MESA VOLLEYBALL’S ROAD TO THE 5TH-PLACE MATCH AT NATIONALS

Friday November 21,  2025 - 8:00 p.m. | Dylan DeVlieger    

Mesa Volleyball delivered one of the strongest consolation-bracket runs at the NJCAA Division II National Championships, recovering from an opening loss to win three straight matches. Across four contests in Cedar Rapids, the T-Birds showed depth, ball control, and front-row consistency to secure a spot in the 5th-place match.

Opening Round – No. 8 Gulf Coast State def. Mesa, 3–1

Mesa began its nationals run against No. 8 Gulf Coast State, falling 25–16, 25–19, 21–25, 25–13. The match established Mesa's statistical baseline for the strong stretch that followed.

• Team totals: 39 kills, .110 hitting, 13 total blocks, 36 assists

• Marley Avechuco: 13 kills, 10 digs

• Lindsey Leavitt: 10 kills

• Isa Folau: 6 kills, 2 aces

• Gracie McArthur: 6 kills, 4 block assists

• Brianna Anderson: 21 digs

Consolation Round 1 – Mesa def. No. 18 Davidson-Davie, 3–0

Mesa answered immediately with a sweep of No. 18 Davidson-Davie, winning 25–10, 25–19, 25–23 behind its most efficient offensive performance of the tournament.

• Team totals: 43 kills, .259 hitting, 41 assists, 3 total blocks

• Lindsey Leavitt: 14 kills, .385 hitting

• Emma Hildwine: 8 kills on .571 — her most efficient match of nationals

• Isa Folau: 7 kills, 6 aces (tournament high)

• Brianna Anderson: 23 digs, 4 aces

The win re-established Mesa's rhythm and set the tone for the remainder of their bracket run.

Consolation Round 2 – Mesa def. No. 10 St. Johns River State, 3–1

Mesa earned its second straight win by defeating No. 10 St. Johns River State 20–25, 25–21, 25–21, 25–20.

• Team totals: 48 kills, .160 hitting, 15 total blocks, 45 assists

• Marley Avechuco: 13 kills on .289 hitting, 11 digs

• Lindsey Leavitt: 13 kills, 2 block assists

• Isa Folau: 7 kills, 4 total blocks — her tournament high

• Gracie McArthur: 7 kills, 4 block assists

• Brianna Anderson: 28 digs

• Paige Thompson: 3 aces

Mesa's blocking effort was decisive, producing its highest block total of the week.

Consolation Semifinal – Mesa def. No. 3 Parkland, 3–2

Mesa advanced to the 5th-place match with a five-set win over No. 3 Parkland — 21–25, 25–20, 23–25, 25–20, 15–12 — their most complete performance of nationals.

• Team totals: 67 kills, .200 hitting, 20 total blocks, 63 assists

• Isa Folau: 18 kills (tournament high), 5 block assists

• Marley Avechuco: 16 kills, 16 digs

• Lindsey Leavitt: 17 kills

• Gracie McArthur: 10 kills, 6 block assists (tournament high)

• Brianna Anderson: 31 digs — her highest of nationals

• Isabella Jackson: 54 assists — highest of nationals

Mesa held Parkland to .036 hitting in the deciding fifth set to close out the win.

Mesa's Nationals Statistical Leaders (4 matches)

Kills

• Lindsey Leavitt — 54 total (high: 17 vs. Parkland)

• Marley Avechuco — 45 total (high: 16 vs. Parkland)

• Isa Folau — 38 total (high: 18 vs. Parkland)

Blocks

• Gracie McArthur — 12 BA, 1 BS (high: 6 BA vs. Parkland)

• Isa Folau — 9 BA, 1 BS (high: 4 total vs. SJR State)

Assists

• Isabella Jackson — 154 total (high: 54 vs. Parkland)

Digs

• Brianna Anderson — 103 total (high: 31 vs. Parkland)

• Avechuco — 53 total

Aces

• Isa Folau — 9 total (high: 6 vs. Davidson-Davie)

• Anderson — 6 total

• Thompson — 3 total

Photo Credit: NJCAA