Sports

Twins Minor League Report (5/15)

Published

7 months ago

May 16, 2025

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Twins Video

The Twins streak now stands at 11 consecutive wins, and they have had contributions from more than just the current 26-man roster. St. Paul played two games in Des Moines. You’ll want to see how #McCrusher did. You may not want to see how Marco Raya did? Wichita got some solid pitching, but very little offense. Speaking of offense, you will definitely want to see how things went in Cedar Rapids on Thursday night. An “electric” prospect began his rehab assignment with a couple of hits for the Mighty Mussels. And, a rough streak came to an end in the FCL. It was a busy day in the Twins organization on Thursday.

CURRENT W-L Records
Minnesota Twins: 24-20
St. Paul Saints: 21-18
Wichita Wind Surge: 20-16
Cedar Rapids Kernels: 21-14
Fort Myers Mighty Mussels: 16-20
FCL Twins: 5-3
DSL Twins: Scheduled to start on June 2.

TRANSACTIONS
On Thursday morning, the Twins optioned RHP Simeon Woods Richardson to St. Paul. LHP Kody Funderburk, who was the Twins 27th man for Wednesday’s double header, will remain with the team on the 26-man roster.

Infielder Armando Alvarez was activated by the Saints before their Thursday afternoon doubleheader.

Infielder Payton Eeles begins his rehab assignment following offseason knee surgery with the Mighty Mussels.

Unfortunately, Fort Myers put their top hitter, Jay Thomason, on the 7-Day Injured List with a right ankle sprain.

SAINTS SENTINEL
Game 1: St. Paul 3, Iowa 8
Box Score
Marco Raya needed 35 pitches to get through the first inning in his previous outing. Was Thursday’s start any better?

Matt Shaw singled to lead off but was erased on a fielder’s choice. He walked Jonathan Long, but Carlos Perez struck out. A walk to Christian Franklin filled the bases. James Triantos came to the plate. With a 2-2 count, on Raya’s 28th pitch, Triantos doubled to empty the bases. One pitch later, Raya was out of the inning.

In the bottom of the second inning, Raya got a groundout to start things. A walk to Shaw was followed by a strikeout and a pop out.

Raya started the third inning. He gave up a leadoff double but then got the next two batters to ground out. He walked a batter, and that was it for his day. Travis Adams came on and got the final out without any further damage.

Raya was charged with three runs on three hits and five walks in 2 2/3 innings. He had two strikeouts. He reached 67 pitches, but just 32 of them were strikes.

Adams had a rough fourth inning in which he gave up four runs, but with the doubleheader, he had to work through it and, to some degree, had to eat some for the team. He went the final 3 1/3 innings and gave up five runs on five hits and a walk.

Down 7-0 going into the fifth inning, the Saints tried to mount a comeback. Emmanuel Rodriguez led off with his fifth double. Jair Camargo followed with his second home run of the season to cut the deficit to 7-2.

Those two hits accounted for two of the Saints six hits in the game. Carson McCusker went 3-for-3 in the game.

Game 2: St. Paul 7, Iowa 8
Box Score
The Saints got out to an early lead in the second game, but the late-inning bullpen struggled to close the door in the bottom of the seventh and then again in the bottom of the eighth.

Let’s start with the positive, at least from the pitching standpoint. Darren McCaughan started and gave up one run on six hits over five innings. He walked one and struck out five batters. The lone run he gave up was on a Matt Shaw home run in the bottom of the first inning.

The Saints took the lead in the second frame. With two outs, Will Holland doubled to drive in Jeferson Morales. Holland scored on a wild pitch.

St. Paul added two more in the third inning. Carson McCusker led off with a double. He scored on a Mike Ford single. It was a bit station-to-station with Ford leading the way. Armando Alvarez singled Ford to second. Jair Camargo singled Ford to third. Next, Morales hit a sacrifice fly to left field, deep enough to score Ford from third.

Fast-forward to the top of the seventh inning. The Saints were ahead 4-1 and added one more for insurance. Mike Ford doubled and scored on an Emmanuel Rodriguez triple to make it 5-1. A good lead with just three outs to go.

Jacob Bosiokovic came in to replace Ryan Jensen who pitched a scoreless sixth inning despite giving up two hits and two walks. The I-Cubs came out attacking the zone. Just eight pitches into the bottom of the seventh, it was a one-run game at 5-4. Owen Caissie doubled. Jonathan Long switched places with him. Reese McGuire hit a two-run homer.

But Bosiokovic settled a bit. He got a fly out and a ground out. The Cubs called upon Carlos Perez to pinch hit, and he hit the third pitch he saw 413 feet to tie the game at 5-5.

To extra innings, we go, err, they went! In the top of the eighth, Jair Camargo was the Manfred Man on second base. Morales was hit by a pitch. Two outs later, there were still runners on first and third. However, Mickey Gasper came up big again for the Saints and drilled a two-run double.

With a two-run lead, the Saints turned to lefty Brady Feigl. With a runner on second base, Royce Lewis’s high school teammate Chase Strumpf hit Feigl’s seventh pitch out of the park for his seventh home run of the season. Game tied.

One pitch later, Matt Shaw must have been guessing first-pitch changeup because that’s what he got and he stayed back and drilled it over the wall in right-center field for the walkoff I-Cubs win.

The Iowa Cubs are the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. This roster is filled with top prospects despite recent promotions of RHP Cade Horton and C/1B Moises Ballesteros to the big leagues. For more on the Cubs, check out our sister site, North Side Baseball. Here are their Top 20 Cubs prospects.

WIND SURGE WISDOM
Wichita 3, Arkansas 5
Box Score
The Wind Surge have been a bit streaky early this season. In this game, they got some solid pitching but just couldn’t push enough runs across the plate.

Lefty Aaron Rozek started and was charged with two runs on six hits and two walks over five innings. He had six strikeouts. John Klein came on and gave up an unearned run on one hit and one walk over his three innings. He had four strikeouts. Michael Martinez came in for the ninth inning and gave up two runs on two hits. The big blow was a two-run homer off the bat of Hunter Fitz-Gerald.

The battery did help itself a few times. Ricardo Olivar picked a runner off of third base. Rozek and Klein each picked a runner off of second base. In fact, in the top of the fifth, the second out came on Olivar’s pick off and was immediately followed by Rozek picking off a runner at second. That could be a momentum changer.

Down 2-0 in the bottom of the fifth inning, Ben Ross led off with a walk and stole second base. He scored on a Noah Cardenas double. Aaron Sabato lined a single to left, pushing Cardenas to third base. Tyler Dearden flew out, but it was deep enough to score Cardenas and tie the game at 2-2.

In the top of the sixth, Klein entered. With one out, an infield single with a throwing error put a runner on second base. The next batter grounded back to the mound, but a throwing error pushed the unearned run across the plate. Klein might have been Minnesota Upset, because he got the last two batters that inning to strike out.

In the bottom of the sixth, Kala’i Rosario doubled with one out and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Kyler Fedko drove him in with a sacrifice fly that tied things at 3-3.

Offensively, the Kernels managed just six hits and a walk. Rosario’s double was his fifth, and Cardenas’s was his fourth. Ross was the only Surge hitter to reach twice, on a single and a walk.

KERNELS NUGGETS
Cedar Rapids 15, Peoria 7
Box Score
This Cedar Rapids lineup is capable of this kind of offensive outburst on any given day or night. They have immense, and very young, talent and enjoy hitting. On Thursday night in Iowa, one of their key instigators returned to the lineup after missing a week, and things clicked throughout the lineup.

A week ago, Kyle DeBarge was hit by a pitch and hasn’t played since. He returned to the lineup and immediately had an impression. In addition, on Wednesday night, Kaelen Culpepper took off from third base on The Contact Play ® and slid arms-first into the catcher. It appeared that he may have had a stinger, but it could have been much worse. It was good to see him atop the lineup again on Thursday.

With one out in the bottom of the first inning, DeBarge walked. Brandon Winkour followed with a double, but a perfect relay got DeBarge at the plate. Fortunately, Gabriel Gonzalez crushed a home run to center field to give the Kernels a 2-0 lead.

High-ceiling Jose Olivares started for the Kernels. He put two zeroes on the board before giving up four runs in the top of the third inning.

So down 4-2 going to the bottom of the third, but Kernels batters went back to work. Jaime Ferrer led off with a single. Kaelen Culpepper was hit by a pitch. Kyle DeBarge singled to load the bases. Brandon Winokur drove in two runs with his 10th double of the season. Gabriel Gonzalez drove in two more when he switched spots with Winokur after hitting his 10th double. With one out, Khadim Diaw hit a long, two-run homer, his second of the season, to give the Kernels a six-run inning, and an 8-4 lead.

Culpepper led off the fourth with a single, stole second and went to third on a wild pitch. He was still standing there with two outs, but Gonzalez came through again, driving in the Twins 2024 top pick with his 11th double.

The fifth inning began with Khadim Diaw’s second home run of the game and third of the season, but they didn’t stop there, at 10 runs. Nate Baez singled. Caden Kendle singled. Baez scored on Jaime Ferrer’s double. It marked his fourth straight multi-hit game. Culpepper was hit by a pitch for the second time which loaded the bases again. DeBarge lined a double down the left field line and all three runners scored to stretch the lead to 14-4. With one out, Gonzalez lined his fourth hit of the game. This time it was a single to drive in DeBarge for the Kernels 15th run. All four of Gonzalez’s hits produced at least one run.

Samuel Perez tossed two scoreless innings to improve to 2-0. Paulshawn Pasqualotto gave up a solo homer but got three strikeouts in his inning. Gabriel Yanez gave up two runs on five hits over two innings. Juan Mercedes gave up a hit and a walk but no runs in the ninth.

Kaelen Culpepper – single, twice hit by pitch, stole base, three runs
Kyle DeBarge – single, double, two walks, two runs, 3 RBI
Brandon Winokur – two doubles, two runs, two RBI
Gabriel Gonzalez – single, two doubles, home run, two runs, six RBI
Danny De Andrade – single
Khadim Diaw – two home runs, two runs, three RBI
Nate Baez – two singles, two walks.
Caden Kendle – single
Jaime Ferrer – single, double, walk, two runs, one RBI.

MUSSEL MATTERS
Fort Myers 6, Jupiter 12
Box Score
Payton Eeles was in a lineup for the first time in 2025. He returned after having offseason knee surgery. In his first rehab game, he batted second and played second base. He went 2-for-3 and scored a run.

Following the game, Eeles told Twins Daily, “(It) felt really good tonight, excited to be out there again. Was out for way too long.”

Based on my DMs and messages, I think that Twins Daily readers are thrilled that Eeles is working his way back and we get to see his name in box scores again.

Maddux Houghton went 2-for-3 with two walks. He hit his first triple and scored three runs. He also stole two bases. Miguel Briceno went 2-for-4 with a walk. Peyton Carr walked three times.

Overall, the Mussels were 2-for-15 with runners in scoring position and left 12 on base.

Michael Carpenter gave up four runs on six hits over a career-high three innings. He had three strikeouts with no walks. Jakob Hall came on. He gave up seven runs on nine hits and a walk. He had five strikeouts. Ivran Romero gave up a run on two hits in his inning. He struck out two batters. Devin Kirby had a strikeout in a perfect inning.

COMPLEX CHRONICLES
FCL Twins 1, FCL Rays 2
Box Score
In the FCL Twins first game of the season, Eduardo Beltre hit a grand slam in his second at-bat. Since then, in these Twins Daily minor-league reports, his name hasn’t been mentioned with another hit. However, on Thursday, Beltre led off the game with a solid single, ending an 0-for-19 streak.

With one out, he stole second base, and one batter later scored on a single by Bryan Acuna to give the Twins a 1-0 lead after a half-inning.

Unfortunately, that was it for runs for the Twins. In fact, the only other hit was a double by Acuna.

Melvin Rodriguez got the start for the Twins. He gave up two runs on two hits and two walks. He had one strikeout. Ruddy Gomez got the next two innings. He gave up three hits, but no runs and no walks. He struck out three batters. Santiago Rojas pitched a perfect sixth inning.

Not a lot of highlights in this one Beltre’s streak ended, and Bryan Acuna had a single and his second double.

PLAYERS OF THE DAY
Hitter of the Day
Gabriel Gonzalez (Cedar Rapids): 4-for-6, 2-2B(11), HR(5), 2 R, 6 RBI, 2 K.
Carson McCusker (St. Paul): 5-for-7, BB, 2-2B(11), R, K.

Pitcher of the Day
Darren McCaughan (St. Paul): 5 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 HBP, 5 K. 85 pitches, 55 strikes (64.7%)

PROSPECT SUMMARY
Check out the Prospect Tracker for much more on our updated Twins Top 20 prospects after seeing how they did on Thursday.

#3 – Emmanuel Rodriguez (St. Paul) – Game 1: 1-for-3, 2B(5), R; Game 2: 2-for-4, 2B(6), 3B(1), RBI, K
#6 – Kaelen Culpepper (Cedar Rapids) – 1-for-4, 2 HBP, 3 R, 2 K, SB(7).
#9 – Brandon Winokur (Cedar Rapids) – 2-for-4, 2-2B(10), 2 R, 2 RBI, K.
#11 – Kyle DeBarge (Cedar Rapids) – 2-for-4, 2 BB, 2B(6), 2 R, 3 RBI, 2 K.
#14 – Gabriel Gonzalez (Cedar Rapids) – 4-for-6, 2-2B(11), HR(5), 2 R, 6 RBI, 2 K
#16 – Eduardo Beltre (FCL Twins) – 1-for-2, BB, R, K, SB(4)
#18 – Yasser Mercedes (Fort Myers) – 1-for-5, 2 K. OF Assist.
#19 – Carson McCusker (St. Paul) – Game 1: 3-for-3, Game 2: 2-for-4, BB, 2-2B(11), R, K
#20 – Ricardo Olivar (Wichita) – 0-for-4.

FRIDAY PITCHING PROBABLES
Minnesota @ Milwaukee (7:10 PM CDT) – Joe Ryan (3-2, 2.74 ERA)
St. Paul @ Iowa (7:08 PM CDT) – RHP Zebby Matthews (2-1, 1.93 ERA)?
Arkansas @ Wichita (6:35 PM CDT) – LHP Christian MacLeod (0-1, 1.38 ERA)
Peoria @ Cedar Rapids (6:35 PM CDT) – Jeremy Lee (2-2, 8.20 ERA)
Fort Myers @ Jupiter (5:30 PM CDT) – RHP Dylan Questad (1-1, 3.86 ERA)
FCL Red Sox @ FCL Twins (11:00 AM CDT) – TBD

Please feel free to ask questions about the teams, the roster, and discuss Thursday’s games, or anything else Twins minor-league related!

Interested in learning more about the Minnesota Twins’ top prospects? Check out our comprehensive top prospects list that includes up-to-date stats, articles and videos about every prospect, scouting reports, and more!

View Twins Top Prospects

Sports

The Wright Choice: CSUB Volleyball Welcomes New Head Coach

Published

5 minutes ago

December 24, 2025

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BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – A national search for the new Head Coach of the Cal State Bakersfield volleyball team produced dozens of qualified applicants with elite accomplishments, but the candidate who stood out among the crowd was, coincidentally, originally from right down the street. CSUB Acting Director of Athletics Dr. Sarah Tuohy has announced that Bakersfield native Kristen Wright will take the helm of the Roadrunner volleyball program.

A Stockdale High School graduate who went on to earn All-America honors in college, Wright (née Hurst) has put together a coaching resume as equally as impressive. With championship coaching experience at every level of amateur volleyball, Wright brings coaching Hall of Fame and Coach of the Year accolades in her return to Kern County.

“From the moment we began this search,” Tuohy said, “it was clear that Kristen was the right leader for this program. Her vision for Roadrunner Volleyball aligns directly with where we are headed as a department, and she has a proven ability to build programs back to championship caliber. There is no one better to represent and sell this university and the city of Bakersfield than someone who understands and loves this community so deeply.”

Wright served the past eight seasons at the University of North Florida in the Atlantic Sun Conference. Inheriting a squad that posted a 13-19 record prior to her arrival in 2018, Wright quickly turned the program around, finishing with a 25-8 showing in just her third full season with the Ospreys.

During that 2021 run, Wright’s squad made it to the NIVC Quarterfinals while resetting the program record for wins in a season with 25. She also guided the Ospreys to a program-high RPI of 49, ending with the highest final RPI at 75 and tallying the program’s first-ever victory over a Power 5 squad.

“I want to thank Sarah Tuohy, President Harper, and the entire search committee for their belief in me as the next head coach for CSUB Volleyball,” Wright said. “Bakersfield is my home and my love for volleyball began in the Icardo Center. I was impressed by the internal operations and vision of Sarah and her administrative support team. I think CSUB is in a unique time of creating vision, adapting to the rapid changes in the NCAA landscape and the leadership is something I will enjoy working with.”

Boasting a track record of success, Wright’s resume is flooded with championship achievements at all levels, including a CCCAA State title with the MiraCosta College beach volleyball team and nine-consecutive CIF San Diego Section Championships and six Southern California State Regional Championships with Tri-City Christian High School.

During her eight-year tenure at North Florida, Wright became the winningest coach in the program’s Division I history (since 2005) with an overall record of 197-154. She coached 10 All-Conference selections, four ASUN Defensive Player of the Year honorees and one ASUN Scholar-Athlete of the Year, all while maintaining a team cumulative GPA between 3.3 and 3.7.

While Wright’s journey followed a path that led to the other side of the country, she has remained rooted in Bakersfield and feels she is returning at the right time:

“This was also the right time for our family. My husband, Doug, is an elite Division I college beach volleyball coach, and returning to California allows our children, Bradyn and Kylee, to thrive during these important high school years while having their grandparents involved in their everyday lives. Some of my closest friends are here and thriving, and that sense of connection means everything to us. Home is truly where your people are.”

A standout prep star, Wright was highly recruited out of Stockdale High School, but she turned down Power 5 offers to compete for the University of San Diego. Wright became a four-year starter and captain for the Toreros. The pin hitter was named an All-American while leading USD to the program’s first-ever NCAA Sweet 16 appearance.

In her return to the Central Valley, Wright brings the ability to recruit from all areas and all levels, including attracting four Power 5 recruits to her program. She also aims to reconnect the Bakersfield Volleyball community back to CSUB while building the program into a regular contender in The Big West.

“I am excited to reunify our community around CSUB Volleyball and to build a program that brings tremendous pride to Kern County,” Wright added. “CSUB offers an outstanding educational experience in a place where student-athletes can truly live and thrive. Bakersfield provides the best of both worlds – an incredible community with a Midwest feel, where sports are part of the culture, while still enjoying all the benefits of the California dream, including proximity to the beach, mountains, lakes, theme parks, and major cities. What stands out most to me are the people. The passion, support, and pride in this community make Bakersfield special.”

Cal State Bakersfield invites the community to join us at the Icardo Center on Thursday, Jan. 8, at 4:30 p.m. (PT) to welcome Wright with an introductory press conference. Stay tuned to GoRunners.com as well as on social media (@CSUB_Volleyball) as Wright sets out to build a staff, a roster, and a schedule for the upcoming 2026 season.

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Lady Vols Announce Signing of Sun Belt Libero of the Year Marta Lazzarin

Published

21 minutes ago

December 24, 2025

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KNOXVILLE, Tenn — Tennessee volleyball made another addition to its 2026 roster, as it announced the signing of the 2025 Sun Belt Conference Libero of the Year Marta Lazzarin.

“We are really excited to add Marta to our program and have her train with us this spring”, said head coach Eve Rackham Watt. “She is an elite serve receiver and will step in right away to add stability in our passing unit. I am looking forward to her bringing maturity, consistency, and high-level international experience to our gym. Our staff believes Marta’s development will blossom on Rocky Top and she will help us in pursuing Championships.”

Lazzarin earned Sun Belt Libero of the Year honors after a freshman season that saw her finish with 535 digs, 154 assists, and 25 aces. Lazzarin averaged 5.25 digs per set, leading the Sun Belt and ranked fifth nationally, while also being the second-best mark in Georgia State history. Lazzarin’s 535 digs in her lone season with the Panthers also ranks third in program history. Lazzarin finished with double-digit digs in 27 matches, including recording 20-plus in 13 matches. The First Team All-Sun Belt selection posted a career-high 32 digs against Evansville on Sept. 6, while also tallying a career-high 10 assists against Arkansas State on Sept. 10.

Before beginning her collegiate career, Lazzarin played for Audax Quartucciu Idrosistemi of the Italian Serie B2 league. Lazzarin also represented Serie A2 Libertas Martignacc, playing in 51 sets across 15 matches.

Lazzarin becomes the third transfer addition to the 2026 roster for the Lady Vols. NCAA triple-double record holder Jalyn Stout recently joined The Big Orange ahead of the 2026 campaign. Outside hitter Nia Hall was also recently announced by Tennessee, joining the team from South Carolina.

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Morgan Gaerte, All-ACC First Teamer, Signs with Kentucky Volleyball – UK Athletics

Published

37 minutes ago

December 24, 2025

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LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Kentucky Volleyball team announced the signing of outside hitter Morgan Gaerte on Wednesday afternoon, who joins the Wildcats with two years of eligibility remaining on her clock.

Gaerte comes to Lexington after spending the first two years of her career at Notre Dame, where she was named First Team All-ACC after the 2025 season and honorable mention on the American Volleyball Coaches’ Association All-America list for this year, as well. She was a team captain for Notre Dame and a member of the AVCA Midwest Region’s first team.

This season, she started all 28 matches and logged 497 kills for the Irish, the most by any Notre Dame player in the rally-scoring era (2008-pres.) and third-most overall in all scoring eras. Gaerte averaged a mammoth 4.64 kills per set and had 10-plus kills in 22-straight matches to kick off the UND season, the second-longest streak in program history for Notre Dame.

Standing at six-foot-five, she hails from Angola, Indiana where she graduated from Angola High School while being ranked as the No. 5 player in the nation by Volleyball Magazine in 2023 and first team all-state for Indiana in 2022 and 2023. She is majoring in Sports Marketing.

For the latest on UK Volleyball, follow the Wildcats on Twitter and Instagram at @KentuckyVB.

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Volleyball: Harrison County athletes named to All-East Texas volleyball team

Published

3 hours ago

December 24, 2025

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MOST VALUABLE PLAYER

Triniti Jackson

School: Longview

By the numbers: Jackson finished the season with 702 assists, 401 kills, 313 digs, 45 blocks and 60 aces to earn District 10-6A Setter of the Year honors. She was also named MVP of the Big School match at the second annual East Texas Volleyball All-Star Games held at Spring Hill. In her career, the Lady Lobo standout recorded 2,505 assists, 1,479 digs, 1,342 kills, 266 aces and 151 blocks

CO-NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR

Blair Schroeder

School: Pine Tree

By the numbers: Schroeder recorded 166 kills, 329 digs, 41 assists, 51 aces and eight blocks for the Lady Pirates

CO-NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR

Landry Tubb

School: Longview

By the numbers: Tubb recorded 628 digs, 28 aces and 42 assists for the Lady Lobos

COACH OF THE YEAR

Andrew Harbison

School: Spring Hill

By the numbers: Harbison led Spring Hill to the Class 4A Division II state semifinals and a 40-7 record overall. It marked the third straight season the Lady Panthers have won at least 40 matches (121-18 during that span). The Lady Panthers went 14-0 in District 16-4A, and then defeated Brownsboro (3-1), Pleasant Grove (3-0), Panther Creek (3-2) and Aubrey (3-1) before falling 3-2 to eventual state champion Eagle Mountain. Harbison is 403-203 in his coaching career, including a 216-82 worksheet at Spring Hill

FIRST TEAM

Kellen Weaver

School: Beckville

By the numbers: 375 kills, 18 assists, 56 blocks, 132 digs, 62 aces, 91.4 percent server. District MVP

Jaharia Hunter

School: Longview

By the numbers: 331 kills, 222 digs, 32 blocks

Kaycin Farrell

School: Hallsville

By the numbers: 402 kills, .371 hitting percentage, 302 digs, 68 aces, 50 blocks, 29 assists, 2.26 SR rating, 373 receptions with 29 SR errors. District MVP

Elizabeth Corbitt

School: Spring Hill

By the numbers: 559 kills (school record), 46 blocks, 300 digs, 35 aces. District Hitter of the Year

Savannah Irwin

School: Spring Hill

By the numbers: 342 kills, 529 digs, 68 aces, 95.8 percent server. District Co-MVP

Kaysen Foster

School: Tatum

By the numbers: 454 kills, 352 digs, 44 aces, 37 blocks. Co-District MVP and MVP for Small Schools at the annual East Texas Volleyball All-Star Games

Kamdyn Scott

School: Tatum

By the numbers: 611 kills, 279 digs, 47 aces, 43 blocks. District Co-MVP. Signed with Metropolitan State University/Denver

Carly Chadwick

School: Pine Tree

By the numbers: 793 assists, 140 kills, 301 digs, 104 aces, 18 blocks. District Co-MVP

Taydem Barker

School: Tatum

By the numbers: 1,014 assists, 63 kills, 207 digs, 45 aces. District Setter of the Year

Danika Cantu

School: Marshall

By the numbers: 591 digs, 25 aces, 1.90 SR rating, 36 errors in 941 SR attempts, 65 assists

SECOND TEAM

Kylee Fernandez

School: Hallsville

By the numbers: 231 kills, .268 hitting percentage, 78 blocks, 58 digs. District Co-Blocker of the Year

Bryleigh Mayhan

School: Pine Tree

By the numbers: 336 kills, 139 digs, 35 aces, 30 blocks

Andee Bridges

School: White Oak

By the numbers: 517 kills, 370 digs, 50 aces, 1.86 SR rating

Chesney Jeter

School: Spring Hill

By the numbers: 694 assists, 175 digs, 48 kills, 56 aces

Caroline Cockerham

School: Carthage

By the numbers: 718 assists, 187 digs, 71 aces

Elle Litchenburg

School: Kilgore

By the numbers: 741 assists, 71 aces, 136 kills, 344 digs, 31 blocks

Keeley McCann

School: Sabine

By the numbers: 955 assists, 361 digs, 5 blocks, 158 kills, 61 aces

Kimora Pryor

School: West Rusk

By the numbers: 993 assists, 392 digs, 133 kills, 37 aces, 251 service points

Kaylee Londeau

School: Spring Hill

By the numbers: 606 digs (school record), 41 assists, 38 aces

Kyndal Greenwood

School: Tatum

By the numbers: 479 digs, 48 aces. District’s Libero of the Year

THIRD TEAM

Calleigh Secord

School: Spring Hill

By the numbers: 258 kills, 62 blocks, 104 digs, 21 assists, 27 aces

Giselle Webster

School: Kilgore

By the numbers: 133 blocks, 230 kills

Hannah Haffner

School: West Rusk

By the numbers: 354 kills, 128 blocks, 4 errors in 146 serves, 73 service points

Londyn Baker

School: White Oak

By the numbers: 319 kills, 383 digs, 66 aces

Chloe Green

School: New Diana

By the numbers: 364 kills, 484 digs, 70 aces. District MVP

Sarah Roberts

School: Sabine

By the numbers: 491 kills, 30 aces, 16 assists, 16 blocks, 371 digs

Lilly Fry

School: Hallsville

By the numbers: 632 assists, 217 digs, 4 blocks, 25 aces, 45 kills. District’s Setter of the Year

Taryn Reece

School: New Diana

By the numbers: 462 assists, 160 kills, 481 digs, 70 aces, 28 blocks

Carli Tuttle

School: Beckville

By the numbers: 222 kills, 441 assists, 47 blocks, 249 digs, 74 aces. District’s Top Setter

Laney Alexander

School: Carthage

By the numbers: 647 digs, 36 assists, 25 aces

HONORABLE MENTION

Longview: Alyssa Grissom, N’Kheyli Johnson, Aubrey Orban; Pine Tree: Allison Vasquez; Hallsville: Madi Farrell, Miller Goswick, Elizabeth Hale, Tailor Benson, Lyla Evans; Marshall: Alex Stevens, Nia Newhouse, D’Aubrena Stoker, Maggie Pringle, Kinlee Smith, Ella Kate Runnels, Addi Watkins; Carthage: Alli Bitter; Kilgore: Malea White, Kylie Herrin, Cheyenne Jones, Brittany Yzaguirre, Zoey Johnson; Gilmer: Jayna Rucker; West Rusk: Kamyah Lacy, Ireland Hunt, Kara King, Mackenzie Ressler, Paisley Smith; Arp: Kaitlynn Raymond, Kinley Schminkey, Landry Langley; New Diana: Gaby Martinez, Ava Smith; White Oak: Carrington Watson, Addy Young, Taylor Morgan, Peyton Thompson; Sabine: Ella Phillips; Harleton: Reagan McCarty, AnnaBelle Bunger, Holly Roberts; Beckville: Maci Morris, Adyson Davis; Elysian Fields: Madison Owens, Kaleigh Presley, Taylor Youngblood; Paul Pewitt: Darriyah Thomas, McKensi Jackson, Gloria Pureco; Leverett’s Chapel: Alyvia Page, Itzel Mata; Mount Pleasant Chapel Hill: Ella Waldon; Linden-Kildare: Lynlee LeJeune, Jamah Birmingham, Carley Hays, Jakiah Birmingham, Kalysa Roberts, Olivia Stewart, Hannah Snow; Christian Heritage: Kennedi Laney, Margo Risner; Troup: Shiloh Sluder, Qhenja Jordan, Chayne Graves; Hawkins: Jentri Evans, Jaci Smith, Haylee Skipworth, Ava Ellison

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Sports

Watertown High School Announces Resignation of Head Volleyball Coach | Local News

Published

3 hours ago

December 24, 2025

Your Sports Nation

{KXLG – Watertown, SD} After being a part of the program for 28 years, including nine seasons as the head coach, Coach Bellum is stepping down from her role at Watertown High School pending School Board approval.

During her nine seasons as a head coach, Coach Bellum compiled an impressive 193-81 record, including three ESD titles and a state championship.

Coach Bellum emphasized fundamentals, discipline and preparation. She not only had high expectations for her athletes but also for herself. Her dedication extended far beyond the matches as she spent countless hours in the gym developing the program and players within it. She poured herself into this program with her amazing work ethic, attention to details, and a commitment of doing things the right way.

We wish Coach Bellum all the best and thank her for the positive way in which she led the Arrow Volleyball program!

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Evans, Jones and Casale Sign with Houston Volleyball

Published

4 hours ago

December 24, 2025

Your Sports Nation

HOUSTON – Senior middle blocker Kaitlyn Evans, junior outside hitter Sydney Jones and redshirt freshman defensive specialist Mattie Casale have signed to play for Houston Volleyball in 2026, Head Coach David Rehr announced Wednesday.

Evans (Loyola Marymount), Jones (Tennessee) and Casale (Purdue) bring Houston’s transfer signing class to five after Kalei Edson and Kamille Gibson joined the Cougars last week. Thus far, Houston has signed a setter, middle blocker, two outside hitters and a defensive specialist as part of their transfer group.

“Our volleyball staff has been working to rebuild Houston Volleyball and with the two transfers we announced last week, we have improved our team for the 2026 season,” Rehr said. “The additions of Casale, Evans and Jones continue to make us a better volleyball team.”

MATTIE CASALE | DEFENSIVE SPECIALIST | REDSHIRT FRESHMAN | PURDUE
Casale arrives in H-Town after spending her true freshman season with Purdue. While not appearing in a match for the Boilermakers, she spent time with the team as it played most of its season within the Top 15 of the AVCA Coaches Poll and reached the Regional Finals of this year’s NCAA Tournament after earning a three-seed in the bracket.

Casale was the No. 1 defensive specialist out of the state of Florida in the class of 2025. She prepped at Carrollwood Day School in Tampa, Fla., and is a native of Wesley Chapel, Fla. A finalist for Volleyball Recruiter’s 2023 Libero of the Year award, she was a four-time district champion with Carrollwood Day while helping them clinch the FHSAA Class 3A Championship in her junior season. A four-year captain for the team, she posted 345 digs in her junior season to help her school win the state crown and was among the Top 120 players in the country according to PrepDig.com in 2023.

KAITLYN EVANS | MIDDLE BLOCKER | SENIOR | LOYOLA MARYMOUNT
Evans signs with Houston following two seasons at LMU and a year at American. She’s tallied 111 kills along with 122 blocks across 42 career matches. She posted a multiple career-bests in the 2024 season, collecting 57 kills and 56 blocks, averaging 1.08 and 1.06 per set, respectively. Evans also boasts a .201 career hitting percentage with a nearly .400 kill percentage.

The Dallas native attended David Butler High School, playing volleyball, basketball and track & field all four years. In track, she placed second in regionals and fourth in the state for high jump while also playing club volleyball with the Carolina Union Volleyball Club. Coming from an athletic family, her mother, Karen, ran track at Texas A&M and father, Patrick, played football for South Carolina State before going on to play professionally for Pittsburgh and Carolina.

SYDNEY JONES | OUTSIDE HITTER | JUNIOR | TENNESSEE
Jones, a Havertown, Pa., native, joins the Cougars after a year each at Tennessee and Temple. The rising junior has tallied 390 kills across two seasons, highlighted by 324 in her freshman year with the Owls. The 2024 American Conference Freshman of the Year compiled 369.5 points, 209 digs, 35 aces and 17 blocks at Temple, being named an All-Conference Second Team honoree.

Jones saw limited playing time in her year at Tennessee but capitalized on opportunities with the Volunteers, hitting .273 with a .440 kill percentage, 66 kills and 16 blocks across 13 matches and two starts.

The Pennsylvanian attended Haverford Senior High School, where she eclipsed 1,000 kills during her prep career while also playing club ball with Synergy VB. A two-sport athlete, she was also a track & field star at her high school, breaking the Haverford outdoor high-jump record while tying the indoor record with both jumps at 5-foot-6. She ultimately placed second in the high jump event at State Championship in 2023.

SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Volleyball by providing NIL opportunities or by joining the Point Houston Club which provides financial support directly to Houston Volleyball for needs beyond its operating budget.

STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarVB on X, formerly known as Twitter, and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team’s Facebook page at UHCougarVB. Fans also can follow the team on Instagram at @UHCougarVB.

– UHCougars.com –

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