LA JOLLA, Calif.—UC San Diego women's volleyball's Gia Rivera was named Big West Rookie of the Week after a strong performance at the Borderland Classic. The freshman outside hitter averaged 3.70 points per set and finished second on the team with 37 total points over three matches.
 
It is the first Big West weekly honor for Rivera and first for the Tritons this season. It is the 22nd conference weekly award for the Tritons since joining the Big West in 2021.
 
Rivera averaged 3.50 kills with a .237 hitting percentage in week three of the season. She added nine total digs and four blocks over 10 sets.
 
On Friday at New Mexico State, Rivera recorded career highs with 20 kills and 22.0 points, adding three digs and four blocks with a .279 hitting percentage. She followed with 13 kills and five digs at UTEP on Saturday, recording her fourth consecutive double-figure kills total. 
 
Rivera currently ranks 14th in the Big West in kills (2.81 per set) and 16th in points (3.06 per set).
 
The Tritons will conclude their non-conference slate this weekend at the Rebel Challenge in Las Vegas, facing Southeastern Louisiana on Saturday in a neutral match and taking on the host UNLV on Sunday. Big West play begins Sept. 25 when UC San Diego will host Cal State Fullerton in the Tritons' home opener in LionTree Arena.
 
PAST WEEKLY AWARD WINNERS
Gia Rivera, Rookie (Sept. 14, 2026)
Maria Fernanda Afonso, Offensive (Sept. 29, 2025)
Molly McCluskey, Offensive (Sept. 1, 2025)
Audrey Hollis, Setter (Nov. 11, 2024)
Paulina Baillie, Defensive (Nov. 11, 2024)
Paulina Baillie, Defensive (Nov. 4, 2024)
Molly McCluskey, Freshman (Nov. 4, 2024)
Audrey Hollis, Setter (Oct. 21, 2024)
Paulina Baillie, Freshman (Oct. 21, 2024)
Molly McCluskey, Freshman (Sept. 9, 2024)
Paulina Baillie, Defensive (Sept. 2, 2024)
Molly McCluskey, Freshman (Sept. 2, 2024)
Jasmine Saran, Defensive (Nov. 6, 2023)
Lauren Brooker, Freshman (Oct. 23, 2023)
Jasmine Saran, Defensive (Oct. 23, 2023) 
Ava McInnes, Offensive (Sept. 18, 2023)
Lauren Brooker, Freshman (Sept. 18, 2023)
Emily McDaniel, Defensive (Aug. 28, 2023)
Lauren Brooker, Freshman (Aug. 28, 2023)
Ava McInnes, Offensive (Oct. 17, 2022)
Emily McDaniel, Freshman (Oct. 18, 2021)
Naya Dong, Defensive (Sept. 13, 2021)
 
About UC San Diego Athletics
After two decades as one of the most successful programs in NCAA Division II, the UC San Diego intercollegiate athletics program began a new era in 2020 as a member of The Big West in NCAA Division I. The 23-sport Tritons earned 30 team and nearly 150 individual national championships during its time in Divisions II and III and helped guide 1,400 scholar-athletes to All-America honors. A total of 84 Tritons have earned Academic All-America honors, while 38 have earned prestigious NCAA Post Graduate Scholarships. UC San Diego scholar-athletes exemplify the academic ideals of one of the world's preeminent institutions, graduating at an average rate of 91 percent, one of the highest rates among institutions at all divisions.