WISE – UVA Wise softball's Katie Russell has been named to the Virginia Sports Information Directors (VaSID) 2021 College Division All-State Second Team.

A native of Seaford, Virginia, Russell claimed a .341 batting average as she scored 20 runs and made 28 starts for the Cavaliers this spring. This season, the senior posted 29 hits including seven doubles and six home runs while batting in 22 runs and slugging .635 on the year. Behind the plate, Russell totaled 118 putouts and marked a .960 fielding percentage. The catcher also garnered 2021 All-South Atlantic Conference First Team honors.

The individual awards were headlined by Jessica Goldyn (Virginia Wesleyan), Hanna Hull (Virginia Wesleyan), Emily Seale (Virginia Wesleyan) and Brandon Elliott (Virginia Wesleyan).

Goldyn was voted the VaSID Player of the Year winner after hitting .488 in 53 games with 42 extra base hits and 54 RBIs. The Virginia Beach, Va., native was also named NFCA NCAA Division III National Player of the Year and the NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player.

Hull garnered the Pitcher of the Year award for the fifth time in her career, as she went 23-3 with a 1.31 ERA. She also fanned 200 batters, completed 14 games and shutout six opponents in 27 starts.

The Rookie of the Year honor went to Seale after leading Virginia Wesleyan with a 1.15 ERA in 33 appearances.  In the circle, Seale pitched 140.1 innings, struck out 63 and allowed just 39 runs to cross the plate. 

The final individual award went to Coach of the Year Brandon Elliott for the fifth time in his 500-win career. Elliott has led the Marlins to the NCAA Division III National Championship three times in four years.

VaSID names 44 all-state teams in 23 sports each year, as well as an Academic All-State squad and an all-sports champion in both the University and College Divisions. Membership in VaSID is open to all media relations professionals working at a university or conference in the state of Virginia.

MAJOR AWARDS

Player of the Year: Jessica Goldyn (Virginia Wesleyan)

Pitcher of the Year: Hanna Hull (Virginia Wesleyan)

Rookie of the Year: Emily Seale (Virginia Wesleyan)

Coach of the Year: Brandon Elliott (Virginia Wesleyan)

FIRST TEAM ALL-STATE

Pitcher                   Hanna Hull                    Virginia Wesleyan

Pitcher                   Jada Karnes                   Roanoke College

Pitcher                   Emily Seale                   Virginia Wesleyan

Catcher                  Jessica Goldyn              Virginia Wesleyan

First Base               Danielle Stewart           Virginia Wesleyan

Second Base          Katelyn Biando             Virginia Wesleyan

Shortstop              Kayla Hugate                Lynchburg

Third Base             Kaitlyn Hasty                 Christopher Newport

Outfield                 Caitlin Abernethy         Christopher Newport

Outfield                 Madison Glaubke         Virginia Wesleyan

Outfield                 Ariana Rolle                  Virginia Wesleyan

DP/Utility              Alex Braun                    Emory & Henry

SECOND TEAM ALL-STATE

Pitcher                   Brantley Swift               Bridgewater

Pitcher                   Gracie Vallejos              Christopher Newport

Pitcher                   Emily Weatherholtz      Christopher Newport

Catcher                  Katie Russell                 University of Virginia Wise

First Base               Sierra Lantz                   Eastern Mennonite

Second Base          Maddie Hool                 Christopher Newport

Shortstop              Hannah Thompson       Averett

Third Base             Julia Sinnett                  Virginia Wesleyan

Outfield                 Nicole Cox                     Emory & Henry

Outfield                 Julie Fassel                    Virginia Wesleyan

Outfield                 Lexi Powell                    Lynchburg

DP/Utility              Karlee Fretz                  Virginia Wesleyan