FORT MYERS, Fla. -
Cana Davis and
Tayli Filla of FGCU softball earned ASUN honors Monday.
The Eagles are the only ASUN team with two all-academic recipients this season as both Davis and Filla were named to the ASUN All-Academic Team. Davis was also named to the ASUN Second Team as an outfielder.
"I am really happy for and proud of Cana and Tayli," head coach David Deiros said. "They came into a brand new situation and took full advantage of their opportunities at FGCU. They made us better on and off the field, and you can't ask any more than that as a coach."
In the classroom, Davis posted a 3.940 GPA in communications, making both the AD Honor Roll, the Dean's List and was named the Suncoast Credit Union FGCU Athletics Scholar Athlete of the Month. Off the field, she is a volunteer for Keep Lee County Beautiful, helping keep the beaches of Fort Myers clear of trash.
On the field, Davis led the Green and Blue in 14 offensive categories this season: batting average (.374), slugging percentage (.763), on-base percentage (.450), OPS (1.213), hits (52), doubles (11), triples (2), home runs (13), RBIs (44) walks (17), total bases (106), runs (25), muli hit games (12) and muti RBI games (12).
Davis ranked sixth across the conference this season for highest batting average, fifth in total home runs and seventh in RBIs. Her slugging percentage currently ranks No. 62 in the nation and 6th all-time in FGCU single season records.
Davis' offensive highlights this season include a 2-for-2 effort against No. 15 Clemson and going 1-for-3 in an 6-4 upset win over No. 8 Texas. She also went a perfect 3-for-3 against No. 25 UCF, belting two homers. On Saturday against No. 10 Florida, Davis finished 2-for-3 with a solo homer, two RBIs and a run scored to help propel the Green and Blue to a 3-2 upset win in Gainesville.
FGCU's win over the ranked Gators was just the second win over the University of Florida in program history, the first time since 2012. The win also marked the second top-10 win of the season for the Eagles and its 10th top-25 win in the Division I era.
Davis also had a solo homer in a 5-2 win over Jacksonville State, helping to lift coach Deiros to career win No. 700 at FGCU. She had a season-high of three hits and a season high of five RBIs against Kennesaw State. In the outfield, Davis held a fielding percentage of .957 in 69 chances.
Filla held a perfect 4.0 GPA in the classroom in her degree of communications, making the AD Honor Roll, the Dean's List and the President's List. Off the field, she is a student volunteer at the Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care, Inc. On the field, she boasted a .303 batting average, one of only three Eagles to hit .300 or better this season.
Filla made 46 starts in the infield for the Green and Blue. She ranked second in total hits (36), tied for second in home runs (4) and third in RBIs (13) on the squad this season. Filla was a perfect 6-for-6 in stolen base attempts on the year.
Her offensive highlights this season include going 2-for-3 with a double and a run scored against No. 24 Notre Dame. Filla also went 2-for-3 with two runs scored and two stolen bases in a 8-0 win over Boston College. She powered a three-run home in a series win over Jacksonville and had a season-high of three hits against Lipscomb.
Against No. 10 Florida, Filla batted 2-for-3 to go along with a RBI double.
Player of the Year: Caroline Hudson, Liberty
Pitcher of the Year: Emily Kirby, Liberty
Defensive Player of the Year: Caroline Hudson, Liberty
Freshman of the Year: Kat Carter, Jacksonville State
Unanimous Coach of the Year: Dot Richardson, Liberty
ASUN All-Conference First Team
P - #Emily Kirby, Liberty (Sr. | Greenville, N.C. | Kinesiology)
P - Morgan Clausen, North Florida (Sr. | Arvada, Colo. | Health Science)
C - Caroline Hudson, Liberty (So. | Paris, Tenn. | Psychology)
IF - Mary Kate Brown, Central Arkansas (R-So. | Atkins, Ark. | Family & Consumer Sciences)
IF - #Taylor Cates, Kennesaw State (Sr. | Canton, Ga. | Elementary Education)
IF - Devyn Howard, Liberty (Jr. | Tarpon Springs, Fla. | Nursing)
IF - Emma Broadfoot, North Alabama (So. | Danville, Ala. | Political Science)
OF - Tremere Harris, Central Arkansas (So. | Conway, Ark. | Management)
OF - #Kara Canetto, Liberty (Jr. | Sylvania, Ga. | Public Health)
OF - Shannon Glover, North Florida (Jr. | Oviedo, Fla. | Business Management)
UT - Lou Allan, Liberty (Sr. | Hesperia, Calif. | Criminal Justice)
ASUN All-Conference Second Team
P - #Karlie Keeney, Liberty (So. | Providence, KY | Human Resources & Accounting)
P - Halle Arends, North Florida (Jr. | Phoenix, Ariz. | Marketing & Business Management)
C - Georgia Land, North Alabama (Jr. | Lawrenceburg, Tenn. | Graphic Design & Marketing)
IF - Camryn McLemore, Jacksonville State (Jr. | Saraland, Ala. | Exercise Science)
IF - Paige Bachman, Liberty (Fr. | Fredericksburg, Va. | Sport Management)
IF - Amy Vetula, Lipscomb (Sr. | Canton, Ga. | Nursing)
IF - Harley Stokes, North Alabama (Gr. | Demopolis, Ala. | Applied Exercise Physiology)
OF - Cana Davis, FGCU (Sr. | Harrisonburg, Va. | Communications)
OF - Rachel Roupe, Liberty (Fr. | Sharpsburg, Md. | Biology)
OF - Mary Claire Wilson, Liberty (So. | Vestavia Hills, Ala. | Exercise Science)
UT - Jaylee Engelkes, Central Arkansas (Jr. | Greenbriar, Ark. | Health Sciences)
ASUN All-Freshmen Team
P - Kat Carter Jacksonville State (Spring Hill, Tenn. | Exercise Science)
IF - Kylie Griffin, Central Arkansas (Greenbriar, Ark. | Communications Sciences & Disorders)
UT - Maggie Pertee, Eastern Kentucky (Uniontown, Ohio | Biology)
OF - Madison Bratek, Jacksonville (St. John's, Fla. | Biology)
P - Sarah Currie, Jacksonville State | Lawrenceville, Ga. | Nursing)
IF - Paige Bachman, Liberty (Fredericksburg, Va. | Sport Management)
IF - Raigan Barrett, Liberty (Puyallup, Wash. | Undecided)
OF - Rachel Roupe, Liberty (Sharpsburg, Md. | Biology)
P - Kate Peters, Lipscomb (Dickson, Tenn. | Exercise Science)
IF - *Hailey Jones, North Alabama (Summertown, Tenn. | Applied Exercise Science)
OF - Haley Fox, Stetson (Ocean Springs, Miss. | Exercise Science)
* - Denotes unanimous selection
# - Denotes a two-time selection to the All-Conference Team
2022 ASUN Softball All-Academic Team
Karlie Keeney, Liberty (3.96 | So. | Providence, Ky. | Human Resources & Accounting)
Grace Werner, Bellarmine (4.00 | Sr. | Jasper, Ind. | Biochemistry & Molecular Biology)
Jenna Wildeman, Central Arkansas (4.00 | So. | Bentonville, Ark. | Elementary Education)
Cana Davis, FGCU (3.94 | Sr. | Harrisonburg, Va. | Communications)
Tayli Filla, FGCU (4.00 | Sr. | Fort Myers, Fla. | Communications)
Madison Kennedy, Jacksonville (4.00 | Sr. | Baker County, Fla. | Clinical Health Counseling (M.S.))
Taylor Cates, Kennesaw State (3.92 | Sr. | Canton, Ga. | Elementary Education)
Caroline Hudson, Liberty (3.89 | So. | Paris, Tenn. | Psychology)
Maci Cunconan, Lipscomb (4.00 | Jr. | Warrensburg, Mo. | Public Relations)
Emma Broadfoot, North Alabama (3.94 | So. | Danville, Ala. | Language Arts)
Halle Arends, North Florida (3.84 | Jr. | Phoenix, Ariz. | Marketing & Business Management)
FOLLOW ALONG
For up-to-the-minute information on the FGCU softball program, follow on Twitter @FGCU_Softball and Instagram at fgcusoftball and stay tuned at FGCUAthletics.com.
COACH DEIROS
The founding father of FGCU softball, David Deiros is in his 20th season as head coach during the 2022 campaign. Hired in 2001 to build the program from the dirt up, Deiros has since guided the Eagles to a 707-397-3 (.640), going 176-109 (.618) in the ASUN, having 16 seasons with a winning record, and nine campaigns with 35+ wins. Deiros is a former head coach at the 1998 Florida State Runner-up Lely High School in Naples and is the founding head coach of the 1999 District Champion/2001 Regional Runner-up Gulf Coast High School in Naples.
E.A.G.L.E. CAMPAIGN
IT TAKES A TEAM to achieve our newest goal - a $10 million campaign to address student-athlete needs in continued academic success, life skills, mental health, nutrition, and strength and conditioning as well as departmental needs in facility expansion and improvement as well as mentoring and leadership training for coaches and staff. The name embodies our mission and the purpose of the E.A.G.L.E. Campaign - Eagle Athletics Generating Lifetime Excellence. Join Our Team and pledge your gift today to help the Eagles of tomorrow!
#FEEDFGCU
FGCU Athletics sponsors events in November and April to benefit the FGCU Campus Food Pantry (www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry) and the Harry Chapin Food Bank (www.harrychapinfoodbank.org), FGCU Athletics' charities of choice. For more information, including how to make a contribution, please visit www.fgcu.edu/foodpantry and utilize the hashtag #FeedFGCU to help raise awareness.
ABOUT FGCU
FGCU teams have combined to win an incredible 92 conference regular season and tournament titles in just 14+ seasons at the Division I level. Additionally, in just 10 seasons of D-I postseason eligibility, the Eagles have had a combined 44 teams or individuals compete in NCAA championships. Eight FGCU programs have earned a top-25 national ranking in their respective sport - including women's basketball (No. 20, 2021-22), beach volleyball (No. 20, 2022) and both men's soccer (2018, 2019) and women's soccer (2018) as three of the most recent. In 2016-17, the Green and Blue posted a department-best sixth-place finish in the DI-AAA Learfield Directors' Cup and top-100 showing nationally, ahead of several Power-5 and FBS institutions. In 2018-19, the Eagles had an ASUN and state of Florida best seven teams earn the NCAA's Public Recognition Award for their Academic Progress Rate in their sport. FGCU also collectively earned a record 3.50 GPA in the classroom in the fall 2020 semester and has outperformed the general University undergraduate population for 25 consecutive semesters. The past five semesters (Fall 2019 – Fall 2021) each saw another milestone reached as all 15 programs achieved a 3.0-or-higher team GPA in each. The Eagles also served an all-time high 7,200 volunteer hours in 2017 - being recognized as one of two runners-up for the inaugural NACDA Community Service Award presented by the Fiesta Bowl.
