MESA VOLLEYBALL CAPTURES SECOND STRAIGHT NJCAA REGION I DII CHAMPIONSHIP
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Scottsdale Community College | 22 | 25 | 23 | 25 | 12 | 2 |
|
Mesa Community College (22-7, 12-0) | 25 | 19 | 25 | 16 | 15 | 3 |
Scottsdale Community College
| Game Statistics | Scottsdale Community College | Mesa Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Hitting % | .182 | .152 |
| Blocks | 9.0 | 4.0 |
| Digs | 102 | 115 |
| Aces | 3 | 7 |
Saturday Novemeber 8, 2025 - 10:00 a.m. | Dylan DeVlieger
For the first time in 45 years, Mesa Community College Volleyball has gone back-to-back. The top-seeded Thunderbirds captured their second straight NJCAA Region I Division II Championship on Friday night, defeating third-seeded Scottsdale Community College in a thrilling five-set battle (25-22, 19-25, 25-23, 16-25, 15-12) inside Theo Heap Gymnasium.
The victory capped a historic season for Mesa (22-7, 12-0 ACCAC), which became the first team in program history to complete an undefeated conference schedule. Facing the pressure of being the top seed and defending champions, the T-Birds handled the moment with poise and confidence, holding off a determined Scottsdale team to claim the Region I crown once again.
It was a fitting continuation of last year's championship run, when Mesa then the No. 4 seed upset top-seeded Scottsdale in another five-set thriller to win the 2024 Region I title. One year later, the same two teams met again with a title on the line, and once more it was Mesa celebrating when the final point dropped.
"The narrative may have been different, but the plan never changed," said head coach Jordan Abalos Herrington. "Competing in one of the toughest conferences in the country means knowing that on any given night, anyone can beat anyone—including us. That's why we stayed grounded, kept our heads small and our expectations high, and focused on the same mission: to win. We took it one day, one rep, one step at a time. It wasn't always easy, but it worked."
Mesa showed that same composure in the deciding set. After building a comfortable lead, Scottsdale surged late to cut the margin to three, forcing Herrington to call timeout. With a roster full of young contributors in high-pressure moments, Herrington gathered her team and gave one final reminder.
"The fifth set was a back and forth," she said. "With so many freshmen contributing in big moments, it was about calming the nerves and trusting our preparation. In that timeout, I reminded them—we had the lead, we earned this position, now finish it. Stay aggressive, play fearless, and play to win."
The T-Birds responded exactly as their coach asked, closing out the match to secure the program's first back-to-back regional titles since 1980.
Mesa's balanced attack once again proved to be the difference. Isa Folau and Gracie McArthur led the offense with 14 kills apiece, while Lindsey Leavitt added 12 kills and 11 digs. Jayden Arrington contributed 10 kills and five blocks, and Isabella Jackson directed the offense with 52 assists, three aces, and 23 digs. Brianna Anderson anchored the back row with 35 digs and two aces as Mesa's defense held strong when it mattered most.
Now, the T-Birds turn their focus to the next challenge, the NJCAA DII Volleyball Championships in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Mesa will learn its national seeding during the NJCAA Selection Show on November 12, before heading to Cedar Rapids for tournament play beginning November 19.
The win not only cements Mesa's place atop Region I but also extends a remarkable chapter in program history—one defined by grit, growth, and a relentless belief that the best is still yet to come.
Photo Credit: Eric Hildwine