MONTGOMERY, Ala. – University of Tennessee Southern sophomore middle blocker Amree Patterson has been named the Southern States Athletic Conference Defender of the Week, the conference office announced Monday.

The award is the second weekly honor of Patterson's career after also earning SSAC Defender of the Week recognition during Week 12 of the 2025 season.

Patterson was a force at the net for the Firehawks during a 3-1 week, totaling 31 blocks, including 13 solo blocks, while adding 23 kills and nine digs.

The La Vergne, Tennessee, native helped anchor a UT Southern defense that posted victories over Bethel University, Indiana University East, and Union Commonwealth University. Patterson's standout performances throughout the week continued her emergence as one of the conference's premier middle blockers after leading the SSAC in blocks per set during her freshman campaign.

Patterson entered the 2026 season after earning Second-Team All-SSAC and SSAC All-Freshman Team honors in 2025, helping the Firehawks to their first winning season since 2021.

She was one of three players recognized by the conference this week, joining Mobile's Kaylin Johnson, who earned SSAC Attacker of the Week honors, and William Carey's Maurin Reyes, who was named SSAC Setter of the Week.

UT Southern returns to action Tuesday, Sept. 1, when the Firehawks host Fisk University at the Curry Athletic Complex. First serve is scheduled for 6 p.m. as Patterson and the Firehawks look to continue their strong start to the season.

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