Gonzalez Named Big 12 Rookie of the Year

AMES, Iowa – Nayeli Gonzalez has earned Big 12 Rookie of the Year, the conference announced Tuesday. Gonzalez also was selected as a First Team All-Big 12 member and a unanimous All-Rookie team selection.

Gonzalez becomes the third rookie in Iowa State history to earn Rookie of the Year, joining Jess Schaben (2015) and Mackenzie Bigbee (2012).

Gonzalez is the first freshman in program history to earn First Team All-Big 12 honors and the only first-year player in the conference this year to pick up First Team honors. Gonzalez was also one of two unanimous All-Rookie team selections among the conference.

The freshman has put up elite numbers in 2023, totaling 336 kills, 210 digs, 46 blocks and 32 aces in regular season. Gonzalez became the first Cyclone since 2008 to have a 30-plus kill or 30-plus point match with 31 kills and 36.0 points on Nov. 10 vs. No. 14 Kansas. The total is the fourth-highest individual single-match total and the highest by a freshman in school history.

Gonzalez also has went out to four 20-plus kill performances, with her first happening against No. 18 Baylor with 24 at .475 hitting to become the first freshman since 2015 to total 20 or more. It was also the first match since 2014 for a Cyclone to hit 20-plus at over .400 hitting.

The San Antonio, Texas native earned four Big 12 Rookie of the Week honors throughout the season. Gonzalez joined Schaben as a Cyclone rookie to bring in four.

Gonzalez will be back in action in the first round of the NCAA Tournament this Thursday, Nov. 30 in Eugene, Oregon.