The SAGU volleyball team made a near sweep of the Sooner Athletic Conference (SAC) all-conference and awards. SAGU completed the regular season as the Sooner Athletic Conference champions with a record of 26-6 and made it to the semifinals of the SAC tournament.
“This has been a very special season for the SAGU Lions. Our girls have worked so hard. 26-6 is an incredible season and we still have a lot of volleyball left to play,” says SAGU Head Coach Hank Moore.
This season proved to be monumental for many of the SAGU volleyball members. Seniors Paulyae Dawkins and Jessica Sodich, and sophomore Sophia Ivy were honored by the Sooner Athletic Conference for first team all-conference. Kali Shaw was named to the SAC second team all-conference as well. Celi Bruce and Mollie McBride were also named to the all-conference honorable mention team.
Coach Hank Moore, who was named the SAC Coach of the Year, had plenty to say about the honorees, “Paulyae finished the year in the top five in hitting percentage and in blocks this year. She has done a great job as one of top middles in the entire NAIA. Sophia Ivy saw her assist numbers rank as the second best statistical setter in our conference. Defensively, Sophia doubled her block totals from the 2016 season. Sophia tied our school record twice this season with 61 assist. She now ranks number 3 all-time in assist for SAGU. And finally, Jessica Sodich. Jessica came into this season and changed our season completely. She led the SAC in kills all season. She tied a school record with 34 kills in a single match. Her 467 kills is the fourth highest total all time. Jessica ranks #3 all time in kills and in digs. She has left a profound mark of this program.”
Sodich was also named SAC Newcomer of the Year.
According to Moore, the individual accomplishments are great, but the season as a whole has been more special. “Being conference champions is the biggest award for our team, ” he says. “As far as being Coach of the Year, that is a team award. Our coaching staff has worked extremely hard to put our kids in the best position to win. This season has been a great time of seeing God do a great work in all our lives. We play as unto the Lord. Our ultimate desire is for God to be glorified through our team. I know that He is pleased with all these girls have accomplished.”