Buena Vista, Va. – The USA South Athletic Conference has released its 2025 Softball All-Conference honors, and Southern Virginia University was well-represented with five total selections, including Freshman Taelor Ware being named the USA South Rookie of the Year.
Ware, a freshman utility player from Keezletown, Virginia, becomes just the second player in program history to earn USA South Softball Rookie of the Year honors. She posted a .355 batting average, .417 on-base percentage, and a .581 slugging percentage, while also tallying 28 RBIs, 12 runs scored, and four home runs.
Ware also made an impact in the circle, going 2-4 with a 3.71 ERA across multiple appearances. Against conference opponents, she hit .327 with 13 RBIs and two home runs. Ware's breakout season earned her USA South Rookie of the Week twice and Rookie Pitcher of the Week once.
Katie Claytor earned her third consecutive All-Conference selection, this time a First Team at shortstop, after previously being honored at both first base and shortstop. A defensive anchor, Claytor was part of the elite infield trio with Dykell Jones and Mattison Christensen that led the nation in double plays turned. Offensively, Claytor ranked fourth in the USA South in OPS and continued to be one of the conference's most complete players with a slash line of .355/.417/.748.
Senior Dykell Jones picked up her third career All-Conference recognition, landing on the First Team at second base. She finished the regular season with a strong .349 batting average, .448 OBP, and .509 slugging percentage, while also anchoring the defensive effort that topped the nation in turning double plays. Jones leaves a legacy of consistency and leadership during her time as a Knight.
Arianna Prymak capped off her senior year with a career-best season, earning Second Team All-Conference honors as a utility player. Prymak finished seventh in the conference in batting average at .418 and led the team with 46 hits. In the circle, she pitched over 80 innings and posted a 4.18 ERA, contributing on both sides of the ball all season long.
Veronica Anderson was named to the USA South All-Sportsmanship Team, recognized for her leadership, positive attitude, and team-first mentality throughout the season.
All conference selections are determined by votes from the softball coaches of the USA South member institutions.
Southern Virginia will now turn its focus to the USA South Conference Tournament, where they'll face the #3 seed Greensboro College in the opening round on Thursday, May 1, hosted by N.C. Wesleyan.
For the latest updates on Southern Virginia University Softball, visit knightathletics.com and follow @knight_softball on Instagram.
