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 Sept. 7-13. Wofford outside hitter Chloe Smith was named the Offensive Player of the Week and Terriers libero Laney Klika was named Defensive Player of the Week, while Furman’s Emily Navarro was tabbed Setter of the Week. The players of the week are selected by the league office.
 

Smith, who also won the honor on Aug. 31, averaged 3.77 kills per set for Wofford last week. The junior recorded a double-double in a five-set match against Coastal Carolina on Sept. 10, finishing with 11 kills, 12 digs and three aces. The native of Louisville, Kentucky, logged a season-high 21 kills in a four-set setback versus South Carolina on Sept. 12. The next day, Smith notched another double-double, recording 17 kills, 14 digs, four blocks and an ace in a 3-1 upset over Clemson. Smith currently leads the league in service aces (22).

Klika, who won the honor for the second consecutive week, anchored the Wofford defense, averaging 5.15 digs per set in the team’s three matches. The product of Novelty, Ohio, had 23 digs, two aces and a kill in the Coastal Carolina match. Against South Carolina, the senior finished with 20 digs, six assists and one ace. In the team’s upset of Clemson, Klika recorded 24 digs and five assists. Klika leads the SoCon in digs per set (5.31), which is third in the NCAA.

Navarro paced the Furman offense over the weekend at the Campbell Invitational. On Sept. 11, the senior had 26 assists and seven digs in a sweep of Stetson. The next day, the native of Davie, Florida, logged 19 assists, seven digs and an ace during a four-set setback against unbeaten Ball State. In the final match of the weekend, Navarro had double-double, recording 23 assists, 11 digs and a pair of aces in a four-set win over Campbell. Navarro was named to the Campbell Invitational All-Tournament Team for her play during the event.

Wofford plays at the High Point Invitational in High Point, North Carolina on Sept. 17-18. The Terriers will face High Point and Wake Forest in the event. Furman travels to Clemson, South Carolina for the Tiger Classic on Sept. 17-18. The Paladins will take the floor against Clemson and New Hampshire during the tournament.

Also nominated for offensive player of the week: Izzy Castelloe (Furman), Lara Matta (Mercer), Allie Sweet (UNCG), Kynli Kirkendoll (Chattanooga), Alayna Pierce (Tennessee Tech), and Tatum Sharp (Western Carolina)

Also nominated for defensive player of the week: Gianna Blair (ETSU), Kennedy Seekford (Furman), Aubri Martin (Mercer), Connore' Siler-Nixon (UNCG), Kynli Kirkendoll (Chattanooga), Ella Watford (Tennessee Tech), and Elise Gurley (Western Carolina)
 
Also nominated for setter of the week: Sammi Bergjans (Mercer), Izora Gragg (UNCG), Mallory Merz (Chattanooga), Morgan Petelin (Tennessee Tech), Katie Boney (Western Carolina), and Taylor Pecht (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

 
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

 
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