TURLOCK, Calif.--- Stan State middle blocker
Malia Tanksley has been named the FloCollege/CCAA Volleyball Defensive Player of the Week for the second time this season, after leading the Warriors to a perfect 2–0 road weekend to close the regular season.
Tanksley anchored the Stan State defense at the net with 11 total blocks (1.10 per set) in victories over Cal State LA and Cal Poly Pomona, helping the Warriors limit both opponents to under a .150 hitting percentage. She also added 21 kills on a .167 attack clip and totaled 26.5 points across the two five-set wins.
The senior middle was at her best in the comeback win at Pomona, tallying six blocks and 12 kills, one night after recording five blocks in the upset of Cal State LA. Through the regular season, Tanksley leads Stan State with 69 total blocks (0.84 per set) to go along with 151 kills and a .172 hitting percentage.
Tanksley previously earned the conference's defensive honor for the week of Sept. 22–28. Teammate
Leah Mendoza was also recognized earlier this season, earning FloCollege/CCAA Defensive Player of the Week honors for Sept. 1–7. Together, they have combined for three of Stan State's weekly conference awards in 2025.
Up Next
Stan State now turns its attention to the 2025 CCAA Volleyball Tournament, presented by Under Armour, which the Warriors will host this week at Ed & Bertha Fitzpatrick Arena in Turlock. This marks the Warriors' second straight appearance in the CCAA Tournament and their third in the last four years.
Thursday, Nov. 20 – Quarterfinals
3 p.m. – #3 Cal State LA (17–8) vs. #6 Cal State East Bay (13–13)
5:30 p.m. – #4 Stan State (13–12) vs. #5 San Francisco State (11–14)
Friday, Nov. 21 – Semifinals
3 p.m. – #2 Cal State San Bernardino (20–5) vs. Match 1 Winner
5:30 p.m. – #1 Cal Poly Pomona (19–5) vs. Match 2 Winner
Saturday, Nov. 22 – Championship
5 p.m. – Match 3 Winner vs. Match 4 Winner
All tournament matches will be streamed live on FloCollege.
Full tournament information:
https://goccaa.org/tournaments/?id=144&path=wvball
