DALLAS – Liberty’s Paige Overcash, FIU’s Mandi Morioka, UTEP’s Mattie Gantt and Kalia Kohler and WKU’s Kaira Knox earned the first 2025 Conference USA Volleyball Player of the Week honors.

CUSA Offensive Player of the Week – Paige Overcash, Liberty – So. – RS – Ashe County, N.C.
Overcash was named the Buffalo Invite Tournament MVP after leading the Lady Flames to post a 3-0 record. She tallied 31 kills (2.82 kps) with a .473 hitting clip, which ranks third in CUSA. Overcash was particularly effective in the final two matches of the weekend, hitting over .500 with double-digit kills in wins over both Buffalo and Rutgers. On Friday night, she hit .588 (11-1-17), helping the Lady Flames to a sweep of the host Buffalo. On Saturday, she scored a career-high 16 kills at a .556 pace as Liberty posted its first-ever win over a Big Ten team, a 3-2 victory over Rutgers during which the Lady Flames overcame a 2-0 deficit in a win for the first time since 2016.
 
CUSA Defensive Player of the Week – Mandi Morioka, FIU - Sr. – L – Torrance, Calif.
Morioka delivered an impressive performance helping FIU to a 2-1 record with wins over Bryant and Power 4 opponent Duke. The native of Torrance, Calif., led the Panthers with 45 digs, nine assists and three service aces over the weekend. Morioka had 18 digs in the 3-0 win over Bryant and then followed that performance up with 14 digs in a 3-1 victory over Duke.  
 
CUSA Co-Setter of the Week – Mattie Gantt, UTEP – Sr. – Aledo, Texas
Gantt provided a steady hand in UTEP’s 6-2 system, matching Kalia Kohler with 55 assists (5.50 per set) as the duo combined for 110 assists in 10 sets of action. She also anchored the back row defensively, leading all UTEP setters with 20 digs on the weekend. In addition, Gantt contributed 2 kills and an ace, showcasing her all-around skill set. Her consistency and decision-making were key in fueling a UTEP offense that hit .310 as a team and swept its first two opponents before taking down UC Davis to clinch the tournament title.
 
CUSA Co-Setter of the Week – Kalia Kohler, UTEP – Jr. – Alpine, Utah
Kohler was instrumental in guiding UTEP’s balanced offense during the opening weekend, helping direct the Miners to a .310 team hitting percentage while running the 6-2 system with Mattie Gantt. She appeared in all 10 sets, making three starts, and dished out 55 assists (5.50 per set). Beyond her setting duties, Kohler showed her versatility by adding 5 service aces, 3 kills, and 13 digs. Her steady play and ability to spread the offense gave UTEP multiple scoring options as the Miners swept Sacramento State and Pepperdine before closing with a four-set win over UC Davis to clinch the tournament title.
 
CUSA Freshman of the Week – Kaira Knox, WKU – RS – Nolensville, Tenn.
Knox absolutely erupted for the Hilltoppers this weekend, finishing with 46 kills, averaging 4.18 kills per set and a .257 hitting percentage as a right-side hitter. Knox also tallied 20 digs, seven assists, eight blocks and a 76.9% success rate at the service line. The native of Nolensville, Tenn., accounted for over 30% of the total kills by WKU. After each match, Knox improved, going from 12 kills against Loyola-Chicago, to 13 versus Drake and finishing with 21 kills in a sweep of Wright State.  
 
2025 CUSA Offensive Players of the Week
S1         Paige Overcash, Liberty

2025 CUSA Defensive Players of the Week
S1         Mandi Morioka, FIU
 
2025 CUSA Setters of the Week
S1         Mattie Gantt & Kalia Kohler, UTEP  
 
2025 CUSA Freshmen of the Week
S1         Kaira Knox, WKU