UTPB Athletics

Volleyball – Libero (2006–2008)

One of the greatest defensive players in University of Texas Permian Basin volleyball history, Ashley Alba established herself as the backbone of the Falcons' back row during her career from 2006–08. A native of El Paso, Texas, Alba's relentless effort, consistency, and leadership helped elevate UTPB into one of the premier programs in the Heartland Conference and played a vital role in one of the most successful eras in program history.

Alba's impact reached its peak during the historic 2008 season, when she anchored a defense that helped lead the Falcons to both the Heartland Conference regular-season and tournament championships. Her stellar play propelled UTPB to its first NCAA Division II Tournament appearance in program history, cementing her legacy as one of the defining student-athletes of Falcon Athletics.

Known for her exceptional court awareness and defensive instincts, Alba finished her career as UTPB's all-time leader in service aces and ranked second in program history in digs—a record she held until it was surpassed years later. Her accomplishments on the court continue to rank among the best in program history and remain the standard for future Falcon liberos.
 

Program Records & Rankings

UTPB Career Leader In:

• Service Aces: 124

Career Rankings:

• Digs: 2nd (1,689) (Program record until 2012)

• Service Aces: 1st (124)

Single-Season Records & Rankings:

• Service Aces: 52 (2007) – Program Record

• Digs: 697 (2007) – Third-most in program history

• Digs: 683 (2008) – Fourth-most in program history

• Digs Per Set: 5.24 (2007) – Fourth-highest season average

• Digs Per Set: 4.99 (2008) – Fifth-highest season average
   

Awards & Honors

2007

• Heartland Conference Libero of the Year

• Second-Team All-Heartland Conference

2008

• Daktronics Second-Team All-Region

• First-Team All-Heartland Conference

• Heartland Conference Libero of the Year

• All-Heartland Conference Tournament Team

• Four-Time Heartland Conference Player of the Week

  • Sept. 27

  • Oct. 4

  • Oct. 21

  • Oct. 28
     

Conference & National Recognition

• Heartland Conference Libero of the Year (2007, 2008)

• Ranked 25th nationally in NCAA Division II with 4.99 digs per set (2008)
   

Season Highlights

2007

• Named Heartland Conference Libero of the Year

• Earned Second-Team All-Heartland Conference honors

• Set the UTPB single-season record with 52 service aces

• Recorded 697 digs, one of the top defensive seasons in program history

• Averaged 5.24 digs per set, ranking among the program's best single-season marks

2008

• Helped lead UTPB to the Heartland Conference Regular Season Championship

• Guided the Falcons to the Heartland Conference Tournament Championship

• Played a key role in UTPB's first NCAA Division II Tournament appearance

• Earned Daktronics Second-Team All-Region and First-Team All-Heartland Conference honors

• Named Heartland Conference Libero of the Year for the second consecutive season

• Averaged 4.99 digs per set, finishing 25th nationally

• Recorded 683 digs while leading the Falcons' defense throughout their championship season