Union’s Kessler named AAC POTY & All-AAC First-Team, Shumaker named All-AAC Second-Team

Barbourville, Ky. – The Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) has announced its 2024 Women's Volleyball All-AAC Teams and Awards.

Union Commonwealth University's Raquel Kessler was named the Player of the Year, while also being named First-Team All-AAC. UCU's Emily Shumaker was selected Second-Team All-AAC.

Kessler has recorded 370 kills, 30 assists, 307 digs, and 108 total blocks this season. She leads the conference in kills and kills per set, while ranking third in blocks per set and 16th in total digs. It marks the third consecutive season that Kessler has been named First-Team All-AAC.

Shumaker has tallied 240 kills, 115 digs, and 35 total blocks this season. It marks the third consecutive season that Shumaker has registered at least 224 digs in the regular season. Her 240 kills rank 21st in the AAC this season.

Sarah Charkosky, Abigail Erby, Harley Fletcher, Lara Gomes De Castro, Maddy McGaughey, McKenna Pickett, Jasmine Porter, Lain Prather, Luisa Slompo, and Sydney Worde were each named to the AAC's All-Academic Team. McGaughey was UCU's representative on the Champions of Character Team.

No. 6 seeded Union will play against No. 3 seeded Milligan on Friday, Nov. 15, in the quarterfinals of the 2024 WinWon Appalachian Athletic Conference Women's Volleyball Tournament. That matchup is slated to begin at 6:30 p.m.