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U.S. Women Fend Off Serbia to Open 2025 VNL Week Two Behind Madi Skinner’s 32 Points

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (June 18, 2025) –The U.S. Women’s National Team opened week two of the 2025 Volleyball Nations League (VNL) with a 3-2 (25-22, 25-20, 22-25, 22-25, 15-11) win over host Serbia before a sellout crowd in Belgrade on Wednesday. The U.S. (2-3) earned its second consecutive win while Serbia fell to 0-5. The […]

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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (June 18, 2025) –The U.S. Women’s National Team opened week two of the 2025 Volleyball Nations League (VNL) with a 3-2 (25-22, 25-20, 22-25, 22-25, 15-11) win over host Serbia before a sellout crowd in Belgrade on Wednesday.

The U.S. (2-3) earned its second consecutive win while Serbia fell to 0-5. The U.S. Women will next play Poland (4-1) tomorrow, June 19, at 7:30 a.m. PT.

Outside hitter Madi Skinner doubled her point total from the first week of VNL play with 32 points on 30 kills and two blocks, while also reaching double-digits in digs with 12. She scored six points on five kills and a block in the decisive fifth set.

Libero Lexi Rodriguez made her VNL debut a memorable one with a match-high 17 digs.

“The crowd was amazing and getting to play them on their home court, you could really feel the buzz. Going to five and battling with my teammates was really fun. It was a great day,” Rodriguez said.

The U.S. held a 65-61 advantage in kills and a one-point margin in blocks (10-9) with both teams serving five aces. Serbia made one more error (29-28).

Outside Sarah Franklin scored 20 points on 18 kills and two blocks, while registering nine digs and eight successful receptions. Middle blockers Amber Igiede and Dana Rettke, making her 2025 VNL debut, combined for 18 points with each posting two blocks and an ace. Igiede recorded seven kills and Rettke added five.

“I thought we did a great competing in a wonderful environment. Congratulations to Serbia on filling the gym. What a great experience for our players. I thought we were real consistent, whether things were going our way or not,” head coach Erik Sullivan stated. “We stayed on the next play mentality and competed. I was confident we could do the same in the fifth set.”

Captain outside hitter Roni Jones-Perry finished with seven points on five kills, a block and an ace. She led the team with nine successful receptions and added 11 digs. Setter Saige Ka’aha’aina-Torres recorded eight digs, two aces and a block.

The U.S. took an early 12-6 lead in the opening set and still led by five, 16-11, on a Rettke block. An ace by Ka’aha’aina-Torres made it 20-17 and a kill by Igiede brought it to 21-18 before Serbia cut the lead to one point. It was still a one-point difference when Rettke recorded a kill for a 23-21 lead. Two Serbia errors accounted for the final U.S. points of the set. Skinner recorded five kills and Franklin added four.

The second set was tightly contested with the U.S. finally taking a two-point lead at 15-13 with a perfect pass from Rodriguez setting up a Jones-Perry kill. After a Serbian hitting error, the U.S. closed out a 4-0 run on a Franklin kill.

An Igiede kill extended the lead to five points, 19-14. With the lead down to three at 22-19, the U.S. won a key point on the longest rally of the match that featured great defense on both sides. A great dig by Franklin led to a Jones-Perry kill. The U.S. went up two sets on a back row attack by Franklin and a set-clinching kill by Rettke. Franklin led all players in the set with six points on four kills and a pair of blocks, while Skinner contributed four kills.

Serbia raced out to 5-1 lead in the third set before the U.S. climbed back in the set and eventually took a 14-12 lead on a block by Ka’aha’aina-Torres. Two more Skinner kills gave the U.S.Women leads at 15-14 and 16-15, but they would not lead again. An Igiede kill on an overpass after a strong Ka’aha’aina-Torres serve to even the set at 18 but Serbia finished on a 7-4 run to extend the match. Skinner totaled 10 kills in the set.

The U.S. led 19-16 in the fourth set before Serbia finished on a 9-3 run to send the match to a fifth set, the fourth time in five VNL matches that Serbia has played a five-setter. Skinner added seven more points on six kills and a block.

“They made a lot of adjustments during the set and we were a little slow on our end. After the fourth set, we just came out with a clean slate being ready to adjust and play USA volleyball and that’s what we did,” Rodriguez commented.

The U.S. looked like it may run away with the fifth set, scoring the first three points and taking a 5-1 lead. Rettke scored the first two points, one on a slide and another with an ace. Skinner put a ball down cross court at the 10-foot line for a 6-2 lead, made it 7-3 on a right-side swing, and bumped the lead to 8-3 with a block.

A Serbian hitting error made it 9-3, but an ace off the net culminated an 8-3 run that closed the gap to one point, 12-11, forcing the U.S. to use its second timeout. Skinner scored back-to-back points, the second on a successful block touch challenge, to give the U.S. match point. A Ka’aha’aina-Torres ace sealed the victory.

Week Two Roster for 2025 VNL

U.S. Women’s Preliminary Roster for 2025 VNL
No. Name (Pos., Ht., Hometown, College, USAV Region)
6 Morgan Hentz (L, 5-9, Lakeside Park, Ky., Stanford Univ., Pioneer)
7 Lexi Rodriguez (L, 5-5, Sterling, Ill., Univ. of Nebraska Great Lakes)
8 Brionne Butler (MB, 6-4, Kendleton, Texas, Univ. of Texas, Lone Star)
9 Madisen Skinner (OH, 6-2, Katy, Texas, Univ. of Kentucky and Univ. of Texas, Lone Star)
13 Amber Igiede (MB, 6-3, Baton Rouge, La., Univ. of Hawaii, Delta)
16 Dana Rettke (MB, 6-8, Riverside, Ill., Univ. of Wisconsin, Great Lakes)
21 Roni Jones-Perry (OH, 6-0, West Jordan, Utah, BYU, Intermountain)
22 Sarah Franklin (OH, 6-4, Lake Worth, Fla., Univ. of Wisconsin, Florida)
24 Olivia Babcock (Opp, 6-4, Los Angeles, Calif., Pitt, Southern California)
27 Ella Powell (S, 6-0, Fayetteville, Ark., Univ. of Washington, Delta)
28 Logan Lednicky (Opp, 6-3, Sugar Land, Texas, Univ. of Texas A&M, Lone Star)
29 Molly McCage (MB, 6-3, Spring, Texas, Univ. of Texas, Lone Star)
32 Saige Ka’aha’aina-Torres (S, Honolulu, Hawaii, Univ. of Texas, Aloha)
33 Logan Eggleston (OH, 6-2, Brentwood, Tenn., Univ. of Texas, Southern)

Reserve
15 Rachel Fairbanks (S, 6-0, Tustin, Calif., Pitt, Southern California)

Coaches
Head Coach:  Erik Sullivan
Assistant Coach: Mike Wall
Second Assistant Coach: Brandon Taliaferro
Second Assistant Coach: Tayyiba Haneef-Park
Second Assistant Coach: Joe Trinsey
Team Manager: Rob Browning
Team Doctors:  William Briner, James Suchy, Chris Lee, Andrew Gregory
Physiotherapist: Kara Kessans
Physical Trainers: Shawn Hueglin, Shannon Boone
Mental Performance Coach: Andrea Becker, Katy Stanfill
Performance Analyst: Virginia Pham

Week 2 Schedule: Belgrade, Serbia (all times PDT)
Matches will be shown on VBTV, Big Ten Network and/or CBS Sports Network. Please check listings for BTN and CBSN.

June 18 USA def. Serbia, 3-2 (25-22, 25-20, 22-25, 22-25, 15-11)
June 19 at 7:30 a.m. vs. Poland
June 21 at 7:30 a.m. vs. Netherlands
June 22 at 7:30 a.m. vs. France

Week 1 Results: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
June 4 Italy def. USA, 3-0 (25-13, 25-13, 30-28)
June 5 Brazil def. USA, 3-0 (25-18, 25-17, 25-19)
June 6 Czechia def. USA, 3-2 (23-25, 20-25, 25-17, 25-20, 27-25)
June 8 USA def Korea, 3-0 (25-13, 28-26, 25-17)



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Who should be AGR’s 2024-25 Girls Athlete of Year? Vote now

Video: Penfield’s Peyton Rothfuss scores five in state semifinal win Penfield’s Peyton Rothfuss scored five goals in state semifinal win NFHS Network There was no shortage of excellent athletes in Section V for the 2024-25 academic year. But some stood out above the rest. Over the last several months, the Democrat and Chronicle and Daily Messenger staff, with input […]

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There was no shortage of excellent athletes in Section V for the 2024-25 academic year. But some stood out above the rest.

Over the last several months, the Democrat and Chronicle and Daily Messenger staff, with input from Section V coaches, recognized XX Athletes of the Year in girls sports. Among them, some state champions, sectional champions and future Division I athletes.

Who was the cream of the crop in this collection of elite athletes? Your vote determines which Section V player deserves the honor of the 2024-25 All-Greater Rochester Girls Athlete of the Year presented by Faber Builders. Each honorees’ credentials are listed above the poll — which will be live until 8 p.m. Friday, July 25. The winner will be announced on our Instagram page Monday, July 28.

You can find the poll at the bottom of this page or jump straight to the poll by clicking here.

Vivian Bishop, Alpine Skier of the Year

Why Bishop was Alpine Skier of Year: The North Rose-Wolcott junior was named the overall champion at the Section V championships in February, after sweeping first place in both the slalom and giant slalom races. Bishop then placed third at the state championships in the giant slalom, finishing with a combined time of 2:01.18.

Kiera Cornman, Large School Volleyball Player of the Year

Why Cornman was the Player of the Year: Section V had many great volleyball players last fall, but senior Kiera Cornman was the best. The three-time AGR first teamer ended her Fairport career as a two-time state champion. Cornman’s Raiders compiled a 60-3 record through their run of three straight Section V titles.

Cornman earned NYSPHSAA Class AAA Tournament MVP honors during both state title runs, finishing with a career-high 33 kills in November’s NYS championship match. A future Division I Hawaii beach volleyball player, Cornman powered Fairport to wins over state powers St. Mary’s and Pittsford Sutherland, as well as a straight sets triumph over Section VI’s Lancaster in regionals. She earned Section V Class AAA Tournament MVP after a 3-0 win over Rush-Henrietta in the section final.

Along with AGR Large School Player of the Year, Cornman was also named MaxPreps Player of the Year for New York state and New York Gatorade Player of the Year. Fairport has not lost a regular season or postseason match she has played in since 2022. The Raiders dropped one match while Cornman recovered from an injury this season before she returned to help them finish 20-1.

In 2023, Cornman helped Fairport complete a perfect 21-0 season. Cornman surpassed 1,000 career kills as a junior and recorded 299 kills last fall, including 33 in the state final.

Hannah Devine, Cross Country Runner of the Year

Why Devine was the Cross Country Runner of the Year: Devine was fastest runner among girls in Section V at the state championships. She won the Section V Class A Championship and came in 10th, the best finish among Section V runners, during the McQuaid Invitational Bob Bradley Premier girls race. Her résumé in Section V includes selection to three AGR Girls Cross Country Teams.

Emma Goodell, Outdoor Track and Field Athlete of the Year

Why Goodell was the Athlete of the Year: When the high school outdoor track and field season came to an end, Goodell was either first or second on the Section V leaderboards for the pentathlon, 100-meter hurdles and high jump.

Goodell’s top pentathlon score (100 hurdles, high jump, long jump, 800-meter race and shot put) of 3,334 points at a state qualifier meet ranks No. 5 on Section V’s all-time performance list. The sophomore then went on to place fourth (3,144) at the state championships.

Only one athlete in Section V topped Goodell’s best 100 hurdles time of the season, a race in 14.75 seconds during the Monroe County Championships in May. Goodell is a member of four other AGR teams because of her ability to clear hurdles with speed.

Her best high jump of the season was 5-feet-5.25 inches during a pentathlon competition at the Section V Class A state qualifier.

Paige Harding, Indoor Track and Field Athlete of the Year

Why Harding was the Girls Indoor Track and Field Athlete of the Year: Harding, who was slowed by an injury last school year, rebounded to a runner-up finish at the indoor track state championships.

There were four girls in the state who jumped 12 feet or higher during the indoor season, including Harding, who cleared 12 feet Feb. 6 at Rochester Institute of Technology.

She plans to attend Attend Slippery Rock University (Pa.), double majoring in biology and exercise science, and will also be on the indoor/outdoor track and field team.

Mallory Heise, Basketball Player of the Year

Why Heise was Player of the Year: The reigning All-Greater Rochester Player of the Year, Heise somehow improved in 2024-25. After leading Hilton to the Section V title and a NYSPHSAA finals appearance during the 2023-24 season, Heise pushed the Cadets to 18 straight wins to start this season, helping her team earn the No. 1 overall seed in a deep Class AA division.

In the process, Heise set numerous program records at Hilton, including career (2,140 points) season (702) single-game (43) scoring, 3s in a game (nine), 3s in a season (101), and 3s in a career (226). Heise’s career total is 14th all-time in Section V history and fifth among girls players from Monroe County.

An all-around player, Heise also averaged 10 rebounds, four assists and three steals per game.

“Mallory’s success is a testament to her approach,” Hilton coach Dave Heise said. “I have never played with or coached anyone with her work ethic. There’s an intent and purpose to every rep, every drill, every game. She’s helped her teammates and our program build that mindset. Her legacy will always be that hard work and humility matter.”

Of the 48 Section V coaches who submitted All-Greater Rochester ballots, 28 selected the Hilton senior as their top player. No other player received more than three nominations.

The Hilton senior plans to attend St. Bonaventure University and play Division I basketball.

Meredith Hogan, Swimmer of the Year

Why Hogan was Swimmer of the Year: Hogan has been one of the area’s fastest swimmers her entire career, and proved to be Section V’s best as a senior. The Victor star will graduate with 10 Section V Class A championships, repeating as the queen of the 200-yard freestyle and 100-yard butterfly when she earned her second Section V Class A Swimmer of the Meet honor last fall.

Hogan concluded her career with a pair of podium appearances in those same events at the NYSPHSAA championships. Prior to Hogan’s individual section titles, she swam legs on multiple Section V championship relays: the 200-yard freestyle relay (thrice), 200-yard medley relay (twice) and the 400-yard freestyle relay. She will continue to swim at Division I Binghamton.

Destiny Jodoin, Golfer of the Year

Why Jodoin was Golfer of the Year: Jodoin won the most important tournament played during the fall, the Section V Championship. The three-time AGR team member won by eight strokes at Country Club of Rochester, including a four strokes over par 76 on the second and final day. The Victor junior tied for second at Monroe County Tournament of Champions, one stroke off the lead at Monroe Golf Club. She finished the season with the best nine-hole average over par in Section V, 2.4.

Jenna Lawrence, Nordic Skier of the Year

Why Lawrence was the Skier of the Year: The Honeoye Falls-Lima junior finished second this winter at the New York state championships.

Lindsay Lenhard, Soccer Player of the Year

Why Lenhard was Player of the Year: No Section V girls soccer program has been consistently dominant to the degree of Spencerport, and Lenhard is a primary reason why.

The midfielder helped the Rangers capture sectional bragging rights in all five of her varsity seasons (including this fall), that also spanned a 59-match unbeaten streak — one of the longest such streaks in New York state history. Her career numbers of 85 goals, 70 assists and 240 total points land her atop Spencerport’s all-time leading scoring list.

New York state’s Class AA player of the year in 2023 as a junior, Lenhard upped her game in last fall as a senior. Despite playing two fewer games, her 29 goals and 86 total points — the latter ranked No. 2 in all of Section V, while playing in a tough Monroe County league — were both improvements from 2023.

With scoring ability came a competitive tenacity and hunger for ball possession that made Lenhard, arguably, Section V’s most difficult mark. In addition to her selection as AGR Player of the Year, Lenhard was named first team all-state in Class AA and was Section V’s lone All-American selection by the United Soccer Coaches association.

Addie Morgan, Flag Football Player of the Year

Why Morgan was the Player of the Year: Coaches in Section V gave their votes to Morgan for her consistent production in key moments on both offense and defense. Webster Schroeder, a first-time Section V champion, advanced to the Class B state championship game where the Warriors defeated Tappan Zee 20-14.

Morgan intercepted three passes in the state tournament final, one for a touchdown and another during Tappan Zee’s final drive. Morgan picked off 16 passes this season, 11 during the playoffs.

“It comes down to, you have to practice how you play,” Morgan said after the Section V tournament final. “We practice like a champion, apparently.”

Faith Pasquantonio, Small School Volleyball Player of the Year

Why Pasquantonio was Player of the Year: Junior Faith Pasquantonio’s dominance guided Finney to the program’s first Section V championship since 2017, when her sister, Sarina, played. Their mother, Megan, coaches the Falcons.

Faith Pasquantonio helped Finney avenge losses to Perry and NYS No. 1-ranked York en route to the Section V Class D1 title, and another straight sets win over Elba in the crossover match. Her regional performance, though, may have been the best match of her career. She terminated 28 kills and 10 aces and nearly clinched a trip to states for Finney.

Pasquantonio’s prowess often led to her being the best player on the court, guiding the Falcons (20-5) to regular season wins over eventual Section V Class B champ Aquinas and previously unbeaten Lyons.

Melody Queri, Field Hockey Player of the Year

Why Queri was the Player of the Year: “Beyond her skills and her goals, which were some of the best in (Monroe) county this year, Mel has infectious energy. She leads by example. The whole team is brought to another level by her infectious energy,” Pittsford Sutherland coach Kathy Hutteman said.

Described as an unselfish player, Queri moved from attack to midfield in at least five or six games to help the Sutherland Knights defensively. “It was also a way to throw off our opponents strategically,” Hutteman said.

She scored 27 goals during the season.

Peyton Rothfuss, Lacrosse Player of the Year

Why Rothfuss was Player of the Year: Rothfuss did it all this year for Penfield, helping the Patriots win their first New York state title and sixth Section V title.

The junior was a major piece of the Patriots’ offensive output. An attack, Rothfuss does her best work from behind the cage where she expertly finds a cutting teammate for a goal, or can create scoring opportunities for herself. Her 64 goals and 102 points were the highest totals for the program in at least a decade.

One of Section V’s best in the circle, Rothfuss totaled 166 draw controls this spring, which ranked second in the section.

She was at her best in the biggest games. In the Class A section final against Rush-Henrietta, Rothfuss racked up 12 draw controls to help Penfield dominate possession, and added two goals. In the state semifinals against defending champion Cicero-North Syracuse, was the Penfield’s leader with five goals.

Teegan Sibble, Wrestler of the Year

Why Sibble was the Wrestler of the Year: One of two girls who wrestled in Section V and won a state title at the first girls wrestling state championships, Sibble received almost all of the votes among area coaches for this season’s top wrestler.

Sibble finished with a 12-0 record in girls wrestling. The senior was also a lightweight on the Bolivar-Richburg varsity boys wrestling team and finished as a first team Steuben County league all-star with a 34-6 record. Last season, Sibble won a Section V boys class title and placed third in the 101-pound weight class at the Section V Division II (small schools) boys wrestling state championships qualifier.

Anella Tillman, Bowler of the Year

Why Tillman was Bowler of the Year: Penn Yan’s Anella Tillman separated herself from every other Section V bowler with her consistent play throughout the regular season. The Division I bound bowler averaged an impressive 205.56 pins through 39 games. Tillman was the only girl who carried a pins average above 200, and her 8,017 total pins were 254 more than Section V’s next best regular season score.

A University of Alabama at Birmingham commit, Tillman ended her varsity career on Section V’s Division II composite team at the state tournament. The Penn Yan star rolled a 223-1,080 at states. Tillman also guided the Mustangs to a third-place finish at the Section V Class C championships.

Leyla Tozin, Tennis Player of the Year

Why Tozin was Player of the Year: Unquestionably Section V’s best tennis player this decade, senior Leyla Tozin was an easy choice to win this award for the third time. The Brighton star hasn’t dropped a set, nevertheless a match, to a Section V opponent since 2021. Tozin will graduate with over 100 wins to just nine losses.

Tozin has been Section V’s top performer at the NYSPHSAA tournament. She placed third the last two years and finished fourth in 2022 as a singles player. Tozin has won an astounding 12 Section V championships. The list includes six team bricks, five singles titles and a doubles championship in 2019.

Tozin also guided Brighton (14-2) to their second NYS team tournament this fall after capturing the program’s ninth consecutive Section V team championship. Leyla’s mother, Anna, was also a Brighton tennis star with two Section V singles titles and a third-place finish at states.

Kaili Witherell, Softball Player of the Year

Why Witherell was Player of the Year: Kaili Witherell is the latest pitcher to be honored as the All-Greater Rochester Player of the Year after leading her team to the state championship game. A right-handed senior, Witherell, who also became the third Section V softball player to be named New York Gatorade Player of the Year, guided the Haverling Rams to the program’s first state final. Witherell also won the Section V Class B1 championship, Haverling’s first title since 2016, and pitched a long-awaited win over reigning state champ Wellsville.

A Division I Texas State University commit, Witherell was the clear choice for AGR POY after Section V coaches voted. Witherell ended her career with a 72-13 record in over 556 innings pitched, and a school record 1,108 strikeouts (there are at least eight other Section V pitchers with 1,100 Ks). She ended her career with a .142 OBP after ending the 2025 season with a .144 OBP and 252 strikeouts.

Witherell was just as lethal at the plate. As Haverling’s leadoff hitter, she was 4-for-4 in the state semifinal while helping her cause with a shutout in the circle. Witherell recorded a .532 BA with six doubles, three triples and a home run this spring. Over her five-year career, Witherell registered a .502 BA with 36 doubles, 16 triples and seven homers.



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Rugby legend Alun Wyn Jones appointed Honorary Colonel of 3rd Battalion, The Royal Welsh

King Charles has approved the appointment of former Welsh rugby star Alun Wyn Jones as Honorary Colonel of 3rd Battalion the Royal Welsh. Alun Wyn is the most capped rugby player in history having played for Wales 158 times and 12 times for the British and Irish Lions including captaining the side on their previous tour […]

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King Charles has approved the appointment of former Welsh rugby star Alun Wyn Jones as Honorary Colonel of 3rd Battalion the Royal Welsh.

Alun Wyn is the most capped rugby player in history having played for Wales 158 times and 12 times for the British and Irish Lions including captaining the side on their previous tour to South Africa in 2021.

Colonel of the Regiment, Major General Chris Barry, said: “It is an honour for us to bring into the fold a true Welsh warrior who has served and led the national rugby team of Wales and the British and Irish Lions and the most capped rugby player in history.”

He replaces Brigadier Russ Wardle, the former head of the Army in Wales, in the role and will serve as an ambassador for Wales.

Maj Gen Barry said: “The Regimental Headquarters, on behalf of all ranks of The Royal Welsh, would like to thank the outgoing Honorary Colonel of 3 Royal Welsh, Brigadier Russ Wardle OBE DL, for more than 11 years of outstanding leadership and service to the regimental family. We wish him all the very best for the future.”

Alun Wyn will wear military uniform in the role and is humbled to be appointed, saying: “Having played in our great stadium and seeing the men and women in uniform holding our national flag, it was always a significant and poignant symbol of the history and connection to the military in Wales.

“There was also the iconic Royal Welsh Band serving to provide acoustics in the stadium, which is something that I enjoyed as much as a player as I continue to do now as a fan. 

“My apprehension was borne out of the responsibility felt while wearing the red jersey and all that comes with representing our nation. Learning more about the history of The Royal Welsh, particularly Sir Tasker Watkins, who served in the Welsh Regiment and his heroism and commitment to Wales and Welsh rugby, made it something I couldn’t turn down.

“I’m looking forward to learning more about 3 Royal Welsh and also share my experience of leadership in sport and the experience of leaving one career and moving into another.

“The fact that personnel serving with 3rd Battalion also have day jobs also sparked an awareness that reservists are all around us in civilian life.
 
“Yes, the uniform I’ll wear in this role will be very different to what I’m used to, but one I will be equally proud to wear as any jersey in my playing career and represent 3 Royal Welsh and Wales.”



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City To Review Future of Country Music Festival

New Greenway Planned Along Foley’s Wolf Creek By OBA Staff • July 18, 2025 Foley, Ala. — (OBA) — The City of Foley is moving ahead with plans to expand its pedestrian trail system by adding a new walking path along Wolf Creek. The project, known as the Schreiber Trail, would stretch between the Wilbourne […]

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New Greenway Planned Along Foley’s Wolf Creek

By OBA Staff
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July 18, 2025

Foley, Ala. — (OBA) — The City of Foley is moving ahead with plans to expand its pedestrian trail system by adding a new walking path along Wolf Creek. The project, known as the Schreiber Trail, would stretch between the Wilbourne Antique Rose Trail and North Poplar Street. It will follow the south bank of the creek…



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Review: Giveon’s ‘BELOVED’ unpacks modern romance

If you were planning on protecting your peace, Giveon has other plans. American singer-songwriter Giveon Dezmann Evans dropped his second studio album “BELOVED” on July 11. The 14 tracks give listeners 38 minutes of an emotional rollercoaster by holding a magnifying glass to every phase of getting over a breakup. ‘BELOVED’ also pays homage to […]

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If you were planning on protecting your peace, Giveon has other plans.

American singer-songwriter Giveon Dezmann Evans dropped his second studio album “BELOVED” on July 11. The 14 tracks give listeners 38 minutes of an emotional rollercoaster by holding a magnifying glass to every phase of getting over a breakup.

‘BELOVED’ also pays homage to ‘70s rhythm and blues, which relied heavily on strong instrumentals and soulful vocals. This is for those who’ve lingered on a dead love for too long before moving on.

The intro reflects the recovery stage of a fresh breakup. “MUD” kicks things off with a magical instrumental that continues throughout the entire album. While the music shines in this intro song, the lyrics cannot go unnoticed. “When you tell your story, it means telling everything about me” speaks the same as Fleetwood Mac’s “you’ll never get away from the sound of a woman that loves you.”

This also touches on one of the main themes in the album: the struggle of finding who you are outside of a relationship. It’s not uncommon to feel like the person you are after a breakup is too reflective of your ex. “RATHER BE” dives into the reality of settling out of convenience despite having someone else on your mind. It’s a waste of time, especially when Giveon knows he’d “rather be with you than the other half of someone who’s not even half of you.”

“TWENTIES” is Giveon realizing he spent too much of his youth with someone who was never going to be the right one. He thought he was growing alongside them, when in reality everything he learned to love was just because his partner loved it.

Like he said, though, he “hung onto you ‘cause I didn’t know better, I just felt like time was running out … I was so young and dumb.” For all the 20-somethings, do you also feel the weight of the world? Why is the success of our personal lives judged side by side with the success of our love lives? Sometimes young love strikes in frantic moments, and that’s why we settle for less.

“STRANGERS” shows the grief and anger before realizing it’s time to move on. I’m sure you’ve also found yourself thinking, “how’d we go from I love you, to how you been?” about someone you thought would be in your life forever.

“NUMB” has that same beautiful instrumental and complementary background vocals. It’s about hitting that rock bottom feeling after a breakup, when you think there’s no coming back from the pain. You “don’t even feel, don’t even fight, don’t know the days and I don’t know the nights.” This in combination with the fact that he’s “running out of things I want ever since she took my love” is like twisting the knife. “NUMB” ties up the theme of not knowing who you are outside of a relationship.

“I CAN TELL” flips emotions. It’s a profession of love for someone in a relationship. He knows he can treat them better in every way and “if you let me, I’ma take his place.” This part of the album starts to show toxic themes. “I CAN TELL” is messy and destructive, while “DIAMONDS FOR YOUR PAIN” is emotional and manipulative.

“DIAMONDS FOR YOUR PAIN” is about a connection that just won’t fizz out – because he won’t let it. Giveon uses what this person loves against them to reel them back in. Every time, he’s just going to trade “diamonds for your pain, that’s a beautiful exchange.”

“KEEPER” shows his growth. He’s not the best, but he wants to work for another chance with this person. He’s “tryna be the one that you keep, not just the one who comes back around and drives you crazy.”

“SIX:THIRTY” is just 32 seconds, and I’m a fan of interlude types of songs in albums. It’s a nice buffer between tracks while serving as a palate cleanser in between Giveon’s second chance love story in “KEEPER” and his epiphany in “BACKUP PLAN.”

Now, dare I say “BACKUP PLAN” is the other side of “I CAN TELL” in a way? This is what it’s like to realize your significant other is checked out of the relationship. Giveon said they “used to fight a little longer, now you choose silence over war,” which shows clear as day that things aren’t going to end well.

“BLEEDING” is another ballad about putting someone before you. In a desperate effort to make a connection work, Giveon’s putting the pieces back together of this girl who’s still hung up on her ex, hurting himself in the process. He’s literally bleeding for her love, and it’s not going so well.

Things change in “DON’T LEAVE.” Rather than putting all his energy into someone reluctant to replenish with him, Giveon fights for a strong connection that doesn’t want things to end either.

The theme of being better for someone better continues in “AVALANCHE,” one of my favorites by far. Giveon’s feeling butterflies while realizing this is the only girl he needs; he’s “falling hard, and falling for you” after “long calls, playing songs we both love.” It really is just the simple moments. Music is a love language in itself, of course.

Speaking of love languages, the last track hits on there being more to a relationship than physical attraction. Like Giveon said, there’s the “GOOD BAD UGLY.” He worries about his relationship, wondering if the commitment is still mutual. Even though he’s wondering if it’s time to leave, he remembers being loved through the good, bad and ugly, and how it’s important to reciprocate that.

For his second studio album, Giveon can give himself a pat on the back. He’s placing his name at the top of R&B’s resurgence while fine tuning his own craft along the way. “MUD,” “STRANGERS” and “AVALANCHE” will live on my playlists for a long time, but I can’t not mention leading singles “RATHER BE” and “TWENTIES.” Every track in “BELOVED” has a different take on common storylines in modern romance, from the young and naive to the mature and yearning.



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Yoon Hee-sook, chairman of the People’s Power Innovation Committee, criticized the party’s leadershi..

사진 확대 Yoon Hee-sook, chairman of the People’s Power Innovation Committee, enters the main office of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 17th. [Photo source = Yonhap News] Yoon Hee-sook, chairman of the People’s Power Innovation Committee, criticized the party’s leadership on the 21st, saying, “I think it is very important to express […]

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Yoon Hee-sook, chairman of the People's Power Innovation Committee, enters the main office of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 17th. [Photo source = Yonhap News]
Yoon Hee-sook, chairman of the People’s Power Innovation Committee, enters the main office of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 17th. [Photo source = Yonhap News]

Yoon Hee-sook, chairman of the People’s Power Innovation Committee, criticized the party’s leadership on the 21st, saying, “I think it is very important to express solidarity with Na Yoon Jang-song (Na Kyung-won, Yoon Sang-hyun, Jang Dong-hyuk, and Song Eon-seok), but they are not afraid of the people’s eyes and the people’s evaluation at all.”

Chairman Yoon said on CBS Radio’s ‘Kim Hyun-jung’s News Show’ earlier in the day, “I am very sorry about the will to innovate. I’m very sorry for the two weeks I’ve been feeling,” he said.

“It’s okay to criticize me for protecting Na Yoon-jang-song,” he said. “I don’t see the seriousness of thinking about the innovation plan at all or that there should be some discussions for the future of our party, and how do I hold out before the convention?”pointed out that.

He continued, “I saw him trying to drag his feet by only nitpicking very meaningless. So it’s a daguri (concealment) for the innovation plan, he said. “I even feel that these people (the emergency committee) do not sympathize with any crisis situation in our party at all.”

He said, “I received a letter of appointment on the 9th, and the first reform plan came out on the 10th, and I made and reported the 2nd and 3rd on the 11th. And after that, it was a time for the emergency committee, he explained. “When I went a week later, there was no meaningful discussion at all.”

Yoon Hee-sook, chairman of the People's Power Innovation Committee, holds a press conference at the central headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 16th on reform measures such as human renewal. [Photo source = Yonhap News]
Yoon Hee-sook, chairman of the People’s Power Innovation Committee, holds a press conference at the central headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 16th on reform measures such as human renewal. [Photo source = Yonhap News]

Chairman Yoon said, “We don’t need to apologize anymore. How long are you going to apologize. And martial law was justified.’ These debates are held in the party, and the leadership has not said much about it,” he said. “The ultimate goal is for our party to cut off from the past and cross the sea of impeachment, and there is a flow that continues to connect the past and keep our party in the sea of impeachment.”

He also said, “Isn’t it being named as far-right while Kang Sung and water polo are making remarks. That is the best enemy of our party. So, it was taken with Na Yoon Jang-song, he said. “These are the people who are most in danger of the party right now.”

“If the emergency committee and the medical gun do not show different appearances, it is not a matter of the innovation committee. “This is a problem for the party,” he said, adding, “From the people’s point of view, ‘There (the power of the people) is that the entire lawmaker is a water polo force.”

Regarding the joining of Jeon Han-gil (real name Jeon Yoo-kwan), a former Korean instructor who led the “opposition” to former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment and dismissal, he said, “During the debate, martial law was a decision of saving the country.” Then, what on earth has the leadership disciplined for that?”

He added, “Our party is now caught up in all that paternalism or factionalism and is caught up in such logic as ‘If I discipline these people, the other faction will be more advantageous’ and cannot move forward now.”



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Penn volleyball appoints Tyler Hagstrom as new head coach

Hagstrom was named Patriot League Coach of the Year in 2024 after a historic 13-3 record in the league. By Justin Lee 6 hours ago Tyler Hagstrom was named the new women’s volleyball head coach in an announcement on July 16. (Photo courtesy of Penn Athletics) It’s the start of a new era for Penn […]

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Hagstrom was named Patriot League Coach of the Year in 2024 after a historic 13-3 record in the league.

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Tyler Hagstrom was named the new women’s volleyball head coach in an announcement on July 16. (Photo courtesy of Penn Athletics)

It’s the start of a new era for Penn volleyball.

Nearly a month after former head coach Meredith Schamun’s resignation from the Red and Blue, Tyler Hagstrom has been named the new head coach of the program, Penn Athletics announced Wednesday. Hagstrom previously served as head coach at Bucknell — a position he held since 2020 — with his five years of coaching bringing the Bison volleyball program to new heights.

“Tyler has led winning teams at similar high-academic institutions during his time as a head and assistant coach. Penn volleyball is a team on the rise in the Ivy League, and we are confident that Tyler is the leader to get us to the next step in the program’s evolution,” 1996 College graduate and T. Gibbs Kane, Jr. W‘69 Director of Athletics and Recreation Alanna Wren said in a press release announcing the decision.

Hagstrom’s first full season with the Bison in the fall of 2021 culminated in a 3-13 finish in the Patriot League. However, he would soon go down in program history as the coach with the highest winning percentage. 

In 2022, he brought the Bison to championship contention with an 8-8 finish in the Patriot League, the program’s first non-losing conference record since 2010. Hagstrom continued this streak: for the next two seasons, the Bison contended for the championship title in the Patriot League, finishing 11-5 in 2023 and 13-3 in 2024.

The 13 wins in the 2024 season marked a new program record, with the team also setting records in points, assists, kills, opponent hitting percentage, and digs.

Hagstrom was named Patriot League Coach of the Year in 2024 for setting a .808 winning percentage, the highest in team history. Hagstrom stepped down from the helm with a 59-48 overall record, having coached 10 all-league players, two Patriot League Liberos of the Year, and the Eastern College Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year.

“I am incredibly grateful to Bucknell University for the opportunity to lead the volleyball program over the last five years,” Hagstrom said in a Bucknell annoucement. “From record-setting seasons to developing a strong team culture, I’m so proud of all we’ve accomplished together. The future of Bucknell Volleyball is undeniably bright, and I’ll be cheering them on every step of the way.”





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