HOUGHTON, Mich. – The Michigan Tech volleyball team announced its 2025 schedule on Wednesday (May 28). Under first-year head coach Cindy Pindral, the Huskies will play 27 matches in the fall with 16 GLIAC contests and nine games at the SDC Gym. Six of their opponents went to the NCAA Tournament last season and five were ranked in the final 2024 AVCA Top 25.
 
Tech begins the season with a tournament hosted by McKendree. The Huskies will face Missouri-St. Louis to open the schedule on September 5, with their second match of the day against Southwestern Oklahoma State. The trip wraps up against the host Bearcats on September 6.
 
The Huskies play in the Minnesota edition of the Up North Tournament the following weekend. Tech travels to St. Cloud to take on Barry on September 11 and Adelphi and SCSU on September 12. All three of those opponents played in the national tournament last season. The Up North weekend wraps up with a trip up to Minnesota Duluth on September 13.
 
The GLIAC portion of the schedule gets underway the following weekend with a pair of road matches at Ferris State (Sept. 19) and Davenport (Sept. 20). Tech then hosts Roosevelt (Sept. 26) and Parkside (Sept. 27) at the SDC Gym in the home-opener where it will also be Alumni Weekend and a 50th Team celebration.
 
The Black and Gold head back on the road to Lake Superior State (Oct. 3) and Saginaw Valley State (Oct. 4) to begin October. The Huskies host Northern Michigan in a non-conference match on October 9 and then travel to Purdue Northwest (Oct. 12) before the annual Midwest Region Crossover on October 17-18. Tech will play three non-conference opponents at the 17th annual tournament.
 
The Huskies host Wayne State (Oct. 24) and Grand Valley State (Oct. 25) and then play their final three road matches of the regular season at NMU (Oct. 28), Parkside (Oct. 31), and Roosevelt (Nov. 1).
 
The season wraps up with four straight home matches against Davenport (Nov. 7), FSU (Nov. 8), SVSU (Nov. 14), and LSSU (Nov. 15)
 
The Huskies advanced to the GLIAC semifinal for the eighth consecutive time last season, with a 10-7 GLIAC record and a fifth-place finish in the conference. Tech finished the 2024 season with a 17-12 overall record.
 

• Michigan features beaches statewide along over 3,200 miles of shoreline.
• From the Great Lakes to inland lakes, national lakeshores to state parks, the state offers vast shores to explore.
• The USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards picked 10 west and northern Michigan beaches as the state’s best.

Summer is nearly here in Michigan and now’s the time to start planning a trip to the beach.

New host broadcaster for the French Grand Slam, Whisper, is helping advance the Fédération Française de Tennis’ (FFT) goals of increasing the number of younger viewers watching Roland-Garros.

One of the aims for the new team over the next five years is to bring a more youthful demographic to screens to watch the tournament, and this involves broadening coverage out further into digital media.

Content creators

Since the tournament began on 19 May through to its epic conclusion on 8 June, Whisper has been working closely with the FFT’s squad of content creators from its digital team, who are roving around Roland-Garros to capture this new digital content.

Says Amandine Tyl, head of production and broadcast services at the FFT: “We have a team of content creators that are capturing content around the grounds everywhere in order to be able to deliver this content to our rights holders, because now we consider that digital is part of what the broadcasters are needing; it’s not only about linear channels, but also digital.

“We want to make sure that broadcasters can get access to wide range of content in terms of Roland-Garros production, and not only what we all expect, like live coverage of matches, but on top of that, digital coverage.”

Graphic focus

Another step towards that younger audience is a new focus on data and graphics. Says Tyl: “In order to get a new audience of not only tennis experts around the table, and this is new for this year, we have now an agreement with TennisViz.”

Read more Roland-Garros 2025: Bringing the passion and drama with new cameras for storytelling at the French Grand Slam

TennisViz’s automated artificial intelligence (AI) software processes ball and player tracking data in real time to calculate shot type, shot quality, situation, phase of play and tactic for every shot. This data is presented as a collection of performance metrics known as TennisViz Insights.

Tyl continues: “[TennisViz] are in charge of data. This is something new at FFT for this year because we are capturing players and ball tracking data around all courts. I think we were the only Slam not to cover this, because we don’t have the official line calling, so this year for the first time we are capturing all this data on all courts, and based on this data we will use TennisViz in order to deliver some insights which should help to reach a younger audience, and a different audience from the one we currently have for tennis.”

Deltatre is running the graphics for the FFT. Tyl says: “We will have some specific insight graphics, which are used also on the ATP tool. These kind of graphics give more easy to understand data for generic viewers – not tennis experts – because tennis is very complicated to understand for a mainstream audience.”

Roland-Garros’ Court Simonne Mathieu

Top Trumps

This is all about serving the rights holders to this prestigious Grand Slam. Tyl says: “At Roland-Garros we have many different kinds of broadcaster, from very mainstream broadcasters like France Télévisions, to very specific sports or tennis broadcasters,” continues Tyl. “We wanted, through TennisViz, to give easier access to the data for the viewers. So for example, they are providing on a scale from zero to 10 the quality of shot of the players, so player serve, player backhand, player forehand, etc.”

Read more Roland-Garros 2025: Whisper on getting into the psyche of the FFT as the new host broadcaster for the French Grand Slam

Sebastian Tiffert, account director at Whisper, likens the new comparison graphics ‘cards’ to the game, Top Trumps. Tyl continues: “Basically you can get some kind of player’s ‘cards’, where when you have a head to head between two players, instead of having the traditional head to head [graphic] we have all been used to seeing over the last decade with how many times they have been fighting against each other and that sort of thing, we get data comparisons between the strengths and weaknesses of the two players.

“This is typically the kind of data we think will make it easier for a wider audience to understand tennis better, and get a little more storytelling [into the production], because I think storytelling around tennis is really key and this is what we are trying to achieve through these kind of new services,” she says.

The French Open takes place in Paris from 19 May to 8 June 2025

Alabama’s Ryan Williams and Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith are the cover athletes for EA Sports College Football 26, the video-game developer announced Tuesday.

The electric sophomore wide receivers were picked for the second edition of the franchise’s reboot. Last year’s game was the first in 11 years and was among the best-selling video games in 2024.

Williams and Smith are posed together on the standard cover, while the deluxe edition also includes other players, coaches, mascots and former cover stars Reggie Bush, Tim Tebow and Denard Robinson.

The ‘26 edition will test if the franchise still has the same staying power it had when it was released annually in the early 2000s.

For the players who are featured in the game, it will certainly remain popular. Williams said in a statement released by EA Sports that the cover was “a dream come true,” and Smith called it “a tremendous privilege.”

“I’m proud to represent Ohio State alongside Coach (Ryan) Day while carrying the Buckeye legacy forward, celebrating the passion of our fans and the tradition of this incredible program,” Smith said.

Williams and Smith broke onto the national scene in 2024 with their miraculous catches on the biggest stages.

Williams’ spinning TD grab to help beat then-No. 2 Georgia looked like it belonged in a video game. It was one of many wowing plays from the young receiver. Williams finished his freshman season with 48 receptions for 865 yards and eight receiving touchdowns.

Smith was a major part of the Buckeyes’ run to a national championship. He regularly hauled in one-handers that decimated the confidence of his defenders. In a CFP quarterfinals win over top-seeded Oregon, Smith had seven receptions, 187 yards and two touchdowns. He finished his freshman year with 76 catches, 1,315 yards and 15 receiving touchdowns.

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The Summit boys volleyball team walks off the court after winning the Class 5A Culminating Event at the Olympus Sports Center in Hillsboro on Sunday. (Colleen Woods/Submitted photo)

The Summit boys volleyball team poses with the trophy and bracket after winning the Class 5A Culminating Event at the Olympus Sports Center in Hillsboro on Sunday. (Colleen Woods/Submitted photo)

Summit’s Gavin White goes up for a kill during the Class 5A Culminating Event at the Olympus Sports Center in Hillsboro on Sunday. (Colleen Woods/Submitted photo)

The pressure felt different, but the end result was the same for the Summit boys volleyball team.

In the second year of boys volleyball as an emerging activity for the Oregon School Activities Association, the Storm ended their second season in the same way they did their first – as state champions.

“It was a different experience, but winning a state title is a different feeling, that’s for sure,” said Summit coach Dan Drum. “There was pressure this year. Last year we went in with such a young group, first year in volleyball and really no idea who we would be going against. Certainly it was a goal to win state but we didn’t have the pressure of it. This year, there was that heaviness from the get-go. We had the target on our back and anything less than a state title would be a disappointment.”

The second-seeded Storm won the eight-team Class 5A Culminating Event (unofficial state tournament) at the Olympus Sports Center in Hillsboro on Sunday. Summit took down Thurston 3-0 in the quarterfinals (25-21, 25-19, 25-21) and La Salle 3-1 in the semifinals (25-18, 18-25, 25-21, 25-20) on Saturday.

In Sunday’s final, the Storm defeated top-ranked Parkrose in straight sets (25-20, 25-20, 25-23) to win the title.

Against La Salle on Saturday, junior outside hitter Gavin White led the team with kills (12), blocks (four), digs (three) and aces (two). In the championship win over Parkrose, sophomore outside hitter Beckett White finished with 18 kills. Gavin White, sophomore middle blocker Anand Groves and junior middle blocker Nash Olegario each had five blocks. Sophomore middle blocker Brecken Murphy-Primus finished with four digs.

The 5A title capped off an impressive 17-1 season for the Storm, in which their only loss came to 6A champs Central Catholic. Summit won its final 14 matches and 47 of its 53 sets — including nine of 10 in the state tournament.

“These boys, the best match that they played was in the finals,” Drum said. “That is what you want as a coach and that was the case last year as well.”

With another state title in hand, Summit and the rest of the boys volleyball programs in Oregon must wait to learn if the sport will become a fully-sanctioned spring sport by the OSAA this coming fall.

The OSAA wanted to see growth in the second season. This spring, 68 programs from all six classifications competed.

“I was super impressed with the quality of play,” Drum said. “This year there was next-level play. The level of competition has skyrocketed. If you aren’t ready, there are guys who are going to pound the ball, the rallies are getting longer. I was blown away by the competition. It is headed in a great direction.”

About Brian Rathbone

Brian Rathbone has been the sports reporter for the Bulletin since 2019. He likes playing basketball, running and spending time with his dog, Rodger.

He can be reached at 541-668-7538, brian.rathbone@bendbulletin.com, or on X/IG @ByBrianRathbone

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On Friday, Mesa College will cap its athletic year by holding the community college’s annual Student-Athlete Graduation and Transfer Ceremony.

More than 100 athletes completing their two years as Olympians will be transferring to four-year schools, splitting more than a record $3 million in scholarships (and counting).

“Beyond what we do on fields and courts, the transfer ceremony is one of our annual highlights,” said Mesa College athletic director Ryan Shumaker. “We’re here as a step. We’re here to see our athletes compete at the next level in both sports and academics.”

Said track/cross country coach Sean Ricketts: “We recruit them in and recruit them out. When we bring an athlete in, we promise to help them develop, open doors and move on. That’s what we preach to them … we’re here to help, but make the most of this opportunity.”

Also on hand Friday will be the Chet DeVore Trophy. Named in memory of a decorated World War II Marine officer who became a coach, educator and founding president of Southwestern College, the trophy goes annually to the local community college that has the best record of overall excellence in the local Pacific Coast Athletic Conference.

Mesa College has won the award for seven straight years.

This year, the Olympians won PCAC titles in men’s cross country, track and field and volleyball and women’s cross country, volleyball, track and field and beach volleyball. In addition, the football team was ranked No. 1 among county teams.

The Olympians also thrived at state-level competitions. Mesa won three state championships, sweeping the men’s and women’s cross country titles and claiming the beach volleyball crown. They also finished second in the state in men’s track and field and volleyball and third in football and women’s track and field.

“We’re all very proud of holding the DeVore Trophy,” said Shumaker. “As a school and coaches, we’ve created an atmosphere where developing students and athletes can thrive.”

Mesa finished the school year strong by winning its first state title in beach volleyball then coming away with podium finishes in both men’s and women’s track and field.

The beach volleyball team was led by Myah Gomez and Jaiden Mojica, who finished third in the state in the individual competition. A year ago, Gomez and Kailyn Jager won the individual title.

A native of Salinas, Gomez came to Mesa College after serving in the Air Force. Mojica is a graduate of Bonita Vista High School.

“Gomez is what community colleges are all about,” said Mesa coach Kim Lester. “She joined the Air Force out of high school. This was her opportunity to relaunch herself. She loves beach volleyball. I recruited her by being able to go off a video she sent me of her playing on the beach sand talking to her on the phone.

“I have so much pride in Mesa College and what we do here. I love what we all do here. The coaches here have bought into the goal of bringing in athletes, coaching them up and finding a spot for them to continue with a scholarship.”

Lester was named the PCAC All-Sports Female Coach of the Year. Brian Hiatt-Alew, who led Cuyamaca College to its first-ever state title in soccer, was named the PCAC All-Sports Male Coach of the Year.

The last Olympians to compete this year were the members of Rickett’s track and field teams.

Mesa College claimed seven of the eight events won by local athletes at the state meet.

Ian Rosen (Grossmont High School) won the 800 meters with a time of 1 minute, 51.97 seconds. Rosen, who also led Mesa to the cross country title with a fourth-place finish last December, then finished fourth in the 1,500 meters at 4:02.48.

Mesa won the men’s 4×100 relay for the first time in school history. The foursome of Josh Schindler, Ryan Mann, Marcel Acosta (El Camino High School) and Austin Snook (Bonita Vista High School) were clocked in 40.82 seconds. The Olympians also won the 4×400 relay in 3:12.65 with the team of Acosta, Shamarion Unden (El Capitan High School), Mann and Jaden Dasher (Oceanside High School).

Ron Way (La Jolla High School) was timed in 31:30.82 to win the 10,000. He also finished third in the 5,000 meters (15:31.68). Lucas Scott (Mission Hills High School) won the javelin with a throw of 206 feet, 1 inch. Dasher also won in the 400-meter hurdles in :52.52.

Joelle Tonne of Mesa College (Oceanside High School) won the women’s 800 meters (2:17.17), finished third in the 1,500 meters (4:47.04) and ran a leg on the Olympians’ 4×400 relay team that ran fourth.

Every week during the school year, U-T contributor Bill Center highlights one San Diego college team that’s making strides on and off the field. To nominate a team, email wcenter27@gmail.com. 

Originally Published: May 27, 2025 at 2:24 PM PDT