Lakeland University was well-represented again with four members of its team recognized when the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference released its 2026 women's volleyball postseason awards Wednesday afternoon.
Maleigha Kovalaske (
Jr.-Ripon, Wis.) and
Emily R. Hansen (
Jr.-Mayville, Wis.) both were named first team all-NACC selections.
Samya Hughes (
So.-Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.) was named a second team pick and
Faith Baker (
Jr.-Verona, Ill.) also received honorable mention.
Kovalaske was tabbed fpr conference honors for the third straight season, after receiving second team recognition for Lakeland last year as well as being named Freshman of the Year two years ago at St. Norbert College.
The junior outside hitter has been one of the top all-around players in the conference and for the season has 387 kills, 304 digs, 32 service aces and 31 blocks. She leads the NACC in total kills and also is second in the conference in kills per set (3.79)
Kovalaske has posted double-digit kills in 25 of the team's 28 matches. She also ranks 10th in the league in total digs (304) and 13th in digs per set (2.98).
Hansen was named a first team pick in her first season with the Muskies after transferring from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. The outside hitter has 248 kills on the season with a .259 hitting percentage and also has 59 blocks and 53 digs.
Hansen ranks in the top 10 in the NACC in kills (10th) and has heated up as the season has gone on. Eight of her 13 games with double-digit kills have come since Oct. 1.
Hughes followed up her Freshman of the Year and first team honors last year with another strong year. Despite battling injury and illness during the season, she has 228 kills, 60 digs, 18 blocks and six service aces in 24 matches. Hughes ranks ninth in the NACC in kills/set (2.75) and has 12 matches with at least 10 kills.
Baker was named an honorable mention pick for the second straight year. The junior middle blocker has 155 kills, 60 blocks and 47 digs on the season and ranks fourth in the NACC in attack percentage and 13th in total blocks.
The Muskies are 20-8 overall on the season and tied for second in the NACC regular season with a 10-2 conference mark. Lakeland has advanced to the NACC Tournament semifinals and will face Edgewood University Thursday night at 7 p.m. in Madison.
Complete 2026 All-NACC WVB Team
