Denby, Mattson earn Mountain West honors

SAN DIEGO – Fresno State senior shortstop Alesia Denby was named the 2023 Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year, the conference office announced on Wednesday.

Denby led the MW with 56 assists in the field and had 21 putouts. The native of Murrieta, California, is the first MW Defensive Player of the Year from Fresno State since 2016 (Paige Gumz) and fourth all-time.

Denby was also named First Team All-MW for the second straight season and junior Keahilele Mattson also collected First Team All-MW honors for the second time in her career.

Alesia Denby: 2023 MW Defensive Player of the Year, 2023 First Team All-Mountain West

Two-time First Team All-Mountain West selection (2022 & 2023)
In conference play, batted .364 with three home runs, three triples, five doubles, nine RBIs, 15 runs scored and drew 15 walks (1.161 OPS)
No. 1 in the MW in conference games in defensive assists (56)
No. 5 in the MW in conference games in triples (5)
No. 6 in the MW in conference games in on base percentage (.494) and walks drawn (15)
No. 8 in the MW in conference games in slugging percentage (.667)
No. 10 in the MW in conference games in total bases (44)

Keahilele Mattson: 2023 First Team All-Mountain West

Two-Time First Team All-Mountain West selection (2021 & 2023)
In conference play, led the Bulldogs with a .370 batting average and had four home runs, two doubles, 15 RBIs, 13 runs scored and seven stolen bases (7-for-7)
No. 4 in the MW in conference games in hits (30)
No. 6 in the MW in conference games in stolen bases (7)
No. 10 in the MW in conference games in total bases (44)

ALL-MOUNTAIN WEST
FIRST TEAM
Kelsey Hall, Sr, OF, Boise State
Taylor Caudill, Jr., P, Boise State
Eliyah Flores, Sr., INF, Boise State
Ashley York, Jr., OF, Colorado State
Hailey Smith, Jr., OF, Colorado State
Alesia Denby, Sr., INF, Fresno State
Keahilele Mattson, Jr., OF, Fresno State
Chelie Senini, Jr., OF, Nevada
Ashley Archuleta, So., INF, New Mexico
Racheal Hathoot, R-Jr., INF, New Mexico
Mac Barbara, So., DP, San Diego State
Allie Light, Jr., P, San Diego State
Makena Brocki, Jr., INF, San Diego State
Jenessa Ullegue, R-Sr., P, San José State
Ariana Martinez, So., DP, UNLV

SECOND TEAM
Autumn Bennett, Sr., INF, Boise State
Jordyn Hutchins, Jr., OF, Boise State
Serena Huchingson, R-Sr., C, Boise State
Molly Gates, Jr., OF, Colorado State
Danielle Serna, Sr., INF/P, Colorado State
Aaliyah Jenkins, So., C, Nevada
Cali Decker, So., C, San Diego State
Bella Espinoza, So., OF, San Diego State
Jillian Celis, Jr., INF, San Diego State
Sara Lehman, Sr., P, San Diego State
Alyssa Graham, R-Sr., INF, San Jose State
April Visser, Sr., INF, UNLV
Maddie Schmidt, Sr., INF/UTL, UNLV
Skyler Shaw, Jr., OF, UNLV
Gabby Jimenez, Sr., INF, Utah State

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
Player of the Year
Kelsey Hall, Sr., OF, Boise State

Pitcher of the Year
Allie Light, Jr., P, San Diego State

Defensive Player of the Year
Alesia Denby, Sr., INF, Fresno State

Freshman of the Year
Jaden Colunga, Fr., OF, Utah State

Coach of the Year
Justin Shults, Boise State

"Fresno State Athletics - Elevate: Imagine the Possibilities" – The Elevate Campaign provides a visionary roadmap to enhance and construct a series of athletic facilities to help further position Fresno State Athletics for sustained competitive success nationally, while also further serving as a source of pride and economic growth throughout California's Central Valley. For more information, visit GoBulldogs.com/elevate or call the Bulldog Foundation offices at 559-278-7160.

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Denby, Mattson earn Mountain West honors

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Alesia Denby

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