Sports
Your Guardian sport weekend
Saturday
8am (all times BST)Matchday live
After a (mostly) exciting set of matches on the first weekend, we’ll have all the buildup to the Premier League’s second Saturday of the season, plus reaction to West Ham v Chelsea, with Billy Munday and John Brewin. There may also be news of more transfer targets being hijacked by a club’s fiercest rivals, as we get to less than 10 days before the window closes. Our correspondents will be chipping in with the latest transfer news, while Jamie Jackson will be checking in from the Etihad Stadium, before Manchester City v Tottenham.
12pmAustralia v Samoa
After Friday night’s opener between England and the USA, the Women’s Rugby World Cup continues in Salford. Australia are expected to be too strong for the Pacific islanders, in what is expected to be a warm-up for the Wallaroos’ key Pool A game, against the USA next Saturday. Daniel Gallan is helming the minute-by-minute blog, while Aaron Bower will cover this match and the Scotland v Wales Pool B game that follows, before Sarah Rendell reports from York on the day’s other game in that section, Canada v Fiji.
12.30pmManchester City v Tottenham
A nice, easy game for Spurs fans to look forward to after Eberechi Eze’s relocation to north London took an unexpected diversion. Tottenham began with a convincing home win over Burnley last Saturday, but the deposed serial champions will surely be tougher opponents. Billy Munday brings you minute-by-minute coverage as City look to follow up the 4-0 dispatching of Wolves against opponents who have caused Pep Guardiola a fair deal of angst down the years, last season’s equivalent fixture being a 4-0 win for Angeball. Jamie Jackson will provide the match report and the managers’ reactions.
1.45pmPremier League clockwatch
Join us for the 3pm team news and updates on the lower-league lunchtime games too, including Charlton v Leicester, from where Yara El-Shaboury will be sending us a report. John Brewin is at the helm for the live afternoon, which includes Brentford v Aston Villa and Bournemouth v Wolves, but perhaps the most critical game of the afternoon was a Championship fixture last season: Burnley v Sunderland. Will Unwin is at Turf Moor for the match report (including news of whether Martin Dubravka has learned to count to eight), while Ben Bloom is at the Gtech and Ben Fisher at the Vitality. We’ll also have all the news through the Championship and Leagues One & Two.
4.10pmSouth Africa v Australia
How, exactly, do the Wallabies follow that? Last Saturday’s epic comeback win in Johannesburg – Australia’s first victory there since 1963 – will live long in the memory whatever happens in Cape Town, but a Springboks backlash is expected. They are not alone in seeking revenge: the Brumbies wing Corey Toole, a sevens star at the Paris Games, makes his 15-man international debut against the nation that denied him an Olympic medal in the bronze playoff last August. Rassie Erasmus has made a slew of changes to the Rugby Championship holders’ XV against an Australia side shorn of their captain, Harry Wilson, by a knee injury. Daniel Gallan will guide you through.
5.30pmArsenal v Leeds
It’s going to be second playing first from last season two weekends in a row, as before Arsenal travel to Liverpool they host the winners of the Championship. The Gunners’ hard-fought victory at Manchester United was followed up by the window win over Tottenham, so the home crowd at the Emirates Stadium should be buoyant. But Leeds fans are on a double high of their own, back where they feel they belong and with three points under their belts, too; they will hope new keeper Lucas Perri will cope better with Arsenal’s set pieces than Manchester United’s Altay Bayindir did. Scott Murray is your live host, while David Hytner and Jacob Steinberg will have the report, reaction and analysis from the ground.
Sunday
5.30amAustralia v South Africa, third ODI
While Australia claimed the T20 series in a thrilling finish, winning last Saturday’s decider by two wickets with one ball to spare, South Africa have sealed the one-dayers in convincing fashion, winning by 98 runs in Cairns and 84 runs in Mackay. Lungi Ngidi took 5-42, including Josh Inglis for 87, in Friday’s second game to clinch the series, the rest of the home batting not offering much resistance at the Great Barrier Reef Arena. That’s also the venue for Sunday’s dead rubber; James Wallace and Geoff Lemon are on the over-by-over.
8amMatchday live
It’s time to pick over all the controversies from Saturday with Dominic Booth – and there will be controversies, because there always are, as evidenced by the split in opinion over James Tarkowski’s handball on Monday. Talking of Everton, their fixture against Brighton is not the biggest match of the day in footballing terms but the first competitive game at Hill Dickinson Stadium is a huge landmark for one of the Football League’s founder members, the venue at Bramley-Moore Dock following on from Anfield and Goodison Park as the Blues’ homes. Our man on Merseyside, Andy Hunter will be on the ground on an historic day, as will one of our news colleagues, the loyal Evertonian Aaron Sharp.
2pmCrystal Palace v Nottingham Forest
Just as those new students of football lore have to have the misty origins of the Palace-Brighton rivalry outlined to them, so will future generations need to listen to “Marinakis” and “Textor” being darkly muttered by their still-bitter elders. After Thursday night’s demonstrations, Uefa executives may be thin on the ground at Selhurst Park but there will be extra police and stewarding, not least in case Evangelos Marinakis turns up. It is to be hoped that protests tied to Forest’s intervention in Palace’s demotion from Europa League to Conference League are limited to chants and banners, but the authorities will be prepared. On the pitch, both sides made promising starts, with Palace drawing at Chelsea and Forest dispatching Brentford, though the hosts will be Eberechi Eze, scorer of their disallowed Stamford Bridge goal. Scott Murray will have all the latest with updates from Everton v Brighton, too, as players vie to be the first official scorer at the new ground. Ed Aarons and Jonathan Wilson are at Selhurst Park for reports and analysis.
4.30pmFulham v Manchester United
Two sides with something to build on meet at Craven Cottage.Fulham deservedly took a last-gasp point at one of their peers, Brighton; while Manchester United put together a promising performance against Arsenal, albeit without reward. Defeat for either, though, would suddenly leave them at risk of an anxious international break, with only the Carabao Cup and one more league game in which to earn some credit. Tim de Lisle will have the highs and lows as they happen, while John Brewin and Barney Ronay are by the Thames.
4pmUS Open day one
Well, it’s day one if you don’t count the novel version of mixed doubles with which some of the big names warmed up for the main event. The singles gets under way at 11am or noon local time and while home hopeful Ben Shelton kicks off action on Arthur Ashe, Emma Raducanu gets the honour on Louis Armstrong. Both are up against qualifiers, while the women’s No 1 seed, Aryna Sabalenka, against Rebeka Masarova, Britain’s 2021 winner is followed by the US’s Taylor Fritz, seeded four, against his compatriot Emilio Nava. Taha Hashim will follow the action live, while Tumaini Carayol will be reporting from Flushing Meadows on the pick of the action.
A Stockdale High School graduate who went on to earn All-America honors in college, Wright (née Hurst) has put together a coaching resume as equally as impressive. With championship coaching experience at every level of amateur volleyball, Wright brings coaching Hall of Fame and Coach of the Year accolades in her return to Kern County.
“From the moment we began this search,” Tuohy said, “it was clear that Kristen was the right leader for this program. Her vision for Roadrunner Volleyball aligns directly with where we are headed as a department, and she has a proven ability to build programs back to championship caliber. There is no one better to represent and sell this university and the city of Bakersfield than someone who understands and loves this community so deeply.”
Wright served the past eight seasons at the University of North Florida in the Atlantic Sun Conference. Inheriting a squad that posted a 13-19 record prior to her arrival in 2018, Wright quickly turned the program around, finishing with a 25-8 showing in just her third full season with the Ospreys.
During that 2021 run, Wright’s squad made it to the NIVC Quarterfinals while resetting the program record for wins in a season with 25. She also guided the Ospreys to a program-high RPI of 49, ending with the highest final RPI at 75 and tallying the program’s first-ever victory over a Power 5 squad.
“I want to thank Sarah Tuohy, President Harper, and the entire search committee for their belief in me as the next head coach for CSUB Volleyball,” Wright said. “Bakersfield is my home and my love for volleyball began in the Icardo Center. I was impressed by the internal operations and vision of Sarah and her administrative support team. I think CSUB is in a unique time of creating vision, adapting to the rapid changes in the NCAA landscape and the leadership is something I will enjoy working with.”
Boasting a track record of success, Wright’s resume is flooded with championship achievements at all levels, including a CCCAA State title with the MiraCosta College beach volleyball team and nine-consecutive CIF San Diego Section Championships and six Southern California State Regional Championships with Tri-City Christian High School.
During her eight-year tenure at North Florida, Wright became the winningest coach in the program’s Division I history (since 2005) with an overall record of 197-154. She coached 10 All-Conference selections, four ASUN Defensive Player of the Year honorees and one ASUN Scholar-Athlete of the Year, all while maintaining a team cumulative GPA between 3.3 and 3.7.
While Wright’s journey followed a path that led to the other side of the country, she has remained rooted in Bakersfield and feels she is returning at the right time:
“This was also the right time for our family. My husband, Doug, is an elite Division I college beach volleyball coach, and returning to California allows our children, Bradyn and Kylee, to thrive during these important high school years while having their grandparents involved in their everyday lives. Some of my closest friends are here and thriving, and that sense of connection means everything to us. Home is truly where your people are.”
A standout prep star, Wright was highly recruited out of Stockdale High School, but she turned down Power 5 offers to compete for the University of San Diego. Wright became a four-year starter and captain for the Toreros. The pin hitter was named an All-American while leading USD to the program’s first-ever NCAA Sweet 16 appearance.
In her return to the Central Valley, Wright brings the ability to recruit from all areas and all levels, including attracting four Power 5 recruits to her program. She also aims to reconnect the Bakersfield Volleyball community back to CSUB while building the program into a regular contender in The Big West.
“I am excited to reunify our community around CSUB Volleyball and to build a program that brings tremendous pride to Kern County,” Wright added. “CSUB offers an outstanding educational experience in a place where student-athletes can truly live and thrive. Bakersfield provides the best of both worlds – an incredible community with a Midwest feel, where sports are part of the culture, while still enjoying all the benefits of the California dream, including proximity to the beach, mountains, lakes, theme parks, and major cities. What stands out most to me are the people. The passion, support, and pride in this community make Bakersfield special.”
Cal State Bakersfield invites the community to join us at the Icardo Center on Thursday, Jan. 8, at 4:30 p.m. (PT) to welcome Wright with an introductory press conference. Stay tuned to GoRunners.com as well as on social media (@CSUB_Volleyball) as Wright sets out to build a staff, a roster, and a schedule for the upcoming 2026 season.
“We are really excited to add Marta to our program and have her train with us this spring”, said head coach Eve Rackham Watt. “She is an elite serve receiver and will step in right away to add stability in our passing unit. I am looking forward to her bringing maturity, consistency, and high-level international experience to our gym. Our staff believes Marta’s development will blossom on Rocky Top and she will help us in pursuing Championships.”
Lazzarin earned Sun Belt Libero of the Year honors after a freshman season that saw her finish with 535 digs, 154 assists, and 25 aces. Lazzarin averaged 5.25 digs per set, leading the Sun Belt and ranked fifth nationally, while also being the second-best mark in Georgia State history. Lazzarin’s 535 digs in her lone season with the Panthers also ranks third in program history. Lazzarin finished with double-digit digs in 27 matches, including recording 20-plus in 13 matches. The First Team All-Sun Belt selection posted a career-high 32 digs against Evansville on Sept. 6, while also tallying a career-high 10 assists against Arkansas State on Sept. 10.
Before beginning her collegiate career, Lazzarin played for Audax Quartucciu Idrosistemi of the Italian Serie B2 league. Lazzarin also represented Serie A2 Libertas Martignacc, playing in 51 sets across 15 matches.
Lazzarin becomes the third transfer addition to the 2026 roster for the Lady Vols. NCAA triple-double record holder Jalyn Stout recently joined The Big Orange ahead of the 2026 campaign. Outside hitter Nia Hall was also recently announced by Tennessee, joining the team from South Carolina.
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Kentucky Volleyball team announced the signing of outside hitter Morgan Gaerte on Wednesday afternoon, who joins the Wildcats with two years of eligibility remaining on her clock.
Gaerte comes to Lexington after spending the first two years of her career at Notre Dame, where she was named First Team All-ACC after the 2025 season and honorable mention on the American Volleyball Coaches’ Association All-America list for this year, as well. She was a team captain for Notre Dame and a member of the AVCA Midwest Region’s first team.
This season, she started all 28 matches and logged 497 kills for the Irish, the most by any Notre Dame player in the rally-scoring era (2008-pres.) and third-most overall in all scoring eras. Gaerte averaged a mammoth 4.64 kills per set and had 10-plus kills in 22-straight matches to kick off the UND season, the second-longest streak in program history for Notre Dame.
Standing at six-foot-five, she hails from Angola, Indiana where she graduated from Angola High School while being ranked as the No. 5 player in the nation by Volleyball Magazine in 2023 and first team all-state for Indiana in 2022 and 2023. She is majoring in Sports Marketing.
For the latest on UK Volleyball, follow the Wildcats on Twitter and Instagram at @KentuckyVB.
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER
Triniti Jackson
School: Longview
By the numbers: Jackson finished the season with 702 assists, 401 kills, 313 digs, 45 blocks and 60 aces to earn District 10-6A Setter of the Year honors. She was also named MVP of the Big School match at the second annual East Texas Volleyball All-Star Games held at Spring Hill. In her career, the Lady Lobo standout recorded 2,505 assists, 1,479 digs, 1,342 kills, 266 aces and 151 blocks
CO-NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR
Blair Schroeder
School: Pine Tree
By the numbers: Schroeder recorded 166 kills, 329 digs, 41 assists, 51 aces and eight blocks for the Lady Pirates
CO-NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR
Landry Tubb
School: Longview
By the numbers: Tubb recorded 628 digs, 28 aces and 42 assists for the Lady Lobos
COACH OF THE YEAR
Andrew Harbison
School: Spring Hill
By the numbers: Harbison led Spring Hill to the Class 4A Division II state semifinals and a 40-7 record overall. It marked the third straight season the Lady Panthers have won at least 40 matches (121-18 during that span). The Lady Panthers went 14-0 in District 16-4A, and then defeated Brownsboro (3-1), Pleasant Grove (3-0), Panther Creek (3-2) and Aubrey (3-1) before falling 3-2 to eventual state champion Eagle Mountain. Harbison is 403-203 in his coaching career, including a 216-82 worksheet at Spring Hill
FIRST TEAM
Kellen Weaver
School: Beckville
By the numbers: 375 kills, 18 assists, 56 blocks, 132 digs, 62 aces, 91.4 percent server. District MVP
Jaharia Hunter
School: Longview
By the numbers: 331 kills, 222 digs, 32 blocks
Kaycin Farrell
School: Hallsville
By the numbers: 402 kills, .371 hitting percentage, 302 digs, 68 aces, 50 blocks, 29 assists, 2.26 SR rating, 373 receptions with 29 SR errors. District MVP
Elizabeth Corbitt
School: Spring Hill
By the numbers: 559 kills (school record), 46 blocks, 300 digs, 35 aces. District Hitter of the Year
Savannah Irwin
School: Spring Hill
By the numbers: 342 kills, 529 digs, 68 aces, 95.8 percent server. District Co-MVP
Kaysen Foster
School: Tatum
By the numbers: 454 kills, 352 digs, 44 aces, 37 blocks. Co-District MVP and MVP for Small Schools at the annual East Texas Volleyball All-Star Games
Kamdyn Scott
School: Tatum
By the numbers: 611 kills, 279 digs, 47 aces, 43 blocks. District Co-MVP. Signed with Metropolitan State University/Denver
Carly Chadwick
School: Pine Tree
By the numbers: 793 assists, 140 kills, 301 digs, 104 aces, 18 blocks. District Co-MVP
Taydem Barker
School: Tatum
By the numbers: 1,014 assists, 63 kills, 207 digs, 45 aces. District Setter of the Year
Danika Cantu
School: Marshall
By the numbers: 591 digs, 25 aces, 1.90 SR rating, 36 errors in 941 SR attempts, 65 assists
SECOND TEAM
Kylee Fernandez
School: Hallsville
By the numbers: 231 kills, .268 hitting percentage, 78 blocks, 58 digs. District Co-Blocker of the Year
Bryleigh Mayhan
School: Pine Tree
By the numbers: 336 kills, 139 digs, 35 aces, 30 blocks
Andee Bridges
School: White Oak
By the numbers: 517 kills, 370 digs, 50 aces, 1.86 SR rating
Chesney Jeter
School: Spring Hill
By the numbers: 694 assists, 175 digs, 48 kills, 56 aces
Caroline Cockerham
School: Carthage
By the numbers: 718 assists, 187 digs, 71 aces
Elle Litchenburg
School: Kilgore
By the numbers: 741 assists, 71 aces, 136 kills, 344 digs, 31 blocks
Keeley McCann
School: Sabine
By the numbers: 955 assists, 361 digs, 5 blocks, 158 kills, 61 aces
Kimora Pryor
School: West Rusk
By the numbers: 993 assists, 392 digs, 133 kills, 37 aces, 251 service points
Kaylee Londeau
School: Spring Hill
By the numbers: 606 digs (school record), 41 assists, 38 aces
Kyndal Greenwood
School: Tatum
By the numbers: 479 digs, 48 aces. District’s Libero of the Year
THIRD TEAM
Calleigh Secord
School: Spring Hill
By the numbers: 258 kills, 62 blocks, 104 digs, 21 assists, 27 aces
Giselle Webster
School: Kilgore
By the numbers: 133 blocks, 230 kills
Hannah Haffner
School: West Rusk
By the numbers: 354 kills, 128 blocks, 4 errors in 146 serves, 73 service points
Londyn Baker
School: White Oak
By the numbers: 319 kills, 383 digs, 66 aces
Chloe Green
School: New Diana
By the numbers: 364 kills, 484 digs, 70 aces. District MVP
Sarah Roberts
School: Sabine
By the numbers: 491 kills, 30 aces, 16 assists, 16 blocks, 371 digs
Lilly Fry
School: Hallsville
By the numbers: 632 assists, 217 digs, 4 blocks, 25 aces, 45 kills. District’s Setter of the Year
Taryn Reece
School: New Diana
By the numbers: 462 assists, 160 kills, 481 digs, 70 aces, 28 blocks
Carli Tuttle
School: Beckville
By the numbers: 222 kills, 441 assists, 47 blocks, 249 digs, 74 aces. District’s Top Setter
Laney Alexander
School: Carthage
By the numbers: 647 digs, 36 assists, 25 aces
HONORABLE MENTION
Longview: Alyssa Grissom, N’Kheyli Johnson, Aubrey Orban; Pine Tree: Allison Vasquez; Hallsville: Madi Farrell, Miller Goswick, Elizabeth Hale, Tailor Benson, Lyla Evans; Marshall: Alex Stevens, Nia Newhouse, D’Aubrena Stoker, Maggie Pringle, Kinlee Smith, Ella Kate Runnels, Addi Watkins; Carthage: Alli Bitter; Kilgore: Malea White, Kylie Herrin, Cheyenne Jones, Brittany Yzaguirre, Zoey Johnson; Gilmer: Jayna Rucker; West Rusk: Kamyah Lacy, Ireland Hunt, Kara King, Mackenzie Ressler, Paisley Smith; Arp: Kaitlynn Raymond, Kinley Schminkey, Landry Langley; New Diana: Gaby Martinez, Ava Smith; White Oak: Carrington Watson, Addy Young, Taylor Morgan, Peyton Thompson; Sabine: Ella Phillips; Harleton: Reagan McCarty, AnnaBelle Bunger, Holly Roberts; Beckville: Maci Morris, Adyson Davis; Elysian Fields: Madison Owens, Kaleigh Presley, Taylor Youngblood; Paul Pewitt: Darriyah Thomas, McKensi Jackson, Gloria Pureco; Leverett’s Chapel: Alyvia Page, Itzel Mata; Mount Pleasant Chapel Hill: Ella Waldon; Linden-Kildare: Lynlee LeJeune, Jamah Birmingham, Carley Hays, Jakiah Birmingham, Kalysa Roberts, Olivia Stewart, Hannah Snow; Christian Heritage: Kennedi Laney, Margo Risner; Troup: Shiloh Sluder, Qhenja Jordan, Chayne Graves; Hawkins: Jentri Evans, Jaci Smith, Haylee Skipworth, Ava Ellison
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