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USA Volleyball tabs 3-time Olympic medalist April Ross to head beach coach with LA Games looming | Olympics

USA Volleyball has named three-time Olympic medalist April Ross as head of coaching for the beach national teams, turning to one of the country’s most successful beach volleyball players after the Americans had their first-ever medal shutout in Paris. The national governing body said the southern California native will work to improve the performance of […]

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1 month ago

April 29, 2025

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The national governing body said the southern California native will work to improve the performance of “our top American athletes on the international stage” as it looks ahead to hosting the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

“I’m honored to join USA Volleyball in this new role and look forward to working with our coaches and athletes to continue the legacy of success on the international stage,” Ross said. “I’ve always believed in the power of collaboration, and I’m excited to be part of a team that shares that vision.”

Ross, 42, won a silver medal in London, a bronze in Rio de Janeiro and a gold medal in Tokyo — with three different partners; she also won back-to-back NCAA indoor volleyball titles at Southern California.

“April brings a unique combination of elite-level experience, deep technical knowledge, and a passion for mentoring,” said Sean Scott, director of beach national teams. “She’s competed at the highest levels and understands what it takes to succeed. I’m excited to work alongside her as we continue to build a world-class coaching culture that supports our athletes’ growth and prepares them to win at the highest level.”

The Americans dominated beach volleyball after the sport that was conceived on the coasts of Hawaii and California was added to the Olympic program in 1996, winning seven of the first 14 Olympic gold medals. But the haul has sputtered as the generation that included Ross and three-time gold medalists Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh Jennings aged out.

The U.S. women failed to medal in Paris for the first time since 2000; the American men have not medaled at all since 2008.

USA Volleyball said Ross will be based at the beach volleyball training center in Torrance, California, and work to improve the quality of coaching and training at all levels of the national team program.

“April’s leadership and dedication to the sport are unmatched, and we are thrilled to have her in this new role,” USA Volleyball President and CEO John Speraw said. “She is a true champion and a mentor who understands the value of collaboration and developing the next generation of elite athletes. We are confident that her expertise will continue to elevate U.S. Beach Volleyball on the global stage, especially as we look ahead to LA 2028.”

AP sports: https://apnews.com/sports

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Thomas Worthington, Mount Vernon to play for OHSAA volleyball titles

The Thomas Worthington boys volleyball team advanced to the Division I state final by beating a central Ohio foe May 30 at Wittenberg University. The Cardinals defeated New Albany 25-19, 25-13, 26-24 and will play Cleveland St. Ignatius for the title at noon May 31. St. Ignatius outlasted defending champion Cincinnati St. Xavier 25-27, 25-21, 25-23, […]

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12 seconds ago

May 31, 2025

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The Thomas Worthington boys volleyball team advanced to the Division I state final by beating a central Ohio foe May 30 at Wittenberg University.

The Cardinals defeated New Albany 25-19, 25-13, 26-24 and will play Cleveland St. Ignatius for the title at noon May 31. St. Ignatius outlasted defending champion Cincinnati St. Xavier 25-27, 25-21, 25-23, 16-25, 15-8 in the second semifinal May 30.

Thomas (22-4) is playing in its first state tournament since 1994 and seeking its first championship since 1990.

“To get to the last day of the season is always the goal,” Thomas coach Brian Lawless said. “We’re definitely excited (about) being back (at) Wittenberg (on May 31) and looking forward to competing and (trying) to win the whole thing.”

New Albany (17-9) was playing in its first state tournament.

Thomas played most of the match without senior middle blocker Finn Rubin, who has been dealing with back issues all season and played limited minutes late in the second set. Lawless said Rubin will be available for the final.

J.T. McGuire led Thomas with 16 kills and three digs. Curt Buddie had 11 kills, and Noah May had seven kills and five blocks.

Levi Starinsky led New Albany with 10 kills, 12 digs and two blocks. Yashas Devulapally had eight kills, four blocks and three digs, and Michael Botkin added six kills and three digs.

“Our boys had an unbelievable run,” New Albany coach Dan Baer said. “We put together a season many didn’t think we could. I couldn’t be prouder of these boys. Getting to this point with one senior (in Adam Sutton) is an incredible accomplishment in itself. All credit to Thomas Worthington. They have hitters all over the place and at times we just couldn’t stop their offense.”

Mount Vernon 3, Macedonia Nordonia 0

Mount Vernon will look to win its first state title when it takes on defending champion Cincinnati McNicholas in the Division II final at 3 p.m. May 31 at Wittenberg.

The Yellow Jackets (17-10) advanced by beating Nordonia 25-17, 25-14, 25-19 in a semifinal May 30.

McNicholas defeated Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary 25-19, 25-22, 25-16 in the other semifinal.

Zach Black led Mount Vernon with 11 kills, seven digs and four aces. Hunter Thompson had 11 kills, seven digs and three aces, and Cooper Swanson added five kills, five digs and two aces.

The Yellow Jackets lost in state semifinals in 2019, 2012 and 2010.

(This story has been updated with new information.)

High school sports reporter Frank DiRenna can be reached at fdirenna@dispatch.com and at @DispatchFrank on X.

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Kentucky volleyball’s 2025 non-conference schedule will include entire 2024 Final Four

After leading his squad to the Elite Eight last season, Kentucky volleyball head coach Craig Skinner has put together another challenging schedule in hopes of making an even deeper run in 2025. The program released its non-conference schedule for the upcoming season earlier this week, and it’s loaded with some of the sport’s best teams. […]

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17 minutes ago

May 31, 2025

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After leading his squad to the Elite Eight last season, Kentucky volleyball head coach Craig Skinner has put together another challenging schedule in hopes of making an even deeper run in 2025.

The program released its non-conference schedule for the upcoming season earlier this week, and it’s loaded with some of the sport’s best teams. All four of last season’s Final Four contenders make up Kentucky’s 10-game non-conference slate for the 2025 campaign. That includes Pittsburgh, which beat the Wildcats in the Elite Eight back in December, along with Louisville, Penn State, and Nebraska. Penn State went on to win the national title over Louisville.

Kentucky will face Penn State and Louisville on the road, while the matchups with Pitt and Nebraska will take place in neutral settings at Fort Worth (TX) and Nashville (TN), respectively. The likes of Washington, SMU, and New Hampshire — all NCAA Tournament teams in 2024 — are also on the Wildcats’ non-conference schedule. UK will host Ohio State for its lone exhibition.

This kind of difficulty isn’t anything new to Skinner, though. Kentucky faced a similarly tough slate of non-conference foes last season. It paid off in the long run.

UK battled the likes of Nebraska, Penn State, Purdue, Louisville, and Stanford prior to SEC action, teams all ranked among the nation’s top 10 at the time. The ‘Cats actually lost all of those games, but the early challenges allowed Skinner’s team to find a groove and post a 14-2 record in the SEC, secure another league championship, and earn a 3-seed in the NCAA Tournament. UK finished with an overall record of 23-8.

Kentucky’s SEC schedule was released last month, and like most of the non-conference schedule, times and TV assignments will be announced later this summer.

Kentucky Volleyball 2025 Non-Conference Schedule

DATE	OPPONENT
August 23rd (EXH)	Ohio State
August 30th	@ Lipscomb
August 31st	vs. Nebraska \| Noon ET on ABC (Nashville, TN)
September 5th	@ Penn State
September 6th	vs. New Hampshire (State College, PA)
September 10th	vs. Pittsburgh \| 6:30 p.m. ET on ESPN (Fort Worth, TX)
September 13th	vs. SMU
September 14th	vs. Houston
September 18th	@ Louisville
September 20th	vs. Washington

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Lamar Jackson prepares to shatter NFL salary records as new contract looms on horizon

The Financial Frontier: Lamar Jackson’s Path to Becoming the NFL’s Highest-Paid Athlete In the high-stakes world of the NFL, where talent and strategy collide on the gridiron, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson stands on the cusp of setting a new benchmark in player compensation. The anticipation surrounding Jackson’s impending contract extension is not just a […]

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32 minutes ago

May 31, 2025

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Lamar Jackson prepares to shatter NFL salary records as new contract looms on horizon

The Financial Frontier: Lamar Jackson’s Path to Becoming the NFL’s Highest-Paid Athlete

In the high-stakes world of the NFL, where talent and strategy collide on the gridiron, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson stands on the cusp of setting a new benchmark in player compensation. The anticipation surrounding Jackson’s impending contract extension is not just a matter of personal achievement but a moment that could redefine the financial landscape of the league.

A New Benchmark in the Making

Lamar Jackson, with his electrifying play and undeniable impact on the field, is poised to eclipse the current salary pinnacle held by Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. Prescott’s groundbreaking four-year, $240 million extension, averaging $60 million annually, currently sets the bar. However, Jackson’s trajectory suggests he’s not just aiming to surpass this figure but to shatter expectations and set a new standard for how elite talent is valued in the NFL.

The Calculus of Value

The mechanics behind Jackson’s potential earnings are as intriguing as his dynamic play. Industry insiders and analysts, drawing on historical trends and market dynamics, suggest that Jackson could command an annual salary ranging from $65.5 million to $67 million should he ink a deal this offseason. This projection isn’t merely speculative; it’s grounded in a pattern observed over recent years, where each quarterback resetting the market has secured a deal averaging nearly 10% more than their predecessor.

Timing and Strategy

The timing of Jackson’s contract extension is pivotal. With each passing season, the NFL’s salary cap experiences significant growth, directly influencing player salaries. Jackson, by strategizing the timing of his extension, could leverage this upward trend to his advantage. The longer he waits, the more favorable the financial landscape becomes, potentially propelling his annual earnings even further.

A Vision Beyond the Field

Jackson’s negotiation transcends individual achievement, signaling a shift in how players navigate the business side of the sport. It underscores the importance of timing, market trends, and the leverage elite athletes hold in contract discussions. As Jackson and the Ravens chart a course toward a historic agreement, the implications ripple through the league, setting new precedents for future negotiations.

Reflecting on the Future

As the sports world watches with bated breath, Lamar Jackson’s imminent contract extension is more than a personal milestone; it’s a watershed moment in NFL economics. It challenges existing paradigms and paves the way for future generations of athletes to approach contract negotiations with a blend of strategic acumen and bold vision. Jackson’s journey to becoming the NFL’s highest-paid player is not just about the numbers on a paycheck but about redefining the value of exceptional talent in professional sports.

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Beaver duo earn volleyball honors | Sports

The boys All-Star teams for both the Mid-State League and District 6 Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association were recently released, and a pair of DuBois players were among those honored amongst those squads. DuBois senior outside hitter Ethan Rusnica actually landed on both the league Mid-State League All-Star squad, as well as the First Team on […]

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40 minutes ago

May 31, 2025

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DuBois senior outside hitter Ethan Rusnica actually landed on both the league Mid-State League All-Star squad, as well as the First Team on the Class 2A squad as part of the District 6 Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association teams.

Rusnica was joined on the Mid-State League team by senior teammate Kyan Peck, who was one of two setters to garner honors.

League champion West Shamokin led the way with five Mid-State All-Stars in seniors Bradyn Rogers (middle hitter), Travis Johns (outside hitter) and Jesse Cessna (opposite hitter), junior Aiden Oesterling (setter) and sophomore Anderson Fowler (middle hitter).

Central had four All-Stars in seniors Bryson Brooks (outside hitter) and Hayden Smith (middle hitter) and the junior duo of Christian Heuston (opposite hitter) and Blake Reynolds (libero).

Rounding out the Mid-State squad were Forest Hills seniors Isaac Valko (middle hitter) and Eli Rudnik (opposite hitter) and Bishop Guilfoyle sophomore Brenden Young (setter).

When it came to the Class 2A Coaches Association First Team, Rusnica was joined by host of familiar faces from the league.

West Shamokin, the D-6 2A champs, once again led the way with five selections, with Johns, Rodgers, Oesterling and Fowler all earning double-honors like Rusnica. The lone difference was the Wolves was senior libero Braden Newell landed on the Coaches Association First Team.

Central’s Heuston and Brooks rounded out the Class 2A squad.

The Coaches Association also seleted a First Team in Class 3A, which was comprised of players from Altoona and State College — two schools that play outside the Mid-State League in the regular season. Both schools had four All-Stars.

Selections from State College were seniors Carter Weight (outside hitter) and Deondre Sheffey (middle hitter), junior Derrick Campbell (setter) and sophomore Ty Miller (libero).

Altoona players were garner honors were seniors Lukas Weathersbee (outside hitter), Saturnino Yohn (libero) and Luke Mitchell (middle hitter) and junior Caleb Terza (setter).

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Men’s Water Polo Welcomes Eight New Players in 2025 Class

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49 minutes ago

May 31, 2025

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Santa Clara University’s men’s water polo program is set to enhance its roster with eight incoming freshmen for the 2025 season. This impressive class brings a wealth of talent with diverse backgrounds spanning high school, club, and international play. Head coach Keith Wilbur expressed excitement about their potential, highlighting their work ethic and character. Notable recruits include Ashton Brown, a center from Australia with national championship experience, and Jamie de Zwart, a Texas standout also named state MVP. Together, they aim to bolster the team’s competitiveness in the Western Conference.

By the Numbers

Ashton Brown is a three-time national club champion and top scorer at various levels.
Jamie de Zwart led his high school to a 32-0-1 perfect season and earned state MVP honors.

State of Play

The incoming class is expected to fill critical positions and enhance team dynamics.
Santa Clara aims to compete effectively in the Western Conference, targeting a championship run.

What’s Next

As preparation for the upcoming season begins, these recruits will integrate into training with returning players, setting the stage for competing in a challenging league. Their immediate contributions could play a pivotal role in achieving team goals.

Bottom Line

The addition of these eight freshmen is a strategic move for Santa Clara’s men’s water polo program, underscoring a commitment to enhance talent and competitiveness, positioning the team for potential championship success.

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