WACO, TX---The Lady Mustangs finished out their 2021 spring season with six players taking home conference awards at the RRAC banquet on Friday night.
Autumn Lopez took home Defensive Specialist of the Year &
Kennedy McRuffin won Newcomer of the Year for the conference.
Autumn Lopez
Defensive Special of the Year---1st Team Selection
Autumn Lopez finished the conference season with 80 digs in 6 matches. The junior from San Antonio, averaged 4 digs per set and had only 6 receiving errors on the conference season.
Thoughts from Coach Krebs: "Talk about small but mighty. The drive to win, the attitude, the support all in one. Someone needs some energy? Autumn is there to help them out. That added with her skill set makes her a tremendous libero that helped us in many close situations throughout the season. I can't wait to see what she does next fall on the court"
Dylann Bylund
1st Team Selection---Champions of Character Nominee
Bylund repeated with another 1st Team All-Conference selection this season. The senior racked up up 41 kills in conference play, averaging 2.05 kills per set. The Colorado native had a .188 attack percentage, 5 service aces, 53 digs, and 6 total blocks.
Thoughts from Coach Krebs: "Dylann is an all-around athlete with one of the best athletic mentalities I've ever been able to coach. She always strives to do better even when she is doing great. From the first point until the last, she never stops and her accolades are much deserved."
Alexia Esparza
2nd Team Selection
Esparza who was a 1st Team All-Conference selection last season, had another fantastic season for USW. Esparza totaled 45 kills in conference and hit a .126 percentage. She also had 20 digs, 1 block, and 1 service ace.
Thoughts from Coach Krebs: "Alexia has been a fantastic OH for us this season. She started out slow but ended on a high-note. All around she has a great skill and volleyball IQ. Her energy on the court keeps the game exciting and we can always count on her for a kill when we needed it."
Taylor Hardison
2nd Team Selection
The Hobbs native had her best season of her career. Hardison totaled 26 kills in conference with 4 service aces, 11 digs, and 10 total blocks.
Thoughts from Coach Krebs: "Taylor is an amazing defensive player on the net. She led the conference in blocks and after becoming a middle this season, this was not expected from her. She was new to the position and did a tremendous job transitioning to the MB."
Kennedy McRuffin
Newcomer of the Year---Honorable Mention Selection
McRuffin in her first season for USW was a phenomenal defensive player for the Lady Mustangs. McRuffin totaled 30 digs in conference.
Thoughts from Coach Krebs: "I was so excited to get Kennedy on the court this season. As a transfer I knew she would bring the mature side of defense to the court. In key situations I can always trust Kennedy back there. She has a great work ethic and is a great teammate. I can't wait to to see what she does next fall"
Sarah Marquez
Honorable Mention Selection
Marquez led the Lady Mustangs with 115 assists this season in RRAC play.
Thoughts from Coach Krebs: "Sarah is such a hard worker, whether it is setting, defense, weight room or conditioning. Sarah is always working with 100% effort. From beginning to end, Sarah became the setter we needed to be able to excel to the level we knew to be at. She will do great things her next two years here at USW"
