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NEW CENTURY, Kan. — A season-long goal came to fruition for the FEAST varsity squad on Friday as the Patriots defeated the CHAP Chariots, of Lansing, Mich., 25-14, 25-22, 25-17, to win the Class 6A Gold Ball at the National Christian Homeschool Volleyball Championships.

Senior middle blocker Maddy Hanson was a dominant force in the match. The Chariots featured an offense that attacked from the middle with frequency, but Hanson defended the attack early and often, nullifying their best attack. She finished the match with five kills and five blocks.

Ashlyn Caddell led the Patriots in hitting with nine kills.

The Patriots (41-4) did not drop a set in four matches en route to capturing the Gold Ball. They defeated Team Legacy in the semifinal, 25-14, 25-16.

The Gold Ball is the second in program history. FEAST won a Class 3A Gold Ball in 2018.

It was an exciting finish to a long day for the Patriots’ organization. All three teams began the day in the semifinals, and all three won their opening match to reach their respective Gold Ball contest. The 14U played its match first, back-to-back on the heels of its semifinal win over Lighthouse Christian.

The 14U Patriots (3-1) met a strong Faulkner Falcons team from Conway, Ark., in their Gold Ball match. The Falcons kept the Patriots off balance with a steady dose of corner and center shots to win in straight sets, 25-17, 25-20.

The match marked the first time the Patriots had played in a Gold Ball match under the 18U level. Although disappointed, they won the Silver Ball and will compete in Saturday’s Silver Ball Showdown Series, opening with a 10 a.m. matchup against the OKC Storm.

Shortly after the 14U finished, the 16U began its Gold Ball match two courts over. The Patriots’ JV squad (20-14-1) matched up with the Northeast Kansas Saints of Kansas City. The entire match was a see-saw battle of championship caliber with the Patriots winning the first set by two, and the Saints winning the second and third sets by two in each.

For the second time, the Patriots were disappointed, although they performed admirably in a championship match. They will move on to the Silver Ball Showdown Series where they face the Shreveport Force at 12 noon.

The 18U team will be the first to begin on Saturday, squaring off with the OKC Storm in a Gold Ball Showdown Series quarterfinal match. Eight teams in the 18U division won Gold Balls on Friday and will compete for the undisputed national championship on Saturday.