Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Connor Sturniolo
Fresh Squeezed Sports Podcast: SU Volleball shows fight vs. Top 5 foes
This week’s episode has our crew discussing how the Orange are squaring off against ACC foes and how SU football survived overtime against UConn. This week’s Fresh Squeezed Sports podcast breaks down Syracuse football’s overtime victory over UConn with guest Connor Sturniolo, then turns to volleyball’s tough weekend against SMU and Pittsburgh.
Orange volleyball completes promising weekend, despite sweep to Pitt
Kiernan Stamey and Charis Burge go stat-for-stat with Babcock and Starck. Kedar Nair Syracuse outside hitter Emma Williams and middle blocker Bo Nijenhuis defend against Pitt at the Women’s Building Sunday. The mindset for the Syracuse volleyball team heading into their Oct. 4 match against Pittsburgh was simple: ignore who the players are on the other side of the net and play against whatever team they might make up.
Volleyball drops hard-fought sweep to No. 5 SMU
The Syracuse volleyball team entered this match scared. It had dropped both of its ACC opening weekend matches to Notre Dame and Louisville, and were now standing across the net from two AVCA Player of the Year contenders on the Southern Methodist Mustangs. Despite a sweep loss and a sizable score difference in both sets, the Orange put up a spirited fight against the nationally fifth-ranked SMU squad, even leading the Mustangs on multiple occasions in the second set.
Living and Breathing Photography
Mike Greenlar knew it was about to rain. He felt a stiff breeze blow in from the shores of Onondaga Lake and knew he wouldn’t be able to stay outside for much longer. But Greenlar was not satisfied with the photos he had. One or two more good pictures would do, after about an hour of shooting. He flipped the large cylindrical cover he carried in the trunk of his van around to protect his lens, then spotted it: a juvenile eagle. And he knew this one well. He’d shot pictures of it multiple times.
Ahen Kim carries his time at American University with him to his future
Skip to Content, Navigation, or Footer. Delivering American University's news and views since 1925 Volleyball head coach reflects on his success with the Eagles Ahen Kim knew he had something special on his hands at the beginning of October 2025.
BREAKING: Jenny Glenn named as next head volleyball coach
Glenn comes to American after decade, national championship at Division II MSU Denver American University announced Jenny Glenn as the new head coach for the women’s volleyball team on March 5, 2026. She succeeds Ahen Kim in the role and enters the program after a 24-5 Patriot League championship season for the Eagles.
BREAKING: Ahen Kim named head volleyball coach at Duke
Skip to Content, Navigation, or Footer. Delivering American University's news and views since 1925 Kim leaves American after 24-5 season and Patriot League Championship victory Duke University hired American University volleyball head coach Ahen Kim to the same role on Jan. 12, 2026. Kim joins the Blue Devils after his best season, posting a 24-5 record and winning a Patriot League championship. The Eagles went 64-25 during Kim’s three seasons as the head coach of the Eagles.
Volleyball wins Patriot League Championship with rout of Black Knights
Eagles set multiple hitting records in Kim’s first championship as head coach The American University volleyball team (24-4) are Patriot League champions after defeating the Army Black Knights (19-9) in the conference’s championship match at Bender Arena on Nov. 23. The Eagles swept Army in dominant fashion, winning each of the game’s three sets by at least 7 points.
Volleyball downs Navy in Patriot League semifinal
Skip to Content, Navigation, or Footer. Delivering American University's news and views since 1925 Dakak and Hollas show out in sweep of Midshipmen The Eagles celebrate a big point during the first set of their match against Navy on Nov. 21. Credit: Courtesy of AU Athletics The American University volleyball team (24-4) swept the Navy Midshipmen (13-14) on Nov. 21 in Bender Arena. This game was a Patriot League Tournament semifinal matchup, and the win sent American to the final on Nov.
Volleyball sweeps Patriot League postseason awards, look towards semifinal
Skip to Content, Navigation, or Footer. Delivering American University's news and views since 1925 Deniz Dakak leads as Patriot League Setter and Player of the Year The Patriot League announced the winners of its annual volleyball conference postseason awards on Nov. 17, with all five winners coming from the American University Eagles. All of these awards come after American posted one of its best seasons in the past 10 years.
Volleyball wins 13th straight game, clinches postseason home court advantage
Eagles convincingly defeat high-caliber competition on the road to secure spot The American University volleyball team (22-4) swept the Loyola Maryland Greyhounds (7-18) on Nov. 7 in the team’s final regular season home game of the year. This win secured a top-two seed for the Eagles in the Patriot League championship tournament, meaning the team will not play a quarterfinal match in the tournament for the first time since the 2020 season, when they fell to the Colgate Raiders in the semifinals.
Men’s basketball falls to Demon Deacons in season opener
Wyatt Nausadis leads team with 22 points at Wake Forest The American University men’s basketball team (1-2) lost to the Wake Forest Demon Deacons (2-1) on Nov. 3 by a score of 88-74. This game took place at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and was both teams’ season opener. The Eagles came into the match with a new look, bringing in nine new players to the team’s 19 total.
Volleyball escapes Lehigh match with 5-set win, sweeps Bucknell
Middle blockers shine as Eagles move closer to Patriot League tournament The American University volleyball team (19-4) defeated the Lehigh Mountain Hawks (10-12) in five sets at home on Oct. 24, before sweeping the Bucknell Bison (9-13) on Oct. 25. American entered the Lehigh match on a roll, winning eight straight matches and posting sweeps in six of those contests. The team’s two most recent wins came against Holy Cross, defeating the Crusaders in four sets at home on Oct.
Volleyball continues winning streak, defeats Lafayette and Holy Cross
Eagles’ defense shines in three match stretch The American University volleyball team (19-4) defeated the Lafayette Leopards (4-18) once and the Holy Cross Crusaders (8-21) twice in a three-game span. On Oct. 10 the Eagles swept Lafayette at home, on Oct. 12 they beat Holy Cross 3-1 at home and on Oct. 18 they swept the Crusaders at Holy Cross. The team’s defense shone through all three matches, holding the two teams to an average 0.035 hitting percentage over the span.
Volleyball gets bounce-back win over Army 3-1
Eagles trounce Black Knights in second half of match The American University volleyball team (8-4) defeated the Army Black Knights (7-4) in four sets in Bender Arena on Sept. 20. The Eagles pulled away in the middle of the second set, winning the third and fourth sets by 10 and 16 points, respectively. American entered this match with some level of exhaustion, after suffering a five-set loss to the Colgate Raiders the previous night.
Volleyball drop hard-fought 5-set match to Colgate
Eagles fall in first game of Patriot League schedule at home The American University volleyball team (8-4) lost in five sets to the Colgate Raiders (6-5) on Sept. 19 in Bender Arena. This contest saw the Eagles match defending Patriot League champion Raiders in nearly every statistical category from the third set on. In the first game of its Patriot League schedule, the Eagles came dangerously close to knocking off Colgate.
Volleyball finishes up nonconference slate, looks toward Patriot League play
Eagles sweep North Carolina A&T before road defeat to Howard The American University volleyball team (8-4) split its weekend series 1-1, playing two games on Sept. 13 and 14. The Eagles swept the North Carolina A&T Aggies (4-5) in Bender Arena on Sept. 13 before falling 3-0 to the Howard Bison (6-4) on the road the next afternoon. American entered this weekend off of a four-game, 11-day road trip, splitting those games 2-2.
New-look Eagles volleyball completes sweep of DC Challenge - The Eagle
Skip to Content, Navigation, or Footer. Delivering American University's news and views since 1925 Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025 Bender Blue Out opens Eagles’ home slate on high note he American University volleyball team (3-0) swept the Georgetown Hoyas (0-3) on Aug. 30 and defeated the George Washington Revolutionaries (0-3) in four sets on Aug. 31. These were the team’s first two home games of the new season, also featuring five new players after significant roster turnover in the offseason.
7 Moutherwatering NFL Games To Look Forward to in the 2025-26 Season
The NFL released its 2025–26 schedule on May 14, one that included many intriguing games for the season. Here’s a look at 7 of them. The National Football League releasedits 2025–26 schedule on May 14, 2025. The schedule included a lot of marquee matchups between league powerhouses, but also some intriguing games to fill out the league’s schedule for the season.
7 Intriguing Games on the 2025-26 NFL Schedule
The National Football League released its 2025-26 schedule on May 14, 2025. The schedule included a lot of marquee matchups between league powerhouses, but also some intriguing games to fill out the league’s schedule for the season.
7 Moutherwatering NFL Games To Look Forward to in the 2025-26 Season
The National Football League released its 2025-26 schedule on May 14, 2025. The schedule included a lot of marquee matchups between league powerhouses, but also some intriguing games to fill out the league’s schedule for the season.
Navy sinks Eagles in final lacrosse game of the season
Skip to Content, Navigation, or Footer. Delivering American University's news and views since 1925 Caleigh Forti’s defensive effort not enough to escape Midshipmen’s barrage The American University lacrosse team (5-11) lost to the No. 22 Navy Midshipmen (13-5) on April 24 by a score of 17-5 at Jacobs Field. It was the team’s final game of the regular season, as they failed to qualify for the Patriot League Championship Tournament.
BREAKING: Kelly Killion hired as new women’s basketball head coach
Killion comes from success at University of Pennsylvania American University announced the hiring of Kelly Killion as the new women’s basketball head coach on April 2. Killion previously served as the associate head coach and recruiting director for the University of Pennsylvania women’s basketball team. Killion’s hiring comes about a month after the dismissal of Tiffany Coll from her position as head coach of the team.
Meltzer Center promises to enhance athletics, displaces students in the process
Skip to Content, Navigation, or Footer. Delivering American University's news and views since 1925 Construction forces community sports, varsity athletics to relocate From the Newsstands: This story appeared in The Eagle's December 2024 print edition. You can find the digital version here. Construction of the Alan and Amy Meltzer Center for Athletic Performance — along with the renovation of athletic facilities directly adjacent — is underway at American University.
Volleyball season ends on a heartbreaker
Eagles drop five-set quarterfinal to Lehigh The American University volleyball team (20-9, 10-7) lost to the Lehigh Mountain Hawks (16-12, 9-8) in five sets during their Patriot League quarterfinal match on Nov. 19 in Bender Arena. This game marks the Eagles’ fifth straight loss to end the year, with both of their final two coming at the hands of Lehigh in five sets.
Volleyball falls to Lehigh in five sets on Senior Day
Eagles honor three program standouts in pregame ceremony The American University volleyball team (20-8, 10-6) closed out their regular season with a five-set loss to the Lehigh Mountain Hawks (15-12, 8-8) on Nov. 16. The team held a pregame ceremony to celebrate the careers of its three graduating seniors: setter Esma Sipahi, defensive specialist Bridget Javitch and middle blocker Lilou Stegeman.
Volleyball drops two straight as playoffs approach
Skip to Content, Navigation, or Footer. Delivering American University's news and views since 1925 Eagles lose to Loyola Maryland and Navy on back-to-back nights The American University volleyball team (20-7, 10-5) lost two matches on the weekend of Nov. 9, dropping a 3-1 match to the Loyola Maryland Greyhounds (10-14, 8-7), and a 3-2 match to the Navy Midshipmen (6-18, 6-9) on Nov. 10.
Volleyball wins five-set thriller against league-leading Colgate
Skip to Content, Navigation, or Footer. Delivering American University's news and views since 1925 Eagles out-block, out-serve and out-dig Raiders to advance Patriot League standing The American University volleyball team (19-4, 9-2) defeated the Colgate Raiders (12-10, 9-2) in thrilling five-set fashion on Oct. 26 in Bender Arena. Both teams came into the match on a five-game win streak, sitting next to each other in the Patriot League standings.
Eagles sweep Holy Cross to keep pace in Patriot League race
Skip to Content, Navigation, or Footer. Delivering American University's news and views since 1925 Volleyball posts four hitters at .300 or over in rout of Crusaders The American University volleyball team (18-4, 8-2) swept the Holy Cross Crusaders (2-17, 0-10) in Bender Arena on Oct. 25 by a score of 25-17, 25-15, 25-17. The Eagles rode two wins over the Army Black Knights coming into this match, a four-set victory at home on Oct. 12, then a four-set victory on the road a week later on Oct. 19.
Volleyball escapes Army’s barrage, wins in 4 sets
Skip to Content, Navigation, or Footer. Delivering American University's news and views since 1925 Eagles maintain third place Patriot League standing The American University volleyball team (16-4, 6-2) defeated the Army Black Knights (8-9, 4-4) in four sets on Oct. 12 in Bender Arena. This was the Eagles’ longest four-set match of the season so far, lasting 203 points, just shorter than some of American’s five-set matches on the year. The Eagles came into the match off of a win on Oct.
Volleyball falls inches short of victory in Patriot League home opener
Bucknell’s defense stifles Eagles in fifth set The American University volleyball team (14-4, 4-2) lost to the Bucknell Bison (14-1, 6-0) at home on Oct. 4 in five sets. The match saw American come back from a two set deficit to take the game to a decisive fifth, but fall just short of claiming victory. This match marked American’s first home game since their five-set-victory over Howard University on Sept. 10.
Eagles hit stride going into Patriot League play
Skip to Content, Navigation, or Footer. Delivering American University's news and views since 1925 Volleyball wins in 5 against Howard, takes 4 of 5 on the road The American University volleyball team (12-2, 2-0) continued a successful season throughout the second half of September.
Volleyball’s undefeated streak ends at Bender Blue Out
Eagles still post two wins during second weekend of the season The American University volleyball team (7-1) had a strong showing the weekend of Sept. 6, securing two wins against Hampton and Alabama A&M. Despite their success, the Eagles fell short in a hard-fought matchup against the University of Maryland, their first loss of the season. The Eagles entered the weekend on a hot streak, winning their first five games while dropping only two sets in those five contests.
Four wins, three days, two sets dropped: volleyball undefeated after opening weekend
Eagles victorious against Hoyas, Patriots, Highlanders and Revolutionaries The American University volleyball team (4-0) started off their season with a strong performance for their opening weekend, pulling off dominating victories in all four contests. American entered this season with high expectations, projected by the coaches’ poll to finish second in the Patriot League, only behind the Colgate Raiders.
The UFL and Why it's Good for the Sport
Section 202 hosts Connor Sturniolo and Gabrielle McNamee are joined by fellow Eagle staff member and phenomenal sports photographer, Josh Markowitz. Follow along as they discuss the United Football League and the benefits it provides for the world of professional football.
AU volleyball graduates pass torch
Skip to Content, Navigation, or Footer. Delivering American University's news and views since 1925 Zeynep Uzen and Carlie Fikse reflect on their legacy From the Newsstands: This story appeared in The Eagle's April 2024 print edition. You can find the digital version here. The graduation of seven players from an 18-member volleyball roster signals a substantial change, as just under half of the team prepares to move on.
Men’s club volleyball goes undefeated in tournament win
Eagles’ A Team fails to drop a set to 6 other teams The American University men’s club volleyball team won a tournament in Bender Arena on March 24, featuring schools from in and around the Washington, D.C. area. Two teams from American — A and B — played against two teams from George Mason and teams from Georgetown, George Washington and Mary Washington. The tournament started with two pools of play, the first featuring the Eagles’ A-Team, GMU’s B-Team and Georgetown’s team.
Eagles fall to Navy on Senior Day
American falls short after 23-point games from Rogers and Stephens The American University men’s basketball team (16-15) closed out their regular season on March 3 with a loss to the Navy Midshipmen (12-17) by a score of 71-65. The team’s five seniors, forward Matt Rogers and guards Lincoln Ball, Lorenzo Donadio, Colin Smalls and Chris Gleaton, were honored in a ceremony before the game for Senior Day.
Women’s basketball falls to Army in final regular season home game
Black Knights stifle a late Eagles comeback, win 66-52 The American University women’s basketball team (9-18) lost to the Army Black Knights (12-14) by a score of 66-52 on Feb. 27. This matchup marked the final regular season game played at Bender Arena for the Eagles. American entered the contest hungry for a win, having dropped their last four games. Their most recent loss in this string came at the hands of the Colgate Raiders at home on Feb. 24, the game ending with a score of 72-60.
Men’s basketball falls to Lafayette 68-62
Skip to Content, Navigation, or Footer. Delivering American University's news and views since 1925 Elijah Stephens’ return not enough to win the day The American University men’s basketball team (14-13) lost to the Lafayette Leopards (11-16) in Bender Arena on Feb. 17 with a final score of 68-62. This game featured the return of junior guard Elijah Stephens, who missed the team’s three most recent games due to injury.
Men’s basketball falls to Colgate at home
Skip to Content, Navigation, or Footer. Delivering American University's news and views since 1925 Simpkins thanks crowd for thunderous support in loss The American University men’s basketball team (11-10) lost to the Colgate Raiders (13-8) at home on Jan. 28 by a score of 73-54. Both teams entered the match riding the momentum of wins.
Eagles defeat Crusaders convincingly, win 84-65
American keeps Patriot League home record spotless The American University men’s basketball team (11-9) defeated the Holy Cross Crusaders (5-15) in Bender Arena on Jan. 24 by a score of 84-65. The game saw American pull away in the second half on the back of a breakout game from freshman forward Matt Mayock, who put up 13 points in the second half alone. American came into this contest down after a close 70-68 loss at the Lehigh Mountain Hawks on Jan. 20.
Men’s basketball dominates in first half, beats Army 79-60
Senior forward Matt Rogers reaches 1,000 career points The American University men’s basketball team (10-8) defeated the Army Black Knights (5-12) on Jan. 13 in Bender Arena by a score of 79-60. This game saw senior forward Matt Rogers score his 1,000th career point, the 34th men’s basketball player to reach that milestone in a career at American.
Men’s basketball wins Patriot League home opener over Lehigh
Four Eagles post 12 or more points in 75-66 victory The American University men’s basketball team (7-7) defeated the Lehigh Mountain Hawks (3-9) by a score of 75-66 in their first Patriot League match of the season, played at home in Bender Arena. The Eagles were coming off a thrilling victory on the road against the UMBC Retrievers on Dec. 29, 2023.
Men’s basketball survives late rally from UMBC
Eagles defeat Retrievers 87-85 on the road The American University men’s basketball team (6-7) defeated the University of Maryland, Baltimore County Retrievers (5-10) by a score of 87-85 at the Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena in Catonsville, Maryland. The Eagles came into this game seeking a victory in their final non-conference game of the season, having lost on Dec. 21 at Virginia Tech.
Ahen Kim reflects on his entrance into head coaching for volleyball
From the Newsstands: This story appeared in The Eagle's December 2023 print edition. You can find the digital version here. “I love you, Kim!” Before every home game for American University’s volleyball team, a fan from the stands screams out their excitement at seeing the Eagles’ head coach, Ahen Kim. In his first year in the role, Kim is making his impact on the community. “It’s an evolving answer,” Kim said when asked why he coaches.
Men’s basketball’s undefeated home streak ends
The American University men’s basketball team (4-5) lost to the St. Francis University Red Flash (4-5) in Bender Arena on Dec. 2 by a score of 75-73. This loss came after American held an 11-point lead at halftime. St. Francis entered the game looking to create a winning streak in the Patriot League, after they visited and defeated the Lehigh Mountain Hawks on Nov. 29, winning 62-61. American entered this game after an 80-75 road loss at Harvard after outscoring the Crimson in the second half.
Eagles drop heartbreaker to Colgate in championships
The American University volleyball team (20-11) was swept by the Colgate Raiders (22-8) in the Patriot League championship game on Nov. 19. This match was played at Colgate’s Cotterell Court in Hamilton, New York. Colgate’s win in this game secured them a spot in the NCAA Championship tournament.
Eagles get revenge on Black Knights, punching ticket to finals
The American University volleyball team (20-10) defeated the Army West Point Black Knights (14-12) 3-0 in a Patriot League semi-final match on Nov. 17. The match was played at Cotterell Court at Colgate University. The Eagles earned this trip after sweeping the Loyola Maryland Greyhounds at home on Nov. 14 in a quarterfinal match. Army entered coming off a bye in the first round of the playoffs, their most recent match being a 3-2 loss at Navy.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Connor
Contact Connor, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack