Noyd, Ybarra earn December Athlete of the Month honors

January 17th, 2020 | Amanda Mendoza

SEWARD, Neb. – Senior Emmie Noyd of the volleyball program and sophomore Mario Ybarra of the wrestling program have been named the Bulldog Athletic Association Member (BAAM) Athletes of the Month of December 2019. The two standout student-athletes were winners of voting that took place at the BAAM luncheon on Tuesday (Jan. 14). Nominees for the monthly award are comprised of the BAAM Athletes of the Week throughout that month. Recipients of the monthly awards will receive plaques from the athletic department.

Starting with the 2017-18 academic year, the Bulldog Athletic Association Members began naming male and female athletes of the month. Please note that the delay in naming December winners was due to the semester break. BAAM does not meet while school is not in session.

The bulk of the volleyball season took place prior to December, but Noyd made a big impact at the NAIA Volleyball National Championships early in the month. Over four matches at the national tournament, Noyd totaled 57 kills and 16 blocks while hitting 57 kills in 15 sets played. During the team’s stay at nationals, it made history with the program’s first-ever national tournament wins and first-ever advancement to the round of 16. Noyd enjoyed an especially productive match on Dec. 4 when she pounded 21 kills and hit .613 in a straight-sets victory over the University of Saint Mary (Kan.). Noyd finished the season with team highs of 403 kills and 131 blocks and was named an NAIA third team All-American and a first team All-GPAC selection.

Nationally-ranked at 125 pounds, Ybarra has shown significant growth as a sophomore. He entered this week with a 12-6 overall record and is the GPAC’s No. 1 rated wrestler in his weight class. During the month of December, Ybarra contributed to dual victories over Morningside and Midland. He also picked a victory by major decision as part of the team’s stay at the Desert Duals Classic on Dec. 22. The Bulldogs are currently 6-2 overall in duals, including a 3-0 conference mark. Earlier this season, Ybarra earned place finishes of third at the Dakota Wesleyan Open and fifth at the University of Nebraska-Kearney Open.

Bulldog Athletic Association Athletes of the Month of December 2019
Male: Mario Ybarra, Wrestling | Scottsbluff, Neb. | So.
Female: Emmie Noyd, Volleyball | Shelby, Neb. | Sr.

Other nominees
Male: Issiah Burks, wrestling; Gavin DeHaai, track & field
Female: Philly Lammers, basketball; Kennedy Mogul, track & field

Bulldog Athletic Association Athletes of the Month of November 2019
Male: Carter Kent, Basketball | Crete, Neb. | So.
Female: Kara Stark, Volleyball | Frisco, Texas | Jr.

Other nominees
Male: Maria Ybarra, wrestling
Female: Delani Fahey, basketball; Kylahn Heritage, cross country

Bulldog Athletic Association Athletes of the Month of October 2019
Male: Lane Napier, Football | David City, Neb. | Jr.
Female: Tara Callahan, Volleyball | Brady, Neb. | Jr.

Other nominees
Male: Caleb Goldsmith, soccer; Brevin Sloup, basketball
Female: Kylahn Heritage, cross country; Marissa Hoerman, volleyball; Camryn Opfer, volleyball

Bulldog Athletic Association Athletes of the Month of September 2019
Male: Derek Tachovsky, Football | Wilber, Neb. | Sr.
Female: Emmie Noyd, Volleyball | Shelby, Neb. | Sr.

Other nominees
Male: Eduardo Alba, soccer; Moises Jacobo, soccer, AJ Jenkins, football; Carlos Orquiz, soccer
Female: Rebekah Hinrichs, cross country; Amie Martin, cross country; Kendra Placke, golf; Kara Stark, volleyball

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