Women's Volleyball | 11/12/2026 2:35:00 PM

LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The Gannon volleyball team captured one of the major postseason awards as the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) announced its 2026 All-PSAC Volleyball Teams. Alexis Fowler (Cranberry Township, PA/Eden Christian Academy) was voted the PSAC West Defensive Player of the Year following a standout sophomore campaign.

The other three major PSAC West awards went to Seton Hill's Catie Flohr, who was named the Athlete of the Year, Clarion's Cara Vandeborne, the Freshman of the Year, and IUP's Avery Moore, the Coach of the Year.

Three Golden Knights were accorded All-PSAC West honors with two on the first team. Sydney Wake (Massillon, Ohio/Jackson) earned first team recognition for the second straight year, while Abbey Williams (Chicago, Ill./Mother Mcauley Liberal Arts) was also named to the first team. Fowler earned a spot on the second team in addition to her Defensive Player of the Year award.

Fowler becomes just the second player in Gannon history to earn PSAC West Defensive Athlete of the Year honors, joining Emma Hall, who received the honor in 2022 and 2024.

The sophomore libero has anchored a Gannon defense that ranks among the best in the PSAC. Fowler leads the Golden Knights with 427 digs, averaging 4.36 per set. During conference play, she ranks 11th in the PSAC with 210 digs, averaging 3.96 per set. Her defensive efforts have helped Gannon limit opponents to a .134 hitting percentage this season. The Golden Knights lead the PSAC in opponent hitting percentage (.122) during conference play while ranking third in digs per set (16.75).

Wake is a 5-foot-11 senior right side who has continued to establish herself as one of Gannon's top offensive threats. After earning first team All-PSAC West honors a year ago, she ranks second on the team with 259 kills while hitting .294 and contributing 45 blocks. Wake ranks ninth in the PSAC in hitting percentage (.313) during conference play.

The Massillon, Ohio native earned AVCA honorable mention All-American, AVCA All-Atlantic Region first team and D2CCA All-Atlantic Region second team honors in 2025. She also earned first team All-PSAC West recognition that season after finishing with 285 kills and a .300 hitting percentage.

Williams, a 5-foot-10 sophomore outside hitter, has emerged as Gannon's top offensive threat this season. She leads the Golden Knights with 351 kills, averaging 3.58 per set, while adding 279 digs and 42 service aces. She has accounted for a team-high 409 points.

The Chicago, Ill. native has recorded 15 kill-dig double-doubles in 26 matches, including seven during conference play. She ranks fourth in the PSAC against conference opponents in both kills per set (3.62) and points per set (4.16). Williams closed the regular season with 14 kills and 17 digs in Gannon's four-set victory over IUP.

The three All-PSAC West selections have helped Gannon to a 22-5 overall record and an 11-3 mark in conference play. The Golden Knights finished second in the Western Division and entered the PSAC Tournament as the No. 1 team in the NCAA Division II Atlantic Region National Power Index (NPI).

Following a 3-0 sweep of Shippensburg in Wednesday's quarterfinals, Gannon advanced to the PSAC semifinals for the sixth consecutive season and 12th time in program history. The Golden Knights will face Seton Hill on Saturday, November 14, at 1 p.m. at IUP's Memorial Field House.