Four Redbirds Earn All-Conference Accolades

ST. LOUIS – The Missouri Valley Conference announced Wednesday morning that four Illinois State softball players received All-Conference honors for their performances during conference play in the 2022 season.

Delainey Bryant and Dayna Kennedy were selected to the All-MVC First Team while Emme Olson and Amanda Fox each earned a spot on the All-MVC Second Team. Olson was also placed on the MVC All-Defensive Team. 

Bryant, Kennedy and Fox earn All-Conference honors for the first time in their careers while Olson earned All-MVC Second Team in 2021 as well. 

Bryant, a freshman from Mattoon, Ill., hit .333 in conference games this season, with 26 hits in 25 games played. She started every conference contest at shortstop for the Redbirds and knocked five doubles, two triples, and five home runs in Valley play. Bryant also collected 18 RBI and 23 runs scored, which both led the team. She is the first Illinois State freshman to be selected to the All-MVC First Team since Jordan de los Reyes was selected her freshman season in 2014.  

Kennedy, a junior from Decatur, Ill., started and played in 21 games in Valley play this season for the Redbirds. She had 19 hits with three doubles and seven home runs while collecting 15 RBI and scoring 10 runs. Kennedy boasted a .373 batting average with an .843 slugging percentage against MVC teams which ranks her second in the conference in slugging, and third in the conference in OPS (1.272). She was also solid behind the plate for Illinois State, serving as the Redbirds' primary catcher. 

Fox, a junior from Saunemin, Ill., assumed a starting role in the circle this season for Illinois State. Prior to 2022, Fox had only tossed 13.1 innings in eight appearances and three starts over two seasons. She had never faced a Valley team entering this season as 2020 was cut short and Fox only made one appearance against Clemson (2/12) in 2021. In Valley play, Fox has a 7-4 record, tossing five complete games and three shutouts. In her 78.0 innings pitched, she has collected a 3.14 ERA with 83 strikeouts and only allowing a .223 opponent batting average. Fox also has two saves in conference play this season which ties her for first in the MVC and ranks her fifth in program history for saves in a single season. 

Olson, a senior from Hartsburg, Ill., adds another accolade to her spectacular career as a Redbird. This is her second selection to the All-MVC Second Team as she earned the honor in 2021 as well. She has started and played in every game during the conference season with a .324 average across 25 games, collecting nine doubles, a triple, two home runs, and 15 walks. Olson has driven in 12 runs while scoring 11 herself, and her on-base percentage in MVC games ties her for eighth in the conference. The 2022 Senior CLASS Award candidate currently leads the team in overall batting average while ranking fifth in program history in career doubles with 41. 

UP NEXT

Illinois State is set for the MVC Tournament in Springfield, Mo. hosted by the Missouri State Lady Bears. The Redbirds will play on Thursday, May 12 at 1:30 p.m., and they will play the winner of Wednesday's matchup of No. 10 Valparaiso versus No. 7 Indiana State. 

For updates on Illinois State Softball, follow the Redbirds on Twitter (@RedbirdsSB) and Instagram (@redbirdsoftball).

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