ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Drake University softball players Carey Koenig and Addie Lightner were named to the MVC Softball Scholar-Athlete Second Team, the league announced this afternoon. Koenig and Lightner were honored for their consistency on the diamond and in the classroom. Voting for the scholar-athlete teams took place just prior to the MVC Tournament, and eligible statistics reflect that timing.
 
Carey Koenig started every game for Drake this season and amassed a .269 batting average, .738 OPS, and .436 slugging percentage. She delivered 42 hits, 18 RBI, and scored 32 runs. The Iowa City native led Drake in runs scored and at bats, which also ranked sixth in the MVC. She hit five home runs including two in one inning in a narrow home loss to Iowa State (5/1). Koenig spent most of her time behind the plate as the Dogs' primary catcher. The third-year player had 12 doubles, including one in a 3-for-3 outing to open MVC Tournament play, to place her in the top ten on the league's stat sheet.
 
Senior Addie Lightner has been a mainstay at first base for Drake and was appropriately recognized for her student-athlete status. She played in every game this season and missed just one start with a .266 average, .621 OPS, and .274 slugging rate. Lightner recorded 38 hits, was one of five Bulldogs to slug multiple home runs, and drove in 28 scores. Her 143 at bats ranked second on the team and 16th in the MVC. Lightner's glove was perhaps her strongest feature this season as she finished the year with a .991 fielding percentage and was a candidate for MVC Defensive Player of the Year.
 
The entirety of the MVC Softball Scholar-Athlete Teams are below.
 
2024 MVC Softball Scholar-Athlete First Team
Maya Johnson, Belmont
Delainey Bryant, Illinois State
Jackie Lis, Southern Illinois
Isabella Hennings, Indiana State
Emma Austin, Southern Illinois
Abi Chipps, Indiana State
Madi Eberle, Southern Illinois
Baie Ensio, Belmont
Addison Masching, Illinois State
Kennedy Shade, Indiana State
Olivia Krehbiel, Missouri State
Carlee Jo Clark, UIC
Tori Meyer, Bradley
Erin Lackey, Murray State
Elizabeth Warwick, Southern Illinois
Hailey Cowing, UIC
Regi Hecker, Valpo
 
2024 MVC Softball Scholar-Athlete Second Team
Bella Wilkerson, Illinois State
Alannah Cran, UIC
Lauren Derolf, Bradley
Taylor Hogan, UNI
Abbott Badgley, Bradley
Emily Cockrill, Belmont
Carey Koenig, Drake
Rylie Hamilton, Southern Illinois
Mackenzie Chacon, Missouri State
Kaili Chval, Illinois State
Abby Knight, Illinois State
Hannah Meshnick, Illinois State
Abby Horton, Illinois State
Kenzie DerryBerry, Missouri State
Sidney Mclaughlin, Missouri State
Sammy Moss, UNI
Alyson Smith, Murray State
Addie Lightner, Drake
Kate Lappe, UNI
Marah Wood, Evansville
 
2024 MVC Softball Scholar-Athlete Honorable Mention 
Bailey Caylor, Southern Illinois
Hannah Hockerman, Southern Illinois
Sidney Jones, Southern Illinois
Abi Ledbetter, Belmont
Grace Fleming
Daryn Lamprecht, UNI
Gracie Johnston, Missouri State
Chloe Merced, Missouri State
Zoe Frossard, Evansville
Brenna Blume, Belmont
Sydney Kennedy, Bradley
Nicole Hughes, Belmont
 
2024 MVC Softball Scholar-Athlete of the Year:
Jackie Lis, Southern Illinois