Davenport University’s men’s volleyball program has had its ups and downs and struggled to net the sport’s top prize, but this year, that all changed. In April, the 2025/2026 team secured its first-ever National Collegiate Volleyball Federation (NCVF) Division II title. In doing so, the team solidified its position as a volleyball powerhouse for years to come.       

Davenport first offered men’s volleyball in 2015. After a rocky first season, the next few years saw steady improvement until 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. According to current head coach Jason Palmitier, the pandemic took a toll on the program, halting success until the 2023-2024 season. That’s when Palmitier took over as head coach, and he started to rebuild the program. “In my first season, we were able to get back on the right side of .500, and we’ve been very successful the last two seasons,” he said.

The team ended the regular 2025-2026 season with a 43-4 record, which was good enough to secure a spot at the national title showdown in Kansas City, Missouri.

The team began the NCVF tournament in April as the number four overall seed and defeated nine teams to claim the trophy and the national title.

In the final game against Carnegie Mellon, Davenport struggled to overcome nerves and the physical toll of playing nine matches in three days. The Panthers rose to the occasion and came out on top, finishing with an impressive 9-0 tournament record.

Palmitier credits team camaraderie and commitment for the team’s success. “Our players truly care about each other and celebrate the good things that happen to each other,” he said. “Our captains, James May and Logan Sowers, did an awesome job of leading the team and making sure everyone had the opportunity to be included. In practice, we focused on our serve-receive offense, which limited scoring runs by our opponents. The team’s commitment to improving defensively in practice made our defense tough to score on.”

In addition to the coveted win, three Panthers walked away from the tournament with prestigious honors. May was selected as the Tournament MVP, and Tristan Whitman and Jackson Palmitier were chosen All-Tournament First Team.

For Jackson, winning the national title was especially meaningful because he’s also the coach’s son.

Jackson followed his dad to Davenport from Adrian College. He was looking for something new, and found it when he was offered a spot on the men’s volleyball team as an outside hitter.

“Jackson had just begun his sophomore year at Adrian College when I was hired as Davenport’s head coach,” Jason said. “Ironically, my first match coaching for Davenport was at a tournament against Jackson and his Adrian teammates.”

By the end of that year, after gaining a better understanding of Davenport’s volleyball program and the university’s academic offerings, he felt the time was right to approach his son about making a move.  “Jackson and I talked about what it might look like if he came to play for Davenport, but it was a no-pressure offer,” said Jason.

“At the time, Davenport’s team wasn’t doing so well, so transferring was a bit of a risk, but after taking a campus tour, I was sold,” said Jackson. “Now I’m playing for the Panthers and pursuing a business administration degree.”

It’s not the first time that Jason and Jackson have shared the coach-player relationship. Jason was the assistant coach at Hudsonville High School, where Jackson attended school and played on the men’s volleyball team.

“We have been very blessed as father and son on the volleyball court, and we do not take that for granted,” said Jason. “We won two Michigan Boys volleyball state titles together, and to now coach him in college is an amazing opportunity. How many dads can say they won at the state and national levels with their son as a player?”

“Being on an exceptional team with my dad has been great,” said Jackson. “It’s so cool that we get to share this experience and a sport that we both love so much.”

Sowers, who plays the middle position and is working toward a degree in psychology and mental health therapy, is equally as proud of the team and all they have accomplished. “It has been incredible,” he said. “Our success came from a culture built on a growth mindset, vulnerability, consistency and a willingness to put our heads down and get to work. As coach Palmitier often reminds us, showing up isn’t just about being physically present for your team and yourself. It’s about pushing through the hard days, being a shoulder for others to lean on and trusting those around you.”

Jackson attributes the national championship win to the team’s chemistry and selfless attitude. “No one on the team has a massive ego,” he said. “Everyone wants to see each other succeed, and that has helped create a close-knit team with grit and the will to win.”

When asked what’s next, coach Palmitier said he looks forward to continuing to build on his team’s success. “My main goal is to end each season with the team in a better place than it was the year before, and I have high hopes for the upcoming season,” he said. “All of our regular players are returning, so we will lean on their experience as we integrate new players into the program.”

While winning is always the goal, coach Palmitier said developing his players into well-rounded athletes and all-around good people is the ultimate reward. “This is an amazing group of young men whose willingness to focus on the little things in practice is a big part of their success. They don’t care about who gets set or who scores the point. When someone makes a great play, the team celebrates that player’s effort. And that’s what it’s all about.”