The NCSA D2 season has officially started, and we would like to announce the 2024-25 Preseason Top 10 teams! With no surprise here we have our National Champion at #1, I think this placement can speak for itself as this ranking was well deserved! #2 you are looking at your runner up from the World Series, Salisbury never gave up throughout the year making this a well-earned #2 seed! At #3 we have SHU D2 Sacred Heart never gave up this season, this is a team to watch this season! To see Stevenson at #5 was a surprise as they were out third place team at the World Series, I know they will bring their best 9 on the field this season! Click here to see the full NCSA D2 Preseason Top 10!

District 4 home of the National Champions UW-Whitewater, what a way to finish the 2024 season! District 4 is a powerhouse for competition with Wisconsin D2, Ferris state, SVSU and UW-Whitewater! These four teams not only made their mark this year but will continue to get stronger and stronger for the years to come. Adding St. Thomas to the mix this year we are excited to see if they will shuffle things around! Oakland is a former D1 team who wanted to take a step down to compete in D2, exciting things are coming for the 2025 season! Click here for the district 4 Team Previews! 

District II teams are powerhouses as not 1 but 2 teams from District II attended the NCSA D2 World Series. Representing the south conference, we had both Stevenson and Salisbury, Stevenson is currently ranked #3 and Salisbury is #2 in the Nation!  Lock Haven is another team to watch as they attended the District Playoffs as they had a great run but fell short of the championship title. Adding Towson to D2 this season will bring more competition to District II! Click here to see District II Team Previews!

District 1 teams are no strangers to the top 10 as majority of District 1 teams were ranked very highly! Last year’s preseason top 10 New Haven, Sacred Heart (D2) and Merrimack were all teams who were ranked! Sacred Heart (D2) are very familiar with attending World Series now they can add the NCSA D2 World series to that list as they played 4th overall at the NCSA D2 World Series! for the 2024-25 season we did add a few new teams to District 1 from Division 1 Quinnipiac and New England. As for new teams we added Yale to the mix of new teams to the NCSA this season! Let’s See if Fairfield will be able to remain undefeated this season as the season will is set to begin this weekend! Click here to see District 1 Team Previews! 

If you weren’t able to join us last night LIVE, not to worry!  Click here to watch the recorded version of the NCSA Annual League Meeting HERE!

Click HERE to download the NCSA League Meeting Slides to follow along!

After receiving dozens of nominations from NCSA teams across the country, the NCSA has awarded Alana Ganop from Michigan State University the 2024 Savannah Ahrens Sportsmanship Award.  The Savannah Ahrens Sportsmanship Award, given yearly, is an honor bestowed to a student-athlete who has distinguished themselves through demonstrated acts of sportsmanship and ethical behavior.

Michigan State Club Softball Head Coach and winner of the 2022 Savannah Ahrens Sportsmanship Award, Claudia Rea nominated Alana and had this to say about her.

“If there is anyone to be considered for this year’s Savannah Ahrens Sportsmanship Award, it is Alana Ganop. Alana embodies and exceeds all aspects of sportsmanship not only in softball, but also in her daily life.

Saying that Alana is a hard worker would be an understatement. Alana prioritizes our team and her teammates in the biggest and smallest of ways. She is constantly putting others before herself and making sure everyone is included. Her work ethic is admirable, and she leaves each practice knowing she gave it her all. She is the first to help carry equipment, ask for extra reps, and see if anyone needs assistance with anything whether it is softball related or not.

Alana’s love for softball goes far beyond the game. She brings intangible aspects to the table such as integrity, accountability, and always has a positive attitude. There is never a day where she doesn’t have a bright smile on her face and a car full of teammates that she drives to and from practices and games. She is incredibly kind to her teammates and opponents, setting aside differences and constantly uplifting others. Alana takes accountability without making excuses, which is a selfless and valuable skill to have.  

Off the field Alana is a well-rounded leader in the community and a frequent volunteer. She is the project leader for March for Our Lives at Michigan State, an undergraduate assistant for the Adolescent Diversion Program, a member of Empowering Women in Law, and currently works at the juvenile detention center in Ingham County. She has advocated on behalf of the Lansing area youth in a school, family, and community setting to utilize their strengths and skills to help them accomplish their goals. With plans to attend Law School after undergrad, Alana’s passion for her community is unrivaled and she doesn’t let adversity hinder her from making a difference in the community.

Alana also exemplifies great patience. I have never experienced anyone as patient with others as Alana. Even with her incredibly busy schedule, she is always offering help to her teammates, whether it’s giving them a ride or helping with schoolwork. She is the first to volunteer for any event the club must be present at and represents our team with great class. What sets Alana apart from others is that she makes time for people, without making them feel like they are burdening her. Her selflessness and sportsmanship are inspiring and something I think we can all look up to, and will take her far in life.”

Colorado State University-Pueblo officially joined the NCSA for the 2024-2025 season! The NCSA is excited to welcome the ThunderWolves who join the University of Missouri, Washington University in St. Louis, Youngstown State University, University of St. Thomas, Yale University, University of New Mexico and Nova Southeastern University as the new teams for ’24-’25 thus far.

If your team is interested in joining the NCSA for next season, contact Lacie Lautner today!