LAWRENCE, Kan. (Nov. 15, 2025) — Florida National volleyball (17-18) defeated Florida College (18-21), 3-1, in the semifinal of the Continental Athletic Conference (CAC) Tournament to punch its ticket to the opening rounds of the NAIA national tournament but were denied a conference ring in a 3-1 loss to Simpson University (17-16). This is FNU's first trip to the national stage since 2021.

Florida National kept its title hopes alive with a comeback win over the FC Falcons. The Conquistadors fell behind 1-0 in a 25-18 loss. FNU was in the mix for most of the frame, trailing 18-17 on a kill from freshman Ailanie Ortega. FC proceeded to go on an 8-0 run, highlighted by three kills from Fiona Sampaio. An attacking error by Jazmyne Slay was FNU's lone point during that stretch, as FC claimed the opener in emphatic fashion despite five kills from Chriselle Ferdinand. 

FNU went on to impress in the next three sets to claim the victory in the semifinal round, stealing round two 26-24. Ferdinand was essential in the second, with three kills and a kill from Ariana Long paired with a bad set by Margarida Almeida, pushing FNU ahead in crunch time to tie the match. Senior Ivette Sandoval was feeding Ferdinand perfect passes in the third, as the freshman connected on five of her six kills when Sandoval set her up. This proved to be just enough to give FNU the edge 26-24 once again, as Ortega had the set-ending kill.

In the fourth, the Conquistadors were relentless with 11 kills and just four attacking errors. FC committed nine costly errors and saw its season come to an end in a 25-17 loss. Ferdinand paced the team with 18 kills, while Jaylin Garcia had a team-high 18 digs. Sandoval tallied 22 assists while Taysha Ortega posted 15. 

With this win, FNU earned one of the CAC's automatic bids to the opening round of NAIA nationals and advanced to the conference title match against Simpson.

Opposite the Simpson Red Hawks, FNU fell behind once again early and had a long way to go to get the game back within reach. Simpson took the first two sets 25-19 and 25-17. The Red Hawks were effective at the net with 34 kills through the first pair of frames. In the first, Morales had three of her four kills at the tail end of the frame, but could not keep FNU in it long term. 

The third was FNU's best showing as the Conquistadors made it a 2-1 affair on three kills from Long. Freshman Lily Hitchcock got the set-sealing kill, and FNU looked to push for a fifth set by scoring a win in the fourth. Unfortunately, Simpson posted 19 kills and allowed just eight from FNU to earn the CAC title. Morales had 11 kills in the fourth and 14 digs, while Ortega paced the team with 16 assists. 

Up Next: FNU awaits the 2025 NAIA Women's Volleyball Selection Show on Monday at 5 p.m.