Five Mustangs garner all-conference awards

OLATHE, Kan. - Earlier today, the Heart of America Athletic Conference announced the 2022 women's volleyball all-conference teams as voted on by league coaches. Five Mustangs: Hailey Hested, Maggie Peters, Mackenzie Murphy, Katie Kopriva, and Rylie Mussman received this recognition. 

Hested, a sophomore setter, was a first-team all-Heart of America selection following up last year's co-freshman of the year and third-team all-Heart honors. Hested was named Heart Setter of the Week three times this season. She ranks 20th in the NAIA for assists per set at 9.66, finishing with 821 on the year. Earlier this year she also surpassed the 1,000 career assist mark and sits eighth in Mount Mercy history with 1,580.

Peters, a senior middle blocker, earned second-team all-Heart honors for the second straight year. Peters hit .284 on the season and finished with 272 kills. She led Mount Mercy with 19 solo blocks and 87 block assists.

Murphy, a senior outside hitter, nabbed third-team all-Heart honors. She led Mount Mercy in kills (288) kills per set (3.06), service aces (32), and service aces per set (0.34). She was second on the team in receptions (435) and digs (344). 

Kopriva, a junior opposite transfer from Kirkwood, was an honorable mention all-Heart honoree. She totaled 221 kills this year to go along with 363 receptions and 319 digs, all third for Mount Mercy. 

Mussman, a sophomore libero, earned her first all-Heart award as an honorable mention selection. She was the only Mustang to play in all 112 sets. Mussman led Mount Mercy in receptions (497), digs (512), and digs per set (4.57). 

2022 Heart Women's Volleyball Awards: 

Player of the Year: Malaina Hensley (Park)

Setter of the Year: Jullia Alvarez (Park)

Attacker of the Year: Callie Henson (Central Methodist)

Co-Defenders of the Year: Chevy Wagner-Chun (Grand View) and Vivianna Sanchez (Evangel)

Freshman of the Year: Vivianna Sanchez (Evangel)

Coach of the Year: Molly Karagyaurov (MidAmerica Nazarene)

Assistant Coach of the Year: Adam Brewster (MidAmerica Nazarene)

Click here to see the complete list of the 2022 Heart women's volleyball awards.