Fresno State Athletics
Photo by: Keith Kountz
Trio of Bulldogs earn All-MW honors; Sukhov tabbed MW Newcomer of the Year
11/27/2019 10:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
COLORADO SPRING, Colo. - A trio of Fresno State volleyball players earned All-Mountain West honors announced by the conference on Wednesday. Desiree Sukhov was tabbed the Mountain West Newcomer of the Year, while Sukhov and Reagan Leonard earned All-Mountain West honors. Madelyn Halteman rounded out the 'Dogs selections being named All-Mountain West honorable mention.
A year after earning four All-Mountain West selections, the 'Dogs tallied three honors this season as Fresno State finished the season with a 14-16 overall record and a 7-11 mark in the MW. The Bulldogs tied Nevada for sixth in the Mountain West as Fresno State earned its fourth top-six finish in the conference since 2012.
All-MW selections are based on conference matches only and are voted on by the league's 11 head coaches. The coaches also selected the individual player awards and the MW Coach of the Year honor, which went to Colorado State's Tom Hilbert for the 12th time and third season in a row. Colorado State senior setter Katie Oleksak was named the MW Player of the Year for the third straight year while Boise State freshman outside hitter Lauren Ohlinger was named the MW Freshman of the Year.
Appearing in 13 of the 'Dogs 18 MW matches and playing in 43 sets, Sukhov ranked third in the Mountain West average 3.61 kills per set in league play along with 105 digs, 19 service aces, third-most in MW play, and 18 total blocks. Her 4.28 points per set average in MW play ranked third in the conference. A native of Murrieta, Calif., who spent her first two seasons at CSU Bakersfield, Sukhov tallied seven MW matches with 10 or more kills, highlighted by a 22-kill performance at home against UNLV on Oct. 5. In addition, Sukhov added three double-doubles and had at least one service ace in 12 MW matches. Sukhov is the second Bulldog in program history to earn Mountain West Newcomer of the Year honors joining Holly Franks in 2013.
"This is a hard-earned recognition for Des, as there were a lot of high quality players in our conference this year including a number of new players," said head coach Jonathan Winder. "She has worked diligently throughout the spring and summer to carry the load that she did for us this season. Change is hard, yet she made it seem easy. She fit in right away and instantly raised the level of play in our program. She improved in nearly every category from her previous seasons while competing against some tough competition all season. She represents so much of what we stand for as a program with her industriousness, love of the game, ability to learn, and pride in her team and school," added Winder.
In addition to Sukhov, Leonard earned All-Mountain West honors a year after being named All-Mountain West honorable mention. Playing in all 18 Mountain West matches and in 61 sets, Leonard recorded 285 digs averaging 4.67 digs per set. A native of Glendale, Ariz., Leonard reached double-digit digs in 16 matches and had a season-high 30 against UNLV on Oct. 5. Leonard finished the season with 465 digs, ninth-most in a single season, and her 4.47 digs per set ranks fifth-highest in a season and will enter her senior season in 2020 sitting in fourth in program history in digs per set (3.68) and sixth in digs (1,277).
Finally, Halteman earned her second MW postseason accolade after being named All-MW in 2018 as she was tabbed one of six All-MW honorable mention selections. Playing in all 18 Mountain West matches and 61 sets, the fifth-year senior from Turlock tallied 527 assists for an average of 8.64 assists per set. Halteman added 112 digs, 32 service aces and 21 total blocks. Halteman tied for No. 10 in aces per set in a single season at 0.42 with Ruth Lawanson (1984) and closes out her Bulldog career third in career assists (3,851), tied for third in service aces (136), tied for fourth in aces per set (0.30), fifth in sets played (448) and ninth in assists per set.
"After adding 10 new players this season we knew this year was going to be filled with a lot of adjustments," said Winder. "Reagan, Maddy, Desiree along with Lauren Sabbatini, Jocelyn Rodriguez and Montez Uigaese were all committed to carrying the load in the offseason to prepare for this season. They worked diligently and tirelessly in the offseason to give us the best opportunity to excel during the season. With these three all-conference selections, it is a recognition of the efforts of the six young women we had training in the offseason. Reagan, Maddy and Des were leaders of our team and backed up their leadership with a consistently high-level play throughout the season. They all made changes and improvements in their game in order to carry a larger responsibility for our team on and off the court."
"As we continue to build a program the alumni and Valley is proud of, this is another point of pride in our program's ability to achieve at a high level. We have fantastic administration, coaching staff, fans, and culture that allow us to sustain success. Everything is earned and these three young women earned everything this season and did a ton for our program with their efforts. We celebrate Maddy's career here to boost this program up to another level and are excited to have Desiree and Reagan return for their senior seasons to keep climbing the mountain!"
2019 Mountain West Volleyball Awards
Player of the Year: Katie Oleksak, Colorado State, Sr., S
Newcomer of the Year: Desiree Sukhov, Fresno State, Jr., OH
Freshman of the Year: Lauren Ohlinger, Boise State, Fr., OH
Coach of the Year: Tom Hilbert, Colorado State
Mountain West All-Conference Team:
Katie Oleksak, Colorado State, Sr., S
Breana Runnels, Colorado State, Jr., OH
Kirstie Hillyer, Colorado State, Sr., MB
Mariena Hayden, UNLV, Jr., OH
Jackie McBride, Wyoming, Jr., MB
Jessica Donahue, Boise State, So., MB
Desiree Sukhov, Fresno State, Jr., OH
Paulina Hougaard-Jensen, Colorado State, Sr., MB
Tamia Reeves, San Diego State, Sr., MB
Hannah Turnlund, San Diego State, Sr., OH
Janell Walley, Boise State, Sr., OH
KC McMahon, Wyoming, So., OH
Madi Fields, Wyoming, Sr., DS/L
Kayla Afoa, Nevada, Jr., OH
Camryn Machado, San Diego State, So., S
Tara Traphagan, Wyoming, Sr., OH
Reagan Leonard, Fresno State, Jr., L/DS
Haylee Nelson, SJSU, So., OS
Honorable Mention:
Kate Brennan, UNLV, So., MB
Mackenzie Coates, Wyoming, Jr., S
Denise Ssozi, Air Force, Sr., OH
Danielle Boss, Boise State, So., S
Madelyn Halteman, Fresno State, Sr., S
Lauren Twitty, New Mexico, Sr., OH
"Fresno State Athletics: The Pride of the Valley"" – The Bulldog Foundation creates championship experiences for Fresno State student-athletes as they strive for excellence in the classroom, in competition, and in life. To become a BDF member, please call 559-278-7160.
Follow us on:
Twitter: @FresnoStateVB
Instagram: FresnoStatevball
Facebook: FresnoStateVB
A year after earning four All-Mountain West selections, the 'Dogs tallied three honors this season as Fresno State finished the season with a 14-16 overall record and a 7-11 mark in the MW. The Bulldogs tied Nevada for sixth in the Mountain West as Fresno State earned its fourth top-six finish in the conference since 2012.
All-MW selections are based on conference matches only and are voted on by the league's 11 head coaches. The coaches also selected the individual player awards and the MW Coach of the Year honor, which went to Colorado State's Tom Hilbert for the 12th time and third season in a row. Colorado State senior setter Katie Oleksak was named the MW Player of the Year for the third straight year while Boise State freshman outside hitter Lauren Ohlinger was named the MW Freshman of the Year.
Appearing in 13 of the 'Dogs 18 MW matches and playing in 43 sets, Sukhov ranked third in the Mountain West average 3.61 kills per set in league play along with 105 digs, 19 service aces, third-most in MW play, and 18 total blocks. Her 4.28 points per set average in MW play ranked third in the conference. A native of Murrieta, Calif., who spent her first two seasons at CSU Bakersfield, Sukhov tallied seven MW matches with 10 or more kills, highlighted by a 22-kill performance at home against UNLV on Oct. 5. In addition, Sukhov added three double-doubles and had at least one service ace in 12 MW matches. Sukhov is the second Bulldog in program history to earn Mountain West Newcomer of the Year honors joining Holly Franks in 2013.
"This is a hard-earned recognition for Des, as there were a lot of high quality players in our conference this year including a number of new players," said head coach Jonathan Winder. "She has worked diligently throughout the spring and summer to carry the load that she did for us this season. Change is hard, yet she made it seem easy. She fit in right away and instantly raised the level of play in our program. She improved in nearly every category from her previous seasons while competing against some tough competition all season. She represents so much of what we stand for as a program with her industriousness, love of the game, ability to learn, and pride in her team and school," added Winder.
In addition to Sukhov, Leonard earned All-Mountain West honors a year after being named All-Mountain West honorable mention. Playing in all 18 Mountain West matches and in 61 sets, Leonard recorded 285 digs averaging 4.67 digs per set. A native of Glendale, Ariz., Leonard reached double-digit digs in 16 matches and had a season-high 30 against UNLV on Oct. 5. Leonard finished the season with 465 digs, ninth-most in a single season, and her 4.47 digs per set ranks fifth-highest in a season and will enter her senior season in 2020 sitting in fourth in program history in digs per set (3.68) and sixth in digs (1,277).
Finally, Halteman earned her second MW postseason accolade after being named All-MW in 2018 as she was tabbed one of six All-MW honorable mention selections. Playing in all 18 Mountain West matches and 61 sets, the fifth-year senior from Turlock tallied 527 assists for an average of 8.64 assists per set. Halteman added 112 digs, 32 service aces and 21 total blocks. Halteman tied for No. 10 in aces per set in a single season at 0.42 with Ruth Lawanson (1984) and closes out her Bulldog career third in career assists (3,851), tied for third in service aces (136), tied for fourth in aces per set (0.30), fifth in sets played (448) and ninth in assists per set.
"After adding 10 new players this season we knew this year was going to be filled with a lot of adjustments," said Winder. "Reagan, Maddy, Desiree along with Lauren Sabbatini, Jocelyn Rodriguez and Montez Uigaese were all committed to carrying the load in the offseason to prepare for this season. They worked diligently and tirelessly in the offseason to give us the best opportunity to excel during the season. With these three all-conference selections, it is a recognition of the efforts of the six young women we had training in the offseason. Reagan, Maddy and Des were leaders of our team and backed up their leadership with a consistently high-level play throughout the season. They all made changes and improvements in their game in order to carry a larger responsibility for our team on and off the court."
"As we continue to build a program the alumni and Valley is proud of, this is another point of pride in our program's ability to achieve at a high level. We have fantastic administration, coaching staff, fans, and culture that allow us to sustain success. Everything is earned and these three young women earned everything this season and did a ton for our program with their efforts. We celebrate Maddy's career here to boost this program up to another level and are excited to have Desiree and Reagan return for their senior seasons to keep climbing the mountain!"
2019 Mountain West Volleyball Awards
Player of the Year: Katie Oleksak, Colorado State, Sr., S
Newcomer of the Year: Desiree Sukhov, Fresno State, Jr., OH
Freshman of the Year: Lauren Ohlinger, Boise State, Fr., OH
Coach of the Year: Tom Hilbert, Colorado State
Mountain West All-Conference Team:
Katie Oleksak, Colorado State, Sr., S
Breana Runnels, Colorado State, Jr., OH
Kirstie Hillyer, Colorado State, Sr., MB
Mariena Hayden, UNLV, Jr., OH
Jackie McBride, Wyoming, Jr., MB
Jessica Donahue, Boise State, So., MB
Desiree Sukhov, Fresno State, Jr., OH
Paulina Hougaard-Jensen, Colorado State, Sr., MB
Tamia Reeves, San Diego State, Sr., MB
Hannah Turnlund, San Diego State, Sr., OH
Janell Walley, Boise State, Sr., OH
KC McMahon, Wyoming, So., OH
Madi Fields, Wyoming, Sr., DS/L
Kayla Afoa, Nevada, Jr., OH
Camryn Machado, San Diego State, So., S
Tara Traphagan, Wyoming, Sr., OH
Reagan Leonard, Fresno State, Jr., L/DS
Haylee Nelson, SJSU, So., OS
Honorable Mention:
Kate Brennan, UNLV, So., MB
Mackenzie Coates, Wyoming, Jr., S
Denise Ssozi, Air Force, Sr., OH
Danielle Boss, Boise State, So., S
Madelyn Halteman, Fresno State, Sr., S
Lauren Twitty, New Mexico, Sr., OH
"Fresno State Athletics: The Pride of the Valley"" – The Bulldog Foundation creates championship experiences for Fresno State student-athletes as they strive for excellence in the classroom, in competition, and in life. To become a BDF member, please call 559-278-7160.
Follow us on:
Twitter: @FresnoStateVB
Instagram: FresnoStatevball
Facebook: FresnoStateVB
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