University of Northern Iowa Athletics
Five Panthers Named to All-MVC Softball Teams
5/11/2016 12:59:00 PM | Softball
CARBONDALE, Ill. – Five University of Northern Iowa softball players have been named to All-Missouri Valley Conference teams as announced by the league Wednesday at its annual softball banquet. Seniors Chelsea Ross and Caitlin Wnek were named First-Team All-MVC as a utility/pitcher and shortstop, respectively. Sophomore Kennedy Bailey was named Second-Team All-MVC at first base while senior Micalla Rettinger was named a second-team outfielder. Sophomore Anna Varriano closed out the UNI award winners, being named to the MVC All-Defensive team for the second straight season. The Panthers set six offensive program records this season while winning 38 games, the second most victories in program history.
Ross (Kansas City, Mo.) was named first-team for the second consecutive season, led the Panthers in six offensive categories including batting average (.365), home runs (12), RBI (44) and slugging percentage (.662). The senior ranked sixth in the MVC in batting average this season while continuing her success in the circle. Ross posted a 2.23 earned run average in 181.2 innings pitched this season while adding 197 strikeouts. She ranked 27th nationally in strikeouts and third in the MVC.
Wnek (Amana, Iowa) earned All-MVC First-Team honors for the first time in her career after being named to the second team in 2014 and 2015. The senior shortstop racked up a .329 batting average, while hitting .388 in conference play, this season. Wnek struck out just twice in 158 at-bats this season as she ranks as the sixth-toughest batter to strikeout nationally. Wnek hit a team-best and MVC-best 18 doubles this season, setting a new UNI program record for most career doubles with 56.
Bailey (Delta, BC Canada) earned her first conference award as she was named Second-Team All-MVC. The sophomore infielder set a new UNI record for most walks in a season with 44 while racking up a .469 on-base percentage. Bailey finished the regular season with a .288 batting average while slugging .627 in MVC play with seven home runs and 19 runs batted in.
Rettinger (Lenexa, Kan.) also earned her first all-conference selection as she was named Second-Team All-MVC after starting all 56 games for the Panthers this season. The senior outfielder led UNI in hits this season with 56 while recording a .311 batting average with 16 extra-base hits. Rettinger drove in 20 runs from the second-spot in UNI's batting order, reaching base at a .412 clip.
Varriano (Overland Park, Kan.) was named to the All-MVC Defensive team for the second straight season after starting all 56 games for UNI at catcher. The sophomore tossed out 13 runners attempting to steal this season while posting a .989 fielding percentage. At the plate, Varriano recorded 13 RBI in 66 plate appearances with four home runs.
The Panthers (38-18, 16-10 MVC) will open MVC Tournament play tomorrow night against the winner of the afternoon game between six-seed Evansville and seven-seed Illinois State. First pitch of the UNI quarterfinal game is scheduled for 6:34 p.m. and can be viewed on The Valley on ESPN3.
MVC All-Conference Release
Players Mentioned
UNI Panther Football: The Best Pod of your Day (Episode 9)
Wednesday, October 15
Softball Hit-A-Thon 2025
Thursday, October 09
UNI Panther Football: The Best Pod of your Day (Episode 8)
Wednesday, October 08
UNI Football Media Day
Tuesday, October 07