ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. – The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) released the 2025 CIAA Softball Yearly Awards voted on by the league's coaches association on Wednesday night.

Courtney Ward earned the lone honors for Elizabeth City State picking up CIAA All-Rookie honors.  The freshman catcher hit .340 on the season with 16 hits, three doubles, and a home run.  Defensively, Ward tallied a .957 fielding percentage with 76 putouts and 14 assists behind the plate.

The Portsmouth, Va. native earned CIAA Rookie of the Week honors in April.  Ward notched the first CIAA All-Rookie selection for the Lady Vikings Softball program since 2015.