Glen Allen, VA (May 2, 2024) - The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) announces its 2024 Softball All-Conference teams and superlatives as voted by the CIAA Softball Coaches Association and Sports Information Directors Association. This year's team is led by CIAA Player of the Year, Hailey Darrington, and CIAA Pitcher of the Year Kara Green, both of Virginia State University. The 2023-24 All-CIAA Softball Team was determined by the conference’s head coaches and Sports Information Directors.
Junior Hailey Darrington has been a top performer for VSU this year leading the team in batting average (.487), total hits (38), as well as OPS (1.216). In addition, she also posted a perfect 13 of 13 on stolen bases and ranks no. 1 in the conference for runs scored at 41. Defensively, she holds down center field for the Trojans where she has a .979 fielding percentage with 45 total putouts.
Last year's All-CIAA Second Team honoree, Senior Kara Green, had an impressive 2024 campaign earning All-CIAA First Team honors as well as Pitcher of the Year honors. Green led VSU from the mound this season with a 2.36 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP. Her nearly 70 innings pitched proved tough for competition with opposing batters averaging .272.
Virginia State's Mylia Knight claimed the 2024 CIAA Rookie of the Year honors. The Spotsylvania, VA native enters tournament play with a .405 batting average, a 1.192 OPS, and leads the conference in RBIs with 39. Also at the plate, she boasts 9 doubles, 2 triples, and 4 home runs. Defensively she has a .962 fielding percentage with a team-leading 149 putouts.
In her second full season, Head Coach Zadaisha Waddell has had an impressive impact on the Lincoln University Softball Program. The Lions have put together their best season in program history with a 12-4 conference record and a 7-3 division record. They will enter the tournament as the No. 2 seed in the North.
Virginia State led the conference with ten All-CIAA selections followed by Lincoln (Pa.) with 5 and Winston-Salem State with 5 as well.
For more information about the CIAA, visit www.theciaa.com or follow the conference on social media via Facebook (The CIAA), Twitter (@CIAAForLife), and Instagram (@CIAASports).
2024 All-CIAA First Team
Pitcher - Kara Green, Senior (Virginia State University)
Catcher - Ellianna Henneberg, Junior (Bowie State University)
First Base - Mylia Knight, Freshman (Virginia State University)
Second Base - Jaya Diggs-Hagwood, Junior (Virginia State University)
Third Base - Miranda Wilson, Junior (Winston-Salem State University)
Shortstop - Alaijah Pratt, Junior (Virginia State University)
Outfield - Jayla Hill, Junior (Bowie State University)
Outfield - Aliya Rose, Sophomore (Lincoln University (PA))
Outfield - Hailey Darrington, Junior (Virginia State University)
Designated Player - Bella Coffman, Senior (Bluefield State University)
Utility Player - Jaelyn Jackson, Senior (Claflin University)
2024 All-CIAA Second Team
Pitcher - Jaelyn Jackson, Senior (Claflin University)
Catcher - Jenna Nicolski, Sophomore (Virginia Union University)
First Base - Tia Brown, Junior (Lincoln University (PA))
Second Base - Zeta Brown, Senior (Elizabeth City State University)
Third Base - Skye Corum, Sophomore (Virginia State University)
Shortstop - Cydney Cooper, Sophomore (Claflin University)
Outfield - Paige Whittington, Sophomore (Bluefield State University)
Outfield - Alicia Carrington, Sophomore (Winston-Salem State University)
Outfield - Malia Simmons, Junior (Winston-Salem State University)
Designated Player - Akirra Pullen, Senior (Bowie State University)
Utility Player - Malia Simmons, Junior (Winston-Salem State University
2024 All-CIAA Rookie Team
Cathey Jordin (Lincoln University (PA))
Madison Roland (Bluefield State University)
Ashley Stringer (Lincoln University (PA))
Mylia Knight (Virginia State University)
Jeniah Williams (Claflin University)
Jyla Thomas (Winston-Salem State University)
Katelyn Grissom (Claflin University)
Presleigh Braxton (Bowie State University)
Cianna Bullock (Livingstone College)
Player of the Year - Hailey Darrington, Junior (Virginia State University)
Pitcher of the Year - Kara Green, Senior (Virginia State University)
Rookie of the Year - Mylia Knight, Freshman (Virginia State University)
Coach of the Year - Zadaisha Waddell (Lincoln University (PA))