The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Softball’s Hailey Dolcini named candidate for Senior CLASS Award
03.08.2022 | Softball
The “super senior” pitcher is one of 30 student-athletes in the running for the prestigious Division I honor
AUSTIN, Texas – As a result of her outstanding work both on and off the diamond, Texas softball "super senior" pitcher Hailey Dolcini has been selected as one of 30 national candidates for the prestigious 2022 Softball Senior CLASS Award®.
To be eligible for the honor, a student-athlete must be classified as a NCAA Division I senior or graduate student and possess notable achievements in four specific areas of excellence: community, classroom, character and competition. An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School®, the Senior CLASS Award® focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.
A 2021 Softball America All-American and the 2021 Mountain West Pitcher of the Year last season at Fresno State, Dolcini arrived as a transfer on the Forty Acres in January and has quickly settled in as one of the top starters for the Longhorns. The Ferndale, Calif., product owns a 4-3 overall record for the Burnt Orange & White with a 2.91 ERA, three complete games, two solo shutouts and a team-high 49 strikeouts over 45.2 innings of work while limiting opponents to a .167 batting average. Among her top Texas performances so far are a season-opening, complete-game shutout of No. 15/14 Clemson (Feb. 11), a 12-strikeout victory at FGCU (Feb. 12) and a 14-K triumph over Sam Houston (March 2).
Off the field, Dolcini maintains a 3.94 GPA, having already earned her bachelor's degree at Fresno State in public health before entering the strategic communication program at Texas. She's played a strong role in community efforts since her high school days when she was recognized in USA Today for starting "K's for Kids Cancer," which worked to raise and donate $10,000 to non-profit organizations. Dolcini also worked at Fresno State with the Poverello House and the Marjaree Mason Center to help with homeless outreach and support/empower those affected by domestic violence.
The 30 candidates will be narrowed to 10 finalists later in the season, and those 10 names will be placed on the official ballot. Ballots will be distributed through a nationwide voting system to media, coaches and fans, who will select one candidate that best exemplifies excellence in the four "C's" of community, classroom, character and competition.
The Senior CLASS Award® winner will be announced during the 2022 Women's College World Series in June.
2022 Softball Senior CLASS Award Candidates
Nicole Amodio, Boston Neleigh Herring, Wichita State
Carley Barjaktarovich, Lehigh Elizabeth Hightower, Florida
Meghan Beaubien, Michigan Andrea Howard, New Mexico
Megan Burton, Eastern Illinois Baylee Klinger, Washington
Alyssa Cacini, Dayton Kayla Kowalik, Kentucky
Kaley Coltrain, Marist Gianna Nicoletti, Grand Canyon
Courtney Coppersmith, UMBC Emme Olson, Illinois State
Natalie DenHartog, Minnesota Cammy Pereria, Clemson
Dayna Denner, Toledo Gabbie Plain, Washington
Kristi DiMeo, Drexel Mekenzie Saban, Saint Francis
HAILEY DOLCINI, TEXAS Nikki Saibene, Youngstown State
Lynnsie Elam, Oklahoma Sydney Sherrill, Florida State
Lauren Fey, Butler Kendall Smith, Louisville
Marissa Guimbarda, Clemson Bailey Vannoy, Charlotte
Aly Harrell, Marshall Sadie Wise, Saint Louis
