Cherry picks up SAC WePlayed Offensive Player of the Week after career milestones
The South Atlantic Conference has announced Blair Cherry as the league's offensive player of the week, marking Carson-Newman volleyball’s third weekly nod this season.
ROCK HILL, S.C.- The South Atlantic Conference has announced Blair Cherry as the league's offensive player of the week, marking Carson-Newman volleyball's third weekly nod this season.
Blair Cherry has been the Eagle's go-to woman since she stepped on the floor here in Mossy Creek, and the accomplishments keep stacking up for the junior setter. Following a week full of career milestones, Cherry garnered her second weekly honor of her career and the first in 2025.
"What an amazing week for Blair and what an amazing milestone she reached in her career. I couldn't be prouder of her as a player and a key part of our team culture," said Cat Collins.
This past week was especially productive for the Knoxville native, dishing 38 assists in the three-set win over LMU and 42 in the four-set win against Mars Hill. Cherry spread the ball remarkably well, averaging 11.58 assists per set throughout the 2-0 week.
"I joke around with Maddie [Hurst], but I say, 'I just got to throw the ball up there and you'll put it down.' They're so successful, which makes me successful. I can't do my job without them," said Cherry.
Cherry was the flame that lit the fire for this Carson-Newman offense who collected 106 kills on the week. She expertly navigated opposing defenses this week; her decisions on the net allowed C-N to hit .304 as a team over the two matches highlighted by a .358 attacking percentage against LMU on Tuesday.
"She spread the ball well this week and has really taken our feedback on speeding up our offense and being an offensive threat herself," said Collins."
The crowning moment of the week came in the first set against LMU, where Cherry moved into the top five all-time career assists leaders, serving one up for Annie Dziczkowski for her 2548th assist in an Eagles uniform. Following the week Cherry has ran up a total of 2618 career assists. Cherry is currently 22nd amongst active DII setters in career assists.
" It's just lots of work paying off. I'm surrounded by awesome people, so they make it easy and fun," said Cherry.
Aside from her setting prowess, Cherry also helped herself on offense, adding 11 kills. Her defensive contribution included two blocks and 12 digs throughout the week.
As it stands, Cherry is just 118 away from her second straight season with 1000 assists. She stacks up 2nd in the SAC with 10.27 assists per set in 2025 and is 26th nationally in that category. She controls a Carson-Newman offense that is 38th in Division II in kills per set (13.66), hitting percentage (.240), and assists per set (12.56).
"She has a great work ethic and is an amazing teammate. She leads our team by example and is what every coach wants in a servant leader," Collins said.
Cherry and the Eagles return to the floor for the final two games of the regular season at Holt Fieldhouse this week, beginning on Tuesday with UVA-Wise and wrapping up on Friday with Newberry.
