The University of Mississippi Athletics
Clair, Cather Honored by SEC
11/25/2015 | Volleyball
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Ole Miss senior middle blocker Nakeyta Clair (Country Club Hills, Illinois) added numerous records this year to an already outstanding career, and Wednesday she was named to the All-SEC Team for the second year in a row. Right side hitter Kathryn Cather (Hoover, Alabama) was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team.
Clair becomes the fifth two-time honoree in program history and first since Regina Thomas in 2010-11. Cather is the fifth Rebel and first since 2012 to be named to the All-Freshman Team. It also marks the first time since 2012 for the Rebels to have two SEC honorees in the same season.
Nakeyta Clair
A 2014 All-American, Clair set the single-season and career records for total blocks, block assists and block solos. In addition, Clair recorded her 1,000th kill and currently ranks second with 1,149 kills. Clair ranks in the top 10 in the SEC in hitting percentage (.361) and averages a block a set. She is also on pace to set the Ole Miss career hitting percentage record. Clair tallied seven blocks at Georgia as the Rebels swept the season series against the Bulldogs. She also helped the Rebels sweep the season series against Arkansas for the first time since 2009 with a combined 23 kills and 10 blocks. Clair helped the Rebels equal the best start in school history, win all four preseason tournaments for the second year in a row and post a school-record 13 home wins.
"We are very proud of Nakeyta and it's quite an accomplishment to be All-SEC two years in a row," head coach Steven McRoberts said. "The SEC is a conference with some of the best middle blockers in the nation, including Nakeyta's teammate Ty Laporte, so for her to be recognized in that position says a lot about her season and ability."
Kathryn Cather
Cather has started 27 of 31 matches as a freshman and is hitting .253, fourth best on the team. She has hit above .250 in 14 matches this year, including six SEC matches. Cather hit .450 with 10 kills and only one error in the win over Tennessee. In the second match against Arkansas, she hit .462 with a season-high 14 kills and added four blocks to help the Rebels sweep the season series against the Razorbacks for the first time since 2009. She posted seven kills and only one error on a .400 clip to help the Rebels beat LSU for their school-record 13th home win.
"It's great that Kathryn has been recognized by making the All-Freshman Team," McRoberts said. "I think Kat has learned a lot in her first year. If she is willing to put in the work, Kat has the potential to be a great opposite in the SEC. We are looking forward to seeing her growth over the next three years."
The Rebels are on the road this week to finish out the season beginning with Alabama Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. on the SEC Network.
For more information on Ole Miss Volleyball, follow the Rebels on Twitter, @OleMissVB, on Facebook at OleMissVolleyball and on Instagram at OleMissVB. Also follow Coach McRoberts on Twitter, @CoachMcRoberts.
Player of the Year: Stephanie Aiple, Texas A&M
Libero of the Year: Ashley Dusek, Kentucky
Freshman of the Year: Alyssa Munlyn, Missouri
Scholar-Athlete of the Year: Stephanie Campbell, Auburn
Coach of the Year: Laurie Corbelli, Texas A&M
All-SEC Team
Kat Hutson - Alabama
Krystal Rivers - Alabama
Pilar Victoria - Arkansas
Rhamat Alhassan - Florida
Simone Antwi - Florida
Mackenzie Dagostino - Florida
Alex Holston - Florida
Živa Recek - Florida
Morgan Bergren - Kentucky
Kaz Brown - Kentucky
Ashley Dusek - Kentucky
Nakeyta Clair - Ole Miss
Carly Kan - Missouri
Kira Larson - Missouri
Alyssa Munlyn Missouri
Stephanie Aiple - Texas A&M
Jazzmin Babers - Texas A&M
Shelby Sullivan - Texas A&M
All-Freshman Team
Okiana Valle - Arkansas
Breanna McIlroy - Auburn
Brooke Morgan - Kentucky
Kathryn Cather - Ole Miss
Alyssa Munlyn - Missouri
Aubrey Ezell - South Carolina
Erica Treiber - Tennessee
