University of Georgia Athletics
Fischer Named SEC Player of the Year; Fischer, Evans Earn All-SEC
November 26, 2023 | Volleyball
ATHENS, Ga. – University of Georgia senior middle blocker Sophie Fischer has been named the 2023 Southeastern Conference Player of the Year, the league announced Sunday. Additionally, Fischer and graduate outside hitter Kacie Evans were both appointed to the 2023 All-SEC Team.
"This a well-deserved and humbling honor for Sophie," head coach Tom Black said. "Everyone in our program takes pride in how she's grown and the player, person, and leader she's become. She does things on the court few players in her position have, and she does it for the team and our success. All of us are overjoyed for her and there's more to come."
Black continued, "Kacie has given and done so much for Georgia volleyball and this honor is so fitting for one of the greatest volleyball players to ever wear the G."
Fischer, a native of Fort Mill, South Carolina, becomes only the second Georgia Bulldog to be named the SEC Volleyball Player of the Year, joining 1994's Player of the Year Priscilla Pacheco. Fischer is now a back-to-back All-SEC honoree after earning all-conference status in 2022.
Fischer concluded the regular season as the league's top scorer and the nation's highest-scoring middle, registering 5.31 points per set (584 total points). She finished top 10 in the SEC in kills per set (third, 4.16 kills/set), service aces per set (third, 0.41 aces/set), blocks per set (second, 1.34 blocks/set), and hitting percentage (ninth, .328 average). Nationally, she ranks 11th in points per set, 21st in blocking, and 29th in kills.
In conference-only matches, Fischer was the league leader in points per set (5.36) and registered 4.17 kills per set, 0.43 aces per set, 1.41 blocks per set, and hit .320 in conference play.
In just two seasons in the Red & Black, Fischer has already cemented herself as a Georgia great. Last season, she was an AVCA All-America honorable mention and earned spots on the All-SEC Team and AVCA All-Southeast Region Team. She's been a five-time SEC Player of the Week. Over the summer, Fischer trained with the USA Volleyball Women's Collegiate National Team in Anaheim, California, alongside the U.S. Women's National Team.
Evans, who hails from Wadsworth, Ohio, adds a third All-SEC Team selection (2019, 2022, 2023) to her impressive resume as a Bulldog. Evans is the first three-time All-SEC Bulldog since Alexandra Oquendo and Julia Petruschke each earned back-to-back-to-back All-SEC honors from 2003 to 2005.
The six-rotation outside hitter registered 3.36 kills per set for the Dawgs on a .227 hitting clip in her final season. Evans finished the regular season with 35 aces (0.34 aces/set), and 234 digs (2.25 digs/set). She finished seventh in serving in the SEC.
Evans' career accolades include 2022 AVCA Third Team All-America, three-time All-SEC, 2022 AVCA Southeast All-Region Team, 2019 SEC and AVCA Southeast Region Freshman of the Year, 2019 SEC All-Freshman Team, two-time SEC Player of the Week, and five-time SEC Freshman of the Week. She is a member of Georgia's 2,000 Point Club, 1,000 Kill Club, 1,000 Dig Club, Double Grand Club, and holds Georgia's all-time sets played record. She'll finish in the top 10 at Georgia in sets played, kills, attacks, aces, and points.
Georgia concluded the 2023 regular season with a 19-11 overall record and a 10-8 SEC record, finishing tied for fourth in the league. The Bulldogs finished the regular season on a four-match win streak. The NCAA Tournament selection show will air Sunday at 6 p.m., ET, live on ESPN. Georgia will look to make back-to-back tournament appearances for the first time since 1994 and 1995.
"This a well-deserved and humbling honor for Sophie," head coach Tom Black said. "Everyone in our program takes pride in how she's grown and the player, person, and leader she's become. She does things on the court few players in her position have, and she does it for the team and our success. All of us are overjoyed for her and there's more to come."
Black continued, "Kacie has given and done so much for Georgia volleyball and this honor is so fitting for one of the greatest volleyball players to ever wear the G."
Fischer, a native of Fort Mill, South Carolina, becomes only the second Georgia Bulldog to be named the SEC Volleyball Player of the Year, joining 1994's Player of the Year Priscilla Pacheco. Fischer is now a back-to-back All-SEC honoree after earning all-conference status in 2022.
Fischer concluded the regular season as the league's top scorer and the nation's highest-scoring middle, registering 5.31 points per set (584 total points). She finished top 10 in the SEC in kills per set (third, 4.16 kills/set), service aces per set (third, 0.41 aces/set), blocks per set (second, 1.34 blocks/set), and hitting percentage (ninth, .328 average). Nationally, she ranks 11th in points per set, 21st in blocking, and 29th in kills.
In conference-only matches, Fischer was the league leader in points per set (5.36) and registered 4.17 kills per set, 0.43 aces per set, 1.41 blocks per set, and hit .320 in conference play.
In just two seasons in the Red & Black, Fischer has already cemented herself as a Georgia great. Last season, she was an AVCA All-America honorable mention and earned spots on the All-SEC Team and AVCA All-Southeast Region Team. She's been a five-time SEC Player of the Week. Over the summer, Fischer trained with the USA Volleyball Women's Collegiate National Team in Anaheim, California, alongside the U.S. Women's National Team.
Evans, who hails from Wadsworth, Ohio, adds a third All-SEC Team selection (2019, 2022, 2023) to her impressive resume as a Bulldog. Evans is the first three-time All-SEC Bulldog since Alexandra Oquendo and Julia Petruschke each earned back-to-back-to-back All-SEC honors from 2003 to 2005.
The six-rotation outside hitter registered 3.36 kills per set for the Dawgs on a .227 hitting clip in her final season. Evans finished the regular season with 35 aces (0.34 aces/set), and 234 digs (2.25 digs/set). She finished seventh in serving in the SEC.
Evans' career accolades include 2022 AVCA Third Team All-America, three-time All-SEC, 2022 AVCA Southeast All-Region Team, 2019 SEC and AVCA Southeast Region Freshman of the Year, 2019 SEC All-Freshman Team, two-time SEC Player of the Week, and five-time SEC Freshman of the Week. She is a member of Georgia's 2,000 Point Club, 1,000 Kill Club, 1,000 Dig Club, Double Grand Club, and holds Georgia's all-time sets played record. She'll finish in the top 10 at Georgia in sets played, kills, attacks, aces, and points.
Georgia concluded the 2023 regular season with a 19-11 overall record and a 10-8 SEC record, finishing tied for fourth in the league. The Bulldogs finished the regular season on a four-match win streak. The NCAA Tournament selection show will air Sunday at 6 p.m., ET, live on ESPN. Georgia will look to make back-to-back tournament appearances for the first time since 1994 and 1995.
Players Mentioned
OH
/ Volleyball
MB
/ VolleyballGeorgia Volleyball vs LSU - Postgame Recap
Wednesday, November 12
Georgia Volleyball vs. Auburn Postgame Recap
Sunday, November 02
Georgia Volleyball vs Vanderbilt Video Recap
Saturday, October 25
Georgia Volleyball vs Mississippi State - Postgame Recap
Sunday, October 19