Troy University Athletics
Tori Hester Named AVCA All-American
12/18/2024 10:00:00 AM | Volleyball
TROY, Ala. – Following a remarkable senior season, Troy's Tori Hester was named a Division I All-American Honorable Mention, the American Volleyball Coaches Association announced on Wednesday morning.
Hester, a senior outside hitter from Salisbury, N.C., was the 2024 Sun Belt Player of the Year, Offensive Player of the Year and First-Team All-Sun Belt after putting together one of the most statistically dominant seasons in the country and in program history.
"First of all, I am just so proud of Tori," head coach Josh Lauer said. "For her to be honored in this way, it's just a true testament to what can happen for players that chose to be team first, sacrifice so much, stay in the same place and give their heart to it. She deserves all of this, and I am just so thankful that this is what her fifth year was able to be. All the coaches that recognized that her talent was worth celebrating, I just really appreciate that. I am so happy and proud of her."
She finished the season leading the Sun Belt in total kills (536), kills per set (5.10), total points (607.5) and points per set (5.79). Her strong play all season allowed her to become Troy's all-time leader in kills (1,767) and kills per set (4.05). In addition to her career honors, she was named the Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Week three times this season.
Nationally, Hester was top 20 in kills per set (4th), points per set (5th), kills (10th) and points (14th).
In the final four matches of the regular season, Hester recorded 120 kills. In Troy's series sweep over Southern Miss, Hester recorded 33 on Thursday night and 30 on Friday night. In Troy's very next match at home against App State, she had 35 kills – one shy of the program record for a single match. Her 35 kills were the most by a Sun Belt player in a match this season and was tied for the sixth most in a five-set match by any player in the country.
She finisher her collegiate career on a 48-match streak of double-digit kills, which is the longest known active streak in Division I women's volleyball.
On defense, Hester was impressive as well. She had 11 double-doubles (kills-digs). In her 33-kill showing against Southern Miss she had a season-high 22 digs as well. She also recorded a career-high 45 blocks this season (14 solo, 31 assists).
Hester is the first AVCA All-American in program history.
Hester, a senior outside hitter from Salisbury, N.C., was the 2024 Sun Belt Player of the Year, Offensive Player of the Year and First-Team All-Sun Belt after putting together one of the most statistically dominant seasons in the country and in program history.
"First of all, I am just so proud of Tori," head coach Josh Lauer said. "For her to be honored in this way, it's just a true testament to what can happen for players that chose to be team first, sacrifice so much, stay in the same place and give their heart to it. She deserves all of this, and I am just so thankful that this is what her fifth year was able to be. All the coaches that recognized that her talent was worth celebrating, I just really appreciate that. I am so happy and proud of her."
She finished the season leading the Sun Belt in total kills (536), kills per set (5.10), total points (607.5) and points per set (5.79). Her strong play all season allowed her to become Troy's all-time leader in kills (1,767) and kills per set (4.05). In addition to her career honors, she was named the Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Week three times this season.
Nationally, Hester was top 20 in kills per set (4th), points per set (5th), kills (10th) and points (14th).
In the final four matches of the regular season, Hester recorded 120 kills. In Troy's series sweep over Southern Miss, Hester recorded 33 on Thursday night and 30 on Friday night. In Troy's very next match at home against App State, she had 35 kills – one shy of the program record for a single match. Her 35 kills were the most by a Sun Belt player in a match this season and was tied for the sixth most in a five-set match by any player in the country.
She finisher her collegiate career on a 48-match streak of double-digit kills, which is the longest known active streak in Division I women's volleyball.
On defense, Hester was impressive as well. She had 11 double-doubles (kills-digs). In her 33-kill showing against Southern Miss she had a season-high 22 digs as well. She also recorded a career-high 45 blocks this season (14 solo, 31 assists).
Hester is the first AVCA All-American in program history.
Players Mentioned
Outside Hitter
/ VolleyballPlayers Postmatch Press Conference - Southern Miss (Saturday)
Saturday, November 08
Josh Lauer Postmatch Press Conference - Southern Miss (Saturday)
Saturday, November 08
Ella Broadhead Postmatch Press Conference - Southern Miss (Friday)
Friday, November 07
Josh Lauer Postmatch Press Conference - Southern Miss (Friday)
Friday, November 07