With three players set to finish competing in the Japan Diamond Softball League at the beginning of the inaugural Athletes Unlimited Softball League season, the Volts have added two accomplished reserves—Ali Newland and Mary Iakopo—to open the AUSL season.

Newland and Iakopo will fill roster spots left temporarily vacant by Sam Show (Ogaki Minamo), Erika Piancastelli (SGH Galaxy Stars), and Dejah Mulipola (Hitachi Sundiva).

Ali Newland (Utility) 

Newland is a 2024 LSU graduate and capped her college career as one of the most decorated players in the SEC. She was named to the All-SEC First Team, SEC All-Defensive Team, and NFCA South All-Region First Team after starting all 61 games in left field last season.

She hit .304 with 41 RBIs, nine home runs, and 11 doubles, adding a .511 slugging percentage and .402 on-base mark. She was flawless in the field, finishing the season with a perfect fielding percentage in 95 chances. Her standout week in late February earned her SEC Player of the Week honors.

Newland was named the 2024 SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year and earned spots on the SEC Community Service Team in three seasons. She left LSU ranked among the program’s most consistent leaders and brings versatility as both a left fielder and emergency catcher.

Mary Iakopo (Catcher)

Iakopo brings veteran experience behind the plate, where she’ll help fill the void left by Mulipola. She has represented the U.S. internationally and won gold at the 2017 WBSC Junior Women’s World Championship.

She began her college career at Oregon before transferring to Texas, earning multiple All-Conference and All-Region honors. Iakopo was twice named to the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Watch List.

Her game-calling and poise will be key as the Volts navigate the early part of the season without three of their top veterans. Iakopo offers a steady hand behind the plate and a proven bat to round out the lineup.

The AUSL is a professional women’s softball league featuring four teams playing in a traditional format during the regular season. The Volts will open the season versus the Blaze on June 7 in Wichita, KS. Tickets are on sale now.

Siera Jones is the digital media reporter at Athletes Unlimited. You can follow her on Instagram and X @sieraajones.