Each month, Little League® produces a number of exciting, fun, and educational content across all its digital platforms, including on LittleLeague.org, its social media channels, and through the Little League Rulebook App. In case you missed any of it, check out some of the notable and trending content that went out in April 2025: Little […]
Each month, Little League® produces a number of exciting, fun, and educational content across all its digital platforms, including on LittleLeague.org, its social media channels, and through the Little League Rulebook App.
In case you missed any of it, check out some of the notable and trending content that went out in April 2025:
Little League Softball® Unlimited Kicks Off!
(Published on April 5, 2025, on Facebook)
MLB and MiLB Clubs Set to Team Up to Host Little League® Days Again in 2025
(Published on April 8, 2025, on LittleLeague.org)
Opening Day is officially here and Major League Baseball (MLB) and Minor League Baseball (MiLB) clubs across the nation are teaming up once again to host Little League® Days this season, providing unique opportunities for local Little League programs to bring their players to experience professional baseball in a fun and exciting way.
Behind the Diamond: The Volunteers Who Bring the Iconic LLWS™ Fields to Life
(Published on April 24, 2025, on LittleLeague.org)
Little Leaguers® across the world could not play the game they love and make lifelong memories without a safe field to run onto. Volunteers with a focus on field maintenance step up to the plate each season in communities all around the world to make sure the baseball and softball diamonds are ready for the players, coaches, and umpires on game day and this includes the volunteer grounds crews at the Little League® Baseball and Softball World Series (LLWS™).
Pennsylvania and Massachusetts Teams Set to Play in 2025 Little League Challenger Division® Exhibition Game, Presented by Eggland’s Best
(Published on April 28, 2025, on LittleLeague.org)
Teams from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, and Woburn, Massachusetts, are set to compete in the 2025 Little League Challenger Division® Exhibition Game, Presented by Eggland’s Best, as part of championship weekend at the Little League Baseball® World Series, Presented by T-Mobile.
No. 9 Five Long Beach Teams Win CIF-SS Academic Championships – The562.org
Out of 556 total high schools in the CIF-SS, Long Beach Poly boys’ and girls’ cross country, Poly boys’ and girls’ wrestling, and Wilson girls’ water polo posted the highest cumulative unweighted team GPAs in the large school division for their respective sports. This success, both in each team’s sport and in the classroom, earn […]
Out of 556 total high schools in the CIF-SS, Long Beach Poly boys’ and girls’ cross country, Poly boys’ and girls’ wrestling, and Wilson girls’ water polo posted the highest cumulative unweighted team GPAs in the large school division for their respective sports. This success, both in each team’s sport and in the classroom, earn the No. 9 spot for our Top 10 High School Sports Moments of the Year.
The CIF Southern Section is one of the most competitive in the state. It contains more than double the amount of schools than any other section in the state, with the second largest being the Sac-Joaquin Section, which encompasses 198 schools. This makes it highly competitive both on the field, and off.
Schools with an enrollment of 1,500 or above are deemed to be large schools. For each CIF sanctioned sport, a small school and large school are commemorated as academic team champions for the school year at an Angels’ baseball game.
CIF celebrated these academic championships with a ceremony at Angel Stadium in April. Two representatives from each team held a banner with their title and waved up to the crowd from the field as each name was announced.
Long Beach Poly boys’ and girls’ cross country had unweighted GPAs of 3.950 and 3.957, respectively, Poly boys’ and girls’ wrestling posted GPAs of 3.765 and 3.821, respectively, and Wilson girls’ water polo possessed a GPA of 3.936.
Poly’s boys’ wrestling, girls’ swim and dive, boys’ water polo, and girls’ golf were also recognized at last year’s edition of the event, making it the third year in a row that four or more Long Beach teams have won the award.
Nebraska Volleyball Tabbed Preseason Big Ten Favorite
Nebraska volleyball is the Big Ten preseason favorite heading into Dani Busboom Kelly’s first season in charge. The conference released its preseason coaches poll and all-conference team on Thursday ahead of next week’s Big Ten Media Days in Chicago. Four Huskers made the 20-player all-conference team: setter Bergen Reilly, outside hitter Harper Murray and middle […]
Nebraska volleyball is the Big Ten preseason favorite heading into Dani Busboom Kelly’s first season in charge.
The conference released its preseason coaches poll and all-conference team on Thursday ahead of next week’s Big Ten Media Days in Chicago. Four Huskers made the 20-player all-conference team: setter Bergen Reilly, outside hitter Harper Murray and middle blockers Andi Jackson and Rebekah Allick. The first three were unanimous picks.
The Huskers went 33-3 overall last season including 19-1 in Big Ten play, falling in the national semifinals. The Huskers return most of their starters but lost legendary head coach John Cook to retirement following the season. Despite the coaching change, the program didn’t see a single player transfer out or decommit, giving Busboom Kelly a loaded roster to begin her head coaching career in Lincoln.
Penn State, who won the national championship and tied Nebraska for first in the Big Ten last season, is second. Wisconsin, Minnesota and UCLA round out the preseason top five.
Besides the three Huskers, only two others were unanimous all-conference selections and both are Nittany Lions: sophomore setter Izzy Starck and junior opposite hitter Kennedy Martin, a high-profile transfer from Florida. Nebraska four selections tied for the most with UCLA. Penn State and Wisconsin each placed three representatives on the team.
Reilly is a two-time Big Ten Setter of the Year. The 6-foot-1 junior from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, was second in the Big Ten (and 10th nationally) with 11.08 assists per set last season. She led the Huskers to their highest hitting percentage since 2016 at .284. Reilly was a second-team AVCA All-American and a first-team All-Big Ten selection, setting a record by earning Big Ten Setter of the Week five times in one season.
Murray was also a second-team All-American and first-team ALl-Big Ten performer last season after leading the Husker attack at 3.4 kills per set on .257 hitting. She averaged 2.43 digs per set and recorded nine double-doubles while leading Nebraska with 39 service aces. The 6-foot-2 junior from Ann Arbor, Michigan, will represent Nebraska in Chicago next week.
Jackson was a first-team All-America and Big Ten selection last year after one of the most efficient seasons in program history. The 6-foot-3 middle blocker from Brighton, Colorado, averaged 2.62 kills per set on a blistering .439 hitting, sixth in the country and fourth in Nebraska history. She also averaged 1.18 blocks per set.
Allick, who will join Murray and Busboom Kelly in Chicago for Big Ten Media Days, is the longest-tenured Husker alongside fellow senior Maisie Boesiger. A three-year starter, the 6-foot-4 Lincoln native has been a dominant blocker throughout her career and took a step forward offensively as well last year. She averaged 1.82 kills per set on a career-high .357 hitting to go with her team-leading 1.43 blocks per set, 14th in the nation and third in the Big Ten.
Busboom Kelly, Murray and Allick will speak at Big Ten Media Days on Monday. Fan will get a look at the Huskers during the team’s Red-White Scrimmage on Aug. 9 and Alumni Match on Aug. 16 before they open the season at the AVCA First Serve Showcase at Pinnacle Bank Arena on Aug. 22.
From court to college: Track phenom Nick Blann leaps to Union Commonwealth | Sports
After an impressive, yet brief high school track career, Nick Blann, the national champion in the long jump and state champion in the triple jump, officially signed to the next level. Joining multiple athletes from Logan County this past year, Blann adds his name to the list of athletes signed to compete at the collegiate […]
After an impressive, yet brief high school track career, Nick Blann, the national champion in the long jump and state champion in the triple jump, officially signed to the next level. Joining multiple athletes from Logan County this past year, Blann adds his name to the list of athletes signed to compete at the collegiate level. Blann signed his letter of intent to compete for the Union Commonwealth University Bulldogs as a collegiate track athlete. With offers from Morehead State and Kentucky Christian University, Blann ultimately decided to go with the Bulldogs for his future track career.
This past spring saw Blann join the Logan County Track and Field team and make history in his lone year as a standout in both the long jump events and the triple jump events. Blann earned the state title with a mark of 45-0 in the triple jump and set his personal best in the long jump with a 22-7.75 mark for the national title.
Taking his talent and explosive leaping ability from the basketball court to the field gave him an opportunity he didn’t expect. “After basketball season, I was looking for a job and couldn’t find anything. Coming home after school so many times and not having anything to do because, before, I would just be getting ready for basketball next season, but since I was graduating this year, I decided to try something new. I also had people in my ear encouraging me and my family too, so I said why not give it a try?” Blann said. The decision proved to be an important one, as he will now continue his newfound sport into college.
Blann had talked about the quick turnaround after signing, laying out the timeline for his start at Union: “I’ll be up there Aug. 14, with practice starting later in September, and then I will be jumping in December sometime. So after two weeks from moving in, I will be getting right into it, kicking in a different gear and getting right to work.”
A collegiate opportunity to compete in a sport is a huge accomplishment, and the challenges that Blann has overcome—he was vocal in how much the opportunity means: “I am beyond thankful. This is only the first step. I have had so many people believe in me and now it’s time for me to believe in myself. There’s been a lot of ups and downs; I didn’t even know if I was going to go to college, but this opportunity means everything.”
Blann, after etching his name in the history books of the Logan County High School athletic program, looks to continue his legacy at the next level for the Bulldogs.
Not many programs lost as much talent as Union County did from its Elite 8 team a year ago. Four senior leaders that were the top statistical players are gone, though a couple starters return. Despite the youth, the Lady Panthers are eager to grow. PRESEASON INFO 2024 Record: 18-19; Elite 8Head Coach: Megan Brown […]
Not many programs lost as much talent as Union County did from its Elite 8 team a year ago. Four senior leaders that were the top statistical players are gone, though a couple starters return. Despite the youth, the Lady Panthers are eager to grow.
PRESEASON INFO
2024 Record: 18-19; Elite 8 Head Coach: Megan Brown (4th Season) Returning Starters: 2 Key Departures: Lily Brookshire, Katelyn Brown, Charlei Robinson, Mallory Rouse Key Players: Reese Jones (SR H), Sofia Foster (JR), Samantha Combs (SO), Emry Sosensky (SO); New additions Blaire Hedden (JR), Amie Sauers (JR), Austin Beal (JR), Kamryn Brown (JR S) Strengths: Defense
“We have a young group but they are eager, excited, and ready to face some tough opponents,” says coach Megan Brown. “This group plays with a lot of heart, they have great attitudes, and they have fun!”
Washington State volleyball team earns AVCA academic award for second consecutive year
PULLMAN, WA – The Washington State volleyball team earned another award for the second straight year. This award is the 2025 American Coaches Association Team Academic Award. The association’s mission is to advance volleyball with AVCA coaches at the center of professional development, leadership, and advocacy. The AVCA has more than 10,000 collegiate, professional, high […]
PULLMAN, WA – The Washington State volleyball team earned another award for the second straight year.
This award is the 2025 American Coaches Association Team Academic Award.
The association’s mission is to advance volleyball with AVCA coaches at the center of professional development, leadership, and advocacy.
The AVCA has more than 10,000 collegiate, professional, high school, club, and youth volleyball coaches.
AVCA represents not only women’s volleyball coaches but also men’s volleyball and beach volleyball.
The award began in the 1992-93 academic season. It honors the volleyball teams that maintain a GPA of 3.3 or higher on a 4.0 scale, or even a 4.1 or higher on a 5.0 scale.
The Cougar’s volleyball team dominated that grade point average by having a team average of 3.65.
This includes 10 student-athletes who have a GPA of 3.5 or higher for the entire year.
Cougars head coach Korey Schroeder knows that by being a collegiate athlete, you must take academics seriously.
“Our team has shown how much they value their education as well as being an athlete.”
The 2025 season opener for the Cougs volleyball team is on August 29th, down in Utah, taking on Lafayette.
Six Raiders named 2025 USTFCCCA Men’s All-Academic
By: Bill Morgal, sports information director
Story Links
SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. – Six members of the Shippensburg University men’s track & field team: Tommy Crum, Jr., Aiden Gonder, Jackson Hersh, Garrett Quinan, Ian Sherlock and Quinton Townsend were recognized this week as 2025 Men’s All-Academic Athletes by the U.S. […]
SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. – Six members of the Shippensburg University men’s track & field team: Tommy Crum, Jr., Aiden Gonder, Jackson Hersh, Garrett Quinan, Ian Sherlock and Quinton Townsend were recognized this week as 2025 Men’s All-Academic Athletes by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA).
It is the third consecutive season that Sherlock has earned a USTFCCCA All-Academic Track & Field classification. For Crum, Gonder, Hersh, Quinan and Townsend, it is their first individual honor for track & field.
To qualify for USTFCCCA All-Academic Athlete status for track & field, individuals must have compiled a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.25 or higher and finished the season among the top 50 individuals as listed on the descending order lists on the Track & Field Results Reporting System (TFRRS). Individuals on a relay that was among the top 35 on the list are also eligible, along with any athletes not among the top 50 but who participated at the indoor or outdoor national championships.
The 2025 season marks the first in which this new qualification criteria is in place.
Crum was recognized for his spot on the opening leg of the indoor distance medley relay that ran a time of 9:59.73 (which, upon flat-track conversion, results in a listed time of 9:51.79) in late January at Bucknell. He is a communication, journalism and media major concentrating in broadcast media production who holds a 3.621 cumulative GPA. Crum was named the Most Valuable Athlete of the 2025 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Indoor Championships after winning league titles in the mile (4:18.98), the 3K (8:31.37) and the DMR (10:14.77).
Gonder earned All-Academic honors for his outdoor performance in the 10K, a time of 29:58.02 achieved in April at Bucknell. It was one of just four sub-30 minute 10Ks in the Atlantic Region this season and ranks sixth all-time in SU history. A member of the Wood Honors College, Gonder graduated magna cum laude in May with a degree in mechanical engineering, minors in mathematics and exercise science, and a 3.678 cumulative GPA.
Hersh was honored in his debut season for his impressive javelin throw of 212 feet 4 inches (64.71 meters) at Lynchburg in late March. The performance ranked fourth in the Atlantic Region and 24th on the national list – the throw would have been a national qualifier in any of the previous four seasons (it would have ranked 15th in 2024, 14th in 2023, 12th in 2022 and 13th in 2021). He is majoring in mechanical engineering and maintains a 3.363 GPA.
Quinan received his All-Academic classification for his 10K that was achieved at the same April meet as Gonder. His time of 29:37.68 was the No. 3 mark in the Atlantic Region and ranks third all-time in school history. He is majoring in civil engineering and maintains a 3.605 cumulative GPA.
Sherlock becomes a three-time honoree by virtue of his work outdoors in the 3,000-meter steeplechase (9:00.38) and the 1,500 meters (3:46.42). His season PR in the steeplechase resulted in his third straight PSAC title in the event and was the top performance in the Atlantic Region this season. His 1,500-meter run was recorded at Bucknell and set a new lifetime best that ranks third all-time in school history.
Overall, Sherlock completed his career as a 10-time USTFCCCA All-Atlantic Region performer in track & field and a seven-time PSAC Champion. Sherlock received his undergraduate degree in May 2024 in communication, journalism & media (broadcast media production concentration) and a minor in marketing with a 3.54 cumulative GPA. He is set to complete his master’s degree in strategic communication this summer, having maintained a 3.933 cumulative GPA.
Townsend was a contributor to the NCAA-provisional qualifying 4×400-meter relay during the outdoor season. He was the 2025 PSAC Indoor Champion in the 200 meters (22.17 seconds at Lehigh) and a conference place winner in both the indoor 400 (fourth place) and the outdoor 400 (fifth place). He is majoring in finance and maintains a 3.562 cumulative GPA.