After a sizzling end to the 2022 season, Chattanooga Mocs volleyball outside hitter Natalie Tyson and libero Paige Gallentine were named the Southern Conference Offensive and Defensive Players of the Month (November), respectively, as the league office announced the winners Tuesday morning.
The monthly conference honor is the second for Gallentine in her career (October 2021). Gallentine is just the second Moc all-time to win the monthly honor twice in a career with Paula Passmore being the last (2010 and 2012).
It's the first time in program history in which Chattanooga swept both the offensive and defensive side of the award.
The duo of Tyson and Gallentine helped Chattanooga to a 4-2 record in the month of November including a 3-1 mark in conference play. UTC advanced to the SoCon Tournament semifinals for the first time since 2016 and nearly punched their ticket to the title match after a five-set thriller.
Natalie Tyson, OH, Gr. – Offensive Player of the Month
Tyson, an All-SoCon First Team and All-Tournament Team honoree, finished the month of November with 107 kills over the six matches and 23 total sets, averaging a whopping 4.65 kills per set. In addition to the kill numbers, she attacked at an efficient .246% clip and provided stellar defense with 75 digs, ending the month averaging 3.26 digs per set.
She recorded double-digit kills in all six matches during the month including totals of 25 and 29, respectively, in the SoCon Tournament quarter and semifinal rounds. The East Carolina grad transfer also posted five-straight, kill-dig double-doubles to end her career. Tyson led the SoCon this season in total kills (469) and ranked third in kills per set (3.69).
Paige Gallentine, L, So. – Defensive Player of the Month
Gallentine, an All-SoCon Second team selection, finished the month of November with 134 total digs over the six matches and 23 sets, ending with a blistering 5.83 digs per set average. She concluded the season with six-straight matches with 16 or more digs including three matches that topped the 20 mark and one that reached 30.
She posted a combined 53 digs in the SoCon Tournament quarter and semifinal rounds with 23 coming in the 3-2 win over Wofford (quarters) and 30 during the tough 3-2 loss to Furman (semis). For the season, Gallentine led the SoCon in total digs (596) and digs per set (4.62) while moving into seventh all-time at UTC in career digs (1,445).