FLORENCE, Ala. (August 31, 2026) – The United Athletic Conference announced the first volleyball weekly awards of the year Monday, honoring senior libero Ava Martindale with the UAC Defensive Player of the Week award and junior setter Kinslee McGowan with UAC Setter of the Week. 

Martindale began her second season with the Lions on Friday at the Troy Invitational, earning the first UAC Defensive Player of the Week award along with the Troy Invitational All-Tournament team. Over the three-match weekend, she tallied 51 digs to lead the way. She is now averaging 5.67 digs per set to lead the conference. Martindale also recorded five service aces this weekend to lead the team.  

Last season, Martindale appeared in all 30 matches and had a team high of 394 digs and ranked ninth in the ASUN. Prior to her time at UNA, she spent her first two seasons at UTEP where she played 56 matches. 

McGowan earned her fifth career setter of the week award after earning a single-season program-record four last season. The Preseason All-UAC selection recorded 100 assists this weekend at the Troy Invitational to lead the conference. She also has an 11.11 assists per set average to lead the conference, with the closest person behind her having an 8.25 average.  

Last season, McGowan was a Third Team All-ASUN selection who totaled 1,164 assists with a 9.95 assists per set average to break the program record. She also broke the program record for single-match assists with 60 against FGCU last season. 

North Alabama was the only team in the UAC to start the year off with three sweeps. The Lions are one of two teams in the conference to start their season off 3-0 with Little Rock defeating Houston Christian, Iona University and Louisiana Tech in the Jambalaya Jam hosted by Louisiana Tech.  

The Lions will host Alabama A&M on Wednesday, Sept. 2 for their home opener at CB&S Bank Arena at 6 p.m. 

For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.