FRISCO, Texas – Following opening weekend of the 2023 season, the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi volleyball program landed two Players of the Week in Graduate
Belle Morgan being honored as Setter of the Week and sophomore
Kendall Mahaney being tabbed Defensive Player of the week, announced by the league office on Monday.
It is the first installment of Setter of the Week, making Morgan the first-ever Islander and member of the Southland Conference to earn the accolade.
The awards come after the Islanders topped both Oral Roberts and Sam Houston 3-1 over the weekend. A&M-Corpus Christi posted higher hitting percentages and out-defended both teams, with Morgan posting match-high 40 assists against the Bearkats and Mahaney picking up the match-high 21 digs against the Golden Eagles.
"These awards are well deserved and while spotlighting their individual performances are also reflections of our outstanding team efforts," said head coach
Steve Greene.
Morgan played in all 12 sets to help the Islanders to a 2-1 record over opening weekend. She opened the season with a 24 assist, nine kill, three dig and three block stat line in her first match as an Islander and was then starting setter in the win over Sam Houston where she dished out 40 assists in the effort. Overall, Morgan ran the offense to a weekend-total of 158 kills for 13.17 per set with a .239 hitting percentage as well as totaled 96 assists and led the team in aces (5) and blocks (4). She was named to the Bearkat Invitational All-Tournament team.
"Belle really showcased how hard she has been working to continue to improve and make an impact here. She made a difference in all aspects of the matches with aces, blocks, digs, kills, and of course setting at a high level," Greene said.
Mahaney also played in all 12 sets to help the Islanders to a two-win opening weekend. She suited up as libero in the win over Oral Roberts where she picked up 21 digs, three assists, and two service aces. Overall, she totaled a team-high 41 digs over the weekend for a 3.42 per set mark.
"Kendall shined as a defender over the weekend. She came up with some outstanding defensive plays and is starting to really come into her own. Her serving was the difference maker in our final match of the weekend as well," said Greene.
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The Islanders will continue the season with a pair of matches over two days at Texas Southern this weekend, opening with a 5:30 p.m. matchup on Friday. A&M-Corpus Christi will then play in its home opener Sept. 7 when it hosts its annual Islanders Classic Tournament, presented by Schlotzsky's.
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