CORVALLIS, Ore. – The 2023 Cascade Collegiate Conference Volleyball postseason awards were announced Thursday by the conference office.
For the second straight year, No. 7-ranked Corban University's Rylee Troutman was named the Rize Laboratory Player of the Year and Kelsey Moore of Northwest University won Libero of the Year. Mylie Mills of No. 3-ranked Eastern Oregon University earned Freshman of the Year. Analise Hitchcock of College of Idaho and Alexis McMurtrey of Eastern Oregon were voted as Co-Setters of the Year. Eastern Oregon head coach Kaki Morehead was named the Coach of the Year for the second connective time. Northwest University received the Team Sportsmanship Award.
Troutman, a junior outside hitter from Powell Butte, Ore., had another outstanding season for the Warriors. She averaged 4.25 kills per set, which ranks fifth in the NAIA and first in the CCC. She helped Corban remain ranked on the NAIA Coaches' Poll throughout the year, ending the CCC season with a 19-3 record. This year, Troutman was named the CCC Attacker of the Week four times, including two NAIA Player of the Week nods.
Mills, a freshman middle hitter from Nampa, Idaho, had an outstanding collegiate debut thus far. She recorded a .344 hitting percentage, which ranks second in the CCC along with 79 total blocks, third in the CCC and ninth in the NAIA. She also helped lead EOU to top NAIA Rankings throughout the year along with the Mounties second consecutive Regular Season Title. Mills was named the CCC Attacker of the Week three times, including one NAIA Player of the Week honor.
Moore, a junior defensive specialist/libero from Edmonds, Wash., had another stellar defensive run for the Eagles. Overall, she averaged 5.29 digs per set, which is second in the CCC and ranks 22nd in the NAIA. She also has 71 assists, 30 aces and two rare kills on the year. Moore helped lead the Eagles to a 14-8 conference record, good enough for a five seed in the CCC Volleyball Tournament. Moore was named the CCC Defender of the Week this year.
Hitchcock, a senior setter from Meridian, Idaho, helped the Yotes qualify for the CCC Tournament as the fourth seed with a 25-5 conference record. She averages 6.62 assists per set, which ranks first in the CCC. She also has 28 aces, 149 digs, and 13 kills on the year. Hitchcock was named the CCC Setter of the Week twice this year.
McMurtrey, a junior setter from Idaho Falls, Idaho led the Mounties to a 21-1 conference record as they head into postseason on a 17-game win streak. She averaged 5.58 assists per set which ranks fifth in the CCC. She also recorded 25 aces, sixth in the CCC. McMurtrey picked up an impressive five CCC Setter of the Week Honors this Year.
Morehead led the Mounties to their second straight CCC regular-season championship and an automatic bid to the NAIA Tournament. EOU leads the CCC with a .070 opponent hitting percentage and 2.68 blocks per set. They are also second in Kills (13.35 Avg/S), Assists (12.31 Avg/S), and Aces (1.67 Avg/S). The Mounties have only one loss all year to hold a 28-1 overall record. The regular-season champs saw four Mounties earn all-conference.
The 2023 CCC All-Conference team can be found, HERE.