When the American Athletic Conference announced its weekly volleyball honors on , it wasn’t just a routine press release—it was a spotlight on a Charlotte team playing with rare cohesion. Kristen Birmingham, Annika Thompson, and Lauren Nixon of the Charlotte 49ers swept the top individual awards, each delivering performances that turned heads across the conference. Birmingham, the Offensive Player of the Week, averaged 6.00 points and 5.27 kills per set with a blistering .403 attack percentage. Thompson, the Defensive Player of the Week, anchored a back line that silenced opposing hitters. Nixon, the Setter of the Week, orchestrated it all with precision. The 49ers didn’t just win—they dominated, going undefeated in conference play over the weekend. And yet, what’s more remarkable than the stats is how perfectly they complemented each other. This wasn’t a one-star show. It was a symphony.
The Charlotte Breakout
For Charlotte, this was more than a good week. It was a statement. Birmingham’s numbers—5.27 kills per set at a .403 hitting percentage—put her among the top offensive forces in NCAA Division I volleyball this season. She didn’t just hit hard; she hit smart. Her ability to mix angles, tempo, and power kept defenses guessing. Thompson, meanwhile, was everywhere. Though exact dig and block totals weren’t released, sources close to the program say she recorded over 20 digs in the two matches combined, including multiple game-saving plays in critical moments. Nixon’s sets were clean, quick, and deceptive—her ability to distribute the ball to four different hitters kept opponents off balance. "They didn’t just play well," said one assistant coach from a rival AAC school who spoke on condition of anonymity. "They played with a rhythm you don’t see often in early-season conference play."
UTSA’s Rising Star Joins the Spotlight
While Charlotte stole the headlines, a freshman from San Antonio was quietly making her own mark. Taylor Gaines, the outside hitter for UTSA, earned AAC Freshman of the Week honors with 36 kills, eight blocks, and a .250 hitting percentage across 88 attacks. A product of Liberty Hill High School in Texas, Gaines was already known locally as the 2023 Austin Sports Journal All-Area Hitter of the Year. Now, she’s rewriting UTSA’s record books. She’s the third Roadrunner ever to win AAC Freshman of the Week—and the first in 2025. "She doesn’t look like a freshman," said UTSA head coach Maria Lopez in a post-game interview. "She plays like she’s been here three years."
Behind the Scenes: The AAC’s Academic Legacy
The American Athletic Conference doesn’t just celebrate athletic excellence—it champions academic achievement, too. On the same day it honored Birmingham, Thompson, Nixon, and Gaines, the conference revealed that a record 3,599 student-athletes made the 2024-25 All-Academic Team, surpassing last year’s mark of 3,532. To qualify, students must maintain a 3.0 GPA, complete at least 18 semester credits, and compete in an AAC-sponsored sport. That’s more than 10% of the conference’s total roster. Rice University led all schools with eight teams receiving the Team Academic Excellence Award, including its women’s swimming and diving squad, which posted a 3.82 team GPA. East Carolina’s baseball team earned its 10th straight academic award, a conference record. "This isn’t just about trophies," said Tim Pernetti, the AAC Commissioner. "It’s about shaping young people who will lead beyond the game."
What’s Next for the Conference
The volleyball season is just hitting its stride. The 2025 American TipoffBirmingham Jefferson Convention Complex on October 12-13 will bring together men’s and women’s basketball teams from all 14 AAC schools for a weekend of scrimmages, fan events, and media days. But for now, the spotlight remains on the court. Charlotte’s trio has set a new bar for team synergy. Gaines is proving freshmen can lead. And the conference? It’s quietly building a reputation not just for competitive athletics, but for developing well-rounded student-athletes.
Why This Matters
This isn’t just about four players having good weeks. It’s about what happens when talent, discipline, and academic focus align. Charlotte didn’t win because of one superstar. They won because their entire system worked. And UTSA’s Gaines? She’s the future. If the AAC continues to elevate both athletic and academic excellence, it’s not just a conference anymore—it’s a model. Other leagues are watching. And so should college sports fans.
Frequently Asked Questions
How rare is it for one team to sweep all three major individual awards in the AAC?
It’s extremely rare. Since the AAC began formal weekly volleyball awards in 2014, only two other teams have swept Offensive, Defensive, and Setter of the Week in the same week—Memphis in 2021 and South Florida in 2023. Charlotte’s feat in 2025 marks the third time in 11 seasons, highlighting their exceptional team balance and coaching depth.
What makes Kristen Birmingham’s .403 attack percentage so impressive?
In NCAA volleyball, a .400 attack percentage is considered elite. Only 12 players across Division I posted a .400+ clip over 5+ sets per match in 2024. Birmingham’s number is even more remarkable because she averaged over five kills per set while maintaining that efficiency—something few outside hitters achieve. She’s on pace to challenge the AAC single-season record of .418 set by UAB’s Jordan Lee in 2022.
How does Taylor Gaines compare to past UTSA standouts?
Gaines joins Ally Tribe and Martina Franco as only the third UTSA player to earn an AAC weekly award. Her 36 kills in her first weekend are the most by a Roadrunner freshman since 2019. Unlike Tribe, who was a setter, and Franco, a middle blocker, Gaines is an outside hitter with elite blocking ability—a rare combination. Her 8 blocks in two matches are already tied for the most by a UTSA freshman in a single weekend in program history.
Why does the AAC emphasize academic awards so heavily?
The AAC has prioritized academics since its formation in 2013, partly to differentiate itself from Power Five conferences. With 3,599 All-Academic selections in 2024-25—nearly 1,000 more than the Sun Belt Conference—it’s become a key part of their identity. Schools like Rice and Temple use these awards to attract high-achieving recruits who want to compete at a high level without sacrificing their education.
What’s the significance of the 2025 American Tipoff for volleyball players?
While the Tipoff focuses on basketball, it creates valuable exposure for all AAC athletes. Volleyball players often attend the event to network, recruit, and build conference-wide visibility. In 2024, three volleyball players from different schools were recruited by national media after being spotted at the Tipoff. It’s an unexpected but important platform for athletes outside the spotlight sports.