ST. PAUL, Minn. - The UMAC released its 2026 softball awards Tuesday and Bethany first-year Olivia Sanborn (Chippewa Falls, Wis.) was named both UMAC Player and Rookie of the Year. Joining Sanborn as First Team All-Conference are Emily Doyle (Sr., Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada), Emily Meyer (Jr., Swea City, Iowa), and Addie Ahern (So., Lake Crystal).

In her rookie campaign, Sanborn led the UMAC with 44 stolen bases - 21 more than the next player. Sanborn is currently tied for the program's single season stolen base record with Sydney Jacobs (2024). Sanborn is second in the league with a .482 batting average, 48 runs, and four triples, and third with 55 hits and a .551 on base percentage. Her .482 batting average and .551 on base percentage both currently rank second in program history for a single season. Her 55 hits are seven shy of the single season record, while her 48 runs are nine shy of the record. 

Doyle earns First Team All-Conference honors for the fourth season, joining Anna Pipenhagen (2015-18) as the only players in program history to be named First Team all four seasons. Doyle leads the conference in slugging percentage (.796), on base percentage (.591), OPS (1.387), doubles (18), walks (45), and sacrifice flies (4). Doyle is undoubtedly the program's greatest hitter, holding nine career records, including games played/started (174), slugging percentage (.656), on base percentage (.477), hits (201), doubles (68), home runs (18), RBI (183), and walks (89). She also ranks second in career batting average (.393) and runs (115). This season she also earned All-Defensive honors with a .926 fielding percentage at third base. 

Meyer earns First Team honors for the second season after capturing Pitcher of the Year last season. Meyer is the ace of the staff with a 2.27 ERA in 178.2 innings. Meyer is 22-6 this season with 35 appearances, 26 starts, 20 complete games, eight shutouts, and two saves. She has recorded 162 strikeouts while opponents are batting .219. 

Ahern is All-UMAC for the first time after batting .287 and starting in all 41 games. She has 35 hits, 28 runs, five doubles, three triples, a team-high nine home runs, 30 RBI, .598 slugging, 10 walks, and a .341 on base percentage. 

Aliya Edbom-Kehler was named honorable mention and All-Sportsmanship. Edbom-Kehler is batting .326 with 30 hits, 24 runs, 12 doubles, one triple, two home runs, 16 RBI, .543 slugging, eight walks, and a .380 on base percentage. 

Joining Doyle with All-Defensive honors are Emily Nelson (Jr., Nelson, Wis.), Bryn Weidner (Jr., Pleasant Hill, Iowa), and Avery Carlson (So., Lucan).