ATLANTA – Middle blocker Kassandra Fairly of Spring Hill collected her second Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Preseason Offensive Player of the Year honor alongside with teammate, Taylor Fontenelle, who was selected as Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, announced Thursday by the league office.

All votes are submitted by SIAC head volleyball coaches and sports information directors.

Preseason Offensive Player of the Year
Kassandra Fairly, Middle Blocker
Spring Hill College

Fairly, a junior middle blocker, was chosen as this years’ Preseason Offensive Player of the Year after maintaining a career .385 hitting percentage averaging 3.25 kills per set and 0.62 blocks per set. In 2019, she led the Badgers in kills (401) and blocks (77). The Ft. Walton Beach, Fla. native has amassed several awards including being a three-time member SIAC Commissioner’s All-Academic Team, two-time all-conference first team selection, two-time SHC Female Athlete of the Year, 2018 SIAC Player of Year and SIAC Tournament MVP, 2019 D2CCA All-South Region Second Team, 2019 AVCA All-South Region First Team, and 2019 SIAC Freshman of the Year.

Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
Taylor Fontenelle, Libero/Defensive Specialist
Spring Hill College
Fontenelle, a Spanish Fort, Ala. native, has been named this years’ Preseason Defensive Player of the Year after a dynamic first season with the Badgers where she collected 189 digs and led the Badgers in service aces (49). The sophomore libero is also a two-time member SIAC Commissioner’s All-Academic Team.

Volleyball Preseason Rankings by Division

Eastern Division

1. Albany State
2. Benedict
3. Clark Atlanta
4. Savannah State
5. Fort Valley State
6. Edward Waters*
7. Allen*

Western Division

1. Spring Hill
2. Kentucky State
3. Central State
4. LeMoyne-Owen
5. Lane
6. Tuskegee
7. Miles

*Allen University and Edward Waters University are first-year provisional members of NCAA Division II and are not eligible for SIAC nor NCAA volleyball postseason competition.

2021 SIAC Preseason Volleyball Team

First Team

Second Team

The post Fairly, Fontenelle garner preseason SIAC volleyball honors appeared first on Alabama Sports.

Miles College, a member of the SIAC, posted a statement on the athletic website recognizing the conference position, but also affirming its own position:

“The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference announced the suspension of sports and championships during the Fall 2020 semester. Miles College reaffirms its desire to allow its student-athletes to participate in intercollegiate athletics if at all possible.
 
“Miles College’s commitment to the safety and well-being of all of its students, faculty and staff remains paramount. Miles College President Bobbie Knight, the Miles College Board of Trustees and the College’s leadership has stayed in constant communication with some of the best health experts, as well as local and state elected officials, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Those consultations will help guide the decisions made in regards to how the College operates, including any further decisions regarding athletics.”

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