SIAC Communications
ATLANTA – Middle blocker Kassandra Fairly of Spring Hill collected her second Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Preseason Offensive Player of the Year honor alongside with teammate, Taylor Fontenelle, who was selected as Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, announced Thursday by the league office.
All votes are submitted by SIAC head volleyball coaches and sports information directors.
Preseason Offensive Player of the Year
Kassandra Fairly, Middle Blocker
Spring Hill College
Fairly, a junior middle blocker, was chosen as this years’ Preseason Offensive Player of the Year after maintaining a career .385 hitting percentage averaging 3.25 kills per set and 0.62 blocks per set. In 2019, she led the Badgers in kills (401) and blocks (77). The Ft. Walton Beach, Fla. native has amassed several awards including being a three-time member SIAC Commissioner’s All-Academic Team, two-time all-conference first team selection, two-time SHC Female Athlete of the Year, 2018 SIAC Player of Year and SIAC Tournament MVP, 2019 D2CCA All-South Region Second Team, 2019 AVCA All-South Region First Team, and 2019 SIAC Freshman of the Year.
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
Taylor Fontenelle, Libero/Defensive Specialist
Spring Hill College
Fontenelle, a Spanish Fort, Ala. native, has been named this years’ Preseason Defensive Player of the Year after a dynamic first season with the Badgers where she collected 189 digs and led the Badgers in service aces (49). The sophomore libero is also a two-time member SIAC Commissioner’s All-Academic Team.
Volleyball Preseason Rankings by Division
Eastern Division
1. Albany State
2. Benedict
3. Clark Atlanta
4. Savannah State
5. Fort Valley State
6. Edward Waters*
7. Allen*
Western Division
1. Spring Hill
2. Kentucky State
3. Central State
4. LeMoyne-Owen
5. Lane
6. Tuskegee
7. Miles
*Allen University and Edward Waters University are first-year provisional members of NCAA Division II and are not eligible for SIAC nor NCAA volleyball postseason competition.
2021 SIAC Preseason Volleyball Team
First Team
| Outside Hitter | Imani Williamson | Savannah State | Senior | Atlanta, GA |
| Outside Hitter | Jeilynn Brown | Savannah State | Junior | Cleveland, OH |
| Outside Hitter | Mikayla Boyer | Spring Hill | Sophomore | Covington, LA |
| Middle Blocker | Kassandra Fairly | Spring Hill | Redshirt Junior | Ft. Walton Beach, FL |
| Middle Blocker | Jedaiah Daniels | Savannah State | Junior | Kennesaw, GA |
| Libero | Taylor Fontenelle | Spring Hill | Sophomore | Spanish Fort, AL |
| Setter | Ashleigh Reeves | Benedict | Senior | Birmingham, AL |
Second Team
| Outside Hitter | Allison Weimer | Spring Hill | Senior | Covington, LA |
| Outside Hitter | Lauryn Terry | Clark Atlanta | Junior | Tulsa, OK |
| Outside Hitter | Bre’elle Hawkins | Lane | Junior | Riverview, FL |
| Middle Blocker | Kia Thomas | Clark Atlanta | Senior | Jonesboro, GA |
| Middle Blocker | Daija Walton | Benedict | Senior | Perris, CA |
| Libero | Jolesia McClenton | Albany State | Senior | Sanford, FL |
| Setter | LaPromise Boone | Miles | Senior | Birmingham, AL |