SoCon volleyball players of the week announced

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Southern Conference named its volleyball players of the week on Monday for matches played Aug. 28-30. Wofford outside hitter Chloe Smith was named the Offensive Player of the Week and Chattanooga libero Caiti Barthel was named Defensive Player of the Week, while UNCG’s Izora Gragg was tabbed Setter of the Week. The players of the week are selected by the league office.
 
Smith averaged 4.14 kills per set as Wofford went 2-0 in the Wildcat Classic, which was hosted by Davidson College. On Aug. 29, the junior had 13 kills, seven digs, three aces and two blocks in a sweep of Winthrop. The next day, the native of Louisville, Kentucky, led the team with 16 kills, nine digs and a pair of aces in a four-set win over Davidson. Smith finished the opening weekend of the season as the only SoCon player to average over five points per set (5.07).

Barthel anchored the Chattanooga defense during the Chattanooga Classic, averaging 5.36 digs per set. In the team’s season-opening win over Tennessee State on Aug. 28, the product of Indianapolis, Indiana, recorded 12 digs, four aces and four assists in a three-set victory. Later that day, the senior logged 28 digs, three assists, one kill and an ace in a four-set setback against Valparaiso. On Aug. 29, Barthel finished the weekend with 19 digs and six assists against UAB. Barthel finished the weekend with 59 total digs, which leads the conference.

Gragg paced the UNCG offense during the Gamecock Classic in Columbia, South Carolina, averaging 10.71 assists per set. The native of Morganton, North Carolina, recorded 25 assists and four digs in a setback against South Carolina on Aug. 28. One day later, the senior logged 50 assists, six digs and a pair of block assists in a four-set win over Northeastern.

Wofford welcomes Presbyterian on Tuesday, before heading to Raleigh, North Carolina, for the NC State Tournament on Sept. 4-6. The Terriers will face Charlotte, NC State and George Washington during the tournament. Chattanooga heads to Florence, Alabama, for the Noona Kennard Invitational, which is hosted by North Alabama on Sept. 4-5. The Mocs will take on UT Martin, North Alabama and Jackson State over the weekend. UNCG travels to Clemson, South Carolina, for the Clemson Invitational on Sept. 4-6. The Spartans will tangle with Clemson, App State and East Carolina during the event.

Also nominated for offensive player of the week: Rachel Reininger (The Citadel), Karis Chatfield (ETSU), Izzy Castelloe (Furman), Lara Matta (Mercer), Kendall Lanclos (UNCG), and Jordin Glass (Chattanooga)
 
Also nominated for defensive player of the week: Jess Martin (The Citadel), Phoenix Fogel (ETSU), Aubri Martin (Mercer), Hailey Clifton (UNCG), and Laney Klika (Wofford)
 
Also nominated for setter of the week: Greta Pleuss (The Citadel), Alex Kreutzmann (ETSU), Sammi Bergjans (Mercer), Ashley Reynolds (Chattanooga) and Taylor Pecht (Wofford)

2026 SoCon Volleyball Offensive Players of the Week 
Aug. 31             Chloe Smith, Jr., OH, Wofford 

 
2026 SoCon Volleyball Defensive Players of the Week 
Aug. 31             Caiti Barthel, Sr., DS/LIB, Chattanooga
 
2026 SoCon Volleyball Setters of the Week 
Aug. 31             Izora Gragg, Sr., UNCG