From staff reports

UTSA freshman outside hitter Taylor Gaines was selected as the American Athletic Conference freshman of the week, the league announced Monday.

The honor comes after a breakout first week for Gaines, who tallied 36 kills (second most on the team) while averaging three kills per set on 88 attacks for a .250 hitting percentage. She also added eight blocks, including one solo.

The former Liberty Hill standout becomes the first Roadrunner this season to earn a conference weekly award and just the third in program history to be recognized as AAC freshman of the week.

For volleyball fans in the Austin-San Antonio region, the honor is no surprise.

Gaines was a dominant force for head coach Marie Bruce at Liberty Hill High School, where she helped lead the Panthers to three state tournament appearances and was named the Austin Sports Journal All-Austin area hitter of the year in 2023. Her powerful presence at the net made her one of the area’s most feared attackers, and she carried that reputation with her to the college game.

Gaines joins former standouts Ally Tribe and Martina Franco as Roadrunners who have earned this award, adding her name to a growing list of impact freshmen at UTSA.

Other conference honorees this week included Charlotte’s Kristen Birmingham (Offensive Player of the Week), Annika Thompson (Defensive Player of the Week), and Lauren Nixon (Setter of the Week).