TAMPA, Fla. – The Sun Conference has announced its specialty award winners for the 2025 volleyball season.

Southeastern’s Laura Bonomi was named both The Sun Conference Player of the Year and Attacker of the Year. Bonomi led the league in kills per set during both the regular season and conference play (4.30). She also led the conference in points (5.1 per set), total aces (56), and service aces per set (.64). Bonomi totaled 258 kills during the regular season and hit .258, the highest percentage among outside hitters in the league. She also added 22 total blocks.

New College of Florida’s Maria Luiza Barreis was selected as Libero of the Year. Barreis recorded 478 digs during the regular season, including 279 in conference matches. She led the league in digs per set at 6.13 (5.94 in conference play) and added 30 assists and 12 service aces in conference action.

NCF setter Rafaela Domingos was named Setter of the Year. In conference play, Domingos led the league with 578 assists, averaging 10.91 per set. She also recorded 187 digs, the most of any setter in the conference, along with 17 kills and 10 service aces.

St. Thomas’ Raya Mlyakova was named the Freshman of the Year. In her debut season with the Bobcats, Mlyakova averaged 2.76 kills per set during the regular season, ranking eighth in the conference. She totaled 246 kills from the outside while hitting .237 and finished eighth in points per set at 3.3. Mlyakova also contributed 22 service aces and 35 total blocks.

Warner’s Leonelis Lopez was named the Champion of Character. According to Head Coach Linda Pai, Lopez overcame significant challenges in her life and demonstrated leadership through her faith. Pai shared that Lopez became a worship leader during her three years at Warner, regularly inspiring others through music and prayer. She was also invited to serve as a youth and worship leader at a local church, where she helped guide several students to baptism. Pai noted that Lopez recently launched the Warner Worship group, which drew more than 80 students to its first gathering on October 31. Through her leadership and service, Lopez provided encouragement and support to the campus community.

St. Thomas’ Breno Ertty was named the Assistant Coach of the Year. According to Head Coach Whitney Battoe, Ertty played a key role in the program’s overall success. Battoe noted that Ertty was effective in skill development during training sessions, helped promote the program globally through social media platforms, and served as a liaison between STU Volleyball and local volleyball clubs. She added that Ertty has remained fully committed to supporting the women’s program as it continues to grow.

St. Thomas’ Whitney Battoe was named the Coach of the Year. Battoe was recognized by her peers for guiding the Bobcats to their fifth consecutive Sun Conference Regular Season Title. STU entered this week’s tournament as the No. 1 seed after finishing the regular season 23-4 overall and 13-1 in league play. Under Battoe’s leadership, five Bobcats earned All-Conference honors, and the program remained ranked within the NAIA Top 20 throughout the season.

For more information on this year's Sun Conference Championship, click [here].
 

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