Lakehawk Beach Finishes Runner Up at National Championship

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (Beach Volleyball) – Lake-Sumter State College (LSSC) Beach Volleyball makes program history with the team's first trip to the national championship title match. After a tight dual, the Lakehawks fell to Palm Beach State 3-1 to be named the 2026 NJCAA Runner Ups.

The Lakehawks opened Championship Saturday against Mesa Community College (MCC). Lake-Sumter defeated the Thunderbirds 3-1 to earn a trip to the title match against familiar foe Palm Beach State College.

Lake-Sumter 3, Mesa 1

Emma Grace Blevins/Brooke Fintak (LS) def. I. Jackson/R. McFarland (MCC), 21-13, 21-13

B. Anderson/M. Avechuco (MCC) def. Sophia Cooper/Jenna Walker (LS), 21-14, 21-13

Rylinn Farkus/Moira Mangum (LS) def. E. Hildwine/K. Jones (MCC), 21-17, 21-18

Mariana Comartin/Giada Viti (LS) def. I. Jutting/A. Palmer (MCC), 21-13, 23-21

Lake-Sumter 1, Palm Beach State 3

Blevins/Fintak (LS) def. E. Hannagan/K. Roche (PB), 21-11, 21-14

G. Brazaite/C. Sumich (PB) def. Cooper/Walker (LS), 21-17, 21-8

C. Villegas/L. Villegas (PB) def. Comartin/Viti (LS), 21-13, 21-17

L. Kucinskaite/G. Vanloo (PB) def. Farkus/Mangum (LS), 17-21, 21-16, 15-13

The Lakehawks' 2026 season came to an end in Huntsville, Ala. with a final overall record of 18-16, the most wins by any team in the program's seven year history.

The official results from the championship bracket can be found here.

Follow Lakehawk Beach Volleyball at @LakehawkBeachVB to keep up with the team in the off season. Upcoming news for the team will be announcements of NJCAA All-America, various academic awards, as well as where our Lakehawks will continue playing at their four-year homes.

Congratulations to Lakehawk Beach on a great 2026 season.

Follow the Lakehawks

Follow @LakehawkSports on Twitter, @LakehawkSports on Instagram and Lake-Sumter State College Athletics on Facebook for the latest news with Lakehawk athletics