MORGANTOWN, W.Va.  (November 28, 2016) – West Virginia University volleyball freshmen Payton Caffrey and Erin Slinde earned a trio of Big 12 postseason awards, as announced by the league on Monday. Caffrey was named to the All-Big 12 First Team and joined Slinde as a member of the All-Freshman Team.

 

“Payton and Erin work to get better every single day,” WVU coach Reed Sunahara said. “Their work ethic sets the tone for not only their classmates but for the rest of the team. They’re very deserving of these honors. Our future looks bright.”

 

Caffrey, an outside hitter, was named the Big 12 Freshman of the Week on five occasions. She finished the regular season ranked second in the league in kills per set (4.44) and points per set (4.92) and was fourth in service aces (0.26 per set). The Chuluota, Florida, native set a new freshman marks for total kills with 515 this season, a performance that ranks third on WVU’s single season kills list. In addition, Caffrey ended the year with 12 double doubles and averaged 2.24 digs per set with 47 blocks and a team-best 30 aces. Caffrey is the first Mountaineer rookie to earn All-Big 12 First Team accolades since West Virginia joined the league in 2012.

 

Slinde, a setter, joins Caffrey on the All-Freshman Team. After the Mountaineers transitioned from a 6-2 to a 5-1, the Rosemount, Minnesota, native stepped in as the team’s primary setter. She ended the year ranked ninth in the Big 12 with 5.94 assists per set overall and 7.29 assists per set in conference matches. Slinde posted a pair of double doubles on the season and twice registered a career-high 55 assists. She ended the season hitting .289 with 80 kills, five service aces and 78 blocks.

 

Caffrey and Slinde are the second and third Big 12 All-Freshman Team honorees in WVU program history. Jordan Anderson previously earned the honor in 2013.