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Some athletes are born to play certain positions. Alexa Carranza was one of them.
The great libero made his situation look like a relaxing day at home. Although the joggers were running to the outer limits of any gym, diving into the stands, crowds and scorers’ tables, nothing seemed out of the ordinary.
For Carranza, the Monitor’s 2023 All-Area Libero the Year, every day was just another day at the office, where her demeanor — calm and cool — rippled through a team of high-energy colleagues (aka – Spazzes) and helped them… Maintain their focus. She led quietly but her words carried more when she needed to speak.
However, it was her defensive skills and instincts that really set her apart. At the start of the season, Carranza was considered the best back-row defender among most coaches, players and officials. It did not disappoint. Watching her make a miraculous save had become a cliché, and it was common to see her receive the serve and pass it perfectly for a first-touch kill.
She’s taking her fast-paced self to play volleyball and continue her academic career at the University of Central Arkansas this spring semester.
Carranza finished the season with 462 digs (12.8/match) and received over 500 more serves (you’d think opponents would stop doing that). Her willingness and instincts to be where the ball was going was unparalleled as PSJA captured a Region III title – its second straight undefeated – and finished the year 37-6. The typically attacking team started after Carranza touched the ball and quickly switched the defense into attack mode.
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