Bailey Reshel

NAPERVILLE, Ill. -- University of South Dakota volleyball player Bailey Reshel has been named the Great West Conference Freshman of the Year, the league announced Thursday.

The Great West announced its first-ever All-Conference awards on Thursday, and in all, three Coyotes earned honors.

Kristin Kritenbrink (Jr., Gretna, Neb.)and Reshel (Fr., Hortonville, Wis.) were both named to the Great West All-Conference second team, while Reshel and Mallory Mork (Fr., Sac City, Iowa) were named to the All-Newcomer team.

Reshel has enjoyed a solid freshman campaign for the Coyotes. Reshel has 264 kills, including 122 in 12 conference matches, to go with 58 blocks and 110 digs. Reshel also has 10 service aces. She averages 2.64 kills per set, second on the team.

Kritenbrink has been USD’s leading hitter throughout the season. She leads the Coyotes with 340 kills and is hitting .175 on the season. Kritenbrink has 149 kills in conference play, an average of 3.63. Kritenbrink also shares the team lead with 25 service aces and is third on the team with 244 digs. She also has 46 blocks.

Mork has been one of the top back-row defenders in the Great West. She is USD’s team leader with 298 digs, an average of 3.87 per set. In 12 conference matches, however, Mork has 186 digs and an average of 4.23 per set. Mork also has 11 service aces.

USD opens play at the Great West Conference Championship Friday in Houston against Texas-Pan American. The match begins at 10 a.m. If USD wins, it will face top-seeded North Dakota at 5 p.m.