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The first ever CCAA Defensive Player of the Week honor has been awarded to Cal State Monterey Bay libero Sam Chavez, for the opening week of the 2022 season.

Chavez posted 40 digs in three matches to lead the Otters to a 2-1 record at their own Otter Classic. Chavez, who averaged 4.44 digs per match, had three consecutive 10-plus dig matches.

Chavez started the season with a 11-dig performance to lead CSUMB to a 3-0 victory over Academy of Art on Friday. She nearly reached 20 with a 19-dig match on Saturday despite the Otters losing to Michigan Tech in straight sets. In the tournament finale, Chavez recorded 10 more digs in the 3-0 win over Dominican.

The senior from Sacramento also had nine assists.

Chavez surpassed 500 digs in her three-year career now with 511 since 2019. In 2011, she had 305, which was sixth most in the CCAA.

This week, CSUMB travels to Pueblo, Colo., for the Steel City Showcase. The Otters will match up against Davis & Elkins College, Wilmington (Del.), Dallas Baptist and host Colorado State-Pueblo.