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California State University at Bakersfield Athletics

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2024 Beach Volleyball Roster

Big West Conference
Gabriel Villanueva
Gabriel Villanueva

1 Ava Palm

  • Height 6-0
  • Class Junior
  • Hometown Bakersfield, Calif.
  • Prev School UTEP

Biography

2022-23 (SOPHOMORE): Played 31 matches with 11 starts...Despite having just a third of the starts as other outside hitters, posted second-best attacking numbers on team with 255 kills, 2.36 kills-per-set, and 299 total points...Had best stretch of play from end of October to middle of November with four straight matches of double-digit kills, including a season-high of 20 against CSUN Nov. 5, 2022...Played valiant defense when necessary, posting a double-double of 13 kills and 11 digs against Pacific Sep. 16, 2022...Had eleven games of double-digit kills.

PRIOR TO CSUB (2020-21): Competed for two seasons at UTEP under Head Coach Ben Wallis…Two-year combined stats: 44 matches played, 130 sets played, 146 kills, .197 hitting percentage, 129 digs, 21 blocks, and 46 aces…As a freshman (2020), earned a spot on the C-USA All-Freshman Team…Reset the UTEP record and let C-USA with 0.49 aces per set…Recorded three double-doubles on the year and had 10+ kills six times…Tallied career-highs of 13 kills (vs. Stephen F. Austin, Oct. 3), 14 digs (vs. UTSA, Feb. 22), and six aces (vs. UTSA, Feb. 23) during freshman campaign…As a sophomore (2021), team posted a 24-8 record and made it to the NIVC Semifinals…Tallied season-highs of 12 kills and six digs at UTSA Oct. 30…Earned Academic All-Conference honors both seasons.

HIGH SCHOOL: A 2020 graduate of Bakersfield High School…Coached by former Roadrunner Edithza Urias…Tallied 1,003 kills, 756 blocks, and 192 service aces in four seasons as a Driller…A three-time Jockey Club Award winner (best local player in her sport)…2020 Sam Lynn Outstanding Female Athlete Award winner…Three-time All-League and two-time All-Area honoree…Led Southwest Yosemite League, ranked third in California Central Section, and ranked seventh in state of California in hitting percentage.

PERSONAL: Father, Vance, played basketball at CSU Bakersfield…A business major with an emphasis in marketing...Hopes to work in interior design after her time at CSUB.
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