IRVING, Texas – Two American Athletic Conference volleyball players were honored by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) on Wednesday, earning All-American status. SMU’s graduate middle blocker Emma Clothier and Tulsa’s graduate outside hitter Kayley Cassaday both garnered Honorable Mention selections.
Clothier, the 2023 American Athletic Conference Player of the Year averaged 2.7 kills per set while hitting .383 on the season – a top 35 mark in the NCAA. Her hitting percentage is the second highest in a season in SMU history. She finished with a team-high 116 blocks and 27 aces, leading the Mustangs in both categories. She was named the AVCA National Player of the Week on September 26 after hitting .800 with 12 kills in SMU’s sweep over Memphis. Clothier finished with double-digit points in 24 matches.
Cassaday, a three-time American Athletic Conference First Team All-Conference selection, finished in the top 5 in the NCAA in points per set (4th; 5.54), kills per set (3rd, 5.14) and attacks per set (2nd; 14.28). Her points per set and kills per set are both the third highest mark in conference history. She had double-digit kills in 32 of Tulsa’s 33 matches, including over 20 in 11 matches. She added 52 blocks and 21 aces on the season.
