Six Salukis were named to an All-MVC team Wednesday morning as SIU nearly swept the Specialty Awards. Maddia Groff, Jackie Lis, and Elizabeth Warwick were all named to the First Team, as Rylie Hamilton, Emma Austin, and Sidney Jones made it to the Second Team. The Saluki coaching staff of Jen Sewell, Mary Jo Firnbach, and Katie Griffith was named MVC Staff of the Year.
Maddia Groff won both Pitcher and Freshman of the Year becoming the first player to do so since Creighton's Tara Oltman in 2007. Groff led the MVC in ERA, wins, strikeouts, strikeout to walk ratio, and walks per game. The freshman is currently tied with the most wins in program history at 28-3.
Jackie Lis was named the MVC Most Valuable Player to go along with her second-consecutive First Team All-MVC. Lis led the MVC with a .797 slugging percentage, 47 runs, and 110 total bases. She ranks second in home runs (16) and on-base percentage (.489).
Senior Elizabeth Warwick made it to both the First Team and All-Defensive team for the second consecutive season. Warwick owns both the single-season (19) and career record (51) double record as she's led the team in consecutive seasons. Warwick has started every game in left field over the last two seasons and has zero errors this season.
For the third straight season, Rylie Hamilton was named All-MVC as she's been on one First Team (2022) and two Second Teams (2023, 2024). Hamilton is second on the Salukis in home runs (7) and third in doubles (6) with the fourth most hits on the team. Hamilton has started every game at third base the last two seasons, stealing hits left and right from opposing hitters.
Sidney Jones made her first All-MVC team in her senior season and second with the Salukis. Jones had career highs across the board in hits, batting average, slugging percentage, on-base percentage, and extra base hits.
Emma Austin made her second consecutive All MVC team as she leads the MVC with 22 stolen bases. Austin has only been caught stealing twice as she totals a .309 batting average with a double, a triple, and 13 RBIs. Austin has started in all 48 games in center field with zero errors on the year.
