LEXINGTON, Ky. – Ella Lofton and Sophia Salak from Oklahoma City University took all-NAIA South Central Region acclaim from the American Volleyball Coaches Association.

Salak, a senior from McKinney, Texas, joined Marijana Bjelobrk, who was a four-time all-region performer, as Stars who became three-time all-region honorees. Lofton, a senior from Cedar Park, Texas, collected all-region accolades for the first time.

In 2021, Lofton turned in 3.28 kills, 3.12 digs, 0.30 aces and 0.26 blocks a set. Lofton compiled 14 double-doubles on the year. She equaled her career highs with 18 kills against Southwestern Assemblies of God (Texas) on Oct. 9 and 20 digs at Grand View (Iowa) on Oct. 16.

Lofton rates among the top five in program history with 1,119 kills to go with 694 digs, 125 blocks and 45 aces in her career. Lofton helped the Stars to four SAC regular-season and tournament championships, four NAIA Championships appearances and two 30-win seasons. She is a four-time all-Sooner Athletic Conference and three-time academic all-SAC recipient.

Salak accumulated 10.90 assists, 2.11 digs, 0.48 blocks and 0.34 aces a set this year. She ranked 10th in assists per set nationally this season. Salak recorded 13 40-assist performances, 50 assists three times and a career-high 61 assists vs. Southwestern Assemblies of God (Texas) on Oct. 9 at Abe Lemons Arena.

In her career, Salak notched more assists than any other Star with 3,498 while racking up 700 digs, 169 kills, 142 aces and 125 blocks. Salak reached 50 assists 12 times and 40 assists 42 times during her time at OCU. She has reeled in two NAIA all-American honors, two AVCA all-American nods, two region player of the year accolades, region setter of the year, two-time SAC most valuable player, two-time SAC setter of the year, three-time all-conference, two-time SAC Tournament MVP, two-time SAC Tournament all-tournament, two-time NAIA setter of the week and 14-time SAC setter of the week.