Tritons were eliminated from postseason contention with three games left in the season following a loss to UC Riverside on Nov. 17. Assistant coach Kara Barkdoll Coy was named interim head coach for the final six games of the season after Greene’s departure.

“Spencer brings exactly what we need at this moment,” athletic director Andy Fee said in a press release. “He’s helped build winning programs, developed All-Americans, and knows how to compete at the highest level.”

McLachlin played collegiately at Stanford, winning a national championship with the Cardinal in 2010 and ending his four years in Palo Alto ranked third in career kills. McLachlin then served as an assistant coach at Hawai’i, California, UCLA, and Indiana before joining USC as associate head coach in 2023. This past season, the Trojans went 25-7 but fell in the second round of the NCAA Championship in a five-set upset loss against Cal Poly. McLachlin’s new position at UCSD will be his first head coaching role.

“I am thrilled to join UC San Diego as the Head Coach of the women’s volleyball program,” McLachlin said. “This is an incredible opportunity for my family and me to be part of an historic and beautiful university and build a program with great potential.”

Link