MARIETTA, Ohio — Women's volleyball standout Mia Silva will be presented with the 2026 Cleland-Lazorik Award, given annually to a senior female for outstanding achievement in athletics and academics, this Saturday (Feb. 14) evening at the 43rd annual Marietta College Athletics Hall of Fame Banquet.

Silva was a four-year varsity letter winner on the volleyball team.  She received All-Ohio Athletic Conference honors all four years, claiming first team status her senior year.  She led the team in kills her freshman year and went on to land sixth all-time in the history of the program with 1038 kills.  Silva was also a major part of the historic perfect 22-0 regular season that led to Marietta first ever appearance into the NCAA tournament.

Silva represented Marietta College athletics very well as she was an excellent student athlete.   She was named Academic All-OAC three times and was named to the CSC Academic All-District team in 2022 and 2024.  

Known as the Marietta College Volleyball "Hype Woman", Mia always brought out the best in those around her. She worked really hard to make sure she was supporting everyone around her even when she wasn't doing her best. When she was not playing or practicing volleyball, she supported the program as a whole, attending other teams' games and cheering loud and proud.

Established in 1988 through the generosity of former Marietta College President Dr. Sherrill Cleland, the Betty Cleland Award was renamed the Cleland-Lazorik Award in 2016. The award is named in honor of President Cleland's late wife, Betty, and former Marietta College Director of Athletics Debbie Lazorik.

Ms. Cleland, who died in 1986 after fighting a courageous battle with cancer, was an inspiration to the entire College community. Her example of dedication to volunteerism makes it the most prestigious award given to a female student-athlete at Marietta College.

Lazorik has been a tireless advocate for women's sports since coming to Marietta College in 1980. She served as head volleyball coach for seven seasons and head women's basketball coach for 12. Lazorik became the first female Athletic Director in the OAC in 1989 and served in that role through 2007.

Fans can follow the Pioneers all season long at pioneers.marietta.edu. You can also follow the Pioneers on Facebook at facebook.com/MariettaCollege and @MariettaPioneer on X and Instagram.