Mia Santos named NJCAA DIII Volleyball Player of the Year
Charlotte, NC: After leading Dallas Eastfield to its third straight national championship, Mia Santos has been named the 2025 NJCAA Division III Volleyball Player of the Year.
Santos was a member of the Harvester Bees 2024 National Championship squad and emerged as a star in 2025. The outsider hitter finished the season with 421 kills, 4.21 kills per set, and a .276 hitting percentage. Santos was named NJCAA Division III Volleyball Offensive Player of the Week on September 3rd. In addition, Santos was named Dallas Athletic Conference Player of the Week three times.
"Mia made an impact by setting the tone for hard work, communication & accountability on and off the court. She kept us focused and motivated, especially during the games with high pressure," freshman teammate Mylah Arzaga said.
"Mia is the epitome of what we look for in our program. She didn't play very much as a freshman, but she never complained, never pouted, and worked hard to help the team. When she got her chance this year, she was more than ready," Dallas Eastfield head coach Phil Nickel said.
The sophomore was a legacy at Dallas Eastfield, as her aunt Monica Forman wore the Harvester Bee orange and blue in 1994. Forman led Dallas Eastfield to a Metro Athletic Conference Championship that season.
"Her leadership, levelheaded energy, and her passion for the program were part of the glue that held everything together. She was a true captain and friend to all her teammates & she will be missed," said associate head coach Lexus Greschaw.
At the National Tournament, Santos was stellar in all four matches leading to the national championship. Over those four games, the outside hitter earned 66 kills, including an impressive 24 kill performance in the semifinal against Rochester. Santos was named the Tournament's Most Valuable Player.
"She was an excellent leader and an absolute stud on the court. She didn't have a bad match all season. I've coached a lot of players, but I don't know if I've ever been prouder of a player than I am of Mia," said Nickel.
