HAMILTON – The American Volleyball Coaches Association released its postseason awards and sophomore outside hitter Milan Bayless was listed as an honorable mention for All-America and All-North Region honors. 

A native of La Mesa, Calif., Bayless was named the Patriot League Player of the Year after a standout campaign that helped the Raiders to their fourth consecutive league championship and NCAA tournament appearance. She became the first sophomore to land the top honor since 2016. 

Bayless appeared in all 30 matches, helping the Raiders to a 19-11 overall record including a 14-2 mark in conference play. She led the team with 340 kills, for an average of 2.24 per set which was good for fourth-best in the Patriot League, along with a .250 hitting percentage on the season. 

The sophomore standout recorded double-digit kills in 21 of the 30 matches, including eight with at least 15 kills. She landed a career-best 25 kills against American and finished the season with three double-doubles. She was fourth on the team with 18 service aces and defensively added 58 blocks and 195 digs.

Bayless was one of eight players from the North Region to earn honorable mention from the AVCA. She becomes Colgate's third player to land All-America honorable mention and the first since Julia Kurowski '22. She also added Second Team All-ECAC honors to her postseason collection.