Greenville, Tenn. — The OUAZ (Ottawa University Arizona) Women's Beach Volleyball team made history on Saturday afternoon, capturing the 2025 NAIA National Championship in Greenville, Tennessee. The victory marks the first NAIA National Title for the Spirit beach volleyball program and the first NAIA National Championship banner earned by any OUAZ team.
Under the leadership of first-year head coach Viri Serrano, who was named the NAIA Coach of the Year following the win, the Spirit completed a historic season with a 19-5 overall record, culminating in an incredible postseason run against the nation's top competition.
"This national championship represents the culmination of a season where our team proved why they've been ranked number one all year. What makes this victory especially meaningful is how we responded to adversity. After dropping two matches in pool play, our athletes showed tremendous resilience and unity to fight back and claim the title. Every single pair contributed crucial points throughout the tournament, demonstrating the exceptional depth of our program," said head coach Viri Serrano. " What I'm most proud of isn't just the trophy, but how genuinely connected this group became, they competed not just as teammates but as family. Their unwavering support for one another ultimately made the difference when the pressure was highest. This championship belongs to every single athlete who stepped onto the sand for us this season."
OUAZ Director of Athletics Kevin Steele added, "I am so proud of Coach Serrano and her young ladies for this historic win. All praise to Jesus for making it all possible."
Summer Hanks, a Graduate Student, was named the Tournament MVP for her outstanding performances throughout the competition.
Ranked No. 1 in the final NAIA Coaches' Poll, OUAZ advanced to the national championship match with a decisive 3-0 semifinal victory over No. 4-ranked Park University (Mo.), avenging a pool play loss to the Pirates just the previous day. The Spirit gained critical momentum early when Grace Hughes (Senior) and Shayna Martinez (Junior) rallied from a first-set loss to win at the No. 4 pair in three sets (17-21, 22-20, 15-11). Olivia Andersh (Senior) and Eliana Dean (Senior) followed with a hard-fought three-set triumph at No. 2 (21-16, 19-21, 15-13), putting OUAZ firmly in control of the match. Diana Enriquez (Senior) and Shea Marovich (Graduate Student) then sealed the semifinal win at the No. 5 spot with a commanding straight-sets performance (21-16, 21-12), securing the Spirit's place in the national final.
In the championship match, OUAZ faced No. 2-ranked Corban University (Ore.) and controlled the action from the start. Andersh and Dean once again delivered under pressure, securing the first point for the Spirit with a three-set victory at No. 2 (21-13, 20-22, 15-7). Hughes and Martinez extended the lead with another resilient three-set win at No. 4 (24-22, 17-21, 15-13). Moments later, Railey Dykstra (Junior) and Amanda Carlson (Senior) clinched the national championship at the No. 3 position, overcoming a tough first set to dominate the final two (8-21, 21-16, 15-6). With three points secured, the remaining matches at No. 1 and No. 5 were halted in accordance with NAIA championship match format.
