Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges’
Georgia McGovern and
Dede Carranza swept the SCIAC Offensive and Defensive Athlete of the Year awards atop the 2024 Volleyball All-Conference Teams.
McGovern has been the key cog in the nine-time regular season champion Athenas offense which averaged a conference-best 18.57 points per set and .261 hitting percentage. Not only did the senior average an impressive 10.82 assists per set, but also led the conference with 41 service aces while recording 67 kills on a .268 hitting percentage, 2.81 digs per set and 29 total blocks.
Carranza becomes the first three-time winner of an Athlete of the Year award in volleyball since it was established in 2005. The libero has raised her digs per set average in each of the last three years to a career-high 6.10 this season while recording a reception percentage above .950 all four years and totaling 115 service aces in conference play.
University of La Verne’s
Kimi Watanabe-Mayhew garnered Newcomer of the Year recognition after averaging 1.58 kills, 1.06 digs and 0.82 blocks per set in 11 starts before missing the final five matches of the regular season.
The Character Award
, presented to a junior or senior who best exemplifies success on the court, in the classroom and with involvement in community and school service, was presented to
Savanna Cespedes of Pomona-Pitzer Colleges. Cespedes has worked back from a season-ending injury last year to rejoin the team at the start of the 2024 season, even completing EMT training over the summer during the rapid recovery. A top competitor and team captain, Cespedes has maintained leadership of the group despite the physical limitation of the past year and continues to lead by example in the classroom, on the court and in the weight room.
CMS head coach
Kurt Vlasich and the Athenas bench were acknowledged with the Coaching Staff of the Year award after claiming a conference-record tying ninth straight regular season title. The Athenas led the conference in points (18.57), hitting percentage (.261), fewest opponent kills (9.57) and assists (8.80), digs (17.62) and service aces (2.58) per set.
CMS led all teams with four First Team and five total selections, followed by La Verne and Pomona-Pitzer with three apiece. McGovern earned the distinction of being a four-time All-Conference pick with a third straight First Team nod, which Carranza and last year’s Offensive Athlete of the Year
Mya Ray (La Verne) matched.
Brenna Bell also earned a third All-Conference nod with the Athenas.
Paige Mountanos earned a second consecutive First Team and third total acknowledgment for the Sagehens, with
Kellan Hayes also picking up a second All-Conference honor. Whittier matched La Verne’s two First Team choices while California Lutheran University landed one on each team. Whittier’s 2023 Newcomer of the Year
Mia D’Amato and Regal
Kira Mortensen stepped up onto the First Team after making the Second Team cut last year, while CLU’s
Sophia Muller returned from injury to make the Second Team after earning First Team distinction in 2022.
| First Team All-SCIAC |
| Name |
Institution |
Year |
Position |
Hometown |
| Georgia McGovern |
CMS |
Sr. |
S |
Oxford, England |
| Dede Carranza |
CMS |
Sr. |
L |
Gardena, Calif. |
| Dani Beder |
CMS |
Sr. |
MB |
Newport Beach, Calif. |
| Zacky Coaston |
La Verne |
So. |
MB |
Fontana, Calif. |
| Mia D'Amato |
Whittier |
So. |
MB |
Bakersfield, Calif. |
| Brooke McKee |
CMS |
Jr. |
OH |
Upland, Calif. |
| Kira Mortensen |
Cal Lutheran |
Sr. |
MB |
Butte, Mont. |
| Paige Mountanos |
Pomona-Pitzer |
Jr. |
OH |
San Mateo, Calif. |
| Mya Ray |
La Verne |
Jr. |
OH |
Pomona, Calif. |
| Xenia Villagomez |
Whittier |
Sr. |
MB |
Corona, Calif. |
| Second Team All-SCIAC |
| Name |
Institution |
Year |
Position |
Hometown |
| Brenna Bell |
CMS |
Sr. |
OPP |
Murrieta, Calif. |
| Olivia Harrison |
Chapman |
Jr. |
MB |
Palo Alto, Calif. |
| Kellan Hayes |
Pomona-Pitzer |
Sr. |
MH |
Boise, Idaho |
| Jenny Jenks |
Pomona-Pitzer |
Gr. |
S |
Hermosa Beach, Calif. |
| Sophia Muller |
Cal Lutheran |
Sr. |
RS |
Culver City, Calif. |
| Olivia Sampson |
Chapman |
Jr. |
OH |
La Jolla, Calif. |
| Kaegan Wherry |
Redlands |
Jr. |
OH |
Englewood, Colo. |
| Allison Whiteman |
La Verne |
Sr. |
OPP |
West Covina, Calif. |
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