Kristin Eyerman, Candace White, Kristin Kurelic, Tasha Konkle, Leslie Banichar, and Staci Graham were each named to the NCCAA East Region Team, while Karly Clay and Caitlin Murphy were NCCAA East Region Honorable Mention selections. Head coach Jeana Howald was also selected as the NCCAA East Region Coach of the Year after leading MVNU to the NCCAA East Region title and the team’s first berth in the NCCAA National Touranment since 2004.

Eyerman, a senior pitcher from Delaware, Ohio, has posted a 9-5 record this year with a 2.86 ERA. In 107.2 innings of work, the former Buckeye Valley High School standout has registered 78 strikeouts. She has also tossed 11 complete games in 16 starts.

White, a junior pitcher from Gahanna, Ohio, has posted a 10-9 record on the mound with a 1.92 ERA. In 116.2 innings of work, the former Gahanna Lincoln High School star has struck out 91 batters while issuing just 21 walks. She has also tossed four shutouts and has 16 complete games in 16 starts.

Kurelic, a freshman second baseman from Delaware, Ohio, leads the Lady Cougars with a .383 batting average. The former Worthington Christian High School standout has started all 34 games and has compiled three doubles, six RBI, 18 runs scored, and is tied for the team lead with 12 stolen bases.

Konkle, a sophomore shortstop from Urbana, Ohio, is batting .277 while starting all 34 games. The former West Liberty-Salem High School star has two doubles, 11 RBI, 21 runs scored, and five stolen bases. She has also committed just six errors in 123 fielding chances (.951).

Banichar, a sophomore outfielder from Shelby, Ohio, is batting .347 with 33 starts in 34 games played. The former Shelby High School product leads MVNU with 22 runs scored, and four triples, while tying for the team lead with 12 stolen bases. She also has six doubles and 24 RBI.

Graham, a sophomore designated player from Marengo, Ohio, is batting .340 with 34 starts. The former Highland High School standout has compiled six doubles, one triple, one home run (a grand slam), 11 runs scored and a team-leading 25 RBI.

Clay, a junior third baseman from Blacklick, Ohio, is batting .204 while starting all 34 games. The former Gahanna Lincoln High School product has posted three doubles, 13 RBI, and 10 runs scored.

Murphy, a sophomore catcher from Gahanna, Ohio, is batting .262 while starting in all 34 games behind the plate. Another former Gahanna Lincoln High School star, she has registered five doubles, two triples, one home run, 13 RBI, and 15 runs scored while throwing out 19 of the 38 runners who have tried to steal on her.

MVNU, which will enter play in the double elimination NCCAA National Tournament hosted by Palm Beach Atlantic (Fla.) University with a 19-15 overall record, will face the winner of the first-round game between the host Sailfish, who are 29-22 and seeded sixth, and seventh-seeded Judson (Ill.) University (20-19) at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday. Palm Beach Atlantic and Judson will square off at 4:00 p.m.

The two other first round games will feature second-seeded Spring Arbor (Mich.) University (23-16) versus fifth-seeded Central Baptist (Ark.) College (29-9) at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday and third-seeded Mid-Continent (Ky.) University (13-32) versus fourth-seeded Olivet Nazarene (Ill.) University (41-7) also at 2:00 p.m.

The Lady Cougars will then play at either 2:00 p.m. on Friday in the loser’s bracket or at 4:00 p.m. on Friday in the winner’s bracket. The tournament will wrap up on Saturday.