COLLEGE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Norfolk State has finalized a home-and-home series with nationally ranked Mississippi for the next two seasons.
The Spartans will travel to Oxford to face the Rebels on Nov. 3, 2025, with Ole Miss visiting Echols Hall for the first time the following season.
“This is an exciting moment for our women’s basketball program and the entire Norfolk State community,” athletic director Melody Webb said.
The upcoming matchup will mark the first meeting between the two programs. Norfolk State went 2-1 against SEC opponents last season, beating Missouri and Auburn. Larry Vickers, who coached NSU to those victories, was hired by Auburn and was replaced by Jermaine Woods.
The Rebels will become the first SEC team to compete on the Spartans’ home court. Ole Miss finished the 2024-25 season ranked No. 17 nationally with a 22-11 record, reaching the Sweet 16.
LOCAL BASEBALL
Pilots’ road game canceled because of weather
The Peninsula Pilots’ scheduled game Friday night against the Florence Flamingos was canceled because of inclement weather.
The Pilots (8-3) will seek to snap a three-game Coastal Plain League losing streak when they return to War Memorial Stadium for Saturday’s 7 p.m. game against the Wilmington Sharks.
COLLEGE BASEBALL
W&M’s Parker named All-American
William & Mary junior outfielder Ben Parker was named a third-team All-American by the American Baseball Coaches Association.
A Coastal Athletic Association Co-Player of the Year, Parker batted a CAA-best .407 with 11 homers and 50 RBIs. He added 23 doubles, 70 runs and 17 stolen bases.
COLLEGE TRACK AND FIELD
UVA hammer thrower gains All-America honor
The Virginia women’s team opened competition at the NCAA outdoor championships in Eugene, Oregon, as Annika Kelly earned second-team All-America honors in the hammer throw and Margot Appleton advanced to the final in the 1,500 meters.
Kelly threw 212 feet, 10 inches, to finish 14th among 24 athletes. Appleton clocked 4 minutes, 11.64 seconds, taking second in her heat.
COLLEGE MEN’S TENNIS
UVA’s Jódar named National Rookie of Year
Virginia freshman Rafael Jódar has been named the Intercollegiate Tennis Association National Rookie of the Year. He became just the third player in program history to earn the honor, joining Alex Domijan (2011) and Mitchell Frank (2012).
Jódar led the Cavaliers to their fifth consecutive NCAA quarterfinal appearance. The Cavaliers finished as the runner-up in the ACC tourney and picked up two wins over the then-No. 1 ranked ITA team (Texas and Wake Forest).
COLLEGE WOMEN’S TENNIS
UVA’s Chervinsky gains national sportsmanship award
Virginia senior Elaine Chervinsky was named the recipient of the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Cissie Leary Sportsmanship Award. The award dates back to 1997 and is in memory of the late and widely admired Penn women’s tennis coach Cissie Leary.
FOOTBALL RECRUITING
Green Run edge pledges to Virginia Tech
Green Run High edge rusher Kamren Johnson committed to play for Virginia Tech over Pittsburgh and Virginia, he revealed on social media.
Johnson, a rising 3-star senior who’s 6-foot-4 and 225 pounds, became the fifth Stallions player to commit to Virginia Tech in the last three recruiting cycles.
PRO FOOTBALL
Ex-UVA quarterback named MVP of UFL
Former Virginia Cavaliers quarterback Bryce Perkins of the Michigan Panthers was named the United Football League MVP.
His Panthers face the D.C. Defenders in St. Louis for the UFL championship Saturday.
Perkins, 28, a former Los Angeles Rams backup, has passed for 1,342 yards (fourth in the league), nine touchdowns and two interceptions. He has rushed for 269 yards and five TDs, tying for second in the league.
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