SEATTLE, Wash. – Northwest University beach volleyball brought its 2026 season to a close this past weekend at 4th Ave Beach, finishing 2-2 in its final home tournament while celebrating Senior Day and the careers of five impactful student-athletes.
Between matches on Saturday, the program honored Masa Spela Jarc, Aubree Dees, Ava Hoy, Kylie Rankins, and Ellie Van Berkum for their dedication and contributions to Northwest beach volleyball. The group has played a vital role in the program's growth and competitiveness, leaving a lasting legacy on the sand. Northwest Athletics extends a sincere thank you to these five seniors for everything they have given to the program.
Friday Recap
Northwest opened the weekend with a strong 3-2 victory over The College of Idaho. The Eagles secured the team win with dominant performances at the top three flights. The No. 1 pair of Rylie Hangca and Kylie Rankins earned a 21-18, 21-13 win, while Aubree Dees and Ellie Van Berkum controlled the No. 2 match, 21-8, 21-14. Kali Dransfeldt and Ava Hoy added the clinching point at No. 3 with a 21-13, 21-12 victory.
Later in the day, Northwest faced No. 2 Southern Oregon, falling 5-0. The Eagles showed resilience, highlighted by a hard-fought, three-set battle at No. 2 from Dees and Van Berkum.
Saturday Recap
On Saturday, Northwest earned another 3-2 win, this time over Simpson University. Hangca and Rankins led once again at No. 1 with a straight-set victory, while Dees and Van Berkum remained consistent at No. 2. The deciding point came from Addy Stone and Sydney Bass at No. 5, who sealed the match with a 21-14, 21-10 win.
In the final match of the season, Northwest took on No. 2 Southern Oregon, ultimately falling 5-0. The closest contest came at No. 4, when Oriana Muliaga and Trinity Godina pushed the match to three sets after taking the first, but came up short.
Season Wrap-Up
Northwest closes the 2026 season on its home courts with a 2-2 tournament record, highlighted by two conference wins and competitive performances throughout the weekend.
While the results marked the end of the season, the lasting impact of this senior class and the growth of the program remain the defining takeaways.
