Andrews Holds Volleyball & Soccer Invitational

For high school student athletes

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Student athletes from twelve Adventist academies participated in the second annual High School Volleyball and Soccer Invitational. The tournament, hosted by Andrews University’s Office of Athletics, took place from Sept. 16–19, 2026. Women’s volleyball and men’s soccer teams competed in an elimination bracket over the course of two days, culminating in a night of championship games.

Participating schools and organizations included Andrews Academy, Highland View Academy, Takoma Academy, Wisconsin Academy, Blue Mountain Academy, Chisholm Trail Academy, Atholton Adventist Academy, Spring Valley Academy, Mishawaka Christian Athletic Club, Central Christian Academy, Spencerville Adventist Academy and Shenandoah Valley Academy.

Many of the participating schools attended the invitational for the first time this year. Central Christian Academy’s head volleyball coach, Sarah Culp, shared that the event was convenient for her brand-new team, who wouldn’t have been able to attend a tournament otherwise. “It’s been really fun,” she added.

Soccer and volleyball matches began on Thursday morning. The six soccer teams played on the University soccer fields. All twelve volleyball teams played in round-robin games held on four courts, two in the Andreasen Center for Wellness and two in Johnson Gym.

Early on Friday morning, volleyball games resumed in double elimination rounds, which narrowed the tournament pool to three remaining teams: the Mishawaka Christian Athletic Club Wildcats, the Chisholm Trail Blazers and the Spring Valley Stallions. At 9 a.m., the soccer tournament also continued with qualification rounds, followed by semifinals in the afternoon. After winning their respective semifinal games, the Andrews Academy and Shenandoah Valley soccer teams advanced to the finals.

In addition to opportunities to play and improve athletically, the invitational provided students with spiritual opportunities. To welcome the Sabbath on Friday night, visiting students attended Proximity Vespers at Pioneer Memorial church, followed by an Afterglow program in the Andreasen Center for Wellness. On Sabbath morning, participants were invited to attend one of the many churches on campus, and Saturday night vespers were held in the Andreasan Center.

The final games for both tournaments began at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday evening. On the soccer field, the Spencerville Hornets won against Wisconsin Academy for third place. Andre Miranda and Nai Thorpe, Spencerville Academy soccer players, shared that they enjoyed the atmosphere of the tournament, explaining that the third place match was a highlight.

For the first place title, the Andrews Academy Junior Cardinals won against the Shenandoah Valley Stars in the soccer championship game.

In the Andreasen Center for Wellness, the volleyball teams began the final part of their brackets with semifinals. The Spring Valley Stallions and Mishawaka Christian Athletic Club Wildcats proceeded to the late-night championship. In the close match, which ran until nearly 2 a.m., the Wildcats scored the deciding point in the last game, breaking the set’s tie.

Following the volleyball final, all participants gathered in the Andreasen Center for Wellness for the Awards Ceremony, where first and second place prizes were distributed and most valuable players were recognized.

Team sportsmanship trophies, announced as the most important awards of the night, were won by Atholton Adventist Academy’s volleyball team and Blue Mountain Academy’s soccer team. Indeed, an atmosphere of sportsmanship undergirded the whole event. Soccer player Ethan Lee shared that meeting other teams and seeing their sportsmanship was a highlight of his weekend.

After the inaugural invitational, University Athletic Director Kevin Wooldridge shared the Office of Athletics’ goal to see the tournament gain “popularity to where it is as well attended as the Newmyer Classic Basketball Tournament.” Although organizers will continue to develop the event in the future, the invitational has grown considerably in its first year and has provided students with an active weekend of athletic and character development.