Junior outside hitter Haley Eckerman repeated as Big 12 Volleyball Player of the Year while freshman opposite Chiaka Ogbogu garnered Freshman of the Year honors, the conference announced Monday. In addition to Ogbogu and Eckerman, senior outside Bailey Webster, junior middle Khat Bell and sophomore middle Molly McCage were named to the All-Big 12 First Team.

Eckerman is the fourth player to achieve back-to-back Big 12 Player of the Year awards. She led the Big 12 in kills per set (4.55) and points per set (5.24). She also ranked second in aces and tenth in hitting percentage after a slow start to the year.

Ogbogu was the biggest surprise for the Longhorns. With much of the buzz surrounding freshman setter Chloe Collins, Ogbogu, a Coppell native, snuck under the radar before ultimately winning the opposite job, the only position not occupied by a returning player from Texas' national title team. She finished second in the Big 12 in hitting percentage, while ranking in the top ten in blocks. Ogbogu was the only freshman selected to this year’s All-Big 12 team.

A summary of the Big 12 Volleyball Awards:
Coach of the Year: Ray Bechard (Kansas)
Player of the Year: Haley Eckerman (Texas)
Libero of the Year: Kristen Hahn (Iowa State)
Setter of the Year (Erin McNorton (Kansas)
Freshman of the Year: Chiaka Ogbogu (Texas)