GRAND JUNCTION, Colo.— Colorado Mesa University Beach Volleyball coach David Skaff has announced the addition of eight new players to the Mavericks' roster for the upcoming 2025-26 season.  The group includes seven freshman and one graduate transfer in Ewelina Gacek, who had a strong 4-year indoor volleyball career at Division I George Mason.
 
The group also includes two freshman, who are doubling up on the Mavs' indoor roster this fall as is another graduate transfer in Charleston Tidwell, who had been previously introduced to Maverick fans for both sports.
 
The group includes six Colorado natives and also includes representation from Illinois and Washington.
 
The Mavericks are coming off a 21-11 season in the spring of 2025 as they set a new program record for team wins.
 
Biographies and comments from each new Maverick and  Skaff can be found below.
   
Prep: 2025 graduate of Rocky Mountain High School… Played for the Lobos and Coach Ellen Buol… Received the Diamond Award.

Club: Played for Premier Volleyball Club… Coached by Andy Gavaldon.

Personal:  Is majoring in kinesiology… Hopes to work in physical therapy, focusing on helping people heal and stay active… Daughter of Justin and Whitney Perez… Has four younger siblings— Kelcie, Addison, Karter and Jj… Enjoys outdoor activities like hiking, fishing, camping and swimming… Also loves playing grass and sand volleyball with friends and family.

Why I Chose CMU: "I chose CMU because of the culture I saw not just online and academics but definitely on the beach volleyball team.  CMU just screamed inclusive and family!"
 
Skaff on Adams: "Kiki" is well rounded athlete, who is true utility for us.  She can split, she can defend and swing/shot.  She made the switch to beach a little later in her career.  We look forward to watching her development in the sand.  Welcome to the Family!"
  Before CMU : Played indoor volleyball for four years at Division I George Mason in Fairfax, Virginia… Was featured in a story on NCAA.org as an advocate for mental health awareness and a cadet for the George Mason police force… Received the Amiee Willard Award and the Women's team's Iron Patriot Award at the 2025 Green & Gold Celebration… Totaled 665 kills (1.91/set) and 552 digs (1.59/set) and 89 blocks and 81 service aces in 106 career matches and 348 total sets with the Patriots… Had career-highs of 18 (kills), 13 (digs), seven (service aces) and six (blocks).

2024 Indoor: Appeared in 77 sets across 26 matches, making eight starts as a senior… Totaled 151 kills, 99 digs, and 15 blocks… Matched her career-high of 18 kills at Fordham (Oct. 13)… Finished with double-digit kills in five matches… Recorded two double-doubles…swung for 16 kills on Senior Day vs. Duquesne (Nov. 16).

2023 Indoor: Appeared in 112 sets across all 30 matches with 27 starts... Led the team with 279 kills, averaging 2.49/set... Eclipsed double-digit kills in 16 matches with a career-high 18 against American to open the season (Aug. 26)... Was third on the team with 170 digs, including a career-high 13 at Duquesne on Nov. 4... Registered four double-doubles on the season... Registered back-to-back double-doubles at Duquesne with 16 kills and 11 digs on Nov. 3 and 10 kills and 13 digs on Nov. 4... Was second on the team with 23 service aces... Her career-high seven aces at Rhode Island marking the third most in a single match in program history (Sept. 23)... Fourth on the team with 39.0 blocks, setting a career-high of six in the match vs. George Washington (Oct. 25).

2022 Indoor: Appeared in 61 sets across 23 matches, starting seven... Tallied 75 digs with two double-digit performances against George Washington on Oct. 25 (10) and Duquesne on Oct. 22 (11)... Her 11 digs against Duquesne matched her career-high at the time... Recorded 58 kills with a season-high seven with no errors at a .778 against Davidson (Nov. 6)... Also contributed 8.0 total blocks and five service aces while boasting a .931 reception percentage.

2021 Indoor: Appeared in all 27 matches and 98 sets... Averaged 2.12 digs, 1.81 kills, 0.38 services aces and 0.28 blocks per set... Led the team with 37 service aces... Third on the team with 208 digs... Tallied three double-doubles throughout the season... Notched 11 kills, 11 digs and four block assists vs. Southern Utah (Sept. 4)... Recorded 14 kills at a .361 clip and 10 digs on Oct. 15 vs. George Washington... Tallied 15 kills, 10 digs and four service aces vs. Fordham (Oct. 22)... Registered a career-high 16 kills at GW (Oct. 16)... Recorded a career-high five service aces to go along with 10 kills, eight blocks and three blocks against Duquesne (Sept. 24).

Prep: Three-year varsity letterwinner at Marist High School... Claimed the IHSA 2018 Class A State Championship... Earned the PROGRAM award... Tallied 63 kills, 18 blocks, 55 digs, eight aces and six assists.

Club: Played for First Alliance Volleyball Club where she was tabbed to the 2020 Nike President's Day All-Tournament Team... Club was named the 2019 Windy City National Qualifier Champions.

Personal: Is working towards a master's in business administration… Hopes to work in federal law enforcement.

Why I Chose CMU: "I chose CMU because of the great team culture, staff, and academic programs they offer. As a graduate student, it was important for me to find a place that not only felt like home, but also set me up for success for my future career, and CMU checked all of those boxes."
 
Skaff on Gacek: "Ewelina is joining us from George Mason for her 5^th year.  She is another call control big that will bring experience and leadership to our team. She played all six rows in college and was one of their top attackers on the indoor side.  We cant wait to use that in the sand for CMU. Welcome to the Family!
   
Prep: 2025 graduate of Erie High School… Played indoor volleyball and a variety of positions for the Tigers and Coach Jessi Ashton… Was a 4-year varsity starter and academic all-state selection… Earned three honorable mention all-conference honors… Served as the team captain for one year… Recorded 423 assists and 41 digs as a senior… Had 258 assists, 61 blocks, 47 digs and 46 aces as well as 842 service receptions as a junior.

Club: Played for The Lab… Coached by Mike Patton… Earned a lot of bids to nationals for winning tournaments.

Personal: Is majoring in mass communications and marketing… Is not sure of an exact career plan, but possibly something to do with marketing… Daughter of Lee Malek and Deanna Valenti… Has one older brother named Gavin… Enjoys line and swing dancing and crafts.

Why I Chose CMU: "The culture, the team, the coach, that it was in state, good financially for me and it felt like home."
 
Skaff on Malek: "Avery is another Colorado kid.  She brings a lot of control, IQ and speed to the game, It is very tough to score on her and we are looking forward to her development with us at CMU. Welcome to the Family!
   
Is also playing on the CMU Indoor Volleyball Team.
 
Prep: 2025 graduate of Palisade High School… Set the Bulldogs' school record for career kills (1,316) and hitting percentage (.299) and set the single-season record of .371 as a senior in the fall of 2024… Coached by Wendy MacAskill… Named as the Southwestern League's Player of the Year after earning Western Slope League Player of the Year honors in 2023… Was a 4-time first team all-conference honoree… Earned Second Team 4A All-State honors as a senior after earning honorable mention all-state honors in both 2022 and 2023… Tabbed as the Daily Sentinel Volleyball Player of the Year in 2023… Was Colorado's MaxPreps Player of the Week in Week No. 9 of that season… Also earned First Team Academic All-Conference honors as both a junior and senior.

Club: Played for Mesa Juniors… Coached by Wendy MacAskill.

Personal: Is majoring in exercise science… Aspires to go on to graduate school and obtain a master's degree in speech pathology and hopefully work as a speech pathologist in schools… Daughter of Dacia and Mark Ritterbush… Has an older sister named Bailee… Loves outdoor activities such as hiking, mountain biking, skiing, camping, paddle boarding and exploring new places.

Why I Chose CMU: "I chose CMU because I got the opportunity to play both beach and court volleyball. I have also grown up watching CMU volleyball and I love the culture. I love this beautiful area and all of the outdoor activities to do.
 
Skaff on Ritterbush: "Addie is local that I have had the opportunity to watch grow and work with and super excited that she's finally graduated high school. She is tremendous athlete on the sand and in the classroom. She will bring a lot of physicality and versatility to our team.  Welcome to the Family!
   
Prep: 2025 graduate of Ridgeline High School… Helped the Whitney Abell coached Flacons to win a 3A state title in indoor volleyball… Also won the Greater Spokane League and district championships… Was a Second Team All-GSL selection.

Club: Played for Kokua Beach Volleyball… Coached by Chan Esperes… Won the BVCA National Championships… Was a Northwest High Performance Beach Training Program athlete.

Personal: Is undecided upon a major… Is thinking of a career plan along the lines of athletic training or physical therapy or going into the medical field somewhere… Daughter of Paul & Betsy… Loves to hang out with friends and to ski, golf and go boating.

Why I Chose CMU: "I am super exited to play beach. The campus is very nice and the school size is great. Also there is a lot of activities to do outside!"

Skaff on Rothley: "Regan adds to our utility depth.  She is an experienced player in the sand with strong ball control background and placement.  She is very athletic and we are looking forward to her college Career at CMU.  Welcome to the Family!"
   
Prep: 2025 graduate of Durango High School… Played indoor volleyball for the Demons and Coach Kelly Rifilato… Was an All-Southwestern League selection in all four years of her career earning first team honors in 2022 and 2024 and second team pladuits in 2021 and 2023… Was also an Honorable Mention All-State pick as a senior in 2024.

Personal: Is majoring in nursing… Hopes to become an aesthetic nurse… Daughter of Corri and Zac Stewart… Has two younger siblings— Emmi and Devin… Loves to breakaway rope and rodeo.

Why I Chose CMU: "I chose CMU because of the team culture and I really loved the campus."
 
Skaff on Stewart: "Eva had strong indoor career at Durango.  She is very physical athlete with very strong work ethic background.  She doesn't have a lot of beach experience yet but that will change pretty quick and we are glad she joined us here at CMU.   Welcome to the Family!"
  Is also on the Mavs' indoor volleyball team.
 
Prep: 2025 graduate of Loveland High School… Led the Natalie Carrasco coached Red Wolves and the Northern League in kills in both 2023 and 2024… Finished her prep career with 1,129 kills and 134 aces… Was a first team all-conference pick in 2023 and 2024… Also earned 5A Honorable Mention All-State honors in both of those years… Was a 5A Colorado Coaches of Girls Sports (CCGS) All-State Games Participant… Also earned a pair of academic all-state plaudits.

Prep: Played for NORCO, coached by Dana Burkholder… The team competed in the USAV Nationals 15s-18s.

Personal: Is majoring in criminal justice and aspires for a career in that field, possibly as a detective… Daughter of Jenette and Aaron Thatcher… Has an older sibling named Brooks…  Enjoys hiking, going to church and spending time with family and friends.

Why I Chose CMU: "The campus is beautiful and has a great community and culture.  Being able to play beach and indoor."
 
Skaff on Thatcher: "Sienna is a ball control and big blocker who already has a lot of range in her game and very fundamentally sound in all areas from offence to defense.  We look forward to getting her in the sand soon.  Welcome to the Family!
  Prep: 2025 graduate of Legacy High School.

Club: Played for the Lab.

Personal: Is majoring in business administration… Daughter of Patti and Bill Tremmel… Has two older siblings— Riley and Marley.

Why I Chose CMU: "I love the campus and the community. I also really wanted to play beach volleyball and loved the coach and team."
 
Skaff on Tremmel: "Lucy is  Front Ranger that is experience defender who could also be utility if we needed it.  She is super fast, has a high IQ in the sand and will have big impact on our transition defense.  We're looking forward to the impact she has here. Welcome to the Family!"