Texas Tech University Athletics
NiJaree Canady selected No. 2 overal in AUSL Draft
May 04, 2026 | Softball
Texas Tech star NiJaree Canady will join the Texas Volts this summer
LUBBOCK, Texas – The Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) held its draft for the 2026 season tonight which featured Texas Tech pitcher NiJaree Canady going No. 2 overall to the Texas Volts. Canady is the first Red Raider to be drafted into the AUSL.
Canady is the only active pitcher with 1,000 strikeouts and 96 wins in their career. The Topeka, Kansas native has finished each of the last four regular seasons in the top 10 in ERA and has been an All-American each of her last three seasons. She boasts a career ERA of 0.95 while being a National Player of the Year Top 25 finalist each of the last four seasons. Canady has won virtually every individual award including 2023 Freshman of the Year, 2024 National Player of the Year, 2025 Big 12 Pitcher and Female Athlete of the Year, 2025 USA Today Kansas Woman of the Year, 2024 and 25 NFCA Pitcher of the Year, 2024 and 25 Honda Sport Award for Softball, is a three-time All-American and a three-time Women's College World Series All-Tournament Team member along with many more.
Canady received the first Golden Ticket earlier this season, signifying that she had been drafted into the league and was one of 17 athletes to be drafted to league tonight. This will be the second season for the Texas Volts who look to climb to the top of the league next season.
The Volts are based out of Austin and play their games at Dell Diamond. The season opens on June 9 in Oklahoma City as the Volts take on the Spark in a three-game series.
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Canady is the only active pitcher with 1,000 strikeouts and 96 wins in their career. The Topeka, Kansas native has finished each of the last four regular seasons in the top 10 in ERA and has been an All-American each of her last three seasons. She boasts a career ERA of 0.95 while being a National Player of the Year Top 25 finalist each of the last four seasons. Canady has won virtually every individual award including 2023 Freshman of the Year, 2024 National Player of the Year, 2025 Big 12 Pitcher and Female Athlete of the Year, 2025 USA Today Kansas Woman of the Year, 2024 and 25 NFCA Pitcher of the Year, 2024 and 25 Honda Sport Award for Softball, is a three-time All-American and a three-time Women's College World Series All-Tournament Team member along with many more.
Canady received the first Golden Ticket earlier this season, signifying that she had been drafted into the league and was one of 17 athletes to be drafted to league tonight. This will be the second season for the Texas Volts who look to climb to the top of the league next season.
The Volts are based out of Austin and play their games at Dell Diamond. The season opens on June 9 in Oklahoma City as the Volts take on the Spark in a three-game series.
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