New York, N.Y.- Villanova graduate student Averi Salvador was named BIG EAST Libero of the Year as announced by the conference office on Thursday.  Salvador was also named to the All-BIG EAST Team along with middle hitter Sophia Howling and outside hitter Riley Homer.  Homer was also named to the All-BIG EAST Freshman Team.

Salvador led the league in totals dig in conference matches with 131 total, averaging 4.37 a set.  In the opening match against Seton Hall the libero had a career high 26 digs.  She had 20 or more digs in two more matches, against St. John's and Providence.   Salvador also finished with 13 service aces over the 30 sets she played in.  Salvador is the first Wildcat to be named BIG EAST Libero of the Year since 2011.  

Howling, earns a spot on the All-BIG EAST Team for the second straight year.  This season she finished with 77 total kills with 61 of them coming in league play.  The senior middle hitter had a season high 19 kills in the opening match against Seton Hall followed by 14 the next day against the Pirates.  Howling also had double digit kills in the season opener at Coppin State and against Providence.  Also, on the season Howling finished with 28 blocks, four solo and 22 assisted. 

Homer had a team high 111 kills in conference play this season.  The rookie had a career best 21 kills against Providence in the final weekend.  She also had double digit kills in seven of the 10 matches she appeared in this season.  Homer also finished with 19 total blocks, 53 digs, and 10 service aces.

The Wildcats finished the season 4-6 and 3-5 in BIG EAST play. 
 
BIG EAST Volleyball Regular Season Awards

BIG EAST Player of the Year
Efrosini Alexakou, St. John's, Jr., OH
 
BIG EAST Libero of the Year
Averi Salvador, Villanova, Grad Student, L/DS
 
BIG EAST Freshman of the Year
Delaney Hogan, Xavier, Fr., MB
 
Coaching Staff of the Year
Providence (Head Coach: Margot Royer-Johnson)
 
All-BIG EAST Team
(listed alphabetically by institution, then last name)
Melody Davidson, Butler, RS-Jr., MB
Caylee Parker, UConn, Jr., OH ^
Keeley Davis, Creighton, So., OH
Naomi Hickman, Creighton, Sr., MB ^
Jaela Zimmerman, Creighton, Jr., OH ^
Savannah Rennie, Marquette, Gr., MB
Hope Werch, Marquette, Sr., OH
Taylor Wolf, Marquette, Sr., RS/S
Allison Barber, Providence, Sr., S
Emma Nelson, Providence, So., OH
Efrosini Alexakou, St. John's, Jr., OH ^
Tiziana Baumrukova, St. John's, Sr., S
Rachele Rastelli, St. John's, Jr., RS ^
Tsvetelina Ilieva, Seton Hall, Fr., OH
Riley Homer, Villanova, Fr., OH
Sophia Howling, Villanova, Jr., MH
Averi Salvador, Villanova, Gr., L/DS
Carrigan O'Reilly, Xavier, So., S

All-BIG EAST Freshman Team
(listed alphabetically by institution, then last name)
Kiara Reinhardt, Creighton, Fr., MB
Jill Pressly, DePaul, Fr., OH ^
Tsvetelina Ilieva, Seton Hall, Fr., OH
Taylor Jakubowski, Seton Hall, Fr., S
Riley Homer, Villanova, Fr., OH
Delaney Hogan, Xavier, Fr., MB  ^

 ^ - denotes unanimous selection