EUGENE, Ore. – The Bushnell beach volleyball team played their final regular season match on Tuesday, and honored their nine seniors in a pre-game ceremony.
 
Corban University (20-5, 13-2), ranked No. 2 in the NAIA national coaches poll, won the match 4-1.
 
The Beacons (8-12, 7-8 CCC) were able to avoid the shutout in the final match of the day with the No. 5 pairing of senior Haley Engelbrecht and freshman Bella Jacobsen earning their second win together.  
 
#2 Corban University 4, Bushnell University 1

1. Emma Bischoff/Emmi Marks (CRB) def. Hailey Heider/Kate Palelek (BU) 21-16, 21-13
2. Gabi Engles/Allyson Reid (CRB) def. Olivia Kelzenberg/Jazmyn Wilcox (BU) 21-15, 21-8
3. Cammie Masanda/Alexis Adebodun (CRB) def. Carly Hanna/Monet Panther (BU) 21-11, 21-15
4. Erin Scott/Emily Blagg (CRB) def. Sydney Myhre/Laci Jespersen (BU) 21-19, 21-19
5. Haley Engelbrecht/Bella Jacobson (BU)  def. Stacie Alexander/Rebecca Wilber (CRB) 22-20, 21-18
6. Ex.  Maddox Snider/JoJo Christiansen (CRB) def. Avery Lenssen/Emma Nevarov (BU) 21-10, 21-17

UP NEXT: The Beacons will await their fate as the Cascade Collegiate Conference regular season officially concludes in Seattle this weekend. The Beacons currently hold a slim lead on third-place in the CCC and will finish no lower than fourth, based on the final results for No. 10 College of Idaho.



Senior Spotlight

Haley Engelbrecht - Hailey has been with the Beacons for two seasons, playing in 36 matches. This season she ranks third on the team with a .556 winning percentage and ten victories, which is tied for the fourth-most in school history. She has earned 15 wins in her career which ranks seventh all-time.

Coach Elgarico said, "Haley has been biggest source of energy on our team throughout her time with us. She works hard every day with a constant desire to get better. I will miss her blunt curiosity and her supportive spirit. We will miss you Hay!" 

Assistant Coach Janel Coburn said, "Haley has the most contagious laugh, genuine heart, and curious mind. She is an incredible source of joy on the team and truly shows what it means to be a Beacon. It's been an honor to watch her lead her team through chants, cheers and celebrations this season."
 
Assistant Coach Tanja Baker added, "Haley has a heart of gold and the most infectious laugh. Her dedication to her craft is unmatched. You are ready for the next exciting chapter!"

Assistant Coach Dorothy Catanese said, "Your  pursuit of excellence as an athlete is something I have come to admire these past two years as your coach. But what I will miss most and will always remember is how you supported and celebrated your team. Your dance party celebrations are unmatched and your hip hip hurrays have become iconic! In whatever you choose to do next, I know this combination of determination and joy will set you up for future success."

Hailey Hughes - After two seasons with the Bushnell indoor volleyball team Hailey is in her first season with the Beach Program. Playing exclusively in the No. 1 pair this season with Kate Palelek, Hughes has collected six wins including victories over No. 4 Southern Oregon and No. 10 College of Idaho. Hailey was also an NAIA Second-Team All-American during the 2025 Indoor Season after leading the Beacons to the NAIA National Championship tournament.  

Coach Elgarico said, "Hailey is one of our true blockers. Her powerful swing and communication on the court has been such an asset to us. She is so fun to watch and as she turns her indoor game into successes on the sand. We are just starting to get to know her and we wish we could stretch it out a couple more years. You will be missed Mrs. Hughes.

Coach Coburn said, "Hailey is a steady force on and off the court - her determination to leave it all in the sand is an inspiration to her teammates and coaches alike.

Coach Baker added, "Hailey always looks like she is working hard and enjoying her time on the court. To always be able to give 100% regardless of outcome while also maintaining a positive attitude will take you far in life."

Coach Catanese said, "Having you this season has been such a privilege. Your competitive nature has brought out another level of play in each of your teammates and to have such an impact after one season is something you should be immensely proud of."

Laci Jespersen - Laci will finish her four-year career as the Beacons all-time leader for matches played, wins, and winning percentage. She has played in 80 matches in her career and has earned 42 victories. She is a three-time winner of Bushnell's Most Valuable Pair award, was named the NAIA Pacific Northwest Coaches Freshman of the Year, and was named to the first-ever All-Cascade Collegiate Conference team alongside partner Sydney Myhre as a sophomore.

Coach Elgarico said, "Laci is a beacon of light on our team. She is a constant positive presence with a smile for us daily. She is an unsuspecting defensive beast that knows how to show up and win with her favorite 'worm'.  I can't imagine not seeing Laci at every match taking down every opponent she meets! We will miss her so much!"

Coach Coburn said, "Laci is a great example of what it means to love your beach partner and work with her to be the best team possible."

Coach Baker added, "Laci's ability to stay calm, cool and collected under pressure has led her to a successful college beach volleyball career and will continue to prove useful in her nursing career."

Coach Catanese said, "If I had to define your time here with one word, it would be consistency. Your steady commitment, reliability, and quiet determination on the court have been the backbone of this team these past 4 years. As you move on, I hope that you'll take pride in what you've accomplished and know that you'll be deeply missed by everyone you leave behind."

Olivia Kezenberg - Olivia has been with the Beacons for three seasons. After redshirting as a sophomore, she came back strong as a junior, playing in all 18 matches including 14 at the No. 1 pair. This season she has collected nine wins, playing at the No.2 pair with Jazmyn Wilcox, including a win over the NAIA's No. 1 ranked Ottawa-Arizona.

Coach Elgarico said, "Liv is our team rock. She has been with us in many roles as her injury would allow and has always been an inspiration to us all. She constantly challenges herself to try new things even when they seem out of reach she always makes her way there. I have seen her make adapt and improve her game every week. She always rises and I am so proud to know her. We will miss you Liv!"

Coach Coburn said, "Liv has a way of setting a standard on the court without realizing what she's doing. Her perseverance and willingness to go the extra mile make her a really special part of this program."

Coach Baker added, "Liv is such a smart, efficient and lethal beach player. Her court vision is too notch."

Coach Catanese said, "When I first met you, I saw an athlete who was humble to a fault and who didn't realize how amazing they were. Over these past two years of conference play, I have seen you grow more confident and push your game physically and mentally to achieve things I always knew you were capable of. As your time at Bushnell comes to a close, I know that you will embrace your next chapter with that same confidence and the gracious kindness that has always been at the core of who you are."

Avery Lenssen - Avery has been with the Beacons for three seasons. She has played in ten matches and has regularly seen time in the No. 6 exhibitions as well. She has five exhibition victories this season, and picked up her first win of the season on Saturday against Simpson alongside Kailey Shirley. She is a two-time Academic All-Conference and NAIA Scholar-Athlete selection and a five-time member of the Athletic Directors Honor roll.

Coach Elgarico said, "Avery came to us with no time to spare and has become one of the most reliable and coachable athletes we have had. She works so hard and will go out of her way for her team. We love watching her adapt to different roles and encouraging her teammates along the way. You will do amazing thing Aves! We will miss you so much."

Coach Coburn said, "Avery is the kind of player that pushes herself and her teammates to improve every single day. She is passionate and holds herself to a high standard that has wielded impressive results this season."

Coach Baker added, "Avery is a coaches dream - always looking for ways to improve and take her game to the next level."

Coach Catanese said, "To one of the most hardworking athletes I've had the privilege to watch grow—your dedication, grit, and relentless drive to improve have set a standard that I'll hold every future athlete to going forward. Being there to cheer you on and see the strides that you've made has been one of the proudest moments of my coaching career. I can't wait to see where that drive takes you next."

Sydney Myhre - Sydney has been with the Beacons for three seasons, playing in all 63 matches during her career. Myhre ranks No. 2 in Bushnell history for victories with 33 wins, behind only her long-time partner Laci Jespersen. In 2024 she was selected with Laci to the first-ever All-Cascade Conference Team for Beach Volleyball, and is a two-time selection as Bushnell's Most Valuable Pair.  

Coach Elgarico said, "Sydney has been above and beyond for us this year. She is creative, ambitious, and ambidextrous. Her speed and agility with her favorite "worm" are beyond compare. She is a blocker, a defender, and a true leader. Thank you for everything you have put into this team. We will truly miss you Syd!"

Coach Coburn said, "Sydney is the most dangerous kind of athlete - she is silly and funny right up until game time when she turns up the heat and sets her mind on the competition. It's been a joy to watch her bring the fire to every match this season.

Coach Baker added, "Sydney has the determination and  ability to always find a way to win. Her hustle and grit sets her apart."

Coach Catanese said, "You have been an athlete who coaches and teammates can depend on to hold things down on and off the court. The initiative, work and care you put into the start of our preseason this year especially is a testament to your character and dedication to not just your team but the beach program itself. This is just one of the many reasons that you'll be missed and that I'll consider coaching you one of the greatest honors of my career."

Emma Nevarov - Emma has been with the Beacons for two seasons after two seasons as a member of the Indoor Volleyball team at Lane Community College. As a junior, she played in two matches with the Beacons and earned her first career victory on March 28, 2025 against Simpson. She has also played in multiple exhibition matches for the Beacons over the past two seasons including a pair of exhibition wins over Simpson this past weekend.  

Coach Elgarico said, "Emma is one of the most inquisitive athletes on the team. She is eager for information and can't wait to implement all of it. She has been able to adapt any role asked of her and is always willing to help. We love watching her grow and develop her game. We will miss you Em."

Coach Coburn said, "Emma is a player that constantly looks for ways to improve and seeks feedback from coaches. She has balanced her course load, job, and volleyball commitments with great time management and has given her all to the program this season. I'm thankful for Emma's spirit of growth and determination!"

Coach Baker added, "Emma stepped up to be a blocker this year and really owned it, showed up for extra practices and really was dedicated to playing to her highest potential."  

Coach Catanese said, "Coming back from an injury is never easy. Even though your recovery kept you from competing to the extent that you wanted, it never took away your love and curiosity for the game. I hope you'll be able to look back on your time with us as a period where you grew not only as an athlete but as a person who knows they have the inner strength and determination to push through anything. I'll miss having you around but am excited for what life has in store for you next."

Kate Palelek - Kate has been with the Beacons for three seasons, playing in 49 matches. As a sophomore, Kate earned eight wins at the No. 1 pair and has six wins this season alongside partner Hailey Hughes including wins over No. 4 Southern Oregon and No. 10 College of Idaho.

Coach Elgarico said, "I don't have enough words for how special of an athlete Kate is. Her game IQ, her quiet intensity, and her constant push for perfection is something you can't easily train bust something you hope to be lucky enough to nurture. She is a chess player of beach in both her defensive and offensive choices. She will go beyond expectations to make sure every teammate is having their best game and know they are supported. Her constant question is 'how can I be better for you?,' not something you can teach. We will miss you soo much and wish you all the best.

Coach Coburn said, "Kate is such a phenomenal athlete and sets the highest standard for the rest of her team. Her experience and expertise make her a great role model for the rest of the team."
 
Coach Baker added, "Kate is a joy to watch on the court with her efficient movements and high IQ plays."

Coach Catanese said, "It's rare to have an athlete who makes everyone better,  coaches included. Kate, you are that athlete and have been that athlete since day one. You have been the epitome of a competitor, a tactical sideline advisor, and, at times, the person who let's out her inner goofball when it's needed most. These past three years have been a pure pleasure and I look forward to hearing what you do next in the volleyball world."

Monet Panther - Monet has been with the Beacons for two seasons, playing in all 37 matches during her career. Monet earned her first career victory against on March 7, 2025 against Simpson. This season she has picked up eight wins, playing with Carly Hanna at the No. 3 pair, including two wins over No. 10-ranked College of Idaho.

Coach Elgarico said, "Not only does Monet have the best name but she also has one of the most deceptive games. Mo's touch on the ball is barely readable and her serves sneak up on all her opponents. Mo's butter sets and intentionality with each play make everyone around her better. We will miss you MoMo."

Coach Coburn said, "Mo brings so much passion and energy to her team and plays a big part in the Bushnell Beach family dynamic. She pushes her teammates to be better athletes and keeps herself accountable to the goals she sets."

Coach Baker added, "Monet Panther is perhaps the craftiest player I've seen. Monet always shows up to practice ready to work and embodies a growth mindset."

Coach Catanese said, "You have proven yourself to be an athlete who will not only put in the work to achieve their goals but will do so with a quiet and humble confidence. You don't thrive or depend on recognition, you simply do what needs to be done and this speaks to the good teammate and person that you are. However, know that you are seen and appreciated all the more for this and coaching you has been a pure joy. From one hot cheetoh girl to another, I'll miss you and know your next chapter after Bushnell is going to be a great one."