BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Southwestern Athletic Conference announced Volleyball Weekly Awards for Tuesday, November 3, 2026, where Florida A&M’s LaDonna Trantham was named Offensive Player of the Week followed by Southern’s Penina Vito earning Newcomer of the Week. Grambling State swept the final two categories as Asialin Powell was named Defensive Player of the Week followed by Alayna Howard earning Setter of the Week.
 
SWAC Volleyball Offensive Player of the Week: LaDonna Trantham, Florida A&M
The Sophomore Outside Hitter from Homewood, Illinois helped the Lady Rattlers go 2-0 in the week and extend their winning streak to 10 while taking sole first place in the SWAC. LaDonna Trantham helped offensively over the weekend as Florida A&M went 2-0 in the state of Alabama to move 1.5 matches clear at the top of the table in the SWAC. Trantham amassed a team-high 21 kills, four service aces, and three blocks (assisted) as FAMU defeated Alabama A&M and Alabama State, respectively. The Homewood, Illinois native averaged 3.50 kills per set across the two matches. She picked up 11 kills at Alabama State, followed by a 10-kills performance at AAMU. That allows her eight double-digit kills matches in her last 10 outings. Trantham posted a .417 hitting percentage at Alabama State, going on to provide, four digs, three service aces and a pair of assisted blocks for the Orange and Green. Across the weekend, she hit at a .326 clip for the Rattlers. Trantham earns her second weekly award of the season.
 
SWAC Volleyball Defensive Player of the Week: Asialin Powell, Grambling State
The Junior Libero from Des Moines, Iowa helped the Lady Tigers go 1-1 on the week where she totaled 50 digs through two matches and delivered two service aces. Powell garnered her season-high with 31 digs in the five-set thriller against Jackson State and followed with 19 in the Sunday win over Mississippi Valley State. Powell leads Grambling State with 402 digs which is second in the SWAC and a No. 34 ranking in the NCAA. As Powell continues to quarterback the defense, she earns her first weekly award of the season.
 
SWAC Volleyball Setter of the Week: Alayna Howard, Grambling State
The Sophomore Setter from Royse City, Texas led the charge for Grambling State with 68 total assists on the week and registered one service ace. Helping the Lady Tigers go 1-1 on the week, Howard averaged 7.56 assists per set where she added 30 assists in the five-setter against Jackson State on Friday, October 30^th and followed with 38 assists in the Sunday win over Mississippi Valley State. Alayna Howard leads Grambling State with 441 assists, averaging 5.19 per set while adding 179 digs on the season. Howard has nine matches with 20 or more assists while her recent performances add two consecutive 30+ assist matches. As Grambling State looks to push for postseason play, Howard earns her first weekly award of the season.
 
SWAC Volleyball Newcomer of the Week: Penina Vito, Southern
The Junior Setter from Phoenix, Arizona led the SWAC with 70 assists and 10 aces while pushing the Lady Jaguars towards victory with week high of 24 assists in the win over Texas Southern on Friday, October 30^th. Vito has consistently led as a top setter for Southern with 461 assists while averaging 5.62 per set. Penina Vito has six aces against Texas Southern which is the most by a Lady Jaguar since November 7, 2024. As Southern continues to make a strong push for postseason play, Vito 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 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.