Volleyball Adds Two Transfers and One Late Signee

VILLANOVA, Pa. – The Villanova volleyball program added to its incoming class this week, welcoming three players to the roster for the 2025 campaign on Friday.

First-year Marikate Ritterbusch and transfers Ava Mehrten and Emma Vu join the previously announced trio of freshmen as newcomers to Villanova, each pledging to spend next season on the VU roster.

“I’m super excited for all of our incomers,” head coach Josh Steinbach said. “Adding these three will really help solidify our roster.”

Ava Mehrten

Graduate Student / Opposite Hitter / 6’1

Walnut Creek, California / Carondelet High / University of California, Berkeley

Instagram: @avamehrten

UC Berkeley: Spent four seasons with the Bears … Totaled 136 kills, 94 blocks and 186 points in her time at Berkeley … Contributed 51 total blocks with 0.64 blocks per set in 2024 as a redshirt junior with eight kills at Syracuse and a season-high six blocks vs. Notre Dame … Third on the team in blocks (64) and fourth in kills (90) in 2023 … Earned Wolf Pack Invitational MVP and posted a career-high nine blocks and 19 kills on .452 hitting against Nevada … Redshirted her true freshman season in 2021 … Earned All-ACC Academic in her senior year and a Pac-12 Fall Academic Honor Roll in 2023.

Carondelet High School: Played four years of volleyball … Earned Second Team All-League in her sophomore season … Earned a PrepVolleyball Sophomore 79 special mention in 2018 … Qualified for states in 2019 and made it to the semifinals in 2018 … Back-to-back NCVA champion in 2018 & 2019.

Personal: Born 1/22/03 … One of three children of Caroline and Will … Has two siblings, Pierce and Drew … Plans to pursue an MBA … Chose to attend Villanova because of “its strong academic reputation, outstanding MBA program and close-knit community. The collaborative environment, combined with a dedicated team and coaching staff, truly sets Villanova apart as the ideal place for my personal and professional growth”

Steinbach on Mehrten: “Ava is a physical presence at the net which will help bolster our team defensively, she’s got a natural blocking feel. Offensively she will give us some pop, adding a lefty attacker will give us some variety that we haven’t had in a few years.”

Marikate Ritterbusch

Freshman / Defensive Specialist / 5’7

Palatine, Illinois / Benet Academy

Instagram: @marikateritterbusch / X: @MKRitterbusch25

Benet Academy: Played three years of varsity volleyball, completing her career with a combined record of 111-7 … Team finished as the state runner up three times … Won team’s Sportsmanship Award as a senior … Played club with Sky High Volleyball club, placing fifth at the 2024 Sunshine Qualifier … Named to AVCA Phenom and JVA Girls watch lists … Also played three years of softball in addition to freshman basketball … Member of the National Honors Society … Earned AP Scholar with Honor and Highest Distinction of Academic Honor Roll six times … Named an AAU Academic All-American in 2022.

Personal: Born 7/10/06 … One of two children of CJ and Mary Catherine … Has one brother, Matthew … Aunt Patricia Dart played volleyball at Wichita State and pair of uncles, Peter (Northern Illinois) and Brian McAdams (UW-Stevens Point) played college football … Plans to major in civil engineering … Chose to attend Villanova because of “the commitment to academic excellence, superb athletics and strong Catholic faith.”

Steinbach on Ritterbusch: “Marikate is a really nice defender coming from a good club and high school program where she’s been playing at a really high level. She’ll give us added depth at defensive specialist and her serve receive skills are excellent so I’m hopeful that she can impact our gym immediately.”

Emma Vu

Graduate Student / Setter / 5’5

Allen, Texas / Allen High / Iona University

Instagram: @emma.vu9

Iona University: Played three seasons as a setter for the Gaels from 2022-24 … Accumulated 821 assists (4.77 per set), 47 aces, 27 kills, 296 digs and five blocks in over 55 matches played … Put forth a career high with 5.28 assists per set and 32 aces as a senior … Earned 2024 MAAC All-Academic Team … Graduated magna cum laude from Iona with a BBA in marketing and a sociology minor .. Member of Beta Gamma Sigma and dean’s list in six different semesters.

Allen High School: Played three years of volleyball … Multiple-time academic all-district and all-state … Member of the Gifted & Talented Program and National Honor Society … Played club with Dallas Premier Volleyball and was named to the 2021 JVA Ultra Ankle watch list.

Personal: Born 8/30/04 … One of four children of Jim and Tara … Has three siblings: Joshua, Cole and Cooper … Chose to attend Villanova because of “the top tier academics, competitive athletics and strong sense of community. I felt at home and knew this was a place I could challenge myself and grow.” … Plans to major in marketing.

Steinbach on Vu: “Emma has been a consistent presence for Iona as their main setter for the past three years. The offense she’s been running looks a lot like ours so she’ll fit in very well to what we do offensively.”

Keep up with the Villanova University volleyball program through social media by following on X formerly known as Twitter (@NovaVolleyball) and Instagram (@novavolleyball) and ‘liking’ on Facebook (/NovaVolleyball).