App Family,
 
Happy Holidays! I hope you are enjoying quality time with family and friends this holiday season.  
 
We’re excited to have been invited to the JLab Birmingham Bowl. What a tremendous opportunity for our student-athletes and football staff to represent App State on a national stage against Sun Belt rival Georgia Southern!
 

Football Goes Bowling

When the bowl invitation call came, we enthusiastically accepted the opportunity to compete one more time. It is an honor in college football to participate in Bowl Season, and we are excited for our program and our Mountaineer seniors to have the opportunity to compete again this season.
 
We are also looking forward to a promising 2026 season. Earlier this month, Coach Loggains and his staff brought in the highest-rated signing class in App State Football and Sun Belt history. The upcoming January transfer portal is another opportunity to further bolster next year’s roster with future Mountaineers to represent the Black and Gold.
 

Positioning App State Football for Success

App State is recognized as a national brand in college athletics and a leader in alumni and fan support for our programs, specifically football.
 
The landscape of college athletics continues to evolve. App State is prepared and will aggressively be positioned for sustained success.
 
Our football program has historically been one of the most successful programs in the FBS. App State has participated in nine bowl games in the past 11 years and annually leads the Sun Belt Conference in attendance and football ticket revenue.
 
Our fans have been generous to the Mountaineers, and we are grateful. But for us to continue to compete at the highest levels, we must grow our fan support, our fundraising and our revenue generation efforts to provide the football program with the tools and resources to compete.
 

 

Supporting App State Athletics

Expenses in college athletics continue to rise. To reach comprehensive excellence, we need your continued support. Our current donors, new and prospective donors, corporate sponsors, fans and alumni all play a vital role in our comprehensive strategy moving forward.  
 
We need to be more innovative in the creation of new revenue streams through hosting additional events and entertainment experiences.
 
We all must elevate the urgency and execution of our efforts. We will continue to enhance the holistic student-athlete experience while strategically expanding our revenue share and NIL support. Our entire athletics department is committed to accelerating growth while building a sustainable foundation for the future.  
 
Many have asked how you can help move our programs forward. A gift to our sport-specific funds is a direct investment in:

• NIL and Revenue Share: Help us recruit and retain elite student-athletes by strengthening NIL and revenue share support.
• Student-Athlete Experience: Enhance the student-athlete experience including resources that support nutrition, student-athlete development, training and well-being.
• Long-Term Success: Provide competitive resources that allows our programs to sustain success in the Sun Belt and nationally.

Your support – whether through the Yosef Club, tickets, merchandise, sponsorships, student-athlete NIL, concessions or attending any of our events – plays a vital role in the success of our programs. App State Athletics is built on the passion and generosity of App Nation, and we would not be where we are today without you.
 

 

Winter Sports Update

• Coming off three straight SoCon title-winning seasons, Wrestling is off to another strong start with a 31-8 dual win against Duke and competitive showings against No. 10 NC State and No. 20 West Virginia. 
• Men’s Basketball has compiled an 8-6 record that includes exciting wins against regional rivals Charlotte, East Carolina, High Point and Coastal Carolina.
• Women’s Basketball also has a winning record (6-5) with nonconference victories over Western Michigan, Wofford, UNC Asheville and Gardner-Webb.
• In the first meet of the indoor track & field season, the Mountaineer women’s 4×400-meter squad broke a meet record for the first of what could be many records for this year’s track & field teams.

Facilities Progress

• Following the recent East Tower Advanced Planning announcement, a Kidd Brewer Stadium renovation survey will be sent out in the near future. We will be asking App State fans to provide vital feedback as planning progresses.
• Construction on the new Sofield Family Indoor Practice Facility is progressing, including significant grading work to prepare for the larger footprint of the new building.
• Baseball’s new hitting facility extension is currently in the bid process, with construction to commence in 2026.
• The Mildred Southern indoor tennis facility is on pace for completion in April.

There is much to look forward to in 2026 as we close the book on another memorable year in App State Sports.
 
Buy your season and single-game tickets for all ticketed sports at appstatesports.com/tickets. Football season tickets will go on sale in early January.
 
Please join us at the Mountaineer Laughs comedy show on Jan. 16 in downtown Boone, with proceeds going to support App State Athletics.
 
We wish you all a happy and healthy holiday season and a great start to the new year!
 
Go App!

Doug Gillin
Director of Athletics
 

VICTORIA, Tx – Victoria East High School athletics continue to shine following the Christmas break, as senior track sprinter Kiani North officially signed with the University of North Texas to continue her track and field career.

North put pen to paper earlier today, marking the next step in a journey defined by hard work and standout performances on the track.

Victoria East girls track head coach Jennifer Gantt praised North’s talent and growth, calling her a special athlete to watch.

“She is a beautiful runner. She’s got such a beautiful stride, and it’s so fun to watch her compete,” Gantt said. “I know I’m looking forward to the next track season — our last one together. You’re going to see great things from her, but more importantly, I’m excited to see what she can do at the next level. Like he said, the door’s wide open. We’re excited for you.”

For North, the signing represents the payoff of years of dedication and discipline.

“It feels really amazing — like, really rewarding,” North said. “If you work hard to achieve your dreams, you will get it. I’m excited for the new environment, I’m excited for the track meets for sure, and I’m just excited to be a part of this program.”

North will join the Mean Green track and field team as she prepares for her final high school track season at Victoria East.

Special thanks to Titan Media Industries.

Omaha, NEB — League One Volleyball is set to open its second season in January, and LOVB Nebraska enters the year with momentum, experience, and a culture built on connection.

The Nebraska-based squad features a blend of Olympians, national champions, and former Nebraska Cornhuskers, a mix that players say has helped foster strong chemistry both on and off the court.

“They care a lot about impact and significance and connection and relationships,” head coach Suzie Fritz said. “And I cannot speak enough to the phenomenal women that I spend my days with. They are extraordinary.”

That respect for the game — and for each other — is something players believe will translate directly to success during the season.

“I think one thing Susie does well is creating a culture,” former Husker Jordan Larson said. “Obviously, right now we haven’t competed, so the measurement is ourselves. When tension starts to rise, having a great culture and foundation is important to fall back on.”

LOVB Nebraska leaned on that foundation last season, even when challenges arose.

“You take last season, where we had a few bumps in the road,” Larson said. “What really paid off in the end was that we had a healthy culture and were able to perform when it really mattered.”

Players say that culture feels even stronger heading into year two.

“Chemistry always plays a big part, and that starts with what you do off the court,” former Husker Lexi Rodriguez said. “The coaching staff really emphasizes that culture piece, which helps when things aren’t going as well during the season.”

The result, they say, is a team that not only competes well but is also enjoyable to watch.

“Everyone gets along so well,” Rodriguez said. “We’re really just vibing and jiving and having a good time together, and I think it makes us pretty fun to watch.”

LOVB Nebraska opens the season on the road Jan. 7 at Austin. The home opener is scheduled for Jan. 11 against Houston. The team will also play a March matchup at the Heartland Event Center in Grand Island.

The college volleyball world is still stunned by Texas A&M’s utter domination of its championship run through the Final Four and the national title path. One of the top players in the country played a key role in that run and historic season.

Senior Logan Lednicky is an Aggie legacy who had a childhood dream of attending Texas A&M. As she progressed in her volleyball career, that goal shifted to bringing a volleyball title to Aggieland.

The future Aggie Hall of Famer achieved that goal under the tutelage of A&M head coach Jamie Morrison, the 2025 AVCA Coach of the Year, and helped develop her into a professional volleyball player.

2025 All-CIF Girls Volleyball Teams

Player of the Year: Finley Krystkowiak, Torrey Pines

A senior outside hitter, Krystkowiak finished the season with 328 kills, including 20 against Manhattan Beach Mira Costa in the Falcons’ CIF San Diego Section Open Division championship win. She also had 251 digs, 30 blocks and 56 service aces. Torrey Pinse finished the season 38-5, ranked No. 3 in the state and No. 9 in the nation, losing to Santa Ana Mater Dei in the Southern California Regionals. The 6-foot-3 Krystowiak has signed to play at Penn State.

Libero of the Year: Lilia Green Torrey Pines

Coach of the Year: Roni Greenwood-Harper, Scripps Ranch

First team

Name, School, Year

Finley Krystowiak, Torrey Pines, Sr.

Jaycee Mack, Torrey Pines, Jr.

Ashlynn Proctor, Coronado, So.

Madyson McCarthy, Cathedral Catholic, Sr.

Alison Dzieciuch, Cathedral Catholic, Sr.

Bryce Leatherwood, Scripps Ranch, Sr.

Cam Holcomb, San Marcos, Sr.

Alice Burgett, La Jolla Country Day, Jr.

Myah Koster, Bishop’s, Jr.

Second team

Name, School, Year

Emery Gonzales, Torrey Pines, Sr.

Danica Nordlicht, Torrey Pines, Sr.

Jojo Wilson, Cathedral Catholic, Jr.

Nariah Johnson, Santa Fe Christian, Fr.

Avalon Haro, Coronado, Sr.

Max Pheasant, Christian, Sr.

Vivian Roberts, Westview, Sr.

Caitlin Prior, Our Lady of Peace, Sr.

Tatum Epstein, La Jolla Country Day, So.

Havani Embry, Carlsbad, Sr.

Note: Teams selected by Coaches Advisory Committee.

What: Game Eleven 

Who: NM State (7-3, 1-0 CUSA) vs University of the Southwest (4-9, 1-6 RRAC) 

When: Sunday, Dec. 28, 2:00 p.m. MT 

Where: Las Cruces, N.M. – Pan American Center (12,200) 

THE OPENING TIP  

• Coming off an impressive home victory last Sunday to open Conference USA play against Sam Houston, NM State turns its attention to its final non-conference matchup of the season as it welcomes the University of the Southwest to the Pan American Center on Sunday, Dec. 28, at 2 p.m. 

• Sunday’s contest marks just the third all-time meeting between the two programs, with the Aggies holding a 2–0 series advantage. The teams last met a year ago on the same date in Las Cruces, where NM State pulled away for an 85–52 victory. 

PERIMETER LOCKDOWN 

• NM State is one of just five Division I programs to hold opponents under 30.0 percent shooting from three-point range last season and has continued that defensive standard into the current campaign. The Aggies join Tennessee, Montana, Dartmouth and Appalachian State as the only teams in the nation to accomplish the feat in both seasons. NM State currently ranks 50th nationally in three-point percentage defense, limiting opponents to 29.8% from beyond the arc. 

BOOST FROM THE BENCH 

• NM State’s depth once again proved to be a difference-maker, as Elijah Elliott and Jayland Randall delivered impactful performances off the bench to help lift the Aggies in their Conference USA opener against Sam Houston. 

• Elliott matched his season high with 18 points to lead NM State in scoring, marking the second time this season he has finished as the Aggies’ top scorer while coming off the bench. Randall wasn’t far behind, pouring in 16 points for his second-highest total of the season as the duo combined to provide a major spark for the Crimson & White. 

• This marked the second time this season that Elliott and Randall have finished as NM State’s top two scorers while coming off the bench, highlighting the Aggies’ ability to lean on their reserve unit. 

• NM State’s bench overwhelmed Sam Houston, outscoring the Bearkats 46–17. The 46 bench points marked the Aggies’ second-highest reserve output of the season, trailing only their 49-point bench performance against South Alabama. 

PUNCH FROM THE POST 

• Julius Mims delivered strong performances in the last outing against Sam Houston. Mims has been a steady presence all season, averaging 9.3 points and a team-high 7.0 rebounds per game which is also ranked eighth in CUSA. Against the Sam Houston, he flirted with double-double finishing the night with nine points while also leading NM State with nine rebounds. Mims has now led the Aggies in rebounding in six of ten games this season. 

IN THE PAN AM 

• NM State has thrived in front of its home crowd this season, posting a perfect 5-0 record inside the Pan American Center. 

• In home games, the Aggies own a +10.6 scoring margin, shooting 47.5% from the field while holding opponents to just 38.8% shooting. 

• A few Aggies have elevated their play at home, led by Jones, who is averaging 16.6 points per game in the Pan Am. Julius Mims is averaging 11.5 points and 9.0 rebounds while shooting an impressive 67% from the field, and Anthony Wrzeszcz is contributing 10.8 points per game while knocking down shots from beyond the arc at a 48% clip. 

HISTORIC START  

• The Aggies’ 6-0 opening this season marked their best start in more than 50 years. The last NM State team to begin a season this fast was the 1969–70 Final Four team, linking this year’s group to one of the most storied runs in program history. 

SCOUTING THE MUSTANGS 

• University of the Southwest enters Sunday’s matchup with a 4–9 record and arrives in Las Cruces following a 90–66 road loss to Texas A&M–Texarkana. 

• The Mustangs are led by first-year head coach Steven Barker and feature a pair of key contributors in EJ Scroggins and Donovan Holcombe. 

• Scroggins leads the team in both scoring and rebounding, averaging 18.5 points and 6.8 rebounds per game, while Holcombe provides additional production at 11.3 points and 5.7 rebounds per contest. 

For complete coverage of the 2025-26 season NM State Men’s Basketball, visit NMStateSports.com – the official home of Aggie athletics – and follow us on Twitter (@NMStateMBB), Instagram (@NMStateMBB), and like us on Facebook (NMStateMBB).  

++NM State++