A landmark event took place in the history of Ukrainian beach volleyball: the pair Tetiana Lazarenko and Maryna Hladun reached the quarterfinals of the Women’s European Championship for the first time, defeating the German duo Linda Bock and Louisa Lippmann in the round of 16 match.

At this tournament, Ukraine was represented by three pairs: Lazarenko/Hladun, Yeva Serdiuk/Daria Romaniuk, and Valentyna Davydova/Angelina Khmil. After the group stage, two Ukrainian duos advanced to the playoffs – Lazarenko with Hladun and Davydova with Khmil.

In the round of 16, Lazarenko and Hladun were the first to take the court, facing the German athletes Linda Bock and Louisa Lippmann, who are ranked 54th in the world. The Ukrainians lost the first set 16-21, despite having an early lead. However, in the second set, they managed to turn the game around, winning 21-19.

In the deciding set, trailing 2-5, the Ukrainians made an impressive comeback and finished the match with a score of 15-10, which allowed them to advance to the quarterfinals of the Women’s Euro 2025.

This result is the best ever for Ukraine in the history of women’s beach volleyball at the European Championships. Previously, the highest achievement was reaching the round of 16, which Lazarenko and Hladun also accomplished in 2024. At the previous championship, the Ukrainians won their group but were eliminated in the first playoff round.

Among men, the best result is the bronze medals won in 2023 by the duo of Serhii Popov and Eduard Reznik.

UPDATED: In the round of 16, the pair Valentyna Davydova/Angelina Khmil also competed, facing the two-time European champions from Latvia, Tina Graudina and Anastasija Samoilova. The first set ended with a loss for the Ukrainians 25-27, they won the second 21-16, but in the deciding set they failed to convert five match points and lost 18-20.

Thus, only one Ukrainian pair – Hladun and Lazarenko – will compete in the quarterfinals of Euro 2025 in beach volleyball. Their opponents will be the Dutch Mila Kenink and Raisa Schoon. The match is scheduled for Friday, August 1, at 16:00 Kyiv time.

AMARILLO, Texas (KFDA) – If you missed today’s interviews with Teri Self, Brice Sheets and Allen Roberson on the Sports Drive, you can watch it all here.

Maya Kitchens shares an extended interviews with the Shamrock volleyball team as they prepare for the upcoming season!

Broadcaster Brice Sheets talks with us about excitement for the start of sports this fall, highlights area athletes and more!

60-Minute Drill host Allen Roberson chats with us about his high school football experience with Friday Night Lights, what schools stand out to him and more!

Catch Sports Drive on weekdays at 3 p.m.

Copyright 2025 KFDA. All rights reserved.

A 2019 lawsuit filed by former UK students alleging the school violated Title IX by not providing equal opportunities for women to participate in sports is in the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.

• Six Stephen F. Austin State University athletes filed a lawsuit against the school alleging Title IX discrimination after SFA announced it was axing women’s bowling, beach volleyball and golf.
• A 2019 lawsuit filed by former UK students alleging the school violated Title IX by not providing equal opportunities for women to participate in sports is in the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.
• SFA used the same argument UK is using in its appeal and won. While a case decided in Texas doesn’t have any direct impact on a case in the Sixth Circuit, UK could use the ruling to help its case.

A ruling made in the Eastern District of Texas could have an impact on a yearslong Title IX lawsuit against the University of Kentucky.

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MANSFIELD — — What a night! The Green Team is the official 2025 Adult Sand
Volleyball League Champions.

That squad battled through a fun and competitive season at the YMCA of North Central Ohio.

Adding to the excitement, Dr. Julie Chaya, Health Commissioner at Richland Public Health, was there to hand over the championship trophy.

Organizers would like to offer a huge thanks to her and Richland Public Health for sponsoring the league and helping us make this season happen.

The final night was more than just volleyball — it was a full-on celebration.

There was a live DJ spinning tunes, a photographer (photo album) and videographer (video link) capturing the action, cornhole on the sidelines, and Domino’s Pizza to keep everyone fueled up.

“It was everything we love about sports — community, energy, fun, and connection,” organizers said. “These kinds of leagues make a real impact — not just in fun and fitness, but in bringing people together.

“A big thank you to all the teams and players who joined us this season. Whether you played every week or came out to cheer, you helped create an awesome atmosphere.

“Also, shoutout to the YMCA of North Central Ohio for letting us use their sand courts all season long. We couldn’t have done it without their support.”

What’s Up Next?

 Softball kicks off next week. Registration closes this weekend, and we’ve only got a few spots left — grab yours now.

 Blueberry Festival events are open for sign-up. Join us for the free Home Run Derby and Volleyball Court Royale on Aug. 15 and 16.

 Indoor Volleyball and Indoor Basketball leagues are also now open — come play
with us this October and November.

Register and learn more at www.OhioSocialSports.com.

When the owners of Boombox beach volleyball opened their facility in January, they anticipated it would be big, but not big enough for an Olympic Gold medalist?

“It is just to provide a place for people to come relax, hang out, have fun,” said Lee Chartier, with The Boombox.

It’s six outdoor courts and seventy thousand square feet of sand for eight indoor volleyball courts.

“Introduce beach volleyball to the community, grow the sport that we love,” said Chartier.

The absolute perfect way to introduce beach volleyball to the community is by bringing in 3-time gold and one-time bronze Olympic medalist Kerri Walsh Jennings.

“It’s going to be a great time, oh my gosh, we are going to have music going, it’s going to be hot and sweaty and amazing,” said three-time Olympic gold medalist Kerri Walsh Jennings. 

Walsh Jennings will be doing three clinics, two on Saturday and one on Sunday, through her P1440 foundation.

“P1440 was born out of a love for the game and a deep desire and calling to equip the youth of today to handle whatever is in front of them,” said Walsh-Jennings.

“She’ll be doing clinics for the junior players on the sand and on the hard court, and she’ll be doing clinics with the adults on the sand,” said Chartier.

It’s the opportunity for players to not only get instruction in the sport from one of the best but to also insight into her success on and off the court.

“We will do breath work, we will journal, will have a little vision board session. All these little things that might sound really soft that make you a killer,” said Walsh Jennings.

“We’re very excited for her to come in and we’re happy that the community has embraced this,” said Chartier.

The clinics are open to anyone; however, participants must register.

“We say this is not a clinic, this is an experience and you ‘re going to show up one way and you’re going to leave different,” said Walsh Jennings.

For information about the clinics and to register, visit www.boomboxokc.com or www.p1440.org