Colorado State University Athletics
Photo by: Nick Monaghan
Rams Take Top Mountain West Awards
11/27/2019 11:03:00 AM | Volleyball
Senior Katie Oleksak earned Player of the Year award, Hilbert Coach of the Year, Four to the All-MW Team
FORT COLLINS, Colo. – Over the years, Colorado State has become accustomed to winning titles and postseason awards when it comes to Mountain West volleyball.
With a perfect run through the conference this season (18-0) and a 21st conference championship (regular season or tournament), it wasn't unexpected to see a Ram named the Player of the Year.
Besides, they've had 10 in the history of the league who have combined to win 15 of the honors. But Katie Oleksak has been special since her arrival, and she's found a historic place all her own.
The Rams' senior setter was named the MW Player of the Year for the third consecutive season, making her the first player in conference history with three honors, let alone successive.
"She's very deserving, because she's been such an amazing presence in our conference," CSU coach Tom Hilbert said. "A player like Katie doesn't just impact Colorado State, she impacts the whole league. I'm serious when I say I think she inspires coaches and players throughout the Mountain West, not just at Colorado State."
Her selection highlights the honors for the Rams, who landed four on the All-Mountain West team. She is joined by senior middle blockers Kirstie Hillyer and Paulina Hougaard-Jensen and junior outside hitter Breana Runnels. Both of the middles are on the team for the third consecutive year; Runnels the past two.
Hilbert was named the conference Coach of the Year for the 12th time with his team on a 27-match winning streak with one more to play before the NCAA Tournament begins.
Oleksak has set the Colorado State record for career assists in the modern scoring era (which began in 2008), and stands third in conference history in career assists with 4,963. She stands third on the conference list because the Mountain West does not make the distinction in eras, which were vastly different.
She leads the conference with 10.95 assists per set this season, while also averaging .81 blocks per set with 69 kills, 20 aces and 181 digs. Since her first season (when she was named Freshman of the Year), Oleksak's all-around play has put her athleticism on display, which Hilbert says is why she's been so valuable beyond the .Fort Collins city limits.
"She's athletically dynamic in the setting position," Hilbert said. "She makes volleyball fun to watch. There are a lot of great players, but she entertains because of the type of player she is. I think that even as coaches when we watch her, we are entertained."
The Rams led the conference in every defensive category and three of the offensive stat lines.
Hillyer, who has a Newcomer of the Year award to her credit, led the MW in hitting percentage (.411) and was third in blocks (1.34 per set) and sixth in points per set (4.39). She sits fourth in school history with 569 total blocks, fifth in blocks per set (1.40). She has 285 kills and 134 blocks this season.
Hougaard-Jensen is second in the MW at 1.40 blocks per set, fifth in hitting percentage (.343) as she has posted 215 kills and 120 blocks in her senior year.
Runnels continues her assault of the CSU charts after posting 374 kills so far this season (fifth on the single-season list), averaging 3.74 per set (fourth best in a single year). She ranks second in kills per set, sixth in aces per set (.34) and third in points per set (4.39). Her 1,195 career kills are second at CSU in the modern era, while her 3.65 kills per set rank first.
With a perfect run through the conference this season (18-0) and a 21st conference championship (regular season or tournament), it wasn't unexpected to see a Ram named the Player of the Year.
Besides, they've had 10 in the history of the league who have combined to win 15 of the honors. But Katie Oleksak has been special since her arrival, and she's found a historic place all her own.
The Rams' senior setter was named the MW Player of the Year for the third consecutive season, making her the first player in conference history with three honors, let alone successive.
"She's very deserving, because she's been such an amazing presence in our conference," CSU coach Tom Hilbert said. "A player like Katie doesn't just impact Colorado State, she impacts the whole league. I'm serious when I say I think she inspires coaches and players throughout the Mountain West, not just at Colorado State."
Her selection highlights the honors for the Rams, who landed four on the All-Mountain West team. She is joined by senior middle blockers Kirstie Hillyer and Paulina Hougaard-Jensen and junior outside hitter Breana Runnels. Both of the middles are on the team for the third consecutive year; Runnels the past two.
Hilbert was named the conference Coach of the Year for the 12th time with his team on a 27-match winning streak with one more to play before the NCAA Tournament begins.
Oleksak has set the Colorado State record for career assists in the modern scoring era (which began in 2008), and stands third in conference history in career assists with 4,963. She stands third on the conference list because the Mountain West does not make the distinction in eras, which were vastly different.
She leads the conference with 10.95 assists per set this season, while also averaging .81 blocks per set with 69 kills, 20 aces and 181 digs. Since her first season (when she was named Freshman of the Year), Oleksak's all-around play has put her athleticism on display, which Hilbert says is why she's been so valuable beyond the .Fort Collins city limits.
"She's athletically dynamic in the setting position," Hilbert said. "She makes volleyball fun to watch. There are a lot of great players, but she entertains because of the type of player she is. I think that even as coaches when we watch her, we are entertained."
The Rams led the conference in every defensive category and three of the offensive stat lines.
Hillyer, who has a Newcomer of the Year award to her credit, led the MW in hitting percentage (.411) and was third in blocks (1.34 per set) and sixth in points per set (4.39). She sits fourth in school history with 569 total blocks, fifth in blocks per set (1.40). She has 285 kills and 134 blocks this season.
Hougaard-Jensen is second in the MW at 1.40 blocks per set, fifth in hitting percentage (.343) as she has posted 215 kills and 120 blocks in her senior year.
Runnels continues her assault of the CSU charts after posting 374 kills so far this season (fifth on the single-season list), averaging 3.74 per set (fourth best in a single year). She ranks second in kills per set, sixth in aces per set (.34) and third in points per set (4.39). Her 1,195 career kills are second at CSU in the modern era, while her 3.65 kills per set rank first.
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