This Week in Athletics: December 3

December 3, 2025

Greetings #TARnation!

Have no fear, Tommy Tar has returned following  a much needed Thanksgiving break to get you caught up on the latest in Tars athletics. Let's get to it!

- Men's soccer is one of eight teams remaining in the NCAA Championship! The Tars were given the #5 seed in Super Region 2, and took down #4 West Florida 2-1 on the road back on November 23rd to advance to the next round. This past Sunday, Rollins hosted #8 Flagler in Winter Park and decanonized the Saints with a 2-0 victory. Sophomore Finlay Prain has a goal in each match, with Pablo Herrero and Justin Nelson adding the other two netters. Keeper Kilian Vallant has been phenomenal, racking up seven saves on eight shots so far. Sunday's game marked the first time Rollins hosted an NCAA game since 2015. 
            -Yousef Shakweer and Hayden Judge were both named 2nd Team All-Region by D2CCA last week
            -Kaden Foreman, Justin Nelson, and Jordan Proulx each earned Academic All-District honors last week    

- Women's basketball is feeling confident after going 4-1 to open their season. In their two wins last week, the Tars outscored Puerto Rico Bayamon and Thomas University by a a count of 164-124. Freshman Ellie Thompson set a career high with fifteen points in the win over the Night Hawks, knocking down five triples in the game. Zai Mitchell (14ppg) and Claire Erickson (11.7ppg) are the team leaders in scoring while Grace Craig is averaging 9.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 2.1 STOCKS (steals + blocks) per game. 

- Men's hoops was thankful for buckets last week as they poured in 209 points in their wins against Puerto Rico Bayamon (90-63) and Warner (119-49).  Omar Figueroa scored 16 in each contest while shooting 8-14 (57%) from three. For the year, Omar is 21-37 (57%) from distance, which leads the entire Sunshine State Conference. In the blowout of the Warner Royals, all fourteen players who touched the floor scored, including career highs for Cheo James (12 points) and Michael Niemann (14 points). 

- Swimming had a strong showing at the Small College Championships, hosted by Life University in Georgia. The Tars took second place in both the men's and women's side. The fellas collected twelve gold finishes, eight of which came from William Slowey.  Four of those finishes saw Slowey hit the NCAA B Cut time. Taiylor Tegler had a strong showing for the ladies, setting a school record of 1:02.52 in the 100 breast. 

- Volleyball wrapped up their season with senior day against Palm Beach Atlantic on Saturday, November 22. Prior to the match, Marta Tsavena and Makayla Moran were recognized for their contributions to the program. Tsavena also earned a 3rd Team All-SSC nod from conference coaches.



- Men's soccer (12-4-5), has been on a heater, and if you haven't caught the action yet, now's your chance! Saturday. 12pm. BE THERE AND BE LOUD! The 4^th round of the NCAA Tournament is on deck and the Mississippi College Choctaws await in the wings. Needing just one win to secure the program's first berth in the national semifinal since 2010, the Tars take center stage for Saturday's matinee. That win would mean a trip to Colorado next week and a chance to play for a national title. If that doesn't get the juices flowing, I don't know what will! And the best part? Students and faculty get in free with your R-card. Catch the action on the pitch and root your Tars on as they continue their historic season! 

- Women's basketball (4-1) is back home this evening, welcoming the Florida Tech Panthers for a conference tilt. The 5:30 tipoff jumpstarts the first conference home doubleheader of the season. Last season, the ladies fell by a combined six points in two meetings with Tech. Tonight, the Tars look to turn the tides to get back to .500 in SSC play. Then on Saturday, Coach Wilkes' squad hits the road for Lakeland where they are looking to follow-up a dominant senior night win last year over the Mocs. Once again, the ladies will precede the men with tipoff set for 2pm.
 
- Men's basketball (4-2) will follow the women with their 7:30 duel with Florida Tech tonight. The Tars look to bring their scorching shooting into conference play for their 104^th meeting with the Panthers all time. Having been victorious in 11 of the last 15 contests, history is on the side of Rollins tonight. But every year is different, and Coach Hogan will have the boys ready to go to leave their mark this season. That quest continues Saturday with a 4pm date with Florida Southern. The rival Mocs ended the 2024-25 campaign for the Tars and Saturday's game could be a great tone setter as conference play kicks into gear.
 
Come out and see the action for yourself tonight – everyone needs a study break and no better way to clear your head with some doubleheader SSC hoops!

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