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ATLANTA - The first Atlantic Sun Conference Volleyball weekly honors of the 2023 season went to the Stetson duo of Sophia Groom and Nyah Molina along with Kennesaw State's Manu Johnsen and North Alabama's Avery Markham, announced Monday by the league office.
Volleyball Player of the Week
Manu Johnsen, Kennesaw State
Sophomore | Outside Hitter | Copenhagen, Denmark
- First Career ASUN Player of the Week award; 30th in Kennesaw State program history
- Averaged 4.27 kills per set in the Owls' season-opening trip to Montana
- Tallied 15 kills against Oregon State on Saturday in KSU's first-ever victory against a Pac-12 opponent
- Recorded 12 and 20 kills to bookend the weekend in matches with North Dakota and Montana State
- Ended the road swing with a total of 18 digs, three aces and three blocks
Other Nominees: Elizabeth Wheat, Austin Peay; Lucas Kambree, EKU; Courtney Jones, Lipscomb; Anna Katherine Griggs, North Alabama; Kailey McKnight, North Florida; Anabelle Standish, Stetson.
Volleyball Defensive Player of the Week
Sophia Groom, Stetson
Sophomore | Middle Blocker | Orlando, Fla.
- First Career ASUN Defensive Player of the Week award; eighth all-time honor for Stetson
- Recorded 17 digs and 17 total blocks over 12 sets of action to open the season
- Notched 11 digs and five total blocks on Friday against Presbyterian
- Followed up with six rejections, three assisted and three solo, on Saturday against UNCW
- Closed the weekend with a six-block, two-dig performance while matched up with Fordham
Other Nominees: Anna Lococo, Bellarmine; Lexie Gregory, Central Arkansas; Josie Schmitendorf, EKU; Juliana Lentz, FGCU; Delaney Smith, Lipscomb; Katie Gerig, North Alabama; Rocio Moro, North Florida; Jesse George, Queens.
Volleyball Setter of the Week
Nyah Molina, Stetson
Junior | Setter | Naranjito, Puerto Rico
- First Career ASUN Setter of the Week honor; first honor in program history for the Hatters
- Played in all 12 sets of Stetson's opening weekend to help the team start 2023 with a 2-1 mark
- Totaled 111 assists for a 9.25 per set average against Presbyterian, UNCW and Fordham
- Opened the weekend with 41 assists in a 3-1 victory against the Blue Hose
- Posted 25 assists in a sweep of the Seahawks before notching 45 more in a loss to the Rams
Other Nominees: Caylan Koons, Central Arkansas; Lily Tessier, FGCU; Sophia Hudepohl, Lipscomb; Elif Ozsoy, North Alabama; Annie Antar, North Florida.
Volleyball Freshman of the Week
Avery Markham, North Alabama
Freshman | Outside Hitter | Apex, N.C.
- First Career ASUN Freshman of the Week honor; fourth Freshman award for North Alabama
- Totaled 30 kills with a .225 hitting percentage while starting all three matches for the Lions
- Combined for 14 kills in victories against Louisiana Tech (6) and Little Rock (8) on Friday
- Recorded a 16-kill, 14-dig double-double on Saturday against Arkansas State
- Added three blocks and a total of 30 digs to her overall stat line during the A-State Invitational
Other Nominees: Natalie Bland, Bellarmine; Emilee Hill, EKU; Reese Burry, FGCU; Claire Mrukowski, Jacksonville; Lily Mueller, Stetson.
2023 Season Award Winners
Aug. 28 | Player: Manu Johnsen, Kennesaw State; Defensive Player: Sophia Groom, Stetson; Setter: Nyah Molina, Stetson; Freshman: Avery Markham, North Alabama