Florida Volleyball’s Kennedy Martin and Taylor Parks Garner SEC Weekly Honors

Martin earned SEC Player and Offensive Player of the Week Accolades, while Parks received SEC Freshman of the Week.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The No. 24 Florida volleyball’s Kennedy Martin and Taylor Parks received SEC Weekly accolades for their performance in the Gators 3-1 comeback win against Tennessee on Oct. 25. Martin tabbed both SEC and Offensive Player of the Week and Parks earned SEC Freshman of the Week, as the league office announced Monday afternoon.

The sophomore from Fort Mill, South Carolina received SEC Offensive honors for the second-consecutive week, while earning her first Player of the Week award this season after landing a spot in the Florida’s record book. The All-American registered a career-high 31 kills, while hitting .542 to record the most kills by any Gator in a four-set match as well as the most kills registered during the 25-match point era. Former Gator Aury Cruz, a four-time AVCA All-American and three-time SEC Player of the Year, recorded 31 kills twice in her career when rally scoring went to 30 points. Cruz’s last recorded 31 kills was against Nebraska on December 8, 2001 in Florida’s Final Four match, which went into five sets.

Additionally, the opposite hitter scored a career-high 32.5 points and tallied a season-high eight digs against the Lady Vols. Martin’s 31 kills continue her streak of recording double-digit kills in every match she has played wearing the Orange and Blue (41 matches).

Furthermore, she ranks second in the nation for most kills recorded in a four-set match, and averaged the most kills per set (7.74) and points per set (8.13) in matches played from Oct. 21 through Oct. 28. Martin currently ranks No. 1 in the SEC in points per set (5.61), second in kills per set (4.82), fifth in aces per set (0.43) and ninth for average hitting percentage (.361).

Parks helped the Gators post a .444 team hitting percentage in her three sets of play on Friday. She dished out 40 assists to tie her individual-high in a three-set match, while also tying her career-best of four kills. The Clearwater, Fla. native also recorded seven digs and one block in the Gators comeback win.

Monday’s award marks Parks’ second freshman weekly honor of the season and of her career. She was previously named SEC Freshman of the Week on Sept. 2, 2024.

Up Next
The Gators travel to Fayetteville, Arkansas on Wednesday, Oct. 30 for a midweek matchup against the Razorbacks. Wednesday’s match marks Florida’s first midweek match in league play, with first serve slated for 8 p.m. ET. Fans not in attendance can watch on SEC Network as well as follow @GatorsVB for match updates.

SEC Weekly Honorees:

Offensive

Kennedy Martin, Florida

Defensive

McKenna Yates, Mississippi State

Setter

Marina Crownover, Missouri

Freshman

Taylor Parks, Florida

Player of the Week

Kennedy Martin, Florida

FOLLOW FLORIDA VOLLEYBALL