by staff–1 Dec ’15
University of Wyoming junior’s Laura Beach and Kayla Slofkiss have been named All-Mountain West selections, while Reed Copeland was tabbed the Freshman of the Year, the conference office announced today. It marks the second all-conference award for Beach and first for Slofkiss. Copeland became the third-ever Cowgirl to be named Freshman of the Year, as Jodi Purdy and Rachel Smith won the award in 2009 and 2004, respectively.
Beach was one of eight middle blockers to garner All-MW honors. She played in all 30 matches and 116 sets for the Cowgirls this season. At her position, Beach hit over .400 in 11 matches. She ranked first on the team in attacking percentage at .337, which was fifth-best in the MW as she had 273 kills in 600 attempts. Beach averaged 1.10 blocks per set, and against conference opponents she finished the regular season with 1.14 blocks per set. Her .337 attacking percentage is tied fifth in Wyoming single-season history. Beach was named to the Rumble in the Rockies, Gonzaga Invite, UniWyo Pistol Pete’s Showdown and Wyoming Invite All-Tournament teams, in addition to being selected MVP of the Wyoming Invite.
Slofkiss added a team-high 306 kills and 2.78 kills per set and was second on the team with 2.52 digs per set this season. She played in 29 matches with 28 starts and 110 sets for the Cowgirls. A six-rotation player, Slofkiss recorded 14 double-doubles on the season, which was second-best in the MW. She led the Cowgirls in kills 14 times this season and also recorded at least 10 digs in 15 matches. In conference play, Slofkiss averaged 2.85 kills per set with a total of 185. Slofkiss posted a career-high 19 kills in a five-set victory against New Mexico. She was also selected to the Rumble in the Rockies and Gonzaga Invite All-Tournament teams.
In Copeland’s first season wearing the Brown and Gold, the middle blocker not only led UW and the MW but finished ranked first nationally in total blocks and blocks per set. Her 190 total blocks set a new MW record for blocks by a freshman and ranked third overall in program history in a single season. She ran away to lead the NCAA with 1.68 blocks per set to end her freshman campaign and averaged 1.73 blocks per set in conference play. Copeland recorded 13 total blocks against Fresno State, tying the MW record for a freshman in a single MW match. Her 121 total blocks in conference play is also a MW Freshman record. Copeland also recorded double-figure blocks in six matches. She played in 113 sets for Wyoming, started in 29 of the 30 matches and was fifth on the team with 138 kills.
2015 MOUNTAIN WEST ALL-CONFERENCE WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL TEAM
Name Class Position Institution
Akokwe Clement# Sr. OH Air Force
Sarah Baugh# Sr. S Boise State
Sierra Nobley# So. OH Boise State
Maddy O’Donnell# Jr. MB Boise State
Kaitlyn Oliver So. MB Boise State
Maddi Osburn So. L Boise State
Acacia Andrews Jr. MB Colorado State
Adrianna Culbert%# Sr. S/OPP Colorado State
Alexandra Poletto So. MB Colorado State
Alex Reid Sr. OH Colorado State
Maggie Eppright Jr. L Fresno State
Madison Morell Jr. OH Nevada
Skye Gullatt Sr. MB New Mexico
Hannah Johnson%# Sr. S New Mexico
Deja Harris R-Fr. MB San Diego State
Bree Hammel# Jr. MB UNLV
Laura Beach# Jr. MB Wyoming
Kayla Slofkiss Jr. OH Wyoming
Honorable Mention:
Shelley Spires So. OH Air Force
Jaime Colaizzi# Sr. L Colorado State
Simone Henderson Sr. MB New Mexico
Cassie House# Jr. OH New Mexico
Bailey Little Jr. RS San Diego State
Tyanna Roy Sr. OH/OPP San José State
Player of the Year: Adrianna Culbert, Sr., S/OPP, Colorado State
Freshman of the Year: Reed Copeland, MB, Wyoming
Newcomer of the Year: Alex Reid, Sr., OH, Colorado State
Coach of the Year: Shawn Garus, Boise State
% = 2013 honoree
# = 2014 honoree
