Cardinals Finish 9th At National Tournament
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. — The MAC Cardinals capped an outstanding 29–3 season with a 9th-place finish at the 2025 NJCAA Division I Volleyball National Tournament, winning three straight matches in the consolation bracket after an opening-round loss to Florida Southwestern.
Mineral Area fell to FSW 3–0 in the first round but responded with a dominant sweep of Frank Phillips College (25–22, 25–18, 25–22). The Cardinals continued their momentum with a 3–0 victory over Casper College, highlighted by Lara Gilardi De Souza's 20 kills and Belen Ferrufino's 38 assists.
In the 9th-place match, MAC delivered one of the tournament's biggest comebacks, rallying from a 0–2 deficit to defeat Eastern Arizona 3–2. The Cardinals hit .611 in the decisive fifth set to secure the top-10 national finish.
Tournament Statistical Leaders – Mineral Area College
- Kills: Lara Gilardi De Souza (57), Gabrielle Damborowiski (44)
- Assists: Belen Ferrufino (136)
- Digs: Ava Penuel (61), Ferrufino (54)
- Blocks: Sara Pjevic (15 block assists)
- Aces: Ava Penuel (5), Damborowiski (4)
The Cardinals close 2025 with one of the best seasons in program history and three consecutive postseason wins, reinforcing the program's status as a national contender on an annual basis.