AVCA Releases All-Region Teams
LEXINGTON, Ky. – UNC Greensboro (UNCG) graduate student and outside hitter
Kayla White was selected for the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Southeast All-Region Honorable Mention team, as announced by the organization today.
White along with The Citadel's Sharlissa De Jesus were the only student-athletes selected from the Southern Conference (SoCon) for either the All-Region or Honorable Mention teams. According to AVCA and UNCG records dating back to 1980, White is the first Spartan to earn this accolade.
"I am so proud of my team, we made history this year and my biggest goal my super senior year was to go out with a bang," exclaimed White. "I had so much fun this season and I am so thankful UNCG gave me the opportunity to play one more year. I am forever grateful."
Most recently, White was voted on the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-District® First Team. This was the second honor from CoSIDA in her career.
White helped the Spartans win a share of the 2021 SoCon regular season title. UNCG finished the season 23-7 overall and 12-4 in SoCon play, the 23 wins is the third-most single-season total in program history.
Right before SoCon tournament play, White was named SoCon Player of the Year, just the second honoree in school history. The first was Ashley Muench in 2017.
White was been named the SoCon Offensive Player of the Week four times this season and the Offensive Player of the Month twice. She leads the Spartans in points (528.5), kills (449), and service aces (48). The Montgomery, Ala., native has averaged 3.87 kills and 4.56 points per set. White has double-doubled in 22 of the Spartans' 30 matches. She set two career highs this season, 25 kills against Furman (Oct. 9) and 28 digs against NC Central (Sept. 7).
Following the final match of the season, White was ranked nationally in nine categories: seventh in total attacks (1,341), 14
th in points (528.5), 18
th in service aces (48), 21
st in kills (449), 28
th in attacks per set (11.56), 50
th in aces per set (0.41), 51
st in points per set (4.56), 67
th in kills per set (3.87), and total digs (128).
On top of being Player of the Week/Month/Year, White was a 2021 NCAA Woman of the Year nominee and 2021 RMAC Academic Player of the Year. She's been a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee since 2017.
"Kayla being named AVCA Southeast All-Region Honorable Mention is a great honor and a very well-deserved recognition for all that she has done for our team this season," stated head coach
Corey Carlin. "Her impact on this program has been undeniable. Not only has she been an outstanding teammate, but she has proven to have all the qualities that top Division I volleyball athletes have both on and off the court. Very few SoCon volleyball players have ever been nationally recognized to this level and we could not be more proud of her."
White graduated with a Bachelors of Art in Human Performance and Sport with a focus on Sport Management from Metropolitan State University in Denver with a 3.95 GPA. Currently, she is pursuing her MBA and is set to graduate in May 2023.
-- About the AVCA –
The mission of the AVCA is to advance the sport of volleyball with AVCA coaches at the epicenter of leadership, advocacy and professional development. With a membership of almost 7,000 and counting, the AVCA provides a professional network for those individuals and companies dedicated to enhancing and promoting the sport. Members include collegiate, high school, club, youth and Olympic coaches, as well as volleyball club directors. The AVCA provides education to volleyball coaches, recognition of elite players and coaches, promotion of volleyball competitions throughout the world, and networking opportunities for volleyball products and services providers.
