MSU's Chirrick is Big Sky women's MVP

BOZEMAN — Taylee Chirrick’s sophomore season became more historic on Friday, when she became the first Montana State Bobcat selected as the league’s Most Valuable Player and Defensive Player of the Year in the same season.

The sophomore guard out of Roberts, along with MSU forward Addison Harris, also earned First Team all-Big Sky honors. Chirrick’s selection was unanimous and she was also earned selection to the league’s All-Defensive Team. 

“This is a great honor for Taylee,” MSU coach Tricia Binford said. “And she is certainly deserving. It’s an acknowledgement of all the different ways she can impact a game and a season. I’m also very happy for Addie, who had a tremendous season.” 

On Monday, Chirrick recorded her 124th steal this season to tie the Big Sky and MSU single-season records. She is the 10th Bobcat to earn Big Sky MVP honors and the second straight —  Esmeralda Morales was MVP last season.  

Rallyn Freije (2019-20), Peyton Ferris (2016-17), Jasmine Hommes (2015-16), Isabel Stubbs (2002-03), Jessica Blake (2001-02), Tennyson Ballek (1998-99), Blythe Hommes (1996-97) and Cass Bauer (1992-93) preceded Chirrick as league players of the year. 

Chirrick is the seventh Bobcat honored as defensive player of the year and repeats that honor from last year. She joins Darian White (2020-22), Sarah Balian (2009-11) and Rebecca Albidrez (2001-02) as MSU players to take that honor back-to-back. 

Big Sky regular-season champion Idaho had two players named first-team all-league: Kyra Gardner and Hope Hassmann.  

The Montana Lady Griz were represented by Avery Waddington, who was second-team all-Big Sky. 

The full honors teams follow: 

2025-26 All-Big Sky Women’s Basketball 

Individual Award Winners
Most Valuable Player – Taylee Chirrick, Montana State
Newcomer of the Year – Kyra Gardner, Idaho*
Defensive Player of the Year – Taylee Chirrick, Montana State
Top Reserve – Debora dos Santos, Idaho
Freshman of the Year – Naomi White, Northern Arizona
Coach of the Year – Arthur Moreira, Idaho*

First Team All-Conference
Taylee Chirrick, Montana State*
Naomi White, Northern Arizona
Kyra Gardner, Idaho
Hope Hassmann, Idaho
Addison Harris, Montana State
Kacey Spink, Idaho State
Tasia Jordan, Idaho State
* Unanimous selection.

Second Team All-Conference
Benthe Versteeg, Sacramento State
Debora dos Santos, Idaho
Kourtney Grossman, Eastern Washington
Ella Gallatin, Eastern Washington
Avery Waddington, Montana
Tatum West, Northern Colorado

Honorable Mention
Neenah George, Northern Colorado
Antoniette Emma-Nnopu, Weber State
Rubi Gray, Sacramento State
Kyleigh Brown, Portland State
Heather Baymon, Northern Colorado

All-Defensive Team
Taylee Chirrick, Montana State (DPOY)
Kacey Spink, Idaho State
Ana Pinheiro, Idaho
Benthe Versteeg, Sacramento State
Tatum West, Northern Colorado