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A storybook season for the Grace College volleyball team featured a perfect final chapter as the Lancers claimed the 2024 NCCAA national championship.
Mocksville’s McKenzie Stakely and the Lancers defeated Jessup (Calif.) 3-1 in the championship match, claiming its second straight national title. It marked Grace’s third national championship in program history.
“Back-to-back title means a lot to me,” Stakely said. “This program has worked so hard, and it was truly a special experience.”
In the championship match, Grace’s blocking wall was impenetrable. The Lancers racked up 16 block points in the four sets, eventually deflating the Warriors’ attack and leading to the title.
The Lancers (24-12) gained an early advantage in the opening set, but a series of attack errors allowed Jessup to score four straight and taken an 11-9 lead. But Grace responded with a 4-0 run of its own. The score remained close until Grace edged ahead 20-17. Jessup called timeout, but the Lancers used two blocks and a timely ace to keep the momentum.
The Warriors rallied late to even the score at 22-22, but a well-placed timeout from coach Katie Hill allowed Grace to regain composure. The Lancers ended the set with three kills to win 25-22. Grace survived eight attack errors in the set, benefitting from three block points.
The Lancers owned the second set, with Grace scoring the first three points. Grace doubled up Jessup 14-7 midway through the set and led by as many as nine at 21-12. The Lancers rolled to a 25-18 win. Grace held Jessup to a .000 hitting percentage as a team, racking up four blocks to stunt the Warriors’ attack.
Jessup proved its mettle in the third set as it faced elimination. The Warriors roared in front 11-2 and Grace was unable to catch up. The teams played evenly for the rest of the set, but the damage was done as Jessup stayed alive with a 25-19 win.
In the fourth set, Grace’s blocking effort made an opening statement. Grace had three early block points to charge ahead 6-0. Jessup was forced to burn an early timeout to try to slow down the Lancers. They still led 11-3 and the Warriors called their final timeout.
Grace would not be denied with the trophy in the team’s sights. The Lancers amassed seven blocks in the fourth set, thwarting any chance for Jessup to come back. The set ended with back-to-back kills, allowing the Lancers to storm the court in euphoric celebration.
Grace was efficient offensively with 47 kills and only 16 attack errors (.189 percentage). Stakely, a senior defensive specialist, collected 11 digs.
“To achieve this together not once, but twice really showed the dedication and determination we have poured in together as a team,” Stakely said.
In five tournament matches, Stakely had 56 digs, three assists, two aces and two kills. She ended her season with 395 digs (second on the team), 29 assists (fourth) and 16 aces (fifth). Her career totals for the college in Winona Lake, Indiana: 939 digs, 108 assists and 58 aces.