BEACH VOLLEYBALL OPENS UP SEASON WITH SLOW START
Mesa Community College Beach Volleyball opened its 2026 season with four duals across Thursday and Friday, finishing the weekend 1-3.
Mesa began Thursday against Arizona Christian, falling 4-1 despite a strong showing from the No. 2 pair of Marley Avechuco and Brianna Anderson, who earned the T-Birds' lone point with a straight-set victory.
The T-Birds then faced Ottawa (Ariz.) B later in the day, dropping the dual 5-0 in a slate that featured several tightly contested matches, including multiple three-set battles.
On Friday, Mesa took on Bushnell, where Avechuco and Anderson again delivered a win at the No. 2 spot while the No. 3 pair of Emma Hildwine and Infinity Jutting also secured a point, but the Beacons claimed the dual 3-2.
Mesa closed the opening weekend with its first win of the season, defeating Simpson 4-1. The T-Birds captured four of the five courts, including straight-set victories at the No. 2, No. 4, and No. 5 positions along with a hard-fought close win at No. 3 to seal the dual.
After the opening weekend, Mesa's record stands at 1-3. The T-Birds return to the sand Thursday for a doubleheader against Justice College at Gene Autry Park.
MATCH RESULTS
vs. Arizona Christian — L, 1-4
No. 1: Isa Folau / Arys Palmer — 17-21, 8-21 (Loss)
No. 2: Marley Avechuco / Brianna Anderson — 21-11, 21-15 (Win)
No. 3: Regan McFarland / Paige Thompson — 15-21, 12-21 (Loss)
No. 4: Emma Hildwine / Infinity Jutting — 15-21, 16-21 (Loss)
No. 5: Isabella Jackson / Breanna Arbizo — 14-21, 12-21 (Loss)
vs. Ottawa (Ariz.) B — L, 0-5
No. 1: Isa Folau / Arys Palmer — 21-23, 25-23, 11-15 (Loss)
No. 2: Marley Avechuco / Brianna Anderson — 17-21, 21-16, 10-15 (Loss)
No. 3: Emma Hildwine / Infinity Jutting — 11-21, 12-21 (Loss)
No. 4: Paige Thompson / Etta Henson — 18-21, 13-21 (Loss)
No. 5: Isabella Jackson / Breanna Arbizo — 17-21, 14-21 (Loss)
vs. Bushnell — L, 2-3
No. 1: Isa Folau / Arys Palmer — 18-21, 17-21 (Loss)
No. 2: Marley Avechuco / Brianna Anderson — 21-19, 16-21, 15-13 (Win)
No. 3: Emma Hildwine / Infinity Jutting — 21-17, 21-9 (Win)
No. 4: Jayden Arrington / Isabella Jackson — 16-21, 15-21 (Loss)
No. 5: Etta Henson / Paige Thompson — 17-21, 16-21 (Loss)
vs. Simpson — W, 4-1
No. 1: Isa Folau / Arys Palmer — 12-21, 13-21 (Loss)
No. 2: Marley Avechuco / Brianna Anderson — 21-9, 21-14 (Win)
No. 3: Emma Hildwine / Fin Jutting — 23-21, 26-24 (Win)
No. 4: Jayden Arrington / Isabella Jackson — 21-18, 21-7 (Win)
No. 5: Etta Henson / Paige Thompson — 21-16, 21-16 (Win)