History was made in Mishawaka this weekend as the Bethel University men's volleyball team soared to new heights. The No. 8 ranked Pilots captured the Wolverine Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) Tournament championship, securing the program's first-ever bid to the NAIA National Tournament.

In a thrilling final played before a raucous home crowd at Goodman Gym, top-seeded Bethel avenged a regular-season loss by defeating No. 2 seed Indiana Tech 3-1 (25-19, 25-20, 23-25, 25-17). The victory caps a remarkable rise for a program that only began competition in 2022.

The Pilots were powered by a passionate performance from sophomore Christian Woumnga. The 6-4 opposite from Germany delivered a match-high 20 kills with a scorching .485 hitting percentage, adding 12 digs and six block assists. His energy was infectious, culminating in a celebratory chest-bump with head coach Jose Viera Cerame during the decisive fourth set.

Woumnga's heroics were complemented by the brilliant all-around play of WHAC Player of the Year Thomas Dunkley. Together, they led a motivated Bethel squad that improved to 21-5 on the season. The historic win was sealed by a block from sophomore Jibbe Boeren, sending the Pilots to the national stage.

Bethel now sets its sights on Cedar Rapids, Iowa, for the 12-team NAIA National Tournament running from April 28 to May 2. This landmark achievement marks a pivotal moment for Pilots volleyball, proving that dedication and teamwork can build a championship contender from the ground up.