Maria Carvajal, you came to the university from Columbia in 1984
and made your mark on WPI athletics, becoming the best player the
volleyball team has ever seen. You led the team to its greatest
heights during your four years, a period in which the team complied
an unmatched 86-45 record, including a school best record of 27-9
in 1987. In the words of your coach, Nancy Vaskas, you were "the
best setter ever at WPI. To this day, I consider Maria the best
all-around volleyball athlete that I have ever had the privilege to
coach."
As a captain for two years and most valuable players, you helped
the team capture the WPI Invitational Tournament in 1985 and the
Massachusetts Association of Intercollegiate Athletics from Women
Class C State Championship in 1987. Along the way you garnered many
honors, including All-Tournament Team selection for the WPI
Invitational, Worcester City Tournament and the MAIAW State
Tournament.
You were recognized by the New England Women's Volleyball
Association as an All-Star and were twice named to the All-New
England team. Your academic successes were also recognized when you
were selected an Academic All-American within the region.
Although statistics were kept only during your last two years at
WPI, you rank in the top five in career kill percentage and serving
aces. Your record of 28 assists against Clark University on Nov.
29, 1987, has not been broken. Your impressive .971 service
percentage in 1987 is still the all-time best and your career
average of .75 serving aces per game is second in the record books.
A graduate with distinction in chemical engineering, you were a
member of Phi Sigma Sigma an you served the sorority as its
treasurer during your junior year.
Maria Carvajal, it is with great pride that WPI welcomes you to
membership in the WPI Athletic Hall of Fame.
