Martin named AVCA Division I Player of the Week

GAINESVILLE, FL – For her stellar offensive performances last weekend, freshman right-side hitter Kennedy Martin was named this week’s GameChanger/AVCA Division I Player of the Week, the organization announced Tuesday afternoon.

Martin becomes the fifth Florida freshman to earn the distinction, joining Alexis Stucky (2022), Rhamat Alhassan (2014), Kelly Murphy (2008) and Elyse Cusak (2006).

The Fort Mill, South Carolina native is the first Florida freshman to earn the honor after her first weekend of play and comes on the heels of earning accolades for SEC Player of the Week and SEC Offensive Player of the Week.

Over the course of the weekend, Martin averaged 5.00 kills per set, 1.44 kills per set, 1.22 blocks per set, 0.22 aces per set, 5.83 points per set and a .379 clip. .

Against the then No. 8 Penn State Nittany Lions, Martin recorded 18 kills in his college debut. That added to 11 attacks that gave him the first double-double of his career. The freshman also recorded five blocks in the win en route to 20.5 points.

Martin was one half of the freshman duo (Kira Hutson – 14 kills) that was the first pair to record 30+ kills in a college debut in program history.

Against South Florida, the Fort Mill, SC native racked up 27 kills and a .449 clip to secure the five-set victory. She became the second Florida player to record at least 27 kills in her rookie season. The right side also recorded six blocks, two attacks and two aces to complete her performance.

The 45 combined kills between the first two games are the most by a Florida freshman over the first weekend in program history.