Knowles Named WSC PoY, Bickers, Mulville, 1st Team All-WSC

On the heels of a memorable season, VC freshman volleyball standout Nevada Knowles has been named the Player of the Year for the Western State Conference North Division. Additionally, sophomore Darynne Bickers and freshman Katey Mulville were both named 1st-team All-WSC and head coach Brad Lyans was named co-Coach of the Year in voting by conference coaches in November.

Knowles, a Ventura High School alumna, did a little of everything for the Pirates in their run to the program's second WSC North title in the past three years. Knowles was among the conference leaders in kills (7th), hitting percentage (T1st), assists (2nd), services aces (9th), blocks (10th), and digs (19th). She becomes the first Pirate to earn the conference's top individual award since 2005, and only the eight winner in program history since 1980.

VC middle hitters Bickers and Mulville joined Knowles on the first-team all-conference list. Bickers, a graduate of Viewpoint High School, led the Pirates in kills while Oxnard High School product Mulville was a close second for VC. 

VC head coach Brad Lyans was named co-Coach of the Year for the conference, his fourth conference honor in his ninth season on the Pirates' bench.

Outside hitters Alexis Baloyo and Averi Carter, both freshmen, were named to the second-team All-WSC squad while sophomores Victoria Whitney and Miranda DeBeary received Honorable Mention accolades.