FARMINGTON, Utah (Nov. 26, 2024) – The 2024 Big Sky Conference Volleyball Individual Awards and All-Conference Teams have been announced, highlighting the best and brightest stars across the league.
These awards are voted on by the league’s head coaches. Coaches are not allowed to vote for their own players in the process.
Northern Colorado led the way with a trio of individual awards and five members on the All-Conference team. Syd Cole powered the Bears with Most Valuable Player and Setter of the Year honors, while earning a spot on the All-Conference First Team in her final season with the Bears. Head coach Lyndsey Oates was tabbed as Coach of the Year after securing Northern Colorado's 14th Big Sky title.
After missing the conference tournament the previous two seasons, Northern Arizona was led by Libero of the Year Millie O'Ketter, who played a vital role in the Lumberjack's defense over the course of the regular season. The graduate student leads the conference in digs per set with 4.75 and also ranks top 10 in service aces with 30.
Portland State's Carisa Barron was able to secure Top Newcomer honors after a stellar first campaign in the league. The Viking played and started in all 27 matches, averaging 2.88 kills per set and totaled 17 service aces.
Quincy Moran collects the Outstanding Freshman of the Year award after helping the Eagles secure a five seed in the upcoming Big Sky Volleyball Championship. Moran's rookie campaign consisted of a top-three kill mark on the Eagle's roster with 204 through the team's 26 matches.
The full list of postseason honors can be found below.
2024 Big Sky Individual Award Winners
Most Valuable Player: Syd Cole, Northern Colorado
Libero of the Year: Millie O’Ketter, Northern Arizona
Setter of the Year: Syd Cole, Northern Colorado
Top Newcomer: Carisa Barron, Portland State
Outstanding Freshman of the Year: Quincy Moran, Eastern Washington
Coach of the Year: Lyndsey Oates, Northern Colorado
Big Sky Volleyball All-Conference First Team
Syd Cole, Northern Colorado
Bridgette Smith, Sacramento State
Gabi Placide, Northern Colorado
Caitlin Volkmann, Sacramento State
Aliyah Sopoaga, Idaho State
Jaydin Watts, Idaho State
Ashley Gneiting, Weber State
Bri Gunderson, Eastern Washington
Kate Payne, Weber State
Taylor Jacobsen, Northern Arizona
Big Sky Volleyball All-Conference Second Team
Isabel Bennett, Northern Colorado
Carisa Barron, Portland State
Maddie Davies, Northern Colorado
Jamie Streit, Idaho State
Ellie Tisko, Sacramento State
Millie O’Ketter, Northern Arizona
Sam Steele, Northern Colorado
Jordan Radick, Montana State
Kalista Lukovich, Eastern Washington
Lauren Lindseth, Montana State
2024 Championship Information
The 2024 Big Sky Volleyball Championship will be hosted on Nov. 27-29 on the campus of Sacramento State in Sacramento, California. The winner of the championship receives the Big Sky’s automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament. All matches from Sacramento will stream live on ESPN+.