CFCC women’s volleyball wins Region 10 title, advances to national championship
WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Cape Fear Community College’s women’s volleyball team is heading to the national championship after sweeping all three matches in the Region 10 Tournament.
The Sea Devils secured the regional title and a spot in the 2026 NJCAA Division II Women’s Volleyball National Championship, scheduled for Nov. 18-21 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
CFCC opened tournament play Oct. 30 with a victory over Wake Tech before defeating Fayetteville Tech in the semifinals Oct. 31.
The Sea Devils finished their championship run with a three-set victory over Forsyth Tech, winning 25-14, 25-23 and 25-14 to claim the Region 10 title.
“I couldn’t be happier with the way this group came together and competed for one another,” head coach Abby Vendemia said. “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.”
A special return to the national stage
The trip to nationals carries special meaning for Vendemia and assistant coach Kara Walker.
Both previously played for the Sea Devils during the program’s back-to-back national tournament appearances in 2021 and 2022.
Now, the former players will return to the national stage as coaches, leading the next generation of CFCC volleyball athletes.
Sea Devils earn regional honors
Several CFCC players received individual recognition following the team’s championship season.
Rose Eklund was named Region 10 Player of the Year for the second consecutive year and earned Region 10 Tournament MVP honors.
Eklund was also named First Team All-Region alongside teammates Emma Lawson and Peyton Hogan.
Liberty Ipsen and Chloe Carter earned Second Team All-Region honors.
Hogan and Ipsen were also selected to the All-Tournament Team.
Vendemia received District Coach of the Year honors for her leadership of the program.
National championship set for Iowa
The Sea Devils will compete in the NJCAA Division II Women’s Volleyball National Championship from Nov. 18-21 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
The tournament marks another national appearance for the CFCC women’s volleyball program as the Sea Devils look to build on their regional championship success.
