The 2025 NCAA women’s volleyball tournament is down to the Final Four — so is the 2025 AVCA Player of the Year Award shortlist.
The list of 14 semifinalists for the 2025 AVCA Player of the Year Award was narrowed to four finalists on Monday. Three of the four finalists are preparing to compete in the NCAA tournament semifinals on Thursday, which features No. 1 Pittsburgh facing off against No. 3 Texas A&M and No. 1 Kentucky going head-to-head with No. 3 Wisconsin.
Reigning 2024 Player of the Year Olivia Babcock is among the finalists. She’s looking to become the fifth player to win the award in back-to-back seasons and first to do so since Stanford’s Kathryn Plummer in 2017-2018.
The player of the year award will be announced on Friday, Dec. 19 at the AVCA Convention in Kansas City, Missouri, ahead of the national championship game on Sunday, Dec. 21 (ABC).
Here’s a look at the finalists:
NCAA VOLLEYBALL: Final Four set as Texas A&M and Wisconsin advance
2025 AVCA Player of the Year finalists
Olivia Babcock, Pitt, Jr.: The 6-foot-4 right side hitter already won 2025 ACC player of the year for the second straight season. Is a second consecutive AVCA Player of the Year award next? Babcock set career highs in kills per set (5.11) and digs per set (2.11) this season and a program record with 45 kills vs. North Carolina on Nov. 2.
Mimi Colyer, Wisconsin, Sr.: The 6-3 outside hitter 20 or more kills in nine matches this season, including 23 kills vs. No. 1 Texas in the Elite Eight and 27 kills vs. No. 2 Stanford in the Round of 16. She averages 5.39 kills per set and 5.97 points per set. Two Wisconsin players — Dana Rettke (2021) and Sarah Franklin (2023) — have previously won the award.
Eva Hudson, Kentucky, Sr.: The 6-1 outside hitter was named the SEC Player of the Year after hitting .317 with 4.54 kills per set and 504 total kills on the year. She leads Kentucky’s offense, which is hitting .295 this year.
Bergen Reilly, Nebraska, Jr.: The 6-1 junior setter was named Big Ten Player of the Year and Big Ten Setter of the Year after averaging 10.47 assists and 2.70 digs per set. She totaled 73 kills, 67 blocks and 19 aces this season.
Former ACVA Players of the Year
- 1985: Kim Oden, Stanford
- 1986: Mariliisa Salmi, Brigham Young
- 1987: Tonya Sanders-Williams, Hawaii
- 1988: Tara Cross, Long Beach State
- 1989: Tara Cross, Long Beach State; Tonya Sanders-Williams, Hawaii
- 1990: Bev Oden; Stanford
- 1991: Antoinette White; Long Beach State
- 1992: Natalie Williams, UCLA
- 1993: Danielle Scott; Long Beach State
- 1994: Laura Davis, Ohio State
- 1995: Cary Wendell, Stanford; Allison Weston, Nebraska
- 1996: Angelica Ljungqvist, Hawaii
- 1997: Misty May, Long Beach State
- 1998: Misty May, Long Beach State
- 1999: Lauren Cacciamani, Penn State; Kerri Walsh, Stanford
- 2000: Greichaly Cepero, Nebraska
- 2001: Logan Tom, Stanford
- 2002: Logan Tom, Stanford
- 2003: Kim Willoughby, Hawaii
- 2004: Stacey Gordon, Ohio State; Ogonna Nnamani, Stanford
- 2005: Christina Houghtelling, Nebraska
- 2006: Sarah Pavan, Nebraska
- 2007: Foluke Akinradewo, Stanford
- 2008: Nicole Fawcett, Penn State
- 2009: Megan Hodge, Penn State
- 2010: Carli Lloyd, Cal
- 2011: Alex Jupiter, Southern California
- 2012: Alaina Bergsma, Oregon
- 2013: Krista Vansant, Washington
- 2014: Micha Hancock, Penn State
- 2015: Samantha Bricio, Southern California
- 2016: Sarah Wilhite, Minnesota
- 2017: Kathryn Plummer, Stanford
- 2018: Kathryn Plummer, Stanford
- 2019: Yossiana Pressley, Baylor
- 2021 (spring): Madison Lilley, Kentucky
- 2021 (fall): Dana Rettke, Wisconsin
- 2022: Logan Eggleston, Texas
- 2023: Sarah Franklin, Wisconsin
- 2024: Olivia Babcock, Pitt
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