Two-sport state champion San Diego Mesa College volleyball player Kailyn Jager and West Valley basketball star Elijah Mahi are the 2023-2024 California Community College Sports Information Association State Athletes of the Year for all sports.

The sports information association (CCCSIA) started the State AOTY honors in 2011-12. List of All Winners, click here

CCCSIA 2023-24 WOMEN'S ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Kailyn Jager, Sophomore, San Diego Mesa/Indoor Volleyball/Beach Volleyball (La Costa Canyon High, Encinatas)

Jager accomplished great heights as the 6-foot, outside hitter led Mesa to the school's first-ever, 3C2A state title in women's volleyball in December, then partnered with teammate Myah Gomez to win the beach volleyball pairs state championship last month.

Jager was the tourney MVP at the indoor championship as she a set a state tourney record for highest kills per set with 57 in nine for a 6.33 average. She helped Mesa go a perfect 9-0 in sets to win all three tournament matches as Mesa finished 29-2 overall.

In beach play, Jager and Gomez rallied to beat Santa Barbara City's Olivia Medina and Ashley Rossi, 18-21, 21-18, 15-8, in the finals for the pairs crown. Jager-Gomez also went three sets in a semifinals win over a Moorpark duo. In team play, Jager helped Mesa win the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference title and won her pairs match in the Olympians' 3-2 elimination loss to Fresno City during state team championship pool play.

Jager was an AVCA Second Team, All-American and All-State selection in indoor volleyball after finishing second in the state in kills per set (4.93). She was a CCCWVCA State Player of the Week in September. She was recently selected as Mesa's Athlete of the Year for all sports.

As a freshman, Jager was an All-SoCal Region player at MiraCosta College and finished fourth in the state in kills before transferring to Mesa for her sophomore campaign. In her 2-year community college career, she totaled a remarkable 919 kills and 661 digs.

Carrying a 3.8 GPA in the classroom, Jager is headed on scholarship to play indoor at NCAA Division I UC Riverside. 

Jager is the third volleyball player to receive the SIA state award and second to play both beach/indoor as Irvine Valley's Annie Mitchem excelled in the two sports in 2014-15. 

Release by Robert Lewis, CCCSIA Executive Board member