PHOTO COURTESY OF V. MARTHALER/ SACRAMENTO STATE ATHLETICS

Sacramento, California- La Cueva high school alumni Victoria Marthaler has had a historic collegiate season while competing for the Sacramento State volleyball team.

“I have to give so much of my success to my team, and my coaches,” Marthaler said. “Volleyball is not an individual sport, it’s a team sport…nothing would have been possible without them.”

During the 2025 season, the stellar sophomore outside hitter was the Big Sky Conference MVP, an All-America selection (honorable mention) by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA), an All-Pacific Region selection (honorable mention), First Team All-Big Sky, she led the team in kills in 26 out of 30 matches, and the list of achievements goes on and on. 

PHOTO COURTESY OF V. MARTHALER/ SACRAMENTO STATE ATHLETICS

“Throughout my whole high school career, going from not playing as much at Weber, and then getting all these accolades. Honestly, it’s just crazy and I couldn’t believe any of it was happening,” Marthaler said. “When I got All-American, I was laying in my bed, and my Mom was working in her office. I screamed. She was like, ‘oh my god, what’s wrong?’ and I told her that I got All-American.”

Marthaler was just the third Hornet in school history to receive All-America honors, and the eighth in school history to be named Big Sky MVP. Her points per set, kills per set, and kills ranked in the all-time top five players in single-season school history. 

 All of these accolades and national recognition came in her debut season with the Hornets. Marthaler was at Weber State her freshman year before transferring to Sacramento State.

“I felt like I couldn’t reach my potential there, and I felt like there were some differences between me and the coach there,” Marthaler said. “I landed in a really good space for me, and I am really happy where I am.”

The 2025 Hornets finished with a 20-10 record which included wins against Fresno State, Weber State, Northern Arizona, and Portland State. Against Northern Arizona and Montana, Marthaler had 66 kills combined.

PHOTO COURTESY OF V. MARTHALER/ SACRAMENTO STATE ATHLETICS

“When we’re at La Cueva, and we were undefeated, we didn’t want to drop a game or anything. Remembering those pressure situations, knowing how to overcome them, staying aware, and at the same time being aggressive not playing it safe. That mindset I learned at both La Cueva and club,” Marthaler said, who helped La Cueva win two state championships under head coach Steven Archibeque.

Their season came to an end Nov. 25 when they lost 2-3 to Northern Colorado, the eventual winners of the Big Sky tourney. 

“Even though we lost our last game of the season, that moment stays with me forever. I think it was 14-11, and we had a freshman come in to serve, she got us tied 14-14. I just remember being so proud of our team for not giving up, and for fighting for our seniors,” Marthaler said.

With a ton of young talent returning for the 2026 season the Hornets will be a team to watch. A potential breakout player is Kelsey Heffner, another New Mexico native and Cleveland Storm alumni.

“She’s going to have such a big role this upcoming season. She played a lot at the beginning of the season when our two other middles were hurt, and she balled out. I’m really excited to see where she goes,” Marthaler said.

As for some of the up-and-coming talent in New Mexico, Marthaler mentioned one current La Cueva player as one to watch.

“Charlie Ferguson. She is such a baller, her sets are just so pretty…it looks so smooth and elegant,” Marthaler said. 

Finally, the All-American player wanted to share some advice for any volleyball player in New Mexico hoping to play at the next level.

“Volleyball has such a great community in New Mexico where everyone is so nice and so welcoming. Keep going. Truthfully, I didn’t get that much recognition to begin with. Never give up, keep aspiring to be a better athlete. Find those things that you need to work on, and grind away,” Marthaler said. 

PHOTO COURTESY OF V. MARTHALER/ SACRAMENTO STATE ATHLETICS