By Christopher Pimentel Jr., October 6, 2026
Cal Poly Pomona setter Alexia Zammit earned back-to-back California Collegiate Athletic Association Setter of the Week recognitions for the weeks of Sept. 7-13 and Sept. 14-20, becoming the first setter to do so since Caitie Mueller in 2022.
In the first week Zammit earned the recognition, she had 31-assist games against both Cal State Monterey Bay and Menlo College and averaged 9.5 digs per game. In the second week, she dominated Cal State East Bay with 48 assists and 19 digs after a 33-assist game against San Francisco State.
Zammit said she prides herself on putting in the work for every aspect of volleyball.
“Defense is something I’ve been really working on and blocking as well,” Zammit said. “It doesn’t come as naturally, … and even though sometimes the progress feels slow, I definitely feel like the results are slowly coming through more and more.”
According to Zammit, the tone of defensive practices is set by the intensity of previous CCAA Offensive Player of the Week hitters Sarah Ybarra, Elle Walker and Charlotte Koerber, who Zammit said will always bring 100%, just like they would in a real game.
The level of confidence Zammit said she has in her hitters’ ability to close out a kill played a key role in her effectiveness in setting the ball and earning assists consistently. In addition to her confidence, the team’s strong chemistry and culture prevent her from feeling pressure in the game, she said.
“Because I know my teammates, who I am surrounded with on and off the court, we help each other every single point,” Zammit said. “Once I walk off, they’re helping me and telling me what they see, which again helps, … and that all just leads to the win and getting results.”
Zammit said she understands her role as a setter is to consistently produce successful sets for each hitter, but her trust in her hitters is the most important factor.
This season not only marks the first time the junior setter was awarded the recognition, but it’s also her first year as a starter. Zammit is averaging 9.57 assists per set this season, placing her second in the CCAA and 37th in NCAA Division II.
Although this is an individual award, Zammit said she felt lucky to have the team around her that can put her in the best situation to succeed. Whether it is players on the defensive end who rack up digs, such as libero Renee Nachtigall who leads the team in the stat and keeps the rally going, or the hitters who put the ball away and give her the assist.
Ultimately, Zammit said she feels this award represents the team’s all-around success this season.
“Having that strong support network both within the team and the culture that we’ve created is incredible,” Zammit said. “Sometimes you can have some doubts creep in, but if you have a teammate saying, ‘No, I know you can do this,’ it kind of inputs that belief again within yourself, and then you have that strength to continue on in those difficult times.”
Broncos’ backup setter Paige Bowyer mentioned the team’s relationship is like a sisterhood since they are always there for each other on or off the court. This relationship, in addition to Zammit’s skills, is what makes her successful, as she understands what it is like to be in their shoes and how they are feeling throughout the game, according to Bowyer.
Bowyer said it was no surprise Zammit earned the recognitions, and everyone else on the team knew she was going to get the award because of her leadership. Zammit’s ability to stay calm, vocalize team improvements and adapt to the opponents will prove vital toward the team’s success in future games, according to Bowyer.
“Volleyball is a chaotic sport,” Bowyer said. “You never really know what is going on. A lot of the time you’re getting a lot of random stuff coming at you, and having someone who’s like the leader … and knowing that a person that’s setting you up doesn’t get flustered is important.”
In addition to her teammates’ support, the coaches also shared their continued belief and support for Zammit’s journey as a player and student. Head coach Traci Dahl said Zammit deserved these recognitions because of her hard work and dedication to improving for the team.
Dahl also highlighted Zammit’s hitter connection, which Dahl described as critical to both her own personal success and the team’s success.
“She does all the extra stuff,” Dahl said. “… She doesn’t just show up to practice for two hours and then forget about volleyball. This kid watches film, she asks a lot of questions, … and so it was really nice to see her get recognized for the first time in her career.”
Zammit’s next appearances following the recognition were in non-conference matchups against Cal State Los Angeles Sept. 24 and in the CCAA’s Game of the Week Sept. 26 against Cal State San Bernardino, where she once again performed as a high-level setter.
In both five-set matches, she earned 43 and 42 assists, helping the Broncos claim victory in both comeback wins.
According to Zammit, she understands the more work she puts in by showing up for practice early, getting extra reps and looking back at all the film, she has control over whether she gets better rather than just waiting for it overnight.
“I know that the more reps I can get in, the better I can get for my team, and hopefully that can lead us into a better result or hopefully getting us to that national championship,” Zammit said.
Feature image courtesy of CPP Athletics
