DuPage wins Region 4 title, secures third place at NJCAA Invitational
GLEN ELLYN, ILL. - The College of DuPage was in heavy pursuit of a repeat national title in men's volleyball in 2026. The Chaparrals sat atop Region 4 and NJCAA Great Lakes District after three wins over Bryant & Stratton College throughout the season, including a 29-27, 25-20, 25-13 sweep on April 8. They rode that momentum to a third place finish at the 2026 NJCAA Men's Volleyball Invitational on their home floor. (Recap: DuPage)
In the Region 4 final, Danny Overlin led COD with 16 kills, hitting .342 on the night. Max McDermott tallied 27 assists and 17 digs for a double-double.
DuPage was awarded the #1 seed for the eight-team national tournament, and opened with a 3-0 win over #8 Monroe University-Bronx by scores of 25-15, 25-15, 25-13. Brayden Tejeda posted ten kills, McDermott had 32 assists, and Nicholas Ockrim tracked down 11 digs in the quarterfinal victory.
In the semifinals, the Chaparrals met their match in #5 Finger Lakes Community College, who would go on to win the national championship. A 3-1 FLCC victory came with scores of 29-17, 25-22, 19-25, 25-20, with Overlin knocking down a dozen kills. McDermott reached 32 assists and Ockrim added ten digs.
The loss dropped COD into the 3rd Place Match, where they held off #2 Nassau Community College in a 3-0 sweep of 25-21, 25-22, 25-21. The offense was paced by Overlin's 19 kills and McDermott's 42 assists, while Ockrim anchored the defense with 17 digs. (Recap: DuPage)
The College of DuPage finished the season 29-3.
Three players from Region 4 were named American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Two-Year All-Americans. The honors went to DuPage sophomores Adam Janowiak and Danny Overlin, who play outside hitter and right side hitter, respectively, as well as Bryant & Stratton sophomore outside hitter Ashton Poritz.