BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The Gulf South Conference announced that Valdosta State duo Erin Whalen (player) and Chardae Rumph (freshman) swept its women’s basketball awards of the 2025-26 season for their performances between Dec. 29-Jan. 4.
GSC PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Erin Whalen, Jr., G, Valdosta State
Whalen averaged 16.7 points, 11 rebounds, three steals and three assists as the Lady Blazers went 3-0 last including a 2-0 mark in GSC play. The junior capped the 2025 portion of the schedule with a 13-point, 13-rebound effort while playing 24 minutes in a blowout win over Fort Lauderdale. She then began the new year collecting 17 boards and scored 19 points with six assists and four steals in an 83-57 win over Mississippi College. Whalen end the week by notching an 18-point performance in a 70-62 win over Delta State. This is Whalen’s second GSC time named GSC Player of the Week this season and the first since since Nov. 18.
Other nominees: Lili Wilken, UAH; Tamora Brown, AUM; Anna Muhonen, Lee; Valencia McFall, MC; Jordan McGillies, Trevecca; Olivia Lee, Union; Isabel Grimes, West Florida
GSC FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK
Chardae Rumph, G, Valdosta State
Rumph helped Valdosta State to a 3-0 week as she averaged 12.7 points per game. The rookie converted 14-of-31 (.452) attempts from the field, including 4-of-17 (.235) from three-point range. She also completed the three-game slate pulling down five total rebounds (1.7 per game), while tallying four assists and three steals. Rumph had a season-high 18 points in a 70-62 win over Delta State. She is the first Lady Blazer this season to earn GSC weekly freshman honors.
Other nominees: Ava Jones, Trevecca; Finley Kennedy, West Florida
2025-26 GSC Women’s Basketball Weekly Award Winners
Nov. 11: Lili Wilken, UAH (Player) / Abigail Bryan, Union (Freshman)
Nov. 18: Erin Whalen, Valdosta State (Player) / Janai Jordan, West Florida (Freshman)
Nov. 25: Cheyenne Trotter, Trevecca Nazarene (Player) / Abigail Bryan, Union (Freshman)
Dec. 2: Amelia Bell, West Florida (Player) / Ava McSwain, UAH (Freshman)
Dec. 9: Lili Wilken, UAH (Player) / Emily Mouser, Montevallo (Freshman)
Dec. 16: Bellah Machen, West Alabama (Player) / Abigail Bryan, Union (Freshman)
Dec. 22: Anna Muhonen, Lee (Player) / Ava McSwain, UAH (Freshman)
Jan. 5: Erin Whalen, Valdosta State (Player) / Chardae Rumph, Valdosta State (Freshman)