Derkowski, McVey, Sieler Named Team Captains for 2025
11/26/2024 12:29:00 PM | Softball
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan softball head coach Bonnie Tholl announced Tuesday (Nov. 26) that seniors Lauren Derkowski, Ella McVey and Ellie Sieler will serve as the Wolverines' team captains for the 2025 season.
"I am elated to have Derk, Ella and Ellie serve as our team captains and guide us through the challenges that await Team 48," said Tholl. "This team recognized their value in leading us with experience and passion for Michigan and great commitment to our mission as we pursue Oklahoma City. They are the right people to inspire and unite Team 48."
Derkowski, who also served as one of three team captains last season, is a two-time All-Big Ten and NFCA All-Great Lakes Region honoree, including an all-conference first team selection last season after posting a 19-10 record with a 2.29 earned-run average, 222 strikeouts and a .232 opponent batting average. She was also named the Big Ten Tournament Most Outstanding Player after throwing all 19 innings with 3-0 record, 1.84 ERA and 20 strikeouts. A two-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree and Big Ten Distinguished Scholar, Derkowski is an industrial and operations engineering major.
McVey posted a career-best .313 batting average with 23 runs scored, 11 RBI and a .378 on-base percentage from the No. 9 spot in the Michigan batting order. She was named to the Big Ten All-Tournament Team after leading Michigan with a .500 batting average along with two runs and an RBI back in her home state (Iowa). A communication and media major, McVey is a two-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree and added Big Ten Distinguished Scholar recognition last season.
Sieler was named to the All-Big Ten first team -- and NFCA All-Great Lakes Region first team -- after boasting a breakout season in 2024. She registered career highs in all offensive categories, including a .341 batting average -- a 54-point improvement over her previous best -- and .421 on-base percentage from the leadoff spot with 47 runs, 10 doubles, six home runs and 19 RBI. Michigan's Big Ten Sportsmanship Award recipient, Sieler is majoring in communication and media and is a two-time Academic All-Big Ten honors honoree.
Michigan will kick off its 2025 campaign at the annual USF Tournament, slated for Feb. 7-9, in Tampa, Fla.
