Sports
Top Seed Long Beach State Ready To Compete Against No. 5 Seed Pepperdine in the NCAA Final Four
Date: Saturday, May 10
Time: 2:00 p.m. (PT) | 5:00 p.m. (ET)
Arena (Capacity): Covelli Center (3,700)
Location: Columbus, Ohio
TV: ESPN+
Live Stats: OhioStateBuckeyes.com/sidearmstats/mvball
Top Seed Long Beach State Ready To Compete Against No. 5 Seed Pepperdine in the NCAA Final Four
No. 1 and top-seeded Long Beach State brings a 28-3 record into the 2025 NC Men’s Volleyball Championship Semifinals as the Beach face No. 5 seed Pepperdine on Saturday, May 10. First serve is set for 2 p.m. (PT) / 5 p.m. (ET) at the Covelli Center in Columbus, Ohio. The winner of the match will advance to the Championship match on Monday, May 12 and face the winner of the No. 2 seed Hawaii-No. 3 seed UCLA match.
Catch All The Action
The 2025 National Collegiate Men’s Volleyball Championship Opening Round, Quarterfinal, and Semifinal rounds will be broadcast live on ESPN+ . Fans can also follow all the action via live stats at NCAA.com or OhioStateBuckeyes.com/sidearmstats/mvball. The National Championship match will be televised on Monday, May 12 at 4 p.m. (PT) / 7 p.m. (ET) on ESPN2.
Staying Social
Follow Long Beach State Men’s Volleyball on X and Instagram at @LBSUMVB. You can also stay up-to-date on all things Long Beach State by following @LBSUAthletics on X. Be sure to “like” us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram at @LBSU. And don’t forget our hashtag #GoBeach.
In the Rankings
• Long Beach State has been ranked No. 1 in the AVCA National Collegiate Men’s Volleyball Poll for 14 consecutive weeks. In the most recent poll, the Beach garnered 451 total points and 14 first-place votes after boasting a 28-3 overall record.
• No. 5 seed Pepperdine finished the regular season ranked sixth in the AVCA National Collegiate Men’s Volleyball Poll. With a 21-9 overall record, the Waves punched their ticket to the NCAA Tournament by winning the MPSF Championship.
• The Big West is one of the most competitive Division I Men’s Volleyball conferences as all six Big West schools are nationally ranked, with three of them sitting in the Top 5.
• The season, Long Beach State has faced 11 nationally ranked opponents Overall, the Beach own a 15-3 record against nationally ranked opponents this season.
The Beach In The Postseason
• Top-ranked Long Beach State will make its 15th NCAA Final Four appearance.
• Overall the Beach’s NCAA Tournament record is 17-11.
• This season is the fourth-consecutive NCAA Tournament in which the Beach has competed. In the last four years, LBSU has put together a postseason record of 5-3 for a .625 winning percentage.
• LBSU has been to the NCAA Tournament in eight out of the last nine seasons. During that span, the Beach captured two NCAA National Championships in 2018 and 2019.
• This is the second time in program history that Long Beach State will play in Columbus, Ohio for the postseason. The Beach previously competed in the NCAA Semifinals in Columbus in 2017 against BYU.
• In all, Long Beach State has won three NCAA National Championships (1991, 2018, 2019).
10-4
• Throughout program history, LBSU has seen action in in 15 Final Fours and owns a 10-4 record (.714) in the NCAA Semifinals.
• Overall, Long Beach State has seen action in 10 NCAA National Championship matches.
• In conference tournament history, Long Beach State has made 21 MPSF Tournament appearances and seven Big West showings.
• Since its creation in 2018, Long Beach State has been the regular season Big West Champion in six of seven seasons (2018, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025) as there was not a postseason tournament held in 2020 due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. LBSU owns an 8-5 Big West Championship record.
• The Beach previously won The Big West Championship in 2018 and 2024.
• Prior to The Big West, Long Beach State was part of the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF). In the MPSF, LBSU owned a tournament record of 18-21.
• In all, Long Beach State is 26-26 in conference tournaments.
About The Beach
• No. 1 Long Beach State has put together one of its most successful seasons to date as the Beach own a 28-3 overall record and won The Big West Regular Season Title with an 8-2 mark.
• The 28 victories for Long Beach State is tied for second place for most wins in program history. The 2025 squad’s 28 victories have equaled the win totals of the 1990, 2004, 2018, and 2019 teams, which trail only the 1991 team that won the program’s first-ever NCAA National Championship with 31 victories.
• Earlier this season, the Beach strung together 20-straight victories marking the team’s fourth-longest winning streak in program history.
• With 22 three-set wins this season, the 2025 Long Beach State team has set a new program record for most sweeps in a single season besting the 2017 squad’s 20 three-setters.
• In addition to setting the single-season record for most sweeps, the 2025 Beach team has served up a total of 227 aces which is also a new program single-season record. That mark is 10 service aces away from tying the NCAA single-season rally scoring aces record of 237 which was set last season by Saint Francis (Pa.).
• Individually, freshman setter Moni Nikolov has been superb this season from the service line. He set the Long Beach State program record earlier this season, before going on to set The Big West single-season record as he now has 97 aces on the year. He is just three away from tying the NCAA record.
• This season, Long Beach State went on an impressive 20-match winning streak that began with the season opener on January 10 with a sweep over Saint Francis (Pa.) and came to an end on March 28 with a straight-set loss to UC Irvine. That 20-match winning streak is good for fourth in program history. The 2025 team will go down in the annals behind the record holding 2018 team which strung together 24-consecutive wins. From 2018-19, LBSU won 23-straight matches and from 1991-92 the Beach put together a 22-match winning streak to round out the top three.
• Last night, Long Beach State had a pair of players win two major awards at the NCAA Social. Sophomore Georgi Binev became the first-ever Long Beach State Men’s Volleyball student-athlete to win the Elite 90 Award which is awarded to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative GPA at the finals site for each of the NCAA’s 90 championships.
• The other major award winner at the NCAA Social was freshman Moni Nikolov who took home both National Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year.
• On Monday, the AVCA announced the All-America Team and Long Beach State boasted five All-Americans in Moni Nikolov (First Team), Sykler Varga (First Team), DiAeris McRaven (Second Team), Daniil Hershtynovich (Honorable Mention), and Kellen Larson (Honorable Mention).
• In addition to his First Team AVCA All-America selection, • Prior to the AVCA All-America Team announcement, The Big West announced the all-conference selections and Long Beach State dominated those awards as well with four players on the First Team, one Honorable Mention selection, and a pair on the All-Freshman Team.
• Earning All-Big West First Team accolades were Alex Kandev, DiAeris McRaven, Moni Nikolov, and Skyler Varga. Meanwhile, Daniil Hershtynovich claimed Honorable Mention status. Kandev and Nikolov also made the All-Freshman squad.
• Offensively, LBSU is led by Alex Kandev. The freshman outside hitter is averaging 3.07 kills per set to go along with a team-leading .451 hitting percentage (178-39-308). His attack percentage ranks him second in The Big West, while his kills per set average is sixth. Kandev also ranks in the conference top 10 in points per set (5th – 3.72) and aces per set (8th – 0.36).
• Junior outside hitter, and team captain, Skyler Varga has been an efficient and balanced asset to the squad this season. Varga ‘s .369 hitting percentage comes in 14th in nation and third in The Big West. His aces (0.35), assists (0.66), and points per set (3.51) are all good for top 10 in the conference.
• Leading the Beach to a nation-leading .395 attack percentage is freshman setter Moni Nikolov. The product out of Sofia, Bulgaria has been on-point this season distributing 10.00 assists per set. He has been a force on all sides of the ball with 1.53 kills per set and a team-best 1.51 digs per set. If that weren’t enough, Nikolov also leads the nation with 0.94 aces per set. He is currently at 97 aces on the year which is a new LBSU and Big West single-season record. His 74 service aces are just three shy of tying the NCAA All-Eras single-season mark (100).
• Middles Ben Braun and DiAeris McRaven have patrolled the net leading the Beach to a 2.65 blocks per set average. That mark leads The Big West and is good for second in the country.
• Braun, a 6-11 junior from Rancho Mirage, Calif., is averaging 1.28 blocks per set after totaling 77 over 84 sets. His blocks per set average is tops in The Big West.
• McRaven, meanwhile has put up a team-leading 86 blocks to average 0.96 blocks per set. He is ranked fifth in the conference and 27th in the nation in blocks per set.
• In his 22nd season at the helm, Long Beach State Head Coach Alan Knipe is the winningest coach in LBSU Men’s Volleyball program history, Knipe owns a career record of 448-172 for a winning percentage of 723.
• Knipe’s staff of Associate Head Coach Nick MacRae, Assistant Coach McKay Smith, Volunteer Assistant Coach Andy Read, and Technical Coordinator Jon Parry are a seasoned quartet having worked together for the last eight seasons helping Long Beach State capture two NCAA National Titles, two Big West Championships, and have led the Beach to seven NCAA Tournament appearances in the last eight years.
Scouting Pepperdine
• Pepperdine comes into the 2025 National Collegiate Men’s Volleyball Championship as the No. 5 seed after being ranked sixth in the AVCA National Collegiate Men’s Volleyball Poll.
• The Waves own a 21-9 overall record and punched their ticket to the NCAA Tournament after winning the MPSF Tournament.
• The Waves are averaging 12.36 kills per set on a .326 attack percentage. Additionally, Pepperdine adds 7.95 digs per set and 1.92 blocks per set to go along with 1.75 aces per set.
• Pepperdine had five players named to the AVCA All-America Team in Ryan Barnett (First Team), Cole Hartke (Second Team), Jacob Reilly (Second Team), Gabe Dyer (Honorable Mention), and James Eadie (Honorable Mention).
• Barnett and Hartke lead the Waves with 3.67 and 60 kills per set, respectively. Barnett is hitting .337 on the year to go along with 1.16 digs and 0.53 blocks per set. He also leads the team with 46 aces. Meanwhile, Hartke adds 1.14 digs and 0.50 blocks per set, to go along with 45 aces, while hitting .298.
• At setter, Gabriel Dyer runs an efficient offense that is hitting .326 on the year. He has dished out 9.66 assists per set, while also chipping in 1.71 digs per set, 0.47 kills per set, and 0.28 blocks per set.
• In the backrow, Jacob Reilly anchors the defense with 1.79 digs per set.
• At the net, James Eadie has posted a team-leading 78 blocks to average 0.96 per set. He also adds 1.56 kills per set on a .411 attack percentage, while posting 0.42 digs per set.
The Series: The Beach vs. The Waves
Long Beach State and Pepperdine will meet for the 90th time in program history, and the Beach hold the edge in the all-time series 46-43. LBSU has won the last eight matchups against the Waves, including a five-set win in Malibu, Calif., earlier this season. When playing each other at a neutral site, the Waves lead the series 6-2. The Beach and the Waves have squared off twice before in the NCAA Tournament. Pepperine won the first meeting back in 2008 when the Waves swept the Beach, 3-0, in the Final Four at the Bren Events Center in Irvine, Calif. In their most recent postseason match, Long Beach State defeated Pepperdine in four, 3-1, in the 2019 Final Four, which was held at the Walter Pyramid in Long Beach, Calif. That year, the Beach would go on to capture their third NCAA Championship overall, and second in the last two years.
Complete Transformation
After losing 10 seniors and nearly their entire starting lineup from 2024, the Beach have done a superb job rebuilding. A year ago, outside hitter Skyler Varga and middle blocker DiAeris McRaven were the only two starters who returned in 2025. Varga, however, has returned in a different position as he went from playing on the right to playing on the left. In addition, Long Beach State has made several lineup changes throughout the year all while managing to stay in the Top 5 in the AVCA Rankings, and holding the top spot for the last 14-straight weeks. With a new core group on the court in outside hitters Alex Kandev and Sotiris Siapanis, along with middles Ben Braun and Lazar Bouchkov, opposites Daniil Hershtynovich and Nato Dickinson, setter Moni Nikolov, liberos Kellen Larson, Chris Connelly and Ford Harman, as well as several key subsitutions such as Connor Bloom and Sebastiano Sani, the Beach has done an excellent job adapting to a new look on the court and not missing a beat competitively as the top-ranked team in the nation.
Aces Wild
Freshman Moni Nikolov is leading a charge against numerous serving records at Long Beach State, The Big West and the NCAA. With what is believed to be the fastest recorded serve in NCAA history, Nikolov has set a new program single-season record with 97 service aces thus far. That mark is also a new Big West record, and currently is second in NCAA history across all eras. He is just three aces shy of tying the national record. Long Beach State has served up 227 in total as a team, another program single-season record. The Beach just became the new Big West record holder for aces in a single-season, besting the 2022 Hawai’i team which finished the season with 224 aces. Meanwhile, the NCAA 25-point rally scoring record that was set last year by Saint Francis (Pa.) is just 10 more (237) than the Beach’s current total.
The Sky’s The Limit
Junior outside hitter and team captain Skyler Varga has led the team both on and off the court all season. With his extensive volleyball IQ and prowess on the court, coupled with his leadership skills off the court, Varga has led by example and has helped pace Long Beach State to nation leading marks in hitting percentage (.395) and aces per set (2.20) as he leads the way with a .376 clip which is good for 14th in the nation. Meanwhile, his 0.35 aces per set average ranks him in the top 50 in the country. Among Big West opponents, Varga is in the top 10 over four statistical categories (3rd – .376 hitting, 7th – 0.35 aces per set, 9th – 0.66 assists per set, 9th – 3.51 points per set) and has helped the Beach lead the conference in five of seven disciplines (.395 hitting, .207 opponent hitting percentage, 13.28 kills per set, 2.65 blocks per set, and 2.20 aces per set.
Big Ben
Ben Braun, a 6-foot-11 junior middle blocker, has been a huge presence on the court this season – not just in stature but also on the stat sheet. Braun is The Big West leader in blocks per set with 1.28 on the year. He earned a starting spot in the middle on March 21 and has made the most of his opportunity. His solid blocking defense has helped Long Beach State lead the conference and rank second in the nation in blocks per set (2.65). Additionally, the Beach’s defensive efforts have limited opponents to a .207 hitting percentage this season which leads The Big West and ranks second in the nation.
Moni Mania
Freshman sensation Moni Nikolov has caused quite a stir among the collegiate volleyball scene. His powerful serve, which is believed to be the fastest recorded serve in NCAA history, has led him to breaking the Long Beach State and Big West single-season marks. With 97 aces and counting, Nikolov heads into the NCAA Final Four just three service aces shy of the national record. A five-tool player, Nikolov boasts 10.00 assists, 1.56 kills, 1.51 digs, and 0.76 blocks per set, while hitting .403 on the year. With his overall popularity growing, the Beach are selling out arenas all over the country so fans can get a glimpse of the setter out of Sofia, Bulgaria.
Alex The Great
Freshman outside hitter Alex Kandev has seen increased playing time and has worked his way into the starting lineup. The Sofia, Bulgaria native has started on the outside for the last nine matches. In doing so, he has made his way up The Big West rankings coming in second in hitting percentage (.451), fifth in points per set (3.72), sixth in kills per set (3.07), and eighth in service aces per set (0.34). With his solid overall performance, Kandev earned Big West Honorable Mention accolades.
The Big Toe
Senior opposite Nato Dickinson had a career weekend to close the regular season, then bested that performance at The Big West Championship. The product out of Corona Del Mar, Calif., set a new career-high for himself with 21 kills and seven digs at Hawaii in the championship match on Saturday, April 26. He continues to build upon his career numbers as he closed the regular season with a career-best two aces from the service line. Other career-highs for Dickinson include seven blocks with he obtained against Princeton (3/15) and three assists which he has amassed a trio of times this season.
Among The Nation’s Best
Long Beach State is ranked in the Top 5 in in the country in five different statistical categories this season. The Beach lead the nation in hitting percentage (.395) and aces per set (2.20). The team ranks second in blocks (2.65) and kills (13.28), and fourth in assists per set (12.19).
Individually, the Beach boasts four players who rank in the Top 50 in the nation in their respective disciplines. Leading the way, setter Moni Nikolov leads the nation in aces per set (0.94), and is ranked 14th in assists per set (10.00). DiAeris McRaven comes in 27th in the nation with a 0.96 blocks per set average, while Skyler Varga leads the way with a .369 hitting percentage which is good for 14th in the country, while his aces per set (0.35) are good for 47th. Rounding out the Fab Four, is Daniil Hershtynovich who is ranked in the NCAA Top 50 in three different statistical categories. His .354 clip is good for 19th in the nation, while his points per set average (3.77) ranks him 42nd and his kills per set mark (3.18) puts him 47th.
Up Next
Should the Beach win the semifinal match against No. 5 seed Pepperdine, Long Beach State will advance to the National Championship match which is scheduled for Monday, May 12 at 4 p.m. (PT)/7 p.m. (ET) at the Covelli Center in Columbus, Ohio.
Sports
ASU volleyball’s NCAA tournament run ends in Sweet 16
Updated Dec. 11, 2025, 3:26 p.m. MT
No. 2 seed Arizona State volleyball’s quest for an NCAA championship has come to an end.
The Sun Devils were defeated in four sets (24-26, 25-19, 13-25, 18-25) by No. 3 seed Creighton in the NCAA Regional Semifinal on Thursday, Dec. 11, in Lexington, Kentucky.
“There wasn’t one defining moment, but I think we all kind of knew coming into this how bad we wanted to repeat this year,” setter Sydney Henry said. “We knew the history of ASU, and I wanted to continue that legacy, so I think from the moment that we all stepped in there together, we knew what we wanted to do, how to get there, we knew it was going to take hard work, and so I think just all along, that was the plan for us.”
Creighton finished with an 8-4 advantage in service aces.
Opposite hitter Noemie Glover had a valiant effort for the Sun Devils, posting 17 kills on a .517 hitting percentage with just two errors, followed by Kiylah Presley and Bailey Miller’s nine kills each.
But ASU faced a strong attack from Creighton, which saw National Player of the Year finalist Ava Martin post 23 kills on a .388 hitting percentage. Martin wasn’t the only one providing the offense and was helped by Kiara Reinhardt’s 15 kills and Jaya Johnson’s 12 kills.
“Hats off to Creighton, really clean volleyball,” coach JJ Van Niel said. “They put a lot of pressure on us from the serving line, and we weren’t able to find the right answers.”
Even with having three fewer kills than the Bluejays in the first set, ASU looked all over the place and was out of system.
Neither team led by more than three in the first set, which led to it going down to 26 points for the winner after Glover’s kill tied it at 24. Setter Brynn Covell’s service error gave the Bluejays the set point, and Martin closed out with a kill.
Creighton used the momentum from the first set for a strong start and led 11-8, but Glover’s back-to-back kills got ASU within one.
ASU’s right side provided a problem for Creighton as Presley made a huge impact in the Sun Devils’ turnaround, getting five kills and two blocks in the second set.
“I think Sydney was putting me in good positions to score,” Glover said. “I think that was kind of the main reason that I’m able to find openings there, our passers were doing well to put the ball in good position, and then just seeing the floor and having diverse shot selection.”
However, ASU couldn’t get a handle in the third set after Creighton mounted two separate 5-0 runs, the biggest runs of the match up to that point. The Bluejays outscored the Sun Devils with 17 kills to ASU’s eight, and were 3-0 on service aces.
“They just spun the rotation just slightly, and they were getting their really, really good servers on the line,” Van Niel said. “They mixed up really well, and they got us in some trouble there. They were playing really clean volleyball, and we’re patient, and we block a ball, and they cover it, and they just kind of kept chipping away and chipping away. They’re really, really scrappy, so that was probably the big adjustment.”
Creighton never surrendered a lead in the fourth set, but ASU had several runs and even came within four points to trail 16-12. But the Sun Devils couldn’t score consecutive points until they were down by eight points, and Creighton needed two more to win.
ASU finished the season, 28-4, and still hasn’t gone past the Sweet 16 round.
Reach the reporter atjenna.ortiz@arizonarepublic.com, as well as@jennarortiz on X.
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Sports
NCAA volleyball Sweet 16 bracket: Friday’s scores, highlights
Updated Dec. 12, 2025, 2:49 p.m. ET
Sweet 16 action continues in the 2025 NCAA volleyball tournament with a slate of four games on Friday.
No. 1 seed Texas kicked off the day by sweeping Indiana. No. 1 overall seed Nebraska will end the night against No. 4 Kansas after opening the tournament with back-to-back sweeps. The Huskers (32-0) remain undefeated and have only dropped seven sets all year, with the last coming nearly a month ago on Nov. 14 against UCLA.
Speaking of sweeps, No. 1 Kentucky and No. 1 Pittsburgh punched their tickets to the Elite Eight on Thursday. The Wildcats ended Cal Poly’s Cinderella story in straight sets, while Pittsburgh brought out the brooms against Minnesota.
USA TODAY gives you everything you need to know about Friday’s schedule, matchups, scores and highlights:
SWEET 16 NCAA VOLLEYBALL RECAP: Kentucky, Pittsburgh sweep way to Elite Eight
MORE: NCAA women’s volleyball players with famous NFL and NBA dads
Wisconsin vs. Stanford is a sister-against-sister showdown
Look across the court, and fans will see a pair of sisters on opposite sides of the court. Wisconsin’s Alicia Andrew and Stanford’s Lizzy Andrew are facing off against each other today in the Sweet 16.
Set 1: Wisconsin 25, Stanford 17
Wisconsin hit a blistering .514 in the first set, sealed by a Carter Booth kill. Mimi Colyer led the Badgers with nine kills on 15 swings and a .467 hitting percentage. Lizzy Andrew led the Cardinal, going a perfect three-for-three on kills.
Wisconsin vs. Stanford is underway
No. 3 Wisconsin and No. 2 Stanford are in the first set of the second match of day two of the Sweet 16.
Final: Texas 3, Indiana 0
Set 3: Texas 25, Indiana 22
Whitney Lauenstein sent Texas to the regional final with a kill to secure the sweep against Indiana. The Longhorns finished with .374 hitting and 23 total blocks. Torrey Stafford was brilliant with 19 kills on 28 swings (with zero errors) and a .679 hitting percentage. Nya Bunton was also critical to the Longhorns’ success with seven kills on .545 hitting and five blocks. Candela Alonso-Corcelles and Jaidyn Jager had 21 combined kills for the Hoosiers.
Indiana is pushing Texas in Set 3
The Hoosiers look much more relaxed in Set 3 as they try to fight off elimination. They are hitting .261 in the frame and have slowed down Texas’s blocks.
Set 2: Texas 25, Indiana 22
It took four set points, but Abby Vander Wal again secured the set Texas. The Longhorns have held the Hoosiers to under .200 for the match while maintaining .365 hitting percentage. Torrey Stafford is putting on a clinic from all over the court. Stafford has zero errors on 19 swings, including 15 kills and a .789 hitting percentage. Candela Alonso-Corcelles leads Indiana with seven kills on .125 hitting and six digs.
Texas’s defense is rolling against Indiana
The Longhorns have 17 total blocks and have held Indiana to a .088 hitting percentage in the second set and .127 hitting for the match.
Set 1: Texas 25, Indiana 20
Texas took the first set after two set points, with Abby Vander Wal landing the deciding point. As a team, Texas hit .323 in the set, compared to .162 for Indiana with nine errors. The Hoosiers had several runs to close the game with the Longhorns, but Texas was too much. Torrey Stafford led all players with six kills on .750 hitting.
Texas is the first to 15 in Set 1 against Indiana
The Longhorns reached 15 points behind a huge boost from outside hitter Torrey Stafford, who had five kills and two blocks.
Indiana vs. Texas is underway
The Indiana Hoosiers and Texas Longhorns are in the first set of the first match during Day 2 of the Sweet 16.
NCAA volleyball Sweet 16 continues Friday
Two No. 1 seeds play on Friday, with Texas playing Indiana in the opener. The top overall seed, Nebraska, puts its unbeaten streak on the line against No. 4 Kansas in the nightcap after opening the tournament with back-to-back sweeps.
When is NCAA women’s volleyball Sweet 16?
- Date: Dec. 12
- Time: Four matches beginning at noon ET Friday. Match-by-match times below.
How to watch NCAA volleyball tournament
The 2025 NCAA women’s volleyball tournament will air across the ESPN and ABC family of networks. Games can be streamed ESPN+, ESPN’s subscription streaming service, and Fubo, which offers a free trial to potential subscribers.
NCAA volleyball Sweet 16 schedule: Times, TV
All times Eastern
Thursday, Dec. 11
- No. 3 Creighton 3, No. 2 Arizona State 1
- No. 1 Kentucky 3, Cal Poly 0
- No. 1 Pittsburgh 3, No. 4 Minnesota 0
- No. 3 Purdue 3, No. 2 SMU 1
Friday, Dec. 12
- No. 1 Texas 3, No. 4 Indiana 0
- No. 3 Wisconsin vs. No. 2 Stanford, 2:30 p.m. | ESPN
- No. 3 Texas A&M vs. No. 2 Louisville, 7 p.m. | ESPN2
- No. 1 Nebraska vs. No. 4 Kansas, 9:30 p.m. | ESPN2
Saturday, Dec. 13
- No. 3 Creighton vs. No. 1 Kentucky, 5 p.m. | ESPN2
- No. 1 Pittsburgh vs. No. 3 Purdue, 7:30 p.m. | ESPN2
Sunday, Dec. 14
- Regional final, TBD
- Regional final, TBD
When is the NCAA volleyball Final Four in 2025?
- Dates: Thursday, Dec. 18 and Sunday, Dec. 21
The two semifinal matches in the Final Four of the 2025 NCAA volleyball tournament will take place on Thursday, Dec. 18 and will be broadcast on ESPN. The national championship game is Sunday, Dec. 21 on ABC.
NCAA volleyball second-round results
Lexington bracket
- No. 1 Kentucky 3, No. 8 UCLA 1 (30-28, 25-16, 28-30, 25-17)
- No. 3 Creighton 3, No. 6 Northern Iowa 1 (25-18, 23-25, 25-22, 25-21)
- No. 2 Arizona State 3, Utah State 1 (25-15, 25-18, 22-25, 25-15)
- Cal Poly 3, No. 4 USC 2 (25-19, 25-20, 20-25, 14-25, 15-7)
Austin bracket
- No. 4 Indiana 3, No. 5 Colorado 0 (25-20, 25-17, 25-23)
- No. 3 Wisconsin 3, North Carolina 0 (25-14, 25-21, 27-25)
- No. 1 Texas 1, No. 8 Penn State 0 (25-16, 25-9, 25-19)
- No. 2 Stanford 3, Arizona 1 (25-16, 25-27, 25-17, 25-20)
Pittsburgh bracket
- No. 3 Purdue 3, No. 6 Baylor 1 (25-16, 25-19, 23-25, 25-20)
- No. 1 Pittsburgh 3, Michigan 0 (25-23, 25-23, 25-18)
- No. 2 SMU 3, Florida 0 (25-11, 25-21, 26-24)
- No. 4 Minnesota 3, No. 5 Iowa State 0 (25-22, 25-21, 25-14)
Lincoln bracket
- No. 4 Kansas 3, No. 5 Miami 1 (25-17, 25-22, 22-25, 27-25)
- No. 2 Louisville 3, Marquette 2 (21-25, 25-11, 23-25, 25-19, 15-12)
- No. 1 Nebraska 3, Kansas State 0 (25-17, 25-21, 25-16)
- No. 3 Texas A&M 3, No. 6 TCU 1 (23-25, 25-23, 25-22, 29-27)
NCAA volleyball first-round results
Lexington bracket
- No. 1 Kentucky 3, Wofford 0 (25-11, 25-19, 25-12)
- No. 8 UCLA 3, Georgia Tech 2 (24-26, 25-19, 25-23, 25-18, 15-10)
- Cal Poly 3, No. 5 BYU 2 (25-19, 17-25, 20-25, 25-20, 15-10)
- No. 4 USC 3, Princeton 0, (25-19, 25-12, 25-13)
- No. 3 Creighton 3, Northern Colorado 2 (12-25, 25-23,25-23,17-25, 8-15)
- No. 6 Northern Iowa 3, Utah 2 (15-25, 21-25, 26-24, 25-20, 15-10)
- Utah State 3, No. 7 Tennessee 2 (25-19, 25-15, 19-25, 25-18, 15-11)
- No. 2 Arizona State 3, Coppin State 0 (25-11, 25-14, 25-12)
Austin bracket
- No. 1 Texas 3, Florida A&M 0 (25-11, 25- 8, 25-14)
- No. 8 Penn State 3, South Florida 1 (25-23, 12-25, 25-21, 25-19)
- No. 5 Colorado 3, American 0 (25-16, 25-19, 25-16)
- No. 4 Indiana 3, Toledo 0 (25-18, 25-15, 25-17)
- No. 3 Wisconsin 3, Eastern Illinois 0 (25-11, 25-6, 25-19)
- North Carolina 3, No. 6 UTEP 1 (24-26, 25-11, 25-18, 25-21)
- Arizona 3, No. 7 South Dakota State 1 (25-21, 22-25, 25-15, 25-15)
- No. 2 Stanford 3, Utah Valley 1 (21-25, 25-21, 25-13, 25-14)
Pittsburgh bracket
- No. 1 Pitt 3, UMBC 0 (25-10, 25-17, 25-13)
- Michigan 3, No. 8 Xavier 0 (25-19, 25-15, 25-23)
- No. 5 Iowa State 3, St. Thomas-Minnesota 2 (21-25, 25-13, 25-16, 21-25, 15-8)
- No. 4 Minnesota 3, Fairfield 0 (25-12, 25-7, 25-13)
- No. 3 Purdue 3, Wright State 0 (25-13, 25-21, 25-19)
- No. 6 Baylor 3, Arkansas State 2 (23-25, 25-20, 30-28, 23-25, 15-10)
- Florida 3, No. 7 Rice 0 (27-25, 25-23, 25-19)
- No. 2 SMU 3, Central Arkansas 0 (25-13, 25-13, 25-13)
Lincoln bracket
- No. 1 Nebraska 3, Long Island 0 (25-11, 25-15, 25-17)
- Kansas State 3, San Diego 2 (21-25, 25-17, 26-28, 25-22, 15-12)
- No. 5 Miami 3, Tulsa 1 (25-22, 13-25, 25-22, 25-20)
- No. 4 Kansas 3, High Point 0 (25-20, 25-15, 25-18)
- No. 3 Texas A&M 3, Campbell 0 (25-20, 25-10, 25-13)
- No. 6 TCU 3, Stephen F. Austin 0 (25-8, 26-24, 25-20)
- Marquette 3, Western Kentucky 0 (25-22, 25-21, 25-16)
- No. 2 Louisville 3, Loyola (Illinois) 0 (25-17, 25-9, 25-12)
NCAA volleyball tournament champions
Penn State is the reigning NCAA volleyball champion, having defeated Louisville in four sets last year in the national title game. It was the Nittany Lions’ eighth volleyball championship since 1999.
Here’s a look at the past 10 NCAA volleyball champions:
- 2024: Penn State
- 2023: Texas
- 2022: Texas
- 2021: Wisconsin
- 2020: Kentucky
- 2019: Stanford
- 2018: Stanford
- 2017: Nebraska
- 2016: Stanford
- 2015: Nebraska
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Sports
Vikings have ten top five finishes, Barrera sets another school record
FARGO, N.D. – The Valley City State Viking Track and Field teams competed in the Dakota Alumni Classic Thursday, December 11th at the Shelly Ellig Indoor Track and Field Facility on the campus of North Dakota State.
The Viking Men scored 46 points and placed fifth overall. The women scored 25 points and placed fifth overall. The meet consisted of Division 1 schools, Division 2 schools and the Vikings.
On the women’s side, Frida Barrera set another school record, her second in as many meets. The freshman from Clara City, Minn. placed first in the 800m with a time of 2:21.83. She broke the school record held by Jasmine Barnes which she set last year by 2.27 seconds. The Vikings had the top three spots in the 800m. Billie Maye Pohlkamp was second and Paiton Flick was third.
For the men. Zach Baumgartner was second in the Mile with a time of 4:39.79. Tate Minnihan finished fourth. Jordan Mount was fourth in the 200m. Cameron Champagnie was third in the triple jump and fifth in the long jump. Titus Dolo was third in the 60m, and Isaac Eichhorst was fifth in the 800m.
UP NEXT: The track teams will now have a month off before its next competition. They will be at the Bison Team Cup in Fargo on January 17th.
Sports
A Lighthearted Look at Changing Language
12/12/2025
by Matthias Gräf
Don’t worry, Billy. Gen-z slang isn’t for everyone 🤣
Gen-Z Slang on the Golf Course: A Lighthearted Look at Changing Language – Source @https://www.instagram.com/lpga_tour/
Sports
Four-Time WAC Champion Hayden Wilson Poised for a Strong Final Season
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – Senior thrower Hayden Wilson, a Mansfield, Texas native and UA Little Rock transfer now in his third year at UT Arlington, has already left a mark on the WAC with four championship titles.
Before he begins his final title run, UTAMavs.com sat down with the former Lake Ridge HS track and football standout:
What’s your go-to hype song before a meet?
“This is actually a really funny song. Last year, it was Boogie Wonderland by Earth, Wind and Fire,” Wilson said laughing. “It’s just one of those comfort songs.”
Dream city to compete in?
“It’d be TrackTown USA, Oregon. I’ve competed there for high school nationals. Hopefully, we’ll make another trip there this year.”
Favorite athlete or thrower you look up to?
“I think as far as throwing goes, I’ve been a really big fan of Ryan Crouser for a long time, but that’s always easy to say cause he’s the best.”
If you could give “freshman Hayden” one piece of advice, what would it be?
“Your value is not in your sport,” Wilson said confidently. “It’s a hard lesson to learn. I’m still chewing on it.”
After a quick round of fun questions to break the ice, we shifted gears and dove deeper into how he envisions his senior season and what he hopes to take away from it.
Wilson arrived at UTA after spending his freshman year at Little Rock, and he made an immediate impact. As a sophomore, he captured the 2024 WAC Indoor shot-put title, then returned in 2025 to successfully defend his crown. During his junior year, his dominance carried into the outdoor season where he claimed first in both the shot put and discus at the 2025 WAC Outdoor Championships.
How do you feel heading into WAC Indoor and Outdoor Championships as the reigning shot put champion, and what does it mean to you to have the chance to defend those titles in your final year?
“First, I’m super excited about the training group we had this year,” Wilson started, “We had a bunch of great athletes we brought in. We brought in a bunch of great talent this year.”
“For me, personally, I won indoor my sophomore year and then tanked outdoor, so going into my junior year, I had to release myself of the expectations to perform and just go out there, week after week, show up and give the best that I can give on the day. Taking that approach kind of sets you up to not be disappointed when you’re a little down but then also you really get to enjoy the fruits of your labor.”
“Taking that approach of just taking each day as it comes like I said we’re hoping to make a trip to nationals this year. We made it to Regionals last year so just being process-oriented over goal-oriented.”
How has your mindset changed from freshman to senior year?
“The biggest change has been trusting my training. You know, it’s really easy to go out there and just put too much pressure on yourself to perform and get a little over-excited. I think having that consistency like “this is exactly what I do in practice. There’s just a little bit more adrenaline flowing right now,” and then going out there and competing.”
As a senior, how do you try to lead or set an example for the younger athletes on the team?
“I think the biggest thing for me is being open and honest. Like I don’t try to hide my struggles,” he said, “Because I think it’s important for them to know there’s gonna be times when you’re down and there’s gonna be times when you’re up, but all that matters is that you go out and give 100% on the day and you can’t expect any more of yourself…You can’t hold the losses against yourself. You gotta celebrate your wins, too.”
UTAMavs.com also sat with Wilson’s coach, John Ridgeway, to discuss Hayden’s growth as a Maverick and the strides he’s made throughout his career.
From your perspective, how has Hayden developed in his time at UTA, from previously being at Little Rock?
“I think his development has been great! I think Hayden had an excellent coach at Little Rock and I was confident that he was going to have a good base of information before he came here,” said Ridgeway, “The key to his success is that he has taken his success into his own hands. He doesn’t just do what I ask. He comes to my office and asks questions all the time. The longer he’s been here, he asks better and better questions, and his development has been a blast to watch.”
As he chases a couple more WAC titles before he’s done collegiately, what have you seen in his mindset or training that shows he’s ready?
“He worked his tail off all summer. To me, his investment has been unwavering for me. He has had the same level of investment this year that he has had previously, and I always tell the kids, “It’s not if, it’s when,” Coach Ridgeway emphasized, “for him “when” happened right away as he won his first indoor championship and I don’t think he’s done anything different. I think he’s done an incredible job of staying the course he’s been on. He’s been unwavering and his focus remains strong.”
In his three years at UTA, how would you describe Hayden’s impact on the throws group and the program as a whole?
“I think it’s been incredible. We had a good throws culture before he came. He and Desmond Fraizer [graduated last year] came over from Little Rock together” Coach Ridgeway initiated, “I think the two of them in different ways helped take our throws culture to the next level. As much as anything, he is a student of the sport…Hayden has empowered some of his teammates to take ownership of their throw and continue learning about our sport beyond practice. Also, the thing about him, he’s very selfless, he’s very humble, so having this multiple-time conference champion be very quick to serve his teammates. I cannot understate the impact his example has made on the group.”
What are you looking forward to during his last season?
“Every year brings unforeseen challenges. I’m just excited to be side-by-side with him while he faces whatever that is,” said Ridgeway, “So for me, I’m excited to see him get a good opening work in his first meet and then the goal obviously is to defend his championships and try to qualify for postseason. I’m just excited to watch him write the final chapter of his story. I think he’s gonna have a great year and I’m excited to watch him do it.”
NEXT UP
The Mavericks will kick off the indoor season on Friday, January 16 at the Robert Platt Invitational in Fayetteville, Ark., hosted by University of Arkansas.
#BuckEm
FOLLOW ALONG
Follow the UTA track and field and cross-country teams on X (@UTAMavsTFXC), Instagram (@UTAMavsTFXC) and Facebook (/UTAMavsTFXC).
Sports
Indiana volleyball vs Texas NCAA tournament live score updates, how to watch
1:29 pm ET
Indiana ties it in third set
John Steppe
Indiana is hanging in there with Texas in this set. The Hoosiers’ 3-0 scoring run has tied the match at 18-18.
IU is clearly having its best set offensively of the match, hitting .346. After having 18 attack errors in the first two sets, the Hoosiers have only four attack errors so far in the third set.
Score:Texas 18, Indiana 18 (third set; Texas leads, 2-0)
1:16 pm ET
Texas goes on 3-0 scoring run, Indiana calls timeout
John Steppe
The lively Gregory Gym crowd has plenty to cheer about as Texas has gone on a 3-0 scoring run to expand its lead to 8-4 in the third set. The Longhorns have seven kills against IU without any attack errors so far in this set. This is in danger of getting out of hand quickly.
1:10 pm ET
Indiana vs Texas stats comparison through first two sets
John Steppe
- Hitting percentage: Texas .365, Indiana .177
- Kills: Indiana 32, Texas 28
- Attack errors: Texas 5, Indiana 18
- Blocks: Texas 9, Indiana 1
- Side-out percentage: Texas 74.4%, Indiana 63.3%
- Service aces: Indiana 2, Texas 2
- Service errors: Indiana 2, Texas 3
12:56 pm ET
Texas takes 2-0 set lead against Indiana
John Steppe
Indiana held off Texas for the first three set points, but the Longhorns eventually prevailed with a 25-22 win in the second set. The top seed (and host) in the regional now has a 2-0 set lead.
Indiana’s quick offense has hardly been a match for Texas’ block. The Longhorns have a 9-1 advantage in blocks and a .365-.177 advantage in hitting percentage. Torrey Stafford leads Texas with 15 kills (without any attack errors) and a .789 hitting percentage.
Candela Alonso-Corcelles leads IU with seven kills, but she also has four attack errors and is hitting .125. Victoria Gray has six kills while hitting .625. Jaidyn Jager has six kills and six attack errors, hitting .000.
12:32 pm ET
Texas takes first set against Indiana, 25-20
John Steppe
Texas has taken the first set, 25-20. Torrey Stafford already has six kills for the Longhorns without any attack errors.
Indiana hit .162 as Texas’ physicality at the net was a problem for IU throughout the set. Candela Alonso-Corcelles led the Hoosiers with four kills while hitting .273. Victoria Gray had three kills while hitting .500.
12:24 pm ET
Texas has 18-14 lead as Indiana calls its first timeout
John Steppe
Texas’ presence at the net has been a challenge for Indiana, as the Hoosiers are hitting .148 so far in the first set. Candela Alonso-Corcelles, Victoria Gray and Jaidyn Jager each have three kills.
Score:Texas 18, Indiana 14 (first set)
12:16 pm ET
Texas goes on 4-0 scoring run in first set vs Indiana
John Steppe
Texas has gone on a 4-0 scoring run, but it ended after a successful Indiana challenge. The Longhorns have hit .600 so far in the first set, with Torrey Stafford already racking up five kills. As expected, Gregory Gym is proving to be a raucous environment.
Candela Alonso-Corcelles leads Indiana with three kills while hitting .429.
Score:Texas 14, Indiana 9 (first set)
12:00 pm ET
Indiana vs Texas starting lineups
John Steppe
Indiana
- Madi Sell
- Candela Alonso-Corcelles
- Audrey Jackson
- Hannah Leftridge
- Teodora Krickovic
- Avry Tatum
- Victoria Gray
- Jaidyn Jager
Texas
- Ella Swindle
- Emma Halter
- Torrey Stafford
- Ayden Ames
- Cari Spears
- Ramsey Gary
- Nya Bunton
11:58 am ET
Texas volleyball roster includes Indiana natives Emma Halter, Ramsey Gary
There will be three notable Major League Volleyball draft picks playing in this one. One of them is Roncalli grad Emma Halter, of Indianapolis, who could win her third national championship with the Longhorns. She will play collegiately with Indy Ignite.
IU has Candela Alonso-Corcelles, who was picked 11th overall to the Grand Rapids Rise. Teammate Avry Tatum was picked 27th to the Columbus Fury.
Ramsey Gary, of Pendleton Heights, played two seasons at IU before transferring to Texas prior to this season.
11:45 am ET
How IU volleyball played in second round of NCAA tournament vs Colorado
For the second time in program history, the Hoosiers made the Sweet 16, and there was an emotional Steve Aird — a departure from his usual calmness.
11:30 am ET
How IU volleyball played in first round of NCAA tournament vs Toledo
From senior Candela Alonso-Corcelles to freshman Jaidyn Jager and her high school teammate Avry Tatum, the Hoosiers showed how versatile and multiple they can be, which gives coach Steve Aird a reason to be at ease.
11:15 am ET
Charlotte Vinson’s miraculous journey from life support
Yorktown’s Charlotte Vinson has found a role as a serving specialist, pressuring teams with her top-spin serve. But she’s undergone a miraculous journey to even find the floor again after being placed on life support last year.
IndyStar’s Brian Haenchen followed Vinson’s journey to returning and wrapping up her high school career as the No. 21 recruit nationally.
11:00 am ET
IU volleyball has Kona Bear the dog that helps with mental health
Woman’s best friend, Kona Bear, has been an instrumental part to the makeup of the Hoosiers. A service dog trained to help with anxiety brings joy to IU volleyball.
10:50 am ET
Indiana setter Teodora Krickovic among talented freshmen
Teodora Krickovic, a freshman from Serbia, has been an integral part of IU’s growth and is one of the members of a talented freshman class. She, along with Victoria Gray, were an impressive of that standout recruiting class.
Here’s more on Krickovic and Gray, who were standouts in the Monon Spike match:
10:35 am ET
Candela Alonso-Corcelles is IU volleyball’s winningest player
The starting senior on the outside is Candela Alonso-Corcelles, who committed to IU because of the family feel. She’s also fostered that same culture into the Hoosiers as part of a historic run. She’s a native of Madrid, Spain, and is a rare fourth-year senior all at one school.
Here’s more on Alonso-Corcelles:
10:20 am ET
How did IU volleyball make NCAA tournament
A blend of freshmen — IU’s highest-rated class — and veterans make up a roster seeing unprecedented success on individual and team levels. They Hoosiers have reached a number of program bests in Big Ten play, and can set a single-season wins record by beating Toledo.
Here’s more insights from IU on how this happened:
10:05 am ET
What time Indiana volleyball play in the NCAA tournament? Start time for IU volleyball vs Texas
First serve is scheduled for noon at Texas.
9:55 am ET
Where to watch Indiana volleyball in the NCAA tournament; what channel is IU volleyball vs Texas on today, Dec. 13?
The game will be broadcast on ESPN.
Watch NCAA volleyball on Fubo
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