ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – After finishing 19-12 on the season and fourth place in the Mountain West with an 11-7 record, the University of New Mexico volleyball team garnered four players on the Mountain West All-Conference Team.
Senior Chantale Riddle made the first team and sophomore Julia Warren was named to the first team and was designated as the conference libero. Junior Hannah Johnson and sophomore Cassie House were both named to honorable mention.
Chantale Riddle – First Team All-Conference – Right Side Hitter
Riddle finished her career as one of the best players to come through the New Mexico volleyball program. In the 2014 season, she became UNM volleyball’s all-time career leader in kills with 1,623 and in points with 1,910. She also became the Mountain West all-time career leader in kills which was broken in the last match of the season as she recorded 22 kills in a three-set sweep of Air Force. She finished the 2014 season ranked first among the conference, in the conference-matches, in points (4.73), double-double (9) and was second in kills (4.09).
Riddle was also named Sports Imports/AVCA National Player of the Week for her big performances against Boise State (10/30) and Utah State (11/1). She averaged 4.62 kills per set for a .382 hitting percentage. She 5.31 points per set, 1.00 blocks per set and 2.75 digs per set.
“Chantale had an amazing year again,” said head coach Jeff Nelson. “She broke records and put up big numbers for the team. She is a great athlete that loves to play and I am very proud of the career she put together at UNM.”
The two-time all-american was named Mountain West Player of the Week twice this season which makes four times she has been honored in her career. She had three career-highs this season, including a .600 hitting percentage on Sept. 25 against San Jose State, 24 digs against UNLV on Nov. 6 and 27 kills against SMU on Sept. 20.
Julia Warren – Conference Designated Libero – First Team All-Mountain West
After switching to the libero position half way through the season, Warren has been recognized as the league’s designated libero. The switched happen against Colorado State on Oct. 16 and since then she put up impressive numbers from the back row, averaging 4.18 digs per set.
“Julia did a fantastic job stepping into a new role as our libero,” said Nelson. “I think all the coaches recognized this and rewarded her for her big efforts on the court. It speaks a lot about her game as she has now made First Team All-Mountain West in two completely different roles.”
Last season, Warren was named the Freshman of the Year of the league at the outside hitter position. This season was a little bit different. She picked up a career-high of 32 digs against UNLV on Nov. 6 and in the 12 matches she played libero, she had double-digit kills in all the matches except for one.
Hannah Johnson – Honorable Mention All-Mountain West – Setter
As the Lobos’ quarterback, Johnson had another big year, averaging 10.77 assist per match in conference play which was ranked third among the league’s setters. But Johnson was known for her double-doubles, ranking first in the conference with a total of nine on conference action and 16 for the season.
Johnson had a career high of 65 assists and 18 digs against UNLV on Nov. 6. She also had a career high of eight kills on Nov. 1 against Utah State. Johnson ranked first among the league’s setters in digs per set (2.41).
“Hannah had another good year and provided leadership through her hard work. She is probably the most athletic setter in the conference.”
Cassie House – Honorable Mention All-Mountain West – Outside Hitter
House finished the 2014 conference season with a .191 hitting percentage. From Oct. 23-Nov. 21, she had a nine game streak of double-digit kills with a career high of 21 kills of a career high of 56 attacks against UNLV on Nov. 6.
Among other outside hitters in the league, House ranked third in blocks per set (0.57), third in total point (231), fourth in kills (204), fourth in kills per set (3.04) and fifth in hitting percentage (.191)
“I am very happy for Cassie as this is her first Mountain West honor and it is well deserved. She really improved in the second half of the season and put up good numbers for us.”
All-MW:
Akokwe Clement, Air Force
Sarah Baugh, Boise State
Sierra Nobley, Boise State
Maddy O’Donnell, Boise State
Adrianna Culbert, Colorado State
Marlee Reynolds, Colorado State
Kelsey Snider, Colorado State
Chantale Riddle, New Mexico
Allison Davies, UNLV
Daryn Glenn, UNLV
Bree Hammel, UNLV
Alexis Patterson, UNLV
Kaitlyn VanHoff, Utah State
Laura Beach, Wyoming
Erin Kirby, Wyoming
Bridget Shanahan, Wyoming
Designated setter: Deedra Foss, Colorado State
Designated libero: Julia Warren, New Mexico
Honorable Mention:
Taylor Parker, Air Force
Jaime Colaizzi, Colorado State
Tessa Lea‘ea, Nevada
Cassie House, New Mexico
Hannah Johnson, New Mexico
Katlin Winters, UNLV
Player of the Year: Deedra Foss, Colorado State
Newcomer of the Year: Kaitlyn Oliver, Boise State
Freshman of the Year: Sierra Nobley, Boise State
Coach of the Year: Cindy Fredrick, UNLV