How Wisconsin’s Mimi Colyer Has Been Star That Badgers Needed in 2025

The Rise of Mimi Colyer with Wisconsin Volleyball

Mimi Colyer, a transfer from Oregon, has been nothing short of a revelation for the Wisconsin Badgers volleyball team in 2025. Colyer’s impact on the court cannot be overstated; she is currently on pace to break the program record for kills per set, setting herself up as one of the top players in NCAA history.

A Midwestern Adaption

Coming from Lincoln, California—just north of Sacramento—Colyer might as well be a native of Madison. Her transition to Wisconsin has been seamless, and she quickly adapted to the colder climate. When asked about her first snowstorm experience in Wisconsin, Colyer recounted a humorous anecdote: “I told my mom I just go slow, and I pump the brakes. That’s how you do it,” she said with a smile.

Exceeding Expectations

Coach Kelly Sheffield has high praises for Colyer’s performance. “Has she exceeded our expectations? No, because we thought she was a player-of-the-year type of athlete. But she’s proven everything that we’ve hoped we were going to get out of her,” Sheffield said during an interview.

Colyer’s versatility and growth have been evident across the board.

While serving as an outside hitter, she has worked on areas where her game was not necessarily a strength, such as serve-receive and defensive skills. “She’s answered both those questions. She’s put the work in where she can be really good at that,” Sheffield observed.

Elite Performance

Heading into the second weekend of the NCAA tournament, Colyer is leading the charge for Wisconsin with an impressive kill rate. She currently holds a 5.32 kills per set average, setting her on track to shatter Sarah Franklin’s program record from 2024, which stands at 4.46 kills per set in the 25-point rally scoring era.

Even when looking at previous scoring eras, Colyer is above Sherisa Livingston’s 5.19 kills per set from 2000. Her performance has earned her a spot as one of 14 semifinalists for AVCA national player of the year, an award that past UW great Sarah Franklin won in 2023.

With a .395 hitting percentage and averaging 5.57 kills per set in November and December, Colyer has been playing at an elite level since November. She has finished with 20-plus kills in six of those eleven matches, including her historic performance against Iowa on Nov. 23 where she had 23 kills without any attack errors.

Future Potential

Colyer’s future looks bright both on and off the court. Her selection as the top-overall pick in the Major League Volleyball draft was a “no-brainer” according to her future coach with the Dallas Pulse, Shannon Winzer. “If she decides that she wants to be one of the best players in the world, she could do that,” Sheffield added.

“You can’t go far in this tournament without having at least one aircraft carrier,” Sheffield noted. “And she is that. And we’ve been fortunate to have some in the past. She’s as good as anybody we have had.”

Personal Reflections

Reflecting on her time with Wisconsin, Colyer said, “Coming to Wisconsin was the absolute best decision I’ve ever made in my life.” This sentiment is echoed by her continued joy and excitement for playing volleyball. “It’s been really fun for me to see how much more exciting it has become to watch play this season,” she added.

Despite her success, Colyer acknowledges the challenges of being far from home. “I don’t think this would have been the best place for my freshman year if I had come here as a freshman,” she confessed. “But now, I’m an improved volleyball player—and an improved driver in snow.”

Conclusion

The 2025 Wisconsin Badgers volleyball team is riding high with Mimi Colyer at the helm. As they head into the NCAA tournament, expectations are sky-high for this squad to make a deep run. With Colyer leading the charge, the stage is set for an unforgettable season.