Rezende named Jayhawk East Most Valuable Player

Capping another stellar regular season, Cowley College had two of its athletes nab the top honors in the Jayhawk Conference Eastern Division.

Sophomore outside hitter Lilian Rezende was named the Jayhawk East Most Valuable Player, while freshman outside hitter Lucia Cizmarova was named the conference’s Freshman of the Year.

“For “Super” (Lilian) to get MVP is great ,” Cowley head coach Joanna Pryor said. “I’m glad people recognized what she’s done and how she plays all the way around.”

The Freshman of the Year award has gone to a Cowley athlete each of the past four seasons.

“Lucia is very consistent with her hitting and defense, she does not make a lot of mistakes,” Pryor said.

Pryor was hoping to have a few more players recognized as all-conference performers after the Lady Tigers finished the regular season with a record of 26-5 overall and 8-1 in the Jayhawk East.

“I feel we have a very solid team in every position and they all deserved recognition as far as I’m concerned,” Pryor said.

Former Cowley volleyball standout Jill Stinson, who was inducted into the Tiger Athletic Hall of Fame in February, was named the Jayhawk East Coach of the Year as she helped Johnson County finish one game ahead of Cowley in the conference with a record of 9-0.

Cowley received a bye in the first-round of the District M Tournament and will play Pratt (15-19) Saturday at 1 p.m. in Neosho. If Cowley beats Pratt they will advance to the championship match at 5 p.m.

The Lady Tigers beat Pratt in a pair of regular season matchups with the Lady Beavers.

“We beat them twice but that does not mean anything, it’s tournament time and that’s what matters,” Pryor said. “I think the ladies are ready, we can’t take anybody lightly.”

All Conference Jayhawk East
First-Team — Lilian Rezende, Cowley; Jackie Swab, Johnson County; Lucia Cizmarova, Cowley; Kelsey Boyles, Highland; Jessica Seichepine, Coffeyville; Sydney Pemberton, Johnson County; Shelly Hendrix, Neosho County.
Second-Team — Cali Simmons, Neosho County; Stephanie Wright, Johnson County; Samantha Martley, Neosho County; Beth Schneweis, Johnson County; Angie Bennett, Neosho County; Jacqui Belozer, Johnson County; Lauren Russell, Johnson County.
Honorable Mention — Victoria Thomas, Coffeyville; Katy Bowen, Coffeyville; Sara Phipps, Neosho County; Morgan Wyatt, Coffeyville; Sara Bryant, Independence; Tagata Fa’o, Coffeyville; Trista Hageman, Highland.
Coach of the Year — Jill Stinson, Johnson County.
Most Valuable Player — Lilian Rezende, Cowley.
Freshman of the Year — Lucia Cizmarova, Cowley.