Torrey Stafford didn’t join Texas volleyball until the winter, when she transferred into the program after two standout seasons at Pittsburgh.
Sports
What new Texas volleyball star thinks after scrimmage

Texas Longhorns outside hitter Cari Spears (23) spikes the ball past Utah middle blocker Katelynn Field (12) and outside hitter Devyn Wiest (16) during the game at Gregory Gymnasium on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025 in Austin, Texas.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-StatesmanBut she’s quickly embraced the expectations in Austin, as evident after a preseason scrimmage Friday against Utah at Gregory Gymnasium.
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“We actually labeled this championship match No. 1,” Stafford said after the Longhorns’ impressive performance. “We’re climbing, and we’re excited for the ride.”
Champions are forged in the fires of tournament matches come November and December, but a preseason scrimmage can at least light a few coals. Texas, No. 5 in the American Volleyball Coaches Association preseason poll, swept the first three sets against No. 23 Utah 25-19, 27-25, 25-19 before the Utes battled back to win the final two sets of a glorified practice that went the distance regardless of the score.
Stafford paced the Longhorns’ attack with 13 kills and just four hitting errors on 27 swings over the first three sets while setter Ella Swindle tallied 27 assists, nine digs, three aces and three kills. Officials didn’t keep stats over the final two sets.
MORE TEXAS VOLLEYBALL: Stanford home opener at Moody Center a sellout
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Texas Longhorns setter Ella Swindle (1) and outside hitter Torrey Stafford (4) celebrate a score during the game against Utah at Gregory Gymnasium on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025 in Austin, Texas.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-StatesmanJerritt Elliott: Torrey Stafford ‘a great teammate’
But Texas coach Jerritt Elliott said he didn’t care much about the score or stats. Rather, he focused on finding any kind of rhythm, especially since the Longhorns have had only a week of practice.
“I thought the way that we played and ran our offense, it was pretty smooth,” Elliott said. “There’s so many things and layers that we’re trying to be able to put in and trying to execute, especially with a lot of new players and new faces. We’ve got a lot of youth out there who are super talented, but trying to get the nerves out.”
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That youth includes five freshmen on a 16-player roster with eight new faces. Cari Spears, one of those prized freshmen from the nation’s top-ranked recruiting class, started opposite Stafford while classmate Abby Vander Wal rotated in at the pin. Freshman middle blocker Taylor Harvey also saw plenty of action.
Spears struggled with 10 hitting errors and six kills on 27 swings but also played in all six rotations, which testifies to the big role she’ll likely have this season. Vander Wal had five kills and three errors on nine swings while Harvey tallied two kills and two errors on five swings. Each had a pair of blocks for a suddenly massive Texas front row that didn’t rotate anyone in shorter than 6-foot-2 over the first three sets.
Stafford liked what she saw from the freshmen regardless of the miscues. She also said her priorities this season — besides that championship she mentioned — include helping develop the Longhorns’ rising freshmen stars.
“It’s exciting to see them step on the court and just do their thing,” she said. “As the season goes on, obviously there’s going to be highs and lows. And I think just being with them and just uplifting them in those moments and empowering them is something we always talk about.”
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That attitude, said Elliott, is just as important as Stafford’s wide range of shots.
“She’s just a great leader and a great teammate,” he said. “There’s so many good things that she’s already done for our program.”

Texas Longhorns setter Ella Swindle (1) steps up to serve during the game against Utah at Gregory Gymnasium on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025 in Austin, Texas.
Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-StatesmanElla Swindle: Chemistry clicking early for Texas
Swindle’s done plenty for the Texas program, too, considering she started at setter as a freshman for the 2023 squad that won the second of back-to-back national titles. But she struggled in 2024 when Elliott went to a 6-2 rotation that split the setting duties between herself and Averi Carlson.
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Carlson has since transferred closer to her Dallas-area home at SMU, and backup setter Rella Binney missed the scrimmage against Utah with a left foot injury that Elliott said wasn’t serious. That gave Swindle plenty of time to find her rhythm against Utah, and she enjoyed every moment.
“I’m having the time my life,” Swindle said. “This is what is so fun. I’m so excited to run the offense, and I’m excited to have people who trust me.”
It looked like Swindle had fun while orchestrating an offense that showed midseason form against Utah. Swindle said the quick rhythm testified to the “the culture” that’s already been established — even with all the roster turnover.
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“We spend a lot of time together,” she said. “We’re very comfortable with each other on and off the court, so we trust each other a lot. And I think that’s allowed us to kind of get a jump-start on the season.
“We have a lot of freshmen who don’t play like freshmen, and they get to learn from Tory and the other hitters. Everyone’s very bought in; there’s not really a lot that we have to figure out outside of just playing volleyball.”
Sports
Viking Sports Weekly {December 8}
This Week’s Events
Saturday, December 13
Women’s Basketball hosts Niagara – 2:00 p.m. {BUY TICKETS – all tickets $8.88}
80’s Weekend :: $1 Hot Dogs // KidZone // Postgame Layups on the Court (age 12 & younger)
Sunday, December 14
Men’s Basketball hosts Oakland City – 2:00 p.m. {BUY TICKETS}
80’s Weekend :: $1 Hot Dogs // KidZone // Postgame Layups on the Court (age 12 & younger)
Viking of the Week
Izabella Zingaro, Women’s Basketball
Averaged 17.5 points per game – shooting 83-percent from the floor on the week – while also averaging 7.0 rebounds per contest.
Women’s Basketball
-The Vikings return home for one game this week, hosting Niagara on Saturday.
-Saturday’s game will be played in Woodling Gymnasium, where the Vikings are 3-0 this season.
-Last time out, Cleveland State started Horizon League play, going 1-1 including a 72-55 victory at Oakland.
Men’s Basketball
-The Vikings will have a single game this week, hosting Oakland City on Sunday.
-Sunday’s game will mark the second inside Woodling Gymnasium for the Vikings, a place where they picked up a 109-56 victory over Waynesburg earlier this year.
-Last time out, Cleveland State started Horizon League play, with Jaidon Lipscomb averaging 19.0 points and the duo of Priest Ryan and Josiah Harris averaging 9.0 rebounds through the first two #HLMBB games.
Track & Field
-Cleveland State opened the 2025-26 indoor season with three school records.
-The Vikings are now off until the Falcon Early Bird Open on Friday, Jan. 9.
-Natalie Keller set the 5000 mark with a time of 17:54.57 at the YSU Open.
-Olivia Todd and Madison Morris followed it up with school records in the 300 at the Tom Wright Open.
Sports
Two Earn MIAA Athlete of the Week Accolades
Two Hope College juniors have claimed MIAA Athlete of the Week distinction: Parker Hovey in men’s basketball and Dylan Terpstra in men’s track and field.
Hovey (Hart, Michigan / Hart) is the MIAA Men’s Basketball Athlete of the Week for the first time.
Terpstra (Hudsonville, Michigan / Hudsonville) is the MIAA Men’s Indoor Track Athlete of the Week for the first time.
Hovey averaged 16.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.5 steals and 1.0 blocks over two games: a 71-64 victory at Ohio Northern University on Friday and a 60-59 win at Ohio Wesleyan University on Saturday.
The 6-foot-5 forward matched his career high with 21 points on 80% field-goal shooting at Ohio Wesleyan (8-of-10). He sank two go-ahead free throws with 10 seconds remaining and made all five of his attempts at the foul line.
Terpstra clocked the fastest 400-meter time in NCAA Division III on Friday with a school-record run of 48.16 seconds at Grand Valley State University’s Holiday Open.
The communication major eclipsed Brandon Wolliston’s 2017 Flying Dutchmen record in the event on GVSU’s 300-meter track and topped a field of 18 runners during the season-opening meet.
Terpstra also led off the second-place 4×400 relay that finished in 3:20.58.
Sports
NCAA Regional Semifinals against Creighton up next for #2 seed Volleyball on Thursday – Sun Devil Athletics
Sports
Alum Sidney Yap Honored to Compete for the Philipines at the SEA Games in Thailand
The 33rd edition of the multi-sport event returns to the location of the very first regional Games in 1959, as the Thai capital of Bangkok plays host together with the Chonburi region. The full SEA Games schedule is available to view here.
During his four years as a member of the Patriots’ track and field program, Yap developed into one of Mason’s top throwers, earning multiple Atlantic 10 Championship appearances and cementing his place in the program’s record books. Yap credits his time at George Mason for preparing him to compete at the international level. He believes that the four years of balancing academics, athletics, and an internship gave him the confidence to pursue his dreams.
“I really have to thank all the coaches, professors, and managers that have been through this journey with me the past several years,” said Yap. “Without the support of them, I don’t think I would be where I am at today.”
One of Yap’s most memorable moments at George Mason was breaking the school record in men’s hammer throw during the season opener of his final year. He recounts the experience as unexpected but incredibly rewarding, as he had two throws that surpassed the previous record.
“It was even more memorable because there was a lot going on throughout the year as a team, and I was fortunate enough to have Coach Becky (Hartley) there,” Yap said. “She was the one that saw something in me and gave me a chance to compete for Mason. Being able to celebrate with her and have that moment where all the hard work is on display, that is something that I will never forget.”
Yap’s passion for track and field is what drives him to continue competing. He loves the process, the training, and the constant pursuit of improvement. Despite most athletes retiring after college, Yap felt he had the discipline, drive, and physical ability to keep going.
In addition to his love for the sport, representing the Philippines added an extra layer of motivation for Yap. As a first-generation Filipino-American, he takes pride in his heritage and is inspired by the opportunity to wear the country’s colors.
“I very much throw to achieve goals that I set for myself,” said Yap. “But to also make my family and friends proud is something that inspires me as well.”
Competing in the SEA Games is an opportunity for Yap to honor his family’s heritage. It allows him to visit the Philippines, see his relatives, and express gratitude for the love and support he has received throughout his journey. As Yap prepares to compete in the SEA Games, he looks forward to representing the Philippines and contributing to the success of his country.
“It makes me very proud being able to represent where my family comes from,” Yap said. “I can’t express my gratitude to all the family and friends who have shown me love and support through this journey. At the end of the day, I want to make them proud.”
His dedication, discipline, and love for the sport continue to drive him towards achieving his goals and making his family and friends proud.
Beyond athletics, Yap has also begun building a successful professional career. A graduate of four academic programs from the Costello College of Business, Yap currently works for Navy Federal Credit Union, where he supports member-focused financial services and applies the same discipline and work ethic that defined his collegiate experience. Balancing full-time work with elite-level training has strengthened his time-management skills and reinforced his commitment to pursuing excellence both on and off the field. Read the recent article on Yap’s career success LINK.
“I have trained ever so hard for this moment, and I have faith leading up to these games that I know I can put out a solid performance,” said Yap. “Likewise, I personally want to contribute towards the success and make the country proud.”
Sports
Top seeds advance, Penn State out
Dec. 8, 2025, 2:52 p.m. ET
The first and second rounds of the 2025 NCAA volleyball tournament are in the books, and the answer to which team will lift the trophy after the national championship match later this month in Kansas City is becoming a bit clearer.
The action in the opening matches of the NCAA tournament included clean sweeps, massive upsets and five-set heavyweight matches that were some of the best played this year. Favorite and overall No. 1 seed Nebraska is still undefeated, boosted by big performances from middle blocker Andi Jackson. However, the lone remining unseeded team, Cal Poly, might have something to say about who makes a deeper tournament run. As we prepare for the NCAA volleyball Sweet 16, let’s take a look back at who’s in and who’s out.
Here are your winners and losers of the first two rounds of the NCAA volleyball tournament:
NCAA volleyball tournament winners
Opening round sweeps
Break out the brooms. There were a staggering 25 sweeps in the opening rounds of the NCAA tournament, including 18 in the first round. Even ranked squads, such as No. 7 Western Kentucky, No. 8 Xavier, and No. 7 Rice, were no match for “the broom.” One of the most head-turning wins was No. 4 Indiana sweeping No. 5 Colorado behind a masterful performance from outside hitters Candela Alonso-Corcelles (16 kills on .556 hitting) and Jaidyn Jager (15 kills on .375 hitting). The Hoosiers move on to the Round of 16 for the second time in program history.
Five-set thrillers
If high-intensity matchups are what fans desire, the NCAA tournament did not disappoint. There were 10 five-set thrillers over the opening days of action, including eight in the first round. While there were likely many head-to-heads that had fans on the edge of their seats, the best of the weekend was the unseeded Marquette Golden Eagles taking the No. 2 Louisville Cardinals to the brink.
The back-and-forth rumble was a sight to behold, but in the end, Louisville that escaped with the win. Outside hitter Chloe Chicoine had a career-high 28 kills on .415 hitting, the most for a Cardinal in the NCAA tournament in 20 years. Outside hitter Payton Petersen added 19 kills on .364 hitting, and middle blocker Cara Cresse assisted on seven of the Cardinals’ 22 team blocks.
Cal Poly bracket-busting skills
Deepest condolences are in order for any bracket that did not survive Cal Poly’s tour of destruction against seeded teams. To open the tournament, the Mustangs took down the No. 5 seed BYU Cougars in a five-set stunner. Outside hitter Kendall Beshear led the way with 20 kills on .383 hitting and 12 digs that helped create 25 points against BYU. What’s more, the Cougars hit .000 in the fifth set against Cal Poly and logged four kills.
In the second round against No. 4 seeded USC, it was outside hitter Emma Frederick who led the Cal Poly with 17 kills and 15 points. Outside hitter Annabelle Thalken and Beshear also added 12 kills. The Trojans had a better overall match, but ran out of steam in the fifth set, recording four kills. After the Mustangs are headed to the Round of 16 for the first time in 18 years.
Big performances
With so many games, it’s hard to keep up with who had stellar performances. One of the best outings of the opening rounds came from the No. 2 seed SMU Mustangs, who hit a blistering .618 as a team against the Central Arkansas Bears on Friday. Outside hitter Jadyn Livings led SMU with 15 kills on .609 hitting and two blocks. Here’s a list of other performances that deserve recognition:
- Thursday, December 4
- No. 8 seed UCLA Bruins middle blocker Marianna Singletary vs. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets – 22 kills on .556 hitting and 11 blocks
- No. 3 seed Creighton Bluejays outside hitter Ava Martin vs. Northern Colorado Bears – 30 kills
- No. 5 seed Miami Hurricanes outside hitter Flormarie Heredia Colon vs. Tulsa Golden Hurricane – 33 kills
- Friday, December 5
- No. 1 seed Kentucky Wildcats vs. No. 8 seed UCLA Bruins
- Kentucky outside hitter Eva Hudson – 27 kills on .463 hitting and 10 digs
- Kentucky outside hitter Brooklyn Deleye – 30 kills on .397 hitting
- No.1 seed Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. Long Island University Sharks
- Nebraska middle blocker Andi Jackson – 10 kills on .833 hitting and five blocks
- Nebraska middle blocker Rebekah Allick – 10 kills on .750 hitting and four blocks
- No. 3 seed Wisconsin Badgers outside hitter Mimi Colyer vs. North Carolina – 22 kills on .405 hitting, 13 digs and three blocks
- No. 5 seed Iowa State Cyclones libero Rachel Van Gorp vs. St. Thomas Tommies – 33 digs
- No. 1 seed Kentucky Wildcats vs. No. 8 seed UCLA Bruins
- Saturday, December 6
- No.1 seed Nebraska middle blocker Andi Jackson vs. Kansas State Wildcats – 10 kills on .533 hitting and three blocks
- No. 1 seed Pittsburgh outside hitter Olivia Babcock vs. Michigan Wolverines – 24 kills on .370 hitting, eight digs and three blocks
Losers
Penn State’s repeat bid
Penn State won’t have the chance to win back-to-back championships. The No. 8 seed Nittany Lions and head coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley were swept by the No. 1 seed Texas Longhorns, behind dominant stat lines from outside hitters Torrey Stafford and Cari Spears. Together, the duo had 30 total kills and six total blocks. The Nittany Lions had very few answers offensively and hit .124 against Texas.
Tennessee Volunteers’ tournament dreams
The No. 7 seed Volunteers, who were largely expected to make a deep tournament run, fell flat against Utah State. Ultimately, they could not pull off a reverse sweep after falling behind 2-0. Tennessee ran out of steam in the fifth set, losing it 15-11, handing Utah State its 22nd straight win. Outsider hitter Starr Williams was the bright spot for the Volunteers, logging 15 kills on .387 hitting, seven digs and four blocks.
Ranked team upsets
The seeded losses didn’t stop with Tennessee. Kansas State beat No. 8 seed San Diego in five sets, Michigan swept No. 8 Xavier, and both No. 7 seed Rice (swept by Florida) and No. 7 seed South Dakota State (lost in four sets to Arizona) had first-round exits. Another notable upset was North Carolina unraveling No. 6 UTEP in four sets. The Miners had 35 attacker errors against the Tar Heels, and their hitting percentage was .079 percent.
The floor after Dior Charles dented it
It’s not very often that the floor ends up on the losing end of a volleyball match. However, Purdue Boilermakers middle blocker Dior Charles hit a volleyball so hard during a Thursday matchup against Wright State that it dented the floor.
Sports
Chargers’ Anna Roessner named G-MAC Women’s Track Athlete of the Week (Dec. 2-8)
In terms of first impressions, it’s hard to make a better one on the collegiate track and field scene than Hillsdale College freshman Anna Roessner.
Roessner has been awarded the G-MAC Women’s Track Athlete of the Week award, the conference office announced on Monday afternoon, after a stunning debut performance at the GVSU Holiday Open. It’s the first G-MAC track and field award to be handed out this season.
All Roessner did in her first-ever collegiate race, a 60 meter dash prelim, was obliterate the old Hillsdale school record of 7.58 held jointly by Kajsa Johansson and Lucy Minning by over two-tenths of a second, and also break the G-MAC record of 7.41 held by past All-Americans Kya Epps of Walsh and Jordan Taylor of Findlay. Her time of 7.36 is currently the fastest time in the nation in NCAA Division II, in the top 10 collegiately regardless of division, and would have placed fourth in the nation at last year’s NCAA DII Indoor Championships.
Roessner proved her time wasn’t a fluke in the final, running a 7.41 to take first in the event, and also ran a solid 200 meter dash, placing third with a respectable opening time of 24.81. Her 60 meter time gives her an excellent chance to be selected for the 2026 NCAA DII Indoor Championships in March at Virginia Beach, and she’ll have plenty of time to try and improve on it throughout the rest of the spring, with several meets in January and February and a very competitive sprint conference in the G-MAC to race against.
The Chargers will next be in action on Jan. 16, coming back from Christmas Break to compete in the Al Campbell Invite hosted by the University of Akron.
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