Texas softball is almost here, and five girls were named to an incredibly prestigious award watchlist heading into the 2026 season.
Reese Atwood, Ashton Maloney, Kayden Henry, Teagan Kavan, and Katie Stewart have all been recently added to the preseason watchlist for USA Softball's 2026 Collegiate Player of the Year Award.
Atwood, one of the best catchers in the sport, heads into the 2026 season at the top of her game in multiple areas. She led the Longhorns in RBI's (89), home runs (21), total bases (157), OPS (1.326), walks (41), and slugging percentage with .822 last season.
She also became the first student-athlete in program history to record multiple 20-home run seasons.
Ashton Maloney and Kayden Henry were two of the most dominant outfielders in the SEC in 2025. Maloney was also one of only three Longhorns to play in and start all 68 games for the team last year for HC Mike White. Henry started 64 games and also led the team in runs with 72 in 208 overall plate appearances.
Teagan Kavan, Women's College World Series Most Outstanding Player in 2025, continues to be one of the most feared pitchers in the game right now. She posted a 28-5 ledger last year and a 2.16 ERA (team best) against 788 hitters.
Kavan also earned six career-wins at the WCWS, the most by any Texas student-athlete in program history.
Katie Stewart, one of the other Longhorns to start all 68 games alongside Maloney, broke out in 2025 in multiple areas. She recorded career-highs with 75 hits, 54 runs, 17 home runs, 80 RBI, and 140 total bases on 197 plate appearances as a sophomore.
As an infielder, she logged .958 fielding percentage with 142 putouts and 41 assists (career-high) as well.
These ladies look to not only be some of the best players in collegiate softball in 2026, but their main goal is to bring another Championship to Austin this year.