The 2020 Randall graduate is the first Maverick to be named the WAC Conference Player of the Year in program history and the first conference player of the year since 2002 (Olayo Pazo, Southland).
“It was a really special moment for me,” Ford said. “I’ve been telling my coach (J.T. Wegner) my goal at the start of this season was to help this team as much as I can and earn that Player of the Year honor. I know this wouldn’t be possible without the great support system here at UTA and the amazing teammates I have. We all play together and have tremendous chemistry.”
Ford becomes the program’s first three-time All-WAC First Team honoree, and she’s the first three-time first team all-conference selection in the program since Heather Hoy did it in the Southland Conference in 1995, 1996 and 1997.
Behind Ford, the UTA volleyball team is having the best year since 2002. The Mavericks closed out the regular season at 26-2 with a perfect 16-0 mark in the WAC. In fact, UTA is set to host the WAC Tournament as the No. 1-seed starting at 7 p.m. Thursday against No. 8-seeded Abilene Christian.
“It’s been a surreal year so far,” Ford said. “Getting to play with a great coaching staff, and my best friends, we just want to keep on winning and see how far we can go.”
Ford also leads the conference in points per set with a 5.24 clip, which ranks her 14th in the nation.
Ford is currently third all-time in program history with 1,706 kills and is 23 kills away from being tied with Ana de Oliveira for the second most in UT Arlington history, and 81 kills from the most all-time.
She also was named the WAC Player of the Week on five separate occasions throughout the season. Ford joins the following group of Mavs to claim at least three first team all-conference selections: Katie Weismiller (1983, 1984, 1985, 1986), Ana de Oliveira (1985, 1986, 1987, 1988), Valeria Whitfield (1990, 1991, 1992) and Heather Hoy (1995, 1996, 1997).
On top of Ford’s accolades, UTA cleaned up the postseason accolades. Teammate Mollie Blank won Setter of the Year, Sjakkie Donkers was named Co-Freshman of the Year while J.T. Wegner was named the Coach of the Year.
“It’s great seeing all the hard work pay off,” Ford said. “Coach Wegner is amazing and he deserves this, my teammates deserve every accolade they get. Now it’s time to play in front of the home crowd one more time and keep the momentum rolling.”