Wisconsin volleyball was in control in Thursday night’s Sweet 16 match. Until it wasn’t.

With a two-set lead in the match, and a 21-18 in the third, the Badgers looked all but locked in to a spot in the NCAA tournament quarterfinals. And then Penn State began to fight back.

The Nittany Lions rallied to win the third set. Then they won the fourth, forcing a fifth and deciding set on the Badgers’ home floor.

But in front of a home crowd of 7,229, the Badgers rebounded in the fifth in what head coach Kelly Sheffield called “as gritty of a performance” as he’d ever seen.

“I was in the huddle with these guys and you can just see it in the eyes, and out there on the court and how they were working with each other,” Sheffield said.

“I learned a lot about our team tonight, I think we all did,” he continued. “It was a rough night passing the ball, no doubt about it. And when you have that against an elite team, most of the time you’re in real trouble and you’re going to get run out of the gym.”

The reigning national champion Badgers, who have had a dominant season on the court, had not dropped a set all tournament until their match against Penn State.

“I think (it’s) how you respond, especially on the day when a team is coming at you with the most aggressive serves they have,” sophomore Julia Orzol said. “That prize at the end is high, and we all know it. Some days it’s not going to be perfect.”

Wisconsin next will take on Pittsburgh on Saturday. The Panthers advanced to the Elite Eight for the third straight season.

Joining the Badgers in the quarterfinals are all three other No. 1 seeds, Texas, Stanford and Louisville. No. 3 Oregon and No. 3 Ohio State are the lowest seeds remaining in the tournament, and those teams will face Louisville and Texas, respectively.

San Diego, with a win over Kentucky, earned its first-ever berth to the NCAA regional final. The Toreros will play nine-time NCAA champion Stanford, which is back into the Elite Eight for the first time since 2019.

When Cathedral Catholic’s Julia Blyashov steps onto the court, she turns heads. At 6-foot-3, it’s hard to miss her. But during the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Open Division State Championship against Saint Francis on Nov. 19, she wasn’t on the court.

The senior outside hitter and future Stanford freshman suffered an ankle injury in Cathedral Catholic’s semifinal win, forcing her to miss the biggest game of the season. But if Blayshov was feeling cheated or frustrated by the situation, she didn’t show it.

“I wouldn’t have changed anything about that night,” she says.

Blyashov stayed active on the sidelines, offering guidance from her new vantage point as the team rolled to a straight-set victory and handed Saint Francis its first loss of the season.

“Even though I was out, I was still trying to contribute. I was cheering everyone on,” she says. “When I say all these girls are my best friends, they are. Being able to be there, and just being in that environment was awesome. I was so excited during, and especially after.”

Though she didn’t step foot on the court during the state title game, Blyashov made an indelible mark on the team during the season. Cathedral Catholic dropped one set all year on their way to a 42-0 record and the final No. 1 ranking in JWS’ season-long poll. Blayshov led the way from beginning to end, earning 2022 JWS Volleyball Player of the Year honors as a result.

“We got where we were because of Julia … she’d be the one terminating a lot of the plays,” Dons head coach Juliana Conn says. “We need a point, set — Julia.”

Blyashov led the team in kills this year and is often lauded for her powerful swings, but Conn is most impressed with Blyashov’s passing.

“Passing is the hardest skill in volleyball. Throughout the year, her ball control has increased tremendously,” Conn says. “People are going to give the most credit to the kids who are terminating plays. But Julia is more than that. She’s always been more than that.”

Cathedral Catholic had 10 seniors on the team this year, and each of them took on a different role. Blyashov, Conn says, is an approachable leader. Not known for being loud or seeking attention, Blyashov instead instilled confidence in her teammates through her calm demeanor and measured approach to the game.

Blyashov started playing volleyball around the age of 7, after a stint as a rhythmic gymnast. Even when she was young, Blyashov’s height set her apart.

“I realized I was a foot taller than everyone,” Blyashov says. “My parents were like, ‘I think it’s time to find another sport.’”

So they took her — against her wishes — to a volleyball camp. And while she wasn’t excited at first, the moment she felt her hands hit the ball, she knew volleyball was the sport for her.

In the decade since that first camp, Blyashov has amassed a laundry list of accomplishments. In addition to starring on Cathedral Catholic’s indoor and beach volleyball teams and WAVE, a premier club team in California, Blyashov has represented USA Volleyball at the highest youth levels.

In 2021, she won a bronze medal with the U.S. U18 team at the Federation Internationale De Volleyball (FIVB). This year, she went a step further, winning gold at the U19 Pan American Cup and tying for the most kills in the championship match with eight. With the victory, Team USA qualified for the world championships next year in the Netherlands.

“It’s such an honor to be on the team and represent the USA and red, white and blue,” Blyashov says.

With the Dons season over, she’ll turn her attention to WAVE, where Conn is also a coach. The two have known each other for six years now. When that season ends and Blyashov packs her bags to head to Stanford next fall, she jokes that she wouldn’t be surprised if Conn follows behind.

“I’m grateful for everything she’s taught me. She’s tough, but I like tough coaches,” Blyashov says. “I’m expecting her to be there. I love her, not only as a coach but as a person.”

Stanford has always been Blyashov’s dream school. For as long as she can remember, she’s been going to the campus to watch her brother’s water polo tournaments, and she has fond memories of watching two-time National Player of the Year Kathryn Plummer win three national championships with the Cardinal.

“I was in love with the campus,” she says. “I just have chills talking about it right now.”

She says she’s looking forward to being challenged by the best teams in the country. With so many of her childhood dreams coming true, Blyashov has her sights set on new ones — a national championship and a spot on the U.S. Olympic team.

“I’m definitely excited for baby Julia,” Blyashov says.

Nika Anschuetz is a contributing writer at Just Women’s Sports. Follow her on Twitter @nlanschuetz.

Houston Volleyball is on to the second round of the NCAA Tournament in style.

The Cougars won a five-set thriller over South Dakota on Friday, which included a wild rally in the fourth set. Junior and two-time American Athletic Conference Libero of the Year Kate Georgiades made a herculean effort to keep the ball in play, which helped her team secure the point.

South Dakota would wind up winning the fourth set, forcing a fifth. Houston won the fifth set 15-11, granting them their first NCAA Tournament win since 1994. This is the team’s first appearance in the tournament since 2000.

The Cougars will next play Auburn, who stunned No. 4-seed Creighton in the first round for just its second postseason win in school history.

With the high school volleyball season wrapped up, Just Women’s Sports has new honors to bestow upon the nation’s top high school student-athletes.

JWS is proud to announce its All-American girls volleyball teams, honoring 24 of the top high school players in the nation, including 10 seniors on the Second Team.

Learn more about these outstanding athletes below, including what college they plan to attend. Find our selections for the All-American First Team here and look out for our profile of the JWS Player of the Year next week.

Second Team

Eloise Brandewie, Bishop Hartley (Ohio), Sr. | MB

278 kills, 97 blocks, 66 digs, 22 aces

Ohio State

The Under Armour All-American led the Hawks on a program-record 14-match winning streak, averaging four kills per set at an incredibly efficient .554 hitting percentage.

Brooke Bultema, Ursuline Academy (Ohio), Sr. | MB

376 kills, 107 blocks, 33 aces

Kentucky

The 6-foot-3 force averaged more than four kills and one block per set, leading the Lions to a Division I state championship and a top-15 national ranking.

Saige Damrow, Howards Grove (Wis.), Sr. | Libero/OH

301 kills, 329 digs, 73 aces

Wisconsin

Standing at 5-foot-8, Damrow averaged 4.4 kills per set and 4.8 digs per set in leading Howards Grove to a state championship.

Charlie Fuerbringer, Mira Costa (Calif.), Jr. | S

119 kills, 284 digs, 72 blocks, 34 aces

Wisconsin

Fuerbringer quarterbacked a Mustangs offense that averaged 13 kills per set while ascending to a top-10 national ranking.

Nayeli Gonzalez, Cornerstone Christian (Texas), Sr. | OH/MH

573 kills, 117 blocks, 91 digs

Iowa State

The leader of the nation’s No. 2 team, Gonzalez averaged more than four kills per set as the Warriors beat California powers Marymount and Mira Costa.

Ashley Mullen, Liberty (Mo.), Sr. | S

1,124 assists, 202 digs, 71 kills, 65 aces, 37 blocks

UCLA

The Under Armour All-American averaged more than 10 assists per set, leading the Blue Jays to a 35-win season and surpassing 3,000 career assists.

Skyler Pierce, Olathe Northwest (Kan.), Jr. | OH

488 kills, 248 digs, 44 blocks, 44 aces

Nebraska

One of the top junior recruits in the country, Pierce has already surpassed 1,000 career kills and still has one high school season remaining.

Jurnee Robinson, Mauldin (S.C.), Sr. | OH

538 kills, 324 digs 51 aces, 51 blocks

LSU

Robinson, an Under Armour All-American, averaged over five kills per set on a .446 hitting percentage and chipped in defensively with more than three digs pet set to lead Mauldin to a state title.

Ava Sarafa, Bloomfield Hills Marian (Mich.), Sr. | S

1,359 assists, 291 digs 98 kills, 54 blocks, 47 aces

Kentucky

One of the nation’s assist leaders, Sarafa quarterbacked a dominant offense that propelled the Mustangs to a third consecutive Division I state title.

Kyndal Stowers, Guyer (Texas), Sr. | OH

274 kills, 170 digs, 35 blocks, 19 aces

Baylor

Stowers averaged 5.5 kills per set on a .348 hitting percentage, leading Guyer to the state quarterfinals.

Sydney Schnichels, Willmar (Minn.), Sr. | OH

490 kills, 232 digs, 51 aces, 28 blocks

Minnesota

Schnichels was named Minnesota’s Ms. Baden Volleyball after a stellar five-year career, finishing with 1,324 kills, 697 digs and 170 blocks.

Ella Swindle, Rock Bridge (Mo.), Sr. | S

841 assists, 230 digs, 171 kills, 81 blocks, 41 aces

Texas

Another Under Armour All-American, Swindle averaged nearly nine assists this season and finished her high school career with more than 3,000 assists.

Phillip Suitts is a contributing writer at Just Women’s Sports. He has worked at a variety of outlets, including The Palm Beach Post and Southeast Missourian, and done a little bit of everything from reporting to editing to running social media accounts. He was born in Atlanta but currently lives in wintry Philadelphia. Follow Phillip on Twitter @PhillipSuitts.

With the high school volleyball season wrapped up, Just Women’s Sports has new honors to bestow upon the nation’s top high school student-athletes.

JWS is proud to announce its All-American girls’ volleyball teams, honoring 24 of the top high school players in the nation, including 11 seniors on the First Team.

Learn more about these standout athletes below, including what college they plan to attend. And look out for our Second Team selections on Friday and our profile of the JWS Volleyball Player of the Year next week.

First Team

Olivia Babcock, Sierra Canyon (Calif.), Sr. | OH/Opp.

539 kills, 326 digs, 114 blocks, 65 aces

Pittsburgh

Babcock propelled the Trailblazers to their first-ever CIF Division I title as Sierra Canyon proved they belonged among Southern California’s elite programs.

Julia Blyashov, Cathedral Catholic (Calif.), Sr. | OH

Stanford

Blyashov led Cathedral Catholic to a 42-0 season as the Dons cemented their status as the nation’s top team by winning the California state championship and dropping just one set all season.

Nya Bunton, DuPont Manual (Ky.), Sr. | MB

516 kills, 97 digs, 47 blocks, 47 aces

Texas

Bunton won gold with Team USA at the U19 Pan American Cup and then earned Miss Kentucky and Under Armour All-American thanks to a stellar senior season.

Chloe Chicoine, MCCutcheon (Ind.), Sr. | OH

549 kills, 271 digs, 49 aces, 25 blocks

Purdue

The Mavericks fell just short of a repeat state title, but Chicoine did her part, averaging six kills and three digs per set and earning Indiana’s Miss Volleyball honors.

Laney Choboy, Leesville Road (N.C.), Sr. | Libero

244 digs, 206 kills, 51 assists, 24 aces, 14 blocks

Nebraska

Generally considered the top libero in the Class of 2023, Choboy won gold at the U19 Pan American Cup and bronze at the FIVB Girls U18 World Championship.

Brooklyn DeLeye, Washburn Rural (Kan.), Sr. | OH

Kentucky

DeLeye led Washburn Rural to its eighth state championship and holds the school record for career kills.

Caroline Jurevicius, Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin (Ohio), Sr. | OH

445 kills, 224 digs, 44 blocks, 41 aces

Nebraska

Jurevicius led the Lions to a state title, racking up 27 kills in the state championship match and is part of the nation’s No. 1 recruiting class at Nebraska.

Kennedy Phelan, Fayetteville (Ark.), Sr. | S/OH

977 assists, 227 digs, 217 kills, 80 aces, 31 blocks

Florida State

Phelan led the Bulldogs to a third consecutive state championship and a top-10 national ranking. She will play both indoor and beach volleyball in Tallahassee.

Harper Murray, Skyline (Mich.), Sr. | OH

663 kills, 372 digs, 73 aces, 38 blocks

Nebraska

Michigan’s Miss Volleyball capped a stellar high school career with an eye-popping 663 kills on a .410 hitting percentage, finishing with 2,245 career kills and 1,423 digs.

Bergen Reilly, O’Gorman (S.D.), Sr. | S/OH

440 kills, 338 digs, 70 aces, 29 assists, 26 blocks

Nebraska

Reilly is constantly testing herself against more experienced opponents. First as an eighth grader starring for the O’Gorman volleyball team and then this fall as a high schooler on the U.S. Pan Am Final six squad.

Torrey Stafford, Marymount (Calif.), Sr. | OH

568 kills, 305 digs, 57 blocks, 42 assists, 35 aces

Pittsburgh

After sharing the court last season with one of the nation’s top players, Elia Rubin, Stafford proved more than capable in a leading role, averaging five kills per set as an Under Armour All-American.

Ellie White, Mother McAuley (Ill.), Jr. | MB

542 kills, 289 digs, 103 blocks, 28 aces

Michigan

White averaged six kills, three digs and one block per set, leading the Mighty Macs to their 16th national championship and a top-10 national ranking.

Phillip Suitts is a contributing writer at Just Women’s Sports. He has worked at a variety of outlets, including The Palm Beach Post and Southeast Missourian, and done a little bit of everything from reporting to editing to running social media accounts. He was born in Atlanta but currently lives in wintry Philadelphia. Follow Phillip on Twitter @PhillipSuitts.

Defending champion Wisconsin volleyball ended its regular season on an 18-match winning streak.

The Badgers have not lost since Sept. 25, even as the team endured a tough Big Ten schedule and the turmoil of a photo leak investigation, and now they enter the NCAA tournament with a 25-3 overall record and the No. 1 seed.

The University of Wisconsin athletic department announced on Oct. 19 the investigation into a a leak of private photos and videos of Badgers women’s volleyball players, which were then shared on the internet.

At least one of the photos appears to have been taken after the team won the Big Ten title last November and shows members of the team posing with their sports bras lifted, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.

The athletic department called the leak a “significant and wrongful invasion” of the athletes’ privacy. Yet even after the off-court issue, which highlighted the vulnerable position of college athletes, the Badgers continued to roll.

Wisconsin finished its conference season Saturday with a 3-1 win against Ohio State, clinching a 19-1 conference record and the Big Ten title. The only loss came on Sept. 25 against Minnesota.

“There was so much learning that came from our one loss against Minnesota,” coach Kelly Sheffield said. “That was really important for where we are right now. There was so much opportunity for us to learn throughout the course of the year and I am so proud of them.”

The 18-match winning streak is tied for the second-longest winning streak in program history. The 19-1 conference record is tied for the best conference record in program history.

Wisconsin already has sold out all-session tickets to its first- and second-round matches in the NCAA tournament. The Badgers will start their quest for a repeat title at 8 p.m. ET Friday against Quinnipiac.

Top-ranked Texas and defending champion Wisconsin lead the 64-team field for the NCAA women’s volleyball tournament.

Louisville and Stanford also earned top seeds in the bracket, which was announced Sunday, while San Diego, Nebraska, Minnesota and Pittsburgh claimed No. 2 seeds.

While the SEC does not count any programs among the top eight teams, the conference does have the most in the tournament at seven. The Big Ten and Pac-12 have six each.

The last four teams to make the field were Auburn, Ball State, Loyola Marymount and Pepperdine, per ESPN, while the last three out were Colorado State, Texas State and UCLA.

The No. 1 Longhorns received 58 votes in the latest AVCA coaches’ poll, and they carry a 22-1 record into the tournament. First-round matches start Thursday, with Texas facing Fairleigh Dickinson at 9 p.m. ET.

The Badgers finished the season on an 18-match winning streak, which started in the midst of a photo leak scandal.

The University of Wisconsin athletic department announced in October an investigation into leaked photos and video of its women’s volleyball players. One of the photos appears to have been taken after the team won the Big Ten title last November and shows members of the team posing with their sports bras lifted, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.

Still, despite the off-court stressors of the leak and the investigation, the Badgers have climbed to No. 2 in the AVCA poll and finished the regular season with a 25-3 record.

The national championship is set for 8 p.m. ET on Dec. 17 in Omaha, Nebraska, and will air on ESPN2.

Before Taylor Williams and her teammates at Saint Francis (Mountain View, Calif.) step onto the court, they dance, and the songs they choose run the gamut. From typical pump-up music to power ballads like High School Musical 2’s “Gotta Go My Own Way,” the Lancers let loose before every game.

It appears to be working.

The No. 11 Lancers are 34-0 after beating Archbishop Mitty 3-1 (25-20, 25-20, 16-25, 25-22) on Tuesday to win the California Interscholastic Federation NorCal title. Williams scored the match-winning point that advanced the Lancers to the state title game, finishing with 22 kills, three blocks and three aces and earning JWS Player of the Week honors along the way.

“I think we were all very nervous going into that game. We knew it was such an important game to win,” said Williams, a junior outside hitter. “We were confident. We played them so many times. I think everyone did their job. I think it’s some of the best level we’ve ever played.”

The matchup felt familiar to Saint Francis. On their home court, the team beat Archbishop Mitty for the sixth time this season. While Saint Francis might make it look easy, staying undefeated has been quite the challenge.

“A lot of people will take a look at our record and just assume it’s been a super smooth ride and that we’ve beat up on teams, but we’ve been pushed a lot this year,” Lancers coach Lake Merchen said. “It seems like every time the team across the net finds a way to get the advantage on us, they start pushing us really hard.

“We do a great job of maintaining our calm and responding really aggressively.”

Williams stepped up as a breakout star at the end of last season, filling the shoes of an injured senior, and she hasn’t relinquished the role since then. Prior to the start of the CIF Open Division tournament, Williams recorded 343 kills, 191 digs, 34 aces and 28 blocks, and while her stats are impressive, it’s her quiet leadership that emanates on the court.

“She’s learned how to support the people around her,” Merchen said. “I think she’s now the player everyone looks to in big moments, not just for big swings and big blocks, but someone who can be their rock. If Taylor looks good, if Taylor looks confident, we can be confident.”

Williams started playing volleyball when she was 8 years old. She was introduced to the game by her friend and current teammate, junior setter Hannah Maguire.

“Her mom played volleyball in college, so I think I was just best friends with her daughter. I thought it would be a fun thing to go and start playing volleyball,” Williams said. “I kind of just loved it ever since.”

In seventh grade, Williams decided to take volleyball more seriously. At the time, she was also playing basketball, so she quit and devoted nearly all her time and attention to volleyball, with the intention of someday playing at the Division I level. And it worked.

In September, Williams committed to Duke, a school known for both great athletics and academics.

For now, Williams is focused on what’s right in front of her, a state championship matchup against Cathedral Catholic, the No. 1 team in the country in the final JWS volleyball team rankings.

“We’re so ready to do it. Just for our last game of the season, we’re just super motivated,” Williams said. “We want to play our best. We want to play as a team. We want to be able to represent our school at state.

“I think we’re really excited to be there and compete against the best team in the nation.”

And on Saturday, before stepping onto the state championship stage, the Lancers will dance one last time.

Nika Anschuetz is a contributing writer at Just Women’s Sports. Follow her on Twitter @nlanschuetz.

The Cathedral Catholic volleyball team began the season at No. 1 and has yet to relinquish its grasp on the top spot.

The Dons passed their latest tests with flying colors, beating Torrey Pines for the third time in a month and then defeating top-10 Mira Costa in four sets to advance to the California Interscholastic Federation Southern California Open Division championship match. There was one slight blemish — Cathedral Catholic lost the second set to Mira Costa, the first time all season they have dropped a set.

It’s been that dominant of a season for the Dons, who won three regular-season tournaments, including the prestigious Durango Fall Classic.

Now, Cathedral is just one win from an undefeated season. Their final test? Fellow unbeaten Saint Francis in the state championship match on Saturday.

For the Dons, this is nothing new. They have been getting each team’s best shot all season and have yet to falter.

Cathedral Catholic remains at No. 1 in the final edition of the Just Women’s Sports team volleyball rankings. Click here to see last week’s rankings.

1. Cathedral Catholic (Calif.), 41-0

If Cathedral wins Saturday, it would be the program’s sixth state title.

2. Cornerstone Christian (Texas), 55-2

Cornerstone remains at No. 2 in this week’s rankings.

3. Bloomfield Hills Marian (Mich.), 47-1

Sophomore Izzy Busignani had a combined 38 kills, senior Lauren Heming contributed 40 digs and Kentucky commit Ava Sarafa racked up 90 assists and 25 digs as the Mustangs won twice this past week to advance to the Division I state semifinals.

4. Prestonwood Christian (Texas), 40-1

Sophomore Macaria Spears racked up 37 kills in the semifinals and final to lead the Lions to the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools Class 6A state championship. Juniors Jadyn Livings and Camille Edwards added 27 digs and 57 assists, respectively.

5. Hamilton Southeastern (Ind.), 34-1

The 4A state champions will return 10 of the 12 players from this year’s team.

6. Washburn Rural (Kan.), 45-1

The Rural Blues are still savoring their first state title in 10 years.

7. Fayetteville (Ark.), 36-2

The Bulldogs won their third consecutive state crown in late October.

8. Tompkins (Texas), 41-4

Cindy Tchouangwa combined for 30 kills and 29 digs as the Falcons recorded sweeps on consecutive days to advance to the Class 6A state semifinals.

9. Mira Costa (Calif.), 38-5

After beating Sierra Canyon to advance to the Southern California Open division championship, the Mustangs did something no other team this year has accomplished when they won a set against No. 1 Cathedral Catholic. Alas, it wasn’t enough to extend their season as they lost 3-1 on Tuesday.

10. Mother McAuley (Ill.), 39-3

Michigan commit Ellie White had 43 kills, averaging over seven kills per set, and Northwestern recruit Gigi Navarrete amassed 39 digs as the Mighty Macs won two matches in two days to claim the Class 4A state title, the program’s 16th state championship.

11. Saint Francis (Calif.), 34-0

The Lancers defeated Archbishop Mitty for the sixth time this season to win the Northern California Open Division. Next up: a state title matchup against No. 1 Cathedral Catholic.

12. Sierra Canyon (Calif.), 35-5

A week after beating Mira Costa to win the Southern Section Division I championship, the Trailblazers fell in the rematch, losing a five-set thriller in the Southern California Open Division semifinals.

13. Wayzata (Minn.), 29-4

The Trojans’ 60-plus game winning streak ended in early September, but they were crowned Class 4A state champions for their third state title in the last four years.

14. St. Thomas Aquinas (Kan.), 40-3

Yale commit Betsy Goodenow was named 5A Player of the Year, one of three Saints to earn first team all-state honors.

15. Ursuline Academy (Ohio), 25-3

Kentucky commit Brooke Bultema had 30 combined kills in the semifinal and final, Creighton recruit Sydney Breissinger totaled 37 digs, and Lindsey Green had 90 assists as the Lions won the Division I state championship.

16. Buford (Ga.), 38-5

The Wolves will go for a fourth consecutive state title next season.

17. Notre Dame Academy (Ky.), 34-5

The Pandas return 12 of 17 players from this year’s state championship team.

18. Pope (Ga.), 45-5

The Greyhounds are still savoring their state title.

19. ‘Iolani (Hawaii), 25-5

‘Iolani is the best team on the islands.

20. Corona del Sol (Ariz)., 39-5

Kierstyn Barton racked up 25 kills, Maggie Beauer and Erin Clark had 35 digs apiece, and Julia Owens played provider with 57 assists as the Aztecs knocked off the defending state champions in a five-set thriller to win the 6A state title.

21. Pace Academy (Ga.), 42-1

Pace’s sole loss was to Pope.

22. Northville (Mich.), 46-3

The Mustangs have dropped just one set during their playoff run, which has taken them to the Division I state semifinals.

23. Flint Hill (Va.), 36-0

The Huskies dropped their first set of the season in the Division I state championship but rebounded to win the next three and a state title, completing an undefeated season.

24. Immaculate Heart Academy (N.J.), 28-1

The Blue Eagles won their last 26 matches of the season to claim the Non-Public Group A state title.

25. Horizon (Ariz.), 32-10

There were plenty of bumps along the way, but the Huskies defeated Millennium in four sets to win back-to-back 5A state titles.

Phillip Suitts is a contributing writer at Just Women’s Sports. He has worked at a variety of outlets, including The Palm Beach Post and Southeast Missourian, and done a little bit of everything from reporting to editing to running social media accounts. He was born in Atlanta but currently lives in wintry Philadelphia. Follow Phillip on Twitter @PhillipSuitts.

Athletes Unlimited volleyball is heading on tour.

The league announced Tuesday that it will go on a spring exhibition tour, with a roster of 15 players visiting the top eight college programs in the country. Of those eight, six are among the top 15 ranked schools in the current NCAA rankings.

“Volleyball is clearly gaining in popularity, both in terms of participation as well as fan interest at all levels. As the only professional league in the United States, we’re excited to expand Athletes Unlimited Volleyball to give more people access to the highest level of the game,” said Cassidy Lichtman, the director of sport for Athletes Unlimited volleyball.

Schools featured on the tour are Louisville, Ohio State, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Texas, Baylor, Howard and Penn State.

The player roster includes one Olympian, five national champions and eight All-Americans. Molly McCage (Penn State), Deja McClendon (Penn State), Alisha Childress (Penn State), Erin Fairs (Louisville), Sydney Hilley (Wisconsin) and Taylor Reid (Minnesota) will all get the opportunity to return to and play against their college programs.

Additionally, AU will visit two of the largest youth tournaments in the United States to play exhibition games.

Athletes Unlimited also announced its third championship season for volleyball, which will take place in October and November. This year’s season will air on ESPN and ESPN+ as part of a new partnership deal that expands upon their relationship with ESPN, which includes softball and lacrosse.

“It’s amazing to see industry leaders like ESPN recognize the value of the sport and invest in its future,” Lichtman said. “The Exhibition Tour is a great opportunity to reach the many volleyball fans across the country at the collegiate and youth levels and it will be really special for our athletes to go back to the places and programs that set them on the path to their professional careers.”