ROCK HILL, S.C. --- Tusculum University setter Madison Adkins has been named the 2024 South Atlantic Conference Women's Volleyball Scholar Athlete of the Year.
The SAC Scholar Athlete of the Year award is presented annually to one student-athlete in each of the conference's championship sports and is selected by the league's Faculty Athletic Representatives committee. Winners are selected based on their achievements in academics and athletics.
This marks the fifth time in program history that a TU women's volleyball student-athlete has earned SAC Scholar Athlete of the Year honors including: Sierra Harlacher (2001), Alexis Rowles (2007) and Ashley Sarmiento (2012 & 2013).
Adkins, a senior from Olive Hill, Kentucky, has a cumulative grade point average of 3.99 as a double major in biology and chemistry. She is a member of the SAC Commissioner's Honor Roll, Dean's List, President's List, Charles Oliver Gray Honors List and the Tusculum Athletic Director's Honor Roll. She is a member of Alpha Chi Honor Society and was the 2021 recipient of the Tusculum Student-Athlete Academic Achievement Award.
This past fall, she earned All-Conference first team honors while averaging 8.93 assists per set (4th in SAC). She played in every set for the Pioneers while totaling 938 assists, 299 digs, 50 blocks and 26 service aces.
The 2023 AVCA All-American finished her Tusculum career with 2,030 assists, which are the seventh-most in program history. Her 8.06 career assist per set average ranks eighth in the TU record book during her 79-match career in Greeneville.
She is a two-time Academic All-District first team selection and has earned the Division II Athletic Directors Association Academic Achievement Award, twice.
During her four-year career, she helped the Pioneers to a 69-39 overall record including 53-19 in SAC play. She led TU to the 2021 SAC Championship and the 2023 SAC Tournament title.
Adkins community service activities includes: Nettie Day of Service, Pioneer Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Read Across America Program, Morning Point Assisted Living Home and has worked with numerous volleyball camps.
