THE HILL | Alabama A&M and Delaware State were named co-champions of the 2026 Betty Austin Invitational SWAC/MEAC Challenge after both programs completed tournament play with undefeated 3-0 records.

The two-day event brought together programs from the Southwestern Athletic Conference and Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference for a competitive weekend of volleyball on the campus of Alabama A&M University.

Alabama A&M's Gerren Tomlin and Delaware State's Aaliyah Mitchell were named Co-Most Valuable Players following their standout performances throughout the tournament.

Tomlin was joined on the All-Tournament Team by Alabama A&M teammates Scholar Bates and Rayishon Jackman. Delaware State also earned three selections, with Hannah Sanders and Courtney Nix joining Mitchell among the tournament's honorees.

Florida A&M finished the tournament with a 2-1 record, while Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Maryland Eastern Shore, North Carolina Central and South Carolina State each posted 1-2 marks.

2026 BETTY AUSTIN INVITATIONAL ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM

Co-Most Valuable Players

• Aaliyah Mitchell, No. 8 — Delaware State
• Gerren Tomlin, No. 0 — Alabama A&M

All-Tournament Selections

• Ashanti Butler, No. 10 — Arkansas-Pine Bluff
• Scholar Bates, No. 4 — Alabama A&M
• Rayishon Jackman, No. 1 — Alabama A&M
• Hannah Sanders, No. 4 — Delaware State
• Sydney Whitfield, No. 7 — Florida A&M
• Courtney Nix, No. 6 — Delaware State
• Jayda Hutchins, No. 7 — Maryland Eastern Shore
• Taylor Wooten, No. 19 — Mississippi Valley State
• Jessika Martinez, No. 16 — South Carolina State
• Shayln Bell, No. 12 — North Carolina Central

FINAL TOURNAMENT RECORDS

• Alabama A&M | 3-0
• Delaware State | 3-0
• Florida A&M | 2-1
• Arkansas-Pine Bluff | 1-2
• Maryland Eastern Shore | 1-2
• North Carolina Central | 1-2
• South Carolina State | 1-2

Alabama A&M Athletics congratulates the co-champions and every member of the All-Tournament Team. The department also thanks the participating institutions, student-athletes, coaches, staff members and supporters who helped make the 2026 Betty Austin Invitational SWAC/MEAC Challenge a success.

For complete coverage of Alabama A&M Athletics, check out the official homepage at www.aamusports.com. Remember to follow us on social media: Instagram (@aamuathletics), Facebook (aamubulldogathletics), Twitter (@_aamuathletics) and TikTok (aamuathletics)