Wayland Baptist Beach Volleyball made program history this weekend, capturing its first AVCA Small College National Championship in just its second year of existence.
Wayland showed composure and depth throughout the tournament, rising to the occasion against strong competition. They dominated their pool play yesterday going 2-0 against Warner and Webber International. Then, in the semifinals, the Pioneers handled a tough University of Mobile squad with a 3-1 win, setting the stage for a championship showdown. Carrying that momentum into the finals, Wayland once again delivered a complete team performance, taking down Park University 3-1 to clinch the title.
The championship run was fueled by standout performances across the lineup, including Averi Penner and Lilou Henry-Souquet-Bressand, who were both named to the All-Tournament Team for their exceptional play throughout the event.
What makes the accomplishment even more remarkable is the rapid rise of the program. In just its second year, Wayland Baptist Beach Volleyball has gone from a new program to a national champion, a testament to the vision and hard work behind the scenes.
Athletic Director Jim Giacomazzi praised the team and coaching staff for their achievement, saying, "I'm incredibly proud of the work Lucie has done. Success like this requires thoughtful planning, relentless effort, the ability to anticipate challenges, and the grit to overcome them. She and her players did an outstanding job and truly earned this championship."
With a national title now secured, the Pioneers have firmly established themselves as a rising force in collegiate beach volleyball, and their future looks just as bright as their historic present.
