Sun Belt Volleyball: Louisell, Cugino and Duffy Named Players of the Week

James Madison outside hitter Kennedy Louisell, Georgia Southern’s Maddie Cugino, and Georgia Southern setter Lexi Duffy earned Sun Belt Conference Volleyball Player of the Week honors for their performances in league play.

Kennedy Louisell Leads Offensive Production

James Madison fourth-year outside hitter Kennedy Louisell secured the offensive honor after recording 49 kills, eight service aces, 22 digs, and three blocks for 59.0 points. Louisell opened the conference slate with 18 kills on a .469 hitting percentage in a three-set sweep against Georgia State. That performance marked her 44th consecutive match in double figures and her 33rd career match with at least 15 kills.

The Grand Rapids, Michigan native followed that outing on Friday by posting a season-high 31 kills on .435 hitting during a five-set victory that extended James Madison’s winning streak to seven matches. She added 15 digs to secure her fifth double-double of the season. Her 31 kills established a league high for individual performance during the week, while her 6.13 kills-per-set average paced the conference.

Maddie Cugino Secures Defensive Honors

Georgia Southern third-year Maddie Cugino repeated as the conference defensive player of the week after leading the league in digs per set. Cugino totaled 39 digs across two matches, averaging 19.5 digs per game during a weekend sweep of Old Dominion. The Columbus, Ohio native collected 22 digs and 13 serve receive attempts in a three-set win on October 2, then added 17 digs and 13 serve receive attempts in another three-set victory on October 3.

Lexi Duffy Controls the Setter Position

Georgia Southern fourth-year setter Lexi Duffy claimed the setter of the week award by directing the Eagles’ offense to a pair of conference sweeps against Old Dominion. Duffy distributed 69 assists and collected 14 digs over the two-match series. The Murrieta, California native recorded 36 assists, 10 digs, and three kills in the October 2 opener, then contributed 33 assists, four digs, and two blocks in the October 3 rematch.

Weekly Award History Across the Conference

The conference weekly honors have recognized several players throughout the season. Previous offensive award winners include Troy’s Kalina Calvillo in week one, Georgia Southern’s Reagan Barth in week two, Georgia State’s Sophia Johnson in week three, Louisell in week four, and Arkansas State’s Kaitlin Whitlock in week five.

Defensive weekly winners prior to Cugino’s back-to-back selections feature South Alabama’s Dalayla Blackwell in week one, Arkansas State’s Mia Maloney in week two, App State’s MeMe Davis in week three, and James Madison’s Ayen Nhial in week four. Setter selections include Southern Miss player Allie Hazelwood in weeks one and five, Coastal Carolina’s Kaylee Musick in week two, App State’s Raegan Richardson in week three, and South Alabama’s Anabelle Cerny in week four.