Troy’s Tori Hester named Sun Belt Player of the Year

Published 12:25 pm Wednesday, November 20, 2024

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After a historic senior season, Troy Volleyball star Tori Hester was named both the Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year on Wednesday.

Additionally, Hester was named First-Team All-Sun Belt, as well. Hester becomes the first Trojan to ever win an individual postseason Sun Belt award and just the fourth player in conference history to take both the Player of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year honors in the same season. This is Hester’s third straight year being named to the All-Sun Belt first-team, as well.

“I’m so grateful to the Sun Belt coaches for recognizing Tori’s remarkable season, especially given the number of talented players in the conference this year,” Troy coach Josh Lauer said. “These awards for Tori come after five years of hard work, sacrifice and commitment to our team and her teammates. To be able to have your very best year be your last is rare and very special.

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“To be named Sun Belt Player of the Year truly caps off one of the greatest single seasons by a Troy player in the history of the program and cements Tori’s place among the very best student-athletes to every compete at Troy, regardless of sport. I could not be prouder of her. I’m thankful to have been her coach and can’t wait to see what she accomplishes next.”

During the season Hester broke the school career kills record and became just the sixth player in school history to surpass 1,000 career kills and digs. She leads the Sun Belt with 508 kills, 577.5 total points, 5.08 kills per set, 5.78 points per set and 40 service aces in 2024. She’s also in the Top 6 nationally in kills, points, kills per set and points per set. She also has 252 digs, 45 blocks and 23 assists on the season. She’s earned double digit kills in 48 straight matches, which is the longest active streak in Division I.

Additionally, Hester was named Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Week for the second consecutive week – and third of the season – for her performance in the final week of the regular season.

Hester and the Trojans will play Georgia State in the first round of the Sun Belt Volleyball Tournament in Foley on Thursday at 1:30 p.m.