LEXINGTON, Ky. - The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) announced their yearly collegiate postseason awards for division I on Tuesday morning.  Makayla Bays earned an South AVCA All-Region Honorable Mention selection.  She becomes the first Buccaneer to earn a selection since Leah Clayton in 2018.

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).

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