Junior Right Side Hitter Kelsie Payne strikes the ball over the Kansas State defenders, Macy Flowers (12) and Alyssa Schultejans (3), Wednesday night in the Horejsi Center.

Kelsie Payne, a senior All-American, was named the preseason Big 12 Player of the Year for the second straight season on Wednesday, voted by the conference’s coaches.

Payne was the first player in program history to win conference player of the year honors at the end of last season. The 6-foot-3 right side hitter led the Jayhawks with 418 kills on a .320 hit percentage. She added 209 digs, 103 blocks and 15 service aces.

Along with Payne, KU senior setter Ainise Havili and senior outside hitter Madison Rigdon were unanimous picks for the preseason all-Big 12 team.

Havili registered 1,210 assists last season with 324 digs and 52 blocks on her way to third-team All-American honors. Rigdon had 399 kills on a .228 hit percentage with 259 digs and a team-best 54 service aces.

“These awards are great sign of the respect that Kelsie, Ainise and Madison have earned around the league,” KU coach Ray Bechard said. “At the same time, we are not going to be complacent because we are a veteran team. We have had some great moments in the last couple years, but we want the best moments to be still ahead of them.”

Preseason All-Big 12 team

Katie Staiger, Baylor

Ainise Havili, Kansas

Kelsie Payne, Kansas

Madison Rigdon, Kansas

Bryna Vogel, Kansas State

Madison Drescher, Oklahoma

Anna Walsh, TCU

Ebony Nwanebu, Texas

Micaya White, Texas

Reyn Akiu, Texas Tech

Payton Caffrey, West Virginia

(*unanimous)

Big 12 preseason volleyball awards

Player of the Year: Kelsie Payne, Kansas

Freshman of the Year: Lexi Sun, Texas