She wasn't the Big Sky Conference's top scorer or rebounder. She wasn't the league's top playmaker or defender. But she was the best player on the best team, and that still counts for something.

Montana senior Katie Baker, who led the Lady Griz to the 2013 Big Sky Conference regular-season championship, was named the league MVP Monday in voting by the Big Sky's 11 head coaches.

Baker also was one of six players named first-team All-Big Sky, along with Lady Griz senior Kenzie De Boer. It was the second consecutive year Baker was a unanimous selection and her third straight year on the first team.

It marks the first time since Mandy Morales and Sonya Rogers in 2009 that Montana had a pair of first-team selections.

"I had a little bit of a dilemma coming down the stretch on which one I would nominate (for MVP), but that's not a bad problem to have," said UM coach Robin Selvig, who could only submit a single player for MVP consideration.

"With 11 teams in the league now and only six players making first team, it's even more elite. Both of them had great senior years."

Baker led Montana to its 23rd regular-season conference championship in 2013, its first since 2009. In doing so, she becomes the Lady Griz' 13th Big Sky Conference MVP.

"Wow, I'm humbled and honored," Baker said when told of the award Monday prior to Montana's practice. "I was not expecting this. There are some outstanding players out there, not only in the rest of the conference but on our team as well.

"It's been a blessing to be on this team. I don't know if I could have gotten this far without my teammates and especially without my coaches."

2012-13 All-Big Sky Conference Team

First Team

Player (School) Year, Posn., Hometown

Katie Baker* (Montana) Sr., forward, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

D'shara Strange* (Northern Colorado) Jr., Guard, Fountain, Colo.

Kenzie De Boer (Montana) Sr., guard, Lynden, Wash.

Kylie Kuhns (Sacramento State) Sr., forward, Salem, Ore.

Lexie Nelson (Eastern Washington) So., guard, Butte, Mont.

Amy Patton (Northern Arizona) Sr., guard, Tempe, Ariz.

* - Unanimous selection

Second Team

Player (School) Year, Posn., Hometown

Kaela Oakes (Idaho State) Sr., guard, Chandler, Ariz.

Lauren Oosdyke (Northern Colorado) Sr., Forward, Coto de Caza, Calif.

Rachel Semansky (Montana State) Sr., forward, Highwood, Mont.

Courtney VanBrocklin (Portland State) Sr., guard, Deming, Wash.

Ashleigh Vella (Idaho State) Sr., forward, Melbourne, Australia