Prior to the opening serve of the Gulf South Conference Volleyball Championship, the conference's All-GSC teams and major award winners for the 2024 season were announced. All awards were voted on by the conference's 11 head coaches, who could not vote for their own student-athletes.
West Florida took home three of the five major accolades as Gabi Moulton garnered both GSC Player and Setter of the Year honors, while Melissa Wolter was tabbed as Coach of the Year. In addition, Valdosta State's Kaia Baker was named Libero of the Year, with Freshman of the Year recognition going to Montevallo's Nikola Antova.
Ten programs were represented between the two all-conference squads, with a total of 18 student-athletes named. The Argonauts led the way with a conference-best four selections, while Alabama Huntsville followed with three honorees. Lee, Trevecca and Valdosta State had two selections apiece. Four teams–Auburn Montgomery, Christian Brothers, Mississippi College, Montevallo, and Union–each had one.
Moulton led the conference this season in assists (1,099) and assists per set (10.67). Appearing in 103 sets for the Argonauts, the sophomore is 21st among NCAA Division II leaders in assist per set and 11th overall in assists. She also hit .298 on the season with 90 kills, had 21 aces, 239 digs, and 29 blocks on the year. Moulton is the first player to be named the conference's top player and top setter in the same since former Argo Taylor Vaneekeren.
Baker had a conference-high 552 digs en route to becoming the first Valdosta State player to be name the conference's top libero. The senior anchored the Blazer backline appearing in 110 sets while averaging 5.02 digs per frame. She also penned a .968 reception percentage.
Antova had a strong debut season leading the Montevallo attack in kills (319), kills per set (3.22) and points (358.5). Appearing in 99 sets, the rookie finished second among team leaders in digs (195), fourth in hitting percentage I.197) and fifth in blocks (33). Among conference leaders, Antova was third in kills per set and seventh in total kills. She is the first Falcon since 2005 to receive top freshman honors.
For the fourth straight season and ninth time overall, Wolter was voted the conference's best coach by her peers. Under her direction, West Florida won its ninth consecutive GSC regular season with a 20-0 record. UWF led the conference in hitting percentage (.270), kills per set (14.04) and digs per set (16.36). The Argonauts' tally is the league's 14th unbeaten season since 2000 and a GSC record for most conference wins in season.
2024 GSC Volleyball Awards
Player of the Year: Gabi Moulton, So., S, West Florida
Setter of the Year: Gabi Moulton, So., S, West Florida
Libero of the Year: Kaia Baker, Sr., OH/L, Valdosta State
Freshman of the Year: Nikol Antova, Fr., OH, Montevallo
Coach of the Year: Melissa Wolter, West Florida
First Team All-GSC
Autumn Mayes, Sr., OH, UAH*
Kayla Ward, So., MB, UAH
Maya Thompson, Sr., MH, AUM
Lydia Paulette, Sr., OH, Mississippi College*‡
Mackenzie O'Loughlin, Sr., MB, Trevecca Nazarene
Kaia Baker, Sr., OH/L, Valdosta State
Christina Pettigrew, Sr., MB, Valdosta State*
Gabi Moulton, So., S, West Florida
Jenna Zydlo, Sr., MB, West Florida^*
Second Team All-GSC
Savannah Rutledge, Sr., S, UAH^
Ella Schumacher, Fr., OH, Christian Brothers
Payton Danley, Fr., RS, Lee
Sara Palumbo, Fr., OH, Lee
Nikol Antova, OH, Fr., Montevallo
Skias Hainline, Jr., S, Trevecca Nazarene
Reese Owens, Sr., OH, Union
Meg Brackhan, Gr., DS/L, West Florida^
Emily Breazeale, So., OH, West Florida
* 2023 First Team All-GSC
^ 2023 Second Team All-GSC
‡ 2022 First Team All-GSC