2018 Volleyball Roster
Sep 12 (Fri)
6 PM
Gabby Carta-Samuels
- Position:
- Defensive Specialist/Libero
- Height:
- 5-6
- Class:
- Senior
- Hometown:
- Saratoga, Calif.
- High School:
- Archbishop Mitty
Mahoney on Carta-Samuels
“We are looking forward to a healthy Gabby this season. She brings a competitive edge to the game – especially as a defender - and we look for her make a big contribution in the back court this season.”
As a Junior in 2017
Carta-Samuels had a breakout season as a Junior, seeing action in 33 of 34 matches, and earning the libero position for the Buffs. She led the team in digs (414), which ranked 221st in the NCAA, and her digs per set percentage (3.52) was the eighth best mark in the Pac-12. Carta-Samuels was the libero in CU’s win over Oklahoma (8/26), where she recorded a then-career-best 19 digs. Two of Carta-Samuels best performances came in close losses to conference opponents then-No.4 Stanford (9/24) and UCLA (10/21). In the match against Stanford, Carta-Samuels handed out a career best eight assists as well as 11 digs. In the narrow 2-3 loss to UCLA, Carta-Samuels led the Buffs with her career-high of 25 digs. She recorded double-digit digs in 23 matches this season, and entered in to CU’s 20+ Digs Club for her performances in matches against Utah (9/24), UCLA (10/21), and OSU (10/28).
As a Sophomore in 2016
Carta-Samuels was a significant contributor for the Buffs as a sophomore, playing in 20 matches mainly as a defensive specialist. She saw time in the first five matches of the campaign and recorded a season-best five digs against Long Beach State (8/27), the third contest of the season, before suffering an injury which forced her to miss eight matches. Carta-Samuels returned to the line-up against then-No. 12 UCLA, helping CU record a five-set upset. She tied her season-best five digs later in the campaign against California (10/9). Carta-Samuels recorded 21 digs (0.36 per set) during the season and added one kill, two assists and six aces for 7.0 points.
As a Freshman in 2015
Carta-Samuels saw action in 14 matches for the Buffs, debuting in the season opener against San Diego (8/28). She recorded a season-best six digs in a 3-0 win against Air Force (9/20). Carta-Samuels tallied 20 digs and two assists during the season.
High School
Carta-Samuels was named a 2014 AVCA Under Armour Third Team All-American after helping Archbishop Mitty to a 37-3 record. During the year, she collected 800 digs (4.1 per set) and added 50 aces. AMHS put tougher a 41-4 record in 2013 and during those two seasons, Carta-Samuels handled 1,236 serve receptions.
Archbishop Mitty was the No. 1 team in the country during the 2013 and 14 seasons, winning the league championship, Central Coach Section Championship and the California State Championship both seasons. During her senior season, Carta-Samuels was named to the Durango and Stockton All-Tournament Teams and the WCAL First Team. The team captain was also named the most inspirational player in 2014.
She played club volleyball for Vision VBS in Los Gatos, Calif., for Jason Mansfield. Her team qualified for six Junior Olympics and won many tournament titles.
Washington, UC Irvine, LMU, TCU and Oregon also recruited Carta-Samuels. She decided on Colorado because she felt a true sense of family, the community, it’s a beautiful place and she had no doubt in her mind this was the place she wanted to be after she visited.
Personal
Gabrielle Carta-Samuels was born on January 12, 1997 and is the daughter of James Samuels and Lilinda Carta-Samuels of Saratoga, Calif. She has two older brothers, Austyn and Kyle. Her father played football at Utah State, while her mother swam at Santa Clara. Austyn played quarterback for Vanderbilt in 2013 and was the back-up quarterback in 2012 after transferring from Wyoming. Kyle is as member of the Washington football team (quarterback). Her grandfather, Tom Samuels, played baseball at Vanderbilt. Carta-Samuels enjoys watching football, running and music.
Academics
Carta-Samuels is majoring in psychology with a minor in leadership studies.
