SEASIDE, Calif. — One thing is certain: Julia Ashen's (North Salinas HS) spectacular 2013 campaign is not going unnoticed. After leading the Cal State Monterey Bay volleyball team to three consecutive road wins in the week ending Oct. 6, Ashen earned her second CCAA Player of the Week nod for 2013.

Ashen, who was named CCAA POTW for Sept. 8 for her all–tournament performance at the Otter Classic, becomes the first player in CSUMB volleyball history to win the award twice. Melanie Lashbrook (Oct. 10, 2010) and Rheann Fall (Sept. 20, 2010) are the only Otter players to earn the recognition.

Entering last week ranked No. 2 nationally in kills averaging 5.05 kills per set, Ashen improved on even those lofty number in wins at Cal State East Bay, Cal State L.A. and Cal State Dominguez Hills. She averaged 5.62 kills per set, leading the Otters to a pair of epic 5–set comeback wins as well as the second most dominant sweep in school history.

Her most prolific effort came Friday (Oct. 4) at Cal State L.A. when she put down 30 kills in a 5–set comeback win. Not only did she match her career high, she became the first player in CSUMB history to record 30 kills in a match twice. The following night, Ashen put down 19 kills (6.30 kps) in a sweep at Cal State Dominguez Hills in which the Otters held the Toros to 57 points, the second fewest points allowed by CSUMB in the rally scoring era.

More than just collect kills, Ashen also played solid defense, adding 40 digs and 10 blocks to her stat line.

Ashen and the Otters (11–4, 5–2 CCAA) will have their hands full trying to extended their 5–match winning streak this weekend when they head to Southern California to take on No. 16 Cal State San Bernardino Friday (Oct. 11) and No. 12 UC San Diego Saturday (Oct. 12). The Otters return home to host San Francisco State Oct. 18 in The Kelp Bed.