LONGVIEW — Tyler middle blocker Kaelyn McLean and Hallsville outside hitter Kaycin Farrell earned third-team honors on the Blue Bell/Texas Sports Writers Association Class 5A All-State Volleyball Team, the organization announced on Sunday.

Lady Lion outside hitter Ja’lee Flores was voted honorable mention.

Lufkin middle blocker  Chesney McCullough was named a first-team middle blocker.

Area honorable mention players were middle blockers Knlee Smith of Marshall, Kylee Fernandez of Hallsville, and Taryn Stiger of Texas High; outside hitters Lily Holzbauer of Whitehouse, and Akira Smallwood of Lufkin; and setter Aleciara Smallwood of Lufkin.

McLean had 489 kills, 215 digs, 111 blocks and eight aces, while Farrell, the District 15-5A Most Valuable Player, had 402 kills, .371 hitting percentage, 302 digs, 68 aces, 50 blocks and 29 assists.

Class 5A Division II champion Cedar Park earned both top superlatives with the release of the Joy Udoye, who has signed to play for Stanford, was named Player of the Year.  Udoye had eye-popping stats of 581 kills, 364 digs, 34 aces and 30 blocks as Cedar Park finished 39-12 overall.

Lori McLaughlin was voted Coach of the Year.

Voting was conducted by TSWA members based on nominations from coaches and media members from around the state.

Blue Bell/Texas Sports Writers Association

Class 5A All-State Volleyball Team

COACH OF THE YEAR: Lori McLaughlin, Cedar Park

PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Joy Udoye, Cedar Park

FIRST TEAM

Middle blockers: Brooklyn Bailey, Highland Park; Sienna Benavides, Cedar Park; Chesney McCullough, Lufkin

Outside hitters: Joy Udoye, Cedar Park; Kaitlyn Hutchins, Lake Belton; Harper Korenek, A&M Consolidated

Setter: Blair Thiebaud, College Station

Libero/Defensive Specialist: Ann Kruz, Cedar Park

SECOND TEAM

Middle Blockers: Rihanna Bryant, Pflugerville Weiss; Aliah Earls, Red Oak; Zandria Johnson, Brownsville Rivera

Outside hitters: Nadiya Shelby, Friendswood; Sarah Floyd, Highland Park; Mya Cheatum, Cedar Park

Setter: Katelyn Hughes, Cedar Park

Libero/Defensive Specialist: Gigi Whann, Highland Park

THIRD TEAM

Middle Blockers: Jacey Owen, Smithson Valley; Kendall Kruesler, New Braunfels; Kaelyn McLean, Tyler

Outside hitters: Kaycin Farrell, Hallsville; Lexi Anderson, Frisco Centennial; Alexis Elsey, Argyle

Setter: Kingsley Minus, New Braunfels

Libero/Defensive Specialist: Berkeley Bates, Smithson Valley

HONORABLE MENTION

Middle Blockers: Ava Wood, Lake Belton; Knlee Smith, Marshall; Haddie Mock, Abilene Wiley; Kylee Fernandez, Hallsville; Emersyn Fink, Frisco Liberty; Taryn Stiger, Texas High; Kaitlyn McCracken, Belton

Outside hitters: Alyssa Todd, Aledo; Ja’lee Flores, Tyler; Lily Holzbauer, Whitehouse; Shaylie Schaefer, New Braunfels; Akira Smallwood, Lufkin; Hannah Baker, Argyle; Danielle Whittier, Prosper Walnut Grove; Kaelee Berkley, Aledo; Jaiden Harris, Frisco Liberty; Zoeh Cereceres, El Paso Chapin

Setter: Madison Bingham, Lake Belton; Aleciara Smallwood, Lufkin; Jill Vinal, A&M Consolidated; Ava Jackson, Pflugerville Weiss; Kyndal Newton, A&M Consolidated; Madison Victoriano, Frisco Centennial; Amelia Albright, Georgetown

Libero/Defensive Specialist: Hayden Jeffers, New Braunfels; Teagan Barnett, Argyle; Haley Nash, College Station; Haley Patton, Friendswood; Ashley Go, Pflugerville Weiss

SALEM, Va. — The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire narrowly fell to #6 Roanoke College with a final team score of 26-15. 

Sloan Welch delivered a commanding performance at 285 pounds, securing a fall over Nicholas Cook in 3:59. This decisive victory contributed six points to the team’s score.

Preston Carlisle was instrumental in maintaining momentum for the Blugolds, securing decisions in both the 165 and 174-pound weight classes. He overcame Cade Parent 7-4 and later defeated Xavier Preston 10-5. Zak McPhee contributed with a 6-0 decision against Vincenzo Corvetto at 184 pounds. Looking ahead, the team will aim to carry this momentum into their upcoming competitions.

Blugold wrestling’s next competition is the Budd Whitehill Duals on Friday, January 9th and Saturday, January 10th in Williamsport, PA.

Follow the Blugolds all season long at Blugolds.com or on our app, Blugold Sports, and on social media on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. 

LONG BEACH, Calif. — Long Beach State Men’s Volleyball closed out day two of the North American Challenge, an eight-match exhibition tournament, with a pair of impressive victories Friday at the Gold Mine. The Beach opened the day with a commanding 3-0 sweep of Calgary (CAN) (25-18, 25-18, 25-15) before closing the night with a 3-1 win over Alberta (CAN) (25-19, 25-27, 25-13, 25-19).

Against Calgary, Long Beach State was in control from start to finish, hitting .372 as a team while limiting the Dinos to a .123 attack percentage. The Beach dominated the net, posting an 11-2 advantage in total team blocks, and sided out efficiently throughout the match, including an 86% rate in the third set to seal the sweep.

Connor Bloom led all players with 10 kills, adding two service aces and four block assists while hitting .333. Braedon Marquardt followed with seven kills on .583 hitting and a match-high seven block assists, anchoring the Beach defense at the net. Daniil Hershtynovich contributed eight kills and three blocks, while Myles Jordan added four kills on .444 hitting.

Setter Island Doty directed the offense with 25 assists as Long Beach State totaled 39 kills on 78 attempts. The Beach also recorded five service aces and held Calgary to just one ace on the night. After pulling away late in the opening set, Long Beach State applied steady pressure in the second before dominating the third, jumping out to an early lead and never looking back.

In their final match of the day against Alberta, Long Beach State continued to attack efficiently, hitting .377 as a team while holding the Golden Bears to a .132 hitting percentage. The Beach again controlled the net, finishing with 17.5 total team blocks compared to Alberta’s 4.0.

Skyler Varga led the way offensively with 15 kills on .440 hitting, scoring key points in transition throughout the match. Hershtynovich remained highly efficient, tallying six kills on eight swings (.750) while contributing on both sides of the ball. Jackson Cryst was a force defensively, recording 12 block assists and one solo block to anchor the Beach front line.

After taking the opening set comfortably, Long Beach State dropped a tightly contested second set. The Beach responded emphatically in the third, hitting .500 while limiting Alberta to just nine kills, and carried that momentum into the fourth set to close out the match behind consistent side-out play and timely blocking. Long Beach State finished the contest with 43 kills and nine service aces.

With the pair of wins, the Beach wrapped up day two of the North American Challenge showcasing depth, efficiency, and physicality at the net, setting a strong tone the close out the international exhibition tournament as they head into regular season competition.

 

 

HONOLULU – The second-ranked University of Hawai’i men’s volleyball team swept NJIT for the second consecutive match Sunday in a non-conference match-up at Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center. Set scores were 25-17, 25-16, 25-17.
 
The Rainbow Warriors (2-0) hardly broke a sweat in the two matches against the Highlanders, winning both in straight sets and did not allow more than 17 points in the six sets. UH hit .517 for the series and totaled 23 team blocks and 11 aces.
 
For the second straight match, Kristian Titriyski led the way with 11 kills, three aces, and four blocks and was the only player on either team to reach double figures in kills in both matches. Adrien Roure added nine kills, hitting .615 while Louis Sakanoko tallied six kills in seven errorless attempts and three blocks in two sets of action.

A little role reversal! 🤌 pic.twitter.com/hpqksX3AOQ

— Hawai’i Men’s Volleyball (@HawaiiMensVB) January 5, 2026

 
The Highlanders (0-2) were led by Andre Aleixo’s nine kils and three blocks. NJIT recorded six team blocks and two aces after being held to zero in both categories on Friday.
 
In Set 1, UH stormed out to an 10-3 lead after a six-point run off of Titriyski’s serve which included a pair of aces. UH doubled up the Highlanders at 18-9 with five unanswered and went on to finish the set with 5.5 blocks in the set in an eight-point victory.
 
The Warriors broke open Set 2 with a 6-1 run for an 18-10 lead. Reserve setter Magnus Hettervik made his UH debut and served his first ace during the run. Hawai’i did not commit an attack error in 18 attempts, hitting .778 with 14 kills, four each by Sakanoko and Roure.
 
In Set 3, Hawai’i turned a three-point lead at 15-12 into a nine-point cushion after a 7-0 run off the serve of Finn Kearney.
 
After the match, the Warriors received their 2025 Big West Championship rings during a post-match ring ceremony.
 
Hawai’i will next host No. 7 Loyola Chicago for a two-match series, Thursday, Jan. 8 and Friday, Jan. 9 at Bankoh Arena. UH will host its annual all-alumni match prior to Friday’s match at 4:00 p.m.

Put a ring on it 💍#WarriorBall26 x #GoBows pic.twitter.com/MAbPacJdUy

— Hawai’i Men’s Volleyball (@HawaiiMensVB) January 5, 2026

 
 

#HawaiiMVB

 
 
 
 

MĀNOA — There were no post-holiday blues for the University of Hawai‘i men’s volleyball team or its loyal supporters.

Hawai‘i’s 2026 campaign, which contains legitimate championship hopes, officially began on Friday evening with a two-match series against the New Jersey Institute of Technology.

Despite Friday’s season opener falling on the day after New Year’s, a turnstile crowd of 5,685 still appeared. And although the Rainbow Warriors have led the country in attendance for eight seasons in a row and counting, UH head coach Charlie Wade was still moved when he looked at the line forming outside of the Stan Sheriff Center half an hour before Friday’s match.

“Just super appreciative to the crowd showing up,” Wade said. “It’s something that we’re never going to take for granted. We’re so appreciative of people taking the time and spending the money to come out here and support us, and we’re doing everything we can to put on a good show and win matches, because that’s why they’re coming. … Getting that many people to come out on opening night, couldn’t be more humbled and appreciative of that kind of support.”

On the floor, the Rainbow Warriors were dominant in both matches despite having less than a week to prepare. The ‘Bows swept the Highlanders 25-11, 25-16, 25-14 on Friday night and 25-17, 25-16, 25-17 on Sunday in front of a turnstile count of 5,267.

New starters Trevell Jordan and Quintin Greenidge adjusted seamlessly for the Rainbow Warriors. Jordan had seven blocks and eight kills while getting the start at middle blocker, while Greenidge had nine digs and five assists in his first weekend as a ‘Bows, filling the void left by ‘Eleu Choy.

“It was electric,” Jordan, a Grand Canyon transfer, said of playing in front of the Stan Sheriff Center crowd. “It blew what I thought it was going to be out. The crowd was crazy. You could just hear how much they are involved in interacting with the game, staying locked in. We didn’t have that at GCU. We did have crowds, but not as impactful as the crowd here.”

Because of the margin of victory in each set, many Rainbow Warrior backups were able to see extended playing time. Players who started multiple matches in 2025 in middle blocker Ofeck Hazan and opposite Finn Kearney ran with the team’s B side. In Sunday’s match, true freshman setter Magnus Hettervik, a native of Norway, made his college debut with three assists and a service ace.

“I don’t think you can ever have too many good players, right? And the top programs all have good players,” Wade said. “The best players want to go play with other good players. … We want guys that want to come in and battle and are confident enough and are good enough players, and they think, ‘I’m going to play. I’m good player. Doesn’t matter, my first year to my fourth year.’ Everybody here knows what they signed up for, right?

“This is the best of the best on a global level. These are the best players in the world at their age group. And that is not hyperbolic. That is a fact. They all signed up for it. Here we go. Let’s try to win as many matches we can. Let’s keep trying to improve and become professionals and Olympians and hopefully win a boatload of matches along the way.”

Following Sunday’s match, the Rainbow Warriors also received their championship rings for their Big West Conference tournament victory.

“Guys come here to win championships. We don’t shy away from it at all. That’s part of the deal,” Wade said. “Everybody loves the idea of playing for championships. Not everybody loves the lifestyle, and it’s a grind. We ask a lot of our guys, so to give them a chance to validate all the hard work that they put in and all the people in front of them have put in, it’s nice to get some validation for all that time and effort.”

Added Hettervik, who was not on the team in 2025 and did not receive a ring: “When I looked at the ring, it was really insane. It pushes me more. I really want to get one for myself.”

For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up here for our free Daily Edition newsletter.

Christian Shimabuku can be reached at christian@alohastatedaily.com.

When it comes to the tri-county’s most dominant sport in the 21st century, the list of contending sports is very short.

But one of the serious contenders on that short list is cross country.

Cross country teams have dominated the tri-county fall landscape ever since this editor has been in his chair. One of the few team state championships that have happened over the last 25 years was provided by a cross country team (2008 Linden boys), and plenty of other squads have finished in the top five at state meets as well. They’ve also won plenty of regional titles and Flint Metro League crowns. Yes, the sports staff knows running 5K races isn’t as glamorous and fan friendly (to some) as maybe going to a Friday football game with a band and cheerleaders adding to the atmosphere, but when it comes to honors cross country is king.

The 2025 Tri-County Top 10 Fall Sports Teams reflects that point. Three cross country teams made the top 10 list and another earned honorable mention status. Of the three that made the top 10, two will be in this final installment of our list.

A couple of other sports that have had successful runs in the 21st century are soccer and cross country. Today’s top four include squads in those sports. But, cross country remains king of the fall sports season.

No. 4 – Fenton boys soccer: What a season it was. It was a season that began with adversity.

Since the end of the Matt Sullivan era, the squad has seen its share of coaches, and there was another coaching change in the fall of 2025. Michael Gilmour took over as the head coach. The season started with two losses in the Tigers’ first three games, making one wonder if the squad could recover from a losing record in 2024. The answer to that question was they 100% could.

The Tigers went on to go unbeaten over their next 10 games (nine wins and one tie). The Tigers were a complete team, dominating on both sides of the pitch. They outscored opponents 59-9 during that run, earning shutout wins in each of the final five wins in that stretch. Wins against Goodrich and Flushing down the stretch earned the Tigers a co-Flint Metro League crown. The only reason it was a co-title had to do with the team that they drew — Brandon. Both of those teams ended up atop the standings.

When the state tourney series began, life got super exciting. The Eagles defeated area rival Linden 5-0 in the opener and then defeated the Goodrich Martians one more time, with a 3-2 shootout victory. The district title match-up was against the fellow co-Metro champs Brandon. In that game, the Tigers won a thrilling 2-1 overtime session against the Blackhawks.

The season wasn’t over. The Tigers hosted the regional tourney and defeated Bay City John Glenn with a 5-1 verdict, setting up a regional championship game against Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood. Unfortunately, that’s when the run ended as the Tigers lost 2-0, the only time Fenton was shutout the entire season. The Tigers final record was 15-4-1. It was a great year.

No. 3 – Fenton boys cross country: This was one of the strangest Flint Metro League seasons in cross country history.

It was a super competitive battle between two tri-county rivals — Fenton and Holly. Both had reason to feel good about the season once it ended.

Fenton won the first jamboree relatively easily (44-89) against the second-place Bronchos. It became evident that the top two teams were going to be the rivals.

The second jamboree saw almost a complete reversal. The Bronchos were healthier and dominated it by beating second-place Fenton 47-71. That meant the final meet was going to decide not only the Flint Metro League champion but which was the Stripes Division champion. It was assumed the same team would win both titles, but that wasn’t what happened.

In the final meet, the Bronchos won the outright Flint Metro League title (55-57) by beating the other 11 teams at the event. However, when taking into account just the six Stripes Division squads, the two teams tied at 37 points. That meant a sixth-man tiebreaker would decide the Stripes portion of the race, and Fenton won it. Therefore the Tigers were not the FML champs, but were the Stripes Division champs.

Fenton followed that meet with their biggest highlight, capturing a Division 2 regional title. The Tigers scored 54 points, winning the regional crown by seven points. The Tigers probably hoped for a slightly better performance at the D2 state meet, but finishing 14th in state was a solid way to end the season.

No. 2 – Linden girls cross country: Look at that, another cross country squad. The Eagles have traditionally been one of those elite teams that make cross country such a dominant sport in the tri-county area, so their inclusion at this point isn’t that much of a shock.

In recent seasons, the three-time defending Metro League champions Goodrich has had a hammerlock on the league title so could anyone be blame when one thought that may be the case in the fall of 2025 as well? Probably not. And after the first Metro jamboree, it looked like Linden may be a strong runner-up, finishing second to Goodrich by a 43-68 margin.

The league race changed at the second jamboree which was hosted at Linden’s home course. The Eagles won it with 46 points to Goodrich’s 62, almost the opposite of the first Metro event. That meant the league champion would be determined at the third league meet. It ended up being a close event between the two leaders, but the Eagles ended up winning not only the Flint Metro League Stripes Division title, but also the outright league championship. It was their first league title since 2015.

The regional meet was also held at Linden’s home course and the Eagles finished second with 57 points, 15 behind regional champion Pinckney, but easily ahead of third-place Marian (101). The top three teams qualify for the state meet. While at Michigan International Speedway, the Eagles finished with a strong ninth-place performance.

No. 1 – Lake Fenton volleyball: The Blue Devils were a team of perseverance this fall. Here they are, at the No. 1 spot. And yet, if this poll was done let’s say two weeks before their regular season was over, the squad didn’t really have that “best area fall sports team vibe.”

One of the team’s first highlights was a home game against Goodrich on the football field, but the Martians actually won that contest in five sets, which meant for most of the Flint Metro League Stars Division season, the Blue Devils were in second place, waiting for that second chance to play Goodrich. When they did it was another five-set match, but this time won by the Blue Devils. The teams ended up tied for the Stars Division title, but the Blue Devils ended up being the division representative in the Flint Metro League championship match for the fourth straight season. This time the Blue Devils played Linden for the title. As had happened each of the previous three seasons, the Blue Devils lost that title match in four sets. Considering the two rivals would probably collide in the district tourney as well, it felt like Lake Fenton’s season would end without a district crown as well.

But, that wasn’t the case at all. The team was led by a prideful senior class that wanted to end their careers with a bang, and they did.

The Blue Devils defeated Corunna in a district opening contest and then faced Linden for the district title match. Lake Fenton swept that match 25-22, 25-22, 26-24 avenging the Metro title defeat.

The next step was regional action. Lake Fenton just kept getting better. The Blue Devils defeated Frankenmuth 25-16, 25-11, 25-19 in the regional semifinal, and then beat rival Goodrich 24-26, 25-19, 25-14, 25-17 to win the regional championship.

That placed the Blue Devils in the Division 2 state quarterfinals against the top-ranked team in the state, Detroit Country Day. The Blue Devils battled hard against Country Day, losing a 25-17, 23-25, 25- 14, 26-24 verdict in what was probably their best season performance despite the loss. The Blue Devils finished with just a 26-16 record, but no tri-county team progressed from day one to the end of the season like they did, creating the most memorable postseason run of the fall. And that helped the Blue Devils earn our No. 1 spot.