Seawolves Repeat as YSCC Champions, Advance to Nationals

CONCORD, N.H. — October 26, 2025 — The Southern Maine Community College (SMCC) women's volleyball team captured its second consecutive Yankee Small College Conference (YSCC) Championship on Sunday afternoon at NHTI, defeating host NHTI 3–1 (25–21, 14–25, 25–15, 25–15) in the title match after sweeping Word of Life Bible Institute in the semifinals earlier in the day.

The Seawolves' victory cements back-to-back conference crowns for the program and extends their winning streak to 16 consecutive matches, finishing a perfect 10–0 in YSCC play.

Seawolves Roll Through Semifinal Round:

SMCC opened Championship Sunday with a decisive 3–0 sweep over Word of Life Bible Institute (25–8, 25–17, 25–23).

Sophomore Lilly Andreasen (Gorham, Maine) led the way with 12 kills and two aces, while Meryk Lewellen (Gorham, Maine) added nine kills and three blocks. Setter Yana Montell (Gardiner, Maine) distributed 15 assists and tallied a service ace in each set, while Dalia Nelson (Kennebunk, Maine) anchored the defense with eight digs and four aces.

The win propelled SMCC into its third straight championship appearance, setting the stage for a title matchup with NHTI.

Back-to-Back Champions:

In the YSCC Championship final, the Seawolves dropped the second set but dominated the rest of the match behind balanced play at the net and strong defensive effort.

Meryk Lewellen led the attack with 13 kills, hitting .200 with a pair of service aces, while Lilly Andreasen contributed 10 kills and nine digs. Elise Kaplan (Cumberland, Maine) and Mikayla Bellman (Silver Spring, Md.) added eight kills each, with Kaplan posting a .381 hitting percentage.

Setters Yana Montell (22 assists, 8 digs) and Amala Rumma (21 assists, 9 digs) orchestrated the offense, while Alyssa Rousseau (Yarmouth, Maine) and Dalia Nelson steadied the serve receive.

The Seawolves sealed the championship with a 25–15 fourth-set victory to claim their second straight YSCC title, finishing the 2025 regular and postseason conference slate without a single loss.

Award Season for SMCC:

Before and after the weekend's matches, SMCC collected a series of individual honors recognizing its standout season:

• Meryk Lewellen — YSCC Player of the Year, All-Conference
• Dalia Nelson — All-Conference, YSCC Defensive Player of the Tournament
• Lilly Andreasen — All-Conference Honorable Mention, YSCC Tournament MVP
• Garrett Lewellen — YSCC Coach of the Year

Head Coach Garrett Lewellen, in his fifth season at the helm, has now guided the Seawolves to consecutive YSCC titles, a 16–1 overall record, and a return trip to the national stage.

By The Numbers:

YSCC Semifinal — vs. Word of Life (3–0):

• Lilly Andreasen – 12 kills, 2 aces, 6 digs
• Meryk Lewellen – 9 kills, 3 blocks
• Yana Montell – 15 assists, 3 aces
• Dalia Nelson – 8 digs, 4 aces

YSCC Championship — vs. NHTI (3–1):

• Meryk Lewellen – 13 kills, 2 aces
• Lilly Andreasen – 10 kills, 9 digs
• Elise Kaplan – 9 kills (.381)
• Amala Rumma & Yana Montell – 43 combined assists
• Dalia Nelson – 3 digs, YSCC Defensive Player of the Tournament

Next Up:

With the conference championship secured, Southern Maine CC advances to the USCAA Division II National Championship Tournament as the No. 6 seed. The Seawolves will face Kent State–Tuscarawas in Pool Play on November 7 at 7:30 PM in Uniontown, Pennsylvania.