As the 2025-26 academic year comes to a close, so does another UCLA Athletics chapter. The past year was filled with standout plays, broken records and national championships. And driving that success was a plethora of Bruin athletes who have all laid claim to a piece of Westwood glory. Daily Bruin Sports honors several Bruins and squads in this year’s rendition of “Superlatives.”

Men’s Athlete of the Year: Andrew Rowan
Jacob Nguyen, Sports editor

If there is any silver lining to UCLA men’s volleyball’s season, it is Andrew Rowan’s historic campaign.

The number of records set by the senior setter feels overwhelming to list out.

Rowan was named the 2026 AVCA National Player of the Year, capping off his four-year run as a Bruin, during which he was a First Team All-American each year of his career – making him only the fourth player in NCAA history to do so, alongside Hawai‘i’s Costas Theocharidis, Stanford’s Erik Shoji and Long Beach State’s TJ DeFalco.

The Trabuco Canyon, California, local paced the NCAA in assists per set, driving the Bruins’ second-most efficient hitting percentage in the nation – a mark the squad led in for most of the regular season.

Rowan also led the squad with 57 aces on the year, good for fifth in the country in aces per set. Against top-10 ranked teams, he logged 11.28 assists per set to facilitate a .366 team swinging clip.

It was no secret the former AVCA Newcomer of the Year was the best setter in the nation.

Rowan consistently demonstrated his ability to make any possible read in the book, connecting with other All-American teammates off different tempos and angles the average player would probably never dare to make. And Rowan did this while routinely using his 6-foot-6 frame at the net to play an integral role in coach John Hawks’ three-man blocking rotation.

Rowan’s masterful offensive orchestra brought UCLA to a program-best 20-0 start, during which he recorded six 45-plus assist performances, including a season-high 59 on March 3 against crosstown rival USC. Just a month later, Rowan would lead the squad to its first conference championship victory since 2023.

The two-time national champion’s new title as the country’s best player makes him the first American to receive the honor since 2019 and the first Bruin to do so since 1996.

And there is no doubt Rowan has etched his name in UCLA history.

Not only does he lead the program in all-time assists, but his impact on and off the court makes him as legendary a person as he is a player, having served as a camp counselor for a nonprofit organization serving those with intellectual and developmental disabilities – a passion heavily inspired by his sister.

What Rowan does after graduation is yet to be seen, but between competing for the USA National Team or professionally in Italy, the sky is truly the limit.

Runner-up: Roch Cholowsky

Women’s Athlete of the Year: Jordan Chiles
Sofia Celis, assistant Sports editor

We have all been told there is no such thing as “perfect.”

But senior Jordan Chiles fails to abide by that statement.

[Related: Jordan Chiles’ UCLA legacy proves she will always be ‘that girl’]

Chiles boasted eight perfect 10s this season, with four secured in a row. She never dropped below a 9.8250 across vault, beam or floor, helping her secure the No. 2 spot in the all-around in the last week of regular-season rankings.

The 2024 Olympic gold medalist has exceeded the requirements for the Athlete of the Year title.

This season, Chiles was perfect in every aspect. The graduating senior became the first in program history to win four NCAA Regional floor titles. She was ranked first in the all-around for eight weeks during her final collegiate campaign.

After appearing in every meet during her senior campaign – and leading her team to victory in all but two meets – Chiles’ 2026 season will leave a prominent legacy on UCLA’s gymnastics program.

Her teammate’s interviews this season have continuously testified to the senior’s mentorship, encouragement and kindness toward her squad. Her infectious energy has been felt not only by her team, but also by new and old fans who have held their breaths at meets, waiting for the judges to flip the scoreboard to 10.000 and to jump in celebration with Chiles.

Chiles’ legacy, although hard to compete with, should inspire future athletes.

Runner-up: Lauren Betts

Coach of the Year: Cori Close
Sinclair Richman, assistant Sports editor

You could make the case that coach Cori Close was snubbed of this award in last year’s superlatives.

But her squad’s devastating Final Four loss to UConn in the NCAA tournament left something to be desired for one of the nation’s best programs.

This year, there is no debate.

With Close at the helm, the Bruins topped their record-breaking 2024-25 season with another historic campaign that ended in the squad securing its first national championship in the March Madness era. The Bruins lost only one game across their 38-game season.

Close’s mission started right after UCLA’s 2025 Final Four run, when she recruited Gianna Kneepkens out of the transfer portal. The graduate guard’s addition, as well as fellow graduate guard Charlisse Leger-Walker’s return from injury, gave the Bruins all the pieces they needed for title contention.

She coached the squad through an undefeated Big Ten regular season, securing the first outright regular season conference title in the program’s history. The head honcho also brought the Bruins their second Big Ten tournament championship in as many years, with a dominant 96-45 victory over Iowa in the title game.

Although Close did not capture the No. 1 overall seed like last year when entering the tournament – instead receiving the No. 2 overall seed – she was able to advance her team to the Final Four, the same place it stumbled a year prior.

But Close was prepared.

She had more experience, as did her players.

Rematching with Texas – the only team UCLA lost to during the season – Close doubled down on her belief that defense wins championships, holding the Longhorns to a season-low 44 points.

Then, a 79-51 win over South Carolina – the third-largest margin of victory in an NCAA women’s basketball championship game – solidified Close as one of the top women’s basketball coaches in the country.

Close’s ability to turn around and recover after a disappointing conclusion in the 2024-25 season showed her adaptability and perseverance, which were key in women’s basketball’s historic championship season.

Runner-up: Jenny Johnson Jordan

Rookie of the Year: Mayu Crossley
Badri Viswanathan, assistant Sports editor

There is dominance.

And then there is Mayu Crossley’s inaugural campaign.

Crossley, a member of the UCLA women’s tennis squad, posted a team-best 20-3 dual-match record en route to securing Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors. She earned five Big Ten Freshman of the Week accolades and also snagged a Big Ten Player of the Week distinction.

Crossley’s excellence in her freshman season is not just reflected in her number of wins, but in how she won.

Eighteen of her 20 singles victories in 2026 came in straight sets, including 13 consecutive wins to close the season. Crossley clinched five ranked dual-match victories, including two against top-10 opponents.

The Tokyo local also showed her ability to meet significant expectations and overcome growing pains.

Crossley was deemed the nation’s No. 1 college newcomer, per ITA, upon entering UCLA.

But she struggled early, losing her first four singles matches and going 3-5 in individual tournament play.

It was initially unclear what Crossley’s freshman campaign had in store – whether she would immediately burst onto the scene as a young phenom or develop gradually.

But that question was answered Jan. 18 when Crossley assumed the No. 2 spot in the Bruins’ lineup in just her first dual match, during which she defeated San Diego State’s Ninon Martinache 6-3, 6-2.

The No. 2 slot in UCLA’s lineup became the team’s most consistent source of a point all season long.

And after the graduation of senior Anne-Christine Lutkemeyer, all signs point to Crossley taking the mantle as the lead singles player on next year’s roster.

Runners-up: Tiana Sumanasekera and Ashlee Sullivan

Men’s Transfer of the Year: Donovan Dent
Jacob Nguyen, Sports editor

Westwood won’t forget Donovan Dent’s legendary March 2026 run, even as disappointing as it may be to see the senior point guard retiring from basketball upon graduating from UCLA.

The former Mountain West Conference Player of the Year was never expected to come to Los Angeles as a true three-level offensive threat, never taking more than two three-pointers per game in any season of his collegiate career before UCLA.

Nor did the Riverside local start the season off hot. As a junior at New Mexico, Dent shot 49% from the field and 40.9% from deep, but that efficiency dipped to 40.8% and 25.4%, respectively, in the past season.

But what Dent did bring was prolific playmaking and an IQ Westwood may not have seen since Lonzo Ball in the 2016-17 season.

Dent’s team-leading 7.6 assists per game equaled that of the former second-overall NBA pick, and his 1.7 steals per game ensured his 6-foot-2 frame was not a complete liability. In other words, where the former Lobo was exploited for his physical limitations, he made up for it with quick hands and sharp reactions to disrupt passing lanes.

After a road trip to the Great Lakes State mid-February, during which the Bruins were walloped by a combined 53 points against Michigan and Michigan State, questions emerged as to whether UCLA would even make the Big Dance.

But then came Dent’s heroics.

The last two home games of February were a sight to behold.

On Feb. 21, the All-Big Ten Honorable Mention stormed down the court against then-No. 10 Illinois in overtime. Down one with just seconds to spare, Dent contorted his body at the rim to lay in a shot past a Fighting Illini defender at the buzzer and secure the home upset.

Just three days later, Dent would trounce the Trojans with a season-high 30 points – including a 5-for-6 outing from three-point land – despite it being just his second game of the season with multiple three-pointers.

And while the Bruins were unable to make it past the second round of the NCAA tournament, Dent helped spearhead UCLA’s offense in March with his 55 assists on just seven turnovers.

Who knows what could’ve happened against Purdue in the Big Ten tournament semifinals had Dent not gotten injured?

[Related: Without Bilodeau and Dent, UCLA men’s basketball loses 73-66 to Purdue]

Nonetheless, Bruin fans can reminisce on an eventful – yet short-lived – era, headlined by a shifty point guard who was able to control the pace of games and set up teammates in the process.

Runner-up: Christopher Connelly

Women’s Transfer of the Year: Lola Schumacher
Gabriela Garcia, Daily Bruin senior staff

The voice.

The hype.

The back-row anchor.

That was everything sophomore libero Lola Schumacher brought to the Bruins in her first year with the squad after transferring from Wisconsin.

Schumacher led the Westwood squad with a solid defense all season and took it back to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2021.

And she wasn’t just a leader for the Bruins – she was a conference standout.

The Carmel, Indiana, local finished the season leading the Big Ten with 495 total digs, averaging 4.38 per set. Schumacher also earned All-Big Ten First Team honors, a feat only one other libero in the conference achieved.

Schumacher was a clear leader on the court, continuously encouraging her teammates and celebrating the most when others were getting kills or making elite saves. That leadership was reflected through an entire squad that always seemed to play with joy.

The 2025 First Team AVCA All-Pacific Region honoree was a true anchor, no matter the opponent.

Schumacher was everywhere on the court. She posted double-digit digs in 27 of her 29 matches played this season, adding on to a .946 serve receive percentage, limiting the strength of opposing servers to keep the Bruins in system.

Her impact was clear.

If former head coach Alfee Reft needed a dig, Schumacher was the answer.

Runner-up: Gianna Kneepkens

Men’s Defensive Player of the Year: Cameron Thorne
Steven Chaparyan, assistant Sports editor

Anyone who has attended a UCLA men’s volleyball match this season has witnessed Cameron Thorne jumping out of the gym.

The 6-foot-4 middle blocker may not have been the tallest member of the roster – he was the shortest starter, discounting libero – but he still seemed to glide through the air each time his feet left the ground.

[Related: ‘It’s my last chance to do it’: Cameron Thorne is no stranger to grit, tenacity]

And this made life difficult for opposing players, who could not get many attacking opportunities without being immediately met at the net by Thorne.

The Hollywood, Florida, local has served as a cornerstone of the Bruin defense ever since arriving in Westwood after two seasons at Grand Canyon University. In addition to his already explosive offensive arsenal, Thorne’s high-flying abilities allowed him to effectively complement his teammates in terms of blocking.

Thorne posted 10 solo blocks and 85 block assists in 2026, both of which were team highs. His 0.91 blocks per set were also good for eighth in the MPSF.

The senior tallied at least five total blocks in nine matches for the blue and gold throughout the season, helping the Bruins post a higher hitting percentage than their opponents in all but two matches this past year. Including the postseason, UCLA finished second in the conference in opponent hitting percentage at .247 and fourth in the conference in blocks per set with 2.21.

Thorne’s best defensive performance of the season came in the squad’s final match May 2 – a five-set thriller against UC Irvine that ended the Bruins’ season after an extremely tight final frame.

Thorne tallied six total blocks and five digs in that match, limiting the Anteaters to a .037 hitting percentage in the second set and a .292 clip as a whole. His defensive efforts were crucial for allowing the Bruins to bounce back and stay in the match after dropping the first and third sets, though UC Irvine would ultimately emerge victorious.

Named an AVCA First Team All-American for the third time in 2026, as well as the best middle blocker in the country in both 2025 and 2026, Thorne will undoubtedly be remembered as the energy that fueled the Bruins’ dominance over the past two seasons.

Runner-up: Nate Tauscher

Women’s Defensive Player of the Year: Lauren Betts
Willa Campion, Daily Bruin senior staff

Only 20 seconds remained on the game clock, and Texas trailed by just three points.

Longhorn forward Madison Booker drove to the basket, looking for a layup. Sidestep, a push off her left foot and smack – Booker was rejected by senior center Lauren Betts.

The decisive denial sealed the game for the Bruins, who went on to score four more points off free throws and earn their first-ever spot in an NCAA national championship game. UCLA’s Final Four win over Texas not only made program history but was revenge against the team that had marred its otherwise unblemished season.

Locking down a First Team All-American during arguably the highest-pressure moment of her career encapsulates the defensive force Betts is on the court. The 6-foot-7 center is often lauded for being the Bruins’ offensive anchor in the post – and deservingly so – but it is her relentless effort to come down with defensive boards, as well as her ability to silence some of the nation’s best players, that makes her so valuable.

Betts entered her senior campaign as the reigning Naismith Defensive Player of the Year and ended the season as the Bruins’ leading blocker with 76 denials – more than triple her nearest teammate. Propelled by 17 smackdowns in her team’s March Madness run, Betts surpassed former forward Monique Billings as UCLA’s all-time leader in blocks, collecting 235 across her three seasons in Westwood.

The ferocity Betts brings to denying shots translates onto the glass as well. Her 5.3 defensive rebounds per game through the 2025-26 season helped fuel her to 15 double-doubles – the most of any player in the Big Ten. While it certainly helps that she usually stands taller than anyone on the court, her ability to rein in wayward balls through contact proved vital in earning her consecutive Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors.

[Related: Women’s basketball takes 4 Big Ten awards, joins nearly every all-conference team]

Betts’ block against Booker will likely live on in ESPN highlight reels for years to come, along with her name in Westwood record books. But for now, Betts’ defensive prowess has found a new home on the Washington Mystics, which drafted the graduating Bruin No. 4 overall in the 2026 WNBA Draft.

Runner-up: Genoa Rossi

Biggest Breakout: Trent Perry
Connor Dullinger, Daily Bruin senior staff

The 2024-25 season looked like Trent Perry’s nightmare.

A former McDonald’s All-American and four-star recruit out of Harvard-Westlake School, Perry was poised to be the next great Bruin freshman.

But it did not take long to see that Perry was far from making an impact during his first year in Westwood.

The West Covina, California, local averaged just 3.7 points, 1.7 rebounds and 0.7 assists through just 11.4 minutes per game during his freshman campaign. To add insult to injury, the high school sharpshooter boasted only a 36.9% field goal percentage and 34.3% clip from deep.

Perry, who was once a promising prospect poised to make an early impact, soon became an afterthought.

And following a disappointing start, question marks surrounded the former four-star’s commitment to coach Mick Cronin’s squad.

But after discussions with the coaching staff and the departures of former Bruin guards Sebastian Mack and Dylan Andrews, Perry returned to UCLA for a second season – a massive retention for Cronin and his staff.

[Related: Trent Perry pushes through adversity, takes advantage of opportunities to shine]

And it was not long before Perry proved he was worth the price tag of a former blue-chip prospect.

The sophomore guard posted four double-digit scoring performances in his first seven contests of the 2025-26 season, including two 17-point games against West Georgia and California – one more than he did throughout the entirety of his freshman season.

Perry looked to be the perfect sixth man for an already stacked backcourt consisting of former Bruin guards Skyy Clark and Donovan Dent – the latter coming off a season during which he earned an AP All-American Honorable Mention and a Mountain West Player of the Year trophy.

But Perry’s second-year breakout really solidified itself when Clark went down with a hamstring injury Jan. 3, which sidelined him for 10 games and gave Perry a starting role he kept until the end of the season, with Cronin opting for a three-guard lineup when Clark returned.

[Related: Trent Perry’s newfound limelight may see uncertain future with Skyy Clark return]

Following Clark’s injury, Perry averaged 14.4 points and 3.5 rebounds per game, making him the third scoring option behind Dent and senior forward Tyler Bilodeau. And Perry did not shy away from the big moments, either.

While he struggled with efficiency, he still averaged 13.8 points, 3.4 assists and three rebounds per game across the Big Ten tournament and March Madness.

Retaining Perry for his third year in the blue and gold was arguably Cronin’s most important move of the offseason, as the offense will likely center on Perry with the departures of Bilodeau, Clark and Dent – three of the team’s top-five scorers from this past season.

Perry was a completely different player after one season of barely playing in Westwood.

Just imagine what he can do after starting 24 and playing in 35 games in his sophomore season.

Runner-up: Sydney Barros

Dynamic Duo: Jordan Woolery and Megan Grant
Kate Bergfeld, assistant Sports editor

Legendary.

There are many words one could use to describe the senior softball duo, with nicknames such as the “Bruin Bombers” and “Bash Sisters” popping up in the media. Simply put, utility Megan Grant and infielder Jordan Woolery are going to go down as legends in collegiate softball history.

[Related: The ‘Bruin Bombers’ lay the foundation for UCLA’s hitting success]

Grant became the new NCAA single-season home run record holder during the Big Ten tournament after hitting No. 38 and has since extended that mark to 42.

The two-time USA Softball Player of the Year Finalist had an incredible season and was on track to set a new NCAA slugging record with a then-average of 1.33. She also led the nation with a 0.639 on-base percentage, 1.983 on-base plus slugging and 74 walks.

As of May 25, Grant reached base 156 times out of 240 plate appearances, with 40 of her 69 hits being four-baggers. She reached base 61 out of 63 games and only struck out 13 times across all of the 2026 campaign.

And if those numbers aren’t intimidating enough for opposing pitchers, the Bruin up next in the lineup is fellow senior Woolery.

The Walnut Creek, California, local was named Softball America’s National Player of the Year and Big Ten Player of the Year in 2026. In a 13-5 victory over California on April 18, Woolery tallied season-highs of 15 putouts, two home runs, seven RBIs and four hits.

Woolery led the team in multiple batting categories, with 117 RBIs, 17 doubles, 97 hits and 226 total bases. She also led the Bruins in batting average at 0.497 but was on track to become the first player in NCAA Division 1 history to finish the season with a batting average of 0.500 or above, more than 30 home runs and more than 100 runs batted in.

In 2026, both Bruins were named top-10 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year finalists – with Grant making it to the top three – and earned First Team All-American honors.

And as if their senior campaigns weren’t impressive enough, they both have earned multiple All-American selections across all four years of their collegiate careers. After their collegiate debuts, they both made the Pac-12 All-Freshman Team and the NFCA Freshman of the Year Top Ten list.

Grant and Woolery have not only left their marks on UCLA softball history, but also on UCLA Athletics and national softball history as a whole.

And as their chapters as Bruins conclude, they prepare to start new ones professionally in the Athletes Unlimited Softball League.

Best Senior Class: Women’s Basketball
Sinclair Richman, assistant Sports editor

UCLA women’s basketball’s 2026 graduating class was historic.

Last year, it helped to secure UCLA’s first-ever No. 1 overall seed entering March Madness and advanced to the program’s first Final Four in the March Madness era.

But this year, the squad went above and beyond.

The graduating Bruins – Lauren Betts, Angela Dugalić, Gabriela Jaquez, Gianna Kneepkens, Charlisse Leger-Walker and Kiki Rice – proved their importance to the team all season, boasting the top-six marks on the team for total points, rebounds, assists and steals.

All six were honored with Big Ten awards, with Betts taking home Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year. Rice made First Team All-Big Ten, and Jaquez and Kneepkens were named to various Second Team All-Big Ten rosters. Dugalić was named Sixth Player of the Year, and Leger-Walker was the Sportsmanship Honoree.

The Bruins won their first national championship in the March Madness era, with every point from both the Final Four and the championship game being scored by the graduating class. A week later, they continued to make history at the WNBA Draft.

Five players from the team were drafted in the first round – a WNBA record – and the sixth and final Westwood competitor was picked up early in the second round. The Bruins broke the record for the most players from one school drafted in one night.

[Related: UCLA women’s basketball players find new homes at record-breaking WNBA draft]

But the success of the class did not stop there.

Every single drafted Bruin made it onto a WNBA roster, a challenging feat for rookies. Coach Cori Close’s impact on the WNBA more than doubled, with six of the eleven active UCLA alumni in the league being a part of this draft class.

These six players changed the game for UCLA women’s basketball, and their legacies within the program will be remembered for years to come.

Most Resilient Squad: Men’s Basketball
Badri Viswanathan, assistant Sports editor

The Bruins were unraveling before the nation.

They had just suffered an 82-59 blowout loss at the hands of No. 15 Michigan State. To make matters worse, coach Mick Cronin had ejected senior forward Steven Jamerson II for what he perceived to be a dirty play.

It was Feb. 17, and the Bruins – a projected bubble team for March Madness – were seeing their chances of being selected for the tournament slip away.

Over the next four days, Cronin’s actions caught attention.

His decision to eject his own player on an ambiguous hustle play looked to be a mistake at best and a cruel power play at worst.

And four days later, the Bruins appeared to have waved the white flag.

UCLA gave up a 20-0 run to No. 10 Illinois and trailed 33-10 with 9:20 left in the first half.

What would happen next seemed obvious. UCLA would lose by a sizable margin and would maybe even see its head honcho fired in the following days.

The Cronin saga would be over.

But then something strange happened.

The Bruins came roaring back.

Illinois’ lead was cut to seven by halftime. The Bruins made enough plays in the second half to force overtime, where senior guard Donovan Dent went coast-to-coast in under five seconds to complete the comeback victory.

In the following weeks, the Bruins dominated. The squad secured two victories against crosstown rival USC, trounced then-No. 9 Nebraska 72-52 and then went on a run to the Big Ten semifinals and the second round of the NCAA tournament.

Despite Dent and senior forward Tyler Bilodeau – the team’s leading scorer – suffering injuries during the postseason, the Bruins never threw in the towel.

The season that could have burned to ashes that February night instead emitted a fiery glow.