On Thursday, Geno Auriemma took a moment before a film session to read off the Big East’s postseason awards. Nika Mühl listened from the back of the room as the coach mentioned the players she expected to hear — Olivia Nelson-Ododa and Christyn Williams on the All-Big East First Team, Caroline Ducharme on the Second Team, Ducharme and Azzi Fudd on the all-freshman team.
Then he got to Big East Defensive Player of the Year.
“Nika Mühl,” Auriemma said.
The sophomore couldn’t believe it.
“I was like, ‘Who?’” she said on Thursday. “I wasn’t expecting anything.