HCA: Taylor Mims named MVP of 2018 Global Challenge

Washington State Senior outside hitter Taylor Mims was named the MVP of the 2018 Global Challenge just over a week ago after her stellar performance throughout the tournament in Croatia. Playing all around the court for the US Collegiate National Team - Europe, Mims led the team defensively and was in total control of the gold medal match as her and fellow Coug Alexis Dirige took home the hardware.

After splitting time with Stanford’s Audriana Fitzmorris during most of the tournament, Mims took the lead in the final match and led the team with four blocks and three kills to go along with getting seven of the teams first 11 aces.

She joins Casey Schoenlein and Jen Greeny as the only Cougars to win gold in the tournament as the two led the CNT-Europe team to gold in 2016. This is not her first time getting notoriety in this tournament as she succeeded last year and was named to the all-tournament team.

Mims finished last season leading the Cougars in kills, total attacks, and points scored and helped the Cougars make the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament. She wasn't the only one leading the team as Dirige set the single season record for digs in a season with 569.

Both Mims and Dirige will look to get the Cougars back to the NCAA Tournament this year when they start the season off on August 25th against Virginia Commonwealth in Raleigh, North Carolina.

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Dominating the competition at the 2018 Global Challenge in Croatia, rising senior,Taylor Mims took home tournament Most Valuable Player honors at the conclusion of the tournament after leading the US Collegiate National Team-Europe to the gold medal.

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With the start of the new academic year only a few weeks away, it is a great time to reflect on the extraordinary accomplishments of the 2017-18 year for the Cougars. Our student-athletes, coaches and staff continue to raise the bar of excellence and achieve at the highest levels of collegiate athletics.