BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Samford junior Lauren Deaton was named the Southern Conference Player of the Year, while freshman Kenya McQuirter earned Freshman of the Year honors when the league released its postseason volleyball awards Thursday afternoon.
 
A total of three Samford players were named to the All-SoCon first or second teams. Deaton was the team's lone representative on the first team. Corinne Meglic and Sierra Rayzor were named to the second team. McQuirter earned All-Freshman team honors.
 
Deaton currently leads the SoCon ranks eighth in the nation in kills per set at 4.64. She also leads the league and ranks 23rd in the nation in total kills at 297. She posted 10 double-doubles during the month. Her best match came against Western Carolina when she had 32 kills and 20 digs.
 
McQuirter was second on the team with 149 kills, averaging 2.92 kills per set. She had double-digit kills in seven matches this season, including the last five matches in a row.
 
Meglic leads the SoCon in assists per set, averaging 11.44 per set. She played in 11 of the team's 16 matches, and had at least 35 assists in 10 of those contests. She had a season-high 60 assists in a win over Western Carolina.
 
Rayzor finished the season with 122 kills and 55 digs this season. She was also second on the team with 49 total blocks
 
Samford will host the SoCon Tournament Friday and Saturday at the Pete Hanna Center. Samford will open play in the event by taking on Wofford Friday at 4 p.m., and Mercer and Western Carolina will meet at 6:30 p.m. that evening in the other semifinal match. The championship match is set for Saturday at 4 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the following link: PURCHASE TICKETS.
 
2020-21 All-Southern Conference Volleyball Teams and Awards
Player of the Year – Lauren Deaton, Samford, Jr., OH
Libero of the Year – Destinee Dorsey, Western Carolina, Fr.
Rayna Taylor Freshman of the Year – Kenya McQuirter, Samford, OH
Coach of the Year – Derek Schroeder, Mercer
 
All-SoCon First Team
Sharlissa De Jesus, The Citadel, Sr., OH
Neci Harris, Furman, Jr., MB
Jaida Howell, Mercer, So., MH
Annie Karle, Mercer, Jr., OH
Lauren Deaton, Samford, Jr., OH
Merry Gebel, Western Carolina, Jr., OH
Riley Coonan, Wofford, Sr., MB
 
All-SoCon Second Team
Mellanie King, The Citadel, Sr., OH
Sara Esposito, ETSU, Jr., RS/OH
Brittany Major, Mercer, Jr., OH
Corinne Meglic, Samford, R-Jr., S
Sierra Rayzor, Samford, Sr., MB
Destinee Dorsey, Western Carolina, Fr., L
Sarah Barham, Wofford, MB, Fr.
 
All-Freshman Team
Jenna Forster, ETSU, RS
Mikaela Schultz, Furman, OH
Kenya McQuirter, Samford, OH
Destinee Dorsey, Western Carolina, L
Julia Gardon, Western Carolina, OH
Sarah Barham, Wofford, MB
Emily Hodsdon, Wofford, S
 
 
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