GAINESVILLE, Fla. - Kariana Ayala, a record-setting defensive specialist for Santa Fe volleyball, intends to walk-on at NCAA Division I Jacksonville University. 

Jacksonville is a member of the ASUN Conference, and Head Coach Maggie Couture will enter her second season with the Dolphins in the fall of 2021. 

Ayala, the sophomore from Vega Baja, Puerto Rico and graduate of The Rock School played primarily as the libero for Head Coach Nick Cheronis, helping the Saints to a Mid-Florida Conference Championship and an overall record of 17-4. 

In her sophomore season, No. 3 became the program's record holder for both digs in a match (48) and career digs (688). Both of the records were obtained during the Saints come-from-behind, 3-2 win in the FCSAA State Tournament over Indian River State College. 

Ayala collected a long list of accolades, including: NJCAA All-Region VIII Team, Mid-Florida Conference First Team, Region 8 Defensive Player of the Week on March 2, and NJCAA Division I Defensive Player of the Week on March 3. 

She ranked No. 3 in the FCSAA in total digs (437) and No. 3 in digs/set (6.33), leading SF in both categories. Her 6.33 digs/set ranked No. 5 in all of the NJCAA Division I.   

Ayala was a model of consistency, recording ten or more digs in every match during the season and notching 25 or more digs in five matches.