PACWEST Female Athlete of the Year

The PACWEST congratulates Makayla Wagner of the VIU Mariners on being named the Female Athlete of the Year.

“She has been a huge key to our success all season,” says head coach Shane Hyde. “She has the ability to change a match quickly with her impressive offensive ability and has really started to become a complete player. We joke that Mikayla doesn’t really start trying until the big matches. As much as that is not true, she definitely elevated her level the larger the outcome of the match is. When you see her fist pumping you know she’s on and you know the team is going to play behind her!”

The fourth year veteran had plenty of fist pumps during the season. She was the calming presence for the Mariners all season and a go-to offensive weapon collecting 216 kills and 257 total offensive points along with 24 blocks and 154 digs during the regular season.

Following the campaign she was named a PACWEST First-Team All-Star.

“She has started to become a real team leader and it’s been so much fun watching her become one of the best players in the country,” continues Hyde.

Then in the PACWEST championship tournament she was named an All-Star compiling 27 kills, 13 digs, two aces and a block.

On the biggest stage, the CCAA National Championship she played her best volleyball and was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player helping her club to the gold medal. She tallied 32 kills, an impressive 35 digs, seven blocks and three aces in the three matches. It’s her second national gold medal in three seasons.

Wagner becomes the third straight Mariner to win this award following Megan Rosenlund last season and Tylar Turnball in 2015-2016.

“For me personally I take a lot of pride in having three straight players win this award, it shows that we continue to improve and create the winning culture. I couldn’t be more proud of ‘Wags’ and all her teammates this year!” says Hyde.