Alanys Nieves was named to the 2026 OVC Beach Volleyball All-Freshman Team, the conference announced today. Nieves is the second player in EIU history to receive the All-Freshman team honors. Nieves' pair, Tori Mohesky, earned the all-freshman honors in 2023. 

Nieves has been a catalyst for the historic season, winning nine total matches. She was one of two players on the team to end with a winning record, finishing 10-7. Playing as the number three pair, she finished 2-1, posted a 3-4 record in the number four position, and went 5-2 as the number five pair.  

Her most successful pairings of the season came alongside Tori Mohesky and Ariadna Pereles, highlighted by an OVC Pair of the Week honor with Mohesky. Teaming up with Pereles, Nieves posted a 3-1 record in the number five spot. With Mohesky, she went 6-2 while competing across the number three through five positions.