PORTLAND, Ore. – With the start to the spring season right around the corner for the Western Oregon University volleyball team, four student-athletes earned Great Northwest Athletic Conference Academic All-Conference Team honors, Presented by Barnes & Noble College on Tuesday.
Delaney Smith led the way with a 3.92 GPA, followed by Lauren Smith (3.53), Aubrey Stanton (3.52) and Allie Spear (3.42).
Delaney Smith is a junior from Salem, Ore., majoring in psychology. During her first season with the Wolves in 2019, the middle blocker saw action in 26 matches that included 20 starts and 73 sets played. Smith was second on the team in total blocks (51) and fourth in both kills (101) and total points (131.5). Smith reached a season-high in kills with nine which occurred three times against Saint Martin's (twice) and Seattle Pacific. Smith recorded a season-high six blocks against Northwest Nazarene and had at least five in a match three times. In 11 matches she had at least five kills and sent back multiple blocks in 12 matches.
Lauren Smith is a sophomore from Highland, Utah, majoring in pre-education. Smith made an impact right away as a true freshman in 2019, as the outside hitter played in all 27 matches that included 23 starts and 87 sets. She finished the year second on the team in both kills (194) and total points (221). Smith was fourth on the team in digs (118) and fifth in total blocks (29). She added 11 service aces. She had multiple kills in every match, reaching double-figures in eight matches with a season-high 16 against Alaska Anchorage. Smith nearly made it a double-double in that match with nine digs. She recorded multiple digs in 22 matches, going for a season-high 11 versus Concordia and had at least five digs in 13 matches. Smith sent back multiple blocks in eight matches, going for a season-high six against Saint Martin's.
Stanton lands on the list for the second straight year as the junior from Camas, Wash., is majoring in business. During the 2019 season, the setter saw action in 26 matches that included 25 starts and 84 sets. Stanton led the team in assists with 642, averaging 7.64 assists per set and in service aces with 29. She was second on the team in digs with 151 and added 17 blocks and 40 kills. She tallied a pair of double-doubles on the season dishing out 34 assists and adding 26 digs (season-high) against Central Washington, and then a 40 assist and 18 dig effort against Montana State Billings. Stanton collected double-digit assists in 25 matches, going for a season-high 41 against Saint Martin's. She had at least 40 assists in three matches and went for over 30 in nine matches. Stanton had multiple digs in 23 matches, going for at least five in 13 matches. She had multiple kills in 11 matches, reaching a season-high seven against Central Washington and added multiple blocks in four matches with a season-high three against Saint Martin's. Stanton spun in a season-high six service aces against Montana State Billings.
Spear was named to the GNAC honorable mention team in 2019 as the senior from Sisters, Ore., is majoring in business. Spear paced the back row in 2019, as the defensive specialist started every match for the Wolves and played all 93 sets. She led the team in digs with 413, averaging 4.44 per set. She also added 72 assists and 24 service aces. Spear recorded multiple digs in every match, going for a season-high 29 against Saint Martin's. She had at least 20 digs in seven matches and had 10 or more digs in 22 matches. Spear nearly picked up a double-double against Alaska Anchorage when she dished out a season-high eight assists to go along with 26 digs. She had six matches with at least two service aces collecting a season-high five against Alaska Anchorage. Spear finished fifth in the GNAC in digs per set.
WOU will open the 2021 spring schedule on Friday, Apr. 9 when they will travel to Ellensburg to face Central Washington.
