Lakehawk Beach Earns Two NJCAA All-America Pairs

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Beach Volleyball) – The National Junior College Athletics Association (NJCAA) announced the 2026 NJCAA All-America list on Tuesday afternoon. Lakehawk Beach Volleyball had two pairs honored.

Ellison Saunders and Audrey Pickle, NJCAA First Team All-Americans

Saunders and Pickle were paired up for the entirety of the 2026 season in the ones position where they quickly became a competitive pair for the Lakehawks.

In the Lakehawks' postseason run, they recorded four wins to help the team earn a runner up finish at the regional championship and a runner up finish at the national championship.

At the 2026 Florida College System Activities Association (FCSAA) Beach Volleyball Championship, Saunders and Pickle were named All-FCSAA Pair together. Pickle was named to the All-FCSAA First Team and Blocker of the Year in its inaugural award year.

Sophia Cooper and Jenna Walker, NJCAA Second Team All-Americans

Cooper and Walker teamed up for the first time this year after both of their partners from the 2025 season graduated. They held a strong spot for the team in the two pair spot recording 14 wins together.

At the 2026 FCSAA Beach Volleyball Championship, Copper was named All-FCSAA Second Team while Walker was named the Server of the Year in the inaugural year of the award.

Now finishing their sophomore year, Walker and Cooper have chosen to join several of their teammates in continuing to play beach volleyball at New College of Florida next year in their junior season.

Stay tuned on social media for the remainder of the summer for more updates with Lakehawk Beach Volleyball. Various awards for the FCSAA and NJCAA will be announced throughout June and July.

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Lakehawk Beach Volleyball All-Americans

A. Pickle/E. Saunders, 2026 (NJCAA First Team All-Americans)

S. Cooper/J. Walker, 2026 (NJCAA Second Team All-Americans)

M. Comartin/B. Walker, 2025 (NJCAA Second Team All-Americans)

Braelyn Mittauer/Jayden Ponsford, 2024 (NJCAA Second Team All-Americans)

Leanne Blue/Alyssa Guarino, 2023 (NJCAA Second Team All-Americans)

Berklee Andrews/Alanis Figueroa Rivera, 2023 (NJCAA Second Team All-Americans)

Alyssa Guarino, 2022 (AVCA Two-Year College All-American)

Erin Ellis, 2022 (AVCA Two-Year College All-American)