St. Louis – University of Missouri-St. Louis volleyball standout
Alayna Santel and men's golfer
Campbell Cox have been named the Raising Cane's Student-Athletes of the Month for September after each turned in standout performances during the opening month of the 2026-27 academic year.
Santel, a junior right side hitter from Albers, Ill., was a driving force for the Tritons throughout September. One of the month's early highlights came at the Washburn Ichabod Classic, where she helped UMSL to a 3-0 weekend that included a reverse-sweep victory over then-No. 4 Washburn. Santel was named to the event's All-Tournament Team.
The following day, Santel reached a significant career milestone, recording her 1,000th career kill in UMSL's sweep of Arkansas-Monticello. She finished that match with 17 kills and four blocks.
Santel continued her strong play as the Tritons opened GLVC competition. She helped UMSL sweep Southwest Baptist on Sept. 18 before delivering one of the top performances of her career against Drury the following day. Santel recorded a career-high 28 kills, three service aces and two blocks as UMSL rallied for a 3-1 victory.
For her performances against Southwest Baptist and Drury, Santel was named the GLVC Offensive Player of the Week after averaging 5.57 kills and 7.29 points per set while hitting .507 over seven sets. One day later, she received national recognition when the American Volleyball Coaches Association selected her as the AVCA Division II National Player of the Week, marking the second time in her career she has earned the honor.
Cox, meanwhile, delivered a breakthrough performance on the golf course during September. The junior from Fayetteville, Ark., captured individual medalist honors at the Midwest/Central Region Preview on Sept. 14-15 at The Meadows at Grand Valley State in Allendale, Mich.
Competing in a 108-golfer field, Cox posted rounds of 68, 72 and 67 to finish with a 54-hole total of 207 (-6) and secure the first collegiate victory of his career. He tied for second in the tournament in both par-4 scoring average (3.94) and par-5 scoring average (4.33) and tied for third with 12 birdies.
The performance also earned Cox his first career GLVC Men's Golf Player of the Week award.
Santel's combination of individual milestones, conference and national recognition and contributions to the Tritons' success, along with Cox's first collegiate championship and conference recognition, earned the duo the distinction as Raising Cane's Student-Athletes of the Month for September.
