Bishop Diego football’s Gabe Villa and Santa Barbara High volleyball’s Blake Saunders excelled on the gridiron and the court, respectively, on their way to winning this week’s SB Athletic Round Table Athlete of the Week honors.
The pairing was honored at Monday’s SBART Press Luncheon at Harry’s Plaza Cafe.
Villa, a senior running back, was all over the field last week to help power his team to a 43-18 win over Bishop Alemany to finish off the non-league schedule with a perfect 5-0 record.
He took 27 carries for 183 yards on the ground and two touchdowns, hauled in two passes for 26 yards and a score, and blocked an extra-point attempt in the victory.
Meanwhile, Saunders began her week with a standout 17-kill, 18-dig performance in a five-set battle on the road against Ventura High.
She followed that up with 53 kills and 45 digs across four matches at the Santa Barbara Volleyball Tournament of Champions, where the Dons finished as the runner-ups of the consolation bracket.
The boys honorable mentions were Koa Zertuche (DP Water Polo), Channing Wigo (DP Water Polo), Lorenzo Russell (SB Water Polo), Tua Rojas (Bishop Football), Wyatt Degner (SM Cross Country) and Mario David Vega (SBCC Soccer).
The girls honorable mentions were Addie Low (DP Volleyball), Charlotte Hastings (SM Volleyball), Kacey Hurley (DP Flag Football), Elina Stump (SB Flag Football), Laila Hernandez (SB Flag Football) and Nicole Buist (SB Tennis).
The Athlete of the Week award winners are selected by the local sports media. Coaches are encouraged to nominate deserving athletes. Nominations should be sent to sports@noozhawk.com by Saturday afternoon, if possible.
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