Four Bears Earn Spots on All-Big 12 VB Squads

WACO, Texas – Baylor volleyball had four players earn all-conference recognition as the Big 12 Conference announced its year-end awards on Tuesday.

Freshman outside hitter Ksenia Rakhmanchik earned spots on both the All-Big 12 First Team and the All-Big 12 Rookie Team. Gabrielle Essix and Morgan Madison were named to the All-Big 12 Second Team, with Madison and fellow freshman Bailey Warren joining Rakhmanchik on the All-Big 12 Rookie Team. Baylor’s three rookie selections mark the most in a single season in program history.

Rakhmanchik becomes just the third freshman in the Ryan McGuyre era to earn First Team honors, capping one of the most prolific rookie seasons ever by a Bear. The three-time Big 12 Rookie of the Week and reining Offensive Player of the Week is one of only two freshmen in program history to surpass 300 kills in a season, entering the postseason with 323 kills, including three 20-plus kill performances. She has led Baylor in kills and points in seven straight matches, while ranking among the league’s most consistent six-rotation scorers.

Essix, a preseason All-Big 12 selection, anchored Baylor’s front line with a dominant defensive season. Her 123 total blocks are the most by a Bear since Kara McGhee’s 174 in 2022, and her 1.26 blocks per set rank fourth in the Big 12 this season. Essix also elevated her offensive production in conference play, hitting .338, one of the top-10 marks in league action.

Madison adds to Baylor’s postseason haul with All-Big 12 Second Team and Rookie Team honors after delivering one of the best freshman defensive seasons in school history. Her 363 digs shattered the Baylor freshman record of 233, and her 3.59 digs per set ranked eighth in the Big 12, the highest average among conference freshmen. A two-time Big 12 Rookie of the Week and one-time Defensive Player of the Week honoree, Madison anchored a Baylor defense that ranked among the league’s best in defensive metrics through Big 12 play.

Warren rounds out Baylor’s trio of All-Big 12 rookies after an impactful freshman campaign that included 215 kills, the fifth-most by a freshman in program history. A Big 12 Rookie of the Week winner, Warren posted multiple 20-plus kill performances, including 20 in Baylor’s road win at No. 20 TCU to close the regular season.

Baylor will return to action in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament on Thursday at 3:30 p.m. CT against Arkansas State. Coverage will be available on ESPN+, with live stats available at BaylorBears.com/Stats. More tournament info can be found at the Tournament Central Page.

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All-Big 12 First Team
Jordan Wilson, Arizona*
Noemie Glover, Arizona State*
Bailey Miller, Arizona State
Colby Neal, Arizona State
Ksenia Rakhmanchik, Baylor
Alex Bower, BYU
Suli Davis, BYU*
Brielle Kemavor, BYU
Ana Burilović, Colorado*
Avah Armour, UCF
Sydney Nolan, Cincinnati
Morgan Brandt, Iowa State
Rachel Van Gorp, Iowa State*
Reese Ptacek, Kansas
Jovana Zelenovic, Kansas
Shaylee Myers, Kansas State*
Evan Hendrix, TCU*
Kamryn Gibadlo, Utah
 
All-Big 12 Second Team
Carlie Cisneros, Arizona
Avery Scoggins, Arizona
Faith Frame, Arizona State
Gabrielle Essix, Baylor
Morgan Madison, Baylor
Claire Little Chambers, Brigham Young
Carly Glendinning, Cincinnati
Cayla Payne, Colorado
Tierney Jackson, Iowa St.
Katie Dalton, Kansas
Grace Nelson, Kansas
Rhian Swanson, Kansas
Ryan White, Kansas
Aniya Clinton, Kansas St.
Ava Legrand, Kansas St.
Becca Kelley, TCU
Emrie Moea’I, Utah
Trinity Sheridan, West Virginia

All-Rookie Team