GREENSBORO, N.C. – Georgia Tech softball catcher Emma Kauf has been named to the 2023 Preseason All-ACC Softball Team, as voted on by the Atlantic Coast Conference head coaches, the league announced on Thursday.
The honor follows multiple rankings among the nation’s best ahead of the 2023 season as the Lincoln, Neb., native has been recognized as the No. 10 catcher in the country and No. 81 overall player in the land by Extra Inning Softball. D1Softball also named Kauf the No. 85 player in the NCAA for the upcoming season.
A team captain since her arrival on The Flats, Kauf has excelled on the field as the top catcher in the conference over the past two seasons. The standout behind the dish has been named First Team All-ACC in each of the last two seasons, also earning NFCA Southeast Second Team All-Region honors a season ago while landing on the ACC All-Freshman Team in 2021.
A two-time ACC Player of the week recipient, Kauf has displayed her proficiency in the backstop and at the plate as she developed a knack for catching runners stealing and set multiple national marks with her bat a season ago. The slim slugger laced 25 doubles in 2022, tying second in program history in single-season doubles while ranking second in the NCAA and leading the ACC with the mark. Leading the nation in doubles per game (0.45), Kauf also topped the conference in hits (71) to tie 11th in Tech history in a single season last year.
Off the field, the team leader was named one of 13 finalists for the 2023 Coach Wooden Citizenship Cup for her service in the community and for the Institute as well as her academic prowess, noted by her pair of ACC Academic Honor Roll and All-ACC Academic Team recognitions.
The Preseason All-ACC Softball Team is voted on by the league's head coaches and consists of a minimum of 14 players. Each ballot was comprised of five infielders, four outfielders, three pitchers, a catcher and either a designated player or utility player.
The Jackets were voted to finish sixth in the 2023 ACC Softball Preseason Coaches Poll, up a spot from a season ago.
Georgia Tech opens the 2023 season hosting the annual Buzz Classic, beginning its action with a doubleheader against UConn on Feb. 10 at 4:30 p.m. at Mewborn Field.
The Yellow Jackets’ full schedule can be viewed here.
2023 ACC Softball Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Florida State
2. Virginia Tech
3. Clemson
4. Duke
5. Notre Dame
6. Georgia Tech
7. Louisville
8. Virginia
9. Syracuse
10. NC State
11. North Carolina
12. Boston College
13. Pitt
2023 Softball Preseason All-ACC Team
INF
- Karina Gaskins, Notre Dame, Jr
- Cameron Fagan, Virginia Tech, Jr.
- Mack Leonard, Florida State, Gr.
- Alia Logoleo, Clemson, R-Jr.
- Devin Flaherty, Florida State, Sr.
OF
- Kaley Mudge, Florida State, Sr.
- Emma Ritter, Virginia Tech, Jr.
- McKenzie Clark, Clemson, Jr.
- Leea Hanks, Notre Dame, Sr.
C
- Emma Kauf, Georgia Tech, Sr.
P
- Katheryn Sandercock, FSU, R-Sr.
- Valerie Cagle, Clemson, R-Jr.
- Emma Lemley, Virginia Tech, So.
DP (Tie)
- Kalei Harding, Florida St., Jr.
- Meredith Slaw, Virginia Tech, Sr.
