SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Southern Conference named its volleyball players of the week on Monday for matches played Oct. 26-Nov. 1. Western Carolina middle blocker Tatum Sharp was named the Offensive Player of the Week and Wofford libero Laney Klika was named Defensive Player of the Week, while UNC Greensboro’s Izora Gragg was tabbed Setter of the Week. The players of the week are selected by the league office.
Sharp averaged 5.73 kills per set, while recording a .470 hitting percentage over three matches last week. In a setback versus Wofford on Oct. 27, the sophomore had 11 kills and two aces. On Oct. 30, the native of Loveland, Colorado, had 22 kills with a .500 hitting percentage, along with two blocks and two digs in a sweep at The Citadel. The next day, Sharp logged a career-best 30 kills in a five-set win over The Citadel. Sharp is in the top 10 in the SoCon in points (366.0), total kills (289) and total blocks (91).
Klika anchored the Wofford defense, averaging 5.50 digs per set. In a sweep of Western Carolina on Oct. 27, the senior had 16 digs and two aces. Three days later, the product of Novelty, Ohio, finished with 15 digs and four assists in a sweep of Mercer. Klika ended the week with 24 digs and an ace in a four-set win over Mercer on Halloween. This week marked Klika’s 10th career player of the week honor, setting a new record for any SoCon volleyball player. Klika is currently second in the nation in digs per set (5.40).
Gragg, who won the honor for the second consecutive week and fourth time overall this season, averaged 10.14 assists per set. In a five-set victory over ETSU on Oct. 27, the Morganton, North Carolina, native had 50 assists, six digs and five blocks. On Oct. 30, the senior finished with a double-double, logging a career-best 56 assists, 10 digs and a pair of blocks as the Spartans defeated Furman in five sets. One day later, Gragg recorded 36 assists, 10 digs, three blocks and two aces in a four-set setback versus the Paladins. Gragg leads the SoCon in assists per set (10.19).
Western Carolina plays at Tennessee Tech on Nov. 6-7. Wofford hosts Furman on Nov. 6-7. UNCG welcomes Samford on Nov. 6-7.
Also nominated for offensive player of the week: Elizabeth Aylward (ETSU), Izzy Castelloe (Furman), Allie Sweet (UNCG), Ally Cordes (Samford), Gracie Rose (Chattanooga), and Chloe Smith (Wofford)
Also nominated for defensive player of the week: Gianna Blair (ETSU), Kacie Moore (Furman), Aubri Martin (Mercer), Chloe Nussbaum (UNCG), Maggie Kalisz (Samford), Caiti Barthel (Chattanooga), and Elise Gurley (Western Carolina)
Also nominated for setter of the week: Bailey Gohlke (ETSU), Sammi Bergjans (Mercer), Emma Sorensen (Samford), Ashley Reynolds (Chattanooga), Katie Boney (Western Carolina), and Maddy Frazier (Wofford)
2026 SoCon Volleyball Offensive Players of the Week
Aug. 31 Chloe Smith, Jr., OH, Wofford
Sept. 7 Alayna Pierce, Jr., OH, Tennessee Tech
Sept. 14 Chloe Smith, Jr., OH, Wofford
Sept. 21 Allie Sweet, Jr., OH, UNCG
Sept. 28 Allie Sweet, Jr., OH, UNCG
Oct. 5 Ally Cordes, Sr., OH, Samford
Oct. 12 Chloe Smith, Jr., OH, Wofford
Oct. 19 Allie Sweet, Jr., OH, UNCG
Oct. 26 Hailey Clifton, Fr., RS, UNCG
Nov. 2 Tatum Sharp, So., MB, Western Carolina
2026 SoCon Volleyball Defensive Players of the Week
Aug. 31 Caiti Barthel, Sr., DS/LIB, Chattanooga
Sept. 7 Laney Klika, Sr., LIB, Wofford
Sept. 14 Laney Klika, Sr., LIB, Wofford
Sept. 21 Laney Klika, Sr., LIB, Wofford
Sept. 28 Aubri Martin, Jr., LIB, Mercer
Oct. 5 Laney Klika, Sr., LIB, Wofford
Oct. 12 Laney Klika, Sr., LIB, Wofford
Oct. 19 Melanie Morris, Sr., DS/LIB, ETSU
Oct. 26 Laney Klika, Sr., LIB, Wofford
Nov. 2 Laney Klika, Sr., LIB, Wofford
2026 SoCon Volleyball Setters of the Week
Aug. 31 Izora Gragg, Sr., UNCG
Sept. 7 Izora Gragg, Sr., UNCG
Sept. 14 Emily Navarro, Sr., Furman
Sept. 21 Alison Ohlinger, R-Fr., Samford
Sept. 28 Sammi Bergjans, Jr., Mercer
Oct. 5 Katie Boney, Sr., Western Carolina
Oct. 12 Sammi Bergjans, Jr., Mercer
Oct. 19 Sammi Bergjans, Jr., Mercer
Oct. 26 Izora Gragg, Sr., UNCG
Nov. 2 Izora Gragg, Sr., UNCG