ROME, Ga. - Maintaining the tempo for the Monarchs throughout the Maroon Classic to earn Methodist's first two wins of 2026, freshman setter Harper Evans lands USA South Women's Volleyball Rookie of the Week honors for the week two, ending on September 13th, as announced by the league offices on Monday afternoon.  
 
This recognition for Evans comes as the first honor in 2026 for the Methodist University women's volleyball program since November 3rd, 2025, when Charleigh Anne Hewett won USA South Rookie of the Week for the Monarchs.
 
Evans contributions in setting up scoring chances helped in propelling Methodist to two 3-0 victories against Hollins University and Randolph College during the Maroon Classic. Against Hollins, Evans competed in three sets, recorded 31 assists with four service aces and nine digs. Versus the WildCats, Evans would battle from start to finish with one kill, 17 assists, three service aces, and seven digs.
 
In Saturday's action at the star-city, Evans would continue her success, acquiring one kill, 20 assists, four service aces, 10 digs, and one total block in the Monarchs morning match against Roanoke College. During Methodist's closing contest against St. Mary's College of Maryland, Evans played in all four stanzas, collected her second-best tally of the weekend with 22 assists, and her top total of 12 digs against the Seahawks.