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MESA VOLLEYBALL FINISHES 6TH AT NATIONALS, MATCHES PROGRAM’S BEST RUN SINCE 2017
MESA VOLLEYBALL FINISHES 6TH AT NATIONALS, MATCHES PROGRAM’S BEST RUN SINCE 2017
Posted: Nov 24, 2025

MESA VOLLEYBALL FINISHES 6TH AT NATIONALS, MATCHES PROGRAM’S BEST RUN SINCE 2017

Monday November 24,  2025 - 9:00 a.m. | Dylan DeVlieger    

Mesa Volleyball closed its NJCAA Division II National Championship run with a 6th-place finish, matching the program's best national result since 2017. Entering the tournament as the No. 9 seed, the T-Birds battled through a challenging slate that included three top-10 opponents, ending the year with a 25-9 record, the highest single-season win total under Coach Jordan Abalos Herrington.

Mesa's final match came in the 5th-place contest against No. 1 Kirkwood, where the T-Birds fell 3–1 in a competitive four-set match. The loss capped a nationals journey that featured victories over No. 10 St. Johns River State, No. 18 Davidson-Davie, and No. 3 Parkland, solidifying Mesa as one of the most balanced and resilient teams in the field.

Kirkwood 3, Mesa 1 — 5th-Place Match Recap

Mesa pushed top-seeded Kirkwood throughout the afternoon but couldn't overcome a slow offensive start in the opening two sets. The Eagles claimed the first set 25–16 and followed with a 25–20 second frame, capitalizing on Mesa's early attack errors and consistent production on the pins.

The T-Birds answered with their strongest stretch in the third set, hitting .244—their best efficiency of the day—while controlling long rallies and creating pressure at the net. Marley Avechuco and Gracie McArthur delivered timely kills, and Brianna Anderson extended plays with multiple high-impact digs that helped Mesa take the set 25–19.

The fourth stayed tight early, featuring multiple ties, but Kirkwood surged late with a decisive run to close out a 25–21 win.

Mesa stat leaders:

Mesa finished with 10 total team blocks, keeping the Eagles off balance defensively, but a slow offensive start proved too much to overcome.

Nationals Journey Overview

Mesa's 3–2 tournament record came against one of the more difficult paths in the bracket:

  • Lost to No. 8 Gulf Coast State, who finished third

  • Defeated No. 18 Davidson-Davie in a sweep

  • Defeated No. 10 St. Johns River State in four

  • Defeated No. 3 Parkland in five

  • Lost to No. 1 Kirkwood, who finished fifth

Mesa picked up wins over two top-10 teams and a top-3 seed, showcasing one of the strongest consolation-bracket performances of the tournament.

Season Summary

The T-Birds finish the year with:

  • A 25–9 overall record — Herrington's highest win total at Mesa

  • A 6th-place finish at nationals, tying the program's best mark since 2017

  • Three national-tournament victories, including two over top-10 opponents

Mesa's postseason run solidifies the program's upward trajectory and caps one of the most successful seasons in recent program history.