CHATTANOOGA — For the first time in school history, Chattanooga volleyball will be playing matches in McKenzie Arena later this fall as the Mocs will officially host the 2025 Chattanooga Classic at the Roundhouse from September 4-6, head coach Julie Torbett Thomas announced on Friday.
Built in 1982 and entering its 43rd year of existence, McKenzie Arena has played home to wide variety of events ranging from Chattanooga men’s and women’s basketball games to Taylor Swift concerts to WWE title bouts. The Roundhouse will now officially add Chattanooga volleyball to that list for the first time EVER, as the team’s annual Chattanooga Classic tournament is set to be played under the McKenzie Arena lights later this September.
“Getting the opportunity to play in McKenzie Arena for the first time in school history is a dream come true for our program,” Torbett Thomas said. “This moment represents growth—not just for our team, but for the sport of volleyball as a whole. We are incredibly grateful to Athletic Director Mark Wharton and SWA Laura Herron for their unwavering support and guidance in making this vision a reality.”
A total of seven matches make up the tournament slate for the 2025 Chattanooga Classic, which marks the 18th installment of the tournament all-time. The Mocs will welcome opponents from near and far alike to take part in the momentous weekend for UTC volleyball, as Alabama, Cincinnati, Ohio and Jacksonville State are all set to attend.
“Volleyball is taking the country by storm, and we hope hosting Alabama, Ohio, Cincinnati and Jacksonville State in McKenzie Arena will be a celebration that the entire university, city and surrounding communities will rally behind,” continued Torbett Thomas. “We are so excited!”
The entire weekend’s slate of matches, much like the rest of Chattanooga volleyball’s 2025 home schedule, will be free to attend for the public. All of UTC’s matches in the tournament will also be available to stream via ESPN+.
2025 Chattanooga Classic hosted at McKenzie Arena
Thursday, September 4
6:00 p.m. ET – Cincinnati vs. Ohio
Friday September 5
12:00 p.m. ET – Chattanooga vs. Ohio
3:00 p.m. ET – Cincinnati vs. Jacksonville State
6:00 p.m. ET – Chattanooga vs. Alabama
Saturday, September 6
12:00 p.m. ET – Ohio vs. Jacksonville State
3:00 p.m. ET – Cincinnati vs. Alabama
6:00 p.m. ET – Chattanooga vs. Jacksonville State
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Kansas volleyball’s Jovana Zelenovic has entered the transfer portal following her freshman year at Kansas, as reported by Talia Goodman of On3.
The 6-foot-7 Zelenovic was a key piece for Kansas, helping the school to its first appearance in the Sweet 16 since 2021.
She led the Jayhawks in aces with 46 in the 2025 season. She finished the 2025 season with 375 kills, 123 total blocks and 105 digs.
Zelenovic was named to the All-Big 12 First Team and the Big 12 All Rookie Team. She was also selected to AVCA’s All-Central Region First Team, and was named Freshman of the Year in the central region.
The departure leaves head coach Matt Ulmer and his staff with a big hole to fill on the roster in the offseason.
Perhaps no one is more hyped about the No. 3 Wisconsin Badgers upsetting No. 1 Texas during the 2025 NCAA volleyball tournament than star Carter Booth.
On Sunday, the Badgers unleashed an elite game plan to get a dominant 3-1 win in the Elite Eight over the Longhorns. The victory was the 13th straight win for Wisconsin, which now has a date in the Final Four in Kansas City later this week. After the match, Booth was still amped up during an ESPN interview when she dropped a pretty big F-bomb.
“I refuse to [ expletive] lose,” she said matter-of-factly.
MORE WOMEN’S SPORTS:Caitlin Clark thankfully looks like herself again at Team USA practice
Booth, realizing her error, immediately apologized and kept going. “But I refuse. I refuse! And this team refuses,” she explained. The best part actually isn’t the middle blocker’s unplanned F-bomb. It’s outside hitter Mimi Colyer standing next to Booth. Colyer seemingly appeared stunned at the slip for a millisecond, but jumped in to support her teammate. “Yeah! Yeah!” she hysterically said while nodding in agreement.
LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – After 28 successful seasons of leading the Lincoln Lutheran volleyball program, Sue Ziegler is retiring. The legendary head volleyball coach announced the decision during a team meeting on Monday.
Ziegler is a 6-time state champion (2004, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024) and member of the Nebraska High School Hall of Fame. In 2021, she was recognized as the AVCA National High School Coach of the Year. Ziegler totaled 624 wins over her career, which ranks among the state’s all-time leaders.
Ziegler’s teams reached the NSAA State Tournament 15 times, including each of the last nine years. Prior to the 2024 season, Lincoln Lutheran dedicated its court to the longtime volleyball coach.
Lincoln Lutheran said the search for a new head coach will begin immediately.
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CHICAGO – The Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (MIVA) named Loyola Chicago as the No. 1 favorite in the league’s preseason poll, announced on Monday. Ryan McElligott, Daniel Fabikovic and Aleksandar Sosa tabbed spots on the Preseason All-MIVA Team.
The MIVA Preseason Poll and All-MIVA Team are voted on by the nine MIVA head coaches.
After finishing the 2025 season as the MIVA regular season and tournament champions, the Ramblers claim the top spot with 75 points and five first place votes. MIVA Tournament runner-up Ohio State ranks second and Ball State rounds out the top three.
Senior setter McElligott led both the NCAA and the MIVA in assists in 2025, totaling 1,1016, earning him All-MIVA First Team and All-Tournament Team, and an AVCA All-American Honorable Mention. He added 75 kills, 69 total blocks and 32 service aces.
Fabikovic was a menace on the court last season, starting all 29 matches and seeing action in 105 sets where he contributed 343 kills, the most amongst returning Ramblers. The junior outside hitter tallied 403.5 points during his sophomore campaign which earned him All-MIVA First Team and All-Tournament Team as well as a back-to-back AVCA Second Team All-American nod.
Sosa, a junior transfer from Quincy, was named to the 2025 All-MIVA Second Team after leading the Hawks in points, kills and aces. The opposite finished fifth in the MIVA in kills per set and fourth in points per set and posted double-digit kills in 18 matches, including 15 straight to cap the season.
2026 MIVA Preseason Poll
1. Loyola Chicago – 73 (5)
2. Ohio State – 68 (2)
3. Ball State – 63 (1)
4. Lewis – 57 (1)
5. McKendree – 52
6. Lindenwood – 33
7. Purdue Fort Wayne – 24
8. Northern Kentucky – 19
9. Queens – 16
2026 Preseason All-MIVA Team (alphabetical by team)
The Assistant Athletic Trainer is responsible for assisting the Head Athletic Trainer in maintaining and representing a NCAA Division II athletic program that supports student recruitment and enhances the educational experience and personal growth of the student-athletes. Will cooperate with the Head Athletic Trainer to manage assigned teams and all aspects based on strict adherence to the University’s Department of Intercollegiate Athletics Policies and Procedures. Equally responsible for conducting all activities in accordance with all state and federal regulations, accreditation standards and the University’s policies and procedures, all conference and NCAA regulations consistent with the highest ethical standards.
Position Requirements: The role includes providing coverage for assigned teams during practices and games, as well as overseeing regular treatment and rehabilitation sessions. It also involves assisting other personnel and departments with data collection and problem solving, and participating in departmental activities such as staff meetings, training sessions, orientations, and campus or community events, while being available for representational and public relations duties. Additional responsibilities include supporting the planning and administration of practices and contests to promote successful seasons, assisting with team travel, and facilitating player interactions with Athletic Training, Sports Information, and Compliance staff. The position also requires counseling student-athletes on academic success and responsible citizenship, upholding the highest ethical standards, and adhering to all relevant state and federal regulations, accreditation requirements, and University, conference, and NCAA policies. Other duties may be assigned as needed.
Bachelor’s degree in athletic training or related field
BOC Certified/WV Licensed or eligible to apply
Valid Driver’s license/qualified to operate a passenger vehicle up to 12 or 15 passenger van consistent with university insurance regulations.
Excellent oral and written communication and computer skills required
Outstanding time-management skills with ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment
Excellent communications and interpersonal skills. Able to work effectively with people from global, diverse cultures and different socio-economic and cultural backgrounds
Commitment to the balance of academic and athletic achievement and integration in a small university setting is essential.
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The Mission of Salem University is to prepare global citizens with broad knowledge, marketable professional skills, and the ability to make decisions with integrity.
