Carla Cantarella: NAIA Volleyball Player of The Week

Vanguard University sophomore Carla Cantarella was recently awarded with the National Athletic Intercollegiate Association Volleyball Player of the Week for her winning efforts on the court against NAIA No. 2 Concordia and San Diego Christian on November 5th.

“Last week’s match against Concordia was unbelievable,” Cantarella said. Behind a 27-assist, 18-dig performance from Cantarella, the Lions handed CUI its first Golden State Athletic Conference loss in three years and just its third lost since the 2011 National Championship match.

Cantarella also put double-digit numbers up in assists and digs against San Diego Christian on the road as they defeated the Hawks 3-0. She added a service ace to her stat-line in the contest.

On the week, Cantarella made zero receiving errors. Her excellent numbers at setter came while splitting time in the Lions’ 6-2 offensive rotation with freshman Myranda Cunningham.

The nationally-renown GSAC announced Cantarella as its volleyball player of the week on Monday afternoon, moving her into the NAIA pool of conference winners, making her eligible for the nationwide award.

“I am so thrilled that Carla received this recognition both within the GSAC as well as nationally,” head coach Eryn Leja said.

Cantarella becomes Leja’s first NAIA Volleyball Player of the Week. Vanguard has won all of its November match-ups. On November 2nd, Cantarella managed 23 assists, 8 digs and an ace against No. 11 The Master’s College in the NAIA Match of the Week, which the Blue and Gold claimed in five sets.

“As a team, I think we showed so much passion, heart and trust in each other. I have to thank my coaches and my teammates for having so much confidence in me to be the setter for this team. I love my team and my coaches and it is such a blessing and an honor to even be nominated as player of the week,” stated Cantarella.

Vanguard will travel to Sioux City, Iowa for the 2013 NAIA Volleyball National Championships next. The tournament is scheduled for December 3-7 and 9th.