CEDARVILLE, OH – Ohio Dominican University is celebrating a historic milestone as its volleyball program captured the 2025 Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) Championship title, winning the first conference title in program history and earning an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
The Panthers advanced to the championship match after a 3–1 semifinal victory over the No. 2-ranked University of Findlay. In Sunday’s final, ODU faced tournament host and No. 1 seed Cedarville University, marking the program’s third consecutive appearance in the G-MAC championship. In a hard-fought five-set match, the Panthers prevailed to secure the title and their place on the national stage.
The team’s senior class played a significant role in the championship run. Standout performances included 19 kills and two blocks from Jenna Peters, 15 kills from Ashley Aselage, and 14 kills from Logan Rubel. Setters Gabrielle Kirker and Saige Avery guided the offense with a combined 64 assists, while Avery added a team-high four blocks and 16 digs. Defensively, Lauren Dinunzi recorded 20 digs, and libero Christen Tarter led the back row with 22 digs.
"Our seniors do a really good job at staying composed," Head Coach Amy Bambenek said. "They stick to the game plan and push through the chaos, momentum, and the ups and downs of volleyball."
The championship represents a personal milestone for Coach Bambenek as well, marking her first G-MAC title. Reflecting on the accomplishment, she described the experience as “unbelievable—just amazing. I don't know, I have too many words."
With the conference championship secured, Ohio Dominican now awaits its first-round NCAA Tournament matchup, which will be revealed during Monday night’s selection show, click the link here to watch!