The Finger Lakes Community College men’s volleyball team made history Sunday, defeating Ocean County College 3-1 to capture the program’s first NJCAA National Championship and complete a breakthrough run at the NJCAA Men’s Volleyball National Tournament. The Lakers delivered a balanced performance on the sport’s biggest junior college stage, securing the first national title in program history.
Finger Lakes’ championship run featured statement victories throughout the bracket. The Lakers opened by defeating Union College 3-1, avenging two regular-season losses, then stunned top-seeded College of DuPage 3-1 in the semifinals. DuPage entered undefeated against junior college opponents and as defending invitational champions, but FLCC ended that streak with a poised, all-around effort.
In the title match, the Lakers combined efficiency and physicality, hitting .310 as a team with 54 kills and 50 assists. Zach Sipos led the attack with 19 kills on a .486 hitting percentage, while Ethan Bond added 14 kills and eight digs. Jackson Blaszkow contributed 12 kills and five digs to round out a balanced offense. Setter Cole Thomas directed the attack with 48 assists and two aces, while Braden Whitcomb controlled the net with 10 blocks. Defensively, Jack Donovan anchored the back row with a match-high 14 digs as FLCC totaled 37 digs and 23 blocks.
Bond was named Tournament MVP, with Thomas, Blaszkow and Sipos earning All-Tournament honors, while head coach Frank Clark was recognized as National Coach of the Year.
The championship concludes the Lakers’ season as the inaugural winners of the NJCAA Men’s Volleyball National Tournament.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].