LEXINGTON, Ky. - The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) announced their yearly collegiate postseason awards for Division I on Wednesday morning.  Makayla Bays earned an AVCA All-American Honorable Mention selection.  She becomes the first Buccaneer to earn a selection since Megan Devine in 2013.

Bays, the Southern Conference Player of the Year, earned the selection for the first time in her career following the conclusion of the 2025 season.  The sophomore outside hitter accumulated 443 kills, 22 assists, 72 aces, 281 digs and 33 total blocks with 4.48 points per set through the 2025 campaign.  She totaled the team-high of 12 double-doubles and tallied seven matches with 20+ kills and reached double-digit kills in 25 of 30 matches.  Bays led the Buccaneers in kills (443), kills per set (3.92), aces (45), aces per set (.40) and points (506.5).

2025 Honors & Awards
AVCA All-American Honorable Mention
AVCA All-Region Honorable Mention
SoCon Player of the Year
All-SoCon First Team
SoCon Offensive Player of the Week (x2)
Hokie Classic MVP
Hokie Classic All-Tournament Team
Gamecock Classic All-Tournament Team

Season-Highs in 2025
Kills - 24 vs. High Point and Chattanooga
Hitting Percentage - .600 (19-1-30) vs. American
Aces - 4, five times
Digs - 18 vs. Wofford in the SoCon Championship match
Blocks - 3, three times
Points - 28.5 at Furman

Career-Highs Reached in 2025
Kills - 24 vs. High Point and Chattanooga
Hitting Percentage - .600 (19-1-30) vs. American
Aces - 4, five times
Digs - 18 vs. Wofford in the SoCon Championship match
Points - 28.5 at Furman