RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – Just before the start of the 2025 GAC Tournament, Outside Hitter Katilyn Steffes was named the GAC Player of the Year, and Defensive Specialist/Libero Kaylon Partain was named GAC Defensive Player of the Year.
 
Along with their Player of the Year honors, Steffes was named to the All-GAC First team, while Partain earned All-GAC second team honors.
 
Steffes was the lone Reddie to make the All-GAC First team after finishing the regular season as the conference leader in kills and kills per set. The Rochester, Minnesota native racked up 479 kills over 105 sets for an average of 4.56 kills per set. The three-time GAC Offensive Player of the Week ranks third in the nation in total kills and seventh in kills per set. This was Steffes's second season in a row with 300+ kills, and her first with .200 or better attack percentage.

Partain too was the lone Reddie to make the All-GAC second team after a season where she ranked second in the nation and the GAC in total digs and digs per set. The Atlanta, Texas native recorded 689 digs over 113 sets for an average of 6.10 digs per set. The two-time GAC Defensive Player of the Week racked up 18 matches with 20 or more digs, and five matches with 30 or more. Partain also ranked second on the team this season in service aces, collecting 27 on the season.
 
Henderson State (15-15, 7-9) turns its attention to tomorrow's quarterfinal match in the GAC Tournament against No. 2 seed Harding at 12:30 p.m. at FireLake Arena in Shawnee, Oklahoma.

Additionally, Henderson State had 11 players named to the GAC Academic Honor Roll, which honors all scholar-athletes at GAC schools with a GPA of at least 3.5 and one full year or more of college residency. HSU's honorees are listed below.

GAC All-Academic Honor Roll: Henderson State
Jerzie Brakenberry
Emily Bustillos
Savannah Coats
Faith Harris
Jenna Heindselman
Skylar Holler
Savannah Leib
Kaylon Partain
Madison Proctor
Trystin Ross
Abbigail Walker