Sports
The Soapbox: Trump’s fire hydrant technique and the con of South Africa’s ‘white refugee’ status
O P I N I O N Stand up. Speak up. Its your turn. Trump would give refugee status to White South Africans. Whites comprise 7% of South Africa’s population; nevertheless, they control 80% of the wealth. Don’t grant refugee status to people living well. They don’t need it. While visiting South Africa, I […]

O P I N I O N

Stand up. Speak up. Its your turn.
Trump would give refugee status to White South Africans. Whites comprise 7% of South Africa’s population; nevertheless, they control 80% of the wealth. Don’t grant refugee status to people living well. They don’t need it.
While visiting South Africa, I talked with an Afrikaner very concerned about how to fund a pool for the local water polo club. South Africa is a wealthy, developed country, where, for example, they performed the world’s first heart transplant and held the World Cup soccer finals. Poor White South Africans exist, but it can handle its own. South Africans need American refugee status as much as a fish needs a bicycle.
Crime touches White South Africans. While sad, this makes sense. When asked why he robbed banks, Willie Sutton said, “Because that’s where the money is.” South African criminals also go where the money is. Recall: Whites control 80% of South Africa’s wealth.
But Trump doesn’t care about South Africans. White refugee status is a con.
Two reasons motivate Trump’s South African scam. First, he wants to please his South African advisor, Elon Musk. Second, to distract Americans from his dismantling of our government. Cronyism lets him import Musk’s toadies. “Distractionism” covers his illegal actions: kill America’s government, institute welfare for the wealthy, and line his pockets.
Silence Trump’s executive microphone. Make his actions visible and then make him answer for them. Tell Congress to start checking and balancing. We didn’t elect a king.
Beg to differ? Agree to disagree? Post your response below using our DISQUS commenting app. Got issues of your own? Thoughtful prose on topics of general interest are welcome. Send to [email protected] for consideration.
Sports
Uluave Joins Volleyball Staff As Assistant Coach
Story Links GREENVILLE, N.C. – Sina Uluave has been named an assistant coach for the East Carolina volleyball program which enters its sixth season under head coach Adler Augustin in the fall. Uluave arrives in Greenville after one year as a graduate assistant at Atlantic Coast Conference member SMU. She led […]

GREENVILLE, N.C. – Sina Uluave has been named an assistant coach for the East Carolina volleyball program which enters its sixth season under head coach Adler Augustin in the fall.
Uluave arrives in Greenville after one year as a graduate assistant at Atlantic Coast Conference member SMU. She led the logistical management operations for the team, coordinating travel arrangements and recruiting visits among other various duties. Uluave also played a key role in the running of SMU Volleyball Camps.
After spending the majority of her collegiate playing career at Wichita State and Toledo, Uluave transferred to SMU for her final season, serving as the squad’s team captain and top libero. Her exceptional performance led to American Athletic Conference Libero of the Year and All-AAC First Team honors as she racked up 448 digs (3.96 per set) and was tabbed the league’s Defensive Player of the Week twice.
Playing as an outside hitter/right side at Wichita State her freshman and sophomore campaigns, Uluave collected 169 kills and 421 digs over 141 sets played while posting five double-doubles. She then moved on to Toledo where she earned a spot on the All-MAC Second Team as a junior after averaging 2.92 kills and 2.81 digs per set with 11 double-doubles.
Uluave and the Pirates begin their 2025 season Aug. 20 with an exhibition match at Old Dominion before kicking off the regular season Aug. 29-30 with a trio of matches against Florida A&M, Maryland Eastern Shore and host Hampton.
Sports
Taste of France for beach referee Hanrahan
Volleyball England official Sarah Hanrahan has recently travelled to France to referee at the Vienne Beach Open. Experienced on the stand both indoors and on the beach, she took charge of the quarter-finals, semi-finals and women’s final earlier this month. The competition was part of the Auvergne Rhône-Alpes Beach Tour. French speaker Sarah, from Warrington, […]

Experienced on the stand both indoors and on the beach, she took charge of the quarter-finals, semi-finals and women’s final earlier this month.
The competition was part of the Auvergne Rhône-Alpes Beach Tour.
French speaker Sarah, from Warrington, Cheshire, said: “It was a great day of beach volleyball, with fantastic weather.

“It was a fantastic opportunity for me to practise refereeing beach volleyball, ahead of NEVZA Beach in Bridlington at the end of June.
“It was really nice to referee in France again, and to see my old coach, Thierry Placette, as well as make new referee aquaintences.

“In the evening, I managed to find time to do a bit of sightseeing. Vienne is beautiful with fascinating history, including a cathedral and an impressive restored ancient Roman theatre.”
Tournament images by Tyson Masailanga.
If you are interested in becoming a referee, click here for more information.
Sports
Johns Hopkins to Join MPSF in Water Polo Beginning in 2025
Story Links BALTIMORE, MD – The Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) has announced the addition of the NCAA Division-III Connecticut College and Johns Hopkins University Men’s Water Polo teams to the conference, beginning with the upcoming 2025 season. The Blue Jays’ water polo program previously competed in the Mid-Atlantic Water Polo Conference. […]

BALTIMORE, MD – The Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) has announced the addition of the NCAA Division-III Connecticut College and Johns Hopkins University Men’s Water Polo teams to the conference, beginning with the upcoming 2025 season. The Blue Jays’ water polo program previously competed in the Mid-Atlantic Water Polo Conference.
Johns Hopkins Associate Vice Provost for Student Affairs, Director of Athletics & Recreation Jennifer S. Baker added, “We are thrilled to be joining the MPSF, and are grateful to [MPSF Commissioner] Foti Mellis and his team for welcoming Johns Hopkins Water Polo. The conference’s commitment to excellence is evident in everything it does, and we are excited for our players to have access to championships, while competing against some of the best teams in the country. The MPSF continues to elevate the sport of water polo nationally, and we believe our program will thrive as its newest member.”
The 2025 MPSF Men’s Water Polo season will feature 11 teams. California, Stanford, UCLA, and USC compete in the western division, while Connecticut College and Johns Hopkins join Augustana, Austin College, Penn State Behrend, Washington & Jefferson and Wheaton in the eastern division. The 2025 conference championship, which will be in its fourth year of crowning a champion for two divisions, will be held at Stanford’s Avery Aquatics Center (Nov. 21-23).
Johns Hopkins is coached by Max Schlegel, who enters his seventh year at the helm, and has been on staff since 2016.
“I couldn’t be more excited to be joining the MPSF and the experiences it can provide for our players,” said Schlegel. “Johns Hopkins University Athletics prides itself on student experience and with this change, I believe our water polo program is taking a big step forward in that regard.”
Since the hiring of Mellis in 2021, the conference has added 58 teams, 30 schools, and six sports.
“We are thrilled to welcome Connecticut College and Johns Hopkins University to the MPSF family,” said Mellis. “Their rich history of excellence in Division-III men’s water polo will bring new energy and competition to our conference, and we look forward to the exciting matchups ahead. Together, we continue to elevate the sport and inspire the next generation of athletes.”
Johns Hopkins is set to open the season on Saturday, September 6 at the Washington & Jefferson Tournament. The Blue Jays return their top three goal scorers, including a pair of All-Americans, from last year’s squad that won 12 games.
The MPSF has captured all 33 NCAA D-I Championships in men’s water polo since its inaugural season of 1992. The conference enters the 2025-26 year with 121 total national championships, including four during 2024-25, with its 113 NCAA titles leading the nation amongst Non-Power Four Conferences.
Sports
More than half of Australians follow sports for teams, but younger fans favour athletes
A new report by YouGov titled “Star Power: The role of individual athletes on sports fandom” explores how high-profile athletes influence team allegiance, consumer purchasing behaviour, and brand engagement in Australia. Sport remains deeply embedded in Australian culture. According to the report, a majority of Australians say they are interested in sports (extreme to a […]

A new report by YouGov titled “Star Power: The role of individual athletes on sports fandom” explores how high-profile athletes influence team allegiance, consumer purchasing behaviour, and brand engagement in Australia.
Sport remains deeply embedded in Australian culture. According to the report, a majority of Australians say they are interested in sports (extreme to a little interest), while only 25% express no interest at all.
Football tops the list of most-watched sports
When it comes to sports viewership, Australian Rules Football emerges as the most popular among Australian sports fans (those who are interested in sports), with 39% choosing it as their favorite to watch, closely followed by football (soccer) at 37%. Other much-loved sports include tennis (33%), cricket (28%), and rugby league (23%).
Team loyalty drives fan engagement
For more than half of Australian sports fans (55%), allegiance to a team is the most significant reason they follow a particular sport — more than twice the number who are influenced by an athlete (21%). However, younger fans (Gen Z and Millennials) are more likely to follow a sport because of a favorite athlete.
Other motivating factors include ease of watching the sport (44%), having played the sport personally (35%), and family traditions (31%).
Despite strong team loyalty, 31% of Australians say they would support both their current and a new team if their favorite athlete switched. This sentiment is strongest among Gen Z (46%) and millennials (43%).
Meanwhile, 28% Australians would follow the athlete but not support the new team, and 9% would support the new team instead. Gen Z fans were most likely to switch allegiance, with 15% saying they’d support the new team entirely if their favorite player made a move.
Social media fandom and brand influence
Social platforms remain important for sports engagement. 61% of Australians say they are extremely or somewhat likely to follow a team on social media, while 53% say the same for athletes.
In terms of brand influence, athletes are the most trusted public figures, with 67% of Australians expressing trust in their endorsements — ahead of singers (58%), actors (56%), and social media influencers (43%).
Gen Z and millennials exhibit higher trust in athletes compared to older demographics.
Top athletes in Australia: A mix of global icons and local Heroes
When asked about their favorite male athletes, global football icons Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo lead the list. Among Australian athletes, tennis player Alex de Minaur ranked highest at fifth place, with cricketer Steve Smith and F1 driver Oscar Piastri also making the top ten.
In contrast, the list of favorite female athletes skews heavily toward local talent, indicating a strong preference for homegrown stars. Footballer Sam Kerr stands out prominently, cited by 23% of respondents as their favorite.
Download the full report here.
Methodology
The insights in this report have been sourced via YouGov Surveys – providing rapid answers from the right audience. The survey was conducted from February 14 – March 6, 2025, with 1,005 respondents in Australia.
Additional insights are available for 14 other markets: Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Great Britain, India, Italy, Mexico, Poland, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, the UAE, and the USA.
The target group “Sports fans” refers to respondents who answered extremely interested, somewhat interested, or a little bit interested to the question: “How interested, if at all, would you say you are in sports?”
Sports
UE volleyball announces seven signees
Story Links EVANSVILLE, Ind. – With the start of his first season at the helm of the University of Evansville volleyball program just over two months away, head coach Zach Weinberg has announced seven signees to the Purple Aces squad. “With at least one player in each position, this class will […]

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – With the start of his first season at the helm of the University of Evansville volleyball program just over two months away, head coach Zach Weinberg has announced seven signees to the Purple Aces squad.
“With at least one player in each position, this class will provide us with a ton of depth and versatility across the board,” Weinberg said. “I am excited to get these seven integrated into our team and culture and see how they impact our growth on the court. Go Aces!”
McKenzie Laubach – Middle Blocker – Sanford, Fla.
Following two seasons at Eastern Kentucky, McKenzie Laubach makes her way to Evansville in 2025. A native of Sanford, Fla., Laubach played in a total of seven matches in her first two collegiate campaigns with the Colonels.
She graduated from Lake Mary High School in 2023 and enjoyed a stellar career that saw her earn First Team All-Seminole Athletic Conference honors as a senior. In her final high school season, Laubach accumulated 155 kills, 90 blocks, 93 digs, and 45 service aces while leading her team to a district championship. Included in that tally was a 16-kill performance versus Lyman HS. Named her team’s MVP in her final campaign, Laubach was named to the Top 100 Watch List and was invited to the All-American Camp.
As a junior in 2021, she recorded 133 kills, 85 digs, 75 blocks, and 20 aces while earning Second Team All-Conference recognition. Aside from earning four letters in volleyball, she was a 2-year letterwinner in varsity cheer and helped her team win state championships in 2020 and 2021.
Coach Weinberg on Laubach: “McKenzie will be a great addition to our middle blocker group, but she also provides us with a ton of versatility across the front row, having played every attacking position at some point in her career. Her heavy arm and the ability to run all sorts of offensive routes will position her to score lots of points for us.”
Makenzie Miller – Middle Blocker – Kansas City, Mo.
Makenzie Miller posted an impressive 290 kills in her senior season at Liberty North HS on her way to numerous accolades in 2024. Included in those honors were All-District First Team, All-Conference First Team, AVCA Regional Team, Academic Team recognition, and Liberty North Offensive Player of the Year. She hit .249 in her final season while registering 65 blocks.
In her junior season, Miller finished with 135 kills, 65 blocks, and a .296 hitting tally. Along with All-District and All-Conference recognition, she was named to the AVCA Phenom Watch List. Her team took second place in the Missouri Class 5 State Championship. Miller was a KMBC Athletic Scholarship Award recipient. Some of her top high school performances include 14 kills and a .737 hitting tally against Staley and a 17-kill match while hitting .520 versus Lee’s Summit North.
Coach Weinberg on Miller: “Mak’s length and versatility will benefit our gym immediately. She is a very cerebral middle blocker with a high volleyball IQ, and her ability to score off of two feet will enhance our gym immediately, and her blocking presence will instantly put pressure on opposing offenses.”
Hinsley Everett – Outside Hitter – Norris City, Ill.
Reigning All-South Player of the Year Hinsley Everett makes the short trek from Norris City, Ill. to Evansville. Named a First Team All-State player as both a junior and senior, Everett put up stellar statistics in her final two years at NCOE High School.
In her senior campaign, Everett finished with 326 kills, 76 blocks, 54 aces, and 113 digs while hitting .434. She recorded an even higher kill total as a junior posting 369. Aside from garnering All-State recognition, Everett earned the Offensive Award in her final two years while garnering Defensive Award honors as a sophomore.
Coach Weinberg on Everett: “Hinsley is a dynamic attacker who comes from a family of volleyball players. She is a physical attacker with experience on both Pins, and I expect her to make an instant impact on our pin group.”
Brooke Herdes – Outside Hitter – Evansville, Ind.
Evansville native Brooke Herdes signs with the UE program from Mater Dei HS where she earned four letters in volleyball along with two in basketball and two in lacrosse. A team captain with her squad, Herdes reached the 1,000-kill mark in her career.
Herdes picked up numerous accolades during her high school career including Academic All-City, Academic All-State, First and Second Team All-Metro, and Indiana South Team. She was a nominee for Player of the Year.
Coach Weinberg on Herdes: “When it comes to the freshman outsides, if Hinsley is the Thunder, then Brooke is the lightning. She is crafty with her attacking and her ball control will bring some stability to our gym.”
Ryan Scheu – Right Side – Evansville, Ind.
Ryan Scheu comes to UE following a successful career at Memorial HS. A 3-time letterwinner in volleyball, Scheu lettered four times in lacrosse, and once in bowling and track/field. Scheu put forth the top season of her career as a senior in 2024 accumulating 427 kills and 18 blocks following a junior season that saw her post 181 kills and 41 blocks.
Scheu put forth some of her top performances when it mattered most, totaling 28 kills against Heritage Hills and 27 versus Boonville in the 2025 Sectionals. Memorial was the Sectional champion in each of her three seasons. She was named a First Team All-SIAC and Academic All-State player in volleyball. Her lacrosse accolades were even more impressive as she was named a Second Team All-State player along with earning a spot on the North/South All-Star Team.
Coach Weinberg on Scheu: “Ryan will slot into our right-side group, but she’ll cross-train on both pins. She is a dynamic athlete with a high touch point, and her high motor will allow her to grow quickly to the advanced level of play.”
Kendall Agler – Libero – Evansville, Ind.
Kendall Agler is the second signee from Memorial HS to join the Purple Aces squad. Agler spent four years with the volleyball team earning letters in her final two seasons. She was a Second Team All-Conference honoree while garnering Academic All-State accolades. The 3-time Defensive Player Award winner was also the recipient of the Volleyball Kiwanis Award.
Agler contributed to three Sectional Championships with Memorial. Aside from volleyball, Agler earned three letters in track while playing one season of basketball.
Coach Weinberg on Agler: “Kendall is a gritty defender who doesn’t like to see balls hit the floor. We will rely on her to help stabilize our serve receive instantly along with Maddie and Ainoah, has the ability to play any of the back row positions. Kendall’s grit and drive will be felt in our gym immediately.”
Brynne Krangnes – Setter – Collierville, Tenn.
Brynne Krangnes posted 963 assists as a senior at Collierville HS on her way to multiple accolades. She completed her career as a 2-time District 15 All-District Team honoree, 2024 Collierville HS Varsity Volleyball Most Valuable Player, 2023 Collierville HS Varsity Volleyball Player of the Year, and multiple tournament MVP honors.
Her team finished in the top eight in the State of Tennessee in all three of her seasons with the program. Krangnes also participated in USAV Nationals each year.
Coach Weinberg on Krangnes: “Brynne will add to our setter depth and gives us more options in our gym. She is a good defensive setter and should have no problem grasping our offensive system.”
Sports
Warren junior high volleyball camp returns
VINCENT, Ohio (WTAP) – Today marked the halfway point of Warren’s junior high volleyball camp. Up and coming Lady Warriors came to learn from coaches and players. The emphasis for this camp, as always, is the fundamentals. Building on the basics is how head coach Ann Skufca wants the campers to learn the game. “Well, […]

VINCENT, Ohio (WTAP) – Today marked the halfway point of Warren’s junior high volleyball camp. Up and coming Lady Warriors came to learn from coaches and players. The emphasis for this camp, as always, is the fundamentals. Building on the basics is how head coach Ann Skufca wants the campers to learn the game.
“Well, the best part is from our coaching staff, from the high school all the way down in the middle school, everybody’s on the same page,” Skufca says. “So we know what to look for if a kids not making the correct motion or play on the court, we know all right, let’s go make it better. And it’s very uniform going through across the board at all levels.”
So far so good for the first session of campers. Coach Skufca has been thrilled with the young players’ efforts thus far.
“It is going phenomenal. We’ve had about 70 just junior high athletes come out for this camp and I could not be happier with how much love for the game in this community that these girls are showing. And it’s another day to get better for them.”
Helping coach run the camp has been some of her players. For senior Mya Stemple, it’s been a full circle experience as she’s enjoyed working with the campers and her teammates.
“I remember going to these camps when we were really young and I definitely like sparked my interest of volleyball and it definitely was like a peak moment of me beginning to learn how to play volleyball,” says Stemple. “It’s been great. We’ve definitely been, like working together as a team and learning on having to build together while helping girls up and coming learn how to play volleyball.”
Junior Elayna Greenwalt has had a similar experience. Going to camps like this one was a big part of her summers growing up.
“I was always like when I was a kid,” Greenwalt says. “I was always looking forward to coming to camp, getting better. I’m sure they’re thinking the same thing and as a coach, it’s being like getting fun to coach them.”
For young camper Reagan Lawrentz, it’s been a great chance for her to get some work in with potential future teammates and coaches.
“Probably being able to serve like with all my friends and teammates, future teammates and the coaches,” says Lawrentz. “My setting skills and I’ve learned a lot from my serves.”
Tomorrow will conclude the junior high camp. Warren will be back with their kids camp starting Monday of next week.
See an error in our reporting? Send us an email by clicking here!
Copyright 2025 WTAP. All rights reserved.
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