WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Atlantic 10 has announced the End of Season Awards for the 2025 women's volleyball season, including three George Mason Patriots. Kiera Hamilton was named the conference Rookie of the Year, as well as a place on the All-Conference First Team and All-Rookie Team. Chelsea Colter was named to the All-Conference Second Team and Nia Thompson was also named to the All-Rookie Team. 

A native of Tuscon, Arizona, Kiera Hamilton never looked like a freshman on the court. She averaged 3.58 kills, 4.06 points, 2.15 digs, and 0.52 blocks per set over 23 matches and 91 sets in her rookie season. Despite having to sit out several games due to injury, she still let the team in kills (326) and points (369.5). She was named Rookie of the Week twice and was named to the Kristen Dickmann Invitational All Tournament Team. She finished the year with nine double-doubles and a career-high of 21 kills vs. Coppin State. Hamilton finished the regular season in the A-10's top 5 for kills and points per set. 

Chelsea Colter, a junior from Fairfax, Va., was a defensive powerhouse this season. Averaging 2.55 points, 1.81 kills, 1.25 blocks, and 0.2 digs over 27 matches and 107 sets, she set the tone at the net. She led the team in blocks (134.0) and hitting percentage (.303). Colter accounted for nearly half of the team's total blocks, helping boost the Patriots to the 3rd most blocks in the conference. She was named A-10 Defensive Player of the Week for her play against Saint Louis, which included a career-high 15 blocks in a 3-0 win over the Billikens. The junior middle blocker finishes the season 11th in the nation and 3rd in the A-10 in blocks and 6th in the A-10 in hitting percentage. 

A freshman outside hitter from San Diego, California, Nia Thompson was a force on the court this season. She averaged 2.67 kills, 3.12 points, and 2.5 digs per set over 24 matches and 88 sets. Thompson was named Rookie of the Week on November 10th after her outstanding performance vs. Fordham that helped the Patriots secure their place in the Atlantic 10 Tournament for the first time sinc 2018. She finished the regular season 2^nd on team in kills (235), points (274.5), and digs (220). Thompson notched seven double-doubles this season and tallied a career-high 20 kills vs. Fordham. 

The Patriots finished the regular season 17-12, 10-8 in conference play, the best record the team has posted since 2009. They are also in the A-10 Tournament for the first time since 2018. 

George Mason was picked to finished 10th in the A-10 preseason poll, but quickly had eyes on them after a 7-4 non-conference season (the program's best start since 2009) including a 3-0 sweep of the Big Ten's Rutgers. They then opened conference play 4-0 with wins over Saint Louis and Duquesne. A minor setback after a loss vs. GW, the Patriots went on to sweep Davidson that same week. Though the Patriots suffered some big injuries this year, the team's "next man up" mentality was evident. Of the team's seven most-started players, five of them entered the season with one or less year of collegiate experience.

Now, entering the tournament, the Patriots will look to continue to make history. They take on VCU on Friday, November 21 at 1 p.m. The game will be streamed on ESPN+ and tickets are available on the VCU Tickets page. For more information on the 2025 Atlantic 10 Women's Volleyball Tournament, click here.