GREENVILLE, S.C. – Prior to the start of the 2026 Conference Carolinas Softball Championship, the league announced their all-conference awards on Wednesday.The all-conference awards were voted on by the Conference Carolinas softball head coaches.
Chowan University's
Kyra Helton and
Makenzi Curry earned postseason recognition, with Helton being named to the Second Team and Curry earning At-Large honors.
Kyra Helton has been a steady and reliable presence in right field throughout the season, anchoring the Hawks in the outfield. Starting in all 48 games for the Hawks, Helton recorded 79 total chances, tallying 68 putouts and eight assists. The Elon, North Carolina native posted an impressive .962 fielding percentage, using her range and awareness to track down fly balls and shut down extra-base opportunities, solidifying herself as a key piece of the Hawks' defense.
Makenzi Curry served as a key presence in the circle for the Hawks this season, while also contributing offensively at the plate. Logging 124.0 innings, Curry posted an 11-7 record with a 2.71 ERA, recording 49 strikeouts and holding opponents in check with several strong outings throughout the year. Curry delivered multiple complete-game performances, including a season-high 7.2 innings pitched against UNC Pembroke. At the plate, Curry added depth to the lineup, batting .324 with 24 hits and 14 RBIs in 74 at-bats. She tallied three doubles and delivered timely hitting, including a season-high four RBIs against Converse and a three-hit performance against Shorter.
Francis Marion University took home player and pitcher of the year honors for the second straight year with Madalyn White taking player of the year honors and Jenna Walling earning pitcher of the year recognition. Young Harris College then took the freshman and coach of the year honors with Julia Moore and Jessie Homeseley, respectively.
White ranks second in Conference Carolinas with a batting average of .464, accounting for 58 hits, 11, doubles and one triple. White has scored 44 runs, which also ranks second in the league. The senior ranked third in Conference Carolinas with 30 stolen bases in 32 attempts. She was selected Conference Carolinas Player of the Week on March 31 and February 17.
Walling has been outstanding for the Patriots in the circle, earning Conference Carolinas Pitcher of the Week three times. She was also named National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Pitcher of the Week on February 17 and April 1. She ranks second in Conference Carolinas with an ERA of 1.44 and five shutouts. Her 25 wins leads the league by eight wins as she owns a record of 25-6. The senior also leads the conference in innings pitched, 198.2 and strikeouts at 194.
Moore has been impressive in her first year on campus as she leads Conference Carolinas with an ERA of 1.41 and six shutouts. She was named Conference Carolinas Pitcher of the Week on March 17 and 24 and garnered freshman of the month honors in February and March. She owns a record of 15-4, ranking third in the league in wins. Moore has recorded 118 strikeouts in 129.1 innings pitched.
Homesley has guided Young Harris to an overall record of 31-15, going 23-5 in Conference Carolinas contests. The Mountain Lions are the second seed in the Conference Carolinas Championship.
2026 Softball All-Conference Carolinas Selections
Player of the Year
Madalyn White, Francis Marion
Pitcher of the Year
Jenna Walling, Francis Marion
Freshman of the Year
Julia Moore, Young Harris
Coach of the Year
Jessie Homesley, Young Harris
First Team
1B – Gracie Hughes, Young Harris
2B – Emma King, Mount Olive
3B – Shelby Duncan, Young Harris
SS – Madalyn White, Francis Marion
DP – Ansley Fowler, North Greenville
C – Chloe Locklear, UNC Pembroke
OF – Maycee Tickle, Lees-McRae
OF – Anderson Thrower, Francis Marion
OF – Mackenzie Cyzick, Barton
OF – Samantha Taylor, Mount Olive
P – Jenna Walling, Francis Marion
P – Julia Moore, Young Harris
Second Team
1B – Casey Laing, Belmont Abbey
2B – Sydney Price, North Greenville
3B – Haylee Whitesides, North Greenville
3B – Megan Ware, Southern Wesleyan
SS – Emily Blackwell, North Greenville
DP – McKenzie Jewell, Francis Marion
C – Abby Schreiner, Southern Wesleyan
OF – Ella Richey, King
OF – Megan Towery, Belmont Abbey
OF – Kyra Helton, Chowan
OF – Karley Green, North Greenville
P – Summer Bullard, UNC Pembroke
P – Sienna Garcia, Belmont Abbey
AT-LARGE
Lexie Metcalf, North Greenville
Gabby Burroughs, Erskine
Olivia Haag, Southern Wesleyan
Erin Gill, Belmont Abbey
Allie Johnston, Lees-McRae
Mikaela Goss, Francis Marion
Makenzi Curry, Chowan
Reagan Fulcher, Southern Wesleyan
Abby Bradberry, Ferrum
Emily Collins, Southern Wesleyan
Lakely Parrish, Young Harris
Kaylee Meeks, King
Riley Lamb, King
MacKenzie Taylor, Barton
Emma Wrenn, UNC Pembroke
Kaitlynn Hunt, UNC Pembroke
