Sports

Wamp slams Erlanger's stadium naming deal as 'sad twist'

The day after Erlanger Health and the Chattanooga Lookouts announced a deal with an unspecified dollar amount to name the team’s new stadium Erlanger Park, Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp expressed distaste for the pact. “As feared, it appears the stadium will be a drain on our community’s resources for years to come,” Wamp said […]

Published

1 month ago

May 23, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Wamp slams Erlanger's stadium naming deal as 'sad twist'

“As feared, it appears the stadium will be a drain on our community’s resources for years to come,” Wamp said in a statement circulated Friday morning. “Before I was elected, the Lookouts convinced city leaders to give the team all revenue from naming rights on this publicly owned facility. Now, in a sad twist, our local safety net hospital will be footing the bill for the Lookouts $1 million annual lease payment.”

It’s not clear whether Wamp has inside information about the terms of the naming deal, which have not been made public. The Chattanooga Times Free Press has reached out to his office to ask.

“This sponsorship makes a ton of sense for Erlanger, and we support their leadership and direction fully,” Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly said in a responding statement. “A partnership between two organizations that have been supporting and improving Chattanooga for more than 100 years is something to celebrate.”

Erlanger, the region’s largest employer and largest hospital system, was privatized in 2023, a move shepherded by former County Mayor Jim Coppinger, who also succeeded in putting the plan for a new Lookouts stadium in place before Wamp took office in 2022.

Wamp said the naming rights deal would divert funds from critical health care needs.

“When the county supported Erlanger’s transition to a nonprofit hospital, we didn’t envision multimillion dollar deals for stadium naming rights,” Wamp said. “I am very supportive of Erlanger hospital and its current leadership, but at a time of severe nursing shortages and quality of care concerns, this decision is hard to explain.”

‘NEVER BEEN BETTER’

Erlanger forcefully denied Wamp’s allegation of nursing shortages and low quality care in its own statement Friday, in which CEO Jim Coleman said the naming rights deal would help Erlanger fulfill its mission.

“Erlanger has never been better positioned to continue delivering world-class services to Hamilton County than it is today,” Coleman said in the emailed statement. “Thanks to our amazing team of medical professionals, we have industry-leading retention rates and do not have any nursing shortages. We are proud of our decision to become the naming rights partner of the Lookouts’ incredible new stadium because it allows our system an unparalleled opportunity to reach our community in new and exciting ways in a competitive market. This partnership makes sense, and we look forward to welcoming our entire region to enjoy Erlanger Park next year.”

Officials noted that Erlanger opened 100 new patient beds in the past 18 months and hired over 600 new nurses.

The hospital system will offer employee benefits and health programming at the stadium, Coleman said. Erlanger has been the health care provider at Lookouts home games for the past decade.

The Lookouts’ rent payment, which team leaders have described as the highest ever in minor league baseball, will contribute a small fraction to the $115 million publicly funded stadium under construction in the South Broad District.

The Lookouts will contribute $30 million in rent over the 30-year lease in addition to $19 million in cash up front through private loans, said Austin Cantrell, vice president with Bridge Public Affairs, which represents the stadium development. The loans will be paid back with the city’s portion of property tax revenue generated from development in the South Broad District.

The bulk of the funds for the stadium will come from $80 million of bonds to be paid back with city and county tax revenue, including additional sales and property tax revenue generated by the stadium within a 470-acre special tax district around the venue.

Wamp has criticized the public funding for the stadium for years. He told the Hamilton County Commission at a budget meeting earlier this week that the city and county may have to fill an annual debt financing gap up to $1.5 million with taxpayer revenue.

Though the terms of the naming rights deal are not public information, Erlanger is now the stadium development’s biggest partner, said Jason Freier, managing owner of the Lookouts.

Erlanger made sense as another familiar Chattanooga brand that’s been around for more than a century, he said.

“Size certainly doesn’t hurt,” Freier said in an interview. “At the end of the day, it’s about what the institutions stand for. Erlanger stands for health, it stands for wellness, it stands for serving the community.”

‘A NATURAL FIT’

Lookouts President Rich Mozingo defended the naming rights partnership as a sensible match for both brands.

“The Lookouts could not be more proud to partner with such an esteemed and impactful local institution as Erlanger, which is not only the largest employer in our county but is also our region’s biggest advocate for healthy lifestyles,” Mozingo said in a statement responding to Wamp on Friday. “This is a natural fit for so many reasons, not least of which is that both of our institutions have played major roles in making Hamilton County such a great place to live and raise a family for over 100 years.”

Multiple minor league baseball stadiums are named for large health care companies, including the recently opened Covenant Health Park in Knoxville and Parkview Field in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The Fort Wayne Tincaps are owned by Atlanta-based Hardball Capital, which owns the Lookouts.

(SIGN UP: Get the weekly politics newsletter, “Open Door,” in your email box by going to timesfreepress.com/opendoor)

The stadium is designed to be the centerpiece of a much larger development at the former U.S. Pipe/Wheland Foundry site owned by Perimeter Properties. Champions of the project expect it will spur more than $1 billion in surrounding developments, including apartments, office space and retail.

It’s a model that has worked for the Fort Wayne Tincaps and Columbia Fireflies, the two other minor league teams owned by Hardball Capital, Freier said.

“We are extremely confident that this is going to have the desired impact and that it’s going to happen relatively quickly,” Freier, CEO of Hardball Capital, said in an interview. “They were only coming if the ballpark was being built. They weren’t building 300 apartments overlooking a brownfield site with no ballpark.”

The Lookouts, a Double-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds, expect to move into the new stadium for the 2026 season.

Freier and other team leaders have long said the new stadium is necessary to keep the Lookouts in Chattanooga, as AT&T Field downtown no longer meets standards set by Major League Baseball.

Contact Daniel Dassow at ddassow@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6318.

Sports

Another Successful Rebuilding Day | News

Published

35 minutes ago

June 26, 2025

Your Sports Nation

As the 2025 Rebuilding Day is now in the books it’s time to plan for 2026. Starting in July, applications will be available for the 2026 Rebuilding Day. We are encouraging churches, community organizations, friends, contractors, retailers, and just plain concerned neighbors to recommend those homeowners in need to apply for Rebuilding Day. The process in selecting recipients starts with vetting ownership of the property and evaluation of finances. In November, the Home Selection Committee will visit the sites and evaluate our ability to consider the needed repairs based on our ability to undertake the scope of repairs given our budget at the time, as well as a point score including all factors involved.

In January, notifications will go out to the homeowners. The selection of contractor House Captains will begin as well as Volunteer Coordinators. These people are essential, as they will be the point people between the homeowners and the volunteers. House Captains will schedule time with the homeowner and visit to confirm the extent of the repairs needed and confirm their budget. They will recruit tradespeople, some from their own crews. Volunteer Coordinators supervise the non- trade volunteers that are assigned to them whose jobs include interior cleaning, yard cleanup and some painting. The Rebuilding Together team oversees all the goings on and makes sure all is on track. Diane Davis, who oversees headquarters with a small army of helpers. “Diane’s Army” takes care of volunteer check-in, making breakfast and lunches, writing thank you notes to be included in the lunches and so many more things. Thanks go out to “Diane’s Army”. Now you have a peek at what it takes to put on April’s event and why we must get an early start.

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Sports

Team USA Wins Historic Silver Medal, Ryder Dodd Named MVP

UCLA WATER POLO UCLA WATER POLO ZAGREB, Croatia — Freshman Ryder Dodd was named the Best Player at the World Aquatics U20 World Championship after leading Team USA to a second-place finish, the highest finish ever for a USA Men’s National Team in World Championship play at any age group. Ryder Dodd Named Best Player at […]

Published

2 hours ago

June 26, 2025

Your Sports Nation

ZAGREB, Croatia — Freshman Ryder Dodd was named the Best Player at the World Aquatics U20 World Championship after leading Team USA to a second-place finish, the highest finish ever for a USA Men’s National Team in World Championship play at any age group.

Ryder Dodd 2025 U20 Junior World Championship MVP — Ryder Dodd Named Best Player at U20 World Championship.

The Americans lost to Spain, 14-11, in the gold medal match. Ryan Ohl scored three goals to lead Team USA in the finals, but the Bruins’ four representatives scored seven of the 11 goals with Dodd scoring twice. UCLA freshman Bode Brinkema and sophomore Ben Liechty also scored a pair of goals in the finals while freshman Peter Castillo scored once.

Team USA battled back from an 0-2 start in Zagreb to reach the final, claiming wins over Montenegro, Iran, Serbia and Hungary. All matches were streamed live and are available on-demand on the World Aquatics YouTube. Live statistics were recorded for every match from MicroPlus Timing Services.

Spain jumped out to a 3-1 lead at the end of the first period. Dodd opened the scoring for the Americans to tie it at 1-1, but Spain answered with two consecutive goals to hold the edge going to the second. Spain looked to keep it rolling in the second quarter as they scored first for a 4-1 lead. That lit a fire under Team USA as their offense mounted a major charge. Castillo hit on a power play strike followed by an Ohl goal and a Dodd score for a tie game at 4-4 with 5:55 to go in the half. Spain stopped the run with a goal moments later but Team USA remain undaunted. They ripped off three more in a row for a six-goal explosion to build a 7-5 lead at the break, with Brinkema, Liechty and Ohl found the back of the net during the run.

Ohl scored in the opening two minutes of the third to extend the lead to three at 8-5, but then it was Spain turning the tables. Spain connected for three in a row and tied the game at 8-8 with play moving to the fourth quarter. The two teams traded goals back and forth in the early stages of the final period. Brinkema hit for a penalty to put Team USA back ahead early at 9-8, but Spain immediately responded to tie the game at 9-9 moments later. A similar scenario followed where Corbin Stanley gave the United States the lead on a power play only to see Spain tie the game at 10-10 with 6:29 to play. Liechty scored for Team USA on their next possession for an 11-10 advantage but unfortunately the offensive well ran dry the rest of the match. Spain scored the equalizer with 4:33 to play and then went ahead for good with 2:28 remaining. They would tack on two more goals as the United States tried to rally, securing the three-goal win.

For the tournament, Dodd led Team USA and finished second overall with 28 goals. He also contributed six assists, nine steals and two field blocks. Brinkema finished second on the team and 38th in the tournament field with 12 goals. He was tied for second overall with 16 sprints won (on 23 attempts) and added a team-high 14 assists to go with four steals and six field blocks. Liechty scored six goals and was second on the team with 11 assists to go with eight steals and one field block. Castillo finished with seven goals, two assists, two steals, and one field block.

Against Hungary in the semifinals, which Team USA won 18-16, the Bruins were at their best, combining to score 12 of the team’s 18 goals, while also contributing eight assists, five field blocks, two steals, and Brinkema winning all four sprints. Dodd scored six goals in the win while Castillo completed his only hat trick of the tournament against the Hungarians. Dodd scored a tournament-high seven goals in the 19-18 shootout win over Serbia in the quarterfinals and he opened the shootout scoring the first goal for Team USA. Liechty and Brinkema followed with penalty conversions as well to keep the Americans in the game. Brinkema contributed his only hat trick (on three shots) in the 16-10 win over Montenegro in pool play while Liechty scored his high of two goals in the finals against Spain.

Redshirt freshman Harry Tucker finished fourth in scoring on Team Australia with 10 goals. He also added six assists, three steals, and a field block for Australia, which finished 10th.

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Sports

Could Cooper Flagg Become First North American Athlete to Earn $1B In Contracts?

Published

2 hours ago

June 26, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Could Cooper Flagg Become First North American Athlete to Earn $1B In Contracts?

Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, is poised to become the first North American athlete to earn $1 billion in contracts. Following a lucrative college career and a rookie contract worth $62.7 million over four years, projections indicate that Flagg could land contracts worth over $70 million and $100 million in his subsequent deals. Given his generational talent, Flagg’s trajectory could see him racking up $930 million in just over a decade. If he meets performance benchmarks for supermax contracts, he stands an excellent chance of breaking the $1 billion barrier in on-court earnings.

By the Numbers

Flagg’s rookie contract is valued at $62.7 million over four years.
His potential earnings could total $930 million through his first 14 seasons.

State of Play

Flagg’s projected second contract could exceed $359 million if he meets supermax criteria.
His third contract may be worth around $509 million, boosting his total career earnings substantially.
Other young superstars like Victor Wembanyama also have potential to reach similar earnings.

What’s Next

As Flagg’s career unfolds, his performance and ability to secure lucrative contracts will determine if he can be the first to reach $1 billion in on-court earnings. Continued growth in the NBA’s salary structure may further enhance his opportunities. If he succeeds, other emerging stars may follow a similar path.

Bottom Line

If Flagg fulfills his potential in the NBA, he could redefine the boundaries of athletic earnings, marking a historic milestone in sports contracts and paving the way for future generations of athletes.

Sports

Three Bulldogs Named To The CSC Academic All-District Team

STARKVILLE – Three Mississippi State track and field and cross country athletes were named to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District team. Anje Nel and Sherman Hawkins represented men’s and women’s track, and Gabrielle Boulay represented cross country. Athletes with at least a 3.50 cumulative grade point average and a top-50 ranking regionally, or a […]

Published

2 hours ago

June 26, 2025

Your Sports Nation

STARKVILLE – Three Mississippi State track and field and cross country athletes were named to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District team. Anje Nel and Sherman Hawkins represented men’s and women’s track, and Gabrielle Boulay represented cross country.

Athletes with at least a 3.50 cumulative grade point average and a top-50 ranking regionally, or a top-50 finish at the cross country regional championships, are eligible.

Anje Nel, a three-time NCAA East First Round qualifier, closed out the season ranked 38th in the 400m hurdles in the East Region. Nel, a native of Nelspruit, South Africa, boasts a 3.86 GPA and majors in business administration.

Sherman Hawkins, a staple in the sprints and relays for the men’s team, finished the season ranked 29th in the 400m in the East Region. Hawkins, an All-SEC and All-American in the sprints and jumps, majors in business administration and holds a 3.59 GPA.

Gabrielle Boulay, also majoring in business administration, holds a perfect 4.0 GPA. Boulay led the cross country team in the 5k and was one of the first women to go sub-20 in the 6k, now tying for the program record in the distance. Boulay earned a 25th-place finish at the NCAA South Region Championships and All-Region honors, the first for State since 2016.

All three athletes will return to State in the fall, with Boulay set to compete in the upcoming cross country season.

For more information on the Mississippi State track and field program, visit HailState.com and follow “HailStateTF” on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook.

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U.S. Girls U19 Team Stays Unbeaten at 2025 Pan American Cup

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (June 25, 2025) — The U.S. Girls U19 National Team continued its winning ways at the 2025 NORCECA U19 Pan American Cup with a 3-0 (25-21, 25-21, 25-23) win over Mexico on Wednesday in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. The U.S. (2-0) completes pool play tomorrow, Thursday, June 26, at 1:30 p.m. PT against […]

Published

2 hours ago

June 26, 2025

Your Sports Nation

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (June 25, 2025) — The U.S. Girls U19 National Team continued its winning ways at the 2025 NORCECA U19 Pan American Cup with a 3-0 (25-21, 25-21, 25-23) win over Mexico on Wednesday in Kingston, Ontario, Canada.

The U.S. (2-0) completes pool play tomorrow, Thursday, June 26, at 1:30 p.m. PT against Puerto Rico (0-2), who dropped a tight five-setter to Venezuela earlier on Wednesday.

For the second match in as many days, the U.S. held a large lead in kills, registering 52 to only 38 for Mexico. The margins were smaller in blocks (5-3) and aces (6-4) but still favored the U.S.

MATCH STATISTICS (PDF)

Outside hitter Ireland Real led all players in both points (19) and kills (17), adding a block and an ace. She was one of four U.S. players in double digits.

“I’m super proud of how we played as a team. It was so much fun just to be out there with those girls,” Real said. “I’m glad we had time to watch film and understand what type of team we were up against. I feel like it really helped. I’m super excited about the rest of the tournament and tomorrow.”

Middle blocker Shayla Rautenberg contributed 13 points for the second match in a row, this time on 11 kills and two blocks.

Opposite Nejari Crooks totaled 12 points on seven kills, one block and a match-high four aces. Outside Olivia Henry recorded 12 kills while sharing the team-high with libero Cala Haffner with eight digs.

Neither team led by more than three points in the first set until the U.S. used a 6-2 run to win the set by four points. A smart play by Real, pushing a ball to the open back court to give the U.S. an 18-17 lead, gave the U.S. its first lead since 6-5.

Real scored off the block for a 20-19 lead and then served an ace for the U.S. Girls U19 team’s first two-point lead. Henry scored the final two points of the set on kills. Real led all players with nine points on eight kills and her one ace.

A Rautenberg block ended a long rally and put the U.S. ahead by five points,14-9, in the second set. The lead was still five at 17-12 when Mexico used an 8-3 streak to even the set at 20 apiece. A kill by Real put the U.S. back ahead and back-to-back aces by Crooks stretched the lead to three points.

Just as she did in the opening set, Henry ended the set on a kill with the U.S. leading 24-21. Rautenberg led the way in the second set with seven points on six kills and a block. Crooks and Real each contributed five points.

A Henry kill put the U.S. up 21-18 in the third set and a tough Rautenberg serve led to a Kyla Williams kill that extended the lead to four points. Mexico, which struggled at the end of each of the first two sets, scored four of the next five points to cut the lead to one, 23-22, on an ace.

Another Williams kill put the U.S. on the brink of winning the set, 24-22. Mexico held off one match point before Crooks emphatically put a ball down to seal the set and match. Crooks led the team with six points on four kills and two aces, while Real added five kills.

2025 U.S. Girls U19 National Team for the NORCECA Pan American Cup
(Name, Position, Height, Birth Year, Hometown, High School, Region)

1 Taimane Ainu’u (S, 5-11, 2009, Kapolei, Hawaii, Iolani HS, Aloha)
2 Nejari Crooks (OPP, 6-1, 2009, High Point, N.C., Wesleyan Christian Academy, Carolina)
3 Cala Haffner (L, 5-8, 2009, Fort Wayne, Ind., Carroll HS, Hoosier)
4 Taylor Harrington (MB, 6-3, 2009, Arlington, Va., Wakefield HS, Chesapeake)
5 Olivia Henry (OH, 6-5, 2009, Bayside, N.Y., IMG Academy, Florida)
6 Megan Hodges (MB/OPP, 6-5, 2009, Ladera Ranch, Calif., San Juan Hills HS, Southern California)
7 Marissa Jones (S, 6-2, 2009, Atlanta, Ga., Woodward Academy, Southern)
8 Kari Knotts (OH, 6-3, 2010, Marietta, Ga., Hightower Trail MS, Southern)
11 Westley Matavao (OH, 6-0, 2009, Ontario, Calif., Mater Dei HS, Southern California)
13 Shayla Rautenberg (MB, 6-3, 2009, Pleasant Dale, Neb., Milford HS, Great Plains)
14 Ireland Real (OH, 6-4, 2009, San Clemente, Calif., Santa Margarita Catholic HS, Southern California)
18 Kyla Williams (MB, 6-4, 2009, Cleveland, Ohio, Gilmour Academy, Ohio Valley)

Alternates
9 Pulelehua Laikona (L, 5-8, 2009, Gilbert, Ariz., Mesa HS, Arizona)
10 Leilani Lamar (OH, 6-2, 2009, Tampa, Fla., Tampa Preparatory School, Florida)
12 McKenna McIntosh (OH, 6-1, 2009, Stockton, Calif., St. Mary’s HS, Northern California)
15 Josalyn Samuels (S, 6-1, 2009, Harrisburg, S.D., Harrisburg HS, North Country)
16 Marlee Steiner (MB, 6-4, 2009, St. Louis, Mo., Lindbergh HS, Gateway)
17 Caroline Ward (OPP, 6-0, 2009, Lizton, Ind., Tri-West Hendricks HS, Hoosier)
19 Shaye Witherspoon (OH, 6-3, 2009, Wildwood, Mo., Lafayette HS, Gateway)

Coaches
Head Coach: Jamie Morrison (Texas A&M)
Assistant Coach: Michelle Chatman Smith (LOVB)
Assistant Coach: Maggie Eppright (LOVB)
Performance Analyst: Michael Bouril (Mississippi State)
Athletic Trainer: Rebecca Himes (PVF)
Team Lead: Alex Purvey (NTDP)

2025 Girls U19 Pan American Cup Schedule
All times Pacific
All matches will be livestreamed on Volleyball Canada YouTube

June 24: USA def. Venezuela, 3-0 (25-9, 25-23, 25-21)
June 25: USA def. Mexico, 3-0 (25-21, 25-21, 25-23)
June 26: 1:30 p.m.: USA vs. Puerto Rico
June 27: TBA
June 28: Classification/Medal Matches, TBA

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Sports

Volleyball announces class of 2029

Story Links 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 […]

Published

3 hours ago

June 26, 2025

Your Sports Nation

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