NIC VOLLEYBALL: Tilleman, Beaton earn top honors in East Region

First-year North Idaho College volleyball Brittany Tillleman (nee Gay) was named the East Region Coach of the Year on Wednesday as the Northwest Athletic Conference announced its all-region selections leading into this weekend's final rounds of the conference tournament.

Tilleman, a Lake City High graduate who helped the Cardinals finish fifth in the NJCAA Tournament in 2015, has guided the team to a 30-1 record entering the Elite 8 of the conference tournament on Friday against Bellevue at 2 p.m. at Pierce College in Lakewood, Wash.

Abigal Beaton, a sophomore middle blocker from Chiawana High in Pasco, Wash., was named the region's Most Valuable Player.

Freshman setter Karolyne Wolfgramm (West Valley City, Utah) and freshman outside hitter Gracie Keisel (Mapleton, Utah) were named to the region's first team.

Rachael Stacey, a sophomore outside hitter from Helena, Mont., and sophomore libero Omayra Valle (San Juan, Puerto Rico) were named to the second team.

Sophomore right side hitter Jessica Stires of Nine Mile Falls, Wash., was named to the third team.

    Abigail Beaton