AVCA ALL-REGION RELEASE
ARDEN HILLS, MINN.—Bethel University had two representatives on the 2025 AVCA All-Region squad as junior middle blocker Peyton Howie was named to the first team, and first-year Sophia Rubio earned Freshman of the Year as well as honorable mention.
2025 AVCA Region 9 Awards
Player of the Year: Delainey Winkel (Dubuque)
Freshman of the Year: Sophia Rubio (Bethel)
Coach of the Year: Karrah Davis (Dubuque)
This is Howie's second-straight trip to the AVCA All-Region Team after earning the distinction in 2024. She is Bethel's 15th all-time selection to the AVCA All-Region Squad. Howie's 2023 season ended in her being named AVCA Region Freshman of the Year.
Howie registered a MIAC-leading 3.58 kills per set, and 4.31 points per set across 92 sets. Her .357 hitting percentage ranks second in the MIAC, and 24th in the country. The Blaine, Minnesota native is also a force at the net, as she carries a team-leading 71 blocks (0.71 per set). She has accumulated 329 kills, 21 service aces, and 396.5 points in 2025.
Howie notched a season-high 22 kills along with a .514 hitting percentage in the Royals 3-1 victory over St. Catherine on November 11. She had a season-high nine blocks as well as 20 kills, a .313 hitting percentage, and five digs in a five-set win over St. Scholastica on October 15.
Howie was named to the 2025 MIAC Volleyball All-Conference Team, which marked her third career trip. She also earned MIAC Volleyball Offensive Player of the Week on September 15 and October 15.
Rubio leads the MIAC and ranks 15th in the country with 10.16 assists per set, while her 935 total assists is third in the conference. She was third on the team with 223 digs (2.42 per set), and fourth in blocks with 31 (0.34 per set). She is the second Royal to be named AVCA Region Freshman of the Year, after Howie in 2023.
The Woodbury, Minnesota native was all over the stat sheet in a 3-1 road victory over UW-Stevens Point on September 20 with a season-high 18 digs as well as three aces, two blocks, 47 assists, and two kills. She notched a season-best 50 assists and four service aces in a five-set win over St. Scholastica on October 15. Another notable contest was a five-set loss to Saint Mary's on November 1; as she had 49 assists, a season-high six kills, and 10 digs.
Rubio was named 2025 MIAC Rookie of the Year, and landed a spot on the MIAC All-Conference Team. She also earned MIAC Volleyball Specialist of the Week on September 22 and October 27.
The Royals finished the 2025 season with a 15-11 record.
