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. 14-20. UNC Greensboro outside hitter Allie Sweet was named the Offensive Player of the Week and Wofford libero Laney Klika was named Defensive Player of the Week, while Samford’s Alison Ohlinger was tabbed Setter of the Week. The players of the week are selected by the league office.
 

Sweet averaged 5.71 kills per set over three matches last weekend for UNCG. On Sept. 18, the junior had a double-double, finishing with 15 kills, 11 digs, four aces and a pair of blocks in a four-set setback against James Madison. The next day, Sweet logged 29 kills, 16 digs and two aces in a five-set win over George Mason. The product of Woodstock, Georgia, completed the week breaking a program record for kills, logging 36 in a five-set victory versus Delaware State on Sept. 20. Sweet also had 17 digs, five blocks and two aces. Sweet’s 246.5 points this season currently leads the NCAA.

Klika, who won the honor for the third consecutive week, anchored the Wofford defense, averaging 5.75 digs per set. In a match against High Point on Sept. 17, had 14 digs and five assists. One day later, the native of Novelty, Ohio, recorded 32 digs and three assists in a five-set setback against ACC opponent Wake Forest. Klika currently leads the conference in digs per set (5.40), which is fifth in the NCAA.

Ohlinger paced the Samford offense, averaging 10.18 assists per set. The redshirt freshman had a double-double in a match against South Alabama on Sept. 17, logging 39 assists and 11 digs. The Rochelle, Illinois, native finished with 38 assists, six digs and four blocks in a four-set setback versus Auburn the following day. Ohlinger concluded her week on Sept. 20, with 35 assists, eight digs, six blocks and an ace in a four-set win over crosstown foe UAB.

UNC Greensboro opens SoCon play this weekend with matches against Western Carolina on Sept. 25-26. Wofford travels to Chattanooga for a pair of matches on Sept. 25-26. Samford hosts ETSU on Sept. 24-25.

Also nominated for offensive player of the week: Sophia Davis (ETSU), Izzy Castelloe (Furman), Lara Matta (Mercer), Ally Cordes (Samford), Elena Vukmanov (Chattanooga), Audrey Berkebile (Tennessee Tech), and Chloe Smith (Wofford)

Also nominated for defensive player of the week: Kennedy Seekford (Furman), Aubri Martin (Mercer), Chloe Nussbaum (UNCG), Caiti Barthel (Chattanooga), and Jordyn Milhouse (Tennessee Tech)

Also nominated for setter of the week: Emily Navarro (Furman), Sammi Bergjans (Mercer), Izora Gragg (UNCG), Ashley Reynolds (Chattanooga), Morgan Petelin (Tennessee Tech), 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

 
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

 
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