Aces set for final road trip of the season

UE travels to UIC and Valparaiso

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – For the final time this season, the University of Evansville volleyball team takes to the road for weekend matches at UIC and Valparaiso. UE opens the weekend on Friday against the Flames in a 6 p.m. contest before heading to take on the Beacons at 5 p.m. on Saturday; both matches will be on ESPN+j.

Last Time Out

– Angelica Gonzalez recorded her second 20-kill match in a row as UE fell to Murray State in four sets last Friday

– Josdarilee Caraballo (12) and Carlotta Pascual (11) had their top career kill totals

– Evansville took the first set by a final of 25-21 before the Racers took the final three

Back-to-back

– Angelica Gonzalez got her chance to take over the offense last weekend and delivered consecutive 20-kill performances

– She set a new career mark with 21 against Belmont before recording 20 versus the Racers

– Gonzalez now has at least 4 kills in 16 of the last 18 matches

– She has averaged 2.13 kills per set on the season and while posting 2.26 in the MVC

Top Efforts

– Josdarilee Caraballo and Carlotta Pascual are coming off their top collegiate weekends as they have seen increased floor time

– Caraballo recorded a career-best 12 kills against the Racers on Nov. 8 while accumulating 38 attempts, also her career best

– Pascual had two solid matches, beginning with 9 kills versus Belmont before following that up with 11 in the 4-set match versus the Racers

Scouting the Opposition

– UIC opens the weekend with a mark of 18-9 while sitting at 10-5 in Valley action

– With three league matches remaining, the Flames are one game up on Murray State for third place in the league

– Cleo Lorenzo leads the Flames with 2.55 kills per set

– Sitting at 15-12 overall and 7-8 in the conference, Valparaiso holds the 7th spot in the league

– The Beacons are led by Elise Swistek’s 3.01 kills/set

VU Volleyball earns All-Region 24 honors

VINCENNES, Ind. – Four members of the 2024 NJCAA Division I Region 24 Champion Vincennes University volleyball team earned All-Region 24 honors earlier this week.

Trailblazer sophomores Isadora Dias (Rio Grande de Norte, Brazil), Elisa Dalla Pozza (Vincenza, Italy), Laura Tavares (Merida, Venezuela) and Libby Mehringer (Jasper, Ind.) all closed out the VU careers by earning All-Region 24 honors, including Dias earned 2024 NJCAA Division I Region 24 Player of the Year honors.

Dias had a breakout year for the Trailblazers, serving as a constant fixture on the court for the Blue and Gold this season.

Dias led the Trailblazers with an outstanding 465 kills during the 2024 season, averaging 3.25 kills per set.

Dias also contributed on the floor with 341 digs, 53 blocks, 35 set assists and 25 aces this past season.

Dias currently sits number five this season in all of NJCAA Division I volleyball in kills.

Dias finished out the season with 13 double-doubles and her best hitting match coming against Kaskaskia College in the opening round of the 2024 Region 24 tournament.

Dias finished that game with 13 kills and 14 digs while having a hitting percentage of .520.

Dias closes out her Trailblazer volleyball career with 716 kills, 454 digs, 129 blocks, 41 set assists and 34 aces.

Dias becomes the fifth NJCAA Division I Region 24 Player of the Year honoree for the Trailblazers since moving to Division I in 2016, joining the list of two-time Player of the Year Paige Parlanti (Las Vegas, Nev.), 2021 honoree Grace Earp (Mattoon, Ill.) and 2018 recipient Alison Smith (Oakland, Ill.).

Dias earned Third Team Academic All-American honors last year and was also named to the 2024 Blazer Classic All-Tournament team.

“Being named the 2024 Region 24 Player of the Year is such an honor and it means the world to me,” Dias said. “As an international student, this recognition feels even more special as it reflects not just the hard work and dedication I’ve put into this sport, but also the sacrifices I’ve made to pursue my dreams far from home. It’s also a recognition of the incredible support I’ve received from my coaches, teammates and family, especially my parents, Fabíola Batista and Afonso Melo, who have always been there for me no matter the distance.”

“My favorite memory at VU has to be winning the Region 24 Championship,” Dias added. “It just so happened to fall on the same day as my birthday. It was honestly the best birthday present I could have asked for. Being able to celebrate that win with my teammates made it even more special. The energy, the excitement and the sense of accomplishment we shared in that moment was unforgettable.”

“The best advice I can give is value teamwork and be coachable,” Dias said. “No matter how much talent you have, you can’t achieve success alone. A team’s strength comes from how well everyone works together, supports one another and pushes each other to improve. Appreciate and prioritize collaboration. When the team succeeds, everyone succeeds. Be open to learning and take feedback seriously. Show up with a positive attitude, give your best effort and encourage your teammates. And above all, always stay humble. If you keep those principles in mind, the recognitions and awards should follow but it will be because of your commitment to the team and to continuous growth.”

Sophomore Elisa Dalla Pozza earned First Team All-Region 24 honors for the second year in a row continuing to serve as VU’s imposing blocking force at the net.

Dalla Pozza improved on her outstanding freshman campaign to finish the 2024 season with 350 kills, 164 blocks, 145 digs, 56 aces and 33 set assists and a season long hitting percentage of .376.

Dalla Pozza is currently the NJCAA Division I leader in blocks this season and is second in the nation in block assists.

Dalla Pozza earned Second Team Academic All-American honors and was named to the All-Tournament teams for both the 2024 Blazer Classic and 2024 Showdown on the Wabash tournaments this season.

Dalla Pozza closed out her time in the Blue and Gold with 566 kills, 315 blocks, 230 digs, 98 aces and 51 set assists.

“Surely having achieved this goal again states that I work with consistency and dedication,” Dalla Pozza said. “I am grateful to have worked together with my teammates and with the coaches in overcoming difficult moments in such a way as to fix what led us to success as a team.”

“Probably one of my favorite memories is the victory over Southwestern Illinois in the Region 24 final,” Dalla Pozza said. “Then one thing I am proud of is that after a period of personal frustration, I was able to communicate with my team and reach the bond that led us to obtain victories and successes.”

“To the next players at VU, I would like to advise that in periods of personal and team frustration, it is necessary to remember the reasons why you have chosen to play volleyball and know how to collaborate with your teammates and coaches,” Dalla Pozza said.

Sophomore Laura Tavares had an outstanding sophomore season, stepping in as the main hitter for the Vincennes University offense.

Tavares closed out her 2024 season with 448 kills, 127 digs, 97 blocks, 17 set assists and five aces.

Tavares currently sits eighth in all of NJCAA Division I volleyball in kills this season.

Tavares twice finished a match with 19 kills and had four matches of 18 kills, including back-to-back matches against Snead State and Wallace State at the 2024 Wallace State C.C. Fall Bash.

Tavares closed out that weekend in Alabama with her best hitting performance of the season, recording 14 kills with an unreal .722 hitting percentage against Lawson State Community College.

Tavares closed out her Vincennes University career with 778 kills, 231 digs, 210 blocks, 25 set assists and 15 aces.

Tavares earned Third Team Academic All-American honors as a freshman and was named to the 2024 Showdown on the Wabash All-Tournament team.

“Being named Second Team All-Region 24 means to me a lot of happiness and effort because thanks to that, I can reach all the different goals I have in my life,” Tavares said. “Because of the effort and preparation my teammates and I were able to be Region Champions again. I would never be able to say I did this on my own, so I have to thank a lot of my teammates and coaches. Thanks to Coach Ariana for her sensibility, kindness and love of the sport and for us.”

“When I first got here my principal goals were to succeed on the volleyball court and in my academics,” Tavares added. “I did everything I could and put all my effort on it, even though sometimes there were sacrifices, this sophomore year gave me the rewards and the satisfaction of collecting my prizes after working so hard for them.”

“It’s hard for me to choose a specific memory because I have so many that are my favorites,” Tavares said. “The biggest memory from VU that I will remember for life are the people I found here and what they have taught me. I have met so many people since I got here but I also have made really good friends and I hope they stay in my life for a long time. I have to say that my time here has changed me for the good and made me more careful, thoughtful and mature. My biggest memory is always going to be the love, respect, support, changes and the tears of happiness and growth people gave me during this time.”

“The advice I would give to all the upcoming Trailblazers is to never give up,” Tavares added. “To fight for your dreams and for your goals and to put little goals inside the bigger ones so you will feel you’re always achieving your goals, therefore you will be more motivated.”

“Effort and sacrifices will give you what you desire but you have to work for it with discipline and respecting yourself,” Tavares said. “There is nothing like the happiness of thanking yourself when you get what you wanted.”

Sophomore setter Libby Mehringer rounds out the list of VU honorees after spending all year as the Trailblazers top setter and number one server.

Mehringer is currently 17th in the nation this season with a total of 829 set assists, while also finishing her sophomore season with 286 digs, 114 kills, 91 aces and 27 blocks.

Mehringer had 20 matches this season of 20 or more set assists, including six matches with at least 30 set assists.

Mehringer’s season high came against Wallace State Community College at the 2024 Showdown on the Wabash tournament where she picked up a double-double with 39 set assists and 13 digs.

Mehringer closed out her Vincennes University career with a total of 1,060 set assists, 371 digs, 136 kills, 131 aces and 31 blocks.

“Being named to the 2024 Second Team All-Region 24 is an incredible honor and recognition of all the hard work, dedication and effort I have given through my 10 years of playing this amazing sport,” Mehringer said. “Of course, I wouldn’t be able to be where I am without being a part of a team that pushes each other to be at their best and supports each other no matter what.”

“I think my favorite memory would have to be the moments I shared with my teammates during the Region tournament this year,” Mehringer added. “We had to fight so hard for that Championship and it created a sense of unity as a team. But in the end, I am most grateful for the relationships I have been able to build throughout this season.”

“My biggest piece of advice would have to be never quit trying to learn,” Mehringer said. “Show up every day, give your best and be coachable. Always remember that teamwork is crucial and being a good teammate and person is the most important thing at the end of the day.”

This collection of outstanding Trailblazer sophomores helped guide the Vincennes University volleyball team to a record of 30-13 this past season, including securing VU’s fourth straight NJCAA Division I Region 24 Championship and close out their Trailblazer careers with a combined record of 62-20 with a 32-3 record against Region 24 opponents.

The Vincennes University Athletic Department would like to congratulate Isadora, Elisa, Laura and Libby on a great season and this tremendous honor.

2024 NJCAA Division I All-Region 24 Teams

Player of the Year – Isadora Dias – Vincennes

First Team

Luciana Araujo – Lake Land

Sophie Hill – John A. Logan

Elisa Dalla Pozza – Vincennes

Gabbi Burkard – John A. Logan

Meikayla Graham – Southwestern Illinois

Reese Brunken – Lake Land

Second Team

Leigh Carnes – Lincoln Trail

Sarah Whittom – Kaskaskia

Laura Tavares – Vincennes

Emma Day – Southwestern Illinois

Libby Mehringer – Vincennes

Sophie Spanier – Wabash Valley

VU Cross Country takes seventh at Half Marathon Championships

RICHMOND, Va. – The Vincennes University Men’s and Women’s Cross Country teams closed out their 2024 season Tuesday morning with a strong performance at the 2024 NJCAA Half Marathon Championships.

Both the VU men’s and women’s teams earned seventh place finishes as a team in the 13.1 mile race hosted at Dorey Park in Richmond, Va.

The day began with the women’s race, which saw the Trailblazers again paced by freshman Sarra Belgacem (Tunis, Tunisia) who’s time of 1:32:10.2 placed her 27th overall.

Sophomore Adi Fuller (Evansville, Ind.) was the second Trailblazer finisher, finishing close behind Belgacem with a time of 1:34:05.9 to take 32nd place overall.

Freshman Alexis Hale (Evansville, Ind.) was the third VU scorer, posting a time of 1:39:46.9 to take 55th place overall.

The VU women’s Half Marathon race was closed out by a strong finish by freshman Allie Black (Lynn, Ind.) who finished with a time of 1:43:11.3 to take 70th overall.

“The half marathon went really well for both teams,” VU Head Cross Country Coach Tyler Steigenga said. “The women were sitting in eighth place overall at the 5.5 and 7.75 mile mark of the race. Sarra went out a little too quick but managed to settle in and finish holding her position and not give up any places in the last half of the race.”

“Adi maintained her position throughout the race and picked up some key places in the last three miles,” Steigenga added. “One of the runners she passed from Amarillo College ended up being extremely important for the team score as we ended up only beating them by one point. Alexis ended up having her biggest impact over the second half of the race as she passed 22 scoring runners from 5.5 miles to the finish. Her performance was a huge difference maker for our team finishing seventh overall.”

The Trailblazer men’s team headed to the start line and began their race shortly after the women’s race and were led by freshman Anis Abdaoui (Kairouan, Tunisia) who took home 16th place overall with a time of 1:08:44.1.

Freshman Kelvin Kipsang (Kapsabet, Kenya) and sophomore Tanner Spence (Carmi, Ill.) were the next Vincennes finishers with Kipsang posting a time of 1:13:16.3 to take 37th place and Spence coming in at 1:14:00.9 to take 46th overall.

Sophomore Cody Noel (Hebron, Ind.) and freshman Jeremy Mendez (Velpen, Ind.) came in very close to end the race with Noel getting the upper hand with a time of 1:17:13.1 and Mendez finishing with a time of 1:17:44.6.

Sophomore Caden Hostetler (LaGrange, Ind.) finished his season with a final time of 1:19:29.7 with fellow sophomore Bryaun Manuel (East St. Louis, Ill.) and freshman Lane Connaway (Carmi, Ill.) posting times of 1:21:21.6 and 1:21:56.8 respectively.

The VU Half Marathon Championships were rounded out by sophomore Nathan Whitehead (Vincennes, Ind.) who posted a time of 1:22:32.6 and freshman Rylan Mullins (Greenwood, Ind.) who finished with a time of 1:33:23.7.

“The VU men went out conservatively in the first 5.5 miles of the race and were in 11th place,” Steigenga said. “Finishing as our first runner, Anis moved up six scoring places in the second half of the race and set a new school record in the half marathon of 1:08:44. He broke 2014 Half Marathon All-American Robert Murphy’s school record of 1:09:55 by over a minute.”

“Kelvin moved up nine scoring places for the team in his first attempt at the distance and longest run of the season,” Steigenga added. “Tanner moved up 20 scoring places in the second half of the race and beat his time last year by over 3.5 minutes.”

“Like Alexis on the women’s team, as the third runner, Tanner was the difference maker for the men, who matched the women’s seventh place finish,” Steigenga said. “Jeremy also ran a great race as our number five runner in his first half marathon.”

Members of the Vincennes University Cross Country teams will return in the spring however as the Blazers will now shift their focus to the 2025 Indoor Track and Field season beginning in January.

“The half marathon was a great way for the team to end the season,” Steigenga said. “All 14 of our runners finished the race and it was very encouraging to come away with a pair of seventh place finishes. We’ll take a little break now and then start preparing for the Indoor Track season.”

VINCENNES RESULTS

WOMEN’S RESULTS

VU (7th) – 79 points

Sarra Belgacem (27) – 1:32:10.2

Adi Fuller (32) – 1:34:05.9

Alexis Hale (55) – 1:39:46.9

Allie Black (70) – 1:43:11.3

MEN’S RESULTS

VU (7th) – 87 points

Anis Abdaoui (16) – 1:08:44.1

Kelvin Kipsang (37) – 1:13:16.3

Tanner Spence (46) – 1:14:00.9

Cody Noel (79) – 1:17:13.1

Jeremy Mendez (89) – 1:17:44.6

Caden Hostetler (106) – 1:19:29.7

Bryaun Manuel (118) – 1:21:21.6

Lane Connaway (122) – 1:21:56.8

Nathan Whitehead (128) – 1:22:32.6

Rylan Mullins (166) – 1:33:23.7

UE men’s basketball welcomes Bryce Quinet

Quinet will be a freshman in 2025

University of Evansville head men’s basketball coach David Ragland has announced the signing of Bryce Quinet, who will join the Purple Aces in 2025 as a freshman.

The 6-foot-3 point guard is a native of Scottsdale, Arizona and is set for his senior season at Notre Dame Prep in Scottsdale.

“We are ecstatic to announce the official singing of Bryce Quinet.  Bryce and his family fully align with the culture of our program, university and community,” Ragland exclaimed.  “The Quinet family is a basketball family and conduct themself with a business-like mindset.  Bryce is ultra-competitive both in the classroom and on the floor, he has a high IQ on the basketball floor and is a proven winner.”

“He also communicates extremely well on the basketball floor, which is essential for any basketball player but especially a leader.  Bryce has a college ready frame and a college ready mindset.  He is a hard worker, plays with the right type of physicality and knows the importance of making his teammates better,” Ragland continued.  “We look forward to having Bryce here at the University of Evansville and helping him excel during his time here.”

Quinet is coming off a strong junior campaign that saw him record an average of 18.6 points, 6.1 assists, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.9 steals per game.  His squad went 25-5 and is looking for more in the upcoming season.

“The belief the coaches had in me was special,” Quinet said.  “Being on campus felt like home and when I went on my visit, I knew it was the place to be.”

Following the season, Quinet enjoyed a stellar spring and summer where he played for AZ Select UAA on the Under Armour 17U circuit.

-www.GoPurpleAces.com-

VINCENNES, Ind. – The Vincennes University Trailblazer men’s basketball team slid down three spots earlier today in the first NJCAA Division I National Rankings for the 2024-25 regular season, checking in at No. 21.

The Trailblazers got another opportunity to add another good win to their resume Tuesday night as Vincennes hosted NJCAA Division II No. 20 ranked Henry Ford College.

Vincennes overcame a slow start and held off a late push by the Hawks to secure an 88-77 victory over Henry Ford inside the Physical Education Complex.

VU got off to a slow start Tuesday evening, with Henry Ford firing out of the gates with a 7-0 scoring run and a 6-0 scoring run to take an early 25-16 advantage.

Vincennes would answer back however, outscoring the Hawks 13-2 to regain the lead at 29-27 with five minutes to play in the first half.

The Trailblazers would grow this lead before halftime, scoring the final four points of the opening half to take a 38-32 lead into the locker room break.

Vincennes looked to take their game up another level early in the second half, getting the home crowd behind them by opening the second half by outscoring Henry Ford 21-6 to take a 59-38 lead.

Henry Ford would rally back and cut the VU lead back down to 11 and late in the second half cut the deficit back to single digits at 77-69.

But the Trailblazers were able to get key shots down the stretch and seal the game at the free throw line as Vincennes came away with the 88-77 victory over Henry Ford College.

“The win itself is good and Henry Ford is a good ball club,” VU Hall of Fame Head Coach Todd Franklin said. “Henry Ford is explosive the way that they play and they are tough because they are going to spread you out and attack it. But I’m not pleased tonight. Tonight, I felt like, was a step backwards. I thought we made a step forward this past weekend. I thought we were better and growing and tonight I didn’t see us doing the things that we talk about.”

“It was just mistake after mistake out there from us not doing what we said,” Franklin added. “Here’s what we tell you and how to do it and we’re doing something else. That can’t be the case. I’ve got to do a better job. I don’t know if I haven’t been clear enough. I try to be clear but maybe I haven’t been clear enough. Maybe I’ve been a little too sweet, I don’t know. It’s pretty simple and basic things that we are talking about that weren’t done tonight and when they weren’t done the way we want them to, we weren’t successful.”

“Anytime we make any attempt to do what we are supposed to, we’re successful,” Franklin said. “It’s really crazy that you go through this. But we’ve gone through this long enough that we’re not going to be perfect, there’s a million things that our guys are not going to know and we’re developing. That’s fine. And we might not even do it well when we’re doing what we’re supposed to. We hope we do but we have to make the attempt to do it the way that we say. And when we don’t, that’s not okay.”

“Maybe these guys are new and they are not used to being coached and coach says here’s what I want and you do it,” Franklin added. “I’m not sure. But that’s going to change, I can tell you that. So I’m a little bothered by that right now. But it’s a good win in terms of beating Henry Ford and you can see that we have some guys that can do some things. The problem is, we waste too much time doing things that we’re not supposed to be doing instead of putting two hours of basketball together where we are all fighting like heck to do the right thing. If we did that then we’d be alright. But we’ll see if we can’t get that turned around right now.”

VU offensively was led by sophomore Michael Cooper (Minneapolis, Minn.) who just missed out on another double-double, finishing his night with 20 points and nine rebounds.