Aug. 28, 2006
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Quickly emerging as one of the nation's top attackers, Santa Clara middle blocker Anna Cmaylo opened up the 2006 season this past weekend with an undeniably dominant performance at the Fresno State Invitational. The junior from Napa, Calif. notched 42 kills, 10 blocks, and hit an amazing .623 in being named to the All-Tournament team, and on Monday was again rewarded for her efforts by being named WCC Player of the Week.
The honor marks the first time that Cmaylo has been named WCC Player of the Week in her career.
"Anna played great in all three matches for us this weekend, and really, the numbers don't even tell the whole story," said Santa Clara head coach Jon Wallace. "A lot of her kills were dominant, momentum-changing plays that had the other team talking about her after the match. Every coach came up to me and said they were amazed at how well she was playing. She's gotten better from a year ago and is looking to take charge this season."
After recording nine kills and four blocks in Friday night's season-opening win over Pacific, Cmaylo came alive the following evening against No. 25 Kansas State, matching a career-high with 20 kills in 28 attempts with only two errors, resulting in an eye-catching .643 hitting percentage. In Sunday afternoon's title-clinching 3-0 victory over Fresno State, Cmaylo bettered the previous day's number, hitting an unstoppable .722 (13 kills in 18 attempts, zero errors) to go along with three more blocks up front.
The sixth-ranked Broncos travel to South Bend, Ind. this weekend for a pair of non-conference matches as they will take on Valparaiso Friday at 9 a.m. PT before facing off against No. 21 Notre Dame Sunday at 11 a.m. PT.
