OVERLAND PARK, Kan. - University of Dayton softball senior Alyssa Cacini has been selected as a candidate for the Senior CLASS Award as announced on March 8. The list includes 30 of the top NCAA softball student-athletes who excel both on and off the field.

An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School ^®, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities. To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior or graduate student and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence: community, classroom, character and competition.

A 2021 NFCA All-Region Third Team honoree and 2020-21 Easton/NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete, Cacini currently leads the team with a .500 slugging percentage, seven runs scored, five RBI and three home runs in 15 games this season. She serves as Dayton SAAC's social media chairperson and is one of UD's Atlantic 10 Conference SAAC reps as well. Cacini is set to graduate from Dayton in May with a degree in public relations and carries a 3.48 cumulative GPA.

The 30 candidates will be narrowed to 10 finalists later in the season, and those 10 names will be placed on the official ballot. Ballots will be distributed through a nationwide voting system to media, coaches and fans. The Senior CLASS Award winner will be announced during the 2022 Women's College World Series® in June.