Lady Griz announce annual award winners

The Montana women's basketball program announced on Monday the recipients of the team's annual postseason awards.

Senior McKenzie Johnston collected a pair of awards, with sophomores Abby Anderson, Sophia Stiles and Kylie Frohlich receiving the others.

Johnston was named the Mary Louise Pope Zimmerman Most Valuable Player after leading the Lady Griz to a 17-win season, their most victories since the 2015-16 season.

She was named first-team All-Big Sky Conference after finishing in the top 10 in program history in career scoring and top five in assists.

"McKenzie's competitive spirit the past four years inspired fans of all ages," said first-year Lady Griz coach Mike Petrino, who joined the program prior to Johnston's redshirt freshman season.

"She was able to show her MVP worth in games because she demonstrated an MVP work ethic in the offseason and at practice."

Johnston also received the Theresa Rhoads Award, which is given to the player that best exemplifies Lady Griz basketball.

No other player in program history had previously won the award more than twice. Johnston won it four times.

"She epitomizes 'Lady Griz,'" said assistant coach Jordan Sullivan, winner of the Theresa Rhoads Award in 2013-14. "The McKenzie Johnstons of the world only come around every so often.

"She was such a respected mentor. She was an experienced and trusted advisor for her teammates, coaches and community. She was respected for all reasons, her abilities, her qualities and her achievements."

Anderson was voted the Grace Geil Most Improved Player after a breakout redshirt sophomore year.

After totaling 52 points on 27.1 percent shooting and 45 rebounds in 2018-19, Anderson worked her way in the offseason into a 30-game starter last winter.

She averaged 9.0 points on 44.3 percent shooting and 4.1 rebounds, and earned her first Big Sky Conference Player of the Week award after Montana's road sweep of Northern Arizona and Sacramento State.

Her 65 blocked shots ranked third in the Big Sky and were the most for a Lady Griz since 2014-15.

"Abby had an incredible year for us," said assistant coach Nate Covill. "She became a consistent presence on the defensive end of the floor and a reliable scorer on offense.

"When I think of Abby's growth as a player, one thing comes to mind: confidence. As Abby's confidence grew weekly, she became a more dominant player on the floor. And she has not even scratched the surface of how good she can be."

In two seasons playing for the Lady Griz, Stiles is now a two-time winner of the Julie Deming Outstanding Defensive Player Award.

That she won the award as a freshman and redshirt sophomore, the latter with one good shoulder and one that would require offseason surgery, is telling: she came into the program with skills and instincts that required no adjustment period.

That end of the floor is personal for Stiles. You can see it in her eyes every time she gets into a defensive position.

"For most players it's difficult to transition to the defensive end coming from high school to the Division I level, yet this is the second time Sophia has been recognized by her teammates for her defense," said Petrino.

"She takes great pride in guarding the ball and making an impact on the defensive end, and demonstrated tremendous toughness throughout the season. We're excited for her to be a presence on defense and offense next year."

Frohlich played in all 30 games last season, averaging 10.1 minutes. But the Shannon Green Most Inspirational Player award is never based on the 40 minutes the team in on the court in competition.

It's what happens behind the scenes, on the practice floor, in the locker room, on campus.

"Kylie is someone you know is going to give it her all every day at practice," said assistant coach Jace Henderson. "She inspires her teammates with her energy, work ethic and positive attitude.

"Her intentions aren't only to improve her game but to make our team successful. She makes us better with her determination to push herself and her teammates."

The 2019-20 season also marked the end of the careers of two other seniors: Taylor Goligoski and Emma Stockholm.

Goligoski was a starter through her first three seasons before a leg injury cut short her junior year. She returned last winter and had the best shooting season of her career, hitting threes at a rate of 39.5 percent.

Her 122 career triples rank ninth in program history.

"Taylor had her best season shooting the three, with career highs in makes and shooting percentage," said Petrino.

"Taylor spent a lot of time outside of practice working on her shot. She was always trying to get teammates into the gym with her. She took pride in trying to become a better shooter, and her shooting percentage from the behind the arc improved every season, which is a credit to her."

Stockholm missed just two games in her career, starting all 60 as a junior and senior, when her numbers surged.

She had career-best numbers as a senior, when she averaged 11.4 points on 42.4 percent shooting and 6.0 rebounds.

"Emma started every game the last two years, and I can't recall her missing any practices the past four years, which is impressive," said Petrino.

"She made some big plays on both ends of the floor in her career, whether it was taking a charge or knocking down a three and holding her signature follow-through. Emma loved to play with swagger and she loved being a Lady Griz on and off the floor, which made her popular with fans, especially kids."

University of Montana Athletics

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Players Mentioned

Abby Anderson

Kylie Frohlich

Taylor Goligoski

Jace Henderson

McKenzie Johnston

Sophia Stiles

Emma Stockholm

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