CFCC Women’s Volleyball Advances to National Tournament 

Wilmington, NC (November 6, 2026) – Cape Fear Community College’s women’s volleyball team is headed back to the national stage after sweeping all three matches at the Region 10 Tournament to claim the title and earn a spot in the 2026 NJCAA Division II Volleyball National Championship.

The trip to nationals is especially meaningful for head coach Abby Vendemia and assistant coach Kara Walker. Both played for the Sea Devils during the program’s back-to-back national tournament appearances in 2021 and 2022.

CFCC opened tournament play October 30 with a victory over Wake Tech before defeating Fayetteville Tech in the semifinals  October 31. The Sea Devils capped their championship run with a 25-14, 25-23, 25-14 victory over Forsyth Tech, overcoming a second-set challenge to secure the Region 10 title and national tournament berth.

“I couldn’t be happier with the way this group came together and competed for one another,” said head coach Abby Vendemia. “They carried the momentum from the semifinals into the championship match and played with so much confidence, passion, and purpose. Everyone was committed to the same goal, and you could see how much it meant to them to finish this together.”

The championship follows an outstanding season for Rose Eklund, who was named Region 10 Player of the Year for the second consecutive year and earned Tournament MVP honors. Emma Lawson and Peyton Hogan joined Eklund on the First Team All-Region, while Liberty Ipsen and Chloe Carter earned Second Team honors. Hogan and Ipsen were also named to the All-Tournament Team, and Vendemia was recognized as District Coach of the Year.

The NJCAA Division II Women’s Volleyball National Championship will take place November 18-21 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.