Meet Martina Sommaruga: Kesia Brown State Farm Student-Athlete of the Month

USC Salkehatchie is proud to announce that Martina Sommaruga, a freshman volleyball player from Milan, Italy, has been named the Kesia Brown State Farm Student-Athlete of the Month for October. Her outstanding contributions on the court, coupled with her exceptional focus in the classroom, highlight her as a role model for her peers.

Student-Athlete Profile

Name: Martina Sommaruga

Sport: Volleyball

Hometown: Milan, Italy

Year in School: Freshman

Intended Major: Graphic Design

On-the-Court Excellence

Martina's commitment to the game is unmatched. Since arriving from Italy, she has been a workhorse, demonstrating an unwavering commitment by giving 100% during every game, practice and team activity. Her performance this season has been crucial to the team's success.

Martina's impressive season statistics to date showcase her impact across the board:

• 97 Kills

• 18 Aces

• 328 Serves Received

• 142 Digs

"Playing volleyball at USC Salkehatchie provides an opportunity to grow both personally and as an athlete. It means always putting in the effort, challenging myself and, above all, always putting passion and commitment into doing what I love most," said Martina.

Leadership and Character

Martina’s commitment to excellence transcends the court. She tackles her academics with the same focus and drive she applies to volleyball. Despite English being her second language, she is dedicated to her studies, constantly focused, and frequently turns her work in early—a testament to her excellent time management and drive for a high GPA.

Coach Dani Aquino praised Martina's impact as an immediate leader:

“Martina is by far the MVP of this volleyball team on and off the court. She came all the way here from Italy to play the sport she loves and it shows every single day she shows up.”

The Student-Athlete Experience at Salkehatchie

Martina views her time at Salkehatchie as a challenging yet rewarding path toward her future:

"The college experience is very different from the one in Italy; it’s difficult, but also very rewarding. Salkehatchie helped me take the first step, allowing me to learn a lot, improve my language skills, and gain the self-confidence I need to stay focused on my goals and continue my journey as a student-athlete in the United States."