SMU volleyball dominates AAC awards

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From SMUMustangs.com:

Mustangs Dominate Postseason AAC Awards

IRVING, Texas (AAC/SMU) - Five members of the SMU volleyball team were named to the All-American Athletic Conference teams, the league announced on Tuesday morning. Emma Clothier was named the Player of the Year. Celia Cullen was crowned the Setter of the Year, and Sina Uluave was named the Libero of the Year. Jamison Wheeler was tabbed as an All-AAC First-Team Selection, and Natalie Perdue earned a spot on the Second-Team. Sam Erger was announced as the AAC Coach of the Year.

Clothier was tabbed as the AAC's Player of the Year after an impressive regular season. Clothier is hitting .387 on the year, ranking second in the league and 32nd in the nation. The graduate middle blocker finished the regular season recording 308 kills, 112 blocks, and 21 aces. Clothier was named the AVCA National Player of the Week after starting league play, hitting .800 with 12 kills in SMU's sweep over Memphis. Clothier tallied 17 kills on .576 hitting and 13 kills on .500 hitting in back-to-back matches at UTSA. Clothier has tallied at least eight kills on .300 or better hitting in 24 out of 31 games this season, including at least 12 kills on .500 or better hitting seven times, and three more matches with 11 kills on at least .400 hitting. The Carrollton, Texas, native has appeared on the AAC Weekly Honor Roll twice, was named the Offensive Player of the Week on Sept. 25, and earned the honor on the defensive side Nov. 20.

Cullen was named the Setter of the Year after finishing the regular season ranking first in the league in assists per set and second in total assists. The senior setter has passed out 1,141 total assists (40th nationally) and 10.56 per set (23rd nationally). Cullen has led the Mustangs in assists in all 31 matches and has six double-doubles this season. Cullen recorded a season-high 58 assists against Florida Atlantic on Oct. 8 while also eclipsing 3,000 career assists. Cullen earned All-Tournament Honors at the Stacey Clark Classic.

Uluave claimed the Libero of the Year accolade after turning in a team-high 429 digs on the year. Uluave has tallied double-digit digs 25 times and has led the Mustangs in digs in 20 out of the last 22 matches. The graduate libero has passed out 85 assists this season. Uluave's been crowned the AAC Defensive Player of the Week twice this season.

Wheeler earned a spot on the All-AAC First-Team after leading the Mustangs with 345 kills and a team-high seven double-doubles. The junior outside hitter was crowned the AAC Offensive Player of the Week three straight times (Oct. 9, Oct. 16, and Oct. 23). Wheeler was named the Most Valuable Player of the SMU DoubleTree Invitational after recording 53 kills across three matches. Wheeler entered conference play after three straight 15-plus kill performances to finish non-conference.

Erger was named the AAC Coach of the Year after leading SMU to the outright American Athletic Conference Championship with the best conference winning percentage in program history (.947). The Mustangs are riding a 15-match win streak and enter the NCAA tournament as a No. 7 seed after nine straight sweeps. This is the Mustangs' third AAC title and first since the 2016 season.

2023 AAC Volleyball Postseason Awards
Player of the Year
Emma Clothier, Gr., MB, SMU

Libero of the Year
Sina Uluave, Gr., SMU

Setter of the Year
Celia Cullen, Sr., SMU

Freshman of the Year
Avery Burks, OH, Tulane

Coach of the Year
Sam Erger, SMU

First Team All-Conference
Angeles Alderete, So., OH, East Carolina
Sh'Diamond, Holly, Sr., MB, North Texas
Emilia Weske, Gr., RS, Rice*
Maria Clara Andrade, So., OH, South Florida
Buse Hazan, So., OH, South Florida
Emma Clothier, Gr., MB, SMU*
Celia Cullen, Sr., S, SMU*
Sina Uluave, Sr., L, SMU
Jamison Wheeler, Jr., OH, SMU*
Kayley Cassaday, Gr., OH, Tulsa
Natalie Foster, Jr., MB, Wichita State*
Sophia Rohling, Sr., OPP, Wichita State
*denotes unanimous selection

Second Team All-Conference
Valeria Rosado, Jr., OH/RS, Florida Atlantic
Danyle Courtley, Sr., OH, Rice
Nia McCardell, Sr., L, Rice
Caroline Dykes, Jr., S, South Florida
Natalie Perdue, Sr., OH, SMU
Mia Soerensen, So., OPP, UTSA
Morgan Stout, R-Jr., MB, Wichita State
Izzi Strand, Sr., S, Wichita State