McFarland and Jackson Named Volleyball Athletes of the Week

(ROCHESTER, N.Y.) – Carnegie Mellon University swept the University Athletic Association (UAA) Volleyball Athlete of the Week awards with senior Julianna McFarland taking the defensive award and classmate Katherine Jackson taking the offensive award, as they helped the Tartans win the University Athletic Association (UAA) Championship, the first in program history.

McFarland recorded 17 total blocks over the championship event including recording the final point off a block to secure the championship. She also totaled 25 kills and hit .396. In the Tartans' 3-2 quarterfinal win over Case Western Reserve, the senior had five block solos and a block assist along with nine kills. McFarland then had five block assists, nine kills and hit .500 in the Tartans' 3-0 win of Chicago in the semifinals. In the championship match where the Tartans blanked 17th-ranked WashU, McFarland finished with six total blocks, one solo, and hit .417 with seven kills.

Jackson recorded two double doubles over the three contests, recorded 38 kills, 37 digs and hit .262. In the Tartans' 3-2 quarterfinal win over Case Western Reserve, the senior tied a career-high with 17 kills to lead the Cardinal and Gray and recorded 13 digs. Jackson followed by hitting .389 with eight kills against Chicago while she recorded 14 digs. In the championship match, Jackson recorded a double-double with 13 kills and 10 digs, as she hit .300.

The Tartans earned the automatic qualification to the 2025 NCAA Division III Women's Volleyball Championship and have been selected to host an eight-team regional in the Highmark Center for Health, Wellness and Athletics from November 20-22. The Cardinal and Gray will begin play on Thursday at 7:00 p.m. against Stevens.