Sports
Who should we have picked as SW FL Girls Team of the Year
Video as 2025 SW FL Sports Award winners receive their prizes on stage The 2025 Southwest Florida High School Sports Award ceremony was held Thursday, May 29 at Suncoast Arena. The News-Press and Naples Daily News held their annual Southwest Florida Sports Awards Show on May 29 at Suncoast Arena on the campus of Southwest Florida State College. […]
Video as 2025 SW FL Sports Award winners receive their prizes on stage
The 2025 Southwest Florida High School Sports Award ceremony was held Thursday, May 29 at Suncoast Arena.
The News-Press and Naples Daily News held their annual Southwest Florida Sports Awards Show on May 29 at Suncoast Arena on the campus of Southwest Florida State College. During the show, we announced the Seacrest Volleyball team as the 2024-25 Girls Team of the Year.
Did we get it right?
Here’s a chance to have your say. Here are all of our Girls Team of the Year nominees for the 2024-25 high school season. Who would you have selected to be the Southwest Florida Girls Team of the Year?
The poll will remain open at news-press.com and naplesnews.com until 10 a.m. on June 2o.
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE POLL AND VOTE. You can also scroll down to the bottom.
Here are the nominees:
Barron Collier Tennis
Led by Chelsea Casapu, the Southwest Florida Girls Tennis Player of the Year, the Cougars went 12-2, reaching the Class 2A state championship finals.
Community School of Naples Lacrosse
The Seahawks finished 16-5, advancing to the Class 1A Final Four, and were powered by Stella Lynch, the Southwest Florida Girls Lacrosse Player of the Year.
Evangelical Christian Basketball
The Sentinels went 22-8 and reached the Class 2A Final Four, losing to eventual state champion Miami Country Day, 37-35.
Evangelical Christian Softball
The Sentinels (28-3) won their second consecutive state championship, defeating Geneva 17-14 to claim the Class 1A title.
First Baptist Volleyball
The Lions finished 23-5 and advanced to the Class 2A Final Four, losing to eventual state champion Westminster Christian.
Fort Myers Beach Volleyball
The Green Wave went 15-3, going unbeaten against Lee and Collier foes. Fort Myers reached the Class 2A Final Four, falling to eventual state champion Gulf Breeze.
North Fort Myers Soccer
The Red Knights (21-3) reached the Class 5A Final Four, losing to eventual state champion Ponte Vedra, 2-1.
North Fort Myers Softball
The Red Knights went 20-8 and advanced to the Class 5A Final Four, losing to eventual state champion Winter Springs, 5-4.
Seacrest Volleyball
The Stingrays (20-5) defeated Boca Raton Christian to win the Class 1A state championship, the program’s fourth consecutive state crown.
Sports
A-State Track and Field Earns USTFCCCA All-Academic Honors
Story Links JONESBORO, Ark. (7/22/25) – The United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association announced their 2025 Track and Field Academic Awards on Tuesday, featuring Arkansas State men’s and women’s teams along with nine individual athletes. Bradley Jelmert and Colby Eddowes posted 4.0 grade-point averages while Willem Coertzen […]

JONESBORO, Ark. (7/22/25) – The United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association announced their 2025 Track and Field Academic Awards on Tuesday, featuring Arkansas State men’s and women’s teams along with nine individual athletes.
Bradley Jelmert and Colby Eddowes posted 4.0 grade-point averages while Willem Coertzen (3.79), Jacob Pyeatt (3.67), and Noa Isaia (3.30) also met the criteria to earn USTFCCCA Men’s All-Academic honors. Miranda Burgett (3.53), Carly Pujol (3.50), Selase Sampram (3.45), and Kiara Strayhorn (3.42) met the qualifications to earn USTFCCCA Women’s All-Academic honors.
The A-State men’s and women’s track and field received USTFCCCA Division I All-Academic Team honors, with the former recording a 3.16 grade-point average while the latter finished the 2024-25 academic year with a 3.47 grade-point average.
The criteria to receive all-academic honors as an athlete consists of a 3.25 grade-point average or higher on a 4.0 scale.
Indoor track and field athletes were required to finish inside the top 96 in any championship individual event, or in the top 48 in any championship relay event, for the most recent indoor season. Outdoor track and field athletes must have participated in any round of the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships (the Preliminary Championship Competition and/or the Final Championship Competition) or must have finished the season ranked in the top 48 in the East or top 48 in the West for the most recent outdoor season.
Indoor and outdoor athletes must have completed at least two semesters or three quarters at the certifying institution.
To qualify for all-academic honors as a team, the program must post a grade-point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
SOCIAL MEDIA
For the latest on the A-State track and field and cross country programs, follow @AStateTrack on Twitter and @astatetfxc on Instagram, while also liking the team’s Facebook page at Facebook.com/AStateTrackAndField.
Sports
FISU DAY 7 RECAP: Team USA Shines Amid Rising Competition
In swimming, Pieter Theunis Coetze of South Africa captured gold in the men’s 50m backstroke. Leah Elizabeth Shackley from Team USA triumphed in the women’s 100m butterfly. Matthew Carl King of the USA also secured gold in the men’s 100m freestyle, continuing the strong performance from the American swim team. Yumeno Kusuda of Japan achieved […]

In swimming, Pieter Theunis Coetze of South Africa captured gold in the men’s 50m backstroke. Leah Elizabeth Shackley from Team USA triumphed in the women’s 100m butterfly. Matthew Carl King of the USA also secured gold in the men’s 100m freestyle, continuing the strong performance from the American swim team. Yumeno Kusuda of Japan achieved gold in the women’s 200m breaststroke. Additionally, Kate Morgan Hurst from Team USA won gold in the women’s 1500m freestyle, adding to the day’s excitement in the pool.
The fencing events highlighted incredible talent and determination. Team Republic of Korea won gold in the women’s foil team event. Team Japan claimed gold in the men’s épée team event, reinforcing their status as a powerhouse in fencing. Individual performances were equally impressive, with Sanghyun Kang of South Korea winning gold in the men’s +87kg category. Zurab Kintsurashvili from Georgia secured gold in the men’s -74kg category, while Sevval Cakal of Turkey triumphed in the women’s -62kg category. Dabin Song from South Korea won gold in the women’s +73kg category, adding to the nation’s impressive medal tally.
In diving, Wang Weiying of China captured gold in the women’s 3m springboard event. The People’s Republic of China also celebrated victory in the mixed team diving event.
FISU World University Summer Games 2025 progress, the competition remains fierce, with more events still to come, make sure you stay tuned for further updates and highlights.
Sports
Bryant earns AVCA Team Academic Award
Story Links LEXINGTON, KY. – The Bryant University women’s volleyball team has been recognized with the 2025 Team Academic Award by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA), honoring its outstanding performance in the classroom. The Bulldogs posted a 3.73 team GPA in the spring and a 3.69 GPA in the fall. […]

LEXINGTON, KY. – The Bryant University women’s volleyball team has been recognized with the 2025 Team Academic Award by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA), honoring its outstanding performance in the classroom.
The Bulldogs posted a 3.73 team GPA in the spring and a 3.69 GPA in the fall. Sixteen student-athletes earned Dean’s List honors in both semesters. London Hunt and Arianna Ugolini were named to the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District Team, and the program also received the Bryant Athletics Academic Excellence Team Award earlier this year.
Carrina Barron, Nina Gavin, and Madison Koeller recorded perfect 4.0 GPAs in both semesters, with Gavin maintaining a 4.0 GPA for every term of her collegiate career. Fabi Castro and Morgan Smith achieved 4.0s in the fall, while Natalie Ricevuto, Kaitlyn Rossini, Claudia Camacho-Castro, Ana Fuertes-Brito, and Carolina Camacho earned 4.0s during the spring semester.
Sports
Women’s Basketball Ranks Second Nationally in Team GPA
ATLANTA – For the fourth-straight season, Boise State women’s basketball earned a spot in the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association Academic Top 25 Division I Team Honor Roll, the WBCA announced Tuesday. The Broncos posted a team GPA of 3.803, second to Green Bay (3.862). It is the highest national ranking in school history. Boise State […]

The Broncos posted a team GPA of 3.803, second to Green Bay (3.862). It is the highest national ranking in school history. Boise State is one of six schools nationally to earn a spot in the rankings each of the last four seasons. The Broncos have three top 10 rankings in that span, with only Green Bay having more.
The Broncos’ four top 25 rankings in the last four years are more than the rest of the Mountain West combined with Wyoming (three appearances) being the only other school ranked during that time.
The WBCA Academic Top 25 recognizes NCAA Division I, II and III, NAIA and two-year college women’s basketball teams across the nation that carry the highest combined GPA inclusive of all student-athletes on their rosters for the entire season. The 2024-25 season is the 30th in which the WBCA has compiled the honor rolls.
The full Division I top 25 is listed below.
Rank | Institution | Head Coach | GPA |
1 | Green Bay | Kayla Karius | 3.862 |
2 | Boise State | Gordy Presnell | 3.803 |
3 | Youngstown State | Melissa Jackson | 3.781 |
4 | Western Illinois | JD Gravina | 3.775 |
5 | South Dakota State | Aaron Johnston | 3.760 |
6 | Creighton | Jim Flanery | 3.757 |
7 | DePaul | Jill Pizzotti | 3.750 |
8 | Drake | Allison Pohlman | 3.741 |
9 | California Baptist | Jarrod Olson | 3.733 |
10 | Utah Valley | Dan Nielson | 3.716 |
11 | Davidson | Gayle Fulks | 3.711 |
12 | Saint Peter’s | Jennifer Leedham | 3.700 |
13 | Tennessee Tech | Kim Rosamond | 3.699 |
14 | Montana State | Tricia Binford | 3.694 |
15 | Wyoming | Heather Ezell | 3.692 |
16 | Maine | Amy Vachon | 3.691 |
17 | Cleveland State | Chris Kielsmeier | 3.685 |
18 | Northern Kentucky | Jeff Hans | 3.678 |
19 | Kent State | Todd Starkey | 3.669 |
T20 | Manhattan | Heather Vulin | 3.667 |
T20 | Milwaukee | Kyle Rechlicz | 3.667 |
22 | Iowa State | Bill Fennelly | 3.658 |
23 | Lafayette | Kia Damon-Olson | 3.630 |
24 | Purdue Fort Wayne | Maria Marchesano | 3.624 |
25 | Northern Iowa | Tanya Warren | 3.621 |
Sports
Rehr Adds Trio to Volleyball Support Staff
HOUSTON – University of Houston Head Coach David Rehr added a trio of new support staff entering the 2025 season, the team announced Tuesday. Cougar great Kate Georgiades and two-time All-American at Arizona State Claire Jeter join Rehr’s staff as graduate assistants while Simone Sardanelli will serve as technical coordinator. Both Georgiades and Jeter bring Big […]

Both Georgiades and Jeter bring Big 12 playing experience to the coaching staff after Georgiades completed a storied career with Houston in 2024, and Jeter shined as a middle blocker for Arizona State from 2021-2024. Sardanelli arrives in Houston following time in Italy’s professional volleyball system.
ABOUT KATE GEORGIADES | GRADUATE ASSISTANT
Georgiades, Houston’s first four-time All-American and All-Conference First Team selection, quickly rejoins the team following her final collegiate season in 2024. One of the best players to come through the storied Houston program, Georgiades completed her playing career with 2,562 digs, the 22nd most in NCAA history.
Georgiades was also a three-time Conference Libero of the Year honoree, collecting the accolade from The American in 2021 and 2022 as well as the Big 12 Conference in 2023, Houston Athletics’ first positional player of the year in the league. She finished her Cougar career with the third-most digs (2,335) in program history with the second-most digs per set (5.07).
Georgiades spent the spring and summer as Houston’s latest professional Cougar, playing with the Pro Volleyball Federation’s Columbus Fury after being the second from the program drafted by the league. In 54 sets, she recorded 171 digs with her average of 3.17 per set ranking second on the team.
ABOUT CLAIRE JETER | GRADUATE ASSISTANT
Jeter arrives in Houston following a standout career for Arizona State after a year at Texas A&M. An AVCA All-American in both 2023 and 2024, Jeter finished her collegiate eligibility with 462 blocks as well as 933 kills, a .355 hitting percentage and 109 aces.
Jeter finished third on Arizona State’s career blocks list with 451, the most by a Sun Devil since 1990. She also broke the team’s career block assists record with 379. In her senior season, she hit .426, leading the Big 12 and ranking 10th nationally.
Overall, she earned All-Big 12 First-Team honors in her lone season in the league with All-Pac 12 Honorable Mention accolades in 2023. She was also a VolleyballMag.com All-American in 2024 and an AVCA All-Region honoree in both 2023 and 2024.
ABOUT SIMONE SARDANELLI | TECHNICAL COORDINATOR
Sardanelli joins the Cougar staff following both international playing and coaching careers in Italy. Following 10 seasons playing professional volleyball at various levels, including stints in Italy’s top division, Sardanelli shifted to technical staff, assisting at multiple levels including in SuperLega.
Sardanelli began play with Vibo Valentia in SuperLiga, Italy’s top division, in 2013. He continued with the team as they transitioned to Serie A2, winning the Serie A2 Italian Cup in both 2015 and 2016. Following a loan to Lagonegro in 2017-19, he rejoined Vibo Valentia in SuperLiga and aided the team as it finished fifth in 2020-21 and qualified for the playoffs in the best season in the team’s history. After playing with Galatina in Serie A3 in 2021-22, he retired as a player and shifted to technical staff.
Sardanelli began coaching with Taranto in SuperLega for the 2022-23 season, providing technical and tactical support during the season while conducting the team’s scouting and analytic efforts. For the next season, he joined Vero Volley as an Assistant Sporting Director, helping to push the club to one of its most historic seasons as the team reached the finals in six out of seven competitions across the men’s and women’s teams.
SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Volleyball by joining the Point Houston Club which provides financial support directly to Houston Volleyball for needs beyond its operating budget.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarVB on X, formerly known as Twitter, and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team’s Facebook page at UHCougarVB. Fans also can follow the team on Instagram at @UHCougarVB.
– UHCougars.com –
Sports
Channel Islands United 14u boys water polo win championship at JOs
IRVINE, Calif. – The Channel Islands United Water Polo Club did exactly what they set out to do, win the 14u Boys Platinum Division championship at the Junior Olympics. CIU defeated Greenwich Aquatics of Connecticut 13-7 in the finals. Channing Wigo and Ren Fugikake were named Co-MVPs of the tournament. The CIU boys 14u captured […]

IRVINE, Calif. – The Channel Islands United Water Polo Club did exactly what they set out to do, win the 14u Boys Platinum Division championship at the Junior Olympics.
CIU defeated Greenwich Aquatics of Connecticut 13-7 in the finals.
Channing Wigo and Ren Fugikake were named Co-MVPs of the tournament.
The CIU boys 14u captured the gold, going undefeated in the tournament including a thrilling 13-12 semifinal victory over Patriot of Irvine who claimed the bronze.
The team is coached by Wolf Wigo.
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