PORTLAND, Ore. – The Montana State University Billings women's soccer team had a trio of student-athletes honored with All-Great Northwest Athletic Conference honors, with the conference's end of season awards being announced on Tuesday.
 
Tenley Leffler would receive the highest honors of the Yellowjacket's honorees, earning the GNAC's Freshman of the Year honor, along with being voted to the All-GNAC Second Team. Behind her, the duo of Ava Curtright and Vivian Gaither would receive All-GNAC Honorable Selection nods.
 
"We are excited for our three student athletes being recognized in a competitive conference," said MSUB head coach Abiye Jack. "All three were big contributors in some strong defensive performances this season. They put in a lot of hard work in preparation before and during the season. They are each deserving of these honors."
 
Leffler becomes the third Yellowjacket in program history to receive Freshman of the Year honors, joining Jaucelyn Richter in 2009 and Liberty Palmer in 2021. The Billings native put together one of the most impressive seasons in net in the program's history, leading the conference and matching MSUB's second best single season save total with 107, which ranks 14^th amongst all DII goalkeepers in the country. The conference's busiest shot stopper this season also posted an .823 save percentage, which ranked MSUB second amongst all GNAC sides, and Leffler fourth as an individual in the conference this season. She also kept three shutouts.
 
"Tenley is a special player and consistently kept the team in games," praised Jack. "She put together one of the most impressive seasons I have seen in this conference regardless of position or class. I know how much training she has done over the last few years in preparation for the college level, so to see her receive this recognition for her freshman season is awesome. I'm thrilled for Tenley, she had a historic season, and the recognition is well deserved."
 
Returning to the field after an unfortunate injury lost her the majority of the 2025 season, Curtright proved indispensable on the season, finishing the year as MSUB's only outfield player to play in every minute of each of the Yellowjackets matches in 2026. One of the Yellowjacket's team captains, Curtright would help the Yellowjackets defense keep three shutouts, while holding opponents to just 1.28 goals per game, third best mark of all conference teams. It marks the junior's second career All-GNAC recognition after a Second Team All-Conference selection in 2024.
 
"Ava anchored a strong defensive unit this year playing every minute of every game this season," Jack said. "She is an incredibly tough defender and has been an awesome leader for this team. She has done an amazing job representing this program as a person, student, and athlete. I'm so happy for Ava and glad she received recognition for her play in her comeback season."
 
An incoming transfer into the program ahead of the season, Gaither quickly cemented herself as a key part of the Yellowjacket's lineup, starting each of MSUB games on the season and playing all but 63 of the 'Jackets match minutes. Gaither would step up primarily in midfield to post one assist for the Yellowjackets this season, while placing half of her shot attempts on goal as an attacking outlet, while also shielding the backline impressively to earn her first career all-conference nod.
 
"Vivian was very consistent for us and added some experience to a young team this year," acclaimed Jack. "She was challenged to play a new position in the midfield and did very well adjusting to the role for the team. She gave us a strong presence in front of the back line and was able to impact games in and out of possession."