The Thunder volleyball team completed another historic season by making it to the the NCCAA Division II National Tournament Final Four for the fourth consecutive season. The Thunder would also win all three pool play games for the fourth time in a row. In the 2024 National Tournament, the Thunder would knock off the six-time defending national champions, the Bob Jones University Bruins, by way of sweep to open the tournament. This would be the first time in program history that the Thunder have beat the Bruins. A five set thriller against the eventual national champions in the national semifinal would be the end of the season for the Thunder.

Individual accomplishments would be racked up by Thunder student-athletes as well. Junior, outside hitter, Liv Lubbers would earn Midwest Christian College Conference MVP and a first team nod, NCCAA Central Region first team, and first team All-American honors. Junior, middle hitter, Jacey Schurle would earn a conference first team nod, region MVP and a first team nod, and first team All-American honors. Junior, defensive specialist, Abby Blake would be a conference second teamer and first team all-region performer. Sophomore, setter, Josie Mehl would also be a conference second teamer and first team all-region performer. Junior, middle hitter, Hannah Beukelman was named to the second team all-region team, while also earning NCCAA Scholar-Athlete honors. Freshman, outside hitter, Ellie Wilson would earn second team all-region honors in her first season with the Thunder. Junior, Hali Clark would round out the student-athlete honors as she was named a NCCAA Scholar-Athlete. Head coach, Lauren Sanders would region coach of the year as well.

Lubbers, Blake and Mehl would play in all 109 sets in the 33 matches played. Schurle would lead the team in kills with 349 on the season, while Lubbers would have 328 kills. Wilson would lead all freshman with 261 kills on the year. As a team, the Thunder would have a 0.310 attack percentage. Mehl would total 1,172 assists from her setter position, while averaging 10.75 assists per set. Sophomore, Jozie Kanode would lead the team in service aces with 50. Blake would lead the defense with 614 digs with only 24 receiving errors. Schurle would have 84 total blocks (41 assists, 43 solo), while Beukelman would total 46 total blocks (25 assists, 21 solo) to help the defense.

The Thunder would conclude the season with a 27-6 record making it the fourth consecutive season with at least 26 victories. Over the past four seasons, the Thunder have compiled a 110-23 record with a 82.7% winning percentage. The Thunder also finished the MCCC with an 8-0 record adding to their conference regular season match win streak as it now sits at 56 straight matches. They also went 12-0 in region play. A sixth consecutive conference regular season and tournament championship title and a third region championship in a row would add to the list of team accolades.

Head coach Lauren Sanders had this to say about the Thunder's stellar season, "This season was another incredible season for MCC volleyball! We started off with a few key wins over NAIA teams and a stretch of conference and region wins. Then mid-season, the team battled through a couple of tough losses and it stretched and grew them into a stronger team. Going into the National Tournament, we were confident, prepared, and excited for the challenge! We played a solid tournament finishing in the Final Four. While it was not the outcome we wanted, we are very proud of this team and the heart and fight they showed on the court each and every game. We will return nearly every player, as we have no graduating seniors this season. We cannot wait to add a few more key players and come back next year ready to compete again!"

We want to thank all of the fans, students, faculty and staff for supporting our volleyball team this season! We look forward to next season. Roll Thunder!

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