University of Northern Iowa Athletics
Skylar Benesh named MVC Player of the Year, seven named All-MVC
5/6/2026 8:01:00 AM | Softball
ST. LOUIS — The Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) announced its all-conference teams and specialty awards on Wednesday morning ahead of the 2026 MVC Tournament Opening Round. For the sixth time in the last seven years (excluding the 2020 COVID season), the Panthers claimed the MVC Player of the Year.
After one of the best seasons in UNI and MVC history, Skylar Benesh was named the 2026 MVC Player of the Year. The sophomore, ranked the 13th-best second baseman by Softball America's May rankings, leads the MVC with the nation's 15th-most hits (78), 18th-most runs per game (1.28), and 19th-most total runs (64). The sophomore also leads the Valley with a .451 batting average and 138 total bases. The second baseman is second in the league with a .540 on-base percentage and a .798 slugging percentage.
Four Panthers were named to the 2026 All-MVC first team, including first baseman Kate Lappe, second baseman Skylar Benesh, shortstop Sykora Smith, and outfielder Katelyn Callahan.
Lappe is making her second consecutive appearance on the All-MVC First Team, after a first-team nod at third base last season. Lappe has drawn the nation's sixth-most walks per game this season with 1.00, which leads the Valley. The senior is 18th in the nation with a .558 on-base percentage and a .925 slugging percentage. Lappe also leads the MVC with 20 home runs and 0.40 home runs per game, and is second with 55 total runs, 1.10 runs per game, and 136 total bases.
Sykora Smith is making her first appearance on an all-conference squad as a Panther. The junior was one of four double-figure home run hitters for the Panthers in her first full season at shortstop. The fifth-best slugger on UNI's team, Smith was 11-for-12 in stolen bases for the Panthers, the best base stealer with more than eight stolen bases.
In her second season with the Cats, Katelyn Callahan makes the All-MVC squad for the first time in her Panther career. The outfielder had the third-most extra-base hits for UNI this season, with 13 doubles and eight home runs. After a great freshman season, Callahan has improved in almost every statistical category in her sophomore season.
Three Panthers were named to the All-MVC Second Team, including outfielders Peyton Johnson and Ava Smithson, and designated player Brynn Acton. Along with her All-MVC Second Team honor, Ava Smithson was named to the MVC All-Defensive Team.
After missing most of the beginning of the season with an injury sustained in the top of the first inning of the season opener, Ava Smithson hit a home run in her first plate appearance of the season, pinch hitting in her first game back. She finishes the regular season with eight home runs, fifth on the Panther team. Smithson joins her sister, Ella Smithson, as back-to-back All-Defensive Panthers.
Joining the Panthers this season, Peyton Johnson made an immediate impact for the Cats with 13 extra-base hits, including a Panther-leading two triples. The junior drove in 27 runs this season and recorded a .984 fielding percentage with 60 putouts.
Brynn Acton put on one of the top freshman performances in the conference, leading UNI in RBIs. Acton is second in the MVC with 18 home runs, 0.38 home runs per game, 57 RBIs, and 1.19 RBIs per game.
UNI softball action can be followed all season long on social media on Facebook (UNI Softball), X (@UNISoftball), and on Instagram (@unisoftball). The 2026 schedule and roster, along with the latest Panther news and information can be found online at UNIpanthers.com.
