JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – North Alabama's Reese Ricketts and Kinslee McGowan, Jacksonville's Kristina Nika and North Florida's Kendall Newbold earned this week's Atlantic Sun Conference (ASUN) Volleyball honors, announced Monday by the league office.
Ricketts finished the week with 27 kills, 11 digs, five blocks and four assists in a 2-0 week for the Lions. She helped UNA earn two victories to begin conference play with a 4.50 kills per set average and a .344 hitting percentage. Nika averaged 5.29 digs per set across seven sets of action for the Dolphins. She collected 20 digs in a four-set victory against Queens and followed up with 17 in a sweep of West Georgia. McGowan totaled 70 assists for a 11.67 per-set average for the Lions. She notched 37 assists against Austin Peay then recorded 33 against Lipscomb. Newbold helped the Ospreys to a 1-1 week by posting double-digit kills against the Wolves and Royals. She hit .421 in a four-set win against UWG to begin conference play.
Player of the Week
Reese Ricketts, North Alabama
Other Nominees: Brooklynn Merrell, Austin Peay; Mya White, Bellarmine; Gabby Tuiaana, Central Arkansas; Barbara Koehler, FGCU; Breanna McDonough, Jacksonville; Kendall Newbold, North Florida; Zuzanna Bury, Stetson.
Defensive Player of the Week
Kristina Nika, Jacksonville
Other Nominees: Reagan Anderson, Austin Peay; Alexis McDaniel, Central Arkansas; Abigail Toeniskoetter, FGCU; Nicole Sargent, North Alabama; Yarimar Francis Garay, North Florida; Mia McMillen, Queens; Zuzanna Bury, Stetson.
Setter of the Week
Kinslee McGowan, North Alabama
Other Nominees: Brooklynn Merrell, Austin Peay; Caylan Koons, Central Arkansas; Eliska Vytiskova, FGCU; Sofia Dawson, North Florida; Tyler Peluso, Queens; Nyah Molina, Stetson.
Freshman of the Week
Kendall Newbold, North Florida
Other Nominees: Brooklynn Merrell, Austin Peay; Mya White, Bellarmine; McKinzee Haas, Central Arkansas; Camila Soto, FGCU; Ally Greenwell, North Alabama; Tyler Peluso, Queens; Xinlei Yang, Stetson.
2025 Season Award Winners
Sept. 2 | Player: Haley Yount, Jacksonville;
Defensive Player: Haley Yount, Jacksonville;
Setter: Kylie Van Hoy, Bellarmine;
Freshman: Sydney Strenger, Lipscomb
Sept. 8 | Player: Emilee Hill, EKU;
Defensive Player: Erica Muhizi, FGCU;
Setter: Kinslee McGowan, North Alabama;
Freshman: Jenna Kolosta, North Alabama
Sept. 15 | Player: Breanna McDonough, Jacksonville;
Defensive Player: Kayla Balfour, Stetson;
Setter: Sophia Hudepohl, Lipscomb;
Freshman: Lauren Stiles, Queens
Sept. 22 | Player: Claire Mrukowski, Jacksonville;
Defensive Player: Nyah Molina, Stetson;
Setter: Kinslee McGowan, North Alabama;
Freshman: Erica Muhizi, FGCU
Sept. 29 | Player: Reese Ricketts, North Alabama;
Defensive Player: Kristina Nika, Jacksonville;
Setter: Kinslee McGowan, North Alabama;
Freshman: Kendall Newbold, North Florida