University of Georgia Athletics
Photo by: Sofia Yaker/UGAAA
Artiles Tabbed First SEC Freshman of the Week of the 2026 Season
August 31, 2026 | Volleyball
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – University of Georgia freshman Gigi Artiles has been named the first SEC Freshman of the Week of the 2026 season, the league announced Monday afternoon.
"Gigi has hit the ground running, and her work ethic and competitiveness make it a surprise to no one," head coach Tom Black said. "This is just the beginning for her."
In her collegiate debut, Artiles recorded 3.00 kills per set on a .434 hitting percentage, 1.60 digs per set, and 1.10 blocks per set to help lift Georgia to a trio of wins in the Classic City Clash at Stegeman Coliseum.
The Miami native kicked off the weekend with a team-high 10 kills on a .444 hitting clip against North Florida in Friday's season opener. She added two blocks and seven digs against the Ospreys. She wrapped up the Classic City Clash with 12 kills on a .579 hitting percentage, plus seven blocks and seven digs, against Furman on Saturday.
Artiles is Georgia's first SEC Freshman of the Week since Kacie Evans won the honor five times in 2019.
The Bulldogs travel to West Lafayette, Indiana, for the 2026 Allstate Big Ten/SEC Challenge Week. The Bulldogs will take on No. 16 Indiana on Tuesday on FS1 at 6 p.m. ET. Georgia will then face No. 9 Purdue on Wednesday on Big Ten Network at 7 p.m.
"Gigi has hit the ground running, and her work ethic and competitiveness make it a surprise to no one," head coach Tom Black said. "This is just the beginning for her."
In her collegiate debut, Artiles recorded 3.00 kills per set on a .434 hitting percentage, 1.60 digs per set, and 1.10 blocks per set to help lift Georgia to a trio of wins in the Classic City Clash at Stegeman Coliseum.
The Miami native kicked off the weekend with a team-high 10 kills on a .444 hitting clip against North Florida in Friday's season opener. She added two blocks and seven digs against the Ospreys. She wrapped up the Classic City Clash with 12 kills on a .579 hitting percentage, plus seven blocks and seven digs, against Furman on Saturday.
Artiles is Georgia's first SEC Freshman of the Week since Kacie Evans won the honor five times in 2019.
The Bulldogs travel to West Lafayette, Indiana, for the 2026 Allstate Big Ten/SEC Challenge Week. The Bulldogs will take on No. 16 Indiana on Tuesday on FS1 at 6 p.m. ET. Georgia will then face No. 9 Purdue on Wednesday on Big Ten Network at 7 p.m.
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