SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 681

WHEREAS, The University of Texas at Tyler softball team furthered its proud tradition of success by winning the 2025 NCAA Division II national championship; and

WHEREAS, After excelling during the regular season, UT Tyler claimed the Lone Star Conference tournament title to secure an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament; earning the No. 1 seed in the South Central Regional, the Patriots bested Metropolitan State University of Denver, Colorado Christian, and Oklahoma Christian Universities in the regionals and West Texas A&M University in the super regionals to punch their ticket to the College World Series for the fourth straight year; and

WHEREAS, Joining the other regional champions in Chattanooga, Tennessee, UT Tyler dispatched Western Washington and Saginaw Valley State Universities to earn a place in the best-of-three championship series against the University of Tampa; the Patriots swept the finals, shutting out their opponent in the opener 6-0 and 3-0 in the second and decisive contest; senior pitcher Primrose Aholelei dominated on the mound for UT Tyler, striking out 17 batters and allowing only two hits across 14 innings in two complete-game performances; with the triumph, the Patriots clinched the program's second consecutive NCAA Division II title and third championship in nine years; and

WHEREAS, Honored as the Most Outstanding Player, Ms. Aholelei joined JT Smith, Ka'Lyn Watson, Abbie Behe, and Taryn Barney on the Division II All-Championship Team; the Patriots also received valuable contributions throughout the year from the other members of the roster: Brylee Adams, Alaunah Almaraz, Cera Blanchard, Miia Campos, Gracie Cates, Kaylee Davis, Jordyn De Los Santos, Hailey Fannin, Sam Garcia, Megan Geyer, Berlyn Grossman, Trinity Hale, Kaylee Harris, Bailey Krolczyk, Angelique Rangel, Sam Schott, Julissa Vasquez, and Keona Wells; the team is ably guided by head coach Mike Reed, associate head coach Whitney Wyly, and assistant coaches Dani Elder, Anthony Springer, and Shannon Klaus; and

WHEREAS, By claiming back-to-back national championships, the UT Tyler Patriots have burnished their reputation as a softball powerhouse, and all those associated with the team may reflect with pride on a job well done; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 89th Legislature, hereby congratulate The University of Texas at Tyler softball team on winning the 2025 NCAA Division II national championship and extend to all those associated with the squad sincere best wishes for continued success; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be prepared for the Patriots as an expression of high regard from the Texas Senate.

Hughes

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on June 1, 2025.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate