NEW ORLEANS – James Madison’s Kennedy Louisell and Georgia Southern’s Maddie Cugino and Lexi Duffy each turned in impressive performances to lead in various statistics across the league. They have been named Sun Belt Conference Volleyball Players of the Week.
Volleyball Offensive Player of the Week
Kennedy Louisell, James Madison
(4th Yr., OH, Grand Rapids, Mich.)
James Madison fourth year outside hitter Kennedy Louisell recorded 49 kills (.447%), eight service aces, 22 digs and three blocks to bring in 59.0 points for the Dukes that led them to a perfect start in league play. Louisell led the way with 18 kills (.469) in the series opening win over Georgia State this week. This was her 44th consecutive match in double figures and her 33rd all-time eclipsing the 15-kill mark. She had 22.5 points on the evening in the three set match. Friday evening, JMU needed five sets to bring in their seventh straight win. The Fourth year led all scorers with a season-high 31 kills on .435 hitting (31-4-62). She added a season-best 15 digs for her fifth double-double of the season. This was her 45th consecutive match scoring in double figures and she eclipsed the 15-kill mark for the 34th time in her career. This was just the third time in her career she's gone over the 30-kill mark. She also led the way with five services aces on the evening (team had 10). Her 49 kills (6.13 avg/s) and her eight services aces and 59.0 points led the conference for the week. Her Friday kills total of 31 also led the league in individual highs.
Volleyball Defensive Player of the Week
Maddie Cugino, Georgia Southern
(3rd Yr., L, Columbus, Ohio)
Georgia Southern’s Maddie Cugino led the league in digs per set this weekend, posting a 39 digs and 19.5 per game to repeat as Defensive Player of the Week. The third year from Columbus, Ohio, recorded 22 digs and 13 serve receive attempts in a 3-0 win against Old Dominion on October 2
nd and contributed 17 digs and 13 serve receive attempts in another 3-0 victory against Old Dominion on October 3rd
Volleyball Setter of the Week
Lexi Duffy, Georgia Southern
(4th Yr., S, Murrieta, Calif.)
Georgia Southern fourth year Lexi Duffy helped guide the Eagles to another weekend sweep in league play with 69 assists and 14 digs in a pair of matches. She recorded 36 assists, 10 digs and three kills in a 3-0 home win against Old Dominion on October 2nd. The Murrieta, Calif., native contributed 33 assists, four digs and a pair of blocks in a 3-0 home win against Old Dominion on October 3rd.
2026 Sun Belt Volleyball Offensive Players of the Week
Week 1 – Kalina Calvillo, Troy
Week 2 – Reagan Barth, Georgia Southern
Week 3 – Sophia Johnson, Georgia State
Week 4 – Kennedy Louisell, James Madison
Week 5 – Kaitlin Whitlock, Arkansas State
Week 6 – Kennedy Louisell, James Madison
2026 Sun Belt Volleyball Defensive Players of the Week
Week 1 – Dalayla Blackwell, South Alabama
Week 2 – Mia Maloney, Arkansas State
Week 3 – MeMe Davis, App State
Week 4 – Ayen Nhial, James Madison
Week 5 – Maddie Cugino, Georgia Southern
Week 6 – Maddie Cugino, Georgia Southern
2026 Sun Belt Volleyball Setters of the Week
Week 1 – Allie Hazelwood, Southern Miss
Week 2 – Kaylee Musick, Coastal Carolina
Week 3 – Raegan Richardson, App State
Week 4 – Anabelle Cerny, South Alabama
Week 5 – Allie Hazelwood, Southern Miss
Week 6 – Lexi Duffy, Georgia Southern