For just the fourth time in program history, Lenoir-Rhyne Volleyball had two players named to the First Team All-Conference as three total earned All-SAC accolades as announced by the league office. Kathy Peter and Emmaleigh Allen earned First Team accolades while Sydney Karjala was tabbed as a Third Teamer. Karjala was also named to the All-Freshman team.

Peter finished second in the league in blocks per set at 1.16 and seventh in the conference with a .348 hitting percentage. In her first season with the Bears, Peter earned two SAC Defensive Player of the Week awards and her 42 solo blocks lead the conference along with her 126 total blocks. She already ranks 10th in LR history for most blocks in a single season.

Allen is second in the league in kills despite missing a couple of matches down the stretch. Her 363 total kills and 3.59 kills per set rank second in the league and she is also sixth in the conference with 40 service aces. Allen earned three SAC Offensive Player of the Week awards and was the league’s Freshman of the Year in 2022.

Karjala had a strong freshman season and earned Third Team as well as All-Freshman team accolades. In her rookie season, Karjala finished third in the league in assists and second in assists per set to go along with a ninth place finish in service aces. Her 340 digs also place her ninth in the SAC. Karjala is the 11th player in LR history to be named to the All-Freshman Team.

2023 SAC Volleyball All-Conference
First Team
Emmaleigh Allen, Lenoir-Rhyne
Emiah Burrowes, Tusculum
Jaelyn Grimm, Anderson
Laela Jimenez, Mars Hill (L)
Jenna Long, Anderson
Kathy Peter, Lenoir-Rhyne
Julia Wheeler, Carson-Newman
Maggie Young, Wingate

Second Team
Brantley Chipley, Anderson
Katilyn Grant, Mars Hill
Riley Hill, Catawba (L)
Emily Johnson, Wingate
Sadie Kluner, Anderson
Kristen Moehring, Lincoln Memorial
Amber Rowoldt, Wingate
Gabby Saye, Wingate

Third Team
Madison Adkins, Tusculum
Aly Freeland, Tusculum
Sydney Karjala, Lenoir-Rhyne
Ketura Margaret, Lincoln Memorial
Maggie Mullen, Wingate (L)
Tatum Riddle, Limestone
Rylie Sargent, Anderson
Tabitha Wheeler, Anderson

All-Freshman
Katilyn Grant, Mars Hill
Riley Hill, Catawba
Sydney Karjala, Lenoir-Rhyne
Sydney Morland, Wingate
Caley Sosnowski, Tusculum
Maya Van Heyst, Wingate

Player of the Year
Maggie Young, Wingate

Freshman of the Year
Katilyn Grant, Mars Hill

Coach of the Year
Todd Hay, Anderson

Statistical Champions
Hitting Percentage: Maggie Young, Wingate (.438)
Kills Per Set: Julia Wheeler, Carson-Newman (3.77)
Assists Per Set: Jenna Long, Anderson (11.27)
Blocks Per Set: Cassidy Farley, UVA Wise (1.21)
Service Aces: Aly Freeland, Tusculum (45)
Digs Per Set: Laela Jimenez, Mars Hill (5.78)
Team Hitting Percentage: Wingate (.287)
Team Assists Per Set: Wingate (13.20)
Team Kills Per Set: Anderson (14.25)
Team Winning Percentage: Wingate (.926)
Team Opponent Hitting Percentage: Tusculum (.125)
Team Blocks Per Set: Wingate (2.29)
Team Service Aces Per Set: Tusculum (2.17)
Team Digs Per Set: Mars Hill (18.93)