BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Southwestern Athletic Conference announced Volleyball Weekly Awards on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, where Bethune-Cookman’s Alaya Rhodes was named Offensive Player of the Week. Alabama State Volleyball swept the final three categories with Kamrynn Clay earning Setter of the Week, Alexis Williams earning Newcomer of the Week and Mirra Riddle being named Defensive Player of the Week.
 
SWAC Volleyball Offensive Player of the Week: Alaya Rhodes, Bethune-Cookman
For the fourth consecutive week, Alaya Rhodes earns a weekly award this time being the Offensive Player of the Week. Rhodes slashed her prior career-high numbers of 24 kills and added a new career-high of 26 kills in the Friday evening match against Florida A&M. Rhodes’ 26 kills tied fifth in program history for the most kills in a single match while hitting .333 in the contest. The Junior Outside Hitter from Memphis, Tennessee leads the Lady Wildcats with 224 kills and is ranked No. 5 in the SWAC in that category. As Bethune-Cookman continues to make a push for the SWAC Volleyball Tournament, Rhodes adds her fourth weekly award.
 
SWAC Volleyball Defensive Player of the Week: Mirra Riddle, Alabama State
The Junior Libero from North Bend, Oregon added 40 digs through two matches with 14 in the win over Mississippi Valley State and 26 in Sunday’s win over Jackson State. Riddle averaged 5.71 digs per set and is ranked No. 4 in the SWAC with 295 total digs on the season. Mirra Riddle has continued to anchor the defense for Alabama State as the Lady Hornets look to make a push in the second half of SWAC play. Riddle adds her third weekly award overall and second in the defensive category.
 
SWAC Volleyball Setter of the Week: Kamrynn Clay, Alabama State
The Junior Setter from Saint Hedwig, Texas led the SWAC with 75 assists through two matches of play, adding 26 in the win over Mississippi Valley State and 49 in the win over Jackson State. Clay averaged 10.71 assists per set and currently leads the SWAC with 674 total assists. As Alabama State’s offense continues to flourish, Kamrynn Clay leads the charge for the Lady Hornets while adding her third weekly award.
 
SWAC Volleyball Newcomer of the Week: Alexis Williams, Alabama State
The Junior from Lawton, Oklahoma made her presence felt during both matches of play totaling 26 kills, adding 10 in the win over Mississippi Valley State and 16 in the win over Jackson State. Williams hit .310 between both matches, with a week high of .400 against Mississippi Valley State. Ending the week as a top-hitter in the SWAC, Williams earns her first weekly award of the season.
 
 
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.