Stephens Volleyball Closes Regular Season on a High Note, Heads to Postseason Play
After celebrating Senior Night, the Stars look to carry their record-breaking momentum into the playoffs.
The 糖心原创 Stars Volleyball team鈥檚 regular season has officially wrapped, but the story is far from over. The team capped off a record-breaking 2025 season with a , earning their place in the postseason tournament at the Bradley Beal Center in Chesterfield, Missouri, where they will face off against #7 Harris-Stowe State University in the opening round.
The team wrapped up regular season play with last week鈥檚 senior night, which was both a celebration and a farewell 鈥� a moment to honor the leaders who helped shape this season鈥檚 success. For head coach Maggie Hans, the night was a powerful reflection on how far the program has come.
鈥淚t鈥檚 honestly bittersweet,鈥� Hans said. 鈥淵ou pour so much into them over the years, not just in volleyball but in life, so to see them step into this next chapter is emotional. I鈥檓 so proud of who they鈥檝e become, both on and off the court. They鈥檝e left their fingerprints all over this program and set a standard for what it means to be a Star.鈥�
That standard has been backed up by hard numbers 鈥� and history being made. Four players etched their names into the this season.
- Emma Whitson: 1,196 assists 鈥� single-season record
- Lena Hunziker: 400 kills 鈥� single-season record
- Jatnna Pe帽a-Perez: 569 digs 鈥� single-season record
- Fernanda Izar: 73 block assists 鈥� single-season record
For the team, this success is the result of dedication, unity and belief in something bigger than themselves.
鈥淚t鈥檚 an incredible feeling and a true testament to the work these women have put in all season,鈥� said Hans. 鈥淭hey鈥檝e overcome adversity, trusted the process and bought into our culture. To see them earn a spot in the playoffs 鈥� and make program history in the process 鈥� makes me so proud as a coach. They deserve it.鈥� Among those leading the charge is Senior , who reflected on a season full of growth and unforgettable memories.
鈥淢y favorite memory from this season has to be when we beat Columbia [College],鈥� said Pe帽a-Perez. 鈥淭hat whole day felt like a movie 鈥� the energy, the teamwork, everything came together perfectly. But honestly, every single day this season has taught me something and helped me grow, both as a player and a person.鈥�
At the heart of the Stars鈥� success is their team mantra: 鈥淏e Present.鈥�
鈥淚t鈥檚 such a simple idea,鈥� said Pe帽a-Perez, 鈥渂ut it means so much. I鈥檝e learned to truly be in the moment whether it鈥檚 on the court, with my teammate, or spending time with my family and friends.鈥�
As they prepare for postseason, the stars remain grounded in their guiding philosophy 鈥� 鈥淔or HER.鈥�
鈥淚t鈥檚 about playing for something bigger than yourself 鈥� for your teammates, for the women who came before you, for the young girls watching, and for your younger self who once dreamed of being here,鈥� said Hans. 鈥淲ins and losses fade, but the relationships, growth and the impact they鈥檝e made will always last.鈥�
With the regular season behind them and the postseason ahead, the Stephens Stars are ready to write the next chapter of their story 鈥� one defined by resilience, record-breaking performances and the unwavering spirit of what it means to be a Star.
Friday鈥檚 postseason playoff game starts at 1 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14, and can be streamed .
