Miller, Lake Headline BYU's Nine WCC Honors

SAN BRUNO, Calif. – BYU women's volleyball senior outside hitter McKenna Miller was named West Coast Conference Player of the Year and senior libero Mary Lake was named WCC Libero of the Year, the conference announced Monday.

Miller and Lake were two of five Cougars named to the All-WCC First Team, joining junior middle blocker Kennedy Eschenberg, sophomore middle blocker Heather Gneiting and freshman setter Whitney Bower. Bower and outside hitter Kate Grimmer were also named to the WCC All-Freshman Team.

A three-time All-American and three-time All-WCC selection, Miller averaged 3.35 kills per set on a .310 attacking percentage along with 28 aces, 59 digs and 38 blocks as BYU finished 16-2 in conference play. This is the fifth season a Cougar has been named WCC Player of the Year in nine years in the conference.

Lake is the third Cougar to capture Libero (formerly Defensive Player) of the Year honors and the second student-athlete to do so in three-straight seasons, joining current AVP professional Betsi Metter (2011-13) of LMU. The two-time All-American and three-time All-WCC honoree is BYU's all-time leader in career digs at 1,877 and totaled 234 digs, 88 assists and 15 aces.

An All-American and National Freshman of the Year last season, Gneiting is making her second appearance on the first team after hitting .374 while adding 12 aces and 94 blocks in conference matches this year. Fellow All-American middle Eschenberg hit .344 with 84 blocks to earn her place on the team as well.

One of two freshmen on the first team, Bower has filled the stat sheet for the Cougars at setter, averaging 9.11 assists per set with 64 kills, 13 aces, 159 digs and 44 blocks. Grimmer has added 67 kills, 29 blocks and 25 aces in her first year to earn All-Freshman honors with Bower.

For a full list of WCC honorees, click here.

The Cougars are preparing for the start of the NCAA Tournament this week beginning Friday, Dec. 6, when BYU will host New Mexico State at 7 p.m. MT.