Tanksley’s Net Presence Earns FloCollege/CCAA Volleyball Defensive Player of the Week
TURLOCK, Calif. – Stanislaus State's Malia Tanksley has been honored as the FloCollege/CCAA Volleyball Defensive Player of the Week following a dominant weekend at the net that helped the Warriors sweep Chico State and Cal Poly Humboldt. With the two wins, Stan State improved to 4-0 in CCAA play for the first time in program history.
Tanksley was a force on the defensive front, racking up 12 total blocks (2.00 per set) over the two matches. Against Chico State, she posted seven block assists, which tied her career high and also marked her season high. She followed that with five more blocks, including two solo, against Humboldt to anchor a front line that held both opponents under .200 hitting.
She also contributed offensively, tallying 12 kills across the weekend (2.0 per set) on 36 attempts. Tanksley's presence at the net not only shut down opposing hitters but also created momentum for Stan State in two straight-set victories.
Through the early portion of the 2025 season, Tanksley has recorded 63 kills (2.03 per set) with 31 total blocks (1.00 per set) and 80.5 points. She currently ranks tied for fifth in the CCAA in blocks per set (1.00) and tenth in total blocks (31). The reigning 2024 CCAA Freshman of the Year is once again proving to be a cornerstone for the Warriors on both sides of the net.
Tanksley also becomes the second Warrior this season to receive the FloCollege/CCAA Volleyball Defensive Player of the Week award, joining teammate Leah Mendoza, who earned the honor for the week of Sept. 1–7. She is also the first right side hitter to earn the conference's defensive honor since 2022.
Stanislaus State (6-5, 4-0 CCAA) now begins a three-match road trip with contests at Cal State Monterey Bay on Friday, Oct. 3, Cal State East Bay on Saturday, Oct. 4, and San Francisco State on Thursday, Oct. 9. All three matches are set for 5 p.m. The Warriors return home on Saturday, Oct. 12, to face Cal State Los Angeles in their annual Dig Pink Match at 2 p.m.
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