GRAND JUNCTION, Colo.— Colorado Mesa University volleyball coach Austin Albers has announced the commitment of three new players for the upcoming 2026 season. 

The group includes two high school freshman in libero Maya Grant of Salt Lake City, Utah and setter Ashlyn Persha of Surprise, Arizona as well as a transfer in Bailee Tucker, who has spent the previous two seasons at Alaska Anchorage.

Tucker, an opposite hitter out of South Weber, Utah, and Grant are both products of the Club V program while Persha was an award-winning setter at Paradise Honors High School while playing club volleyball for Revolution Volleyball Academy.

Complete biographies on each new Maverick as well as comments from them and Albers can be found below.
 
Prep: 4-year varsity starter for the Mondo Begay coached Skyline Eagles… Named as the region's defensive MVP as a senior in 2025… Earned first team all-state honors that year after picking up third team honors as a junior in 2024… Helped lead the Eagles to a 2024 state championship and a 2025 state runner-up finish.

Club: Played for Club V… Coached by Wayne Wood and Kris Burns… Helped the team take third place in the USA Division at 13U… They placed fifth in the Open Division at 17U and were in the top 20 in the Open Division at the 15U and 16U levels.

Personal: Is undecided upon a major but would like a career in psychology or criminology… Daughter of Cynthia and Jeremy Grant… Has three older siblings— Bekah, Davis and Spencer… Davis plays lacrosse at Southern Virginia University… Loves being outside and doing stuff like pickleball, Spikeball or going on walks, but also really appreciates just relaxing and talking.

Why I Chose CMU: "I chose CMU because I was looking for a competitive environment where I would thrive and be pushed every day. Right from the start, I could tell this program would challenge me to grow as both a player and a person."

Albers on Grant: "We're excited to strengthen our libero position by adding Maya to the mix. She's the type of player, person and teammate that we want in our program and I am excited to see her compete this fall! Maya has the potential to be a difference maker for us and is no stranger to competing at a high level as she concludes her club career playing for one of the top teams in the country."
 
Prep: Will graduate from Paradise Honors High School in 2026… Was the 4A Skyline Player of the Year as a senior in the fall of 2025… Was a 2x first team all-region selection for the Megan Domingo coached Panthers… Earned second team honors as a sophomore and was an honorable mention selection as a freshman… Recorded over 1,250 career assists.

Club: Plays for the Revolution Volleyball Academy… Coached by Amanda Burbridge.

Personal: Plans to major in pre-criminal justice… Aspires to have a job in the crime scene investigation field.. Daughter of Lea and Drew Persha… Has three siblings— Victoria, Gabriel and Ciara… Victoria plays volleyball for Northern State University in Aberdeen, South Dakota… Enjoys tanning, volleyball and hanging out with friends.

Why I Chose CMU: "I loved the campus, coaches, the other girls and the overall atmosphere."

Albers on Persha: "Ashlyn jumped onto our radar at the holiday break as we looked to add a setter who had the stuff to compete with our two returners going into next season. After watching her compete, it was evident that she's the type of player and competitor that we can develop into that role. She has the confidence and composure that our staff is looking for and we're excited to see her settle in and get to work this fall."
 
Before CMU: Played in five matches, making three early season starts as a redshirt freshman at NCAA Division II Alaska Anchorage in 2025... Was granted a medical hardship waiver preserving her year of eligibility… Recorded 36 kills, 12 blocks and six digs in 17 sets… Averaged 2.12 kills, 2.47 points and 0.71 blocks per set… Recorded 11 kills while hitting .261 on the opening day of the season (Aug. 28) against Hawai'i Hilo… Had nine kills and seven blocks a day later against Chaminade… Part of the Seawolves, who went 23-6 while sharing the Great Northwest Atlantic Conference title and qualifying for the NCAA Tournament in 2025.

2024 (Freshman @ Alaska Anchorage): Redshirt season.

Prep: Earned 5A Senior All-Star, 3^rd Team All-State and First Team All-Region awards, leading the Mitchell Stevens coached Northridge Knights to the state quarterfinals as a senior in the fall of 2023… Was a second Team all-region pick as a junior… Four-year letter winner.

Club: Played for Club V, coached by Matt Carlson and Stephanie Jones-Morin.

Personal: Is majoring in psychology… Is pursuing a career in clinical or occupational psychology… Daughter of Marla and Brady Tucker… Has three younger siblings— Rachel, Hadlee and Andrew… Enjoys reading, hiking and camping.

Albers on Tucker: "Bailee is another Club V product that we were able to pick out of the transfer portal. She has multiple years of experience at the D-II level with zero eligibility burned, giving us a player with experience as well as time to continue to develop. Bailee aligns with our values and direction we are looking to move our culture – we're excited to see what she brings to Maverick Volleyball in the coming seasons."