ALISO VIEJO, Calif.--- Leah Mendoza has been voted the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA)/FloCollege Volleyball Defensive Player of the Week for the first week of the 2025 season. This is the first time in Mendoza's career that she has received the honors, and the third in a row for Stanislaus State, including awards received at the end of the 2024 season.
 
Leah Mendoza was a steadfast presence in the back row for Stan State, tallying 78 digs over the first three matches of the season. 40 of those digs came in the five-set match versus Fresno Pacific, tying the Stan State record for most digs in a single match. It also marks the most digs in a single match for the CCAA over the past two seasons.
 
Mendoza added eight assists to aid the Warriors' offense and had no reception errors over the course of the three games, ensuring the offense ran smoothly off of the serve. She leads the CCAA in total digs and ranks fourth in NCAA Division II with 6.5 digs per set. Her efforts also helped Stan State rank second in the CCAA in opponent hitting percentage at .143.
 
Stan State continues their season at the Biola/Vanguard Kickoff taking place in Costa Mesa and La Mirada, California. On September 11, the Warriors face Biola University (2-2), followed by Azusa Pacific University (3-0) and Vanguard University (2-1) on September 12, and Texas Permian Basin (1-3) on September 13.