The harmony of the Mesa women’s volleyball team was unmistakably a key factor in them becoming 2011 Conference Champions when they beat Imperial Valley College 3 to 0 on Nov. 16.

Within minutes of the game, Mesa was winning 9 to 1 and their communication and support for each other was radiating over that of Imperial Valley’s. Two of team captains, middle back Karlee Anderson and setter Missy Glassett, were persistently defending against attempted spikes, letting the ball return over the net very few times and helping Mesa win the first game 25 to 6.

Glassett was a key player for aiding Mesa in their win by setting the ball with accuracy throughout each game, allowing teammates like outside hitter Kendra Mendicino, who has some of the strongest spikes, to come down on their opponent. After winning the second game 25 to 13 the team effort did not fail. Mesa won the third and final game 25 to 10 giving them a glorious end to their season.

Libero and defensive specialist Ali Loepfe began each of the three games by running around and giving enthusiastic high fives to the entire team. The team was full of energy and motivation for each other long before the game began and after it ended. Although Mesa’s strong season predicted they would be conference champions, they ended their season in the vigorous way that they began it.

“We really came together as a team. We knew that it wouldn’t be a really competitive game, but when you play a team that isn’t exactly in your bracket of competition you have to still play at your best level,” said Anderson.

Friends and family came to support the team on their last season game which they refer to as sophomore night. This year the team was composed of mostly freshman with the only sophomores leaving being Bree Johnson, Asia Machitar, Ali Loepfe, and Jeana Holman.

“[I’ll] miss the team chemistry between all the sophomores that are leaving because they have a strong relationship and then we [freshman] came in and they assimilated us,” said Anderson.

Anderson was hopeful for the playoffs which began Nov. 22 where they played Orange Coast College, but after a close game that went to four rounds, Mesa lost.