Garrity, Jorgenson Headline 2018 #BigSkyVB All-Conference Team
OGDEN, Utah (November 20, 2018) – Idaho State's Abby Garrity and Northern Arizona's Kaylie Jorgenson have been named the Big Sky Conference Co-Most Valuable Players to headline the 24-member All-Big Sky Volleyball Team as voted on by the league's 11 head coaches.
Garrity paced the Bengals with 3.97 kills per set to total a league-best 460 kills and earn a spot on the All-Big Sky First Team. The senior outside hitter from Roseville, Calif., averaged 4.03 kills during Big Sky play with 274 in 68 sets.
Jorgenson carried Northern Arizona to a share of the Big Sky regular season title and the No. 1 seed in this week's Big Sky Championship. The senior outside hitter from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan was named to the All-Big Sky First Team for the second-straight season after leading the conference with 21 double-doubles. On the season, Jorgenson ranked 10th in the Big Sky with 3.08 kills per set for 366 while ranking seventh in aces per set (0.34) and ninth in digs per set (4.18). She was a three-time Big Sky Player of the Week with two offensive honors and one defensive nod.
Northern Colorado sophomore middle blocker Lauren Hinrichs was tabbed the Big Sky Top Newcomer, ranking 10th in the conference with a .285 hitting percentage. The Doniphan, Neb. product started in all 26 matches for the Bears, recording 238 kills (2.38/set) for third on the squad.
Northern Arizona opposite hitter Ryann Davis was named the Big Sky Outstanding Freshman while also collecting All-Big Sky Second Team accolades. Davis joined Sacramento State setter Ashtin Olin as the only freshmen to appear on the all-conference team. The Chandler, Ariz. native ranked fourth for the conference champion Lumberjacks with 233 kills while hitting .245 on the season.
Idaho senior Alycia Wodke and Idaho State junior Haylie Keck collected Big Sky Co-Libero of the Year honors as well as being named All-Big Sky Second Team selections. Wodke ranked fourth in the Big Sky this season with 5.14 digs per set to total 576. She helped the Vandals to a share of the regular season title with 341 digs coming in conference play (5.33/set). A native of Eugene, Ore., Wodke collected defensive player of the week honors on Nov. 19.
Keck averaged 5.38 digs per set to total a league-high 635 digs on the season. The Iona, Idaho native ranked second in league play with 5.69 digs per set for 387. She was a two-time defensive player of the week honoree.
Idaho led the way with five all-conference honorees while Northern Arizona followed with four selections. Idaho, Northern Arizona and Weber State each placed three players on the first team.
Along with Jorgenson, Idaho senior outside hitter Sarah Sharp, Northern Arizona junior middle blocker Abby Akin and Sacramento State senior outside hitter Mikaela Nocetti collected All-Big Sky First Team honors for the second-straight season.
Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own players. The conference’s Coach of the Year award will be announced on Wednesday.
The 2018 Big Sky Championship begins Thursday with the quarterfinal round at Bank of Colorado Arena in Greeley. All matches will air on Pluto TV 231 and WatchBigSky.com. The semifinals (Friday) and finals (Saturday) will also air on Eleven Sports.
| 2018 Big Sky Volleyball All-Conference Team |
|
| FIRST TEAM |
| Name |
School |
Class |
Position |
| Sarah Sharp# |
Idaho |
Senior |
Outside Hitter |
| Abby Garrity^ |
Idaho State |
Senior |
Outside Hitter |
| Mikaela Nocetti# |
Sacramento State |
Senior |
Outside Hitter |
| Abby Akin# |
Northern Arizona |
Junior |
Middle Blocker |
| Kaylie Jorgenson^# |
Northern Arizona |
Senior |
Outside Hitter |
| Andrea Hale |
Weber State |
Senior |
Outside Hitter |
| Hannah Hill-DeYoung |
Weber State |
Junior |
Middle Blocker |
| Mykaela Hammer |
Montana |
Senior |
Opposite Hitter |
| Megan Gneiting |
Weber State |
Junior |
Opposite Hitter |
| DeVonne Ryter |
Idaho |
Senior |
Middle Blocker |
| Heaven Harris |
Northern Arizona |
Sophomore |
Opposite Hitter |
| Kaela Straw |
Idaho |
Senior |
Outside Hitter |
| ^ - MVP |
| # - Two-time All-Big Sky First Team selection |
|
| SECOND TEAM |
| Name |
School |
Class |
Position |
| Janet Kalaniuvalu |
Southern Utah |
Sophomore |
Outside Hitter |
| Reece Carman |
Idaho |
Senior |
Outside Hitter |
| Daisy Schultz |
Northern Colorado |
Sophomore |
Setter |
| Brooke Pehrson |
Idaho State |
Junior |
Middle Blocker |
| Kortney Lockey |
Northern Colorado |
Senior |
Outside Hitter |
| Allyssa Rizzo |
Montana State |
Junior |
Libero |
| Lana Brown |
Sacramento State |
Senior |
Middle Blocker |
| Ryann Davis |
Northern Arizona |
Freshman |
Opposite Hitter |
| Haylie Keck |
Idaho State |
Junior |
Libero |
| Ashtin Olin |
Sacramento State |
Freshman |
Setter |
| Alycia Wodke |
Idaho |
Senior |
Libero |
| Katy Wilson |
Portland State |
Senior |
Middle Blocker |
2018 Big Sky Individual Award Winners
Co-Most Valuable Player: Abby Garrity, Idaho State; Kaylie Jorgenson, Northern Arizona
Top Newcomer: Lauren Hinrichs, Northern Colorado
Outstanding Freshman: Ryann Davis, Northern Arizona
Co-Libero of the Year: Alycia Wodke, Idaho; Haylie Keck, Idaho State