INDIANAPOLIS, IND. – Following a program-best year in the Horizon League, including the squad's first-ever regular-season title, Northern Kentucky University Norse women's volleyball was heavily represented in the conference's All-League awards, announced on Thursday afternoon. 

The Norse earned two individual awards, as setter Abby Pickard earned Freshman of the Year honors following a stellar first season with the black and gold. In the regular season (105 total sets), Pickard racked up 1,096 total assists, 253 digs, 49 blocks, and 19 service aces. In conference play, the Hastings, Michigan native finished third in the league in assists/set with 11.21, and 25th in digs with 2.65/set. Her 1,096 assists currently stand as the tenth-most in the country, and second among all freshmen nationally. In addition to being named Freshman of the Year, Pickard was also named to the All-League First Team and All-Freshman Team. 

Northern Kentucky head coach Liz Hart earned Coach of the Year honors for the first time since the 2021 season. Hart led the Norse to their first Horizon League Regular Season Championship in program history, going 17-1 in conference play. The historic campaign marks the most-ever league wins in a conference season for Northern Kentucky since joining Division I, as Hart now holds a tremendous 122-61 record all-time in Horizon League play. Northern Kentucky's 21 regular-season wins are the most in a season since 2018, and tied for the third most in Hart's 16-year tenure.  

Outside hitter Sydney Bray, who has had a phenomenal junior campaign, was tabbed to the Horizon League's All-League First Team, her first career All-League honor. The Woodstock, Georgia, native put together a strong case as the Horizon League's best all-around player, as she finished as the only player in the league to finish inside the top-15 in hitting percentage (14th, .262), kills/set (12th, 3.26), blocks/set (13th, .75), digs/set (14th, 3.11), and points/set (8th, 3.88). In 2025, Bray tallied 12 double-doubles, including four in her four most recent matches. 

Sophomore Allison Risley, who was named to the All-Freshman team last year, earned All-League First Team honors in 2025. Risley ended 2025 as one of the most proficient servers in the country, notching 46 total service aces, which ranks tied for 22nd in the nation, and led the Horizon League with .41 aces/set in league play. In addition to her service specialties, Risley was one of the best attackers in the Horizon League, notching 3.58 kills/set in league play, which ranked fifth in the conference, and ranked fourth in points per set with 4.17. She also racked up 3.09 digs/set and posted a .254 hitting percentage, both top-20 marks in the league. 

2025 Horizon League Volleyball Award Winners
Player and Offensive Player of the Year: Abbie Householder, Youngstown State
Defensive Player of the Year: Jasmine Purakal, RMU
Setter of the Year: Grace Purichia, IU Indianapolis
Freshman of the Year: Abby Pickard, Northern Kentucky
Sportsmanship Award: Kendall Schara, Green Bay
Coach of the Year: Liz Hart, Northern Kentucky
 
All-League First Team
Diane Pichelman, Green Bay
Morgan Ostrowski, IU Indianapolis
Grace Purichia, IU Indianapolis
Kara Erdmann, Milwaukee
Sydney Bray, Northern Kentucky
Abby Pickard, Northern Kentucky
Allison Risley, Northern Kentucky
Jasmine Purakal, RMU
Lauren Yacobucci, Wright State
Reilly Zegunis, Wright State
Abbie Householder, Youngstown State
Gabriela Machin, Youngstown State
 
All-League Second Team
Jillian Tippmann, IU Indianapolis
Josie Noble, Milwaukee
Riley Rosneck, Purdue Fort Wayne
Jocelyn Jourdan, RMU
Mya Ayro, Wright State
Katie Sowko, Wright State
 
All-Freshman Team
Gillian Koning, Green Bay
Laura Roeder, IU Indianapolis
Jillian Tippmann, IU Indianapolis
Josie Noble, Milwaukee
Abby Pickard, Northern Kentucky
Kameron Blizniak, Youngstown State
Layne Graffice, Youngstown State
 
Sportsmanship Award Finalists
Kendall Schara, Green Bay*
Jordyn Pax, IU Indianapolis
Julia Kellner, Milwaukee
Kendall Hopewell, Northern Kentucky
Delaney Stern, Oakland
Becky Barrett, Purdue Fort Wayne
Kaitlyn Brown, RMU
Elena Dubuc, Wright State
Maria Insana, Youngstown State

Northern Kentucky will host the Horizon League Volleyball Championship from November 21-23 at Truist Arena. Get your tickets today.

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