LOUISVILLE, Ky.—UIndy softball student-athletes Emily O'Connor and Kenzee Smith earned inclusion on the 2024 Tucci/NFCA DII Player and Pitcher of the Year Watchlist, released by the coaches association Thursday. The list was compiled by the elected members of the NFCA Division II All-American Committee, with one head coach representing each of the eight NCAA regions.
 
Both Greyhounds are off to impressive starts to the 2024 campaign, with O'Connor ranking in the nation's top 10 in RBIs (4th), OBP (5th) and home runs (9th); and Smith topping all of Division II in both ERA and shutouts.
 
The inclusive list is broken down by region – Atlantic, Central, East, Midwest, South, South Central, Southeast and West – with up to 15 student-athletes represented in each. Voted on by the aforementioned All-American Committee, the 2024 Tucci/NFCA Player and Pitcher of the Year will be announced on May 27. All student-athletes are eligible for the end-of-the-season award, and do not have to be on this list to be considered.
 
 
MIDWEST REGION HONOREES
Kendall Andrews - C - Sr. - Trevecca Nazarene
Emily Cox - P - Sr. - Northwood
Kylie Dugan - MIF/OF - Fr. - Purdue Northwest
Genesis Eggart - P - Sr. - Grand Valley State
Anna Frafjord - IF -  So. - Lewis
Delaney Garden - P - So. - Lewis
Lauren Harris - IF - So. - McKendree
Kelsey Komorous - 1B - Jr. - Grand Valley State
Megan Matheis-IF - So. - Kentucky Wesleyan
Emily O'Connor - IF - 5th Sr - UIndy
Madison Roop - P - Sr. - Purdue Northwest
Joni Russell - P - Jr. - Hillsdale
Kenzee Smith - P - Sr. - UIndy
Emma Spahr - OF - Jr. - Lake Erie
Emily Wood - OF - R - So. - Truman