All motorsport enthusiasts will have a chance to have a real-time experience of motorsport competition after the Federation of Motorsport Clubs of Uganda (FMU) launched the E-Sports championship series in Uganda. 

FMU, together with the international motorsport body FIA, set the inaugural Esports championship in motion with an intention of growing the digital motorsport competition. 

EMMITSBURG, Md. (August 20, 2025) – Mount St. Mary’s Director of Athletics Brad Davis promoted and added members to the athletics senior administrative team, athletic communications, and in development.
 
Mark Vandergrift receives a promotion to Senior Associate Athletic Director for Communications. Vandergrift now oversees a broader scope of external relations for the athletic department, including marketing and branding standards as well as communications.  
 
Abigail Vietmeier is now the Assistant Athletic Director of Compliance and Governance. Vietmeier joins the department’s senior staff and obtains sport oversight duties. Serving as the department’s Change Champion for the NCAA House Settlement, she becomes the sport administrator for the track & field/cross country teams as well as bowling and tennis. A graduate of Mercyhurst University, Vietmeier overhauled the compliance department since the beginning of her tenure at the Mount.
 
“Mark and Abigail are more than deserving of their promotions,” said Davis. “As college athletics continues to evolve, both have stepped up significantly in their roles to continue advancing our athletic department and institution as a whole.”
 
The media relations team announced the promotion of Luke Panzer to Coordinator of Creative Services/Social Media. Panzer joined Mount St. Mary’s last year as a Sports Information Assistant. The graduate of Penn State and York County native now assumes the lead role for all graphics, video content, and social media organization for the athletic department.
 
Also joining the media team is Abby Anderson as a Sports Information Assistant/Video Board Operator. In this role, Anderson will oversee the implementation of the new video board system in Knott Arena for the 2025-26 season. She is a recent graduate of James Madison University with a degree in Media Arts and Design and gained experience with the Daktronics team in Harrisonburg.
 
On the development side, Rachel Saint-Firmin has joined the department as Director of Athletic Giving. With more than 20 years of nonprofit experience across Boston and Washington, D.C., she brings a strong background in education and mission-driven fundraising. Most recently, she served as Director of Development at Summits Education, where she led fundraising and strategy for a network of 39 schools in rural Haiti. A former women’s soccer student-athlete at Brandeis University, Saint-Firmin holds both a bachelor’s degree and an MS/MBA from her alma mater.
 

STOCKTON, Calif. – With just nine days remaining until the start of the 2025 season, the West Coast Conference released its annual preseason poll Wednesday morning and ranked the Pacific volleyball program seventh.

Despite being picked seventh, the Tigers have only ever finished seventh twice in the eleven full seasons (Covid shortened season excluded) Head Coach Greg Gibbons has guided the team through the WCC and has never finished below seventh in the conference.

“I think with the release of the preseason poll that has put us closer to competing as the team is coming together, working extremely hard and excited about playing somebody else,” Gibbons said.

“I look at the poll as we are getting closer to the season and continuing to grow and compete together against good teams in a tough contest.”

The Tigers enter the season returning just three from last season’s roster and with 15 new faces to the program. Led by senior Jayhlin Swain and sophomore Aly Cox as returners, Swain put together a memorable first season wearing the orange and black, tallying 524 digs – good for the second most in a single season in program history. Meanwhile, Cox is the returning kills leader after playing 50 sets and 19 matches in her freshman campaign.

Pacific will also have the services of senior Logan Blutreich, who missed last season due to injury. In her 2023 season, she was second on the team in blocks per set and sixth on the squad with 79 kills.

Of the 15 new faces, four come to Stockton by way of the transfer portal in graduates Valentina Varani from Coastal Carolina and Olivia Keller from Fresno State, sophomore Olga Gergacz from American University and redshirt freshman Mila Stojakovic from Pepperdine.

A standout playing in the middle, Varani led Coastal Carolina with 117 blocks in the 2023 season while Keller brings power from the outside tallying a career-best 135 kills during the 2022 season.

The Tigers open their season next Friday in Northridge, Calif. at The Ridge Invitational against Cal Baptist at 2 pm. Pacific will also face host CSUN and Idaho State during the weekend long invitational. Pacific’s first home match is October 2 against LMU at 6 pm.

The full WCC release can be found on the conference’s website

Tigers Tickets

Tickets for upcoming events can be purchased through the PacificTigers.com tickets tab, or by calling the Box Office at 209-946-2474.  Groups of 10 or more are eligible for a group discount and exclusive fan experiences.

 

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For all the latest on Pacific Volleyball, be sure to follow the team on X (@PacificVball), Instagram (@pacificvolleyball) and Facebook page (Pacific Volleyball).

#PacificProud

 

PORTLAND, Ore. – After a hard-earned draw on the road, the Portland Pilots return to Merlo Field for their home opener against the Cal State Fullerton Titans. They follow that up with a matchup against the Long Beach State Beach.
 
The Pilots and Titans will face off on Thursday, Aug. 21 at 7 p.m. The Pilots take on the Beach on Sunday, Aug. 24 at 1 p.m. Both games will be available on ESPN+. Check PortlandPilots.com for live stats and ticket options as well.
 
MATCH INFORMATION
Opponent: Cal State Fullerton Titans (0-0-1, 0-0-0 Big West)
Day: Thursday
Date: Aug. 21, 2025
Time: 7 PM
Place: Portland, Ore.
Pitch: Merlo Field
Video: ESPN+
Stats: PortlandPilots.com

POR vs. CSF

Overall Series: 4-0-0

H: 1-0-0 •  A: 0-0-0  •  N: 3-0-0

Last: POR 2, CSF 1 (2007)

Opponent: Long Beach State Beach (1-1-0, 0-0-0 Big West)

Day: Sunday

Date: Aug. 24, 2025

Time: 1 PM

Place: Portland, Ore.

Pitch: Merlo Field

Video: ESPN+

Stats: PortlandPilots.com

POR vs. LBSU

Overall Series: 0-0-0

H: 0-0-0•  A: 0-0-0 •  N: 0-0-0

Last: N/A

PEEK INTO THE PORT

• The Pilots battled the Oregon Ducks to a 0-0 draw down in Eugene, earning the shutout.
• It’s the second time in the last three seasons the Pilots have began the year with a shutout and the fourth straight season they’ve earned an unbeaten result in the season opener.
• Portland and Seattle U are the only two WCC teams to not allow a goal in the opening week.
• The Pilots didn’t score on offense but impressed defensively, with Sophia Hills earning a shutout and three saves in her first career start.
• Four different Pilots made their debuts in purple and black: Elizabeth Rapp, Giovanna Hansen, Jordyn Womack and Brooke Christian.
• The Pilots are coming off a season that saw them finish 9-5-6 overall and 4-3-3 in WCC play. They’ve won at least nine games each of the last four years, marking the first time the Pilots have put together at least nine wins a season for four straight seasons since a stretch between 2010 and 2013.
• Last season, they were second in the WCC in goal differential (19), goals-against average (0.850) and shutout percentage (.400) while leading the conference in save percentage (.828).
• The Pilots were picked to finish sixth in the annual West Coast Conference Preseason Coaches Poll, with Keeley Dockter representing the Pilots on the All-WCC Preseason Team. This is Dockter’s first time making it on the preseason squad.
• Jillian McBride is the lone returner for the Pilots to earn All-WCC honors last season, making the freshman team. She scored one goal and added two assists in her first year on The Bluff.
• The Pilots return 16 players from last year’s squad while adding 11 newcomers.
• Among the key returners are forward Hailey Still and Hailey Bagby, who were second and third respectively on the team in total points. Still scored seven goals for 14 points while Bagby added four goals and four assists as a defender.
• Michelle French is in her eighth season as head coach of the Pilots. She’s posted a 60-41-22 record overall and led the Pilots to their first postseason appearance in 2022.

ABOUT THE TITANS

• The Cal State Fullerton Titans opened the 2025 season with a 0-0 draw against the California Golden Bears.
• Goalkeeper Isaac Ranson earned Big West Defensive Player of the Week after posting five saves in the shutout.
• The Titans finished at 6-9-4 last season and 4-3-3 in the Big West, taking sixth in the conference. This season, they were picked to finish fifth in the annual Big West Women’s Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll.
• Isabella Cruz and Kaylin Raibon were both picked to the All-Big West Preseason Team. It’s the second time Cruz has made the team and third time for Raibon.
• Cruz was also named a United Soccer Coaches Midfielder to Watch of this season. She was an All-Big West First Team player last year with four goals and four assists.
• Demian Brown is in his 19^th season as head coach of the Titans. He’s led the Titans to six NCAA Tournament appearances and 11 Big West Championships titles combining both regular season and tournament.

ABOUT THE BEACH

• The Beach are 1-1 to kick off the 2025 campaign, beating the Hawaii Rainbow Wahine 2-1 before falling to the Texas Longhorns 1-2.
• Last season, they went 6-9-3 overall and 3-5-2 in Big West play to take eighth in the conference. They were picked to finish fourth this season.
• Forward Cherrie Cox was the lone player from the Beach to make the All-Big West Preseason Team. Cox was the 2023 Big West Offensive Player of the Year in 2023.
• The Beach also return All-Big West selection Brooklyn Antonucci, who made the All-Fresman Team after playing over 1,700 minutes and adding six assists.
• Mauricio Ingrassia enters his 22^nd season at the helm of the Beach. He is one of 82 active NCAA coaches with 200 career wins.

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STANFORD, Calif. – The most revered and accomplished player in the history of women’s water polo is returning to The Farm, completing a unique full-circle moment that originated at Avery Aquatic Center nearly 25 years ago.

Brenda Villa will join the Cardinal women’s water polo program as Associate Head Coach, as announced on Wednesday by John Tanner, Stanford’s Dunlevie Family Director of Women’s Water Polo.

“Brenda is an icon in the water polo world, as one of our sport’s greatest ever athletes, as a global ambassador for the sport, and as an extraordinary coach who engenders belief, self-reliance and resilience in her athletes and teams,” said Tanner, who coached Villa and has guided the Cardinal to 10 NCAA championships in 28 years at the helm. “Brenda’s path to Stanford was exceptional, a journey made possible by the City of Commerce, her family, teachers, coaches and her own relentless drive. Brenda’s journey since graduating has been equally remarkable.” 

Villa’s impact on the sport is unmatched, beginning with a remarkable legacy established during her collegiate career at Stanford that immediately opened doors to international success. After redshirting in 1999 to train for the 2000 Sydney Summer Olympics, Villa led the Cardinal to its first NCAA title in 2002. A three-time All-American, Villa was also named ACWPC Player of the Year in 2001 before becoming Stanford’s first Peter J. Cutino Award recipient in 2002. Named the 2016 Pac-12 Player of the Century, Villa ranks 12th in school history in goals scored (173) and is a member of the Stanford Athletics Hall of Fame.

One of only two four-time Olympic medalists (2000, 2004, 2008, 2012) in the history of the sport, Villa enjoyed tremendous success on the international stage. Named the Female Water Polo Player of the Decade (2000-09) by FINA Aquatics World Magazine, Villa concluded her playing career having won 20 medals (4 Summer Olympics, 4 World Championships, 3 Pan American Games, 1 FINA World Cup, 8 FINA World League) while representing Team USA.

“Returning to Stanford is incredibly special to me,” said Villa, who retired from professional water polo in 2012. “Being part of the first NCAA championship team here wasn’t just about winning — it was about laying the foundation for what this program could become. As one of the early athletes to help shape that era, I feel honored to now give back as a coach and help lead the next generation of student-athletes who will carry that legacy forward.”

She returns to The Farm having most recently served as the head coach at Orange Lutheran High School in Orange, California, since 2022. A two-time CIF Open Division Coach of the Year (2023, 2024) and Orange County Register Coach of the Year (2023), Villa led the Lancers to CIF Regional State titles in 2024 and 2025, highlighted by an undefeated season in 2024.

Villa’s coaching career also includes a five-year stint as an assistant coach of the women’s water polo program at Cerritos College from 2005-09, guiding the Falcons to a CCCAA state title in 2008. Villa later served as the head coach at Castilleja School in Palo Alto for 10 seasons starting in 2010.

Villa, who in 2018 was inducted into both the USA Water Polo Hall of Fame and International Swimming Hall of Fame, has also served as head coach of the Team USA’s U16 squad.

Equally rewarding has been Villa’s long-standing commitment to advocacy for women’s sports and community service, specifically focusing on expanding diversity in water polo and other aquatic sports. Villa co-founded Project 2020, a non-profit organization committed to providing aquatic opportunities for those in under-resourced communities. Working within the Northern California community of East Palo Alto and East Menlo Park, Villa paired high school coaching with Project 2020 efforts hoping to mirror the offerings she received during her youth when sports were available regardless of financial status. Also, the Brenda Villa Foundation, founded in 2020, supports individuals, community leaders, and organizations in under-resourced communities through micro-grants to facilitate aquatics in these communities.

Villa has also been instrumental through her affiliations as a member of the USA Water Polo Board of Directors, Advisory Committee of the Women’s Sports Foundation and Executive Committee of Pan American Aquatics Union Americana De Natacion (UANA).

Born in East Los Angeles, Villa began swimming for Commerce Aquatics at the age of six before starting her water polo journey two years later. A true pioneer of the sport in every aspect, Villa prepped at Bell Gardens High School and was a four-time first-team All-American, All-CIF and all-league selection – as a member of the boys’ water polo team because the school did not have a girls’ team.

A 2003 graduate of Stanford with a degree in political science, Villa and her husband have two children.

Who will be crowned the queens of volleyball at the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship?

Thirty-two nations from across the globe will compete for the women’s volleyball crown, currently held by Serbia who have won the last two editions of the tournament.

Four cities will play host to the eight pools – Chiang Mai, Nakhon Ratchasima, Phuket, and the Thai capital Bangkok, which will also host the final round.

The event is from 22nd August to 7th September, with preliminary rounds from 22-27 August, before the round of 16 gets underway on 29 August.

The top two teams in each pool will progress from the preliminary round into the final round, which takes place in a knockout stage format from the round of 16 all the way to the final, being held at the Indoor Stadium in the Hua Mak Sports Complex in Bangkok on 7 September.

Find the full schedule for the women’s world championship below, as well as the results, scores and standings as they come in.