NEW ORLEANS – Troy’s Kalina Calvillo, South Alabama’s Dalayla Blackwell and Southern Miss’ Allie Hazelwood 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 after the first week of the season.
Volleyball Offensive Player of the Week
Kalina Calvillo, Troy
(3rd Yr., OH, San Antonio, Texas)
Troy’s Kalina Calvillo recorded double digits kills in all three of the Trojans' opening weekend matches (11, 10, 10). In Troy's season opening win over Mercer, Calvillo recorded 11 kills on .611 (11/0/18) hitting. Against North Alabama, Calvillo posted 10 kills on .345 (10/0/29) hitting. In the Trojans win over Alabama State, Calvillo recorded 10 kills on .526 (10/0/19) hitting.
Through three matches, Kalina led the Trojans in kills (31), k/s (3.11), attack percentage (.470), service aces (8) and points (42.5). Calvillo did not record a single attacking error through her 66 swings in the three matches.
Volleyball Defensive Player of the Week
Dalayla Blackwell, South Alabama
(4th Yr., MH, Lafeyette, La.)
South Alabama’s Dalayla Blackwell starred on both sides of the net for the Jaguars during the opening weekend of play as she led the club both offensively and defensively in all three matches. The Lafayette, La., native recorded 35 kills for a 2.92 kills per set average at the middle hitter position. Blackwell also posted an impressive .370 hitting percentage, while defensively, she led the team with 17 total blocks – five solo and 12 assists. In her 12 sets played, Blackwell averaged 1.42 blocks per set. On Friday, Blackwell opened the season by tying a career-high with 15 kills against Rice, while also recording a .361 hitting percentage and six total blocks. With her six total blocks, Blackwell surpassed the 175-block mark for her career. After posting eight kills and two blocks against Mississippi State on Saturday, Blackwell was instrumental in leading South to a 3-1 win over Georgia State. Against the Panthers, Blackwell nearly recorded a double-double with 12 kills and nine total blocks. Of her nine blocks, three were of the solo variety, tying a career mark for the senior. The nine total blocks were one shy of matching a career mark in the category. Blackwell was extremely proficient in her attack as she posted a .474 hitting percentage in her 19 attempts.
Volleyball Setter of the Week
Allie Hazelwood, Southern Miss
(4th Yr., S, Madison, Miss.)
Southern Miss’ Allie Hazelwood directed one of the conference’s most productive offenses during Southern Miss’ perfect 3-0 weekend at the Gamecock Classic. Hazelwood led the conference in assists per set with 10.27 and total assists with 113. She helped the Golden Eagles produce a .331 hitting percentage to lead the Sun Belt, and record the second highest kills per set mark with 13.36. Southern Miss also finished the weekend with 147 total kills and a 45% kill percentage while Hazelwood’s performance was recognized with a selection to the Gamecock Classic All-Tournament Team.
2026 Sun Belt Volleyball Offensive Players of the Week
Week 1 – Kalina Calvillo, Troy
2026 Sun Belt Volleyball Defensive Players of the Week
Week 1 – Dalayla Blackwell, South Alabama
2026 Sun Belt Volleyball Setters of the Week
Week 1 – Allie Hazelwood, Southern Miss