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The Big West Men’s Volleyball Notebook: Beach and ‘Bows Set for National Collegiate Championship Play

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 It’s Trophy Time! 

 Let’s Get Ready to Rumble!

The Big West will begin its quest for the title on Thursday in the quarterfinals of the 2025 National Collegiate Men’s Volleyball Championship inside the Covelli Center in Columbus, Ohio on Thursday, May 8.  Second-seeded Big West champion Hawai’i (26-5) takes on No. 7 seed Penn State (15-15) at 10:30 a.m. PT/7:30 a.m. HT. The Nittany Lions advanced to the contest after winning their opening-round matchup last Friday, downing Daemen in three. Top-ranked and No. 1 seed Long Beach State (27-3) meets No. 8 seed Fort Valley State (16-9) at 2 p.m. PT.  

 

The Big West has been a finalist in each of the last six National Collegiate Championship brackets, claiming four of the last six national collegiate titles. Hawai’i hoisted consecutive trophies in 2021 and ’22 and Long Beach State earned the championship in both 2018 and ’19. In both 2019 and ’22, the championship finale featured both the Rainbow Warriors and the Beach in an All-Big West showdown for the title and should the bracket hold true, 2025 will see the same. 

 About the Bracket

The Big West will embark on the quest for the title owning the top two lines in the 2025 National Collegiate Men’s Volleyball Championship. A third team, UC Irvine, was listed as the first team out of the fray after the second at-large bid in the bracket went to UCLA.

The Big West victor Hawai’i occupies the No. 2 position with regular-season champion Long Beach State claiming the No. 1 seed in the bracket with games slated at the Covelli Center in Columbus, Ohio. UH enters with an overall record of 26-5 on the season and is set to take on No. 7 seed Penn State. Hawai’i owns an 18-10 all-time record over the Nittany Lions, including a straight-set victory on O’ahu on the second day of the 2025 Outrigger Invitational back in March.  

Should UH advance in the bracket, the semifinal opponent will be the victor between defending champion and No. 3 seed UCLA and Belmont Abbey. The Rainbow Warriors saw Belmont Abbey back on Feb. 20 in a 3-0 road sweep. The last time UH met up with UCLA was back in 2023, a 3-1 win in the regular season followed by a loss in the championship match in Fairfax, Va. 

Top-seeded Long Beach State earned an at-large bid into the field after a stellar 2025 campaign with just three blemishes on the record. The Beach (27-5) opens up their quest for the title against eighth-seeded Fort Valley State (16-9) as the back-to-back SIAC champions. The two teams saw each other earlier this season back on Jan. 31 as the Beach swept through The quarterfinal match is set for May 8 at 2 p.m. PT. 

LBSU’s semifinal foe will be the winner of the No. 4/5 matchup between Loyola Chicago and Pepperdine. The Beach holds a 7-0 all-time series record over Loyola with the last meeting going five in Walter Pyramid back on Feb. 5, 2023. The last clash with the Waves came on Jan. 26 in Malibu, Calif., a 3-2 win for the Beach. 

The Big West has been a mainstay on the national stage since sport-sponsorship and 2025 is sure to be no exception. The league has combined for four national titles with both Long Beach State (2018, ’19) and Hawai’i (2021, ’22) going back-to-back for the crown. Two of those iterations were between the Beach and the ’Bows, one of the fiercest men’s volleyball rivalries around. At least one league team has been a national finalist in each of the last six seasons. 

UH won its first national title in 2021 at the Covelli Center, defeating BYU in straight sets with the 2022 title defense captured in Los Angeles against LBSU. The Warriors return to the national tournament after making four consecutive title match appearances from 2019-23.  

For Long Beach State, the championship victories came in consecutive seasons as well with one coming in an all Big West finale in 2019 as the Beach played host. All told, LBSU has been on the national postseason stage 15 times, with six appearances and two titles in The Big West era (2018, ’19, ’22, ’23, ’24) and another championship hoisting moment back in 1991. 

 League Superiority

The Big West has dominated the collegiate men’s volleyball landscape since the league began its sponsorship of the sport ahead of the 2018 campaign, laying claim to four of the last six national titles, with at least one national finalist in each season. 

Long Beach State went back-to-back in 2018 and ’19, first rallying past host UCLA, 3-2, and then Hawai’i, 3-1, at its own Walter Pyramid. After the COVID-19 pandemic wiped out the 2020 installment, Hawai’i claimed the crown in 2021 and ’22, both in straight sets, over BYU in Columbus, Ohio, followed by a rematch with the Beach at UCLA in ’22. In 2023’s installment, UH was vying for a three-peat, but fell just short with UCLA earning the title at George Mason in Fairfax, Va., defeating The Big West champions in four in the finale. Last season, UCLA was able to secure the repeat, with Long Beach State closing as national runners-up after hosting the Championship at Walter Pyramid.

 Real Recognize Real

The AVCA National Player of the Year has gone to a Big West player in each of the last four seasons and six of the seven years since the league began sponsoring men’s volleyball. Reigning award winner Hilir Henno is a senior at UC Irvine in 2025.

This year’s Player of the Year is set to be announced Friday evening from Columbus after the banquet. Big West Player of the Year and AVCA Newcomer of the Year Moni Nikolov is a prime candidate for selection. 

All-American Heroes

 After yet another stellar year on courts across the league, five programs from The Big West are represented in the American Volleyball Coaches Association’s (AVCA) 35th National Collegiate Men’s Volleyball All-America Team, unveiled on Monday. All told, the league boasts 10 on the first and second teams, over 40 percent of all honorees, and another 12 on the honorable mention listings.  

 

The 24 first- and second-team players sees representatives from 11 schools across the country, including five Big West member-institutions. League champion Hawai’i and national No. 1 Long Beach State each see a pair of players on the first team, and three total All-Americans. UC Irvine sports two honorees on the main listings with CSUN and UC San Diego claiming one apiece.  

 

The Big West comprises half of the first-team selections, headlined by 2025 Big West Player and Freshman of the Year Moni Nikolov. The setter from Long Beach State earns the first-team nod as well as AVCA Newcomer of the Year honors after an impeccable first season on the court. Nikolov is joined by Skyler Varga on the first-team listings with middle blocker DiAeris McRaven earning the second-team nod.

 

Hawai’i also claims a trio of selections with sophomore setter Tread Rosenthal up from the honorable mention listings last season. The international freshman attacking tandem of Adrien Roure and Kristian Titriyski made the first and second team listings, respectively. Heading into the Championship on a high from The Big West title, Roure was named the Most Valuable Player of The Hawaiian Islands presents the 2025 Outrigger Big West Men’s Volleyball Championship to get his first postseason started.

Honorable mention All-American players primed for the national postseason include ‘Eleu Choy (UH libero), Daniil Hershtynovich (LBSU RS), Kellen Larson (LBSU libero) and Nurt Nusterer (UH MB).  




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Paige Bueckers makes waves with snack product launches as women athletes win over Gen Z consumers

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12 minutes ago

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December 11, 2025

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The GIST: Last week, Good Eat’n — a plant-based snack brand launched by NBA legend Chris Paul — announced that WNBA phenom Paige Bueckers joined the company as an equity partner and will launch her own new snack called Ragerz.

  • This is a savvy marketing response to several trends converging among Gen Z consumers: They love snacks, especially ones that are health-conscious and celeb-approved. And Bueckers fits into this narrative beautifully, something other legacy snack brands are noticing as they try to win favor with younger generations. Getting hungry.

The trend: Zoomers tend to snack more frequently than other generations, but they often seek healthy options. At the same time, Gen Z consumers are excited by snacks with a twist, whether it’s bold flavors or a nostalgic callback. They are also highly influenced to buy according to what they see on social media, prompting brands to partner with celebs and influencers.

  • Paul’s brand basically checks all these boxes, as does Bueckers’ new product release. Competitive edges, like wielding influencer power and catering to health-conscious consumers, allow an upstart brand like Good Eat’n to break into a market saturated by snack giants.

The context: Historically, major snack brands have partnered with the NBA and recruited its stars to promote new products. The sector has branched out to include W players in recent years, like Ruffles’ partnership with A’ja Wilson or Angel Reese’s extensive work with Reese’s.

  • However, influencers have begun to realize the power of their own brands: YouTubers Mr. Beast and Logan Paul famously entered the snack sector successfully. Chris Paul and Bueckers may initially be known for balling, but their coolness makes their snacks worth buying — not to mention the unparalleled trust consumers have in athlete ambassadors.

Zooming out: For those involved in the consumer packaged goods game, it’s a smart play to tap Gen Z women athletes to advertise products. And although athletes typically promote healthy foods, the cultural influence of women athletes is also being recognized to promote casual, less-healthy snack options that are prominent in pop culture.

  • Brands are successfully using athlete friendships (and relationships) to promote products — fans raved over seeing Reese and Bueckers hang out while promoting a unique crossover between Reese’s and Oreos, while Bueckers’ April ad for Oreo Cakesters featuring now-girlfriend Azzi Fudd played on their longtime chemistry. A match made in heaven.





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Wisconsin volleyball to Sweet 16 after back-to-back sweeps

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28 minutes ago

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December 11, 2025

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No. 3 seed Wisconsin volleyball swept Eastern Illinois and North Carolina in the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament on Thursday and Friday at The Field House, setting up a Dec. 12 date with No. 2 seed Stanford in the Sweet Sixteen. 

Eastern Illinois

Wisconsin swept Eastern Illinois in three short sets Thursday night at the Field House. The Badgers held the Panthers to a .022 shooting percentage while Wisconsin raked in 47 kills on 85 attempts. 

The Badgers found incredible momentum in set one, recording separate 4-0, 8-0 and 5-0 runs against the Panthers. Outside hitter Mimi Colyer recorded six kills in this set, two of which came in the final four points for the Badgers. 

Wisconsin outside hitter Grace Egan ended the set with a kill of her own, capping off  a commanding 25-11 victory. 

Wisconsin pulled away from Eastern Illinois quickly into the second set as well. The Badgers recorded four service aces during this set, two coming from setter Charlie Fuerbringer late. 

When the Badgers went up 19-6, they didn’t allow the Panthers to record another point. Set two ended 25-6 in favor of Wisconsin. 

The third set was the most competitive of the night. Badgers tallied kills across the board, including ones from Colyer, Egan, Fuerbringer, outside hitter Una Vajagic and middle blocker Alicia Andrew. 

Wisconsin head coach Kelly Sheffield slowly worked his bench into the game as the set progressed. Sophomore libero Maile Chan and freshman outside hitter Madison Quest saw action halfway through set three. 

Middle blocker Carter Booth recorded back-to-back kills that put the Badgers ahead 15-9. Andrew and Fuerbringer then made a pair of big-time blocks down the stretch before a kill from sophomore middle blocker Tosia Serafinowska gave Wisconsin the 25-19 win. 

“You certainly don’t go into the match thinking you’ll empty the bench,” Sheffield said. “We have a lot of people who work hard and when an opportunity presents itself in the NCAA Tournament where you can add year played to their experience, especially in the Field House, that is pretty special.” 

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North Carolina

North Carolina defeated sixth-seeded UTEP in the first round of the NCAA Tournament before facing the Badgers. 

Wisconsin welcomed North Carolina to Madison with a quick kill from Colyer to kick off the first set. The Badgers rattled off a 4-0 run after a block assist from Booth and Colyer, a kill from Colyer and two North Carolina errors. 

The Badgers pulled ahead and maintained a steady lead  the rest of the set. A 4-0 run at the end, with kills from Booth, Colyer and Fuerbringer, finalized the set for Wisconsin.

Wisconsin’s momentum picked up where it had left off, and the Badgers recorded another 4-0 run to start the second set strong. Colyer dominated this set with eight kills and one block. 

Fuerbringer also played well in this set, tallying three kills and 16 assists. She ended the night with a .375 hitting percentage. 

Wisconsin won set two 25-21 off a serve from Fuerbringer and a kill from Egan. 

Egan got the third set going with a kill, starting a 4-0 run for Wisconsin. With the Badgers ahead 7-4, Vajagic recorded back-to-back kills. 

North Carolina stayed close the rest of the set, at various times pulling ahead by a point. Andrew and Colyer teamed up on a block to tie the game 18-18. 

The competition stayed tight down to the end of the set, with Wisconsin and North Carolina constantly exchanging the lead. Booth and Egan both recorded back-to-back kills in a row, bringing the Badgers ahead 23-22. 

The game moved into extra points and Vajagic, Andrew and Colyer made the final three kills to push Wisconsin to the Sweet Sixteen. 

Colyer and Egan both ended the night with double-doubles in kills and digs. Wisconsin recorded a hitting percentage of .365 off 60 kills and 126 attempts. 

Sheffield applauded Wisconsin’s effort after the game. “It’s earned through work. Confidence is earned by the work you put in; it’s earned by how you talk to yourself,” Sheffield said.

The Badgers have now swept 20 of their 30 opponents this season. Wisconsin holds a season record of 26-4, needing to win four more games to win their second National Championship.

Their next game will be Dec. 12 at the [arena] in [city], Texas, where they will face the No. 2 seed Standford Cardinal at 1:30 p.m. CST. 

The Daily Cardinal has been covering the University and Madison community since 1892. Please consider giving today.



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Amadi Garners MEAC Weekly Honor

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December 11, 2025

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NORFOLK, Va. – With the first indoor meet completed, the Eagles earned a weekly conference honor, announced by the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference on Wednesday afternoon. North Carolina Central’s Zion Amadi was named the MEAC Men’s Track Athlete of the Week.

Amadi had podium finishes in two races at the Visit Winston-Salem College Kick-Off on Dec. 6, while moving up the school record books. He won the men’s 400m seeded race with a time of 47.78 seconds, which moved him up to third all-time at NCCU in the Division I era. Amadi now sits behind Gordon Lewis (47.11 – 2019) and Donnell Carter (47.70 – 2022).  

The sophomore placed second in the 200m seeded race at the JDL Fast Track. Amadi would also break the school record in the event in 21.13 seconds. Lewis held that record since the 2019-20 season (21.27). Amadi broke meet records in both events as well.

The Eagles are back to work after the holiday break, staying local for the Dick Taylor Challenge on Jan. 16-17, hosted by North Carolina at the Eddie Smith Field House in Chapel Hill.        

For more information on NCCU Athletics, visit NCCUEaglePride.com.



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Banwo, Lyons Receive MEAC Weekly Accolades

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December 11, 2025

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NORFOLK, Va. (December 10, 2025) – The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) revealed its women’s track & field weekly accolades where Howard University swept the awards. The announcement came Wednesday afternoon.
 
Senior thrower Temi Banwo (Allen, Texas) won Field Athlete of the Week while junior sprinter Yahnari Lyons (Hampton, Ga.) took home Track Athlete of the Week.
 

At the HBCU & Ivy Challenge (Dec. 5), Banwo placed fourth in the shot put with a MEAC-best mark of 13.88 meters and earned bronze in the weight throw with another conference-leading toss of 16.92 meters.
 
For Lyons, she won the 200-meter dash with a MEAC-leading time of 24.11, which sits 11th in the country.
 
On Dec. 13, HU returns to the Northeast for the Seahawk Shootout, hosted by Wagner College.
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com or the MEAC website at www.MEACSports.com.



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Cincinnati Enquirer names 2025 girls volleyball all-city teams

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6 hours ago

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December 11, 2025

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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.



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Pitt volleyball to host 2026 Opening Spike Classic

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6 hours ago

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December 11, 2025

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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.





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