LAS CRUCES, N.M.-The Western Athletic Conference announced Wednesday, Nov. 14 at their annual awards banquet that six New Mexico State volleyball players earned All-WAC honors for their performances during the 2007 season.

Senior Kim Oguh (El Paso, Hanks HS), juniors Amber Simpson (Quincy, Ill.), Krystal Torres (Las Cruces, Mayfield HS) and Lindsey Yon (San Antonio, Texas) were named to the first team, sophomore Krista Altermatt (El Dorado Hills, Calif.) was named to the second team, and freshman Bryja Rodgers (Iowa City, Iowa) was named to the All-freshman team.  Head coach Mike Jordan wasn’t too surprised by the selections made to the teams.

“I think they all earned it because they’ve worked hard all year,” Jordan said.  “Their skill level has improved a great deal in the last year.”

Yon led the way for the Aggies in kills just one shy of 400, followed closely by Altermatt and Oguh who added 326 and 324 respectively. Yon finished the regular season sixth in the WAC in kills, while Simpson was in second in the conference in hitting percentage with a .341 percentage, while Oguh was fourth in the same category, also hitting above .300.  This was Yon’s first time selected for first team All-WAC, while Oguh and Simpson were selected to the team for the second consecutive season.  Simpson was also a second team selection in 2005.

“Oguh and Simpson have been two of the better middles in the conference last couple of years so it really doesn’t surprise me that they got the honors again,” Jordan said.  “Yon is a great player and her confidence has really improved over the season, especially with having to deal with her arm injury.  I am proud of her.”

Rodgers was the only freshman to be selected to the All-freshman team, while sharing the setting duties with teammate junior Alyssa Gintant (Libertyville, Ill.).  Rodgers is second on the team in assists with 547 on the year, as she averaged 6.08 a game.

“Our middles have really brought the setters along, and Bryja has improved a lot this season,” Jordan said. “I think she kind of surprised some people because not many expected her to see much court action.”

Seven different schools were represented on the first team overall and eight overall.  Hawai’i, the first seed in the WAC Tournament, had three players on the first team and second seeded NMSU had four.  Nevada placed two on the first team, while Idaho, San Jose State and Utah State all had one player on the first team.  Hawai’i’s Jaime Houston was named Player of the Year and Utah State’s head coach Grayson Dubose.

FIRST TEAM

Colleen Burke              San Jose State

Aneli Cubi-Ontineru      Hawai’i

Teal Ericson                 Nevada

Jaime Houston              Hawai’i

Amanda Nielson           Utah State

Haley Larsen                Idaho

Kim Oguh                    NMSU

Juliana Sanders Hawai’i

Amber Simpson            NMSU

Karly Sipherd               Nevada

Krystal Torres              NMSU

Lindsey Yon                 NMSU

SECOND TEAM

Krista Altermatt            NMSU

Keri Anglin                   San Jose State

Stephanie Brandt          Hawai’i

Niki Clement                San Jose State

Tara Hittle                    Hawai’i

Sarah Loney                 Idaho

Ashley Miller                Nevada

Melissa Osterloh           Utah State

Alisha McKee              Fresno State

Shannon Philips            La. Tech

Jennifer Senftleben        San Jose State

Danielle Taylor             Utah State

ALL-FRESHMAN

Lindsay Baldwin           Nevada

Emily Burke                  San Jose State

Chelsea Fowles            Utah State

Elizabeth Ka’aihue        Hawai’i

Brynja Rodgers            NMSU

Tairyn Rasmussen         Fresno State

WAC Player of the Year: Jaime Houston

WAC Coach of the Year: Grayson Dubose

WAC Freshman of the Year: Chelsea Fowles