This Week in Athletics: November 12

November 12, 2025

Greetings #TARnation!

It may be cold outside, but the action is red-hot across the athletic department with soccer, volleyball, and basketball all in action. Let's see what's new in Tar nation:

- Men's soccer earned the #4 seed in the SSC tournament, and used overtime to take down the #5 Nova Southeastern Sharks 2-1 on Monday. After falling behind early, Pablo Herrero equalized just before half time, and then Zico Groenved slammed home the game-winner five minutes into the extra frame to advance the Tars to the semifinals. Finlay Prain had the assist on the game winner, his team-leading seventh helper of the season. 

- Women's soccer was the #7 seed in their SSC tournament bracket, and traveled to #2 Eckerd on Monday evening. Playing to a similar script as the men, the Tars were behind early before Lexie Cooper broke free for the game-tying goal in the 28th minute. The game went through a scoreless second half, as well as two empty overtimes, before it was time for penalty kicks. After each team went three of four to start, goalie Lauren Mehos not only scored on the Tars' fifth attempt, she then turned around and stopped the Tritons, earning an advance to the next round. It was the first #7 over #2 seed upset in the SSC tournament since 2004. 

- Volleyball played three matches in five days, posting a 1-2 record. They started with a loss against #1 Tampa on Friday, and then took Florida Southern to five sets on Saturday before falling late. After a couple of days off, the Tars rebounded nicely with a five set victory on the road against Eckerd on Tuesday. Robinson Repass led the attack with 15 kills with Marta Tsavena and Emma Gongora each chipping in 13 kills as well. 

- A solid crowd enjoyed a show from the waterski team at the 2nd Annual Peg Cornwell Exhibition on Friday. Onlookers were treated to high-flying jumps, hairpin turns on slalom, and gravity-defying tricks as the world-class Tars ski team showcased their talents. 



- Men's soccer (9-3-5), looks to avenge a late season draw with Palm Beach Atlantic in a Sunshine State Conference tournament semifinal showdown Thursday night. The Tars will travel to West Palm Beach for the second time in less than two weeks to take on the top seeded Sailfish. Rollins was one of two teams to score a tie with the defensive minded PBA squad in the regular season. The stellar year has secured Thursday night's host the #2 ranking in the United Soccer Coaches poll. With a trip to the SSC championship on the line, this one will be fun! Speaking of which, the tournament championship would take place this Sunday. The Tars are guaranteed to be on the road for that one. Awaiting on the other side of the bracket is the winner of #2 seed Lynn and #3 seed Florida Tech. The Tars upset the Fighting Knights back on October 18^th while Lynn sat atop of the coaches poll, and drew with Florida Tech just four days later during the regular season.

- Women's soccer (7-5-4) faces a similar fate with a tough road matchup awaiting them in the SSC tournament semifinals. But don't put it past the Tars to wreak more havoc on the bracket. Fresh off a historic win, Coach Schuck's squad takes a stab at another upset bid tomorrow night. This time, it is #3 seed Florida Tech who stands in the way. Last time these two met, the Tars carried the lead into the 84^th minute before the Panthers stormed back to steal a win. Now, with the season on the line and Rollins playing their best soccer, it is time to avenge that heartbreaking September defeat. In doing so, the Tars would advance to face the winner of #5 seed Florida Southern and #1 seed Nova Southeastern on Sunday. Two wins in the coming days would mean bringing back the first tournament championship since 2013. Go get it done, ladies!

- Volleyball (15-14) will be in action twice more before we speak with one another again, traveling to Saint Leo on Saturday before returning home to face Embry-Riddle on Tuesday night. Looking to match the most program wins in a single season in over a decade, Coach Mika will have her squad ready to go this weekend! Less than a month ago, the Tars swept the Lions within the friendly confines of Warden Arena in the annual Dig Pink game back on October 16^th.

Speaking of traditions, the Tars will host their annual Colorful and Courageous game during Tuesday's matchup with the Eagles. The game embodies what it means for volleyball to be a vehicle to drive hope and inspiration as they honor the initiative taken by Sophie Piller, a young girl Coach Mika came across while coaching at Berry College back in 2013. On Tuesday night, the volleyball team will be taking donations of crayons and coloring books to distribute to local hospitals for pediatric cancer patients. Sophie led a drive that helped bring in more than 1,000 boxes of crayons to an Atlanta Children's hospital after beating her bout with cancer more than a decade ago. Well done Sophie and Coach Mika for maintaining this powerful tradition and making an impact on many lives!

- Well, it's that time again! Hoops is officially back. Let's start with the women's team who will take the hardwood at 2pm on Saturday when they play host to the University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez. The Tars dominated the matchup last season, jumping out to an early 23-6 lead after one quarter and never looking back. Now, with a new-look squad of six newcomers, the Tars will look to get off to the same hot start from a season ago. That quest will continue next Monday night when Rollins welcomes University of Fort Lauderdale. That game will tip off at 6pm. Come out, show your support, and cheer on your Tars to a great start to the new season!

- Finally, the men's hoops team will also be back in action this week. Coach Hogan's team hits the road for Fort Valley, Georgia where they will take on the host Wildcats of Fort Valley State on Saturday afternoon. The matchup kicks off the 2025-26 campaign as well as the South Region Crossover, which continues from Winter Park on Sunday night! It is then that the Tars will welcome Union University (TN) to town to complete the round-robin, with tip-off from Warden Arena taking place at 5pm. Wrapping up your weekend with Tar hoops? Not sure it gets any better than that!

Links to live streams for most events can be found on the schedule section at the top of the homepage of RollinsSports.com. For home events, bookmark the Rollins page on the SSC Digital Network for year-round coverage. Also, be sure to follow us on our Instagram page, @rollinssports

A reminder for those on campus, you can use your Tar Bucks at the concession stand of home events, enjoying delicious fresh food and ice cold drinks courtesy of Sodexo. 

-Tommy Tar
#TARnation