Women's Volleyball | 11/21/2024 4:55:00 PM

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Southwestern Athletic Conference announced its 2024 SWAC Volleyball postseason honors on Thursday evening. The all-conference honors were voted on by the league's coaches and sports information directors.  

Prairie View A&M Kylee Owens was named Player of the Year, while Bethune-Cookman's Niara Hightower was named Blocker of the Year. Texas Southern's Angelika Rusin was named Libero of the Year.

Jackson State's Karys Dove was tabbed Setter of the Year. Bethune-Cookman's Jasmine Robinson was named Newcomer of the Year, while Mississippi Valley State Alaya Rhodes was tabbed Freshman of the Year.

Florida A&M's Gokhan Yilmaz was named Coach of the Year rounding out the list of SWAC Volleyball individual award winners.

Coach of the Year 
Yilmaz led the Florida A&M Rattler to an undefeated 16-0 record in conference play. The Rattlers also secured the No. 1 seed in the 2024 SWAC Volleyball Tournament after posting an impressive unblemished record in league competition.  
 
Player of the Year
Owens had an exceptional regular season of competition for the Lady Panthers. She leads the team in kills, currently with 372 this season as well as a team high 49 service aces ranking her first in the conference. Owens also marked a milestone posting over 1,000 career kills during her impressive career.
 
Blocker of the Year
Hightower leads the SWAC in blocks with 129 across the season. She has played in 103 sets and started all matches for the Wildcats during the 2024 campaign. Hightower has had back-to-back seasons with 100 blocks, while also eclipsing 300 total blocks for her career earlier this season.
 
Libero of the Year
Rusin leads the SWAC with 4.65 digs per contest as she totaled 465 digs at the conclusion of regular season competition. Her efforts helped Texas Southern conclude the regular season with a 9-7 record as the Lady Tigers claimed the No. 5 seed in the 2024 SWAC Volleyball Tournament.
 
Setter of the Year
Dove amassed 640 assists during regular season competition which was the most in the league this season. She helped pace Jackson State's offensive attack while assisting with leading the Lady Tigers to a 13-3 overall conference record.  
 
Newcomer of the Year
Robinson was named SWAC Newcomer of the Week three times during the regular season. She made an immediate impact for the Wildcats this year starting the majority of B-CU's matches. Robinson was a key contributor for the Wildcats' offense tallying a team high 249 kills this season.
 
Freshman of the Year
Rhodes had an impressive debut campaign for Mississippi Valley State this season. She contributed a team leading 184 kills to go along with 13 assists and 18 service aces.
 
A complete listing of the SWAC Volleyball Postseason Awards is listed below.
 
2024 SWAC Volleyball Postseason Awards 
 
Coach of the Year 
Gokhan Yilmaz, Florida A&M
 
Player of the Year
Kylee Owens, Prairie View A&M 

Blocker of the Year
Niara Hightower, Bethune-Cookman
 
Libero of the Year
Angelika Rusin, Texas Southern
 
Setter of the Year
Karys Dove, Jackson State 
 
Newcomer of the Year
Jasmine Robinson, Bethune-Cookman
 
Freshman of the Year
Alaya Rhodes, Mississippi Valley State
 
All-SWAC First Team
Outside/Right Side Hitter: Kylee Owens, Prairie View A&M
Outside/Right Side Hitter: Jayden James, Jackson State
Outside/Right Side Hitter: Brooke Lynn Watts, Florida A&M
Outside/Right Side Hitter: Essence Allen, Grambling State 
Middle Hitter/Blocker: Niara Hightower, Bethune-Cookman
Middle Hitter/Blocker: Kaylen Hines, Alabama State
Setter: Karys Dove, Jackson State 
Setter: Alexandra Koleva, Florida A&M
Libero/Defensive Specialist: Angelika Rusin, Texas Southern
 
All-SWAC Second Team
Outside/Right Side Hitter: Zykia Jones, Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Outside/Right Side Hitter: Fatima Ramirez, Alabama A&M
Outside/Right Side Hitter: Iyonnie Sanford, Florida A&M
Outside/Right Side Hitter: Alexis Williams, Jackson State 
Middle Hitter/Blocker: Janyah Henderson, Prairie View A&M
Middle Hitter/Blocker: Jordan Jones, Jackson State
Setter: Kamrynn Clay, Alabama State
Setter: Leah Lawson, Prairie View A&M
Libero/Defensive Specialist: Tinons Galmes, Florida A&M