Nov. 24, 2009

LARAMIE, Wyo. -

Outside hitter Jodi Purdy of the Wyoming Cowgirl volleyball team was recognized as the Mountain West Conference Freshman of the Year on Tuesday when the 2009 MWC All-Conference Team and other postseason honors were announced by the league office.

The Mountain West All-Conference Volleyball awards are selected by the league's nine head coaches.

"This is a well deserved honor for Jodi and our program," said UW head coach Carrie Yerty. "She is one of the top outside hitters on our team and in the league. I'm looking forward to her progression as a player over the next couple of years."

Junior Danielle Minch was named Player of the Year, while Colorado State's Tom Hilbert was voted Coach of the Year.

Purdy started in all 31 matches for the Cowgirls this season. She averaged a team leading 3.43 kills and 3.90 points, while adding 2.53 digs, which was second on the team.

In conference matches, she averaged 3.32 kills, 2.63 digs and 3.71 points per set. She finished ranked third in kills (3.43 kps), fourth in points (3.90 pps) and ninth in service aces (0.24 saps), while in league matches she was fourth in kills (3.32 kps) and points (3.71 pps). She also ranked in the top-15 in digs per set in overall and MWC matches (2.53 and 2.63, respectively).

Purdy is the top-rated MWC freshman in kills and points per set in both overall and league matches. She had double-figures in kills 24 times and digs 14 times, while recording 12 double-doubles. With 395 kills for the season, it ranks 14th all-time on the single season list.

The Cowgirls went 13-18 overall and 3-13 during the 2009 season.

Player of the Year:
Danielle Minch, Colorado State

Freshman of the Year:
Jodi Purdy, Wyoming

Coach of the Year:
Tom Hilbert, Colorado State

First Team All-Mountain West Conference

Chelsey Sandberg Utah Sr. MB West Jordan, Utah

!Notes repeat selections.

Setter - Danielle Minch, TCU, So., Costa Mesa, Calif.

Libero - Katelin Batten, Colorado State, Sr., Parker, Colo.