PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. – Vanguard handled its unfinished business in dramatic fashion, defeating Corban on Saturday in the finals of the 2023 NAIA Beach Volleyball Invitational and claiming the program's first national championship.

The Lions avenged their loss to the Warriors in the 2022 finals, as well as a 5-0 defeat in pool play at this year's event.

What Happened?: The Blue and Gold made the necessary adjustments to obtain the desired result on the gulf coast on this beautiful Saturday afternoon.

With the match tied 1-1, the three remaining courts were all deadlocked at 13-11 in the third set with Vanguard leading at the ones and fours, and trailing at the threes.

Conley Harris and Morgan Nash – the Golden State Athletic Conference Pair of the Year – closed out Corban's Avari Ridgway and Megan Dennis to give the Lions a 2-1 lead. Harris and Nash overcame a first set setback to hand the Warrior tandem a 17-21, 21-18, 15-13 loss at the ones.

Less than a minute later, pandemonium erupted on the sand at court four, where Bailey Coffin and Madison Arnold applied the finishing touches on a 23-21, 15-21, 15-12 triumph over Corban's Jessica McMillian and Maya Blake. It was a delicious victory for the VU fours, which lost 21-12, 21-14 to the same Corban outfit in pool play.

The clinching point in hand – and the 3-1 victory achieved – play at the threes stopped with the score tied at 14-14.. VU's Madi Nash and Emilee Hall won the first set 21-16, but Corban's Kealani Ontai and Ally Schmidt captured the second 21-17.

"We are so so so so so so so proud of these ladies," said Head Coach Kris Dorn. "GRIT is definitely the word of the year. Through small numbers, injuries and horrible weather, the character of our team has been tested. Out of the fire, including the adversity and loss of this week, has emerged a team that decides to grind. 

"I know this is not about us as coaches, but I want to make this point. Part of our job is to show hope and remind them of who they are and what they're capable of. During these last two matches, they taught us that they were going to push through no matter what. We are Champions because these student-athletes step into conflict and fight."

The Lions fell behind 1-0 at the fives. Warrior duo Jolinn Daviscourt and Kalisi Latu snuck past VU's Chloe Knudson and Ana Broadhead, earning the 21-15, 22-20 victory. 

Vanguard knotted the match at 1-1 soon thereafter as Emma Galloway and Hannah Wilmes toppled the sister pair of Kianna and Cameron Keeling. The VU twos rolled to the 21-15, 21-15 victory.

Harris, a four-time GSAC All-Conference standout, had tasted defeat in the title match the previous two seasons – against Corban in last year's inaugural NAIA Invitational, and versus OUAZ in the AVCA Small School Championships in 2021.

She expressed gratitude at being able to finish this season holding a piece of the red banner.

"I have been a Vanguard beach volleyball player for four years and this was the third national championship game I have participated in, but the first I have won," said Harris. "We have worked hard all season and our grit has finally paid off. I have been so blessed to have been part of an amazing program and finally be a National Champion."

Coffin, who dealt the final blow on match point at the four spot, reflected on the journey and credited her teammate Arnold and her coaches for setting her up for success.

"It was a tough match. Corban is an incredible competitor so we knew we had to switch up our game plan and we did," she said. "In the middle of our last point, hearing our 1's win their match was exciting but stressful because I knew we had to push through the exhaustion we were feeling and win for the team.

"I got an amazing set from Madison, and thankfully was able to put it away."

The thrill of that initial moment knowing that the red banner was theirs was a memory she will cherish forever.

"Being tackled by teammates after was unreal and just filled me with so much joy," said Coffin. "I'm truly grateful for each and every one of them, along with the coaches. We could not have had the confidence and grit we had in that last game if it weren't for them and by the grace of God. All glory to Him at the end of the day."

Arnold, who delivered the set that led to the title-clinching point, reflected on the bigger picture surrounding this history making season.

"I am so beyond grateful for this program and all the amazing women that come with it," she said. "This season has been a fight through injuries, low numbers, and bad weather. However, together we fought through every battle together and grew stronger along the way. Bailey and I knew we were going to have to fight to get the win in this game and that's exactly what we did.

"Bailey hitting the winning shot was one of the most exciting moments in this season. However, this was a team effort and everyone who had put time and effort into this team made this possible!"

The Lions finished their championship season 21-5 overall, on the heels of a record 22-win season in 2022.

Vanguard won the GSAC regular season and tournament titles for the third year in a row, going 16-0 against conference opponents.

Following the tournament, the NAIA announced that Dorn was named the National Coach of the Year. In addition, Morgan Nash, Harris, Galloway and Wilmes were named to the All-Tournament Team.

Why Else Is This Important?: Call it the Trinity of first-time national championships in Blue and Gold Territory. Gerardo Hernandez became the first national champion in men's wrestling program history in early March, winning the 174-pound bracket in Wichita, Kan. The men's volleyball team then followed suit, stunning Benedictine Mesa in a thrilling five-set reverse sweep for its first national championship last week in West Des Moines, Iowa. And now, add Beach Volleyball to the trophy case.

What Else Was Said?: "God taught me numerous lessons even this week through their response," said Dorn. "Praise the LORD!!!"

What's Next?: The team is anticipated to return to campus on Sunday afternoon in front of the Catalina dorm between 12:15-12:30 p.m. All are welcome to greet the team and share in the celebration.