GULF SHORES, Ala. – The Concordia University Irvine beach volleyball team made program history this weekend, capturing its first-ever AVCA Small College National Championship after a dominant three-day run.
The title comes after back-to-back runner-up finishes in the 2024 and 2025 championships, as the Golden Eagles broke through in emphatic fashion with an undefeated run through pool play and clutch performances in the bracket.
The Golden Eagles opened the tournament in commanding form Friday morning, sweeping Southwest Baptist behind straight-set victories across the lineup. The No. 2 pair of Kelia Giusta and Ashley Rossi set the tone early with a 21-8, 21-6 win, while Rosie Cline and Aliyah Moore followed with a 21-7, 21-11 victory at No. 3. Madi Kelly and Jordan Vander Veen completed the sweep at No. 4, 21-9, 21-9.
CUI continued their momentum against Wayne State, showcasing their depth as Olivia Medina and Gabrielle Reinking earned a 21-12, 21-9 win at the top spot, while Cline and Moore (21-13, 21-12) and Emma Hugeback with Jayda Tupea (21-12, 21-10) secured additional straight-set victories.
After sweeping Carson-Newman in dominant fashion with 3-0 dual victory to begin Day 3, the final pool match against Eckerd tested the Golden Eagles' resilience. After dropping the No. 1 and No. 5 courts, CUI responded with wins from Rossi and Giusta (21-15, 21-13), Cline and Moore (21-18, 21-16), and Kelly and Vander Veen, who rallied for a three-set victory (14-21, 21-19, 15-10) to secure a 3-2 win and complete a perfect 4-0 mark in pool play.
SEMIFINALS – CUI 3, SAINT LEO 0
The Golden Eagles carried the momentum into Sunday's semifinal and controlled the matchup from start to finish, posting a commanding sweep over Saint Leo. Rossi and Giusta edged a tight first set before pulling away for a 22-20, 21-9 win at No. 2. Cline and Moore remained undefeated on the weekend with a 21-9, 21-11 victory, while Hugeback and Tupea closed out the dual with a 21-14, 21-19 win to send the Golden Eagles to the championship.
FINALS – CUI 3, TEXAS A&M-KINGSVILLE 1
In the title match, CUI delivered a complete performance to secure the national championship. Rossi and Giusta continued their dominant run with a 21-13, 21-13 win at No. 2, while Cline and Moore capped a perfect tournament with a 21-11, 21-12 victory at No. 3.
Texas A&M-Kingsville picked up a point at No. 4 in three sets, but CUI responded at No. 5, where Hugeback and Tupea battled to a 21-15, 19-21, 15-9 win to clinch the championship.
KEY MOMENTS
Cline and Moore were a perfect anchor all weekend, going undefeated and providing multiple pivotal wins. Rossi and Giusta played a crucial role at the No. 2 position, consistently delivering in straight sets throughout the tournament. Kelly and Vander Veen added key three-set victories in tight duals, while Hugeback and Tupea sealed both a pool play win and the national championship with decisive performances.
After coming up just short the past two seasons, the Golden Eagles left no doubt in 2026, finishing 6-0 overall and capturing the program's first national title in historic fashion.
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