Arkansas State captured the Sun Belt volleyball title last week, knocking off James Madison 3-1 at the Foley Events Center for its first conference championship in a decade.

The Red Wolves (22-8) secured the league's automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament and will open tournament play against the 6-seeded Baylor Bears.

Aided by a late 8-0 surge, Arkansas State took the opening set 25-20, but JMU answered with a dominant second frame to even the match. The Red Wolves regained control in the third set, never trailing again after an early push.

The fourth set featured the tightest stretch of the afternoon, with the Dukes briefly moving in front at a media timeout. Arkansas State closed strong, however, using a 5-1 run to reach match point before Kaitlin Whitlock's championship winning kill. 

Payton Van Veen led the Red Wolves with a season-best 14 kills while Whitlock posted a double-double with 11 kills and 15 digs. Setter Erin Madigan also turned in a double-double with 26 assists and 14 digs.

James Madison (22-9) was paced by Sun Belt Player and Newcomer of the Year Kennedy Louisell, who finished with 11 kills and 14 digs. Addie Norman and Melisa Ilter each reached double figures in kills, and Ayen Nhial added six kills and six blocks to cap her standout tournament run.

Arkansas State's Devyn Lewis was named the Sun Belt's 2025 Elite Award recipient, given to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative GPA competing on the final day of the championship.

The title marked the 7th in program history for the Red Wolves; and this year's tournament was the sixth-consecutive Sun Belt conference championship held in Foley.