Kentucky’s Hudson Named Finalist for AVCA National Player of the Year

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky outside hitter Eva Hudson has been named a finalist for the 2025 American Volleyball Coaches Association Division I Women’s Volleyball Player of the Year Award, presented by Nike Volleyball, it was announced on Monday.

A senior from Fort Wayne, Indiana, Hudson was named Southeastern Conference Player of the Year, SEC Newcomer of the Year and First Team All-SEC in November. Hudson has 504 kills (4.54/set) this season while hitting .317.

Hudson has led Kentucky to a 29-2 record in 2025. The Cats went unbeaten in SEC regular season play, then won the SEC Volleyball Tournament. In the NCAA Tournament, Kentucky has beaten Wofford, UCLA, Cal Poly and Creighton, losing just one set along the way.

Joining Hudson on the list of finalists are Pittsburgh’s Olivia Babcock, Mimi Colyer from Wisconsin and Nebraska’s Bergen Reilly.

Hudson and the Cats play in the national semifinals in Kansas City on Thursday night, facing Wisconsin at approximately 9 p.m. ET.