BIRMINGHAM – After a week with three wins, two UAH volleyball players have earned Gulf South Conference weekly honors. Senior middle blocker Kayla Ward has been named the GSC Offensive Player of the Week while outside hitter Amelia Smith earned GSC Freshman of the Week.
The Chargers won two matches in 3-0 sweeps at West Alabama and at home against Lee while earning a 3-1 win at Mississippi Christian.
Through that stretch, Ward led the Chargers in total kills with 33, averaging 3.3 per set, across 10 sets played. She led UAH in kills against both Mississippi Christian and Lee with 13 and 12, respectively. She also added two assists and a service ace while totaling 47.0 points through the week. The senior also led the team in total blocks with 19 while earning her second GSC Offensive Player of the Week award.
Smith is the first UAH freshman this season to earn the Freshman of the Week honor. The outside hitter did so on the heels of a week in which she totaled 21 kills, 2.1 per set, including a team-high nine against West Alabama while hitting with a 52.9% efficiency. She also added five total blocks, with three coming against West Alabama. Smith totaled 24.5 points while also adding five digs and an assist during the week.
The Chargers continue their season this weekend at home in SportsMED Arena at Spragins Hall with a 6 p.m. match against Valdosta State on Friday and a 2 p.m. match Saturday against AUM for Senior Day.
The full award winners of the week are:
Offensive Player of the Week: Kayla Ward, UAH
Defensive Player of the Week: Eimy Negron Domenech, Valdosta State
Freshman of the Week: Amelia Smith, UAH
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
