Chesterfield, MO - Stephens College Volleyball made history on Saturday afternoon, taking the court in the AMC Championship match for the first time in program history. The Stars battled throughout the three-set final but fell 25–22, 25–17, 25–19 to Columbia College at The Beal Center. Despite the loss, Stephens officially secured an automatic bid to the NAIA National Tournament — another program first — marking a milestone moment in the team's rise.

The opening set showcased the grit that carried Stephens through the postseason. The Stars traded points with Columbia during multiple early ties and stayed within striking distance behind strong play at the net. Amari Branch-Autman delivered 11 kills to lead the offense, while Michalina Oles added eight kills and hit .182 to keep the attack moving. Lena Hunziker contributed eight kills of her own and worked hard in serve receive.

Defensively, Jatnna Peña-Perez anchored the Stars with 22 digs, battling through long rallies and keeping the back row steady. Setter Emma Whitson directed the offense with 32 assists and added 10 digs, while Fernanda Izar helped at the net with two block assists and two digs.

Though Stephens pushed to close the gap in the third set, Columbia capitalized on late runs to seal the match. The Stars finished the day with 31 kills, 59 digs, and six total team blocks, showing resilience through each frame.

This historical championship appearance and first-ever NAIA National Tournament bid cap an unforgettable postseason run. Stephens will now look ahead to preparing for its debut on the national stage.