SANTA ANA, Calif. - Following their historic run, the Dons Softball team collected various awards. The latest comes as no surprise as Head Coach Marissa Ross was named the 2022 Orange Empire Conference (OEC) John Altobelli Female Coach of the Year. 

In her third season at the helm, Ross led the Dons to a 38-9, 20-4 overall record while capturing the programs fifth OEC championship and advancing to state for the first time since 2001. 

Ross has taken the program to new heights since taking over in 2020, collecting 70 wins despite playing through a couple of shortened seasons. 

The young head coach is also an alumna of Santa Ana College, graduating in 2014 before transferring to Drury University where she earned a bachelor's degree in Exercise and Sport Science as well as a master's degree in Education, Integrated Learning. 

In addition, the SAC Softball Coaches staff was named the National Fastpitch Coaches Association JC Coaching Staff of the Year and OEC Softball Coaching Staff of the Year.

The Dons will look to pick up where they started as they head into the 2023 season with high expectations.