It would take some time for Mya Miller to recall everything she and Columbia College accomplished in her four years of college basketball.

The Mexico alum Miller finished her senior year — which ended in the second round of the NAIA tournament with a 70-47 loss to eventual champion Marian University (Indiana) — as part of the team with the highest winning percentage in program history and the first to go undefeated in American Midwest Conference play. The Cougars finished 31-2 and won their fifth straight AMC tournament. 

Miller played for four of those teams, but this year felt even more special. Before the season-ending loss, Columbia went on a 20-game winning streak to secure a 93.9 winning percentage and a program-best two losses.

“We had so much experience from last year,” Miller said. “We had a transfer from UT Martin (Lexi Rubel), who is the sister of (Tori Rubel). With me and Lexi (Miller) having all that experience, we knew what it felt like and we knew we had big shoes to fill when Mal(lory) Shetley, Abby (Backes) and DeLaney (Horstman) left.”

Mya Miller might share a name with Lexi Miller, but there is no relation. Still, the two became close and shared the accomplishment of accounting for more than 100 wins for the program, which puts them as two of 24 girls to do that. Columbia was 111-15 overall with them on the roster.

Lexi Miller broke the single-season and career 3-pointers made and attempted program records this season. Lexi is Mya’s “best friend” and became “pretty much sisters” as Lexi’s parents took care of Mya when her parents couldn’t be there. Mya said she and the Macon alum had history playing against each other in high school and being part of Missouri Phenom in the AAU season.

“It’s actually crazy,” Miller said about the 115 wins. “It feels super good and especially being able to do it together. We had such a historic season. I’m sure it’s going to go in the books there.”

Mya Miller was inserted into the starting lineup as a junior and was effective whenever she had the ball. Miller averaged a career-best 11.9 points per game and shot a career-high 55 percent from the field as a senior to finish with a career 51 percent percentage from the floor. 

Miller credits Devin Griffin, of HAM basketball in Columbia and All-American with Columbia College, for working with her since a couple times in high school. Despite being a 1,000-point scorer for Mexico, Miller admitted she had uncertainty going into college because of the tougher competition and Columbia’s good reputation. 

“I trained with him all (this past) summer long for multiple times per week,” Miller said. “He boosted my confidence. He knew I was good enough when I didn’t. I always give thanks to him and (former Mexico girls basketball head coach) Ed Costley.”

Two games into this season, Miller scored a career-high 24 points in an 82-74 win at Evangel. On Senior Day, Miller recorded a double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds in a 95-61 win over Central Baptist College. 

A significant game for Miller and the rest of the Cougars was their NAIA first-round 76-63 win over Carroll College (Montana). In the last three years, Columbia couldn’t make it out of the first round so Miller said there were detractors who thought Columbia would be an early exit again.

“We worked so hard this year,” Miller said. “Yeah, we might not have played super-good teams and we won by double digits most games. This team was incredible with so much talent, and there is a lot of young talent coming up.”

While Miller’s final game didn’t have the win at the end like other memorable games, she said it will still stick with her. Mya walked up to her unofficial sister Lexi at half court and had a moment of realization with her.

“We really tried not to cry on the court,” Miller said with a laugh. “That was a rough evening.”

Miller elaborated that the tears fell because it was over for them, but they also realized there was much for them to be proud about. When she signed with Columbia, Miller said there was uncertainty with there being a new head coach her freshman year and then another coach being promoted her junior season. She said she consulted her high school coach Costley to talk through any uncertainty before her first season and then continued supporting her by watching her play in college.

Looking back, Miller said she is glad she had these four years with Columbia and is amazed with what they accomplished.

“I knew I was going to be successful but didn’t know how successful,” Miller said. “I am super amazed, and for the first time, I’m actually proud of myself. I want to thank everyone in the community. They have been super supportive, and I don’t think I could have been as successful without them and my parents and grandparents, for sure.” 

Miller can’t wait to start her next phase as a women’s basketball graduate assistant with Evangel in Springfield to learn under Madi Wallace. She will be taking another first step after having a longtime interest in coaching that she said was strengthened by Costley’s influence in high school.

“Ed really solidified that for me,” Miller said. “I knew I wanted to be a similar coach to him because he was there for everyone. He made sure that not only were you OK while at school or under his supervision, but he wanted to know how you were as a person. That’s the kind of coach I want to be.”