Dupage Policy Journal

Senior Kannyn Boyd of Illinois Wesleyan University's women's volleyball team has been named the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) National Player of the Week. The announcement was made by the organization on Tuesday, September 2. In addition to this national recognition, Boyd also received the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) Defensive Player of the Week award.

"Boyd becomes the first libero in program history to earn the honor, and joins a short list of Titans. Tyler Brown and Taylor French have each earned the honor twice, with Brown becoming the first Titan to do so Sept. 13, 2016, and again Sept. 19, 2017. French was the national player of the week Oct. 29, 2023 and Nov. 5, 2023, becoming the first player ever to earn the award in back-to-back weeks. Jessica McCall rounds out the short list, as she earned the national nod Nov. 9, 2021. Boyd is also the first libero to receive the national honor since Oct. 27, 2024, when Grace Rail from Salisbury represented Division III."

Boyd's recognition comes after leading her team through an undefeated opening weekend that marks their best start since 2021. She recorded a total of 65 digs over three matches—averaging nearly six digs per set—and surpassed her career milestone of 1,000 digs during a five-set win against Earlham College on August 29.

The senior athlete added contributions with assists and service aces throughout opening weekend play: "Opening the season in spectacular fashion, Boyd led the team with 32 digs in the victory against Earlham, one shy of her career-high. The senior also tallied seven assists and two aces in the win. Following Friday night's show, Boyd put up 11 digs, four assists, and a pair of aces in the sweep over Greenville University Saturday morning, Aug. 30. The Mt. Pleasant, Mich. product finished opening weekend with 22 digs, an ace, and an assist to lead IWU to a sweep over No. 20 University of Chicago Saturday afternoon."

Boyd has now received her third CCIW Defensive Player of the Week honor during her collegiate career; previous recognitions were on September 9 and October 7 last year.

Illinois Wesleyan continues its season at Southwestern University Invitational in Georgetown, Texas from September 5-6.