Spirit Capture Second Straight AVCA Small College National Championship

After losing three consecutive duals to conference rival Vanguard this season, OUAZ beach volleyball took down the Lions when it mattered most, as the Spirit claimed back-to-back AVCA Small College National Championship on Saturday. It was a defense of the title OUAZ won in 2019, and with the tournament being canceled last year, the Spirit had to wait to get back to the pinnacle.

OUAZ started the day with a big semifinal win over Corban University, with the Spirit advancing to the championship in a 3-0 dual win. The dual finished early due to the Spirit clinching after three match wins, and none of the matchups went more than two sets.

When the Spirit won its first national championship, they took on Vanguard, defeating the Lions 4-1. The two programs met again for the title for the second straight tournament, and VU had won the previous three duals.

Each of the first three duals between the Spirit and the Lions this season had 3-2 finals, and Saturday was no different. The two teams battled as the afternoon rolled on, and the Spirit pulled through to stay champions.

Two duals went to three sets, with the two teams splitting the full-length decisions. Isabel Mason and Noel Chavarria won a three set decision, and it was the match that clinched the championship for the Spirit.

OUAZ stayed perfect all-time at the AVCA Small College Beach Championship, and finished the season winning eight of its final nine duals.

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