CANTON, Ga. – The Southwestern Pirates sweep week nine SAA Athlete of the Week honors with a huge win over Trinity.
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SAA Volleyball Schedule/Results
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SAA Volleyball Stats
2025 SAA Volleyball Tournament
Athletes of the Week:
Offense:
Kendall Jurgens | Southwestern | JR | Dripping Springs, TX – Junior middle blocker Kendall Jurgens delivered a standout performance in the Pirates’ four-set upset victory over No. 9 nationally ranked Trinity University on Friday night. Jurgens racked up 14 kills with only two errors, hitting an impressive .414 for the match while averaging 3.5 kills per set to lead the Pirates’ efficient offensive attack. She also made a major defensive impact at the net, totaling seven blocks—including six block assists and one solo block—to help stifle Trinity’s offense. Jurgens’ all-around dominance and consistent play were instrumental in securing one of the Pirates’ biggest wins of the season against a top-10 opponent.
Defense:
Brooklyn Spikes | Southwestern | SO | Conroe, TX – Sophomore middle blocker Brooklyn Spikes turned in a breakout performance in the Pirates’ four-set win over No. 9 nationally ranked Trinity University on Friday night, showcasing her defensive dominance at the net. Spikes posted a career-high eight total blocks—including six block assists and two solo blocks—averaging 2.0 blocks per set and tying the team’s season high in total blocks. She also contributed two kills, adding depth to the Pirates’ offensive effort. Spikes’ relentless play at the net disrupted Trinity’s attack all night and proved to be a crucial factor in the Pirates’ victory over one of the nation’s top programs.
Notable Performances:
Offense
- Ella Hughes | Oglethorpe | FR | Columbus, GA –Oglethorpe freshman Ella Hughes put up great numbers in the only match of the week, a home win Friday night against Belhaven. She tallied six kills next to only one error on eight attempts for a 62.5 attack percentage. Hughes also had a big presence in the middle on defense, posting three blocks which included one solo block.
- Savannah Gann | Sewanee | JR | Birmingham, AL – Gann powered the Tigers to a five-set victory over Centre on Friday, posting 19 kills on a .298 hitting percentage. She added two aces, 14 digs, two assists, and a block assist to total 21.5 points in the win. Gann continues to be one of the league’s most efficient hitters, ranking fourth in the conference in both hitting percentage and total points.
- Courtney Pope | Trinity | JR | New Braunfels, TX – Pope led the #9 Trinity volleyball team with a .303 hitting percentage against Southwestern University on Friday, tying for the team lead with 15 kills in the 3-1 road loss in Southern Athletic Association play.
Defense
- Emersyn Pannell | Centre | SO | Leander, TX – Emersyn Pannell had the best statistical week of her career this past week as she recorded 60 digs across three matches, averaging just over five digs per set. In a five-set marathon match against Covenant on Saturday, Pannell hit a new career high 26 digs to lead all players in a Centre comeback victory.
- Anna Ellison | Sewanee | JR | Charlotte, NC – Anna Ellison was a force at the net in Sewanee’s five-set win over Centre on Friday, recording seven blocks while adding 11 kills on a .333 hitting percentage. She averaged 1.4 blocks per set in the match and continues to anchor the Tigers’ defense, leading the team with 87 total blocks. Ellison currently ranks third in the conference with 1.06 blocks per set.
- Jenna Rodriguez | Trinity | SR | San Antonio, TX – Rodriguez led the #9 Trinity volleyball team with 24 digs against Southwestern University on Friday, averaging 6.0 digs per set in the 3-1 road loss in Southern Athletic Association play.
2025 Volleyball Report Archive (AOW Offense/Defense)
Week One (Sept. 2) – Madie Whitehead/Izzy Rodriguez
Week Two (Sept. 8) – Regan Whatley/Olivia Wiseman
Week Three (Sept. 15) – Ally Baer/Izzy Rodriguez
Week Four (Sept. 22) – Regan Whatley/Sophia Caruso
Week Five (Sept. 29) - Marissa Drange/Jenna Rodriguez
Week Six (Oct. 6) - Madie Whitehead/Andrea Hurt
Week Seven (Oct. 13) Syd Bietz/Izzy Rodriguez
Week Eight (Oct. 20) Marissa Drange/Lauren McCarthy
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