Ansbach’s Kennedy Lange spikes the ball at the DODEA-Europe Division III championships on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025, on Ramstein Air Base, Germany. Ansbach will face Spangdahlem in the finals on Saturday. (Jennifer H. Svan/Stars and Stripes)

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany – Ansbach will get the chance to make it four-in-a-row after being the only team to go unbeaten in round-robin play Friday at this DODEA-Europe’s Division III volleyball championships.

The Cougars on Saturday will face Spangdahlem, a team that is bound to give the No. 1 seed and defending champs a run for its money in the finals.

“They’ve always been our biggest challenge,” said Ansbach coach Christa Becherer. “They’ve always given us the best games.”

But on Friday, it was Brussels that came closest to handing the Cougars their only defeat in the tournament, during a second set battle which Ansbach hung on to win, 25-23, to go along with a 25-20 and 25-16 first and third set, respectively.

Just as the Brigands looked like they might steal a set from Ansbach, they lost team captain Kathleen Rullan, a middle blocker and setter, who dislocated her knee after landing “wrong on a block,” said Brussels coach Courtney Slack. “It’s really difficult to fill that position, but I’m really proud of them, they tried hard. It’s a tough way to end the season.”

Ansbach will look to earn its fourth consecutive title on Saturday, potentially giving senior Kennedy Lange four titles in as many years.

She said she told her teammates that the key to victory at Europeans is bringing good energy to the court, rather than playing “not to lose.”

Alconbury and Brussels play for third.

Alconbury hung tough during its match with Brussels on Saturday at the DODEA-Europe’s Division III championships on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025, on Ramstein Air Base, Germany. (Jennifer H. Svan/Stars and Stripes)

Spangdahlem’s Ky’lee Marion prepares to serve during the DODEA-Europe Division III championships on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025, on Ramstein Air Base, Germany. Spangdahlem will face reigning champ Ansbach in the finals on Saturday. (Jennifer H. Svan/Stars and Stripes)

Brussels’ Kathleen Rullan punches the ball over the net during the DODEA-Europe Division III championships on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025, on Ramstein Air Base, Germany. (Jennifer H. Svan/Stars and Stripes)

Division I

Ramstein nabbed a spot in the finals for the first time in a few years, Royals’ coach Kandel Baxter said.

“That was our goal - and we got to that goal, so we’re really happy,” she said.

The Royals solidified their place in the title match by taking two out of three sets from Stuttgart, 18-25, 24-26 and 25-18.

“I’m really excited,” said Isabella Jimenez, a senior right blocker. “Stuttgart is a team we’ve been wanting to beat for a while.”

Vilseck goes up against Wiesbaden for third place in Division I. The Warriors had won the last three titles but were swept Friday by Stuttgart and dropped two of three sets to Ramstein.

Wiesbaden’s Lillie Redeen and Saniyh Housey try to block a spike at the net by Ramstein’s Ella Yost at the DODEA-Europe Division I championships on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025, on Ramstein Air Base, Germany. (Jennifer H. Svan/Stars and Stripes)

Isabella Jimenez digs for the ball during a hard-fought match against Stuttgart at the DODEA-Europe Division I championships on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025, at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. (Jennifer H. Svan/Stars and Stripes)

Stuttgart’s Peyton Mannin leaps in the air to drive the ball over the net at the DODEA-Europe Division I championships on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025, on Ramstein Air Base, Germany. Stuttgart faces Ramstein in the finals on Saturday. (Jennifer H. Svan/Stars and Stripes)

Vilseck senior Logan Riggan, a senior outside hitter, works the net at the DODEA-Europe Division I championships on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025, on Ramstein Air Base, Germany. Vilseck faces Wiesbaden on Saturday for third place. (Jennifer H. Svan/Stars and Stripes)