BIRMINGHAM, Ala. | Alabama State claimed three of the four weekly Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) honors after its performance at the UCF Challenge over the weekend, announced by the conference office on Wednesday afternoon.
 
Jylen Whitten was named the Offensive Player of the Week after she finished the weekend with 22 total kills including a season-high (at the time) nine against UCF. She recorded seven kills against Wake Forest to start the weekend, followed by six against FIU. She hit .273 against UCF and .211 against FIU and recorded 20-plus attacks against Wake Forest and UCF. Whitten also recorded one assist and 13 digs for the weekend including seven against Wake Forest.
 
Meanwhile, Taila Gaines was named the SWAC Defensive Player of the Week after she ended the weekend with nine blocks in three matches in Orlando, including a season-high six blocks against Wake Forest. She ended that match with three solo blocks and three block assists for the Lady Hornets. Gaines also recorded one block against FIU and a pair against UCF including a solo block.
 
Madison Beasley became just the seventh player in school history to reach 1,500 career assists and was named the SWAC Setter of the Week. She recorded 14 assists against Wake Forest and FIU, followed by 13 against UCF. Against FIU, her 14 assists led to 30 total attacks and a .467 hitting percentage. She finished the week with 41 total assists in three matches, averaging 4.10 assists per set. She also recorded three service aces (two against Wake Forest) and 11 total digs including eight against Wake Forest.
 
Alabama State returns to action on Thursday in the Hampton Inn and Suites Seahawk Classic against UNC-Wilmington.
 
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