FOLEY, Ala. – Arkansas State claimed its seventh Sun Belt Volleyball Championship on Sunday at the Foley Events Center. The Red Wolves defeated the Dukes 3-1 (25-20, 18-25, 25-20, 25-21) to claim the program’s first title since 2015.
Arkansas State (22-8) earns the Sun Belt’s automatic bid to the NCAA Volleyball Championship. The 2025 NCAA Volleyball bracket reveal will be available on NCAA.com on Sunday, November 30.
The first set was contentious as neither team held more than a two point advantage halfway through. A late 8-0 run from Arkansas State put the Red Wolves ahead 22-15 after a kill from Glunz. Van Veen tallied the final point to put Arkansas State Ahead 1-0, 25-20.
Arkansas State led 15-12 in the second set after a 6-1 run, however James Madison finished the set on a 13-3 run with a pair of kills from Nhial and Ilter to tie the match at one, 25-18.
James Madison led 2-1 early in the third set, but the Red Wolves responded with a pair of kills from Lewis to take the lead. Arkansas State would not trail the remainder of the set as kills from Collum, Van Veen and Glunz closed out the set 25-20.
Leading 2-1 in sets, Arkansas State jumped out to a 5-2 lead in the fourth set. James Madison eventually led 15-14 at the media timeout after a block from Ilter and Nhial. Both teams battled for the lead as the Dukes tied the match at 19 after a service ace from McNeley. A 5-1 run from the Red Wolves put Arkansas State on match point, 24-20. Whitlock provided the final kill as Arkansas State claimed the title, 25-21.
The Red Wolves were led by Payton Van Veen offensively who tallied a season-high 14 kills. Kaitlin Whitlock tallied a double-double on 11 kills and a team-high 15 digs as Addison Collum added 14 kills and a pair of blocks. Erin Madigan picked up a double-double on 26 assists and 14 digs with a service ace.
Arkansas State led 58-54 in kills during the match and 5-3 in service aces. The Dukes led 10-3 in blocks and 69-67 in digs.
James Madison (22-9) was led by Sun Belt Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year Kennedy Louisell, who tallied 11 kills and 14 digs with a pair of blocks. Addie Norman added 11 kills and a pair of blocks as Melisa Ilter tallied 10 kills with four blocks. Ayen Nhial added six kills with six blocks to bring her tournament total to 29, three shy of the tournament record. Jordan Smart picked up 27 assists with Julia McNeley tallying a match-high 21 digs.
Arkansas State’s Devyn Lewis was named the 2025 Sun Belt Conference Volleyball Elite Award Winner.
The SBC Elite Award recognizes the true essence of the student-athlete by honoring the individual who has reached the pinnacle of competition at the Sun Belt Conference Championship level in his or her sport, while also achieving the highest academic standard among his or her peers. The SBC Elite award is presented to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade-point average participating on the final day for each of the Sun Belt Conference’s championships.
2025 Sun Belt Volleyball All-Tournament Team
Addison Collum, Arkansas State
Payton Van Veen, Arkansas State
Kennedy Louisell, James Madison
Ayen Nhial, James Madison
Maradith O’Gorman, South Alabama
Jade Defraeye, Texas State
Most Outstanding Player: Daedrianna Cail, Arkansas State
2025 Sun Belt Conference Volleyball Elite Award
Devyn Lewis, Arkansas State
All-Time Sun Belt Volleyball Tournament Champions
1983 - Jacksonville
1984 - VCU
1985 - VCU
1986 - South Florida
1987 - South Florida
1988 - South Florida
1989 - South Florida
1990 - UAB
1991 - Arkansas State
1992 - Arkansas State
1993 - Lamar
1994 - Arkansas State
1995 - Arkansas State
1996 - Little Rock
1997 - Little Rock
1998 - Little Rock
1999 - Arkansas State
2000 - Little Rock
2001 - FIU
2002 - Western Kentucky
2003 - New Mexico State
2004 - New Mexico State
2005 - Western Kentucky
2006 - Middle Tennessee
2007 - Middle Tennessee
2008 - Western Kentucky
2009 - Middle Tennessee
2010 - Middle Tennessee
2011 - Western Kentucky
2012 - Western Kentucky
2013 - Texas State
2014 - Little Rock
2015 - Arkansas State
2016 - Coastal Carolina
2017 - Coastal Carolina
2018 - Texas State
2019 - Texas State
2020 - Texas State
2021 – South Alabama
2022 – James Madison
2023 – Coastal Carolina
2024 – Texas State
2025 – Arkansas State