Title: Virginia Tech’s Powerhouse at the Plate: Hokies Outfielder Named NFCA First Team All-American and USA Softball Player of the Year Finalist Again
In a season packed with jaw-dropping plays and record-breaking stats, Alyssa “Ace” Morgan, Virginia Tech’s dynamic outfielder, has once again captured the national spotlight. This week, the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) named Morgan a First Team All-American, solidifying her status as one of the most dominant players in college softball. Simultaneously, USA Softball announced that Morgan is, for the second consecutive year, a finalist for the prestigious USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award.
For the Hokies, it’s more than just a personal accolade—it’s a symbol of the program’s explosive rise in the national ranks.
The Star Behind the Stats
Standing 5’9″ and known for her lethal combination of speed, power, and field awareness, Morgan finished the 2025 regular season with a staggering .452 batting average, 29 home runs, and 67 RBIs. She led the ACC in on-base percentage and slugging while committing zero errors in center field across 48 games.
But the numbers only tell part of the story.
“She plays like every game is the World Series,” said Head Coach Marissa Callahan. “She reads pitches like a veteran pro, tracks fly balls like a hawk, and she brings a fire into the dugout that you can’t coach. She’s built for moments that define a season.”
Morgan’s late-inning heroics have become the stuff of Hokie legend. Her game-winning grand slam against Florida State in extra innings sealed a dramatic comeback in April and is already being called one of the greatest moments in Tech softball history.
Humble Roots, National Stage
Hailing from rural Danville, Virginia, Morgan was a two-sport athlete in high school—splitting her time between softball and cross country. She was lightly recruited out of high school, with many Power Five programs unsure if she could adapt to Division I pitching. Virginia Tech took the chance. And now, that gamble is rewriting the school’s sports legacy.
“I’ve always had something to prove,” Morgan said in a post-game interview after the Hokies’ Super Regional win over Michigan. “Not just for me, but for every girl from a small town who was told she was too quiet, too raw, or too late to start making noise.”
More Than an Athlete
Off the field, Morgan is majoring in Sports Psychology and has become a vocal advocate for mental health awareness in collegiate athletics. She launched a campus initiative called Mind Over Metal, which provides peer-led workshops and access to mental wellness resources specifically tailored for student-athletes.
“She’s the rare kind of player who’s elite in every arena—academically, athletically, emotionally,” said Athletic Director John Whitaker. “She’s redefining what it means to wear the maroon and orange.”
Eyes on Oklahoma
With Virginia Tech set to return to the Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City, all eyes are on Morgan as the Hokies seek their first national title. ESPN analysts have dubbed her the “X-Factor” of the tournament—capable of shifting momentum with a single swing or a game-saving diving catch.
Whether or not she captures the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year title this time, Morgan’s legacy is already secure. She’s not just one of the best in Blacksburg—she’s one of the best in the country.
And she’s not finished yet.
“This isn’t the end,” Morgan said with a grin during the NFCA All-American press conference. “This is just the windup.”
