PHOTO BY UW ATHLETICS

• Cowgirls picked sixth in preseason poll

Junior outside hitter Paige Lauterwasser was named to the Preseason All-Mountain West Volleyball Team while the Wyoming Cowgirls were picked to finish tied for sixth in the preseason league poll, announced Wednesday.

Lauterwasser, who was named to the All-Mountain West Team in 2024, led the Cowgirls and ranked ninth and eighth, respectively in the league in kills (3.31) and points per set (3.65) a season ago. Lauterwasser tallied a total of 404 kills and 445 points while playing in every set during her sophomore campaign. Lauterwasser totaled 10 double-doubles in 2024 and was third on the team averaging over two digs per set. She hit .216 on the year and was also selected to the CSC Academic All-District Team.

As a team, Wyoming was selected sixth along with UNLV, garnering a total of 72 points. The preseason poll, which is voted on by the league’s head coaches, tabbed Utah State as the preseason favorite. The Aggies received seven first-place votes. Colorado State and San Diego State were picked second and third, respectively and received the other five first-place nods.

The Cowgirls open the regular season August 29-31 in Laramie for the Rumble in the Rockies. All matches of the tournament will be played in the Arena-Auditorium.