In 2007, freshman opposite hitter Sarah Mandala led USF volleyball to a pair of sweeps against ancient Bay Area and West Coast Conference rivals Saint Mary's and Santa Clara and for her efforts earned WCC Player of the Week honors as announced today by the league office. Mandala averaged 4.17 kills on .340 hitting to go along with 3.33 digs and 1.50 blocks in downing the Gaels and Broncos.
Mandala recorded her first career double-double match against Saint Mary's Thursday with 14 kills, 12 digs and five blocks and also played a key role in helping the Dons defeat Santa Clara for the first time since 1989, with 11 kills, eight digs, four blocks and two service aces, helping USF snap a 34-match losing streak to the Broncos.
One of the top newcomers in the WCC this season, Mandala ranks second on the team in kills with 3.29 while hitting at a .238 clip to go along with 1.49 digs and 0.61 blocks per game. With 194 kills on the season, Mandala is within striking distance of the USF freshman kills record, established by Theresa Hart (2003-2005) with 277.
Mandala is the first WCC Player of the Week selection for the Dons this season and is the first freshman to earn the honor for USF since libero Haley Carroll accomplished the feat in 2006.
She graduated in 2011 with Bachelors in Exercise Science, and coached girls volleyball ages ranging from 5-17 for 4 years during summer camps. She is now a working Certified Personal Trainer. At Saint Lucy's Priory High School in San Dimas, CA, she played basketball and volleyball for four years (USFAthletics). Â
