Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Three Blue Raiders Earn All-Conference USA Honors, Baugus Named Freshman of the Year
3/9/2026 1:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Three Middle Tennessee women's basketball players earned postseason recognition as Conference USA announced its annual awards Monday, highlighted by freshman Blair Baugus being named Freshman of the Year. Baugus also earned First Team All-CUSA and All-Freshman Team honors, while senior Alayna Contreras was named Second Team All-CUSA and freshman Macie Phifer earned All-CUSA Honorable Mention and All-Freshman Team recognition.
Blair Baugus
Baugus becomes the latest Blue Raider to earn the league's top freshman honor after leading all Conference USA freshmen in multiple statistical categories during the regular season.
The freshman guard averaged 13.0 points and 9.1 rebounds per game while shooting 44.7% from the field across 30 games. Baugus started all 30 games for Middle Tennessee. She ranks among the conference leaders in rebounding and finished the regular season with 13 double-doubles, the third-most by a freshman nationally.
She recorded 19 double-digit scoring performances, including five 20-point outings, and averaged 2.0 steals per game while playing a team-high 34.5 minutes per contest. Baugus was tabbed Conference USA Freshman of the Week eight times, helping lead the Blue Raiders throughout the season.
Alayna Contreras
Contreras earned Second Team All-CUSA recognition after serving as Middle Tennessee's leading scorer during conference play.
The senior guard averaged 14.2 points per game this season while shooting 37.7% from three-point range and 84.3% from the free throw line. Contreras appeared in all 30 games and logged 31.6 minutes per contest, finishing the regular season with 21 double-digit scoring performances, including nine 20-point games. Contreras was named Conference USA Player of the Week twice during the season.
She also posted a career-high 31 points on Senior Day, providing veteran leadership for a roster filled with newcomers.
Macie Phifer
Phifer earned All-CUSA Honorable Mention and a spot on the Conference USA All-Freshman Team following a strong rookie campaign in the Blue Raider frontcourt.
The freshman forward averaged 11.5 points and 5.8 rebounds per game while shooting 44.0% from the field and 37.5% from three-point range. Phifer started all 30 games for Middle Tennessee and averaged 34.3 minutes per contest, while also leading the team with 0.9 blocks per game. Phifer earned three Conference USA Freshman of the Week awards during the season.
Her consistent play placed her among the top freshmen in Conference USA in both scoring and rebounding during the regular season.
