BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Southwestern Athletic Conference announced Volleyball Weekly awards for October 6, 2026, where Prairie View A&M’s Iyonna Sherwood was named Offensive Player of the Week along with Bengisu Kazazlar earning Setter of the Week. Bethune-Cookman’s Alaya Rhodes was named Newcomer of the Week and Prairie View A&M’s Camille Middleton was named Defensive Player of the Week.
 
SWAC Volleyball Offensive Player of the Week: Iyonna Sherwood, Prairie View A&M
The Junior from San Antonio, Texas had an explosive weekend hitting .636 through two matches, adding 22 kills on 33 total attacks and one error. Sherwood hit .625 with 10 kills in the win over Southern and followed with 12 kills with a .647 hitting percentage in the win over Alcorn State. Sherwood is tied first on the Lady Panthers with 149 kills, while adding a .323 hitting percentage. As the Lady Panthers prepare for a new week of action, Iyonna Sherwood adds her first weekly honor of the season.
 
SWAC Volleyball Setter of the Week: Bengisu Kazazlar, Florida A&M
The Senior Setter from Izmir, Turkey led the SWAC with 43 assists, averaging 5.38 assists per set. Kazazlar was the quarterback for the Lady Rattlers offense, adding 21 assists in the win over Mississippi Valley and following 22 against Jackson State. Kazazlar adds 174 assists on the year while being ranked second on Florida A&M with 21 service aces. As the Lady Rattlers look to build on their winning streak, Bengisu Kazazlar adds her first weekly honor of the season.
 
SWAC Volleyball Defensive Player of the Week: Camille Middleton, Prairie View A&M
The Sophomore from Fort Worth, Texas was an integral piece to helping the Lady Panthers go 2-0 on the weekend, adding 26 digs while averaging 4.33 digs per set. Middleton contributed with 14 digs in the win over Southern and followed with 12 against Alcorn State. On the season, Middleton leads Prairie View A&M with 185 digs and continues to lead the Lady Panthers on the defensive side. Camille Middleton adds her first weekly honor of the season.
 
SWAC Volleyball Newcomer of the Week: Alaya Rhodes, Bethune-Cookman
The Junior from Memphis, Tennessee adds her second consecutive weekly honor where she led the Lady Wildcats to a 2-0 weekend. Rhodes added 21 kills in the win over Jackson State, marking her second consecutive match with 21. Rhodes followed with 12 in the win over Mississippi Valley State, finishing the weekend with 33 kills, .266 hitting percentage ad 23 digs. As the Lady Wildcats continue to climb in the standings, Rhodes adds her second 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 competitions are 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
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