Sports

Twins Minor League Week in Review (5/6

Published

7 months ago

May 13, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Twins Video

MONDAY’S TRANSACTIONS

TWINS DAILY MINOR LEAGUE CONTENT
–Top 20 Twins Prospects, May 2025 Update: Two New Names to Know
–Twins Daily Minor League Report (5/11): Carson McCusker Crushes Again, Jay Thomason Comes Through
–The Minnesota Twins Have a New Top 100 Prospect
–Twins Daily Minor League Report (5/10): Emmanuel Rodriguez Plays Late-Inning Hero in St. Paul
–Twins Minor League Report (5/9): Wichita Surges Back; Rotations Get Rocked
–Twins Minor League Report (5/8): Wild Game in St. Paul Ends with a Walk-Off Win
–Twins Minor League Report (5/7): Mike Ford Sends Everyone Home Happy
–Is Billy Amick the Minnesota Twins’ Long-Term Solution at First Base?
–Twins Minor League Report (5/6): We’re Making “Carson McCrusher” Happen…
–Twins Minor League Week in Review (4/29-5/5): April Showers Bring May Power

WEEK IN REVIEW

Triple-A: St. Paul Saints
Overall: 20-15 (5.0 Games Out of First)
Last Week: 5-1

On Monday, Mickey Gasper is the Triple-A International League’s Player of the Week after a red-hot series in which he hit .478 (11-for-23) with two doubles, four home runs, and six RBI. Gasper’s four homers and his 11 total hits are both tied for the most in minor league baseball. His .571 on-base percentage, 1.087 slugging-mark, and 1.658 OPS are all the highest in the minors over the last six days among hitters with at least 20 at-bats.
St. Paul capped off a tremendous week on Sunday. With the win the Saints have won 10 of their last 12, won their last three series, and are a season-high five games over .500 at 20-15.
The Saints have homered in eight consecutive games thanks to a Mickey Gasper solo homer on Sunday. Two batters later Carson McCusker crushed the fifth hardest hit in franchise history, a 115.0 mph laser over the left field wall, his 10th of the season.
Travis Adams started and went four innings allowing two runs on three hits while walking three and striking out one.
Emmanuel Rodriguez drove a first-pitch fastball out to left field for his second home run in as many days to flip a one-run deficit into a one-run lead late. Earlier in the game, threw out a runner at third that was trying to go first to third on a single.
For Rodriguez, it was the sixth time that he has homered in back-to-back games in his professional career. It was also his first two home runs in 2025.
Zebby Matthews started on Saturday and finished with 5 1/3 innings in his seventh start of the season. He struck out four and issued no walks on five hits. His season ERA dipped to 1.93 after allowing just one unearned run.
In Friday’s blowout loss, Gasper finished with a career high four hits, going 4-for-5 with a double, home run, RBI, and a run scored.
On back-to-back nights, Mike Ford and Mickey Gasper hit three-run walk-off homers. It was just the second time in franchise history the Saints have won back-to-back games in walk-off fashion and the first with walk-off homers.
Jair Camargo added a three-hit game on Thursday with a double and two runs scored.
Ryan Fitzgerald homered in back-to-back games on Wednesday and Thursday.
On Wednesday, Carson McCusker hit two more home runs with one leaving the bat at 114.7 mph. He is nearly halfway to the Saints single season home run record (21).
David Festa continued to perform well after returning to Triple-A. He went 5 2/3 innings allowing one run on three hits while striking out seven. He threw 72 pitches (50 strikes) and got 16 swings and misses.

What’s Next: The Saints are off on Monday and return to action in game one of a six-game road series against the Iowa Cubs at 6:38 p.m. CST.

Double-A: Wichita Wind Surge
Overall: 19-14 (1.0 Game Up)
Last Week: 4-2

With their series victory, Wichita moved into first place in the Texas League North Division.
Noah Cardenas smashed a lead-off home run in the ninth to lead the Wichita Wind Surge to a Sunday victory. The team ended the week with four straight victories.
John Klein threw three innings of scoreless relief as part of Sunday’s win as he gave up just two hits with a walk and a pair of strikeouts.
On Saturday, the Wind Surge scored three runs in the eighth and ninth innings to cap a late rally. It was the seventh come-from-behind win for Wichita and second when trailing after seven innings. Every Wind Surge batter had a hit in the game.
Christian MacLeod started Saturday’s game. He threw his longest appearance of the season, striking out three over four innings.
Pierson Ohl, Jarret Whorff, and John Stankiewicz combined to retire 11 of the final 12 hitters in the comeback win.
On Friday, the Wind Surge trailed 3-0 entering the seventh inning and pushed across five unanswered runs. Kala’i Rosario connected on a two run homer in the seventh. Andrew Cossetti hit a three-run later in the same inning.
Aaron Rozek retired 15 straight hitters from the last out of the bottom of the first and the opening out in the last of the sixth. He pitched six innings and allowed three earned runs on four hits with four strikeouts. It was the first quality start of the year for Wichita.
Ricky Castro and Jaylen Nowlin allowed just two baserunners over the final three innings. Nowlin earned his first professional save after striking out two in the ninth.
Aaron Sabato had a three hit game on Thursday. It was his first three-hit performance of the season and fifth overall multi-hit game.
Connor Prielipp threw his longest outing of the season, four frames of three-hit baseball with a career-high tying six strikeouts.
Trent Baker threw five innings of one-hit baseball with three walks and six strikeouts, one shy of his season-high.
On Thursday, Tanner Schobel had his first four-hit performance of the season, and ninth overall multi-hit game in 2025.
Rubel Cespedes records his team-leading fifth multi-RBI performance.
The six doubles Wichita hit on Tuesday were the most in a game this season.

What’s Next: Wichita returns to home on Tuesday, May 13 to begin a series with the Arkansas Travelers at 6:05 p.m. CST.

High-A: Cedar Rapids Kernels
Overall: 20-12 (1.0 Game Out of First)
Last Week: 3-3

Khadim Diaw crushed a three-run homer to put Cedar Rapids up 4-0 on Sunday. Later in the game, Gabriel Gonzalez smacked a solo shot that turned out to be the difference in the game.
Caden Kendle hit his second home run of the season on Friday. It was a two-run shot.
Tanner Hall started on Thursday and did not allow an earned run in 4 2/3 innings on three hits with two strikeouts.
Danny De Andrade came up with multiple big hits on Wednesday. In the first, he cracked an RBI double to plate the game’s first run. In a tied game with two outs in the top of the eighth inning, he produced a go-ahead RBI single that was the game winner.
Cole Percival kept the Kernels in the game on Wednesday by pitching 2 1/3 scoreless innings with two strikeouts.
Chase Chaney did not allow a run across six innings of work, striking out six while not issuing a walk en route to his second consecutive quality start and his first Cedar Rapids win.
Behind Chaney, Samuel Perez did not allow a run in two innings out of the bullpen, and Jacob Wosinski pitched a perfect ninth to cap off the victory.

What’s Next: The Kernels return home for a six-game series against Peoria next week. Game one is set for Tuesday at 6:35 p.m. CST.

Low-A: Fort Myers Mighty Mussels
Overall: 15-18 (5.0 Games Back)
Last Week: 1-5

Sunday’s starter was Eli Jones, who pitched five innings and allowed one earned run on three hits while striking out three.
Ivran Romero was strong in relief on Sunday with 2 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing two hits and striking out three.
Ruddy Gomez made his FSL debut on Saturday out of the Fort Myers bullpen. He pitched two scoreless frames and only allowed one hit.
Jacob Kistin entered Friday’s game in a tough spot when the starter threw 35 innings in the first. He threw a season high 4 1/3 innings by allowing two runs on four hits.
Zander Sechrist took the loss on Thursday but still had a strong performance. In a career-high five innings, he allowed one earned run on two hits with six strikeouts. The lefty threw just 47 pitches while collecting 15 outs.
On Wednesday, Yasser Mercedes hit a game-tying two-run homer. It was his first home run at Hammond Stadium this season.
Cole Peschl was charged with two runs which were the first earned runs he has allowed on the season. It ended a streak of 21 2/3 consecutive innings without allowing an earned run to begin his professional career.
Fort Myers started the week with an exciting game as they recorded a season-high 16 hits enroute to a walk-off win. Jefferson Valladares capped off the game with a walk-off sacrifice fly in the eleventh inning.
Earlier in the game, Byron Chourio hit his first home run of the season, a solo shot.
Michael Ross went three innings by allowing one run on one hit and striking out four.

What’s Next: After an off day on Monday, Fort Myers will travel to Jupiter to take on the Hammerheads on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m CST.

Rookie: FCL Twins
Overall: 5-1
Last Week: 4-0

Bryan Acuna reached base three times on Saturday including a home run. He drove in three runs and scored three runs.
Luis Fragoza matched Acuna by reaching base three times in the same game. He had a double, two RBI, and a stolen base.
Will Armbruester finished off two games during the week with a combined four scoreless innings.
FCL Twins pitchers combined to hold the FCL Red Sox to two hits on Friday.
Mitch Mueller earned a three-inning save as he allowed one hit and struck out five. Hendry Chivilli earned his first professional win after his two shutout innings.
Melvin Rodriguez pitched four shutout innings in his first appearance of the season. He allowed two hits with two strikeouts and a walk.
Murphy Hernandez reached base four times on Thursday with two hits and two walks. He also scored two runs and drove in two runs.
Ariel Castro had a big four RBI game including his first triple of the year.
Ruddy Gomez earned his first professional win after coming into a jam on Tuesday. He combined for four outs and got them all via strikeout.

What’s Next: The Twins will see the FCL Rays, Orioles, and Red Sox during the coming week.

PROSPECT SUMMARY
Check out the Prospect Tracker for much more on our Twins Top 20 prospects. And, be sure to note the new, updated Top 20 rankings.

Walker Jenkins (Wichita): On injured list
Luke Keaschall (Minnesota): On injured list
Emmanuel Rodriguez (St. Paul): 4-16, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 2 R, 3 BB, 9 K
Charlee Soto (Cedar Rapids): On injured list
Connor Prielipp (Wichita): 4 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 6 K
Kaelen Culpepper (Cedar Rapids): 4-26, 1 2B, 3 RBI, 3 R, 4 BB, 8 K
Marco Raya (St. Paul): 1 IP, 7 H, 6 ER, 1 BB, 0 K
Andrew Morris (St. Paul): 5 IP, 8 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 6 K
Brandon Winokur (Cedar Rapids): 8-26, 1 2B, 4 RBI, 6 R, 0 BB, 9 K, 1 SB
Dasan Hill (Fort Myers): Did not pitch
Kyle DeBarge (Cedar Rapids): 2-10, 4 R, 4 BB,33 K, 3 SB
Cory Lewis (St. Paul): 4 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 0 K
Billy Amick (Cedar Rapids): On injured list
Gabriel Gonzalez (Cedar Rapids): 6-18, 1 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 3 R, 1 BB, 3 K
C.J. Culpepper (Wichita): On injured list
Eduardo Beltre (FCL Twins): 0-11, 4 RBI, 5 R, 3 BB, 3 K, 3 SB
Tanner Schobel (Wichita): 9-27, 3 2B, 4 RBI, 7 R, 1 BB, 5 K
Yasser Mercedes (Fort Myers): 3-24, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 3 R, 4 BB, 11 K, 1 SB
Carson McCusker (St. Paul): 9-23, 2 2B, 3 HR, 6 RBI, 5 R, 3 BB, 6 K, 2 SB
Ricardo Olivar (Wichita): 4-15, 1 2B, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 R, 2 BB, 1 K

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Hitter of the Week: Mickey Gasper, St. Paul Saints
11-for-23, .478/.571/1.087 (1.658), 2 2B, 4 HR, 6 RBI, 8 R, 5 BB, 4 K, 1 SB

Pitcher of the Week: Connor Prielipp (Wichita Wind Surge)
4.0 IP, 0 ER, 3 H, 6 K, 0 BB, 46 pitches (37 strikes), 9 swinging strikes

Feel free to ask questions about any of this week’s action. What streaks will continue in the new week?

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

CCIW Announces First Men’s Indoor Track & Field Student-Athletes of the Week

Published

3 seconds ago

December 10, 2025

Your Sports Nation

NAPERVILLE — The College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) has announced its Men’s Indoor Track and Field Student-Athletes of the Week, with Illinois Wesleyan senior Evan Lowder earning track honors and Carthage freshman Hayden Rollins receiving field recognition following standout performances during the opening weekend of the indoor season.

Track: Evan Lowder, Illinois Wesleyan
Lowder opened the season with a victory in the 400 meters at the Titan Open last Friday in Bloomington. He posted a winning time of 49.34, which converts to 48.57, ranking ninth nationally on the TFRRS list during the opening week of the season. Lowder’s performance was part of a strong team showing as Illinois Wesleyan claimed 12 event victories.

Field: Hayden Rollins, Carthage
Rollins turned in an impressive collegiate debut at the Carthage Forever Red Alumni Classic on Saturday. A native of Flower Mound, Texas, Rollins won the pole vault with a mark of 4.75 meters. The effort set a new Carthage record, surpassing the previous standard of 4.70 meters established in 2014. Rollins’ mark currently ranks first in the CCIW and fourth nationally in NCAA Division III.

Follow the CCIW
| CCIW on X | CCIW Instagram | CCIW Facebook |

The College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) was founded in 1946 and currently services nine member institutions including Augustana College (Rock Island, Ill.), Carroll University (Waukesha, Wis.), Carthage College (Kenosha, Wis.), Elmhurst University (Elmhurst, Ill.), Illinois Wesleyan University (Bloomington, Ill.), Millikin University (Decatur, Ill.), North Central College (Naperville, Ill.), North Park University (Chicago, Ill.) and Wheaton College (Wheaton, Ill.).

Link

Sports

Gutierrez Unveils 2026 Beach Volleyball Schedule

Published

1 minute ago

December 10, 2025

Your Sports Nation

FORT WORTH – The path to a repeat national championship has been set, as TCU beach volleyball head coach Hector Gutierrez released the program’s 2026 spring schedule on Wednesday.

The slate features three home tournaments along with a mid-week matchup against Stanford on March 25 in Fort Worth. The Horned Frogs are set for two trips in the regular season to the state of Florida, and one a piece to Arizona and California.

While official schedules for each tournament have not been set, TCU has potential opponents for each weekend. Of these potential opponents, 11 are coming off an appearance in the 16-team NCAA Championship field in 2025.

In addition, TCU could face every other National Semifinalist from last season and could have a National Championship rematch with LMU in April.

The Horned Frogs enter the 2026 campaign riding a 12-match winning streak, 60-match home winning streak and with a 42-0 record against teams from the state of Texas.

TCU is looking to continue the positive momentum from its incredible 2025 season, which saw the Horned Frogs win the program’s first ever National Championship. In addition, the Frogs claimed the inaugural Big 12 Championship, marking the third consecutive conference crown for the program.

The 2025 season was a culmination of sustained success over multiple seasons. Dating back to 2020, TCU is the second-winningest program in collegiate beach volleyball with 174 total wins. This decade, the Horned Frogs are averaging almost 33 wins per season (excluding the COVID-shortened season in 2020).

Here’s a breakdown of TCU’s weekend tournaments. Note that this does not include a March 25 home matchup with Stanford.

Canyon Classic // Phoenix, Ariz. // February 19-21
TCU opens its season in The Grand Canyon State on the campus of Grand Canyon University. This marks the Horned Frogs first trip to Phoenix since 2017, when they posted a 3-1 record at the Grand Canyon Beach Tournament.

Potential matchups for the Frogs are Big 12 foes Arizona and Arizona State, along with Colorado Mesa, UC Davis and the host institution Grand Canyon. TCU holds a combined series record of 20-12 against the five teams and has undefeated records against Colorado Mesa and UC Davis. Grand Canyon and TCU are the lone teams in the field to compete at the NCAA Championship last season.

All-Time Series Histories: Arizona (2-4), Arizona State (8-3), Colorado Mesa (2-0), Grand Canyon (4-5), UC Davis (4-0)

Seminole Beach Bash // Tallahassee, Fla. // February 26-28
The opening season road trip continues for the Horned Frogs as they head to Florida State, the newest member of the Big 12, for the Seminole Beach Bash. TCU last played in Tallahassee in 2022, when it went 4-1 in its second tournament of the season at Florida State.

Joining the Frogs and Seminoles in Tallahassee is Florida Atlantic, Florida Gulf Coast, North Florida, South Florida, Tampa and UNC Wilmington, making TCU one of just two programs from outside the state of Florida at the event.

All-Time Series Histories: Florida Atlantic (8-4), Florida Gulf Coast (5-1), Florida State (7-14), North Florida (2-1), South Florida (0-0), Tampa (3-0), UNC Wilmington (3-1)

TCU Invitational // Fort Worth, Texas // March 6-7
For the first time in 2026, TCU will return home to host the annual TCU Invitational. The Horned Frogs are 18-1 at the tournament coined the TCU Invitational, and this will mark the sixth such event.

Headed to Fort Worth for the first weekend of March will be Florida Gulf Coast, HCU and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. TCU is 34-1 against the three opponents all-time and has never faltered to HCU or Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, or any team from the state of Texas.

All-Time Series Histories: Florida Gulf Coast (5-1), HCU (15-0), Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (14-0)

Pompano Tournament // Pompano Beach, Fla. // March 13-17
The Frogs go back on the road for a trip to South Florida to take on the Pompano Tournament hosted by Florida Atlantic. This is the second consecutive year TCU has competed at Pompano Beach, going 6-0 last year at the FAU Beach Invitational.

TCU is the lone non-Florida school in the tournament, joining Florida Atlantic, Florida State, South Florida and Tampa. All-time, the Horned Frogs are 18-18 against the field.

All-Time Series Histories: Florida Atlantic (8-4), Florida State (7-14), South Florida (0-0), Tampa (3-0)

Big 12 Preview // Fort Worth, Texas // March 27-28
After hosting Stanford in a midweek, the Horned Frogs play host to all five other members of the new look Big 12. This tournament gives the entire league an opportunity to face each other prior to the conference tournament the following month.

Joining last year’s members Arizona and Arizona State are Boise State, Florida State and South Carolina. TCU holds a 25-24 advantage over the five schools headed to Fort Worth.

All-Time Series Histories: Arizona (2-4), Arizona State (8-3), Boise State (2-0), Florida State (7-14), South Carolina (6-3)

Center of Effort Challenge // San Luis Obispo, Calif. // April 9-12
For the third straight season, TCU will compete at the Center of Effort Challenge hosted by Cal Poly. The Horned Frogs have posted a 7-5 record over the past three years at the tournament, including a 2-2 mark last season.

The loaded field includes Arizona State, Cal, Cal Poly, LMU, Stanford, UCLA and USC. Of these teams, all but one competed in the NCAA Championships last season (Arizona State). In addition, the top-six seeds will all compete at the tournament on the California coast.

All-Time Series Histories: Arizona State (8-3), Cal (4-0), Cal Poly (6-4), LMU (4-3), Stanford (5-2), UCLA (3-7), USC (2-10)

Fight in the Fort // Fort Worth, Texas // April 16-18
The Horned Frogs close out the regular season by hosting the annual Fight in the Fort. TCU is 28-6 all time at the tournament.

This season, the field features North Florida, Stephen F. Austin and Tarleton State. TCU is 5-1 all-time against the three teams, with an unblemished record against Stephen F. Austin and Tarleton State.

All-Time Series Histories: North Florida (2-1), Stephen F. Austin (2-0), Tarleton State (1-0)

Big 12 Conference Championship // Tucson, Ariz. // April 22-24
The second annual Big 12 Conference Championship will be hosted by the University of Arizona. Last season, TCU went 3-0 with wins over Utah and Arizona State twice en route to the inaugural crown. The Horned Frogs have won three consecutive conference titles in three different conferences.

The 2026 event will feature an expanded Big 12, with members joining TCU being Arizona, Arizona State, Boise State, Florida State and South Carolina. The Horned Frogs are at weekend tournaments with all five other members of the league.

NCAA Championships // Gulf Shores, Ala. // May 1-3
TCU will look to repeat as National Champions at the 2026 NCAA Championships, being hosted again in Gulf Shores, Alabama. The tournament format will feature 16 of the best teams from around the country in a three-day event.

All-time, the Frogs are 7-6 at the NCAA Championships and have made five consecutive appearances in Gulf Shores.

Link

Sports

SMU Volleyball Sets Records, Makes History By Reaching Sweet 16

Published

18 minutes ago

December 10, 2025

Your Sports Nation

The second round had been the furthest the SMU volleyball team had ever gone in the NCAA tournament. Not anymore.

Not only did the second-seeded Mustangs win their first and second-round matchups, but they did so in emphatic and impressive fashion. SMU set a program and NCAA tournament record with a .618 hitting percentage against Central Arkansas in a first-round sweep.

Jadyn Livings led with 15 kills, with only one error on 23 swings, while Malaya Jones had her 25th double-double with 11 kills and 10 digs and Averi Carlson had 35 assists. Favor Anyanwu delivered seven blocks, and Jordyn Schilling had 11 digs to lead SMU’s defense.

“We’ve talked a lot about joy in the battle. We want to earn it,” SMU head coach Sam Erger said. “We don’t want them to give us anything. We want to earn every single point. And no one should walk away here going, ‘SMU didn’t go and make that happen.’ So we work a lot on mentality, and then when you hit so well, I think you got to talk about your setter. We have one of the best with Averi making everybody look good.”

The 25-13, 25-13, 25-13 victory got the Mustangs to the second round for the third straight year. The breakthrough came against Florida.

SMU dominated the first set for a 25-11 win, then fought for 25-21 and 26-24 wins in the second and third sets to reach the third round for the first time in program history.

“I’m just so happy and proud and excited, and we’re going to enjoy this for a moment, because this is our program’s first time to ever do this,” Erger said. “I do believe that we felt like this was something we could do, and we’re excited for the next round, but I think we should enjoy some of the history that is being made.”

It has been a season of history for the Mustangs. SMU was ranked as high as No. 7 in the country during the regular season, the program’s highest ranking ever. The victory against Florida was the team’s 27th of the season and 15th at home, both tying the program record. And it was the 100th career victory for Erger.

Individually, Jones surpassed the 500-kill mark to become just the second player in SMU history to do so. Anyanwu is within 14 blocks of the single-season record, and Carlson is third for single-season assists in the rally scoring era and sixth all-time.

No matter the challenge the Mustangs face, the new territory they enter or anything else, they feel ready to take it on together.

“I definitely had no doubt going into (the Florida) match,” Anyanwu said. “I knew whatever was thrown at us, we’ve gone through worse, so I had full-on confidence that no matter what they threw at us, we were going to be able to persevere and come through in the end. I’m just so grateful to play for a program like this, and it just means the world that we just rally behind each other and we just support each other fully. It’s amazing.”

After a dominant first set, the Mustangs trailed 16-12 in the second set. They won the next five points to take a lead. With the set tied at 19, SMU finished the set on a 6-2 run to win 25-21.

Even though it was only the second set, it was a crucial turning point in the match.

“I didn’t say this to the team, and I thought about saying this, but I really felt like if we won that second set, we would win the match,” Erger said. “That’s just where I was at.… I always think we’re going to win, but I’m like, ‘If we win the second set, this is our match’ because we’re going to come back from this adversity, and I know my team, and I know how fired up they’re going to be to close it out.”

That’s been the attitude and approach of the team all season. Erger has referred to them as fighters and having that mentality throughout the year. It now has the Mustangs in the Sweet 16 for the first time ever.

“We work a lot on our mentality,” Erger said. “Before (the Florida) match, we talked about burning the boats. Like we’re going to war and we’re on ships, and we’ve got to go to shore to fight, and we’re going to burn the boats. There’s no second option. We’re going to burn those freaking boats. There’s nothing to do but fight. There’s no cop-out, nothing.”

Link

Sports

BURR, ZGONC NAMED AVCA ALL-REGION

Published

1 hour ago

December 10, 2025

Your Sports Nation

LEXINGTON, Ky. – South Dakota State volleyball’s Madison Burr and Sylvie Zgonc were named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association All-Northwest Region First Team Tuesday.

Burr was one of the best blockers in the country, as well as one of the most efficient attackers this past season. She ultimately finished the year with 139 blocks (1.34 blocks/set), including 25 solo blocks.

Offensively, the Goodhue, Minn., native totaled 259 kills and a .283 hitting percentage. Burr was named First Team All-Summit and made the Summit League All-Tournament team last month.

Zgonc, a native of Hartford, Wis., ranks 47th nationally in kills (451), 55th in points (4.34), and 39th in total attacks (1,233), while leading the league in kills per set (4.34) and points per set (4.77).

The junior was named the Summit League Player of the Year for the second season in a row and ended the season with 14 double-doubles for SDSU, a 23-5 overall record, and 16-0 mark in conference play.

Burr is the third Jackrabbit in the Division I era to earn an all-region honor, while Zgonc was recognized for the second straight season. Sydni Schetnan was a first-team honoree last season.

In total, there are 14 first-team All-Region members and an additional group of honorable mention selections for each of the 10 regions. A Player of the Year, Freshman of the Year, and Coach of the Year were selected for every region. The 213 student-athletes who made All-Region represent 109 different schools. Nebraska leads the way with seven All-Region selections, followed by Pittsburgh and Stanford with six apiece. Florida, Kentucky, Louisville, Minnesota, Texas A&M, and Wisconsin all have five All-Region first-team or honorable mention selections.

-GoJacks.com-

Link

Sports

Colorado Volleyball’s Burilovic Named to AVCA All-West Region First Team

Published

1 hour ago

December 10, 2025

Your Sports Nation

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Colorado volleyball junior pin attacker Ana Burilovic (Split, Croatia) was named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association’s (AVCA) All-West Region First Team on Tuesday, Dec. 9.

Burilovic’s all-region selection marks the program’s 30th postseason regional selection all-time. This is also her second postseason award after being named to the 2025 All-Big 12 First Team last week. The last time Colorado was named to the All-Region First Team was middle blocker Naghede Abu and outside hitter Alexa Smith in 2018. Colorado’s last all-region selection was an honorable mention for middle blocker Meegan Hart in 2020. Colorado’s first appearance on the all-region team was the first team for setter Nicole Vranesh in 1992.

Burilovic leads the Big 12 in points per set (5.47) and kills per set (4.71). She is also third in conference for aces per set (0.43). This is Burilovic’s first all-region selection of her career. In her 32 matches in 2025, she has accumulated 565 kills, 211 digs, 51 aces, 64 blocks and 19 assists. Burilovic has four kill-dig double-doubles on the season, now totaling 10 in her career. She has had 13 matches with 20 or more kills this season (a CU VB record), including two 30+ kill matches against UCF (Oct. 2) and at Northern Colorado (Oct. 28) – she is only the second player in Colorado Volleyball history to have two matches in one season with over 30 kills. On Sept. 30, Burilovic was named AVCA Player of the Week after aiding the Buffs in their road-sweep over then-No.14 BYU, and then-No.23 Utah. She was named Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week on Nov. 4, after leading Colorado’s win over Northern Colorado with 30 kills, hitting .329, nine digs, two blocks and one ace (Oct. 28). Burilovic surpassed 1,000 career kills at West Virginia, becoming the 19th Buff to total over 1,000 career kills. She now has 1,061 career kills, 521 career digs, 118 career aces and 116 career blocks.

Fourteen student-athletes were selected to the AVCA All-West Region First Team, and six were named Honorable Mention. A full list of the honorees can be found after this release.

Under 10th-year head coach Jesse Mahoney, Colorado finished the 2025 season 23-9 and went 12-6 against Big 12 opponents. Coach Mahoney has led the Buffs to a 164-135 record in his 10 seasons at the helm. The Buffs made their 22nd appearance in the NCAA tournament after the conclusion of the regular season, sweeping American in the first round before falling to four-seed Indiana in the second round. The Buffs’ last match against the Hoosiers marks the 12th second round appearance in program history. Colorado has 20 wins this season, marking the program’s 13th 20-win season and its first since 2022. With 23 wins this season, this is the most in a season since 2017 and ties for the third-most wins in a season in program history.

For more information on the Colorado volleyball team, please visit cubuffs.com/vb. Fans of the Buffs can follow @cubuffsvb on Instagram, X, and Facebook.

West Region
1st       Rebekah Allick             University of Nebraska             MB       Sr
1st       Tierney Barlow             Utah State University               MB       Sr
1st       Ana Burilovic               University of Colorado             OH       Jr
1st       Laney Choboy             University of Nebraska             L          Jr
1st       Suli Davis                    Brigham Young University       OH       Fr
1st       Kamryn Gibadlo           University of Utah                    OH       Jr
1st       Andi Jackson               University of Nebraska             MB       Jr
1st       Brielle Kemavor           Brigham Young University       MB       Jr
1st       Kaylie Kofe                  Utah State University               S          So
1st       Annalea Maeder          Creighton University                S          Sr
1st       Ava Martin                   Creighton University                OH       Sr
1st       Harper Murray             University of Nebraska             OH       Jr
1st       Bergen Reilly               University of Nebraska             S          Jr
1st       Kiara Reinhardt           Creighton University                MB       Sr

Honorable Mention
HM      Virginia Adriano           University of Nebraska             RS       Fr
HM      Alex Bower                  Brigham Young University       S          So
HM      Loryn Helgesen           Utah State University               RS       So
HM      Taylor Landfair             University of Nebraska             OH       Sr
HM      Claire Little Chambers Brigham Young University       OH       Jr
HM      Avery Page                  Utah Valley University             OH       Sr

West Region Award Winners
Region Player of the Year: Bergen Reilly, University of Nebraska, S, Jr
Region Freshman of the Year: Suli Davis, Brigham Young University, OH
Region Coach of the Year: Dani Busboom Kelly, University of Nebraska

Link

Sports

Big 12 Prepares for NCAA Volleyball Sweet 16

Published

2 hours ago

December 10, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Arizona State and Kansas advanced to the Regional Semifinal round of the 2025 NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Championship. This is the fifth time in the last seven years that the Big 12 has sent at least two programs to the Sweet 16 and the first time since 2022. Additionally, the Big 12 finished with eight wins in the first round, the most in Conference history, surpassing the previous high of six (2004, 2006, 2023).

No. 2 seed Arizona State defeated Coppin State and Utah State to make its fourth trip to the regional semifinals in program history, and the second time in the last three years. The Sun Devils improved to 28-3 on the year, the second-most wins in school history. This marks the first time in the NCAA era that Arizona State has finished the year undefeated at home and the second time in Arizona State history. The 2025 Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year, Noemie Glover, recorded 17 kills, the second-most for the Sun Devils behind only Bailey Miller (18 kills). Arizona State will next play No. 3 seed Creighton on Thursday, Dec. 11 at Noon CT/11 a.m. MST.

No. 4 seed Kansas will play in the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2021, and the fourth time in program history after two wins at Horejsi Family Volleyball Arena. The Jayhawks swept High Point (3-0) before taking down No. 5 seed Miami (3-1) behind seniors Rhian Swanson and Katie Dalton. Swanson increased her season total to 19 games with double-digit kills, while Dalton added 59 assists across the two matches. Kansas will play top-seeded Nebraska on Friday, Dec. 12 at 8:30 p.m. CT.

Link