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The News-Gazette’s 44th All-State volleyball team | Sports

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Congratulations to St. Charles North’s Haley Burgdorf and 185 other players from around the state:

FIRST TEAM

PLAYER SCHOOL HT. YR. POS.

Madison Anspaugh Rockford Christian 6-2 Sr. OH







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Clemson-bound star propelled the Royal Lions to a 34-7 season and Class 2A fourth-place finish with 468 kills, 229 digs, 57 aces and 26 blocks

Avery Boehm Mascoutah 5-10 Sr. OH







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Future Saint Louis outside hitter was a force for the 28-win Indians, wrapping up her prep career with 507 kills, 302 digs, 48 blocks and 29 aces

Lily Bosworth Mahomet-Seymour 6-4 Sr. MB







1222025 AA VB Lily Bosworth 1

Lily Bosworth, MS, during the volleyball AA team photos at the NG in Champaign on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025.




Bosworth flipped her commitment from Michigan State to Purdue and then went on to lead the Bulldogs to 32 wins with 302 kills and 65 blocks

Haley Burgdorf St. Charles North 6-0 Sr. OH







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The N-G’s player of the year dominated at the net for the 35-4 North Stars and will head to Penn State after totaling 435 kills, 198 digs and 52 aces

Cassidy Cage Marist 6-2 Sr. MB







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Next stop for Cage after putting up 236 kills and 92 blocks for the 36-win Class 4A champs is Mississippi State

Trixie Carroll Lanark Eastland 5-10 Sr. OH







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Uber productive outside hitter finished with 535 kills and 279 digs for the 27-11 Cougars, which should thrill Central Michigan fans

Elayna Davidson Marist 5-6 Sr. L







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Maryland-bound libero did it all in the back row for the Class 4A state champion Redhawks with 402 digs, 125 assists and 36 aces

Abbey Knight Providence Catholic 6-1 Sr. OH







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Wright State-bound outside hitter was the go-to option for the Class 3A third-place Celtics, finishing with 470 kills, 218 digs, 64 aces and 34 blocks

Kalia Kroth DePaul Prep 5-9 Jr. OH







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Kroth, a North Carolina commit, put up 440 kills, 215 digs and 40 aces while being an ace passer for the 33-6 Rams this fall

Mia Lamberti Limestone 6-0 Jr. S/OPP







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Lamberti committed to Illinois this summer and went on to post 406 assists, 402 kills, 137 digs and 67 aces for the 34-win Rockets

Addison Lucht Cissna Park 5-10 Sr. OH







1222025 AA VB Addison Lucht 2

Cissna Park senior Addison Lucht is a First Team All-Area volleyball selection and the All-Area Player of the Year choice by The News-Gazette for the 2025 season.




Lucht capped her volleyball career — she’s off to Northwestern to play softball — with 339 kills, 202 digs and 48 aces in a run to a Class 1A state title

Lucy Maloney Mother McAuley 5-6 Sr. L







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Clemson landed an impressive piece for its defensive future in Maloney, who helped the Mighty Macs go 34-5 with 627 digs, 75 assists and 26 aces

Kampbell Niepagen Bloomington Central Catholic 6-0 Jr. OH







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Auburn commit was a driving force in the Saints’ 36-6 season and Class 2A state runner-up finish with 395 kills, 241 digs, 60 aces and 42 blocks

Morgan Petelin Normal U-High 5-11 Sr. S/OPP







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Tennessee Tech landed a versatile option in Petelin, who helped the Pioneers win a Class 3A state title with 582 assists, 300 digs, 122 kills, 43 blocks and 40 aces

Caroline Simmons Carmi-White County 5-5 Sr. OH







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Simmons is also headed to Cookeville, Tenn., to join Tennessee Tech’s beach team after posting 515 kills and 51 aces for the 37-3 Bulldogs

Ellie Stiernagle Benet Academy 6-2 Sr. S







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Future Northwestern setter was a key cog in the Redwings’ 39-win season and Class 4A runner-up finish with 815 assists, 158 digs, 51 kills and 42 aces

Lynney Tarnow Benet Academy 6-5 Sr. MB







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Wisconsin signee, like Burgdorf, was an AVCA All-American and put up 227 kills, 40 blocks and 22 aces in the Redwings’ state run this fall

Alana Whitfield Normal 6-0 Sr. OH







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Ironmen got to 34 wins with the future Michigan State outside hitter — and high-level passer — leading the way with 418 kills, 276 digs and 34 blocks

SECOND TEAM

PLAYER SCHOOL HT. YR. POS.

Brooklynne Brass Benet Academy 5-10 Jr. OH

Maryland commit played an important role in the Redwings’ state tournament run, finishing the year with 283 kills, 248 digs, 50 blocks and 23 aces

Alayna Briggs Hartsburg-Emden 6-0 Sr. OH

Future Parkland outside hitter was a key cog in the Stags’ 35-win season, putting up 361 kills, 219 digs, 97 blocks and 39 aces in her senior year

Haven Enselman Marist 5-11 Fr. S

Star freshman set the bar high for her prep career, posting 951 assists, 205 digs, 43 blocks and 36 kills to help the Redhawks win the Class 4A title

Charlie Fleegle Libertyville 5-6 Jr. L

Illinois State commit was more than just a standout defender with 309 digs given she added 107 assists and 53 aces and was a 2.24 passer

Taylor Haas Stockton 6-1 Jr. MB

Blackhawks’ 36-6 season and Class 1A state runner-up finish was built on Haas’ two-way impact with 302 kills and 129 blocks

Peyton Heatherly Mother McAuley 5-10 Jr. S

Coastal Carolina commit ran the show again for the 34-5 Mighty Macs, closing out her junior year with 676 assists, 157 digs, 75 kills and 22 aces

Maryam Hussein Oak Lawn 5-11 Sr. OH

Spartans senior was one of the most productive six-rotation outside hitters in the state, finishing the season with 460 and 219 digs

Kenzie Jones Shelbyville 6-2 Sr. MB

Missouri State-bound middle blocker was the catalyst to the Rams’ 27-win season with 273 kills, 111 digs, 91 blocks and 42 aces

Jaydee Melton Norris City-Omaha-Enfield 5-8 Sr. S

Melton will stick close to home next season at Rend Lake after leading the Cardinals to a Class 1A third-place finish with 954 assists, 110 digs and 74 kills

Bella Potempa Timothy Christian 5-8 Sr. OH

Team captain and Tennessee Tech signee led the way for 29-6 Trojans with 359 kills, 174 digs, 39 aces and 30 blocks in senior season

Lola Robertson Durand 6-0 Jr. OH

Marquette commit helped Bulldogs post a 28-8 record thanks to her do-everything 369 kills, 252 digs, 60 assists, 33 aces and 27 blocks

Sawyer Secrist ROWVA/Williamsfield 5-10 Sr. MB

Senior middle blocker was a force at the net for the 32-win Tigers with 468 kills to go with 289 digs, 44 assists, 37 aces and 21 blocks

Addison Smith Prairie Ridge 5-10 Sr. S

Purdue Northwest-bound setter kept the Class 3A fourth-place Wolves rolling after Maizy Agnello’s injury with 924 assists, 219 digs, 106 kills and 43 aces

Laney Snow Normal U-High 6-0 Sr. OH

Future Ferris State outside hitter pushed the Pioneers to a Class 3A state title with 329 kills, 298 digs and 34 blocks for the season

Khloe Stear Limestone 5-4 Sr. L

Defensive ace was the star of the Rockets’ back row, passing an impressive 2.4 while contributing 587 digs, 101 assists and 26 aces

Kara Stephens Augusta Southeastern 5-10 Jr. S/MB

A rare athlete to split her time at setter and middle blocker, Stephens had 562 kills, 301 digs, 249 assists, 33 aces and 30 blocks for the Suns

Robyn Ward Taylorville 6-3 Sr. MB

Dominant middle blocker will play at UIC next season after totaling 316 kills, 81 blocks and 52 aces for the 32-6 Tornadoes this fall

Savanah Weathers Marist 5-8 Sr. OPP

Right-side hitter bound for Division II Davenport University helped Marist win a Class 4A title with 262 kills, 235 digs, 87 blocks and 26 aces

SPECIAL MENTION 50

PLAYER SCHOOL HT. YR. POS.

Noelle Aprati Bolingbrook 5-10 Sr. OH

Saylor Barry Mendon Unity 5-5 Sr. OH

Kamille Barth Washington 5-6 Sr. L

Kalyn Brookbank Barrington 6-1 Jr. OH

Kiersten Cieslinski Vernon Hills 6-1 Jr. OH

Ciara Cunningham Edwardsville 5-11 Sr. OPP

Carly Dawson Washington 6-2 Jr. OH

Reece Distler Althoff Catholic 5-9 Sr. OH

Maddie Dostall Minooka 5-5 Sr. L

Aubrey Duttlinger LaSalle Peru 5-10 Jr. OH

Brinlie Durbin Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg 5-9 Sr. S/OPP

Marley Edson Centralia 5-11 Jr. S/OPP

Bridget Ferriter Lockport 6-0 Sr. OH

Mya Friese Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg 5-11 Jr. OH

Lexie Grevengoed Joliet West 5-11 So. OH

Quinn Grevengoed Chicago Christian 6-1 Jr. OH

Lydia Hart Athens 5-9 Jr. OH

Cara Hatton Effingham St. Anthony 6-0 Jr. OH

Essence Haynes Elverado 6-1 Jr. MB

Hazel Helmers Trico 5-9 Jr. MB

Julia Irvin Rockford Christian 5-9 Sr. S

Akshara Jay Fremd 5-11 Sr. S/OPP

Ainsley Johnson Springfield Calvary 5-10 Sr. MB

Tatum Kelly Neuqua Valley 5-11 So. S/OPP

Hayden Knight Norris City-Omaha-Enfield 5-10 Sr. MB

Maura Kohlenberger Columbia 6-0 Sr. MB

Rosie Krenz Bloomington Central Catholic 6-1 Sr. MB

Mia Lieberman Father McGivney 6-0 Sr. MB

Maryn Linderman Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin 5-6 Sr. L

Francesca Lorenzo Montini Catholic 6-0 Sr. OPP

Aubrey Martinez St. Laurence 5-9 Jr. OH

Ava Mathews Columbia 5-10 Sr. S/OPP

Mia McCall St. Charles North 5-11 Sr. S

Mya McCoy Galena 5-11 Sr. OH

Anna McGlasson Midland 6-1 Jr. MB/OPP

Addison Nenninger Breese Mater Dei 5-10 Sr. S

Alexis Neumann Chatham Glenwood 6-2 Jr. OH

Hailee Pietryk Waubonsie Valley 5-7 Sr. L

Avery Poppe Lexington 5-9 Sr. OH

Moira Quirk Montini Catholic 6-0 Jr. MB

Addi Samolinski Wheaton St. Francis 5-4 Sr. L

Claire Sandstrom Columbia 5-11 Jr. OH

Lyla Tate Heyworth 6-0 Sr. OH

Laine Thompson Normal West 5-9 Jr. S

Cami Tinder Rochester 5-8 Jr. S

Hope Wagner Aurora Christian 6-1 Sr. OH

Morgan Wiezorek Chatham Glenwood 5-8 Jr. S

Bryn Williamson Limestone 6-1 Jr.

Kaydra Wright Stockton 5-5 Jr. S

Peyton Zeidler Rochester 5-10 Jr. OH

HONORABLE MENTION 100

PLAYER SCHOOL HT. YR. POS.

Lauren Abbott Erie-Prophetstown 5-11 Sr. MB

Isabelle Axelson Eureka 5-11 Sr. MB

Emma Behrmann Nashville 5-10 Sr. OH

Peyton Benhoff Breese Central 6-1 Sr. MB

Taylor Berg Marist 5-10 Jr. OH

Peyton Biekert Marissa/Coulterville 6-0 Jr. MB

Annabelle Bischoff Tri-Valley 6-0 Jr. MB

Natalie Bochantin Lockport 5-7 Jr. S

Jacie Bosler Carlyle 5-3 Jr. L

Eva Breckenkamp Quincy Notre Dame 6-0 Sr. MB

Farryn Burridge Glenbard West 6-1 Jr. MB

Jaycie Buss Okawville 5-9 So. MB

Sofia Campos Niles North 5-11 Sr. MB

Demi Carbone Providence Catholic 5-10 Sr. S/OPP

Zoey Carlson Newark 5-11 Fr. MB

Laila Carr LeRoy 5-10 Sr. OH

Sophia Chinetti Benet Academy 6-0 Sr. OH

Mariella Ciaravino Saint Ignatius 5-8 Xx. OH

Ava Crabtree Normal U-High 6-1 Sr. OH

Celia Cross Hartsburg-Emden 5-10 Sr. S ICC

Arabelle Cunningham Athens 5-6 Jr. S

Catherine Daniels Bolingbrook 5-11 Jr. S

Madelyn Doggett Westville 5-9 Jr. OH

Sophie Duis Cissna Park 5-10 Sr. MB

Hannah Edwards Massac County 5-7 Sr. S

Meghan Edwards Carlyle 6-0 Sr. OH

Emma Eeten Hartsburg-Emden 6-0 Jr. MB

Addie Elliott Carmi White County 5-5 Sr. S

Eden Eyassu Joliet West 6-1 Sr. L

Aubrey Fair Bloomington Central Catholic 6-0 Sr. OH

Kelsey Frederick LaSalle Peru 5-10 Sr. MB

Madison Funk Normal U-High 5-8 Sr. S/OPP

Delaneigh Garner Warrensburg-Latham 5-4 Sr. L

Maddy Gesky Manteno 5-11 Jr. MB

Addison Glenn Nokomis 5-10 Sr. MB

Kinley Glover Benton 5-9 Jr. MB

Livia Goebel Edwardsville 6-0 Jr. MB

Lina Govoni Joliet West 5-9 Sr. S/OPP

Skylar Greene Saint Ignatius 5-10 Sr. OPP

Adeline Grider Prairie Ridge 6-0 Jr. OH

Miranda Hari Prairie Central 5-8 Jr. OH

Molly Harrison Decatur Unity Christian 5-7 Jr. OH

Neve Hayes Evergreen Park 5-9 Sr. S

Cara Herbert Glenbard West 5-11 Jr. S

Hannah Herrick Oswego 6-1 Jr. OH

Hannah Holliday Williamsville 5-9 So. OH

Campbell Hopkins Hartsburg-Emden 5-8 Jr. OH

Dani Hopp Richmond-Burton 6-0 Jr. OH

Kallie Hubbard Highland 5-9 Jr. OH

Abby Inman Stevenson 5-11 Jr. OH

Kinley Jany Columbia 5-8 Sr. OH

Alyssa Jepson Morris 5-6 Sr. L

Zoe Johnson Palatine 5-10 Sr. OH

Ella Keene Pinckeyville 5-9 Sr. OH

Ellie Kowalski Saint Ignatius 5-7 Jr. L

Kamryn Kruger Riverdale 5-6 Sr. L

Ava Lampe Breese Mater Dei 5-5 Jr. L

Taylor Langland El Paso-Gridley 5-6 Sr. S

Sami Liaromatis Wilmington 5-6 Jr. L

Madison Loos Quincy 5-11 Sr. MB

Mckenzie Love Effingham 5-8 Sr. MB

Brooklyn Lynch Shelbyville 5-3 Sr. L

Erin Lynch Saint Viator 5-11 Sr. OH

Reis McFarland Bismarck-Henning/Rossville-Alvin 5-11 Sr. OH

Mady Melton Monticello 5-5 Sr. L

Ireland Mensendike Stockton 5-7 Jr. OH

Maggie Michaels Normal 5-8 Sr. OH

Cassidy Monahan St. Thomas More 6-2 Sr. OH

Klarke Mosby Lincoln-Way East 5-9 Jr. OPP

Harper Neill Fremd 5-9 So. OH

Josie Neukomm Cissna Park 5-10 Sr. OH

Madelyn Ohlau Edwardsville 5-10 Jr. OH

Maddy Ohrmundt DePaul Prep 5-6 Jr. L

Ihuoma Ozoh Homewood-Flossomoor 6-3 Sr. MB

Nora Parsons Tremont 5-10 So. MB

Avery Patton Breese Mater Dei 5-11 Jr. MB

Cayla Prohaska Mother McAuley 6-0 Sr. OH

Kinze Reese Mascoutah 5-8 So. OH

Kolby Ross Lincoln-Way East 5-8 So. OH

Jillian Schlittler Unity 5-10 Sr. S/OPP

Brooke Schumacher Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg 5-11 Jr.

Kymora Scott Homewood-Flossmoor 6-2 Sr. OH

Hallee Smallman Massac County 5-3 Sr. L

Abigail Smith Prairie Ridge 5-11 Sr. OPP

Rachel Smith Wilmington 5-10 Sr. OH

Molly Southall Wilmington 5-10 Sr. S/OPP

Kendall Stotlar Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin 6-0 Sr. MB

Hutsyn Timosciek Lockport 5-11 Jr. OPP

Tess Tortorello Nazareth Academy 5-3 So. L

Abby VanMeenen Morton 6-1 Jr. MB

Dia Villahard Father McGivney 5-6 Sr. L

Alayna Vincent Taylorville 5-8 Sr. OH

Tegan Vrbancic Prairie Ridge 5-7 Jr. L

Claire Weather s Benet Academy 5-9 Jr. L

Molly Welge Benet Academy 6-3 Sr. OPP

Emily Westerhold Macomb 5-5 Sr. L

Carly Whitcomb Tremont 5-3 So. L

L’Rae White Chicago Christian 5-6 Sr. OH

Sidney Wright St. Charles North 6-1 Sr. MB

Ava Yeakel Mahomet-Seymour 6-1 Sr. OH





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Owens, Zukley Sweep United East Women’s Track & Field Athlete Of The Week Awards

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December 29, 2025

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LATHAM, N.Y. – Juniors Savannah Owens (Frederick, Md./Gov. Thomas Johnson) and Jillian Zukley (Severna Park, Md./Severna Park) of the St. Mary’s College of Maryland women’s indoor track & field team claimed the United East Conference Women’s Indoor Track and Field Athlete of the Week awards as released by the league office Tuesday (Dec. 9).

Owens was named the United East Track Athlete of the Week for the first time in her career while Zukley garnered United East Field Athlete of the Week honors for the fifth time during her indoor career.

St. Mary’s College opened the 2025-26 campaign at the Christopher Newport University Holiday Open on Dec. 6.

Owens broke a school record in her return following a year away from the Seahawks indoor and outdoor track & field teams. The 5-5 sprinter took second in the 600m with a program record of 1:44.22, breaking the previous school record of 1:49.93 set by teammate Avery Arizzi ’27 on Dec. 2, 2023. She also placed third in the 800m in 2:35.81 while leading off the fourth-place 4x400m.

Following her performance, Owens leads the conference in the 800m while ranking 18th in the Mid-Atlantic region.

Zukley qualified for the 2026 All-Atlantic Region Track & Field Conference (AARTFC) Championships (Mar. 6-7) in the weight throw in the first indoor meet of the season. The 6-3 thrower opened her junior campaign with a bang as she captured the shot put with 11.67m. She then came in second in the weight throw with a school record 15.11m, knocking off her own record of 13.79m set on Jan. 31, 2025, at the Marlin Invitational.

Zukley currently leads the league in both events while ranking fourth in the Mid-Atlantic region in weight throw and sixth in shot put.

SMCM will be idle until the new year when St. Mary’s College travels to the Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex in Staten Island, N.Y. to compete in the Spartan Invitational hosted by St. Thomas Aquinas College. Action is slated to begin at 12 pm on Friday, January 9.

2025-26 United East Conference Women’s Indoor Field Athletes of the Week

2025-26 United East Conference Women’s Indoor Track Athletes of the Week



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Purdue Volleyball Adds ACC All-Freshman Outside Hitter to 2026 Roster

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December 29, 2025

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Purdue has added a young star to its 2026 roster via the transfer portal. The Boilermakers landed a commitment from former Georgia Tech outside hitter Mimi Mambu. She comes to West Lafayette with three years of eligibility remaining.

Mambu spent her freshman season with the Yellow Jackets and was named to the ACC All-Freshman Team. She averaged 2.923 kills per set and hit .155 for the year. The 6-foot outside hitter also totaled 48 blocks and averaged 1.067 digs per set.

“What a wonderful Christmas gift to get the commitment from a smart and dynamic student-athlete,” coach Dave Shondell said in a statement. “We’re excited to have this hard-hitting high-flyer join our team after such a strong first season at Georgia Tech where she helped lead them to an NCAA tournament appearance. We watched Mimi play in high school and knew she would be a special player. Mimi learned so much about our program from Kash [Akasha Anderson] and Isabelle Bardin who are good friends from the D.C. area.”

Shondell saw Mambu up close during the 2025 season. On Sept. 3, the Boilermakers hosted Georgia Tech in the Stacey Clark Classic. The Yellow Jackets won the match 3-1, and the freshman hitter ended the evening with 10 digs and seven kills.

Georgia Tech ended the year with a 16-14 record.

Mambu will likely fill a void left by Purdue senior Akasha Anderson, who proved to be one of the top hitters last season. After transferring in from Michigan State, the senior averaged 2.911 kills per set and had a .282 hitting percentage. She only got better as the season progressed.

Mambu will join a talented and experienced roster in West Lafayette. She joins All-Big Ten selections Kenna Wollard and Grace Heaney at the pin-hitter spots. She will also be playing alongside All-Big Ten setter Taylor Anderson and All-Big Ten honorable mention libero Ryan McAleer.

Purdue closed out the 2025 season with a 27-7 record and a trip to the Regional Final round of the NCAA Tournament.

Mambu had ups and downs

Mackey Arena hosts the NCAA volleyball match between the Washington Huskies at the Purdue Boilermakers

Mackey Arena hosts the NCAA volleyball match between the Washington Huskies at the Purdue Boilermakers | Chad Krockover / For The Journal & Courier / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

As any freshman might, Mambu had some highs and lows throughout her freshman campaign. She reached a double-digit kill total in 13 of Georgia Tech’s 30 matches.

Mambu also had some off days, though. On five occasions, she ended a match with a negative hit percentage. Three of those came against Louisville, Pitt, and Purdue, all of which made deep runs into the NCAA Tournament.

Mambu is a tremendous athlete with high-flying ability and a strong arm. The biggest focus for Shondell and the Boilermakers will be to develop some consistency, but Purdue’s coaching staff has proven it can correct some of those issues.

Plus, with a full year of college volleyball now under her belt, Mambu is likely to show major improvement from her freshman to sophomore season.

Get top Boilermakers stories, expert analysis, and can’t-miss moments straight to your inbox for free by signing up for the Purdue Boilermakers on SI newsletter!

Related stories on Purdue volleyball

PURDUE FRESHMAN HITS TRANSFER PORTAL: One of Purdue’s freshmen from the 2025 recruiting class entered the NCAA transfer portal and has already found a new home. CLICK HERE





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How does a Q-Collar work?

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December 29, 2025

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Cougars come back to win Pop-Tarts Bowl 25-21 over Georgia Tech – BYU Athletics – Official Athletics Website

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11 hours ago

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December 29, 2025

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Fourth Quarter

On second-and-nine, Bachmeier found Roberts in a tight window for a gain of 18. Damuni added four yards, and on third down, Roberts caught a 7-yard pass to move the chains. Bachmeier and Ryan connected for the seventh time, this time for 13 yards to pin BYU at the Yellow Jacket six-yard line. After Kingston recorded a four-yard carry, Nawahine took the direct snap and plowed into the end zone. Keeping the offense on the field to go for two, Bachmier rushed it into the end zone to cut the deficit to three.

BYU forced the game’s first three-and-out. Kingston returned the punt 34 yards to set BYU up at its 45.

Bachmeier pitched to Damuni for a gain of five on first down. The freshman running back gained one yard on the next play, but the Cougars were unable to convert on third-and-four, and Vander Haar and the punting unit returned to the field, resulting in the second three-and-out of the game.

An illegal snap penalty pushed Georgia Tech back to its four-yard line. On second-and-14, King hit Rutherford for a gain of 12, and then another illegal snap penalty was enforced on the Yellow Jackets to set up third-and-seven. Haynes got just short of the line of gain before Glasker and Tanner Wall tackled him to force a punt. Kingston returned the punt four yards and set BYU up at its own 30 with 5:44 on the clock.

Following two incomplete passes, Bachmeier found Kingston at the BYU 34, and he advanced to the 43-yard line to grab the first down. Phillips secured a 14-yard pass from Bachmeier, and then Kingston caught a 15-yard pass to cap three consecutive first downs. After an eight-yard pass to Ryan to the Georgia Tech 20, the running back room led the way, kick-started by Nawahine picking up nine yards with a hurdle over a defender. Bachmeier passed to Damuni for a gain of seven, and then the Providence, Utah product powered into the end zone for his first career touchdown. Alongside Ferrin’s extra point, the Cougars took the lead, 25-21 with two minutes left.

Ferrin’s kickoff was returned 13 yards to pin Georgia Tech at its 21. Nusi Taumoepeau and Lutui hurried King and his pass fell incomplete on first down. On the next play, King lost the ball on a low snap but recovered his fumble for a loss of five yards. On third-and-15, another pass fell incomplete, forcing fourth-and-15. On the play, King went deep to Rivers for a gain of 66 at the BYU 18 with 52 seconds on the clock. The defense held the Yellow Jackets to three-straight incomplete passes, setting up fourth down with 14 seconds remaining. King attempted to hit Haynes in the end zone but his pass was intercepted by Johnson to seal the Pop Tarts Bowl victory 25-21.



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Kats take care of Biblical Studies 117-57

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December 29, 2025

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HUNTSVILLE — Sam Houston bounced back from a loss in the Conference USA opener to wrap up nonconference action with a 117-57 victory over the College of Biblical Studies at Johnson Coliseum on Sunday.
 
The Bearkats (8-4) controlled the temp on both ends of the court, shooting close to 60 percent while limiting the Ambassadors to 31 percent. Sam Houston used its height advantage to dominate the paint, outscoring Biblical Studies 62-12 and outrebounding the Houston area team 66-29.
 
Isaiah Manning led the Kats with a career-high 27 points to go along with 10 rebounds for his first career double-double. Freshman Jacob Walker also scored a new career high with 24 points, Veljko Illic added 16 points and nine boards, freshman Matt Dann chipped in a career-high 12 points, freshman Jacoby Coleman finished with 11 and Damon Nicholas Jr. had 10.
 
Sam Houston built a huge first-half lead and never looked back.
 
The Kats went on a 10-0 run thanks to back-to-back 3s by Walker and Manning, who added a pair of layups to grab a 23-10 advantage. Dann punched in consecutive dunks after a free throw and a two more layups by Nicholas to cap the run at 19-0 to put the game away early as the Ambassadors went more than seven minutes without scoring.
 
Sam Houston shot a blistering 66 percent from the field in the first half, making 25 of 40 shot attempts. The Bearkats also held Biblical Studies to just 23 percent shooting to build a commanding 59-21 lead at the break.
 
Conference USA action resumes Jan. 2 when Sam Houston heads to Bowling Green, Kentucky to face WKU at 4 p.m. on ESPN+.
 



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Texas A&M star Ifenna Cos‑Okpalla signs with League One Volleyball

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14 hours ago

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December 28, 2025

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Dec. 28, 2025, 12:20 p.m. CT

At the end of the season, after some of the adrenaline from the Texas A&M championship run had subsided, head coach Jamie Morrison revealed that a few players on his roster would have the opportunity to compete at the next level. While he didn’t name names, we had a pretty strong idea of which standout athletes he was referring to.

On Sunday morning, it was officially announced that senior middle blocker and 2025 NCAAVB Champion Ifenna Cos-Okpalla signed a professional contract to play with League One Volleyball (LOVB) Salt Lake. She joins senior opposite Logan Lednicky in the league, who recently signed with LOVB Houston. Cos-Okpalla was also drafted by MLV but ultimately chose to pursue her career with LOVB. We knew a move was coming soon after the news broke that she had signed with Valor Sports Agency just days before this announcement.





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