The ninth set of 2026 Gulf South Conference Volleyball Weekly Awards presented by Athletic Solutions were announced following performances from Oct. 25-Nov. 1.
 
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Kayla Ward, MB, Sr., UAH

• Helped the Chargers go 3-0 last week, capturing the GSC regular season title and No. 1-seed in the conference tournament.
• Totaled 32 kills (3.20 KPS), 47.0 points (4.70 KPS) and posted a .417 hitting percentage.
• Hit .462 or better in back-to-back matches against Lee (.579) and at West Alabama (.462).
• Had 12 kills vs Lee and at Mississippi Christian, while tallying eight against West Alabama.
• Her weekly ledger also included two assists, a service ace, eight digs and 19 total blocks.
• Earned her second GSC Offensive Player of the Week award this season.

Other nominees: Addison Vinson, AUM; Payton Danley, Lee; Mary Grace Foster, Mississippi Christian; Eliza Tyrrell, Montevallo; Parker Goff, Union; Eva LaRochelle
 
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Eimy Negron Domenech, DS/L, Sr., Valdosta State

• Had 64 total digs, averaging 9.14 per set, while helping the Blazers to a 2-0 week.
• Collected 21 digs in a 3-0 win over Union.
• Recorded a career-best 43 digs in a four-set win against Christian Brothers, pushing her season total to 622, setting a program record for most digs in a season.
• This is her third time earning GSC Defensive Player of the Week honors this season.

Other nominees: Kayla Ward, UAH; Jasmine Terry, Lee; Samarin Kipple, Mississippi Christian; Ava Wind, Montevallo; Carly Edwards, Union; Charlotte Kerscher, West Alabama
 
FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK
Amelia Smith, OH, UAH

• Posted 21 total kills (2.1 KPS) and hit .320 while helping the Chargers go 3-0 and capture the GSC regular season title.
• Had five kills in a 3-0 win over Lee and seven kills in four sets at Mississippi Christian.
• Accounted for nine kills and hit .529 in a three-set win at West Alabama, while also finishing with three blocks.

Other nominees: Gabriella Wokatsch, AUM; Gunny Brock, Lee; Caroline Downey, Mississippi Christian; Ellie Scharlow, Montevallo; Sam McHale, Union; Rachele Zanini, West Alabama
 
2026 GSC Volleyball Weekly Award Winners
Offensive Player of the Week
Sep. 1: Mallory Hulsey, Montevallo
Sept. 8: Cooper Garrett, UAH
Sept. 15: Paola Aviles, Valdosta State
Sept. 22: Jordyn Butler, Lee
Sept. 29: Katilyn Grant, Trevecca Nazarene
Oct. 6: Kayla Ward, UAH
Oct. 13: Klára Bobánová, West Alabama
Oct. 20: Eliza Tyrrell, Montevallo
Oct. 27: Klára Bobánová, West Alabama
Nov. 3: Kayla Ward, UAH
 
Defensive Player of the Week
Sept. 1: Ava Wind, Montevallo
Sept. 8: Eimy Negron Domenech, Valdosta State
Sept. 15: Sophia Nowacki, Christian Brothers
Sept. 22: Sarah Helms, Christian Brothers
Sept. 29: Lily Vanbebber, Trevecca Nazarene
Oct. 6: Brooklyn Stiles, UAH
Oct. 13: Ava Wind, Montevallo
Oct. 20: Ava Wind, Montevallo
Oct. 27: Eimy Negron Domenech, Valdosta State
Nov. 3: Eimy Negron Domenech, Valdosta State
 
Freshman Player of the Week
Sept. 1: Rachele Zanini, West Alabama
Sept. 8: Rachele Zanini, West Alabama
Sept. 15: Duru Seber, West Alabama
Sept. 22: Rachele Zanini, West Alabama
Sept. 29: Rachele Zanini, West Alabama
Oct. 6: Ellie Scharlow, Montevallo
Oct. 13: Avery Sample, Lee
Oct. 20: Ellie Scharlow, Montevallo
Oct. 27: Gunny Brock, Lee
Nov. 3: Amelia Smith, UAH