ST. PAUL, Minn. – Four members of the University of Minnesota Morris volleyball team received Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) All-Conference honors, highlighted by Lexi Coon being named UMAC Rookie of the Year.
 
Coon led the Cougars defensively with 431 digs and paced the UMAC with 4.59 digs per set to earn both Rookie of the Year and UMAC All-Conference First Team honors. Three times this season, the first-year libero was named UMAC Defensive Player of the Week. A cornerstone of the Cougar defense, Coon recorded five matches with over 20 digs and posted a season-high 32 against Bethany Lutheran College.
 
"Lexi's ascension to becoming one of the best liberos in our region is happening at an accelerated level," said head coach Joe Sussenguth. "Her ability to extend rallies with her defensive execution helped our offense earn points. She brought stability to our serve receive and elevated those around her. Being named first team UMAC All-Conference is an outstanding honor for any freshman, but it's especially special for a libero, and she earned it."
 
Mary Cate Ziembiec also earned First Team honors for the second time in her career. The senior outside hitter was named UMAC Offensive Player of the Week two times during the 2025 season. Ziembiec led the Cougar attack with 264 kills while hitting .210. Her best match of the season came against the College of St. Scholastica, where she recorded 21 kills and 15 digs. Ziembiec also tallied 247 digs, second-most on the team.
 
"MC elevated her level of play throughout the course of the season," Sussenguth said. "She was so instrumental in all facets of the game for our team. Her court presence has been so valuable to our offense, serve receive, defense as well as her ability to control the opponent's court with her serve.  Consecutive seasons as a first team UMAC All-Conference performer is an exceptional accomplishment and well deserved."
 
Senior Anna Molstad earned UMAC All-Conference Honorable Mention for the second consecutive year. Over the season, she totaled 152 kills while hitting .197. Molstad was one of four Cougars to play in every match during the 2025 season. The New Market, Minn., native also contributed 31 blocks, 27 digs, five assists, and one service ace.
 
"This UMAC All-Conference Honorable Mention recognition for Anna is beyond fitting to wrap up her collegiate career," stated Sussenguth. "Throughout the season, we've seen how Anna can execute attacks at every angle and provide a strong defensive net presence for us. Considering she had to rehab through two leg surgeries in the offseason, she found herself playing some of her best volleyball to wrap up her time as a Cougar."
 
Clara Holden also received UMAC All-Conference Honorable Mention. The sophomore setter tallied 494 assists, including a season-best performance against Carleton College with 44 assists, four service aces, and a block. The Minneapolis, Minn., native led the Cougars with 51 service aces—finishing third in the conference—and ranked third on the team with 221 digs. Holden was also named to the UMAC All-Sportsmanship Team.
 
 "Clara has become one of the toughest servers in our conference and elevated her setting abilities throughout the course of the season," said Sussenguth. "Her positive court presence continues to be uplifting to our team and she works very hard to deliver a set to put her attackers in the best situation possible.  It's great to see the conference recognize her among the best volleyball student-athletes in the UMAC."