The Bison of Shawnee, Okla., claimed the big win of the weekend, upsetting AVCA preseason No. 19 West Texas A&M in Amarillo, Texas, 3-1, while the Crimson Storm are off to their best start in the NCAA Division II era. Harding matched both OKB and SNU with a perfect 4-0 weekend – its first such start to a season since 2023.
Arkansas Tech (2-2, 0-0 GAC), Southeastern Oklahoma State (2-2, 0-0 GAC) and Southwestern Oklahoma State (2-2, 0-0 GAC) each split their first four matches while the rest of the league claimed victory on opening weekend.
All 12 programs will play one more weekend of tournament volleyball before beginning GAC play Tuesday, Sept. 8
GREAT AMERICAN CONFERENCE VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
OFFENSIVE
Kate Wright | Southern Nazarene | OH | Jr. | Oak Point, Texas
Southern Nazarene junior outside hitter Kate Wright led Southern Nazarene to its best start of the NCAA Division II era, winning its first four matches in just 13 sets. Wright averaged 4.54 kills and 5.00 points per set to spearhead the Crimson Storm offense. Wright hit .331 on 139 total attacks for 59 kills while adding five service aces. The Oak Point, Texas, native tallied three double-doubles in SNU’s four matches.
DEFENSIVE
Kaylon Partain | Henderson State | L | Sr. | Atlanta, Texas
Henderson State senior libero Kaylon Partain completely held down the Henderson State back line on opening weekend, registering 109 digs across four matches for a 6.81 digs-per-set mark, signaling the most digs four matches into a season in over 15 years for the Reddies. The senior libero recorded 33 more digs than the next closest in the conference.
SETTER
Emily Boyer | Oklahoma Baptist | S | Sr. | Choctaw, Okla.
Oklahoma Baptist senior setter Emily Boyer facilitated an Oklahoma Baptist offense that fueled an impressive 4-0 weekend, including a 3-2 win over Wisconsin-Parkside and a 3-1 road victory at No. 19 West Texas A&M. Boyer tallied 157 assists – 9.81 per set – while adding 15 kills to her game. Against the No. 19 Lady Buffs, Boyer delivered a 42-assist, 13-dig double-double to aid in the four-set upset.
WEEKLY AWARDS
GAC Offensive Player of the Week
Aug. 31 Kate Wright, Southern Nazarene
GAC Defensive Player of the Week
Aug. 31 Kaylon Partain, Henderson State
GAC Setter of the Week
Aug. 31 Emily Boyer, Oklahoma Baptist
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