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Water polo advances to championship round in GCC tournament – The Collegian

One more for Bulldog history. The No. 2 seed Fresno State women’s water polo team defeated the No. 3 seed University of the Pacific Tigers 19-12 in the semifinals of the Golden Coast Conference (GCC) tournament on Saturday, April 26, at the Burns Aquatics Center. The win propels the ‘Dogs to their fifth consecutive GCC […]

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1 month ago

April 27, 2025

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One more for Bulldog history.

The No. 2 seed Fresno State women’s water polo team defeated the No. 3 seed University of the Pacific Tigers 19-12 in the semifinals of the Golden Coast Conference (GCC) tournament on Saturday, April 26, at the Burns Aquatics Center.

The win propels the ‘Dogs to their fifth consecutive GCC championship game.

“I try not to think about it too much, because each year is a new year,” said Head Coach Natalie Benson. “We get what we deserve, we get what we earn. If we deserve it, we’ll get it.”

Senior utility Brooke Ochoa led the charge for the ‘Dogs with a record-tying seven goals. She also added three assists for a 10-point afternoon. Senior attacker Abbey Simshauser gave the ‘Dogs two goals and five assists for 7 points.

The ‘Dogs’ depth factored in again with 10 Bulldogs potting a goal despite facing a top-three goalie in the GCC.

“It was a really great thing to see other people step up,” Benson said. “When one of your better players gets taken out, either with foul trouble or just with struggling a little bit, it’s nice to see other people step up.”

A rematch of the GCC season finale proved to have more on the line than tournament seeding: a spot in the GCC championship game.

What Happened?

Through piercing winds and light showers, the ‘Dogs and Tigers started an intense, emotional game. The ‘Dogs might have been wearing navy, but the crowd was a sea of red.

The crowd fired up the ‘Dogs from the get-go, jumping out to an early 4-0 lead over the Tigers. The Bulldog defense held the Tigers to just one shot in the first four minutes of the first period. Andress and Ochoa started the party for the ‘Dogs on the first four shots of the game. Each goal multiplied the rowdiness from the Red Wave.

A timeout taken by the Tigers shifted the tide, and momentum shifted to the Tigers. Coming out of the timeout and choosing to play 5-on-5 confused the Bulldog defense.

“You can see their tendencies and stuff like that, but everybody’s got an ace up the sleeve for conference playoffs,” Benson said.

The final possession for the ‘Dogs almost cost them the lead. After a missed shot by Andress, the Tigers launched the ball down the length of the pool and missed the cage by just a few inches. Benson had a loud intermission huddle after.

This was just the beginning for both coaches.

The Tigers’ defense was stout against the ‘Dogs down low, trying to spark their offense. The spark was found by none other than Ochoa.

After both teams traded goals within 15 seconds, the tide turned for the Bulldogs for the rest of the game.

Sophomore defender Sidney Strickland helped out her goalie with two massive blocks in a critical spot, with the ‘Dogs only leading by two.

Andress was called for her second exclusion. One more and she would be done for the day. This was where the depth for the ‘Dogs stepped up.

Senior attacker Ella Simone knocked in a goal to give the ‘Dogs a three-goal advantage, their largest since leading 4-1 in the first period. The Tigers added one to cut back into the Bulldog advantage.

Benson’s halftime message showed success for the ‘Dogs. Everyone caught their breath. With 16 minutes to go with a spot in the championship game on the line, the ‘Dogs were up for the challenge.

Coming out of the break, the crowd was deafening, and the Bulldog bench was barking. Everyone knew what was at stake.

Both teams continued to trade goals until Simshauser sparked a run that saw the Dogs score three goals in 1:09. With each big moment, the crowd grew exponentially.

The ‘Dogs got a 6-on-5 advantage for only the second time during the three-goal run. During a timeout, Benson was fired up, pushing her players to dig deep.

One coach used her passion to motivate her players, while the other let the moment get too big. After Ochoa scored a breakaway goal, the Tigers’ Head Coach James Graham was issued a yellow card for remarks made toward the officials.

The Tigers went back to 5-on-5 play to start the fourth period, trying to spark a comeback. Ochoa and the ‘Dogs were just too much to handle.

“[Ochoa is] just ridiculous,” Benson said. “She’s just a competitor, she’s fearless and she’s good on both sides of the ball, and she’s just one of the toughest people I’ve ever met. I think everybody who’s a water polo fan right now is blessed to watch her play.”

Sophomore goalie Ida Tully-Giles came up with her three biggest saves of the day and allowed the ‘Dogs to stretch the lead to eight with just under two minutes to go.

As the clock ticked to zero, the cheers amped up another level. Nothing was stopping the Bulldog wagon.

Tully-Giles got a pass from Andress to bleed the clock and send the ‘Dogs back to the championship game, defeating the Tigers for the second year in a row in the semifinals.

Benson let players and the fans relish in the moment postgame. Players and fans joined in their huddle break. An ode to the fans that have supported the ‘Dogs all season long.

“These parents showing up and these fans showing up to support us, they’re part of our success,” Benson said. “They’re [on this] journey with us. We’re all for the dogs, so let’s get everybody in that circle.”

What’s Next?

It’s a date with Loyola Marymount University for the GCC crown. The ‘Dogs will play for their fifth consecutive GCC title in a rematch of last year’s title game against the host and No. 1 seed Lions on Sunday, April 27, at the Burns Aquatics Center. The Lions are the only team that has defeated the ‘Dogs in conference play this year.

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Four Badgers advance to NCAA Outdoor Championships

Story Links COLLEGE STATION, Texas – The Wisconsin men’s track and field saw four student-athletes – Adam Spencer, Jalen Williams, Andrew Casey and Patrick HIlby – earn top-12 finishes at the NCAA West First Round on Friday to advance to the 2025 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships next month. STELLAR […]

Published

13 minutes ago

May 31, 2025

Your Sports Nation

COLLEGE STATION, Texas – The Wisconsin men’s track and field saw four student-athletes – Adam Spencer, Jalen Williams, Andrew Casey and Patrick HIlby – earn top-12 finishes at the NCAA West First Round on Friday to advance to the 2025 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships next month.

STELLAR SPENCER

Spencer, a 2024 Olympian, was the first Badger to advance to the NCAA outdoor championships on Friday thanks to a runner-up showing in the second section of the 1500 meters.

Spencer was smooth throughout the race, moving into the front of the pack midway through the competition before cruising to a time of 3 minutes, 46.78 seconds.

The senior will compete in the semifinals of the 1500 meters at the 2025 NCAA Outdoor Championships on Wednesday, June 11 at 6:21 p.m CT.

JOLTIN’ JALEN

Jalen Williams kept his standout season rolling, clocking a 45.78 in the 400 meters quarterfinals to punch his ticket to the 2025 NCAA Outdoor Championships. Racing in heat two, Williams placed third to automatically qualify and finished eighth overall in the event.

The Big Ten runner-up will compete in the 400 meter semifinals at the 2025 NCAA Outdoor Championships on Wednesday, June 11 at 7:41 p.m.

800 PAIR PUNCH TICKETS TO EUGENE

Parick Hilby and Andrew Casey are headed to the 2025 NCAA Outdoor Championships after producing clutch performances in the 800 meters at the NCAA quarterfinals. Both Badgers ran personal bests of 1:47.30. In Heat One, Casey took fourth, 11th overall, to clinch a time qualification in the event. This will be the Lakeville, Minnesota, native’s second appearance at the outdoor national competition in the 800 meters. Freshman Hilby won his heat, placing tenth overall to snatch his first individual national qualification.

The pair will compete in the semifinals at the 2025 NCAA Outdoor Championships on Wednesday, June 11 at 7:58 p.m.

Bob Liking wrapped up his legendary career as a Badger in the 5000 meters as the senior was eighth in his section and 14th overall, finishing the 12 ½-lap race in 13:36.69, narrowly missing out on advancing to the NCAA outdoor championships. The St. Charles, Illinois, native was UW’s Big Ten Medal of Honor recipient, one of the highest honors given by the conference. Liking was a four-time Big Ten Cross Country Champion and a five-time All-American during his time as a Badger.

Matan Ivri was 24th in the 5000 meters in 13:50.93 as it marked the first time Ivri has competed at the NCAA West First Round. Rowen Ellenberg was close behind in 13:55.15 to finish 29th in his final race for the Cardinal and White. The 2020 Big Ten Cross Country Freshman of the Year earned three All-Big Ten honors during his time for UW.

Christian de Vaal and Johnny Livingstone also made their NCAA West First Round debuts for UW, finishing in 32nd and 35th, respectively.

After advancing in the shot put on Wednesday, Joseph White came close to advancing in the discus on Friday. The Kenosha native ultimately finished in 18th thanks to a mark of 186 feet, 11 inches (56.98m). Jake Schaefer capped off his junior campaign with a 24th-place finish in the discus thanks to a mark of 183-6 (56.98m).

Nick Gilles wrapped up his redshirt freshman season with a 39th-place finish in the steeplechase. The Penn Relays runner-up clocked in at 9:15.87.

UP NEXT: Five UW women will be in action on Saturday during the final day of the NCAA West First Round. Taylor Kesner and Zonica Lindeque will throw the discus at 1 p.m., while Kyla Saleh will high jump at 3:30 p.m. CT. Emma Kelley will race the quarterfinals of the 800 meters at 7:05 p.m. and Leane Willemse will close out the competition in the 5000 meters at 8:10 p.m.

The Wisconsin men will send seven student-athletes – Cole Hooper (hammer throw), Jason Swarens (shot put), Joseph White (shot put), Williams (400 meters), Casey (800 meters), Hilby (800 meters) and Spencer (1500 meters) – to the NCAA Outdoor Championships, June 11-14, in Eugene, Oregon. UW’s seven men are the most the program has had since 2013.

NCAA West First Round

Friday, May 30, 2025

E.B. Cushing Stadium

College Station, Texas

400 Meters

8. Jalen Williams – 45.78 Q

800 Meters

10. Patrick Hilby – 1:47.30 Q PB

11. Andrew Casey – 1:47.30 q PB

1500 Meters

13. Adam Spencer – 3:46.78 Q

5000 Meters

14. Bob Liking – 13:36.69

24. Matan Ivri – 13:50.93

29. Rowen Ellenberg – 13:55.15

32. Christian de Vaal – 14:01.34

35. Johnny Livingstone – 14:03.76

Steeplechase

39. Nick Gilles – 9:15.87

Discus

18. Joseph White – 186-11 (56.98m)

24. Jake Schaefer – 183-6 (55.94m)

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Please welcome a new writer to Devils in Detail

Editor’s Note: At Devils in Detail, we pride ourselves on delivering the highest quality coverage of all things Sun Devil athletics, and that means keeping an eye out for elite talent to join our team. With that said, we are excited to add Andrew Hayslett to the roster. Please give a warm welcome to Andrew. […]

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24 minutes ago

May 31, 2025

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Hello, Sun Devil fans! My name is Andrew Hayslett, and I am excited to join Devils in Detail as a contributor! I just completed my sophomore year at Arizona State, as I am studying sports journalism. I am already looking forward to being back in the fall.

I have lived my entire life in the Phoenix metro area as a casual Arizona State fan. My first ASU game was a memorable one; it was the monsoon game against Southern Utah, which was delayed for a few hours. I did not stay to watch the game, but I was hooked on ASU sports from that point on. Throughout my two years at ASU, I have attended games for 10 different Sun Devil sports.

In my sophomore year, I joined one of the student-run clubs, where I wrote articles about the Sun Devil water polo team. I was then chosen to cover ASU baseball and football, and was fortunate to cover the Big 12 Baseball Championships. I wrote previews, game recaps and sidebars, which will be the type of articles I will write here, along with breaking news and features.

I believe it is an exciting time for Sun Devil Athletics as the majority of ASU teams have recently made the NCAA postseason. I look forward to covering the defending Big 12 champions in football and volleyball. I’m also excited to cover ASU hockey, baseball, softball, men’s and women’s basketball.

Follow my X (formerly known as Twitter) as I frequently provide updates for Sun Devil Athletics there. Forks up!

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Arkansas men’s track and field qualifies 18 athletes in 10 events for NCAA Outdoor Championships

Arkansas men’s track and field qualifies 18 athletes in 10 events for NCAA Outdoor Championships | Whole Hog Sports Advertisement Advertisement Link 0

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37 minutes ago

May 31, 2025

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Arkansas men’s track and field qualifies 18 athletes in 10 events for NCAA Outdoor Championships | Whole Hog Sports

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2025 Southern Arizona Beach Volleyball Pairs

Share Tweet Share Share Email Salpointe. (Andy Morales/AllSportsTucson) DIVISION II SEMIFINALSSalpointe Team TOP PAIRSChloe Zhang, Sr./Amelia Bartfalvi, Jr. SalpointeKallie George, Sr./Ameila Cutting, Fr. Ironwood Ridge COACHES OF THE YEARJalynn Ransom, SalpointeBill Lang, Ironwood Ridge FIRST FLIGHTChloe Zhang, Sr./Amelia Bartfalvi, Jr. SalpointeKallie George, Sr./Ameila Cutting, Fr. […]

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58 minutes ago

May 31, 2025

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