Cascade Conference Release

EUGENE, Ore.  – The Bushnell Beacon Volleyball team was recognized as the 2026 Cascade Collegiate Conference Les Schwab Women's Team of Character on Tuesday, as voted on by the CCC athletic directors.
 
Bushnell has now been home to seven winners of the Les Schwab Team of Character Awards in the last six years.
 

CCC Team of Character (Bushnell Recipients):

2021	Women's Basketball
2021	Men's Soccer
2022	Baseball
2023	Women's Track & Field
2024	Baseball
2025	Men's Track & Field
2026	Beach Volleyball

 

The award, which recognizes one male and one female team, is voted on by the conference athletic directors after schools submit their nominations.

The Beacon Beach Volleyball has distinguished itself as one of the campus's premier "Champions of Character" programs, consistently demonstrating respect, integrity, responsibility, and sportsmanship both on and off the court. After finishing tied for third in the Cascade Collegiate Conference the Beacons ended the season ranked No. 9 in the NAIA National Coaches Poll.  In the classroom, they matched their athletic excellence with a 3.60 cumulative GPA during the 2025–2026 academic year and will be selected as an NAIA Scholar Team. 
 
Service is a cornerstone of the program's culture. As a team and as individuals, the Beacons averaged over 20 hours of community service, supporting initiatives such as the Project Hope School Supply Giveaway, a FOOD for Lane County canned food drive, and a Christmas Adopt-a-Family program. During Bushnell's "Embrace the Community Day," the team partnered with Nearby Nature, contributing to trail maintenance, invasive species removal, and environmental restoration efforts.
 
Through their relationship with Grace Community Fellowship, partner home of the Bushnell Beach Courts, the team also helps host community tournaments that bring together participants ranging in age from 18 to 71, creating opportunities for connection, activity, and fun across generations. The team also helped serve Palm Sunday Sundaes after Grace's church service this year.
 
Individually, student athletes are equally committed to service, volunteering as tutors, supporting local churches, and working with organizations such as Meals on Wheels, Northwest Harvest, and Young Life. Notably, senior Avery Lenssen completed a volunteer internship with One Hope, serving underserved populations in Lane County, while senior Hailey Heider participated in a week-long mission trip to Kosovo. Together, their efforts reflect a program fully committed to making a meaningful impact beyond competition. 

"Bushnell Beach is a great group of young women who play hard, have fun, and love to make an impact on campus and in the community," said Athletic Director Corey Anderson. "They continue to be a great representation of Bushnell University, and also make Grace Community Fellowship Church proud with our relationships within their community as well. Always displaying a team-first attitude on the court while picking up and cheeping on teammates and opponents is a staple of the Bushnell Beach Volleyball team."

Head Coach Kim Elgarico, who was named CCC Co-Coach of the Year, said, "I could not be more proud of this group of young women. They show up for each other on the court but more importantly they show up for their community. From mission trips to food drives, from coaching kids to caring for the elderly, they give their time and hearts generously and joyfully. Receiving this award is a true reflection of who they already are - women who live with purpose beyond themselves, and that makes me incredibly honored to be their coach."