VALDOSTA, Ga. – Jojo Smith of the Valdosta State Volleyball team was named Gulf South Conference Freshman of the Year and named first team all-conference, as announced by the league office Wednesday.
 
A native of Jefferson, Ga., Smith recorded the Freshman of the Week honors four times this season and is the first player under current head coach Kaleigh Zoucha to be named first team all-conference.  She is the 20^th Blazer to earn first team all-conference honors in program history, while she is the second VSU volleyball player to earn Freshman of the Year honors in team as Ashley Lala was the first in 2011.
 
Over the season, Smith played in a total of 79 sets (23 matches) as she recorded 293 kills, hitting .156, while averaging 3.71 kills per set. Smith also tallied 153 digs, 21 service aces, 30 block assists, 10 solo blocks, and six assists.
 
The 6'2" outside hitter recorded a season high of 27 kills and 32 points in the five-set victory against Arkansas-Fort Smith on Sept. 10^th. Smith also tallied five double doubles on the season.
 
Smith finished the season second in the GSC in kills per set and second in the GSC in points per set as she averaged 4.28 with 338 total points on the season.
 
To keep up with Smith and the Blazer volleyball team, visit vstateblazers.com, or follow Blazer Athletics on social media.