LEXINGTON – The Lexington boys volleyball team proved its merit in the Div. 1 state title conversation alongside the Bay State Conference’s quadrant of titans Monday night.

But No. 1 Brookline, however slim, proved its edge.

A chaotic environment against a nonleague, unfamiliar power fueled a rollercoaster of a rock-fight on the road, though the Warriors (16-1) overcame late deficits in the first two sets en route to a 3-1 win (27-25, 26-24, 23-25, 25-17) over the No. 7 Minutemen – snapping their program-record 17-game win streak.

Kris Vaivars (27 kills) and Alec Smagula (47 assists) led yet another star-studded performance, supported by a long list of complementary performances.

The end result was a gutsy win that felt like one of the most significant of the season to date – even considering the 5-1 record Brookline posted against No. 2 Natick, No. 4 Needham and No. 5 Newton North.

“This win, even though we won in four, I think it was a great win,” said Warriors head coach Lexi De La Cruz. “We didn’t know what to expect. I talked to my guys, I thought this team gave us one of the best games we have played in so far. They played better than how Needham played us. They played better than – even (in the loss to Natick), we were playing sloppy. … It felt like this was a great win based on the level the other team was playing.”

Lexington brought tenacity, composure and high-level play from the opening serve, trading thunderous kills, eye-opening defense, and long rallies throughout in front of a rowdy crowd fit for state tournament game. Ale Luciani (18 kills) and Nadav Vachtel (10 kills, two blocks) paced the Minutemen (17-2), who then saw Adam Mann (eight kills) step up in the third and fourth sets once fellow standout hitter Nic Sanchez de Rojas (six kills, two aces) left with injury.

In the first set, Lexington battled back from down 22-20 to take a 25-24 lead on Mahin Rajesh’s (22 assists, two blocks, two kills) kill. In the second, it led 22-20 before clawing back from a 4-0 Brookline run with a Xander Jackson (four blocks, four kills) block to force extra points again at 24-24. And in the third, the Minutemen answered a 3-0 run from Brookline – which made it 23-23 – with consecutive Luciani kills to force a fourth set.

“It definitely felt different today,” De La Cruz said. “Dealing with (that) adversity helps us.”

Vaivars posted at least five kills in all four sets, and Smagula makes the Brookline attack run at a high level. But in each of those moments, the Warriors’ supporting cast proved the difference.

Teammates raved about Liam Raybould’s (eight kills, four blocks) night. Amir Tomer (five kills, block) passed extremely well. Kais Al-Fakhuri (three kills, three blocks) and Zachary Spencer (five kills, two blocks) combined for several key plays in critical times at the net, Jacob Lam served well, and Conor Christopher (four kills, block) was an offensive spark.

“I think we just have a deeper roster,” De La Cruz said. “Our role players are doing key parts. We definitely have Kris and Alec, but every single one of our players produces something unique that helps us win. … That’s the difference.”

Lexington seemed bound to win at least one set after the way it fought in the first two. Once it did, though, Brookline answered with a 25-17 fourth set that featured a 10-2 run in the early stages.

“When you lose a (set), you have to prove something,” De La Cruz said. “Proving that is coming out strong and winning the next set like we did.”

BUFFALO, NY – Makhia Laster (Buffalo, NY/Tapestry Charter) of the Buffalo State outdoor track and field team has officially qualified for the 2025 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships next week. Laster will compete in what has become her signature event in the long jump. The meet will be hosted in Geneva, OH at the SPIRE Institute from May 22-24 with the women’s long jump taking place on Thursday, May 22.
 
Laster earns a spot at her fourth straight national meet between indoor and outdoor. She finished third in the event at NCAA Championships last season while earning First Team All-America status. In addition, she earned Second Team All-America status in each of the last two indoor seasons between the long jump and 60-meter dash. Laster holds the school record in the long jump for both indoor (5.80 meters) and outdoor (5.99 meters) and has won each of the last four SUNYAC titles in the event. Currently sitting ninth in the country in the event, Laster aims to make one last mark on her legacy at Buffalo State.

Laster quickly emerged as one of the top track athletes to compete at Buffalo State in program history. Entering NCAA Championships, Laster earned six SUNYAC Championships, 17 All-SUNYAC honors, 10 USTFCCCA All-Region honors, four All-America honors, and earned the Buffalo State Ruth Houston Award for Female Most Outstanding Career. She set her season-best mark of 5.97 meters last week at AARTFC Regionals.

 

LARAMIE, Wyo. (May 19, 2025) – University of Wyoming Athletics has announced a multi-year extension with Cowgirl Volleyball Head Coach Kaylee Prigge. The extension runs through the 2027 season.

“I am eternally grateful to love what I do and who I do it with,” said Prigge.

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to continue growing and building Wyoming Volleyball for this community and the state of Wyoming. I want to thank Tom Burman, Taylor Stuemky and our entire administration for their support of the program and trust in our staff. Our athletics department is special because of the high-level commitment to every UW team. We truly are one state, one university and one team.”

In her first two campaigns at Wyoming, Prigge has led the Cowgirls to back-to-back national postseason appearances, UW has played in each of the last two NIVC Tournaments, advancing to the Great Eight Round in both seasons. In her two seasons, Prigge has led the Cowgirls to 39 victories.

As head coach, Prigge has guided six Cowgirls to All-Mountain West honors while seven student-athletes have been named to the CSC Academic All-District Team.

“Our future is bright and that is because of the group of young women that make up Cowgirl Volleyball. Their commitment to the development and growth of our program, is what I am most proud of and excited to continue. GO POKES!”

-WYO-

Up next in the women’s competition is Morgane Herculano. Morgane placed 11th at the World Aquatics Championships in Doha 2024 and ready to show the world what she has been training for in the World Championships in Singapore 2025. 

We put Morgane into the question-and-answer hot seat. Here’s what we got from her:

When asked about her ideal landmark to dive in front of, Morgane didn’t hesitate. “Maybe the bridge in San Francisco. the Golden Gate! Yes, the Golden Gate,” she said. Combining iconic architecture with her thrilling sport would be an unforgettable moment.

Of all the places Morgane has competed, Doha holds a special place in her heart. “The view, the way they set up the pool, and having all four sports together at the World Championships—it was incredible.” It was also her first World Championships, making it even more memorable.

If Morgane could invite anyone to watch her perform, her pick is presidential. “Barack Obama,” she said. With such a respected audience member, her dives would be even more impactful!

Morgane keeps it simple when preparing for a competition. “I eat a banana about an hour before diving,” she said. “It’s easy to digest and doesn’t make me feel heavy.” This practical snack ensures she’s fueled and focused.

Morgane draws inspiration from nature and majestic landscapes. One location on her wish list is “the big mountain in Chur,” a breathtaking Swiss destination. It’s a testament to her connection with natural beauty and her adventurous spirit.

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Courtesy of Roosevelt Athletic Communications

CHICAGO — Roosevelt Athletics announced the hiring of Michael Moffitt as the Lakers’ new men’s and women’s cross country and track and field head coach Monday evening.

Moffitt arrives in Chicago after one season as the assistant coach at Purdue Northwest, a fellow member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. He previously spent three seasons as the Director of Men’s and Women’s Track & Field/Cross Country at Grace College in Indiana and one season as the head coach at Eastern University in Pennsylvania.

“I am thrilled to welcome Michael to our athletic department and begin collaborating with him on the growth of our cross country and track program,” Roosevelt’s Vice President of Athletics and Student-Athlete Success Michael Cassidy said. “Beyond the coaching experience, Michael’s energy, work ethic, and leadership ability stood out and will greatly benefit our student-athletes academically and athletically.”

Moffitt turned Grace’s program into one of the best in the NAIA during his three seasons at the helm. He recorded the highest rankings for both the men’s and women’s program in school history as the Lancers rose to as high as No. 3 indoors and No. 10 outdoors on the men’s side and No. 15 indoors and No. 23 outdoors on the women’s side. As a team, the men won two National Christian College Athletic Association championships and the women won three team titles.

He coached 115 national qualifiers, 83 all-conference performers, 31 conference champions and three national champions as individuals. Moffitt was also named the NCCAA coach the year five times – three times for track and field and twice for cross country.

During his time in charge at Eastern, Moffitt coached an All-American, two All-Region performers, three conference champions and 18 all-conference performers.

“I would like to thank Vice President of Athletics and Student-Athlete Success Mike Cassidy and the hiring committee for trusting me with this amazing opportunity,” Moffitt said. “I am truly honored to step into this new leadership role at Roosevelt. This team has the tools to grow into something special, and I can’t wait to begin this new chapter. “

Moffitt’s success began as a collegiate athlete at Indiana Wesleyan, where he was a member of the track and field program for four years. During that time, he won eight national championships in the high jump, two in the NAIA and six in the NCCAA, and qualified twice for the USA Track & Field National Championships in the high jump.

Following his time as an athlete with the Wildcats, he stayed at Indiana Wesleyan as a graduate assistant for two seasons. He was a member of the 2019 NAIA Program of the Year where he mentored three national qualifiers and an All-American.

Twenty McQueen High athletes will sign national letters of intent with colleges Tuesday during a signing-day ceremony at 11:30 a.m. in the Lancers’ big gym. Those players, which were provided by the school’s athletic administration, include:

Division I

* Shayne Patrick, swimming, Eastern Michigan University

Division II

* Jaxen McAdara, baseball, Cal State East Bay

Division III

* Lena Minetto, swimming, St. Olaf College

* Camren Bingham, track and field, University of Puget Sound

* Addysyn Hansen, lacrosse, Bryn Mawr College

Junior college

* Avery Hayes, soccer, Lake Tahoe Community College

* Carmen Damian, soccer, Lake Tahoe Community College

* Adriano DoPrado, soccer, Folsom Lake College

* Brian Bruk, soccer, Santa Rosa Junior College

* Alex Hancock, football Butte College

* Cadel Ayala, football, Saddleback College

* Peter Park-Li, baseball, Butte College

NAIA

* Bella Coronado, wrestling, Eastern Oregon University

* Berett Callison, wrestling, St. Ambrose (Iowa)

* Evan Krantz, wrestling St. Ambrose (Iowa)

* Anna Wangberg, softball, Bethel College

* Cole Draper, golf, Ottawa University

Athletics Union

* Alyssa Allan, soccer, University of Chester (England)

* Emma McNamara, soccer, University of Chester (England)

Club sport

* Max Lancaster, lacrosse, Boise State (club)