Sophia Knight Touted as Preseason Player of the Year
1/30/2025 12:00:00 PM | Softball
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Boise State sophomore Sophia Knight was selected the 2025 Mountain West Softball Preseason Player of the Year, Thursday. She was one of three Broncos named to the All-MW Preseason team, joined by senior outfielder Mykenzie Hanna and junior infielder Sydney Groves.
Earlier this month, Knight was ranked 23rd nationally on D1Softball's preseason list of top outfielders and garnered a spot in the outlet's Top 100 players overall.
Last season, Knight became the first Bronco in school history to become a Freshman All-American when she received the honor from Softball America. The 2024 Mountain West Freshman of the Year ranked fifth nationally and led NCAA freshman with 85 hits. She was tops in the Mountain West with a .405 batting average.
Knight set Boise State freshman records for runs (51) and steals (18). She became the first Bronco to hit safely in her first-14 career games and recorded the longest hitting streak in school history to start a season. A native of Huntington Beach, Calif., reached base in the first-30 games in 2024 and was NFCA All-Pacific Region Second Team and All-Mountain West First Team.
In 2024, Hanna tied the school record for a junior when she started 56 games. She batted .270 with eight doubles, 18 home runs and 47 RBI. The home runs set a Boise State record for a junior tied Groves for the Mountain West lead and 23rd nationally. Her RBI total tied for 10th on the Broncos' single-season list. A native of Chino Hills, Calif., Hanna was named All-Mountain West Second Team last season.
Groves batted .318 a year ago and set the Boise State sophomore record for home runs. The total was also tied for second most in school history. Earlier this month, the Meridian, Idaho native earned the No. 15 spot on D1Softball's first basemen rankings and was listed among Softball America's preseason top 100 players. Groves added nine doubles and set a Boise State single-season record with 57 RBI. She was named to the 2024 NFCA All-Pacific Region First Team, the All-Mountain West Second Team and the Mountain West Championship all-tournament team.
The three preseason selections led the Mountain West among hitters and tied with San Diego State for most selections (including pitchers). As a team, Boise State was tied for second with Fresno State in the Mountain West preseason poll, behind defending conference champion San Diego State.
The Broncos open their 2025 season at Sacramento State, February 6 at 2 p.m. PT/3 p.m. MT. The home opener is slated for March 6 against Idaho State at 5 p.m. as part of the Blue Collar Classic. Fans can purchase season tickets, single-game tickets and Elite Packs for a home schedule that includes the Blue Collar Classic, Power 4 opponents Utah and Stanford and 11 conference matchups.
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Earlier this month, Knight was ranked 23rd nationally on D1Softball's preseason list of top outfielders and garnered a spot in the outlet's Top 100 players overall.
Last season, Knight became the first Bronco in school history to become a Freshman All-American when she received the honor from Softball America. The 2024 Mountain West Freshman of the Year ranked fifth nationally and led NCAA freshman with 85 hits. She was tops in the Mountain West with a .405 batting average.
Knight set Boise State freshman records for runs (51) and steals (18). She became the first Bronco to hit safely in her first-14 career games and recorded the longest hitting streak in school history to start a season. A native of Huntington Beach, Calif., reached base in the first-30 games in 2024 and was NFCA All-Pacific Region Second Team and All-Mountain West First Team.
In 2024, Hanna tied the school record for a junior when she started 56 games. She batted .270 with eight doubles, 18 home runs and 47 RBI. The home runs set a Boise State record for a junior tied Groves for the Mountain West lead and 23rd nationally. Her RBI total tied for 10th on the Broncos' single-season list. A native of Chino Hills, Calif., Hanna was named All-Mountain West Second Team last season.
Groves batted .318 a year ago and set the Boise State sophomore record for home runs. The total was also tied for second most in school history. Earlier this month, the Meridian, Idaho native earned the No. 15 spot on D1Softball's first basemen rankings and was listed among Softball America's preseason top 100 players. Groves added nine doubles and set a Boise State single-season record with 57 RBI. She was named to the 2024 NFCA All-Pacific Region First Team, the All-Mountain West Second Team and the Mountain West Championship all-tournament team.
The three preseason selections led the Mountain West among hitters and tied with San Diego State for most selections (including pitchers). As a team, Boise State was tied for second with Fresno State in the Mountain West preseason poll, behind defending conference champion San Diego State.
The Broncos open their 2025 season at Sacramento State, February 6 at 2 p.m. PT/3 p.m. MT. The home opener is slated for March 6 against Idaho State at 5 p.m. as part of the Blue Collar Classic. Fans can purchase season tickets, single-game tickets and Elite Packs for a home schedule that includes the Blue Collar Classic, Power 4 opponents Utah and Stanford and 11 conference matchups.
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