Volleyball's Twitty, Kelsey Named All-Mountain West
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — The University of New Mexico volleyball team earned a pair of Mountain West honors on Monday as the conference named Lauren Twitty and Ashley Kelsey as All-Mountain West selections.
Twitty, a sophomore outside hitter from Broadlands, Virginia, captured a spot on the All-Mountain West team, while Kelsey, a redshirt senior libero from Ewa Beach, Hawaii, claimed an Honorable Mention All-MW nod.
It’s the first career all-conference honor, which accounts for just Mountain West play, for both players.
Congratulations to Lauren Twitty on being named to the Mountain West All-Conference team today! #GoLobos #UNMatched pic.twitter.com/EVBYV1vTJK
— New Mexico Volleyball (@UNMLoboVB) November 27, 2017
“I am extremely happy for both Lauren and Ashley on their postseason honors,” New Mexico head coach Jeff Nelson said. “… This is a great honor for both and for our very young team.”
Twitty powered New Mexico’s offense this year, finishing the conference season ranked fifth in kills per set (3.68) and points per set (4.19). She finished third in the MW in total kills during conference play with 250.
In Mountain West action, she recorded 14 matches with double-figure kills, including a masterful 25-kill performance in a three-set win at Wyoming — the most kills in a three-set match this season in the MW.
As a full-rotation player, she posted eight league matches with at least 10 digs and a reception percentage of .943 on 369 receptions attempts.
She also posted eight double-doubles during the conference season and was the only player in the conference with at least 250 kills and 150 digs in MW play.
“Lauren was a top point-scorer in the conference and led the team offensively many nights this season,” Nelson said. “She also had over 300 digs for us this season and is one of the strongest six-rotation players in the conference.”
In the back row and in the huddle, Kelsey was the driving force for New Mexico in her final campaign with the Lobos. She finished her career with 1,529 digs, good for third in school history.
During Mountain West play, Kelsey ranked fourth in the Mountain West with 4.16 digs per set. She posted double-figure digs in 14 MW matches, including five contests with over 20 digs.
Congratulations to Ashley Kelsey on earning an Honorable Mention All-Mountain West selection today! #GoLobos #UNMatched pic.twitter.com/5TOyRSc4Yd
— New Mexico Volleyball (@UNMLoboVB) November 27, 2017
She recorded 31 digs in a four-set match vs. Nevada, which ranks as the second-most in any MW match this season and tied for the most in any four-set MW match this season
She also helped New Mexico out-dig its opponents in 11 MW matches, and finished the season with a reception percentage of .957 on 371 attempts.
Kelsey also led the team in service aces during conference action, tallying 14.
“Ashley had a fantastic season on the defensive side and provided great leadership to our team,” Nelson said. “She finished with the third-most digs in school history and that speaks for itself. I am extremely proud of how far she has come as a player and a teammate.”
Twitty’s and Kelsey’s honors mark the 11th-straight year that New Mexico earned at least one All-MW selections. Since Nelson arrived in 2007, the Lobos have compiled 32 all-conference plaudits.
Fans can follow @UNMLoboVB on Twitter and Instagram for information and updates on the team!