RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. - Reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Kaylon Partain, earns the first GAC Defensive Player of the Year honors of 2026 as reported by the Great American Conference on Monday.

The Atlanta, Texas native recorded a total 109 digs across all four matches played during the Bettye Wallace Classic, averaging 6.81 digs per set. Against Cameron, Partain recorded 25 digs across three sets, averaging 8.33 digs per set. She then followed that up with 29 digs against Augustana, averaging 5.80 digs per set.

On day two, Partain continued her defensive excellence, recording 19 digs against UT Dallas, averaging 4.75 digs per set. She then finished the weekend with a season-high 36 digs against Arkansas-Fort Smith, which averaged to 9.00 digs per set.

Partain and the Reddies (1-3) continue the tournament season with the Reddie-Tiger Challenge this weekend. Henderson State first plays at 11:00 A.M, Friday September 4th in the Duke Wells Center against Texas A&M-International.