Strickland, Gonzalez Earn All-GAC Accolades
RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – On the eve of the 2023 Great American Conference Championships, the East Central University volleyball team saw two players claim All-GAC accolades as the league announced its All-Conference teams and yearly award winners on Wednesday.
Nominations were submitted and voted on by the league's 12 head coaches.
2023 Volleyball All-GAC Teams Photo Gallery
Strickland received an All-Conference accolade for the third consecutive season, landing on the All-GAC Second Team her first year before earning back-to-back First Team honors the past two seasons. The Mansfield, Texas native continues to lead the Tiger offense, amassing an impressive 411 kills so far this season, securing her the No. 2 spot in the league at 3.88 kills per set. Strickland was also honored as a GAC Distinguished Scholar-Athlete, which is rewarded to athletes who advanced to the postseason tournament and have a 3.7 GPA or higher.
In her debut season with the Tigers, Gonzalez earned her first GAC honor on the Second Team. The Brownsville, Texas native has added a spark to the Tiger offense with her dynamic play, collecting 371 kills this season to place her No. 4 among GAC opponents with 3.44 kills per set. She is also second on the team in digs with 309.
Strickland, Gonzalez, and the rest of the Tigers will look to keep up the work in postseason play, kicking off their GAC Tournament with an opening match against Southwestern Oklahoma State University at 10 am tomorrow.
