LUBBOCK - Before Texas Tech football enjoyed a storybook run to its first Big 12 championship, it was the softball team that experienced a memorable conference-winning season, which ended one game short of a national championship at the Women's College World Series.

The 2025 season was the first with star pitcher NiJaree Canady, who was named National Pitcher of the Year with the most victories of any player in the circle. Her 34 wins were also paired with team-high 11 home runs to power the Red Raiders' 54-14 record and 20-4 mark in the Big 12.

As Tech looks to avenge its Game 3 loss to the Texas Longhorns in the national championship, head coach Gerry Glasco built on the program's momentum with a transfer portal class that would make the likes of Cody Campbell and Joey McGuire proud.

The the nation is now taking notice more than it already has.

That's why its no surprise that many of this year's Red Raiders starters are named to the illustrious Softball America Top 100 list.

There's a familiar name at the top.

Entering her senior year, Canady has already cemented herself as the best college player of this generation. The undisputed All-American is already the country's best pitcher in back-to-back seasons, but her game only continues to evolve as Glasco allows her to hit in the lineup as a designated player.

She carried the Red Raiders to the top of the sport, and she has more work to do.

Now she has an elite crop of teammates joining her for the ride.

Leading the transfers is one of the best corner infielders in the country. The former Tennessee third baseman hit .351 with 16 homers as a sophomore last year, which was good enough for Second Team All-America honors.

A rare power-hitter at second base, Williams launched 19 home runs and 44 RBI for the Florida Gators. She and Pannell both represented their former schools in last year's WCWS in Oklahoma City before teaming up on the national runner-ups. Williams is the daughter of NBA great Jason Williams.

Davis was Texas Tech's every-day leadoff hitter as one of the most lethal slappers in the nation. Her blazing speed resulted in 93 hits at an .389 batting average, which is the seventh-best average in a single season in Red Raiders history.

When Canady isn't in the circle, one of the top lefty pitchers in the land will take the ball to build on a stellar freshman season at UCLA, another World Series roster from last year. Terry posted back-to-back 20-win seasons while winning Pac 12 Freshman of the Year in 2024 and being an All-Region selection as a sophomore in 2025.

The former Ohio State catcher raked 25 homers at a ridiculous .455 as a First Team All-America selection. She forms Canady's battery as a dynamic dual-threat for a Red Raiders offense that ranked second in the Big 12 in batting and in total hits.

Toney was the only freshman in the country to start every game at shortstop for their team in 2025, and after a WCWS filled with clutch performances at the plate, there's no sign of a sophomore slump incoming.

Lastly, the 2024 Conference USA Player of the Year (as a freshman) moves into Power 4 competition with 193 career strikeouts and a .398 batting average over her first two years.

Glasco and the Red Raiders begin the 2026 season on Feb. 5 with a home game against McNeese State.