Orangeburg, SC (May 6, 2026) – The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA®) announces its 2026 Softball All–Conference teams and postseason honors as voted by the CIAA Sports Information Directors Association in conjunction with the conference’s head coaches. This year’s honorees are highlighted by CIAA Player of the Year Paige Whittington of Bluefield State University, CIAA Pitcher of the Year Sydney Seals of Bowie State University, CIAA Rookie of the Year Aaliyah Amos of Bowie State University, and CIAA Coach of the Year Chelsea Holliday of Bluefield State University.
In just her third season at the helm, Chelsea Hollday has transformed the Bluefield State softball program into one of the conference’s top contenders. After inheriting a program that finished 6–39 prior to her arrival, Holliday guided Big Blue to a program best 19 wins during the 2026 season and positioned the team one victory away from its first ever 20-win campaign.
Bluefield State also secured its first CIAA Tournament appearance in program history under Holliday’s leadership. The Big Blue posted a 10–4 conference record with a .714 winning percentage while remaining undefeated at home at 10–0, another program milestone. Against one of the toughest schedules in the region, Bluefield State faced six regionally ranked opponents while leading the CIAA in at bats (1,034), runs scored (216), hits (333), doubles (78), RBI (179), and stolen bases (102). The team also ranked second in the conference in batting average at .389. Holliday’s players earned weekly conference honors six times throughout the season, further reflecting the program’s growth and success.
Paige Whittington earned CIAA Player of the Year honors after putting together one of the most dominant offensive seasons in conference history. The senior outfielder led the CIAA in on base percentage (.552), runs scored (50), hits (61), doubles (13), triples (4), at bats (125), and stolen bases (43). She also paced Bluefield State in batting average (.488), slugging percentage (.659), total bases (85), and games played (40).
A native of Hagerstown, Maryland, Whittington continued to establish herself as one of the greatest players in Bluefield State history. For her career, she owns a .446 batting average with 195 hits, 150 runs scored, 54 RBI, and 125 stolen bases while maintaining a .956 fielding percentage across 137 games. Nationally, Whittington ranks 12th in NCAA Division II in batting average and sixth in stolen bases.
Sydney Seals was named CIAA Pitcher of the Year following a standout sophomore season in the circle for Bowie State University. Seals finished the regular season with a 10–5 overall record, a 3.38 ERA, and a team best 101 strikeouts across 91 innings pitched. She recorded 10 complete games and three shutouts while holding opponents to a .248 batting average.
A two-time CIAA Pitcher of the Week selection, Seals consistently delivered dominant performances throughout conference play and served as a key piece in Bowie State’s undefeated CIAA campaign. Her ability to work deep into games, generate strikeouts, and limit opposing offenses helped anchor one of the conference’s strongest pitching staffs.
Aaliyah Amos captured CIAA Rookie of the Year honors after an impressive freshman season for Bowie State. Amos emerged as one of the league’s most versatile newcomers, making major contributions both in the circle and at the plate.
As a pitcher, Amos compiled a 7–7 record with a 4.19 ERA and 89 strikeouts over 102 innings pitched while tossing 13 complete games. Opponents hit just .256 against her throughout the season. Offensively, she batted .226 with seven hits, nine RBI, and a .516 slugging percentage while posting a .359 on base percentage. Amos earned both CIAA Rookie of the Week and CIAA Pitcher of the Week honors during the season, becoming one of the few freshmen in the conference recognized on both sides of the ball.
Coach of the Year – Chelsea Holliday, Bluefield State University
Player of the Year – Paige Whittington, Bluefield State University
Pitcher of the Year – Sydney Seals, Bowie State University
Rookie of the Year – Aaliyah Amos, Bowie State University
2026 All–CIAA First Team
Pitcher – Sydney Seals, Bowie State University
Catcher – Jeniah Williams, Claflin University
First Base – Aniylah Lane, Johnson C. Smith University
Second Base – Aniyah Jackson, Claflin University
Third Base – Mikayla Amos, Bowie State University
Shortstop – Sydney Jackson, Fayetteville State University
Outfield – Paige Whittington, Bluefield State University
Outfield – Sky Hicks, Bluefield State University
Outfield – Lauryn Foster, Claflin University
Designated Player – Michaela Cromarty, Claflin University
Utility Player – Taylor Dawkins, Bowie State University
2026 All–CIAA Second Team
Pitcher – Katelynn Grissom, Claflin University
Catcher – Janessah Nappi, Bluefield State University
First Base – Kyla Jones, Bluefield State University
Second Base – Layla Smith, Winston-Salem State University
Third Base – Xztashya Porter, Fayetteville State University
Shortstop – Amaya Corona, Bluefield State University
Outfield – Cyndia Dobbins, Shaw University
Outfield – Presleigh Braxton, Bowie State University
Outfield – Coreena Dunham, Bowie State University
Designated Player – Madison Hayes, Virginia Union University
Utility Player – Aryana Meadows, Claflin University
2026 All–Rookie Team
Aryana Meadows, Claflin University
Amaya Corona, Bluefield State University
Skyy Hicks, Bluefield State University
Imari Jordan, Shaw University
Aaliyah Amos, Bowie State University
Elisia Gonzalez Pettis, Virginia Union University
Jahzira Hogan, Johnson C. Smith University
Hailey Trujillo, Bluefield State University
Alexis Coles, Bluefield State University
The 2026 CIAA Softball Championship is set for May 7–9 in Orangeburg, South Carolina. The three-day tournament will feature a double elimination format, culminating with the championship game on Saturday, May 9 at 1 p.m. An additional game will be played at 4 p.m. if necessary to determine a champion.
Media Contact:
Anna M. Butzlaff
Associate Commissioner, Strategic Communications
Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA)
About the CIAA
Founded in 1912, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) is the first, and longest running, African American athletic conference in the U.S. and one of the most recognized conferences in Division II. The CIAA conducts 14 championships attended by more than 150,000 fans from around the country. The Basketball Tournament has been honored as a 2019 Champion of Economic Impact in Sports Tourism by Sports Destination Management, the leading publication with the largest circulation of sports event planners and tournament directors in the sports tourism market, for both 2018 and 2019.
Headquartered in Charlotte, the CIAA is governed by the Presidents and Chancellors of its 12 member institutions: Bowie State University, Bluefield State University, Claflin University, Elizabeth City State University, Fayetteville State University, Johnson C. Smith University, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, Livingstone College, Shaw University, Virginia State University, Virginia Union University, and Winston-Salem State University. For more information on the CIAA, visit theciaa.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.