ATLANTA, Ga. (August 26, 2022) - Middle blocker
Kassandra Fairly of Spring Hill collected her third Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Preseason Offensive Player of the Year honor alongside her teammate,
Mikayla Boyer, who was selected as Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, announced Friday 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 redshirt senior middle blocker, was one of the best offensive players in the conference last season, leading the league with a .395 hitting percentage and ranked third in kills with an average of 3.23 per set. The Ft. Walton Beach, Florida native, was chosen as this year's Preseason Offensive Player of the Year for the third time after leading the team in points (435) and kills (369) last season. Fairly is a three-time SHC Female Athlete of the Year, three-time SIAC First Team All-Conference member, a three-time member of the SIAC Commissioner's All-Academic Team, as well as the 2018 & 2021 SIAC Player of Year and the 2018 SIAC Tournament MVP. She was a 2019 D2CCA All-South Region Second Team member, the 2018 SIAC Freshman of the Year, in addition to the 2019 & 2021 Preseason SIAC Offensive Player of the Year.
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
Mikayla Boyer, Outside Hitter/Libero
Spring Hill College
Boyer was one of the top passers in the league this past season leading her team in digs (459) and was ranked third in the conference. The Covington, La. native also tallied 124 kills, and 22 service aces in 110 sets played for the Badgers. The redshirt junior libero is also a three-time member of the SIAC Commissioner's All-Academic Team and received the 2021 SHC Female Heart of the Badger Award, which is presented to the student-athletes who best demonstrate the spirit of Spring Hill College through their dedication, selflessness, school spirit, work ethic, and service to others.
2022 Volleyball Preseason Ranking (by Division)
East Division
1. Albany State
2. Edward Waters
3. Benedict
4. Clark Atlanta
5. Savannah State
6. Fort Valley State
7. Allen
West Division
1. Spring Hill
2. Central State
3. Kentucky State
4. Lane
5. Tuskegee
6. LeMoyne-Owen
7. Miles
Spring Hill led all member institutions with five (6) total preseason selections, followed by Benedict (2). Albany State, Clark Atlanta, Central State, Edward Waters, Tuskegee, and Savannah State each had one selection (1).
A complete listing of the 2022 Preseason All-SIAC Teams and individual award winners can be found below.
2022 SIAC Women’s Volleyball Preseason All-Conference Team
Superlative Awards
| Preseason Offensive Player of the Year |
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year |
| Kassandra Fairly, Spring Hill |
Mikayla Boyer, Spring Hill |
Women’s Volleyball Preseason All-Conference Team
| First Team |
| Emily Weinzapfel |
Outside Hitter |
R-Junior |
Spring Hill |
Evansville, Ind. |
| Sydney Melton |
Outside Hitter |
Sophomore |
Albany State |
Hoover, Ala. |
| Cana Smith |
Outside Hitter |
Junior |
Benedict |
Houston, Texas |
| Kassandra Fairly |
Middle Hitter |
R-Senior |
Spring Hill |
Ft. Walton Beach, Fla. |
| Kia Thomas |
Middle Hitter |
Graduate Student |
Clark Atlanta |
Jonesboro, Ga. |
| Taylor Fontenelle |
Libero |
R-Senior |
Spring Hill |
Spanish Fort, Ala. |
| Kayla Adams |
Setter |
Junior |
Central State |
Auburn Hills, MI |
| Second Team |
| Saldy Amparo Smith |
Outside Hitter |
Sophomore |
Edward Waters |
Santo Domingo, DR |
| Erin Jackson |
Outside Hitter |
Junior |
Tuskegee |
Marietta, Ga. |
| Mikayla Boyer |
Outside Hitter |
R-Junior |
Spring Hill |
Covington, La. |
| Airyonna Weaver |
Middle Hitter |
Sophomore |
Spring Hill |
Mobile, Ala. |
| Kaiah Green |
Middle Hitter |
Junior |
Benedict |
Albuquerque, NM |
| Kloe Ludy |
Libero |
Sophomore |
Savannah State |
Lafayette, Ga. |
| Jessica Fairly |
Setter |
R-Sophomore |
Spring Hill |
Ft. Walton Beach, Fla. |