GREENSBORO, N.C. - Over the next few days, we will be recognizing our three UNC Greensboro (UNCG) softball team seniors that will be concluding their collegiate softball careers at the end of this season. 

Our first senior (or graduate student), Makenna Matthijs, has donned the Blue & Gold uniform for the past five years. She has started and played in 228 games in her career. Matthijs has averaged .303 at the plate with 175 runs, which is currently third in UNCG record books, and 223 hits, which is currently sixth all time. She has hit 51 doubles, which is currently tied for third all time. Her 37 home runs are sixth all time, while her 163 RBI are fourth and her 736 at bats are tied for fourth. She has walked 82 times ranking ninth all-time. 

Matthijs earned her bachelor of science degree in speech language pathology and audiology with a minor in American Sign Language. In May 2023, she will complete her masters of art degree in speech language pathology. 

Matthijs was voted the 2022 Southern Conference (SoCon) Preseason Player of the Year, as well as to the Preseason All-SoCon first team. Matthijs was named to the 2021 National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-Mideast Region second team, as well as voted to the 2021 College Sports Information Directors Association (CoSIDA) All-District first team. Also in 2021, she earned SoCon first-team honors, SoCon All-Tournament Team recognition. She was named the team Most Valuable Player, the Offensive Most Valuable Player, and the Athletics Female Athlete of the Year in 2021.

During her sophomore year, Matthijs earned CoSIDA Google Cloud Academic All-District Team recognition and was the team's Defensive Most Valuable Player. She was selected to the SoCon Preseason second team in 2019 and 2020 and received numerous SoCon Player of the Week awards. During Matthijs' freshman year, she was selected as the Athletics Rookie of the Year and was voted to the SoCon All-Conference second team and All-SoCon Freshman Team. She was also most recently nominated for the Senior CLASS Award. 

Matthijs is a member of the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association, Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society, Golden Chain Honor Society, and Kappa Omicron Nu Honor Society. She has been named to the Dean's List nine times and the UNCG Chancellor's List nine times, while also earning the Southern Conference (SoCon) Commissioner's Medal four times. Matthijs was tabbed to the SoCon All-Academic Team three times.

Dear Softball,

When I put on my first pair of cleats 15 years ago, I never imagined the impact you would make on my life. You've blessed me with the opportunity to play for much more than myself; my team, my family, my country, my university and most importantly, for God's glory.

You've challenged me, humbled me, been an outlet for me and helped me grow in more ways than I can count. You've been there on my best of days and on the not-so good days. You've taught me that how I play the game, treat others and carry myself far surpasses my statistics and accolades.

You've taught me the importance of being present and leaving the stress and anxiety of the world at the gates when I step on the field. You've taught me that the relationships I've built along the way are the best part of it all. You've taught me that those relationships are worth putting in the extra time to check in on the people I care about. You've taught me to be grateful for everyday I get to step on the field because it goes by much faster than I anticipated.

To the wonderful people I have met along my journey, thank you. Some of you have been a part of my journey since I was a goofy little 7 year old who had no idea what she was doing, while some of you have supported me in some of the most challenging, yet rewarding times of being a college student athlete. To my coaches, past and present, thank you for giving me a chance, for pushing me, and for all of the lessons you've taught me, on and off the field. To my teammates, thank you for some of my best memories on and off the field. You have made me feel welcomed and loved and I'm forever grateful for the relationships we've built and memories we've made. Lastly, Mom, Dad and Matthew, thank you for your unconditional love and support, thousands of hours spent at the ball field, driving to and from games and practices, and for always being in my corner.

Softball, you've brought me so much joy, challenged me in ways unimaginable and blessed me with unforgettable people along my journey and I'm forever grateful for you.

Love always,

Makenna Matthijs