SEC Hitting % Hierarchy

As conference play has kicked off, it’s the perfect time to check in on how SEC teams are performing at the net. One way to measure offensive efficiency is through hitting percentage, a stat that reflects how consistently teams are converting attacks into points. Still early in the season, that number is already revealing which programs are clicking offensively and which are still searching for rhythm. From Tennessee setting the pace to traditional powerhouses like Florida trying to regain form, the numbers are already telling a story of how the conference race could unfold.  

Tennessee at the Top 

The numbers tell the story: Tennessee leads the SEC in hitting percentage and shows no signs of slowing down. The Lady Vols have dropped only one match all season, a non – conference battle against Purdue. Since then, they’ve rolled through SEC opponents, including a sweep over Georgia and a five – set win at LSU. Led by senior OH Hayden Kubik’s 138 kills and sophomore OPP Paityn Chapman’s 120, Tennessee has found consistency from both sides of the court. That level of efficiency has become the foundation of a team that looks increasingly built to be a firm contender in tournament play. 

Is the SEC Power Balance Shifting? 

At the end of last season, Florida and Missouri led the SEC in offensive efficiency. So far in the 2025 season, the landscape looks markedly different. Florida stumbled early, including a surprising loss to Mississippi State, while Missouri has struggled to find consistent wins in conference play. While some programs lag behind last season’s performance, teams such as Mississippi State are redefining expectations. In 2024, Mississippi State finished 12th in hitting percentage out of the then 15 team conference. Along with the historic winning season they had pre-conference, the Bulldogs are showing up higher in hitting percentage, currently standing in fifth. These early – season trends reveal that prior achievements do not assure continued superiority, with a competitive season ahead SEC fans are guaranteed to see some surprising matchups.  

Middle Blocker Hitting % Spotlight:  

​

 Chelsea Sutton - Tennessee  

Sophomore, Chelsea Sutton has quickly emerged as a key offensive and defensive presence for the Lady Vols. With 91 kills and a .448 hitting % on the season, she ranks among the SEC’s most efficient hitters so far. Sutton also leads her team at the net with 56 blocks, demonstrating her consistency on both sides of the ball. 

Club Team: OTVA 

​

 KJ Burgess – Oklahoma  

Junior middle blocker KJ Burgess’s consistency for Oklahoma this season comes as no surprise. At Utah she led all Pac – 12 freshmen in hitting percentage (.376) and blocks per set (1.20), while ranking among the top six nationally among freshmen in each category. With 105 kills and a .455 hitting percentage this season, Burgess has proven her skill continues to transfer well into the SEC.  

Club Team: Club V Volleyball 

​

 Ifenna Cos – Okpalla  

Senior middle blocker Ifenna Cos – Okpalla has continued to show her dominance for Texas A&M this season. Last year, she finished the regular season as the SEC’s top blocker, averaging 1.47 per set, and this season she’s added 102 kills with a .441 hitting percentage. Her presence in the middle is central to Texas A&M’s offensive efficiency and their ability to challenge some of the conference’s toughest opponents.  

Club Team: MadFrog 

Turning Efficiency into Impact 

Hitting percentage may not tell the whole story, but it offers a clear lens into which teams and players are finding success in the SEC this season. From Tennessee’s efficient offense to emerging programs like Mississippi State, these trends highlight both consistency at the net and the rising impact of under the radar contributors. Watching how these dynamics play out gives fans insight into potential upsets, breakout performers, and the overall competitiveness of the conference. As the season unfolds, these hitting trends will continue to shape the narrative, offering a glimpse at which teams might rise and which matchups could define the SEC race. 

​