GRAND JUNCTION, Colo.— Colorado Mesa University Beach Volleyball Coach
David Skaff has announced that five current high school seniors from five different states have signed National Letters of Intent to continue their education and playing careers with the Mavericks in the 2024-25 academic year.
The newest Maverick recruits are Ellie Ask of Kasson, Minnesota, Ava Blanco of Castle Pines, Colorado, Maxine Curtin of Cave Creek, Arizona, Bella Friess of Columbus, Ohio and Brooke Hartman of Saint Joseph, Michigan.
Complete biographies of each new Maverick can be found below.
CMU has advanced to the NCAA Division II title match at each of the last two AVCA Small College Beach Championships, winning the title in 2022. Skaff is the only head coach of the Maverick program, which began in 2016.
Ellie Ask (5-8, Kasson, Minn./Kasson-Mantorville HS)
Club: The McCarthy Project (TMP)
Prep: Will graduate from Kasson-Mantorville High School in 2024… Plays indoor volleyball for the Lary Hegerle coached KoMets… Earned All-Area Third Team and All-Hiawatha Valley Conference honors while helping the team to a state runner-up finish in the fall of 2023… Was also an All-State team honoree and an academic all-state selection as a senior… Earned Honorable Mention All-HVL honors in 2022 after helping the team place third at the state tournament… The KoMets also took second in 2021, when she was named to the all-state tournament team.
Club: Plays beach volleyball for Coach Stephen's McCarthy and The McCarthy Project (TMP).
Personal: Plans to major in psychology… Aspires to become a family and marriage counselor or become a sports psychologist because "I believe everyone has a voice that should be heard"… Daughter of Jessica Ask… Has a younger sister— Anna… Enjoys hiking, swimming, reading and playing beach volleyball.
Why I Chose CMU: "I chose CMU because of the environment. The atmosphere of the campus, facilities, faculty, and the beach volleyball team was positive. I knew this is where I wanted to be because of the opportunities for growth and experience!"
Skaff on Ask: "We are excited to welcome Ellie to our Mav family. She comes from good ball control background and is a great jumper in the sand. She will fit a strong split/utility role for us."
Ava Blanco (5-5, Castle Pines, Colo./Rock Canyon HS)
Club: Upslope
Prep: Will graduate from Rock Canyon High School in 2024… Plays indoor volleyball for the Jaguars and Coach Angela Nylund… Helped the team to a 5A State runner-up finish in 2022, the first team in school history to make the final…. Was an all-conference libero, who recorded 352 digs, 43 aces, 68 assists and 434 service receptions.
Club: Plays for Upslope… Coached by Katie Pyles… Finished first in the silver and U16 division at the AVP Nationals in 2021…. Was a BVCA 1s pair and Leadership Award winner.
Personal: Plans to major in business administration… Daughter of Marnie and Dave Blanco… Has a younger sister named Gianna… Enjoys grass, indoor and beach volleyball… Is also a special-needs aide at her high school and loves working with SSN students and getting to be a part of their life and education.
Why I Chose CMU: "The second I got on campus CMU just felt right. The team was super welcoming and the coaching staff is so amazing. Seeing your beach volleyball is a dedicated and welcoming program that I can't wait to be a part of!"
Skaff on Blanco: "Ava is a very explosive dynamic player, moves and jumps great in the sand. She will be great addition to our program."
Maxine Curtin (5-8, Cave Creek, Ariz./Cactus Shadows HS)
Club: RPM Sand
Prep: Will graduate from Cactus Shadows High School in 2024… Coached by Nicole Blauvelt… Won the Division 1 High School State Championship in 2022.
Club: Plays for RPM Sand… Coached by Ryan Mariano… Took second at the BVCA Club vs. Club National Championships that year… Finished second in the 2023 USA Volleyball Beach Tour Desert Freeze National Qualifier… Finished third at the 2023 AAU Southern California Regional Club Championships… Was second at the AAU Beach Games in 2023.
Personal: Plans to major in criminal justice… Daughter of Becky and Jon Curtin… Has an older brother named Jack… Loves cooking and painting.
Why I Chose CMU: "I chose CMU because of the amazing criminal justice program, the high level athletic programs, and amazing coaches."
Skaff on Curtin: "Maxine fits the mold of what we look for in utility, she can do it all, strong presence both on offence and defense. We are excited for her to join our Mav Family."
Bella Friess (5-6, Columbus, Ohio/Upper Arlington HS)
Club: Elite VBTC
Prep: Will graduate from Upper Arlington High School in 2024.
Club: Plays for Coach Joe Jackson and the Elite VBTC.
Personal: Intends to major in exercise science and wants to become a physical therapist, possibly for a sports team… Daughter of Jeff and Natalie Friess… Has two younger brothers— Joe and Ben… Likes to walk, go on hikes and be in nature.
Why I Chose CMU: "The environment within the sports and campus was very welcoming and made me want to spend my college life at CMU."
Skaff on Friess: "Bella is a great defender with a lot of range on both offence and defense. We are excited for her to join our Mav family."
Brooke Hartman (5-8, Saint Joseph, Mich./Saint Joseph HS)
Club: Team One
Prep: Will graduate from Saint Joseph High School in 2024… Coached by Paul Kelm.
Club: Played for Team One, coached Taye Im.
Personal: Plans to major in exercise science… Is considering going on to graduate school to study physical therapy or something in the halt science field… Dreams to have a practice of her own dedicated to athletes.
Why I Chose: "Growing up in a beach town, I have always loved the beach but I am also very drawn to the mountains. Colorado is almost the opposite of Michigan and that is what I love about it. I love all the breathtaking views from all the hiking and I am of course super pumped about all the amazing skiing. I love that CMU has a smaller class size so you get to create relationships with all of your classmates and professors. I am also super excited about the exercise science lab and all of its equipment."
Skaff on Hartman: "Brooke is a utility that can fit into many roles. We are excited to see her develop and she will be great addition to our program."
