Finger Lakes Concludes Season at Nationals After Hard-Fought Tournament Run

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA. — Finger Lakes women's volleyball closed out a historic 2025 campaign with a resilient performance at the NJCAA Division III Women's Volleyball National Tournament, playing three matches in two days and securing a strong consolation victory to finish their year at 28–5.

The Lakers opened national play with a tightly contested four–set battle against #8 Northampton, falling 23–25, 17–25, 25–21, 28–30. Anna Kurtzhalts (Grand Island, N.Y./Grand Island) powered the Finger Lakes offense with 22 kills and a .233 hitting percentage on 60 swings. Olivia Scheuer (Constantia, N.Y./Paul V. Moore) dished out 37 assists with 3 aces, while Kayce Hennekey (Irondequoit, N.Y./West Irondequoit) hit an outstanding .778 with 7 kills and 3 blocks. Aubrie Tomlinson (Buffalo, N.Y./Frontier) pulled in 18 digs as Finger Lakes nearly extended the match in a dramatic 30–28 fourth set.

Finger Lakes responded in dominant fashion in its first consolation match, sweeping Holyoke 25–5, 25–21, 25–23. Anna Kurtzhalts once again led the way with 11 kills on .400 hitting, while Allyson St. Germain (Cincinnatus, N.Y./Cincinnatus) delivered 5 kills and 5 aces. Olivia Scheuer tallied 19 assists, and Aubrie Tomlinson anchored the back row with 10 digs. The Lakers served 15 total aces and held Holyoke to .089 hitting in one of their most efficient postseason performances.

In the final match of the consolation bracket, Finger Lakes fell 25–17, 25–21, 25–19 to St. Cloud Technical & CC. Allyson St. Germain posted 11 kills, Anna Kurtzhalts added 12 kills, and Olivia Scheuer handed out 23 assists. Aubrie Tomlinson finished her national tournament run with another double-digit dig effort of 13, while Kayce Hennekey and Ava Van Antwerp (Walworth, N.Y./Gananda) added 4 and 1 kills, respectively.

The Lakers finish the year 28–5, champions of the MSAC, Region III North B District, and winners of a fifth-straight NJCAA Region III title, an accomplishment unmatched by any Region III Division III program since regional play began in 1975. Finger Lakes extended its win streak to 22 matches entering nationals and posted a perfect 10–0 record at home on Putt Moore Court.

Finger Lakes will look to build on its 11th-place national finish in 2025 with a key group of returners and a promising incoming recruiting class in 2026.