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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