SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — MSU Denver Volleyball etched its name into the history books on Saturday night, capturing the program's first-ever NCAA Division II National Championship with a 3–1 victory over Concordia Saint Paul at the Sanford Pentagon. The Roadrunners rallied from an early deficit in the opening set and never lost their composure, closing out a historic postseason run with set scores of 25–22, 25–20, 20–25, 25–21.
The tone of the match was set immediately in a dramatic first set. MSU Denver trailed 19–15 late, but a surge of defensive stops and timely swings flipped the momentum. The Roadrunners closed the frame on a 10–3 run, turning what looked like a Concordia Saint Paul advantage into a statement comeback that energized the bench and the crowd. That rally proved pivotal, as MSU Denver carried the confidence into the second set, hitting efficiently and controlling the net to build a two-sets-to-none lead.
Concordia Saint Paul responded in the third, finding rhythm offensively to extend the match, but MSU Denver quickly reset. In the fourth set, the Roadrunners reasserted their dominance, pulling away late behind steady passing, disciplined defense, and a balanced attack to seal the championship point and ignite the celebration.
Megan Hagar delivered one of the defining performances of the tournament, recording her first career double-double with 18 kills and 18 digs after stepping into the lineup for injured All-American Annika Helf. Hagar also led MSU Denver in kills in both the national semifinal and the championship, rising to the moment on the sport's biggest stage.
Freshman Karyna Werley added a double-double of her own, finishing with 10 kills, 25 assists, four digs, and five block assists, while Brooke Gennerman chipped in 16 kills and continued her breakout postseason. Alyssa Boyte anchored the middle with eight kills on a .333 hitting percentage and a team-high five total blocks.
The title marks the first national championship for MSU Denver Volleyball and the first NCAA title for MSU Denver Athletics since women's soccer in 2006. It is also a historic breakthrough for the RMAC, as the Roadrunners become the league's first volleyball program to win a national championship. MSU Denver closed the season with a 32–3 overall record, capped by an unforgettable run that culminated in the program's ultimate prize.
ALL-TOURNAMENT
Four Roadrunners were rewarded for their championship-clinching performances in Sioux Falls, as Alyssa Boyte, Brooke Gennerman, Karyna Werley, and Megan Hagar were named to the NCAA Division II All-Tournament Team following MSU Denver's historic national title run
Megan Hagar, who earned Tournament MVP honors, delivered on the biggest stage after stepping into the lineup for the injured Annika Helf. Across the final three matches, Hagar totaled 39 kills, averaging 3.25 kills per set, while adding 39 digs and four block assists. She saved her best for last, posting 18 kills and 18 digs in the national championship match against Concordia St. Paul to secure her first career double-double and cap one of the most impactful postseason performances in program history
Freshman Brooke Gennerman proved she belonged among the nation's elite, finishing the final three matches with a team-high 42 kills on 112 swings. Gennerman recorded 17 kills in the national semifinal and followed it up with 16 more in the championship, finishing the tournament stretch averaging 3.50 kills per set while maintaining a steady presence in serve receive and defense.
Setter Karyna Werley showcased her versatility throughout the tournament, totaling 62 assists, 25 kills, 33 digs, and six block assists over the three matches. Werley logged a double-double in the championship match and finished the title run averaging 5.17 assists per set, continuing a postseason that highlighted her poise and balance well beyond her freshman season.
Anchoring the net, Alyssa Boyte was a force defensively and offensively. Over the final three matches, Boyte recorded 26 kills on a .367 hitting percentage while leading the team with 14 total blocks. Her efficiency was on full display against Wingate and Tampa, where she combined for 18 kills with just two errors, helping MSU Denver control the net during critical momentum swings.
Together, the quartet helped fuel MSU Denver to a perfect 3–0 record over the final weekend, outpacing opponents in kills (174–154), assists (162–143), and blocks (22–16), and ultimately delivering the first national championship in program history.
