Making history was the challenge...a team of 2 seniors, 1 junior, 3 sophomores and 5 freshman...made history. This years Thunder Volleyball squad was a special one! It what looked from the outside as a rebuilding year, this team proved differently. 

"Words cannot express how proud I am of this team, each player stepped up and stepped in when needed, worked incredibly hard, showed the most selfless attitudes I've ever seen and never quit." said Coach Sanders after returning from the National Tournament. 

The season started off hot with 2 wins over Cottey College and Central Christian College and 2 losses against Stephens College and Sterling College at the Thunder Invitational Tournament. From there, the team would only lose 1 other match in the regular season against Cottey College. MCC went undefeated against NCCAA DII opponents in the regular season with the only other loss coming in the National Championship match. With a record of 28 wins and only 4 losses, this team has the record for the least amount of losses in a season. 

MCC went into the National Tournament as the #2 seed and in a pool with #3 Arlington Baptist University, #6 Boyce College and #7 Faith Baptist Bible College. 

The Thunder started pool play with a sweep over Faith Baptist, defeating them for the third time this season. Next up would be a tougher match up with Boyce College. It would prove to be a back and forth battle as MCC struggled to find their rhythm and settle into their game. The team battled through it and came away with the 5 set win! 

The next day, Arlington Baptist proved to be another tough match. After going up 2 sets, Arlington turned it on and took the next two sets, forcing a tie breaker set. MCC would come away with the win in the 5th set! It was an incredible defensive effort on both sides. The Thunder had 16 blocks and 120 digs! 

With a 3-0 record in pool play, MCC would advance to the semi-final match to play against Grace Christian University, who finished 2nd in the other pool. 

This semi-final match was one of the best matches the Thunder played all season. Knowing what was on the line and what they wanted to accomplish, MCC came out firing on all cylinders. The offense was strong with 34 kills and a .273 attacking percentage while defensively holding Grace to a .107 attacking percentage, with 6 blocks and 45 digs. History was made, and Thunder Volleyball was heading to the National Championship match for the first time in program history. 

The National Championship match would bring on 5 time National Champions Bob Jones University. BJU proved to be too much for the young Thunder squad. MCC rallied many times, fought to the very end and never quit, but came up short, losing the match 0-3. 

"It was just incredible to be playing for a National Championship with this team. Many people doubted them and didn't think they had what it took to get there. But this team proved them all wrong throughout the National Tournament. We never gave up and never settled! They made history this year, being the first team to play in the Championship match and I know we will be back!" commented Coach Sanders. 

The following awards were also announced at the National Championship: 

Liv Lubbers - 1st Team All-American and Tournament Most Valuable Player

Hali Bloomdahl - 1st Team All-American 

Coach Lauren Sanders - National Coach of the Year 

History made, and looking forward to the future to continue making history! 

The Thunder women's volleyball team is returning to the NCCAA DII National Championship for the 15th time after winning the NCCAA Central Region Championship this past weekend. 

MCC goes in to the tournament as the #2 seed playing in Pool B with #3 Arlington Baptist University, #6 Boyce College, and #7 Faith Baptist Bible College.

Pool play will begin on Wednesday, November 15th with the Thunder's first match at 3:30pm vs #7 Faith Baptist Bible College, followed by a match at 7:30pm vs #6 Boyce College. MCC will wrap up pool play on Thursday, November 16th with a match at 3:30pm vs #2 Arlington Baptist University. Should MCC finish #1 or #2 in their pool, they will advance to the semi-final match on Friday, November 17th. 

"This is such an exciting time for our team," stated Coach Sanders. "It is always an honor and privilege to make it to the National Tournament. The team has been focused and working hard this past week in preparation for the tournament. We are eager and ready to get to Joplin and make a run for the National Championship!" 

You can follow all the action of the tournament here: NCCAA DII Volleyball Championship

After an excellent weekend for the Manhattan Christian College Thunder, the Volleyball team walked away with their 9th Midwest Christian College Conference Tournament Championship. Defeating Emmaus Bible College in the semifinals on Friday October 27th, a night they also honored four members of their program. Seniors Roni Harris and Dani Hepner, junior Mia Tapko and team manager Zoe Coffman. On Championship Saturday, the Thunder swept Calvary University to take home the hardware. 

All-Conference Team awards were handed out to five MCC Volleyball players. Honorable Mention went to Hannah Beukelman, 2nd Team honors when to Roni Harris and Hali Bloomdahl received 1st team honors. Liv Lubbers was named MVP of the Conference. 

MCC heads into the Central Region Tournament this weekend, hosted by Kansas Christian College. Manhattan will play Saturday, November 4 at 1:00pm against KCC. With a win they will advance to the Championship game at 5:00pm. 

The Men's Soccer team also competed in the MCCC Conference Tournament up in Ankeny, IA over the weekend. A very tough weekend that resulted in both games being decided with penalty kicks. Kicking off the tournament against #2 seed Emmaus Bible College finishing the game 2-2 but MCC came out ahead in PK's 5-4. The championship match was against #1 Faith Baptist Bible where after a 1-1 regulation score they headed into 2OTs. Sadly the Thunder fall short in the PK 1-3. 

Five Manhattan players were named to the All-Conference Team; Hagan Dyer and Chris Sosa named to the 2nd team. 1st team honors went to Cristian Gutierrez, Chris Smith and Kante Basubeche. 

The NCCAA Central Regional Tournament starts today for the Thunder. They will play against Spurgeon College at 7:00pm in Overland Park. Should the team win, they will advance to the Championship match against Kansas Christian College on Friday, November 3rd at 1:00pm. 

Check our social media and website for all updates on the tournament. Best of luck to both teams this week! 

Another stellar regular season wrapped up over the weekend for the Manhattan Christian Volleyball team. The Thunder swept Randall University to bring the overall record on the year to 20-3, and finishing undefeated in the Midwest Christian College Conference 10-0. Focus is now shifting to post season play as Manhattan Thunder Athletics host this years MCCC Tournament, starting Friday October 27 and finishing Saturday October 28. 

With the #1 seed, MCC get a bye and will play in the Semifinal match at 6:45pm Friday against the winner of #4 Emmaus Bible College and #5 Ozark Christian College. A win would send the Thunder straight to the Championship match on Saturday at 2:30pm against the winner of match 3 of the day that #2 Faith Baptist will play vs the winner of match 1. But a loss would have them playing for 3rd place at 12:15pm. 

All games will be livestreamed on the MCC Network. For any updates, check out our social media accounts. 

MCCC Tournament Seeding:

#1 Manhattan Christian 

#2 Faith Baptist Bible

#3 Calvary University

#4 Emmaus Bible

#5 Ozark Christian

#6 Barclay College