Rocky opened the season going 2-2 at the Johnson and Wales tournament in Denver.
The Bears beat Mayville 3-0 and (RV) Wayland Baptist 3-0 and lost to top-ranked Hastings 2-3 and Embry-Riddle 1-3.
Hilderman averaged 9.27 assists and 2.20 digs per set.
Also nominated, listed in alphabetical order: Kiarra Johnson of Montana Western, Ava Larkin of Providence University and Kamaile Moody of Montana Tech.