LOS ANGELES – The West Coast Conference has recognized the outstanding play of the individuals, pairs, and head coach of the LMU beach volleyball team throughout the 2023 season. 
 
For the fourth consecutive season, John Mayer has been named WCC Coach of the Year. Under Mayer's guidance, LMU beach volleyball has won four consecutive WCC Championships becoming the first team in school history to do so.
 
The Lions have been led all season by the pair of Melanie Paul and Vilhelmiina Prihti. The senior and sophomore combo has played together all season from the ones court and have posted a 22-9 overall mark with several key victories and dual clinching performances. This is the third consecutive season for the Lions to receive Pair of the Year recognition from the WCC.
 
In addition to be named to the Pair of the Year team, Paul has also been named the WCC's Defensive Player of the Year for the 2023 season. This is LMU's third-straight time winning that award.
 
Chloe Hooker has made an immediate impact on the Lions season and has been recognized as Freshman of the Year by the conference. Hooker has posted a 23-9 record, including double digit wins at both the threes and fours courts. This is LMU's fourth-consecutive Freshman of the Year honors. 
 
Along with the specialty awards, LMU has the most players on the All-Conference First Team. Joining Paul, Prihti, and Hooker on the All-WCC First Team are Isabelle Reffel and Abbey Thorup. The sophomore pair dominated this season with Reffel earning 14 wins on the threes court and Thorup claiming 17 victories on the twos court.
 
Earning Second Team All-WCC Honors are Madi Firnett and Jacinda Ramirez. Firnett posted a team-high 27 wins this season and Ramirez added 22 wins, including being on the court that clinched the WCC Championship last week.
 
LMU's honors continue as three first-year players earned All-Freshman Team selections. Hooker is joined by teammates Alisha Stevens and Isabelle Tucker as three of the conference's top freshmen players.
 
The Lions will now focus on the NCAA Tournament. LMU will matchup against University of Hawai'i Friday in Gulf Shores, Ala. to open this year's NCAA Tournament. The match will be played at Gulf Place at 4:00 PM CST / 2:00 PM PST and air on ESPNU. 

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