GREENVILLE, S.C. — CIU volleyball earned multiple national and regional honors on Tuesday following an outstanding 2025 season, highlighted by AVCA and NCCAA recognition for several Rams and NCCAA South Region Coach of the Year honors for head coach Katie Weiss.

Lydia Gustafson had another standout year, earning AVCA First Team MidSouth All-Region (First Team) honors, NCCAA All-South Region First Team recognition, and NCCAA Region Player of the Year accolades. Gustafson recorded 220 kills on a .310 hitting percentage while leading CIU with 185 total blocks, including 51 solo and 134 assists. She averaged 1.50 blocks per set across 36 matches and finished the season with 338 total points.

Middle blocker Eevy Bellar made an immediate impact as a freshman, earning ACVA MidSouth Freshman of the Year, MidSouth All-Region (Honorable Mention), and NCCAA All-South Region First Team honors. Bellar totaled 223 kills, averaging 1.97 per set on a .370 hitting percentage, and added 123 blocks over 118 sets. 

Libero Kelcey Mangum anchored the back row with her signature defensive play, earning ACVA MidSouth All-Region Honorable Mention and NCCAA All-South Region First Team recognition. Mangum led the team with 645 digs, averaging 5.24 per set over 123 sets.

Mary Norwood earned NCCAA All-South Region Second Team honors after leading the team with 324 kills, averaging 2.68 per set over 121 sets. She also contributed 53 total blocks and a .231 hitting percentage, playing a major role in CIU's offensive attack.

Zcearia James joined Norwood on the NCCAA All-South Region Second Team after finishing second on the team with 318 kills, averaging 2.59 kills per set over 123 sets played, while hitting .257 on the year. She also added 79 total blocks and led the Rams with 369.5 total points. 

Head coach Katie Weiss was recognized as NCCAA South Region Coach of the Year for the second consecutive year. Weiss guided CIU to a second-place finish at the NCCAA Volleyball National Tournament, marking the third time in the last five seasons the Rams reached the championship match.