The Gannon volleyball team is Elite Eight bound again. The Golden Knights swept Indiana (Pa.) in the Atlantic Regional Final on Saturday at the Highmark Events Center, winning their second straight title and returning to the national stage for the sixth time under head coach Matt Darling.

Head Coach Matt Darling: "I'm so proud of, and happy for, the players. This season has been so much fun for me because the players took charge of what they wanted things to look like. It's a privilege to be able to represent Gannon at the finals, and we're excited to play again next week. Also, a big thanks to Gannon and everyone who helped host the tournament. It was a great experience for us!"

THE GAME FACTS
Score: Gannon 3, IUP 0 (25–15, 25–15, 25–20)
Records: Gannon 27–7 • IUP 22–9
Location: Highmark Events Center — Erie, Pa.
Date: December 6, 2025

PROGRAM HISTORY & NCAA TRACK RECORD
Gannon is making its 16th straight NCAA Tournament appearance and entered as the No. 1 seed, hosting the Atlantic Regional for the fourth consecutive year. This season marks the program's 22nd NCAA Tournament appearance overall.

During the current 16-year run, the Golden Knights have:
• Reached the Elite Eight five times
• Played in six regional finals
• Advanced to eight straight regional semifinals

Under head coach Matt Darling, Gannon won the Atlantic Region to reach the NCAA Elite Eight in 2017, 2019, 2021, 2022 and 2024. Prior to the modern regional format, the program also won the East Regional in 1991, 1992 and 1993.

Last season, Gannon hosted the Atlantic Regional at Cathedral Prep's Hagerty Family Events Center, defeating Shaw (3–1), West Virginia State (3–0) and Wheeling (3–1) to capture the title. The Knights won two of the first three sets against No. 3 Angelo State in the Elite Eight before falling 3–2 in a five-set battle.

Note: The NCAA did not sponsor a national championship in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
THE KNIGHT CAP
Repeat Champions: Gannon claimed its second straight Atlantic Region title and will make back-to-back trips to the NCAA Elite Eight.
Elite Eight Resume Grows: The Knights advance to the Elite Eight for the sixth time under Matt Darling and the ninth time in program history.
Dominant Net Play: Gannon totaled 14 team blocks and held IUP to just 20 points in the final set.
Balanced Offense: Five players recorded at least seven kills as the Knights hit .384 as a team.
Wake and Yazicioglu Lead the Attack: Sydney Wake (Massillon, Ohio/Jackson) delivered 11 kills and hit over .500, while Nehir Yazicioglu (Ankara, Turkey) finished with a match-high 13 kills.
Setter Command: Senior setter Bengisu Arslan (Ankara, Turkey/Private Çankaya Doga Anatolian) guided the offense with 41 assists and added two aces.
Rivalry Sweep: Gannon swept IUP for the third time this season to close out the postseason clash.
 
ALL-ATLANTIC REGION HONORS

Five Golden Knights earned postseason recognition, as Lauren Atwell (Mars, Pa./Mars Area), Bengisu Arslan (Ankara, Turkey/Private Çankaya Doga Anatolian), Alexis Fowler (Cranberry Township, PA/Eden Christian Academy), Sydney Wake (Massillon, Ohio/Jackson) and Abbey Williams (Chicago, Ill./Mother Mcauley Liberal Arts) were named to the Atlantic Region All-Tournament Team following Saturday's championship victory.
 
Up Next
Gannon advances to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The Golden Knights will play on Thursday, December 11, with opponent and game time to be announced.
 
This story was written using the support of AI.