Lakers Volleyball Claims Region XXIV Championship
Featured photo caption: The Lake Land College volleyball team defeated the Vincennes University Trailblazers on Sunday, Nov. 2 to claim the Lakers’ first Region XXIV Championship since 2014. Pictured back row (left to right): Volleyball Assistant Coach Elizabeth Vanneste, Mattoon; Volleyball Head Coach Lainey Jackson, Mattoon; Ceylin Sar, Ismir, Turkey; Bella Austin, Effingham; Charlotte Wilkerson, Charleston; Tessa Seely, Sullivan; TaNeal Einhorn, Teutopolis; Beronica De Oleo, Dominican Republic; Haley Podkul, Mokena; and Addison Urbanski, LaSalle. Front row (left to right): Alisa Rodionova, Moscow, Russia; Ammber Medina, Tampa, Florida; Reese Brunken, Carterville; Sydney Walker, Decatur; and Danielle Probst, Teutopolis.
The Lake Land College Lakers volleyball team clinched the 2025-2026 Region XXIV Championship by defeating the Vincennes University Trailblazers on Sunday, Nov. 2.
The Lakers jumped to an early advantage in the match and secured the win in four sets, 25-19, 25-20, 25-27, 29-27. The victory marked an impressive upset for the third-seeded Lakers over the top-seeded Trailblazers, who were looking to clinch their fifth consecutive Region XXIV title. For Lake Land, the victory marks the College’s first Region XXIV Championship since 2014.
“We’re incredibly proud of our volleyball team for capping off another strong year with this impressive victory,” Director of Athletics Bill Jackson said. “Our Laker teams across all sports have enjoyed a lot of recent success, and this is just the latest example of the hard work and dedication our athletes, coaches, trainers and staff across the College have put in to making Lake Land a top-tier destination for community college athletes.”
Lake Land opened the tournament on Saturday, Nov. 1 against Frontier Community College, defeating the Bobcats 3-1 before besting John A. Logan College 3-0 to reach the championship round.
The 2025-2026 Lake Land College Volleyball team consists of the following student-athletes.
| Name | Year | Hometown |
| Bella Austin | Freshman | Effingham |
| Reese Brunken | Sophomore | Carterville |
| Beronica De Oleo | Freshman | Dominican Republic |
| TaNeal Einhorn | Sophomore | Teutopolis |
| Ammber Medina | Freshman | Tampa, Fla. |
| Haley Podkul | Freshman | Mokena |
| Danielle Probst | Sophomore | Teutopolis |
| Alisa Rodionova | Freshman | Moscow, Russia |
| Ceylin Sar | Sophomore | Ismir, Turkey |
| Tessa Seeley | Sophomore | Sullivan |
| Addison Urbanski | Sophomore | LaSalle |
| Sydney Walker | Sophomore | Decatur |
| Charlotte Wilkerson | Freshman | Charleston |
Latest News Stories
Supreme Court yet to decide high profile cases
Government spending on seniors’ benefits soon to make up majority of federal budget
Illinois Dems seek to expand post-release convict support, housing
$580B federal highway bill clears committee; includes rail safety, EV fees
Tennessee smuggling charges against Kilmar Abrego Garcia dismissed
NASA reorganizes to accelerate Moon Base, lunar programs
Gabbard announces resignation, cites personal reasons
Illinois Quick Hits: Community College reimbursement bill passed
Powell out, Warsh in as new chair of Federal Reserve
Nessel pushes back as Trump administration extends order keeping coal plant open
Bipartisan praise for federal charges in Minnesota fraud cases
Congress rejects Trump’s proposed NASA budget cuts