ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. - The Flagler College women's volleyball program collected multiple postseason honors Wednesday morning, earning three First Team All-PBC selections, one Second Team All-PBC Selection, and four major conference awards. The 2026 season also marked a historic milestone for the program, as Flagler had the PBC Player of the Year, the Setter of the Year, and the Freshman of the Year in the same season for the first time in program history.

In his second season at the helm, head coach Jeff Reynolds was named the Peach Belt Conference Coach of the Year after leading the Saints to their second consecutive PBC regular season title and the 10^th in program history. Reynolds guided Flagler to a 26-3 regular-season record, making the program's highest winning percentage since becoming an NCAA-affiliated institution in 2006. The Saints also posted a perfect 15-0 record in conference play, marking the first undefeated Peach Belt Conference season since Flagler accomplished the feat with a 10-0 record in 2021.

Under Reynolds' leadership, the Saints tied the program record with 15 three-set victories and matched the school record with 10 three-set conference wins. Flagler also established new program records at home, posting a 13-1 record at Flagler Gymnasium for the most home victories in school history while recording a program-best .929 winning percentage of its home court. With his fourth Coach of the Year honor, Reynolds becomes the most decorated head coach in PBC volleyball history. He is also the first Flagler head coach to earn the award in consecutive season since Taylor Mott accomplished the feat in 2009 and 2010.

"It's an honor to receive this recognition. I have the privilege of coaching against and learning from some outstanding coaches in the Peach Belt, including two veteran coaches who have combined for 1,091 career wins. I am also blessed to work alongside an incredible coaching staff that continually helps me grow as a coach. Most importantly, I get to come to work each day surrounded by amazing young people who inspire and motivate me.

"There is truth in the saying, 'Surround yourself with great people.' I have always tried to follow that philosophy, and I believe this recognition reflects not only hard work, dedication, and commitment, but also being surrounded by really great people, including our assistant coaches, our student-athletes, our staff, administration, and my wife and family who support and inspire me on a daily basis. I truly have the greatest job in the world." Head coach Jeff Reynolds commented.

Junior outside hitter Marley Middlebrooks was named PBC Player of the Year and earned First Team All-PBC honors for the second consecutive season. She becomes the third player in Flagler history to win this award and the first Saint to receive the award since Sara Davis in 2017. Middlebrooks started all 29 matches and 107 sets, leading the PBC in kills (468; 4.22 kills per set) and points (531.5). She also led the Saints in digs (406; 3.66 digs per set). She recorded 20 double-doubles on the season, highlighted by a dominate performance against Augusta University, where she posted 20 kills and 22 digs to help lead the Saints to a comeback victory. Throughout the season, Middlebrooks earned six PBC Player of the Week honors, including a three-week streak in September. She was also named the D2VB Stats Southeast Region Player of the Week for Oct. 19-25. Nationally, Middlebrooks ranked as high as No. 5 in NCAA Division II in total kills and No. 6 in kills per set.

"Marley is the complete player. In addition to being a really great volleyball player, she is fiercely competitive, athletic, a quiet leader, a great teammate, and a remarkable woman. She is resilient and disciplined. When teams focus in on her, hoping to stop her, it's impressive to watch her navigate that and find a way to beat those opponents. She never, ever gives up. She has a number of really great tools in her toolbox. I can't think of anyone more deserving of this award." Jeff Reynolds said.

Outside hitter and right-side Gia Lowe was named PBC Freshman of the Year and earned First Team All-PBC honors. She becomes the sixth Saint to receive the award since Jordan Berglin earned the honor in 2021. Lowe quickly established herself as a key offensive contributor for Flagler, playing an instrumental role in the Saints' undefeated 15-0 conference run and a second consecutive PBC regular-season title. She recorded 344 kills (3.21 kills per set), 371.5 points (3.47 points per set), and a conference-leading .324 hitting percentage. Lowe posted a season-high 18 kills while hitting a .333 against Colorado-Colorado Springs and later delivered another standout performance in the sweep over Lander University, recording 15 kills with an impressive .560 hitting percentage. She earned her first PBC Player of the Week honor earlier this week after recording 24 kills, 10 digs and four total blocks on the weekend against Lander.
"Gia has made such a tremendous impact on our program. Not only is she a great ambassador of Flagler College, but she is also the epitome of a student-athlete. She is a great student, works hard in the gym, she's coachable, a great teammate, and is a really good volleyball player as well." Jeff Reynolds said.

Freshman Jilly Young was named PBC Setter of the Year following an impressive rookie campaign. She is the seventh player to receive the award in Flagler history and Flagler has now claimed the conference's Setter of the Year award in consecutive seasons, following Clare Sheedy's selection in 2025. Young has orchestrated an elite offensive attack that propelled the Saints to a 26-3 overall record and a flawless, undefeated run in Peach Belt Conference play. She finished the regular season leading the entire Peach Belt Conference with 730 assists (8.02 assists per set) and 169 digs, while contributing 27 aces and 21 kills. In early September, Young was turning heads by steering the Saints to an intense 3-2 victory while ranking up a massive season-high 61 assists, 15 digs, two blocks, and a service ace over Maryville University (Mo.). She also earned six PBC Setter of the Week honors throughout the season.

"Coming in as a freshman is a tough job, but coming in as a freshman and as a setter? And to be named the setter of the year? That's flat-out impressive. And on top of that, to lead the conference in assists as a three-rotation setter for most of the season;  that's equally impressive. Jilly is a smart player. She is talented and knows how to run the offense. She is a great teammate and has embraced her role with a great deal of confidence. In addition to being a really good volleyball player, Jilly is a tremendous young lady. She is a person of high moral character and represents our team and our school with a great deal of poise and respect. We are blessed to have both Jilly and Bella Law as true freshmen running our offense." Jeff Reynolds said.

"Gia and Jilly are just two of a handful of freshmen who have made such a tremendous impact on our program. Throughout the season, we have had as many as four freshmen on the court at once. We have a group of really great freshmen who have and will all continue to help our program reach new heights. The future is bright." Jeff Reynolds commented on the strong freshman duo.

Senior middle hitter Gracie Fleming earned First Team All-PBC honors following an impressive 2026 season. As a veteran leader, she helped guide the Saints to a historic 26-3 regular-season record and an undefeated 15-0 mark in Peach Belt Conference play. Fleming anchored Flagler's front line, appearing in all 107 sets and leading the team with 98 total blocks. She also contributed 174 kills for 238.5 points on the season. Fleming consistently delivered in key matchups, including a standout performance against Lander University, where she recorded nine kills and six blocks while hitting an efficient .389.

Senior middle blocker Katherine Rank earned Second Team All-PBC honors for the second consecutive season. Rank capped off an impressive senior campaign, providing veteran leadership and a strong presence on both sides of the net for Flagler. She appeared in 24 matches and 90 sets, recording 176 kills, 25 solo blocks and 38 block assists for 228 points. Rank delivered a standout performance against Maryville University (Mo.), recording eight kills, three service aces, five digs and nine total blocks for 17.5 points.

The Saints will welcome the conference teams to Flagler Gymnasium for the2026 PBC Tournament. As the No. 1 seed, Flagler earned a first-round bye and will begin postseason play in Friday's semifinal round at 4:30 p.m.
 
The complete list of 2026 Peach Belt Conference volleyball award winners and All-Conference selections follow.
 
Peach Belt Conference Major Awards
Player of the Year: Marley Middlebrooks, Flagler
Setter of the Year: Jilly Young, Flagler
Libero/Defensive Specialist of the Year: Trinity Mitchell, Middle Georgia
Freshman of the Year: Gia Lowe, Flagler
Coach of the Year: Jeff Reynolds, Flagler
PBC Volleyball Elite 18 Award: Lilly Swanson, GCSU
 
First Team All-Conference
Marley Middlebrooks, Flagler
Alli Bishop, USCA
Gia Lowe, Flagler
Gracie Fleming, Flagler
Avery Huyck, GCSU
Lexi Rogers, USCA
 
Second Team All-Conference
Nikol Antova, Augusta
Trinity Mitchell, Middle Georgia
McCall Wolf, Middle Georgia
Katherine Rank, Flagler
Sofiia Snitsarevych, Augusta
Kira Bostick, USCA
 
CONNECT WITH THE SAINTS: Facebook | X | Instagram | YouTube
DOWNLOAD TEAM SCHEDULES: Download Center
FOLLOW YOUR FAVORITE SAINTS TEAM: Sign up for Newsletter