Bartsch Named MW Preseason Player of the Year, Broncos Picked Third

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Boise State's Paige Bartsch has been named the Mountain West Volleyball Preseason Player of the Year as selected by the league's head coaches. In addition, Lauren Ohlinger and Bartsch were named to the Preseason All-MW Team.

Also released today was the 2022 MW Preseason Coaches' Poll which placed the Broncos tied for third with San Jose State behind last year's co-champions Colorado State in first and Utah State in second.

Bartsch joins Sierra Nobley (2015 and 2016) as the only two Broncos to earn MW Preseason Player of the Year recognition since Boise State joined the conference for the 2011 season.

The native of Helena, Mont., is coming off an outstanding freshman campaign where she was named the MW Freshman of the Year. She battled through an injury early, while starting in 14 of 22 matches played during the season. She even switched positions midway through the campaign moving from middle blocker to right side hitter and frequently played in all six rotations. Bartsch finished the year with 152 kills, 20 service aces, 50 digs, 56 blocks and 202.5 points.

Bartsch and Ohlinger were both named preseason all-conference after leading Boise State to the 2022 MW Championship tournament title and a berth into the NCAA Championship. This is the third consecutive season that Ohlinger has made the Preseason All-MW Team, while it marks Bartch's first appearance.

Ohlinger is coming off a solid junior campaign where she earned AVCA All-Region Honorable Mention recognition and was named to the All-Mountain West Team for the second time in her career. She finished 2021 ranked second in the MW for kills with 444 and total points with 531.0, third for points per set at 4.12 and fifth for kills per set at 3.44. Ohlinger was second in the MW and 22nd nationally for total service aces with 49.

This year's coaches' poll places Boise State in a tie for third with the San Jose State Spartans as each team picked up one first-place vote and 75 points. The defending MW co-champions were picked ahead of the Broncos with Colorado State coming in first after receiving six first-place votes and 93 points, followed by Utah State in second with three first-place votes and 91 points.

The rest of the poll picked New Mexico fifth with 68 points, followed by UNLV (57) in sixth, Wyoming (47) seventh, San Diego State (33) eighth, Fresno State (29) ninth, Air Force (27) 10th and Nevada (10) in 11th.

Bartsch, Ohlinger and the rest of the Broncos will open up the 2022 campaign at home next week when they host the Saint Mary's Gaels for a pair of contests on Aug. 26 and 27.

There is still time to purchase season tickets. With over half of the allotted 262 seats taken, do not waste time securing your reserved seat. Season tickets and individual match tickets can be purchased online at https://am.ticketmaster.com/boisestateathl/bsuvolleyball

The Bronco Sports Pass is back as well. For only $99 per pass, fans can gain general admission access to over 50 Boise State athletic events. All home contests (excluding conference tournaments or postseason events) are included for the sports of volleyball, soccer, gymnastics, women's basketball and softball. The Bronco Sports Pass can be purchased at https://am.ticketmaster.com/boisestateathl/broncosportspass.

VB 2022 Coaches Poll

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