Five Volleyball Players Earn SSAC Honors

MONTGOMERY, Ala-- The Southern States Athletic Conference released the year-end volleyball awards Friday evening, and the University of Mobile had five players honored.

Kiara Gay was named 1st-Team All-Conference, Sara Van Wert and Disah Kolassiba were named 2nd-Team All-Conference and Bailey Nations was named to the All-Freshmen Team. Tayler Houseknecht was the team's Musco Lighting Champion of Character selection.

Gay, a senior outside hitter from Crawfordville, Fla., finished the season with a team-high 492 kills and 369 digs and 33 service aces. She averaged 3.94 kills per set and ranked 12th in the NAIA in total kills.

Van Wert, a sophomore middle blocker from Springboro, Ohio, produced 269 kills with a .302 attack percentage, and added 61 digs and a team-high 99 blocks.

Kolassiba, a junior middle blocker from Lome, Togo, finished with 273 kills and a .245 hitting percentage, and 98 blocks.

Nations, a freshman outside hitter from Peoria, Ariz., finished  her first collegiate season with 343 kills, 120 digs and 31 blocks.

Houseknecht, a junior right side from Mobile, produced 144 kills and 55 blocks for the Lady Rams.