BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Two Lee University volleyball freshman were named to the Second Team All-Gulf South Conference team after a successful first season. Payton Danley and Sara Palumbo were honored by the league on Tuesday.
Gabi Moulton from the University of West Florida was named both the player of the year and setter of the year in the league. Kaia Baker from Valdosta State University was the libero of the year. Nikola Antova of the University of Montevallo was the freshman of the year and UWF head coach Melissa Wolter was the GSC Coach of the year.
Payton Danley has had a strong freshman year especially in the second half of the season. She has four GSC freshman of the week honors. She is just outside the top ten in the GSC in kills with 279 kills and over 2.5 kills a set. She is also in the top ten in total blocks in the conference. She is hitting at almost .250 on the season. She has also added over 30 digs as an outside hitter.
Sara Palumbo has had a great first collegiate season. She has a GSC freshman of the week honor. Despite missing a couple matches with an injury, she is still fourth in the GSC in kills and is averaging three a set. She is fourth in service aces this season. She is also fourth in the conference in points. She is third on the team in digs as well.
This is the first time since the 2018 season when Lee had more than one player on an all-conference team.
2024 GSC Volleyball Awards
Player of the Year: Gabi Moulton, So., S, West Florida
Setter of the Year: Gabi Moulton, So., S, West Florida
Libero of the Year: Kaia Baker, Sr., OH/L, Valdosta State
Freshman of the Year: Nikola Antova, Fr., OH, Montevallo
Coach of the Year: Melissa Wolter, West Florida
First Team All-GSC
Gabi Moulton, So., S, West Florida
Lydia Paulette, Sr., OH, Mississippi College
Autumn Mayes, Sr., OH, UAH
Jenna Zydlo, Sr., MB, West Florida
Christina Pettigrew, Sr., MB, Valdosta State
Maya Thompson, Sr., MH, AUM
Kaia Baker, Sr., OH/L, Valdosta State
Kayla Ward, So., MB, UAH
Mackenzie O'Loughlin, Sr., MB, Trevecca Nazarene
Second Team All-GSC
Nikol Antova, OH, Fr., Montevallo
Meg Brackhan, Gr., DS/L, West Florida
Payton Danley, Fr., RS, Lee
Emily Breazeale, So., OH, West Florida
Reese Owens, Sr., OH, Union
Ella Schumacher, Fr., OH, Christian Brothers
Sara Palumbo, Fr., OH, Lee
Skias Hainline, Jr., S, Trevecca Nazarene
Savannah Rutledge, Sr., S, UAH
