Five Gators Earn All-Region Honors: Kennedy Martin Southeast Region Player of the Year, Jaela Auguste Freshman of the Year

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The American Volleyball Coaches Association announced on Tuesday that five Florida volleyball players earned All-Southeast Region honors. Kennedy Martin becomes the first Gator to be named the region’s Player of the Year, while Jaela Auguste claimed the program’s sixth Freshman of the Year honor.

Martin collected her second-career All-Region team accolade, with Elli McKissock and Auguste joining the sophomore on the list. Isabel Martin and Taylor Parks were tabbed to the AVCA All-Southeast Region Honorable Mention Team.  

Kennedy Martin received her first player of the year award after averaging a conference-leading 6.36 points per set and 5.66 kills per set average, which rank first and second in the nation, respectively. She has recorded double-digit kills in every match played wearing the orange and Blue (52 matches) and has recorded 30+ kills in five matches this season. Her most recent was last Saturday against No. 3 seed Kansas, where she finished with 33 kills to add to her program record as well as record the most kills during an NCAA Tournament match by a Gator. She finished with a career-high 35.5 points as well in the five-set win. Additionally, the Fort Mill, SC native is one of 14 players to be named a semifinalist for AVCA Division I Player of the Year.

Deserved it.

Kennedy Martin takes home AVCA All-Southeast Region Player of the Year!#GoGators pic.twitter.com/uUfaUza8vx

— Gators Volleyball (@GatorsVB) December 10, 2024

Auguste adds to her SEC Freshman of the Year award that she awarded on Dec 1st. The middle blocker is averaging a .404 hitting clip to rank 16th in the nation, while having the league’s best hitting percentage from a freshman. Auguste was named SEC Co-Freshman of the week on Nov. 11 and leads the Florida block. The Spring, TX. native averages 1.07 blocks per set and has accumulated 14 matches with five or more blocks during her rookie campaign. Auguste has also swung above .400 on 10+ attempts in 11 matches this season.

THAT GIRL 💪

Jaela Auguste receives AVCA Southeast Region Freshman of the Year!#GoGators pic.twitter.com/INA1Bkezyl

— Gators Volleyball (@GatorsVB) December 10, 2024

Elli McKissock, who earned All-Region honors in 2021, has been a pivotal member of Florida’s backrow defense. The Windermere, Fla. native averages 4.14 digs per set this season and has eclipsed double-digit digs 25 times this season. She started and played in 121-consecutive matches as the Gators libero…