MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The Southern States Athletic Conference announced the 2025 SSAC Volleyball year-end award winners Wednesday evening, with multiple UT Southern student-athletes earning recognition for their outstanding performances this season.

UT Southern's Ashlee Kraft headlined the Firehawks' award winners, being named the SSAC Newcomer of the Year and earning a spot on the First-Team All-Conference list. Kraft made an immediate impact in her first season in Pulaski, finishing the regular season among league leaders in kills per set and total points.

Joining her among the league's elite were Emma Beardsley and Amree Patterson, who both landed on the Second-Team All-Conference. Beardsley was a key offensive threat on the right side, while Patterson anchored the middle with strong blocking and efficient attacking.

Patterson also earned additional honors as a member of the SSAC All-Freshman Team, recognizing her breakout campaign in her first collegiate season. Freshman setter Jelleny Mallozzi joined her on that list after directing the Firehawk offense throughout the year with poise and precision.

Olivia Ward represented UT Southern on the SSAC Champions of Character Team, highlighting her leadership and embodiment of the NAIA's five core character values on and off the court.

Six Firehawks were also honored for their success in the classroom, earning spots on the Athletic Solutions All-Academic Team:
Ashley Cope, Isabella Garza, Caity Griffin, Emma Harding, Ashlee Kraft, and Emma Price.

UT Southern now turns its attention to postseason play as the SSAC Volleyball Tournament Pool Play begins tomorrow, where the Firehawks will look to build on their regular season success and make a deep run in Montgomery.

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