Blue Mountain Christian Volleyball Duo Earns SSAC Weekly Honors
Two Blue Mountain Christian University players swept a pair of the Southern States Athletic Conference’s weekly volleyball awards Monday. Right side Marissa Gerleman was named SSAC Attacker of the Week, and libero Abbi Williams was named Defender of the Week. It gives the Blue Mountain volleyball program two of the league’s three weekly honors in the conference’s Players of the Week No. 8 release, announced Oct. 5, 2026.
Point University’s Chloe Painter was named Setter of the Week, completing the list.
Gerleman Named SSAC Attacker of the Week
Gerleman, a junior from Adel, Iowa, averaged 3.71 kills per set and hit .429 as the Toppers went 1-1 last week, according to the conference. She also had eight blocks and made only five errors across seven sets.
Her best night came Friday, Oct. 2, at Tyler Gym, when Blue Mountain beat William Carey 25-19, 19-25, 25-15, 25-20. Gerleman tied teammate Salice Speed for the team lead with 12 kills, hit .550 with just one error in 20 swings, and added five blocks.
The SSAC said this is the second weekly award of Gerleman’s career and her first of the 2026 season. She also won the Attacker of the Week award in early September 2025.
Williams Picks Up Second Defender Award
Williams, a junior libero and defensive specialist from Wetumpka, Alabama, averaged 5.29 digs per set during the week. She also had seven assists and a .933 reception percentage, according to the league.
Her standout game was also the William Carey win, when she led the back row with 26 digs. Blue Mountain outdug the Crusaders 74-67 in that match.
It is Williams’ second Defender of the Week award this season. She also won it in Week 2 of the 2026 season.
Week in Review for the Volley Toppers
- Fri., Oct. 2: Blue Mountain Christian def. William Carey, 3-1, at Tyler Gym
- Later in the week: University of Mobile def. Blue Mountain Christian in an SSAC match at Blue Mountain
- Weekly line for Gerleman: 3.71 kills/set, .429 hitting, 8 blocks
- Weekly line for Williams: 5.29 digs/set, 7 assists, .933 reception percentage
Blue Mountain Christian University, in Blue Mountain in southern Tippah County, competes in the NAIA as a member of the Southern States Athletic Conference. Fans can follow the Toppers’ schedule and results on the school’s athletics website and on Tippah News’ daily sports roundups.
Related on Tippah News: Tippah County sports roundup, Oct. 3: BMCU wins in four sets.
Source: Southern States Athletic Conference
