Mimi Colyer’s Case for AVCA National Player of the Year Is Built on Dominance-Not Hype
The AVCA National Player of the Year finalists have been announced, and it's a stacked group: Mimi Colyer, Olivia Babcock, Eva Hudson, and Bergen Reilly. Three elite hitters and one top-tier setter.
All four are stars in their own right. But when you dive into the numbers, the performances, and the impact on the court-Mimi Colyer stands out in a big way.
Let’s break down why she’s not just a finalist, but the frontrunner.
1. Colyer’s Scoring Efficiency Speaks Volumes
Colyer ranks third in the nation in kills per set at 5.39-a stat that carries more weight than total kills, especially when you consider how often her team sweeps opponents. Fewer sets played means fewer opportunities to rack up raw numbers, so kills per set becomes the real measuring stick. And by that metric, Colyer is near the top of the mountain.
To put it in perspective: Olivia Babcock, another finalist, ranks fifth in kills per set. Eva Hudson?
She sits at 20th. That kind of gap matters.
Colyer isn’t just producing-she’s doing it with ruthless consistency, especially in high-stakes moments. She’s been named Big Ten Player of the Week multiple times and has been the go-to weapon for her squad all season long.
2. She’s Taken Her Game to Another Level in the Tournament
When the lights get brighter, Colyer gets better. Through the NCAA Tournament, she’s been nothing short of dominant.
She leads all four finalists in total points (87) and kills (82). That’s not just production-it’s carrying a team through the most pressure-packed matches of the season.
She’s also second among the finalists in digs (35) and hitting percentage (.378), showing she’s not just swinging away-she’s doing it efficiently and contributing across the board. That kind of all-around impact is rare, especially in the postseason when defenses are keyed in on stopping star players.
And while Bergen Reilly earned Big Ten Player of the Year honors as a setter, her tournament numbers haven’t quite matched the billing. In fact, another setter, Charlie Fuerbringer, has posted 196 assists over four matches-35 more than Reilly’s 161 in the same span. It’s not a knock on Reilly’s season, but it shows how much Colyer has elevated her game when it matters most.
3. Colyer’s Defense Is the Best Among the Finalists
This award isn’t just about who can rack up kills-it’s about who can impact every phase of the game. And Colyer does just that.
She’s a true six-rotation player, contributing on defense with the same intensity and skill she brings to the attack. She averages 2.23 digs per set and 0.65 blocks per set-numbers that stack up favorably against anyone in the finalist group.
Eva Hudson comes close defensively with 2.42 digs per set, but her block numbers (0.42 per set) don’t quite match Colyer’s. And when you factor in the offensive side of the ball, Colyer creates a clear separation.
She tallied 626.5 total points during the season, and she’s added 87 more in the tournament. Hudson?
547.5 on the season, and 62.5 in the tournament.
So even if you give Hudson a slight edge in digs, Colyer’s two-way game is more complete. She’s not just playing both sides-she’s excelling at them.
Bottom Line: Colyer Checks Every Box
When you look at the full picture-regular season dominance, postseason performance, offensive firepower, defensive reliability-Mimi Colyer has made the most compelling case for the AVCA National Player of the Year.
She’s been the engine behind one of the most efficient offenses in the country. She’s stepped up when the stakes are highest. And she’s doing it as a complete, all-rotation player who impacts every set from start to finish.
The other finalists are excellent. But Colyer? She’s been on another level.