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ATLANTA - EKU's Carson Ledford (Player) and Josie Schmitendorf (Defensive Player) joined Kennesaw State's McKinley Ferguson (Setter) and North Alabama's Avery Markham (Freshman) in claiming this week's Atlantic Sun Conference Volleyball honors, announced Monday by the league office.
Volleyball Player of the Week
Carson Ledford, EKU
Sophomore | Middle Blocker | Wilkesboro, N.C.
- First Career ASUN Player of the Week award; second in EKU program history
- Led the Colonels to a 4-0 record during the week without the team dropping a set
- Averaged 3.00 kills per set in the wins while maintaining a .457 hitting percentage
- Committed only four errors in 70 attempts including none against Georgia State
- Contributed defensively at the net with six blocks in 12 sets
Other Nominees: Alexandra Zakutney, FGCU; Emma Schurfranz, Kennesaw State; Anna Katherine Griggs, North Alabama; Kailey McKnight, North Floirda.
Volleyball Defensive Player of the Week
Josie Schmitendorf, EKU
Senior | Defensive Specialist/Libero | Huntley, Ill.
- First Career ASUN Defensive Player of the Week award; second all-time honor for the Colonels
- Helped EKU's undefeated week with an average of 6.08 digs per set
- Recorded team-highs of 18 digs against both Marshall and Murray State
- Tallied a match-high 23 digs against Georgia State; closed the weekend with 14 against Chattanooga
- Added three service aces and one kill in the four Colonel victories
Other Nominees: Reese Burry, FGCU; Luana Bulara, North Alabama; Rocio Moro, North Florida.
Volleyball Setter of the Week
McKinley Ferguson, Kennesaw State
Senior | Setter | Jasper, Ala.
- Fourth Career ASUN Setter of the Week honor; fourth award for the KSU program
- Averaged 10.15 assists per set over three home matches for the Owls
- Recorded 10 assists on Friday in a 3-2 victory against Wake Forest
- Followed up with 11 assists in KSU's five-set defeat of SEC foe Mississippi State
- Posted an average of 1.92 digs per during last week's Kennesaw State Invitational
Other Nominees: Chloe Mason, EKU; Lily Tessier, FGCU; Kennedey Johnson, North Alabama; Annie Antar, North Florida.
Volleyball Freshman of the Week
Avery Markham, North Alabama
Freshman | Outside Hitter | Apex, N.C.
- Second Career ASUN Freshman of the Week honor; fifth Freshman award for North Alabama
- Played in all four matches last week for the Lions; totaled 48.5 points, 42 kills, 54 digs and five blocks
- Averaged a double-double across the week with 13.5 digs and 10.5 kills
- Set a career high in digs with 16 in a 3-1 win against Big East member Georgetown
- Recorded a service ace in each of UNA's contests last week
Other Nominees: Emilee Hill, EKU; Reese Burry, FGCU; Olivia Burrage, Kennesaw State; Emma Pohlmann, North Florida.
2023 Season Award Winners
Sept. 11 | Player: Carson Ledford, EKU; Defensive Player: Josie Schmitendorf, EKU; Setter: McKinley Ferguson, Kennesaw State; Freshman: Avery Markham, North Alabama
Sept. 5 | Player: Mikayla Powell, Austin Peay; Defensive Player: Anna Lococo, Bellarmine; Setter: Kelsey Mead, Austin Peay; Freshman: Natalie Bland, Bellarmine
Aug. 28 | Player: Manu Johnsen, Kennesaw State; Defensive Player: Sophia Groom, Stetson; Setter: Nyah Molina, Stetson; Freshman: Avery Markham, North Alabama