UNC Softball
Complete coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels Softball.
Donna J. Papa Retires After 38 Seasons As UNC Softball Coach
Donna J. Papa, the fifth-longest tenured head coach in any sport in University of North Carolina history and the sixth-winningest in NCAA softball history, announced her retirement on Thursday afternoon as head coach of the Tar Heels. Papa led UNC for 38 of her 40 seasons as a head coach and compiled 1,339 of her 1,368 victories while in Chapel Hill. (
GoHeels.com)
Bri Stubbs, Destiny Middleton Earn CSC Academic All-District Softball Honors
Bri Stubbs and Destiny Middleton were named to the CSC Academic All-District first team, announced Wednesday by the national office. They are the 13th and 14th Academic All-District honorees in program history and first since Kiani Ramsey in 2019. Stubbs started all 54 games and has been UNC's defensive anchor in the outfield for four seasons. (
GoHeels.com)
Alex Brown Receives NFCA All-Region Softball Honors
UNC shortstop Alex Brown was named to the NFCA's Division I Southeast all-region team, announced Thursday by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association. Brown, a second-team All-ACC honoree, picked up third-team honors. A sophomore from Savannah, Ga., Brown batted a team-best .399, this season the sixth-highest average in the ACC. (
GoHeels.com)
UNC Softball Coach Donna Papa Fosters Connection Among Players
When UNC softball players enter Anderson Softball Stadium, they must leave their phones on a rack. Players also meet individually with the coaching staff for lunch each month. Coach
Donna Papa implements policies like these to help foster connections. "I think the more you can build those relationships, the more it is going to lead to success on the field." (
Chapel Hill Magazine)
North Carolina Tar Heels Week in Review: May 8 – May 14
Women’s Tennis – The top-ranked Tar Heels got off to a slow start in the round of 16 match versus no. 16 Florida as the Gators took a 1-0 lead against Carolina by taking the doubles point. Carolina answered in the singles matches by taking four consecutive matches to earn the 4-1 win to advance to the NCAA Quarterfinal Round in Orlando, Florida. (
Keeping It Heel)
UNC Softball's Season Ends In ACC Quarterfinals
The UNC softball team's season ended Thursday in the ACC Championship quarterfinals, falling to No. 10 Clemson 2-1 in eight innings. The Tar Heels finish the 2023 season with a record of 26-28 (13-10 ACC). Despite the loss, sophomore Lilli Backes threw another gem in the circle, limiting the Tigers to four hits and one earned run with seven strikeouts. (
GoHeels.com)
UNC Softball Faces Clemson In ACC Quarterfinals Thursday
The UNC softball team opens postseason play Thursday in the semifinals of the ACC Softball Championship. The Tar Heels will face No. 3 seed Clemson at 7:30 p.m. on ACC Network. This is the eighth all-time meeting between the Tar Heels and Tigers. Abby Settlemyre, Alex Brown, Lilli Backes, and Kiersten Licea were named All-ACC on Wednesday. (
GoHeels.com)
Four Tar Heels Earn All-ACC Softball Honors
Highlighted by All-ACC first-team selection Abby Settlemyre, four Tar Heels have earned all-conference softball honors, announced Wednesday. This marks North Carolina's largest number of honorees in a season since 2019. Lilli Backes and Alex Brown were named to the all-ACC second team, and Kiersten Licea was an all-ACC third team selection. (
GoHeels.com)
North Carolina Tar Heels Week Preview: May 8 – May 14
Previewing the upcoming week for UNC Athletics. Women’s Tennis – The No. 1 overall seed Tar Heels get to stay home for another weekend in the NCAA Tournament as they will host the no. 16-seed Florida Gators. The match will take place on Friday, May 12 at 5:00 PM in Chapel Hill with the chance to advance to the round of eight in the NCAA Tournament. (
Keeping It Heel)
North Carolina Tar Heels Week in Review: May 1 – May 7
Women’s Tennis - The No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament opened their postseason play on Friday against Charleston Southern with a clean 4-0 sweep of the Buccaneers. The Tar Heels then faced Old Dominion on Saturday with a birth to the Round of 32 on the line and showed why they are the top seed with another 4-0 sweep to advance. (
Keeping It Heel)