Robinson Tabbed To SEC All-Freshman Team

by Mary Catherine Molay, Graduate Assistant/Communications

STARKVILLE- After an impressive season at the net, freshman middle blocker Deja Robinson becomes the sixth Bulldog to be placed on the SEC All-Freshman Team, the league office announced Sunday (Nov. 25).

The SEC All-Freshman team accolades were debuted in 2005. Robinson joins Martina Gregusova (2006), Lainey Wyman (2011), Roxanne McVey (2012), Kimmy Gardiner (2013) and Payton Harris (2014).

"Words can't describe how extremely blessed I am," the Canton, Georgia, native said. "I couldn't have done it without my amazing coaches and teammates pushing me at practice everyday to make me the player that I am today. I'm excited for the future here at Mississippi State and how we are building a tradition and trusting the process. We have a new set of goals for next year and the work starts now."

Robinson was named the SEC Freshman of the Week on Sept. 4 following an impressive performance at the Appalachian State Invitational where she had 4.08 points and 3.23 kills per set, as well as a .443 hitting percentage. She was also named to the Appalachian State Invitational All-Tournament Team and posted a career-high 20 kills against Davidson.

She joins teammate Paige Shaw for Freshman Player of the Week accolades. The last time there were two recipients of the SEC Freshman of the Week award was in 2013 when Kimmy Gardiner won it twice. There have never been two different MSU student-athletes win SEC Freshman of the Week in the same season.

On the season, Robinson tallied 203 kills for a .256 hitting percentage with 12 service aces. Robinson had a historic freshman performance, as she ranks second for most block solos as a freshman with 24, No. 6 for most block assists as a freshman with 70 and tied for third with Shuna Owens (1988) for most total blocks as a freshman with 94.

"I am beyond excited and proud of Deja," head coach Julie Darty said. "She had a stellar freshman campaign, and she is fully prepared to work hard in the off season to keep getting better and keep putting in the work on her own to help this program move in the right direction. Deja is a super athletic player and a really fun young woman to coach. She has a great personality and is a fabulous teammate to her Bulldog Family. I appreciate all of Deja's contributions during the 2018 season. We know we have a bright future for Deja here at Mississippi State, and I'm so happy she is here. I am proud of Deja, this honor is certainly well-deserved."

All-SEC Team
Paige Hammons, Florida
Taelor Kellum, Florida
Rachael Kramer, Florida
Gabby Curry, Kentucky
Madison Lilley, Kentucky
Brooke Morgan, Kentucky
Taylor Bannister, LSU
Emily Stroup, Ole Miss
Kylie Deberg, Missouri
Dariana Hollingsworth, Missouri
Leketor Member-Meneh, Missouri
Alyssa Munlyn, Missouri
Mikayla Robinson, South Carolina
Mikayla Shields, South Carolina
Tessa Grubbs, Tennessee
Erica Treiber, Tennessee
Hollann Hans, Texas A&M

All-Freshman Team
Mica Allison, Auburn
Tatum Shipes, Auburn
Thayer Hall, Florida
Alli Stumler, Kentucky
Deja Robinson, Mississippi State
Andrea Fuentes, Missouri
Lily Felts, Tennessee
London Austin-Roark, Texas A&M

Player of the Year: Leah Edmond, Kentucky
Libero of the Year: Gabby Curry, Kentucky
Freshman of the Year: Alli Stumler, Kentucky
Scholar-Athlete of the Year: Hailey Dirrigl, Arkansas
Coach of the Year: Craig Skinner, Kentucky

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Mississippi State University Athletics

Robinson Tabbed To SEC All-Freshman Team

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