She becomes the first Florida freshman to win the award after the first weekend of play
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – For her stellar offensive performances this past weekend, freshman right side hitter Kennedy Martin was named this week’s GameChanger/AVCA Division I Player of the Week, as the organization announced Tuesday afternoon.
Martin becomes just the fifth Florida freshman to earn the distinction, joining the ranks of Alexis Stucky (2022), Rhamat Alhassan (2014), Kelly Murphy (2008) and Elyse Cusak (2006).
The Fort Mill, S.C. native is the first Florida freshman to earn the honor after their first weekend of play and it comes off the heels of her earning both SEC Player of the Week and SEC Offensive Player of the Week accolades.
Over the course of the weekend, Martin averaged 5.00 kills per set, 1.44 digs per set, 1.22 blocks per set, 0.22 aces per set, 5.83 points per set and a .379 clip.
Against the then-No. 8 Penn State Nittany Lions, Martin posted 18 kills in her collegiate debut. That went along with 11 digs to give her her first career double-double. The freshman also posted five blocks in the win en route to 20.5 points.
Martin was one half of the freshman duo (Kira Hutson – 14 kills) that was the first pair to record 30+ kills in a collegiate debut in program history.
Against South Florida, the Fort Mill, S.C. native went off for 27 kills and a .449 clip to ensure the five-set victory. She became just the second Florida player to record at least 27 kills in their rookie season. The right side also recorded six blocks, two digs and two aces to round out her performance.
The combined 45 kills between the first two matches are the most for a Florida freshman during the opening weekend in program history.
Martin currently leads the conference in both kills per set and points per set, while sitting 12th and 11th nationally in those respective categories.
The Gators are back in action Tuesday night as they take on No. 2 Stanford at 9 p.m. EST in Palo Alto, Calif. The match is set to air on the Pac-12 Network.
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