Brianna Anderson sets new school and conference record for digs in a single season
Sunday December 1, 2024 - 12:15 p.m. | Dylan DeVlieger
As a team, Mesa Volleyball made history in their 2024 campaign as they captured their first NJCAA Region I Championship since 2017 and took home a top 15 finish at the NJCAA DII Volleyball National Championship.
From an individual basis the T-Birds also made history as freshman libero/defensive specialist Brianna Anderson set not only a school record but an ACCAC record for most digs in a single season with 854.
This is not the first major accomplishment for Anderson in her time at Mesa as she was a National DII Defensive Player of the Week, a four time ACCAC DII Player of the Week, the Region I Libero of the Year, and a member of the All-Region First Team.
Anderson who was the heart of the Mesa defense was not only a force to take notice of in the region but nationally as well as she was third in the country in digs/set with 6.52 and fourth in the country in total digs with 854. The even more astonishing feat is that compared to her competition in the top five for total digs, Anderson totaled her amount in the lowest number of games.
After comparing the numbers it would be easy to assume that Anderson, if given even five or six more matches could've led the country in the stastatic. For Anderson, being in the top of the leaderboard in digs with such fewer games than others displays just how good she is out on the court.
"I think it says my ability on the court is dominant, I try and be a huge presence even though most of the time liberos are just there to pass. I try to be a leader and help my team, but my team also helps me be confident in myself and trusting in me in the back row to allow me to accomplish so many of these achievements. I couldn't have been in the position without the best team, coach, trainer, and assistant coaches," said Anderson.
Watching Anderson on the court it's pretty easy to see why she totaled so many digs in one season, she is everywhere on the court hurling her body anywhere and everywhere to beat the ball to the ground. The ill effects of putting your body through so much wear and tear is inevitable and lingering injuries as well as trying to playing through them.
Though Anderson battled multiple injuries throughout the season she played in every match of the season and a big reason for that is the expectations those she cares more about have for her.
"I always strive to be the best and make my family proud. One of my coaches told me that I got that "dawg" in me and ever since then I play to live up to those expectations," said Anderson.
PC: Zac BonDurant
