The 2025 Bowerman Finalists and Watch List for men’s and women’s NCAA track and field

Published

5 months ago

July 7, 2025

It’s time for a look at potential winners of the Bowerman, an annual award presented to the most outstanding athletes in collegiate track and field.

Here’s the latest on some of the best in DI track and field.

THE BOWERMAN: Complete history of the track and field honor

Finalists

gender	athlete	school	events
Women	Pamela Kosgei	New Mexico	Distance
	Doris Lemngole	Alabama	Distance
	Savannah Sutherland	Michigan	Sprints/Hurdles
Men

Watch lists from the season

Check out every 2025 watch list below.

Semifinalists

**The Bowerman watch list semifinalists (June 25/26)**
Gender	Athlete	School	Events
Women	Aaliyah Butler	Georgia	Sprints
	JaMeesia Ford	South Carolina	Sprints
	Pamela Kosgei	New Mexico	Distance
	Elena Kulichenko	Georgia	Jumps
	Mya Lesnar	Colorado State	Throws
	Doris Lemngole*	Alabama	Distance
	Amanda Moll	Washington	Pole Vault
	Hana Moll	Washington	Pole Vault
	Savannah Sutherland	Michigan	Sprints/Hurdles
	Roisin Willis	Stanford	Mid-Distance
Men	Mykolas Alekna**	California	Discus
	Jordan Anthony	Arkansas	Sprints
	James Corrigan	BYU	Mid-Distance/Steeple
	Nathaniel Ezekiel	Baylor	Sprints/Hurdles
	Ishmael Kipkurui	New Mexico	Distance
	Carlie Makarawu	Kentucky	Sprints
	Ralford Mullings	Oklahoma	Throws
	Brian Musau	Oklahoma State	Distance
	Ethan Strand	North Carolina	Mid-Distance/Distance
	Ja’Kobe Tharp	Auburn	Hurdles

*Two-time Semifinalist
**Three-time Semifinalist

PREDICTING: How the Bowerman watch lists predict the award’s final winner

2025 watch list dates

Below you’ll find all of the Bowerman watch list dates for 2025.

Update	Women’s Date	Men’s Date
Preseason	Wednesday, Jan. 8	Thursday, Jan. 9
1	Wednesday, Feb. 5	Thursday, Feb. 6
2 (Post-Indoor Conferences)	Wednesday, March 5	Thursday, March 6
3 (Post-NCAA Indoor)	Wednesday, March 26	Thursday, March 27
4	Wednesday, April 16	Thursday, April 17
5	Wednesday, May 7	Thursday, May 8
6 (Post-Outdoor Conferences)	Wednesday, May 21	Thursday, May 22
7 (Post-NCAA prelims)	Wednesday, June 4	Thursday, June 5
Semifinalists (Post-NCAA Outdoor)	Wednesday, June 25	Thursday, June 26
Finalists	Monday, July 7	Tuesday, July 8
Winners	Thursday, Dec. 18	Thursday, Dec. 18

All dates subject to change

Date of the winner of the Bowerman

The 2025 winners will be announced on Thursday, Dec. 18 at the 2025 USTFCCCA convention at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas.

Past watch lists

Watch list update No. 7

The seventh update to the Bowerman women’s watch list was announced on Wednesday, June 4, with the men’s watch list announced on Thursday, June 5.

**The Bowerman watch list update No. 7 (June 4/5)**
Gender	Athlete	School	Events
Women	Şilan Ayyildiz	Oregon	Mid-Distance
	Alexis Brown	Baylor	Sprints/Jumps
	Aaliyah Butler	Georgia	Sprints
	JaMeesia Ford	South Carolina	Sprints
	Pamela Kosgei	New Mexico	Distance
	Doris Lemngole	Alabama	Distance
	Indya Mayberry	TCU	Sprints
	Amanda Moll	Washington	Pole Vault
	Michaela Rose	LSU	Mid-Distance
	Jayden Ulrich	Louisville	Throws
Men	Mykolas Alekna	California	Discus
	Jordan Anthony	Arkansas	Sprints
	James Corrigan	BYU	Mid-Distance/Steeple
	Nathaniel Ezekiel	Baylor	Sprints/Hurdles
	Ishamel Kipkurui	New Mexico	Distance
	Liam Murphy	Villanova	Mid-Distance/Distance
	Tarik Robinson-O’Hagan	Ole Miss	Throws
	Habtom Samuel	New Mexico	Distance
	Ethan Strand	North Carolina	Mid-Distance/Distance
	Ja’Kobe Tharp	Auburn	Hurdles

*Watch list career debut

The following athletes received votes:

Women
- Temitope Adeshina, Texas Tech (Jumps)
- Lexy Halladay-Lowry, BYU (Steeple/Distance)
- Meghan Hunter, BYU (Mid-Distance)
- Klaudia Kazimierska, Oregon (Mid-Distance/Distance)
- Brynn King, Roberts Wesleyan (Pole Vault)
- Mya Lesnar, Colorado State (Throws)
Men
- Makanakaishe Charamba, Auburn (Sprints)
- Micahi Danzy, Florida State (Sprints)
- Geoffrey Kirwa, Louisville (Steeple/Distance)
- Angelos Mantzouranis, Minnesota (Hammer/Throws)
- Tinoda Matsatsa, Georgetown (Mid-Distance/Distance)
- Samuel Ogazi, Alabama (Sprints)
- Abdul-Rasheed Saminu, South Florida (Sprints)
- Kendrick Smallwood, Texas (Sprints/Hurdles)
- Kostas Zaltos, Minnesota (Throws)

Watch list update No. 6

The sixth update to the Bowerman women’s watch list was announced on Wednesday, May 21, with the men’s watch list announced on Thursday, May 22.

**The Bowerman watch list update No. 6 (May 21/22)**
Gender	Athlete	School	Events
Women	Şilan Ayyildiz	Oregon	Mid-Distance
	Alexis Brown*	Baylor	Sprints/Jumps
	Aaliyah Butler	Georgia	Sprints
	JaMeesia Ford	South Carolina	Sprints
	Pamela Kosgei	New Mexico	Distance
	Doris Lemngole	Alabama	Distance
	Indya Mayberry	TCU	Sprints
	Amanda Moll	Washington	Pole Vault
	Michaela Rose	LSU	Mid-Distance
	Jayden Ulrich	Louisville	Throws
Men	Mykolas Alekna	California	Discus
	Jordan Anthony*	Arkansas	Sprints
	James Corrigan	BYU	Mid-Distance/Steeple
	Nathaniel Ezekiel	Baylor	Sprints/Hurdles
	Ishmael Kipkurui	New Mexico	Distance
	Liam Murphy	Villanova	Mid-Distance/Distance
	Tarik Robinson-O’Hagan	Ole Miss	Throws
	Habtom Samuel	New Mexico	Distance
	Ethan Strand	North Carolina	Mid-Distance/Distance
	Parker Wolfe	North Carolina	Distance

*Watch list career debut

The following athletes received votes:

Women
- Temitope Adeshina, Texas Tech (Jumps)
- Lianna Davidson, Georgia (Javelin)
- Rachel Glenn, Arkansas (Hurdles/Jumps)
- Lexy Halladay-Lowry, BYU (Steeple/Distance)
- Brynn King, Roberts Wesleyan (Pole Vault)
- Mya Lesnar, Colorado State (Throws)
- Jadin O’Brien, Notre Dame (Combined Events)
Men
- Micahi Danzy, Florida State (Sprints)
- Geoffrey Kirwa, Louisville (Steeple/Distance)
- Angelos Mantzouranis, Minnesota (Hammer/Throws)
- Jamar Marshall, Jr., Houston (Sprints/Hurdles)
- Tinoda Matsatsa, Georgetown (Mid-Distance/Distance)
- Kendrick Smallwood, Texas (Sprints/Hurdles)
- Ja’Kobe Tharp, Auburn (Hurdles)
- Kostas Zaltos, Minnesota (Throws)

Watch list update No. 5

The fifth update to the Bowerman women’s watch list was announced on Wednesday, May 7, with the men’s watch list announced on Thursday, May 8.

**The Bowerman watch list update No. 5 (May 7/8)**
Gender	Athlete	School	Events
Women	Şilan Ayyildiz	Oregon	Mid-Distance
	Aaliyah Butler	Georgia	Sprints
	Rachel Glenn	Arkansas	Hurdles/Jumps
	Brynn King	Roberts Wesleyan	Pole Vault
	Pamela Kosgei	New Mexico	Distance
	Doris Lemngole	Alabama	Distance
	Indya Mayberry	TCU	Sprints
	Amanda Moll	Washington	Pole Vault
	Michaela Rose	LSU	Mid-Distance
	Jayden Ulrich	Louisville	Throws
Men	Mykolas Alekna	California	Discus
	Nathaniel Ezekiel	Baylor	Sprints/Hurdles
	Ishmael Kipkurui	New Mexico	Distance
	Geoffrey Kirwa*	Louisville	Steeple/Distance
	Angelos Mantzouranis*	Minnesota	Hammer/Throws
	Liam Murphy	Villanova	Mid-Distance/Distance
	Tarik Robinson-O’Hagan	Ole Miss	Throws
	Habtom Samuel	New Mexico	Distance
	Ethan Strand	North Carolina	Mid-Distance/Distance
	Ja’Kobe Tharp	Auburn	Hurdles

*Watch list career debut

The following athletes received votes:

Women
- Margot Appleton, Virginia (Mid-Distance/Distance)
- Lianna Davidson, Georgia (Javelin)
- JaMeesia Ford, South Carolina (Sprints)
- Lexy Halladay-Lowry, BYU (Steeple/Distance)
- Jadin O’Brien, Notre Dame (Combined Events)
- Manuela Rotundo, Georgia (Javelin)
Men
- Kanyinsola Ajayi, Auburn (Sprints)
- Jordan Anthony, Arkansas (Sprints)
- Makanakaishe Charamba, Auburn (Sprints)
- Nathan Green, Washington (Mid-Distance)
- Garrett Kaalund, Southern California (Sprints)
- Carli Makarawu, Kentucky (Sprints)
- Gary Martin, Virginia (Mid-Distance/Distance)
- Tinoda Matsatsa, Georgetown (Mid-Distance/Distance)
- Ralford Mullings, Oklahoma (Throws)
- Auhmad Robinson, Texas A&M (Sprints)
- Daniel Reynolds, Wyoming (Throws)
- Kendrick Smallwood, Texas (Sprints/Hurdles)
- Keyshawn Strachan, Nebraska (Javelin)
- Parker Wolfe, North Carolina (Distance)

Watch list update No. 4

The fourth update to the Bowerman women’s watch list was announced on Wednesday, April 16, with the men’s watch list announced on Thursday, April 17.

**The Bowerman watch list update No. 4 (April 16/17)**
Gender	Athlete	School	Events
Women	Aaliyah Butler	Georgia	Sprints
	Rachel Glenn	Arkansas	Hurdles/Jumps
	Brynn King*	Roberts Wesleyan	Pole Vault
	Pamela Kosgei	New Mexico	Distance
	Doris Lemngole	Alabama	Distance
	Indya Mayberry	TCU	Sprints
	Amanda Moll	Washington	Pole Vault
	Manuela Rotundo*	Georgia	Javelin
	Jayden Ulrich*	Louisville	Throws
	Isabella Whittaker	Arkansas	Sprints
Men	Mykolas Alekna	California	Discus
	James Corrigan	BYU	Mid-Distance/Steeple
	Nathaniel Ezekiel	Baylor	Sprints/Hurdles
	Ishmael Kipkurui*	New Mexico	Distance
	Liam Murphy*	Villanova	Mid-Distance/Distance
	Auhmad Robinson*	Texas A&M	Sprints
	Tarik Robinson-O’Hagan	Ole Miss	Throws
	Habtom Samuel	New Mexico	Distance
	Ethan Strand	North Carolina	Mid-Distance/Distance
	Ja’Kobe Tharp	Auburn	Hurdles

*Watch list career debut

The following athletes received votes:

Women
- Şilan Ayyildiz, Oregon (Mid-Distance)
- Lianna Davidson, Georgia (Javelin)
- JaMeesia Ford, South Carolina (Sprints)
- Hana Moll, Washington (Pole Vault)
- Jadin O’Brien, Notre Dame (Combined Events)
Men
- Jordan Anthony, Arkansas (Sprints)
- Johnny Brackins, Jr., Southern California (Hurdles/Jumps)
- Simen Guttormsen, Duke (Pole Vault)
- Garrett Kaalund, Southern California (Sprints)
- Trey Knight, CSUN (Throws)
- Carli Makarawu, Kentucky (Sprints)
- Gary Martin, Virginia (Mid-Distance/Distance)
- Tinoda Matsatsa, Georgetown (Mid-Distance/Distance)
- Chinecherem Nnamdi, Baylor (Javelin)
- Daniel Reynolds, Wyoming (Throws)
- Kendrick Smallwood, Texas (Sprints/Hurdles)
- Keyshawn Strachan, Nebraska (Javelin)
- Kostas Zaltos, Minnesota (Throws)

Watch list update No. 3

The third update to the Bowerman women’s watch list was announced on Wednesday, March 26, with the men’s watch list announced on Thursday, March 27.

**The Bowerman watch list update No. 3 (March 26/27)**
Gender	Athlete	School	Events
Women	Aaliyah Butler	Georgia	Sprints
	Lianna Davidson*	Georgia	Javelin
	Rachel Glenn	Arkansas	Hurdles/Jumps
	Axelina Johansson	Nebraska	Throws
	Doris Lemngole	Alabama	Distance
	Indya Mayberry*	TCU	Sprints
	Amanda Moll	Washington	Pole Vault
	Hana Moll	Washington	Pole Vault
	Jadin O’Brien*	Notre Dame	Combined Events
	Isabella Whittaker*	Arkansas	Sprints
Men	Mykolas Alekna	California	Discus
	James Corrigan*	BYU	Mid-Distance/Steeple
	Nathaniel Ezekiel	Baylor	Sprints/Hurdles
	Simen Guttormsen*	Duke	Pole Vault
	Carli Makarawu*	Kentucky	Sprints
	Gary Martin	Virginia	Mid-Distance/Distance
	Daniel Reynolds*	Wyoming	Throws
	Tarik Robinson-O’Hagan	Ole Miss	Throws
	Ethan Strand	North Carolina	Mid-Distance/Distance
	Ja’Kobe Tharp	Auburn	Hurdles

*Watch list career debut

The following athletes received votes:

Women
- Şilan Ayyildiz, Oregon (Mid-Distance)
- Alexis Brown, Baylor (Sprints/Jumps)
- Dajaz Defrand, Southern California (Sprints)
- JaMeesia Ford, South Carolina (Sprints)
- Elena Kulichenko, Georgia (Jumps)
- Wilma Nielsen, Oregon (Mid-Distance)
Men
- Jordan Anthony, Arkansas (Sprints)
- Favour Ashe, Oregon (Sprints)
- Johnny Brackins, Jr., Southern California (Hurdles/Jumps)
- Nathan Green, Washington (Mid-Distance)
- Brian Musau, Oklahoma State (Distance)
- Chinecherem Nnamdi, Baylor (Javelin)
- Jonathan Seremes, Missouri (Jumps)
- JC Stevenson, Southern California (Sprints/Jumps)

Watch list update No. 2

The second update to the Bowerman women’s watch list was announced on Wednesday, March 5, with the men’s watch list announced on Thursday, March 6.

**The Bowerman watch list update No. 2 (March 5/6)**
Gender	Athlete	School	Events
Women	Silan Ayyildiz*	Oregon	Mid-Distance
	Aaliyah Butler	Georgia	Sprints
	JaMeesia Ford	South Carolina	Sprints
	Rachel Glenn	Arkansas	Hurdles/Jumps
	Tacoria Humphrey*	Illinois	Jumps
	Axelina Johansson	Nebraska	Throws
	Doris Lemngole	Alabama	Distance
	Amanda Moll*	Washington	Pole Vault
	Hana Moll	Washington	Pole Vault
	Julitette Whittaker	Stanford	Mid-Distance
Men	Mykolas Alekna	California	Discus
	Johnny Brackins Jr.	Southern California	Hurdles/Jumps
	Nathaniel Ezekiel*	Baylor	Sprints/Hurdles
	Gary Martin*	Virginia	Mid-Distance/Distance
	Tarik Robinson-O’Hagan	Ole Miss	Throws
	Habtom Samuel	New Mexico	Distance
	JC Stevenson*	Southern California	Sprints/Jumps
	Ethan Strand	North Carolina	Mid-Distance/Distance
	Ja’Kobe Tharp	Auburn	Hurdles
	Parker Wolfe	North Carolina	Distance

*Watch list career debut

The following athletes received votes:

Women
- Anthaya Charlton, Florida (Jumps)
- Mya Lesnar, Colorado State (Throws)
- Indya Mayberry, TCU (Sprints)
- Jadin O’Brien, Notre Dame (Combined Events)
- Hilda Olemomoi, Florida (Distance)
- Michaela Rose, LSU (Mid-Distance)
- Isabella Whittaker, Arkansas (Sprints)

Men
- Favour Ashe, Oregon (Sprints)
- Makanakaishe Charamba, Auburn (Sprints)
- Eli Kosiba, Grand Valley State (Jumps)
- Tinoda Matsatsa, Georgetown (Mid-Distance/Distance)
- Aidan McCarthy, Cal Poly (Mid-Distance)
- Chinecherem Nnamdi, Baylor (Javelin)
- Daniel Reynolds, Wyoming (Throws)
- Jonathan Seremes, Missouri (Jumps)
- Aleksandr Solovev, Texas A&M (Pole Vault)
- Keyshawn Strachan, Nebraska (Javelin)
- Sam Whitmarsh, Texas A&M (Mid-Distance)

Watch list update No. 1

The first update to the Bowerman women’s watch list was announced on Wednesday, Feb. 5, with the men’s watch list announced on Thursday, Feb. 6.

**The Bowerman watch list update No. 1 (Feb. 5/6)**
Gender	Athlete	School	Events
Women	Aaliyah Butler*	Georgia	Sprints
	Anthaya Charlton*	Florida	Jumps
	JaMeesia Ford	South Carolina	Sprints
	Rachel Glenn	Arkansas	Hurdles/Jumps
	Doris Lemngole	Alabama	Distance
	Hilda Olemomoi	Florida	Distance
	Laura Pellicoro*	Portland	Mid-Distance
	Jaida Ross	Oregon	Throws
	Chloe Timberg	Rutgers	Pole Vault
	Julitette Whittaker	Stanford	Mid-Distance
Men	Mykolas Alekna	California	Discus
	Johnny Brackins Jr.	Southern California	Hurdles/Jumps
	Trey Knight*	CSUN	Throws
	Wanya McCoy*	Florida	Sprints
	Tarik Robinson-O’Hagan	Ole Miss	Throws
	Habtom Samuel	New Mexico	Distance
	Ethan Strand	North Carolina	Mid-Distance/Distance
	Ja’Kobe Tharp	Auburn	Hurdles
	Sam Whitmarsh	Texas A&M	Mid-Distance
	Parker Wolfe	North Carolina	Distance

*Watch list career debut

The following athletes received votes:

Women
- Axelina Johansson, Nebraska (Throws)
- Pamela Kosgei, New Mexico (Distance)
- Elena Kulichenko, Georgia (Jumps)
- Mya Lesnar, Colorado State (Throws)
- Indya Mayberry, TCU (Sprints)
- Amanda Moll, Washington (Pole Vault)
- Hana Moll, Washington (Pole Vault)
- Wilma Nielsen, Oregon (Mid-Distance)
- Jadin O’Brien, Notre Dame (Combined Events)
- Michaela Rose, LSU (Mid-Distance)
- Savannah Sutherland, Michigan (Sprints/Hurdles)
Men
- Favour Ashe, Oregon (Sprints)
- Graham Blanks, Harvard (Distance)
- Nathaniel Ezekiel, Baylor (Sprints/Hurdles)
- Eli Kosiba, Grand Valley State (Jumps)
- Abdullahi Hassan, Mississippi State (Mid-Distance)
- Chinecherem Nnamdi, Baylor (Javelin)
- Samuel Ogazi, Alabama (Sprints)
- Tarsis Orogot, Alabama (Sprints)
- Jonathan Seremes, Missouri (Jumps)
- Aleksandr Solovev, Texas A&M (Pole Vault)
- JC Stevenson, Southern California (Sprints/Jumps)
- Keyshawn Strachan, Nebraska (Javelin)

Preseason watch list

The women’s preseason watch list was announced on Wednesday, Jan. 8, with the men’s preseason watch list announced on Thursday, Jan. 9.

**The Bowerman preseason watch list (Jan. 8/9)**
Gender	Athlete	School	Events
Women	Kaylyn Brown*	Arkansas	Sprints
	JaMeesia Ford	South Carolina	Sprints
	Rachel Glenn	Arkansas	Hurdles/Jumps
	Axelina Johansson	Nebraska	Throws
	Doris Lemngole*+	Alabama	Distance
	Brianna Lyston	LSU	Sprints
	Hilda Olemomoi*	Florida	Distance
	Michaela Rose	LSU	Mid-Distance
	Jaida Ross#	Oregon	Throws
	Juliette Whittaker+	Stanford	Mid-Distance
Men	Mykolas Alekna	California	Discus
	Johnny Brackins Jr.	Southern California	Hurdles/Jumps
	Chinecherem Nnamdi*	Baylor	Javelin
	Tarik Robinson-O’Hagan*+	Ole Miss	Throws
	Tarsis Orogot	Alabama	Sprints
	Habtom Samuel+	New Mexico	Distance
	Ethan Strand*	North Carolina	Mid-Distance/Distance
	Ja’Kobe Tharp	Auburn	Hurdles
	Sam Whitmarsh	Texas A&M	Sprints/Mid-Distance
	Parker Wolfe+	North Carolina	Distance

*Watch list career debut
#Returning finalist
+Returning semifinalist

The following athletes received votes:

Women | Aaliyah Butler, Georgia (Sprints)
- Rosey Effiong, Arkansas (Sprints)
- Brynn King, Roberts Wesleyan (Pole Vault)
- Pamela Kosgei, New Mexico (Distance)
- Elena Kulichenko, Georgia (Jumps)
- Jadin O’Brien, Notre Dame (Combined Events)
- Savannah Sutherland, Michigan (Sprints/Hurdles)
- Chloe Timberg, Rutgers (Pole Vault)
Men
- Nathan Green, Washington (Mid-Distance)
- Kenneth Ikeji, Harvard (Throws)
- Eli Kosiba, Grand Valley State (Jumps)
- Rivaldo Marshall, Arkansas (Mid-Distance)
- Tinoda Matsatsa, Georgetown (Mid-Distance/Distance)
- Nathan Mountain, Virginia (Mid-Distance)
- Samuel Ogazi, Alabama (Sprints)
- Godson Oghenebrume, LSU (Sprints)
- Colin Sahlman, Northern Arizona (Mid-Distance)

Link

Cincinnati Enquirer names 2025 girls volleyball all-city teams

Published

39 minutes ago

December 11, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Updated Dec. 10, 2025, 8:20 p.m. ET

The 2025 high school girls volleyball season brought two state championships to Cincinnati and a state runner-up to Northern Kentucky.

But more than that, the action on the court each night showcased some of the best talent each state had to offer.

Here are The Enquirer’s 2025 all-city teams for each division in Ohio, plus Northern Kentucky and Indiana.

Link

Pitt volleyball to host 2026 Opening Spike Classic

Published

56 minutes ago

December 11, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Pitt volleyball will begin the 2026 campaign with two major tests, as the Panthers were announced as hosts for the Opening Spike Classic, featuring matchups against Kansas and Wisconsin.

The two-day event at Petersen Events Center will be televised nationally on ESPN and see Pitt play the Jayhawks Aug. 28 and Badgers on Aug. 30. Stanford and Wisconsin also play on the event’s first day, followed by the Jayhawks vs. the Cardinal on Day 2.

The Opening Spike Classic debuted last season with the Badgers playing host to matches featuring Kansas, Creighton and Texas.

“We’re excited to kick off opening weekend by hosting three of the best teams in the country,” Pitt coach Dan Fisher said in statement. “Fans can look forward to high-level volleyball right here in Pittsburgh. If we want to be the best, we have to play the best, and we’re doing that right away.”

The No. 1-seeded Panthers (28-4, 18-2 ACC) host No. 4 Minnesota at 7 p.m. Thursday in the NCAA Tournament regional semifinals.

A win over the Gophers would propel the Panthers, who have advanced to the Final Four for the last four consecutive seasons, to the Elite 8, where they’d face the winner of the regional semifinal match between No. 2 SMU and No. 3 Purdue.

Next year’s Opening Spike Classic participants — Stanford, Kansas and Wisconsin — are all also currently competing for a national title.

No. 4 Kansas faces No. 1 Nebraska on Friday night, while No. 2 Stanford and No. 3 Wisconsin square off in the afternoon.

The Opening Spike Classic is organized by PlayFly Sports in collaboration with JMI Sports, exclusive multimedia rights holder for Pitt Athletics.

“We are thrilled to be bringing this event back for a second year and to build on the momentum we created with the event launch last year,” said Michael Neuman, co-head of Playfly Sports Consulting. “The Opening Spike Classic is a celebration of women’s achievements in sports, and there is no better way to recognize that than by bringing together these top college volleyball teams to compete.”

Justin Guerriero is a TribLive reporter covering the Penguins, Pirates and college sports. A Pittsburgh native, he is a Central Catholic and University of Colorado graduate. He joined the Trib in 2022 after covering the Colorado Buffaloes for Rivals and freelancing for the Denver Post. He can be reached at jguerriero@triblive.com.

Link

Sports

Nebraska Huskers Dominate All-Region Volleyball Honors

Published

1 hour ago

December 11, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Bergen Reilly sets the ball to a slide attack. | Amarillo Mullen

Rebekah Allick (5) celebrates a Husker point in set two. — Bergen Reilly sets the ball to a slide attack. | Amarillo Mullen

Link

Sports

Pitt volleyball among four elite programs set for 2026 Opening Spike Classic

Published

1 hour ago

December 11, 2025

Your Sports Nation

ACCOUNT

SECTIONS

OTHER

CLASSIFIEDS

Link

Sports

Three Golden Knights Named AVCA All-Americans

Published

2 hours ago

December 11, 2025

Your Sports Nation

LEXINGTON, Ky. – The American Volleyball Coaches Association today released its 2025 AVCA All-Americans. Included in the list are three Gannon players – Bengisu Arslan (Ankara, Turkey/Private Çankaya Doga Anatolian), Lauren Atwell (Mars, Pa./Mars Area), and Sydney Wake (Massillon, Ohio/Jackson). It comes after Gannon had four honorable mention All-Americans a year ago, although all graduated.

The Golden Knights are currently in Sioux Falls, SD preparing for the NCAA Division II Elite Eight. Head coach Matt Darling‘s squad won its second straight Atlantic Regional to advance to the Elite Eight. Gannon is the number seven seed and will face No. 2 seed Concordia-St. Paul, the Central Region champion, at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday.

Makenna Nold of Concordia-St. Paul was named the AVCA Division II Player of the Year.

Arslan is now a two-time AVCA Honorable Mention All-American after previously earning the honor in 2022. The native of Ankara, Turkey was earlier named to the AVCA All-Atlantic Region team for the second time and is also a D2CCA All-Atlantic Region selection.

Gannon’s setter was chosen the PSAC West Athlete of the Year and is now a three-time All-PSAC West selection. She was a first team choice in 2022 and 2025 and was named to the second team in 2024. In addition, she was the 2022 PSAC West Freshman of the Year.

Arslan enters the Elite Eight with has 1,3759 assists, the second-highest season total. In fact, she now owns three of the top nine season assists totals, in the process boosting her career total to 4,481 assists. That is also good for second all-time. She leads the PSAC in assists per set (11.18), good for 10th in Division II.

She also stands second on the team in service aces (46) and third in digs with 298. She now has 1,140 career digs. She is tied for seventh in career service aces (175), along with seventh in sets played (457) and tied for eighth in matches played (128).

Atwell and Wake are first-time AVCA All-Americans, with Atwell the force at the net and Wake emerging as Gannon’s top hitter. Both were previously named first team AVCA All-Atlantic Region performers and second team D2CCA All-Atlantic Region selections. They were both also named to the All-PSAC West first team.

A 6-foot-3 middle blocker, Atwell leads the Golden Knights with 105 blocks, with team highs of 28 solo blocks and 77 block assists, while tied for in kills with 260. She ranks ninth in the PSAC in blocks per set. The junior also leads the team in hitting percentage at .333, good for fourth in the PSAC. She has moved up to fourth in career blocks with 365.

Wake entered her junior season with 82 career kills but the 5-foot-11 middle blocker has exploded for a team-high 347 kills and is second in hitting percentage at .298. She is also third in total blocks with 66 and fifth in digs with 133.

All three players were named to the Atlantic Regional All-Tournament Team last weekend.

Link

Sports

Becker, Marusak and Stow Earn All-American Accolades

Published

2 hours ago

December 11, 2025

Your Sports Nation

CANYON, Texas – West Texas A&M’s Emma Becker, Currie Marusak and Taytum Stow earned the highest honor a Division II volleyball student-athlete can receive on Wednesday as the trip of Lady Buffs were tabbed All-Americans.

Stow was named a Second Team honoree by the American Volleyball Coaches Association with Becker and Marusak claiming Honorable Mention accolades. Stow was also named to the D2CCA Third Team All-American squad.

Becker earned her third straight AVCA All-American honors as the Liberty Hill, Texas product registered 348 kills with a .212 attack percentage to go along with 17 assists, 10 service aces, 266 digs and 65 total blocks for a total of 396.5 points to average 3.51 per set. Becker was a First Team All-Lone Star Conference selection.

Marusak becomes the 33rd All-American in WT Volleyball history as she led the way offensively for the Lady Buffs during her senior campaign in 2025. The Amarillo High School alum had a team-best 410 kills on 1,008 swings for an attack percentage of .254 to go along with 14 aces, 282 digs and 49.0 blocks for a team-leading 452.0 points to average 4.00 per set as she was named to the All-Lone Star Conference First Team as well as the LSC Championship All-Tournament Team.

Stow, the three-time Lone Star Conference Defensive Player of the Year, became one of the top players in Division II Volleyball during her storied career. The Hereford, Texas product is now a four-time All-American as she set new school all-time marks in total blocks and solo blocks this season while leading the Lady Buffs to the program’s 32nd NCAA Tournament. Stow tallied 290 kills with an attack percentage of .396 to go along with 19 service aces, 72 digs and an incredible 155 total blocks to average 1.37 per set.

Link