CHARLOTTE, NC (February 4, 2026) - The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) has announced the predicted order of finish and the 2026 Preseason All CIAA Softball Team. Both were nominated and voted on by the CIAA Sports Information Directors’ Association. 

Bowie State University was selected as the preseason favorite entering the 2026 season, followed by Claflin University and Winston-Salem State University, setting the stage for another highly competitive year across the conference. Bowie State enters the season coming off a three-peat CIAA Softball Championship run, including a championship victory over Claflin University in last season’s championship. 

2026 CIAA Softball Predicted Order of Finish 

1. Bowie State University 

2. Claflin University 

3. Winston-Salem State University 

4. Virginia State University 

5. Fayetteville State University 

6. Lincoln University (PA) 

7. Bluefield State University 

8. Virginia Union University 

9. Shaw University 

10. Elizabeth City State University 

11. Livingstone College 

12. Johnson C. Smith University 

The 2026 Preseason All-CIAA Softball Team includes seven student athletes who previously earned First Team All-CIAA honors during the 2025 season, bringing a strong foundation of experience and proven performance into the year ahead. Those student athletes include pitcher Jyla Thomas of Winston-Salem State University, first baseman Mylia Knight of Virginia State University, second baseman Aniyah Jackson of Claflin University, third baseman Treja Patterson of Fayetteville State University, shortstop Taylor Dawkins of Bowie State University, and outfielders Paige Whittington of Bluefield State University and Coreena Dunham of Bowie State University. 

2026 Preseason All CIAA Softball Team 

• Pitcher: Jyla Thomas, Winston-Salem State University 

• Catcher: Jeniah Williams, Claflin University 

• First Base: Mylia Knight, Virginia State University 

• Second Base: Aniyah Jackson, Claflin University 

• Third Base: Treja Patterson, Fayetteville State University 

• Shortstop: Taylor Dawkins, Bowie State University 

• Outfield: Lauren Parham, Virginia State University 

• Outfield: Paige Whittington, Bluefield State University 

• Outfield: Coreena Dunham, Bowie State University 

• Designated Player: Aaliyah Rodriguez, Winston-Salem State University 

• Utility Player: Taylor Dawkins, Bowie State University 

The 2026 CIAA Softball Championship will return to Orangeburg, South Carolina, and will take place May 7-May 9, 2026, with teams competing for the conference title and an automatic berth to the NCAA Division II Softball Championship. 

Media Contact: 
Anna M. Butzlaff 
Associate Commissioner, Strategic Communications 
Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) 
abutzlaff@theciaa.com 

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, North Carolina, 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.