Camryn Haworth Makes Inaugural AVCA Player of the Year Watch List With viewership of women’s college volleyball at an all-time high, the AVCA (American Volleyball Coaches Association) has taken its coverage to a new level. On Wednesday afternoon, the organization unveiled the first wave of its 36-player “2024 Division I Player of the Year Award, presented by Nike Volleyball” watch list. An initiative that’s new this season, the AVCA will continue to update its watch list throughout the season before narrowing down the collection of athletes in November. The names of finalists for the prestigious award will be released before the AVCA Convention in December.
Senior setter Camryn Haworth, IU’s fourth All-American in program history, was named among the inaugural of players to watch for this year’s award. The Fishers, Ind. native has dished out 314 assists (10.13 per set) on the young season, helping IU to a 6-2 start in 2024. Haworth is well known for being an offensive setter and being a threat at the service line. On the campaign, she’s got 16 service aces and 27 kills. She is also averaging 0.86 blocks per set, matching a career high with seven stuffs in a win over Chicago State. The Hoosiers are hitting at a .266 clip with Haworth running the offense.
In her third season as the full-time starting setter, Haworth has moved into sixth in program history in assists. She’s got 3,176 assists in her career and is just over 300 away from moving into the top five all-time at IU. Along the way, she will likely pass IU’s all-time service aces record. The senior setter needs just 18 more aces to pass Jen Magelssen’s record of 197. Haworth and the Hoosiers have two more matches in the non-conference, both with Notre Dame, before heading into a reinvented Big Ten Conference. Seven teams from the league are ranked in the AVCA Top 25 with an additional two receiving at least one vote.
Indiana University Women’s Soccer Welcomes UCLA into Bill Armstrong Stadium Indiana women’s soccer (5-1-1, 0-1 B1G) continues conference play as they host newly added Big Ten school UCLA (Thursday) at Bill Armstrong Stadium tonight at 7pm on BTN Plus. Indiana currently rank No. 24 in the first RPI of the season. The Hoosiers are just one of seven Big Ten teams in the top 25. Michigan State (1), Ohio State (5), Penn State (6), USC (8), Iowa (12) and Rutgers (21). UCLA (26th) and Minnesota (27th) sit just outside the top 25. The Hoosiers lead the conference in six categories: assists per game (3.14), goal differential (19), points per game (10), scoring offense (3.43), shots per game (19.71) and total goals (24). On an individual note, Layla Sidrah is tied first in the conference in assists per game (0.71) and total assists (5). She is also ranked second in points per game (2.43).
Indiana dropped their conference opener against No. 20 Ohio State, 3-0, last week. Senior goalkeeper Jamie Gerstenberg had a single-game high of nine saves while senior midfielder Hope Paredes led the Hoosiers with four shots. As a team, IU has scored 24 goals on 22 assists this season, averaging 3.43 goals per game with 19.7 shots a game. On the defensive side, the Hoosiers have four shutouts this season. Indiana has 10 different goal scorers this season, with nine Hoosiers scoring their first career goals and five game winners. Gerstenberg has five victories and four shutouts on the season.
UCLA (6-2-1, 1-0 B1G) won their Big Ten opener last week, 2-1, against Oregon. As a team, the Bruins have scored 11 goals, with 1.22 goals a game with .429 shots on goal percentage. Junior forward Bridgette Marin-Valencia leads the team with two goals and two assists on the season. Senior midfielder Emma Egizii has also scored two goals on the season for four points. In goal, graduate student goalkeeper Ryan Campbell has played in nine matches with 20 saves on the year. She holds a 6-2-1 record between the posts. This will be the first matchup between the two teams.
Former Indiana University Men’s Basketball Head Coach Mike Davis named Assistant Coach at the University of Memphis Former IU basketball head coach Mike Davis was announced on Wednesday as an assistant at Memphis under Penny Hardaway. Davis comes to Memphis after spending the last six seasons as head coach at Detroit Mercy (2018-24). He coached his son there for five seasons. Davis’ coaching resume touts 35-plus years of experience on the sideline, including 24 years of head coaching experience with 14 postseason trips. His squads have recorded at least 20 wins nine times, while posting a winning record in 15 of his 24 campaigns. “I am excited to have coach Davis as part of our program,” Hardaway said in a Memphis release. “He is a veteran coach and brings a winning mentality to the team with an impressive resume to back it up, both on and off the court.
“Mike has won at the highest level, achieved great success and is a proven leader of young men. He will serve our program in the office, on campus and in the community. We are happy to have Mike and his family in Memphis.” Davis started his collegiate head-coaching career at Indiana and led the program from 2000-06. There he compiled a 115-79 overall record, a 55-41 mark in the Big Ten, and led the Hoosiers to five postseason tournaments, including a run to the NCAA Championship game in 2002. Davis’ teams tallied a 21-12 record in the month of March and a 7-4 NCAA Tournament mark. He was named the 25th head coach in Indiana history on Sept. 12, 2000, succeeding Bob Knight. Davis went 21-13, finishing fourth in the Big Ten at 10-6 in his first season. His 21 wins were four more than any other first-year IU head coach.
The Alabama native was also the first coach in Indiana history to open his tenure with three straight 20-plus win seasons and three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances as he directed the Hoosiers to a share of the 2002 Big Ten championship and an appearance in the 2002 national championship game, while also defeating 22 nationally-ranked opponents during that span. Prior to being named head coach at IU, Davis spent the previous three seasons as an assistant coach under Knight.
Indianapolis Colts place DeForest Buckner on Injured Reserve DeForest Buckner’s Ironman persona has taken a hit, although the Indianapolis Colts are optimistic it’s only temporary. The anchor of the defense will miss at least four games after being placed on the injured reserve list Tuesday. Buckner suffered a high sprain to his right ankle in the third quarter of Sunday’s loss at Green Bay. X-rays were negative but a subsequent MRI revealed the high sprain. According to a source with knowledge of the situation, the Colts are hopeful Buckner will be able to return after rehabbing the ankle sprain. Although injuries vary, a high sprain can require between 4-6 weeks to heal. Wideout Josh Downs suffered a high ankle sprain Aug. 7 and missed the first two games. There’s a chance he returns Sunday against the Chicago Bears. Since being selected by San Francisco with the seventh overall pick in the 2016 draft, Buckner has missed just two games: his only game because of an injury as a rookie, then 2020 game with the Colts with COVID.
His career-long availability was evident last weekend. Buckner suffered a back injury in the final minutes of the season opener against Houston and did not practice in the days leading up to the Packers game. He was cleared to play and on a pitch count that had reached 10 plays before he suffered the ankle injury. Buckner remained on the field in obvious pain before being helped to the sideline by two trainers. He then was taken to the locker room on a cart and left the locker room on crutches. With 1.5 sacks against the Texans, he set the franchise record for sacks by a tackle (34). Buckner has had at least 7 sacks in each of his first four seasons in Indy. He’s added 43 tackles for loss and 89 quarterback hits.
That’s been part of his impact. Teammates have voted him a captain for four straight seasons. “He means a great deal to us, right?’’ defensive coordinator Gus Bradley said Tuesday. “He’s a strong presence in that d-line room, and not only the d-line, but the whole defense. “I mean, they look to him, they see him on the field. They have great trust in him and know that he’s going to play his tail off.’’ With Buckner out, Raekwon Davis, Taven Bryan and Adebawore Adetomiwa are expected to carry a heavier load. The defense has struggled mightily the first two games, allowing 474 rushing yards.
Indiana Fever preparing for their first playoff berth Since 2016 For the first time since 2016, the Fever’s season will not end when the regular season ends. The Indiana Fever have secured the sixth seed in the WNBA playoffs and will find out in the next few days who their first-round opponent is. ” It’s basically going to be new for every single person in our franchise, minus a few players and a few coaches,” said Fever All-Star Guard Caitlin Clark. The Fever wrapped up an hourlong practice Wednesday as they prepare for their final game of the regular season against the Washington Mystics on Thursday. Fever Head Coach Christie Sides wants to keep the good vibes rolling into the post-season. “Keep the momentum going with how are shooting the basketball, get out and run in transition, and then defensively, they’re fighting for their lives, so we want to make sure we’re working on things that are going to help us on Sunday, as well,” Sides said.
The WNBA playoffs are set to start this Sunday. The Fever will be the visiting team for a three-game first-round series. They will have to win one of the first two games to avoid being swept and guarantee a decisive game three at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Sides called bringing a playoff game back to Gainbridge “the goal.” ” To give these guys another opportunity to play at home in front of these amazing fans, it’s been like finals basketball every night when we’re here,” Sides said. Fever Guard Lexie Hull said getting to play at home in the playoffs is added motivation to win on the road in the first-round matchup. “That’s what we want,” Hull said. “We want to play here in front of our fans, bring excitement back. I was here during the offseason for some of the Pacers playoff run and those games are just so electric, so fun to be at and I can’t even imagine how fun to play in, so hopefully we can do that.”
When asked if she thinks the fans will be even louder inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse for the playoffs, Clark joked there’s no more space for any more fans because of all the home sellouts already. “I don’t know how many more people we can fit in there,” Clark said. “I feel like the crowds have been basically full to the brim, but who knows maybe they’ll sell some standing room only or, I don’t know, maybe we’ll find some really obnoxious fans to get close to the court.” “I don’t know how many more people we can fit in there,” Clark said. “I feel like the crowds have been basically full to the brim, but who knows maybe they’ll sell some standing room only or, I don’t know, maybe we’ll find some really obnoxious fans to get close to the court.” A potential Game 3 home playoff game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse would be sometime next week.
Several Indianapolis Colts Among the 167 Pro Football Hall of Fame Nominees The journey to Canton, Ohio, begins again for Reggie Wayne and several other players with direct ties to the Indianapolis Colts. The prolific wide receiver is one of 10 individuals who were drafted or played significant roles with the team during their careers and are among the 167 modern-era candidates for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025. Wayne, in his third season as the Colts’ receivers coach following a decorated 14-year career, has reached the Final 15 in each of the past five years. Expected to draw strong consideration – along with Wayne – is Adam Vinatieri, who’s in his first year of eligibility. The most accomplished kicker in league history spent his final 14 seasons in Indy after 10 years with the New England Patriots.
Wayne, a 2001 first-round pick. He ranks 10th in NFL history in receptions (1,070) and yards (14,345) and remains one of the most productive players in postseason history, ranking No. 5 in catches (93) and No. 7 in yards (1,254). Vinatieri, the all-time scoring leader for the NFL (2,673 points) and the Colts (1,515). He won three Super Bowls with the Patriots and one with the Colts following the 2006 season. Robert Mathis, a 2003 fifth-round pick and the club’s career sack leader with 123. Antoine Bethea, a sixth-round pick in 2006 whose eight-year career with the Colts included three Pro Bowl selections, 123 starts, 14 interceptions and 805 tackles. Jeff Saturday, who was signed as a “street” free agent in 1999. He anchored the Colts’ offensive line at center for 13 seasons and was All-Pro twice and selected to five Pro Bowls. Bob Sanders, a 2004 second-round pick. His career was marred by injuries but highlighted by being named Defensive Player of the Year in 2007. Sanders was instrumental in the Colts’ ’06 playoff drive that culminated with a win over the Chicago Bears in Super Bowl XLI. Pat McAfee, a seventh-round pick in 2009 who quickly developed into one of the NFL’s premier punters before retiring after the 2016 season.Mike Vanderjagt, the team’s placekicker from 1999-2005. His 995 points trail only Vinatieri in team history. Andre Rison, a 1989 first-round pick who was traded to the Atlanta Falcons the following season as part of a package to acquire quarterback Jeff George.
Cornelius Bennett, the second overall pick in 1987 whose protracted holdout resulted in being traded to the Buffalo Bills as part of a massive deal that delivered Eric Dickerson to Indy. Bennett returned to the Colts as a free agent for the 1999-2000 seasons. Also, kicker Matt Stover handled the kicking duties for the Colts in 2009, including in their loss to New Orleans in Super Bowl XLIV, when Vinatieri was out with an injury; cornerback Antonio Cromartie was with the team for four games in 2016 and defensive end Simeon Rice spent the final two games of his 12-year career with the Colts in ’07. For the first time, the next step in the process consists of a Screening Committee reducing the list of 167 to 50 candidates, plus possible ties. That group will be announced in mid-October at which time the 50-person Selection Committee – I am a member – will select a list of 25 Semifinalists, then pare the list to 15 modern-era Finalists. The Final 15 will be discussed by the Selection Committee at its annual meeting prior to Super Bowl LVIX. A maximum of five modern-era individuals can be selected for the Class of 2025. Other first-year eligible players include quarterback Eli Manning, linebacker Luke Kuechly, guard Marshal Yanda, cornerbacks Aqib Talib and Earl Thomas and offensive tackle Joe Staley. Along with Wayne, returning 2024 Finalists: wide receiver Torry Holt, tight end Antonio Gates, running back Fred Taylor, defensive end Jared Allen, offensive tackle Willie Anderson, guard Jahri Evans, cornerbacks Darren Woodson and Eric Allen and safety Rodney Harrison.