GREENVILLE, S.C. – Precious Daley of the University of North Carolina at Pembroke has been selected as the Conference Carolinas Comeback Athlete of the Year Presented by Vernon Graphics & Promotions for the 2024-25 academic year.

In August 2023, Precious underwent surgery on her right hip to repair her iliofemoral ligament, femoral cam lesion, and a periacetabular osteotomy. She endured a lengthy rehabilitation process, finally returning to the court in August 2024 after missing one whole calendar year, continuing her rehab and strengthening throughout the fall season.

Precious played a vital role in the success of the UNC Pembroke volleyball team. She saw action in 32 matches, started in 30 sets and played a total of 109 sets this season.

Precious recorded double-digit kills in 14 matches this season, including a career-high 19 at Lenoir-Rhyne. She finished the season ranking third on the team for points scored with 322.5 points and was third on the team for an attacking percentage with a .211. She finished the season with the second highest number of kills with 278 along with 70 total blocks (13 solo, 57 assists) which also ranked second on the team.

Precious was named to the Conference Carolinas All-Tournament team following the Conference Carolinas championship game.

The Comeback Athlete of the Year award recognizes a student-athlete who participates in a conference-sponsored sport, suffers a significant injury and comes back to make significant contributions to their team after recovering. The award is presented annually.

The head athletic trainer from each Conference Carolinas member institution submits one nominee each based on the award criteria. The head athletic trainers then select the winner.

Comeback Athlete of the Year Presented by Vernon Graphics & Promotions Award Winners
2025: Precious Daley, UNC Pembroke
2024: Carl Cleveland, Young Harris
2023: Grant Lohmeier, Belmont Abbey
2022: Ali Davis, Mount Olive
2021: Kiara Burke, Mount Olive
2020: Jordan Blake (Barton), Alexis Rogers (Belmont Abbey), Faith Flanagan (Erskine), Jordan Floyd (King), Katie Lysaght (Lees-McRae), Jarrett Malone (Limestone), DJ Brooks (North Greenville)
2019: Zack Bowers, Erskine
2018: Trey Matthews, Southern Wesleyan
2017: No selection
2016: Avery Wallis, Lees-McRae
2015: Nolan Albrecht, Belmont Abbey
2014: Amber Weaver, Barton