Three Cowgirl Players and Coach Legerski Receive MW Honors
Wyoming senior Liv Roberts was chosen as the Mountain West Player of the Year Monday, as the league announced its all-conference team and special awards.
Roberts was one of four individuals from the University of Wyoming recognized by the Mountain West. She was the only Cowgirls named to the MW All-Conference Team.
The senior led the team in eight statistical categories overall and in conference games including points. She ranked among the top 15 in eight league stat categories. Roberts scored in double figures 21 times this season and had a pair of double-doubles. She also reached 1,000 career points and 500 career rebounds this year.
UW head coach Joe Legerski said in a release from the university,
“Liv has competed at a high level over the last two years. I could not be happier for her being selected the MW Player of the Year. The last two years have demonstrated what Liv can accomplish. She has had tremendous success on the court and an amazing will to rehab from an ACL injury. Liv provides the confidence for this team and is a difficult match-up inside and out for our opponents.”
Roberts becomes the second Cowgirl to win MW Player of the Year honors. The previous was Aubrey Vandiver in 2011. It’s the third time in school history that UW has had a women’s basketball player of the year. Former great Amy Burnett was the WAC Player of the Year in 1994 and 1995.
Joining Roberts with special accolades is head coach Joe Legerski, who was named MW Coach of the Year for a second straight season and third time overall in 15 seasons. Legerski guided the Cowgirls to a 20-plus win season for the ninth time in his tenure. Wyoming tied the school record with 13 conference victories set last year.
Junior Marta Gomez was honored as the Sixth Player of the Year for a second consecutive season. She averaged 8.8 points and 2.4 rebounds per game in conference play. Gomez was second on the team in three-point field goals made and attempted and ranked among the top 10 in the MW in those two categories. She scored in double digits 12 times during conference games.
Junior Bailee Cotton was the final Cowgirl recognized, as she was named to the MW All-Defensive Team. Cotton averaged 8.1 points and a team-best 6.9 rebounds per game during league action. She also led the way at 1.1 steals per game.
Wyoming will face New Mexico in the quarterfinals of the MW Tournament Tuesday at 9:30 p.m., Mountain Time.