Stunning Upset Propels Vartazarian to Player of the Week Acclaim
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After notching the first victory over a ranked opponent in seven seasons, Cal State Monterey Bay leader Sylvia Vartazarian has been picked as the first CCAA Player of the Week of 2020, For Dec. 30-Jan. 5.
Vartazarian posted averages of 19.0 points and 9.0 rebounds as the Otters upended No. 22 UC San Diego before falling at Cal State San Marcos in a Southland split. Vartazarian is the first Otter to earn weekly conference acclaim since Brittani Jefferson (Feb. 10, 2013).
The junior forward from Glendale led all players in scoring in Thursday night’s victory in La Jolla. Vartazarian poured in 20 points while shooting 7-of-13 from the field while adding nine rebounds, two steals and a block in the 59-58 effort.
The road win over the Tritons was the first in program history for the Otters, and just the fourth in the all-time series. The win was also Cal State Monterey Bay’s first of the season away from Seaside. Their last road victory dates back to Jan. 20, 2018, a 73-47 result at San Francisco State.
Vartazarian followed up her performance at UC San Diego with a team-leading 18 points and nine rebounds at No. 24 Cal State San Marcos. She was the game’s leading scorer, but the Cougars collected the 73-48 victory.
Vartarzarian currently ranks in the CCAA top 10 in four notable statistical categories: scoring average (14.4 - 5th), field goal percentage (43.2 - 6th), free throw percentage (77.3 - 7th) and blocks average (0.82 - t-5th).
The Otters face another tough road test in their lone game of the week. Cal State Monterey Bay travels to CCAA-leading Cal State East Bay for a Saturday matchup scheduled to tip from Pioneer Gymnasium at 1 p.m. The game can be seen live on ccaanetwork.com.
Also nominated:
Kayla Bibb, Cal State San Bernardino
Sydney Bordonaro, Cal State LA
Emma Forel, Cal State San Marcos
Ashley Hart, San Francisco State
Madeline Hatch, Humboldt State
Julia Macabuhay, UC San Diego
Madison Schiller, Cal State East Bay
Jayda VIllareal, Cal Poly Pomona
Maddy Wong, Chico State