Photo by Sean Jeter
Team unity helped the Raiders reach the championship match with three players earning conference honors.

The volleyball season ended short for the Raiders this year, but they were rewarded for their efforts last Monday as they received three top conference honors.

Junior setter Lindsey Stone was named the Cascade Conference Player of the Year, Sophomore Maggie Rivers was named Libero of the Year and Mia Wortel along with Stone received First-Team selections. For Stone, this was her second straight year being honored with the conference’s top award.

“I am honored,” said Stone. “It is really humbling knowing how many girls worked so hard this season for this award.”

Stone was named setter of the week six times during the regular season, averaging 10.8 assists per game ranking No. 4 in the Nation. She led the team with 34 aces and 1030 total assists on the season.

Stone’s favorite statistical hitter Wortel wrapped up her senior year at SOU with a First-Team All Cascade Conference selection. “(Mia) is the most self-less, hard working player I know,” said Stone.

Wortel hit .391 during the season to finish second in the conference and eighth in the Nation. She also climbed the Raiders’ record books working her way up to fourth in career kills with 1,156, sixth in career blocks with 375 and ranking first in career attack percentage with .373.

“Mia will be missed and could never be replaced,” said Rivers. “All around she is a great person.”

Rivers provided great leadership and confidence to the back line for the Raiders. She was named the CCC Libero of the Year averaging 4.11 digs per game with 24 aces on the season.

“It feels amazing to be honored, I didn’t see this coming at all,” said Rivers of her award. “I want to build and I have a lot to learn and grow as a player.”

The Raiders will have plenty of time to grow with a young team that finished shy of the national tournament.

“We just fell apart at the end, it was a very bitter sweet feeling, we came so far,” said Rivers.

Stone, the two-time reigning MVP, is reminded how she’s been so lucky this season. “Our individual strengths shined because of the team chemistry,” said Stone. “I couldn’t have done it without my team.”