CORVALLIS, Ore. - Kaley Whalen became the first Oregon Tech player to earn Cascade Conference Libero of the Year, as the league office announced the 2026 volleyball awards.

Aleksen Thayer was selected to the first-team, while Whalen and Tiffini Goss were recognized as honorable mention selections.

Whalen closed out her career with a league-best 531 digs and a 4.96 digs per set average, posting nine matches with 20-or-more digs and three matches with 30-or-more digs. She finishes her career with 1,926 digs - tops in OIT history and No. 6 all-time in the CCC.

Thayer finished a banner senior season with one of the more impressive defensive years in OIT history. The middle blocker led the CCC with 153 blocks (No. 2 in program history) and in blocks per set (1.43) - ranking No. 3 in the NAIA, while finishing with a career-high 176 kills and hitting at a .225 attack percentage.

Goss had a breakout season at the opposite pin, leading the Lady Owls with a 2.55 kills per set average - including nine matches with 10-or-more kills. The sophomore ranked third on the squad with 60 blocks.

Eastern Oregon's Keira Vaughn earned Player of the Year honors, EOU's Kate Stidham was named Setter of the Year, while LC State's Hadyn Smith earned Freshman of the Year honors and College of Idaho's Liz Mendiola was named Coach of the Year.