The Lady Thunder captured the NCCAA Southwest Regional Championship banner this weekend. This is the first regional championship since 2014 and the first championship since MCC has been in the Southwest region. This is the program's overall 8th Regional title under head coach Lauren Sanders. 

MCC came into the single elimination tournament as the #2 seed. The first round match up would bring on the #7 seed Ozark Christian College. The Thunder easily controlled the match winning in straight sets 25-10, 25-8 and 25-14. Freshman right side hitter Hali Bloomdahl had a breakout match leading the offense with 10 kills on 20 swings and two block assists. 

In the semi-final match the next morning, MCC would face the #3 seed Dallas Christian College. The Lady Thunder continued very strong play and swept DCC 25-12, 25-14 and 25-11. The offense was led by senior middle hitter Brenna McNellis and freshman outside hitter Liv Lubbers with 9 kills each. Lubbers and junior libero Dani Sinclair each contributed 10 digs and 2 aces. Junior outside hitter Roni Harris added another 12 digs to an outstanding defensive performance by the MCC squad, holding Dallas to a .021 attacking percentage on the match. 

The championship match would bring on a rematch with the #1 seed Arlington Baptist University. MCC had previously lost to ABU earlier in the season in a heart breaking 5 set match. The first set was a back and forth battle that MCC couldn't finish dropping the set 25-27. The team would regroup and rally in the second and third set winning 25-22 and 25-17. The third set would bring out the fire in ABU, the started out hot and pulled to a 21-15 lead looking to finish out the set to force a tie breaker 5th set. However, MCC was not going out with out a fight. Senior setter Elise Corbett would head to the serving line at 16-21 and the Thunder squad would go on a 9 point run to take the set 25-21 and win the match! 

MCC did not let up offensively or defensively with a total of 47 kills, 2 aces, 82 digs and 7 blocks as a team. ABU would be held to a just a .036 attacking percentage. 

"What an amazing tournament for our team! To be able to win the Regional championship, in our home gym ,in front of our families, friends and student body was incredible! I am so proud of our determination, fight, drive and joy that we saw on the court all weekend! We are looking forward to competing once again at the National Tournament, this time as the region representative! What a season for this group, so proud of each of them! 

All-Region Awards were handed out as well over the weekend. Senior Brenna McNellis was named to the First-Team All Region as well as Region MVP. Senior Elise Corbett was also named to the First-Team All Region. Freshman Liv Lubbers was named to the Second Team All Region. 

The team will anxiously wait for seeding information over the next week for the National Tournament in Kissimmee, FL. Information on the tournament will be released as we are able to. The tournament website can be found here: NCCAA DII Volleyball Championship 

Manhattan Christian College will host the NCCAA Southwest Regional Tournament this upcoming weekend. MCC will host 8 of the 10 teams from the SW Region in a single elimination bracket tournament beginning on Friday, November 4th. The winner of the tournament will automatically advance to the NCCAA National Tournament in Kissimmee, FL on November 17-19. 

The seedings are: 

1. Arlington Baptist University (17-2) 
2. Manhattan Christian College (23-4)
3. Dallas Christian College (10-19)
4. Champion Christian College (4-12)
5. Randall University (8-20)
6. Barclay College (9-9)
7. Ozark Christian College (11-15)
8. Spurgeon College (7-14)

The schedule for Friday, 11/4 is: 

• 12:00pm - #3 DCC vs #6 BC
• 2:00pm - #1 ABU vs #3 SC
• 4:00pm - #4 CCC vs #5 RU
• Immediately following 4:00pm match will be the Awards Ceremony
• 6:00pm - #2 MCC vs #7 OCC

Purchase tickets here: SW Regional Tournament Tickets 

Matches will be live streamed here: SW Regional Live Stream

Second round matches will continue on Saturday, 11/5 with matches at 10:30am and 12:30pm and the Championship match scheduled for first serve at 3:00pm. 

The Thunder volleyball team swept the competition and came away with the Midwest Christian College Conference (MCCC) Regular Season and Tournament Championship. MCC went undefeated in at conference play, only dropped 3 sets total over 12 matches. This is the fourth year in a row the team has won both regular season and the tournament and gone undefeated all four year. What an accomplishment for the Thunder! 

In this year's tournament, MCC started bracket play in the semi-final match taking on the #4 seeded Calvary University Warriors. MCC controlled the match from the start and never looked back, taking the set in three (25-18, 25-19 and 25-7). Junior outside hitter Roni Harris led the team with 12 kills, 16 digs and 2 block assists. Freshman outside hitter Liv Lubbers was close behind with 9 kills, 1 ace, and 12 digs. The team collectively finished with 43 kills and a .314 attacking percentage.

Next up would be the Championship match against the #2 seed and host school Faith Baptist Bible College. MCC started off incredibly hot with an unstoppable offense and strong serves from the serving line. In the first set MCC hit .242 and the second set an amazing .517. The third set would wake Faith up a bit and they would push MCC in a scrappy defensive battle. However, MCC would hold onto the match taking the third set 26-24. 

All Conference awards were handed out as well and MCC had six players earn All-Conference awards, the most of any team in the conference. 

Brenna McNellis - SR, Middle Hitter - Conference Most Valuable Player 

Elise Corbett - SR, Setter - 1st Team All Conference 

Liv Lubbers - FR, Outside Hitter - 1st Team All Conference 

Grace Walker - SR, Middle Hitter - 2nd Team All Conference 

Roni Harris - JR, Outside Hitter - 2nd Team All Conference 

Dani Sinclair - JR, Libero - Honorable Mention 

Next up for the Thunder will be the SW Regional Tournament which MCC will host November 4-5. 

Head coach Lauren Sanders earned her 400-career victory with a win over Calvary University in the Midwest Christian College Conference Tournament Friday night. The Thunder swept the Warriors in three (25-18,25-19, 25-7) to advance to the Championship game.

Coach Sanders started her coaching career here at Manhattan Christian College in 2005 with her husband Ray Sanders. In those 17 years at the helm, Sanders has been named Regional Coach of the Year 10x as well as National Coach of the Year 2x.

“I’ve had a chance to watch Lauren coach for many years and I’m constantly amazed with the discipline, energy and effort that her teams compete with. Those three things are necessary for any team to have sustained success and her teams have done just that. She is already a legend and I am proud to call her my friend,” commented Jordan Strom, VP for Student Life

Many young ladies have come through the Thunder Volleyball program that have all played an instrumental part in the great success over the years. Under Sanders, her program has brought home 10 Midwest Christian College Conference Regular Season Championships, 6 MCCC Tournament Championships, 7 NCCAA Central Regional Championships, 13 National Qualifications and 4 Final Four Appearances. Talented on the court was just half of it, as Sanders has coached many Scholar Athletes over the years.

“Coach Sanders reaching 400 wins is a well-deserved milestone! She is a great coach and has done an amazing job with our volleyball team for many years. Yet, what is even better is what’s more important to her than the wins are the ladies who play for her. Lauren helps volleyball players be their best on the court, and she also helps develop them into difference makers for Christ in life. She is truly an asset to MCC and is a great example of our mission coming to life. Through her coaching and life example, she helps MCC educate, equip and enrich the young ladies on her squad,” stated President Kevin Ingram.

 With the season in postseason play, MCC is looking to bring home more handwear as they continue to play in the MCCC Tournament and will be hosting the Southwest Regional Tournament November 4 & 5. The NCCAA DII National Tournament will be November 17-19 in Kissimmee, Florida.  

Congratulations Lauren your outstanding career, looking forward to many, many more wins!    

MCC Volleyball finished with a perfect 10-0 record in the Midwest Christian College Conference regular season, giving the program their 4th straight Conference championship. This is the fourth season in a row the squad has finished undefeated as well. 

MCC will travel to Ankeny, IA to compete in the Conference Tournament this weekend. MCC, the #1 seed will take on the winner of the #4 Calvary University vs #5 Barclay College match up. The match will be at 4:30pm on Friday, October 28. MCC will continue play on Saturday based on the results of their first match. 

"We are excited to continue to post-season play and looking forward to the Conference Tournament! The team is on a roll, and playing very well together!" said Coach Sanders. 

You can follow the tournament here: MCCC Conference Tournament

MCC Volleyball will be honoring three seniors tonight after the match versus Emmaus Bible College, Grace Walker, Elise Corbett and Brenna McNellis. 

This group of seniors has 78 wins and only 28 losses, four Midwest Christian College Conference (MCCC) Regular Season Championship, three MCCC tournament championships, three National Tournament qualifications and two National Tournament appearances. The team could not participate in 2020 due to COVID. Last season, the team finished in third place at the National Tournament. This season, the team in on track for another MCCC tournament championship and is ranked #3 in the country in the Coaches Poll and #1 in the country in Power Rating. The seniors are looking forward to the Regional championships with hopes of winning a regional banner and earning another National Tournament appearance. 

Grace Walker, a middle hitter from Omaha, NE has been with the team for 4 years but took a medical red-shirt her Freshman year and has played the last three seasons as a starter. This season, Grace is also a captain, helping to lead the team on and off the court. She is averaging 1.88 kills/set with a total of 344 kills so far. She also has 51 aces, 267 digs and 80 blocks. Her average of .44 blocks/sets put her at #9 all-time blocks/set in the MCC Volleyball record book. 

Grace was awarded 1st Team All-Conference last season and has been a NCCAA Scholar Athlete the last two years. 

"Grace is peaking at just the right time this year, she has overcome a lot in her career here through several injuries. Starting at the National Tournament last season and throughout our season this year, Grace has continually stepped up her game and is a strong presence at the net and the service line." said Coach Sanders, "I am so proud of Grace's growth and leadership throughout her time here at MCC." 

Grace will graduate in December from MCC with a degree in Bible and Leadership and will finish her Psychology Degree at KSU next semester. After graduation, she plans to work in some type of ministry while continuing her education to work toward her PhD and goal of becoming Dr. Grace Walker. 

Elise Corbett, a setter from Oakley, KS has played four seasons with MCC after a redshirt year at Coffeyville Community College. She started her career as a libero at MCC but quickly transitioned to setter in her freshman year. Since then, she has been a dominant setter in the NCCAA. She has consistently been ranked in top three setters in the country. She currently has 115 kills, 2407 assists and 7.34 assists/set - both of which put her at #3 in the MCC volleyball record book. She has 1152 digs and 3.51 digs per set both of which also put her in the top ten record book. 

"Elise is one of the best setters is the country and our team is so blessed to have her leading our team. She is smart and delivers the ball well to her hitters. The season has been one of her best and we are looking forward to seeing what else she will do this year!" said Coach Sanders. 

Elise has had numerous awards over her career: 

2019 - 2nd Team All Conference, 2nd Team All Region

2020 - NCCAA Student Athlete of the Week, 1st Team All Conference, 2nd Team All Region

2021 - NCCAA Student Athlete of the Week, 1st Team All Conference, 1st Team All Region, 1st Team All American 

Elise will graduate from MCC with a Degree in Bible and Leadership and History from Kansas State University. 

Our final senior is Brenna McNellis a middle hitter from Wakeeney, KS. Brenna has also been a 4 year starter and is a captain this season. From the minute, Brenna stepped on the court, she has been one of the most dynamic and decorated players for MCC Volleyball. She holds records in 5 different statistical categories. McNellis has 870 kills (#7 all time kills), a .340 attacking percentage  (#4 all time attacking percentage), 2.66 kills per set (#6 all time kills/set), 99 aces, 364 digs, 179 blocks (#5 all time total blocks) and .55 blocks/set (#3 all time blocks/set.) 

"Brenna is one of the best hitters to come through MCC volleyball. Her growth over her 4 years has been tremendous, and she is consistently in the top 2-3 hitters in the country each and every year. This season seeing her excel defensively has been amazing to watch. Her blocking and back row defense have really developed to make her a well rounded player. She is definitely fun to watch!" said Coach Sanders. 

Her awards include: 

2019 - 1st Team All Conference, 2nd Team All Region

2020 - 1st Team All Conference, 2nd Team All Region, 2nd Team All American, AVCA All American

2021 - NCCAA Student Athlete of the Week, Conference MVP, Region MVP, 1st Team All American, AVCA All American, National All-Tournament Team and Scholar Athlete 

Brenna will graduate with a degree in Bible and Leadership with emphases in Counseling and Social Justice. Her plans are unknown but could include vocational ministry if the opportunity arises. 

This group of seniors have had an awesome four years and we are looking forward to see what all they accomplish this season! 

The Thunder Volleyball team is continuing a phenomenal season! The team is currently 19-4 on the season, undefeated in Conference play and only one loss in Region play. In the latest NCCAA coaches poll, the team was voted #3. In the first Power Rating, the team has the highest power rating in the NCCAA giving the team a lot of confidence going into tournament play. MCC Volleyball is peaking at just the right time!

Coach Sanders said, "I have loved to see the competitiveness and drive that this team has this year. The returning players are eager to continue proving themselves nationally and the new players have so much fire in them to compete and work hard! The past two weeks have been some of the best volleyball we have played this season, and we are looking forward to our upcoming tournaments and hopeful we will get to participate in the National Tournament once again!" 

MCC will finish out the regular season with two more home matches this weekend. On Friday, 10/21 at 7:00pm versus Emmaus Bible College and Saturday, 10/22 at 12:00pm versus Faith Baptist Bible College. Next week, the team will travel to Ankeny, IA for the Midwest Christian College Conference Tournament. 

Click here for more information on the NCCAA Power Rating  and NCCAA Coaches Poll.