BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. — West Virginia State's standout defensive core and record-setting individual performances were recognized Wednesday as the Mountain East Conference announced its annual volleyball postseason awards. The Yellow Jackets earned three All-MEC honors, led by First Team selection Nicole Gartner Custodio, while freshman libero Lilly Adkins landed a spot on the All-Freshman Team in addition to Honorable Mention honors. Senior right-side hitter Alyssa Hill also received Honorable Mention recognition.

First Team All-MEC — Nicole Gartner Custodio (Middle Blocker)

Gartner Custodio delivered one of the most dominant middle seasons in recent MEC history. She appeared in 98 sets across all 27 matches, producing 238 kills, a .369 attack percentage, and 36 digs while anchoring WVSU's front line.

She finished as the MEC's runaway leader in total blocks, piling up 45 solo blocks and 110 block assists, far ahead of Frostburg State's Paige Mock (21 BS, 109 BA; 1.41 B/S). Gartner Custodio also led the conference in hitting efficiency, closing the season at .367 (229–49–491) to again surpass Mock (.336).

On Oct. 24 against Salem, she added her signature moment of the year: a record-setting .882 attack percentage with 15 kills on 17 attempts, establishing both the MEC and WVSU single-match attack percentage records. The Yellow Jackets posted 80 solo blocks and 304 block assists for a league-best 2.44 blocks per set, edging out Frostburg State (2.40).

Honorable Mention All-MEC — Alyssa Hill (Right-Side Hitter)

Hill provided one of the MEC's most steady and impactful right-side seasons, finishing with 302 kills across 97 sets, paired with 5 solo blocks, 56 block assists, and 53 digs. 

Honorable Mention & All-Freshman Team — Lilly Adkins (Libero)

Adkins emerged as one of the strongest defensive newcomers in the conference, recording a team-high 427 digs and averaging 4.45 digs per set — a figure that ranked her third in the MEC, trailing only Concord's Allie Davis (4.82) and Fairmont State's Josie Skinn (5.54). She added 15 service aces.