Iowa State Sweeps Regional Awards

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State was well represented in the AVCA's announcement of Division I Regional Awards on Tuesday. Christy Johnson-Lynch earned Regional Coach of the Year, Eleanor Holthaus picked up Regional Player of the Year and Maya Duckworth was named Regional Freshman of the Year. Iowa State is the only school to earn all three awards in its respective region.

Johnson-Lynch led ISU to numerous milestones in the 2022 season. The Cyclones posted the first 20-win season since 2018 while registering 10 Big 12 victories, a first since 2017. Iowa State advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament following the victory over FGCU for the 350^th victory of her career. Only two other head coaches in Iowa State history have hit the mark of 350. The season also brought in two ranked wins over No. 1 Texas and No. 13 Baylor.

This is Johnson-Lynch's second AVCA Midwest Region Coach of the Year honor as she also earned the title in 2009 following a trip to the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 and a 27-5 season. In the head coach's 18-year career, Iowa State has made 15 tournament appearances. Johnson-Lynch ended regular season with the 192^nd Big 12 win of her career to move into a tie for the fifth-most league victories in conference history by a volleyball head coach.

Holthaus becomes the first in Iowa State history to be named Regional Player of the Year. Going down as one of the best players in program history, the senior finalizes her career with the fifth-highest ISU total of 1,516 kills in addition to 960 digs, 337 blocks and 66 aces. Holthaus ranks at No. 5 with 80 career 10-plus kill matches, including six of those performances being 20-plus.

The Richmond, Minn. native posted her highest kill season total in 2022 with 398 to lead the team. Holthaus has been a key defensive player with 265 digs, the second-highest team total, while going out to 16 double-digit dig matches and 12 double-doubles this season. The senior recently became the first four-time All-Big 12 First Team member in school history and now becomes the first to earn four AVCA All-Region First Team honors.

Duckworth is the first Iowa State freshman to earn AVCA All-Region First Team honors and the third to earn Regional Freshman of the Year. Duckworth made her mark in her first collegiate season with the second-most team kills with 311 and accumulated 196 digs, 58 blocks and 22 aces. The rookie performed to 20 double-digit kill matches and seven double-doubles.

The Hurst, Texas native earned All-Big 12 Second Team honors to become the third ISU freshman to do so while being a unanimous selection to the All-Rookie Team. Duckworth was one of three freshmen among the conference to earn All-Big 12 honors this season. The freshman also earned three Big 12 Rookie of the Week honors.