MANKATO, Minn. --- The Minnesota State women's hockey team handed out their annual awards Tuesday evening as part of their year-end celebration.
 
The Mavericks, who skated to a record of 17-19-2 this season, established a new single season record for wins. Additionally, Minnesota State advanced to the WCHA Frozen
Faceoff for the first time since the 2009 season.
 
This year's team awards include:
 
Most Improved Player – Junior Lauren Zawoyski
Zawyoski tripled her career point total this season… As a freshman and sophomore, she tallied one goal and six assists for seven points… This year, Zawoyski moved back to defense and had three goals and 18 assists for 21 points.
 
Rookie of the Year – Freshman Mercury Bischoff
Bischoff led the team in scoring 19 goals and passing out ten assists for 29 points while playing in every game… Her 97 shots on net were second on the team, and she was named to the WCHA All-Rookie Team… She had one hat trick this season, two power play goals and two game-winning goals.
 
Maverick Three Star Award & Most Valuable Player – Junior Hailey Hansen
Hansen led Minnesota State in the net this season logging over 2,000 minutes while boasting 2.87 goals against average and a .915 save percentage… She recorded five shutouts on the season while turning back 1,015 shots.
 
Tiffany Searles Award & Maverick Pride Award – Senior Kianna Roeske
The Tiffany Searles Award is given in remembrance of Tiffany Searles, a former Maverick player who died tragically in 2000. It is awarded to the player who shows up to the rink every day with a smile on her face. The recipient is a player that all teammates can rely on to maintain a positive outlook and will do whatever she can to help the team, no matter what role she is asked to fill.
 
The Maverick Pride Award recognizes a player who exceeds the expectations of her coaches and teammates both on and off the ice through her hard work in practice, consistency in play, and performance in the classroom. This player puts the team ahead of herself and is willing to make personal sacrifices to make the team more successful. No matter what the situation, this player can be counted on to work hard. She plays with pride and understands the responsibility that comes with wearing a Maverick jersey.
 
Roeske was a mainstay on the blueline for the Mavericks finishing the year with three goals and seven assists for ten points, tallying a game-winning overtime goal in a must-win game at St. Thomas to end the regular season… She finished the season with 71 blocked shots – a total that led the team and the WCHA.
 
Minnesota State head coach Shari Dickerman also announced at the awards banquet that
Hansen will serve as the team's captain for the 2026-27 season. Alternate captains will be named closer to the beginning of the season.