IRVINE, Calif. – Chaminade University middle blocker
Lataisia Saulala (Morgan Hill, Calif./Oakwood) on Monday was named the Pacific West Conference Defender of the Week.
The junior was a major factor in helping the Silverswords (26-5, 16-3 PacWest) vault to the top of the PacWest standings last week. Saulala was a one-person wall in Chaminade's three matches, recording 23 total blocks, coming in 10 sets.
In helping the 'Swords record their first-ever season sweep of Azusa Pacific, the two-time defending PacWest champion, she tallied 17 blocks, 14 assisted. Ironically, APU came into the match as the conference's top blocking team but were out-blocked by Chaminade, 28-to-20. In Friday's home finale against Point Loma, Saulala recorded six more.
Saulala has 108 total blocks this season, which is the third highest in single-season school history. She also moved up to fourth in the school's all-time blocks list with 256 and needs just three more to move past Terri Bertulfo for third.
It's her second conference weekly award this season after earning Player of the Week honors on Oct. 4.
Meanwhile the 'Swords moved up one spot to No. 24 in the AVCA Division II Top 25 Coaches Poll. West region schools ranked include Cal State San Bernardino at No. 2, Western Washington at No. 14 and Cal Poly Pomona at No. 19. Metro State-Denver, who Chaminade defeated in early September, remains the top-ranked squad in D-II.
Chaminade's magic number to clinch a share of the PacWest championship is one. The Silverswords close the regular season this Friday at Hawai'i Hilo where a win would give them a share of their first conference title since 1996.
The 'Swords can also clinch a share with a Biola loss either this Thursday at Azusa Pacific or Saturday against Point Loma.
