Leatherland, Watson Named All-GAC

SHAWNEE – After leading Oklahoma Baptist to the No. 6 seed and a 9-7 record in league play, redshirt sophomores Malia Leatherland and Mikayla Watson were named to the All-Great American Conference Second Team. The awards were announced Wednesday evening at the GAC Tournament banquet in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
 
Watson, a native of Whitesboro, Texas, led OBU and was third in the GAC with an average of 3.53 kills/set. The outside hitter also ranked 15th nationally in total attacks at 1,282, and finished the regular season with 18 double-doubles while averaging 3.49 digs/set. This is Watson's second straight second-team honor.
 
Leatherland, a Broken Arrow native, was second on the team, and sixth in the GAC, with an average of 3.30 kills/set. Combining offense with defense, the outside hitter played all along the back row and averaged 2.73 digs/set while also chipping in with 29 service aces. This is Leatherland's first time to be named to the all-GAC roster.
 
No. 6-seeded Oklahoma Baptist squares off with No. 3-seed Henderson State at Bank OZK Arena in Hot Springs at 12 p.m. on Thursday in the GAC quarterfinals. The winner advances to play to the GAC semifinals against either No. 1 Harding or No. 4 Ouachita Baptist.