Bio

MARTA ANDRADE attended Mar Vista High School in Imperial Beach from 1985–1989. A three-sport student-athlete, she competed in volleyball, basketball and softball where she was named All-League in basketball in 1987 and All-League in volleyball from 1986–88. An exceptional setter, Marta earned countywide recognition in her senior year. She was voted Metro League Volleyball Player of the Year, CIF 2nd Team, and her team’s MVP award after leading the Mariners to the Metro League Championship.

After graduation, Marta enrolled at Southwestern College in 1989 and set a 5-1 offense for the Southwestern Apaches Women’s Intercollegiate Volleyball Team for two seasons. Head Coach Karen Day Cravens recalls, “Marta was a very skilled, natural setter able to run a triple quick explosive offense. Hitters loved her range and her ability to deliver quality sets on the run-in transition. Her understanding of game dynamics, her willingness to continue to learn, and her competitive spirit inspired and challenged her teammates to do their best.” Statistically Marta totaled 1,679 career assists, averaging 10.8 assists per game. She also led the team in ace serves with 72 in 1989 and 76 in her 1990 season. As the team’s “quarterback,” the Apaches in 1989 finished 12–2 in conference and 14–3 overall. In 1990, they finished 12–2 in conference and 18–3 overall losing in the 2nd round of the Southern California Regional Playoffs. Although the Apaches finished second to Grossmont, who was a perennial top 4 finisher in the State, Marta was voted MVP of the Pacific Coast Conference, All-Southern California 2nd Team, and was awarded a full athletic scholarship to Humboldt State University.

Competing at Humboldt, Marta was named her team’s Best Offensive Player in 1991. Her career was interrupted as she was called home to help raise her two young nieces. Soon after, Marta attended SDSU, worked toward a sociology degree and walked onto the SDSU Women’s Volleyball Team, setting and traveling throughout spring training. A new coach who believed only 6-foot setters were effective ended
Marta’s dream.

She turned to coaching instead. From 1995–1999 she coached the girls and boys teams at Chula Vista High School and coached for the Starlings Volleyball Club from 1999–2001. Continuing to help her family, from 2001 to 2004, Marta held two full-time jobs. From 6:30 a.m.–2:20 p.m. she worked at San Diego Unified as a secretary/clerk and then from 3–11 p.m. she worked as a 911 operator for the Navy Regional Dispatch’s Southwest Region covering California and Nevada. After 2004, Marta left the district and focused on her
dispatch career with the Navy. In 2009 she was promoted to Dispatch Supervisor where today she reviews and works with emergency calls.

Marta lives in Lemon Grove with her husband, Jon Atzen, their son, Ezekiel, and their puppy dogs, Max and Molly. She still is best friends/partners in crime with Patty and Sherry who were her volleyball teammates at SWC.

Marta’s best memories include working at the SWC Girls’ Volleyball Camp for local high school players for many summers. “It was an opportunity to give back to a great program and inspire youth to see Southwestern as a part of their future.” She also states, “I loved it when SWC would host the USA Women’s Volleyball Team to play international exhibitions. We got to meet studs like Angela Rock.”

Marta Andrade, for your dedication, outstanding achievement and exceptional leadership as a student-athlete, it is our honor to induct you into the Southwestern College Athletic Hall of Fame, Class of 2019.