Three members of the Wayne State University softball team were recognized with All-Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) honors on May 6.
The recognition highlights individual achievements during the 2026 season, underscoring the team’s performance in collegiate athletics. Wayne State Warriors Women’s Softball participates at the NCAA Division II level and is a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, according to the official website.
Sophomore first baseman and pitcher Elly Koopman was named First Team All-GLIAC at the utility position. Freshman outfielder Ellery Garver and sophomore shortstop Hunter Near received Honorable Mention All-GLIAC recognition. Koopman batted .323 during league play, led her team with a .452 on-base percentage, and tied for team lead with nine runs batted in during conference games. She also had a notable 21-game on-base streak from March 29 to April 26.
Garver started the final 21 games of the season, collecting five multiple-hit contests and posting a seven-game hitting streak that was one game shy of tying a single-season record for Wayne State in 2026. She finished GLIAC play with a .323 batting average in her starts and struck out only three times over all plate appearances. Near led her team with eleven extra-base hits during league competition while starting every conference game at shortstop. Defensively, she posted a .964 fielding percentage in GLIAC contests and concluded regular season play as part of eight double plays.
Wayne State graduates three seniors from this year’s squad but will return fifteen letterwinners next fall. Head coach Nicole Tines has signed five incoming freshmen for next season: Abby Curtis (pitcher), Reese Dunny (outfielder), Mary Gugala (pitcher), Ally Turkowski (catcher), and Madi Treat (outfielder). The program operates as part of Wayne State University’s athletic department based in Detroit, Michigan, according to the official website.
Looking ahead, these recognitions reflect positively on both returning athletes and new recruits as they prepare for future seasons.
