Contributed Article/Courtesy EAC
THATCHER – The Eastern Arizona College Lady Monsters volleyball team enters the NJCAA National Tournament as the #15 seed and will take on the #2 ranked Miami Dade Sharks in the first round. The match is set for Wednesday, Nov. 20, at 12 p.m. MST, airing live on the NJCAA Network and ESPN+.
The game will be held in the Dunn Center at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee, where the Lady Monsters look to make a strong start in their tournament run. The tournament will take place from Nov. 20-23.
The Lady Monsters clinched their national tournament berth by defeating Central Arizona College on Nov. 4 in the Region I Semifinals, held at Eastern Arizona’s home court. This win set the stage for a crucial showdown on Nov. 6 against #18-ranked Arizona Western in Yuma, a team the Lady Monsters had previously split games with. In a tense five-set match, Eastern Arizona emerged victorious, winning 3-2 and securing a place in the Rocky Mountain B District Championship.
On Nov. 11, the Lady Monsters traveled to Ephraim, Utah, to take on #19 Snow College. The team showed resilience and grit, battling through each set before clinching a 3-1 victory in the fourth match. This impressive win booked their ticket to the NJCAA National Tournament.
Sophomore outside hitter Melanie Merrill played a standout game, racking up 18 kills and four service aces. Kadence Moore, the sophomore libero, anchored the defense with 21 digs, while freshman Elisa Saunders contributed three crucial blocks to fortify the Lady Monsters’ front line.
Fans and the college community rally behind the Lady Monsters as they set their sights on the NJCAA title.
Post-season honors
Eastern Arizona College’s Women’s Volleyball team capped off a remarkable regular season with multiple Region I Postseason awards, celebrating the standout performances of several key players. Sophomore Melanie Merrill led the charge, earning the prestigious DI Player of the Year title. Merrill’s impressive regular season included 335 kills, ranking her fourth in the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference (ACCAC). She maintained a solid .199 hitting percentage and averaged 2.99 kills per set, establishing herself as a powerhouse for the Lady Monsters.
In addition to Merrill’s Player of the Year recognition, she along with sophomores Briana O’Donnal and Asya Akkbulut were both named to the First Team All-Region, a testament to their consistent and impactful contributions throughout the season. Freshman Elisa Saunders also made her mark, securing a spot on the Second Team All-Region.
