Vikings’ Harper, Heilborn named to all-tournament team

WWU went 4-0 in the West Region Volleyball Showcase

Western Washington University’s Kayleigh Harper and Calley Heilborn have been selected as members of the 2019 West Region Volleyball Showcase All-Tournament Team.

The duo was a key part of leading the No. 3 nationally-ranked Vikings to a perfect 4-0 record in the Pomona Pod hosted by Cal Poly Pomona. WWU recorded three-games sweeps over Cal State Monterey Bay, Cal Poly Pomona and Chaminade, before ending tournament play with a 3-2 victory over Hawai’i Hilo to improve to 8-0 overall on the 2019 season. The 8-0 start is the second-best in program history and dating back to the start of last season, WWU has won 38 of its last 39 matches.

Harper (Oak Harbor) was dominating the WWU’s four matches in Pomona, averaging 4.00 kills per set (56 total kills) on a .520 hitting percentage. She also averaged 1.43 blocks per set, recording 19 block assists and one solo block. In the five-set victory over Hawai’i Hilo, Harper recorded 23 kills and 9 blocks. She was also selected to the West Florida Invitational All-Tournament team.

For the season, the two-time All-American and three-time All-Great Northwest Athletic Conference selection is averaging 3.59 kills/set, 1.22 blocks/set and 4.26 points/set. Amongst GNAC leaders she leads the conference with a .429 hitting percentage, 3rd in kills and points per set and 4th in blocks per set. With 1,074 kills and 483 blocks in her WWU career (105 matches), she is now just 17 blocks short of becoming the second player in program history with 1,000 kills and 500 blocks in a career.

Heilborn (Auburn Riverside) continued her solid early-season play in her first collegiate season. In four matches at the West Region Showcase, Heilborn averaged 4.00 kills per set (56 kills) on an efficient .336 hitting percentage. She also averaged 3.64 digs per set (51 digs) and contributed 10 blocks (0.71 per set).

In eight matches to open her career, Heilborn has recorded six double-doubles while leading the team averaging 3.73 kills per set. She is 2nd in the GNAC in both kills and points per set (4.38). Heilborn was also a member of the UWF Invitational All-Tournament team.

With the nonconference schedule complete, the Vikings will now embark on the 20-match GNAC schedule. WWU opens the conference season with its home opener this Thursday in Carver Gym, hosting Northwest Nazarene in a 7 p.m. match on WECU Court.