The Ansbach Cougars celebrate their DODEA-Europe Division III volleyball title after defeating Brussels 25-11, 25-18, 25-18, at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Nov. 2, 2024. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany – Ansbach posed in the back corner of Southside Fitness Center for a group photo holding up fingers in various forms to equal the number three.

The gestures signified a three-peat that the Cougars just had sealed with a 25-11, 25-18, 25-18 victory in the Division III title game at the DODEA European championships on Saturday morning over Brussels. It was a rematch of the 2023 final.

It also could denote their complete dominion over Division III.

Saturday’s dominance reflected just how much the Cougars have controlled the small-school division. Ansbach hasn’t lost a match to Division III opposition over the three campaigns, rarely going to five sets.

That’s something coach Deborah Keller-Mitchell didn’t expect when she took over the program three years ago.

“It’s just crazy in three years, we haven’t lost to another Division III school. None,” she said. “They’ve taken a set from us here and there, but these kids buy in, and they love the sport. I give all the credit to them because they put in the work.”

It helps when you have junior Kennedy Lange, who was named the tournament’s MVP after another run in which the Cougars dropped just a single set – to Alconbury in their opener.

The middle hitter has been a menace from Day 1 three years ago. Keller-Mitchell described Lange as a generational talent, and she showcased said skills Saturday with 11 kills. Many times she spiked with such authority even if a Brigand managed to get her hands on it, the ball likely went flying well out of play.

The 2023 Stars and Stripes girls volleyball Athlete of the Year said this year’s team was different than the past two. She pointed to young players such as freshmen Bailey Eickmeyer and Brighton Powell who grew as the season progressed.

Those two made their marks against Brussels. Eickmeyer had four kills, while Powell produced four – including the match-sealing spike.

“Watching these young players grow into what they’ve become today has been such a blessing,” Lange said. “At the beginning of the season, it was questionable but watching how all of them have improved is so wonderful.”

The Cougars pounced on the Brigands from the start. Ansbach jumped out to a 20-5 lead in the first set and trailed just once the entire match at 1-0 in the second set.

Senior setter Natalie Ritter, who had 19 assists, credited the team’s serving for that performance. The Cougars recorded 20 aces, with seven in the first set alone.

Lange paced Ansbach with five aces herself.

Ansbach's Natalie Ritter sets the ball the Division III final against Brussels at the DODEA-Europe volleyball championships Nov. 2, 2024 at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. Ansbach took the title with a 25-11, 25-18, 25-18 win. At right is Kennedy Lange. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)

Ansbach’s Bailey Eickmeyer, right, knocks the ball over the net against Brussels’ Lucia Martinez, as Grace Swan, left, and Victoria Ortiz-Cardenas watch. Ansbach defeated Brussels 25-11, 25-18, 25-18 to capture the Division III title at the DODEA-Europe volleyball championships Nov. 2, 2024 at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)

Brussels’ Kathleen Rullan returns a ball over the net as teammate Nora Gibbons watches, during the the Division III final against Ansbach at the DODEA-Europe volleyball championships Nov. 2, 2024 at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. Ansbach took the title with a 25-11, 25-18, 25-18 win. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)

Ansbach's Victoria Ortiz-Cardenas, right, knocks the ball over the outstretched hands of Brussels' Sonia Desir in the Division III final at the DODEA-Europe volleyball championships Nov. 2, 2024 at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. Ansbach took the title with a 25-11, 25-18, 25-18 win. Nora Gibbons watches the action at center. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)

Ansbach's Victoria Ortiz-Cardenas tries to block a shot by Brighton Powell of Brussels in the Division III final at the DODEA-Europe volleyball championships Nov. 2, 2024 at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. Ansbach took the title with a 25-11, 25-18, 25-18 win. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)

“The most important skills in volleyball are serving and passing, and serving is the one thing you can control yourself,” Ritter said. “We love to serve, and we are ruthless with our serves.”

Brussels coach Courtney Slack was left with more questions than answers following what she described as the team’s worst game of the season. She said her team never bounced back from the slow start.

Junior outside hitter Kathleen Rullan had four kills and three aces and senior Nora Gibbons had four kills for Brussels.

After losing two title games in a row to Ansbach, Slack said she wonders constantly wonders how the Brigands can take the next step and dethrone the Cougars.

“It’s really difficult to go back up against a team that beat you the prior year and not have it get in your heads,” Slack said. “Kennedy is absolutely amazing and having her at the net is really intimidating. I feel like our big hitters didn’t want to swing.”

It’s too early to think about an Ansbach four-peat, especially after the Cougars must wait for PCS season to see whom they will lose outside of Ritter, the team’s lone senior.

One of the biggest subtractions will come at the bench. Keller-Mitchell said she will be leaving the school in February.

Yet she likes the Cougars’ chances. Sure, they will have Lange for her senior year, but with the numerous underclassmen contributing and the excitement at the youth level, she said the program is in good shape.

“The foundation has been laid,” Keller-Mitchell said. “There are so many kids that want to play volleyball. You look at school, everybody’s got a volleyball shirt on, everybody wants to play, our CYS groups are full.

“The bug has hit.”