UCSB setter Dana Vargas capped off her career as one of the most decorated players to ever come through the women’s volleyball program as she and Stacey Schmidt were named All-Americans on Wednesday.
The duo, who were named to the All-West Region First Team last week by the American Volleyball Coaches Association, were selected to the All-American Honorable Mention squad.
Only two other players in UCSB history have been named All-Americans during their Gaucho careers. Kathie Luedeke was a two-time All-American in 1984 and 1985 and Roberta Gehlke was a three-time All-American in 1997, 1998 and 1999.
This marks the second straight season that a pair of Gaucho players were named All-Americans. Last season Vargas and Rebecca Saraceno were honored. Having two players named All-American in successive seasons is a first for the storied women’s volleyball program.
“What Dana has accomplished has been a credit to her,” UCSB head coach Kathy Gregory said. “How she developed her game in her time here says a lot.”
Vargas finished the season ranked among the best setters in the nation with her 10.60 assists per set average while also setting a career-high in digs. She surpassed the 1,000-assist mark for the third time in her career. She finished third all-time in UCSB history in assists.
Schmidt, a junior, averaged 3.00 kills per set while hitting .324 on the season. Schmidt opened the season as one of the team’s starting middle blockers but moved to the right side due to injuries and was even more effective. She was also named as a First Team All-Big West pick and a First Team All-West Region selection.
“Stacey came back from a major knee injury two years ago and it shows the work ethic and time commitment she had to get this award,” Gregory said. “We are hoping that she can use it as a springboard for her to lead us next year and be a good role model for all the players coming in.”
