Tag Archives: championships

“A match I can’t refuse” – Lachlan Giles happily comes out of retirement to face legend Marcelo Garcia

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Some opportunities transcend retirement plans, and Lachlan Giles found his when the phone rang with an offer he couldn’t refuse. The 39-year-old Australian submission grappling icon announced his return to competition after three years away from the mats, but the comeback carries a singular purpose facing Brazilian jiu-jitsu royalty Marcelo Garcia. Their explosive lightweight submission grappling showcase will be part of ONE Fight Night 38, which takes place live in American primetime on Friday, Dec. 5, inside Bangkok’s legendary Lumpinee Stadium. “I’ve been happily retired, but I’ve been offered a match I can’t refuse with Marcelo Garcia. He’s one of my idols and, you know, the greatest of all time,” Lachlan Giles shared during his interview with Absolute MMA ST Kilda Melbourne. “And I get a chance to compete against someone in my weight division as well. So yeah, I couldn’t refuse that one. Probably there’d be no other match I would take except this one. Yet, when ONE Championship approached him about facing Garcia, the decision to step back on the mats for a fight became inevitable. Watch Lachlan Giles’ full interview on Absolute MMA St Kilda here: Lachlan Giles vs. Marcelo Garcia is just one of many exciting fights at ONE Fight Night 38 ONE Championship returns to the iconic Lumpinee Stadium with a card filled with plenty of exciting talents on top of the hotly anticipated submission grappling war between Lachlan Giles and Marcelo Garcia. Before defending king Fabricio Andrade and challenger Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu trade leather in a ONE bantamweight MMA world title matchup, ground game specialists Diogo Reis and Daiki Yonekura lock horns for the vacant ONE Flyweight Submission Grappling World Title. Also on the card, Thai knockout specialists Shadow Singa Mawynn and Nontachai face Mohamed Younes Rabah and Shinji Suzuki, respectively. Malaysian-Thai slugger Aliff Sor Dechapan, meanwhile, looks to close in on ONE strawweight Muay Thai world champion Prajanchai PK Saenchai. The young gun faces Lebanese firecracker Ramadan Ondash. Check out the full card on ONE’s official website. North American fans with an active Amazon Prime Video subscription can catch all the action from ONE Fight Night 38: Andrade vs. Baatarkhuu, live in U. S. primetime on Friday, Dec. 5, for free.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/mma/news-a-match-i-refuse-lachlan-giles-happily-comes-retirement-face-legend-marcelo-garcia

Complete list of every big title winner in tennis for 2025 season ft. Coco Gauff, Carlos Alcaraz, Aryna Sabalenka, Jannik Sinner

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Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner’s duopoly continued in 2025. The ATP Tour’s brightest young stars swept most of the big titles this year. Familiar faces dominated the scene on the WTA Tour as well. Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, and Coco Gauff each won a Major title this year. They also finished as the top three in the year-end rankings for the third year in a row. Thanks for the submission! Aside from the usual suspects, some fresh faces also made their breakthroughs, while some old names reasserted themselves. Here’s a look at the winners of all the big titles on the ATP and WTA Tours in 2025: #1. Australian Open Jannik Sinner, Madison Keys Following Sinner’s dominant 2024 season, there were questions whether he would be able to sustain this form over the next season. He silenced those doubts by successfully defending his crown at the Australian Open, claiming his third Major title. On the women’s side, Keys brought an end to Aryna Sabalenka’s hopes of a three-peat by beating her in the final. The American also saved a match point in the semifinals against Iga Swiatek. Long touted as a potential Major winner, she fulfilled the promise everyone saw in her with her triumph Down Under. #2. Qatar Open Amanda Anisimova The season’s first WTA 1000 tournament also marked the start of Anisimova’s ascension. She captured the biggest title of her career in Doha, setting the stage for her run to the Wimbledon and US Open finals later in the season. Anisimova also became the first American woman to win the Qatar Open since Monica Seles reigned supreme in 2002. She also cracked the top 20 of the WTA rankings for the first time as a result. #3. Dubai Tennis Championships Mirra Andreeva Teen sensation Andreeva announced her arrival last year with a run to the semifinals of the French Open. She declared that she’s here to stay by claiming her maiden WTA 1000 title in Dubai. Andreeva became the youngest player to win a WTA 1000 title as well at the age of 17 years and 299 days. With wins over Marketa Vondrousova, Swiatek, and Elena Rybakina, she also became the youngest player to beat three Major champions in the same tournament since Maria Sharapova at the WTA Finals 2004. #4. Indian Wells Open Jack Draper, Mirra Andreeva Billed as a promising talent since he was a teenager, recurring injuries prevented Draper from proving his mettle. However, a rare streak of good health allowed him to demonstrate what he’s capable of. He stormed to his maiden Masters 1000 title at Indian Wells, even ousting two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz along the way. Andreeva proved that her triumph in Dubai was no fluke, and backed it up with a title at Indian Wells. She beat Swiatek and Sabalenka in succession to claim the title. She became the second-youngest player to defeat the world’s top two players in a single tournament since Tracy Austin at the US Open 1979. #5. Miami Open Jakub Mensik, Aryna Sabalenka Mensik upset 24-time Major champion Novak Djokovic in the final to clinch his first Masters 1000 trophy and maiden career title. The Serb was bidding to claim his 100th career title, a feat he would accomplish a few weeks later in Geneva. Sabalenka brushed off the disappointment of losing the Indian Wells final with her triumph in Miami. She didn’t drop a set during the fortnight to seize her eighth WTA 1000 title. #6. Monte-Carlo Masters Carlos Alcaraz After an underwhelming first quarter by his standards, Alcaraz upped the ante to win the Monte-Carlo Masters for the first time. It marked the sixth Masters 1000 title of his career. Alcaraz was pushed to three sets in three of his five matches en route to the title. He staged a comeback to beat Francisco Cerundolo in the second round, and repeated the feat against Arthur Fils and Lorenzo Musetti in the quarterfinals and the final respectively. #7. Madrid Open Casper Ruud, Aryna Sabalenka The third time proved to be the charm for Ruud. After his previous couple of runner-up finishes at the Masters 1000 level, he took home the Madrid Open title this year. It marked the biggest title of his career thus far. Sabalenka’s love affair with Madrid continued this year, storming to her third title in the Spanish capital. She previously won in 2021 and 2023, and had championship points in the 2024 final as well, which she couldn’t convert. She now shares the record for most titles here with Petra Kvitova. #8. Italian Open Carlos Alcaraz, Jasmine Paolini Alcaraz and Sinner met for the first time this year in a highly anticipated showdown for the Italian Open title. The Spaniard beat the home favorite in straight sets to win his second Masters 1000 of the season. However, the Italian fans weren’t left completely disappointed. Paolini beat Gauff to claim the women’s singles title, and she teamed up with compatriot Sara Errani to capture the women’s doubles title as well. She was the first woman to sweep both the titles in Rome since Seles in 1990. #9. French Open Carlos Alcaraz, Coco Gauff Alcaraz continued his dominance on clay with a successful title defense at the French Open. However, he was made to work hard for the same by Jannik Sinner. The Spaniard saved three championship points in the final against his rival, in a riveting showdown that lasted for over five hours. Gauff fought from a set down to defeat Sabalenka in the final and claimed her second Major title. She previously staged a comeback against Sabalenka to win her maiden Major title at the US Open 2023. The Belarusian’s sour comments following her loss caused a controversy, though the matter has been brushed under the rug since then. #10. Wimbledon Jannik Sinner, Iga Swiatek After losing two finals against Alcaraz this year, Sinner brought an end to his losing skid at Wimbledon. The tour’s two best players locked horns in yet another final, and this time the Italian came out on top to end his rival’s title defense. It marked his maiden title at the All England Club, as well as his fourth Major title. Since her triumph at the French Open 2024, Swiatek hadn’t even reached a final. She ended her title drought in remarkable fashion, handing Anisimova a 6-0, 6-0 thrashing in the Wimbledon final. The year-long title drought was certainly worth the wait for her. #11. Canadian Open Ben Shelton, Victoria Mboko Shelton punched his ticket into the big leagues with his very first Masters 1000 title at the Canadian Open. In a field devoid of Alcaraz and Sinner, the American capitalized on his chances to bag the biggest title of his career. After setting the ITF Tour on fire in the first few months of the season, Mboko slowly started to make waves on the WTA Tour as well. The teenager rose to global stardom by winning the Canadian Open, making her the first home champion since Bianca Andreescu in 2019. #12. Cincinnati Open Carlos Alcaraz, Iga Swiatek Another final between Alcaraz and Sinner had everyone abuzz with excitement. However, their contest came to an anti-climatic end this time. Sinner was under the weather even before he set foot on the court. After going down 5-0 in the first set, he eventually threw in the towel, handing Alcaraz yet another title this year. The women’s final between Swiatek and Paolini was fairly competitive. The Pole came out on top to secure her 11th WTA 1000 title and her first since the Italian Open 2024. #13. US Open Carlos Alcaraz, Aryna Sabalenka To no one’s surprise, Alcaraz and Sinner found their way to each other in yet another final. The former beat the latter to claim his sixth Major title, and also stopped his rival from mounting a successful title defense. After suffering one heartbreaking loss after another at the Majors this year, Sabalenka had one last shot at glory. She made the most of it, beating Anisimova in the final to capture her fourth Major title. She also became the first woman to defend the US Open since Serena Williams won her third successive title in 2014. #14. China Open Amanda Anisimova The disappointment of losing back-to-back Major finals didn’t weigh too heavily on Anisimova. She came roaring back at the China Open to bag her second WTA 1000 title of the season. #15. Shanghai Masters Valentin Vacherot Vacherot’s fairytale run to the Shanghai Masters title as a qualifier became the season’s most unexpected storyline. When he qualified for the tournament, he probably didn’t aniticipate how the rest of the fortnight would unfold. Vacherot beat his cousin Arthur Rinderknech in the final, adding another layer to his impressive run to the title. He beat five seeded players en route to his first ATP title. He also became the first player from Monaco to win an ATP title. #16. Wuhan Open Coco Gauff The months following her French Open triumph didn’t go exactly as planned for Gauff. After some underwhelming results, she showed signs of resurgence at the China Open, where she made the last four. Gauff carried this momentum into the Wuhan Open, and walked away with the title. It was her third WTA 1000 title, and she extended her record in hardcourt finals to 9-0 with the win. #17. Paris Masters Jannik Sinner Sinner romped through the field to win his first Masters 1000 title of the year at the Paris Masters. He didn’t drop a set en route to the title, and conceded only 29 games, the fewest since the tournament switched to hardcourts in 2007. Sinner also regained the No. 1 ranking from Alcaraz following his victory in Paris. He was dislodged from the summit after going down to the Spaniard in the US Open final. However, Alcaraz still finished the year atop the rankings. #18. ATP/WTA Finals Jannik Sinner, Elena Rybakina Sinner continued his unbeaten ways with a successful title defense at the ATP Finals. He beat Alcaraz in the championship round, wrapping up the year on a winning note against his chief rival. He won the title without losing a set for the second year in a row. Rybakina was the last player to qualify for the WTA Finals. She was a woman on a mission during the week, and wasn’t satisfied until she beat Sabalenka in the final to hoist the winner’s trophy. However, her decision to not pose with the WTA CEO during the trophy ceremony raised some eyebrows.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/tennis/complete-list-every-big-title-winner-tennis-2025-season-ft-coco-gauff-carlos-alcaraz-aryna-sabalenka-jannik-sinner

Serena Williams’ ex-coach Rennae Stubbs blames Stefanos Tsitsipas’ ‘thoughts on women’ for why he won’t hire her

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Rennae Stubbs believes that she’s unlikely to be a part of Stefanos Tsitsipas’ coaching set up in the future on account of his perceived views on women. She has proven her credentials as a player and a coach over the years. She won five Major titles in doubles, and coached the likes of Serena Williams, Karolina Pliskova and Samantha Stosur. Stubbs, along with her co-host Caitlin Thompson, were on the topic of tennis coaches on the latest episode of the Rennae Stubbs Podcast. Their attention turned towards Tsitsipas and his coaching situation. He had a falling out with his father, who was his long-time coach. Thanks for the submission! Tsitsipas then hired Goran Ivanisevic, and their partnership didn’t last too long either, ultimately parting ways in July 2025. The 27-year-old eventually teamed up with his father once again. Stubbs revealed that she gave Tsitsipas a shoutout on X (formerly Twitter) a while ago. While she’s open to being his coach, she opined that she’s unlikely to land the job due to his thoughts on women. “While we’re on coach watch though, you tweeted back at Stefanos Tsitsipas,” Thompson said. “I said ‘Hire me'” Stubbs responded. It was funny though. I sort of did it as a joke. Knowing his thoughts on women, I don’t think he’s going to have a female coach.” While Thompson felt that Tsitsipas isn’t sexist as such, Stubbs felt that some of his opinions on social media, especially regarding women, were controversial. Nevertheless, she’s keeping an open mind and is available if needs another voice in his camp. “I don’t think he’s particularly sexist,” Thompson said. “He has said some dodgy stuff,” Stubbs said. “I think his Twitter persona is cut and pieced,” Thompson said. “All right, Well we’ll soon find out, won’t we. Yeah, I’m putting it out there I am available, and, um, I’m available,” Stubbs said. Tsitsipas could certainly benefit from the insight of another experienced coach. Despite a title, the 2025 season was largely disappointing for him. He wrapped up the season with his worst year-end finish since 2017. Stefanos Tsitsipas finished a season outside the top 20 for the first time since 2017 Stefanos Tsitsipas’ results took a turn for the worse in 2025. His triumph at the Dubai Tennis Championships was the only saving grace in an otherwise underwhelming season. He went 2-4 at the Majors, and made only one quarterfinal at the Masters 1000 level. Tsitsipas started 2025 ranked No. 11. He returned to the top 10 following his victory in Dubai. However, his stay in the region was rather short, and he was out after six weeks. Tsitsipas’ results over the next few months weren’t encouraging, and an injury hiatus post the US Open didn’t help either. He finished the year with a 22-18 record and ranked No. 34. Prior to this year, he was ranked within the top 15 at the end of the season every year since 2018. Tsitsipas’ current year-end finish of No. 34 marks his lowest finish since he wrapped up 2017 at No. 91. He will be keen to do some soul searching and emerge stronger than before in 2026.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/tennis/news-serena-williams-ex-coach-rennae-stubbs-blames-stefanos-tsitsipas-thoughts-women-won-t-hire

USATF’s 2024 Tax Return Showcases Revenue Jump, Dip In Net Assets

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The numbers for USA Track and Field’s most recent financial report are in, and the non-profit had a big year in 2024. With a total revenue of $44. 6 million, USATF’s earnings jumped 22% year-over-year compared to its total of $36. 7 million in 2023. But the 2024 tax return and its tax form 990, which were released this week and prepared by internal auditor RSM, also showed some downsides: total expenses jumped 9% to $45. 9 million, while total assets dipped 6%, dropping to $29. 7 million. Net assets-meaning total assets minus liabilities-dropped even further from a deficit of $4. 9 million to a deficit of $6. 1 million. So, What’s The Verdict On USATF’s Financials In 2024? Olympic years are generally positive. They present great opportunities to flood the market with top-level competition and create brand awareness for organizations seeking to elevate their product. With the 2024 Paris Olympics creating brand equity and the once-in-every-four years U. S. Olympic Trials, USATF was able to leverage real momentum and create positive value over that stretch. The numbers also reflect that, with USA Track and Field merchandise rising to $2. 7 million, more than double from the previous year-though it only netted a total $229, 668 after counting for expenses. But preparations for major competition also led to additional cost. Sports performance outlays set the delegation back $2. 5 million, along with another $658, 000 for elite athlete costs. Plus, prior budget lines remained on the balance sheet, too. The 2022 World Championships and the 2023 Prefontaine Classic-that year’s Diamond League final-were both important commodities for the governing body during those spans as it looked to present an elite product for its athletes, members and fans. The expenses, however, showcased the sticky nature of big-budget meets. RSM wrote that “USATF continues to manage the aftereffects of major investments” and “the organization retains a negative net asset balance but maintains operational liquidity and long-term sponsorship stability.” In 2025, that “aftereffect” likely led to cancellations of USATF’s Grand Prix events in Los Angeles and New York, along with internal moves made by the delegation. Positive Injections of Cash Over 2024 What can’t be overstated is Nike’s influence on the USATF budget sheet. The Beaverton, Oregon-based company fueled USATF’s sponsorship dollars with $18. 1 million (over 90% of USATF’s sponsorship revenue of $19. 4 million), a figure that represents over 40% of the total dollars coming in over 2024. Elsewhere, USATF earned $6. 4 million from U. S. Olympic & Paralympic grants, $6. 1 million from events and athlete programs, $5. 4 million from membership programs and over $1. 13 million in media revenue. The Biggest Outlays For USATF In 2024 USATF noted that elite athlete competitions were big expenditures. With more than 100 national championships in a range of disciplines, including major international competitions, the organization took the bill for those events, spending just over $15 million over 2024. Sports performance was the other big expenditure, with $10. 4 million being set aside, while $2. 4 went to grass roots programs and $3. 5 went to member programs. What’s Everyone Making at USATF? Salaries are always relevant discussion, especially for a governing body which oversees over 100, 000 members. And that point was especially salient in 2024, considering USATF restructured in February 2025, just two months the end of the budget cycle, letting go a number of executive-level staffers, including its Chief Communications Officer and its Chief of Athlete Services and International Teams, according to a report by LetsRun. In his 12th year at the helm of USATF, CEO Max Siegel pulled down $1. 13 million in compensation. That amount included a base compensation of $734,565 and a bonus of $350, 000. But it also paled in comparison to his income of $3. 8 million in 2021, a number that reflected 11-percent of USATF’s revenue at the time. In 2023, Siegel signed a five-year contract extension that would position him through the Los Angeles Olympics. COO Renee Washington, meanwhile, followed with $625, 266 in earnings, while CFO Sara Reese made $291, 635. What’s Next For USATF? With a series of shrewd moves in 2025, USATF’s tax returns shows that it’s in a good position to continue building toward the Los Angeles Olympics. In July 2024, USATF and the U. S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee signed an agreement where the organizations would unite under one umbrella. That agreement also promised $14. 5 million in additional revenue from the USOPC to support its programs and competitions through 2028.
https://bitcoinethereumnews.com/finance/usatfs-2024-tax-return-showcases-revenue-jump-dip-in-net-assets/

Backstage News On Dezmond Xavier’s TNA Contract Status After Return

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Dezmond Xavier is back in TNA, for now. He made an appearance at TNA Turning Point to rejoin his Rascalz brothers, Trey Miguel and Zachary Wentz. However, Fightful Select has confirmed that Xavier is not currently under contract with TNA. Despite this, there are creative plans for him moving forward with the team.

In addition, it has been reported that Zachary Wentz’s deal with TNA is set to expire at the end of the year. The group plans to evaluate their options going forward, and there is expected to be significant interest in The Rascalz outside of TNA.

Xavier first made a name for himself on the independent circuit and in TNA, where he was a co-founding member of the stable The Rascalz. During this time, he won the 2017 GFW Super X Cup. He also held tag team championships in PWG, CZW, and AAW alongside his partner Zachary Wentz.

After signing with WWE in 2020, Xavier and Wentz formed the team MSK. They went on to win the 2021 Men’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic and became two-time NXT Tag Team Champions. Additionally, Xavier captured the NXT North American Championship in October 2022, holding the title for a record-setting 269 days.

Following a significant back injury, Xavier made his return in April 2024, reuniting briefly with The Rascalz. Unfortunately, his tenure was cut short when he was released in October 2025.
https://wrestlingnews.co/tna-news/backstage-news-dezmond-xaviers-tna-contract-status-after-return/

“Last person team’s focus on” – Dani Busboom Kelly gets real about Taylor Landfair’s performance after Nebraska Volleyball team win

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**Nebraska Volleyball Head Coach Dani Busboom Kelly Praises Taylor Landfair’s Stellar Performance Against Minnesota**

Nebraska Volleyball head coach Dani Busboom Kelly recently shared her thoughts on Taylor Landfair’s incredible performance against the Minnesota Golden Gophers. Landfair, who previously represented the Minnesota team, put up an impressive 11 kills without committing a single error.

In a post-match interview, Coach Kelly highlighted how the opponents seemed to have underestimated Landfair’s potential. According to her, the Minnesota team appeared more focused on defending against attacks from Rebekah Allick, Andi Jackson, and Harper Murray.

“She’s the last person right now that teams focus on. When she’s playing that well, it just feels like we can do anything offensively,” Kelly remarked, emphasizing Landfair’s impact on the game.

**Minnesota Coach Acknowledges Landfair’s Unseen Strengths**

Interestingly, Kelly wasn’t the only one impressed by Landfair’s performance. Keegan Cook, the head coach of the Minnesota Golden Gophers, also commented on her standout play after the game.

“If you haven’t seen Taylor hitting the sharp angle, which a lot of our young guys haven’t seen before, it could be tough. I wasn’t thrilled that we couldn’t make those adjustments, but it’s a tall task to ask if you’ve never seen it before,” Cook said.

**Nebraska Extends Winning Streak to 24-0**

With back-to-back wins against the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Minnesota Golden Gophers, the Nebraska Volleyball team has extended its undefeated streak to 24-0 this season.

**Coach Kelly on Maintaining Team Morale After Tough Victories**

Ahead of the match against the Illinois Fighting Illini, Dani Busboom Kelly opened up about the importance of maintaining the team’s morale following hard-fought victories. In a press conference, she stated:

“It is really tough to win, no matter what level, what sport, and we never want to lose sight of that, and that’s something that I have always been a firm believer in. I also am a firm believer that we spend a lot of our time together and a lot of our time with our sport, and if we can’t enjoy and celebrate the little things, then we are going to drive ourselves crazy.”

She further emphasized the need for enthusiasm as the season progresses, adding,

“When December comes in, you’re relieved that the season’s over, and I don’t want our players to walk out of here feeling that they are relieved, I want them to feel like they can’t wait to be back.”

**A New Era for Nebraska Volleyball**

Dani Busboom Kelly took over as head coach of the Nebraska Volleyball team last year, succeeding John Cook, who announced his retirement after the 2024 NCAA Championships. Under her leadership, the team continues to thrive and demonstrate remarkable resilience and skill.

—

*Edited by Animesh Pandey*
https://www.sportskeeda.com/us/olympics/news-last-person-team-s-focus-on-dani-busboom-kelly-gets-real-taylor-landfair-s-performance-nebraska-volleyball-team-win

Football Manager 26 Touch Available on Apple Arcade Today

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Football Manager 26 Touch makes its much-anticipated return to Apple Arcade, giving players another opportunity to build a dynasty and chase championships across iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV. Additionally, the game is launching digitally on Nintendo Switch on December 4.

Developed by Sports Interactive and SEGA, FM26 Touch features an upgraded graphics engine that delivers smoother player movement and sharper on-pitch detail. The game also boasts official Premier League licenses and the long-awaited addition of women’s football, enhancing the authenticity and depth of the experience.

FM26 Touch captures the full life of a football manager, where every transfer, tactical decision, and match-day strategy can shape your legacy. From scouting future stars to celebrating dramatic winners, it brings the highs and lows of football management directly to your fingertips.

For players currently enjoying FM24 Touch, the transition is seamless. You can continue with your existing save and dive straight into all the exciting new features simply by updating the game. Starting today, FM24 Touch on the App Store will automatically update to FM26 Touch.

“We’re delighted to be bringing FM26 Touch back to Apple Arcade for the start of this new era for Football Manager,” said Miles Jacobson, Sports Interactive’s studio director. “We think the reimagined user interface will really enhance the experience across Apple devices. In addition, the arrival of the fully licensed Premier League and the introduction of women’s football will further deepen exploration for Arcade players.”

Get ready to lead your team to glory with Football Manager 26 Touch—now available on Apple Arcade and coming soon to the Nintendo Switch!
https://www.operationsports.com/football-manager-26-touch-available-on-apple-arcade-today/

Kahuku sweeps Kamehameha out of state tournament

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Talia Soliai-Tui and Lamona Lauhingoa each recorded 10 kills as second-seeded Kahuku swept Kamehameha 29-27, 25-19, 25-21 to advance to the Division I final of the HHSAA Girls Volleyball State Championships.

Kahuku is the first OIA team to play in the state final since capturing the state title in 2002. The ILH has claimed every crown since then. Interestingly, the setter on that 2002 Kahuku team was Lesina (Funaki) Manutai, the current Lady Raiders head coach.

“That was a crazy week. We were in Hilo. We didn’t have a home crowd. Being there forced us to come together,” Manutai recalled. “Our outside hitter was Tuli, Tuli Peters.” Tuli Peters-Tevaga later coached at Kahuku, and now her former teammate has guided the Lady Raiders to the state final.

This match marked the second meeting of the season between the two squads. On August 23, Kahuku swept Kamehameha 25-12, 25-22 in the gold bracket final of the Hawaii Invitational at Kekuhaupio Gymnasium.

“The first time we played them everyone was one. We struggled a little bit this game, but I think we’re ready now,” said Soliai-Tui, a 5-foot-11 junior. “Our bench is a bunch of dogs. They’re always ready. We can do a lot better. This game wasn’t our best game.”

Kahuku will face top-seeded ‘Iolani in the 7 p.m. final today at the University of Hawaii’s Bankoh Arena at the Stan Sheriff Center.

“‘Iolani is good, but underdogs have to eat. Always,” Soliai-Tui added.

Kamehameha’s young squad has shown significant development since preseason, but Kahuku was prepared.

“They played really good defense. They scramble things. We got a lot of balls over and we didn’t necessarily take advantage of our opportunities,” Kamehameha coach Chris Blake said. “But a lot of that is because Kahuku put us into bad spots and we didn’t execute.”

OIA champion Kahuku (30-2) showcased a balanced attack once again. Makamae Schilling contributed eight kills and 13 digs, while Haley Kotobalavu added five kills. Ana Kaufusi recorded four kills and 2.5 blocks, and Elenoa Lauhingoa chipped in three kills. Setter Tilauana Tonga dished out 22 assists and added seven digs.

“Our plan was, they have really good outside hitters, so we wanted to slow them down, get some balls up and run our offense. And serve tough, get a strong start and finish strong,” Manutai explained. “I’m super proud of the kids for executing tonight.”

ILH runner-up Kamehameha (33-10), the two-time defending state champion, entered the last two tournaments unseeded as they did this year. However, Kahuku dominated with chemistry, experience, precision, and power.

Freshman Sauimoana Purcell led Kamehameha with 13 kills, while senior Kalaweloilehua Chock added 12. Kalamaku Crabbe contributed six kills and six digs, and middles Bella Amey and Kealoha Lyons chipped in four kills each. Setter Shaye Teves dished 21 assists, with Alayah Wilson adding 15 assists. Mikela Arellano led defensively with 13 digs. The Warriors hit .134 as a team against Kahuku’s stout defense.

“Hat’s off to the Kahuku team and their coaching staff. They played like the OIA champions that they are,” coach Blake acknowledged. “They definitely deserve this win. I’m very proud of our team, but hat’s off to Kahuku in all the things they have done in preparation. Good luck to them in the finals.”

The opening set was a back-and-forth battle, ending with Kahuku leading the match 1-0. It marked the first set lost by Kamehameha in a non-championship match over the past three state tournaments. The Warriors had swept their first three opponents in both 2023 and 2024, as well as Kapolei in the quarterfinals on Thursday.

After decisively taking the first two sets, Kahuku saw Kamehameha seize control in the third. The Warriors’ seven-point lead began to slip away just as Kahuku fans arrived—many coming from their football team’s OIA semifinal win over Campbell at Mililani High School to the Moanalua gym.

Key kills by Elenoa Lauhingoa and Lamona Lauhingoa brought the Lady Raiders within one point. Talia Soliai-Tui then tied the score at 17 with an ace. A tip kill by Lamona Lauhingoa gave Kahuku an 18-17 lead, and the Lady Raiders never looked back. Kahuku finished off the match with a roof block by Soliai-Tui and a right-side kill by Haley Kotobalavu.

Kahuku and ‘Iolani did not meet in preseason.

“We’re excited to see them for the first time in the state championship game. They looked really good here against Moanalua,” Manutai said. “Same game plan. They’ve got big outsides, a lot of big guns. If we can slow them down and run our offense, I think we have a chance.”

—

### Division II

**Seabury Hall 3, Maryknoll 0**

Milaniakai Padilla drilled 18 kills, hitting .326, while Dillon McLeelan added 14 kills as the third-seeded Spartans of Maui swept the ILH’s Maryknoll 26-24, 25-22, 28-26 in the semifinals of the HHSAA Girls Volleyball Division II State Championships at Kalani High School. Both Padilla and McLeelan are sophomores.

The Spartans will face Kapaa in the state final at 5 p.m. today in Bankoh Arena at the Stan Sheriff Center.

**Kapaa 3, University 0**
https://www.staradvertiser.com/2025/11/01/sports/hawaii-prep-world/kahuku-sweeps-kamehameha-out-of-state-tournament/

“This team hasn’t had a challenge like that in a while”- Dani Busboom Kelly opens up about Nebraska Volleyball’s match against Wisconsin

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**Nebraska Volleyball Head Coach Dani Busboom Kelly Previews Key Match Against Wisconsin Badgers**

The Nebraska Cornhuskers volleyball team is gearing up to face off against the Wisconsin Badgers tomorrow at the UW Field House in Madison, Wisconsin. In a recent press conference, head coach Dani Busboom Kelly shared insights about the much-anticipated matchup and the team’s strategy.

Despite Nebraska having won all three matches against Wisconsin last season, Coach Kelly emphasized that the Huskers are not taking the upcoming game lightly. When asked if the team is ready, she responded,

*“Feels like they are hungry and just excited to play in a crazy environment and, you know, take on another great player. I think it’s always fun to, um, go into a match, you know, hoping to perform at a high level and be able to slow somebody down. Um, but you know, I also think this team hasn’t had a challenge like that in a while. So, you know, hopefully it doesn’t come out that we’ve been complacent or that, you know, we need this.”* [00:31 onwards]

The Nebraska Volleyball team is currently on an impressive winning streak, having secured 20 consecutive victories this season. Even more remarkable is that the last 11 games were clean sweeps, with the Huskers not conceding a single set.

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**Rebekah Allick Highlights Nebraska’s Drive for a National Championship**

Nebraska player Rebekah Allick recently spoke about the team’s ultimate goal: reclaiming the NCAA Championship. The Cornhuskers haven’t won the national title since 2017, and Allick stressed that the current winning streak means little without securing the championship.

In a pre-game press conference, Allick reflected on the team’s perspective:

*“It’s an accolade, but it’s nothing more than an Instagram post. It doesn’t decide if you won the national championship or a conference title or anything. Becoming fixated on the outcome has never ever worked in anyone’s favor. So just staying in the moment is huge. And a big takeaway that I have from John Cook, like just coaching me over the last few years, he almost used to come with a little bit of an attitude when we were ranked number one. He was like, ‘So you think you guys can just coach this week because you’re ranked number one?’”*

Since their last NCAA Championship win in 2017, the Nebraska Cornhuskers have come agonizingly close on three occasions, finishing as runners-up in 2018, 2021, and 2023.

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With momentum on their side and a focused mindset, the Nebraska Cornhuskers aim to continue their dominance and push closer to their championship aspirations as they take on the Wisconsin Badgers tomorrow. Fans can expect a thrilling showdown at the UW Field House.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/us/olympics/news-this-team-challenge-like-while-dani-busboom-kelly-opens-nebraska-volleyball-s-match-wisconsin

The most realistic Bucks bold prediction for 2025-26 NBA season

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The Milwaukee Bucks enter the 2025-26 NBA season at a firm crossroads. On one hand, they have parted ways with Damian Lillard and made multiple moves to usher the team into a new era, continuing to build around their superstar, Giannis Antetokounmpo.

### New Additions and Roster Moves

The Bucks have most notably added Myles Turner in free agency, alongside newcomers Cole Anthony, Gary Harris, and Thanasis Antetokounmpo. They also re-signed key players including AJ Green, Kevin Porter Jr., Bobby Portis, Taurean Prince, Ryan Rollins, Jericho Sims, and Gary Trent Jr. This revamped roster presents a more balanced and disciplined outlook, filled with shooters surrounding the dominant force that is the Greek Freak.

### Is It Enough to Keep Giannis in Milwaukee?

However, the critical question remains: is this roster construction adequate to keep Giannis in Milwaukee beyond the upcoming season? At 30 years old, Giannis is determined to be on a team capable of contending for championships. Unfortunately, that goal still appears highly unlikely for the 2025-26 campaign.

### Playoff Prospects and Challenges

The Bucks seem poised for another early playoff exit. The prediction is two-fold: not only will the Bucks fail to demonstrate the postseason progress that Giannis expects, but they will also likely lose their biggest star at the end of the season.

Giannis has already indicated he will stay for the entire season, making a mid-season trade improbable. Last season, the Bucks finished with a respectable 48-34 record, good enough for the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference. However, the team’s issues were glaring: inconsistent defense, a half-court offense overly reliant on Giannis powering his way inside, and a roster devoid of another elite playmaker following Damian Lillard’s devastating Achilles injury.

### A “Rebuild on the Fly”

Since then, Milwaukee has pivoted into what many view as a “rebuild on the fly.” The acquisition of Myles Turner provides a noticeable boost. Turner replaces Brook Lopez as a rim protector, averaging 2.0 blocks per game last season, and as a floor spacer, shooting 39.6% from deep, per Basketball Reference. Additionally, Cole Anthony, Gary Harris, and Gary Trent Jr. bring much-needed shooting to the team, while Kyle Kuzma and Bobby Portis serve as frontcourt glue.

Yet, despite Turner’s fit, this remains a collection of decent pieces—not a championship-caliber core.

### Giannis Antetokounmpo Can’t Do It Alone

Giannis continues to perform at an otherworldly level, posting averages of 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, 6.5 assists, and leading the league with 243 dunks last season. Under Doc Rivers’ system, the “Point Giannis” role is expected to resurface, with Kevin Porter Jr. and Cole Anthony taking on secondary playmaking duties.

Milwaukee’s best chance may lie in leaning heavily on defense — turning games into slow, physical battles where Turner protects the rim, Portis dominates the glass, and Giannis handles everything else. While this approach might sustain regular-season success, postseason triumphs seem unlikely without enough offensive firepower beyond Giannis to compete against the NBA’s elite teams.

### The Uncertain Future

In hindsight, the decision to waive and stretch Damian Lillard’s contract might be viewed as a desperate move. If Milwaukee exits the playoffs early again, even after another heroic season from Giannis, what motivation will he have to remain?

The championship window Giannis opened has effectively closed. The core that won with him is gone, the front office’s draft cupboard looks empty through 2030, and many teams will be eager to make a run at acquiring Giannis should he become available in a trade.

### Conclusion

Given these realities, another early playoff exit in 2025-26 seems likely, which in turn increases the probability of Giannis leaving Milwaukee. The two-time MVP who delivered the franchise’s first championship in half a century may ultimately decide it’s time to chase another title elsewhere.
https://clutchpoints.com/nba/milwaukee-bucks/most-realistic-bucks-bold-prediction-2025-26