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ATLANTA - North Alabama's Anna Katherine Griggs (Player) and Avery Markham (Freshman) joined EKU's Josie Schmitendorf (Defensive) and Central Arkansas' Caylan Koons (Setter) in claiming this week's Atlantic Sun Conference Volleyball honors, announced Monday by the league office.
Volleyball Player of the Week
Anna Katherine Griggs, North Alabama
Graduate | Middle Blocker | Arab, Ala.
- First Career ASUN Player of the Week award; second in UNA program history
- Averaged 3.50 kills per set with a .506 hitting percentage during the Lions' 4-0 week
- Tallied a career-high 19 kills on Tuesday against Alabama A&M
- Helped UNA start league play 1-0 with 12 kills against Central Arkansas on Friday
- Added 13 blocks, three digs and a service ace to her 49-kill stat line for the week
Other Nominees: Mikayla Powell, Austin Peay; Caylan Koons, Central Arkansas; Carson Ledford, EKU; Alexandra Zakutney, FGCU; Cora ter Kuile, Lipscomb; Kierstyn McFall, North Florida; Alleigh Johnson, Queens.
Volleyball Defensive Player of the Week
Josie Schmitendorf, EKU
Senior | Defensive Specialist/Libero | Huntley, Ill.
- Second Career ASUN Defensive Player of the Week award; third all-time honor for the Colonels
- Helped the Colonels extend their win streak to nine matches with 5.43 digs per set
- Recorded 13 digs in straight sets against Winthrop, EKU's program-record seventh consecutive sweep
- Led the match against VCU with 25 digs in the four-set victory
- Averaged 2.14 assists per set while also adding two service aces on the week
Other Nominees: Juliana Lentz, FGCU; Delaney Smith, Lipscomb; Luana Bulara, North Alabama; Maddie Boyd, North Florida.
Volleyball Setter of the Week
Caylan Koons, Central Arkansas
Sophomore | Setter | Springdale, Ark.
- Second Career ASUN Setter of the Week honor; second award for Central Arkansas
- Averaged 11.70 assists per set as the Sugar Bears went 2-1 in last week's action
- Posted 43 assists in the conference-opening defeat on the road at North Alabama
- Tallied 34 and 40 assists in sweeps of Mississippi Valley State and Arkansas-Pine Bluff, respectively
- Recorded 117 assists over the weekend to bring her ASUN-leading season total to 486
Other Nominees: Lily Tessier, FGCU; Sophia Hudepohl, Lipscomb; Kennedey Johnson, North Alabama; Annia Antar, North Florida.
Volleyball Freshman of the Week
Avery Markham, North Alabama
Freshman | Outside Hitter | Apex, N.C.
- Third Career ASUN Freshman of the Week honor; sixth Freshman award for North Alabama
- Played in all four victories for the Lions totaling 31 kills with a .250 hitting percentage
- Tallied 45 digs and three blocks on the defensive side for UNA
- Notched a double-double in the conference opener with 16 digs and 10 kills against UCA
- Added a service ace to her stat line that included 3.21 digs per set
Other Nominees: Emilee Hill, EKU; Shanelle Puetz, FGCU; Emma Pohlmann, North Florida.
2023 Season Award Winners
Sept. 18 | Player: Anna Katherine Griggs, North Alabama; Defensive Player: Josie Schmitendorf, EKU; Setter: Caylan Koons, Central Arkansas; Freshman: Avery Markham, North Alabama
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