OREM, Utah – A pair of Texans claimed WAC All-Conference awards to close out the 2023 regular season ahead of their first appearance in the WAC Tournament.
Emma Burke was named All-WAC Second Team and Madison Frank earned a spot on the WAC All-Freshman Team, the Western Athletic Conference announced on Wednesday. Both Texans received their awards after being voted for by coaches within the conference.
Burke is the second Texan to earn recognition on the first or second postseason teams since Tarleton joined the NCAA Division I ranks. Lauren Kersey was twice named First Team All-WAC across consecutive seasons in 2020-21. Frank continues the pattern for the Texans after snagging a spot on the WAC All-Freshman Team for the Purple and White for a second year in a row.
Burke is in her second season with Tarleton State and has been a vital force for the team. The sophomore has compiled an impressive 118.0 blocks to lead the Purple and White. With 15 solo blocks and 103 block assists, Burke has been a key part of the Texan defense. The Godley, Texas, native has amassed 330.5 points for Tarleton State. The middle blocker has tallied 35 aces and 229 kills. Burke closed out the regular season with a .408 hitting percentage. She tallied nine total blocks in the match against UT Arlington for her season-high. Burke claimed six aces in one match alone this season and compiled 18 points against Texas A&M-Commerce. The second-year stride for Burke has seen major growth for the sophomore.
In her first year as a Texan, Frank has played a great role in the defensive success for the team with 59.0 total blocks in 29 matches. The freshman has also contributed 122 kills and amassed 152.0 points for the Purple and White. The Aledo, Texas, native saw a new season-high in blocks (8) and points (9) against the Wildcats in the last regular season match. Frank has made a big impression on the program in her first season.
Burke and Frank have contributed in the historical success the team is seeing this season. The Texans are headed into postseason action in Orem, Utah, for the WAC Tournament for the first time in history since becoming a Division l program.
The full list of WAC postseason awards are below:
2023 WAC Player of the Year: Ielan Bradley, Sr., RS, Stephen F. Austin
2023 WAC Setter of the Year: Klaire Mitchell, Gr., Grand Canyon
2023 WAC Libero of the Year: Kiaraliz Perez, Jr., UTRGV
2023 WAC Freshman of the Year: Nicole Mauser, RS, California Baptist
2023 WAC Coach of the Year: Debbie Humphreys, Stephen F. Austin
2023 All-WAC First Team
Klaire Mitchell, Gr., S, Grand Canyon
Tatum Parrott, So., OH, Grand Canyon
Ielan Bradley, Sr., RS, Stephen F. Austin
Izabella Ortiz, So., MB, Stephen F. Austin
Brianna Ford, Sr., OH, UT Arlington
Luanna Emiliano, Jr., S, UTRGV
Kiaraliz Perez, Jr., DS/L, UTRGV
Tori Ellis, Sr., OH, Utah Valley
2023 All-WAC Second Team
Nicole Mauser, Fr., RS, California Baptist
Michalina Rola, Sr., OH, California Baptist
Trista Strasser, Jr., MB, Grand Canyon
Haley Hoang, Sr., DS/L, Stephen F. Austin
Emma Burke, So., MB, Tarleton State
Paige Reagor, Sr., MB, UT Arlington
Claudia Luspescu, Jr., OH, UTRGV
Avery Shewell, So., OH, Utah Valley
2023 WAC All-Freshman Team
Nicole Mauser, RS, California Baptist
Elif Teksoy, S, Seattle U
Tanishua Joseph, MB/RS, Stephen F. Austin
Kyanna Creecy, MB/RS, Stephen F. Austin
Madison Frank, MB, Tarleton State
Nadine Zech, OH, UTRGV
Adee Butler, OH, Utah Tech
Lani Matavao, DS/L, Utah Valley
Others Receiving All-WAC Votes
Bryley Steinhilber, Jr., OH/RS, Abilene Christian
Madeline Guffy, Jr., S, Abilene Christian
Allison Bryant, Jr., OH, Tarleton State
Rajini Fitzamurice, Sr., OH, Tarleton State
Perris Key, Jr., RS, UTRGV
Luisa Silva Dos Santos, Sr., MB, UTRGV
Be the first to comment