411OnTheForty: Eggleston named Big 12 Volleyball Player of the Year

AUSTIN, Texas — The Big 12's leader in points per set also is the conference's Player of the Year.

Texas outside hitter Logan Eggleston, who leads the Big 12 with 5.34 points per set, became the 12th Longhorn to win the award in program history Thursday. She dominated throughout the season, and was named Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week on five occasions. She concluded the 2020-21 regular season ranked second in the league in kills average (4.57) and fifth in hitting percentage (.332).

Junior Texas setter Jhenna Gabriel was named the conference's Setter of the Year after leading the Big 12 with 11.02 assists per set, and played a key role in Texas' team hitting percentage of .333, the highest in the Big 12. Since the award was introduced in 2012, Gabriel is the first Longhorn to have captured the honor.

Seven Longhorns, including Eggleston and Gabriel, were recognized as All-Big 12 honorees. Eggleston, Gabriel, junior middle blocker Brionne Butler and redshirt sophomore middle blocker Asjia O'Neal each were named to the all-conference First Team. Sophomore middle blocker Molly Phillips was named to the Second Team and freshman libero/defensive specialist Nalani Iosia was selected to the All-Rookie Team.

After leading the Horns to their 13th Big 12 title, and 12th during his tenure, head coach Jerritt Elliott was honored as the Big 12's Coach of the Year. It was the seventh time Elliott received the award during his 19-year tenure on the Forty Acres.

Texas opens the NCAA Tournament April 15 as the No. 4 seed overall. The Longhorns earned a first-round bye and are set to face the winner of a first-round duel between Samford and Wright State.