KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee volleyball head coach Eve Rackham Watt announced the Lady Vols’ 2025 schedule Wednesday, which includes matches against 11 NCAA Tournament teams and four conference champions from last season.
“We are excited to release the 2025 schedule as we look towards another great year,” Rackham Watt said. “The goal is that we learn about ourselves early on and play a variety of opponents who will prepare us for the conference season. The SEC will be as challenging as ever and will have a new look as we welcome back the SEC Tournament. The team is preparing this summer to compete for a championship this fall.”
The Big Orange’s schedule features 14 home matches, starting with a contest against South Florida on Aug. 29. Lady Vol fans can purchase their season tickets, with general seating prices starting at $50. The reserved seating option is back again this year. Fans interested in those seats, which will be $75, should fill out the interest form, and a member of the Tennessee Athletics Ticket Office will reach out in the coming weeks.
Last year, UT posted a 10-3 record at Food City Center while playing in front of the five largest crowds in program history. Vol Nation shattered the Tennessee volleyball records for total attendance (41,544) and average attendance (3,196) for the second straight season.
The 15-match SEC schedule was announced in April. For the first time in conference history, volleyball will feature programs from all 16 member institutions. Notable changes for this season’s league matchups include playing every team just one time and the return of the SEC Volleyball Championship for the first time since 2005.
Nine teams, including the Lady Vols, from the SEC earned bids to the 2024 NCAA Tournament. Four squads (Florida, Kentucky, Texas, Texas A&M) advanced to the second weekend, with the Wildcats making it to the Elite Eight. Tennessee hosts the Gators and Aggies this season and will go on the road to take on the Longhorns and Kentucky.
Here’s a breakdown of Tennessee’s non-conference opponents:
South Florida // August 29 // Knoxville // 6:30 p.m. The Lady Vols kick off the 2025 campaign with a matchup against the reigning American Athletic Conference regular season champions, the South Florida Bulls. Last season, USF posted a 19-10 record, going 14-2 in conference play, and defeated 10th-ranked Florida in five sets in Gainesville. The Bulls return 2024 AAC Player of the Year and AVCA All-American outside hitter Maria Clara Andrade, who tallied 453 kills, 507 points, 4.69 points and 4.19 kills per set. Tennessee is 2-0 all time against the Bulls, but the two teams haven’t met on the court since 1989.
Purdue // August 31 // Nashville, Tenn. (Bridgestone Arena) As previously announced, the Big Orange and Purdue will faceoff in Nashville at Bridgestone Arena on the opening weekend of the volleyball season as part of the Broadway Block Party. The triple-header event features three SEC teams taking on three Big Ten foes. The Boilermakers are coming off a 27-7 campaign that saw them advance to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament and a No. 8 AVCA final ranking. Purdue returns 2024 Second Team All-Big Ten setter Taylor Anderson, who ranked eighth nationally in assists per set (11.25) and guided the team to its third-highest hitting percentage in single-season history (.280). The contest will be televised nationally on ESPN2.
Wofford // September 4 // Knoxville // 6:30 p.m. The two-time reigning SoCon Tournament Champions put together a 23-9 campaign in 2024, earning a bid to the NCAA Tournament. The Terriers return the SoCon Libero of the Year in Laney Klika and All-Freshman Team honoree Bradley Brown. Klika spearheaded a defense that finished fifth in the country in digs per set (18.41) and 26th in opponent hitting percentage (.169). She recorded 614 digs, 142 assists and 30 aces. The Big Orange owns a 2-1 record against the Terriers, with all three meetings coming since 2015.
Samford // September 5 // Knoxville // 1 p.m. The Bulldogs began their 2024 campaign with a five-set victory of Mississippi State and finished with a 15-12 record. The squad is led outside hitter Kaleigh Meritt, a two-time All-SoCon selection and 2023 Freshman of the Year for the league. She boasts 751 kills, 504 digs, 75 blocks and 58 aces after her first two seasons at Samford. This will be the first meeting between the two programs.
Winthrop // September 5 // Knoxville // 7 p.m. Winthrop posted a 16-11 record last year and finished second in the Big South with a 12-2 conference slate. The Eagles earned a second-straight bid to the National Invitational Volleyball Championship (NIVC). The team is led by First Team All-Big South selection Avery Jolley, who is a native of Knoxville and played at West High School just a couple of miles from UT’s campus. As a junior, the outside hitter finished with 320 kills and 263 digs. The Lady Vols own a 4-2 record all time against the Eagles, with the last showdown coming in 2018 – a sweep for UT.
Delaware State // September 13 // Queens, N.Y. // 12 p.m. Delaware State is the reigning MEAC Champions, besting Howard in the championship match to punch its ticket to the NCAA Tournament. The Hornets put together a 17-14 record for the season behind a trio of all-conference players who return in 2025. Outside hitter Gerren Tomlin garnered All-MEAC First Team honors after leading the team with 366 kills, 310 digs and 58 aces. She also brought home the 2024 MEAC Championship MVP award. Hannah Sanders was a second team selection at middle blocker, while setter Paige Ahakuelo was the MEAC Rookie of the Year. Tennessee’s only other meeting with the Hornets came in a sweep in 2015.
St. John’s // September 14 // Queens, N.Y. // 1 p.m. St. John’s played its best volleyball down the stretch of the 2024 campaign, winning eight of its final 11 matches. The Red Storm earned a third-straight NIVC bid, advancing to the Fab Four with wins over Virginia and UConn in the process. The squad finished with a 24-13 record and was led by unanimous All-BIG EAST Team honoree Erin Jones. The right-side hitter and setter earned AVCA All-North Region honors after pacing the team in points (596.5), kills (504), service aces (58), points per set (4.32), kills per set (3.65) and aces per set (0.42) and ranking second with 405 digs and 316 assists. She registered a BIG EAST record 11 triple-doubles along with 13 double-doubles. This will be the first meeting between the Red Storm and Big Orange.
Rider // September 18 // Knoxville // 6:30 p.m. Rider finished third in the MAAC standings last year, tallying a 14-4 conference mark and a 16-17 overall record. The Broncs will be led by a pair of all-conference performers in outside hitter Kiannisha Santiago and middle hitter Molly Rhode. Santiago was a first team pick after recording 350 kills, 144 digs and 101 blocks, while Rhode dominated at the net with 139 rejections – good for 1.28 blocks per set – to go along with 143 kills, 55 digs and 22 aces. This will be the first meeting between the Broncs and Tennessee.
Kennesaw State // September 19 // Knoxville // 6:30 p.m. The Lady Vols round out non-conference play with a match against Kennesaw State, who finished last season with a 14-17 record and a 10-8 mark during its inaugural season in the CUSA. The Owls return first team all-conference selection Manu Johnsen at outside hitter. She had 454 kills and 38 aces as a junior in 2024 and averaged 3.79 kills and 4.33 points per set. Tennessee last played the Owls in 2014, taking the match in four sets.
ST. MARY’S CITY, Md. – Four members of the St. Mary’s College of Maryland volleyball team were honored by the College Sports Communicators (CSC) as members of the CSC Academic All-District® Team, the organization announced in a release Tuesday (Dec. 16).
Senior Julia Bobrowski (California, Md./Leonardtown), juniors Camilla Galeano (Germantown, Md./Damascus) and Lauren Panageotou (Baltimore, Md./Mercy), and sophomore Stella Marrero (Pleasant Prairie, Wis./Christian Life) all earned the award for the 2025 season.
Bobrowski is the lone repeat selection.
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.
The CSC Academic All-America® program separately recognizes volleyball honorees in four divisions — NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, and NAIA.
Outstanding student-athletes are nominated for Academic All-District® recognition by communications directors and must have a minimum 3.50 GPA plus meet high athletic standards.
Bobrowski owns a 3.74 GPA as a sociology major and business administration minor for her second straight Academic All-District award. The 5-6 outside hitter ranked sixth in the United East Conference with 55 service aces and 14th with 0.52 aces per set. She was named to the United East All-Sportsmanship Team (Nov. 24).
Galeano, a computer science major with a 3.87 GPA, tied for 14th in the conference with 42 service aces while tying for 17th with 0.49 aces per set. The 5-4 setter led the Seahawks with 402 assists while registering 20-plus assists five times this season.
A psychology major and educational studies minor, Panageotou boasts a 3.7 GPA. The 5-10 setter was second on the team with 291 assists while adding 101 digs, 12 service aces, and six kills in 30 matches.
Marrero picked up her first Academic All-District award with 3.96 GPA as a neuroscience and psychology double major and biology minor. The 5-7 defensive specialist ranked 10th in the United East with 303 digs while sitting 20th with 2.78 digs per set. She was also second on the team with 45 service aces.
St. Mary’s College (17-15, 8-2 UEC) captured the program’s first-ever conference tournament championship title by taking the 2025 United East tournament crown with a 3-2 road win over top-seeded Penn State Harrisburg. The Seahawks also gained the program’s first-ever berth in the NCAA Division III Women’s Volleyball Tournament.
Wellsboro junior Madison Cruttenden was recently named to the Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association’s, PVCA, Class 2A All-State team.
Cruttenden was one of three NTL and District IV volleyballers (Aryana Andrus and Alli Bailey from Troy) to make the team.
Cruttenden received 536 serves, made 37 assists and had 341 digs this season. She also scored 163 points to go along with 54 aces.
Over the course of her career she has made 1,197 receptions, 56 assists, 784 digs, 407 points (112 aces) and 6 kills.
“This is a well-deserved honor for Maddy,” head coach Darci Pollock said. “She has been a consistent back row player for us the past two seasons. She continues to work hard in the off season. I’m very proud of her work ethic and dedication to the team!”
Cruttenden is the ninth Wellsboro player to earn a spot on the PCVA All-State team. Cruttenden joins Carrie Gorda, Rachel Patt, Hannah Zuchowski, Kirsten Florio, Caitlyn Callahan, Megan Starkweather, Paige Logsdon and Lexi Urena.
All-RRV Volleyball 2025: A golden finish: Trinity Christian Academy’s Pyeatt walks off as state champion and All-RRV Volleyball Co-Offensive Player of the Year | Free
The 118th Millrose Games women’s 3000 meters on Feb. 1, 2026, at the Nike Track & Field Center at The Armory will feature a showdown between NCAA distance running’s top stars Doris Lemngole and Jane Hedengren, along with 2025 runner-up Josette Andrews.
Lemngole, competing for Alabama, holds the NCAA championship and record in the 3000m steeplechase. The Kenya native won the steeplechase at the Lausanne Diamond League and finished fourth at the World Championships before claiming her second straight NCAA cross country title — her fifth NCAA championship overall. The junior received the 2025 Bowerman Award last week, recognizing her as collegiate track and field’s top athlete.
“I am excited and looking forward to competing at the Millrose Games, especially given its prestige and historic significance,” said Lemngole in a release by the meeting this week.. “It is a great opportunity!”
Read More: Julien Alfred Among Sprinters Confirmed For 2025 Millrose Games
Hedengren broke every American high school distance record from 1500m through 5000m before enrolling at BYU. The freshman went unbeaten in cross country until finishing second to Lemngole at nationals, then shattered the NCAA 5000m record with a 14:44.79 clocking in her indoor debut.
Both runners will chase Katelyn Tuohy’s NCAA 3000m record of 8:35.20, established at the 2023 Millrose Games.
Andrews, from Tenafly, N.J., finished sixth in the 5000m at the 2025 World Championships and has top-five showings at World Indoor Championships and the Diamond League Final.
Several Other 118th Millrose Games Confirmations
The World Athletics Indoor Tour Gold meet will also feature Grant Fisher, Cole Hocker, Elle St. Pierre, Jess Hull, Nikki Hiltz, Joe Kovacs, Yared Nuguse, Hobbs Kessler, Cameron Myers, Julien Alfred, Devynne Charlton and Danielle Williams.
Tickets are available at millrosegames.org. More than 85 percent of seats have sold.
DAYTONA BEACH – The Bethune-Cookman Wildcats have officially released their 2026 softball schedule. The schedule includes four in-season tournaments prior to SWAC play along with two separate contests against non-conference foes.
The Wildcats’ season will begin at the USF-Rawlings Classic in Tampa from February 5-7. B-CU will open against Illinois State, followed by matchups with USF, Kansas, Michigan, and Florida.
The Cats’ first game at Sunnyland Park will take place on February 11th against North Dakota State at 5 p.m.
From February 13-15, the Wildcats will be in Leesburg, Florida for THE Spring Games, where they will take on mid-majors LIU, Southern Miss, Loyola Chicago, and St. John’s.
The following weekend, B-CU once again travels to Cathedral City, California for an appearance in the annual Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic (Feb. 19-21), squaring off against Utah, Rutgers, Texas Tech, Oregon State, and Long Beach State.
For their fourth and final in-season tournament, the Wildcats head to Madiera Beach, Florida for the Make It Happen Games. The event takes place from February 27 to March 1 and features Bellarmine, UMass, UIC, Bowling Green, and Monmouth.
The Wildcats’ SWAC schedule begins on Friday, March 6th with a two-game road series against Alabama A&M. B-CU will then finish up their non-conference schedule following a road contest against UNF (March 11).
B-CU welcomes Alabama State for a three-game series on March 13th & 14th. The following weekend (March 20-21), they will travel to play Jackson State before heading back to Sunnyland. The Cats host rival Florida A&M for a three-game set on March 27th and 28th.
The Wildcats travel to Itta Bena, Mississippi to take on the Delta Devils on April 3rd & 4th. Their final three series include rematches of previous series against Jackson State, Alabama State, and Alabama A&M. B-CU will host the Tigers (April 10-11) and the Bulldogs (April 24-25), while traveling to face the Hornets (April 17-18).
The Southeastern Athletic Conference tournament will again compete in Gulfport, Mississippi, and takes place from May 5th to May 9th.
Follow Bethune-Cookman Softball on Twitter (@BCUSoftball) and Instagram (@BCUSoftball) for all of the latest news and updates. For all Bethune-Cookman Athletics news, follow us on Twitter (@BCUAthletics), Instagram (@BCU_Athletics) and BCUathletics.com.
Penn State landed its second commitment in the transfer portal of the day.
The Nittany Lions earned a commitment from outside hitter Whitney Lauenstein.
Lauenstein was previously at Texas and Nebraska before transferring to her third school, Penn State.
Lauenstein adds depth to the right side and outside, which is already pretty deep for the blue and white.
The Waverly, Nebraska, native had her best season in 2022 with the Cornhuskers, totaling 297 kills, with 2.78 kills per set and a .238 hitting percentage. She added 28 aces as a premier server, which could be a major part of her role with the Nittany Lions.
She’ll make her way to Happy Valley as a graduate transfer with one year of eligibility.
MORE VOLLEYBALL COVERAGE
Penn State earned another commitment from the transfer portal.
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