BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Southwestern Athletic Conference announced its 2025 SWAC Volleyball postseason honors on Thursday evening. The all-conference honors were voted on by the league’s coaches and sports information directors.  

Jackson State’s Jayden James was named Player of the Year, while Bethune-Cookman’s Kaleigh Williams was named Blocker of the Year. Alabama A&M’s Kelani Talakai, was named Libero of the Year.

Alabama State’s Kamrynn Clay was tabbed Setter of the Year. Alabama A&M’s Rayishon Jackman was named Newcomer of the Year, while Florida A&M’s LaDonna Trantham was tabbed Freshman of the Year.

Prairie View A&M’s Dottie Hampton was named Coach of the Year rounding out the list of SWAC Volleyball individual award winners.

A complete listing of the postseason award winners is listed below. 

2025 SWAC Volleyball Postseason Awards
 
Coach of the Year
Dottie Hampton, Prairie View A&M
 
Player of the Year
Jayden James, Jackson State

Blocker of the Year
Kaleigh Williams, Bethune-Cookman
 
Libero of the Year
Kelani Talakai, Alabama A&M
 
Setter of the Year
Kamrynn Clay, Alabama State
 
Newcomer of the Year
Rayishon Jackman, Alabama A&M
 
Freshman of the Year
LaDonna Trantham, Florida A&M
 
All-SWAC First Team
Outside/Right Side Hitter: Jayden James, Jackson State
Outside/Right Side Hitter:  Kylee Owens, Prairie View A&M
Outside/Right Side Hitter: Jyriah Morgan, Alabama State 
Outside/Right Side Hitter: Rayishon Jackman, Alabama A&M
Middle Hitter/Blocker: Kaleigh Williams, Bethune-Cookman
Middle Hitter/Blocker: Kaylen Hines, Alabama State
Setter: Kamrynn Clay, Alabama State
Setter: Briana Smith, Alabama A&M
Libero/Defensive Specialist: Kelani Talakai, Alabama A&M
 
All-SWAC Second Team
Outside/Right Side Hitter: Amya Jennings, Bethune-Cookman
Outside/Right Side Hitter: Ariana Brown, Southern
Outside/Right Side Hitter: LaDonna Trantham, Florida A&M
Outside/Right Side Hitter: D'Mya Hill, Prairie View A&M
Middle Hitter/Blocker: Iyonna Sherwood, Prairie View A&M
Middle Hitter/Blocker: Farah Farooq, Florida A&M
Setter: MaKinzie Taplin, Prairie View A&M
Setter: Jordan Felix, Southern
Libero/Defensive Specialist: Leila Smalls, Prairie View A&M

About the SWAC
The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) is considered one of the premier HBCU conferences in the country and currently ranks among the elite in the nation in terms of HBCU alumni playing with professional sports teams.
 
Current championship competition offered by the league includes competition for men in Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field, and Tennis.

Women’s competition is offered in the sports of Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Golf, Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, and Volleyball.
 
Follow the SWAC
For complete coverage of the Southwestern Athletic Conference, please follow the SWAC on social media at @TheSWAC (Twitter), @TheSWAC (Facebook), and @TheSWAC (Instagram) or visit the official home of the Southwestern Athletic Conference at www.swac.org.