CC Volleyball team marks 2026-27 as a season of accomplishment
The 2026-27 Casper College Thunderbirds volleyball team poses for a group portrait at the “Home of the Thunderbirds” gymnasium in Casper, Wyoming. The team finished tied for 11th in the nation with a 28-10 record and captured both the Region IX North and Northwest Plains District B Championships. (Casper College photo/Zach Nagy)
The Casper College Volleyball team’s 2026-27 season was one of accomplishment, both as a team and individually for team members.
As a team, the Thunderbirds won both the Region IX North Championship and the Region IX Northwest Plains District B Championship, finished the season tied for 11th in the nation with a 28-10 record, and went undefeated at home with a 12-0 record. The team made its second appearance in the National Junior College Athletics Association Division I Volleyball Championship in three years.
Individually, Head Coach Angel Sharman was named Coach of the Year for the All-Region IX North Sub-Region.
Freshman Peyton Carruth of Kelly Walsh High School in Casper was named NJCAA Player of the Year, Freshman of the Year, All-Tournament Team, First Team All-Region, and Second Team All-American. She recently signed to continue her career with the University of Wyoming Cowgirls’ Volleyball team.
Sophomore Makenna Lorenzen, a KWHS graduate, was named NJCAA Libero of the Year and named First Team All-Region. Lorenzen has signed with the Eastern Washington University Eagles.
Sophomore Mina Kostic, Belgrade, Serbia, was named to the NJCAA All-Tournament team and will continue her volleyball career at Saint Leo University, where she will play for the Saint Leo Lions.
Two freshmen: Penina Leota, Layton, Utah, was named NJCAA Setter of the Year and made First Team All-Region and All-Tournament Team, while Aubrey Hackett, also from Layton, Utah, made First Team All-Region.
The team also excelled academically, posting a fall team GPA of 3.6.
At a Glance:
- Announcement Focus: Celebration and recap of the Casper College Thunderbird Volleyball team’s highly successful 2026-27 season achievements, including multiple regional titles and national rankings.
- Key Participants: Head Coach Angel Sharman, Coach of the Year; Student-Athletes: Peyton Carruth, NJCAA Player of the Year, signing with the University of Wyoming; Makenna Lorenzen, signing with Eastern Washington University; Mina Kostic, signing with Saint Leo University; Penina Leota; and Aubrey Hackett.
- Key Accomplishments: Capturing both the Region IX North and Northwest Plains District B Championships, finishing tied for 11th nationally with a 28-10 record, maintaining an undefeated 12-0 home record, and excelling academically with a 3.6 fall team GPA.