Jay Daubenberger
Liberal, Kansas – One of the best setters in Seward County history has officially signed to head to a much warmer weather climate in the Sunshine State as Rafaela DaSilva has signed her National Letter of Intent to join the first ever volleyball team for New College of Florida as they begin their program’s first season in the fall of 2024.
DaSilva finished her career with Seward County as the fourth all-time assists leader with 2,236 through her two years for the Lady Saints. The Brazil native appeared in 69 matches and along with her assist numbers she recorded 150 kills, 644 digs, 103 blocks, and 54 service aces while leading Seward County to an overall record of 44-25 over a two-year span while winning the Region VI Tournament in 2022 to make an appearance in the NJCAA National Tournament. She was named to the All-Conference teams in both seasons, grabbing first team honors as a freshman in 2022 while being named to the second team this past season in 2023. As a sophomore DaSilva recorded high numbers in most of her appearances including eight games with 40+ assists with two reaching over the 50+ mark that included a 59-assist outing in a five-set win over Garden City to begin their conference schedule.
New College of Florida lands a veteran setter in DaSilva for their first ever volleyball season that will begin in the fall of 2024 as the Mighty Banyans continue to grow their athletics that began this past season in the 2022-23 calendar years.
“Rafaela DaSilva has run our offense for us the past two seasons and became a great leader in the process” says Head Coach Aubrey Wilson. “I have no doubt that Rafa will step into Florida ready to take over and control their offense. She has grown so much as a player and person in these past two years with us and definitely leaves behind some big shoes to fill. I can’t wait to watch her continue to grow as a player and person throughout the rest of her career. She has a bright future on and off the court and will be missed here at SCCC.”
