NORTHRIDGE — Rachel Diaz completed her senior year at Cal State Northridge as a member of the 2017 All-Big West Volleyball Team as a middle blocker.
The 23-year-old Diaz had a career best season for Northridge, finishing the season with 239 kills, 73 blocks, 60 kigs, and 22 aces. Joining Diaz on the All-Big West Team from Northridge was Aeryn Owens.
Diaz, a Child and Adolescent Development major helped Northridge to a 7-9 Big West Conference record and 13-15 overall record for the Division I school. In her final match Diaz for Northridge against UC Riverside, the 6-2 Diaz finished the game with 11 kills which is another career best for a match.
Diaz has battled leg injuries throughout her career, including an injury that occurred while she played at King City High School and another leg injury at Northridge that shortened one of her seasons at the university. This year was an injury free season for Diaz.
Bill Ashen a local volleyball player in the Masters age group and coach of the IMUA Volleyball Club, a travel club in Monterey County has known Diaz since her high school years and as a member of IMUA.
“I first saw Rachel at King City when I was coaching for North Salinas,” said Ashen. “To see her accomplish her goal of playing in the Division I level is just great. In the this area we have players that go on and play at the next level after high school after playing as front row players or outside hitters and many of those players ended up playing libero in college. Rachel is one of the few players I know that stayed in the front as a middle blocker. She always had the height and the heart to play in college and she was able to overcome the injuries to have a memorable season and earn All-Conference. Rachel was a member of our IMUA teams for three years and she always had a strong vertical game.”
Diaz will remain in the Los Angeles area after completing her studies to complete a teaching credential.
