IRVINE (Calif.) — The Big West is proud to announce its two conference nominees for the 2024 NCAA Woman of the Year. Our duo of athletes celebrates illustrious careers across many achievements academically and athletically.  

Eligible female student-athletes are nominated by their member school. Each conference office then reviews the nominations from its core member schools (and sponsored sports) and submits its conference nominee(s) to the NCAA. All nominees who compete in a sport that is not sponsored by their school's primary conference, as well as associate conference nominees and independent nominees, will be sent to a separate pool to be considered by a committee. Then, the NCAA Woman of the Year selection committee identifies the Top 30 – 10 from each division – and from there selects three finalists from each division. From the nine finalists, the NCAA Committee on Women's Athletics then selects the NCAA Woman of the Year, who is named during the NCAA Convention. 

The Big West conference nominees for 2024 NCAA Woman of the Year are: 

• Kaylee Glagau, Hawai'i women's volleyball 
• Katie Kennedy, Long Beach State women's volleyball  

The NCAA Woman of the Year program was established in 1991 and honors the academic achievements, athletics excellence, community service, and leadership of graduating female college athletes from all three divisions. In its 34th year, nominees must have competed, earned a varsity letter in an NCAA-sponsored sport, and earned their undergraduate degree by Summer 2024.   

Kaylee Glagau

 

"Through this journey, I learned that being a student-athlete is not about the wins and losses, the awards, and accolades, but it is about the way you treat people, the positive impact you have on your community, and the effective legacy you leave behind you. Once I came to know this truth, the awards did not stop, my performance did not decrease, I still made the Canadian beach volleyball National team, but I became a much happier person. Instead of placing all my self-worth on winning this or that, I worked on my heart. It has not been easy, and I am still a work in progress and will forever be. But sports come and go. Yet, you are stuck with the individual you are for the rest of your life, so why not work on making that individual a kind, respectful, compassionate, humble, and joyous one."

Coming from Ontario Canada to the University of Hawai'i, Kaylee Glagu's experience as a student-athlete helped put a lot into perspective. While at UH, Galgu began to realize how different people can grow up despite living in a few houses down from each other. Not everyone is always afforded the same opportunity, and some families must make more sacrifices to pursue an extracurricular activity. These issues propelled Galgau to make a difference during the time spent as a student-athlete.   

Galgau began an after-school volleyball program that taught the youth the fundamentals of the sport at a local elementary school on the island. In addition to volunteer coaching, Galgau spent time interning at HUGS Hawai'i, supporting the organization by creating cards for children, distributing weekly newsletters and connecting with children in need of care. The background in social work inspired Galgau to pursue master's degrees in Managment Innovation and Entrepreneurship alongside Social Work (MSW). From there, Galgau wishes to start an organization where children can have the chance to be themselves and grow to their highest capabilities.  

Glagau earned back-to-back University of Hawai'i Exemplary Scholar-Athlete awards, which best exemplifies the ideals of athletic excellence, academic achievement, public service, leadership and character. During Glagau's student-athlete career, the senior was recognized as a Scholar-Athlete at UH and made The Big West's Commissioner's Honor Roll from 2020-24. In addition, Glagau also sports Academic All-Big West achievements from 2022-24.  

On the beach, Galgau garnered topflight honors from the AVCA with partner Brooke Van Sickle after winning 93% (27-2) of matches at the No. 1 court in 2023 and 75% of matches at No. 1 in 2022 alongside AVCA/CBVB National Pair of the Week honors in 2022. The Ontario native took her All-Big West honors all four times in her career. Historically, Galgau is one of three Rainbow Wahine to record 100 career dual wins (103) and ranks No. 10 all-time in win percentage (.741).

 

Katie Kennedy

"The last five years were incredibly challenging due to injuries, coaching changes, juggling two sports, and navigating team conflicts. Despite these hurdles, it was the most rewarding experience of my life. I cherish the "mundane" memories of putting on my gear and setting up the nets just as much as the exhilarating moments of playing in front of sell-out crowds. These small, everyday rituals and the camaraderie they fostered are what I miss the most, as they were the foundation of our team's unity and my personal growth. The entire journey, with its highs and lows, has left an indelible mark on me."

While reflecting on life as a student-athlete, the words "Long Beach State Women's Volleyball" mean so much more to Katie Kennedy. LBSU's program transformed into a gateway for numerous highlights along the way including community service, commitment to academic excellence, a job as a barista, playing another sport, finding a love for coaching and even working with Olympic athletes. Despite the typical highs and lows that come with a career as a student-athlete, the things that Kennedy cherishes most are the mundane memories of gearing up with teammates, everyday rituals and camaraderie that comes from being on a team.  

One of the most impactful experiences during Kennedy's tenure is at Snacks for the Soul. Kennedy visited the organization two-to-three times a month and hosted gatherings at a local park to meditate, journal, do yoga, dance, create art, and embrace the community. Kennedy also created a "Wellness Workshop" where she built a brochure of mental health and sports psychology resources for the athletes she recruited from local middle and high schools to give to them after leading them through some journaling and Q&A time. The studies counted towards research for an independent study during Kennedy's master's program. On campus, Kennedy was very active with the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and Student Fee Advisory Committee, participating in monthly meetings and collecting data and votes for campus referendum. 

Kennedy graduated from LBSU Summa Cum Laude, made the President's list both semesters, and was awarded Athletic Department All-Star as a senior. While pursuing a master's degree in Sport Psychology, she took home the Kinesiology Department 4.0 award while also securing the Athletic Department All-Star once more and wrapped up her career as a 2x Big West Commissioner's Honor Roll recipient.  

Athletically, Kennedy led Long Beach State with a .329 hitting percentage this past season while placing second on the team with 76 total blocks, an average of 0.82 blocks per set. Kennedy cracked a spot on an All-Big West team three times, including a first team nod in 2021.