LEXINGTON, Ky. – The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) announced the recipients of the 2024 Beach Volleyball Top Flights awards, where two different pairs among the No. 1-ranked Corban University Beach Volleyball team were selected to represent the entire NAIA. Warriors' top pair of junior Megan Dennis and freshman Emma Bischoff were named to the Flight 1 ranking, while junior Jessica McMillian and freshman Danae Stokes snagged the Flight 2 placing among their national counterparts from Corban's second overall pairing, making the Warriors one of only two schools with multiple flight award winners.
To read the AVCA's release on their award winners announced today, click HERE.
"Megan and Emma epitomize the pinnacle of performance, not just dominating our conference, but shining brightly on the national stage," Warriors' associate head coach Avari Ridgway stated when asked about the top pair for Corban. "Their unwavering talent and synergy as a duo are matched only by their exemplary leadership, enriching our team's culture with every match. We're truly fortunate to have such exceptional women leading our top pair and with both of them returning next year, we expect nothing but amazing things from these incredible student-athletes."
The Top Flight program, now in its sixth year, recognizes beach pairs who competed in at least 15 matches together at a specific flight and win at least 75% of their matches. This year, 53 pairs representing 31 schools—from all three NCAA divisions, NAIA and Two-Year Colleges—have earned Top Flight status.
The Navy and Gold's top pairing from 2024 were on a tear from the very start, as it took until the last week of the regular season before the duo suffered their first loss to an NAIA opponent, having only lost on three separate occasions to NCAA DI programs. Their 21-6 record this season earned them the third most wins for a pair in a single season for the program, while a .778 winning percentage along with their 21 wins ranks them both fourth in career wins and winning percentage.
"Jess and Danae have forged an extraordinary path of success this season, embodying fierce competitiveness and leveraging each other's strengths to emerge as a formidable pairing," commented Coach Ridgway regarding McMillian and Stokes. "Anchoring our second spot throughout the season, every victory they earned is a testament to their relentless dedication and off-court diligence. Overcoming obstacles with resilience, they've demonstrated prowess not only physically but also in their mental fortitude. With anticipation, we look forward to their continued growth and triumphs next season."
Representing the only Corban duo to play all 28 matches together this season, McMillian and Stokes earned an impressive 22-6 record from the second overall pairing position in the lineup. Their 22 wins are the second most in a single season for a Corban duo, while their total wins and winning percentage (.785) are third and second most in a single pairings' career, respectively.
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