In Carolina University's first full season competing in the NAIA and the Continental Athletic Conference (CAC), the Bruins showed growth, determination, and heart across every program. From championships and records to spiritual growth and academic honors, it was a year to remember.

Men's Soccer
Carolina University Men's Soccer delivered a historic season in 2024, finishing with a 13-3-3 overall record and reaching the NCCAA National Championship game for the first time in program history. Under the leadership of Head Coach Craig Golding and Assistant Coach Tanner Theriot, the Bruins were undefeated at home, boasted a seven-game win streak, and secured a dominant 8-0 victory over the University of Pikeville.
The Bruins earned a spot in the Continental Athletic Conference (CAC) Tournament, where four players received conference honors:

• Luke Spillane-Davis – Second Team All-CAC
• Luigi Piccoli, Joshua Wilson – Honorable Mention
• Robin Salge – Champion of Character

In the NCCAA Tournament, the Bruins defeated Asbury 3-2 in the opening round, followed by a gritty penalty shootout win over Southwestern Christian to reach the championship match, where they fell 1-0 to Judson University. Luke Spillane-Davis and Joshua Wilson were standouts all season, and both Owen Vaughan and Jordan Julien earned All-Tournament Team honors.
This season set a new standard for the program, and with a strong core returning, the Bruins are poised to build on their success in 2025.

Women's Soccer
In their first full season as an NAIA member, Carolina University Women's Soccer finished with a 5-7-5 record and achieved their preseason goal of qualifying for the CAC Conference Tournament, where they fell 2-1 to Jamestown in the first round. Despite the ups and downs, the team remained resilient and united throughout the season.
Academic and athletic honors included:

• Three NAIA Scholar-Athletes: Annie Norwood, Sidney Smith, Kloe Totel
• Two CAC Honorable Mentions: Natalie Puskar (Midfielder), Annie Norwood (Defender)
• CAC Champion of Character: Kloe Totel

In the NCCAA South Region:

• First Team All-Region: Annie Norwood, Sidney Smith, Natalie Puskar, Ashley Sanchez
• Second Team All-Region: Alona Locklear, Morgan Myers

Coach Tesh praised the team's work ethic, highlighting their continued growth on and off the field.

Women's Volleyball
Women's Volleyball continued its tradition of excellence in 2024–2025, qualifying for the CAC tournament as the 4th seed and advancing to the semi-final round. Additionally, they were named an NCCAA Scholar Team for the third straight year and captured a regional championship by sweeping Clinton College in the final match. The Bruins also posted their best-ever performance at the NCCAA National Tournament, an 8th seed taking a set off of the number one seed in the tournament.

At the CAC awards banquet, three Bruins received conference honors:

• Kamra King – First Team All-CAC
• SarahElizabeth Samuels – Second Team All-CAC
• Karli Totel – Champion of Character

In her final year as a Bruin, Kamra King was a standout, reaching 2,000 career assists and 1,000 career digs, adding to an already impressive résumé. Coach Jones celebrated the team's growth not just athletically, but spiritually and academically as well.

Esports
Carolina University Esports showed resilience and competitiveness throughout a year of transition. The Valorant team reached the semifinals in the fall and made a playoff run in the spring, while the Rocket League team delivered strong performances despite narrowly missing out on a finals appearance. The Call of Duty squad battled through setbacks and gained valuable experience. With new talent incoming, the program is building toward a bright future.

Men's Basketball
Men's Basketball made history in 2024–2025 by winning the CAC Conference Championship, the first NAIA conference title in school history, and qualifying for the NAIA National Tournament for the first time. The Bruins began the year 2–12 but surged in the second half after adding five key players over winter break.
Stat and award highlights:

• #1 Scoring Defense in the CAC
• Three players shot 40%+ from three: Chris High, Cam Buchanan, Davon Cottle
• Aundree Polk: CAC 1st Team, CAC Tournament MVP, 2x CAC Offensive Player of the Week, NCCAA South Region Player of the Year, NCCAA 2nd Team All-American
• Dakota Sampson: CAC All-Tournament, CAC Defensive Player of the Week, Led NCCAA in blocks, Top 10 in NAIA for blocks, Champion of Character
• Coach Jacob Heck: NCCAA South Region Coach of the Year

Women's Basketball
Women's Basketball had a strong campaign, finishing 15-9 and reaching the NCCAA Regional Championship. Three Bruins earned All-Region honors:

• Le'Asia Matthews (First Team): 12.4 PPG, 297 total points, 43 assists
• Felesia Ondongo (First Team): 12.0 PPG, team-high 6.6 RPG, 39 made threes
• Bianca Gonzalez (Second Team): 11.0 PPG, team-high 55 threes, 4.0 RPG

The trio led the Bruins on both ends of the court, helping the team to have a strong competitive season. 

Men's Volleyball
Carolina University Men's Volleyball showed flashes of growth during their rebuilding season. The Bruins were one of the youngest teams in the country, with all players expected to return for what Coach Jake Boldog predicts will be a "complete 180" in performance next year.
Highlights included:

• Wesley Diggs tied a single-game school record with 20 digs
• Jamison Johnson emerged as a standout blocker
• Jashawn Sykes impressed by excelling out of position all season

Despite the tough results, the experience gained will be invaluable for the team's future.

Baseball
Although the season didn't deliver the results Head Coach Jarett Miller and his team hoped for on the field, the real story was the brotherhood and spiritual growth forged through adversity, especially in the wake of Brian Oakley's passing. The team rallied around their faith, expanding their Bible study group from just a few players to over 20, with several choosing to be baptized. 

Coach Jarett Miller recognized Paxton Tucker and Danny Gonzalez for their contributions and outstanding performances this year. Coach Miller praised his team for their strength, faith, and perseverance.

Softball
Head Coach Jay Johnson and the Lady Bruins posted the most wins in program history with 26, despite an injury-plagued year. Though they finished 5th in the CAC and just missed the tournament cutoff, they remained competitive, taking #9 Georgia Gwinnett to a tight 3-0 game.

Their season ended in a dramatic 12-inning loss to Paine College in the NCCAA South Region Semifinals, after already defeating Paine three times earlier in the season.

Offensive Excellence:
.344 team batting average — 22nd in the NAIA, 7th in the NCCAA

Standout Performers:

• Danielle Brooks – 2nd Team All-CAC, NCCAA All-South Region, .414 AVG, 151 IP, team RBI leader
• ZyMaijah Thomas – 1st Team All-CAC, NCCAA All-South Region, .504 AVG (Top 5 in NAIA)
• Madison Hamilton – .475 AVG, 3.92 ERA, NCCAA All-South Region
• Kalea Bolch – 2nd Team All-CAC, NCCAA All-South Region, .404 AVG, 15 doubles, 6 HRs, CU career leader in HRs (28) and doubles (42)

Coach Johnson praised the team's offensive commitment and their resilience through adversity.

The CU Athletic Department also wants to extend a special thank you to the unsung heroes behind the scenes: Coach Matt Glidewell, Director of Sports Performance, and Eddie Stevens, Director of Sports Medicine. Their dedication, expertise, and tireless efforts have been instrumental in keeping our student-athletes healthy, strong, and ready to compete at their highest level. Their impact goes far beyond the weight room and training room; they are foundational to the success of every Bruin team. Thank you, Coach Matt and Eddie, for everything you do!

Thank you Bruin fans for all the support you give us. We'll see you in the fall!