Three Players Chosen In The Draft As 2025 AVCA All-Americans. The Major League Volleyball (MLV) draft was a key event in the league’s development, featuring the selection of several AVCA All-Americans that highlight the league’s increasing capacity to draw top collegiate talent.
These outstanding athletes are set to have an instant effect in the 2026 season, enhancing the quality of play and reinforcing MLV’s reputation as the top choice for professional volleyball in the United States.
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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Three Grand Rapids Rise players selected in the 2025 / 2026 Major League Volleyball Draft were named AVCA All-Americans, as revealed Wednesday by the American Volleyball Coaches Association.
Third Team Honors Picks
Alexis Shelton, a first-round pick (fourth overall) from the University of Oklahoma, earned third-team honors. Meanwhile, Jordan Wilson, a third-round pick (18th overall) from the University of Arizona, and Hattie Bray, a fourth-round pick (25th overall) from Marquette University, were honored.
The Three Draftees Recognized
- Alexis Shelton (University of Oklahoma): First-round pick (fourth overall) earned third-team All-America recognition. Standing at 6-foot-2, she finished her senior year with 439 kills and was named a two-time All-SEC player.
- Jordan Wilson (University of Arizona): Third-round pick (18th overall) earned honorable mention All-American status. The 6-foot outside hitter had 1,524 career kills in 2024 and had 13 double-doubles.
- Hattie Bray (Marquette University): Fourth-round pick (25th overall) also earned honorable mention recognition. A 6-foot-2 middle blocker, she finished her career with more than 1,000 kills and an impressive .333 percentage.
Key 2025 AVCA All-Americans Selected in the MLV Draft
The following table highlights notable All-Americans drafted in 2025 and the professional teams that acquired their rights.
| Player | College | 2025 AVCA All-America Status | MLV Draft Pick (Team) | Key Collegiate Achievement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexis Shelton | University of Oklahoma | Third Team | 4th Overall (Grand Rapids Rise) | Two-time All-SEC First Team; career-high 30 kills in a match |
| Ava Martin | Creighton Universit | Second Team | 2nd Overall (Atlanta Vibe) | 2025 Big East Player of the Year; top 5 in Creighton career kills |
| Maddie Waak | Texas A&M University | Third Team | Signed by Atlanta Vibe | Nation’s leader in assists per set (11.50); led team to NCAA title |
| Elia Rubin | Stanford University | First Team | 26th Overall (San Diego Mojo) | AVCA Pacific Region Player of the Year; 1,000+ career kills & digs |
| Jordan Wilson | University of Arizona | Honorable Mention | 18th Overall (Grand Rapids Rise) | Two-time All-Big 12; career-high 37 kills in an upset win |
| Hattie Bray | Marquette University | Honorable Mention | 25th Overall (Grand Rapids Rise) | Four-time All-Big East; hit .786 in an NCAA Tournament match |
Alexis Shelton, a 6-foot-2 outside hitter, earned her second AVCA Third Team All-America honor after an impressive senior season where she had 439 kills (106 career sets) with 163 digs, 78 blocks and 12 aces for a .288 hitting percentage in 27 matches.
She finished her Sooners career just one kill shy of 1,600 and three digs shy of 500, while attempting more than 1,000 attacks in each of her final three seasons. A two-time All-SEC First Team honoree, Shelton tied a career high with 30 kills at Notre Dame on Sept. 9, 2023.
Jordan Wilson, a 6-foot outside hitter, started her freshman year at the University of Southern California in 2022 before transferring to the University of Arizona, where she played from 2023 to 2025. She finished her four-year college career with 1,524 kills, 662 digs and 153 blocks.
A two-time All-Big 12 first-team selection, Wilson led Arizona with 13 double-doubles in 2024 and had a career-high 37 kills in a surprise win over then-No. 8 Kansas on Nov. 8, 2024. She was also recognized on the 2022 Pac-12 All-Freshman Team after collecting 333 kills, 69 digs and 25 blocks in 116 sets at USC.
Hattie Bray, who stands 6-foot-2, was a middle blocker at Marquette University for four seasons from 2022 to 2025 after sitting out as a true freshman in 2021.
She finished her college career with 1,062 kills on a .333 hitting percentage with 408 blocks, 178 digs and 37 aces in 127 matches (452 sets).
A four-time All-Big East selection, Bray earned 2024 AVCA All-North Region First Team honors and was recognized as an AVCA All-East Region honorable mention in 2023.
Frequently Asked Questions for Three Players Chosen In The Draft As 2025 AVCA All-Americans
What does “AVCA All-American” mean?
This is NCAA volleyball’s highest individual honor, given to the nation’s best players each season by the American Volleyball Coaches Association.
How many AVCA All-Americans were drafted in 2025?
While not all teams have the exact numbers listed, several players were selected with first, second, third, and honorable mention status. For example, the Grand Rapids Rise drafted three alone.
Which MLV team drafted the most All-Americans in 2025?
Based on available reports, the Grand Rapids Rise drafted three AVCA All-Americans: Alexis Shelton (third team), Jordan Wilson (honorable mention) and Hattie Bray (honorable mention).
Do All-Americans usually get drafted high?
Often, yes. Elite All-American status is a strong predictor of high draft selection. For example, Eva Martin (second team) was the second overall pick, and Alexis Shelton (third team) was the fourth overall pick.
What is the main challenge for an All-American entering MLV?
The main challenge is adapting to the increasing speed, power, and strategic complexity of professional play, which is a significant step up from even the highest levels of NCAA competition.