Sun Belt Named Kennedy Louisell Top Athlete
The James Madison University volleyball star earned the conference Female Student-Athlete of the Year title.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Volleyball
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The Sun Belt Conference has recognized James Madison University volleyball player Kennedy Louisell as the 2025-26 Female Student-Athlete of the Year. Louisell received the award at the annual Sun Belt Honors Banquet.
Why it matters
The award highlights Louisell's success in balancing high-level athletic performance with academic responsibilities. It marks a significant achievement for the Harrisonburg institution and the university's athletics program.
Louisell recorded 605 kills and 676 points during the 2025 season, maintaining averages of 4.80 kills and 5.37 points per set. Her current 2026 performance includes 280 kills and 35 service aces, totaling 332.5 points so far.
The players
Kennedy Louisell
She is a standout volleyball player at James Madison University who has been recognized for her athletic and academic achievements.
Sun Belt Conference
This collegiate athletic conference oversees sports programs for several universities across the United States.
James Madison University
Located in Harrisonburg, Virginia, this university hosts competitive athletic programs that participate in the Sun Belt Conference.
App State
Appalachian State University is a competing member institution within the Sun Belt Conference.
The details
Louisell previously earned Sun Belt Player of the Year honors in 2025 and secured conference Player of the Week awards five times that season. Her academic accolades include a spot on the 2025-26 Sun Belt Academic Honor Roll, a Dean's List appearance in the fall of 2025, and recognition as a JMU Athletic Director's Scholar-Athlete in the spring of 2026.
Timeline
Louisell began her tenure competing for JMU in 2025.
She was named to the Dean's List during the fall of 2025.
She earned the JMU Athletic Director's Scholar-Athlete award in the spring of 2026.
The Sun Belt Conference announced the award on October 13, 2026.
The JMU volleyball team plays matches against App State on October 15 and October 16, 2026.
Season Trajectory
This honor reinforces Louisell's position as a focal point for the James Madison University volleyball team as they navigate the remainder of the 2026 season. Her individual success significantly bolsters the team's standing within the conference ahead of critical matches against App State.
Louisell is currently maintaining a scoring pace of 5.45 points per set, an increase from her 5.37 average during the 2025 season. This efficiency remains a critical metric for the team's offensive strategy as they enter back-to-back games against conference rival App State.
The takeaway
Student-athletes who excel both on the court and in the classroom often become the pillars of their university's athletic identity. Recognition like this highlights the importance of maintaining consistent performance standards throughout a multi-year college career.
What happens next
The James Madison University volleyball team is scheduled to play matches against App State on October 15 and October 16, 2026.
Further reading
For more on local collegiate sports, visit the Volleyball section.
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