There was a lot of turnover on the Arizona softball roster after the Wildcats lost in regionals last year. Faces may have changed, but the Wildcats continue to have a team full of some of the best players in the country. Five players have been honored by various organizations and media outlets, led by All-American catcher Sydney Stewart.
After finishing last season as an All-American, Stewart is once again receiving the honor in the 2026 preseason. D1 Softball named her to its second team. She is also
one of three Arizona players to make the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Top 50 Watch List, joining centerfielder Regan Shockey and utility player Grace Jenkins.
Stewart is rated as the No. 22 player in the country on D1 Softball’s top 100. The outlet says she’s the second-best catcher in Division I softball. Softball America rates her as the 40th-best player and the No. 3 catcher.
Jenkins was primarily a catcher at UConn the last three years. At Arizona, she will likely play right field and designated player. Softball America lists her as the 53rd-best player and the No. 5 utility player in the game. D1 Softball has her at No. 78 overall, but the outlet lists her as a catcher. She is their 5th-best catcher, giving Arizona two of their top five catchers.
Shockey is ranked 62nd-best player overall and the 11th-best outfielder by Softball America. D1 Softball has her as the 16th-best outfielder and the 84th-best player.
Softball America also rates second baseman Sereniti Trice as one of the top 100 players. The transfer from Iowa State comes in at No. 95 according to SA. She is the outlet’s No. 6 second baseman.
Pitcher Jalen Adams also found a place on Softball America’s top 100. She comes in at No. 98 overall and No. 25 as a pitcher.
Softball America lists freshmen Rylie Holder and Sina Talataina on its freshman watch list, while D1 Softball has Holder and Kezia Lucas on its rookie list.
Of the 10 players that transferred from Arizona after last season, only outfielders Dakota Kennedy and Kaiah Altmeyer made the top 100 lists of Softball America and D1 Softball. Kennedy also made USA Softball’s Top 50 watch list.
As a team, Arizona is ranked No. 14 in the Softball America preseason poll, No. 18 in the USA Softball preseason poll, and No. 21 in the D1 Softball preseason poll.
The Wildcats start play on Thursday, Feb. 5 with a doubleheader against Southern Utah. They welcome Oklahoma to Hillenbrand Stadium on Friday and Saturday of that week.
