Hayward and Runnels Garner All-SEC Honors

Setter Natalie Hayward and outside hitter Breana Runnels garnered All-SEC Team recognition from the league's head coaches, the Southeastern Conference announced Sunday.

It is the first time either player has earned All-SEC postseason honors after they helped lead UT to a 19-9 (11-7 SEC) record in 2021.

For Hayward, it is the continuation of an impressive year that has seen her win SEC Setter of the Week accolades on three occasions and SEC Player of the Week once. During conference play, Hayward averaged 10.58 assists per set – the mark ranks fourth in the conference.

The Bothell, Washington, native also hit .415 with 66 kills in 18 league matches and tallied a team-leading 18 service aces in SEC play.

A graduate transfer, Runnels made her impact on the Lady Vols and the league felt immediately. Playing in 66 of 67 sets during the league season, the 5-10 outside hitter put away 247 kills for an average of 3.74 kills per set. Both marks lead the Lady Vols, while her kills per set average ranks fifth in the SEC.

In addition to her impressive efforts in attack, Runnels finished conference play with 170 digs and an average of 2.58 digs per set. She also scored 10 aces and posted 27 blocks.

A native of Bakersfield, California, Runnels earns her fifth all-conference honor after being named Mountain West All-Conference the past four seasons.

Since taking the reins of the Tennessee volleyball program in 2018, Eve Rackham Watt has placed at least one player on the All-SEC Team each year. The four-year run is the longest since a five-year streak from 2008-12.

It is also the second time during the Rackham Watt era that the Lady Vols have had two players earn All-SEC Team accolades in the same season, as Hayward and Runnels join Tessa Grubbs and Erica Treiber from 2018.

The Lady Vols await the NCAA selection show to find out where they will be playing in the NCAA Tournament. The bracket will be revealed Sunday at 8:30 p.m. ET on ESPNU.

A full listing of the coach's awards can be seen here.

University of Tennessee Athletics

Players Mentioned

Natalie Hayward

Breana Runnels

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