GULF SHORE, Ala. — Top-seeded UCLA (31-6) advanced to the NCAA Quarterfinals with a 3-0 win over Chattanooga on Friday morning at Gulf Beach Place. With their 14th sweep of the year, the Bruins also won the first-ever meeting between the two teams.

UCLA went up 1-0 on court three after 21-14, 21-12.Jessie Smith and Kenzie Brower took down Kit Greshman and Paige Gallentine, 21-12, 21-12. 

The Bruins took a 2-0 lead when Sally Perez and Maggie Boyd defeated the Sandy Mocs’ Neva Clark and Corina Vale in straight sets on court one, 2-17, 21-10.

The Bruins clinched the dual on court four where Alexa Fernandez and Kaley Mathews defeated UTC’s Joy Courtright and Julia Lawrence, 21-11, 21-16.

UCLA had two courts truncated as Peri Brennan and Natalie Myszkowski held a 21-18, 16-11 lead on court two and Harper Cooper and Ensley Alden led 21-18, 15-11 before the match was called.

UP NEXT: The Bruins will face eighth-seeded Florida State tomorrow (May 3) at 8:00 a.m. CT/6:00 a.m. PT on ESPN2.

No. 1 UCLA def. Chattanooga, 3-0

Gulf Beach Place • Gulf Shores, Ala.

Friday, May 2, 2025 • 10:00 AM PT

Records: UCLA (31-6), UTC (26-6)

Order of finish: 3, 1, 4*
 

Baseball

Barrington 3, Hersey 2

Batavia 6, Geneva 1

Benet 2, Naperville North 1

Bishop McNamara 2, Aurora Christian 1 (5 Inn.)

Bishop McNamara 7, Aurora Christian 2 (5 Inn.)

Bryon 4, Harvest Christian 3

Burlington Central 7, Jacobs 5

Cary-Grove 4, Hampshire 3 (8 Inn.)

Conant 10, Prospect 5

Fremd 7, Rolling Meadows 2

Glenbard West 3, Downers Grove North 2

Hoffman Estates 6, Wheeling 4

Huntley 8, Crystal Lake South 4

Lake Park 10, Glenbard North 5

Lakes 7, Lake Forest 2

Lemont 8, Montini 2

Oswego 2, West Aurora 1

Palatine 3, Buffalo Grove 1

St. Francis 12, IC Catholic 0

Timothy Christian 10, St. Edward 3

Westminster Christian 4, Harvard 2

Wheaton Warrenville South 10, Wheaton North 6

Willowbrook 13, Proviso East 0 (5 Inn.)

Softball

Aurora Christian 8, Lisle 5

Barrington 23, Wheeling 0 (4 Inn.)

Conant 1, Hersey 0

Downers Grove North 6, Glenbard West 5 (8 Inn.)

Fenton 11, Timothy Christian 9

Fremd 10, Oak Forest 0

Glenbard North 12, Batavia 2 (6 Inn.)

Hinsdale South 7, Leyden 4

Huntley 5, Kaneland 0

Morton 1, Addison Trail 0

Naperville Central 11, West Aurora 1 (5 Inn.)

Palatine 5, Whitney Young 1

Rolling Meadows 8, Glenbrook South 4

St. Charles East 5, Wheaton Warrenville South 3

St. Charles North 20, Geneva 12

St. Edward 9, Chicago Christian 2

St. Francis 14, Aurora Central Catholic 13

Stevenson 7, Lane Tech 0

Wheaton Academy 6, Harvest Christian 2

Wheaton North 2, Lake Park 0

Willowbrook 19, Proviso East 0 (4 Inn.)

York 8, Hinsdale Central 4

Girls soccer

Naperville North Ed Watson Invitational

Hinsdale Central 1, St. Charles East 0

Lyons 1, Benet 0

Naperville Central 2, Barrington 0

Naperville North 2, Downers Grove North 0

Oswego 2, Downers Grove South 1

Others

Belleville West 2, Wheaton Academy 0

Dundee-Crown 3, Round Lake 1

Boys track and field

Crystal Lake Central Invitational

Kaneland 152, Dundee-Crown 81, Belvidere North 81, Harlem 78, Prairie Ridge 64, Burlington Central 46, Crystal Lake Central 46, Round Lake 10

Deerfield Invitational

Lake Zurich 120, Stevenson 95, Deerfield 92, Libertyville 68, Mather 48, Grayslake North 36, Lakes 36, Latin 33, Wauconda 26

Glenbrook North Spartan Invitational

Centennial 111, Glenbrook South 104, Glenbrook North 95, Niles West 67, Lake Forest 61, Vernon Hills 47, Maine South 36, Lake Zurich 14, Wheeling 14, Loyola Academy 9

Hinsdale South Yavorski Invitational

Benet Academy 132, Hinsdale South 101, Glenbard East 88, Glenbard North 87, Bloomington 75, Downers Grove South 51, Montini 20

Morris Relays

Morris 57, Princeton 48, Kaneland 43, Lemont 40, Joliet Catholic 11

Oswego Roger Wilcox Invitational

West Aurora 118, Geneva 110, Oswego 85, St. Charles East 63, Batavia 57, Aurora Central Catholic 38, Aurora East 30, Seneca 29, Romeoville 27

Prospect Wanner Knights’ Invitational

New Trier 92.5, Prospect 89, Naperville Central 85.33, Neuqua Valley 78.5, Barrington 75.5, Oak Park-River Forest 74.5, Hononegah 71, Lincoln-Way East 53.33, Hersey 46, Whitney Young 46, Lockport 33, Springfield 33, Maine East 32, Zion-Benton 32, Loyola Academy 23, Grayslake Central 16, Lyons 15, Maine West 11.5, Lane 10.5, Hoffman Estates 9, Proviso West 5.33, Downers Grove South 4

Rolling Meadows Mustang Classic

St. Charles North 140.5, Warren 103, Huntley 103, Fremd 96, Rolling Meadows 93, Highland Park 86, Buffalo Grove 49, Conant 26.5

Sycamore Seegers Classic

Sycamore 135, DeKalb 100, Dunlap 92, Auburn 75, Marmion Academy 54, Belvidere 33, Boylan Catholic 21

Willowbrook Invitational

Willowbrook 102, Leyden 59, Addison Trail 32, King 24, Fenton 23, Prosser 15

Woodstock Steve Erwin Invitational

Antioch 260, Woodstock 147, Jacobs 129, Lake Forest Academy 97, St. Edward 9, The Lincoln Academy 8

Girls track and field

Conant Invitational

Barrington 118.5, Minooka 103, Glenbrook North 62, Joliet West 59, Fremd 59, Conant 45, Hoffman Estates 44, Bartlett 42.5, Buffalo Grove 40, Wheeling 26, Crystal Lake Central 24, Auburn 24, Maine East 23, Belvidere North 15, Taft 14

Elk Grove Invitational

Elk Grove 158, Willowbrook 137, Hinsdale South 94, Glenbard East 64, Maine West 46, Addison Trail 37, Marist 22

Glenbard North Weber Invitational

Downers Grove North 196, Lockport 112, Oswego East 92.5, Neuqua Valley 92, Benet Academy 69, Rolling Meadows 56, Waubonsie Valley 47.5, Glenbard North 33

Kane County Invitational

St. Charles North 132.5, Batavia 94.5, Geneva 93, West Aurora 69.5, St. Charles East 63, Burlington Central 59, Hampshire 56, Aurora Central Catholic 39, Dundee-Crown 29, Kaneland 21.5, Aurora East 20, Rosary 15, South Elgin 10

Woodstock Steve Erwin Invitational

Harlem 115.5, Boylan Catholic 106, Sycamore 93, Jacobs 87, Woodstock 85, Antioch 82, Hononegah 71.5, Lake Forest Academy 33, St. Viator 22, St. Edward 5, The Lincoln Academy 2

Wheaton Warrenville South Tiger Invitational

Prospect 137, Huntley 80, Lincoln-Way East 76.5, Oak Park-River Forest 61, Naperville North 58, Downers Grove South 57.5, Schaumburg 48, Bolingbrook 42.5, Glenbard West 40, Naperville Central 39, Hinsdale Central 35, Lincoln-Way Central 34, Wheaton North 32.5, Yorkville 20, Metea Valley 19, Wheaton Warrenville South 15, Moline 14, Lyons 12, Oswego 7

Boys lacrosse

Hinsdale Central 16, Naperville Central 5

Lake Forest Academy 14, Hoffman Estates 5

Libertyville 9, Wheaton North 5

Montini 17, Marmion Academy 5

Girls lacrosse

Downers Grove North 4, Hinsdale Central 3

Huntley 11, Hersey 7

Boys gymnastics

MSL Conference Meet

Fremd 136.60, Palatine 129.15, Conant 128.55, Hoffman Estates 118.95, Schaumburg 74.45

WSC Conference Meet

Glenbard West 161.65, Downers Grove Co-Op 151.20, Addison Trail/Willowbrook Co-Op 143.20, Lyons 124.00, Leyden 116.20, Hinsdale South 107.90, Hinsdale Central 106.90

Boys volleyball

Libertyville Invitational

Libertyville d. DePaul 25-19, 25-20

Libertyville d. Rockford East 25-8, 25-10

Libertyville d. Rolling Meadows 25-10, 25-11

Lincoln-Way East Invitational

Brother Rice d. Downers Grove South 25-15, 25-22

Cathedral d. Hinsdale Central 25-20, 27-25

Downers Grove North d. Minooka 25-21, 25-16

Downers Grove North d. St. Francis 25-8, 25-18

Glenbard West d. Glenbard South 25-9, 25-21

Glenbard West d. West Aurora 25-18, 25-15

Lake Park d. Belleville East 25-18, 25-15

Lincoln-Way West d. Hinsdale Central 25-16, 25-22

Lockport d. Downers Grove South 27-25, 25-21

Naperville North d. Riverside-Brookfield 25-19, 25-20

Others

Hononegah d. Stevenson 25-22, 25-23

Stevenson d. Lakes 25-16, 25-12

Walther Christian Academy d. Montini 25-22, 25-21

St. Charles North d. Glenbard East 17-25, 25-17, 25-20

Boys water polo

Naperville Central 10, Palatine 7

Neuqua Valley 10, Lincoln-Way Central 9

Girls water polo

Elk Grove 8, Warren 6

Prospect 14, Neuqua Valley 6

Prospect 8, Bremen 5

Thursday’s late results

Baseball

Hinsdale South 5, Addison Trail 0

Hope Academy 3, Wheaton Academy 2

Maine West 8, Maine East 2

Softball

Barrington 5, Sycamore 5

St. Laurence 13, Montini 9

Upcoming

Saturday, May 3

Baseball

Buffalo Grove at Prairie Ridge, 10 a.m.

Bulls Prep at Westmont (DH), 11 a.m.

Burlington Central at Coal City, 4:30 p.m.

Carmel at Benet, 10 a.m.

Crete-Monee at Neuqua Valley (DH), 10 a.m.

Crystal Lake South at Chicago University, 10 a.m.

De La Salle at Montini, 11 a.m.

Downers Grove South at Oak Park-River Forest, 10 a.m.

Elk Grove at Plainfield Central, 10 a.m.

Geneva at Batavia, 10 a.m.

Glenbard North at Lake Park (DH), 10 a.m.

Glenbrook North at Conant, 10 a.m.

Hersey at Glenbrook South, 10 a.m.

Hinsdale South at Glenbard West, 10 a.m.

IC Catholic Prep at St. Francis, 11 a.m.

Kaneland at Lisle, 10 a.m.

Lake Zurich at Jacobs, 11 a.m.

Leo at Aurora Central Catholic, 1 p.m.

Leyden at Lyons, 10 a.m.

Libertyville at Highland Park, 10 a.m.

Maine South at Normal West, 11 a.m.

Marmion Academy at Fenwick, 11 a.m.

Metea Valley at Taft (DH), 10 a.m.

Niles North at Cary-Grove, 4:30 p.m.

Parkview Christian at Timothy Christian,10 a.m.

Prospect at Naperville Central, 10 a.m.

Rolling Meadows at Dundee-Crown, 11 a.m.

St. Charles East at St. Charles North, 10 a.m.

St. Viator at Marist, 10 a.m.

Stevenson at South Elgin, 10 a.m.

Warren at Fremd, 10 a.m.

Waubonsie Valley at Glenbard East, 10 a.m.

West Aurora at Bolingbrook (DH),10 a.m.

Wheaton Academy at Sandwich (DH), 10 a.m.

Wheaton Warrenville South at Wheaton North, 10 a.m.

Wheeling at Glenbard South, 9 a.m.

Whitney Young at Barrington, 10 a.m.

Willowbrook at Downers Grove North, 10 a.m.

York at Lane Tech, 10 a.m.

Yorkville Christian at Westminster Christian, 10 a.m.

Zion-Benton at Vernon Hills, 10:30 a.m.

Softball

Amundsen at Addison Trail, 11 a.m.

Benet, Fremd, Neuqua Valley at Bradley Bourbonnais, 9 a.m.

Bulls Prep at Westmont, 11 a.m.

Downers Grove South at Oswego East (DH), 10 a.m.

Elk Grove at Dundee-Crown, 10 a.m.

Glenbard South at Wheaton Warrenville South, 10 a.m.

Harvest Christian at Wheeling, 10 a.m.

Huntley at Marengo Tournament, TBA

IC Catholic Prep at Bishop McNamara, 11 a.m.

Joliet Central at Waubonsie Valley, 11 a.m.

Kaneland at Marengo Tournament, 9 a.m.

Lake Zurich at Jacobs, 10 a.m.

Libertyville at Loyola Academy Triangular, 9 a.m.

Lisle at Sandwich (DH), 10 a.m.

Maine South at Maine West, 4:30 p.m.

Marengo at Cary-Grove, 11 a.m.

Naperville Central at Lockport (DH), 10 a.m.

Naperville North at Batavia, 9 a.m.

Neuqua Valley at Bradley Bourbonnais Quad, TBA

Palatine at Rolling Meadows Tournament, TBD

Proviso East at Fenton (DH), 11 a.m.

South Elgin at Lake Park (DH), 10 a.m.

St. Charles East at Marengo Invitational, 9 a.m.

St. Edward at Parkview Christian Academy, 11 a.m.

Taft, Lane Technical at Stevenson Quad, 10 a.m.

Vernon Hills at Hersey, 10 a.m.

York at Barrington, 10 a.m.

Girls soccer

Bartlett at Elgin, 12 p.m.

Batavia, Carmel, Glenbard South, Kaneland, Metea Valley, St. Viator, Wheaton Academy, Wheaton North at Iowa Tournament of Champions, TBA

Belvidere North at Burlington Central, 10 a.m.

Cary-Grove at Marian Central Catholic, 10 a.m.

Downers Grove South, Geneva, Hinsdale Central, Neuqua Valley, St. Charles East, St. Charles North, Waubonsie Valley, York at Naperville North Naperville Invitation, TBA

Dundee-Crown at Round Lake, 11:30 a.m.

East Aurora at Wheaton Warrenville South, 11 a.m.

Elmwood Park at Glenbard East, 11 a.m.

Fremd at Hersey, 11 a.m.

Lakeview at Maine East, 11 a.m.

Larkin at Jacobs, 10:30 a.m.

South Elgin at Hampshire, 12 p.m.

Sycamore at Crystal Lake South, 10 a.m.

Westminster Christian at Walther Christian, 12 p.m.

Willows Academy at Timothy Christian, 10 a.m.

Boys track and field

Bartlett, Glenbard South, Lake Park, Naperville North, Neuqua Valley, South Elgin, Wheaton North at Glenbard West Jim Arnold Invitational, 9:30 a.m.

Carmel, Jacobs, Mundelein, Schaumburg at Palatine, 8:30 a.m.

Harvest Christian at Mooseheart, TBA

Metea Valley, Wheaton Academy, Wheaton Warrenville South, York at Waubonsie Valley Red Ribbon Classic, 10 a.m.

Girls track and field

Carmel, Jacobs, Mundelein, Schaumburg, York at Palatine, 8:30 a.m.

Harvest Christian at Mooseheart, TBA

Lake Park at New Trier Trevian Invitational, 9:30 a.m.

Boys lacrosse

Bartlett at Prairie Ridge, 11 a.m.

Benet at Lane Tech, 6:30 p.m.

Carmel at Prospect, 9 a.m.

Conant at Vernon Hills, 10 a.m.

Detroit Catholic Central at St. Viator, 11 a.m.

Geneva at Rockford Boylan, 10 a.m.

Glenbard West at Warren, 9 a.m.

Glenbrook North at Fremd, 11 a.m.

Hersey at Glenbrook South, 9 a.m.

Lake Forest at Wheaton Academy, 3 p.m.

Lake Park at Lockport, 11:45 a.m.

Lake Zurich at Barrington, 11 a.m.

Nazareth at IC Catholic Prep, 11 a.m.

Neuqua Valley at Lincoln Way West, 11:30 a.m.

St. Charles East at Hampshire, 12 p.m.

St. Francis at Kaneland, 10 a.m.

Girls lacrosse

Carmel at Neuqua Valley, 10 a.m.

Cary-Grove/Crystal Lake Coop at Stoughton, 10 a.m.

Sandburg at Jacobs, 12 pm

Glenbard West at Wheaton Coop, 9 a.m.

Hinsdale Central at York, 10:30 a.m.

Lake Zurich at St. Francis, 11:30 a.m.

Maine South at Naperville North, 9 a.m.

Metea/Waubonsie Valley at Geneva, 11:30 a.m.

Nazareth at IC Catholic Prep, 11 a.m.

Palatine at Barrington, 9 a.m.

Prospect at Libertyville, 10:30 a.m.

Rosary at Trinity, 10:30 a.m.

Streamwood at Elk Grove, 10 a.m.

Boys tennis

Antioch, Carmel at Harlem Invitational, 8:30 a.m.

Argo, St. Viator at St. Francis, 8:30 a.m.

Barrington, Buffalo Grove, Conant, Fremd, Glenbard West, Hinsdale Central, Jacobs, Maine South, Metea Valley, Naperville Central, Naperville North, Neuqua Valley, Palatine, Prospect, Rolling Meadows, St. Charles North, Stevenson, Wheaton North at Hersey Invitational, 8 a.m.

Bartlett, Fenton at Glenbard North Quad, 9 a.m.

Batavia at Champaign Centennial Charger Invitational, 9 a.m.

Downers Grove South, Hinsdale South, Waubonsie Valley at Lincoln Way East Invitational, 8:15 a.m.

Geneva, Marmion Academy, South Elgin, St. Charles East, St. Charles North at West Aurora Blackhawk Invitational, 8 a.m.

Hoffman Estates, Dundee-Crown, Hampshire, North Chicago at Hoffman Estates Quad, 8:30 a.m.

IMSA at Wheaton Academy, 10 a.m.

Lisle, Wheaton North at Plainfield South Invitational, 9 a.m.

New Trier at Benet, 9 a.m.

St. Viator at St. Francis Triangular, 8:30 a.m.

Boys volleyball

Bartlett, Maine West, Metea Valley, Neuqua Valley, Willowbrook at Geneva Invitational, 8 a.m.

Deerfield, DePaul Prep, Leyden, Prospect, Rockford East, Rolling Meadows, Zion-Benton at Libertyville Invitational, 9 a.m.

Downers Grove North, Downers Grove South, Glenbard South, Glenbard West, Hinsdale Central, Lake Park, St. Francis, West Aurora at Lincoln-Way East Invitational, 5 p.m.

Fenton, Lake Forest, Maine South, Nazareth, Von Steuben Metro Science at Hersey Invitational, 8:30 a.m.

Fremd, Naperville Central at Reavis Quad, 6 p.m.

Boys water polo

Buffalo Grove, Hersey, Libertyville at Conant Invitational, 9 a.m.

Elk Grove at Hoffman Estates Invitational, 8 a.m.

Maine South, Rolling Meadows, Vernon Hills at Prospect Invitational, 8 a.m.

Mundelein at Fremd Quad, 8 a.m.

Naperville Central, Naperville North, Palatine, York at Stevenson Invitational, 9 a.m.

Girls water polo

Hersey at New Trier Quad, 8 a.m.

Maine South, Neuqua Valley at Prospect Invitational, 8 a.m.

Naperville Central at Zeeland, 8 a.m.

Neuqua Valley at Prospect Invitational, TBA

Girls badminton

Barrington, Buffalo Grove, Conant, Elk Grove, Fremd, Hoffman Estates, Hersey, Palatine, Prospect, Schaumburg, Wheeling at Rolling Meadows, 8 a.m.

Bartlett, Elgin, Fenton, Glenbard East, Glenbard South, Streamwood, West Aurora at Larkin Upstate Eight Conference Singles Championships, TBA

Geneva, Glenbard North, Lake Park, St. Charles East, St. Charles North, Wheaton North at Wheaton Warrenville South DuKane Conference Doubles Championship, TBA

Vernon Hills at Niles North CSL Invitational, 9 a.m.

May 2, 2025

The GoCardless Swim England Water Polo National Age Group Championships 2025 (U17/U19) take place at the Alan Higgs Sports Centre in Coventry this weekend.

In the build up to the competition, we’re taking a closer look at each of the sides that are looking to become national champions in the Midlands on Sunday.

Here, in the final of our four previews we take a look at the U19 open teams that have qualified for finals weekend.

Each of the previews for the event will be posted on the Swim England website within the water polo hub, whilst those who haven’t had the chance to get their tickets in advance can purchase them on venue, subject to availability.

Cheltenham

Defending champions Cheltenham return to finals weekend after securing their first gold in the event 12 months ago.

They took gold in a dominant display in Gloucester last year, defeating Worthing and City of Sheffield in style to take the gold.

They return with a young squad this time around with a team that is primed to impress both this weekend and in National Age Group Championships going forward.

A repeat of last year’s final with Sheffield kicks off their campaign on Saturday and Head Coach Katy Ross is looking forward to another exciting competition.

She said: “Cheltenham are delighted to have qualified again for the National Age Group Championship Finals weekend.

“It’s always a highlight in our junior calendar and our U19s are very much looking forward to defending their title!

“Unlike last year, which saw us field a core of 2006 and 2007 born girls, this year’s squad is comprised of some very promising and confident younger players, many of whom have several years left in this competition.

“In fact, five are eligible for the U15 competition at the end of this year! It’s a hugely exciting time to be involved in women’s water polo, with so many more opportunities opening up for our female players.

“Two of our top players in this age group won’t make this weekend’s Finals, because they will be representing the CSWPC Senior Women at the Nordic League Finals in Malta, alongside City of Manchester. We’re really looking forward to seeing everyone in Coventry on Saturday at what promises to be, as always, a brilliant weekend for junior British water polo.”

Squad: Alexandra Haslam (GK), Georgia Haslam (C), Megan Ross, Luisa Borgia, Ella Webster, Imogen Blassberg, Pippa Forrest, Jess Day, Alice Ross, Lucy Paterson, Sophia Kania, Edith Clarke. Head Coach: Katy Ross. Assistant Coach: Stu McKie. Team Manager: Laura Kania.

City of Sheffield

After back-to-back podium finishes at the Championships, City of Sheffield’s U19s women’s side head to Coventry looking to go one better.

In 2024, they overcame the defending champions in Manchester to reach the final and this time round they’ll be looking to take on Cheltenham in their opening match.

An unbeaten run in qualifying puts them in a strong position to impress this weekend and Head Coach Gabby Williams says her side are ready to leave everything in the pool as they trek to the Midlands.

“Sheffield are hungry for the win,” she said.  “We have a strong team and are ready to give it our all.

“Last year we went in as the underdogs against Manchester where we produced a thrilling semi-final, beating the reigning champions to silver.

“This year we are ready to do the same again, against last year’s champions, Cheltenham.

“It is a young squad, who have consistently won bronze at this level and they have been training relentlessly to do one better this year. The majority of this squad went to the EU Nations in November, which has given them all an extra drive and passion to improve their game.

“I’m incredibly proud of their performance at the qualifiers. To top the table, with those scorelines was a great effort, with every player contributing to the result.

“We are ready to fight to the final whistle and will be leaving everything we have in the pool. We do that and we leave with our heads held high no matter the result. A big thank you to our finals sponsor SPR Malta.”

Squad: Laura Skelton (C), Connie Swainson (VC), Severn Annakin, Lauren Bellett, Alice Berrill, Georgie Coles, Hannah Croker, Rowena Kanan, Izzi Olcer , Ruby Taylor, Caitlin Urquhart, Anna Woodhall. Head Coach: Gabby Williams. Assistant Coach: Kevin Swainson. Team Manager: Rachel Skelton

City of Liverpool

City of Liverpool were one of the standout teams inside their home pool in the Qualification Round.

The Merseyside outfit were only third in the preliminaries but went on to top Group B ahead of defending champions Cheltenham.

A 9-5 win over the Gloucestershire based team as well as knocking off Worthing and West London Penguin sent a statement that they’re ready to go for gold this weekend.

Captain Isabelle Ibbs returns to the competition after scoring seven as the club narrowly missed out on an U17 medal two years ago and she’s excited to be back at finals weekend this time around.

She said: “We’re really excited to be back at the National Age Group Championship finals weekend after just missing out last year!

“Playing in the British Water Polo League this season has been such a valuable experience for all of us and has definitely helped us prepare for the tough matches ahead.”

Squad: Jenna Binks, Lucy Davis, Abbie Evans, Jess Freeman, Abigail Harrison, Isabella Ibbs (C), Francesca Lucas, Tillie McGeehan, Fleur Morris, Annie Rowland, Sianna Tamlin, Isobella Taylor, Ataliah Taylor-Potts, Hannah Tunbridge, Lily Watson. Head Coach: Alice Byrne. Assistant Coach: Laura Hesketh. Team Manager: Sian Freeman.

City of Bristol

Head Coach Nick Hume leads his Bristol side to Coventry as the club hunts for his first National Age Group title in this event.

He leads a group that’s looking forward to a ‘great test’ after they topped the table in the Preliminary Round.

Four wins from four booked their spot in the qualification stage where there only blip came against a strong Sheffield team that are regular medalists in the competition.

Hume can rely on some of his players from Great Britain’s U18s squad in Georgia Haines, India Knights-Hume and captain Harriet Bates to help lead his side to victory on Saturday when they face Liverpool at the Alan Higgs Centre.

Speaking ahead of the event Hume said that his side have been training hard in the lead up to the event. He said: “We’re really looking forward to the semi-final. It’s going to be a great test.

“The girls have been training relentlessly, going up against our senior ladies to push themselves further. If we perform at our best, we know we’re a tough team to beat.

“We’re ready to compete and will give everything – but ultimately, may the best team win.”

Squad: Esme Griffiths, Heidi Kilb, Abbie Johnson, Josephine Lamont Tuckett, Harriet Bates (C), Eliza Shearn, Dalma Sinkovicz, India Knights-Hume, Georgia Haines, Darcey Tomlinson, Olivia Llewelyn-Davies, Manon Lyhtgoe, Fifi Pullen. Head Coach: Nick Hume. Assistant Coach: Louise Betts. Team Manager: Deby Herring.

You can keep up with all the action from the weekend by following our live scoreboard, whilst the Swim England website and social media channels will be providing regular updates on everything happening in Coventry.

Swim England’s official event’s photographer, Will Johnston Photography, will also be on hand throughout the weekend and the full gallery will be available here.

Three athletes from American River College’s Fall 2024 volleyball season, Morgan Castaneda, Sofia MacPherson and Kyla Powell have committed to four-year institutions this semester. All three athletes are moving towards a new chapter in their academic and athletic journey 

The schools that the ARC athletes committed to are San Jose State University, Cal State Monterey Bay and Alcorn State University respectively.  

For community college athletes who want to continue their journey at a four-year institution, going through the process of committing to a university can be a trudge in the mud. Athletes first need to have trained for years and performed at a stage with a high standard. Then go through a seemingly endless stream of outgoing emails.

“You email a ton of schools and you don’t hear back from a lot, and sometimes you can take that personally, but it’s important not to take that to heart,” said MacPherson, sharing her experience as an athlete reaching out to institutions over the past year. 

And this process can take time.

“I started back in, like, May (2024), so I think you just have to stay focused and…not bother, but keep emailing the schools over and over again, and just staying persistent,” MacPherson said.

Despite the struggles that student athletes face contacting schools, an ARC volleyball athlete can be at ease knowing that the competition is something that they will not need to worry about. 

The ARC volleyball program over the last decade has been one of the best in the state with winning the past Big 8 Championship as well as making six straight appearances at the California Community College Athletics Association State Women’s Volleyball Championship.

“I think we do a good job of development. I think in order to have that be a positive experience with transfering to the next level,” said Carson Lowden, ARC Volleyball Head Coach. “we’re all about developing the players who are in our program to be the best volleyball players that they can be, to be the next version of themselves as people, so they’re prepared to go on and thrive at the next level.”

The great performances from the team in the last 3C2A was also a great factor in the recruitment process, showcasing their abilities at a big stage. The team went deep into the tournament and was defeated by subsequent State Champions Feather River College in the semi-finals. 

In the last week of the regular season Powell was named the California Community College Women’s Volleyball Association State Player of the Week for week 13 thanks to a great performance against Modesto junior College where she recorded 18 of her 31 attempted kills.

Castaneda also had a stand out performance in their quarter-final win against LA Mission College, with 21 kills, 10 digs and three blocks.

In an interview with The Current, Lowden gave a send off message to those who have committed to four-years.

“Continue to play to play and remember the process. The process is the most important part of the “thing,”  Lowden said. “Your greatest win and your gnarliest loss are both just one moment in time. And yet you still get to show up every single day and be in the process. So it’s always that process.”

Although the Indoor season is over, ARC also has a Beach Volleyball season that sees many of the same players from indoor.  They currently have an 18-5 record and have 5 pairs advancing into the NorCal Pairs Championships and will play Friday, May 2 at Cosumnes.