Reyes named NJCAA Player of the Year

McLennan's Katia Reyes was named the 2024 Division I Softball Player of the Year by the NJCAA.

Reyes helped lead the Highlanders to a 61-4 season and a second-place finish at the 2024 NJCAA DI Softball World Series. She was also selected as an NJCAA First-Team All-American. For the season, Reyes hit .426 at the plate with 75 hits, 25 home runs, 15 doubles, and five triples. In the circle, she struck out 109 in 93.1 innings pitched while compiling a 14-0 W-L record. 

"Kat is a perfect example of a kid trusting the process and doing the work. She is an incredible player and even better person, and I couldn't be happier for her to be named POY," head coach Chris Berry told the NJCAA.

Assistant coach Jessica Smith said, "I am incredibly proud of Kat and the growth she has shown over the last year. She has worked tremendously hard to achieve this award but more importantly this year she believed her good enough was good enough and it showed.

"Kat exemplifies student-athlete. She is a tremendous athlete that works hard and her hard work has paid off. She is so deserving of this award, and we are extremely proud of what she has been able to accomplish during her time here at McLennan," athletic director Shawn Trochim said.

Reyes will be furthering her athletic and academic career at the University of Texas at San Antonio next year.