Florida A&M Duo Earned SWAC Weekly Honors
The Southwestern Athletic Conference recognized two Rattlers for their standout play at the Pelican Invitational.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Volleyball
The Southwestern Athletic Conference awarded Florida A&M volleyball players Whitfield and Coleman as weekly award winners following their performances at the Pelican Invitational. Whitfield secured the title of Offensive Player of the Week, while Coleman was named Defensive Player of the Week.
Why it matters
These conference honors highlight the individual contributions that drive Florida A&M's success in competitive play. Recognizing such performances underscores the impact of key players on the team's overall defensive and offensive execution.
Whitfield tallied 52 kills during the tournament and a career-high 24 in a single match, while Coleman recorded 16 blocks over the weekend and leads the season with 41 total blocks.
The players
Whitfield
She is a volleyball player for Florida A&M who was recognized for her offensive contributions.
Coleman
She is a volleyball player for Florida A&M who was recognized for her defensive contributions.
Southwestern Athletic Conference
It is an athletic conference that manages collegiate sports competition for member institutions.
Florida A&M University
It is a public historically black university located in Tallahassee.
The details
Whitfield dominated the court with a 3.25 kills-per-set average, including a match against LSU-New Orleans where she hit .354. Coleman anchored the defensive effort at the net with 1.00 blocks per set, including an eight-block performance against Idaho.
Timeline
September 22, 2026: SWAC announced the weekly volleyball awards.
Season Trajectory
These awards mark significant momentum for Florida A&M as they navigate the 2026 SWAC volleyball season schedule. Consistent recognition of individual talent typically serves as a key indicator of a program's potential for post-season success and conference standing.
Whitfield's career-high 24 kills in a single match and Coleman's 41 total season blocks highlight their roles as primary scoring and defensive threats. These metrics confirm their reliability for fans tracking individual statistical progression throughout the current season.
The takeaway
The success of these two athletes underscores the necessity of balanced offensive and defensive leadership in collegiate volleyball. Teams that leverage such individual achievements often see more consistent performance as the competitive schedule progresses.
Further reading
For more on local collegiate competition, visit the Volleyball section.
