ATLANTA, Ga. – The 8th-ranked Trinity University volleyball team had six different players earn All-Southern Athletic Association honors for the 2025 season, as announced earlier today by the league office on Tuesday, November 11.

Trinity also picked up the SAA Coaching Staff of the Year award for the first time under Head Coach Julie Jenkins, following a regular season in which the Tigers won the SAA Regular Season Championship with a 13-1 conference record. The honor comes after 17 conference coaching staff awards for Jenkins and her staff during Trinity's time in the SCAC. Coach Jenkins is joined on the coaching staff by assistant coaches Maggi Linker, Brad Bulycz, and Marisa Amarino.

The Tigers made a strong first impression in their inaugural season as members of the Southern Athletic Association. Headlining the Tigers on the All-SAA teams this year was SAA Offensive Athlete of the Year Reagan Whatley (The Woodlands, Texas / The Woodlands). Whatley adds to her impressive career that includes the 2022 SCAC Freshman of the Year honor and continues to be a driving force for Trinity's success on both sides of the net. Whatley entered the postseason ranked third in the SAA in kills per set (3.52), third in total points (4.27 per set), fourth in service aces (0.47 per set), and 10th in digs (3.07 per set). She totaled 292 kills, 39 aces, and 255 digs on the year, showcasing her all-around dominance and consistent impact as one of the conference's most complete outside hitters.

Joining Whatley on the All-SAA First Team are libero Jenna Rodriguez (San Antonio, Texas / Antonian) and right-side hitter Courtney Pope (New Braunfels, Texas / Canyon). Both earned All-SCAC Second Team honors last season, and their standout play in their first year of SAA competition propelled them to First Team recognition in 2025. Rodriguez ranked third in the SAA in digs per set (4.78) while anchoring the back row for the conference's most efficient defensive (.133) and offensive unit (.256), showcasing her exceptional range and on-court organization. Pope finished the season third in the SAA in hitting percentage (.308) and delivered 210 kills, proving to be one of the league's most consistent and reliable attackers.

There were two Tigers on the All-SAA Second Team as middle blocker Lauren McCarthy (Corrales, N.M. / Horizon) and setter Kendall DeRivel (Westlake Village, Calif. / Viewpoint) each earned the first All-SAA awards of their careers. McCarthy anchored the Tigers' defensive line, leading the SAA in blocks per set (1.35) and total blocks (115) while also ranking among the league's top hitters at .261. DeRivel, who was named to the All-SCAC Second Team (2024) and earned AVCA All-Region Honorable Mention (2024), continued her strong collegiate career by finishing seventh in the conference in assists per set (5.87) and running Trinity's balanced attack with consistency and poise throughout the season. Outside hitter Marissa Drange (Boerne, Texas / Champion) received Honorable Mention All-SAA, ranked 8th in the SAA for her hitting percentage (.265) with 122 kills this season.

The Tigers finished the regular season 21-4 and will now turn their attention to the SAA Championship Tournament hosted by Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, Georgia, looking to secure their place in the NCAA Tournament and extend their impressive campaign.