Roanoke, Va. – Hollins University announced her major athletic award winners at the 2024-25 annual Athletic Banquet, held in the small gym of the Athletic Building.
Senior Cabria Mutz was named the Hollins Sportswoman of the year after a stellar final season on the basketball court. The First-Year Athlete of the Year award went to Evelyn Keefer of the soccer and track& field teams while the Coaches Excellence Award was bestowed upon riding senior Elyssa Parker. Junita "Nedie" Keelean was named the Hollins Service Award winner while Carl and Linda Ennis were named the Vince Rewekant Super Fans for their support of Hollins during the 24-25 seasons.
Mutz consistently demonstrated outstanding performances, averaging a double-double with 10.8 rebounds and 10 points per game. She earned the distinction of ODAC Defensive Player of the Week twice and was one of only three players in the league to average a double-double. She was named All-ODAC, for the first time in her career, at the conclusion of the season. In 2024-25, Cabria was #1 in the ODAC in blocks and blocks per game, 2nd in the ODAC in rebounds per game (10.8), Tied for 8th in the ODAC in steals per game (2.0), and ranked 2nd nationally in blocks per game and 3rd in total blocks. Her legacy at Hollins is etched in the record books, as she finishes her career as the program's all-time leader in blocks (239) and 2nd in rebounds (885).
Keefer was selected as the first ODAC Player of the Week in 2024-25, the first nominee HU Soccer has had in many years. She was an anchor for the program, playing full matches throughout the season. She also has excelled in track and broken school records in only her first year in the program. In the conference, Keefer was 10th in the ODAC with nine goals, 7th with 51 shots, 10th in shots on goal with 29, and 8th in total points with 18. On the track, Keefer set a personal best of 2:38.24 in the 800m at the Dr. Jack M. Toms Alumni Invitational in late March.
Parker not only been a key member of the Riding program inside and outside of the ring, she has been a key contributor to the athletic department as a whole. Elyssa is a nationally recognized rider by the IHSA and a three-year team captain. She has been diligent in organizing many of the riding team activities outside of the ring including strength and conditioning, team outings and community service projects. A member of the ODAC All-Academic team, Elyssa has represented both the riding program and the athletic department as a whole a countless admission events and alumnae panels and has served on the search committee for multiple staff members.
Keelean, a member of the Hollins University houskeeping staff, exemplifies service through her unwavering dedication and genuine care for Hollins Athletics. She consistently goes above and beyond, particularly during times when the university is not operating under normal hours. For example, when sports teams host tournaments, Nedie ensures that facilities are clean and welcoming by cleaning bathrooms, taking out the trash, and vacuuming common areas. Her attention to detail ensures that student-athletes and guests enjoy a positive experience. Furthermore, Nedie prioritizes the safety of student-athletes by mopping the floor during intermissions of home games—demonstrating her proactive approach and commitment to excellence. Nedie's kindness and dedication extend beyond her duties.
Carl and Linda have been unwavering in their support, attending nearly every home basketball this season and even traveling to away games at Bridgewater, Ferrum, and Roanoke. Despite not having a family member on the team, their dedication and enthusiasm have made them our number one fans. Their presence is consistently felt and appreciated through their enthusiastic cheering and positive energy. Their commitment to supporting Hollins Athletics extends beyond just attending games. They have shared photos of the team in their community newsletter and are actively encouraging others to join them in cheering on Hollins. Carl and Linda have already begun inviting friends to attend games at Hollins and their genuine passion, kindness, and dedication to Hollins Athletics have made a lasting impact on our community.
