From K-State
K-State sophomore Gloria Mutiri was a unanimous selection to the 2019 Preseason All-Big 12 Volleyball Team, the conference office announced Wednesday.
Mutiri, a 6-foot-2 opposite, was one of 14 to earn a spot on the conference’s preseason squad and one of eight unanimous selections. The Preseason All-Big 12 Team was determined by a vote of the league’s head coaches, who were not permitted to vote for their own student-athletes.
A product of Sand Springs, Oklahoma, Mutiri was named AVCA All-America Honorable Mention, AVCA All-Midwest Region First Team in addition to being tabbed the AVCA Midwest Region Freshman of the Year. Her first season at K-State also saw her nab All-Big 12 Second Team and All-Big 12 Rookie Team accolades in 2018.
Mutiri became just the second Wildcat to earn AVCA All-America honors in her freshman season. Playing six rotations in her initial campaign, she registered a .263 hitting percentage while averaging 2.77 kills per set (second on the team). She also averaged 1.96 digs per set and tallied 67 blocks along with 15 service aces.
A two-time Big 12 Rookie of the Week, Mutiri led the Wildcats in kills seven times and reached double-digit kills 14 times. She posted a career-best 16 kills twice and turned in three double-doubles.
Mutiri was selected to USA Volleyball’s Women’s Collegiate National Team-Anaheim roster and invited to train with the nation’s best from June 23-29 in Anaheim, California, at the American Sports Center. Joining Mutiri on the CNT-Anaheim roster are teammates Teana Adams-Kaonohi and Brynn Carlson.
K-State is set to return eight letterwinners from last year’s squad, including seniors Sarah Dixon and Mckenzi Weber. The Cats will host an exhibition match against Missouri at Ahearn Field House on August 24 before beginning their 2019 season at N.C. State on August 30.
