University of Tennessee Athletics
Tennessee Named ATEC/NFCA Mid-Atlantic Region Staff of the Year
June 05, 2026 | Softball
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – After leading the Lady Vols to a 49-12 record and a second consecutive appearance in the national semifinals at the Women's College World Series, the Tennessee coaching staff has been named the ATEC/NFCA Mid-Atlantic Region Coaching Staff of the Year.
Led by head coach Karen Weekly, Tennessee advanced to the Women's College World Series for the 10th time in program history in 2026. UT won its first two games in Oklahoma City, reaching the national semifinals for the second year in a row and for the third time in four seasons.
The Big Orange started the season 26-0, setting program records for best start to a season and consecutive wins. Tennessee was ranked No. 1 in the NFCA/GoRout DI Top 25 Coaches Poll for five weeks and remained inside the top 10 all season.
For the second year in a row, the Lady Vols had statistically the best pitching staff in the nation. UT finished with the best ERA in Division I at 1.47, while also ranking No. 1 in hits allowed per seven innings at 3.81 and No. 2 in WHIP with a mark of 0.90.
Sage Mardjetko and Karlyn Pickens earned NFCA First Team All-America honors for their stellar seasons in the circle.
At the plate, several Lady Vols had career years, highlighted by Alannah and Gabby Leach as well as Emma Clarke and Ella Dodge. The foursome combined to hit 48 home runs and drove in 146 RBIs.
True freshmen Taelyn Holley and Elsa Morrison stepped into big roles, playing 58 games and 60 games, respectively. Holley hit .286 on the year with six home runs and 23 RBIs, while Morrison clubbed seven homers with 37 RBIs.
This marks the seventh time Tennessee has been named the region coaching staff of the year, previously winning the honor in 2005, 2007, 2010, 2012, 2013 and 2023.
Led by head coach Karen Weekly, Tennessee advanced to the Women's College World Series for the 10th time in program history in 2026. UT won its first two games in Oklahoma City, reaching the national semifinals for the second year in a row and for the third time in four seasons.
The Big Orange started the season 26-0, setting program records for best start to a season and consecutive wins. Tennessee was ranked No. 1 in the NFCA/GoRout DI Top 25 Coaches Poll for five weeks and remained inside the top 10 all season.
For the second year in a row, the Lady Vols had statistically the best pitching staff in the nation. UT finished with the best ERA in Division I at 1.47, while also ranking No. 1 in hits allowed per seven innings at 3.81 and No. 2 in WHIP with a mark of 0.90.
Sage Mardjetko and Karlyn Pickens earned NFCA First Team All-America honors for their stellar seasons in the circle.
At the plate, several Lady Vols had career years, highlighted by Alannah and Gabby Leach as well as Emma Clarke and Ella Dodge. The foursome combined to hit 48 home runs and drove in 146 RBIs.
True freshmen Taelyn Holley and Elsa Morrison stepped into big roles, playing 58 games and 60 games, respectively. Holley hit .286 on the year with six home runs and 23 RBIs, while Morrison clubbed seven homers with 37 RBIs.
This marks the seventh time Tennessee has been named the region coaching staff of the year, previously winning the honor in 2005, 2007, 2010, 2012, 2013 and 2023.
Players Mentioned
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Thursday, May 21
Sunday, May 17
Saturday, May 16
