DECEMBER 5, 2025
composed by STEVE ULRICH
No publication covers NCAA Division III better. #whyD3

🏆️ A Great Weekend Shaping Up

🗞️ In Today’s Playbook. Oshkosh, La Verne Meet For Volleyball Crown. Men’s Soccer Semifinal Preview. All-UAA Final in Women’s Soccer. Soccer All-Americans. Raccoon Goes on Drunken Rampage in Virginia Before Passing Out.

🗓️ What’s Happening Today. The DIII Nominating Committee will meet virtually.

📖 A Holiday Gift to You. You can get a six-month subscription to D3Playbook now for just $19.99. That’s nearly 40% off the regular cost. Buy one for yourself and another for a friend.

Top Story

1. Oshkosh, La Verne Meet For DIII Volleyball Crown

The best from Wisconsin meets the best from California for the NCAA DIII women’s volleyball championship on Saturday in Bloomington, Ill.

It will be Wisconsin-Oshkosh against La Verne in the fourth-ever meeting between the two schools with the national title at stake. The Leopards captured a five-set thriller earlier this season in Oshkosh.

The Titans (33-3) rolled over Trinity (Texas) in straight sets, 25-12, 27-25, 25-19, to advance to the final for the second time and first since 1994. All-American Samantha Perlberg pounded 19 kills, while Grace Juergens added 12 for Oshkosh which extended its undefeated streak to 18 consecutive sets.

The Leopards (30-2) held off a valiant Berry squad, 26-28, 25-17, 25-22, 22-25, 15-13, to advance to its fifth NCAA final and first since 2008. May Ray led the way with 36 kills.

2. Men’s Soccer Semifinal Preview

The NCAA DIII men’s soccer final four is set for today in Salem, Va.

It will be St. Olaf against Tufts in the opener, followed by Emory and Trinity (Texas) in the nightcap.

The championship final will be held on Sunday. All matches will be aired at NCAA.com via NCAA Championships Pass.

St. Olaf (20-2-3) vs. Tufts (18-1-3). 3:00

» Players to Watch. St. Olaf: Ryan Bechtel (Jr., 11-13-35, 1st team All-America), Jack Soares (So., 14-0-28), Jack Hobday (Sr., 0.82, 82.1%). Tufts: Xavier Canfin (Jr., 7-6-20, 4th team All-America), Henry Brown (Jr., 7-2-16), Nikola Antic (Sr., 0.51, 80.4%).

» Notable. This is the first-ever meeting between the schools. The Jumbos have four nattys to their credit - 2014, 2016, 2018 and 2019 - while the Oles captured the national title in 2023.

Emory (16-1-4) vs. Trinity TX (19-1-1), 6:30

» Players to Watch. Emory: Ignacio Cubeddu (Grad, 12-6-30, 3rd team All-America), Josh Grand (Sr., 6-10-22), Geoffrey Halpern (Jr., 0.64, 79.7%). Trinity TX: Samuel Theiss (Jr., 15-2-32, 1st team All-America), Adam Knutson (Sr., 8-5-21, 1st team All-America), Jayden Schell (Jr., 0.55, 73.5%).

» Notable. The two sides have met once previously back in 1995, battling to a 1-1 draw. The Tigers have won 51 NCAA tournament matches and won the 2003 national title. The Eagles are making their first venture to the Final Four.

3. All-UAA Final in Women’s Soccer

It is an all-UAA final in the 2025 NCAA Division III women’s soccer championship as Washington U. will meet Emory for the national title on Saturday in Salem, Va.

The defending champion Bears (20-0-3) advanced with a 10-9 decision in penalties against UAA foe Chicago after battling to a 1-1 draw through 110 minutes.

The Eagles moved onto the final with a 3-0 whitewashing of Tufts as Mikayla Camp tallied twice.

The two sides meet for the 23rd time in their series history in a rematch of their October 26 clash in Atlanta that saw Olivia Clemons breaking a 1-1 tie in the 81’ to lift WashU to a 2-1 win.

4. Soccer All-Americans

“United Soccer Coaches has announced the 2025 NCAA Division III Men's and Women's All-Americans. Congratulations to the 52 men and 52 women receiving All-America recognition.”

» Women. GK-Molly Brumbach, Wesleyan; D-Michelle Davidson, Emory; D-Julianna Giordano, Rowan; D-Annie Isphording, Johns Hopkins; D-Vivian Rojas Collins, Pomona-Pitzer; M-Natalie Barnouw, MIT; M-Hanna Heaton, Christopher Newport; M-Sarah Zimmerman, Washington and Lee; F-Elsi Aires, Tufts; F-Aubree Caya, UW-La Crosse;
F-Olivia Clemons, Washington U.; F-Hannah Hong, Pomona-Pitzer; F-Kaitlyn Nimmer, Emory | Complete Team

» Men. GK-Thomas Viscuso, Lynchburg; D-Ben Brady, Edgewood; D-Logan Campbell, Scranton; D-Benjamin Velasquez, Lynchburg; M-Ryan Bechtel, St. Olaf; M-Ethan Jarden, Dickinson; M-Kameron Kist, Denison; M-Adam Knutson, Trinity TX; F-Saul Iwowo, Dickinson; F-Brady Lietner, Hobart; F-Carver Tierney, Augsburg; F-Samuel Theiss, Trinity TX; F-Holden Woodings, Catholic | Complete Team

5. Lightning Round ⚡️ 

» Football. Arkansas’ new head football coach has a DIII pedigree, as Ryan Silverfield is a 2003 graduate of Hampden-Sydney.

» In Memoriam. “York College is deeply saddened to share the passing of our colleague and friend, Scott Guise, Director of Athletic Communications, who served the College with dedication for 30 years.”

» Field Hockey. “The United East Conference and the Atlantic East Conference announced on Thursday afternoon a field hockey partnership beginning Fall 2026. As part of the partnership, the Atlantic East’s two programs will join the six United East programs to for an eight-team league. All teams are slated to play seven conference contests throughout the Fall in a round robin format. “

6. Comings and Goings

LYCOMING - Named Glenn Smith director of athletics
URSINUS - Announced that Erin Stroble will step down as director of athletics at the end of the calendar year. Marqus Hunter will serve as interim athletic director

7. Raccoon Goes on Drunken Rampage in Virginia Liquor Store and Passes Out on Bathroom Floor

“The masked burglar broke into the closed Virginia liquor store early on Saturday and hit the bottom shelf, where the scotch and whisky were stored. The bandit was something of a nocturnal menace: bottles were smashed, a ceiling tile collapsed and alcohol pooled on the floor.

The suspect acted like an animal because, in fact, he’s a raccoon.

On Saturday morning, an employee at the Ashland, Virginia-area liquor store found the trash panda passed out on the bathroom floor at the end of his drunken escapade.”

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