Santos Named National Player of Year

Dallas College Eastfield's Mia Santos was named the National Junior College Athletic Association Division III Volleyball Player of the Year.

A 5-foot-9 sophomore outside hitter from Forney, Texas, Santos banged down 421 kills, had 249 digs, 63 aces and 23 blocks. She hit .276, and averaged 4.21 kills per set.

"Mia is the epitome of what we look for in our program," Eastfield coach Phil Nickel said. "She didn't play very much as a freshman, but she never complained, never pouted and worked hard to help the team. When she got her chance this year, she was more than ready. She was an excellent leader and an absolute stud on the court. She didn't have a bad match all season. I've coached a lot of players, but I don't know if I've ever been prouder of a player than I am of Mia."

Santos blasted a career-high 24 kills in the NJCAA Semifinal win over Rochester Community & Technical College. She had 23 kills in a 3-1 win over Dallas College Brookhaven in October and another four-set victory over Lee College in September. She had double-digit kills in 25 matches, including the last six as Eastfield won its third straight national championship.

"Winning Player of the Year is an honor, but it reflects the hard work of my teammates and coaches just as much as my own," Santos said. "It reminds me of all the work I put in quietly when no one was watching, and shows the growth and dedication that I will continue to carry with me wherever I end up in this next phase of my life."

She had 13 kills, and hit .417 in the national quarterfinals on the same day she pounded 14 kills, and hit .455 in the opening round of the national tournament. She followed up her 24-kill performance in the semifinals with 15 kills, while hitting .393 in the national championship.

"Mia Santos is the perfect picture of a student-athlete," Harvester Bees Athletic Director Anthony Fletcher said. "The All-Academic winner has already graduated with her associate degree, and been a force on the volleyball court. The two-time national champion was locked in, determined and a great leader as a captain. She exceeded all expectations this year."

Santos had a career-high 19 digs in a five-set match at Cisco College. She had double-digit digs in seven matches.

"Her leadership, level-headed energy and her passion for the program was part of the glue that held everything together," Eastfield associate head coach Lexus Greschaw said. "She was a true captain and friend to all her teammates, and she will be missed."

Santos ranked fourth in the country in kills. She was named First Team All-American, Dallas Athletic Conference Most Valuable Player and First Team All-DAC.

"A huge thank you to my family, teammates and coaches who continued to believe in me," Santos said. "And an endless thank you to God, who continues to guide my path and never seems to fail to put me where I belong. Forever and always, go Bees."