CLARKSVILLE, Tenn.- Eastern Arizona College Volleyball capped off an impressive postseason run with a 10th-place finish at the 2025 NJCAA National Tournament at the Dunn Center in Clarksville, Tennessee—highlighted by marquee wins, standout individual performances, and national recognition for both a player and their head coach.

The Gila Monsters, seeded No. 13, opened the tournament on Nov. 19 with a tough 3–1 loss to No. 4 Northeastern Junior College. Despite a cold hitting night, Eastern Arizona showed resilience that would carry into the rest of the bracket.

EAC Upsets No. 5 Barton in a Five-Set Thriller

On Nov. 20, the Gila Monsters came alive, knocking off No. 5 Barton 14–25, 25–19, 25–19, 20–25, 15–9 in one of their strongest outings of the season. The offense surged behind balanced setting and hot hands from multiple hitters, highlighted by Hannah Pushckor's .556 hitting and eight blocks, Addison Hinckley and Cale Torgerson's 13 kills each, and a steady 18-dig performance from libero Kambria Maloy. The win vaulted EAC forward into Friday's consolation match.

Gila Monsters Defeat Blinn to Advance

Eastern Arizona stayed hot the following day, dispatching Blinn College 3–1 to advance to Saturday's 9th-place match. Strong serving, tough defense, and clutch swings carried the Gila Monsters into their final contest of the tournament.

Final Match: Eastern Arizona Falls in Five, Places 10th Nationally

In their final match of the NJCAA Championships, Eastern Arizona battled Mineral Area College in a back-and-forth five-set showdown before ultimately falling in a tight finish. The Gila Monsters showed grit and determination throughout the match, with several players turning in standout performances.

Addison Hinckley powered the offense with a massive 24-kill performance on 66 swings, adding 19 digs, three blocks, and an ace for a team-high 27 points.
Elisa Saunders delivered her strongest showing of the tournament, posting 15 kills on .286 hitting along with four block assists.
Cale Torgerson added 6 kills and 17 digs, while Rylee Pitney contributed 6 kills and a block on .231 hitting.

Eastern was strong defensively, anchored by Kambria Maloy's 28 digs, while Hannah Pushckor once again dominated at the net with 10 total blocks (2 solo, 8 assists) and four kills.

Running a two-setter system, Nayomi Toilolo tallied 26 assists, 16 digs, and 3 aces, with Marli Lopeman adding 15 assists and 8 digs.

As a team, Eastern Arizona finished with 57 kills, 95 digs, and 16 total blocks in the five-set marathon.

Tournament Honors

• Addison Hinckley — All-Tournament Team
  Hinckley's dominant week—including 24 kills in the finale—earned her recognition among the nation's best.

• Head Coach Shari Kay — Sportsmanship Award
  Kay was honored for exemplary leadership and the positive example she set throughout the week in Clarksville.