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Roadrunners rise: MSU Denver claims first NCAA DII volleyball crown in program history

A historic season ended in the perfect way for the MSU Denver volleyball team.

The Roadrunners took home the program’s first NCAA championship with a 3-1 (25-22, 25-20, 20-25, 25-21) win over Concordia-St. Paul on Saturday night in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in the NCAA Division II Tournament final.

MSU Denver closed the season with 23 straight wins and before this season had never reached the Elite Eight. The Roadrunners are the first team from the RMAC to win the volleyball title.

“This is the goal we set as a program to win a national championship and we have been unashamed of that goal for the last 10 years,” MSU Denver coach Jenny Glenn said after the win. “We said it and said it and said it and didn’t quite get it, so to sit here today, I am still a little speechless.

“I am still processing the victory.”

Megan Hagar continued to be clutch after taking over for injured senior Annika Helf during the Elite Eight. Hagar, who took home the tournament’s MVP honor, had 18 kills and 18 digs in the victory. Her final kill of the night clinched the title.

“Megan has been grinding this whole season,” MSU Denver’s Skyler Michael said. “She is there for every single person on the team. It’s the most beautiful thing. I am so proud of her.”

GabriElle Brewer contributed 29 assists, and the Roadrunners, who have not lost since Oct. 3, got 25 more assists from Karyna Werley.

After rallying past Wingate in five sets to reach the Final Four, the Roadrunners lost only one set the rest of the way. They swept top-seeded Tampa in the national semifinal.

“I am so thankful for this group and thankful for the journey we have been on and the story that’s been written,” Glenn said.

Before Saturday’s volleyball national title, the Roadrunners had won four other national titles: two in men’s basketball under coach Mike Dunlap (2000, 2002) and two in women’s soccer (2004, 2006).


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