Nighthawks advance to NCAA championship

"This is what we have been working so hard for all year. Plenty of teams want a national title, but the dangerous ones are the ones that have the grit, effort and determination that our team has," sophomore designated player Carleigh Knowles said. "This team wants more than just a good season, and you can see it in how we compete and how much we have each other's backs."

The double-elimination opening portion of the NCAA championship concludes May 31, with two teams advancing to the best-of-three championship series set for June 2-3.

Head coach Brooke O'Hair has now guided the Nighthawks to the NCAA championship site in Chattanooga in each of her first two seasons. After 18 years as head coach at Mississippi College, O'Hair has tallied a 99-25 record thus far as the leader of the UNG program.

"It is the best of both worlds playing in Chattanooga - competing on the biggest stage in Division II, but with the comfort and support of the Nighthawk Nation right there with us," O'Hair said. "Our fans are some of the most passionate in the country. Because Frost Stadium is right up the highway, having that loud, hometown energy behind us in Tennessee is going to be a huge emotional lift for our girls."

North Georgia is in pursuit of its third softball national title after winning it all in 2015 and 2023, with the most recent championship coming in Chattanooga.

"We just need to continue staying true to ourselves. We play our best when we are loose, having fun and when we bring as much energy as possible onto the field," redshirt junior pitcher Caroline Conner said. "This is such a special group of girls, and I cannot wait to step out onto the field with them in Chattanooga."