Texas Border Business
RIO GRANDE VALLEY, Texas – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Department of Intercollegiate Athletics learned on Thursday that Samaret Caraballo, who played for the volleyball team from 2019-21, is playing with the Dominican Under 23 National Team in the Junior Pan American Games in Cali, Colombia.
The Dominican Republic opened the games with a 0-3 loss Perú on Wednesday before sweeping Puerto Rico on Thursday. The Dominican Republic wraps up play in Preliminaries Group B on Friday against Brazil.
Caraballo opened her first professional career with Vitória Sport Clube of the Portuguese Volleyball League A1 this season, recording a 4-8 record.
Caraballo was one of the most prolific passers in program history, ranking fifth all-time in digs per set (4.08) and tied for sixth in 20+ digs matches (10).
As a senior in 2020-21, Caraballo split time between outside hitter and libero, averaging 1.50 kills, 0.57 assists, 3.64 digs and 0.14 blocks in 56 sets across 17 matches. She led the team in kills twice and digs 13 times. Caraballo reached double-figures in kills three times and digs 12 times en route to three double-doubles.
As the starting libero in 2019, Caraballo recorded 502 digs, the eighth-highest single-season total in program history, an average of 4.29 per set. She also served up 43 aces, tied for the 10th-highest single season total in program history. Caraballo led team in digs 26 times. She reached double-figures in digs 25 times, including 10 matches of 20+ digs.
Caraballo graduated from UTRGV in May with a Bachelor of Arts in Multidisciplinary Studies.
