Sports
Who is the 2025 Fans’ Choice Boys Volleyball Player of the Year?
Another high school boys volleyball season has come and gone in the Greater Taunton area. This spring, Taunton (18-4, 5-1 Hockomock League) led the way locally with its best season this decade, going on a 9-match winning streak and at point even winning 18 straight sets, en route to splitting the inaugural Hockomock boys volleyball […]
Another high school boys volleyball season has come and gone in the Greater Taunton area.
This spring, Taunton (18-4, 5-1 Hockomock League) led the way locally with its best season this decade, going on a 9-match winning streak and at point even winning 18 straight sets, en route to splitting the inaugural Hockomock boys volleyball title with Milford. Come tournament time, the Tigers kept up the intensity, including a pair of tournament wins in under 18 hours and an emotional win over Hockomock co-champions Milford before falling to powerhouse and eventual finalists Needham in the Division 1 Elite Eight.
Dighton-Rehoboth (3-16, 2-13 Tri-Valley League) went through a bit of a rebuilding year but still managed to pull off 3-0 set sweeps of Millis and King Philip while also grinding out a win over Hopkinton.
Now, with the season of the rearview, cast your vote for the 2025 Taunton Daily Gazette Fans’ Choice Boys Volleyball Player of the Year, with polls open through noon on Thursday, June 26. This poll also will play into deciding the 2025 Taunton Daily Gazette Boys Volleyball Player of the Year, with the fan vote accounting for 25% of the Gazette’s final vote. Voting can only be done through the poll below, and any votes submitted by email or other means will not be counted.
Here are the nominees:
Taunton
- Ike Asiegbunam
- Dantae Bauer
- Syre Duverna
- Daniel Freitas
- Travis Johnson
Dighton-Rehoboth
- Connor Bessette
- Andrew Cabral
- Yasiel Rodriguez
Sports
2025 SJC Volleyball Schedule Preview
Story Links STANDISH, Maine – The 2025 Saint Joseph’s College volleyball schedule is set, with the Monks slated to compete in 28 matches this fall. The season begins on Saturday, August 30th, with a doubleheader against Maine Maritime and host University of New England in Biddeford. The regular season wraps up on […]

STANDISH, Maine – The 2025 Saint Joseph’s College volleyball schedule is set, with the Monks slated to compete in 28 matches this fall. The season begins on Saturday, August 30th, with a doubleheader against Maine Maritime and host University of New England in Biddeford. The regular season wraps up on November 8th with a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) tri-match versus Simmons University and Colby-Sawyer College in New London, N.H.
Now in his eighth season at the helm, Head Coach Jon Roberts returns after leading Saint Joseph’s to a 15-17 overall record and a 10-5 GNAC mark in 2024. The 2025 schedule features 13 conference contests and 15 non-conference match-ups, including key tilts against 2024 NCAA Tournament participants Maine Maritime and Colby College (Sept. 9, at home).
The Monks will also face two first-time opponents—SUNY Oswego and Western New England—during the Amherst College Tournament on September 6th.
Conference play begins on Saturday, September 20th, when the Monks travel to Franklin, Mass. to take on Dean College at 7:00 PM.
The 2025 GNAC Tournament begins with quarterfinal action on November 11th, followed by semifinal and championship rounds on November 13th and 15th. The conference champion earns an automatic bid to the NCAA DIII Tournament, which starts on November 20th.
Saint Joseph’s earned the #6 seed in last year’s GNAC Tournament and advanced to the semifinals for the second straight season after upsetting #3 Regis College in the opening round. The Monks’ postseason run ended with a 3-1 loss to second-seeded Johnson & Wales.
Matches to Watch:
August 30 vs. Maine Maritime @ University of New England – The Monks open the season with a challenging doubleheader against a pair of in-state foes. Saint Joseph’s faces Maine Maritime at 12:00 PM followed by host University of New England at 4:00 PM. The Monks will be looking to snap losing streaks against both programs—last defeating MMA in 2017 and UNE in 2022.
September 30 vs. Southern Maine – Saint Joseph’s and USM split their 2024 season series, with the Monks sweeping the Huskies 3-0 in late August before falling 3-1 in the October rematch. The Huskies own a 24-21 edge in the all-time series dating back to 1996.
October 25 vs. Lasell University – SJC hosts two-time defending GNAC champion Lasell in the opener of a conference tri-match that also features Elms College. The Monks aim to reverse a four-match skid against the Lasers, who lead the all-time series 16-5 and haven’t lost to Saint Joseph’s since 2019.
2025 SCHEDULE SYNOPSIS:
* GNAC Opponent
CLOSER LOOK AT THE 2025 SCHEDULE/OPPONENTS: |
|
---|---|
Total Games: | 29 |
Home/Away/Neutral: | 13 / 9 / 6 |
Opponents’ Overall Record in 2024: | 324-330 (.495) |
Monks’ All-Time Record vs. 2025 Foes: | 195-294 (.399) |
Longest Current Winning Streak vs. 2025 Opponent: | 17 – Thomas College |
Longest Current Losing Streak vs. 2025 Opponent: | 8 – Bates College & Colby College |
2024 NCAA Tournament Teams on 2025 Schedule: | Colby, Lasell, Maine Maritime |
First Time Opponent(s) on 2025 Schedule: | SUNY Oswego, Western New England, Wellesley |
2025 GNAC Tournament Dates: | Nov 11 (Quarterfinal), Nov 13 (Semifinal), Nov 15 (Championship) |
2025 NCAA Tournament Dates: | Nov 20 – Dec 6 |
Sports
LOVB, SKIMs Partner to Accelerate Women’s Pro Volleyball
Today, League One Volleyball (LOVB) announced SKIMS as its official loungewear, intimates, and sleepwear partner as momentum around volleyball continues to surge in the United States. The partnership will see LOVB and SKIMS work together to accelerate the future of professional women’s volleyball, as well as empower girls and women both in sports and beyond. […]

Today, League One Volleyball (LOVB) announced SKIMS as its official loungewear, intimates, and sleepwear partner as momentum around volleyball continues to surge in the United States. The partnership will see LOVB and SKIMS work together to accelerate the future of professional women’s volleyball, as well as empower girls and women both in sports and beyond.
“Partnering with SKIMS is an incredible milestone for our league and clubs — their dedication to empowering women and celebrating confidence aligns perfectly with our mission to elevate our athletes of every age, and accelerate growth of the sport of volleyball,” said Michelle McGoldrick, LOVB’s Chief Business Officer. “Together, we’re not only supporting our remarkable athletes on their journey to becoming household names, but also helping to inspire the next generation of players and fans.”
With record breaking crowds, the LA28 Olympics approaching, and LOVB’s grassroots-to-pro movement, volleyball has become more visible and influential than ever before. As the #1 team sport among girls in the United States, the sport has inspired a community of confidence, empowerment, and cultural change. With a combined commitment to empowering women of all ages to feel confident in sport, while celebrating the strength and spirit of athletes both on the court and beyond, the partnership between SKIMS and LOVB became a natural fit from the start.
“This partnership with LOVB is an exciting opportunity to expand our reach at the intersection of fashion, culture, and sports,” said Jens Grede, Co-Founder & CEO, SKIMS. “Volleyball highlights strength, teamwork, and rising female talent and we’re proud to partner with LOVB at this key moment, as LOVB’s mission to transform women’s volleyball aligns with SKIMS’ goal to empower women, both in sports and beyond.”
“We’re excited to partner with League One Volleyball and to support the incredible community they’re building from youth players all the way to the professional stage,” said Kim Kardashian, Co-Founder & Chief Creative Officer, SKIMS. “Together, we look forward to inspiring confidence and empowering athletes at every level through innovative products, community activations, and storytelling that celebrates the athletes on and off the court.”
The partnership will feature a number of touchpoints demonstrating how SKIMS and LOVB together champion volleyball athletes of all stages. SKIMS will participate in LOVB community and athlete-driven events, league-wide activations, and more throughout the season. The collaboration will also focus on elevating the voices of female athletes from youth to pro, as well as highlighting volleyball’s growing cultural impact across the United States.
In addition, the partnership will provide SKIMS with exposure across LOVB’s official digital platforms, events, and broadcasts, connecting with one of the fastest-growing youth and professional sports communities in the country.
Sports
Women’s Water Polo Places 14 Student-Athletes on ACWPC All-Academic List
Story Links SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — The Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches released its 2025 Women’s All-Academic Awards, honoring water polo student-athletes and teams for their successes in the classroom during the 2024-25 academic year. UC Santa Barbara was one of the top teams academically this year, with 14 student-athletes earning individual […]

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — The Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches released its 2025 Women’s All-Academic Awards, honoring water polo student-athletes and teams for their successes in the classroom during the 2024-25 academic year. UC Santa Barbara was one of the top teams academically this year, with 14 student-athletes earning individual honors and the Gauchos’ 3.64 team grade point average besting every water polo team in both The Big West and the University of California system.
The ACWPC All-Academic awards recognize all student-athletes who maintained a cumulative GPA of at least 3.20, so long as they were listed as active for at least one match during the season. Student-athletes are recognized in one of three tiers: Outstanding for those with a cumulative GPA between 4.0 and 3.71, Superior for those with a GPA between 3.70 and 3.41, and Excellent for those with a GPA between 3.40 and 3.20.
UC Santa Barbara’s 2025 All-Academic honorees are listed below.
Christina Mullane — Outstanding
Ava Donleavy — Outstanding
Cami Mras — Outstanding
Isabel Valaika — Outstanding
Lainey Weintre — Outstanding
Loretta Hovey — Outstanding
Molly Souza — Superior
Aidan Flynn — Superior
Juju Amaral — Superior
Annie Kuester — Superior
Zoe Gabriel — Superior
Hadde Hall — Excellent
Bella Mady — Excellent
Athena Wigo — Excellent
Sports
US Olympic committee bans transgender athletes after Trump order
Previously each sporting body could set its own policy regarding trans athletes. | (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) Transgender athletes are barred from competing on behalf of the U.S. in women’s Olympic sports, the American governing body said Tuesday in a statement that complies with an executive order signed by President Donald Trump. The policy change […]

Transgender athletes are barred from competing on behalf of the U.S. in women’s Olympic sports, the American governing body said Tuesday in a statement that complies with an executive order signed by President Donald Trump.
The policy change applies to all national sporting bodies, Sarah Hirshland, the CEO of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee, said in the statement obtained by POLITICO.
“Our revised policy emphasizes the importance of ensuring fair and safe competition environments for women,” Hirshland said.
Previously each sporting body could set its own policy regarding trans athletes.
Trump’s February executive order, titled “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports” directed the change, putting the U.S. at odds with World Athletics and the International Olympic Committee, which allow trans athletes to compete under certain medical or eligibility criteria.
The USOPC’s Athlete Safety Policy, which contains the revised policy, says it will work to “ensure that women have a fair and safe competition environment consistent with Executive Order 14201.”
USA Fencing said in a statement on social media it had tweaked its guidelines to comply with the new policy and would implement them as of Aug. 1.
“This update, mandated by the USOPC, aligns our sport with current national standards while keeping community support at the forefront,” the fencing body said in a statement.
The USOPC’s move reflects the Trump administration’s fierce objection to transgender athletes’ participation in women’s sports, which has become a flashpoint in a Republican culture war.
Newly elected IOC president Kirsty Coventry said last month she would launch a working group on the matter, saying there was “overwhelming support” from member countries to “protect the female category.”
Sports
Not a signature win
07/22/25 Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski / Curve starter Po-Yu Chen reacts after giving up a two-run homer to Chesapeake’s Carter Young. The Altoona Curve offense sputtered en route to a 2-1 loss to the Chesapeake Baysox Tuesday night in front of 6,208 fans at PNG Field. Both Baysox runs came in the second inning […]

07/22/25 Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski /
Curve starter Po-Yu Chen reacts after giving up a two-run homer to Chesapeake’s Carter Young.
The Altoona Curve offense sputtered en route to a 2-1 loss to the Chesapeake Baysox Tuesday night in front of 6,208 fans at PNG Field.
Both Baysox runs came in the second inning when Curve starter Po-Yu Chen gave up a two-run home run to Carter Young.
“It’s hard to win when you only get two hits,” Altoona manager Andy Fox said.
The Curve got a run back in the third when center fielder Jase Bowen roped a double that turned into a run on two throwing errors.

07/22/25 Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski /
Curve’s Jase Bowen is told by Brenden Dixon to stay up as he scores on a two-error double on a line drive to left field.
Bowen’s little league home run was the lone hit the Altoona offense mustered until a Mitch Jebb single in the ninth inning.
“They ran some good arms at us today,” Fox said. “They pitched well, and sometimes you’ve got to tip your hat. We couldn’t really get anything going, a little in the ninth, but we weren’t able to cash in.”
Chesapeake’s Trace Bright struck out eight in five innings of relief work for the Baysox and allowed only the hit to Jebb and one walk. Baysox starter Levi Wells threw 3• innings, allowed one hit and struck out five.
“We struck out 14 times and walked once,” Fox said. “They were commanding the ball, executing pitches and working ahead — all things you wanted to have with your pitching staff.”
Bullpen brilliant
Tasked with covering six innings, the Altoona bullpen maintained the upper hand against Chesapeake as three pitchers combined to hurl six shutout innings and keep the Curve in it until the end.
Valentin Linarez threw 1ª innings, struck out three and walked one. Blake Townsend entered for Linarez and tossed three innings in which he allowed two hits and struck out three.
Beau Burrows threw the final 1• innings and promptly struck out two and allowed only one hit.
“They’ve just maintained what they’ve been doing all year,” Fox said. “They’ve been stemming the tide for us, keeping us in games and giving us a chance. They did that again today.”
Valdez exits
Outfielder Esmerlyn Valdez exited Tuesday night’s game with an apparent leg injury in the top of the sixth inning.
Valdez was sprinting toward a foul ball and injured his leg while sliding for the baseball.
“Valdez is at the hospital getting some x-rays of his lower leg,” Fox said. “We’ll know more tomorrow. It’s a little too early to tell the extent of it.”
Setting world record
All who attended Tuesday’s game at PNG Field were on hand to witness a world record in the making.
An 8-foot, 1,200-pound replica Minor League baseball made a stop on its tour around Minor League Baseball stadiums to become the world’s most autographed baseball.
Fans, players and staff were able to sign the ball throughout the course of the game, and the line continued for nearly seven innings of play.
“It is a really cool thing to be a part of,” Curve fan Dane Leone said. “Being able to potentially be a part of baseball history is something I wasn’t expecting but is neat to think about.
Entering Tuesday night, the ball had 4,439 signatures. After the game, it was estimated, the ball had 4,942 signatures. The previous world record was 2,146 signatures on a soccer jersey in the United Kingdom, which means that every person who signed the ball while at PNG Field held a world record albeit very briefly.
The idea was derived by those in the Minor League Baseball office as a way to bring together communities and draw into the quirkiness that is Minor League Baseball.
“We like to have a lot of fun in Minor League Baseball,” vice president of marketing for Minor League Baseball Kristin Stratton said. “There’s all sorts of things about the minor league experience that you can really only find in our ballparks. And we thought, you know, ‘what’s the way we can go even bigger, even better? And let’s, let’s try to break a record that nobody’s done this before, might as well test it out in Minor League Baseball.”‘
That led to the creation of the ball and the development of a tour of cities as far west as Indianapolis and coming back east through Ohio, Pennsylvania and New Jersey before ultimately landing in New York City at MLB headquarters on July 29.
“A lot of it was triangulating mileage math and trying to figure out how far we could get within the six-week time period we had, knowing we wanted to end this tour in New York, outside of the Major League Baseball offices,” Stratton said. “In a perfect world, we get to all 120 clubs, but we would need a ball about 10 times the size of the one that we have, which would not be road legal.”
The ball arrived early Tuesday morning and will be departing for Lehigh Valley and the Ironpigs this morning.
Up next
Altoona will have a matinee game Wednesday afternoon with a noon start.
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