University of Georgia Athletics
Kemp Named SEC Defensive Player of the Week
October 13, 2025 | Volleyball
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – University of Georgia middle blocker Kendal Kemp has been named the SEC Defensive Player of the Week, the league announced Monday afternoon.
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This is Kemp's first SEC weekly award as a Bulldog and fourth of her career (two Defensive Player of the Week awards, two Freshman of the Week awards).
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"Kendal is one of the elite middle blockers in our conference and, therefore, the country," head coach Tom Black said. "She cares as much about the people around her as she does her game, and this award is an indicator of that. We can't wait to see what she does next."
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The redshirt-junior from Eagan, Minnesota, totaled 12 blocks over the weekend, registering 1.50 blocks per set en route to wins over Arkansas and Oklahoma. Not only did Kemp perform on the defensive side of the ball, but she also recorded 18 kills and hit .485 on the weekend.
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Kemp put up five blocks and tied a season-high eight kills at Arkansas on Friday. She topped her Friday performance by registering a season-high with 10 kills at Oklahoma on Sunday, her first double-digit kill match as a Bulldog, with a .588 hitting clip, and put up a team-high seven blocks.
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Kemp currently ranks ninth in the nation with 1.53 blocks per set. As a team, Georgia is currently number two nationally and first in the SEC with 3.09 blocks per set.
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This is Georgia's third weekly SEC award this season. Junior Bianna Muoneke was named the Offensive Player of the Week on Sept. 1 and redshirt-junior Tori Harper earned Defensive Player of the Week a week later on Sept. 8.
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The Bulldogs return to Athens to host the Alabama Crimson Tide on Friday, Oct. 17, for the second annual 10K Day. First serve is set for 7 p.m. on SEC Network. Admission is free.
The first 1,000 fans will receive a limited edition 10K Day t-shirt. The first 1,000 UGA students will receive a t-shirt and free food. Additional prizes will be given out throughout the match.
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This is Kemp's first SEC weekly award as a Bulldog and fourth of her career (two Defensive Player of the Week awards, two Freshman of the Week awards).
Â
"Kendal is one of the elite middle blockers in our conference and, therefore, the country," head coach Tom Black said. "She cares as much about the people around her as she does her game, and this award is an indicator of that. We can't wait to see what she does next."
Â
The redshirt-junior from Eagan, Minnesota, totaled 12 blocks over the weekend, registering 1.50 blocks per set en route to wins over Arkansas and Oklahoma. Not only did Kemp perform on the defensive side of the ball, but she also recorded 18 kills and hit .485 on the weekend.
Â
Kemp put up five blocks and tied a season-high eight kills at Arkansas on Friday. She topped her Friday performance by registering a season-high with 10 kills at Oklahoma on Sunday, her first double-digit kill match as a Bulldog, with a .588 hitting clip, and put up a team-high seven blocks.
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Kemp currently ranks ninth in the nation with 1.53 blocks per set. As a team, Georgia is currently number two nationally and first in the SEC with 3.09 blocks per set.
Â
This is Georgia's third weekly SEC award this season. Junior Bianna Muoneke was named the Offensive Player of the Week on Sept. 1 and redshirt-junior Tori Harper earned Defensive Player of the Week a week later on Sept. 8.
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The Bulldogs return to Athens to host the Alabama Crimson Tide on Friday, Oct. 17, for the second annual 10K Day. First serve is set for 7 p.m. on SEC Network. Admission is free.
The first 1,000 fans will receive a limited edition 10K Day t-shirt. The first 1,000 UGA students will receive a t-shirt and free food. Additional prizes will be given out throughout the match.
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