By Josh Davis, Sports Writer
Two Baylor volleyball players earned All-Big 12 honors on Monday after completing the team’s first winning season since 2012. Senior outside hitter Andie Malloy and freshman outside hitter Shelly Fanning played key roles for the Bears in 2015.
The pair of awards marks the first time Baylor has landed three Big 12 honors since 2012.
Malloy earned an All-Big 12 First Team selection, while Fanning secured an All-Big 12 Second Team selection and Big 12 All-Freshman Team award.
The senior was a steady presence for Baylor all season, and her first team accolade made her the fifth BU player to earn two first-team honors. She earned a first-team selection in 2014, ranking second in the Big 12 in kills per set.
Malloy finishes her second and final season with Baylor after transferring from Iowa State. She led Baylor in kills (308), kills per set (3.05), and service aces (33) in her junior and senior years. She also finished with 10 double-doubles in 2015 and 28 in her career in Waco.
Fanning, another stalwart player on the Bears roster, made an impact in her first season. She became the first freshman in program history to be named to both the All-Freshman and All-Big 12 teams.
The outside hitter was one of only two Big 12 freshmen to earn recognition on both lists.
The newcomer’s keen on-court awareness combined with her imposing athleticism made her one of the top offensive threats for the Bears. Fanning played a huge role for the Bears, starting every match and playing in all but two sets in her freshman season. Shelly was third on the team in kills and fifth in blocks, while her .244 attacking percentage was the best among Baylor players with 400+ total attacks.
The duo helped first-year head coach Ryan McGuyre finish with a 17-13 record, going 5-11 in Big 12 play. Under McGuyre, Baylor recorded the most wins in the Ferrell Center (10) since 2009. After a noteworthy campaign, the Bears narrowly missed the program’s first NCAA Tournament selection since 2011.
