ROCK ISLAND -- Augustana Vikings head coach John Nelson and his staff have announced the program's incoming 2026 recruiting class.

"I am very excited about the incoming recruiting class of 2026," said coach Nelson. "We have a very versatile, speedy, and powerful group of coachable student-athletes who will be ready to make an immediate impact.  As a group, I think the thing that stands out about them is that they all come from high school and travel ball teams that compete at a high level against tough competition.  We have three excellent pitchers, and then a mix of six position players who are versatile and explosive players who will continue to keep the Augustana Vikings Softball trending to higher altitudes.  Each player is coming in with high academic and athletic standards and are positive people who make others around them better. Please believe, this class will make some noise!"

Elizabeth Davis is a 3B/1B from Genoa-Kingston High School and Midwest Aftershock Elite Select. Davis is a First Team All-Conference, All-Area, and is representing the USA Team for The Cup in the Netherlands. She holds the home run record at her high school and was both the offensive and defensive player of the year. Davis earned the Presidential Education Awards Program and Academic All-Conference, while being inducted into the National Honor Society. 

Why she chose Augie: "I chose Augustana College for many different reasons, but what truly stood out to me was the pre-vet program and the softball team as a whole," said Davis. "The campus is beautiful, and it is a good distance from home, but the real reason I chose it was because of how at home I felt coming to the campus. Everyone was so welcoming when it came to staff and others around the school, which was very appealing. When it comes to the campus itself, the smaller, more intimate campus was more ideal for me. Being able to create strong connections with my professors and those around me is something that is very important to me. As for my career, Augustana has a very successful, rewarding pre-vet program that helps get you on track for the future. As for softball, both Coach Nelson and the girls both on the team, and other commits were very supportive, and it felt like an environment that I could truly be myself. I feel that I will be able to push myself with those around me, while still creating great friendships along the way. Overall, it seems like great competition and excitement, while being able to focus on the game that I, along with others on the team, love." 

Coach Nelson on Davis: Lizzy's a ball of energy with a ton of strength who will make everyone around her better. She will definitely bring some excitement to our team with her passion for softball and ability to make impactful plays on offense and defense. She is a player who has an undeniable voice and has the flair for the dramatic in big situations, whether it is making a diving play or a walk-off home run. We are very excited to see her in a Viking uniform.

Kalleigh Gale is from Kewanee High School and Heartland Havoc '08 and is a right-handed pitcher and second baseman. Gale is an Illinois State Scholar and FFA SAE State Winner-Food Service Entrepreneurship. She was the top-10 FFA Chapter President and Kewanee Elks Teen of the Month. She was also named All-State Second Team two times, along with a Third Team honor. 

Why she chose Augie: "I knew I wanted to go to a small college near my hometown, and Augie felt like a second home to me," says Gale. "As
As soon as I got on campus, everyone was so welcoming and made it clear to me that I would be able to follow my dreams while being a student-athlete."

Coach Nelson on Gale: Kalleigh is a true leader who also happens to be an incredible all-state caliber pitcher. She has some of the nastiest movement I've ever seen from a right-handed pitcher. In my last year at Rockridge High School (2023), we were in a juggernaut of a 102-1 3-year run. Other than the 1 1-run loss we suffered a month earlier, the only team that challenged us was Kalleigh's Kewanee team in the Regional Championship Game. As a freshman, Kalleigh was the only pitcher to hold my team down, as we only beat her 1-0 on a solo Home run. I knew at that moment to make sure to align with Kalleigh, and she ended up playing for my travel team as well as committing to Augie. She is a driven and amazing leader who owns her own business and handles her business on the diamond like a pro. We are happy to have her repping the blue & gold.

Olivia Johnson plays outfield and is from North Boone High School and Heartland Havoc '08. Johnson is a three-time Scholar athlete and state runner-up two seasons ago, and finished third this past season. 

Why she chose Augie: "Augustana felt like home on my first visit," says Johnson. "I remember telling my parents I was going to go here even if I didn't get recruited for softball. I knew I wanted to stay close enough to home so my family could continue to watch me play, but far enough away to gain independence. Everyone on the campus was so welcoming. Coach Nelson made the decision so easy for me. I felt we developed a strong relationship from the beginning, and seeing how much the program has grown under his coaching, I knew I wanted to be a part of it!"

Coach Nelson on Johnson: Olivia is a player who we knew we wanted in our program from the first time meeting her and saw her play the game.  She has a infections spirit and her hustle is outmatched. She plays on a very competitive travel team, and her high school team has taken 2nd and 3rd at the IHSA 2A State Finals, respectively, over the last two years. She was an impact player on those teams as a starting outfielder and recently a leadoff batter.  Olivia comes to us with a high softball IQ and a deep passion for the game of softball.  Olivia "LJ" is a winner with a champion's work ethic on good days and bad, and we are very honored to have her as a 2026 Augustana Vikings Softball commit. 

Reagan Kearns plays multiple infield positions and is from United Township and Heartland Havoc '08. Kearns is a two-time Second-Team ICA All-State and three-time First-Team Western Big Six All-Conference honoree. She has been a switch-hitter since tee-ball and can hit home runs from both sides. 

Why she chose Augie: "I chose Augustana College because of the high success rates for the major I would like to do," said Kearns. "I chose Augie softball because of the culture and the bright future the team has!"

Coach Nelson on Kearns: Reagan is arguably one of the best power hitters in the state of Illinois, and pitchers around the state are very careful pitching to her. She has prodigious power in all fields and can hit the ball with some of the highest exit velocities that I've seen. She holds the career record for home runs at United Township High School after her junior year. She is a very committed student- athlete to both softball and academics. Reagan is a power-pitcher who can spin it with the best of them and is also an excellent corner infielder with high softball IQ. She will make an immediate impact on our team as a player and an excellent teammate. She has an awesome sense of humor and is a great communicator in the dugout and on the field. We are very excited to have Reagan in our softball program.

Ava Koudelka is an outfielder and second baseman from North Polk High School and the Iowa Dynamite. She earned Gold Honor Roll for four years, DMACC Dean's Award, and maintained a 3.8 GPA in the classroom, while being a two-sport varsity letter winner. Koudleka earned All-tournament teams and was an All-Conference Honorable Mention. 

Why she chose Augie: "I chose this school because it fits great for both my academics and softball goals," said Koudelka. "The team culture, coaching style, team achievements, and competition make me feel like I will grow as a player and enjoy my time. The school really focuses on what is best for the students, which is really important to me. Also,  Augustana has a great Communication Science and Disorders Program that will help me achieve my academic goals. I am super excited to put in my best effort to grow as a player with a great group of girls around me!"

Coach Nelson on Koudelka: We are very excited to have someone coming in with so much championship experience in softball. Ava has competed at the state finals level in Iowa High School softball four times, including an all-tournament team recognition. She will provide much-needed depth at numerous positions while competing for a starting job. She is an excellent hitter who will help us create added offensive pressure. Ava is a high-level competitor in the classroom as well, so, along with her 2026 peers, I foresee our team GPA soaring to new heights.

Ashley Sterling is a left-handed pitcher from Ankeny Centennial High School and Heartland Havoc '08. She earned the Easton NFCA All-American Scholar Athlete and the CIML Academic Award. 

Why she chose Augie: I chose Augustana because it offers the ideal balance of academic excellence and athletic opportunities," said Sterling. "Augustana's smaller size and supportive campus environment really appealed to me."

Coach Nelson on Sterling: When I first saw Ashley, she was pitching against my own 16U travel team in the fall of 2024, and she was a dominant pitcher with excellent presence & body language. As a left- handed pitcher, she created movement that was very difficult to hit both vertically and horizontally. She changes speeds effectively and really keeps batters off-balance due to her movement and change of speeds. Ashley is an awesome teammate and is very committed in the classroom as well. We can't wait to see what she does on the diamond for us here at Augustana College.

Ella Tady is an outfielder and designated hitter from Peoria Notre Dame and Premier Fastpitch 18U. Her accomplishments are two-time Big 12 First-Team All-Conference, Big 12 All-Conference Second-Team, two-time Illinois Coaches Association All-State Third-Team, and the Greater Area Coaches Association McDonald's All-Star. 

Why she chose Augie: "I chose Augustana because it is a great academic and athletic school," said Tady. "I love the location. I chose the softball team because I love the atmosphere. During my visit, it felt like home, and I immediately knew it was the place for me."

Coach Nelson on Tady: We are very pleased to announce the commitment of Ella Tady, who is an outfielder who can really drive the ball to the gaps. She is a hitter who can drive in runs, hit behind runners, and be a difference-maker in a game. She has always played on competitive travel ball teams and against some of the best competition in the country. I have no doubts that Ella will make our team a more competitive one on the field as well as in the classroom.

Addyson Wooden is an infielder from Metamora Township High School and the Starved Rock Bandits. Academically, she has earned high honors, Golden Glove twice, two-time McDonald's All-Star, National Tournament MVP, and Defensive MVP.

Why she chose Augie: My first time on campus, I loved everything about it, "said Wooden. "I also loved the coaching staff and the atmosphere of the program. I also like that it's not too far from home."

Coach Nelson on Wooden: Addy will be a great addition to our infield in the fall of 2026. She is a very athletic & "rangy" infielder who has excellent instincts and high softball IQ. She is a very versatile infielder who could see time at 3B, SS, or 2B, and she gives us another left-handed bat in the lineup. Addy is an excellent teammate who comes from a very athletic family and support system, who understands championship culture and what it means to be a committed student-athlete at this level.

Izzie Wright is a catcher and third baseman from Santana High School and So Cal Choppers VC 18U. She is a two-time Scholar Athlete, First-Team All-League varsity golfer, and earned the Sultan Award two times. 

Why she chose Augie: "My wish was to leave California and experience living in a different area," said Wright. "I also wanted to attend a smaller school, with small class ratios, and Augustana checked those boxes. After touring the campus and meeting with Coach Nelson, Augustana felt like a great fit."

Coach Nelson on Wright: We are excited to bring Izzie Wright to our team. She is an absolute spark plug of a player who can ignite a pitching staff from the catcher position and change a game with the swing of a bat. Knowing the caliber of competition that she plays against in California and across the country with her travel team gives us the confidence that she will be an impact player who pushes her teammates to be their best. She is the type of teammate that everyone wants on their team.