NO. 9 MESA FALLS TO NO. 8 GULF COAST STATE IN NATIONALS OPENER

Wednesday November 19,  2025 - 5:00 p.m. | Dylan DeVlieger    

No. 10 Mesa Volleyball dropped its opening match at the NJCAA Division II National Championships in Cedar Rapids, falling 3–1 to No. 3 Gulf Coast State College (25–16, 25–19, 21–25, 25–13).

The Thunderbirds fought back after dropping the first two sets, rallying for a 25–21 win in the third before the Commodores closed out the match in the fourth.

Sophomore Marley Avechuco led Mesa with 13 kills, while Lindsey Leavitt followed with 10 kills and 2 blocks. Isa Folau added 6 kills and 2 aces, and Gracie McArthur contributed 6 kills with 4 blocks. Setter Isabella Jackson posted 23 assists and 13 digs for a double-double, while Brianna Anderson anchored the defense with a team-high 21 digs.

Mesa hit .110 as a team and totaled 10 blocks, while Gulf Coast finished at .226 behind Danna Aguilera's 18 kills and Lakya Colston's .619 hitting percentage.

Up next

Mesa (22–8) now moves into the 5th-place bracket at the NJCAA Division II National Championships. The Thunderbirds will play Thursday at 1 p.m. CST / 12 p.m. MST, with the opponent still to be determined.

Photo Credit: NJCAA