Completed Event: Softball at Arkansas on May 23, 2026 , Loss , 2, to, 10 , (F/5)
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Final
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Duke Named NFCA East Region Coaching Staff of the Year
6/5/2026 2:05:00 PM | Softball
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – For the fourth time in six years, the Duke softball coaching staff has been named the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) East Region Staff of the Year, the organization announced Friday afternoon.
Head coach Marissa Young, along with her staff of associate head coaches Olivia Watkins and Taylor Wike and assistant coach Jala Wright, helped guide the Blue Devils to another record-setting season.
Duke put together a 43-17 overall record, earned its sixth-consecutive bid to the NCAA Softball Championship after being selected the No. 12 overall seed and earned hosting rights for the fifth time in program history. The Blue Devils battled back to defeat Arizona twice in the Durham Regional and advanced to their fourth NCAA Super Regional in the last five seasons.
Under the staff's leadership, the Blue Devil offense closed the year with program-highs in hits (587), runs (445), doubles (101), home runs (117) and RBI (415). Senior Aminah Vega and redshirt junior Jessica Oakland were named NFCA All-Americans, earning first team and second team honors, respectively. Vega became the first Blue Devil in program history to garner NFCA All-America distinction twice. She is also the only player to garner NFCA All-Region and All-ACC First Team honors in four consecutive seasons.
The Blue Devils placed seven on NFCA All-Region teams, including a program-high five on the first team in seniors Cassidy Curd and D'Auna Jennings, sophomore Layla Lamar, Vega and Oakland. Graduate student Tyrina Jones and freshman Gabriella Shadek were selected to the second team.
The Blue Devils were ranked in the final eight weeks of the NFCA/GoRout Division I Top 25 Coaches Poll, reaching as high as No. 12 during the season.
NFCA Regional Coaching Staffs of the Year are voted by member Division I head coaches in each respective region.
By earning this award, the staff is now eligible for the NFCA's Division I National Coaching Staff of the Year award, which will be announced on June 18.
To stay up to date with Blue Devils softball, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeSOFTBALL"
#GoDuke
Head coach Marissa Young, along with her staff of associate head coaches Olivia Watkins and Taylor Wike and assistant coach Jala Wright, helped guide the Blue Devils to another record-setting season.
Duke put together a 43-17 overall record, earned its sixth-consecutive bid to the NCAA Softball Championship after being selected the No. 12 overall seed and earned hosting rights for the fifth time in program history. The Blue Devils battled back to defeat Arizona twice in the Durham Regional and advanced to their fourth NCAA Super Regional in the last five seasons.
Under the staff's leadership, the Blue Devil offense closed the year with program-highs in hits (587), runs (445), doubles (101), home runs (117) and RBI (415). Senior Aminah Vega and redshirt junior Jessica Oakland were named NFCA All-Americans, earning first team and second team honors, respectively. Vega became the first Blue Devil in program history to garner NFCA All-America distinction twice. She is also the only player to garner NFCA All-Region and All-ACC First Team honors in four consecutive seasons.
The Blue Devils placed seven on NFCA All-Region teams, including a program-high five on the first team in seniors Cassidy Curd and D'Auna Jennings, sophomore Layla Lamar, Vega and Oakland. Graduate student Tyrina Jones and freshman Gabriella Shadek were selected to the second team.
The Blue Devils were ranked in the final eight weeks of the NFCA/GoRout Division I Top 25 Coaches Poll, reaching as high as No. 12 during the season.
NFCA Regional Coaching Staffs of the Year are voted by member Division I head coaches in each respective region.
By earning this award, the staff is now eligible for the NFCA's Division I National Coaching Staff of the Year award, which will be announced on June 18.
To stay up to date with Blue Devils softball, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeSOFTBALL"
#GoDuke
Players Mentioned
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/ SoftballSaturday, May 23
Friday, May 22
Wednesday, May 20
Sunday, May 17
