Sports

Volleyball announces class of 2029

Published

6 months ago

June 26, 2025

WORCESTER, Mass. – Holy Cross volleyball head coach Matthew Cribbin is thrilled to announce the addition of ten student-athletes that will comprise the class of 2029.

“I am thrilled to announce my first recruiting class to Holy Cross Volleyball,” Cribbin said. “These ten first year student-athletes will immediately make a positive impact on the court as well as in the classroom. They are impressive young women with the potential to join our student-athletes as we pursue excellence in the Patriot League and within their academic endeavors. I am so excited to see what their experiences from across the best clubs in the country can bring to the program. The caliber in the gym rises as we add one of the biggest classes in HCVB history to our ranks as we chase a new era of Crusader Volleyball.”

Take a closer look at the 10 newcomers below:

Adriana Aquino | DS | 5-6 | Hopkinton, Mass. | Hopkinton| Central Massachusetts Juniors

Played four seasons of varsity volleyball with three coming at Hopkinton under head coach Emma Sweetapple.

Team MVP (2024).

TVL MVP (2024).

Two-time TVL all-star (2023, 2024).

Two-time All-State first team (2023, 2024).

Two-time Metrowest All-Star (2023, 2024).

Boston Herald All-Star (2024).

Boston Globe All-Scholastic Honorable Mention (2024).

TVL Champions (2024).

WCAC Champions (2021).

State Championship Runner-up (2021).

Finished her career with 588 kills, 109 service aces and 466 digs.

Played for the Central Massachusetts Juniors under head coach Paul Mccormack.

Was the No. 1 ranked team in New England (2024).

Was class secretary and treasurer in 2021 and 2022.

AP Scholar (2024).

A four-time member of the National Honors Society (2021, 2023, 2024, 2025).

A member of the principals cabinet, hello hillers club and UNITE mentor group.

Biology major with plans to go to medical school and go into emergency or sports medicine.

Coach Cribbin on Adriana Aquino “Adriana is a tenacious defender who brings a ton of energy and intensity to her team. A proven competitor who will help raise the competition level every day.”

Played two seasons of varsity at Archbishop Mitty under head coach Jon Wallace.

Two-time PrepDig Top Watch List (2024, 2025).

Two-time PrepDig Top Performer (2023, 2024).

One-time WCAL conference champions (2023).

Two-time NorCal champions (2023, 2024).

Two-time CIF State Championship Runners-Up (2023, 2024)

Played for the MaxPreps No. 8 women’s volleyball program in the USA (2023).

Also competed for the Encore Volleyball Club under head coach Ali Magner.

Had a NCVA Top-15 finish in the region (2025).

Was asked by Coach Magner to step out of the libero jersey and into the setting role.

Made the honor roll twice.

Pre-Law major at Holy Cross with a career objective of being an attorney.

Coach Cribbin on Savannah Baron: “Savannah brings a championship pedigree to Holy Cross and will help greatly improve our serve receive passing and defense.”

Played four seasons of varsity under head coach Taylor Lamantia.

Two-time team captain (2023, 2024).

Two-time second team All-City (2023, 2024).

Four-time KHSAA All-Academic Award (2021-2024).

Team reached the quarterfinals in 2024.

Earned the MVP in 2024.

Also competed for four years on the varsity track & field team under head coach Leslie Davis.

Three-time team captain (2023-2025).

Central Kentucky Conference Women’s Champion and City Champion in 2023.

Set the school record for the women’s weight throw in 2025.

Earned the Worker Bee award.

Played for 18-1s Nationals Club team under head coach Jenni Morgan.

Was named to the JVA Watchlist (2021-2025), KVCA Watchlist (2021-2025) and AVCA Phenom (2023-2024).

Straight A Honor Roll from (2021-2025).

Part of the Science National Honor Society, FCA, Student Council and Black Student Union.

Plans to major in biology.

Coach Cribbin on Madelyn Blakey: “Madelyn is incredibly athletic with great size that should bring an impressive blocking force to our right side.”

Played four seasons of varsity under head coach Victoria Henson.

Team captain her senior year.

Team MVP (2024).

Team Leadership Award (2024).

Two-time First Team All-District (2023, 2024).

Second Team All-District (2022).

Four-time Academic All-State (2021-2024).

2022 District Champions.

Finished her career with 668 kills and 157 total blocks.

Led Class 5 District 7 in hitting percentage (2024).

Competed for Mavs KC under head coach Kelley Kelley.

Finished Top-10 at Nationals open Division (2024).

Four-time Academic All-State selection (2021-2025).

Made the first honor roll four times (2021-2025).

Earned first place at the Kansas City Invention Convention and Most Patentable (2023).

Excellent Award for Sports Writing (2023).

Political science major at Holy Cross.

Coach Cribbin on Isa Glover: “Isa has one of the best work rates I’ve seen in the middle. She has an everlasting motor that keeps her available at all times and her success at the club level should translate extremely well.”

Played six seasons of varsity under head coach Katie Gallagher.

Two-time team captain her junior and senior year.

Two-time high school state champions (2019, 2024).

Four-time AVCA Phenom List.

AVCA All-American Watch List.

AVCA All-Regional.

Three-time State Semifinalist (2020, 2022, 2023).

Finished her career with 919 kills, 1,595 assists, 947 digs, 85 blocks and 145 aces.

Also played three seasons of beach volleyball under head coach Katie Gallagher.

Competed for the GP 18 ROX club team under head coach Kevin Lopez.

Team captain from 2018-2025.

AAU Open National Champion (2020).

AAU Open Second Place (2021).

Two-time club All-American (2020, 2021).

Prep Volleyball National 17s Setters All-Season Honor (2023-2024).

Prep Dig Volleyball Florida 16 Setters All-Season Honor (2022-2023).

A member of the National Honor Society and Spanish National Honor Society.

Economics major at Holy Cross.

Coach Cribbin on KK Green: “KK is a gamer who thrives in competition. Able to set and attack at a high level, she brings an intensity and competitive side that will serve HCVB almost as well as her versatility!”

Played three and a half seasons of varsity under head coach Hannah Hsieh.

Two-time team sectional champions (2023, 2024).

Also competed for the MOD Volleyball Club under head coach Christopher Steponaitis.

Team finished in third place at UA Nationals 2025.

Made the all-tournament team in UA Nationals 2025.

Undeclared major.

Coach Cribbin on Elizabeth Hall: “Elizabeth brings a consistent presence to our back line. She seems to be always alert and making plays on defense while always keeping a cool head and supporting her teammates. She will instantly help solidify the defense of Holy Cross volleyball.”

Played four seasons of varsity volleyball under head coach Cheryl Weaver.

Named to the All ISL Team (2024).

ISL Champions (2024).

Named to the NEQ 17 Travel All-Tournament Team.

Competed for the Metro Volleyball Club of Washington D.C. under head coach Silivia Johnson.

Earned high honors for three years.

Part of the medical minds and red cross club.

Plans to major in political science with plans to be an attorney.

Coach Cribbin on Kyla Harris: “Kyla brings great power and physicality to the middle, a great armswing and vertical should prove to be a significant weapon for us.”

Competed for four seasons on the varsity team under head coach Preston Yong.

One-time team captain (2024).

Two-time EIL champions (2022, 2023).

Named the EIL Player of the Year in 2022.

Four-time EIL All-League (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024).

Three-time All-NEPSAC (2021, 2023, 2024).

All-NEPSAC Honorable Mention (2022).

2022 Boston Globe and Boston Herald All-Scholastic.

Team made the NEPSAC Class B quarterfinals four-times (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024).

Played three seasons on the varsity tennis program under head coach Lisa Foley.

Earned EIL Honorable Mention honors.

Competed for the Smash Volleyball Club under head coach Andrew Bliss.

Named to the JVA Watch List in 2025.

Inducted into the National Honors Society in 2023.

Part of the Organization of Latin American Students, American Sign Language, Peer Education, PRISM and a senior mentor.

Plans to major in psychology at Holy Cross.

Her parents and her sister graduated from Holy Cross.

Coach Cribbin on Emilia Powderly: “Emi brings a calmness and poise to the setter position, trains very very hard yet makes running the offense seem effortless. She will be a huge asset to the way we train and run our offense.”

Competed for three seasons of varsity under head coach Caitlun Robinson.

Team captain (2024).

Team offensive MVP (2024).

First Team All-District (2023, 2024).

Second Team All-State (2023, 2024).

Academic All-State (2023, 2024).

Honorable Mention All-District (2022).

Team reached the quarterfinals.

Competed for the TAV 18 Black club team under head coach Paul Baxter.

Plans to major in biology at Holy Cross.

Coach Cribbin on Emma Sorensen: “Emma brings 6 rotation experience to The Hill, with no true weaknesses in her position. She blocks and defends very well, plays as a primary passer and can score from both pins as well as back row.”

Competed on varsity for two seasons under head coach LuCinda McCurdy.

Named the Player of the Match twice versus Green Level in 2023 and 2024.

Two-time NAC-VI Academic All-Conference (2024, 2025).

NAC-VI All-Conference Honorable Mention (2024, 2025).

AVCA Girls High School All-Region-Region 3 (2024, 2025).

Two-time Raleigh Sports Club Student-Athlete of the Week (2024, 2025).

Competed for Triange Volleyball Club 18 under head coach Steven Abbott.

Two-time AVCA Phenom Watch List (2022, 2023).

Three-time JVA Watchlist by Fivestar, Class of 2025 (2022, 2023, 2024)

2024 AVCA Class of 2025 All-American Watchlist.

2024 AVCA Girls High School Third Team All-American.

2024 Prep Volleyball All-Region Team – The Atlantic Coast.

Led the team in kills (351) and hitting percentage .204 through April 2025.

Was the Junior class council social media liaison.

A member of the English National Honors Society, Rho Kappa National Honors Society, Mu Alpha Theta National Honors Society and the Science National Honors Society.

Neuroscience, pre-dental major at Holy Cross.

Coach Cribbin on Ava White: “Ava brings a heavy arm and great athleticism to the pin attacker position. She is used to the “go to” role on her teams and rises to the occasion We will look to her to terminate often!”

FOLLOW THE CRUSADERS

Be sure to follow the Holy Cross volleyball team — and all things Crusader Athletics — on social media!

Twitter – @HCrossVB | @goholycross

Instagram – @hcrossvb | @goholycross

Facebook – Holy Cross Volleyball | Holy Cross Athletics

YouTube – GoHolyCross

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Sports

Indy volleyball coach in viral video charged after allegedly sexting a minor

Published

5 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Your Sports Nation

INDIANAPOLIS — A viral video has led to criminal charges against an Indianapolis volleyball coach accused of sending sexually explicit images to someone he believed was a 14-year-old boy.

Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears announced that Levi Garrett, 34, of Danville, faces attempted dissemination of matter harmful to minors, a Level 6 felony, following an independent investigation by the prosecutor’s office.

According to the probable cause affidavit, the charges stem from allegations that on March 2, 2025, Garrett engaged in explicit conversations and sent sexually graphic photos on the dating app Grindr to someone he believed was a minor.

A member of a private online investigative organization used a fake Grindr profile titled “tryna have fun” with a photo portraying themselves as a 14-year-old male named “Josh.” The decoy allegedly engaged with Garrett’s profile, “Hmu & find out.”

During the conversation, court documents show the minor texted Garrett, “U mind if I’m young,” and Garrett replied, “No I don’t mind.” When the decoy told Garrett, “I’m 14 but I down for whatever,” Garrett allegedly “liked” the message and proceeded to send three sexually explicit images, including photos of male genitalia and sexual activity.

The messages also allegedly included language about meeting for sex, with Garrett asking whether the encounter would be “safe or bareback.”

Court records show Garrett initially agreed to meet at a location in Greencastle but later blocked the account.

The case gained widespread attention in August when YouTuber JiDion, who is affiliated with the private investigative group, posted a 26-minute video titled “Volleyball Coach Gets EXPOSED” that has been viewed over 1.2 million times.

In the video, JiDion confronts Garrett at The Academy Volleyball Club located on East 30th Street, showing him screenshots of the alleged text exchanges and explicit photos.

Notably, the video showed several Indianapolis Metropolitan Police officers at the scene during the confrontation. When JiDion urged them to arrest the coach, one officer stated, “I have run into this before. Our prosecutor will not touch this,” a response that was controversial to many of JiDion’s followers.

IMPD later responded to the backlash and clarified that the video lacked important context, noting that a police report was filed at the scene, Garrett was trespassed from the property, and detectives were informed about the allegations.

Following the viral incident, the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office opened a formal investigation into the allegations.

“There are no shortcuts in the investigative process,” Mears said in a statement Monday. “When it comes to crimes against children, justice demands that an independent investigation occur and evidence be properly obtained, so that a case is built that will hold offenders accountable in a court of law.”

According to the affidavit, body camera footage from the incident shows Garrett identifying himself by name and providing his date of birth and phone number to officers, information that matched the Grindr profile under investigation.

Garrett is scheduled to appear for a change of plea hearing on January 27, 2026, at 9 a.m. in Marion County Superior Court.

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Sports

Volleyball Lands Four on CSC Academic All-District Team

Published

5 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Your Sports Nation

GREENWOOD, Ind. – College Sports Communicators (CSC) announced its annual All-District listing on Tuesday, including four Central Michigan Volleyball members.

To qualify, a student-athlete must hold a cumulative grade-point average (GPA) of 3.50, across both undergraduate and graduate courses, if applicable. Athletically, volleyball student-athletes must have either competed in 90% of their team’s contests for the season or started at least 66% of contests.

The list of honorees is below:

Senior Alina Anderson (Rockford, Mich. / Rockford / Ferris State)
Senior Abby Olin (Coopersville, Mich. / Coopersville / Michigan State)
Sophomore Izzy Swiercz (Hudsonville, Mich. / Hudsonville)
Sophomore Grace Thomas (Dublin, Ohio / Dublin Coffman)

Both Anderson and Olin earned the honor for the 2024 season.

For the latest news and updates on CMU Volleyball, follow the team in X (@cmuvolleyball) and on Instagram (@cmuvolleyball).

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Sports

Affidavit reveals AI-generated plan in alleged grooming case against Mesquite pastor’s son and volleyball coach

Published

10 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Your Sports Nation

An arrest affidavit obtained by CBS News Texas reveals more details about what led up to the arrest of a teacher and volleyball coach accused of grooming a teenage girl to have a sexual relationship with her, including the discovery of an AI-generated document outlining manipulation tactics.

Matthan Lough, 32, was arrested on Dec. 10 on a charge of child grooming, a third-degree felony. His father, Kevin Lough, was the senior pastor of the Christian Center of Mesquite, where some of the alleged grooming took place.

The victim and her mother filed a report with Mesquite police about Lough on Oct. 2. According to police, the victim’s mother found out about the relationship earlier that week.

Mesquite police: Grooming began more than two years ago

The affidavit outlines how the case began with an interaction at a party in the spring of 2023.

According to the affidavit, the victim met Lough at her cousin’s graduation party when he approached her while she was playing volleyball. The victim recognized Lough from church, as his wife was the worship leader for their youth group. Lough asked her if she would be interested in joining a club volleyball team he wanted to start at the church.

It was not until the fall of 2024 that Lough held tryouts for the team, and the victim was given a spot, the affidavit said. The victim reported a series of unusual interactions with Lough over the following months in which he shared overly personal details about his life and marriage, then began to make flirty and inappropriate jokes, according to the report.

Lough’s inappropriate behavior escalated further over the summer of 2025, when he started sending the victim explicit messages and discussed committing murders, the affidavit said. Lough also repeatedly made sure the victim knew he was carrying a gun, making her fear for her safety.

In September, the affidavit describes the relationship turning physical. Lough allegedly kissed the victim at a church event. Later that month, he sexually assaulted her twice, the victim told police.

The relationship ended after the victim’s mother discovered the inappropriate messages on the victim’s devices. Her mother then contacted Lough’s wife.

Police said that after the victim filed the report, detectives obtained a search warrant and found an AI-generated document on Lough’s iPad titled “Hypothetical Counter-Influence Plan.” The document outlined phases such as “rebuild her autonomy” and “shift the power dynamic,” and provided guidance on how to achieve success.

Fallout from child grooming case

After the relationship was uncovered, police said Lough’s wife left Texas. Court records show she filed for divorce in October.

Lough’s father also resigned as senior pastor of the Christian Center of Mesquite. In a post on the church’s website, its board said the church would work to seek justice for the victim. It also said the church has “initiated an immediate internal review of all child protection policies, volunteer screening processes, and facility access logs to ensure the absolute safety of every child and youth within our care.”

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2025 NCAA women’s volleyball championship: How to watch, schedule

Published

10 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Dec 16, 2025, 04:41 PM ET

Texas A&M shook up the NCAA women’s volleyball tournament when the No. 3 Aggies upset top-ranked and previously unbeaten Nebraska in their regional final. Now, the Aggies are headed to their first Final Four in program history.

No. 3 Wisconsin, which ousted Texas, another No. 1 seed, on its home court, and No. 1 seeds Kentucky and Pittsburgh join Texas A&M in the national semifinals, which take place Thursday at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri.

The Aggies will take on Pitt in one semifinal, while Wisconsin and Kentucky will face off in the other. Neither Texas A&M nor the Panthers have won a national championship, though Pitt will play in its fifth straight Final Four. Both Wisconsin (2021) and Kentucky (2020) have won one national title.

Here are key facts about the 2025 NCAA Division I women’s volleyball tournament:

What is the remaining schedule?

*All times Eastern

Thursday, Dec. 18

Semifinal: No. 3 Texas A&M vs. No. 1 Pittsburgh – 6:30 p.m. on ESPN

“NCAA Women’s Volleyball Studio Show” – 8:30 p.m. on ESPN

Semifinal: No. 3 Wisconsin vs. No. 1 Kentucky – 9 p.m. on ESPN

Sunday, Dec. 21

“NCAA Women’s Volleyball Preview Show” – 3 p.m. on ABC

Championship – 3:30 p.m. on ABC

How can fans watch?

Fans can catch all of the action in the ESPN App and in the NCAA women’s volleyball streaming hub.

How can fans access more college sports coverage from ESPN?

Check out the ESPN college sports hub page for the latest news, scores, rankings and more.

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Sports

Three Clarkson Volleyball Players Named to CSC Academic All-District List

Published

10 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Seniors Ashley Currier and Marin Hangliter as well as sophomore Olivia Baxter of the Clarkson University Volleyball team have been named to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District® Volleyball team.

The 2025 Academic All-District® Volleyball teams, selected by College Sports Communicators, recognize the nation’s top student-athletes for their combined performances on the court and in the classroom. To be eligible, student-athletes need to be of sophomore standing both athletically and academically, hold a cumulative grade-point average of 3.50 or better, and have participated in 90% of sets or have started at least two-thirds of their respective team’s matches.

Baxter, a sophomore majoring in Chemical Engineering, was a Liberty League Second-Team All-Star thanks to her excellence in the back row. Baxter ranked 22nd nationally in digs per set (5.40 dps) and was 57th nationally in aces per set (0.63 aps).

Currier, a senior majoring in Mechanical Engineering, continued to be relied upon in a variety of roles for the Knights, averaging 7.09 assists, 0.95 kills, 2.50 digs, and 0.61 blocks per set. In a match against University of Rochester she nearly posted an incredibly rare feat, coming up just one kill short of a quadruple double (31 assists, 16 digs, 10 blocks, and 9 kills).

Hangliter, a senior majoring in Environmental Engineering, finished the season averaging 2.62 kills per set, which ranked second on the team. She also was second in the Liberty League in aces per set with 0.64, which placed her 49th nationally in that category.

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Sports

Three Tennessee Volleyball Players Earn CSC Academic All-District Honors

Published

12 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Your Sports Nation

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Three Tennessee volleyball student-athletes College Sports Communicators Academic All-District team, as announced on Tuesday. Caroline Kerr makes the list for the second consecutive year, while Hayden Kubik and Gülce Güçtekin make the list for the first time in their careers.

This marks the first time in program history that three Lady Vols have been named to the Academic All-District Team. In Eve Rackham Watt‘s eight years as head coach, eight total players have earned Academic All-District honors. Tennessee has had two or more players selected to the All-District team now in three seasons, all coming under Rackham Watt.

CSC’s Academic All-America program recognizes the nation’s top student-athletes for their combined performances on the court and in the classroom. Both Kerr and Kubik earned spots on the CSC Academic All-America ballot, which will be announced on January 13, 2026.

Compiling a 3.87 GPA in the Sport Management program, Kerr garnered First Team All-SEC honors after leading the team with 945 assists. Kerr was a key force for a Tennessee attack that finished the season top 15 in both hitting percentage and kills per set. Kerr had 20 matches with 30 or more assists, including tying her career high with 57 against Florida on Oct. 15.

One of the top setters in Tennessee history, Kerr currently ranks sixth all-time in both assists (3,259) and assists per set (10.65). The two-time All-American setter has led the team in assists in each of the last three seasons, eclipsing the 1,000-assist mark in both 2023 & 2024.

Earning her bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies, Kubik had her best offensive season of her career in her final collegiate season. Kubik led the team in kills (390), kills per set (4.19), points (431.0), and points per set (4.63) this season. She had double-digit kills in 24 matches, reaching 20 or more on four occasions.

Kubik also ranked top ten in the conference in both kills per set and points per set in 2025. A stellar defender in the back row, Kubik finished third on the team with 209 digs. The First Team All-SEC selection had seven double-doubles on the campaign, all of which came against conference opponents.

Boasting a 4.00 GPA in Communication Studies, Güçtekin became an important piece to Tennessee’s defensive success. The senior libero led the team in 2025 with 408 digs. Güçtekin finished the season ranking top five in the SEC in both digs and digs per set. She recorded double figure digs in 23 matches, including having 20 or more in six. She set a career-high of 30 digs at Kentucky on Nov. 9, becoming the first Tennessee player to reach 30 or more digs since Yelianoz Torres had 30 against Arkansas on Oct. 20, 2023.

Güçtekin eclipsed 1,000 digs in her career this season, and finishes her collegiate career with 1,293 digs. An all-around player in college, Güçtekin also finished with 423 assists and 117 aces.

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