CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) announced its preseason softball poll and All-CIAA selections Wednesday afternoon, as voted on by the CIAA Softball Coaches and Sports Information Directors Association.

The three-time defending CIAA champions, led by head coach Ed Powell, were selected to finish first in the conference preseason poll. The Bulldogs placed two student-athletes on the Preseason All-CIAA Team: senior outfielder Coreena Dunham and junior shortstop Taylor Dawkins.

Dunham started all 34 games for the Bulldogs last season and emerged as one of the CIAA's top offensive threats. She recorded 42 hits, including 12 doubles and five home runs, drove in 25 runs, and scored a team-high 43 times. Dunham batted .382 with a .627 slugging percentage and a .456 on-base percentage, while stealing 22 bases in 27 attempts. Defensively, the Abudon, Pa., native finished the season with a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage, totaling 58 putouts and two assists, and earned CIAA Defensive Player of the Week honors twice during the regular season.

Dawkins appeared in 39 games with 37 starts at shortstop and posted a strong all-around campaign. She collected 38 hits, including 12 doubles and six home runs, drove in 28 runs, and scored 24 times. Dawkins finished the season with a .336 batting average, a .619 slugging percentage, and a .402 on-base percentage. The Ridgley, Md., native recorded 63 putouts and 48 assists defensively.

BSU returns 16 athletes from last season's championship squad as it looks to continue its dominance in CIAA softball.

A complete list of the CIAA Softball Preseason Team and Predicted Order of Finish can be found below:

2026 CIAA Softball Predicted Order of Finish 

1.               Bowie State University 

2.               Claflin University 

3.               Winston-Salem State University 

4.               Virginia State University 

5.               Fayetteville State University 

6.               Lincoln University (PA) 

7.               Bluefield State University 

8.               Virginia Union University 

9.               Shaw University 

10.            Elizabeth City State University 

11.            Livingstone College 

12.            Johnson C. Smith University   

2026 Preseason All CIAA Softball Team 

·                  Pitcher: Jyla Thomas, Winston-Salem State University 

·                  Catcher: Jeniah Williams, Claflin University 

·                  First Base: Mylia Knight, Virginia State University 

·                  Second Base: Aniyah Jackson, Claflin University 

·                  Third Base: Treja Patterson, Fayetteville State University 

·                  Shortstop: Taylor Dawkins, Bowie State University 

·                  Outfield: Lauren Parham, Virginia State University 

·                  Outfield: Paige Whittington, Bluefield State University 

·                  Outfield: Coreena Dunham, Bowie State University 

·                  Designated Player: Aaliyah Rodriguez, Winston-Salem State University 

·                  Utility Player: Taylor Dawkins, Bowie State University 

The 2026 CIAA Softball Championship is scheduled for Thursday, May 7, to Saturday, May 9, at the Orangeburg Recreation Complex in Orangeburg, S.C.

The Bulldogs will open the 2026 campaign in Atlanta, Ga., competing in the HBCU Classic from Friday, Feb. 13, through Sunday, Feb. 15.