For the first time since 2019, the Patriot League volleyball trophy has returned to Bender Arena. The Eagles dominated Army 3–0 on November 23, shattering a tournament record with a blistering .529 hitting percentage. The victory marked Ahen Kim’s first championship as head coach, echoing the five titles he helped win as an assistant under the legendary Barry Goldberg.

The victory punched AU’s ticket to a 19th NCAA Tournament, where a massive 17-game win streak ultimately ended against No. 24 Colorado. But the future is undeniable: With no seniors on the roster, this was the youngest AU team in program history to reach the national stage. They’ll be back.