Four Valpo softball players were recognized Monday for their work on the diamond and in the classroom as the Missouri Valley Conference released its 2026 Scholar-Athlete Team.
 
Cadan Brinkman owns a 3.714 GPA as a biology major, Kayden Krug has a 3.944 GPA as an elementary education major, Sydney McDermott owns a 3.684 GPA as a health sciences (pre-PA) major and Caitlyn Quickle has a 3.575 GPA as an exercise science major.
 
To be eligible for the MVC Scholar-Athlete Team, student-athletes must be at least a sophomore academically and athletically.  Nominees must have a 3.50 cumulative GPA. Eligible nominees must compete in at least 75 percent of the institution's games played or must start in at least 50 percent of the institution's games. For pitchers, a student-athlete must have made at least 17 appearances or pitched 35 innings.