Arizona's Sofia Maldonado Diaz named Pac-12 Freshman of the Year

Maldonado Diaz was named the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year on Tuesday, becoming the first Wildcat to receive those honors since Kim Glass in 2002. Maldonado Diaz was also the only Wildcat included on the All-Pac-12 Team, with junior middle blocker Merle Weidt earning honorable mention honors. 

Maldonado Diaz, a Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico native, finished her breakout season leading the Pac-12 in kills per set (3.63) and aces per set (0.37), and ranked fourth in the conference with 272 kills — 28 aces, which tied for most. She also posted double-digit kills in 16 of Arizona's 21 matches, and led the Wildcats in the same category in 15 of the final 19 contests. 

Arizona's first-year star had 25 kills on .439 hitting against Washington in February, the most kills by an Arizona freshman since 2007. Maldonado Diaz was named Pac-12 Freshman of the Week thrice this season. 

Other conference awards:

• Pac-12 Player of the Year: Dani Drews (Utah)

• Pac-12 Setter of the Year: Ella May Powell (Washington)

• Pac-12 Libero of the Year: Zoe Fleck (UCLA)
  

• Pac-12 Coach of the Year: Keegan Cook (Washington)