Flying High: Warhawks Capture ACCC Championship
Montgomery, AL - The No. 22 nationally-ranked Warhawk volleyball squad capped off an unforgettable weekend in Montgomery by claiming the Alabama Community College Conference (ACCC) and NJCAA Region 22 Championship, finishing a perfect 5–0 and earning the program's first ACCC/Region 22 championship in school history. The Warhawks' championship run was marked by grit, composure, and dominance across three days of competition, culminating in a 3–1 victory over Lurleen B. Wallace in Sunday's title match.
The Warhawks set the tone early in pool play on Thursday, October 31, sweeping Bishop State 3–0 to open the tournament in commanding fashion. Calhoun controlled the match from start to finish, taking sets 25–13, 25–18, and 25–22. The Warhawks' offense fired on all cylinders, attacking efficiently and building momentum that would carry throughout the weekend.
Later that evening, Calhoun returned to the court with confidence and energy, delivering another pounding to Wallace State 3–0 (25–11, 25–19, 25–20) to move to 2–0 in pool play. The Warhawks' front line dominated at the net, while consistent serving and disciplined defense kept Wallace State on their heels. The back-to-back sweeps positioned Calhoun as one of the tournament favorites heading into the weekend.
Saturday morning brought the most dramatic match of the tournament, as Calhoun faced Lurleen B. Wallace to close out pool play. After taking the first set 25–21, the Warhawks dropped the next two (25–27, 18–25) and found themselves on the brink of defeat. But in true championship fashion, Calhoun battled back, edging out a tense fourth set 25–23 to force a decisive fifth. Behind clutch serving and key defensive plays, the Warhawks sealed the match 15–11, completing the comeback and securing the No. 1 seed in the semifinals.
That evening, Calhoun met Snead State in a semifinal rematch of their October 21 regular-season showdown. Just as they had done in their last meeting, the Warhawks delivered a statement performance, sweeping the Parsons 3–0 (25–22, 26–24, 25–19). Every set was tightly contested, but Calhoun's poise in late points made the difference. The win punched their ticket to the ACCC/Region 22 championship match.
Sunday's championship showdown featured a familiar opponent, Lurleen B. Wallace, in a highly anticipated rematch. The Saints struck first, taking the opening set 25–21, but Freeman's team responded with championship composure. The Warhawks regrouped and dominated the next two sets, winning 25–19 and 25–17 behind steady serving, strong net play, and defensive resilience. In a thrilling fourth set, Calhoun closed out the match 26–24, clinching the 3–1 victory and officially crowning the Warhawks ACCC/Region 22 champions.
The championship capped an extraordinary weekend for both the team and its leaders. Head Coach Jamiee Freeman was named ACCC/Region 22 Coach of the Year, recognizing her leadership and the program's rise to prominence. Laney Kelley earned Co-Offensive Player of the Year honors, while Maddie Schwabe was named ACCC North Setter of the Year, underscoring Calhoun's all-around excellence on the court.
Maddie Schwabe, Lucy Means, and Alana Allison were also named to the ACCC All-Tournament Team while Avery Boyd was honored as the Tounament MVP.
Head Coach Jamiee Freeman was emotional after the win saying, "This group has worked for this moment all season. They've trusted each other, bought into the process, and refused to back down no matter what the score was. To see them come together like this and finish as champions is an incredible feeling."
With the NJCAA Region 22 title secured, the Warhawks (30-3) now turn their focus to face Jones College (30-4), the Region 23 Champions, in the NJCAA Gulf South District Championship, which they will host on Saturday, November 8. A victory there would send Calhoun to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to compete at the NJCAA National Championship Tournament.