After three-plus seasons with the UC Irvine volleyball team, middle blocker Amanda Vazquez has emerged.

As a senior on a young squad, she has stepped up as a leader, and her growth on and off the court is evident.

Vazquez, a 2002 graduate of Moanalua from Honolulu, was named the MVP of the UCI-Holiday Inn-Costa Mesa Sunset Classic last weekend.

"It's funny that they named me MVP. There were three teams in the tournament, and our team didn't win a (match). Somehow they managed to name me MVP," she said. "I don't know how, but it was nice."

It was extra nice for Vazquez, who hit .426 with 27 kills, five aces, nine digs and seven total blocks over the two-day tournament, because her family — including twin sister Tiana — was in town to see her.

"We look nothing alike," said the 6-foot-1 Vazquez, who said her sister is 5 feet 1.

"Well, we look alike, but you would be like, 'there is no way they are twins.' "

Vazquez's MVP honor marked the second straight week she earned recognition for her performance. She was also named the Big West Women's Volleyball Player of the Week in late August.

An honorable mention Big West selection last season, she is averaging 1.46 blocks per game and tops the Anteaters with 3.75 kills per game.

UC Irvine coach Charlie Brande said Vazquez has helped fill the void that was created when four starting seniors completed their eligibility last season, including All-American Kelly Wing.

"She was the third or fourth option before, now she's the No. 1 option," Brande said. "She's in the greatest shape of her life. She's the strongest and quickest that she's ever played at."

Vazquez credits Brande, a former assistant to Hawai'i coach Dave Shoji, with helping her become more confident.

"He's taught me to be strong and confident. Go up to someone and look them in the eye, and give them a firm handshake. At practices, if someone new walks into the gym, he'll stop the practice and we'll all have to go up to them and meet them. Then he'll quiz us later on their name," she said.

"Before I came here, I was so shy, and I had no reason to be outspoken. Now, I'm going to speak up for myself, because I've earned the right to be strong."

Vazquez said that strength is one of the main differences she has noticed about herself since living in California.

"People can mistake my niceness for being naive. (In Hawai'i) we're so used to being nice, not a lot of people take advantage of it. Not to stereotype, but a lot more people (on the Mainland) will take advantage of you, run over you.

"Hawai'i people are really nice. I'm proud of that."

With seven of the top 11 players on the team freshmen and sophomores, her emergence as a go-to player has been key for the Anteaters.

"I kind of put a little more responsibility on myself," she said. "We lost four really good seniors who were the core of the team. I knew it was going to be rough, but I didn't put too much expectations on myself because it is a team game, and I can only do as good as the team."

Brande said he is looking to Vazquez to increase her leadership role.

"The things that she does athletically, I kind of expected she would step up and take the load," he said. "There is a lot of teaching and helping that needs to be done with those players. It's a learning process. Not only do you have to do what is right, but you have to know how to present it to the younger players."

Reach Leila Wai at lwai@honoluluadvertiser.com.