Upcoming Event: Softball versus Boston University on February 6, 2026 at 2 p.m.
/
2 p.m.
Softball
vs Boston University
Curd, Vega Tabbed to USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Watch List
1/21/2026 3:51:00 PM | Softball
DURHAM, N.C. – USA Softball unveiled the 2026 Collegiate Player of the Year Watch List on Wednesday with the senior duo of Cassidy Curd and Aminah Vega among the 53 players to be recognized.
Duke is one of four ACC schools to be represented on the list, joining Florida State (4), Stanford (2) and Clemson (1).
Curd, a product of Port St. Lucie, Fla., continued to build on her success in the circle last season. She tossed 10 complete games in her 37 appearances and posted a 15-8 ledger with a team-high three saves. Curd was stellar in Duke's 8-1 victory over No. 2 Florida during the Bubly Invitational in February, allowing just one run on four hits with a game-high six strikeouts. The win marked the Blue Devils' highest-ranked victory in program history. Curd led Duke's pitching staff with 154 strikeouts in 146.0 innings. Her 154 strikeouts ranked second in the ACC behind Virginia Tech's Emma Lemley. She earned the second all-region nod of her Blue Devil career after being named to the second team in 2025 and third team in 2023.
Vega, a native of DeBary Fla., powered the Blue Devil offense through all 59 games of the 2025 campaign, leading the team in batting average (.417), hits (80), doubles (17) and total bases (135). She was one of just three players to have started all 59 games, primarily at second base. Last season, she was named a top-25 finalist for the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award and became the first Blue Devil to earn First Team All-ACC honors in three straight seasons.
The USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award is voted on by previous award winners, coaching representatives from 9 Division I Conferences in the 10 USA Softball Regions as well as members of National and Local media who consistently cover Division I softball across the country.
The top 25 finalists will be announced on April 29 before being trimmed down to the top 10 on May 13. The top three candidates will then be unveiled five days later on May 18. The 2026 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year is set to be announced prior to the start of the Women's College World Series.
To ensure that the award only considers regular season performance and to prevent any influence from post-season play, the Player of the Year voting will conclude after the top 10 vote. The top three athletes with the highest number of points at the conclusion of the top 10 vote will be selected as the top three finalists and, from them, the Player of the Year will be chosen as the athlete with the most votes.
To stay up to date with Blue Devils softball, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching DukeSOFTBALL
#GoDuke
Players Mentioned
Durham Softball Regional Day Two Presser
Saturday, May 17
Durham Softball Regional Game One Post Game Presser
Friday, May 16
Absolute Domination Over #2 Florida Gators - Duke Softball
Wednesday, March 19
ABSOLUTELY INSANE CATCH! NUMBER ONE PLAY ON SPORTSCENTER! #goduke #softball #ncaasoftball #espn
Thursday, March 13
