Beach Volleyball: Finishing Strong
Beach Volleyball: Finishing Strong
Great seasons are rarely defined by how they begin. They are remembered by how they finish.
That was exactly the story of the 2026 Ontario Christian Beach Volleyball team.
Under the direction of first-year Head Coach Brooklyn Goedhart, the Lady Knights entered the spring with excitement and optimism. A familiar face within the Ontario Christian volleyball family, Coach Goedhart inherited a program eager to return to the top of the Ambassador League. Building upon the strong tradition established by the school’s indoor volleyball program and previous beach volleyball success, she immediately focused on developing confidence, chemistry, and a championship culture.
As practices began, one thing became clear the program was growing. Ontario Christian fielded one of its largest beach volleyball rosters in years, creating excitement throughout the team and laying a strong foundation for the future.
The Lady Knights opened the season with a victory, giving the team confidence that they were capable of competing with anyone. However, the schedule quickly became more difficult as Ambassador League play began just three matches into the season.
Ontario Christian stumbled early, dropping two key league contests. For a first-year head coach and a young team still learning to play together, the challenge could have seemed overwhelming.
Instead, it became the turning point of the season.
Rather than allowing adversity to define them, the Lady Knights responded with resilience, teamwork, and an unwavering belief in one another. Match after match, Ontario Christian found its rhythm, rattling off eight consecutive victories to surge past the rest of the league and capture the Ambassador League Championship.
The championship run wasn’t just impressive because of the winning streak, it was the manner in which the Lady Knights won. Ontario Christian dominated league play down the stretch, sweeping opponents or winning by commanding 4-1 margins, including convincing victories over the very teams that had defeated them earlier in the season.
The transformation throughout the spring was remarkable. What began as a young team searching for its identity became a confident championship squad playing its best volleyball when it mattered most.
The Lady Knights proved that success is not determined by how a season starts, but by the commitment to improve each day and trust the process.
Ambassador League Honors
Ontario Christian’s championship season was recognized with six All-Ambassador League selections.
First Team All-Ambassador League
- Sophia Deocales (Senior)
- Avery Kunkel (Senior)
- Isabella “Izzy” Trujillo (Junior)
- Avery Van Horssen (Senior)
Second Team All-Ambassador League
- Madelynn “Mady” Duag (Junior)
- Lilly Sampson (Senior)
The postseason honors reflected the depth and talent throughout the roster, while also highlighting the selfless culture the Lady Knights established under Coach Goedhart’s leadership.
More importantly, this team demonstrated that perseverance, humility, and trust in one another can overcome any obstacle. After facing early adversity, they chose to grow stronger together, ultimately bringing another league championship back to Ontario Christian.
As James 1:12 reminds us:
“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”
The 2026 Lady Knights embodied that perseverance every step of the way. Their season was a testament to resilience, faith, and the power of finishing stronger than you started.
Congratulations to Head Coach Brooklyn Goedhart, her coaching staff, and every member of the Ontario Christian Beach Volleyball program on an outstanding Ambassador League Championship season. The future of Lady Knights Beach Volleyball is bright.
