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Volleyball Inks a Pair of International Prospects

Story Links LAWRENCE, Kan. – Head coach Matt Ulmer has announced two additions to the Kansas Volleyball program, as international standouts Selena Leban and Aurora Papac have signed with the Jayhawks for the upcoming 2025 season.   Leban is a 6-0 pin hitter from Nova Gorica, Slovenia. She has competed for […]

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LAWRENCE, Kan. – Head coach Matt Ulmer has announced two additions to the Kansas Volleyball program, as international standouts Selena Leban and Aurora Papac have signed with the Jayhawks for the upcoming 2025 season.
 
Leban is a 6-0 pin hitter from Nova Gorica, Slovenia. She has competed for Slovenia on the national stage since 2019, beginning with the U16/U17 European Championship. The European Golden League in 2024 was her 10th competition within the European Volleyball Confederation (CEV). In 42 career CEV matches, Leban has recorded 289 kills, 52 service aces and 32 blocks. She has also competed in the 2020 and 2023 European Cups for her club.

Selena Leban

 

“Selena is extremely talented in every phase of the game, and we are so excited to welcome her to Kansas,” Ulmer said. “She has competed against some of the best competition in the world and has thrived. Beyond that, Selena has a magnetic personality and great sense of humor which makes her a great fit for Kansas Volleyball.”

 

Papac is a 6-4 middle blocker from Požega, Croatia. She is also experienced on the international circuit, having competed for Croatia in the U19 World Championships in 2023, European Championships in 2019, 2022 and 2024 and the U20 MEVZA Qualification in 2024. Papac was chosen as the best middle blocker at MEVZA and at the U19 World Championships in 2023.

Aurora Papac

“Aurora is a great addition to our program, and she comes to Kansas as one of the best blockers in the world for her age,” Ulmer said. “She has a presence at the net that can have a large impact on a match. She has a great combination of length and quickness plus high-level international experience with her national team.”

 

With the additions of Leban and Papac, Kansas has now signed six players since Ulmer was hired in January. The duo joins Logan Bell (Beech Grove, Indiana) as freshmen in the signing class, while Kansas also added transfers Cristin Cline (Oregon), Ryan White (Oregon State) and Audra Wilmes (Washington).

 



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Florida Volleyball Adds Milica Vidacic to 2025 Roster

The opposite hitter from Zrenjanin, Serbia will join the Gators this fall.   GAINESVILLE, Fla. –  A standout opposite hitter from Serbia, Milica Vidačić will join Florida volleyball’s 2025 roster. “Excited and looking forward to having Milica on the team,” said Florida’s Head Coach Ryan Theis. “She has a high level of experience as an […]

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The opposite hitter from Zrenjanin, Serbia will join the Gators this fall.

 

GAINESVILLE, Fla. –  A standout opposite hitter from Serbia, Milica Vidačić will join Florida volleyball’s 2025 roster.

“Excited and looking forward to having Milica on the team,” said Florida’s Head Coach Ryan Theis. “She has a high level of experience as an opposite in international play and has contributed major points to her team.”

The 6’4″ incoming freshman has made significant impact on both the national and club levels, earning numerous MVP accolades. She was named the MVP of the 2024 Serbian Junior Championships after she led her team, TENT OBRENOVAC, to a 3-0 victory against CRVENA ZVEZDA.

She has represented her country at the national level as well, most recently at the U20 European Championships.

Why Vidačić chose the University of Florida

“I chose Florida because I think it’s the right place for me, for my progress and it will give me the opportunity to become the best version of myself. They have serious coaches, conditions for progress, have top players and they play great volleyball. I’m honored to be playing for Florida, it’s a top college. And it’s a great opportunity to show myself in the best light!”

 Milica Vidačić | Zrenjanin, Serbia | 6’4″ | Opposite Hitter

  • Named the best and most promising young volleyball player in the country of Serbia
  • Ranked top-ten best players in the Serbian League
  • 2024 the youngest player at Japan’s VNL
  • Best server of the Serbian League
  • Voted the best scorer at the Balkan Championships
  • Voted MVP of the tournament and best scorer at the Serbian National Championships
  • One of two players to be named Vice-Champion of the State

Vidačić becomes the fifth addition to the Gators 2025 roster:









Name Position Height Hometown Class High School/ Previous School
Jordyn Byrd

 
Outside Hitter 6’4″ Bradenton, Fla. Redshirt Freshman Texas
Aniya Madkin Outside Hitter 6’2″ Clinton, Miss. Redshirt Freshman Arkansas
Dee McMillian Middle Blocker 6’2″ Mansfield, Tex. Freshman Mansfield Lake Ridge
Lily Hayes Defensive Specialist 5’9″ Tampa, Fla. Freshman Berkeley Prep
Milica Vidačić Opposite Hitter 6’4″ Zrenjanin, Serbia Freshman Zrenjaninska Gimnazija

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Stevenson Girls Water Polo Wins Second 3-Peat, 7th State Title Overall

Eventually some team is going to beat Stevenson girls water polo, and for a while Saturday, May 24 in Lincolnshire, it looked like it might be Lyons to do the job.The problem is, Stevenson (36-0) and head coach Jeff Wimer (839-174-3) know how to overcome nearly all situations or problems that may arise.Outscored 3-0 in […]

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Eventually some team is going to beat Stevenson girls water polo, and for a while Saturday, May 24 in Lincolnshire, it looked like it might be Lyons to do the job.
The problem is, Stevenson (36-0) and head coach Jeff Wimer (839-174-3) know how to overcome nearly all situations or problems that may arise.
Outscored 3-0 in the middle quarter and trailing 4-2 entering the fourth quarter of the state championship game might have sunk a number of teams, but not Stevenson.
The Patriots stormed back to…



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Bradford family: Giants in height and volleyball

When the Bradford family walks together on a beach, at an airport, in a restaurant, eyes turn. They aren’t just tall, they’re giants. They aren’t a basketball family — they play volleyball. On Memorial Day, mom, dad, daughter and son were at the beach looking for games. Lee Bradford was a 6-foot-7 middle blocker at […]

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When the Bradford family walks together on a beach, at an airport, in a restaurant, eyes turn. They aren’t just tall, they’re giants. They aren’t a basketball family — they play volleyball. On Memorial Day, mom, dad, daughter and son were at the beach looking for games.

Lee Bradford was a 6-foot-7 middle blocker at Pepperdine in the 1990s. His wife, Sara, is 6-1 and played basketball at Fordham. Their oldest daughter, Carissa, was the 6-2 City Section volleyball player of the year at Granada Hills, played at Tennessee and South Alabama and is now head coach at Bates College.

Their son, Derek, is 6-8, won a CIF title with Royal and now trains with the USA beach volleyball team. Their son, Grayson, is a 6-11 senior at Mira Costa and plays for a state championship on Saturday in Fresno. He’s committed to UCLA.

Even the youngest in the family, 12-year-old daughter Brooke, is 5-10 and headed for volleyball stardom. Talk about good height genes — no giant shoes go unused in this family.

The Bradford volleyball family (left to right).

The Bradford volleyball family (left to right). Derek (6-foot-8), Lee (6-7), Sara (6-1), Brooke (5-10), Carissa (6-2), Grayson (6-11).

(Courtesy Bradford family.)

Dad gave his kids a choice growing up. “I love the sport and offered free private lessons,” he said.

They took him up and the rest is history. Lee has been a teacher at Granada Hills and used to be an assistant coach to Tom Harp. He eventually moved his family to Manhattan Beach after driving to the South Bay for years for club competition.

“We made a really good decision four years ago to go to a high level club program,” he said. “It’s been a great journey.”

At 6 feet 11, Grayson Bradford towers over everyone playing volleyball for Mira Costa. He's headed to UCLA.

At 6 feet 11, Grayson Bradford towers over everyone playing volleyball for Mira Costa. He’s headed to UCLA.

(Steve Galluzzo)

Grayson has been a key player for Mira Costa, which won the Southern Section Division 1 championship, then the Southern California regional championship and play San José Archbishop Mitty in the first state Division 1 boys title match on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. at Fresno City College.

It’s a weekend for championships. The Southern Section baseball will be held Friday and Saturday at Cal State Fullerton and Blair Field in Long Beach.

The Southern Section softball finals are Friday and Saturday in Irvine.

The state track and field championships will be Friday and Saturday at Buchanan High in Clovis (temperatures will hit triple digits). The state tennis championships are Saturday in Fresno.

The City Section softball finals are Saturday at Cal State Northridge.

Tuesday’s Division 1 baseball semifinals produced a shocker. No. 1-seeded Corona, which started the year considered as high school baseball’s version of the Dodgers, was beaten by St. John Bosco 2-0. It was the first high school pitching defeat for Seth Hernandez, who came in 18-0.

St. John Bosco has unleashed a closer extraordinaire in junior Jack Champlin. Last week, in the bottom of the seventh inning with the score tied, Villa Park had the winning run on third and Champlin was brought in to get a strikeout. He threw 2 1/3 hitless relief before the Braves won 5-4 in nine innings.

He was inserted into the game with a 2-0 count, one runner on and one out in the seventh inning against Corona. He walked the first first batter, then got a strikeout and fly out to end the game.

He said of the situation, ““I love it,” he said. “There’s close to 1,000 people and it’s electric. I didn’t feel any pressure, didn’t feel nervous. It’s just fun to compete against all these Power 5 players.”

Jack Champlin of St. John Bosco picked up the save in 2-0 win over Corona.

Jack Champlin of St. John Bosco picked up the save in 2-0 win over Corona.

(Nick Koza)

That kind of closer’s mentality and confidence should help St. John Bosco in Friday’s 7 p.m. Division final against Santa Margarita at Cal State Fullerton. Champlin will gladly take the ball whenever coach Andy Rojo offers it.

“I haven’t had a blown save,” he said.

That’s not the kiss of death. That’s a teenager who wants the ball with the game on the line.





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Hope College Claims MIAA Commissioner’s Cup for the Fifth Year in a Row, 41st Time Overall

Story Links With the competition went down to the final league event of the 2024-25 academic year, Hope College emerged as the winner of the MIAA Commissioner’s Cup for the fifth consecutive time and for a league-record 41st year. Totaling 145.5 points over three athletic seasons, Hope edged runner-up Calvin University by one […]

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With the competition went down to the final league event of the 2024-25 academic year, Hope College emerged as the winner of the MIAA Commissioner’s Cup for the fifth consecutive time and for a league-record 41st year.

Totaling 145.5 points over three athletic seasons, Hope edged runner-up Calvin University by one point in the closest finish since Hope topped Calvin by a one-point margin during the 2009-10 school year.



The MIAA Commissioner’s Cup is awarded based on the cumulative performance of member schools in 18 men’s and women’s league-sponsored sports.




Hope held off Calvin thanks to seven outright regular-season titles, one co-championship and two clutch performances this spring.




In men’s sports, Hope finished as the league champion in football, men’s lacrosse and men’s golf, and co-champion in men’s soccer. In women’s sports, Hope claimed league titles in volleyball, women’s swimming and diving, women’s lacrosse and women’s tennis.




Hope created key late point swings in softball and men’s golf.




In softball, the Flying Dutch swept a doubleheader from Calvin in the regular-season finale on May 3, forcing a three-way tie between Hope, Calvin and Kalamazoo College that garnered each team six points. If Calvin had swept the Flying Dutch, Hope would have finished in sixth place and earned just four points.




In men’s golf, the Flying Dutchmen overcame an early eight-stroke deficit on May 7-8 at Bella Vista Golf Course in Coldwater to win the MIAA Spring Finale and secure an outright league championship that earned nine points. Entering the 36-hole MIAA Spring Finale, Hope
held a 10-stroke lead over Trine University and a 19-stroke lead over Calvin after 72 holes last fall.



Trine placed third in the overall standings with 138 points and was followed by Adrian College and Albion (tied for fourth with 102.5 points apiece), Kalamazoo College (89.5), Alma College (75),
The University of Olivet (60.5) and Saint Mary’s College (34.5).



In men’s sports, Hope topped the MIAA with 73.5 points, followed by Calvin (72), Trine (67.5), Albion (56), Adrian (54), Kalamazoo (45.5), Alma (42) and Olivet (39).




In women’s sports, Hope totaled 72 points, trailing only Calvin (72.5). Trine had the third-most with 70.5, followed by Adrian (48.5), Albion (46.5), Kalamazoo (44), Saint Mary’s (34.5), Alma (33) and Olivet (21.5).



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Seattle Mariners Option Rookie Pitcher to Triple

SEATTLE — One of the Seattle Mariners most impressive rookies saw his first-ever major league stint end Wednesday, just a day after the best start of his career. Starting pitcher Logan Evans was optioned to the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers in a corresponding move to right-handed reliever Jackson Kowar being activated off the 60-day injured list. […]

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Seattle Mariners Option Rookie Pitcher to Triple

SEATTLE — One of the Seattle Mariners most impressive rookies saw his first-ever major league stint end Wednesday, just a day after the best start of his career.

Starting pitcher Logan Evans was optioned to the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers in a corresponding move to right-handed reliever Jackson Kowar being activated off the 60-day injured list.

Evans last pitched in a 9-1 Mariners win against the Washington Nationals on Tuesday. The 23-year-old threw eight innings, struck out four, walked one and allowed one earned run on four hits (one home run). It was the longest outing for a Seattle starting pitcher this season.

Evans was picked in the 12th round of the 2023 MLB Draft and was brought to the big leagues for the first time in his career on April 27 against the Miami Marlins. He earned a win in his debut.

Evans posted a 2.83 ERA and a 3-1 record with 25 strikeouts in 35 innings pitched in his first six major league starts. Two of his last three outings were quality starts.

“It’s always tough,” Mariners manager Dan Wilson said in a pregame interview Wednesday. “Especially after he’s pitched so well and gave us so many strong innings and strong performances. Always a tough thing to do that. … I hope he’s garnered a lot of confidence from what he has done here and all the success that he had and taking that as a foundation to continue to build on.”

Evans made five starts in Triple-A before he was promoted. He has a 3.86 ERA with 23 strikeouts in 25.2 innings pitched across five starts with the Rainiers in 2025.

Evans’ demotion isn’t performance based, but simply due to the structure of the roster. Kowar, who Seattle acquired in a trade with the Atlanta Braves on Dec. 3, 2023, was ready to be activated. Kowar missed all of 2024 and the first two months of this season due to his recovery from Tommy John surgery.

If Evan wasn’t optioned to make room for Kowar, he would have been for starting pitcher Bryce Miller, who will be activated in the Mariners’ current homestand.

Evans’ first big league stint was impressive, and he likely made himself a fixture in Seattle’s future plans.

MARINERS HIGH-A PITCHER RECOGNIZED FOR STELLAR MONTH: Former 2022 draft pick Ashton Izzi received his flowers in a recent story for his torrid start to the season in May. CLICK HERE

MARINERS EXEC EXPLAINS FELNIN CELESTEN’S ABSENCE: Mariners general manager Justin Hollander clarified the top 100 prospect’s status after he missed nearly two weeks of action. CLICK HERE

HERE’S WHEN LOGAN GILBERT WILL MAKE HIS FIRST REHAB START: The 2024 All-Star will begin his rehab assignment after a month spent on the injured list. CLICK HERE

You can also follow Teren Kowatsch on social media on Twitter @Teren_Kowatsch.

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Roller Qualifies for NCAA Championships in Javelin

Story Links COLLEGE STATION, Texas – North Dakota State’s Sam Roller advanced to the NCAA Outdoor Championships in the javelin on Wednesday afternoon, headlining the action for the Bison men’s track & field team at the NCAA West Preliminary Rounds.   Roller (Thompson, N.D.) threw 231-1 (70.43m) on his final […]

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COLLEGE STATION, Texas – North Dakota State’s Sam Roller advanced to the NCAA Outdoor Championships in the javelin on Wednesday afternoon, headlining the action for the Bison men’s track & field team at the NCAA West Preliminary Rounds.
 
Roller (Thompson, N.D.) threw 231-1 (70.43m) on his final attempt, setting a career-best by three feet. He ultimately finished eighth in the meet, with the top 12 finishers earning qualifying spots to the NCAA Championships in Eugene on June 11.
 
Roller became the fifth Bison ever to surpass 70 meters in the javelin.
 
Senior Zack Ramos finished 19th in the shot put with a throw of 60-00.50 (18.30m) – an improvement of 16 places over his seed entering the meet.
 
Bison sophomore Jayden Williams placed 27th in the long jump for his NCAA Prelims debut, posting a mark of 23-11 (7.29m).
 
In the 110m hurdles, Blake Nyenati (13.92) finished 28th, Brooks Turner (13.96) took 32nd, and Brock Johnsen (14.20) was 40th. The trio concludes the season ranked first, second and fourth, respectively, in NDSU history.
 
 
Javelin-to-NCAAs Pipeline
Roller’s NCAA Championships appearance will be the 10th for the North Dakota State men in the javelin over the past 10 seasons.
 



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