HUTCHINSON, Kan. — In April, the Iowa Western Reivers claimed their first national title in 15 years. Seven months later, the Reivers won their second consecutive national title in a five-set thriller against New Mexico Military at the 2021 NJCAA Division I Volleyball Championship. Iowa Western topped New Mexico Military by the scores of 18-25, 25-22, 21-25, 25-23, 15-12.
The win marks the third NJCAA Division I Volleyball Championship title in school history for the Reivers. Head coach Alicia Williams has played a part in all three of the Reivers national titles, claiming two titles as a coach and helping Iowa Western capture the school's first national title as a player in 2006.
After falling to Jefferson (MO) in the Midwest A District final, Iowa Western entered the national tournament as the No. 8 seed after earning an at-large bid to the championship.
En route to the championship match, the Reivers swept their first two opponents: No. 9 Polk State and No. 1 Blinn. The two time national championships battled No. 5 Missouri State-West Plains in the semifinals, dropping the first set but ultimately prevailing to defend their title.