Five members of the Central Arkansas Sugar Bears volleyball team have received ASUN Conference honors for their performances this season. The recognitions include one First Team All-ASUN selection, three Third Team honorees, and one player named to the All-Freshman Team.
Head coach John Newberry commented on the achievement: “What an honor to have five of our players earn All-Conference recognition this season. Each one of them is a true standout in this league and has been instrumental to our team’s success. I’m incredibly proud of who they are—both as athletes and as teammates—and of the consistency, competitiveness, and heart they bring every single day.”
Laci Bohannon was selected for her second consecutive First Team honor. She recorded 319 kills during the season, surpassing 1,000 career kills. Bohannon also contributed 26 service aces and 53 total blocks, ranking third in the conference with 4.02 points per set.
Coach Newberry said about Bohannon: “Laci has been a dominant force all season—difficult to slow down and nearly impossible to stop. She’s been consistently impactful with her powerful swings and serves, and she’s been just as strong defensively, especially at the net with her blocking. She has taken on a huge role for us and delivered in every way.”
The Third Team selections were Caylan Koons, Alexis McDaniel, and Gabby Tuiaana. Koons finished third in assists per set (8.68) during the regular season and sixth in total assists (816). In conference play alone, she ranked among the top three both in assists per set (9.58) and total assists (546).
“Caylan has once again earned her place on the awards list,” said Coach Newberry. “She has been the best setter in the conference throughout her career, and I’m thrilled to see her receive one more honor as she closes out her time with us. No one deserves this recognition more.”
McDaniel ended third in digs per set (4.13) within ASUN competition and eighth overall with 396 digs for the year. She surpassed 1,500 career digs this season—a mark that places her among program leaders—and registered double-digit digs in 24 matches.
“Alexis has always been a player opponents prepare for,” said Coach Newberry. “She’s memorable because of her tenacity and highly respected across the conference for her elite passing and her toughness from the service line. She consistently anchors us in crucial moments.”
Tuiaana had 257 kills at an average of 2.89 per set along with 24 service aces and 72 blocks; she ranked tenth overall in points scored within ASUN play.
Coach Newberry noted: “Gabby stepped into a new starting role this season and exceeded every expectation. From her blocking presence to competing in all six rotations, she has proven herself as one of the best in the conference. Her growth and impact have been tremendous.”
Freshman McKinzee Haas was included on the All-Freshman Team after tying for first place across ASUN teams with an average of 1.15 blocks per set; she also joined only eight players ever to reach a 100-block season within conference history while hitting .321—the seventh-best percentage among all players.
“Haas rounds out our awards this season, and she has been remarkable,” Coach Newberry stated.”Taking on the middle blocker role as a first-year player, she improved with every match.She has established herself as one of the best middles in the conference in an incredibly short time which speaks volumes about her dedicationand talent.”
Central Arkansas will compete next as No.4 seed against Lipscomb at Fort Myers,in Florida,in tomorrow’s opening roundof the ASUN Championship.
