Coming off a fantastic season for the West Texas A&M volleyball team in 2023, Bryli Contreras added another accolade to the trophy case by winning the 17th Dick Bynum Award presented by the Amarillo Downtown Lions Club on Tuesday.

The award goes annually to the most outstanding Amarillo-area female college athlete.

“This is a tremendous honor,” Contreras said. “I just want to make sure that this has nothing to do with me. I wouldn’t be where I am without my family, my coaches and my teammates. I think they won this award with me.”

Since transferring from Stephen F. Austin State two years ago, the Canyon High graduate has shined playing back in her hometown.

Contreras was a massive part of the Lady Buffs NCAA Division II national championship in 2022, playing in 34 matches with 342 digs and 84 assists.

Last fall, Contreras became a leader on the court for WTAMU helping the Lady Buffs to a national runner-up appearance playing in 37 total matches with a team-best 660 digs and 40 aces. Thanks to that tremendous season, Contreras was named the Lone Star Conference Libero of the Year while snagging All-American honors.

Her aunt, Sara Morath, the Canyon Lady Eagle volleyball coach, and former Lady Buff, has coached Contreras her entire life.

Morath was on-hand at the Dick Bynum Awards on Tuesday and says seeing Contreras improve year in and year out has become expected.

“It’s such a great honor for Bryli,” Morath said. “To see where she has come from where she started is special. When she was a freshman and now finishing her collegiate career, she continues to improve. She’s always working to get better. Even at such a young age she was always like that and that’s a testament to her.”

Though Contreras has graduated she has one final year of eligibility coming in 2024. This WTAMU team will look a lot different under new head coach Brittany Harry, but that doesn’t change the lofty expectations.

“There has been a little adjustment under our new coach,” Contreras said. “We’re ready to get going and start the new year, but coach Harry has a lot of goals as do we the players. We’re just working hard this summer and can’t wait to get started. We’re never satisfied, and we want to get better each year.”

Contreras is the is the eighth Lady Buff to receive the honor, and the second volleyball player joining Katie Rickwartz in 2010.

For winning this honor, Canyon High School will receive a check for $1,000 that will go toward the women’s athletic department.

The other finalists for 2024 Dick Bynum award were Tascosa graduate and Angelo State basketball player Tayjanna McGhee-Pleasant, Amarillo High graduate and Central Arkansas track competitor Jewel Baer, as well as Palo Duro and WTAMU soccer player Ashley Silvestre.

Dick Bynum Memorial Award Winners

2007: Leah Rush, basketball, Amarillo High and Oklahoma

2008: Emily Brister, basketball, Amarillo High and West Texas A&M

2009: Nina Munch-Soegaard, tennis, home schooled, Texas Christian University

2010: Katie Rickwartz, volleyball, Canyon and West Texas A&M

2011: Brianne Barker, volleyball, Amarillo High and Oklahoma

2012: Andrea Carpenter, soccer, Randall and Abilene Christian

2013: Katie Grimes, track, Canyon and Texas Tech

2014: Casey Land, basketball, Canyon and West Texas A&M

2015: Alex Simms, volleyball, San Jacinto Christian and Texas State

2016: Nicole Hampton, basketball, Canyon and Lubbock Christian University

2017: Sasha Watson, basketball, Palo Duro and West Texas A&M

2018: Kilee Halbert, softball, Dalhart and West Texas A&M

2019: Jordan Duke, soccer, Amarillo High and Texas Tech

2020: Cancelled due to COVID-19

2021: Lexy Hightower, Amarillo High and West Texas A&M

2022: Allie Schulte-Hicks, Nazareth and Lubbock Christian University

2023: Kyra Lair, Canyon and West Texas A&M

2024: Bryli Contreras, Canyon and West Texas A&M