Rock Hill, S.C.----The South Atlantic Conference announced the 2025 Beach Volleyball regular season award winners Thursday afternoon, with Wingate's Amelia Talbott being named the SAC Freshman of the year. Talbott and Lilou Thieme have been named a first team All-SAC pair.

"We are super proud to have these two student-athletes represent Wingate with these conference awards," head coach Hannah Givens says. "They come in every single day and work as hard as possible, which gains them respect across the board. Having them be the first ones to have recognition for our first-year program is a great accomplishment and a testament to their hard work and focus this season."

Talbott and Thieme have played as Wingate's number one pair all season. The duo has piled up 11 wins on the season, going 11-8 at number one pairs. Talbott and Thieme caught fire midway through the season, reeling off 11 consecutive victories. That winning streak started with a dramatic three-set win at Barry, while also including four victories over SAC foe Catawba, along with wins over Erskine, Liberty, Lynchburg and Jacksonville State.

Talbott and Thieme have earned SAC Pair of the Week accolades twice in 2025, one of only two duos to earn multiple Pair of the Week accolades. The duo helped the first-year Bulldogs pick up nine victories on the season, including a stretch that saw the 'Dogs win six of seven matches.

The Bulldogs are back in action this weekend, traveling to Dallas, N.C. for the SAC Tournament. Wingate will face Tusculum Friday at 11 a.m., then take on Emmanuel at 5:30 p.m.
 
2025 SACC Beach Volleyball Award Winners

First Team All-Conference
Izabela Zukawska / Ellie Jackson , Emmanuel 
Amelia Talbott/Lilou Thieme, Wingate
Jenny Ille / Paige Halcrow, Carson-Newman
Brynn Smith/Hannah Marsh, Tusculum
Abigal Platt / Paige Knotts, Erskine

Second Team All-Conference
Christina Knotts / Morgan Childress, Catawba
Ava Fountain / Emerson Ahsmuhs, Carson-Newman
Trinity Hafey / Kylee Oldenburger, Carson-Newman
MJ Cackett / Lillian Pragle, Erskine
Faith Kelly / Maisey Farrow, Emmanuel 

Freshman of the Year: Amelia Talbott, Wingate
Pair of the Year: Izabela Zukawska and Ellie Jackson , Emmanuel 
Player of the Year: Izabela Zukawska, Emmanuel 
Coach of the Year: Cat Collins, Carson-Newman